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Stress responses in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.). XX. Transcriptional activation of phenylpropanoid pathway genes in elicitor-induced cell suspension cultures

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Abstract

Nuclear transcript run-on analysis was used to investigate the relative transcription rates of genes encoding enzymes of isoflavonoid phytoalexin biosynthesis and related pathways in elicitor-treated alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) cell suspension cultures. Genes encoding L-phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), chalcone synthase (CHS) and chalcone reductase (CHR) were most rapidly activated, with increases in transcription measurable within 10–20 min after elicitation. Cinnamic acid 4-hydroxylase (C4H), chalcone isomerase (CHI), isoflavone reductase (IFR) and caffeic acid 3-O-methyltransferase (COMT) genes were also rapidly activated, but at a slower initial rate. Transcription of chalcone 2′-O-methyltransferase (CHOMT), and 1,3-β-D-glucanase genes was less rapid, with lag periods of 60 and 30 min post-elicitation, respectively. Treatment of cells with the PAL inhibitor L-α-aminooxy-β-phenylpropionic acid (AOPP) resulted in increased transcription of PAL, CHS and CHR, but reduced transcription of CHOMT, indicating a role for phenylpropanoid products as both negative and positive regulators of gene expression within the phenylpropanoid pathway.

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Author notes

  1. Weiting Ni

    Present address: USDA-ARS, Department of Agronomy and Genetics, University of Minnesota, 55108, St Paul, MN, USA

  2. Theo Fahrendorf

    Present address: Department of Plant Biology, The Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, 40 Thorvaldsenvej, DK-1871, Friedriksberg C, Copenhagen, Denmark

  3. G. Murray Ballance

    Present address: Department of Plant Science, University of Manitoba, R3T 2N2, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Plant Biology Division, Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, 2510 Sam Noble Parkway, 73402, Ardmore, OK, USA

    Weiting Ni, Theo Fahrendorf, G. Murray Ballance & Richard A. Dixon

  2. Salk Institute for Biological Studies, 10010 North Torrey Pines Road, 92037, La Jolla, CA, USA

    Chris J. Lamb

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  1. Weiting Ni
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  4. Chris J. Lamb
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  5. Richard A. Dixon
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Ni, W., Fahrendorf, T., Ballance, G.M. et al. Stress responses in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.). XX. Transcriptional activation of phenylpropanoid pathway genes in elicitor-induced cell suspension cultures. Plant Mol Biol 30, 427–438 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00049322

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00049322

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