L-DOPA functions as a plant pheromone for belowground anti-herbivory communication.
Ecol Lett
; 26(3): 460-469, 2023 Mar.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-36708055
ABSTRACT
While mechanisms of plant-plant communication for alerting neighbouring plants of an imminent insect herbivore attack have been described aboveground via the production of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), we are yet to decipher the specific components of plant-plant signalling belowground. Using bioassay-guided fractionation, we isolated and identified the non-protein amino acid l-DOPA, released from roots of Acyrtosiphon pisum aphid-infested Vicia faba plants, as an active compound in triggering the production of VOCs released aboveground in uninfested plants. In behavioural assays, we show that after contact with l-DOPA, healthy plants become highly attractive to the aphid parasitoid (Aphidius ervi), as if they were infested by aphids. We conclude that l-DOPA, originally described as a brain neurotransmitter precursor, can also enhance immunity in plants.
Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Banco de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Áfidos
/
Compuestos Orgánicos Volátiles
Límite:
Animals
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Ecol Lett
Año:
2023
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Italia