Jasmonates (JAs) are signals in plant stress responses and development. One of the first observed and prominent responses to JAs is the induction of biosynthesis of different groups of secondary compounds. Among them are nicotine, isoquinolines, glucosinolates, anthocyanins, benzophenanthridine alkaloids, artemisinin, and terpenoid indole alkaloids (TIAs), such as vinblastine. This brief review describes modes of action of JAs in the biosynthesis of anthocyanins, nicotine, TIAs, glucosinolates and artemisinin. After introducing JA biosynthesis, the central role of the SCFCOI1-JAZ co-receptor complex in JA perception and MYB-type and MYC-type transcription factors is described. Brief comments are provided on primary metabolites as precursors of secondary compounds. Pathways for the biosynthesis of anthocyanin, nicotine, TIAs, glucosinolates and artemisinin are described with an emphasis on JA-dependent transcription factors, which activate or repress the expression of essential genes encoding enzymes in the biosynthesis of these secondary compounds. Applied aspects are discussed using the biotechnological formation of artemisinin as an example of JA-induced biosynthesis of secondary compounds in plant cell factories.

• MeSH
• Anthocyanins biosynthesis   MeSH
• Artemisinins metabolism   MeSH
• Models, Biological MeSH
• Biosynthetic Pathways MeSH
• Cyclopentanes metabolism   MeSH
• Glucosinolates biosynthesis   MeSH
• Metabolic Engineering MeSH
• Nicotine biosynthesis   MeSH
• Oxylipins metabolism   MeSH
• Plant Growth Regulators biosynthesis   metabolism   MeSH
• Plant Proteins metabolism   MeSH
• Plants genetics   metabolism   MeSH
• Secologanin Tryptamine Alkaloids metabolism   MeSH
• Signal Transduction MeSH
• Transcription Factors metabolism   MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Review MeSH

Oxylipins of the jasmonate family are active as signals in plant responses to biotic and abiotic stresses as well as in development. Jasmonic acid (JA), its precursor cis-12-oxo-phytodienoic acid (OPDA) and the isoleucine conjugate of JA (JA-Ile) are the most prominent members. OPDA and JA-Ile have individual signalling properties in several processes and differ in their pattern of gene expression. JA-Ile, but not OPDA, is perceived by the SCFCOI1-JAZ co-receptor complex. There are, however, numerous processes and genes specifically induced by OPDA. The recently identified OPDA-Ile suggests that OPDA specific responses might be mediated upon formation of OPDA-Ile. Here, we tested OPDA-Ile-induced gene expression in wild type and JA-deficient, JA-insensitive and JA-Ile-deficient mutant background. Tests on putative conversion of OPDA-Ile during treatments revealed only negligible conversion. Expression of two OPDA-inducible genes, GRX480 and ZAT10, by OPDA-Ile could be detected in a JA-independent manner in Arabidopsis seedlings but less in flowering plants. The data suggest a bioactivity in planta of OPDA-Ile.

• MeSH
• Arabidopsis drug effects   genetics   MeSH
• Cyclopentanes metabolism   MeSH
• Ecotype MeSH
• Isoleucine analogs & derivatives   metabolism   MeSH
• Plant Leaves drug effects   metabolism   MeSH
• RNA, Messenger genetics   metabolism   MeSH
• Fatty Acids, Unsaturated metabolism   pharmacology   MeSH
• Oxylipins metabolism   MeSH
• Gene Expression Regulation, Plant drug effects   MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

Expression takes place for most of the jasmonic acid (JA)-induced genes in a COI1-dependent manner via perception of its conjugate JA-Ile in the SCFCOI1-JAZ co-receptor complex. There are, however, numerous genes and processes, which are preferentially induced COI1-independently by the precursor of JA, 12-oxo-phytodienoic acid (OPDA). After recent identification of the Ile-conjugate of OPDA, OPDA-Ile, biological activity of this compound could be unequivocally proven in terms of gene expression. Any interference of OPDA, JA, or JA-Ile in OPDA-Ile-induced gene expression could be excluded by using different genetic background. The data suggest individual signaling properties of OPDA-Ile. Future studies for analysis of an SCFCOI1-JAZ co-receptor-independent route of signaling are proposed.

• MeSH
• Arabidopsis metabolism   MeSH
• Cyclopentanes metabolism   MeSH
• Isoleucine analogs & derivatives   metabolism   MeSH
• Fatty Acids, Unsaturated metabolism   MeSH
• Oxylipins metabolism   MeSH
• Arabidopsis Proteins metabolism   MeSH
• Plant Growth Regulators metabolism   MeSH
• Signal Transduction physiology   MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH