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Phytochemical Shift from Condensed Tannins to Flavonoids in Transgenic Betula pendula Decreases Consumption and Growth but Improves Growth Efficiency of Epirrita autumnata Larvae.

ABSTRACT: Despite active research, antiherbivore activity of specific plant phenolics remains largely unresolved. We constructed silver birch (Betula pendula) lines with modified phenolic metabolism to study the effects of foliar flavonoids and condensed tannins on consumption and growth of larvae of a generalist herbivore, the autumnal moth (Epirrita autumnata). We conducted a feeding experiment using birch lines in which expression of dihydroflavonol reductase (DFR), anthocyanidin synthase (ANS) or anthocyanidin reductase (ANR) had been decreased by RNA interference. Modification-specific effects on plant phenolics, nutrients and phenotype, and on larval consumption and growth were analyzed using uni- and multivariate methods. Inhibiting DFR expression increased the concentration of flavonoids at the expense of condensed tannins, and silencing DFR and ANR decreased leaf and plant size. E. autumnata larvae consumed on average 82% less of DFRi plants than of unmodified controls, suggesting that flavonoids or glandular trichomes deter larval feeding. However, larval growth efficiency was highest on low-tannin DFRi plants, indicating that condensed tannins (or their monomers) are physiologically more harmful than non-tannin flavonoids for E. autumnata larvae. Our results show that genetic manipulation of the flavonoid pathway in plants can effectively be used to produce altered phenolic profiles required for elucidating the roles of low-molecular weight phenolics and condensed tannins in plant-herbivore relationships, and suggest that phenolic secondary metabolites participate in regulation of plant growth.

SUBMITTER: Thitz P

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7056695 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Phytochemical Shift from Condensed Tannins to Flavonoids in Transgenic Betula pendula Decreases Consumption and Growth but Improves Growth Efficiency of Epirrita autumnata Larvae.

Thitz Paula P Mehtätalo Lauri L Välimäki Panu P Randriamanana Tendry T Lännenpää Mika M Hagerman Ann E AE Andersson Tommi T Julkunen-Tiitto Riitta R Nyman Tommi T

Journal of chemical ecology 20191226 2

Despite active research, antiherbivore activity of specific plant phenolics remains largely unresolved. We constructed silver birch (Betula pendula) lines with modified phenolic metabolism to study the effects of foliar flavonoids and condensed tannins on consumption and growth of larvae of a generalist herbivore, the autumnal moth (Epirrita autumnata). We conducted a feeding experiment using birch lines in which expression of dihydroflavonol reductase (DFR), anthocyanidin synthase (ANS) or anth ...[more]

PMID: 31879865

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Project description:BACKGROUND:Plant architecture, which is mostly determined by shoot branching, plays an important role in plant growth and development. Thus, it is essential to explore the regulatory molecular mechanism of branching patterns based on the economic and ecological importance. In our previous work, a multiple-branches birch mutant br was identified from 19 CINNAMOYL-COENZYME A REDUCTASE 1 (CCR1)-overexpressed transgenic lines, and the expression patterns of differentially expressed genes in br were analyzed. In this study, we further explored some other characteristics of br, including plant architecture, wood properties, photosynthetic characteristics, and IAA and Zeatin contents. Meanwhile, the T-DNA insertion sites caused by the insertion of exogenous BpCCR1 in br were identified to explain the causes of the mutation phenotypes. RESULTS:The mutant br exhibited slower growth, more abundant and weaker branches, and lower wood basic density and lignin content than BpCCR1 transgenic line (OE2) and wild type (WT). Compared to WT and OE2, br had high stomatal conductance (Gs), transpiration rate (Tr), but a low non-photochemical quenching coefficient (NPQ) and chlorophyll content. In addition, br displayed an equal IAA and Zeatin content ratio of main branches' apical buds to lateral branches' apical buds and high ratio of Zeatin to IAA content. Two T-DNA insertion sites caused by the insertion of exogenous BpCCR1 in br genome were found. On one site, chromosome 2 (Chr2), no known gene was detected on the flanking sequence. The other site was on Chr5, with an insertion of 388?bp?T-DNA sequence, resulting in deletion of 107?bp 5' untranslated region (UTR) and 264?bp coding sequence (CDS) on CORONATINE INSENSITIVE 1 (BpCOII). In comparison with OE2 and WT, BpCOI1 was down-regulated in br, and the sensitivity of br to Methyl Jasmonate (MeJA) was abnormal. CONCLUSIONS:Plant architecture, wood properties, photosynthetic characteristics, and IAA and Zeatin contents in main and lateral branches' apical buds changed in br over the study's time period. One T-DNA insertion was identified on the first exon of BpCOI1, which resulted in the reduction of BpCOI1 expression and abnormal perception to MeJA in br. These mutation phenotypes might be associated with a partial loss of BpCOI1 in birch.

Dataset Information

Phytochemical Shift from Condensed Tannins to Flavonoids in Transgenic Betula pendula Decreases Consumption and Growth but Improves Growth Efficiency of Epirrita autumnata Larvae.

Publications

Phytochemical Shift from Condensed Tannins to Flavonoids in Transgenic Betula pendula Decreases Consumption and Growth but Improves Growth Efficiency of Epirrita autumnata Larvae.

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