| Gamma-aminobutyrate: defense against invertebrate pests? | |
| | |
MedLine Citation:
|
PMID: 16890474 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
|
Gamma-aminobutyrate (GABA) is a ubiquitous four-carbon, non-protein amino acid. In plants, stress-induced GABA accumulation is well documented. However, the role(s) of GABA accumulation is contentious. In this Opinion article, we argue that wounding due to herbivory and crawling by insect larvae causes rapid GABA accumulation via the disruption of cellular compartmentation and the release of the acidic vacuolar contents to the cytosol. The activity of glutamate decarboxylase, the cytosolic enzyme responsible for GABA synthesis, has an acidic pH optimum. Subsequent GABA ingestion has a plant defense function by directly acting on GABA-regulated invertebrate neuromuscular junctions. Plants with an enhanced GABA-producing capacity reduce herbivory by invertebrate pests. These findings suggest that GABA accumulation is a rapidly deployed, local resistance mechanism that constitutes a first line of defense in deterring herbivory. |
| | |
Authors:
|
Alan W Bown; Kennaway B Macgregor; Barry J Shelp |
Related Documents
:
|
18625024 - Poly(gamma-l-diaminobutanoic acid), a novel poly(amino acid), coproduced with poly(epsi... 2911024 - Distribution of activity converting 4-aminobutyraldehyde to gamma-aminobutyric acid in ... 11454524 - Valproic acid, trichostatin and their combination with hemin preferentially enhance gam... 16239024 - Fabrication and release behavior of a novel freeze-gelled chitosan/gamma-pga scaffold a... 10866364 - Effects of delta-aminolevulinic acid on pigment formation and chlorophyllase activity i... 15817874 - Ratio of n-6 to n-3 fatty acids and bone mineral density in older adults: the rancho be... |
Publication Detail:
|
Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Date: 2006-08-04 |
Journal Detail:
|
Title: Trends in plant science Volume: 11 ISSN: 1360-1385 ISO Abbreviation: Trends Plant Sci. Publication Date: 2006 Sep |
Date Detail:
|
Created Date: 2006-08-28 Completed Date: 2006-12-05 Revised Date: - |
Medline Journal Info:
|
Nlm Unique ID: 9890299 Medline TA: Trends Plant Sci Country: England |
Other Details:
|
Languages: eng Pagination: 424-7 Citation Subset: IM |
Affiliation:
|
Department of Biological Sciences, Brock University, St. Catharines, Ontario, L2S 3A9, Canada. |
Export Citation:
|
APA/MLA Format Download EndNote Download BibTex |
| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
|
Animals Chloride Channels / metabolism Insects / metabolism Larva / metabolism Neuromuscular Junction / metabolism Plants / metabolism*, parasitology* gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / metabolism* |
| Chemical | |
Reg. No./Substance:
|
0/Chloride Channels; 56-12-2/gamma-Aminobutyric Acid |
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
Previous Document: Model systems in ecology: dissecting the endophyte-grass literature.
Next Document: A novel role for abscisic acid emerges from underground.