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Mesophyll cells are the main site of abscisic acid biosynthesis in water-stressed leaves

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-19, 18:34 authored by McAdam, SAM, Timothy BrodribbTimothy Brodribb
The hormone abscisic acid (ABA) plays a critical role in enhancing plant survival during water deficit. Recent molecular evidence suggests that ABA is synthesized in the phloem companion cells and guard cells. However, the nature of cell turgor and water status in these two cell types cannot easily account for the rapid, water status-triggered ABA biosynthesis observed in leaves. Here we utilize the unique foliar anatomies of an angiosperm (Hakea lissosperma) and of four conifer species (Saxegothaea conspicua, Podocarpus latifolius, Cephalotaxus harringtonii, and Amentotaxus formosana) in which the mesophyll can be isolated from the vascular tissue to identify the main site of ABA biosynthesis in water-stressed leaves. In all five species tested, considerable ABA biosynthesis occurred in mesophyll tissue that had been separated from vascular tissue. In addition, the removal of the epidermis from the mesophyll in two conifer species had no impact on the observed increase in ABA levels under water deficit. Our results suggest that mesophyll cells are the predominant location of water deficit-triggered ABA biosynthesis in the leaf.

Funding

Australian Research Council

History

Publication title

Plant Physiology

Volume

177

Pagination

911-917

ISSN

1532-2548

Department/School

School of Natural Sciences

Publisher

Amer Soc Plant Biologists

Place of publication

15501 Monona Drive, Rockville, USA, Md, 20855

Rights statement

© 2018 American Society of Plant Biologists. All rights reserved.

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Expanding knowledge in the environmental sciences

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