Gene responses in bean leaves induced by herbivory and by herbivore-induced volatiles

Plant-plant interactions via herbivory-induced leaf volatiles could result in the induction of defense responses against aggressive biotic agents in plants. In this study, cDNA microarray technology showed comprehensive gene activation in lima bean leaves that were exposed to volatiles released from the neighboring leaves infested with spider mites. The infestation with spider mites and the herbivory-induced volatiles enhanced 97 and 227 gene spots on the microarray tip printed with 2032 lima bean cDNA, respectively. These genes are related to such broad functions as responses to pathogenesis, wounding, hormones, ethylene biosynthesis, flavonoid biosynthesis, (post) transcriptional modifications, translations, chaperones, secondary signaling messengers, membrane transports, protein/peptide degradations, and photosynthesis. We therefore conclude that herbivorous damage and herbivory-induced volatiles elicit comprehensive and drastic changes of metabolisms in leaves.