Thiophene interconversion in elicitor-treated roots ofTagetes patula L

Area of Science:

• Plant biochemistry
• Mycology
• Chemical ecology

Background:

• Thiophenes are heterocyclic metabolites related to polyacetylenes.
• Some thiophenes exhibit phototoxicity, but their role in planta is often limited by light exposure.
• Bithiophenes in Tagetes primarily accumulate in roots, where light is absent.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the induction of thiophene biosynthesis in Tagetes patula.
• To determine the role of fungal elicitors in thiophene production.
• To assess the potential role of thiophenes in plant defense against fungal pathogens.

Main Methods:

• Utilized cell-free extracts from Fusarium oxysporum as an elicitor.
• Applied extracts to root cultures and intact seedlings of Tagetes patula.
• Analyzed the biosynthesis and excretion of thiophenes.
• Assayed fungal growth inhibition by excreted thiophenes in vitro.

Main Results:

• Fusarium oxysporum extract successfully induced the biosynthesis of hydrophilic thiophenes in Tagetes patula.
• Newly synthesized thiophenes were partially excreted into the culture medium.
• Excreted thiophenes demonstrated significant inhibition of fungal growth, even in the absence of light.

Conclusions:

• Fusarium oxysporum can stimulate thiophene production in Tagetes.
• Thiophenes produced by Tagetes may function as a non-phototoxic defense compound against fungal pathogens.
• This suggests a role for thiophenes in the biochemical defense strategy of plants.