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EPIP as an abscission promoting agent in the phytohormonal pathway
Emilia Wilmowicz1, Agata Kućko2, Timothy John Tranbarger3
1Department of Plant Physiology and Biotechnology, Nicolaus Copernicus University, 1 Lwowska Street, 87-100, Torun, Poland.
Plant Physiology and Biochemistry : PPB
|March 17, 2022
Summary
The EPIP peptide stimulates flower abscission by altering cell activity and promoting abscisic acid (ABA) and ethylene (ET) synthesis in the abscission zone (AZ). This research offers insights into controlling excessive flower drop in crops like lupine.
Area of Science:
- Plant Biology
- Molecular Plant Physiology
- Crop Science
Background:
- Organ separation in crops, known as abscission, impacts yield.
- The INFLORESCENCE DEFICIENT IN ABSCISSION (IDA) protein and its EPIP peptide fragment regulate abscission.
- Previous studies linked EPIP to redox, lipid, and pectin events in Lupinus luteus AZ.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate EPIP's role in abscission zone (AZ) ultrastructure.
- To analyze EPIP's effect on abscisic acid (ABA) and ethylene (ET) synthesis in AZ.
- To examine EPIP's impact on protein phosphorylation in AZ.
Main Methods:
- Exogenous EPIP application to Lupinus luteus flower AZ.
- Ultrastructural analysis of AZ cells.
- Quantification of ABA and ET biosynthesis.
- Phosphoproteomic analysis of AZ proteins.
Main Results:
- EPIP induced cellular changes, including increased activity, degradation, and autophagy in AZ.
- EPIP stimulated ABA and ET biosynthesis pathways within AZ cells.
- Progressive protein phosphorylation was observed, with key proteins related to metabolism and ROS homeostasis accumulating.
Conclusions:
- EPIP plays a significant role in regulating AZ function through diverse cellular and hormonal pathways.
- EPIP influences both cell activation and degradation processes during abscission.
- Understanding EPIP's mechanism provides strategies to manage excessive flower abscission in lupine and potentially other crops.
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