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Plant Biol (Stuttg) 2007; 9(2): 253-264
DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-924650
Research Paper

Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart KG · New York

Tree Internal Signalling and Defence Reactions under Ozone Exposure in Sun and Shade Leaves of European Beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) Trees

S. Jehnes1 , G. Betz2 , G. Bahnweg2 , K. Haberer1 , H. Sandermann2 , H. Rennenberg1
  • 1Institute of Forest Botany and Tree Physiology, Chair of Tree Physiology, Albert Ludwigs University Freiburg, Georges-Köhler-Allee 053/054, 79110 Freiburg, Germany
  • 2Institute of Biochemical Plant Pathology, National Research Center for Environment and Health, Ingolstädter Landstraße 1, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
Further Information

Publication History

Received: April 13, 2006

Accepted: September 1, 2006

Publication Date:
13 March 2007 (online)

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Abstract

The influence of free-air ozone (O3) fumigation on the levels of gene transcripts and compounds of defence and signalling were analysed in leaves of adult beech trees from the “Kranzberg Forest” research site in 2003 and 2004. This includes the precursor of the stress hormone ethylene, ACC (1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid), conjugated salicylic acid, lignin content as well as of the expression level of genes connected with oxidative stress and stress signalling. At this site mature beech trees were exposed to an enhanced O3 regime by a free-air O3 canopy exposure system. Levels of conjugated ACC and conjugated salicylic acid in leaves were increased under O3 fumigation whereas lignin content was only slightly enhanced. Quantitative real-time RT‐PCR (qRT‐PCR) was performed on transcripts of genes connected with lignin, salicylic acid, and ethylene formation, the shikimate pathway, abscisic acid biosynthesis as well as with the antioxidative system. Genes which showed O3-dependent increases included FsCOMT (caffeic-acid O-methyltransferase) connected with lignin formation, the stress response genes FsACS2 (ACC synthase) and FsPR1 (PR10 - pathogenesis-related protein), as well as FsNCED1 (9-cis-epoxicarotenoid dioxygenase), the rate-limiting enzyme of the ABA synthesis. For FsNCED1 expression level, a significant O3 effect was found with an 8-fold (sun) and 7-fold (shade) induction in July 2003 and a 3-fold and 2.5-fold induction in July 2004. While the observed effects were not continuous, elevated O3 is concluded to have the potential to disrupt the defence and signalling system.

Key words

Free-air ozone fumigation - crown position - defence - salicylic acid - ethylene - quantitative real-time PCR - qRT‐PCR.

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H. Rennenberg

Institute of Forest Botany and Tree Physiology
Chair of Tree Physiology
Albert Ludwigs University Freiburg

Georges-Köhler-Allee 053/054

79110 Freiburg

Germany

Email: heinz.rennenberg@ctp.uni-freiburg.de

Guest Editor: R. Matyssek

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