Characteristics of Galacturonic Acid Oligomers as Elicitors of Casbene Synthetase Activity in Castor Bean Seedlings
Year: 1984
Type: article
Abstract: Partial digestion of polygalacturonic acid with polygalacturonase isolated from Rhizopus stolonifer produces a mixture of alpha-1,4-d-galacturonide oligomers which act to elicit casbene synthetase activity in castor bean (Ricinus communis L). These oligomers were separated by anion exchange chromatography on DEAE Sephadex A-25 into discrete sizes and their degrees of polymerization were analyzed by fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry. A minimum degree of polymerization of nine units appears to be required for elicitor activity; trideca-alpha-1,4-d-galacturonide was the most active of the oligomers tested. Methyl-esterification of the carboxylate groups greatly diminishes the elicitor activity of the oligomers, a finding which suggests a requirement for the polyanionic character of the oligomers for full activity. The fact that a number of other polyanionic polymers tested as casbene synthetase elicitors did not show significant activity indicates that structural features other than the polyanionic character are also necessary for activity.
Source: PLANT PHYSIOLOGY
DOI: 10.1104/pp.74.4.989
Authors: Donald F. Jin, Charles A. West
Institution: University of California, Los Angeles
Language: English
Subfield: Plant Science
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W2095094315