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Differences in Monoterpene Biosynthesis and Accumulation in Pistacia palaestina Leaves and Aphid-Induced Galls

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Abstract

Certain insect species can induce gall formation on numerous plants species. Although the mechanism of gall development is largely unknown, it is clear that insects manipulate their hosts’ anatomy, physiology, and chemistry for their own benefit. It is well known that insect-induced galls often contain vast amounts of plant defensive compounds as compared to non-colonized tissues, but it is not clear if defensive compounds can be produced in situ in the galled tissues. To answer this question, we analyzed terpene accumulation patterns and possible independent biosynthetic potential of galls induced by the aphid Baizongia pistaciae L. on the terminal buds of Pistacia palaestina Boiss. We compared monoterpene levels and monoterpene synthase enzyme activity in galls and healthy leaves from individual trees growing in a natural setting. At all developmental stages, monoterpene content and monoterpene synthase activity were consistently (up to 10 fold on a fresh weight basis) higher in galls than in intact non-colonized leaves. A remarkable tree to tree variation in the products produced in vitro from the substrate geranyl diphosphate by soluble protein extracts derived from individual trees was observed. Furthermore, galls and leaves from the same trees displayed enhanced and often distinct biosynthetic capabilities. Our results clearly indicate that galls possess independent metabolic capacities to produce and accumulate monoterpenes as compared to leaves. Our study indicates that galling aphids manipulate the enzymatic machinery of their host plant, intensifying their own defenses against natural enemies.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the US-Israel Binational Science Foundation Grant No. 2012241. We also thank Dr. Itay Gonda and Dr. Raz Krizevski for their useful comments and advice. Publication Number 92016 from the Volcani Center, Rishon LeZion, Israel.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Evolutionary & Environmental Biology, University of Haifa, Mount Carmel, 31905, Haifa, Israel

    Karin Rand, Matan Ben Ari & Moshe Inbar

  2. Newe Ya’ar Research Center, Agricultural Research Organization, Institute of Plant Sciences, 30095, Ramat Yishay, Israel

    Karin Rand, Einat Bar, Rachel Davidovich-Rikanati & Efraim Lewinsohn

  3. Department of Biochemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907-1165, USA

    Natalia Dudareva

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  1. Karin Rand
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  2. Einat Bar
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  3. Matan Ben Ari
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  4. Rachel Davidovich-Rikanati
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  7. Efraim Lewinsohn
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Correspondence to Efraim Lewinsohn.

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Karin Rand and Einat Bar equally contributed to this work.

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Rand, K., Bar, E., Ari, M.B. et al. Differences in Monoterpene Biosynthesis and Accumulation in Pistacia palaestina Leaves and Aphid-Induced Galls. J Chem Ecol 43, 143–152 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10886-016-0817-5

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