Chemical PARP inhibition enhances growth of Arabidopsis and reduces anthocyanin accumulation and the activation of stress protective mechanisms

Author(s)
Philipp Schulz, Jenny Neukermans, Katrien Van der Kelen, Per Mühlenbock, Frank Van Breusegem, Graham Noctor, Markus Teige, Michael Metzlaff, Matthew A Hannah
Abstract

Poly-ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) post-translationally modifies proteins through the addition of ADP-ribose polymers, yet its role in modulating plant development and stress responses is only poorly understood. The experiments presented here address some of the gaps in our understanding of its role in stress tolerance and thereby provide new insights into tolerance mechanisms and growth. Using a combination of chemical and genetic approaches, this study characterized phenotypes associated with PARP inhibition at the physiological level. Molecular analyses including gene expression analysis, measurement of primary metabolites and redox metabolites were used to understand the underlying processes. The analysis revealed that PARP inhibition represses anthocyanin and ascorbate accumulation under stress conditions. The reduction in defense is correlated with enhanced biomass production. Even in unstressed conditions protective genes and molecules are repressed by PARP inhibition. The reduced anthocyanin production was shown to be based on the repression of transcription of key regulatory and biosynthesis genes. PARP is a key factor for understanding growth and stress responses of plants. PARP inhibition allows plants to reduce protection such as anthocyanin, ascorbate or Non-Photochemical-Quenching whilst maintaining high energy levels likely enabling the observed enhancement of biomass production under stress, opening interesting perspectives for increasing crop productivity.

Organisation(s)
Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology
External organisation(s)
Crop Science Bayer, Université Paris XI - Paris-Sud, Ghent University
Journal
PLoS ONE
Volume
7
ISSN
1932-6203
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0037287
Publication date
2012
Peer reviewed
Yes
Austrian Fields of Science 2012
106002 Biochemistry
Keywords
Portal url
https://ucris.univie.ac.at/portal/en/publications/chemical-parp-inhibition-enhances-growth-of-arabidopsis-and-reduces-anthocyanin-accumulation-and-the-activation-of-stress-protective-mechanisms(df211fdc-ad34-47b5-b4c6-5b2e9af40805).html