Japan unveils the plant–insect communication system, paving the way for the development of new eco-friendly pesticides.

Release Date:

2018-09-18

Researchers at Saitama University in Japan have recently discovered that when plant leaves are damaged by insects, they release glutamate, which rapidly transmits this information to other leaves, prompting the plant to synthesize insect‑resistant compounds. Previous studies had shown that plants can convey distress signals within a short time after being attacked, yet, lacking brains and nervous systems like animals, how they perceive injury and relay such information remained unclear. To investigate, the Saitama University team introduced green fluorescent protein into Arabidopsis thaliana, the most commonly studied model plant, to observe cellular processes inside the plant. Their findings revealed that, following insect feeding on an Arabidopsis leaf, cells at the wound site…

Previous research has shown that plants can transmit information rapidly in response to herbivore attacks; however, since plants lack the brain and nervous system found in animals, how they perceive injury and relay this information has remained unclear.

Researchers at Saitama University introduced green fluorescent protein into Arabidopsis thaliana, the most widely used model plant, to observe the interior of plant cells. They found that when a leaf of Arabidopsis is chewed by an insect, the cells at the wound site automatically release glutamate, which triggers a rise in calcium ion concentration. These calcium ions then propagate as signals through the plant’s vascular system—at a rate of about one millimeter per second—traveling to other leaves.

Once the calcium ion concentration in all leaf cells rises accordingly, the plant rapidly initiates the synthesis of a substance called jasmonic acid. Jasmonic acid is an endogenous plant growth regulator found in higher plants; upon binding to cellular receptors, it triggers the production of bitter alkaloids and pest‑repellent volatile compounds, thereby discouraging pests from approaching the plant.

Researchers stated that this achievement will help advance the development of new, environmentally friendly pesticides. The relevant paper has been published online in the latest issue of the U.S.-based journal Science.

Source: Xinhua Net

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