Cytokinin transfer by a free-living mirid to <i>Nicotiana attenuata</i> recapitulates a strategy of endophytic insects.

ABSTRACT: Endophytic insects provide the textbook examples of herbivores that manipulate their host plant's physiology, putatively altering source/sink relationships by transferring cytokinins (CK) to create 'green islands' that increase the nutritional value of infested tissues. However, unambiguous demonstrations of CK transfer are lacking. Here we show that feeding by the free-living herbivore Tupiocoris notatus on Nicotiana attenuata is characterized by stable nutrient levels, increased CK levels and alterations in CK-related transcript levels in attacked leaves, in striking similarity to endophytic insects. Using ¹⁵N-isotope labeling, we demonstrate that the CK N⁶-isopentenyladenine (IP) is transferred from insects to plants via their oral secretions.

SUBMITTER: Brutting C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6059766 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature