Resumen:
The jasmonate signaling pathway regulates development, growth, and defense responses in plants. Studies in the model eudicot, Arabidopsis thaliana, have identified the bioactive hormone (jasmonoylisoleucine [JA-Ile]) and its Coronatine Insensitive 1 (COI1)/Jasmonate-ZIM Domain (JAZ) co-receptor. In bryophytes, a conserved signaling pathway regulates similar responses but uses a different ligand, the JA-Ile precursor dinor-12-oxo-10,15(Z)-phytodienoic acid (dn-OPDA), to activate a conserved co-receptor. Jasmonate responses independent of JA-Ile and COI1, thought to be mediated by the cyclopentenone OPDA, have also been suggested, but experimental limitations in Arabidopsis have hindered attempts to uncouple OPDA and JA-Ile biosynthesis. Thus, a clear understanding of this pathway remains elusive. Here, we address the role of cyclopentenones in COI1-independent responses using the bryophyte Marchantia polymorpha, which is unable to synthesize JA-Ile but does accumulate OPDA and dn-OPDA. We demonstrate that OPDA and dn-OPDA activate a COI1-independent pathway that regulates plant thermotolerance genes, and consequently, treatment with these oxylipins protects plants against heat stress. Furthermore, we identify that these molecules signal through their electrophilic properties.
