The plant endophytic fungus Cyanodermella asteris produces the phytohormone jasmonic acid.
Jahn L, Sester A, Domaschke ET, Gulder TAM, Ludwig-Müller J
Summary
PubMedWhy it matters This matters because if a beneficial fungus living in plant roots or stems can supply stress-fighting hormones directly to the plant, it could one day replace or reduce the need for chemical pesticides in your garden or on the crops at your local farmers market.
Plants make a natural chemical called jasmonic acid that acts like an alarm system — it tells the plant to toughen up when bugs are attacking or conditions get rough. Scientists discovered that a fungus living harmlessly inside a daisy-like plant can also make this same chemical on its own. Even more exciting, when plants that couldn't produce this chemical were paired with the fungus, the fungus stepped in and filled the gap, essentially fixing a broken defense system.
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A fungus that lives inside plants can produce jasmonic acid, a key hormone plants use to defend themselves against insects and disease. This discovery suggests the fungus may help boost plant immunity from within.
Key Findings
The fungus Cyanodermella asteris produces jasmonic acid, confirmed by two independent chemical detection methods (LC-MS/MS and NMR).
Jasmonic acid production was not boosted by adding linolenic acid (the usual plant precursor), suggesting the fungus uses a different or novel biosynthetic route.
The fungus restored normal growth and defense responses in jasmonic-acid-deficient mutant plants, demonstrating functional complementation of plant hormone deficiency.
Abstract Preview
Cyanodermella asteris is a fungal endophyte from Aster tataricus that produces plant hormones as well as a range of specialized metabolites. The aim of our study was to explore the potential of thi...
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Aster tataricus, also called Tatarian aster and Tatarinow's aster, is a member of the Aster genus of flowering plants.