Ozone-induced responses in Croton floribundus Spreng. (Euphorbiaceae): metabolic cross-talk between volatile organic compounds and calcium oxalate crystal formation

PLoS One. 2014 Aug 28;9(8):e105072. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0105072. eCollection 2014.

Abstract

Here, we proposed that volatile organic compounds (VOC), specifically methyl salicylate (MeSA), mediate the formation of calcium oxalate crystals (COC) in the defence against ozone (O3) oxidative damage. We performed experiments using Croton floribundus, a pioneer tree species that is tolerant to O3 and widely distributed in the Brazilian forest. This species constitutively produces COC. We exposed plants to a controlled fumigation experiment and assessed biochemical, physiological, and morphological parameters. O3 induced a significant increase in the concentrations of constitutive oxygenated compounds, MeSA and terpenoids as well as in COC number. Our analysis supported the hypothesis that ozone-induced VOC (mainly MeSA) regulate ROS formation in a way that promotes the opening of calcium channels and the subsequent formation of COC in a fast and stable manner to stop the consequences of the reactive oxygen species in the tissue, indeed immobilising the excess calcium (caused by acute exposition to O3) that can be dangerous to the plant. To test this hypothesis, we performed an independent experiment spraying MeSA over C. floribundus plants and observed an increase in the number of COC, indicating that this compound has a potential to directly induce their formation. Thus, the tolerance of C. floribundus to O3 oxidative stress could be a consequence of a higher capacity for the production of VOC and COC rather than the modulation of antioxidant balance. We also present some insights into constitutive morphological features that may be related to the tolerance that this species exhibits to O3.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antioxidants / metabolism
  • Calcium / metabolism
  • Calcium Oxalate / metabolism*
  • Cell Respiration / drug effects*
  • Croton / drug effects
  • Croton / metabolism*
  • Oxidants, Photochemical / pharmacology*
  • Oxidation-Reduction
  • Ozone / pharmacology*
  • Volatile Organic Compounds / metabolism*

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Oxidants, Photochemical
  • Volatile Organic Compounds
  • Calcium Oxalate
  • Ozone
  • Calcium

Grants and funding

The authors acknowledge financial support from Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP, 12/11663-8). PCG thanks Brazilian CAPES/CNPq (0469-13-0 and 0588/12-1) for funding. DOP and VPB thank Brazilian CNPq for undergraduate scholarships. SRS and ESA thank Brazilian CNPq for their research grant (307238/2013-2 and 36461/2012-1, respectively). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of manuscript.