Ann. Phytopath. Soc. Japan 53 (1). January, 1987 98-99
Avenalumin production in relation to polyamine metabolism
A mechanism of specific avenalumin production induced by a host-selective toxin, victorin was studied by using protoplast of oat cultivar possessing Pc-2 allele. Avenalumin, PA of oats, was produced in protoplast without Victorin treatment though the amount of avenalumin was fewer than that in the Victorin-treated. It was also found that avenalumin was secreted externally from protoplast. When oat primary leaves whose lower epidermis has been removed were treated with mannitol solution more than 0.15M, avenalumin was produced and secreted from the leaf tissue, suggesting that avenalumin production was also induced by osmotic shock.
A relationship between avenalumin production and polyamine metabolism was investigated since polyamine metabolism is enhanced by osmotic shock. Avenalumin production in protoplasts was suppressed by exogenous addition of putrescine in mannitol solution. Avenalumin production in the epidermis-stripped leaves induced by victorin or osmotic stress was also suppressed by the putrescine treatment. Cadaverine and spermidine also inhibited avenalumin production. DFMA which is an inhibitor of putrescine synthesis via agmatine, suppressed avenalumin production, whereas DFMO, an inhibitor of putrescine synthesis via ornithine, didn't suppress. These results suggest that polyamine metabolism especially putrescine synthesis via agmatine may be associated with avenalumin production.