An Update on Core Jasmonate Signalling Networks, Physiological Scenarios, and Health Applications

Abstract

Jasmonic acid, its precursors in the biosynthetic pathway and derivatives are lipid‐derived signalling molecules. Together with other plant hormones, they regulate responses to stress (biotic and abiotic), mediate defence (against pathogens and herbivores), and a plethora of processes including growth and reproductive development in different plant species. The discovery of jasmonates is more recent than that of auxin, abscisic acid, cytokinins, gibberellic acid, ethylene, and salicylic acid; however, their role in regulating plant developmental plasticity is second to none. Since the 1990s, research made substantial advances and added to the crosstalk with the abovementioned other hormones and signalling pathways. Building on the knowledge of over two decades, an update on the research in JAs signalling components regulating plant responses to developmental and environmental cues is provided here. Information in Arabidopsis thaliana is integrated with reports on other plants. Recent findings in the regulation of plant responses to biotics and abiotic stressors and evidence implicating JAs in the regulation of the trade‐off between growth and stress will be reported. Health applications for JAs and JAs‐induced secondary metabolism, bridging the gap between biotechnology and traditional medicine, will illustrate the practical and societal relevance of investigating the functions of such compounds.

Jasmonates induce Arabidopsis bioactivities selectively inhibiting the growth of breast cancer cells through CDC6 and mTOR

“…A systematic relationship between the production of plant specialized metabolites (Balbi & Devoto, 2008; Zhou & Memelink, 2016; Pérez‐Salamó et al ., 2019) and the regulation of growth and development and response to stress has not yet been established. Moreover, Arabidopsis, despite having been used as a model plant for over 30 yr, has never been considered as a potential source of phytotherapeutics.…”

“…Jasmonates (JAs) elicit de novo transcription and translation and, ultimately, the biosynthesis of specialized metabolites in plants (Memelink et al ., 2001). The anticancer activity of JAs has been demonstrated both in vitro and in vivo (Fingrut & Flescher, 2002; Flescher, 2005; Balbi & Devoto, 2008; Cesari et al ., 2014; Pérez‐Salamó et al ., 2019). However, it is not known whether this is a direct effect of JAs.…”

“…Plants produce many small molecules used as pharmaceuticals, insecticides, flavours and fragrances with commercial applications which derive from their common use in defence against biotic challenges (Pérez‐Salamó et al ., 2019).…”

“…The ubiquitous plant stress hormone jasmonic acid (JA) and its oxylipin derivatives, such as methyljasmonate (MeJA) and jasmonate isoleucin (JA‐Ile), namely jasmonates (JAs) here, are potent regulators of plant defence, response to abiotic stress and developmental processes (Kazan, 2015; Riemann et al ., 2015; Züst & Agrawal, 2017; Guo et al ., 2018; Howe et al ., 2018; Pérez‐Salamó et al ., 2019). Environmental pressures induce endogenous JAs biosynthesis.…”

“…Jasmonates control specialized metabolites synthesis through complex gene regulatory networks to limit it to when necessary. JAs induce most classes of specialized metabolites, including alkaloids, terpenoids, glucosinolates and some phenylpropanoids (Balbi & Devoto, 2008; Zhou & Memelink, 2016; Pérez‐Salamó et al ., 2019). The precursor of JA, cis‐(+)‐12‐oxophytodienoic acid (OPDA), also induces JA‐independent specialized metabolites (Wasternack & Hause, 2013).…”