Airborne Methyl Jasmonate is Metabolized to Jasmonic Acid and 12-Hydroxyjasmonic Acid, and Induces Jasmonate Biosynthesis in Marchantia polymorpha

Methyl jasmonate (MeJA) is a volatile jasmonate compound commonly used to induce defense responses in spermatophytes. This study reports that airborne MeJA-d(3), deuterated MeJA, increases the levels of (dinor-)12-oxo-phytodienoic acids [(dn-)OPDAs] and jasmonic acid (JA) as well as JA-d(3) and 12-hydroxyjasmonic acid-d(2) (12-OH-JA-d(2)), MeJA-d(3) metabolites, in the model bryophyte Marchantia polymorpha. Enhancement of JA biosynthesis was substantiated by the expression of JA biosynthetic genes induced by airborne MeJA. Additionally, each of enantiomers, (+)-MeJA and (-)-MeJA, was observed to induce the accumulation of JA and (dn-)OPDAs in M. polymorpha. This study demonstrates that airborne MeJA is metabolized to JA and 12-OH-JA, and induces JA biosynthesis in M. polymorpha. Moreover, the transient increase in endogenous JA level after airborne MeJA treatment provides concrete evidence that M. polymorpha biosynthesizes JA.

Automated summary

Airborne MeJA is metabolized to JA and 12-OH-JA, and induces JA biosynthesis in M. polymorpha. Moreover, the transient increase in endogenous JA level after airborne MeJA treatment provides concrete evidence that M. polymorpha biosynthesizes JA.