Abstract
Here we present evidence that Centaurea maculosa (spotted knapweed), an invasive species in the western United States, displaces native plant species by exuding the phytotoxin (-)-catechin from its roots. Our results show inhibition of native species' growth and germination in field soils at natural concentrations of (-)-catechin. In susceptible species such as Arabidopsis thaliana, the allelochemical triggers a wave of reactive oxygen species (ROS) initiated at the root meristem, which leads to a Ca2+ signaling cascade triggering genome-wide changes in gene expression and, ultimately, death of the root system. Our results support a "novel weapons hypothesis" for invasive success.
Publication types
-
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
-
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
MeSH terms
-
Arabidopsis / genetics
-
Arabidopsis / physiology*
-
Ascorbic Acid / pharmacology
-
Calcium / metabolism
-
Calcium Signaling
-
Catechin / metabolism*
-
Catechin / toxicity*
-
Cell Death
-
Cell Survival
-
Centaurea / genetics
-
Centaurea / growth & development
-
Centaurea / physiology*
-
Ecosystem*
-
Environment
-
Europe
-
Gene Expression Profiling
-
Gene Expression Regulation, Plant
-
Genome, Plant
-
Hydrogen Peroxide / pharmacology
-
Plant Roots / cytology
-
Plant Roots / metabolism
-
Poaceae / drug effects
-
Poaceae / growth & development
-
Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism
-
Soil / analysis
-
United States
Substances
-
Reactive Oxygen Species
-
Soil
-
Catechin
-
Hydrogen Peroxide
-
Ascorbic Acid
-
Calcium