Tricin biosynthesis during growth of wheat under different abiotic stresses

In plants, O-methylation is mediated by an enzyme family of O-methyltransferases (OMTs) that transfer the methyl groups from the methyl donor, S-adenosyl-L-methionine (AdoMet) to suitable phenolic acceptor molecules. In a previous study [1], a flavonoid OMT (TaOMT2) was isolated and characterized from wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) leaves. Its novel gene product catalyzes three sequential O-methylations of the flavone tricetin (5,7,3′,4′,5′-pentahydroxyflavone) to its 3′-monomethyl-(selgin)→3′,5′-dimethyl-(tricin)→3′,4′,5′-trimethyl (TMT) ether derivatives, with tricin being the major product of the reaction. In this report, the biological significance of tricetin methylation was investigated by measuring the OMT activity, its expression level, and the accumulation of its major product (tricin) at different stages of development of wheat plants exposed to different abiotic stresses such as cold, salt and drought. The results showed that tricin accumulates mostly in wheat inflorescences under normal conditions compared to leaves and other developmental stages. Tricin accumulation was associated with increased TaOMT2 expression level and its enzyme activity, suggesting a possible de novo synthesis of the enzyme at this important developmental stage. This phenomenon may be attributed to the putative role of tricin in protecting seeds against biotic and abiotic stresses. The functions of tricin during growth and development of wheat and the importance of tricetin methylation during abiotic stresses are discussed.

► Tricin accumulates mostly in wheat inflorescences under normal conditions compared to other developmental stages.
► The expression of TaOMT2 protein and its activity increased by almost three-fold in the influorescence tissues, as compared with those in the leaves.
► An accumulation of TaOMT2 during cold acclimation may suggest a role in lignin biosynthesis rather than in tricin biosynthesis.
► TaOMT2 does not participate in protecting the plant against salinity and/or drought stresses.