Ethylene-dependent adjustment of metabolite profiles in Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings during gravitropic response

Abstract

Metabolite profile adjustments under impact of ethylene synthesis inhibitors were studied in Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. seedlings during reorientation of plants relative to the gravity vector (gravistimulation). Metabolite profiles were compared with Principal Component Analysis. We have shown that significant changes in metabolite profiles developed within 60 min of gravistimulation and were most pronounced in 2 mm root tips including the root cap, apical meristem and elongation zone. Gravistimulation resulted in the increased levels of valine, leucine, serine, γ-aminobutyric acid, nicotinic acid, and decreased levels of several monosaccharides, malate and oxalate. Treatment with ethylene synthesis inhibitor, aminoethoxyvinylglycine (10 μM), escaped the effect of gravistimulation on root tip metabolite profile. Metabolite profile adjustments revealed in this study suggest that ethylene may be involved into the regulation of Arabidopsis metabolome during the gravitropic response.