Mechanism of subcellular localization of polymeric proanthocyanidins

2015 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25660116
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Forest science
• Research Institution: The University of Tokyo
• Principal Investigator: Osawa Hiroki 東京大学, 農学生命科学研究科, 研究員 (90401182)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2016-03-31
• Keywords: プロアントシアジニン / アルミニウム / 根 / 樹木 / 液胞 / 根冠

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Roles and functions of flavonoids in plant roots remains largely unclear, partly because detailed localization and dynamics of flavonoids at subcellular level are challenging to detect. In the present study, by using isolated root-cells and -tissues from Acacia mangium, we examined the subcellular localization and metal-ion responses of proanthocyanidins (PAs), one group of flavonoids and characteristic in woody plant roots. Our cytological observation provided direct evidence that PAs were localized to small vesicles that were apparently different from prevacuoles and amyloplasts. We found clear differences in spatial distribution between cytotoxic aluminum (Al) and PAs in the cells, suggesting that strong Al tolerance in A. mangium may hardly rely on the direct binding of Al and PAs inside the cells.

Free Research Field

樹木生理学