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Novel triggers for defense reactions in kelp

For the first time, free fatty acids have been found to trigger the oxidative burst reaction in algae. Research reported this month in Plant & Cell Physiology reveals that the free fatty acids arachidonic acid and linolenic acid and also methyl jasmonate, are strong triggers for the oxidative burst reaction in the brown seaweed, Laminaria digitata.

The oxidative burst is a key component of innate immunity in eukaryotes.

Led by SAMS scientist, Frithjof Küpper, the research was conducted with colleagues based at the Station Biologique de Roscoff in France and the University of Konstanz in Germany.

 

Frithjof C. Küpper, Emmanuel Gaquerel, Audrey Cosse, Fadi Adas, Akira F. Peters, Dieter G. Müller, Bernard Kloareg, Jean-Pierre Salaün, and Philippe Potin (2009) Free Fatty Acids and Methyl Jasmonate Trigger Defense Reactions in Laminaria digitata  Plant Cell Physiol. 50: 789-800

For a copy of the publication please e-mail the corresponding author, Frithjof Küpper