Abstract
The aim of this investigation was to determine if sorgoleone (SGL), a hydrophobic compound inSorghum bicolor (L.) Moench root exudate, interferes with mitochondrial functions. Tests were conducted on mitochondria isolated from etiolated soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] and corn (Zea mays L.) seedlings. The data show SGL is a potent inhibitor of state 3 and state 4 respiration rates in both soybean and corn. Using either NADH, succinate, or malate as substrate, the I50 was about 0.5μM SGL for state 3 and 5.0μM for state 4 based on 0.3–0.5 mg mitochondrial protein. Absorption spectra indicate SGL blocks electron transport at theb-c 1 complex. These data show that disruption of mitochondrial function may be a mechanism of SGL-mediated growth inhibition previously reported and demonstrate a probable role of SGL inSorghum allelopathy.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Chance, B., andWilliams, G.R. 1955. Respiratory enzymes in oxidative phosphorylation. III. The steady state.J. Biol. Chem. 217:409–428.
Chang, M., Netzly, D.H., Butler, L.G., andLynn, D.G. 1986. Chemical regulation of distance: Characterization of the first natural host germination stimulant forStriga asiatica.J. Am. Chem. Soc. 108:7858–7860.
Demos, E.K., Woolwine, M., Wilson, R.H., andMcMillan, C. 1975. The effects of ten phenolic compounds on hypocotyl growth and mitochondrial metabolism of bean.Am. J. Bot. 62:97–102.
Douce, R. 1985. Mitochondria in Higher Plants. Academic Press, New York. 327 pp.
Einhellig, F.A. 1986. Mechanisms and modes of action of allelochemicals, pp. 171–188,in A.R. Putnam and C.S. Tang (eds.). The Science of Allelopathy. John Wiley & Sons, New York.
Einhellig, F.A. 1989. Interactive effects of allelochemicals and environmental stress, pp. 101–118.in C.H. Chou and G.R. Waller (eds.). Phytochemical Ecology: Allelochemicals, Mycotoxins and Insect Pheromones and Allomones. Institute of Botany, Academia Sinica Monograph Series No. 9. Taipei, Taiwan.
Einhellig, F.A., andRasmussen, J.A. 1989. Prior cropping with grain sorghum inhibits weeds.J. Chem. Ecol. 15:951–960.
Einhellig, F.A., andSouza, I.F. 1992. Phytotoxicity of sorgoleone found in grain sorghum root exudates.J. Chem. Ecol. 18 (in press).
Fate, G., Chang, M., andLynn, D.G. 1990. Control of germination inStriga asiatica: Chemistry of spatial definition.Plant Physiol. 93:201–207.
Forney, D.R., Foy, C.L., andWolf, D.D. 1985. Weed suppression in no-till alfalfa (Medicago sativa) by prior cropping of summer annual forage grasses.Weed Sci. 33:490–497.
Jacobson, A., andJacobson, L. 1980. Inhibition of respiration and ion uptake by 2,3,5-Triodobenzoic acid in excised barley roots.Plant Physiol. 65:1220–1223.
Keightley, R.G. 1991. Stable beam spectrophotometry in cytochrome analysis. Technical bulletin from Beckman-RIIC Limited, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, U.K.
Koeppe, D.E. 1972. Some reactions of isolated corn mitochondria influenced by juglone.Physiol. Plant. 27:89–94.
Miller, R.J., Dumford, S.W., Koeppe, D.E., andHanson, J.B. 1970. Divalent cation stimulation of substrate oxidate by corn mitochondria.Plant Physiol. 45:649–653.
Moreland, D.E., andHuber, S.C. 1979. Inhibition of photosynthesis and respiration by substituted 2,6-dinitroaniline herbicides.Pestic. Biochem. Physiol. 11:247–257.
Moreland, D.E., andNovitzky, W.P. 1987. Effects of phenolic acids, coumarins and flavonoids on isolated chloroplasts and mitochondria,In Allelochemicals: Role in Agriculture and Forestry, American Chemical Society, Washington, D.C.
Netzly, D.H., andButler, L.G. 1986. Roots ofSorghum exude hydrophobic droplets containing biologically active components.Crop Sci. 26:775–778.
Netzly, D.H., Riopel, J.L., Ejeta, G., andButler, L.. 1988. Germination stimulants of witchweed (Striga asiatica) from hydrophobic root exudate of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor).Weed Sci. 36:441–446.
Overland, L. 1966. The role of allelopathic substances in “smother crop” barley.Am. J. Bot. 53:423–32.
Panasiuk, O., Bills, D.D., andLeather, G.R. 1986. Allelopathic influence ofSorghum bicolor on weeds during germination and early development of seedlings.J. Chem. Ecol. 12:1533–1543.
Putnam, A.R., andDeFrank, J. 1983. Use of phytotoxic plant residues for selective weed control.Crop Prot. 2:173–181.
Putnam, A.R., DeFrank, J., andBarnes, J.P. 1983. Exploitation of allelopathy for weed control in annual and perennial cropping systems.J. Chem. Ecol. 8:1001–1010.
Rice, E.L. 1984. Allelopathy. Academic Press, Orlando, Florida. 422 pp.
Stenlid, G. 1968. On the physiological effects of phloridzin, phloretin and some related substances upon higher plants.Physiol. Plant. 21:882–894.
Stenlid, G. 1970. Flavonoids as inhibitors of the formation of adenosine triphosphate in plant mitochondria.Phytochemistry 9:2251–2256.
Von Jagow, G., andLink, T.A. 1986. Use of specific inhibitors on the mitochondrialbc 1 complex.Methods Enzymol. 126:253–271.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
This study was supported in part by National Science Foundation grant RII-8902066 (South Dakota EPSCOR).
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Rasmussen, J.A., Hejl, A.M., Einhellig, F.A. et al. Sorgoleone from root exudate inhibits mitochondrial functions. J Chem Ecol 18, 197–207 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00993753
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00993753