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Macromolecules in phloem exudates—a review

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Abstract

Proteomic and transcriptomic analyses using the growing resources of genomic information have been applied to identification of macromolecules in exudates collected from phloem. Most of the analyses rely on collection of exudate following incisions made to the vasculature, but some limited data are available for exudates collected from excised aphid stylets. Species examined, to date, include a number of cereals (rice, barley, and wheat), a number of cucurbits, castor bean, members of the genus Lupinus, brassicas, and Arabidopsis. As many as 1,100 proteins, some hundreds of transcripts, and a growing number of small ribonucleic acids (RNAs), including micro-RNAs, have been identified across the species with a high degree of commonality. Questions relating to the nature and extent of contamination of sieve element contents with those of surrounding companion cells and nonvascular cells are addressed together with likely functions of identified macromolecules. The review considers likely translocation and systemic signaling functions among the macromolecular inventory of phloem exudates.

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Acknowledgements

This research was supported by grants from the Australian Research Council and the Grains Research and Development Corporation (to CAA and PMCS) and a University of Western Australia Post Graduate Award to CR-M.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Plant Biology, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, 6009, Australia

    Craig A. Atkins

  2. School of Biological Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia

    Penny M. C. Smith

  3. Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA), Centre de Colmar, Colmar, France

    Caren Rodriguez-Medina

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  1. Craig A. Atkins
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  2. Penny M. C. Smith
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Correspondence to Craig A. Atkins.

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Atkins, C.A., Smith, P.M.C. & Rodriguez-Medina, C. Macromolecules in phloem exudates—a review. Protoplasma 248, 165–172 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00709-010-0236-3

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