ACTIVATION OF PHOSPHOLIPASE-D AND THE POSSIBLE MECHANISM OF ACTIVATION IN WOUND-INDUCED LIPID HYDROLYSIS IN CASTOR BEAN-LEAVES

Hydrolysis of membrane lipids has been suggested to provide messengers mediating defense gene expression in the wound signaling process. It is, however, unknown which lipolytic enzyme is involved in the signali ng pathway. This study investigated the temporal and spatial activatio n of phospholipase D (PLD; EC 3.1.4.4) and the possible activation mec hanism in response to wounding in castor bean (Ricinus communis L.) le aves. Wounding triggered a rapid activation of PLD-mediated phospholip id hydrolysis, as indicated by the in vivo increase in phosphatidic ac id and free choline, at not only the site of wounding but also the und amaged area of wounded leaves. RNA blotting analysis indicated that PL D gene expression was not involved in the early phase of wounding-acti vation of PLD. Measurements of PLD by activity assay and immunoblottin g suggest that the wounding-activation of PLD at unwounded cells resul ts from intracellular translocation of PLD from cytosol to membranes, A similar translocation pattern of PLD was also obtained as a function of increased free calcium at physiological concentrations in a homoge nization buffer, Based on the above results, it is proposed that wound ing induces activation of PLD leading to phospholipid hydrolysis, and that the activation results from translocation of PLD to membranes, wh ich is mediated by an increase in cytoplasmic calcium upon wounding.