Structure - Activity Relationships of Jasmonates in Proteinase Inhibitor Genes of Potato the Induction of Expression of Two

Expression of genes coding for wound-inducible cathepsin D inhibitor (CDI) and proteinase inhibitor II (PI-II) of petato were induced in leaves upon treatment with methy} jasmonate (MJA) with similar time and concentrat;on dependences. The response of CDI and PI-Il genes to yarious compounds structural]y related to MJA w'ere a}so simi]ar to each other. For the induction of expression of these proteinase inhibitor genes, an acetyl side chain, whether or not it is meth.vlated, at the C-1 position, an n-pentenyl side chain at the C-2 position, and a keto group at the C-3 position of the cyclopentane ring ofJA were all important for its activity. These structural requirements of MJA-related compeunds for the induction of proteinase inhibitor genes seemed to be different frem those for the induction of potato tuber formation, the promotion of leaf senescence, and the inhibition f seedling growth.