At least two different signalling pathways have been identified that result in clearly distinguishable volatile profiles in response to pathogens and herbivores in the lima bean Phaseolus lunatus. Alamethicin, a voltage-gated ion-channel-forming peptide from Trichoderma viride, is a potent inducer of volatile biosynthesis in the lima bean. Unlike elicitation with cellulysin or herbivore damage,...

Functional properties were identified for the total globulin (TG), 7S and 11S fractions of Lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus L.) seeds. The 11S component accounted for 58.3% of TGs and the 7S for 41.7%. Solubility was higher in the 7S fraction, especially at alkaline pHs. Water-holding capacity was similar (3 g water/g sample) in both globulin fractions. Oil-holding capacity was higher in the 11S fr...

The carbohydrate binding stoichiometry of lima bean lectin component III was reexamined using equilibrium dialysis and quantitative affinity chromatography following limited chemical modification. Equilibrium dialysis employing methyl[2-‘4Clbenzamido2-deoxy-cu-D-galactopyranoside as ligand demonstrated that the lectin tetramer bound 4 mol of sugar with K,,,, = 1.44 + 0.13 X lo3 M-’ (T = 5”C, pH...

1 Many plant species respond to herbivory with increased emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs): these attract carnivorous arthropods and thereby function as an indirect defence mechanism. Whether neighbouring plants can ‘eavesdrop’ on such airborne cues and tailor their defences accordingly, remains controversial. 2 We used Lima bean plants ( Phaseolus lunatus ) to investigate whether h...

Pronase digestion of the lima bean lectin (Phaseolus lunatus (alpha-D-GalNAc greater than alpha-D-Gal)) afforded a glycopeptide of molecular weight 1380. Amino acid and carbohydrate analysis showed the glycopeptide to contain fucose, mannose, glucosamine, and aspartic acid in the molar ratios, 0.8:4.4:1.9:1.0. Methylation analysis, Smith degradation, and sequential degradation by specific glyco...

The genus Phaseolus (Fabaceae) consists of some 50 species, all of which are distributed in the Americas. Four of these contain cultigens. P. vulgaris (common bean), P. lunatus (lima bean), P. acutifolius (tepary bean), P. coccineus subsp. coccineus (runner bean); and P. coccineus subsp, polyanthus (no English vernacular name). Biochemical markers--phaseolin seed storage protein and isozymes--h...

BACKGROUND Exposure of plants to herbivore-induced plant volatiles (HIPVs) alters their resistance to herbivores. However, the whole-genome transcriptional responses of treated plants remain unknown, and the signal pathways that produce HIPVs are also unclear. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Time course patterns of the gene expression of Arabidopsis thaliana exposed to Lima bean volatiles were...

8-Azidoadenine was employed as a photoaffinity probe of the adenine binding site of the seed lectin from lima beans and from Phaseolus vulgaris erythroagglutinin. This compound was shown to (a) bind competitively to the adenine binding site of these lectins and (b) exhibit enhanced binding in the presence of 1,8-anilinonaphthalenesulfonic acid in the same manner as adenine. The presence or abse...

BACKGROUND Insect herbivory induces plant odors that attract herbivores' natural enemies. Assuming this attraction emerges from individual compounds, genetic control over odor emission of crops may provide a rationale for manipulating the distribution of predators used for pest control. However, studies on odor perception in vertebrates and invertebrates suggest that olfactory information proce...

1 Herbivore damage often induces the release of herbivore-induced plant volatiles (HIPVs) or the secretion of extrafloral nectar (EFN). The purpose of this study was to induce such proposed indirect defence responses in plants growing in their natural environment and to monitor the effects on vegetative and generative traits such as herbivory, plant growth and fruit set. 2 I tested whether matu...