Regulation of leaf senescence in annual plants

In annual plants leaf senescence plays an important role in the recycling of nutrients to the seeds. Our main interest is exploring the internal signals that regulate this process in response to the environment. Using Arabidopsis as a model, we have shown that sugar accumulation is involved in the regulation of leaf senescence and that the signalling molecule trehalose-6-phosphate is required for this response. Collaborators on this project include Célline Masclaux-Daubresse (Institut Jean-Pierre Bourgin) and Matthew Paul (Rothamsted Research).

Wingler A., Purdy S.J., Edwards S.-A., Chardon F., Masclaux-Daubresse C. (2010) QTL analysis for sugar-regulated leaf senescence supports flowering-dependent and ‑independent senescence pathways. New Phytologist 185, 420-433. [pdf]

Wingler A., Delatte T.L., O’Hara L.E., Primavesi L.F., Jhurreea D., Paul M.J., Schluepmann H. (2012) Trehalose 6-phosphate is required for the onset of leaf senescence associated with high carbon availability. Plant Physiology 158, 1241-1251. [pdf]

The role of trehalose-6-phosphate in regulating plant metabolism and development

Trehalose-6-phosphate is a signal for high carbon availability in plants and thus plays a role in the regulation of leaf senescence. It is also required for the recovery of growth, e.g. after a period of cold temperature. Collaboration with Matthew Paul (Rothamsted Research) and Henriette Schluepmann (Utrecht University) has shown that trehalose-6-phosphate acts by inhibiting the protein kinase SnRK1.

Nunes C., O’Hara L.E., Primavesi L.F., Delatte T.L., Schluepmann H., Somsen G.W., Silva A.B, Fevereiro P.S., Wingler A., Paul M.J. (2013) The trehalose 6-phosphate/SnRK1 signaling pathway primes growth recovery following relief of sink limitation. Plant Physiology 162, 1720-1732. [pdf]

Wingler A., Delatte T.L., O’Hara L.E., Primavesi L.F., Jhurreea D., Paul M.J., Schluepmann H. (2012) Trehalose 6-phosphate is required for the onset of leaf senescence associated with high carbon availability. Plant Physiology 158, 1241-1251. [pdf]

Regulation of leaf senescence in perennial plants

In perennial herbs leaf senescence is required for nutrient recycling to support the growth of new leaves. However in contrast to annual plants, senescence has to be limited to prevent plant death. Using the perennial model Arabis alpina, we compare senescence regulation in perennial plants with our knowledge from Arabidopsis. We have found large natural variation in the regulation of senescence by sugar availability and growth temperature in different accessions of A. alpina and explore how this regulation enables adaptation to the natural growth habitat.

Wingler A., Stangberg E.J., Saxena T., Mistry R. (2012) Interactions between temperature and sugars in the regulation of leaf senescence in the perennial herb Arabis alpina L. Journal of Integrative Plant Biology 54, 595-605. [pdf]

Wingler A., Juvany M., Cuthbert C., Munné-Bosch S. (2015) Adaptation to altitude affects the senescence response to chilling in the perennial plant Arabis alpina. Journal of Experimental Botany 66: 355-367. [pdf]