Figure 8.

Cross talk between JA and ET regulates defense against herbivores and growth in N. attenuata plants. Wounding and herbivore-associated elicitors (fatty acid-amino acid conjugates) trigger biosynthesis of JA and ET, which activate defense against herbivores, while suppressing IAA levels and expansion of the leaves. ET- and JA-mediated suppression of cell wall-modifying enzymes and their transcripts, including expansin and pectin methylesterase (PME) enzymes, is proposed as a mechanism leading to reduced growth and local expansion of leaves after simulated herbivory treatment.