Abscisic acid: new perspectives on an ancient universal stress signaling molecule

Comprehensive and Durable Modulation of Growth, Development, Lifespan and Fecundity in Anopheles stephensi Following Larval Treatment With the Stress Signaling Molecule and Novel Antimalarial Abscisic Acid

“…Study of the role of plants and plant biology in regulating mosquito life history has focused on the characteristics of oviposition sites that are shaped by both wild and cultivated plant species (Omlin et al, 2007;Overgaard, 2007;Eneh et al, 2016;Wondwosen et al, 2016;Asmare et al, 2017;Wondwosen et al, 2017;Wondwosen et al, 2018), on nectar feeding and its effects on mosquito physiology (Nikbakhtzadeh et al, 2014;Nyasembe et al, 2014;Jacob et al, 2018), the potential role of invasive plants in promoting malaria parasite transmission (Stone et al, 2018), and the utility of plant-derived compounds as novel insecticides (Govindarajan et al, 2008;Nathan et al, 2008;Elango et al, 2009;Elimam et al, 2009). Here, we have taken the relationship between plant biology and mosquito biology a step further, connecting the effects of ABA, a universal signaling molecule first described in and well known from plants (Olds et al, 2018), at concentrations detected in water with submerged plant tissue that can alter substantial features of mosquito growth, development and survivorship across immature and adult stages. Together with our previous studies on the effects of ABA on P. falciparum development in A. stephensi (Glennon et al, 2017), the association of elevated blood levels of ABA with asymptomatic malaria in humans and reduced infection and disease pathology in our animal model of malaria (Glennon et al, 2018), the effects of ABA on the life cycle of malaria are both comprehensive and complex and will become undoubtedly more so with continued studies of mechanisms underlying this biology.…”

“…Abscisic acid was first identified in plants, however, it is now recognized as a universal signaling molecule which acts as an effective regulator of stress responses and pathogen biology in plants, parasitic protozoa, sponges, hydroids, insects, and mammals (reviewed in Olds et al, 2018). The interaction of ABA and insects has been studied in several contexts.…”

Effect of soil aeration on root morphology and photosynthetic characteristics of potted tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum) at different NaCl salinity levels

“…ABA induces the production of hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) in guard cells, which in turn activates Ca 2+ channels to pump Ca 2+ across the plasma membrane, increasing cytosolic Ca 2+ and resulting in Ca 2+ -dependent stomatal closure. The rapid catabolism of ABA in leaves prevents the accumulation of ABA, allowing stomata to open as soon as water conditions return to favorable levels [61, 62]. However, there are no reports in the literature specifically examining the sensitivity of tomato plants in salinized soil to aeration.…”

Microbes and Infection turns 20

“…In turn, Olds et al plead for the revival of an "ancient universal stress molecule" -abscisic acid (ABA). The versatile stress signalling molecule in plants and animals seems indeed to have many applications: being essential for T. gondii growth and development, it might be a therapeutic target; in mammals, the hormone has displayed beneficial properties in a wide range of processes, including glucose metabolism, stem cell proliferation, tumorigenesis, inflammation and depression [23].…”