Effects of Stress Phytohormones on Sterol Metabolism of Triticum aestivum L.

Researchers have traditionally paid close attention to the problem of stress tolerance of agricultural plants. Spring wheat is highly sensitive to the action of various stress factors. Secondary metabolites play an important role in the formation of plants' stress tolerance. In this work, the composition and features of changes in the content of triterpenes and sterols in the roots and leaves of wheat seedlings of Triticum aestivum L. under the action of stress phytohormones—abscisic acid, methyl jasmonate, and salicylic acid are comprehensively studied using thin layer chromatography and chromatography-mass spectrometry. Significant changes were revealed in the triterpene and sterol components of wheat as well as in the level of transcripts of key genes of sterol biosynthesis. It was found that the leaves and roots of wheat seedlings exhibit different sensitivity to the action of phytohormones. The data obtained will help to decipher the role of membrane sterols in plant stress responses.