Exogenous adenosine 5'-phosphoramidate behaves as a signal molecule in plants; it augments metabolism of phenylpropanoids and salicylic acid in Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings.

Cells contain various congeners of the canonical nucleotides. Some of these accumulate in cells under stress and may function as signal molecules. Their cellular levels are enzymatically controlled. Previously, we demonstrated a signaling function for diadenosine polyphosphates and cyclic nucleotides in Arabidopsis thaliana and grape, Vitis vinifera. These compounds increased the expression of genes for and the specific activity of enzymes of phenylpropanoid pathways resulting in the accumulation of certain products of these pathways. Here, we show that adenosine 5'-phosphoramidate, whose level can be controlled by HIT-family proteins, induced similar effects. This natural nucleotide, when added to A. thaliana seedlings, activated the genes for phenylalanine:ammonia lyase, 4-coumarate:coenzyme A ligase, cinnamate-4-hydroxylase, chalcone synthase, cinnamoyl-coenzyme A:NADP oxidoreductase and isochorismate synthase, which encode proteins catalyzing key reactions of phenylpropanoid pathways, and caused accumulation of lignins, anthocyanins and salicylic acid. Adenosine 5'-phosphofluoridate, a synthetic congener of adenosine 5'-phosphoramidate, behaved similarly. The results allow us to postulate that adenosine 5'-phosphoramidate should be considered as a novel signaling molecule.