meta-Phenyl-cis-cinnamic acid as a strong root gravitropism inhibitor

Abstract

In our previous studies, we identified the compound (2Z,4E)-5-phenylpenta-2,4-dienoic acid (BMA) as a potent gravitropic bending inhibitor, reporting it as a lead compound effective at 10 nM on Lactuca radicles. Based on this, we further explored derivatives of cis-cinnamic acid and identified mPCA, a meta-phenyl-cis-cinnamic acid that exhibits extremely potent inhibitory activity. mPCA, like BMA, effectively inhibited gravitropic bending at low concentrations without affecting root elongation or hypocotyl gravitropism in lettuce. mPCA has a simpler chemical structure than BMA and is easier to synthesize mPCA has great potential as a candidate for plant physiological studies and future agrochemical applications.