Fluorescence study on the nyctinasty of Phyllanthus urinaria L. using novel fluorescence-labeled probe compounds

We report the synthesis of fluorescence-labeled probes based on phyllanthurinolactone 1, which is a leaf-closing substance of Phyllanthus urinaria L. The fluorescence study using biologically active probe 2 and inactive probes (epi-2 and 31) revealed that the target cell for 1 is a motor cell and suggested that some receptors, which recognize the aglycon of 1 exist on the plasma membrane of the motor cell, as with leaf-opening substances. Moreover, binding of probe 2 was specific to the plant motor cell contained in the plants belonging to the genus Phyllanthus. These results showed that the binding of probe 2 with a motor cell is specific to the plant genus and suggested that the genus-specific receptor for the leaf-closing substance would be involved in nyctinasty.