Lipidomics analysis reveals the effect of Sirex noctilio infestation on the lipid metabolism in Pinus radiata needles

The Sirex noctilio’s climatic adaption and rapid proliferation have caused Pinus mortality worldwide. The infestation combines the early effect of female S. noctilio gland secretion and the spreading symbiotic fungus Amylostereum areolatum. 'Lipidomics' is the study of all non-water-soluble components of the metabolome. Most of these non-water-soluble compounds correspond to lipids which can provide information about a biological activity, an organelle, an organism, or a disease. Using HPLC-MS/MS based lipidomics, 122 lipids were identified in P. radiata needles during S. noctilio infestation. Phosphatidic acids, N-acylethanolamines, and phosphatidylinositol-ceramides accumulated in infested trees could suggest a high level of phospholipases activities. The phosphatidylcholines were the most down-regulated species during infection, which could also suggest that they may be used as a substrate for up-regulated lipids. The accumulation of very long-chain fatty acids and long-chain fatty acids during the infestation could imply the tree defense response to create a barrier in the drilled zone to avoid larvae development and fungus proliferation. Also, the growth arrest phase of the trees during the prolonged infestation suggests a resistance response, regulated by the accumulation of NAE, which potentially shifts the tree energy to respond to the infestation. •Using the lipidomics approach, one hundred twenty-two lipids were identified in P. radiata needles.•Fatty acids were the most abundant lipids upregulated in needles by the S. noctilio infestation.•A remarkable decrease in phosphatidyl-colines was observed in the early and prolonged infestation.