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Professor Research team: EcoPEPS e-mail: marie-pascale.prudhomme@unicaen.fr Tel: +33(0)2 31 56 58 01 Location: CAMPUS 1, Building J3, Door IR 014 Address: Université de Caen Normandie, CS 14032 Esplanade de la paix, 14032 CAEN CEDEX 5, France

Research activities

Fructans are soluble fructose polymers produced by about 15% of angiosperms and by some microorganisms. Interestingly, they are multifunctional molecules. Indeed, in addition to their role as a carbon reserve, they contribute to abiotic stress resistance, plant immunity and plant-microorganism interactions. However, the underlying mechanisms are largely unknown.

In the context of climate change and agroecology transition, my research objectives are to study:

• the regulation of fructan synthesis and degradation in relation to carbon metabolism and sugar transport,
• the roles of fructans in plant drought resistance and in plant-microorganism interactions within the phyllosphere and rhizosphere,
• the role of fructan degrading enzymes (FEHs) in non-fructan accumulating plants
• the contribution of fructan to forage quality of grassland species.

Current and recent programs

• CAnOPée (2022-2026) "Multi-scale approach to the services provided by a quality-labeled dairy chain: contribution of new indicators"  ANR. Coordinatrice N. Desmasures (UR 4651 ABTE, Université Caen Normandie). 
• BEER (2019-2022) « Bacteria, exudates and rhizodeposition ». Regional research project of the Networks of Interests of Normandy (RIN). Coordinator: B. Pawlak GlycoMEV, University of Rouen Normandy).
• ALGRIPLAST (2019-2022) « Valorization of derivatives and co-products of algae, cereals and vegetables for biodegradable applications in the circular economy ». Collaborative project Normandy Region. Coordinator: G. Lebouteiller (NaturePlast, Ifs).
• NPT (2018-2021) « Normandie Plant Technology: Technological and methodological development to analyze plant growth, metabolic pathways and plant/microorganism interactions ». Regional research project of the Networks of Interests of Normandy (RIN). Coordinator: J-C. Avice (EVA, University of Caen Normandy).
• ALGOEVA (2018-2021) « Valorization of algae in Normandy for the agriculture and animal health sectors: Interest of macro-algae, their extracts and the bioactive molecules derived from them, in the fields of plant production and equine health ». Collaborative project Normandy Region. Coordinator: M-P. Prud’homme (EVA, University of Caen Normandy).
• EPURE (2017-2019) « Enhancing Plant nutrition and health ». Regional research project of the Networks of Interests of Normandy (RIN). Coordinator: I. Gattin (Aghyle, Unilasalle Rouen).
• MICROPHYLLOS (2016-2018) « Microbial diversity of the grassland phyllosphere and identification of mechanisms involved in plant-microorganism interactions ». Emerging Normandy Region project. Co-coordinators: N. Noiraud-Romy (EVA, University of Caen Normandy), M. Cretenet (MALIM-ABTE, University of Caen Normandy).

Supervision

PhD

• Antoine Grandin-Courbet (2022-2025) « Improvement of the resistance of grassland and vegetable species to climate change by biostimulant compounds of algal origin: development of bioassays and understanding of the mechanisms of action » (co-supervision with A. Morvan-Bertrand, F. Hennequart – Société Algaia).
• Thi Ngoc Hanh Nguyen (2018-2022) « Rhizosphere glycomolecules and plant defense » (co-supervision with M. Vicré, A. Morvan-Bertrand, M-L Follet-Gueye).
• Hans Lone-Sang (2017-2020) «Variations in carbohydrate contents and regulation of relative levels of LpSUT1 transporter gene transcripts by carbohydrates and in response to modulation of source-sink relationships in perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) » (co-supervision with N. Noiraud-Romy and F. Meuriot).
• Marouf Ould-Ahmed (2008-2012) « Metabolism of fructans during development and after harvest in timothy (Phleum pratense L); identification and functional analysis of two genes encoding Fructan Exo-Hydrolases (FEHs) with invertase activity » (co-supervision with A. Morvan-Bertrand, P. Drouin UQAT - Canada).
• Alexandre Berthier (2008-2011) « Sucrose transport in perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.): response to defoliation and light intensity » (co-supervision with N. Noiraud-Romy, F. Meuriot).
• Jérémy Lothier (2005-2007) « Fructan metabolism in Lolium perenne L.: Identification of two genes encoding fructan exohydrolases (FEHs) and study of the regulation of FEH activity by soluble sugars » (co-supervision with A. Morvan-Bertrand).
• Bertrand Lasseur (2002-2006) « Fructan metabolism in Lolium perenne L.: Cloning and functional expression of two fructosyltransferases; involvement in growth and tolerance to defoliation » (co-supervision with A. Morvan-Bertrand).
• Annette Morvan-Bertrand (1995-1998) « Dynamics of regrowth and mobilization of carbohydrate reserves in leaf sheaths and growing leaves of Lolium perenne L. after defoliation; estimation of the role of gibberellins on regrowth and on the regulation of fructan exohydrolase activity » (co-supervision with A. Ernstsen University of Tromso - Norway).
• Natacha Pavis (1994-1998) « Mobilization and reconstitution of carbon reserves in the roots and different leaf tissues of Lolium perenne L: structural analysis of fructans, study by ¹³C labeling, demonstration of 6-glucose-fructosyltransferase ».
• David Guerrand (1993-1997) « Fructan synthesis in Lolium perenne L ».

 Master degree

• Mathias Coulon (2021) « Evaluation of the role of fructans in the protection of leaf meristems during drought: monitoring metabolism and scavenging of reactive oxygen species (ROS) » (co-supervision with A. Morvan-Bertrand).
• Théophile Modéna (2020) « Fructans and plant immunity in rapeseed, evaluation of the role of fructan exohydrolases » (co-supervision with A. Morvan-Bertrand).
• Paul Moulin (2020) « Contribution of fructans to drought resistance and evaluation of the biostimulating effect of algae extract » (co-supervision with A. Grandin, A. Morvan-Bertrand).
• Laëtitia Leclerc (2018) « Fructan exohydrolases (FEHs) and plant immunity: Induction of the Bn6&1-FEH gene in rapeseed (Brassica napus) roots treated with Bacillus subtilis peptidoglycans or salicylic acid (SA) » (co-supervision with A. Morvan-Bertrand).
• Julien Lecourt (2010) « Functional characterization of two new isoforms of fructan exohydrolases (FEHs) in perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) and study of their transcriptional regulation after defoliation » (co-supervision with A. Morvan-Bertrand).

Publications

• Nguyen TNH, Goux D, Follet-Gueye M-L, Bernard S, Padel L, Vicré M, Prud'homme M-P, Morvan-Bertrand A (2024) Generation and characterization of two new monoclonal antibodies produced by immunizing mice with plant fructans: New tools for immunolocalization of β-(2 → 1) and β-(2 → 6) fructans, Carbohydrate Polymers, 327, 121682 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbpol.2023.121682
• Morvan-Bertrand A, Van den Ende W, Prud’homme M-P (2023) Relation of plants with other kingdoms: the unique role of fructans. In The book of fructans (eds. W. Van den Ende, E.T. Öner), Elsevier, chapter 8, pp 127-145. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-85410-8.00010-7
• Nguyen TNH, Leclerc L, Manzanares-Dauleux M, Gravot A, Vicre M, Prud'homme M-P, Morvan-Bertrand A (2023) Fructan exohydrolases (FEHs) are upregulated by salicylic acid together with defense-related genes in non-fructan accumulating plants. Physiologia plantarum 175, e13975. https://doi.org/10.1111/ppl.13975
• Meuriot F, Prud’homme M, Noiraud‐Romy N (2022) Defoliation, wounding, and methyl jasmonate induce expression of the sucrose lateral transporter LpSUT1 in ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.). Physiologia Plantarum 174:e13744. doi:10.1111/ppl.13744
• Dalmasso M, Morvan-Bertrand A, Chagnot C, Goux D, Sesboué A, Meuriot F, Schlusselhuber M, Prud’homme M-P, Elie N, Desmasures N, Launay F, Noiraud-Romy N, Cretenet M (2022) Microbiota diversity of the phyllosphere of pastures plants. In Grassland at the heart of circular and sustainable food systems (eds. L. Delaby, R. Baumont, V. Brocard, S. Lemauviel-Lavenant, S. Plantureux, F. Vertes and J.L. Peyraud), Grassland Science in Europe, vol. 27, pp. 122-124.
• Meuriot F, Noiraud-Romy N, Elie N, Goux D, Morvan-Bertrand A, Cretenet M, Dalmasso M, Chagnot C. Prud’homme M-P (2022) Phyllospheric bacteria alter sugar content and sucrose transporter expression in rye-grass. In Grassland at the heart of circular and sustainable food systems (eds. L. Delaby, R. Baumont, V. Brocard, S. Lemauviel-Lavenant, S. Plantureux, F. Vertes and J.L. Peyraud), Grassland Science in Europe, vol. 27, pp. 222-224.
• Morvan-Bertrand A, Grandin A, Coulon M, Dubois V, Moulin P, Prud’homme M-P (2022) Involvement of fructans in the protection of leaf meristems of grassland species during drought. In Grassland at the heart of circular and sustainable food systems (eds. L. Delaby, R. Baumont, V. Brocard, S. Lemauviel-Lavenant, S. Plantureux, F. Vertes and J.L. Peyraud), Grassland Science in Europe, vol. 27, pp. 442-444.Volaire F, Morvan-Bertrand A, Prud’homme M-P, Benot M-L, Augusti A, Zwicke M, Roy J, Landais D, Picon-Cochard C, 2020. The resilience of perennial grasses under two climate scenarios is correlated with carbohydrate metabolism in meristems, Journal of Experimental Botany 71:370-385 https://doi.org/10.1093/jxb/erz424
• Rigui AP, Carvalho V, dos Santos ALW, Morvan-Bertrand A, Prud'homme M-P, Carvalho MAM, Marília Gaspar M, 2019. Fructan and antioxidant metabolisms in plants of Lolium perenne under drought are modulated by exogenous nitric oxide, Plant Physiology and Biochemistry 145:205-215 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.plaphy.2019.10.029
• Benot M-L, Morvan-Bertrand A, Mony C, Huet J, Sulmon C, Decau M-L, Prud'homme M-P, Bonis A, 2019. Grazing intensity modulates carbohydrate storage pattern in five grass species from temperate grasslands. Acta Oecologica 95:108-115 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actao.2018.11.005.
• Meuriot F, Morvan-Bertrand A, Noiraud-Romy N, Decau M-L, Escobar-Gutierrez AJ, Gastal F, Prud’homme M-P, 2018. Short-term effects of defoliation intensity on sugar remobilization and N fluxes in ryegrass. Journal of Experimental Botany 69:3975-3986 https://dx.doi.org/10.1093%2Fjxb%2Fery211
• Volaire F, Ahmed LQ, Barre P, Bourgoin T, Durand J-L, Escobar-Gutiérrez A, Fakiri M, Ghesquière M, Julier B, Kallida R, Louarn G, Morvan-Bertrand A, Picon-Cochard C, Prud’homme M-P, Shaimi N, Zaka S, Zhouri L, Zwicke M, 2016. Quelle est la variabilité intra- et interspécifique des caractères d’adaptation des espèces prairiales pérennes aux variables du changement climatique ? Fourrages 225:1-9 https://afpf-asso.fr/article/quelle-est-la-variabilite-intra-et-interspecifique-des-caracteres-d-adaptation-des-especes-prairiales-perennes-aux-variables-du-changement-climatique
• Gasperl A, Morvan-Bertrand A, Prud’homme M-P, van der Graaff E, Roitsch T, 2016. Exogenous classic phytohormones have limited regulatory effects on fructan and primary carrbohydrate metabolism in perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.). Frontiers in Plant Science 6:1251 http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2015.01251
• Zwicke M, Picon-Cochard C, Morvan-Bertrand A, Prud’homme M-P, Volaire F, 2015. What functional strategies drive drought survival and recovery of perennial species from upland grassland? Annals of Botany 116:1001-1015 http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/aob/mcv037
• Ould‐Ahmed M, Decau M-L, Morvan‐Bertrand A, Prud'homme M-P, Lafrenière C, Drouin P, 2015. Fructan, sucrose and related enzyme activities are preserved in timothy (Phleum pratense L.) during wilting. Grass and Forage 72:64-79  http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/gfs.12209
• Gasperl A, Morvan-Bertrand A, Prud’homme M-P, van der Graaff E, Roitsch T, 2015. A simple and fast kinetic assay for the determination of fructan exohydrolase activity in perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.). Frontiers in Plant Science 6:1154  http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2015.01154
• Ould-Ahmed M, Decau M-L, Morvan-Bertrand A, Prud’homme M-P, Lafrenière C, Drouin P, 2014. Plant maturity and nitrogen fertilization affected fructan metabolism in harvestable tissues of timothy (Phleum pratense L.). Journal of Plant Physiology 171:1479–1490 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jplph.2014.07.007
• Lothier J, Van Laere A, Prud’homme M-P, Van den Ende W, Morvan-Bertrand A, 2014. Cloning and characterization of a novel fructan 6-exohydrolase strongly inhibited by sucrose in Lolium perenne. Planta 240:629-643 http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00425-014-2110-6
• Berthier A, Meuriot F, Dedaldechamp F, Lemoine R, Prud’homme M-P, Noiraud-Romy N, 2014. Identification of a new sucrose transporter in rye-grass (LpSUT2): Effect of defoliation and putative fructose sensing. Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, 84:32-44 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.plaphy.2014.09.002
• Lasseur B, Schroeven L, Lammens W, Le Roy K, Spangenberg G, Manduzio H, Vergauwen R, Lothier J, Prud’homme M-P, Van den Ende W, 2009. Transforming a fructan:fructan 6G-fructosyltransferase from perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) into a sucrose:sucrose 1-fructosyltransferase. Plant Physiology 149:327-339 https://doi.org/10.1104/pp.108.125559
• Pavis N, Chatterton NJ, Harrison PA, Baumgartner S, Praznik W, Boucaud J, Prud’homme M-P, 2001. Structure of fructans in roots and leaf tissues of Lolium perenne. New Phytologist 150:83-95 https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1469-8137.2001.00069.x
• Pavis N, Boucaud J, Prud’homme M-P, 2001. Fructans and fructan-metabolizing enzymes in leaves of Lolium perenne. New Phytologist 150:97-109 https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1469-8137.2001.00068.x
• Guerrand D, Avice J-C, Pavis N, Prud’homme M-P, Boucaud J, 1999.  Fructan biosynthesis in Lolium perenne: appraisal of soluble and insoluble enzymatic pathways. New Phytologist 141:109-118 https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1469-8137.1999.00324.x
• Benot M-L, Saccone P, Vicente R, Pautrat E, Morvan-Bertrand A, Decau M-L, Grigulis K, Prud’homme M-P, Lavorel S, 2013. How extreme summer weather may limit the control of Festuca paniculata by hay-meadow management in subalpine grasslands. Plant Ecology and Diversity 6:393-404 http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17550874.2013.784818
• Lattanzi F-A, Gamnitzer U, Wild M, Morvan-Bertrand A, Decau M-L, Lehmeier C-A, Meuriot F, Prud’homme M-P, Schaufele R, Schnyder H, 2012. Fluxes in central carbohydrate metabolism of source leaves in a fructan-storing C3 grass – rapid turnover and futile cycling of sucrose in continuous light under contrasted nitrogen nutrition status. Journal of Experimental Botany 63:2363-2375 http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/jxb/ers020
• Furet P-M, Berthier A, Decau M-L, Morvan-Bertrand A, Prud’homme M-P, Noiraud-Romy N, Meuriot F, 2012. Differential regulation of two sucrose transporters by light and defoliation conditions in perennial ryegrass. Plant Physiology and Biochemistry 61:88-96 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.plaphy.2012.09.011
• Lasseur B, Lothier J, Wiemken A, Van Laere A, Morvan-Bertrand A, Van Den Ende W, Prud’homme M-P, 2011. Towards a better understanding of the generation of fructan structure diversity in plants: molecular and functional characterization of a sucrose : fructan 6-fructosyltransferase (6-SFT) cDNA from perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.). Journal of Experimental Botany 62:1871-1875 http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/jxb/erq388
• Lothier J, Lasseur B, Morvan-Bertrand A, Prud’homme M-P, 2010. Hexokinase dependent sugar signaling represses fructan exohydrolase (FEH) activity in Lolium perenne. Functional Plant Biology 37:1151-1160. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/FP10086
• Berthier A, Desclos M, Amiard V, Morvan-Bertrand A, Demming-Adams B, Adams WW, Turgeon R, Prud'homme M-P, Noiraud-Romy N, 2009. Activation of sucrose transport in defoliated Lolium perenne L.: an example of apoplastic phloem loading plasticity. Plant and Cell Physiology, 50:1329-1344 http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/pcp/pcp081
• Lothier J, Lasseur B, Le Roy K, Van Laere A, Prud'homme M-P., Barre P, Van den Ende W, Morvan-Bertrand A, 2007. Cloning, gene mapping, and functional analysis of a fructan 1-exohydrolase (1-FEH) from Lolium perenne implicated in fructan synthesis rather than in fructan mobilization. Journal of Experimental Botany 58:1969-1983 http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/jxb/erm053
• Lasseur B, Lothier J, Morvan-Bertrand A, Humphreys MO, Prud'homme M-P, 2007. Impact of defoliation frequency on regrowth and carbohydrate metabolism in contrasting varieties of Lolium perenne. Functionnal Plant Biology 34:418-430 http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/FP06286
• Lasseur B, Lothier J, Djoumad A, De Coninck B, Smeekens S, Van Laere A, Morvan-Bertrand A, Van den Ende W, Prud'homme M-P, 2006. Molecular and functional characterization of a cDNA encoding fructan:fructan 6G-fructosyltransferase (6G-FFT) / fructan:fructan 1-fructosyltransferase (1-FFT) from perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.). Journal of Experimental Botany 57:2719-2734 http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/jxb/erl034
• Meuriot F, Decau M-L, Morvan-Bertrand A, Prud'homme M-P, Gastal F, Simon J-C, Volenec JJ, Avice J-C, 2005. Contribution of initial C and N reserves in Medicago sativa recovering from defoliation: impact of cutting height and residual leaf area. Functional Plant Biology 32:321-334 http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/FP04151
• Amiard V, Morvan-Bertrand A, Cliquet J-B, Billard J-P, Huault C,  Sandström JP, Prud'homme M-P, 2004. Carbohydrate and amino acid composition in phloem sap of Lolium perenne L. before and after defoliation. Canadian Journal of Botany 82:1594-1601 https://cdnsciencepub.com/doi/10.1139/b04-117
• Amiard V, Morvan-Bertrand A, Billard J-P., Huault C, Keller F, Prud'homme M-P, 2003. Fructans, but not sucrosyl-galactosides, raffinose and loliose, are affected by drougth stress in Lolium perenne L. Plant physiology 132:218-229 https://doi.org/10.1104/pp.103.022335
• Amiard V, Morvan-Bertrand A, Billard J-P, Huault C, Prud'homme M-P, 2003. Fate of fructose supplied to leaf sheaths after defoliation of Lolium perenne L. Assessment by 13C-fructose labelling. Journal of Experimental Botany 54:1231-1243 http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/jxb/erg125
• Poulain N, Dez I, Perrio C, Lasne M-C, Prud’homme M-P, Nakache E, 2003. Microspheres based on inulin for the controlled release of serine protease inhibitors: preparation, characterization and in vitro release. Journal of Controlled Release 92:27-38 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0168-3659(03)00251-7
• Morvan-Bertrand A, Ernstsen A, Lingard B, Koshioka M, Le Saos J, Boucaud J, Prud'homme M-P, Junttila O, 2001. Endogenous gibberellins in Lolium perenne and influence of defoliation on their contents in elongating leaf bases and in leaf sheaths. Physiologia Plantarum 111:225-231 http://dx.doi.org/10.1034/j.1399-3054.2001.1110214.x
• Morvan-Bertrand A, Boucaud J, Le Saos J, Prud'homme M-P, 2001. Roles of fructans from leaf sheaths and from the elongating leaf bases in the regrowth following defoliation of Lolium perenne L. Planta 213:109-120 http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s004250000478
• Avice J-C, Louahlia S, Kim TH, Jacquet A, Morvan-Bertrand A, Prud'homme M-P, Ourry A, Simon J-C, 2001. Influence des réserves azotées et carbonées sur la repousse des espèces prairiales. Fourrages 165:3-22 https://afpf-asso.fr/revue/numero-non-thematique-44?a=114
• Smith KF, Simpson RJ, Culvenor RA, Humphreys MO, Prud’homme M-P, Oram RN, 2001. The effects of ploidy and a phenotype conferring a high water-soluble carbohydrate concentration on carbohydrate accumulation, nutritive value and morphology of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.). Journal of Agricultural Sciences 136:65-74 https://doi.org/10.1017/S0021859600008480
• Morvan-Bertrand A, Pavis N, Boucaud J, Prud’homme M-P, 1999. Partitioning of reserve and newly assimilated carbon in roots and leaf tissues of Lolium perenne during regrowth after defoliation: assessment by 13C steady-state labelling and carbohydrate analysis. Plant, Cell and Environment 22:1097-1108 http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-3040.1999.00485.x
• Morvan-Bertrand A, Boucaud J, Prud'homme M-P, 1999. Influence of initial levels of carbohydrates, fructans, nitrogen, and soluble proteins on regrowth of Lolium perenne L. cv. Bravo following defoliation. Journal of Experimental Botany 341:1817-1826 http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/jxb/50.341.1817
• Morvan A, Challe G, Prud'homme M-P, Le Saos J, Boucaud J, 1997. Rise of fructan exohydrolase activity in stubble of Lolium perenne after defoliation is decreased by uniconazole, an inhibitor of the biosynthesis of gibberellins. New Phytologist 136:81-88 http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-8137.1997.tb04733.x
• Guerrand D, Prud’homme M-P, Boucaud J, 1996. Fructan metabolism in expanding leaves, mature leaf sheaths and mature leaf blades of Lolium perenne L. Fructan synthesis, fructosyltransferase and invertase activities. New Phytologist 134:205-214 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-8137.1996.tb04625.x

Teaching activities

I teach plant physiology at the Biology and Earth Sciences department and at the Agri-food department of the University of Caen Normandy. 

Degrees

PhD of the University of Caen Normandy (1986) « Effect of NaCl on lipid metabolism in roots of Cochlearia anglica (L) ».

Accreditation to supervise research, Université de Caen Normandie (1996) « Roles and metabolism of fructans in grassland Poaceae ».