6533b860fe1ef96bd12c3923
RESEARCH PRODUCT
Expression of spearmint limonene synthase in transgenic spike lavender results in an altered monoterpene composition in developing leaves.
Isabel ArrillagaJuan SeguraRoc RosJesús Muñoz-bertomeusubject
LavenderMonoterpeneTransgeneLavandula latifoliaBioengineeringGenetically modified cropsBiologyProtein EngineeringApplied Microbiology and BiotechnologyMentha spicatalaw.inventionchemistry.chemical_compoundlawBotanyIntramolecular LyasesGeneEssential oilLimonenefood and beveragesbiology.organism_classificationPlants Genetically ModifiedRecombinant ProteinsPlant LeavesGenetic EnhancementLavandulachemistryMonoterpenesBiotechnologydescription
We generated transgenic spike lavender (Lavandula latifolia) plants constitutively expressing the limonene synthase (LS) gene from spearmint (Mentha spicata), encoding the LS enzyme that catalyzes the synthesis of limonene from geranyl diphosphate. Overexpression of the LS transgene did not consistently affect monoterpene profile in pooled leaves or flowers from transgenic T(0) plants. Analyses from cohorts of leaves sampled at different developmental stages showed that essential oil accumulation in transgenic and control plants was higher in developing than in mature leaves. Furthermore, developing leaves of transgenic plants contained increased limonene contents (more than 450% increase compared to controls) that correlated with the highest transcript accumulation of the LS gene. The levels of other monoterpene pathway components were also significantly altered. T(0) transgenic plants were grown for 2 years, self-pollinated, and the T(1) seeds obtained. The increased limonene phenotype was maintained in the progenies that inherited the LS transgene.
| year | journal | country | edition | language |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008-03-05 | Metabolic engineering |