Characterization of trichome-specific BAHD acyltransferases involved in acylsugar biosynthesis in Nicotiana tabacum

• DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erac095
• Publication Date: 2022-03-07T20:13:10Z
• Authors: Aixia Chang; Zhongyi Hu; Biao Chen; Herve Vanderschuren; Ming Chen; Yafang Qu; Weisong Yu; Yangyang Li; Huiqing Sun; Jianmin Cao; Kumar Vasudevan; Chenying Li; Yanan Cao; Jianye Zhang; Yeming Shen; Aiguo Yang; Yuanying Wang
• Keywords: Trichome; Acyltransferases

Abstract Glandular trichomes of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) produce blends acylsucroses that contribute to defence against pathogens and herbivorous insects, but the mechanism assembly these acylsugars has not yet been determined. In this study, we isolated characterized two trichome-specific acylsugar acyltransferases are localized in endoplasmic reticulum, NtASAT1 NtASAT2. They sequentially catalyse additive steps acyl donors sucrose di-acylsucrose. Knocking out or NtASAT2 resulted deficiency acylsucrose; however, there was no effect on accumulation plants overexpressing Genomic analysis profiling revealed NtASATs originated from T subgenome, which is derived acylsugar-producing diploid ancestor N. tomentosiformis. Our identification as enzymes involved potentially provides a new approach target genes for improving crop resistance insects.