Betulin, Synthesized by PpCYP716A1, Is a Key Endogenous Defensive Metabolite of Peach against Aphids

• DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.2c04422
• Publication Date: 2022-09-29T11:28:55Z
• Authors: Junxiu Wang; Yong Li; Xinwei Wang; Ke Cao; Gengrui Zhu; Weichao Fang; Changwen Chen; Jinlong Wu; Jian Guo; Qiang Xu; Lirong Wang
• Keywords: Betulin; Myzus persicae

Wild pest-resistant germplasms employ secondary metabolites to withstand insect attacks. A close wild relative of the cultivated peach, Prunus davidiana, displays strong resistance green peach aphids by utilizing cope with aphid infestation; however, underlying mechanism remains mostly unknown. Here, metabolomic analysis was performed explore changes in metabolite levels P. davidiana after infestation. The data revealed that betulin is a key defensive peaches protects against and possesses potent aphidicidal activity. Further toxicity tests demonstrated toxic pests but not beneficial insects. Additionally, transcriptomic phylogenetic analyses cytochrome P450 gene PpCYP716A1 responsible for synthesis─this finding confirmed heterologous expression this gene. This study strategy whereby plants harness defense develop pests. These findings may facilitate controlling such