Metabolic engineering of terpene biosynthesis in plants using a trichome‐specific transcription factor MsYABBY5 from spearmint (Mentha spicata)

• DOI: 10.1111/pbi.12525
• Publication Date: 2016-02-04T05:39:22Z
• Authors: Qian Wang; Vaishnavi Amarr R...; Deepa Panicker; Hui‐Zhu Mao; Nadimuthu Kumar; Chakravarthy Rajan; Prasanna Nori Ven...; Nam‐Hai Chua; Rajani Sarojam
• Keywords: Secondary metabolite; Secondary metabolism; Terpene; Trichome; Metabolic pathway; Mentha spicata

Summary In many aromatic plants including spearmint ( Mentha spicata ), the sites of secondary metabolite production are tiny specialized structures called peltate glandular trichomes PGT ). Having high commercial values, these metabolites exploited largely as flavours, fragrances and pharmaceuticals. But, knowledge about transcription factors (TFs) that regulate metabolism in remains elusive. Understanding role TFs pathway will aid metabolic engineering for increased yield also development new techniques valuable metabolites. Here, we isolated functionally characterized a novel Ms YABBY 5 gene is preferentially expressed spearmint. We generated transgenic which was either overexpressed or silenced using RNA interference i). Analysis lines showed reduced expression led to levels terpenes overexpression decreased terpene levels. Additionally, ectopic Ocimum basilicum Nicotiana sylvestris them, suggesting encoded factor probably repressor metabolism.