Plants as biofactories for production of the aphid sex pheromone nepetalactone.

ABSTRACT: Aphids cause massive agricultural losses through direct damage or as pathogen vectors. Control often relies on insecticides, which are expensive and not selective. An interesting alternative is to use aphid sex pheromones nepetalactone (NON) and nepetalactol (NOL) to interfere with aphid mating or attract aphid predators. Here, we explore production of these compounds in plants, as their precursors can be derived from mevalonate (MVA) and methylerythritol phosphate (MEP) pathways. By introducing six genes, including a major latex protein-like (MLPL) enzyme, we engineered a functional nepetalactol biosynthetic pathway into plants. Transient expression of these enzymes in N. benthamiana caused production of nepetalactone, without the need for external supplementation with substrates. Targeti

SUBMITTER: Ontiveros-Cisneros A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11830648 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan-Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature