A multifunctional sesquiterpene synthase integrates with cytochrome P450s to reinforce the terpenoid defense network in maize.

ABSTRACT: Terpenoids, the largest and most structurally diverse class of plant natural products, play essential roles in maize defense and ecological interactions. In this study, we identified and functionally characterized a sesquiterpenoid-based defense pathway in maize centered on α-santalenoic acid, a pathogen-inducible sesquiterpenoid antibiotic. Using a combination of metabolite-based genome-wide association studies (mGWAS), linkage mapping, and heterologous expression assays, we identified ZmTPS9 as a multiproduct terpene synthase that primarily produces α-santalene and β-bisabolene. Sequence analysis and site-directed mutagenesis revealed that threonine at position 413 is critical for enzyme activity, with its deletion resulting in a complete loss of enzyme activity. The sesquiterpene hydroc

SUBMITTER: Wu M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12617997 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature