Identification, functional characterization and developmental regulation of sesquiterpene synthases from sunflower capitate glandular trichomes.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Sesquiterpene lactones are characteristic metabolites of Asteraceae (or Compositae) which often display potent bioactivities and are sequestered in specialized organs such as laticifers, resin ducts, and trichomes. For characterization of sunflower sesquiterpene synthases we employed a simple method to isolate pure trichomes from anther appendages which facilitated the identification of these genes and investigation of their enzymatic functions and expression patterns during trichome development.

Results

Glandular trichomes of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) were isolated, and their RNA was extracted to investigate the initial steps of sesquiterpene lactone biosynthesis. Reverse transcription-PCR experiments led to the identification of three sesquiterpene syntha

SUBMITTER: Gopfert JC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2715020 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature