Gene transcription and steviol glycoside accumulation in Stevia rebaudiana under polyethylene glycol-induced drought stress in greenhouse cultivation.

ABSTRACT: Stevia rebaudiana is a sweet herb of the Astraceae family, which is cultivated for the natural sweeteners it contains. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of drought, simulated by the application of polyethylene glycol (5%, 10%, and 15% w/v), on the content of steviol glycosides (SVglys) and transcription levels of six genes involved in the biosynthesis of these natural sweeteners. The transcription levels of ent-kaurene synthase, ent-kaurene oxidase, ent-kaurenoic acid hydroxylase, and three UDP-dependent glycosyltransferases, UGT85C2,UGT74G1 and UGT76G1 were downregulated under polyethylene glycol treatment. Polyethylene glycol treatment significantly decreased the amount of stevioside, rebaudioside A, B, C and F, steviolbioside, dulcoside A, rubusoside, and total SVglys. Thes

SUBMITTER: Hajihashemi S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5011492 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature