biostudies-literatureJutersek MEarlham Institute (Funder)Horizon 2020 Framework ProgrammeMinisterio de Ciencia e InnovaciónJavna Agencija za Raziskovalno Dejavnost RSBiotechnology and Biological Sciences Research CouncilGeneralitat ValencianaMinistrstvo za Izobraževanje, Znanost in Šport941338https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC9645294biostudies-literatureUnknown13Plant biofactories are a promising platform for sustainable production of high-value compounds, among which are insect sex pheromones, a green alternative to conventional insecticides in agriculture. Recently, we have constructed transgenic <i>Nicotiana benthamiana</i> plants ("Sexy Plants", SxP) that successfully produce a blend of moth (Lepidoptera) sex pheromone compounds (<i>Z</i>)-11-hexadecen-1-ol and (<i>Z</i>)-11-hexadecenyl acetate. However, efficient biosynthesis of sex pheromones resulted in growth and developmental penalty, diminishing the potential for commercial use of SxP in biomanufacturing. To gain insight into the underlying molecular responses, we analysed the whole-genome transcriptome and evaluated it in relation to growth and pheromone production in low- and high-prodFrontiers in plant scienceTranscriptional deregulation of stress-growth balance in <i>Nicotiana benthamiana</i> biofactories producing insect sex pheromones.PMC9645294C3330-18-252003BB/R021554/1FPU18/02019722361ACIF/2019/226EI-G-NPP4-0165, P4-0431, Z4-706Moreno-Gimenez ERamsak ZGianoglio SMateos-Fernandez RBaebler SOrzaez DJutersek MPetek MGruden KfalseTranscriptional deregulation of stress-growth balance in <i>Nicotiana benthamiana</i> biofactories producing insect sex pheromones.Plant biofactories are a promising platform for sustainable production of high-value compounds, among which are insect sex pheromones, a green alternative to conventional insecticides in agriculture. Recently, we have constructed transgenic <i>Nicotiana benthamiana</i> plants ("Sexy Plants", SxP) that successfully produce a blend of moth (Lepidoptera) sex pheromone compounds (<i>Z</i>)-11-hexadecen-1-ol and (<i>Z</i>)-11-hexadecenyl acetate. However, efficient biosynthesis of sex pheromones resulted in growth and developmental penalty, diminishing the potential for commercial use of SxP in biomanufacturing. To gain insight into the underlying molecular responses, we analysed the whole-genome transcriptome and evaluated it in relation to growth and pheromone production in low- and high-prod2022-01-01T00:00:00Z20222026-04-08T11:45:06.939Z2025-04-19T22:48:19.29ZS-EPMC96452943638850110.3389/fpls.2022.941338