Alternate gene expression profiling of monoterpenes in Hymenocrater longiflorus as a novel pharmaceutical plant under water deficit

Abstract

Hymenocrater longiflorus (surahalala) is a wild plant species with potential pharmaceutical and ornamental interest. To date, the genomics of this plant is unknown and the gene expression profiling of the genes related to its metabolite has never been studied before. In order to study the responses of in vitro-grown surahalala plants to abiotic stresses and the differential expression of the genes related to its essential oils under exogenous proline application; three levels of PEG600 (0, 10, and 20%) and five levels of proline (0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 µm) were combined in the culture media. Thus, water deficit increased oxidants levels and decreased fresh weight of surahalala tissues, whereas addition of proline up to 15 µm was able to relatively compensate the negative effect of water deficit. Contrarily, high proline level (20 µm) had a negative effect on surahalala plants probably due to the stress simulation (nutrition) under high proline concentration. In addition, the best combination for achieving highest essential oils content was 10 µm proline plus 10% PEG. The expressional profiling of the genes TPS27, L3H, TPS2, TPS1, OMT and GDH3 were successfully carried out and their involvement in 1,8-cineole, carvone, α-pinene, thymol, estragole and β-Citronellol biosynthesis, respectively, was verified. In addition, our results indicated that these genes could also be involved in the synthesis of other metabolites under water deficit condition.

Effect of Organic and Bio-Fertilization on Fruit Yield, Bioactive Constituents, and Estragole Content in Fennel Fruits

“…In a similar study, a higher level of N increased the undesirable estragole proportion and reduced linalool content in sweet basil EO [86]. This might be attributed to the N effect on the synthesis of phenylalanine, nucleic acids, and O-methyltransferase, which are involved in the biosynthesis of volatile phenylpropanoids, mainly estragole [6,87]. Furthermore, foliar spraying with L-phenylalanine increased the estragole content in bitter fennel EO [18].…”

“…These reports may support our results that an increase in the rate of chemical fertilizer (NPK150) resulted in an increase in the N content of fennel, by an increase in the estragole percentage. The difference in the level of estragole (=methyl chavicol) due to different treatments may be associated with the level of O-methyltransferase activities that catalyzes the estragole biosynthesis pathway [87]. The decrease in the proportion of estragole as a result of using organic manure was also observed in the study of Atta-Aly [88] on fennel bulbs.…”

Essential oil composition, morphological characterization, phenolic content and antioxidant activity of Iranian populations of Hymenocrater longiflorus Benth. (Lamiaceae)

“…Considering that this plant is endemic to western parts of Iran and eastern regions of Iraq and no studies have been conducted on the populations of the plant and their genotypes, and on the other hand, due to the reported effects of antimicrobial, antifungal, antioxidant, cytotoxic, larvicidal, and mosquito repellent properties as well as home freshening abilities in this plant, we need to conduct further studies in this regard 8 , 10 , 12 , 13 . In this study, the chemical and physical diversity among 200 individuals from 8 populations of H. longiflorus plants was evaluated.…”

“…In Iran, this particular plant is commonly referred to as Oraman's tulip or Gole Arvaneh-Avarmani. However, in the western part of the country, locals often refer to it as Soor-Halale or surehahala 11 – 13 . H. longiflorus is a densely packed, highly fragrant plant with green leaves and purple or light purple flowers.…”

“…Furthermore, a specific investigation examined the expression patterns of specific genes involved in biosynthesis, including TPS 27, L3H, TPS2, TPS1, OMT, and GDH3, which are associated with the synthesis of 1,8-cineole, carvone, α-pinene, thymol, estragole, and β-citronellol. This study analyzed the gene expression under in vitro in drought stress conditions 13 . These findings contribute valuable insights into the chemical composition and genetic makeup of this plant.…”