Molecular cloning, characterization and expression pattern analysis of a jasmonic acid responsive sesquiterpene synthase gene from Persicaria minor

Abstract

Terpenoids represent an important class of plant secondary metabolites, serving as component of plant defense against various biotic and abiotic stresses. A large number of structurally diverse terpenoid compounds have been identified from Persicaria minor (P. minor), an aromatic plant native to Malaysia. However, number of studies focusing on the P. minor terpenoid metabolism, especially at the genetic level is still very scarce. In the present study, a cDNA sequence (KT192706) from the leaves of P. minor, encoding a sesquiterpene synthase (PmSS) gene was successfully cloned. The complete sequence of PmSS comprised of 1724 bp with a 1680 bp open reading frame, corresponding to a deduced protein of 559 amino acids. Under the normal conditions, PmSS gene was found to be differentially expressed in the organs of P. minor. Significantly higher expression level of PmSS was recorded in leaves and stems which are, respectively, about 98 folds and 49 folds higher than that in the roots. In addition, the present study has also shown that the expression of PmSS gene was responsive towards the exogenous application of jasmonic acid in all organs of the P. minor.

Functional Characterisation of New Sesquiterpene Synthase from the Malaysian Herbal Plant, Polygonum Minus

“…Interestingly, although the sizes of Pm STPS1 and Pm STPS2 were different, the two enzymes produced similar sesquiterpene products (β-farnesene, α-farnesene, and farnesol, Figure 3 ), albeit at different percentages. Both Pm STPS1 and Pm STSP2 could catalyse the formation of β-farnesene, α-farnesene, nerolidol, and farnesol, whose functions were different from those of the previous STPS enzymes characterised in P. minus [ 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 ]. In addition, the enzymes demonstrated an inherent capacity for TPS enzymes to evolve different products and substrate specificities [ 57 ].…”

“…The encoded enzyme was named β-sesquiphellandrene synthase, based on the principal product that was formed. In a subsequent study, the influence of jasmonic acid treatment on the expression level of the Persicaria minor sesquiterpene synthase ( Pm SS) gene was reported [ 38 ]. Until very recently, the purification and overexpression of P. minor sesquiterpene synthase encoded as Pm STS recombinant protein in pET28b vector, using the E. coli BL21 (DE3) strain, were reported [ 39 ].…”