A genomics resource for investigating regulation of essential oil production in Lavandula angustifolia

摘要: We are developing Lavandula angustifolia (lavender) as a model system for investigating molecular regulation of essential oil (a mixture mono- and sesquiterpenes) production in plants. As an initial step toward building the necessary ‘genomics toolbox’ this species, we constructed two cDNA libraries from lavender leaves flowers, obtained sequence information 14,213 high-quality expressed tags (ESTs). Based on homology to sequences present GenBank, our EST collection contains orthologs genes involved 1-deoxy-d-xylulose-5-phosphate (DXP) mevalonic acid (MVA) pathways terpenoid biosynthesis, known terpene synthases prenyl transferases. To gain insight into metabolism evaluated transcriptional activity encoding synthase (DXS) HMG-CoA reductase (HMGR), which represent regulatory steps DXP MVA pathways, respectively, glandular trichomes (oil glands) by real-time PCR. While HMGR transcripts were barely detectable, DXS was heavily tissue, indicating that constituents predominantly produced through pathway trichomes. anticipated, linalool (LinS)—the gene responsible linalool, major constituent oil—was also strongly glands. Surprisingly, most abundant transcript floral corresponded sesquiterpene (cadinene synthase, CadS), although sesquiterpenes minor oils. This result, coupled weak (the main route production) trichomes, indicates precursor supply may bottleneck biosynthesis flowers.