Functional characterization and transient expression manipulation of a new sesquiterpene synthase involved in beta-caryophyllene accumulation in Ocimum

TitleFunctional characterization and transient expression manipulation of a new sesquiterpene synthase involved in beta-caryophyllene accumulation in Ocimum
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2016
AuthorsJayaramaiah, RH, Anand, A, Beedkar, SD, Dholakia, SB, Punekar, SA, Kalunke, RM, Gade, WN, Thulasiram, HV, Giri, AP
JournalBiochemical And Biophysical Research Communications
Volume473
Issue1
Pagination265-271
Date PublishedAPR
ISSN0006-291X
Keywordsbeta-Caryophyllene, Natural product biosynthesis, Ocimum, Terpene synthase, Transient expression
Abstract

The genus Ocimum has a unique blend of diverse secondary metabolites, with major proportion of terpenoids including mono- and sesquiterpenes. Although, beta-Caryophyllene, bicyclic sesquiterpene, is one of the major terpene found in Ocimum species and known to possess several biological activities, not much is known about its biosynthesis in Ocimum. Here, we describe isolation and characterization of beta-caryophyllene synthase gene from Ocimum kilimandscharicum Gurke (OkBCS- GenBank accession no. KP226502). The open reading frame of 1629 bp encoded a protein of 542 amino acids with molecular mass of 63.6 kDa and pl value of 5.66. The deduced amino acid sequence revealed 50-70% similarity with known sesquiterpene synthases from angiosperms. Recombinant OkBCS converted farnesyl diphosphate to beta-caryophyllene as a major product (94%) and 6% alpha-humulene. Expression variation of OkBCS well corroborated with beta-caryophyllene levels in different tissues from five Ocimum species. OkBCS transcript revealed higher expression in leaves and flowers. Further, agro-infiltration based transient expression manipulation with OkBCS over-expression and silencing confirmed its role in beta-caryophyllene biosynthesis. These findings may potentially be further utilized to improve plant defense against insect pests. (C) 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

DOI10.1016/j.bbrc.2016.03.090
Type of Journal (Indian or Foreign)

Foreign

Impact Factor (IF)2.371
Divison category: 
Biochemical Sciences