Discovery and characterization of genes regulating plant volatile content

调节植物挥发物含量的基因的发现和表征

• 批准号: 436182-2013
• 负责人: Goulet, Charles
• 金额: $ 2.11万
• 依托单位: Université Laval
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2017
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2017-01-01 至 2018-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=630263
• 关键词: Discovery; characterization; genes; regulating; plant

Plants synthesize a vast array of volatile organic compounds. Derived from primary and secondary metabolites, they contribute to functions as diverse as defense against herbivores and pathogens, plant to plant interactions, as well as attraction of pollinators and seed dispersers. From a human perspective, they are responsible for the complexity of flavor as well as the aroma of flower and spices that we enjoy. Despite the importance of plant volatiles, regulation of their synthesis still remains poorly understood. The long term aim of my research program is to contribute to the discovery of genes implicated in synthesis and regulation of plant volatile production, using tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) as a model plant. Toward that objective, I will first focus my attention on a group of volatiles derived from branched chain amino acids. That group of volatiles is one of the most important for tomato flavor and is widespread in the plant kingdom. Identification of candidate genes will be done using a multifaceted approach. First, populations of introgression lines from wild species will be used to uncover quantitative trait loci (QTL) for volatiles. Fine mapping of the QTL will be done to discover the responsible genes. Second, candidate genes will be identified by using bioinformatics analyses. The third approach will focus on correlations between gene expression and volatile contents, using a set of diverse heirloom varieties. Once candidate genes are identified, their functions will be evaluated in planta. Finally, enzymatic assays will be performed to characterize the in vitro activity of identified enzymes. The study of this pathway will advance our understanding of how plants modulate secondary metabolism. Regulation of metabolic flux in secondary metabolism is increasingly recognized as a crucial topic with a direct impact on plant fitness and yield. Moreover, the results of this research program are likely to have a direct impact on selection of cultivars with better aroma and flavor. Commercial cultivars are often viewed by consumers as having poor flavor and the identification of volatile pathway genes is essential for reintroducing heirloom flavor into modern cultivars.

植物合成大量的挥发性有机化合物。它们源自初级和次级代谢产物，具有多种功能，例如防御食草动物和病原体、植物与植物之间的相互作用以及吸引传粉者和种子传播者。从人类的角度来看，它们决定了风味的复杂性以及我们喜欢的花香和香料的香气。尽管植物挥发物很重要，但对其合成的调控仍然知之甚少。我的研究计划的长期目标是使用番茄（Solanum lycopersicum）作为模型植物，促进发现与植物挥发性物质的合成和调节有关的基因。为了实现这一目标，我将首先将注意力集中在一组衍生自支链氨基酸的挥发物上。这组挥发物是番茄风味中最重要的挥发物之一，在植物界中广泛存在。候选基因的鉴定将使用多方面的方法来完成。首先，来自野生物种的基因渗入系群体将用于揭示挥发物的数量性状基因座（QTL）。将完成 QTL 的精细定位，以发现负责的基因。其次，将通过生物信息学分析来鉴定候选基因。第三种方法将重点关注基因表达和挥发性含量之间的相关性，使用一组不同的传家宝品种。一旦候选基因被识别，它们的功能将在植物中进行评估。最后，将进行酶测定来表征已鉴定酶的体外活性。对该途径的研究将增进我们对植物如何调节次生代谢的理解。次生代谢中代谢通量的调节越来越被认为是直接影响植物适应性和产量的关键课题。此外，该研究计划的结果可能会对香气和风味更好的品种的选择产生直接影响。消费者通常认为商业品种风味较差，而挥发性途径基因的鉴定对于将传家宝风味重新引入现代品种至关重要。