Color and Scent: How Single Genes Influence Pollinator Attraction

Sheehan, Hester; Hermann, Katrin; Kuhlemeier, Cris

doi:10.1101/sqb.2013.77.014712

Cited by 53 publications

(55 citation statements)

References 148 publications

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“…Colour and scent influence the attraction of pollinators and thereby cause reproductive isolation and ultimately speciation. Speciation of P. axillaris from a P. inflata-like ancestor involved the loss of anthocyanin pigments and the gain of volatiles 4 . Thus the genes that caused the changes in these two traits are potential speciation genes.…”

Section: P Inflatamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…To the scientific community, Petunia is best known for the discovery of RNAi 2,3 . This breakthrough was the culmination of decades-long research on the synthesis and regulation of the floral pigments and as a consequence anthocyanin biosynthesis remains one of the best-known pathways of secondary metabolism in any plant species 4 . Development, transposon activity, genetic self-incompatibility, and interactions with microbes, herbivores and pollinators have also been active research topics utilizing Petunia as model system.…”

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confidence: 99%

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Insight into the evolution of the Solanaceae from the parental genomes of Petunia hybrida

et al. 2016

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Petunia hybrida is a popular bedding plant that has a long history as a genetic model system. We report the whole-genome sequencing and assembly of inbred derivatives of its two wild parents, P. axillaris N and P. inflata S6. The assemblies include 91.3% and 90.2% coverage of their diploid genomes (1.4 Gb; 2n = 14) containing 32,928 and 36,697 protein-coding genes, respectively. The genomes reveal that the Petunia lineage has experienced at least two rounds of hexaploidization: the older gamma event, which is shared with most Eudicots, and a more recent Solanaceae event that is shared with tomato and other solanaceous species. Transcription factors involved in the shift from bee to moth pollination reside in particularly dynamic regions of the genome, which may have been key to the remarkable diversity of floral colour patterns and pollination systems. The high-quality genome sequences will enhance the value of Petunia as a model system for research on unique biological phenomena such as small RNAs, symbiosis, self-incompatibility and circadian rhythms.

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Section: P Inflatamentioning

confidence: 99%

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confidence: 99%

Insight into the evolution of the Solanaceae from the parental genomes of Petunia hybrida

et al. 2016

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“…Petunia serves as a model for studying the regulation of AAA biosynthesis (Colquhoun et al, 2010; Maeda et al, 2011) and for the biosynthesis and regulation of AAA-derived metabolites, including volatile BPs (Colquhoun and Clark, 2011; Sheehan et al, 2012; Dudareva et al, 2013; Muhlemann et al, 2014). Recently, we showed that overproduction of the AAAs in the purple petunia (cv.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Phenylpyruvate Contributes to the Synthesis of Fragrant Benzenoid–Phenylpropanoids in Petunia × hybrida Flowers

et al. 2017

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Phenylalanine (Phe) is a precursor for a large group of plant specialized metabolites, including the fragrant volatile benzenoid–phenylpropanoids (BPs). In plants, the main pathway leading to production of Phe is via arogenate, while the pathway via phenylpyruvate (PPY) is considered merely an alternative route. Unlike plants, in most microorganisms the only pathway leading to the synthesis of Phe is via PPY. Here we studied the effect of increased PPY production in petunia on the formation of BPs volatiles and other specialized metabolites originating from Phe both in flowers and leaves. Stimulation of the pathway via PPY was achieved by transforming petunia with PheA∗, a gene encoding a bacterial feedback insensitive bi-functional chorismate mutase/prephenate dehydratase enzyme. PheA∗ overexpression caused dramatic increase in the levels of flower BP volatiles such as phenylacetaldehyde, benzaldehyde, benzyl acetate, vanillin, and eugenol. All three BP pathways characterized in petunia flowers were stimulated in PheA∗ flowers. In contrast, PheA∗ overexpression had only a minor effect on the levels of amino acids and non-volatile metabolites both in the leaves and flowers. The one exception is a dramatic increase in the level of rosmarinate, a conjugate between Phe-derived caffeate and Tyr-derived 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetate, in PheA∗ leaves. PheA∗ petunia flowers may serve as an excellent system for revealing the role of PPY in the production of BPs, including possible routes directly converting PPY to the fragrant volatiles. This study emphasizes the potential of the PPY route in achieving fragrance enhancement in flowering plants.

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“…These essential compounds provide protection against UV light (flavonoids) and serve as structural components of cell walls (lignins). They also function in the defense against herbivores and pathogens, while floral pigments (anthocyanins) and scent compounds (volatile phenylpropanoids) mediate plant-pollinator interactions (Bhuiyan et al, 2009;Vanholme et al, 2010;Klahre et al, 2011;Falcone Ferreyra et al, 2012;Sheehan et al, 2012;Dudareva et al, 2013).…”

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CCoAOMT Down-Regulation Activates Anthocyanin Biosynthesis in Petunia

et al. 2015

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Anthocyanins and volatile phenylpropenes (isoeugenol and eugenol) in petunia (Petunia hybrida) flowers have the precursor 4-coumaryl coenzyme A (CoA) in common. These phenolics are produced at different stages during flower development. Anthocyanins are synthesized during early stages of flower development and sequestered in vacuoles during the lifespan of the flowers. The production of isoeugenol and eugenol starts when flowers open and peaks after anthesis. To elucidate additional biochemical steps toward (iso)eugenol production, we cloned and characterized a caffeoyl-coenzyme A O-methyltransferase (PhCCoAOMT1) from the petals of the fragrant petunia 'Mitchell'. Recombinant PhCCoAOMT1 indeed catalyzed the methylation of caffeoyl-CoA to produce feruloyl CoA. Silencing of PhCCoAOMT1 resulted in a reduction of eugenol production but not of isoeugenol. Unexpectedly, the transgenic plants had purple-colored leaves and pink flowers, despite the fact that cv Mitchell lacks the functional R2R3-MYB master regulator ANTHOCYANIN2 and has normally white flowers. Our results indicate that down-regulation of PhCCoAOMT1 activated the anthocyanin pathway through the R2R3-MYBs PURPLE HAZE (PHZ) and DEEP PURPLE, with predominantly petunidin accumulating. Feeding cv Mitchell flowers with caffeic acid induced PHZ expression, suggesting that the metabolic perturbation of the phenylpropanoid pathway underlies the activation of the anthocyanin pathway. Our results demonstrate a role for PhCCoAOMT1 in phenylpropene production and reveal a link between PhCCoAOMT1 and anthocyanin production.

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Color and Scent: How Single Genes Influence Pollinator Attraction

Cited by 53 publications

References 148 publications

Insight into the evolution of the Solanaceae from the parental genomes of Petunia hybrida

Insight into the evolution of the Solanaceae from the parental genomes of Petunia hybrida

Phenylpyruvate Contributes to the Synthesis of Fragrant Benzenoid–Phenylpropanoids in Petunia × hybrida Flowers

CCoAOMT Down-Regulation Activates Anthocyanin Biosynthesis in Petunia

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