Identification and Characterization of Transcription Factors Involved in Geraniol Biosynthesis in Rosa chinensis

Abstract

Fragrance is an important characteristic of rose flowers and is largely determined by the terpenes. Rose has a unique NUDX1 (NUDIX HYDROLASES 1)–dependent monoterpene geraniol biosynthesis pathway, but little is known about its transcriptional regulation. In this study, we characterized two China rose (Rosa chinensis) materials from the ‘Old Blush’ variety with contrasting aromas. We profiled the volatile metabolome of both materials, and the results revealed that geraniol was the main component that distinguishes the aroma of these two materials. We performed a comparative transcriptome analysis of the two rose materials, from which we identified the hydrolase RcNUDX1 as a key factor affecting geraniol content, as well as 17 transcription factor genes co-expressed with RcNUDX1. We also determined that the transcription factor RcWRKY70 binds to four W–box motifs in the promoter of RcNUDX1, repressing RcNUDX1 expression, based on yeast one-hybrid and transient dual-luciferase assays. These results provide important information concerning the transcriptional regulatory framework underlying the control of geraniol production in rose.

Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Metabolites and Transcriptome Profiling Reveal Molecular Mechanisms and Differences in Terpene Biosynthesis in Two Torrya grandis Cultivars during Postharvest Ripening

“…Since the discovery of the first linalool synthase gene in fairy fans ( Clarkia breweri ) [ 23 ], many TPS genes have been cloned and investigated in Arabidopsis ( Arabidopsis thaliana ) [ 24 ], citrus ( Citrus sinensis ) [ 25 ], grape ( Vitis vinifera ) [ 26 ], tomato ( Solanum lycopersicum ) [ 27 ], etc. Terpene biosynthesis is regulated though not only by key TPSs but also by the activity of transcription factors (TFs) [ 28 ]. Many TFs involved in terpene biosynthesis have been identified, such as AP2/ERF (APETALA2/ethylene-responsive factor), MYB, WRKY, bHLH (helix-loop-helix), bZIP (basic leucine zipper), and NAC (NAM, ATAF and CUC) families [ 29 ].…”

WRKY Transcription Factors in Jasminum sambac: An Insight into the Regulation of Aroma Synthesis

“…Similarly, JsTPS3, a terpenoid-related gene, has been found to enhance the β-ocimene production in jasmine [7]. In addition, transcription factors (TFs) such as MYB, bHLH, and WRKY families are also involved in the biosynthesis of terpenoids [10,11]. Recently, Qi et al, 2022 reported that many MYB-, bHLH-, and WRKY-binding elements were significantly enriched in promoter regions of TPS genes in single-petal J. sambac (cultivar, 'Danbanmoli') [11].…”

“…The WRKY TFs play important roles in regulating plant development, response to stresses, and secondary metabolite biosynthesis [12,17,18]. In this respect, many WRKY genes have been found to be involved in the regulation of terpenoid genes in several aromatic plant species [8,10]. For example, some monoterpenes in Osmanthus fragrans are regulated by OfWRKY TFs [16].…”