Linalool: A ubiquitous floral volatile mediating the communication between plants and insects

Abstract

Terpenoids, one of the most important plant volatiles, mediate the communication between plants and pollinators, herbivores as well as pathogens. Recently, researchers have shown intensive interest in the complicated interactions. Linalool, an acyclic monoterpene, is one of the common flavor-related volatiles across the plant kingdom. In this review, we summarized the biosynthesis and transcriptional regulation of terpenoids, and then focused on the biological function of linalool in plant-insect interactions. We found that flowers emitting linalool as the dominant volatile appeal to broad assemblages of pollinators, while some pollinators typically have strong preferences for these flowers as well. Hereinto, moths and bees are the main pollinators of linalooldominant flowers. Additionally, linalool produced by plants could defend against insect pests and pathogens. It is noteworthy that the two enantiomers of linalool have distinct functions. (S)-(+)-linalool mainly attracts pollinators, while (R)-(−)-linalool seems to act as insect repellents. Further research on the biofunctional diversity and genetic mechanisms of linalool enantiomers will reveal the complexity of plant survival strategies, and the increasing understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying their biosynthesis and transcriptional regulation will provide theoretical foundation and practical basis for directional transformation of plants.

Quantifying various aspects of chemical diversity in hybrid plants can help understanding ecological consequences of hybridization

“…However, some degree of conservatism in the signals among related plants is needed so they would represent reliable cues to natural enemies of herbivores. Otherwise, the signals serving as indirect defenses may be too diverse to reliably convey the information (Zu et al, 2023). In contrast to direct defenses, high variation in VOC profiles between parental and hybrid plants can lead to a poorer parasitoid recruitment, and potentially worse indirect defense against specialized herbivores (Coll-Aráoz et al, 2020).…”

The Plant Volatile-Sensing Mechanism of Insects and Its Utilization

“…For example, linalool exists in nature in the form of two enantiomers which have entirely different functions. ( S )-(+)-linalool mainly attracts pollinators, and ( S )-(−)-linalool seems to have the effect of repelling insects [ 84 ].…”

Chemical communication between plants and insects

“…Lianlool as a representative compound that exhibits obviously multifunctional characteristics actually exists as two enantiomeric isomers in nature, and both enantiomers occur randomly and disproportionately across plant species (Raguso, 2016). Based on the literature, Zhang et al (2022) summarized the biosynthesis and transcriptional regulation of terpenoids including Lianlool, and then focused on the biological function of linalool in plant–insect interactions. They found that flowers emitting linalool as the dominant volatile appeal to broad assemblages of pollinators, especially moths and bees are the main pollinators of Linalool‐ dominant flowers.…”

“…(S)-(+)-Linalool mainly attracts pollinators, while (R)-(−)-Linalool seems to act as insect repellent. Thus, Zhang et al (2022) suggested that further research on the biofunctional diversity and genetic mechanisms behind linalool enantiomers could contribute to unveiling the complexity of plant survival strategies. Additionally, it could provide a theoretical foundation and practical basis for understanding the existence and directional transformation of enantiomeric isomers in plants.…”

“…In this special issue of the Journal of Systematics and Evolution , we present a collection of 10 papers addressing these challenges through original research and comprehensive reviews of relevant subfields. The contributions can be organized into four primary themes: (i) community‐level communication theory (Zu et al, 2022) and its application to plant–pollinator communities (Yang et al, 2022); (ii) the evolutionary history of communication from a phylogenetic and macroevolutionary perspective (Martel et al, 2021; Schwery et al, 2022); (iii) various communication types, including plant–pollinator (Martel et al, 2021), plant–pest (Fang et al, 2023), and plant–fungi–insect interactions (Xu et al, 2023); and (iv) an exploration of different communication factors such as distyly (Zeng et al, 2022), odor dynamics (Feng et al, 2022), chemical structures (Zhang et al, 2022), and the impact of herbicides (Ramos et al, 2022).…”