The transcription factor LaMYC4 from lavender regulates volatile Terpenoid biosynthesis

• Published in: BMC plant biology Vol. 22; no. 1; p. 289
• Main Authors: Dong, Yanmei, Zhang, Wenying, Li, Jingrui, Wang, Di, Bai, Hongtong, Li, Hui, Shi, Lei
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BioMed Central Ltd 13.06.2022; BioMed Central; BMC
• Subjects: Amino acids; Analysis; Arabidopsis; Arabidopsis - genetics; Arabidopsis - metabolism; Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors - genetics; bHLH transcription factors; Bioinformatics; Biosynthesis; Cloning; Compositae; DNA-directed RNA polymerase; Drought; Environmental aspects; Enzymes; flowering; Flowers & plants; Gene expression; gene expression regulation; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; genes; Genetic aspects; Genetic engineering; genetically modified organisms; Genomes; Growth; Helix-loop-helix proteins (basic); Herbivores; Lavandula; Lavandula - genetics; Lavandula - metabolism; Lavandula angustifolia; leaves; Localization; Low temperature; Metabolites; Methods; Methyl jasmonate; Molecular cloning; Myc protein; Nicotiana - genetics; Plant Proteins - genetics; Plant Proteins - metabolism; Plant resistance; Plants, Genetically Modified - metabolism; Polymerase chain reaction; Proteins; Pseudomonas syringae; Regulatory sequences; Reverse transcription; RNA sequencing; sequence analysis; Sesquiterpenoids; Sodium chloride; Stress-responsive; temperature; Terpenes; Terpenes - metabolism; Terpenoid biosynthesis; Tobacco; Transcription factors; Transcription Factors - metabolism; Transgenic plants; trichomes; Ultraviolet radiation; China; bHLH transcription factors; Terpenoid biosynthesis; Molecular cloning; Stress-responsive; Lavandula angustifolia
• DOI: 10.1186/s12870-022-03660-3
• ISSN: 1471-2229

The basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factors (TFs), as one of the largest families of TFs, are essential regulators of plant terpenoid biosynthesis and response to stresses. Lavender has more than 75 volatile terpenoids, yet few TFs have been identified to be involved in the terpenoid biosynthesis. Based on RNA-Seq, reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and transgenic technology, this study characterized the stress-responsive transcription factor LaMYC4 regulates terpenoid biosynthesis. Methyl jasmonate (MeJA) treatment increased volatile terpenoid emission, and the differentially expressed gene LaMYC4 was isolated. LaMYC4 expression level was higher in leaf than in other tissues. The expression of LaMYC4 decreased during flower development. The promoter of LaMYC4 contained hormone and stress-responsive regulatory elements and was responsive to various treatments, including UV, MeJA treatment, drought, low temperature, Pseudomonas syringae infection, and NaCl treatment. LaMYC4 overexpression increased the levels of sesquiterpenoids, including caryophyllenes, in Arabidopsis and tobacco plants. Furthermore, the expression of crucial node genes involved in terpenoid biosynthesis and glandular trichome number and size increased in transgenic tobacco. We have shown that the stress-responsive MYC TF LaMYC4 from 'Jingxun 2' lavender regulates volatile terpenoid synthesis. This study is the first to describe the cloning of LaMYC4, and the results help understand the role of LaMYC4 in terpenoid biosynthesis.