Unveiling Monoterpene Biosynthesis in <i>Taiwania cryptomerioides</i> via Functional Characterization

oleh: Li-Ting Ma, Pi-Ling Liu, Yang-Tui Cheng, Tz-Fan Shiu, Fang-Hua Chu

Format: Article
Diterbitkan: MDPI AG 2021-11-01

Deskripsi

<i>Taiwania cryptomerioides</i> is a monotypic species, and its terpenoid-rich property has been reported in recent years. To uncover monoterpene biosynthesis in <i>T. cryptomerioides</i>, this study used transcriptome mining to identify candidates with tentative monoterpene synthase activity. Along with the phylogenetic analysis and in vitro assay, two geraniol synthases (<i>Tc</i>TPS13 and <i>Tc</i>TPS14), a linalool synthase (<i>Tc</i>TPS15), and a β-pinene synthase (<i>Tc</i>TPS16), were functionally characterized. Via the comparison of catalytic residues, the Cys/Ser at region 1 might be crucial in determining the formation of α-pinene or β-pinene. In addition, the Cupressaceae monoterpene synthases were phylogenetically clustered together; they are unique and different from those of published conifer species. In summary, this study aimed to uncover the ambiguous monoterpenoid network in <i>T. cryptomerioide</i>, which would expand the landscape of monoterpene biosynthesis in Cupressaceae species.