Discovery and characterization of genes regulating plant volatile content

调节植物挥发物含量的基因的发现和表征

• 批准号: 436182-2013
• 负责人: Goulet, Charles
• 金额: $ 2.11万
• 依托单位: Université Laval
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2016
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2016-01-01 至 2017-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=596877
• 关键词: Discovery; characterization; genes; regulating; plant

Plants synthesize a vast array of volatile organic compounds. Derived from primary and secondary metabolites, they contribute to functions as diverse as defense against herbivores and pathogens, plant to plant interactions, as well as attraction of pollinators and seed dispersers. From a human perspective, they are responsible for the complexity of flavor as well as the aroma of flower and spices that we enjoy. Despite the importance of plant volatiles, regulation of their synthesis still remains poorly understood. The long term aim of my research program is to contribute to the discovery of genes implicated in synthesis and regulation of plant volatile production, using tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) as a model plant. Toward that objective, I will first focus my attention on a group of volatiles derived from branched chain amino acids. That group of volatiles is one of the most important for tomato flavor and is widespread in the plant kingdom. Identification of candidate genes will be done using a multifaceted approach. First, populations of introgression lines from wild species will be used to uncover quantitative trait loci (QTL) for volatiles. Fine mapping of the QTL will be done to discover the responsible genes. Second, candidate genes will be identified by using bioinformatics analyses. The third approach will focus on correlations between gene expression and volatile contents, using a set of diverse heirloom varieties. Once candidate genes are identified, their functions will be evaluated in planta. Finally, enzymatic assays will be performed to characterize the in vitro activity of identified enzymes. The study of this pathway will advance our understanding of how plants modulate secondary metabolism. Regulation of metabolic flux in secondary metabolism is increasingly recognized as a crucial topic with a direct impact on plant fitness and yield. Moreover, the results of this research program are likely to have a direct impact on selection of cultivars with better aroma and flavor. Commercial cultivars are often viewed by consumers as having poor flavor and the identification of volatile pathway genes is essential for reintroducing heirloom flavor into modern cultivars.

植物合成各种挥发性有机化合物。它们源自原代和继发代谢产物，其作用与防御食草动物和病原体一样多样化，植物相互作用的植物以及传粉媒介和种子分散剂的吸引力。从人类的角度来看，它们负责我们喜欢的风味以及花朵和香料的香气。尽管植物挥发物的重要性，但对其合成的调节仍然知之甚少。我的研究计划的长期目的是为发现与植物挥发性生产有关的基因的发现，使用番茄（Solanum lycopersicum）作为模型植物。朝向这一目标，我首先将注意力集中在源自分支链氨基酸的一组挥发物上。那组挥发物是番茄风味最重要的挥发物之一，在植物王国中广泛存在。候选基因的识别将使用多方面的方法进行。首先，来自野生物种的渗入线的种群将用于发现挥发物的定量性状基因座（QTL）。将进行QTL的精细映射以发现负责的基因。其次，将使用生物信息学分析来识别候选基因。第三种方法将使用一组不同的传家宝品种集中在基因表达和挥发性含量之间的相关性上。一旦鉴定出候选基因，将在Planta中评估其功能。最后，将进行酶法测定，以表征已鉴定酶的体外活性。对这一途径的研究将促进我们对植物如何调节继发代谢的理解。次要代谢中代谢通量的调节越来越被认为是对植物健身和产量的直接影响的关键主题。此外，该研究计划的结果可能会直接影响具有更好香气和风味的品种的选择。消费者通常将商业品种视为口味较差，而挥发性途径基因的识别对于将传家宝风味重新引入现代品种至关重要。