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Characterization of a petunia acetyltransferase involved in the biosynthesis of the floral volatile isoeugenol
Author(s) -
Dexter Richard,
Qualley Anthony,
Kish Christine M.,
Ma Choong Je,
Koeduka Takao,
Nagegowda Dinesh A.,
Dudareva Natalia,
Pichersky Eran,
Clark David
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
the plant journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.058
H-Index - 269
eISSN - 1365-313X
pISSN - 0960-7412
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-313x.2006.02954.x
Subject(s) - isoeugenol , coniferyl alcohol , petunia , biochemistry , biosynthesis , chemistry , acetyltransferase , enzyme , biology , gene , eugenol , acetylation , organic chemistry
Summary Petunia flower petals emit large amounts of isoeugenol, which has been shown to be synthesized by isoeugenol synthase (PhIGS1) from an ester of coniferyl alcohol, hypothesized to be coniferyl acetate. This paper describes the identification and characterization of a novel petunia gene encoding an enzyme belonging to the BAHD acyltransferase family whose expression correlates with isoeugenol biosynthesis. RNAi suppression of this gene results in inhibition of isoeugenol biosynthesis. Biochemical characterization of the protein encoded by this gene showed that it has acetyltransferase activity and is most efficient with coniferyl alcohol among the alcohol substrates tested. Overall, these data support the conclusion that coniferyl acetate is the substrate of isoeugenol synthase.