Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 20, 2026

The Terroir Concept Interpreted through Grape Berry Metabolomics and Transcriptomics
Published on: October 5, 2016
VqMAPKKK38 is essential for stilbene accumulation in grapevine
Yuntong Jiao1,2,3, Dan Wang1,2,3, Lan Wang1,2,3
1College of Horticulture, Northwest A & F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, People's Republic of China.
A newly identified grapevine gene, VqMAPKKK38, positively regulates the production of health-beneficial stilbenes. This gene is activated by various stresses and hormones, highlighting its role in plant defense and stilbene biosynthesis.
Area of Science:
- Plant Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
- Plant Physiology
Background:
- Grapevine (Vitis species) produces stilbenes, secondary metabolites crucial for plant defense and human health.
- Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling cascades are integral to plant defense and stilbene biosynthesis.
- MAPKKKs are key initiators of MAPK signaling pathways.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and functionally characterize a novel Raf-like MAPKKK gene, VqMAPKKK38, from Chinese wild grapevine (V. quinquangularis).
- To investigate the role of VqMAPKKK38 in regulating stilbene biosynthesis and its response to various stimuli.
Main Methods:
- Gene identification and functional characterization of VqMAPKKK38 in V. quinquangularis.
- Analysis of VqMAPKKK38 transcript levels under stress (powdery mildew, salinity, chilling) and hormone treatments (SA, MeJA, Eth, ABA).
- Transient overexpression and gene suppression assays in grapevine leaves to assess VqMAPKKK38 function, including its effect on MYB14 and stilbene accumulation.
Main Results:
- VqMAPKKK38 expression is induced by biotic and abiotic stresses and multiple plant hormones.
- VqMAPKKK38 positively regulates stilbene synthase transcription and subsequent stilbene accumulation.
- VqMAPKKK38 mediates the activation of the transcription factor MYB14.
- Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and calcium influx activate VqMAPKKK38 expression and stilbene biosynthesis.
Conclusions:
- VqMAPKKK38 is a critical positive regulator of stilbene biosynthesis in grapevine.
- VqMAPKKK38 integrates stress and hormone signaling pathways to modulate stilbene production.
- The VqMAPKKK38 pathway likely involves calcium and ROS signaling mechanisms in regulating plant defense and metabolite production.
More Related Videos
10:40Comprehensive Workflow for the Genome-wide Identification and Expression Meta-analysis of the ATL E3 Ubiquitin Ligase Gene Family in Grapevine
Published on: December 22, 2017
07:13Quantification of Violacein in Chromobacterium violaceum and Its Inhibition by Bioactive Compounds
Published on: August 8, 2025
Related Concept Videos
Regulation of Transpiration by Stomata
Protein Transport to the Stroma
Protein complexes called the translocon of the outer chloroplast membrane or TOC complex, and the translocon of the inner chloroplast membrane or TIC complex mediate the...
Transgenic Plants
The first-ever transgenic plant was a tobacco plant developed in 1983 that showed resistance against the tobacco mosaic virus. Since then, many transgenic plants have been developed and commercialized for improving the agricultural, ornamental, and horticultural value of a crop plant. Transgenic...
Gene Regulation During Sporulation
Cell Signaling in Plants
IP3/DAG Signaling Pathway