Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 24, 2025

A Customizable Approach for the Enzymatic Production and Purification of Diterpenoid Natural Products
Published on: October 4, 2019
A jasmonate-responsive bHLH transcription factor TaMYC2 positively regulates triterpenes biosynthesis in Taraxacum
Tingyao Liu1, Jingjing Liao2, Min Shi3
1College of Horticulture, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, PR China.
Abstract:
Dandelion is a well-known traditional medical herb, also used as functional food. Dandelion possesses many medical properties, such as anti-bacterial and antioxidant activity and contains a variety of triterpenes, such as α-amyrin, β-amyrin, taraxerol and taraxasterol. In this study, we found that triterpenes biosynthesis was promoted by methyl jasmonate (MeJA), while the transcriptional mechanism underlying triterpenes biosynthesis was rarely investigated. Here, a MeJA-induced bHLH transcription factor TaMYC2 was identified. The content of taraxasterol and taraxerol in dandelion was obviously enhanced in overexpression TaMYC2 transgenic lines and expression level of the squalene synthase gene (TaSS) was elevated to about 3-5 folds compared with the control lines. Dual-LUC, Y1H and EMSA experiments revealed that TaMYC2 bound to the E-box motif in the promoter of TaSS and activated its transcription. Taken together, this study suggested that TaMYC2 acted as a positive regulator for bioengineering approaches to produce high content triterpenes-producing dandelions.
Related Concept Videos
Regulation of Transpiration by Stomata
Biological Clocks and Seasonal Responses
Cell Signaling in Plants
Adaptations that Reduce Water Loss
Master Transcription Regulators
Light Acquisition

