Phosphomevalonate kinase regulates the MVA/MEP pathway in mango during ripening

Mango is a popular tropical fruit with a great diversity in taste and aroma, contributed primarily by terpenoids. Phosphomevalonate kinase (PMK) is a key enzyme for isoprenoid biosynthesis in the mevalonic acid (MVA) pathway responsible for terpenoids. In this study, two cultivars of mango, "Dashehari" and "Banganpalli", showing opposite spatio-temporal patterns of ripening polarity, were investigated for studying the role of MiPMK in aroma production. MiPMK transcription and enzyme activity increased during ripening in both varieties. Expression in the early-ripening inner zones preceded that in the later-ripening outer zones of "Dashehari" while it was higher in the early ripening outer zones in "Banganpalli". Polypeptide sequences of the two enzymes showed differences in a few amino acids that were also reflected in kinetic properties such as specific activity and pH optima. Silencing of MiPMK in "Dashehari" fruit by VIGS suppressed the kinase activity and led to changes in relative contributions of the mevalonic acid (MVA) and methylerythritol 4-phosphate (MEP) pathways. This also altered the fruit metabolite profile with a reduction/disappearance of sesquiterpenes such as geranyl geraniol, trans-farnesol, β-caryophyllene, β-pinene, bisabolene and guaiane but the appearance of menthol and d-limonene in silenced fruit. The study shows that MiPMK levels may control downstream metabolite flux of the MVA pathway in mango.