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Transcriptome analysis reveals regulatory mechanism of methyl jasmonate-induced monoterpenoid biosynthesis in Mentha arvensis L

  • 0Laboratory of Applied Biological Control, School of Agroecology, Mongolian University of Life Sciences, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
Frontiers in Plant Science +

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February 3, 2025

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February 3, 2025

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Methyl jasmonate (MJ) application boosts essential oil (EO) content and peltate glandular trichome (PGT) density in Mentha arvensis. This study identifies key genes and transcription factors regulating monoterpenoid biosynthesis, offering insights into EO production.

Area Of Science

  • Plant Molecular Biology
  • Plant Biochemistry
  • Medicinal Plant Research

Background

  • Mentha arvensis is a valuable aromatic plant, but its essential oil (EO) content is typically low.
  • Essential oils, primarily monoterpenoids, are synthesized in peltate glandular trichomes (PGTs).
  • Methyl jasmonate (MJ) is known to elicit terpenoid biosynthesis, but its specific role in M. arvensis is not well understood.

Purpose Of The Study

  • To investigate the effects of exogenous methyl jasmonate (MJ) on essential oil (EO) content and PGT development in Mentha arvensis.
  • To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying MJ-induced monoterpenoid biosynthesis.
  • To identify key genes and transcription factors involved in regulating EO production.

Main Methods

  • Exogenous application of MJ at varying concentrations to M. arvensis plants.
  • Quantification of EO content, yield, and PGT density.
  • Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) for EO component analysis.
  • Transcriptome sequencing and analysis (including KEGG enrichment, co-expression, and WGCNA) to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and regulatory networks.

Main Results

  • MJ application significantly increased EO content, yield, and PGT density in a dose-dependent manner, with optimal results at 5 mM MJ.
  • Transcriptome analysis revealed 4,659 DEGs, with 'Monoterpenoid biosynthesis' being a significantly enriched pathway.
  • Key genes in jasmonic acid (JA) signaling and monoterpenoid biosynthesis pathways were upregulated, and several transcription factors (e.g., AP2/ERF, WRKY, MYB, bHLH) were identified as crucial regulators.

Conclusions

  • Exogenous MJ effectively enhances EO production in M. arvensis by increasing PGT density and upregulating key biosynthetic genes.
  • The study provides a molecular basis for MJ's action, highlighting the roles of JA signaling and specific transcription factors in controlling monoterpenoid accumulation.
  • Identified candidate transcription factors offer potential targets for genetic engineering to improve EO yield in Mentha species.

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