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Plant Promoter Analysis: Identification and Characterization of Root Nodule Specific Promoter in the Common Bean
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A trichome-specific promoter for advanced bio-engineering in lavender
Reza Sajaditabar1, Soheil S Mahmoud2
1Department of Biology, The University of British Columbia-Okanagan Campus, 1177 Research Road, Kelowna, BC, V1V 1V7, Canada.
Planta
|February 1, 2026
Summary
The 1,8-cineole synthase promoter (LiCINS-F1) specifically drives gene expression in lavender glandular trichomes (GTs). This promoter is a valuable tool for metabolic engineering, enhancing essential oil production in lavender bio-factories.
Area of Science:
- Plant Molecular Biology
- Metabolic Engineering
- Essential Oil Production
Background:
- Lavender produces valuable monoterpene-rich essential oils in glandular trichomes (GTs).
- Improving essential oil yield and quality is of significant interest for lavender.
- Metabolic engineering using constitutive promoters can lead to cytotoxicity due to non-specific gene expression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the glandular trichome (GT)-specific activity of the 1,8-cineole synthase (LiCINS) promoter in Lavandula latifolia.
- To identify a suitable promoter for targeted metabolic engineering in lavender GTs.
- To assess the potential of using GT-specific promoters for enhancing specialized metabolite production.
Main Methods:
- Stably transformed L. latifolia plants were generated using fragments of the LiCINS promoter.
- Reporter gene expression (GUS and GFP) was analyzed to determine promoter activity and specificity.
- The full-length promoter fragment (LiCINS-F1) and shorter fragments (LiCINS-F2, F3, F4) were tested.
Main Results:
- The full-length LiCINS-F1 promoter fragment demonstrated exclusive Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) expression in L. latifolia glandular trichomes (GTs).
- Shorter LiCINS promoter fragments (LiCINS-F2, F3, F4) exhibited strong but non-specific GUS and GFP expression.
- GFP fluorescence provided clear visualization of expression in leaf cells, including GT secretory cells.
Conclusions:
- The LiCINS-F1 promoter is a highly specific tool for directing gene expression within lavender GTs.
- This GT-specific promoter enables targeted metabolic engineering for enhanced essential oil production without compromising plant health.
- LiCINS-F1 facilitates the use of lavender GTs as specialized bio-factories for valuable terpenoids.
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