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Regulation of volatile biosynthesis in plants
Mariana Lopez-Gordillo1, Robert C Schuurink2, Sylvie Baudino1
1Laboratoire de Biotechnologies Végétales Appliquées Aux Plantes Aromatiques et Médicinales (LBVpam), Université Jean Monnet, CNRS EMR 5003, Saint-Étienne, France.
Plant Physiology and Biochemistry : PPB
|May 28, 2026
Summary
Plants precisely control the production of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) through genetic regulation. This review details transcriptional, post-transcriptional, and epigenetic mechanisms fine-tuning plant scent biosynthesis.
Area of Science:
- Plant biology
- Molecular genetics
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Plants produce volatile organic compounds (VOCs) for airborne chemical communication.
- Regulation of VOC biosynthesis is crucial for appropriate plant responses.
- VOCs serve as both long-distance and internal signaling cues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the genetic regulation of volatile organic compound (VOC) biosynthesis in plants.
- To explore transcriptional, post-transcriptional, and epigenetic regulatory mechanisms.
- To highlight rose floral scent biosynthesis as a case study.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of transcriptional regulation by transcription factors and promoters.
- Analysis of post-transcriptional regulatory processes.
- Exploration of chromatin organization, epigenetic modifications, and 3D genome architecture.
Main Results:
- Transcriptional regulation involves transcription factors and promoter architecture.
- Post-transcriptional processes also play a role in regulating VOC biosynthesis.
- Higher-order mechanisms like chromatin organization and 3D genome architecture influence long-range gene regulation.
Conclusions:
- Complex genetic regulatory networks, including epigenetic factors, fine-tune plant scent production.
- Understanding these mechanisms is key to controlling VOC biosynthesis.
- Rose floral scent regulation exemplifies the convergence of these regulatory strategies.
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