title: Methyl jasmonate induced accumulation of kalopanaxsaponin I in Nigella sativa.
abstract: Hydroponically cultivated Nigella sativa L. plants treated with methyl jasmonate (MeJA) showed a twelve-fold increase in levels of the monodesmosidic triterpene saponins alpha-hederin and kalopanaxsaponin I (KsI) in the leaves. We will demonstrate that these two saponins accounted for approximately 10% of the dry plant matter, of which 93% was KsI and 7% alpha-hederin. To address the molecular basis of saponin induction by MeJA, we cloned and characterized the beta-amyrin synthase gene (NsbetaAS1) encoding one of the key enzymes in triterpene saponin biosynthesis. As expected, NsbetaAS1 transcription was induced by MeJA and led to the production of beta-amyrin when over-expressed in yeast.
authors.affiliation: Westphalian Wilhelms-University Münster, Institute of Biochemistry and Biotechnology of Plants, Hindenburgplatz 55, 48143 Münster, Germany.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Scholz
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lipinski
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Leupold
authors.forename: Heinrich
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Luftmann
authors.forename: Lena
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Harig
authors.forename: Rivka
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ofir
authors.forename: Rainer
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fischer
authors.forename: Dirk
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Prüfer
authors.forename: Kai J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Müller
mesh_terms: D000085:Acetates / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D003517:Cyclopentanes / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019751:Intramolecular Transferases / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D031881:Nigella sativa / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism*; D009828:Oleanolic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification; D054883:Oxylipins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010937:Plant Growth Regulators / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D012503:Saponins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification; D014158:Transcription, Genetic / Q000187:drug effects; D015003:Yeasts / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D000085:Acetates; D003517:Cyclopentanes; D054883:Oxylipins; D010937:Plant Growth Regulators; D010940:Plant Proteins; D012503:Saponins; C010177:beta-hederin; C117027:kalopanax saponin I; D009828:Oleanolic Acid; C072239:methyl jasmonate; D019751:Intramolecular Transferases; C039924:2,3-oxidosqualene-beta-amyrin-cyclase