Stilbene synthase gene transfer caused alterations in the phenylpropanoid metabolism of transgenic strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa).
The gene encoding stilbene synthase is frequently used to modify plant secondary metabolism with the aim of producing the self-defence phytoalexin resveratrol. In this study, strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa) was transformed with the NS-Vitis3 gene encoding stilbene synthase from frost grape (Vitis riparia) under the control of the cauliflower mosaic virus 35S and the floral filament-specific fil1 promoters. Changes in leaf metabolites were investigated with UPLC-qTOF-MS (ultra performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry) profiling, and increased accumulation of cinnamate, coumarate, and ferulate derivatives concomitantly with a decrease in the levels of flavonols was observed, while the anticipated resveratrol or its derivatives were not detected. The changed metabolite profile suggested that chalcone synthase was down-regulated by the genetic modification; this was verified by decreased chalcone synthase transcript levels. Changes in the levels of phenolic compounds led to increased susceptibility of the transgenic strawberry to grey mould fungus.
Hanhineva
Kati
K
Department of Biosciences, University of Kuopio, PO Box 1627, 70211 Kuopio, Finland. kati.hanhineva@uku.fi
Kokko
Harri
H
Siljanen
Henri
H
Rogachev
Ilana
I
Aharoni
Asaph
A
Kärenlampi
Sirpa O
SO
D000217:Acyltransferases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D020171:Botrytis / Q000502:physiology; D002934:Cinnamates / Q000378:metabolism; D031985:Fragaria / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000382:microbiology; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; D010666:Phenylpropionates / Q000378:metabolism*; D010935:Plant Diseases / Q000382:microbiology; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000382:microbiology; D027843:Vitis / Q000201:enzymology*
D002934:Cinnamates; D010666:Phenylpropionates; D010940:Plant Proteins; D000217:Acyltransferases; C022674:stilbene synthase