title: Chrysolina herbacea modulates terpenoid biosynthesis of Mentha aquatica L.
abstract: Interactions between herbivorous insects and plants storing terpenoids are poorly understood. This study describes the ability of Chrysolina herbacea to use volatiles emitted by undamaged Mentha aquatica plants as attractants and the plant's response to herbivory, which involves the production of deterrent molecules. Emitted plant volatiles were analyzed by GC-MS. The insect's response to plant volatiles was tested by Y-tube olfactometer bioassays. Total RNA was extracted from control plants, mechanically damaged leaves, and leaves damaged by herbivores. The terpenoid quantitative gene expressions (qPCR) were then assayed. Upon herbivory, M. aquatica synthesizes and emits (+)-menthofuran, which acts as a deterrent to C. herbacea. Herbivory was found to up-regulate the expression of genes involved in terpenoid biosynthesis. The increased emission of (+)-menthofuran was correlated with the upregulation of (+)-menthofuran synthase.
authors.affiliation: Plant Physiology Unit, Department of Plant Biology, University of Turin, Innovation Centre, Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Atsbaha Zebelo
authors.forename: Cinzia M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Bertea
authors.forename: Simone
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bossi
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Occhipinti
authors.forename: Giorgio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gnavi
authors.forename: Massimo E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Maffei
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D053898:Biosynthetic Pathways / Q000187:drug effects; D001517:Coleoptera / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000187:drug effects; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant / Q000187:drug effects; D027541:Mentha / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000469:parasitology*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000187:drug effects / Q000469:parasitology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013729:Terpenes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D055549:Volatile Organic Compounds / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D013729:Terpenes; D055549:Volatile Organic Compounds