Cloning, functional characterization and evaluating potential in metabolic engineering for lavender ( +)-bornyl diphosphate synthase.

We isolated and functionally characterized a new ( +)-bornyl diphosphate synthase (( +)-LiBPPS) from Lavandula x intermedia. The in planta functions of ( +)-LiBPPS were evaluated in sense and antisense transgenic plants. The monoterpene ( +)-borneol contributes scent and medicinal properties to some plants.

Expression of lavender AGAMOUS-like and SEPALLATA3-like genes promote early flowering and alter leaf morphology in Arabidopsis thaliana.

The expression of full-length cDNAs encoding lavender AGAMOUS-like (LaAG-like) and SEPALLATA3-like (LaSEP3-like) transcription factors induces early flowering and impacts the leaf morphology at a strong expression level in Arabidopsis. Lavandula angustifolia is widely cultivated as an ornamental plant due to its attractive flower structure, and as a source of valuable essential oils for use in cosmetics, alternative medicines, and culinary products. We recently employed RNA-Seq and transcript profiling to describe a number of transcription factors (TFs) that potentially control flower development in this plant.

Isoprenoid Metabolism and Engineering in Glandular Trichomes of .

The isoprenoids play important ecological and physiological roles in plants. They also have a tremendous impact on human lives as food additives, medicines, and industrial raw materials, among others. Though some isoprenoids are highly abundant in nature, plants produce many at extremely low levels.

Comparative RNA-Seq analysis reveals genes associated with masculinization in female Cannabis sativa.

Using RNA profiling, we identified several silver thiosulfate-induced genes that potentially control the masculinization of female Cannabis sativa plants. Genetically female Cannabis sativa plants normally bear female flowers, but can develop male flowers in response to environmental and developmental cues. In an attempt to elucidate the molecular elements responsible for sex expression in C.

Short-chain isoprenyl diphosphate synthases of lavender (Lavandula).

We reported the functional characterization of cDNAs encoding short-chain isoprenyl diphosphate synthases that control the partitioning of precursors for lavender terpenoids. Lavender essential oil is composed of regular and irregular monoterpenes, which are derived from linear precursors geranyl diphosphate (GPP) and lavandulyl diphosphate (LPP), respectively. Although this plant strongly expresses genes responsible for the biosynthesis of both monoterpene classes, it is unclear why regular monoterpenes dominate the oil.

Cloning and functional characterization of a floral repressor gene from Lavandula angustifolia.

Using RNA-Seq, we identified genes involved in floral development in lavenders and functionally characterized the floral repressor LaSVP. The molecular aspects of flower initiation and development have not been adequately investigated in lavender (Lavandula). In order to identify genes that control these processes, we employed RNA-Seq to obtain sequence information for transcripts originating from the vegetative shoot apical meristem (SAM) and developing inflorescence tissues of Lavandula angustifolia and Lavandula × intermedia plants, and assemble a comprehensive transcriptome of 105,294 contigs.

Diverse transcription factors control monoterpene synthase expression in lavender (Lavandula).

We cloned eight transcription factors that activate lavender monoterpene synthase promoters. In this study, we employed the Yeast One-Hybrid (Y1H) assay system to identify transcription factors that control promoters for two Lavandula × intermedia monoterpene synthase genes, linalool synthase (LiLINS) and 1,8-cineole synthase (LiCINS). The bait sequences used in the assay were either a 768-bp LiLINS, or a 1087-bp LiCINS promoter.

A lavender ABC transporter confers resistance to monoterpene toxicity in yeast.

Functional expression of a multidrug resistance-type ABC transporter from Lavandulaangustifolia improved yeast resistance to geraniol, a monoterpene constituent of lavender essential oil. Plant ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters are a large family of membrane proteins involved in active and selective transport of structurally diverse compounds. In this study, we functionally evaluated LaABCB1, a multidrug resistance (MDR)-type ABC transporter strongly expressed in the secretory cells of lavender glandular trichomes, where monoterpene essential oil constituents are synthesized and secreted.

De novo sequencing of the Lavandula angustifolia genome reveals highly duplicated and optimized features for essential oil production.

The first draft genome for a member of the genus Lavandula is described. This 870 Mbp genome assembly is composed of over 688 Mbp of non-gap sequences comprising 62,141 protein-coding genes. Lavenders (Lavandula: Lamiaceae) are economically important plants widely grown around the world for their essential oils (EOs), which contribute to the cosmetic, personal hygiene, and pharmaceutical industries.

RNA-Seq in the discovery of a sparsely expressed scent-determining monoterpene synthase in lavender (Lavandula).

Using RNA-Seq, we cloned and characterized a unique monoterpene synthase responsible for the formation of a scent-determining S-linalool constituent of lavender oils from Lavandula × intermedia. Several species of Lavandula produce essential oils (EOs) consisting mainly of monoterpenes including linalool, one of the most abundant and scent-determining oil constituents. Although R-linalool dominates the EOs of lavenders, varying amounts (depending on the species) of the S-linalool enantiomer can also be found in these plants.

Isolation and functional characterization of a methyl jasmonate-responsive 3-carene synthase from Lavandula x intermedia.

A methyl jasmonate responsive 3-carene synthase (Li3CARS) gene was isolated from Lavandula x intermedia and functionally characterized in vitro. Lavenders produce essential oils consisting mainly of monoterpenes, including the potent antimicrobial and insecticidal monoterpene 3-carene. In this study we isolated and functionally characterized a leaf-specific, methyl jasmonate (MeJA)-responsive monoterpene synthase (Li3CARS) from Lavandula x intermedia.

Identification, validation and cross-species transferability of novel Lavandula EST-SSRs.

We identified and characterized EST-SSRs with strong discrimination power against Lavandula angustifolia and Lavandula x intermedia . The markers also showed considerable cross-species transferability rate into six related Lavandula species. Lavenders (Lavandula) are important economical crops grown around the globe for essential oil production.