Selective regulation of pyrethrin biosynthesis by the specific blend of wound induced volatiles in Tanacetum cinerariifolium.

Natural pyrethrins are used to control household and agricultural pests, and it is of value to understand biosynthesis in Tanacetum cinerariifolium for enhanced production. We previously found that a blend of four green leaf volatiles (GLVs) and (E)-β-farnesene emitted by T. cinerariifolium seedlings enhanced gene expressions of certain biosynthetic enzymes in unwounded seedlings; however, the extent to which such a regulation facilitates pyrethrin biosynthesis remains unknown.

Identification and characterization of a GDSL lipase-like protein that catalyzes the ester-forming reaction for pyrethrin biosynthesis in Tanacetum cinerariifolium- a new target for plant protection.

Although natural insecticides pyrethrins produced by Tanacetum cinerariifolium are used worldwide to control insect pest species, little information is known of their biosynthesis. From the buds of T. cinerariifolium, we have purified a protein that is able to transfer the chrysanthemoyl group from the coenzyme A (CoA) thioester to pyrethrolone to produce pyrethrin I and have isolated cDNAs that encode the enzyme.