Terpene profiling, transcriptome analysis and characterization of -β-terpineol synthase from .

species produces a varied mix of different metabolites that imparts immense medicinal properties. To explore this chemo-diversity, we initially carried out metabolite profiling of different tissues of five species and identified the major terpenes. This analysis broadly classified these five species into two distinct chemotypes namely, phenylpropanoid-rich and terpene-rich. In particular, β-caryophyllene, myrcene, limonene, camphor, borneol and selinene were major terpenes present in these species. Subsequently, transcriptomic analysis of pooled RNA samples from different tissues of , and identified 38 unique transcripts of terpene synthase (TPS) gene family. Full-length gene cloning, followed by sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of three transcripts were carried out along with their expression in various tissues. Terpenoid metabolite and expression profiling of candidate genes in various tissues of species revealed spatial variances. Further, putative contig 19414 () was selected to corroborate its role in terpene biosynthesis. Agrobacterium-mediated transient over-expression assay of in the leaves of and subsequent metabolic and gene expression analyses indicated it as a -β-terpineol synthase. Overall, present study provided deeper understanding of terpene diversity in species and might help in the enhancement of their terpene content through advanced biotechnological approaches.