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Jasmonate-Responsive Transcription Factors: New Tools for Metabolic Engineering and Gene Discovery

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Biotechnology for Medicinal Plants

Abstract

Transcription factors that regulate plant secondary metabolism are valuable tools for metabolic engineering and gene discovery. Related ERF-family transcription factors are required for jasmonate-inducible alkaloid biosynthesis in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) and periwinkle (Catharantus roseus). Transgenic manipulation of these ERF genes alters the expression of structural genes involved in the biosynthesis and transport of alkaloids, resulting in stimulation or inhibition of alkaloid accumulation. Novel enzymes and transporters can be identified by analyzing the expression profiles of genes that respond to these master regulators. The conserved jasmonate-responsive transcription factor MYC2 regulates the expression of alkaloid-specific ERF genes, thus placing alkaloid biosynthesis under the control of the jasmonate signaling pathway.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Graduate School of Biological Sciences, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, Takayama 8916-5, Ikoma, Nara, 630-0101, Japan

    Tsubasa Shoji & Takashi Hashimoto

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  1. Tsubasa Shoji
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  2. Takashi Hashimoto
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Correspondence to Tsubasa Shoji or Takashi Hashimoto .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. , National Center for Natural Product Rese, University of Mississippi, Coy Waller Complex 135, University, 38677, Mississippi, USA

    Suman Chandra

  2. Nat Center Natural Product Research, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, COY WALLER COMPLEX 135, UNIVERSITY, 38677, Mississippi, USA

    HEMANT LATA

  3. Amity Institute of Microbial Sciences, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Noida, 201303, Uttar Pradesh, India

    Ajit Varma

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Shoji, T., Hashimoto, T. (2013). Jasmonate-Responsive Transcription Factors: New Tools for Metabolic Engineering and Gene Discovery. In: Chandra, S., LATA, H., Varma, A. (eds) Biotechnology for Medicinal Plants. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-29974-2_15

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