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Transgenic studies reveal the positive role of LeEIL-1 in regulating shikonin biosynthesis in Lithospermum erythrorhizon hairy roots.
- Source :
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BMC plant biology [BMC Plant Biol] 2016 May 26; Vol. 16 (1), pp. 121. Date of Electronic Publication: 2016 May 26. - Publication Year :
- 2016
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Abstract
- Background: The phytohormone ethylene (ET) is a key signaling molecule for inducing the biosynthesis of shikonin and its derivatives, which are secondary metabolites in Lithospermum erythrorhizon. Although ETHYLENE INSENSITIVE3 (EIN3)/EIN3-like proteins (EILs) are crucial transcription factors in ET signal transduction pathway, the possible function of EIN3/EIL1 in shikonin biosynthesis remains unknown. In this study, by targeting LeEIL-1 (L. erythrorhizon EIN3-like protein gene 1) at the expression level, we revealed the positive regulatory effect of LeEIL-1 on shikonin formation.<br />Results: The mRNA level of LeEIL-1 was significantly up-regulated and down-regulated in the LeEIL-1-overexpressing hairy root lines and LeEIL-1-RNAi hairy root lines, respectively. Specifically, LeEIL-1 overexpression resulted in increased transcript levels of the downstream gene of ET signal transduction pathway (LeERF-1) and a subset of genes for shikonin formation, excretion and/or transportation (LePAL, LeC4H-2, Le4CL-1, HMGR, LePGT-1, LeDI-2, and LePS-2), which was consistent with the enhanced shikonin contents in the LeEIL-1-overexpressing hairy root lines. Conversely, LeEIL-1-RNAi dramatically repressed the expression of the above genes and significantly reduced shikonin production.<br />Conclusions: The results revealed that LeEIL-1 is a positive regulator of the biosynthesis of shikonin and its derivatives in L. erythrorhizon hairy roots. Our findings gave new insights into the molecular regulatory mechanism of ET in shikonin biosynthesis. LeEIL-1 could be a crucial target gene for the genetic engineering of shikonin biosynthesis.
- Subjects :
- Lithospermum metabolism
Plant Proteins metabolism
Plant Roots metabolism
Plants, Genetically Modified genetics
Plants, Genetically Modified metabolism
RNA Interference
Transcription Factors metabolism
Gene Expression Regulation, Plant
Lithospermum genetics
Naphthoquinones metabolism
Plant Proteins genetics
Transcription Factors genetics
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1471-2229
- Volume :
- 16
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- BMC plant biology
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 27230755
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-016-0812-6