Cloning and Functional Verification of Genes Related to 2-Phenylethanol Biosynthesis in <i>Rosa rugosa</i>

• Main Authors: Lixia Sheng, Yuqian Zeng, Tiantian Wei, Min Zhu, Xuemin Fang, Xiaoyu Yuan, Yunjian Luo, Liguo Feng
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2018-11-01
• Series: Genes
• Subjects: <i>Rosa rugosa</i>; floral scent; essential oil; 2-phenylethanol biosynthesis; gene functional verification
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/9/12/576

In China, <i>Rosa rugosa</i> is cultivated as a source of natural perfumes. Rose essential oil is known as &#8220;liquid gold&#8222;, given its high economic and health value. 2-phenylethanol accounts for more than 10% of the total mass fraction of the essential oil derived from <i>R. rugosa</i>. The regulatory mechanisms underlying 2-phenylethanol metabolism in <i>R. rugosa</i>, however, remain unclear. In this study, <i>RrAAAT</i> and <i>RrPPDC1</i>, two genes related to 2-phenylethanol synthesis, were cloned from <i>R. rugosa.</i> Expression analysis revealed that <i>RrAAAT</i> and <i>RrPPDC1</i> were highly expressed in rose flowers in the full opening and withering stages, and in calyxes. The overexpression vectors of <i>RrAADC</i>, <i>RrAAAT</i>, and <i>RrPPDC1</i> were established and transformed into <i>Petunia hybrida</i> via <i>Agrobacterium</i>-mediated genetic transformation. Results demonstrated that the overexpression of <i>RrAADC</i> and <i>RrAAAT</i> increased the 2-phenylethanol content of transgenic petunia flowers. The results of this study provide a basis for the introduction of genes related to 2-phenylethanol synthesis into roses to increase the 2-phenylethanol content of rose essential oil.