Functional Characterization of <i>Hedychium coronarium</i> J. Koenig MYB132 Confers the Potential Role in Floral Aroma Synthesis
Farhat Abbas,
Yanguo Ke,
Yiwei Zhou,
Rangcai Yu,
Muhammad Imran,
Sikandar Amanullah,
Dylan O’Neill Rothenberg,
Qin Wang,
Lan Wang,
Yanping Fan
Affiliations
Farhat Abbas
The Research Center for Ornamental Plants, College of Forestry and Landscape Architecture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
Yanguo Ke
The Research Center for Ornamental Plants, College of Forestry and Landscape Architecture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
Yiwei Zhou
The Research Center for Ornamental Plants, College of Forestry and Landscape Architecture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
Rangcai Yu
College of Life Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
Muhammad Imran
Department of Crop Science and Technology, College of Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
Sikandar Amanullah
College of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
Dylan O’Neill Rothenberg
College of Horticulture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
Qin Wang
The Research Center for Ornamental Plants, College of Forestry and Landscape Architecture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
Lan Wang
The Research Center for Ornamental Plants, College of Forestry and Landscape Architecture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
Yanping Fan
The Research Center for Ornamental Plants, College of Forestry and Landscape Architecture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
The R2R3-MYB transcription factors (TFs) play several key roles in numerous plant biological processes. Hedychium coronarium is an important ornamental plant well-known for its elegant flower shape and abundant aroma type. The floral aroma of H. coronarium is due to the presence of a large amount of terpenes and benzenoids. However, less is known about the role of R2R3-MYB TFs in the regulatory mechanism of floral aroma production in this breed. Herein, we isolate and functionally characterize the R2R3-MYB TF HcMYB132, which is potentially involved in regulating floral aroma synthesis. Sequence alignment analysis revealed that it includes a nuclear localization signal NLS(s) and a 2R, 3R motif signature in the sequences. A subcellular localization assay revealed that HcMYB132 protein localizes to the nucleus. Real-time qPCR assays showed that HcMYB132 is specifically expressed in flowers and its expression pattern correlates with the emission of floral volatile compounds. In HcMYB132-silenced flowers, the levels of floral volatile compounds were significantly reduced, and the expression of key structural volatile synthesis genes was downregulated compared to control. Collectively, these results suggest that HcMYB132 might play a significant role in the regulation of terpenoid biosynthesis in H. coronarium.
