Oxidosqualene Cyclase Knock-Down in Latex of Taraxacum koksaghyz Reduces Triterpenes in Roots and Separated Natural Rubber

van Deenen, Nicole; Unland, Kristina; Pruefer, Dirk; Gronover, Christian Schulze

Forschungsartikel (Zeitschrift) | Peer reviewed

Zusammenfassung

In addition to natural rubber (NR), several triterpenes are synthesized in laticifers of the Russian dandelion (Taraxacum koksaghyz). Detailed analysis of NR and resin contents revealed different concentrations of various pentacyclic triterpenes such as α-, β-amyrin and taraxasterol, which strongly affect the mechanical properties of the resulting rubber material. Therefore, the reduction of triterpene content would certainly improve the industrial applications of dandelion NR. We developed T. koksaghyz plants with reduced triterpene contents by tissue-specific downregulation of major laticifer-specific oxidosqualene cyclases (OSCs) by RNA interference, resulting in an almost 67% reduction in the triterpene content of NR. Plants of the T1 generation showed no obvious phenotypic changes and the rubber yield also remained unaffected. Hence, this study will provide a solid basis for subsequent modern breeding programs to develop Russian dandelion plants with low and stable triterpene levels.

Details zur Publikation

FachzeitschriftMolecules
Jahrgang / Bandnr. / Volume24
Ausgabe / Heftnr. / Issue15
StatusVeröffentlicht
Veröffentlichungsjahr2019
Sprache, in der die Publikation verfasst istEnglisch
DOI10.3390/molecules24152703
Stichwörterpentacyclic triterpenes; polyisoprenes; Taraxacum koksaghyz; RNA interference; oxidosqualene cyclases

Autor*innen der Universität Münster

Prüfer, Dirk
Plant Biotechnology (AG Prof. Prüfer)
Schulze Gronover, Christian
Plant Biotechnology (AG Prof. Prüfer)
van Deenen, Nicole
Plant Biotechnology (AG Prof. Prüfer)