Expression pattern of three terpene synthase in seven Artemisia species native of Iran

Pirasteh Broujeni, Fatemeh; Naghavi, Mohammad Reza; Abbasi, Alireza; Soltanloo, Hasan; Ranjbar, Mojtaba; Raeisy, Sara

Expression pattern of three terpene synthase in seven Artemisia species native of Iran

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

¹ University College of Agriculture & Natural Resources University of Tehran

² Professorو Department of Agronomy and Plant Breeding, University of Tehran, Iran,

³ Assistant Professor, Department of Agronomy and Plant Breeding, University of Tehran, Iran,

⁴ Assistant Professor, Department of Plant Breeding and Biotechnology, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Gorgan, Iran.

⁵ Assistant Professor, Department of Agronomy and Plant Breeding, University of Tehran, Iran

⁶ Department of Agronomy and Plant Breeding, University of Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Artemisia species due to have different compounds of terpenoids are considered the most important medical plants. Artemisinin, a sesquiterpene with antimalarial and anticancer properties, and tritenpenes, squalene and β-amyrin, are important medicinal compounds which are produced by Artemisia species. Since farnesyl diphosphate is the precursor of all tri- and sesquiterpenes, expression of farnesyl diphosphate synthase (FDS), squalene synthase (SQS) and β-amyrin synthase in three developmental stages are studied in seven Artemisia species native of Iran by real-time PCR. Furthermore, artemisinin content was determined by HPLC. Our results showed A. annua has maximum artemisinin content in budding stage and A. diffusa and A. spicigeria have minimum artemisinin content in vegetative stage. In this manner expression of FDS has no difference between the species and although its effective role in biosynthesis of artemisinin, it is not useful to manipulate for increase of artemisinin. Also lower expression of SQS means we will have higher artemisinin but the revers is not true. Also A. scoparia in flowering stage is the best source to access of squalene and β-amyrin.

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