Poster: Late and Moved Abstracts
Abs #
1366: Conifer Terpene Synthase Gene Family: Phylogenetic Analyses Indicate Functional Specialization Prior to Speciation
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Presenter: |
Martin, Diane M, dianemm@interchange.ubc.ca | Authors | Martin, Diane M (A) Jenny, Fäldt (A) Jörg, Bohlmann (A) | | Affiliations: |
(A): Biotechnology Laboratory, University of British Columbia, Rm 237-6174 University Boulevard, Vancouver, B.C., Canada V6T 1Z4
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| Web Site: | http://www.botany.ubc.ca/bohlmann.html | |
Terpene synthases (TPS) are responsible for the remarkable diversity of terpene structures known. The TPS gene family contains mono-TPS, sesqui-TPS and di-TPS and the compounds produced by these enzymes are important to both primary and secondary metabolism. Representatives of all three of these subclasses are present in the genomes of both angiosperms and gymnosperms. The subfamily of conifer TPS genes provides a valuable medium in which to study the functional specialization of TPS. The production of copious terpenes by conifers is essential not only to the defense against herbivores and fungal pathogens, but may also function in tritrophic interactions. Conifer terpenes, sequestered in resin ducts or blisters or released as volatiles, are comprised of blends of monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes and diterpenes and a given blend is characteristic of a specific species/chemotype. Each conifer genome encodes a suite of mono-TPS, sesqui-TPS and di-TPS responsible for this blend. Cloning, functionally characterizing and comparing the phylogeny of TPS has provided a model whereby TPS duplicated and functionally specialized prior to the speciation of Picea and Abies. Furthermore, the evolution of these genes continues such that fine-tuning on the amino acid level is responsible for the product profiles seen in each of these species. This is exemplified by TPS that share up to 85% identity on the amino acid level yet each produces different compounds. This work is complemented by the Spruce genome project, which will assign function to all TPS present and will further enable us to glean insights into the evolution of TPS.
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