Abstract
Floral volatile terpenoids (FVTs) belong to a group of volatile organic compounds (VOC) that play important roles in attracting pollinators, defending against pathogens and parasites and serving as signals associated with biotic and abiotic stress responses. Although research on FVTs has been increasing, a systematic generalization is lacking. Among flowering plants used mainly for ornamental purposes, a systematic study on the production of FVTs in flowers with characteristic aromas is still limited. This paper reviews the biological functions and biosynthesis of FVTs, which may contribute a foundational aspect for future research. We highlight regulatory mechanisms that control the production of FVTs in ornamental flowers and the intersection of biosynthetic pathways that produce flower fragrance and color. Additionally, we summarize the opportunities and challenges facing FVT research in the whole genome and -omics eras and the possible research directions that will provide a foundation for further innovation and utilization of flowering ornamental plants and their germplasm resources.
Highlights
In M. spicata, a MYB transcription factor is a novel negative regulator of monoterpene biosynthesis that perturbs the production of sesquiterpene- and diterpene-derived metabolites by binding cis-elements in the gene encoding the large subunit of MsGPPS (MsGPPS.LSU) and suppressing its expression [109]
In addition to a wide range of volatile terpenoids formed directly through the catalytic activities of terpene synthases (TPS) enzymes, there are a large number of modifying enzymes, such as cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (P450s) and glycosyl- and acyltransferases, that modify the volatile terpenes produced by TPSs
Recent breakthroughs in the identification of TPS genes, associated transcription factors (TFs), the supplementation of terpene biosynthetic pathways and its derivatives demonstrate that we have reliable genetic techniques and methods that can be used to improve floral fragrance, such as modifying the emissions of Floral volatile terpenoids (FVTs), to greatly facilitate the recruitment of pollinators and control pests and improve the production of targeted FVTs and essential oils
Summary
Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. Plant volatile compounds (VOCs) biosynthesis occurs in almost all plant organs, including the roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits and seeds. VOCs are lipophilic liquids with low molecular weights and high vapor pressures at ambient temperatures They include terpenoids, phenylpropanoids/benzenoids, fatty acid derivatives and amino acid derivatives, in addition to a few species- and genus-specific compounds not represented in these major classes. The homoterpenes that are often emitted from night-scented flowers and aerial tissues upon herbivore attack form a small part of the FVTs [3] Among these FVTs, monoterpenes, such as limonene, ocimene, myrcene and linalool, and sesquiterpenes, such as farnesene, nerolidol and caryophyllene, are the most ubiquitous volatiles (Table 1) [4,8].
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