Abstract
Valeriana fauriei (V. fauriei), which emits a characteristic and unpleasant odor, is important in traditional medicine. In this study, the expression of terpenoid biosynthetic genes was investigated in different organs that were also screened for volatile compounds including valerenic acid and its derivatives. Specific expression patterns from different parts of V. fauriei were observed using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). The highest transcript levels of biosynthetic genes involved in mevalonic acid (MVA) and methylerythritol phosphate (MEP) production were found in the stem. Although the amounts of volatile compounds were varied by organ, most of the volatile terpenoids were accumulated in the root. Gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis identified 128 volatile compounds, which represented 65.33% to 95.66% of total volatiles. Certain compounds were only found in specific organs. For example, isovalerenic acid and valerenic acid and its derivatives were restricted to the root. Organs with high transcript levels did not necessarily have high levels of the corresponding chemical constituents. According to these results, we hypothesize that translocation may occur between different organs in V. fauriei.
Highlights
Plants have complex mixtures of volatile lipophilic compounds with low molecular weight and high vapor pressure, derived from both primary and secondary metabolisms [1]
Most genes related to the mevalonic acid (MVA) pathway showed the highest expression levels in the stem, except for VfHMGS and VfHMGR
The genes involved in volatile terpenoid biosynthesis had not been investigated in different organs of V. fauriei
Summary
Plants have complex mixtures of volatile lipophilic compounds with low molecular weight and high vapor pressure, derived from both primary and secondary metabolisms [1]. More than 1700 volatile compounds have been characterized from 90 plant families [2]. Plants release these compounds for general or specialized functions in both floral and vegetative tissues [3]. These compounds protect against herbivores, pathogens, and parasites, attract pollinators and seed dispersers, and provide plant–plant signaling [4]. Volatile compounds emitted from plants can seal wounds [5]. Researches have documented antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, bronchodilatory, expectorant, anticonvulsant, Molecules 2016, 21, 691; doi:10.3390/molecules21060691 www.mdpi.com/journal/molecules cholagogic, analgesic, and spasmolytic effects of volatile compounds [7]. Volatile compounds and spasmolytic effects of volatile [7].its
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