Abstract
Steroidal glycoalkaloids (SGAs) are a class of nitrogen-containing glycosides occurring in several plant families and biosynthesized through a specific pathway. HMG-CoA reductase is the first enzyme of this pathway, and its transcription can be regulated by biotic and abiotic stressors and even in a tissue-specific manner. This study aimed to characterize the HMG genes family in a tuber-bearing potato species, Solanum commersonii, using transcriptional and functional approaches. Our results provided evidence that four ScHMGs with different tissue-specificities represent the HMG gene family in S. commersonii and that they originated from ScHMG1 through segmental duplications. Phylogenetic analysis suggests that ScHMG1 is the direct ortholog of AtHMG1, which is associated with SGAs accumulation in plants. Its overexpression in S. commersonii revealed that this gene plays a key role in the accumulation of glycoalkaloids regulating the production of dehydrocommersonine.
Highlights
Steroidal glycoalkaloids (SGAs) are a class of nitrogen-containing glycosides occurring in several members of the plant family Solanaceae, such as tomato, eggplant and potato
Our study began with the identification of the HMG-CoA reductase (HMG) gene family members in cultivated tomato S. lycopersicum, cultivated potato S. tuberosum and S. commersonii, starting from the genome of the model plant A. thaliana
The analysis of a null AtHMG1 evidenced the essential role of this gene in controlling several plant developmental traits, such as dwarfism, senescence and sterility
Summary
Steroidal glycoalkaloids (SGAs) are a class of nitrogen-containing glycosides occurring in several members of the plant family Solanaceae, such as tomato, eggplant and potato. They are toxic to humans and have putative roles in plant defense against environmental stressors [1]. SGAs can be produced in all parts of the plants, including the edible ones, such as eggplant and tomato fruits and potato tubers, as well as in leaves, flowers and roots. It has been demonstrated that wild tuber-bearing potatoes can produce additional glycoalkaloids, and it has been postulated that, during domestication, Solanaceae selected only two predominant SGAs, in order to have a lower number of SGAs, while maintaining resistance against phytopathogens [2]. Depending on the amount and type, SGAs can trigger various effects on plant physiology, and their role can be critical for plant resistance to biotic
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