Abstract
In addition to natural rubber (NR), several triterpenes are synthesized in laticifers of the Russian dandelion (Taraxacum koksaghyz). Detailed analysis of NR and resin contents revealed different concentrations of various pentacyclic triterpenes such as α-, β-amyrin and taraxasterol, which strongly affect the mechanical properties of the resulting rubber material. Therefore, the reduction of triterpene content would certainly improve the industrial applications of dandelion NR. We developed T. koksaghyz plants with reduced triterpene contents by tissue-specific downregulation of major laticifer-specific oxidosqualene cyclases (OSCs) by RNA interference, resulting in an almost 67% reduction in the triterpene content of NR. Plants of the T1 generation showed no obvious phenotypic changes and the rubber yield also remained unaffected. Hence, this study will provide a solid basis for subsequent modern breeding programs to develop Russian dandelion plants with low and stable triterpene levels.
Highlights
In Russian dandelion (Taraxacum koksaghyz), high concentrations of secondary metabolites such as natural rubber (NR) are found mainly in the latex of root laticifers [1,2]
For T. koksaghyz oxidosqualenecyclase cyclase 11 (TkOSC1) knock-down, a RNAi construct directed against a 125 bp TkOSC1-specific region was developed and designated as a TkOSC1-RNAi vector (Figure 2A)
We identified and functionally characterised different Oxidosqualene cyclases (OSCs) involved in triterpene biosynthesis in dandelion [17,18]
Summary
In Russian dandelion (Taraxacum koksaghyz), high concentrations of secondary metabolites such as natural rubber (NR) are found mainly in the latex of root laticifers [1,2]. The resulting offspring is heterogenic [4,5], leading to trait divergence among individual plants. One such example is the highly variable triterpene content of dandelion-derived NK, which negatively affects NR properties [6,7]. For this reason, genetic engineering of the corresponding triterpene biosynthesis could support the development of more uniform accessions with low and stable triterpene contents in their roots
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