Improved herbivore resistance in cultivated tomato with the sesquiterpene biosynthetic pathway from a wild relative

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2012 Dec 4;109(49):20124-9. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1208756109. Epub 2012 Nov 19.

Abstract

Tomato breeding has been tremendously efficient in increasing fruit quality and quantity but did not focus on improving herbivore resistance. The biosynthetic pathway for the production of 7-epizingiberene in a wild tomato was introduced into a cultivated greenhouse variety with the aim to obtain herbivore resistance. 7-Epizingiberene is a specific sesquiterpene with toxic and repellent properties that is produced and stored in glandular trichomes. We identified 7-epizingiberene synthase (ShZIS) that belongs to a new class of sesquiterpene synthases, exclusively using Z-Z-farnesyl-diphosphate (zFPP) in plastids, probably arisen through neo-functionalization of a common ancestor. Expression of the ShZIS and zFPP synthases in the glandular trichomes of cultivated tomato resulted in the production of 7-epizingiberene. These tomatoes gained resistance to several herbivores that are pests of tomato. Hence, introduction of this sesquiterpene biosynthetic pathway into cultivated tomatoes resulted in improved herbivore resistance.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alkyl and Aryl Transferases / genetics
  • Alkyl and Aryl Transferases / metabolism
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Animals
  • Biosynthetic Pathways / genetics*
  • Breeding / methods
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • Feeding Behavior / physiology
  • Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
  • Hemiptera / physiology
  • Herbivory / immunology*
  • Metabolic Engineering / methods*
  • Monocyclic Sesquiterpenes
  • Polyisoprenyl Phosphates
  • Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Sesquiterpenes / immunology*
  • Sesquiterpenes / metabolism
  • Solanum lycopersicum / genetics
  • Solanum lycopersicum / immunology*
  • Solanum lycopersicum / parasitology
  • Tetranychidae / physiology

Substances

  • Monocyclic Sesquiterpenes
  • Polyisoprenyl Phosphates
  • Sesquiterpenes
  • farnesyl pyrophosphate
  • zingiberene
  • Alkyl and Aryl Transferases