Planta Med 2010; 76(7): 734-742
DOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1240620
Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biotechnology
Original Papers
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Senescent Leaves of Artemisia annua are One of the Most Active Organs for Overexpression of Artemisinin Biosynthesis Responsible Genes upon Burst of Singlet Oxygen

Rui-Yi Yang1 [*] , Xiao-Mei Zeng1 [*] , Yuan-Yuan Lu2 , Wen-Jie Lu1 , Li-Ling Feng3 , Xue-Qin Yang3 , Qing-Ping Zeng1
  • 1Laboratory of Biotechnology, Tropical Medicine Institute, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, P. R. China
  • 2Laboratory of Pharmacology, Tropical Medicine Institute, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, P. R. China
  • 3Artemisinin Research Center, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, P. R. China
Further Information

Publication History

received February 10, 2009 revised July 30, 2009

accepted October 27, 2009

Publication Date:
25 November 2009 (online)

Abstract

To dissect and penetrate complexicity regarding the tissue-specific and environment-induced expression modes of cytosolic and plastidial terpene biosynthetic genes in A. annua, corresponding mRNAs relevant to terpene biosynthesis were quantitatively compared among distinctive organs and during different growth stages. Although all examined mRNAs gradually elevate from June to August in tested organs, a putative artemisinin biosynthesis responsible DBR2 mRNA represents the most abundant transcript anyplace and anytime. Apart from others, senescent leaves endow global activation of artemisinin biosynthetic genes and ultimately lead to enhanced artemisinin production. Direct measurement of 1O2 burst from senescent leaves strongly supports an involvement of 1O2 in conversion from precursor(s) to artemisinin. In the context of environmental stresses, physical and chemical stress signals that include those invoking 1O2 burst were evaluated as if inducing artemisinin biosynthetic genes. The quantitative data have reiterated a common pattern of modulating artemisinin production in A. annua by triggering 1O2 burst during senescence and under chilling acclimatization. In conclusion, a missing link concatenating senescence-coupled 1O2 generation to 1O2-induced upregulation of artemisinin biosynthetic genes has been re-established, which would provide a fertile base for future endeavors pursuing further enhancements of artemisinin production.

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1 These authors contributed equally to the present work.

Prof. Dr. Qing-Ping Zeng

Laboratory of Biotechnology
Tropical Medicine Institute
Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine

No. 12, Airport Road

510405 Guangzhou

People's Republic of China

Phone: + 86 20 36 58 51 00

Fax: + 86 20 86 35 43 29

Email: qpzeng@gzhtcm.edu.cn