Regulation of monoterpene biosynthesis in conifer defense
1992
Lewinsohn, E. | Gijzen, M. | Croteau, R.B.
Oleoresin is a complex mixture of terpenoids that serves an important role in the defense of conifers against herbivores and pathogens. The regulation of oleoresin monoterpene biosynthesis in a range of conifer species was examined. The levels of constitutive monoterpene cyclase activity were correlated with the monoterpene content of the oleoresin and with the anatomy of the resin-secreting structures. Stem wounding to simulate bark beetle attack resulted in significant increase in cyclase activity in some conifer species, such as Abies grandis, but only minor changes in constitutive levels in others, such as Pinus species, thus indicating different mechanisms of regulation of oleoresin biosynthesis. The increase in cyclase activity following wounding of A. grandis represented the enhancement of constitutive cyclase activities and the appearance of additional distinct enzymes that were absent in unwounded tissue.
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