Elucidation of canonical strigolactone biosynthesis pathway toward the identification of a genuine structure of branching inhibitory hormone

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K15459
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 38040:Bioorganic chemistry-related
• Research Institution: Osaka Metropolitan University (2022); Kobe University (2020-2021)
• Principal Investigator: Wakabayashi Takatoshi 大阪公立大学, 大学院農学研究科, 特任研究員 (20843858)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 植物ホルモン / ストリゴラクトン / 生合成 / シトクロムP450

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Strigolactone (SL) is the collective term for a series of structural analogs that have been isolated from the root exudates of various plants as germination stimulants for seeds of root parasitic weeds. SLs also have branching inhibiting activities in plants, but the actual endogenous compounds that function in plants are not clear, and the entire biosynthetic pathway has not been elucidated. This study aimed to elucidate the SL biosynthesis pathway in various plants. As a result, genes involved in the biosynthesis of SLs with BC-ring structure and methyltransferases involved in the methylation of SLs were identified. Furthermore, SLs with novel structures were isolated and identified.

Free Research Field

生物有機化学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

SLは、根圏シグナルとしてだけでなく、植物内生の植物ホルモンとしても重要である。SL生産の制御は、根寄生雑草の種子発芽の抑制や、アーバスキュラー菌根菌との共生の促進、さらには植物の形態制御に応用できる。したがって、個々の生理機能を担っている化合物を明らかにできれば、植物の形態や根圏環境を人為的に調節する道が開ける。本研究において、様々なSL生合成酵素を同定することができたことから、今後個々のSL機能の解明とその農業応用が期待される。