Genetically modified plant leaves have recently emerged as a more economical source for lipid products including biodiesels, terpenes, triacylglycerols (TAGs), and other lipids. However, in order to harvest lipid products from plant leaves, genetic modifications must be performed that allow leaf tissue to increase production of lipids and store them in lipid droplets (LDs). Terpenes, a type of lipid that forms the largest group of natural products, act as steroids, vitamins, essential oils, and medicinal products and so successfully expressing them in plant leaves could introduce new medical compounds and decrease the cost of existing compounds. This study will attempt to increase terpene production via agroinfiltration into Nicotiana benthamiana leaf tissue with the following genes: terpene synthase 21 (TPS21), the enzyme that synthesizes the terpenes beta-caryophyllene (CP) and alpha-humulene (HU) from farnesyl diphosphate; farnesyl diphosphate synthase (FDPS), which synthesizes ample farnesyl diphosphate substrate for TPS21; fat storage-inducing transmembrane protein 2 (FIT2), a protein that aids in the biogenesis of additional LDs for storage; and diacylglycerol O-acyltransferase (DGAT2), whose presence will increase the amount of material (TAGs) to be stored in LDs. 6-week-old N. benthamiana plants are being infiltrated and leaf tissue harvested and extracted for terpenes after 5 days. GC/MS is being used to determine levels of CP and HU, the major terpenes of interest.

Terpene storage in Nicotiana benthamiana leaf lipid droplets

2019 Spring National Meeting

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