Ethylene-responsive VviERF003 modulates glycosylated monoterpenoid synthesis by upregulating VviGT14 in grapes

Abstract

Terpenoids are important contributors to the aroma of grapes and wines. Grapes contain terpenoids in both volatile free form and non-volatile glycosidic form, with the latter being more abundant. Glycosylated terpenoids are deemed as latent aromatic potentials for their essential role in adding to the flowery and fruity bouquet of wines. However, the transcriptional regulatory mechanism underlying glycosylated terpenoid biosynthesis remains poorly understood. Our prior study identified an AP2/ERF transcription factor, VviERF003, through DNA pull-down screening using the promoter of terpenoid glycosyltransferase VviGT14 gene. This study demonstrated that both genes were co-expressed and synchronized with the accumulation of glycosylated monoterpenoids during grape maturation. VviERF003 can bind to the VviGT14 promoter and promote its activity according to yeast one-hybrid and dual-luciferase assays. VviERF003 upregulated VviGT14 expression in vivo, leading to increased production of glycosylated monoterpenoids based on the evidence from overexpression or RNA interference in leaves, berry skins, and calli of grapes, as well as tomato fruits. Additionally, VviERF003 and VviGT14 expressions and glycosylated monoterpenoid levels were induced by ethylene in grapes. The findings suggest that VviERF003 is ethylene-responsive and stimulates glycosylated monoterpenoid biosynthesis through upregulating VviGT14 expression.

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. U20A2042 to C.-Q.D. and 31772278 to Q.-H.P.).

Author contributions

Q.-H.P. and C.-Q.D. contributed to the conception and design of this study. Y.-C.W. performed the majority of the experiments and data analysis. X.-Y.L. performed the subcellular localization and transcriptional activity assay. Y.W., H.-M.Z., and X.M. participated in the transgenic calli experiment and the measurement of terpenoids. Y.-C.W. wrote the manuscript. Q.-H.P., Y.W., and Y.-C.W. reviewed and revised the manuscript. All authors have read and approved the final version of the manuscript.

Data availability

All study data are presented in the submitted article.

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

Supplementary data

Supplementary data is available at Horticulture Research online.

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