Isolation of Linalool Synthase and Pinene Synthase Genes from Yarrow (Achillea millefolium L.) Medicinal Plant

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) is an herbaceous and perennial plant species which belongs to the Asteraceae family. Yarrow's essential oil has different compounds of monoterpene and sesquiterpens, which its main constituents are pinene and linalool. These compunds have anti-microbial and anti-pest activities and also can be used in the food industry, perfumery and cosmetics.The aim of the present study was to use the degenerate primers approach in order to isolate Pinene synthase and linalool synthase genes from Yarrow plant. Up to date, there is no any report on the availability of these genes in the world gene bank. In this investigation the total RNA was extracted from Yarrow then pinene synthase and linalool synthase genes were isolated, using degenerate primers and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). PCR amplified two bands of 250 bp and 720 bp. The sequence data were compared with NCBI gene bank data. The results of diversity study among varieties and families based on Pis and Lis genes showed most similarity between Achillea and Artemisia plants. Also this similarity was seen between Asteraceae and Lamiaceae families and these families grouped together same group. These results also showed a relatively high similarity of Pis and Lis with some other plants which confirmed sequencing data.