Expression pattern analysis of some genes involved in the biosynthetic pathway of terpenoids and phenylpropanoids in tissues, developmental stages and under methyl jasmonate treatment in yarrow (Achillea millefolium subsp. millefolium)

Medicinal plants of the Asteraceae family are important genetic resources due to their high echological flexibility in diverse climates,. Yarrow (Achillea millefolium subsp. millefolium) is a self-pollinated plant belongs to the Asteraceae which produce a wide varieties of plant secondary metabolites such as terpenoids and phenylpropanoids. In the present work, gene expression patterns of genes involved in the biosynthetic pathways of terpens and phenylpropanoids were studied to understand the regulatory mechanism behind them. 1-deoxy-D-xylose-5-phosphate reductoisomerase (DXR) and geranyldiphosphate synthase (GPPS) are important genes in the biosynthesis of monoterpenes in the 2-C-methylerythritol-4-phosphate (MEP) pathway. Phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) and chalcone synthase (CHS) genes are important in the biosynthesis of phenylpropanoids. In the present study, semi quantitative RT-PCR of these genes was carried out in different developmental stages, also in response to methyl jasmonate treatment in leaves and flowers. Results showed that expression of these genes were higher in flowers and methyl jasmonate treated plants, also the expression of these genes affected by developmental stages of leaves but with different intensity.