Molecular regulation of oil gland development and biosynthesis of essential oils in Citrus spp. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38330135/)

These scientists wanted to understand how plants in the Rutaceae family, like Citrus plants, develop special structures called secretory cavities that hold essential oils. They didn't know what caused these structures to form, so they decided to investigate it.

To do this, the scientists used a method called genetic mapping. They looked at the genes of the plants and tried to find the ones that were responsible for the development of the secretory cavities. They found a gene called LATE MERISTEM IDENTITY1 (LMI1) that was important for this process. LMI1 is also involved in making the edges of the plant's leaves look jagged.

The scientists then used a technique called genome editing to change the LMI1 gene in some plants. By doing this, they were able to show that without the LMI1 gene, the plants couldn't develop the secretory cavities.

They also discovered that a specific part of the LMI1 gene, called the GCC box element, interacts with another gene called DORNROSCHEN-like (DRNL). This interaction helps activate the LMI1 gene, which then triggers the activation of another gene called MYC5. MYC5 is important for the development of the secretory cavities and the production of essential oils.

Overall, the scientists found that certain genes, like LMI1 and MYC5, work together to make the secretory cavities in Citrus plants. This discovery helps us understand how plants can create these special structures and make essential oils. It also shows us that genes can have different functions in different parts of the plant, like making jagged leaf edges or creating secretory cavities.

Wang H., Ren J., Zhou S., Duan Y., Zhu C., Chen C., Liu Z., Zheng Q., Xiang S., Xie Z., Wang X., Chai L., Ye J., Xu Q., Guo W., Deng X., Zhang F. Molecular regulation of oil gland development and biosynthesis of essential oils in Citrus spp. Science. 2024 Feb 9;383(6683):659-666. doi: 10.1126/science.adl2953. Epub 2024 Feb 8.