Isolation of Transcripts Related to Floral Scent Biosynthesis from Cempaka Putih (Michelia alba) Flower Using Subtractive Hybridization Approach

Floral scent plays an important role in the reproductive processes of many plants and contributes a considerable economic value in guaranteeing yield and quality of many ornamental plants and cut flowers by enhancing their aesthetic properties. It is determined by a specific complex mixture of volatile low-molecular-mass molecules which fall into the terpenoid or phenylpropanoid/benzenoid classes of compounds. Although volatile compounds have been identified in several flower species, little is known about the enzymes and genes controlling the biochemical synthesis of floral scent production and the molecular mechanisms involved, which may differ from species to species. In this preliminary study, we have identified four genes associated directly with the monoterpene scent biosynthesis pathway in the local flower, Cempaka putih (l vlichelia alba) including geranyl diphosphate synthase, deoxyxylulose-5-phosphate synthase. cytochrome P450 and (+)-pulegone reductase, and two more, including benzoyl coenyme A: benzyl alcohol benzoyl transferase and salicyclic acid methyltransferase (SAMT) that might be involved with the phcnylpropanoldybcuzcnoid scent pathway using subtractive hybridization.I Ve have also identified four other genes that might be indirectly related to scent metabolism in this flower including lipoxygenase, peroxidase, heat shock protein and myb transcription factor.