The effect of elicitors on oleanolic acid accumulation and expression of triterpenoid synthesis genes in Gentiana straminea

Abstract

Gentiana straminea is native to the Qinghai-Tibet plateau, where it is exposed to extremes of cold and strong UV-B radiation. Here we showed that low temperature, but not UV-B radiation, affected the accumulation of the triterpenoid oleanolic acid. Neither of these stresses altered the expression of known triterpenoid synthesis genes. However, the application of methyl jasmonate (MeJA), but not salicylic acid (SA), significantly enhanced the accumulation of oleanolic acid, and up-regulated the triterpenoid synthesis genes, especially the expression of βAS, the gene encoding β-amyrin. © 2012 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.