Ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) and turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) produce important pharmacologically active metabolites at high levels, which include terpenoids and polyketides such as curcumin and gingerols. This dissertation describes the terpenoids produced by ginger and turmeric, candidate ESTs for terpene synthases, and the cloning and expression of several terpene synthases. A comparison of metabolite profiles, microarray results and EST data enable us to predict which terpene synthases are related with the production of specific terpenoids. Analysis of EST data further suggests several genes important for the growth and development of rhizomes. Ginger and turmeric accumulate important pharmacologically active metabolites at high levels in their rhizomes. Comparisons of ginger and turmeric EST data to publicly available sorghum rhizome ESTs revealed a total of 777 contigs common to ginger, turmeric and sorghum rhizomes but absent from other tissues. The list of rhizome-specific contigs was enriched for genes associated with regulation of tissue growth, development, and regulation of transcription. The analysis suggests ethylene response factors, AUX/IAA proteins, and rhizome-enriched MADS box transcription factors may play important roles in defining rhizome growth and development. From ginger and turmeric, 25 mono- and 16 sesquiterpene synthase sequences were cloned and the function of 13 mono- and 11 sesquiterpene synthases were revealed. There are many paralogs in the ginger and turmeric terpene synthase family, some of which have the same or similar function. However some paralogs have diverse functions and this suggests the evolution of terpene synthases in ginger and turmeric. Importantly, α-zingiberene/β-sesquiphellandrene synthase was identified, which makes the substrates for α-turmerone and β-turmerone production in turmeric. Also P450 candidates for α- zingiberene/β-sesquiphellandrene oxidase are proposed. Research involving analysis of metabolite profiles requires the manipulation of a large datasets, such as those produced by GC/MS. We developed an approach to identify compounds that involves deconvolution of peaks obtained using SICs as well as common peak selections between samples even though the peaks may be very small and represent unknown compounds. The limitation of this approach occurs when there are huge peaks in the samples, which distort the SIC of small embedded peaks and sometimes their own SICs.

d-Limonene (Lim) was used in various polymer formulations to achieve a more sustainable polymerization. Lim is a renewable and essentially non-toxic compound, derived from citrus fruit peels, that may replace some of the many toxic and fossil-based chemicals used in polymer synthesis. Bulk free-radical polymerizations of n-butyl acrylate (BA) with Lim were performed to investigate Lim co-polymerization kinetics and estimate the monomer reactivity ratios, important parameters in the prediction of copolymer composition. Kinetic modeling of the BA/Lim copolymerization was performed with PREDICI simulation software. The model supports the presence of a significant degradative chain transfer reaction due to Lim. This reaction mechanism is due to the presence of allylic hydrogen in Lim. Nonetheless, relatively high molecular weight polymers were produced. It was concluded that Lim behaves more like a chain transfer agent than a co-monomer. Terpolymerizations of BA, butyl methacrylate (BMA) with Lim were then performed. In order to predict the terpolymer composition, the monomer reactivity ratios for BA/BMA were estimated. By applying the three pairs of co-monomer reactivity ratios to the integrated Mayo-Lewis equation, terpolymer compositions were ably predicted up to high monomer conversion levels. Lim was then used as a chain transfer agent to prepare core-shell latex-based pressure sensitive adhesives (PSA) comprising BA and styrene via seeded semi-batch emulsion polymerization. By varying the concentration of Lim and divinylbenzene crosslinker, the core polymer microstructure was modified to yield different molecular weights and degrees of crosslinking. The core latex was then used as a seed to prepare core-shell latexes. By changing the Lim concentration during the shell-stage polymerization, the molecular weight of shell polymer was also modified. The latexes were characterized for their microstructure and were cast as films for PSA performance evaluation. The PSA performance was shown to be highly related to the polymer microstructure. Tack and peel strength showed a decrease with increasing Lim concentration. Shear strength went through a maximum with a core Lim concentration increase from 0 to 5 phm.

Plants employ diverse defense mechanisms to combat attack by harmful organisms. For instance, plants produce constitutive physical barriers or use chemical compounds such as specialized secondary metabolites to resist herbivore or pathogen invasion. Considering the cost-efficiency and energy balance between defense, growth and reproduction, defense reactions in plants have to be regulated temporally and spatially. As more cost-efficient strategies, plants may induce their defense response only in the presence of the attacker or restrict constitutive defenses to specific tissues or cells. In this study, we investigated aspects of the spatial regulation and induced changes of primary and secondary metabolism in roots of Arabidopsis thaliana. Roots represent important organs for anchoring plants in the soil and taking up water and nutrients. Hence, it is assumed that roots are as well protected as aerial tissues by different defense mechanisms. The first part of this work is focused on the cell-type-specific biosynthesis of volatile terpenes in Arabidopsis roots. Terpenes are the most abundant specialized metabolites in plants and play an important role in plant defense against pathogens or herbivores. Terpene biosynthetic enzyme activities are often coordinated in specific tissues and cellular compartments. Fine-scale transcriptome maps of Arabidopsis roots have shown that terpene biosynthesis is restricted to particular cell types. However, the reasons and significance of this cell-type specificity are not well understood. We hypothesized that the formation of terpene metabolites is not restricted to specific cells but can be supported by different cell types. We, therefore, probed the plasticity of the cell-specific formation of terpenes by swapping the expression of the terpene synthase (TPS) genes, TPS08, TPS13 and TPS25, between different root cell types in the respective mutant background. To investigate the ectopic expression of TPSs at different levels, quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), confocal microscopy, and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) were performed. We found that terpene synthase TPS08, which produces the diterpene rhizathalene and is normally expressed in the root vascular tissue, is functionally active when expressed in the epidermis or cortex, although at substantially lower levels compared to the wild type. We did not find an obvious correlation between the volatile emission level and gene transcript level of TPS08, which may be attributed to a reduced activity of the expressed TPS08-yellow fluorescent protein (YFP) fusion protein. When expression of TPS13 (producing the sesquiterpene (Z)-"-bisabolene) was directed from the cortex to the epidermis or stele, TPS13 gene expression and (Z)-"-bisabolene formation was supported by these cell types although to varying levels in comparison to wild type. TPS13-YFP fluorescent signal driven by the epidermal WER and GL3 promoters was primarily detected at the root tip. Terpene production was also observed for the (E)-"-farnesene sesquiterpene synthase TPS25 when its expression was switched from the endodermis and non-hair producing epidermal cells to hair producing epidermal cells although only a weak fluorescent signal was detected from the expressed TPS25-mGFP protein. Together, the results provide preliminary evidence for a relaxed cell specificity of terpene biosynthesis in Arabidopsis roots and suggest that tissue-specific terpene metabolite patterns could change depending on different selective pressures in rhizosphere. In the second part of this study, we performed global gene transcript profiling and primary metabolite analysis of Arabidopsis roots upon feeding by the generalist root herbivore, Bradysia (fungus gnat). In a microarray analysis, we identified 451 of 22,810 genes that were up-regulated more than 2-fold. Gene ontology (GO) analysis showed that 26% of those genes with predicted or known functions play a role in primary or secondary metabolism, while 24% are involved in cell signaling or in responses to stimulating factors, such as jasmonic acid (JA), ethylene, wounding, and oxidative stress. At the metabolite level, we observed only marginal changes of amino acid, sugar and carboxylic acid relative levels over a time course of 4 days of Bradysia feeding. There was a trend for increased levels of amino acids and the relative levels of sucrose were increased significantly ("=0.05) at the fourth day of feeding. In conclusion, the study provided evidence for the induction of genes related to primary and secondary metabolism and stress responses in Arabidopsis roots, but showed only marginal changes at the primary metabolite level. In addition, the work indicated that the formation of terpene-specialized metabolites in Arabidopsis roots is not restricted to specific cells, but can be supported by different cell types. / Master of Science

Le manuscrit de thèse traite de la synthèse totale de molécules naturelles de structures particulièrement intrigantes. Deux familles de molécules naturelles issues du monde marin ont été ciblées dans ce travail : les halichonadines et les araiosamines.- La famille des halichonadines nous plongent dans le domaine des terpènes d’origine marine. Isolées d’éponges du genre Halichondria, deux structures ont particulièrement retenues notre attention : les halichonadines K et L. En effet, non seulement, ces deux molécules complexes contiennent une partie terpénique de type eudesmane (halichonadine C, un isonitrile naturel) mais aussi un cœur central de nature peptidique constitué, notamment, d’une pipéridine disubstituées par des fonctions acide carboxylique. Une partie est dédiée à comprendre comment dans la nature, des molécules de type isonitrile sont produites et peuvent réagir dans des voies de biosynthèse. Par ailleurs, le travail expérimental s’est organisé de la façon suivante :1- Concevoir une synthèse efficace de l’halichonadine C. Une stratégie au départ de la santonine est développée. La présence d’un groupement isopropyle sur la structure finale s’est avérée poser un nombre important de problèmes. Cependant, un composé très avancé a été obtenu figurant tout le squelette et l’atome d’azote nécessaire à la finalisation de la synthèse de l’halichonadine C.2- Concevoir une synthèse du cœur central permettant de contrôler la stéréochimie relative des deux fonctions carboxyliques en alpha de l’atome d’azote. Plusieurs stratégies ont été étudiées faisant appel notamment à une double addition de Michael ou à des réactions inspirées de la synthèse de la tropinone. Le cœur central est ainsi accessible en un nombre très limité d’étapes.Les résultats sont très encourageants et la quasi-totalité des pièces du puzzle sont là pour entrevoir rapidement la synthèse totale des halichonadines K et L.- La partie consacrée aux araisoamines (A-D, extraites d’éponges du genre Clathria) est exploratoire et permet de proposer des pistes synthétiques prometteuses pour l’accès bio-inspiré à ces molécules naturelles constituants un défi pour le chimiste. Un des défis relevés dans le travail est de concevoir des analogues synthétiques d’intermédiaires biosynthétiques très réactifs tels que des indoles aldéhydiques très instables. Une méthode pour générer in situ de telles entités a été étudiée. Les premières expériences ont été appliquées à la synthèse des « pyridiniums de Discodermia » et apparaissent prometteurs.Les travaux menés s’inscrivent dans « l’art de la synthèse totale » mais sont aussi toujours en lien avec le souci de mieux comprendre « chimiquement » comment des architectures moléculaires complexes s’assemblent au cours des voies de biosynthèse des substances naturelles. / The work described in this PhD dissertation is dedicated to the total synthesis of intriguing natural product structures. Two distinct families of natural substances of marine origin have been targeted in this work: the halichonadins and the araiosamines.- With the halichonadins, we plunge into the marine terpene chemistry. Isolated from sponges of the genus Halichondria, two structures have particularly drawn our attention: halichonadins K and L. Indeed, besides two subunits of terpene origin (namely halichonadin C, a natural isonitrile) with an eudesmane skeleton, a central core of peptidic origin is also original (especially a carboxylic acid disubstituted piperidine ring). A part of the work is dedicated to understanding how, in nature, isonitrile natural products may be formed and may react. The experimental part is organized according to the two following topics:1- Devise an efficient and straightforward total synthesis of halichonadin C. A strategy starting from santonin has been studied and developed. The presence of an isopropyl pending group has attracted many synthetic problems. Anyhow, an advanced intermediate comprising the whole skeleton and the crucial nitrogen atom of the target has been reached and provides good hopes for the access to halichonadin C.2- Conceiving a strategy of the stereocontroled access to the central piperidine ring of halichonadins K and L. Several strategies have been evaluated including the recourse to double Michael additions and reactions inspired by Robinson’s tropinone synthesis. The peptidic central core is now accessible in a limited number of steps.Most of the pieces of the puzzle are in our hands at the end of this PhD to secure a rapid access to the complex targets that constitutes halichonadins K and L.- The chapter dedicated to araiosamines (A-D, isolated from sponges of the genus Clathria) is exploratory and allows to propose promising strategies for a bio-inspired synthesis that constitutes true challenges for the organic chemists. One of the challenges to take up is to prepare highly reactive indole aldehyde units that could be foreseen as chemical equivalents of postulated biosynthetic intermediates. A method to generate in situ such units is studied. The first applications have been directed to the synthesis of “Discodermia pyridiniums” and appear to be promising towards the total synthesis of these molecules.The work conducted during this PhD take place in the framework of the “art of total synthesis”. But, in our strategies, the chemical understanding of biosynthetic pathways is never far away.

Stinkbugs (Pentatomidae) and other agricultural pests such as bark beetles and flea beetles are known to synthesize terpenoids as aggregation pheromones. Knowledge of the genes and enzymes involved in pheromone biosynthesis may allow engineering of pheromone biosynthetic pathways in plants to develop new forms of trap crops and agricultural practices for pest management. The harlequin bug, Murgantia histrionica, a specialist pest on crucifer crops, produces the sesquiterpene, murgantiol, as a male-specific aggregation pheromone. Similarly, the southern green stink bug, Nezara viridula, a generalist pest worldwide on soybean and other crops, releases sesquiterpene cis-/trans-(Z)-α-bisabolene epoxides as male-specific aggregation pheromone. In both species, enzymes called terpene synthases (TPSs) synthesize precursors of the aggregation pheromones, which are sesquipiperitol and (Z)-α-bisabolene as the precursor of murgantiol and cis-/trans-(Z)-α-bisabolene epoxide, respectively. We hypothesized that enzymes in the family of cytochrome P450 monooxygenases are involved in the conversion of these precursors to the final epoxide products. This study investigated the tissue specificity and sequence of these conversions by performing crude enzyme assays with protein extracts from male tissues. Furthermore, candidate P450 genes were selected by RNA-sequencing and co-expression analysis and the corresponding recombinant proteins tested for enzyme activity. To engineer the pheromone biosynthetic enzymes in plants, transient expression of the TPSs of both stink bugs was performed in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves. Both sesquipiperitol and (Z)-α-bisabolene were found to be produced and emitted from inoculated N. benthamiana leaves. Future work will implement stable transformation to engineer murgantiol biosynthesis in crucifer trap crops and develop similar approaches for pheromone engineering of other agricultural pests. / Master of Science / Stinkbugs including the harlequin bug, Murgantia histrionica and southern green stinkbug, Nezara viridula, are major agricultural pests in the US and worldwide. To control these pests with alternative pest management strategies, we have proposed to develop trap crops that emit pheromones to lure the insects away from crop fields. To establish pheromone biosynthesis in plants, we investigated the corresponding enzymatic steps in both stink bugs. We show that terpene synthase enzyme from both stink bugs can be transformed into plants for the engineering of pheromones in trap crops. With identification of P450 genes in pheromone biosynthesis enhanced trap crops can be made.

Roots and leaves are integrated structural elements that together sustain plant growth and development. Insect herbivores pose a constant threat to both above- and belowground plant tissues. To ward off herbivorous insects, plants have developed different strategies such as direct and indirect chemical defense mechanisms. Research has primarily focused on visible aboveground interactions between plants and herbivores. Root-feeding insects, although often overlooked, play a major role in inducing physical and physiological changes in plants. However, little is known about how plants deploy chemical defense against root herbivores. We have developed an Arabidopsis aeroponic culture system based on clay granulate, which provides access to root tissue and accommodates subterranean insect herbivores. Using this system, feeding performance and plant tissue damage by the root herbivore Bradysia (fungus gnat) were evaluated. Larval feeding was found to reduce Arabidopsis root biomass and water uptake. Furthermore, we have characterized a root-specific terpene synthase AtTPS08, which is responsible for the constitutive formation of the novel volatile diterpene compound, rhizathalene, in Arabidopsis roots. Rhizathalene synthase is a class I diterpene synthase that has high affinity for the substrate geranylgeranyl diphosphate (GGPP) and is targeted to the root leucoplast. Expression of the β-glucuronidase (GUS) reporter gene fused to the upstream genomic region of AtTPS08 demonstrated constitutive promoter activity in the root vascular tissue and root tips. Using the established bioassay with Arabidopsis and Bradysia larvae, in aeroponic culture we could show that roots deficient in rhizathalene synthesis were more susceptible to herbivory. Our work provides in vivo-evidence that diterpene compounds are involved in belowground direct defense against root-feeding insects. Future work is still required to improve our understanding of plant root defense. This study has provided a basis for future investigations on the biochemistry, molecular regulation and defensive function of Arabidopsis root chemicals in interaction with both above- and belowground herbivores (and pathogens). / Ph. D.

The stink bugs, (Pentatomidae) harlequin bug (Murgantia histrionica), brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys), and southern green stink bug (Nezara viridula) are significant agricultural pests both in the United States and globally. The aggregation or sex pheromones produced by these insects are known to be bisabolene-type sesquiterpenoids; however, the biosynthetic pathways in the formation of these pheromones are unknown. Here we provide evidence that Pentatomidae produce sesquiterpene aggregation pheromones de novo and discuss the evolution of terpene biosynthesis in stink bugs. According to transcriptome analyses, the investigated stink bug species express at least two isoprenyl diphosphate synthases (IDSs), one of which makes (E,E)-farnesyl diphosphate (FPP) as the general precursor in sesquiterpene synthesis, whereas other IDS-type proteins function as terpene synthases (TPSs) generating intermediates in sesquiterpene pheromone formation. The TPS genes are expressed in a sex- and tissue-specific manner. Based on phylogenetic analysis, these IDS-type TPSs arose from trans-IDS progenitors in divergence from bona fide IDS proteins. Compared to microbes and plants, the evolution of TPS function from IDS progenitors in insects appears to have occurred more recently. The discovery of TPS genes in stink bugs provides valuable insight into pentatomid and insect terpene biosynthesis. Moreover, the identified genes may be used in developing alternative management strategies for stink bug pests. / PHD

Alstroemeria is an important cut flower and its breeding has been developed focused on aesthetic characteristics and vase life longevity, but little is known about its scent. Five different genotypes were assessed including the non scented cultivars ‘Rebecca’ and ‘Samora’ and the scented cultivars, ‘Sweet Laura’, ‘Ajax’ and the species A. caryophyllaea. The scented Alstroemerias emitted the terpenoids: isocaryophyllene and ocimene as the major floral volatile compounds. Characterization of an Alstroemeria TPS (ALSTER) was based on four ESTs previously found in A. cv ‘Rebecca’. Rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) was performed and the full length ORF was used for characterizations of the genomic organization and amino acid sequences (phylogenetic analysis). ALSTER genomic region contains five introns and six exons. This unique genomic organization classified ALSTER as a member of the class III with a merged 5-6 exon. The deduced amino acid sequence was classified into the subfamily TPS-b. A functional analysis showed enzymatic activity of ALSTER with geranyl diphosphate (GPP) and the monoterpene myrcene was the only product obtained. Gene expression evaluated through real time and semi q RT-PCR on eight different stages of development (SO to S7) showed high expression of ALSTER at around S2 - S4 in the scented Alstroemerias, coinciding with high scent emission perceived and also with the maturation of reproductive organs. Evaluations through surveys focused on level of liking of floral scent, were performed finding positive correlations between floral scent liking and floral appearance liking and between floral scent liking and floral scent intensity. Finally, 17 new lines of A. caryophyllaea were evaluated in terms of their morphology, phenology and productivity. Although none of them were suitable for the market because of their low productivity, short stems and small flowers, they were all scented and identified as promising starting points for breeding purposes.

The chemical diversity and biological activities of terpene and terpenoids have served in the development of new flavors, fragrances, medicines and pesticides. While terpenes are made predominantly by plants and microbes in small amounts and as components of complex mixtures, chemical synthesis of terpenes remains technically challenging, costly and inefficient. In this dissertation, methods to create new yeast lines possessing a dispensable mevalonate biosynthetic pathway wherein carbon flux can be diverted to build any chemical class of terpene product are described. The ability of this line to generate diterpenes was next investigated. Using a 5.5 L fed bath fermentation system, about 569 mg/L kaurene and approximately 207 mg/L abietadiene plus 136 mg/L additional isomers were achieved. To engineer more highly modified diterpenes might have greater industrial, agricultural or medicinal applications, kaurenoic acid production reached 514 mg/L with byproduct kaurene and kaurenal at 71.7mg/L and 20.1mg/L, respectively, in fed batch fermentation conditions. Furthermore, ZXM lines for engineer monoterpene and ZXB lines for engineer triterpene were generated by additional specific genomic modification, 84.76 ±13.2 mg/L linalool, 20.54±3.8 mg/L nerolidol and 297.7mg/L squalene were accumulate in ZXM144 line ana ZXB line, respectively, in shake flask conditions.

Stress-induced changes in the emissions of volatiles from many economically-important plants have been demonstrated in studies over the past decade. Plants such as cotton and corn change both the composition and concentration of their emissions when subjected to wounding, herbivory and pathogen attack. Terpene-accumulating plants have been overlooked as potential objects of such studies although work on conifers has shown that species rich in constitutive defences can also exhibit induced responses. The aim of this study was to investigate whether terpene-accumulating plants respond to stress by altering their foliar emissions qualitatively and/or quantitatively. Species examined included Salvia officinalis (common sage), Melaleuca alternifolia (Australian tea tree) and Ocimum minimum (Bush basil). An experimental design was developed to eliminate factors such as leaf ontogeny that can affect the obtained results and complicate their interpretation. Small-scale solvent extraction and HS-SPME-based techniques were also developed; they enabled the quantitative determination of treatment-induced changes over periods ranging from 10 minutes to 6 months. Treatment of plants included mechanical wounding, herbivory, pathogen attack and chemical elicitation. Overall, statistically significant induced-changes were observed for both leaf-oil composition and concentration. The response of the different species used varied. O. minimum exhibited the greatest compositional changes whilst M. alternifolia was the only species for which oil-concentration changes were observed. The demonstrated changes were not as great as those reported in similar studies with non-terpene producing plants. The results indicate that the high metabolic costs associated with the production and storage of constitutive defences may be responsible for the limited induction of further defensive responses / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)