Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry
Abstract
The biological activity and function of microbial terpene synthase-like genes from Selaginella tamariscina (StMTPSL) were investigated using molecular and biochemical approaches. After isolating and amplifying StMTPSL genes (StMTPSL1-StMTPSL6), both native and site-directed mutant forms were expressed in tobacco via Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. The resulting transgenic plants had increased expression of StMTPSL genes, enhanced monoterpene production (as confirmed by GC-MS), and significantly improved resistance to Pseudomonas syringae infection compared to nontransgenic controls. These results show that StMTPSL genes are functionally active in plants and contribute to pathogen resistance through elevated terpene biosynthesis. This study provides new insights into the role of MTPSL genes in plant defense and highlights their potential application in crop improvement and sustainable agriculture.
DOI
10.55730/1300-011X.3344
Keywords
Selaginella tamariscina, terpene synthase-like gene, transgenic plants, monoterpene biosynthesis, pathogen resistance, crop improvement
First Page
189
Last Page
203
Publisher
The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye (TÜBİTAK)
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
HE, Z, & BI, B (2026). Functional characterization of StMTPSL terpene synthase-like genes and their role in pathogen resistance in Selaginella tamariscina. Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry 50 (2): 189-203. https://doi.org/10.55730/1300-011X.3344
