Skip to main content

Benzophenone Synthase and Chalcone Synthase Accumulate in the Mesophyll of Hypericum perforatum Leaves at Different Developmental Stages

Research Authors
Asma K. Belkheir, Mariam Gaid, Benye Liu, Robert Hänsch, ludger Beerhues
Research Department
Research Journal
Frontiers in plant science
Research Publisher
Frontiers
Research Rank
Impact factor 5.73
Research Vol
7
Research Website
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2016.00921/full
Research Year
2016
Research Member
Research_Pages
9 pages in article N° 921
Research Abstract

The active medicinal constituents in Hypericum perforatum, used to treat depression and skin irritation, include flavonoids and xanthones. The carbon skeletons of these compounds are formed by chalcone synthase (CHS) and benzophenone synthase (BPS), respectively. Polyclonal antisera were raised against the polyketide synthases from Hypericum androsaemum and their IgG fractions were isolated. Immunoblotting and immunotitration were used to test the IgGs for crossreactivity and monospecificity in H. perforatum leaf protein extract. Immunofluorescence localization revealed that both CHS and BPS are located in the mesophyll. The maximum fluorescence levels were observed in approx. 0.5 and 1 cm long leaves, respectively. The fluorescence intensity observed for CHS significantly exceeded that for BPS. Using histochemical staining, flavonoids were detected in the mesophyll, indicating that the sites of biosynthesis and accumulation coincide. Our results help understand the biosynthesis and underlying regulation of active H. perforatum constituents.