Expression analysis of the stilbene synthase multigenic family in berry skin from Vitis vinifera L. cv Malbec ellicited with methyl jasmonic acid

Abstract

Trans-resveratrol is a non-flavonoid phenolic compound produced by a limited number of plant species that has a wide range of nutraceutical effects. Grapevine is the one most important potential sources of trans-resveratrol and accumulates it in response to pathogens and herbivores, exposure to UVB, UVC and different elicitors as methyl jasmonic acid and salicylic acid. Stilbene Synthase is the key enzyme that synthesize trans-resveratrol, and it is coded in the V. vinifera genome by a multigenic family with over 40 members predicted. The objective of this study was to increase the trans-resveratrol concentration and the expression of different VvSTS genes by spraying bunches of cv. Malbec with 10mM methyl jasmonate (MJ) hydro-alcoholic solution 5 days before harvest. Trans-resveratrol and total RNA were extracted from grounded berries skins. Trans-resveratrol content was performed by HPLC and gene expression analysis of the STS genes family was carried out by RT qPCR and NGS RNA-seq. MJ induced the synthesis and accumulation of trans-resveratrol in Malbec berries skins and increased the relative expression of VvSTS genes. It is possible to increase the trans-resveratrol content by spraying MJ on bunches of Malbec variety. These results allow a better understanding of the effects of environment and viticultural practices on Malbec’s resveratrol metabolism and potentially open new strategies to produce wines with higher nutraceutical properties.