Detection of Orcinol-O-methyl transferase enzyme encoding gene in East Asian rose Rosa multiflora

Abstract

3,5-dimethoxytoluene (DMT) is a key component of “tea scent” in Chinese rose (Rosa chinesis) and a hybrid of Chinese rose (Rosa X hybrida). DMT biosynthesis is catalysed by enzymes Orcinol O-methyltransferase (OOMT) 1 and 2 (Rosa chinesis and Rosa X hybrida) and OOMT like (Rosa chinesis Xing-xing-hei). The East Asian rose Rosa multiflora may also contain OOMT gene. The presence of OOMT gene in this rose could be a potential useful resource for Asian fragrance industry. This project aimed to detect the OOMT encoding gene in this rose variety. Rosa multiflora var. carnea and Rosa multiflora platyphylla were chosen as plant materials as they are abundant in South East Asian area. DNA extraction and primer design were achieved to amplify OOMT gene. The designed primers were expected to amplify all OOMT1, OOMT2, and OOMT like genes. With DNA templates and a pair of primers, PCR was conducted and showed the presence of OOMT gene in Rosa multiflora var. carnea (product size around 1200bp) but not in Rosa multiflora platyphylla. The 1200bp product size was close to the expected size of OOMT like gene’s PCR product (1211bp). A restriction enzyme digestion analysis was done and the results supported that the OOMT gene in Rosa multiflora var. carnea was OOMT like gene.