WO1997015584A2 - Use of linalool synthase in genetic engineering of scent production - Google Patents

Abstract

A purified S-linalool synthase polypeptide from Clarkia breweri is disclosed as is the recombinant polypeptide and nucleic acid sequences encoding the polypeptide. Also disclosed are antibodies immunoreactive with the purified peptide and with recombinant versions of the polypeptide. Methods of using the nucleic acid sequences, as well as methods of enhancing the smell and the flavor of plants expressing the nucleic acid sequences are also disclosed.

Description

DESCRIPTION

USE OF LINALOOL SYNTHASE IN GENETIC ENGINEERING OF SCENT PRODUCTION

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to the fields of the floral emission of monoterpenes and the production of monoterpenes by plants. The present invention also relates to the field of the production of enhanced scent and taste in plants.

2. Description of the Related Art

Flowers of many plants attract pollinators by producing and emitting volatile compounds. The scent emitted by such flowers is often a complex mixture of low molecular weight compounds, and the relative abundances and interactions of the constituents give the flower its particular characteristic fragrance. Floral scents have been demonstrated to function as long and short-distance attractants and nectar guides to a variety of animal pollinators (reviewed in Dobson, 1993). Moreover, insects are able to distinguish between complex floral scent mixtures (Dodson et al., 1969; Pellmyr, 1986).

Discriminatory visitation based on floral scent has important implications for population structure and reproductive isolation in both temperate (Galen and

Kevan, 1983; Galen, 1985; Pellmyr, 1986) and tropical plant species (Dodson et al., 1969). Thus, floral scent is of paramount importance to plant reproduction and evolution. Several thousand compounds have been identified from various floral scents, mostly by steam distillation or headspace trapping in combination with gas

chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) (Knudsen et al., 1993). Most of these compounds are either terpenoids, benzenoid compounds, or acyl lipid derivatives (Croteau and Karp, 1991). Although perfumers still survey natural sources for novel fragrance compounds (Joulain, 1987; Kaiser, 1991), this information is most often used in directing organic syntheses to imitate natural fragrances or create new combinations. There is a need, therefore, for purified synthetic enzymes that can be produced in commercial quantities for use in the manufacture of fragrance.

Clarkia breweri (Onagraceae), an annual plant native to California, has a strong, sweet fragrance, consisting of some 8-12 different volatiles that fall into two groups: monoterpenoids and benzenoids (Raguso and

Pichersky, 1995). A major component of the scent is linalool, an acyclic monoterpene common to the floral scents of numerous other plant species (Kaiser, 1991; Knudsen et al., 1993). Two cyclic isomers of linalool oxide are also produced by C. breweri (FIG. 1), almost certainly by further oxidative modification of linalool.

Monoterpenes are a large and diverse group of natural products. Due to their volatility, and thus their ability to be perceived at a distance, they are often involved in plant-insect interactions (Harborne, 1991; Langenheim, 1994). In addition to pollinator attraction (Dobson et al., 1993; Knudsen et al., 1993b), monoterpenes also play an important role in plant defense (Langenheim, 1994; Lewinsohn et al., 1992a) or may act as semio-chemicals (Turlings et al., 1990; Gijzen, 1993). Monoterpenes are also of commercial value as essential oils for perfumery and flavoring use and as industrial raw materials (Dawson, 1994). Monoterpenes are derived from the ubiquitous isoprenoid intermediate GPP by a class of enzymes called monoterpene synthases (also termed cyclases when they catalyze the formation of cyclic products). Although many monoterpene synthases from plants have been described, only a few of these enzymes have been purified to homogeneity and

characterized in detail (Alonso et al., 1992; Lewinsohn et al., 1992b). In addition, few if any of the genes encoding these enzymes have been identified. There is an immediate need, therefore, for the identification and isolation of genes encoding the monoterpene synthases for use in the manufacturing of important chemicals for the fragrance and agronomic industries, and for the

engineering of commercially important plants with

enhanced characteristics.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention seeks to overcome these and other drawbacks inherent in the prior art by providing a purified linalool synthase polypeptide and by further providing an isolated nucleic acid segment encoding the linalool synthase polypeptide.

As such, an important embodiment of the invention may be described as an isolated nucleic acid segment comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding a linalool synthase protein or polypeptide. In particular, the nucleic acid sequence may encode an S-linalool synthase polypeptide and may more particularly encode a Clarkia breweri S-linalool synthase polypeptide. In even more particular embodiments, the isolated nucleic acid segment of the present invention may encode the amino acid sequence disclosed herein as SEQ ID NO: 2. In certain embodiments, the invention may also be described as a nucleic acid segment comprising a nucleic acid sequence consisting essentially of the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1. It is evident, due to the degeneracy of the genetic code and the functional equivalency of certain amino acids within a polypeptide sequence, that nucleic acid sequences may vary

considerably, and still encode essentially the same polypeptide. Therefore, a nucleic acid sequence may be altered for various reasons that include, but are not limited to the use of codons that occur more frequently in the gene sequences of a particular host organism, or to insert or delete a restriction enzyme recognition site for ease in moving the particular sequence into or out of a vector, without altering the function of the

polypeptide. So, while it is understood that an

embodiment of the present invention is a nucleic acid segment that has the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1, certain variations as described are also

encompassed by the present invention.

It will also be understood that amino acid and nucleic acid sequences may include additional residues, such as additional N- or C-terminal amino acids, and yet still be essentially as set forth in one of the sequences disclosed herein, so long as the sequence meets the criteria set forth above. This particularly applies to nucleic acid sequences which may, for example, include various non-coding sequences flanking either of the 5' or 3 ' portions of the coding region or may include various internal sequences, i.e., introns, which are known to occur within genes.

As used herein, the term "nucleic acid segment" is intended to refer to a nucleic acid molecule which has been isolated free of total cellular DNA or RNA, as the case may be, of a particular species. Therefore, a nucleic acid segment encoding a linalool synthase is intended to refer to a nucleic acid segment which

contains such coding sequences yet is isolated away from total RNA or DNA of a Clarkia breweri cell. Included within the term "nucleic acid segment", are DNA segments, whether isolated from genomic or cDNA sources or even prepared synthetically, and RNA segments which may be isolated mRNA or RNA obtained by in vi tro or in vivo transcription of a DNA segment, or a chemically

synthesized RNA molecule. The term also includes DNA or RNA segments which may be employed in the preparation of vectors, as well as the vectors themselves, including, for example, plasmids, cosmids, phage, viruses, and the like. For example, various types of DNA composition may be used for delivery to recipient cells in accordance with the present invention. For example, DNA segments in the form of vectors and plasmids, or linear DNA

fragments, in some instances containing only the DNA element to be expressed in the plant, and the like, may be employed. Vectors, plasmids, cosmids, YACs (yeast artificial chromosomes) and DNA segments for use in transforming such cells will, of course, generally comprise the Lis gene. These DNA constructs can further include structures such as promoters, enhancers,

polylinkers, or even regulatory genes as desired.

In certain embodiments, the nucleic acid segments of the present invention may be positioned under the control of a promoter, and may even be positioned under the control of a recombinant promoter. For example, the promoter may be in the form of the promoter which is naturally associated with a linalool synthase gene in Clarkia breweri cells, as may be obtained by isolating the 5' non-coding sequences located upstream of the coding segment or exon. In other embodiments, it is contemplated that certain advantages will be gained by positioning the coding nucleic acid segment under the control of a recombinant, or heterologous, promoter. As used herein, a recombinant or heterologous promoter is intended to refer to a promoter that is not normally associated with a linalool synthase gene in its natural environment. Preferred constructs will generally include a plant promoter such as the CaMV 35S promoter (Odell et al., 1985), or others such as CaMV 19S (Lawton et al., 1987), nos (Ebert et al., 1987), Adh (Walker et al., 1987), sucrose synthase (Yang & Russell, 1990),

α-tubulin, actin (Wang et al., 1992), cab (Sullivan et al., 1989), PEPCase (Hudspeth & Grula, 1989) or those associated with the R gene complex (Chandler et al., 1989) . Other plant promoters are well known in the art as evidenced by the literature (Forde, 1994; Hemleben and Zentgraf, 1994; Wilmink et al., 1995, each incorporated herein by reference) and would function in the practice of the present invention Tissue specific promoters such as root cell promoters (Conkling et al., 1990) and tissue specific enhancers (Fromm et al., 1989) are also

contemplated to be particularly useful, as are inducible promoters such as ABA- and turgor-inducible promoters. Naturally, it will be important to employ a promoter that effectively directs the expression of the nucleic acid segment in the cell type chosen for expression. The use of promoter and cell type combinations for protein expression is generally known to those of skill in the art of molecular biology, (for example, see Sambrook et al . (1989); Methods in Plant Molecular Biology and

Biotechnology, Eds: B.R. Glick, J.E. Thompson. CRC Press, 1993; Gelvin et al., 1990). The promoters employed may be constitutive, or inducible, and can be used under the appropriate conditions to direct high level expression of the introduced nucleic acid segment, such as is

advantageous in the large-scale production of recombinant proteins or peptides. Appropriate promoter systems contemplated for use in high-level expression include, but are not limited to, the T7 RNA polymerase promoter system described by Tabor & Richardson (1985) and the maltose binding protein-fusion protein system (Nagai & Thogersen, 1987). Constructs will also include the Lis gene along with a 3 ' end DNA sequence that acts as a signal to terminate transcription and allow for the poly-adenylation of the resultant mRNA. The most preferred 3' elements are contemplated to be those from the nopaline synthase gene of Agrobacterium tumefasciens (Bevan et al., 1983), the terminator for the T7 transcript from the octopine synthase gene of Agrobacterium tumefasciens, and the 3' end of the protease inhibitor I or II genes from potato or tomato. Regulatory elements such as Adh intron 1 (Callis et al., 1987), sucrose synthase intron (Vasil et al., 1989) or TMV omega element (Gallie, et al., 1989), may further be included where desired.

As the DNA sequence between the transcription initiation site and the start of the coding sequence, i.e., the untranslated leader sequence, can influence gene expression, one may also wish to employ a particular leader sequence. Preferred leader sequences are

contemplated to include those which include sequences predicted to direct optimum expression of the attached gene, i.e., to include a preferred consensus leader sequence which may increase or maintain mRNA stability and prevent inappropriate initiation of translation. The choice of such sequences will be known to those of skill in the art in light of the present disclosure. Sequences that are derived from genes that are highly expressed in plants, and in floral or fruit tissue in particular, will be most preferred. It is contemplated that vectors for use in

accordance with the present invention may be constructed to include the oca enhancer element. This element was first identified as a 16 bp palindromic enhancer from the octopine synthase ( ocs) gene of agrobacterium (Ellis et al., 1987), and is present in at least 10 other promoters (Bouchez et al., 1989). It is proposed that the use of an enhancer element, such as the oca element and

particularly multiple copies of the element, will act to increase the level of transcription from adjacent

promoters when applied in the context of transformation. Alternatively, one may wish to obtain novel tissue-specific promoter sequences for use in accordance with the present invention. To achieve this, one may first isolate cDNA clones from the tissue concerned and

identify those clones which are expressed specifically in that tissue, for example, using Northern blotting.

Ideally, one would like to identify a gene that is not present in a high copy number, but which gene product is relatively abundant in specific tissues. The promoter and control elements of corresponding genomic clones may then be localized using the techniques of molecular biology known to those of skill in the art.

The production of a transformed cell includes the introduction of an exogenous DNA segment, such as a cDNA or gene, into a recipient cell to create the transformed cell. The frequency of occurrence of cells receiving DNA is believed to be low. Moreover, it is most likely that not all recipient cells receiving DNA segments will result in a transformed cell wherein the DNA is stably integrated into the plant genome and/or expressed. Some may show only initial and transient gene expression.

However, certain cells from virtually any plant species may be stably transformed, and these cells developed into transgenic plants, through the application of the

techniques known in the art. There are many methods for introducing transforming DNA segments into cells, but not all are suitable for delivering DNA to plant cells. Suitable methods are believed to include virtually any method by which DNA can be introduced into a plant cell, such as by Agrobacterium infection, direct delivery of DNA such as, for example, by PEG-mediated transformation of protoplasts (Omirulleh et al., 1993), by desiccation/inhibition-mediated DNA uptake, by electroporation, by agitation with silicon carbide fibers, by acceleration of DNA coated particles, etc. In certain embodiments, acceleration methods are preferred and include, for example, microprojectile bombardment and the like. Where one wishes to introduce DNA by means of electroporation, certain cell wall-degrading enzymes, such as pectin-degrading enzymes, may be employed to render the target recipient cells more susceptible to transformation by electroporation than untreated cells. Alternatively, recipient cells are made more susceptible to transformation, by mechanical wounding.

To effect transformation by electroporation one may employ either friable tissues such as a suspension culture of cells, or embryogenic callus, or

alternatively, one may transform immature embryos or other organized tissues directly. One would partially degrade the cell walls of the chosen cells by exposing them to pectin-degrading enzymes (pectolyases) or

mechanically wounding the cell in a controlled manner. Such cells would then be recipient to DNA transfer by electroporation, which may be carried out at this stage, and transformed cells then identified by a suitable selection or screening protocol dependent on the nature of the newly incorporated DNA. A further advantageous method for delivering

transforming DNA segments to plant cells is

microprojectile bombardment. In this method, particles may be coated with nucleic acids and delivered into cells by a propelling force. Exemplary particles include those comprised of tungsten, gold, platinum, and the like.

An advantage of microprojectile bombardment, in addition to it being an effective means of reproducibly stably transforming plant cells, is that neither the isolation of protoplasts (Cristou et al., 1988) nor the susceptibility to Agrobacterium infection is required. An illustrative embodiment of a method for delivering DNA into cells by acceleration is a Biolistics Particle

Delivery System, which can be used to propel particles coated with DNA or cells through a screen, such as a stainless steel or Nytex screen, onto a filter surface covered with cells cultured in suspension. The screen disperses the particles so that they are not delivered to the recipient cells in large aggregates. It is believed that a screen intervening between the projectile

apparatus and the cells to be bombarded reduces the size of projectiles aggregate and may contribute to a higher frequency of transformation by reducing damage inflicted on the recipient cells by projectiles that are too large.

For the bombardment, cells in suspension are

preferably concentrated on filters or solid culture medium. Alternatively, immature embryos or other target cells may be arranged on solid culture medium. The cells to be bombarded are positioned at an appropriate distance below the macroprojectile stopping plate. If desired, one or more screens are also positioned between the acceleration device and the cells to be bombarded.

Through the use of techniques set forth herein one may obtain up to 1000 or more foci of cells transiently expressing a marker gene. The number of cells in a focus which express the exogenous gene product 48 hours postbombardment often range from 1 to 10 and average 1 to 3.

In bombardment transformation, one may optimize the prebombardment culturing conditions and the bombardment parameters to yield the maximum numbers of stable

transformants. Both the physical and biological

parameters for bombardment are important in this

technology. Physical factors are those that involve manipulating the DNA/microprojectile precipitate or those that affect the flight and velocity of either the macro-or microprojectiles. Biological factors include all steps involved in manipulation of cells before and immediately after bombardment, the osmotic adjustment of target cells to help alleviate the trauma associated with bombardment, and also the nature of the transforming DNA, such as linearized DNA or intact supercoiled plasmids. It is believed that pre-bombardment manipulations are especially important for successful transformation of immature embryos.

Accordingly, it is contemplated that one may wish to adjust various of the bombardment parameters in small scale studies to fully optimize the conditions. One may particularly wish to adjust physical parameters such as gap distance, flight distance, tissue distance, and helium pressure. One may also minimize the trauma reduction factors (TRFs) by modifying conditions which influence the physiological state of the recipient cells and which may therefore influence transformation and integration efficiencies. For example, the osmotic state, tissue hydration and the subculture stage or cell cycle of the recipient cells may be adjusted for optimum transformation.

The nucleic acid segments of the present invention may also be defined as recombinant vectors when the nucleic acid sequences disclosed and described herein are combined with, or joined to nucleic acid sequences that allow the transformation of those sequences into a host cell, and in some cases, replication of those sequences in the host cell. In certain preferred embodiments, the nucleic acid segments may be defined as a recombinant expression vector capable of expressing a linalool synthase protein or polypeptide on introduction into a host cell, or alternatively as a plant transformed with such a recombinant expression vector. In particularly preferred embodiments, the vector comprises a nucleic acid sequence in accordance with SEQ ID NO:1, and the vector may further comprise the pBLUESCRIPT or pBIN19 nucleic acid sequence.

The present invention may, in certain embodiments be defined as a recombinant host cell comprising a nucleic acid segment that encodes a linalool synthase

polypeptide. The recombinant host cell may be a

prokaryotic cell, such as a bacterial cell, or E. coli cell, or the recombinant host cell may be a eukaryotic cell, with a preferred eukaryotic cell being a yeast cell or a plant cell. In addition, the plant cell may be a part of a plant or a substructure of a plant. It is understood that the nucleic acid segment contained in the host cell may be positioned under the control of a promoter and further that the nucleic acid segment may be positioned in a recombinant vector. The recombinant vector may also be a recombinant expression vector wherein the host cell expresses a linalool synthase polypeptide.

In certain embodiments, the invention may be

described as a nucleic acid segment hybridizable to a nucleic acid segment comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 under stringent conditions, or even as consisting essentially of the complement of SEQ ID NO:1. Stringent conditions are defined as relatively low salt and\or high temperature, such as provided by 0.02M-0.15M NaCl or the equivalent at temperatures of 50°C to 70°C. Such

selective conditions tolerate little, if any, mismatch between the probe and the template or target strand, and would be particularly suitable for isolating linalool synthase genes.

As used herein the term "complement" is used to define the strand of nucleic acid which will hybridize to the first nucleic acid sequence to form a double stranded molecule under stringent conditions. Stringent

conditions are those that allow hybridization between two nucleic acid sequences with a high degree of homology, but precludes hybridization of random sequences. For example, hybridization at low temperature and/or high ionic strength is termed low stringency and hybridization at high temperature and/or low ionic strength is termed high stringency. The temperature and ionic strength of a desired stringency are understood to be applicable to particular probe lengths, to the length and base content of the sequences and to the presence of formamide in the hybridization mixture. It is understood in the art that a nucleic acid sequence will hybridize with a complementary nucleic acid sequence under high stringency conditions even though some mismatches may be present. Such closely matched, but not perfectly complementary sequences are also encompassed by the present invention. For example, differences may occur through genetic code degeneracy, or by naturally occurring or man made mutations and such mismatched sequences would still be encompassed by the present claimed invention.

The nucleic acid sequences disclosed herein will also find utility as probes or primers in nucleic acid hybridization embodiments. As such, it is contemplated that oligonucleotides which comprise a sequence of at least 15, 20, 30, 50, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 800, 1000, 1500 or even 2000 contiguous nucleotides which corresponds to at least a 15, 20, 30, 50, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 800, 1000, 1500 or even 2000 nucleotide contiguous sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 or its complement will be useful as probes or primers. In addition, nucleic acid segments comprising a sequence of at least 2,583 contiguous nucleotides which corresponds to a sequence of at least 2,583 contiguous nucleotides of SEQ ID NO:1 or its complement, such as the 2,583 contiguous nucleotides of SEQ ID NO:1 that encode the mature protein, for example will be useful for various embodiments, as will a segment comprising a sequence of at least 2,610

contiguous nucleotides which corresponds to a sequence of at least 2,610 contiguous nucleotides of SEQ ID NO:1 or its complement, such as the 2,610 nucleotide sequence encoding the entire coding region of SEQ ID NO:1, or even a nucleic acid segment comprising a sequence of at least 2,681 contiguous nucleotides which corresponds to the 2,681 nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 or its

complement. It is also understood that the nucleic acid segments may be contained in various vectors and described above, and that as such, a nucleic acid segment of the present invention may be further defined as a nucleic acid fragment derived from SEQ ID NO:1 or its complement comprising up to 10,000, 5,000, 3,000, 1,000, 500, 100 or even 50 basepairs in length.

In certain embodiments, the invention may also be described as a method of using a nucleic acid segment encoding a linalool synthase protein or polypeptide, comprising the steps of preparing a recombinant vector in which said nucleic acid segment is positioned under the control of a promoter; introducing said recombinant vector into a host cell; culturing said host cell under conditions effective to allow expression of the encoded linalool synthase protein or polypeptide; and collecting said expressed linalool synthase protein or polypeptide.

The invention may also be described in certain embodiments as a method of enhancing the scent production of a plant, comprising the steps of obtaining a

recombinant vector capable of expressing a nucleic acid segment encoding a linalool synthase polypeptide on introduction into a plant cell; transforming said plant with said vector; and growing said plant under conditions appropriate for expression of said nucleic acid segment. In the practice of this method, the nucleic acid segment may be under the control of a tissue specific

promoter/enhancer, and the tissue specific

promoter/enhancer may preferably be specific for floral tissue. In particularly preferred embodiments, the plant is a flowering plant, petunia, rose, carnation, etc., for example.

The present invention may also be described, in certain embodiments as a method of enhancing the flavor of a plant, comprising the steps of obtaining a

recombinant vector capable of expressing the nucleic acid segment encoding a linalool synthase polypeptide on introduction into a plant cell; transforming said plant with said vector; and growing said plant under conditions appropriate for expression of said nucleic acid segment, and preferably wherein the nucleic acia segment is under the control of a tissue specific promoter/enhancer, and more preferably wherein the promoter/enhancer is specific for fruit or leaf tissue. Examples of preferred plants for the practice of this method include, but are not limited to tomato, grape and tea plants. An important embodiment of the present invention is a purified linalool synthase polypeptide having a molecular weight of from about 68 to 79 kDa and a specific activity of at least about 20 pkat/mg or even a specific activity of at least about 44.1 pkat/mg, or even more preferably a specific activity of at least about 395 pkat/mg. It is understood that a 1 pkat unit is defined as 1 picomole of product formed/second. In certain embodiments, a linalool synthase

polypeptide composition of the present invention may be obtained by separating proteins from a flower or a flower part of a Clarkia breweri plant. In such a method of obtaining a linalool synthase protein composition, one would first obtain a protein extract by mechanical or enzymatic cellular disruption and centrifugation. The further purification of such a desired protein is well known in the art and within the skill of the skilled practitioner. For example, if further purification is desired, one may pass the crude protein extract over a DEAE-cellulose column or an ion-exchange column and collect the fractions with the highest linalool synthase activity. Those fractions may be identified by measuring the absorbance at 280 nm, for example (to determine the presence of polypeptides), and assaying those fractions containing proteins for linalool synthase activity.

Those fractions containing the desired activity may again be further purified if so desired, by pooling those fractions and passing them over a hydroxyapatite column, for example, and again collecting fractions as before. The collected fractions may be even further purified if desired, by passing those fractions over a Mono-Q column and collecting the fractions with linalool synthase activity to obtain said polypeptide. The polypeptide obtained by this method may in certain preferred

embodiments consist essentially of the amino acid

sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2. A certain embodiment of the present invention is also a recombinant polypeptide comprising as a part of its amino acid sequence, a sequence according to the amino acid sequence set forth as SEQ ID NO: 2, or even a recombinant polypeptide that has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2.

A certain embodiment of the invention is also an antibody immunoreactive with the polypeptides as defined immediately above. In addition, the antibody may be a polyclonal antibody, or is more preferably a monoclonal antibody.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and

scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, the preferred methods and materials are now described.

The following abbreviations are used throughout the present disclosure: GPP, Geranyl Pyrophosphate; LIS, Linalool Synthase; LSC, Liquid Scintillation; DTT, dithiothreitol; GC, Gas chromatography; LPP, Linalyl pyrophosphate; LIS, S-Linalool synthase; Hepes, N-2-hydroxyethylpiperazine-N'-2-ethanesulfonic acid; Tris, tris(hydroxymethyl)-aminomethane. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1. The formation of S-linalool from GPP by the action of S-linalool synthase and subsequent conversion to S-linalool oxides. S-Linalool synthase and

monoterpene cyclases have a similar ionization first step, leading to the intermediate linalyl cation (1). S-linalool is formed by water addition in the reaction catalyzed by S-linalool synthase, whereas the bound LPP (either S- or R-LPP, depending on the particular cyclase) is isomerized and cyclized to cyclohexanoid monoterpenes by monoterpene cyclases.

FIG. 2. SDS-PAGE analysis of S-linalool synthase

throughout purification. M = molecular weight markers (numbers at left indicate kDa). 1. Sample after DEAE-cellulose chromatography (16 μg protein); 2. Sample after hydroxyapatite chromatography (8 μg protein); 3. After Mono Q anion exchange FPLC (1 μg protein); 4. Same as in lane 3 but 2 μg protein. The gel was Coomassie-stained as described in Andrews, 1986.

FIG. 3. Gel permeation chromatography of the C. breweri S-linalool synthase. The Mono Q purified enzyme was separated on a Superdex 75 (Pharmacia FPLC), and gave a molecular mass corresponding to 73 ± 5 kDa by comparison with protein standards : yeast alcohol dehydrogenase (M_r 150,000), bovine serum albumin (M_r 67,000), hen egg white ovalbumin (M_r 45,000), bovine carbonic anhydrase (M_r 29,000) and lysozyme (M_r 14,500).

FIG. 4. Capillary radio-GC analysis of the product of S-linalool synthase. The tracing in A is the radioactivity response to the pentane-soluble products generated by incubating C. breweri S-linalool synthase preparation with [³H]-GPP. The tracing in B is the thermal conductivity detector response to authentic geraniol and linalool standards.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Although the importance of scent to the reproductive success of many plants has been well documented, little research in the area of cell and molecular biology has been devoted to it. The inventors' study represents the first example of the isolation and molecular

characterization of enzymes and genes involved in scent production. Besides the intrinsic interest in

elucidating the mechanisms controlling scent production, such knowledge may accrue practical benefits as well. Some agronomically important plants require pollinators that are attracted by floral scents, and discoveries in this field may eventually lead to improving such crops. For example, some scented tropical trees introduced to the temperate zone are poorly pollinated, with the resulting poor yield, because their scent does not

"appeal" to the local insects. Understanding how the production of scent components is regulated may allow us in the future to manipulate such traits and enhance the attractiveness of such flowers to local pollinators.

A major component of the scent of C. breweri flowers is linalool, an acyclic monoterpene alcohol common to the floral scents of numerous other plant species (Knudsen et al., 1993a; Kaiser, 1991). In addition to linalool, C. breweri flowers also synthesize and emit two linalool oxides, for which linalool is the proposed precursor (Winterhalter et al., 1986; Pichersky et al., 1994). The present inventor has previously observed S-linalool synthase (LIS) activity in Clarkia flower parts

(Pichersky et al., 1994). This enzyme catalyzes the cation-dependent and stereoselective conversion of GPP to S-linalool (FIG. 1). LIS is both developmentally and differentially regulated in the various floral organs (Pichersky et al., 1994). Total LIS activity per flower was highest in petals, from which most of the linalool emission occurs. LIS activity per fresh weight was highest in stigma and style (i.e., the pistil), but most of the linalool produced by these tissues is converted to linalool oxides by as yet unidentified enzymes. Here the inventors report the purification and characterization of the S-linalool synthase from stigmata of C. breweri and the isolation and characterization of the cDNA gene encoding the S-linalool synthase.

GC- MS Characterization of C. breweri Volatiles To determine the identity of the volatiles that give C. breweri flowers their odor, the technique of headspace scent collection has been used (Dobson, 1993) , in which the scent of live flowers is collected and analyzed with a gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer. MS analysis is done on the peaks as they are eluted, and a computer data base containing several thousand mass spectra is

automatically screened for matches. Using this

technique, the a total of 12 compounds have been detected from two inbred lines of C. breweri plants. The

monoterpene alcohol, linalool, and its trans-pyranoid oxide constituted major fractions of floral volatile output in both lines, as did the aromatic ester, benzyl acetate. The minor aroma constituents included linalool oxide (cis-furanoid), benzyl benzoate, eugenol, methyl salicylate and vanillin. Four additional compounds, isoeugenol, methyleugenol, methylisoeugenol and

veratraldehyde were detected in all flowers from line 2 but were absent in plants from line 1. These 12

compounds fall into two groups, monoterpenes and aromatic compounds with a benzene skeleton. In the present studies, abundant headspace compounds were collected from single, living flowers of C. breweri . No volatile compounds were detected from similar amounts of floral tissues of the closely related species, C.

concinna , nor from other Clarkia species. When the headspace analyses were repeated with 20-30 living C. concinna flowers combined, the compounds linalool, pyranoid linalool oxide and furanoid linalool oxide were detected, but at levels 1000-fold less than in C.

breweri . No benzenoid compounds were detected in C.

concinna floral headspace collections.

Developmental and Temporal Variation in Monoterpene

Emission by Whole Flowers

To determine the amount of monoterpenes emitted at different stages of floral development, headspace

collection was begun with buds on the evening before they opened and ended 6 days later, after flowers had been pollinated and then wilted and abscised. The results indicate that emission of linalool and linalool oxides by C. breweri begins as soon as the flowers are open or, in the case of the pyranoid linalool oxide, even slightly before, and reaches a peak on Day 2 (D2). Emission of linalool was the highest, peaking at 49 μg/g fresh weight/12 h. Emission of the pyranoid linalool oxide peaked at 32 μg/g/12 hr. The furanoid linalool oxide was emitted at much lower level, peaking at 2.2 μg/g/12 h. Emission gradually declines after D2 until approximately 24 h after pollination (D3-5), when the flowers

drastically decrease their monoterpene output. This cessation coincides with the general senescence of the flower. During the lifespan of the flower, marked variation in monoterpene emission between the day and night periods was not observed. Headspace collections made at 6 h intervals also failed to detect such changes. Diurnal variation has been previously described in some species (Matile et al ., 1988; Overland, 1960) but not in others (Loughrin et al., 1990; Loughrin et al . , 1991).

Localization and Quantification of Monoterpene Emission from the Different Parts of the Flower

To determine the specific parts of the C. breweri flowers that emit monoterpenes, living flowers were modified by selectively excising floral parts, so that only one class of major floral organs (petals, stamens, or style) remained attached to the hypanthium and sepals. Headspace volatiles were then collected from these modified flowers over a 24 h period. The results show that 2/3 of the floral emission of linalool comes from petals, with the style contributing most of the rest.

Emission of linalool per fresh weight is actually higher in the style than in petals, but because the total fresh weight of the style accounts for only 10% of the total mass of the flower while the petals account for 40%, the petal contribution is predominant. On the other hand, the style is responsible for nearly 100% of emission of the linalool oxides. Sepals, hypanthium and ovaries did not emit monoterpenes. In C. concinna, whose flowers emit monoterpenes at a level of 0.1% compared with C. breweri (per flower), that emission occurs only from styles. When the emissions of the different floral parts of C. breweri were added up, the result closely

approximated the complete floral scent both qualitatively and quantitatively, indicating that each part is

autonomous, and therefore synthesis of scent components must occur at the site of emission.

Determination of the level of the monoterpenes found in the flower and bud tissue indicates that there is a substantial pool of these compounds in the tissue. For example, at the time of peak emission (D2), the amount of linalool in the tissue is approximately equal to 10% of the total emitted over the corresponding 12 h period. Similar results were found for the linalool oxides. The observations that large pools of these monoterpenes exist within the tissues and that the changes in intracellular monoterpenes concentration parallel those of monoterpene emission (as does enzyme activity), suggest that these compounds are not sequestered for long as free

monoterpenes inside the cell prior to the onset of emission. These observations differ from those made in Jaaminum species, in which Watanabe et al . (1993)

reported that fragrances were stored as non-volatile glycosides. However, Loughrin et al . (1992) found that the level of glycosidically bound volatiles in Nicotiana species was not correlated with the emission levels of such volatiles but with the age of the flower; older, senescing flowers had higher levels of stored glycosides.

Initial Characterization of Linalool Synthase LIS activity was assayed by combining crude extract with ³H-GPP (or other substrates) in a buffer containing co-factors. LIS activity was monitored by counting the radioactive linalool extracted from the assay buffer with hexane (GPP is not soluble in hexane) in a scintillation counter. Radio-GC analyses (Croteau et al . , 1990) were also undertaken because GPP could be enzymatically hydrolyzed by non-specific phosphatases to produce geraniol, or the tissue might contain other monoterpene synthases, and geraniol or the other monoterpenes that may be produced are also soluble in the organic phase. The studies indicated that crude extracts of open C.

breweri flowers contained substantial amount of soluble LIS activity and no other monoterpene synthases, since the only labelled compound found in the hexane fraction was linalool. LIS activity was found to require Mn²⁺ as a cofactor and GPP as the only substrate. Furthermore, with a special stereo-GC column it was also shown that the product of the reaction is exclusively S-linalool.

Linalool Synthase Activity in Flower Parts

To determine the site of, and temporal variation in, linalool synthesis, LIS activity was tested in crude extracts from different parts of flowers and from

different stages of development . The results indicate that each flower part that emits linalool also contains significant LIS activity. This observation gives further support to the conclusion that linalool is emitted at or near the site of synthesis- However, there are

pronounced differences among floral tissues. The highest and second highest levels of LIS activity per fresh weight were found in the stigma and pistil, respectively, whereas LIS activity in petals was only 20% of LIS activity in stigma at peak time (D1-D2), and activity in stamens was even lower. However, because petals

constitute the bulk of the flower, they also possess the highest total amount of LIS activity per flower, which is consistent with the observation that petals emit the highest total amount of linalool per flower. The level of LIS activity is also positively

correlated with the rates of linalool emission. Both linalool emission and LIS activity in the petals peak at the D1-D2 period, and as LIS activity decreases

afterwards, so does linalool emission. There is some low level of LIS activity in petals of unopened flowers, and some linalool is made in the buds, but apparently not in sufficient amounts to be volatilized. Stigmata and pistils displayed relatively low levels of linalool emission (which is nonetheless also positively correlated with LIS activity) but substantial emission of linalool oxides. Taken together with the observation of high levels of LIS activity in stigmata and pistils, it is contemplated that most of the linalool produced in these organs is converted into linalool oxides.

Interestingly, a low amount of LIS activity (0.1% compared with C. breweri flowers and 3% on a per fresh stigma weight basis) was found in the stigma but not in any other parts of C. concinna . Consistent with this observation, emission of linalool and linalool oxides has been found to occur, in trace amounts, only from the stigma of C. concinna . The interspecific hybrids, which are somewhat scented, have LIS activity level in the stigma that is 42% that found in C. breweri stigma, but their petal LIS activity is only 11% of C. breweri .

Thus, the Lis gene is not unique to C. breweri , but is found, and is active, in C. concinna . This finding raises the question of the function of the pathway in non-scented plants. In a few cases, linalool production in vegetative tissue in response to insect damage has been observed (Turlings et al., 1992), and it is

contemplated that this compound may be used by the plants in such a response. It is contemplated, therefore, that the genes and proteins of the present invention may be useful in the protection of plants from insect damage. Purification and Characterization of LIS

After characterizing the expression of LIS in floral parts throughout the development of the flower, a

chromatographical purification protocol was developed that employed anion exchange (DE52) column, HAP column, and another ion-exchange column, FPLC's Mono-Q. As a starting material, a crude extract was prepared from 50 g of stigma tissue (derived from about 20,000 stigmata). The stigmata was used because they have the highest specific activity of LIS (subsequently, LIS was also partially purified from petals, and it appears to be an identical protein). After Mono-Q chromatography, the fraction containing the peak LIS activity had a single protein, as judged by SDS-PAGE and silver staining. The LIS protein was calculated to have a molecular weight of app. 83 kDa from its migration in the gel. On a

molecular sieving column, LIS activity elutes at about 70 kDa, indicating that LIS is active as a monomer. N-terminal sequencing of LIS eluted from Mono-Q gave a clear sequence (with initial yield >50%) indicating no heterogeneity in the purified enzyme (22 residues were determined). In addition, the sequences of several internal fragments were determined.

Cloning a Lis cDNA from C. breweri In preparation for cloning the Lis gene, mRNA was isolated from petals and stigmata and cDNA expression libraries were prepared in the lambda-ZaplI vector

(Stratagene, Inc.) Several peptide sequences were used to construct oligonucleotides for PCR (polymerase chain reaction) using DNA obtained from the cDNA libraries. Fragments in the expected size range were obtained and analyzed.

Confirmation of Isolated cDNA Clones of Lis

The identity of the clones is determined in several ways. First, the oligonucleotide PCR probes are used as sequencing primers to determine the nucleotide sequence of adjacent regions in the clones. Because only parts of the amino acid sequences which had been obtained are used in the design of the oligonucleotides (7-8 residues out of 20-25 residues per peptide sequence), complete

concordance of the predicted amino acid sequence obtained from the nucleotide sequence of the clones with the peptide sequences is a strong validation of the clones. Clones that have the correct sequences are further tested by RFLP mapping (McGrath et al., 1993a; McGrath et al., 1993b; Pichersky et al., 1987a; Pichersky et al., 1987b; Pichersky et al ., 1988; Pichersky et al., 1989; Pichersky et al., 1991). F₁ hybrids between C. breweri and C. concinna are used to obtain F₂s and F₁ X C.

concinna backcross progeny. These plants are analyzed for emission of linalool and other volatiles. The trait of linalool emission is somewhat quantitative, but two distinct classes of strong emitters and non-emitters are clearly evident. Although the quantitative nature of the trait complicates the genetic analysis, the working hypothesis is that for a progeny to be a strong linalool emitter it has to have inherited the C. breweri version of the Lis gene, and therefore the putative Lis cDNA clones are used as probes to carry out Southern blots of F₂ and backcross progeny DNA to look for co-segregation of the C. breweri Lis allele with the trait of strong linalool emission. Additional proof of the clone being Lis is obtained by expressing the Lis cDNA in E. coli from the pET T7 promoter and producing antibodies to the protein. The antibodies are then shown to inhibit Lis activity from stigma extracts. Final positive proof of the identity of Lis clones is obtained by expressing full-length cDNAs in E. coli and testing the proteins thus produced for enzyme

activity. The preferred expression vector is pET, based on the T7 polymerase and promoter system (Studier et al., 1990).

Characterization of Lis Expression and its Regulation

The results indicate that LIS activity in the stigma and petals of C. breweri is substantial, whereas LIS activity in the stigma of C. concinna is 3% that of the corresponding C. breweri tissue (per fresh weight) and non-detectable in petals. Thus, linalool emission by C. breweri flowers is correlated with greater than a 30-fold or more increase of LIS activity in C. breweri flowers. Because the partially purified C. breweri petal LIS is essentially identical in its molecular and enzymatic properties to the stigma protein, and so is the C.

concinna stigma LIS enzyme, the differences in the levels of LIS activity among C. breweri stigma, petals, and C. concinna stigma are not believed to be due to changes in turn-over number or other kinetic parameters of the enzyme. On the other hand, these differences are strongly correlated with the differences in the amount of protein. Thus, it appears that C. breweri has evolved the ability to make (and emit) greater amounts of

monoterpenes by increasing the level of Lis gene

transcription and/or increasing translational efficiency.

Expression levels of the Lis gene in stigma and petals in the two species may be determined by first determining the steady-state level of the mRNA with the Northern blotting technique, using the Lis cDNA clone as a probe, and also by primer extension, a technique that also allows the determination of the start of transcription (Kellman et al ., 1990; Kellman et al., 1993; Piechulla et al., 1991). Run-on transcription assays may also be used to measures rates of

transcription (Giuliana et al., 1988b). A correlation is then sought between transcription rates and steady-state mRNA levels, and between steady-state mRNA and LIS activity levels. Higher or lower levels than expected of mRNA compared with transcription rate suggests post-transcriptional control, and a discrepancy between steady-state mRNA level and LIS activity suggests

translational or post-translation regulation as well, such as protein stability differences. The nucleic acid segments of the present invention may also be used to isolate and characterize the Lis genes from various tissues in both species by screening genomic libraries constructed in the lambda vector EMBL3. In light of the present discovery, the promoter region of the C. breweri Lis gene may now be characterized by in vivo methods, such as reporter gene constructs, for example, and used for tissue specific expression of foreign genes . This may be done by the use of a

promoterless reporter gene, GUS (Jefferson, 1987), to which the Lis promoter, intact or truncated, may be fused. Several constructs may be made, each missing a certain part of the Lis promoter. These constructs would preferably be used to transform Nicotiana tabacum SRI plants, using the binary vector system of the Ti plasmid of Agrobacterium tumefaciena (An et al., 1986). Plants are regenerated, and optimal sequences for various promoter functions may thus be identified by the effect that their removal has on GUS activity (visualized by the addition of the GUS substrate to detached whole or sectioned organs).

Cellular and Subcellular Localization of LIS The cellular and intracellular location of

monoterpene synthesis is of considerable interest. In some plants that produce monoterpenes as defense

compounds, special structures, such as leaf trichomes or resin glands (in stem tissue) have evolved where

monoterpene synthesis takes place (Gershenzon et al.,

1993; Lewinsohn et al ., 1991). Neither light microscopy nor electron scanning microscopy has detected any

specialized floral structures such as papillate cells or granular trichomes (see Stern et al., 1987) that could be responsible for volatile production or emission. To determine which types of cells within a tissue such as the stigma contain Lis mRNA, the in situ

hybridization technique may be used (Cox et al., 1988). The use of this technique is necessary because in plants, different types of cells may exist in a one-layer region and they cannot easily be separated in amounts large enough to extract mRNA. The present invention allows one to perform immunofluorescence assays (Baskin et al., 1992) using anti-LIS antibodies disclosed herein.

Antibodies

In another aspect, the present invention comprises an antibody that is immunoreactive with a linalool synthase polypeptide. An antibody can be a polyclonal or a monoclonal antibody and is preferably a monoclonal antibody. Means for preparing and characterizing

antibodies are well known in the art (See, e.g.,

Antibodies "A Laboratory Manual , E. Howell and D. Lane, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, 1988).

Briefly, a polyclonal antibody is prepared by immunizing an animal with an immunogen comprising a polypeptide of the present invention and collecting antisera from that immunized animal . A wide range of animal species can be used for the production of

antisera. Typically an animal used for production of anti-antisera is a rabbit, a mouse, a rat, a hamster or a guinea pig. Because of the relatively large blood volume of rabbits, a rabbit is a preferred choice for production of polyclonal antibodies.

To obtain monoclonal antibodies, one would also initially immunize an experimental animal, often

preferably a mouse, with an LIS composition. One would then, after a period of time sufficient to allow antibody generation, obtain a population of spleen or lymph cells from the animal. The spleen or lymph cells can then be fused with cell lines, such as human or mouse myeloma strains, to produce antibody-secreting hybridomas. These hybridomas may be isolated to obtain individual clones which can then be screened for production of antibody to the LIS polypeptide.

Following immunization, spleen cells are removed and fused, using a standard fusion protocol (see, e . g., The Cold Spring Harbor Manual for Hybridoma Development, incorporated herein by reference) with plasmacytoma cells to produce hybridomas secreting monoclonal antibodies against LIS . Hybridomas which produce monoclonal

antibodies to the selected antigens are identified using standard techniques, such as ELISA and Western blot methods.

It is proposed that monoclonal antibodies specific to the particular LIS enzyme may be utilized in

immunoabsorbent protocols to purify native or recombinant LIS enzyme species or variants thereof .

In general, both poly- and monoclonal antibodies against LIS may be used in a variety of embodiments . For example, they may be employed in antibody cloning

protocols to obtain cDNAs or genes encoding LIS or related proteins. They may also be used in inhibition studies to analyze the effects of LIS in particular cells or tissue types. A particularly useful application of such antibodies is in purifying native or recombinant

LIS, for example, using an antibody affinity column, or screening for Lis expressing cells. The operation of all such immunological techniques will be known to those of skill in the art in light of the present disclosure. Biological Functional Equivalents

Modification and changes may be made in the

structure of the encoded polypeptides used in the vectors and nucleic acid segments of the present invention and still obtain a functional molecule that encodes a protein or peptide with desirable characteristics. The following is a discussion based upon changing the amino acids of a protein to create an equivalent, or even an improved, second-generation molecule. The amino acid changes may be achieved by changing the codons of the DNA sequence, according to the following codon table:

For example, certain amino acids may be substituted for other amino acids in a protein structure without appreciable loss of interactive binding capacity with structures such as, for example, binding sites on

substrate molecules. Since it is the interactive

capacity and nature of a protein that defines that protein's biological functional activity, certain amino acid sequence substitutions can be made in a protein sequence, and, of course, its underlying DNA coding sequence, and nevertheless obtain a protein with like properties. It is thus contemplated by the inventors that various changes may be made in the peptide sequences of the linalool synthase proteins, or corresponding DNA sequences which encode said proteins without appreciable loss of their biological utility or activity.

In making such changes, the hydropathic index of amino acids may be considered. The importance of the hydropathic amino acid index in conferring interactive biologic function on a protein is generally understood in the art (Kyte and Doolittle, 1982, incorporate herein by reference). It is accepted that the relative hydropathic character of the amino acid contributes to the secondary structure of the resultant protein, which in turn defines the interaction of the protein with other molecules, for example, enzymes, substrates, receptors, DNA, antibodies, antigens, and the like.

Each amino acid has been assigned a hydropathic index on the basis of their hydrophobicity and charge characteristics (Kyte and Doolittle, 1982), these are: isoleucine (+4.5); valine (+4.2); leucine (+3.8);

phenylalanine (+2.8); cysteine/cystine (+2.5); methionine (+1.9); alanine (+1.8); glycine (-0.4); threonine (-0.7); serine (-0.8); tryptophan (-0.9); tyrosine (-1.3);

proiine (-1.6); histidine (-3.2); glutamate (-3.5);

glutamine (-3.5); aspartate (-3.5); asparagine (-3.5); lysine (-3.9); and arginine (-4.5). It is known in the art that certain amino acids may be substituted by other amino acids having a similar hydropathic index or score and still result in a protein with similar biological activity, i.e., still obtain a biological functionally equivalent protein. In making such changes, the substitution of amino acids whose hydropathic indices are within ±2 is preferred, those which are within ±1 are particularly preferred, and those within ±0.5 are even more particularly preferred. It is also understood in the art that the

substitution of like amino acids can be made effectively on the basis of hydrophilicity. U.S. Patent 4,554,101, incorporated herein by reference, states that the

greatest local average hydrophilicity of a protein, as governed by the hydrophilicity of its adjacent amino acids, correlates with a biological property of the protein.

As detailed in U.S. Patent 4,554,101, the following hydrophilicity values have been assigned to amino acid residues: arginine (+3.0); lysine (+3.0); aspartate

(+3.0 ± 1); glutamate (+3.0 ± 1); serine (+0.3);

asparagine (+0.2); glutamine (+0.2); glycine (0);

threonine (-0.4); proiine (-0.5 ± 1); alanine (-0.5);

histidine (-0.5); cysteine (-1.0); methionine (-1.3);

valine (-1.5); leucine (-1.8); isoleucine (-1.8);

tyrosine (-2.3); phenylalanine (-2.5); tryptophan (-3.4). It is understood that an amino acid can be

substituted for another having a similar hydrophilicity value and still obtain a biologically equivalent, and in particular, an immunologically equivalent protein. In such changes, the substitution of amino acids whose hydrophilicity values are within ±2 is preferred, those which are within ±1 are particularly preferred, and those within ±0.5 are even more particularly preferred. As outlined above, amino acid substitutions are generally therefore based on the relative similarity of the amino acid side-chain substituents, for example, their hydrophobicity, hydrophilicity, charge, size, and the like. Exemplary substitutions which take various of the foregoing characteristics into consideration are well known to those of skill in the art and include: arginine and lysine; glutamate and aspartate; serine and

threonine; glutamine and asparagine; and valine, leucine and isoleucine.

Site-Specific Mutagenesis

Site-specific mutagenesis is a technique useful in the preparation of individual peptides, or biologically functional equivalent proteins or peptides, through specific mutagenesis of the underlying DNA. The

technique further provides a ready ability to prepare and test sequence variants, for example, incorporating one or more of the foregoing considerations, by introducing one or more nucleotide sequence changes into the DNA. Site-specific mutagenesis allows the production of mutants through the use of specific oligonucleotide sequences which encode the DNA sequence of the desired mutation, as well as a sufficient number of adjacent nucleotides, to provide a primer sequence of sufficient size and sequence complexity to form a stable duplex on both sides of the deletion junction being traversed. Typically, a primer of about 17 to 25 nucleotides in length is preferred, with about 5 to 10 residues on both sides of the junction of the sequence being altered. In general, the technique of site-specific

mutagenesis is well known in the art, as exemplified by various publications. As will be appreciated, the technique may employ a phage vector which exists in both a single stranded and double stranded form. Typical vectors useful in site-directed mutagenesis include vectors such as the M13 phage. These phage are readily commercially available and their use is generally well known to those skilled in the art. Double stranded plasmids are also routinely employed in site directed mutagenesis which eliminates the step of transferring the gene of interest from a plasmid to a phage .

In general, site-directed mutagenesis in accordance herewith is performed by first obtaining a single-stranded vector or melting apart of two strands of a double stranded vector which includes within its sequence a DNA sequence which encodes the desired peptide. An oligonucleotide primer bearing the desired mutated sequence is prepared, generally synthetically. This primer is then annealed with the single-stranded vector, and subjected to DNA polymerizing enzymes such as E. coli polymerase I Klenow fragment, in order to complete the synthesis of the mutation-bearing strand. Thus, a heteroduplex is formed wherein one strand encodes the original non-mutated sequence and the second strand bears the desired mutation. This heteroduplex vector is then used to transform appropriate cells, such as E. coli cells, and clones are selected which include recombinant vectors bearing the mutated sequence arrangement.

The preparation of sequence variants of the selected peptide-encoding DNA segments using site-directed mutagenesis is provided as a means of producing

potentially useful species and is not meant to be limiting, as there are other ways in which sequence variants of peptides and the DNA sequences encoding them may be obtained. For example, recombinant vectors encoding the desired peptide sequence may be treated with mutagenic agents, such as hydroxylamine, to obtain sequence variants. The following examples are included to demonstrate preferred embodiments of the invention. It should be appreciated by those of skill in the art that the

techniques disclosed in the examples which follow

represent techniques discovered by the inventor to function well in the practice of the invention, and thus can be considered to constitute preferred modes for its practice. However, those of skill in the art should, in light of the present disclosure, appreciate that many changes can be made in the specific embodiments which are disclosed and still obtain a like or similar result without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

EXAMPLE 1

Localization of Monoterpene Emission and LIS Activity

Plant Material. Growth Conditions, Headspace Collection, GC-MS Analysis Details of C. breweri and C. concinna stocks and growing conditions, dynamic headspace collection on Tenax and activated charcoal sorbents, and chemical analyses via GC-MS are as described in Raguso and Pichersky

(1995). All headspace collections were performed in a Conviron growth chamber under a 12 h light/ 12 h dark photoperiod. Temperature was set to 25°C during the light period and 18°C during the dark period. In all experiments, headspace collections from ambient air and from vegetative tissues were used as controls.

Time Course of Scent Production

Volatile monoterpenoid production in individual flowers of four separate plants was monitored over a 7 d period beginning on the day before anthesis and

continuing until floral abscission. Headspace volatiles were collected as described in Raguso and Pichersky

(1995). The collections were made at 12 h intervals, corresponding to the dark and light periods in the growth chamber. All flowers were hand-pollinated with a cotton swab on the evening of day 3 after anthesis in order to simulate the typical life cycle of a C. breweri flower.

Localization and Quantification of Monoterpene Synthesis in Floral Parts The specific floral parts responsible for scent emission were determined and the emission levels were quantified by collection of headspace volatiles from attached, second day (hermaphroditic) intact flowers and from same-stage flowers in which floral organs had been systematically removed, to leave only petals, only anthers or only the style. In order to detect all volatiles emitted by a given flower part, which could possibly emit different compounds at different times, a 24 h collection period was used. To determine diurnal variation in the emission of a given compound, headspace collections were taken over 6 and 12 hr intervals.

Monoterpene Extraction Whole flowers representing the phenological spectrum from anthesis to abscission were excised at the base of the hypanthium, weighed and macerated with a glass rod in 1 mL of HPLC-grade hexane at ambient temperature, then stored in the dark at -20°C. Samples were concentrated to a volume of 75 μL under a flow of gaseous N₂ and 15 μL of a 0.3% (v/v) solution of geraniol in hexane were added as an internal standard. Four μl of each sample were then used for GC-MS analysis.

Linalool Synthase Enzyme Extraction and Assay Enzyme extraction

A crude protein extract was prepared by macerating flower parts in a microcentrifuge tube in the presence of ice-cold buffer (10 volumes : fresh weight) containing 50 mM BisTris-HCl pH 6.9, 10 mM DTT, 5 mM Na₂S₂O₅, 1% (w/v) PVP-40 and 10% (v/v) glycerol. The slurry was

centrifuged for 10 min and the supernatant transferred to a new tube. For each time point, extracts of 3 to 5 flowers from 3 different plants were combined.

Enzyme Asaay and Product Analysis

Linalool synthase activity was assayed by diluting 10 μL of crude extract (1.5-3 μg protein) into 80 μL of assay buffer (50 mM potassium HEPES pH 7.8, 5 mM DTT, 5 mM sodium metabisulfite, 10% (v/v) glycerol, 20 mM MgCl₂ and 5 mM MnCl₂ [Lewinsohn et al., 1991]), adding 10 μL of [1-³H]-GPP to final concentration 16 μM, at 150 mCi/mol [substrate synthesized according to Croteau and Cane (1985)], and overlaying the mixture with either pentane or hexane to trap volatile metabolites. The tube was then vortexed briefly and incubated at 20°C for 1 h.

Appropriate controls included the omission of crude extract, the use of boiled crude extracts, the omission of substrate and/or cations, and the substitution of other potential substrates such as (3R)- and (3S)-[1-³H]-linalyl pyrophosphate. After 1 h, the tube was vortexed again and the amount of the radioactive linalool product, which

partitioned into the organic phase, was determined by an LSC of an aliquot. Radio-GC analysis (Croteau and

Satterwhite, 1990) of labelled products in the organic phase was also undertaken to examine the formation of geraniol (liberated from the substrate by phosphatases) and to determine whether other monoterpene synthases were present in the extracts. These radio-GC analyses showed that no floral tissue contained detectable monoterpene synthase activity other than LIS (linalool > 95% of product by coincidence of radioactivity with authentic standard), and that only crude extracts from mature pollen grains contained appreciable phosphatase activity. Because of the presence of phosphatases in the pollen grains, anther tapeta were routinely excluded in the preparation of subsequent cell-free extracts.

Temporal Variation in Scent Emission by Intact Flowers

Under the present growing conditions, the first buds become visible on the C. breweri plant 4-6 weeks after germination. The closed buds develop for approximately 12-18 d before the fused sepals split and reflex,

allowing the petals to open (anthesis). Anthesis in C. breweri typically occurs in the morning. Flowers that have been pollinated at any time after Day 2 past

anthesis, when stigma lobes recurve and become receptive, will begin to wilt within 24 h of pollen deposition.

After 6-7 d, unpollinated flowers also begin to senesce and wilt. The present inventor has previously shown (Raguso and Pichersky, 1995) that three monoterpenes - linalool, furanoid linalool oxide and pyranoid linalool oxide - are constituents of the scent of C. breweri flowers. In order to determine the amount of

monoterpenes emitted at different stages of floral development, time-course headspace collections were performed at 12 h intervals, followed by GC-MS analysis. Headspace collection was performed with buds on the evening before they opened and ended 6 d later, after flowers had been pollinated and then wilted and abscised.

Unopened flowers (buds) emitted no linalool or furanoid linalool oxide, but they did emit small amounts of pyranoid linalool oxide. Significant emission of all three monoterpenes began at anthesis and peaked during Day 2, and afterwards began a gradual decline.

Monoterpene emission was still high on the evening of Day 4, 24 h after hand pollination, and then rapidly

declined. Overall, the emission of linalool by the intact flowers was higher than the corresponding oxides, peaking at 8.5 μg/flower/12 h. Emission of the pyranoid linalool oxide peaked at 5.9 μg/flower/12 h. The

furanoid linalool oxide was emitted at much lower level, peaking at 0.4 μg/flower/12 h. Senescence (wilting) of all flowers was observed by the morning of Day 5, yet low levels of linalool and linalool oxides were emitted until abscission on the evening of Day 6.

Quantitation of Monoterpenes in Flower Tissue The amounts of monoterpenes in intact flowers at different developmental stages were determined by hexane extraction and GC-MS analysis. The three monoterpenes were detectable in mature buds 2-3 d from anthesis.

Tissue levels of linalool peaked on the evening of Day 2 and then declined, paralleling the pattern found for linalool emission. The maximal level of linalool found in the flower tissue was approximately 10% of the amount of linalool emitted by the flower over a 12 h period.

Tissue levels of linalool oxides peaked at Day 3, while the emission of linalool oxides was highest at Day 2. On Day 2, levels of linalool oxides in the tissue

constituted approximately 10% of the emission levels of these compounds over a 12 h period, but on Day 3 this ratio increased to 20% to 60%.

Localization and Quantification of Monoterpene Emission from the Different Parts of the Flower C. breweri flowers

To determine the specific parts of the C. breweri flowers that emit monoterpenes, studies were performed in which living flowers were modified by selectively

excising floral parts, so that only one class of major floral organ (petals, stamens, pistil) remained attached to the hypanthium and sepals. Headspace volatiles were then collected from these modified flowers over a 24 h period. The data obtained were used to calculate the contribution of each part to the total emission of the flower (Table 2), and also the emission of each part relative to its weight (Table 3). These data revealed that the majority of the linalool emission came from the petals, although substantial emission was also detected from the pistil (1/3 of the amount emitted by the petals) and some linalool was emitted by the stamens (1/10 of the petal emission) . On the other hand, pyranoid linalool oxide and furanoid linalool oxide were emitted almost exclusively by the pistil. C. concinna flowers C. concinna, a close relative of C. breweri, has flowers which are smaller and which do not emit a

detectable scent. A previous investigation revealed that C. concinna flowers do emit low levels of linalool and linalool oxides (0.1% of emission compared with C.

breweri) (Raguso and Pichersky, 1995). The levels of emission of these monoterpenes in floral organs of C. concinna (Tables I, II) were then examined. The results indicate that volatile emission occurs only in pistils.

Linalool Synthase Activity in Flower Parts

Linalool aynthaae activi ty in flowers

To determine the site of synthesis of linalool and the temporal variation in its synthesis, crude extracts were prepared from different parts of the flowers that had been open for 1 to 6 days and these extracts were assayed for activity of linalool synthase, the enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of GPP to linalool. In these studies, the flower was dissected into smaller parts than was possible in the headspace collection of modified live flowers detailed above. For example, in the headspace collection it was not logistically possible to measure the contribution of the stigma separately from that of the rest of the pistil. However, in preparing crude extracts from different parts of the flower this limitation was overcome.

LIS activity was found in several parts of the flowers. At the peak of LIS activity, at Days 1-2, total LIS activity was similar in petals and pistil (stigma + style) . However, stigmata possessed the highest level of LIS activity per fresh weight, followed by style tissue (with 25-35% of the specific activity found in stigma), petals (20% of stigma LIS specific activity at peak time) and stamens. None of the remaining floral parts -sepals, hypanthium and ovaries - were found to contain any LIS activity. The vegetative parts of the plant were also devoid of LIS activity. Levels of LIS activity varied during the lifespan of the flower in concert with the levels of linalool

emission and its concentration in floral tissue. Maximal LIS activity was observed during Days 1-2. When flowers were pollinated on Day 3, LIS activity decreased by 90% in the stigma and 50% in the petals within 48 h, similar to the reduction in monoterpene emission following pollination. However, when pollination did not occur,

LIS activity in the different floral organs declined only slowly from the peak levels over the next few days.

Linalool aynthaae activi ty in buds

Since freshly opened flowers already contain

substantial enzyme activity, the level of LIS activity was investigated in buds. In order to carry out these studies, it was necessary to devise a method to classify stages in bud development. Due to variation in bud size and maturation time within and among plants, it was difficult to predict the exact number of days remaining before anthesis by bud size alone. However, in contrast to bud size, color changes during the development of the petals and stigma were found- a progression from white to dark purple - to be reliable markers for the

developmental stage of the bud. These indicators were used to denote five stages in bud development. Each stage lasts approximately 2-3 days, for a total of 12-18 days preceding anthesis. In addition, because the small size of some floral organs within buds precluded

obtaining enough material for enzyme assays, only petals and pistils were examined for LIS activity. Whereas the youngest buds (stages 1 and 2) had no detectable LIS activity, pistils (but not petals) of third stage buds already possessed appreciable LIS activity (approximately 30% of peak level). By stage 5, levels of LIS activity in the petals were close to or at the peak levels found in petals of open flowers. Linalool aynthaae activi ty in flowers of C. concinna

The LIS activity in extracts of C. concinna flower parts of Day 2 flowers was examined. Consistent with the emission data (Tables I, II), LIS activity was detected only in the stigma, which had a level of activity of 2.8 fkat/stigma (and per flower) and 4.6 fkat/g fresh weight. These levels are respectively 0.3% of the LIS activity per stigma (0.01% per flower) and 3% per fresh weight of activity in C. breweri stigmata of the equivalent stage.

Temporal Variation in Scent Production by Whole Flowers and Buds The strong, sweet floral scent of C. breweri is unique in its genus, and is correlated with pollination by moths, a mode of reproduction that is novel among Clarkia species (MacSwain et al ., 1973). Emission of the monoterpene components of the scent begins as soon as the flowers are open and reaches a peak on Day 2. During the lifespan of the flower, marked variation in

monoterpene emission between the day and night periods was not observed. It is possible that temporary, but substantial, increases or decreases in emission were missed because of their short duration, but headspace collections made at 6 h intervals also failed to detect such changes, and samples did not vary by more than a factor of 1.5. Daily cycling in emission of linalool and other floral scent components, with a nocturnal peak in intensity coinciding with periods of moth activity, is a feature of many moth-pollinated flowers, such as Ceatrum nocturnum (Solanaceae) (Overland, 1960; Matille and

Altenberger, 1988). However, in other moth-pollinated flowers, such as Nicotiana aylveatria (Solanaceae), rates of linalool emission do not differ appreciably between night and day (Loughrin et al., 1990, 1991). Localization and Quantification of Monoterpene Emission from the Different Parts of the Flower

The data (Table 2) show that 2/3 of the floral emission of linalool comes from petals, with the style contributing most of the rest. Emission of linalool per fresh weight is actually higher in the pistil than in petals (Table 3) , but because the total fresh weight of the pistil accounts for only 10% of the total mass of the flower while the petals account for 40% (Table 4), the petal contribution is predominant. On the other hand, the pistil is responsible for nearly 100% of floral emission of the linalool oxides. When the emissions of the different floral parts are added up, the results closely approximate the complete floral scent both qualitatively and quantitatively, indicating that each part is autonomous and thus syntheses of scent components occur at the sites of emission. Previous studies (Dobson et al., 1990; Knudsen and Tollsten, 1991) also found that different parts of flowers emit different relative amounts of scent components, although absolute quantities were not reported.

The observations that relatively small pools of free monoterpenes exist within the tissues, and that the changes in tissue monoterpene concentrations parallel those of monoterpene emission suggest that these

compounds are not appreciably sequestered as free

monoterpenes inside the cell prior to the onset of emission but are emitted as soon as they are made. The absence of both appreciable pools of scent volatiles and the biosynthetic enzymes of such compounds in mature floral tissue of Jaaminum species prompted Watanabe et al. (1993) to discover that fragrance components were stored as non-volatile glycosides. However, Loughrin et al. (1992) found that the level of glycosidically bound volatiles in Nicotiana species was not correlated with the emission levels of such volatiles but with the age of the flower; older, senescing flowers had higher levels of stored glycosides. The presence of glycosidically bound monoterpenes in Clarkia flowers has not yet been

examined. However, the presence in mature C. breweri flowers of LIS and, likely, the other enzymes in the pathway suggests that if such stored, modified

monoterpenes are present, they might not contribute to scent emission, or their contribution might not be essential.

Linalool Synthase Activity in Flower Parts

The highest and second highest levels of LIS

activity per fresh weight were found in the stigma and style, respectively. The pistil is the only part of the flower (excluding the ovaries) that continues to increase in size and weight after the flower opens, but its specific LIS activity does not decrease, indicating that additional LIS activity accrues there, at least during the first few days after anthesis. However, the petals constitute the bulk of the LIS-containing floral tissue (Table III) , and they possess a similar or even higher total amount of LIS activity compared with the pistil. Each flower part that emits linalool or linalool oxides - petals, pistils and stamens - also contains significant LIS activity, whereas flower parts that do not contain LIS activity do not contain or emit these monoterpenes. These observations lend further support to the conclusion based on the determination of emission from flowers in which a single part was left that linalool and its oxides are emitted at or near the site of synthesis and that translocation is probably not of significance. The levels of LIS activity in the different parts of the flower throughout the lifespan of the flower are also positively correlated with the rates of emission of linalool and the two linalool oxides. Both monoterpene emission and LIS activity in the petals, pistil and stamens peak during the first two days after anthesis, and as LIS activity decreases afterwards (especially after the flower has been pollinated), so do linalool and linalool oxides emissions. However, buds of later stages contain appreciable amounts of LIS activity but they do not accumulate or emit these monoterpenes. It is likely that earlier steps in the pathway are not yet operating in the buds, either for lack of other enzymes or because of sequestration of enzymes and/or substrates in

different subcellular compartments. Alternatively, monoterpenes may be synthesized in buds of later stages but may be rapidly converted to other compounds or derivatives.

The pistil displayed relatively low levels of linalool emission but substantial emission of linalool oxides (Table 2). Taken together with the observation of high levels of LIS activity in stigma and style, the conclusion is inescapable that most of the linalool produced in these organs is converted into linalool oxides. Winterhalter et al. (1986) presented evidence that, in papaya tissues, the linalool oxides are

synthesized from linalool via 6,7-epoxylinalool as an intermediate (FIG. 1). They further showed that the conversion of linalool to 6, 7-epoxylinalool was

enzymatically catalyzed, although a specific enzyme was not identified. The enzyme (s) responsible for the formation of the linalool oxides from 6, 7-epoxylinalool, if such exist, have also not yet been identified.

Interestingly, a low amount of LIS activity (0.1% compared with C. breweri flowers and 3% on a per fresh stigma weight basis) is found in the stigma but not in any otrier parts of the flowers of C. concinna, a species that has no discernable floral scent (Raguso and Pichersky, 1995) and is not pollinated by moths (MacSwain et al., 1973). However, linalool and both linalool oxides have been detected, albeit in trace amounts, in the headspace of flowers of C. concinna (0.1% of that of C. breweri) (Table I and Raguso and Pichersky, 1995), and this emission has now been traced to the pistil (Tables 2, 3). The observation that LIS activity and monoterpene synthesis occur in the pistil of an essentially non-scented flower raises the possibility that linalool and/or the linalool oxides may have some physiological function in this organ which is unrelated to attracting pollinators.

EXAMPLE 2

Purification and Characterization of S-Linalool Synthase

Plant Materials, Substrates and Reagents Details of C. breweri stocks and growing conditions are described in Raguso and Pichersky (1995). Stigmata from freshly opened flowers (not more than 2 days after anthesis) were used for enzyme isolation, as this tissue has been shown to contain very high levels of LIS per gram of tissue (Pichersky et al., 1994). S-linalool was purified from coriander oil, and R-linalool was from Ho wood (both from Berje Chemical Products, Long Island City, NY). [1-³H]-GPP, and 3R- and 3S-[1-³H]-LPP were synthesized as previously described (Croteau et al., 1994). Enzyme Extraction

All steps were carried out at 4°C. Crude protein extracts were prepared by homogenizing freshly excised stigmata in a chilled mortar in the presence of ice-cold buffer (10:1 (v/w) buffer: tissue) containing 50 mM potassium BisTris, pH 6.9, 10 mM dithiothreitol, 5 mM Na₂S₂O₅, 1% (w/v) polyvinylpyrrolidone (Sigma, PVP-40) and 10% (v/v) glycerol. The slurry was passed through miracloth and centrifuged for 10 min at 12,000 g to produce a supernatant that contained the bulk of the LIS activity.

Enzyme Purification

The crude extract (100 ml) was loaded onto a DEAE-cellulose (0.7 cm diam. x 6 cm) column (Whatman, DE52) that was pre-equilibrated with a solution containing 50 mM BisTris, pH 6.9, 10% glycerol and 10 mM DTT (buffer A) at a flow rate of about 1 ml/min. Following elution of the unadsorbed material, the column was washed with 50 ml of buffer A followed by an additional 20 ml of buffer A containing 150 mM C1 . LIS activity was then eluted with 20 ml of buffer A containing 250 mM KCl . Fractions with the highest LIS activity (about 60% yield, 10 ml), were either pooled and used immediately, or frozen at -20°C for up to 1 month with less than 20 % loss of activity. The DEAE-cellulose purified fractions were diluted 2-fold with ice-cold buffer A, and loaded on a 1 cm diam. x 10 cm hydroxyapatite column (Bio-Gel HT, Bio-Rad, Richmond, CA) installed in a Pharmacia FPLC apparatus, and pre-equilibrated with 100 ml of buffer A, at a flow rate of 0.5 ml/min. After the enzyme was loaded, the column was washed with 20 ml buffer A and then eluted using a linear gradient (100 ml) from 0 to 200 mM Na-phosphate in buffer A. The fractions containing LIS activity, eluting at about 100 mM Na-phosphate, were pooled (10 to 16 ml) and loaded on a pre-packed Pharmacia Mono-Q HR 5/5 FPLC column equilibrated with buffer A. After a 20-ml wash with buffer A, a steep linear gradient from 0 to 100 mM KCl in buffer A (10 ml) was applied, followed by a more gradual linear gradient from 100 to 400 mM KCl in buffer A (100 ml, 0.25 ml/min). The enzyme consistently eluted at about 220 mM KCl. After dialysis to assay conditions, the enzyme at this level of purity was used for

characterization.

Gel Permeation Chromatography and SDS-PAGE

A Superdex 75 Hi Load 16/60 column (Pharmacia FPLC) was employed to determine the native molecular mass of the C. breweri linalool synthase. Hydroxyapatite-purified linalool synthase (1 ml, 44.1 pkat/mg protein) was loaded on the Superdex 75 column and eluted with buffer A containing 5 mM DTT, using a flow rate of 1 ml/min. Two-ml fractions were collected. Protein standards of known molecular mass (Sigma, St. Louis, MO) were used for calibration. For SDS-PAGE, the method of Laemmli (Laemmli, 1970) was employed, with 10% acrylamide and a ratio of 30:0.8 w/w acrylamide:bis-acrylamide.

Gels were stained with Coomassie Brilliant Blue G

(Andrews, 1986) or silver (Blum et al., 1987). The molecular weight marker proteins were from BioRad

(Richmond, CA). Enzyme assay

LIS activity was determined by mixing 10 μl of the enzyme sample with 12 μM [1-³H]-GPP (s.a. 150 Ci/mol) in 100 μl of assay buffer (50 mM Hepes-KOH, pH 7.8, 10 mM DTT, 5 mM Na₂S₂O₅, 10% (v/v) glycerol, 20 mM MgCl₂ and 5 mM MnCl₂ (Lewinsohn et al., 1991) and, as an overlay to trap volatiles, either 1 ml hexane (for scintillation counting) or 2 ml of pentane (for radio-GC analysis). The mixture was then vortexed briefly, centrifuged to separate phases (5 sec. Eppendorf) and incubated at 20°C without shaking for up to 1 h (higher temperatures resulted in elevated rates of chemical conversion of GPP to various alcohols, including linalool) . After

incubation, the assay mixture was briefly mixed again to extract non-polar products into the organic layer. An 800-μl aliquot of the hexane phase was placed into a scintillation vial containing 10 ml of a cocktail of 0.4% (w/v) Omnifluor (Du Pont, Boston MA) dissolved in 30% (v/v) ethanol in toluene and counted in a Packard TriCarb 460 CD scintillation spectrometer (efficiency for ³H=36%) to determine the total monoterpene synthase activity. To examine in detail the products formed, radio-GC was performed as described (Croteau et al., 1990). For this purpose, the 2 ml pentane extract containing the

enzymatically formed ³H-labeled products was removed, dried by passage through MgSO₄, and internal standards were added (10 μg each of linalool and geraniol; nerol was also included in initial experiments). The mixture was then concentrated to ~10 μl under a gentle stream of nitrogen, and an aliquot (2-3 μl) was injected into a Gow-Mac 550P radio gas chromatograph fitted with a 0.125 in × 12 ft stainless steel column loaded with AT-1000 (Gas Chrom Q, Alltech), attached to a Packard 894 gas proportional counter. The initial column temperature was 170°C and, following a 5 min hold, was programmed at 5°C/min to 220°C, using He at a flow rate of 50 ml/min. Control incubations included the omission of enzyme extract, the use of boiled enzyme extract, the omission of substrate, and the omission of divalent cations. All of these controls produced negligible radioactivity in the hexane phase of the enzyme assay mixtures. Protein

Protein was determined by the method of Bradford (Bradford, 1976), using bovine serum albumin as standard.

Stereochemical Analyses

The enantiomeric composition of linalool samples was determined on a fused silica capillary column (0.25 mm internal diam. × 30 m) coated with a 0.25 μm film of β-cyclodextrin (J & W Scientific, Cyclodex B) , operated at an initial temperature of 75° C for 15 min followed by a rise of 5°C/min to 200° C. H₂ at a head pressure of 13.5 psi was used as carrier gas (Alonso et al., 1992).

Results

Flower stigmata were used as the enzyme source, as they contained very high enzyme activity levels (147 fkat/mg Fr.Wt.) (Pichersky et al., 1994) (See Example 1). A representative purification scheme for the C. breweri S-linalool synthase is shown in Table 5. Typically, 10 g Fr.Wt. of freshly excised stigmata gave 140 μg of pure linalool synthase following the initial DEAE-cellulose and hydroxyapatite chromatography steps (to remove low molecular weight pigments and phenolic materials that severely interfered with later FPLC steps), and Mono Q chromatography (FIG. 2). SDS-PAGE analysis of many of the purified Mono Q preparations revealed the presence of a single protein band corresponding to a molecular mass of about 79 ± 3 Kda. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of this protein matched the sequence encoded by a LIS cDNA clone. In some preparations, a minor protein band slightly smaller than LIS was also visible (FIG. 2 lanes 3, 4). However, the elution profile of this band from αe Mono Q column did not coincide with the peak of LIS activity, and its N-terminal sequence did not match that predicted from the LIS clone. Thus, after attaining a 26-fold purification, accompanied by 9% recovery, a greater than 95% homogeneous preparation was obtained, due in large part to the high specific activity of the starting material and the rapid and gentle fractionation protocol. Only a single peak of linalool synthase activity was observed in each step of the purification. The native molecular mass of linalool synthase activity was determined to be about 73 ± 5 KDa based on co-elution with bovine serum albumin on gel permeation chromatography and comparison of the elution volume to those of known proteins (FIG. 3). Based on a subunit mass of 79 KDa determined by SDS-PAGE (FIG. 2) and a native molecular size of 73 KDa indicated by gel

permeation chromatography (FIG. 3), linalool synthase is thought to be a monomer of 76 ± 3 KDa. Other monoterpene synthases from higher plants are active monomers in the 50-70 KDa range (Alonso, 1992; Lewinsohn et al ., 1992b), or homodimers with 40-50 KDa subunits (Gambliel et al., 1984).

Radio-GLC analysis of the products generated by extracts of C. breweri stigmata (FIG. 4) or petals that had been incubated with [³H]-GPP indicated the presence of linalool only. The preparations were devoid of other monoterpene synthase activities or GPP phosphohydrolase activity as evidenced by the absence of [³H]-geraniol in the reaction products. In contrast, C. breweri leaves contained only GPP phosphohydrolase activity, as leaf-derived cell-free extracts produced only geraniol. The enantiomer compositions of the linalool emitted by C. breweri flowers (obtained by head space collection

[Raguso and Pichersky, 1995]), and that produced in vi tro from GPP by the purified enzyme from stigmata were next determined by their separation on a /3-cyclodextrin capillary column. Both samples contained only the 3Santipode of linalool. The conversion of GPP to cyclohexanoid monoterpenes is thought to involve an initial ionization step followed by collapse of the resulting ion pair (1) to enzyme-bound LPP, which after tranaoid to ciaoid rotation, ionizes to promote the cyclization step (FIG. I) (Croteau, 1987). LPP can serve as an alternate substrate for most

monoterpene synthases and is generally more efficient than GPP since the isomerization is commonly the rate-limiting step of the coupled reaction sequence (Croteau et al., 1994; Rajaonarivony et al., 1992). To determine whether C. breweri LIS accepts LPP as an alternate substrate, both the R- and the S-linalyl enantiomers were tested as precursors (Table 6). Only a low rate of conversion of S-LPP to linalool was observed (15% the rate for GPP), whereas the J?- antipode was essentially not converted to linalool. This suggests that in the normal reaction the ionization of GPP leads to capture by water of the resulting cation (1) at the tertiary center to give linalool directly without the involvement of LPP. Thus the reaction catalyzed by LIS is considerably simpler than the coupled isomerization-cyclization sequence catalyzed by monoterpene cyclases (FIG. I).

Similar to other monoterpene synthases (Alonso, 1992; Lewinsohn et al., 1992; Rajaonarivony et al., 1992; Alonso et al., 1993), S-linalool synthase requires a divalent metal ion for activity. Mn²⁺ is most efficient (K_m=45 μM), although Mg²⁺ (K_m= 330 μM) can substitute for Mn²⁺ at half the rate. Neither Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Ca²⁺, nor Co²⁺ (at 1 to 10 mM, as the chloride salts) support the enzymatic reaction, and no detectable linalool is formed in the absence of divalent metal ions. A K_m value of 0.9 μM was calculated for GPP from a Lineweaver-Burk plot. This value is in the range

determined for other monoterpene synthases from plants (Alonso et al., 1992; Alonso et al., 1993). A turnover number of 31.6 sec^-1 was calculated for LIS under

saturating conditions, indicating that the enzyme is much faster than other monoterpene synthases examined so far (Alonso et al., 1992; Alonso et al., 1993). A broad pH optimum of 7.4 was calculated for the enzyme, with the rates at pH 6.4 and 8.4 being ~80% of the optimal. This optimal pH range is similar to those determined for other monoterpene synthases (Alonso et al., 1992; Lewinsohn et al., 1992; Alonso et al ., 1993). Similar rates were observed while substituting Hepes buffer with Tris-HCl. The enzyme is unstable in the absence of DTT (>95% loss over 2 h at 4 °C), and its later addition does not result in the regaining of activity. Addition of the non-ionic detergent Triton-X-100 (0.1% w/v) had no effect on enzyme activity, but similar levels of sodium dodecyl sulfate resulted in a complete loss of activity. Similarly to other monoterpene synthases (Lewinsohn et al., 1991;

Wheeler et al., 1986), the enzyme is very stable to vigorous vortexing in the presence of non-polar organic solvents such as hexane and pentane.

While the compositions and methods of this invention have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, it will be apparent to those of skill in the art that variations may be applied to the composition, methods and in the steps or in the sequence of steps of the method described herein without departing from the concept, spirit and scope of the invention. More specifically, it will be apparent that certain agents which are both chemically and physiologically related may be substituted for the agents described herein while the same or similar results would be achieved. All such similar substitutes and modifications apparent to those skilled in the art are deemed to be within the spirit, scope and concept of the invention as defined by the appended claims. REFERENCES

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Claims

CLAIMS ;

1. An isolated nucleic acid segment comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding a linalool synthase protein or polypeptide.

2. The isolated nucleic acid segment of claim 1, wherein said nucleic acid sequence encodes the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2.

3. The nucleic acid segment of claim 2, wherein said nucleic acid segment comprises a nucleic acid sequence consisting essentially of the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 or a nucleic acid segment hybridizing to SEQ ID NO:1 under high conditions of 0.02M-0.15M NaCl at temperatures of at least 50°C to 70°C

4. The nucleic acid segment of claim 3, wherein said nucleic acid segment has the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1.

5. The nucleic acid segment of claim 1, wherein said nucleic acid segment is positioned under the control of a promoter.

6. The nucleuic acid segment of claim 1, wherein said nucleic acid segment is positioned under the control of a heterologous promoter.

7. The nucleic acid segment of claim 1 further defined as a recombinant vector.

8. The nucleic acid segment of claim 7, wherein said vector is a recombinant expression vector capable of expressing a linalool synthase protein or polypeptide on introduction into a host cell.

9. A plant transformed with the recombinant expression vector of claim 8.

10. The nucleic acid segment of claim 7, wherein said vector comprises a nucleic acid sequence in accordance with SEQ ID NO:1.

11. The nucleic acid segment of claim 7, wherein the vector comprises the pBLUESCRIPT or pBIN19 nucleic acid sequence .

12. A recombinant host cell comprising a nucleic acid segment in accordance with claim 1.

13. The recombinant host cell of claim 12, wherein the host cell is a prokaryotic cell.

14. The recombinant host cell of claim 12, wherein the host cell is a eukaryotic cell.

15. The recombinant host cell of claim 14, wherein the host cell is in a plant.

16. The recombinant host cell of claim 12, wherein the nucleic acid segment is positioned in a recombinant vector.

17. The recombinant host cell of claim 16, wherein the recombinant vector is a recombinant expression vector and the host cell expresses a linalool synthase polypeptide.

18. The recombinant host cell of claim 16, wherein the recombinant expression vector comprises a nucleic acid sequence in accordance with the nucleic acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1.

19. A nucleic acid segment hybridizable to the nucleic acid segment of claim 3 under stringent conditions .

20. The nucleic acid segment of claim 19 wherein said segment comprises a nucleic acid sequence consisting essentially of the complement of SEQ ID NO:1.

21. A nucleic acid segment which comprises a sequence of at least 15 contiguous nucleotides which corresponds to at least a 15 nucleotide contiguous sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 or its complement.

22. The nucleic acid segment of claim 21, further defined as comprising a sequence of at least 30

contiguous nucleotides which corresponds to a sequence of at least 30 contiguous nucleotides of SEQ ID NO:1 or its complement .

23. The nucleic acid segment of claim 22, further defined as comprising a sequence of at least 50

contiguous nucleotides which corresponds to a sequence of at least 50 contiguous nucleotides of SEQ ID NO:1 or its complement .

24. The nucleic acid segment of claim 23, further defined as comprising a sequence of at least 100

contiguous nucleotides which corresponds to a sequence of at least 100 contiguous nucleotides of SEQ ID NO:1 or its complement .

25. The nucleic acid segment of claim 24, further defined as comprising a sequence of at least 200

contiguous nucleotides which corresponds to a sequence of at least 200 contiguous nucleotides of SEQ ID NO:1 or its complement .

26. The nucleic acid segment of claim 25, further defined as comprising a sequence of at least 500

contiguous nucleotides which corresponds to a sequence of at least 500 contiguous nucleotides of SEQ ID NO:1 or its complement .

27. The nucleic acid segment of claim 26, further defined as comprising a sequence of at least 1,000 contiguous nucleotides which corresponds to a sequence of at least 1,000 contiguous nucleotides of SEQ ID NO:1 or its complement.

28. The nucleic acid segment of claim 27, further defined as comprising a sequence of at least 2,000 contiguous nucleotides which corresponds to a sequence of at least 2,000 contiguous nucleotides of SEQ ID NO:1 or its complement.

29. The nucleic acid segment of claim 28, further defined as comprising a sequence of at least 2,583 contiguous nucleotides which corresponds to a sequence of at least 2,583 contiguous nucleotides of SEQ ID NO:1 or its complement.

30. The nucleic acid segment of claim 29, further defined as comprising a sequence of at least 2,610 contiguous nucleotides which corresponds to a sequence of at least 2,610 contiguous nucleotides of SEQ ID NO:1 or its complement.

31. The nucleic acid segment of claim 30, further defined as comprising a sequence of at least 2,681 contiguous nucleotides which corresponds to the 2,681 nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 or its complement.

32. The nucleic acid segment of claim 21, further defined as comprising a nucleic acid fragment of up to 5,000 basepairs in length.

33. The nucleic acid segment of claim 32, further defined as comprising a nucleic acid fragment of up to 3,000 basepairs in length.

34. The nucleic acid segment of claim 21, further defined as a DNA segment.

35. A method of using a nucleic acid segment encoding a linalool synthase protein or polypeptide, comprising the steps of : preparing a recombinant vector in which said nucleic acid segment is positioned under the control of a promoter; introducing said recombinant vector into a host

cell; and culturing said host cell under conditions effective to allow expression of the encoded linalool synthase protein or polypeptide.

36. The method of claim 35, further comprising the step of collecting said expressed linalool synthase protein or polypeptide.

37. A method of enhancing the scent production of a plant, comprising the steps of: obtaining a recombinant vector capable of expressing the nucleic acid segment of claim 1 on introduction into a plant cell; transforming said plant with said vector; and growing said plant under conditions appropriate for expression of said nucleic acid segment.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein said nucleic acid segment is under the control of a tissue specific

promoter/enhancer.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein said

promoter/enhancer is specific for floral tissue.

40. The method of claim 38, wherein said plant is a petunia plant.

41. A method of enhancing the flavor of a plant,

comprising the steps of: obtaining a recombinant vector capable of expressing the nucleic acid segment of claim 1 on introduction into a plant cell; transforming said plant with said vector; and growing said plant under conditions appropriate for expression of said nucleic acid segment.

42. The method of claim 41, wherein said nucleic acid segment is under the control of a tissue specific promoter/enhancer .

43. The method of claim 42, wherein said

promoter/enhancer is specific for fruit tissue.

44. The method of claim 43, wherein said plant is a tomato plant.

45. A purified linalool synthase polypeptide having a molecular weight of from about 68 to 79 kDa and a

specific activity of at least about 20 pkat/mg.

46. The polypeptide of claim 45, wherein said

polypeptide has a specific activity of at least 44.1 pkat/mg.

47. The polypeptide of claim 46, wherein said

polypeptide has a specific activity of at least 395 pkat/mg.

48. A linalool synthase polypeptide composition obtained by separating proteins from a flower or a flower part of a Clarkaia breweri plant and collecting those proteins with linalool synthase activity.

49. The linalool synthase polypeptide composition of claim 48, wherein said proteins are separated by the steps of : separating said proteins by ion exchange

chromatography and collecting the fractions with linalool synthase activity; separating said proteins by hydroxyapatite column chromatography and collecting fractions with linalool synthase activity; and separating said proteins by Mono-Q column

chromatography and collecting the fractions with linalool synthase activity to obtain said polypeptide composition.

50. The polypeptide of claim 48, further defined as consisting essentially of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2.

51. A recombinant polypeptide comprising as a part of its amino acid sequence, a sequence according to the amino acid sequence set forth as SEQ ID NO: 2.

52. The polypeptide of claim 51 wherein the polypeptide has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2.

53. An antibody immunoreactive with the polypeptide of claim 45 or claim 51.

54. The antibody of claim 53 wherein said antibody is a monoclonal antibody.