Biosynthesis of isoprenoids via mevalonate is essential for cold acclimation in alfalfa

AYUB ND, SOTO GC, STRITZLER M, PAGANO EM, ARDILA F AND RIOS RD

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Congreso; The 6th International Symposium on the Molecular Breeding of Forage and Turf; 2010

The majority (>80%) of the Earth’s surface is exposed to temperatures below 5 °C throughout the year. Cold stress triggers the production of active oxygen species in the respiratory chain, since it alters the properties of cellular membranes. The isoprenoids are an extremely diverse group of reduced organic compounds that increase fitness in changing environments. The first step of isoprenoid biosynthesis via mevalonate is catalyzed by a tiolase II (EC 2.3.19) which condenses two molecules of acetyl CoA to give acetoacetyl CoA.