Understanding in Vivo Benzenoid Metabolism in Petunia Petal Tissue

In vivo stable isotope labeling and computer-assisted metabolic flux analysis were used to investigate the metabolic pathways in petunia ( Petunia hybrida ) cv Mitchell leading from Phe to benzenoid compounds, a process that requires the shortening of the side chain by a C 2 unit. Deuterium-labeled Phe ( 2 H 5 -Phe) was supplied to excised petunia petals. The intracellular pools of benzenoid/phenylpropanoid-related compounds (intermediates and end products) as well as volatile end products within the floral bouquet were analyzed for pool sizes and labeling kinetics by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Modeling of the benzenoid network revealed that both the CoA-dependent, β -oxidative and CoA-independent, non- β -oxidative pathways contribute to the formation of benzenoid compounds in petunia flowers. The flux through the CoA-independent, non- β -oxidative pathway with benzaldehyde as a key intermediate was estimated to be about 2 times higher than the flux through the CoA-dependent, β -oxidative pathway. Modeling of 2 H 5 -Phe labeling data predicted that in addition to benzaldehyde, benzylbenzoate is an intermediate between l-Phe and benzoic acid. Benzylbenzoate is the result of benzoylation of benzyl alcohol, for which activity was detected in petunia petals. A cDNA encoding a benzoyl-CoA:benzyl alcohol/phenylethanol benzoyltransferase was isolated from petunia cv Mitchell using a functional genomic approach. Biochemical characterization of a purified recombinant benzoyl-CoA:benzyl alcohol/phenylethanol benzoyltransferase protein showed that it can produce benzylbenzoate and phenylethyl benzoate, both present in petunia corollas, with similar catalytic efficiencies.