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3110777 
Journal Article 
Labellum transcriptome reveals alkene biosynthetic genes involved in orchid sexual deception and pollination-induced senescence 
Monteiro, F; Sebastiana, M; Figueiredo, A; Sousa, L; Cotrim, HC; Pais, MS 
2012 
Yes 
Functional & Integrative Genomics
ISSN: 1438-793X
EISSN: 1438-7948 
12 
4 
693-703 
WOS:000311781700011 
One of the most remarkable pollination strategy in orchids biology is pollination by sexual deception, in which the modified petal labellum lures pollinators by mimicking the chemical (e.g. sex pheromones), visual (e.g. colour and shape/size) and tactile (e.g. labellum trichomes) cues of the receptive female insect species. The present study aimed to characterize the transcriptional changes occurring after pollination in the labellum of a sexually deceptive orchid (Ophrys fusca Link) in order to identify genes involved on signals responsible for pollinator attraction, the major goal of floral tissues. Novel information on alterations in the orchid petal labellum gene expression occurring after pollination demonstrates a reduction in the expression of alkene biosynthetic genes using O. fusca Link as the species under study. Petal labellum transcriptional analysis revealed downregulation of transcripts involved in both pigment machinery and scent compounds, acting as visual and olfactory cues, respectively, important in sexual mimicry. Regulation of petal labellum senescence was revealed by transcripts related to macromolecules breakdown, protein synthesis and remobilization of nutrients. 
Ophrys fusca; Labellum; Sexual deception; Transcriptome; Alkene biosynthetic gene; Senescence