Expression of Clarkia S-linalool synthase in transgenic petunia plants results in the accumulation of S-linalyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside

Petunia hybrida W115 was transformed with a Clarkia breweri S-linalool synt hase cDNA (lis). Lis was expressed in all tissues analysed, and linalool wa s detected in leaves, sepals, corolla, stem and ovary, but not in nectaries , roots, pollen and style. However, the S-linalool produced by the plant in the various tissues is not present as free linalool, but was efficiently c onverted to non-volatile S-linalyl-beta -D-glucopyranoside by the action of endogenous glucosyltransferase. The results presented demonstrate that mon oterpene production can be altered by genetic modification, and that the co mpounds produced can be converted by endogenous enzymatic activity.