Quercetin Regulation By PIRIN1 and Ultraviolet Light Can Boost Medicinal Properties of Seedlings of Medicinal Importance

Seed-to-seedling transition is a critical developmental time. In this stage, the photosynthetic apparatus becomes fully functional and seedlings start to produce defensive molecules. Quercetin is stored in the seeds, and young seedlings, can synthesize it in response to UV-induction. But how quercetin is regulated in vivo is largely unknown, but very important as this compound is important by itself or in combination with other molecules, for medicinal use. Pirins are highly conserved proteins and identified as possessing endogenous quercetinase, i.e. Pirin can cleave quercetin, where the product is not as effective an antioxidant as quercetin. Hence, an overactive Pirin can be destructive to plant tissues where quercetins may be an important component of protection for the plant, and for use by humans. We investigated the impact of PRN1 on quercetin metabolism as well as seedling establishment in Arabidopsis thaliana, to better understand applications of our technology to herbs and other plants of medicinal importance. We have made a number of transgenics that test the functions of Pirin protein and the effects on natural plant flavonoids. Human Pirin can regulate some of the medicinal ingredients from plants. Hence we investigated how quercetins might be produced in the plants in response to human Pirin, so we can understand the derived medicinal properties. Assays developed revealed the differences between plant and human Pirin, and the differences in how quercetins and other flavonoids can be synthesized. We will also demonstrate how UV technology can benefit improvement to medicinal properties of the plants that are already utilized in mammalian diets.