Fig. 3: Silencing CrMATE1 leads to significant changes in secoiridoid and downstream MIA pathways.

A In the background “Little Delicata” (LD), CrMATE1 transcripts were reduced by 73% (VIGS-MATE) compared to the empty vector (EV) controls. B Chemical profile of LD VIGS-MATE reveals a 50% reduction in secologanin, and a 16-fold increase in its reduced form, secologanol, compared to the EV. Vindoline was not affected and catharanthine was significantly reduced. C In “Pacifica White” (PW), CrMATE1 expression was suppressed by 80%. D Chemical profile of PW VIGS-MATE shows a significant reduction in secologanin and a 38-fold increase in its reduced form, secologanol, compared to the EV. Vindoline and catharanthine were significantly reduced by 42% and 46%, respectively. Data represents the mean ± S.D. of n = six biologically independent samples, except for PW VIGS-MATE (nine biologically independent samples). Data points are shown. One, two, and three asterisk(s) signify p < 0.05, p < 0.01, and p < 0.001, respectively (Student’s t-test).