ORIGINAL RESEARCH article
Front. Plant Sci.
Sec. Plant Bioinformatics
Volume 16 - 2025 | doi: 10.3389/fpls.2025.1661227
Structural and Functional Insights into NAD(P)H-Quinone Oxidoreductases in Lavender: Implications for Abiotic Stress Tolerance and Essential Oil Production
Provisionally accepted
Dafeng Liu1*
Na Li1Huashui Deng2Daoqi Song2Minawaier Maimaiti1Ayidana Nuerbieke1Mingtai Yekepeng1Kailibinuer Aili1- 1Yili Normal University, Yili, China
- 2Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
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Lavender essential oils (EOs) are economically valuable, with biosynthesis linked to photosynthesis. NAD(P)H-quinone oxidoreductases (NDHs) play a crucial role in regulating photosynthetic processes. To better understand the functional roles and mechanisms of NDHs, we investigated Lavandula angustifolia NDHs (LaNDHs) using AlphaFold2 for structural prediction and RT-qPCR for expression analysis. Gene LaNDHs showed highest expression in leaves compared to other tissues (stems, roots and flowers), with upregulation under cadmium ion, heat, salt, and blue light. These findings suggest LaNDHs enhance stress tolerance and photosynthesis, offering potential for improving EO yield.Lavender plants are of significant economic value due to their essential oils (EOs). The biosynthesis of these EOs is intricately associated with photosynthesis, which supplies the energy (ATP/NADPH) and carbon precursors required for terpene production. NAD(P)H-quinone oxidoreductases (NDHs) play a crucial role in regulating photosynthetic processes. To better understand the functional roles and mechanisms of NDHs, we investigated Lavandula angustifolia NAD(P)Hquinone oxidoreductases (LaNDHs). Structural models of LaNDHs were predicted using AlphaFold2, and active site residues were identified. LaNDHs genes were most highly expressed in the leaves compared to other tissues (stems, roots and flowers).Expression levels of LaNDHs in the leaves were positively correlated with increasing cadmium (Cd) concentrations. LaNDHs expression in leaves was enhanced by rising temperatures and increased salt concentrations. The highest expression levels of LaNDHs were under blue light compared to that under white and red light. These findings suggest that optimizing abiotic stress tolerance in lavender cultivars could enhance photosynthesis, thereby increasing both the yield and quality of lavender essential oils.
Keywords: Lavandula angustifolia (Lavender), NAD(P)H-quinone oxidoreductase, Three-dimensional (3D) structures, Gene Expression Levels, abiotic stress
Received: 07 Jul 2025; Accepted: 11 Aug 2025.
Copyright: © 2025 Liu, Li, Deng, Song, Maimaiti, Nuerbieke, Yekepeng and Aili. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
* Correspondence: Dafeng Liu, Yili Normal University, Yili, China
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