Identification of genes involved in trichome specific metabolism in Nicotiana tabacum

Glandular plant trichomes are part of the plant defense system and are involved in the production and the secretion of secondary compounds on the leaf surface. Although the metabolites produced in tobacco glandular trichomes have been extensively studied and demonstrated to have a decisive impact on pest and stress resistance, very little is known about the genetic information driving and regulating their biosynthesis. Here we report the generation of trichome specific libraries of expressed sequence tags where sequences can be classified in discrete categories related to secondary metabolism. As an example we describe two genes contributing to the diterpenoids biosynthesis pathway.