Abstract
Fenchol, a key aromatic compound in lavender essential oils (EOs), is produced by the enzyme fenchol synthase (FENS). However, the functional mechanism of FENS is not well understood. This study reveals the intricate, multilevel regulation of FENSs genes in lavender. Structural models of FENS were predicted using AlphaFold2, with validation performed through the Ramachandran plot and ProSA tool. The highest expression of FENSs genes was observed in the leaves, compared to other tissues (roots, stems, and flowers). Gene expression levels increased, peaking at full bloom, and subsequently declined during senescence. Temporal analysis within a 24-h day/night cycle showed a peak in expression at 14:00, followed by a decrease. Under methyl jasmonate (MeJA) stress, expression levels peaked at 12 h before declining. Our results demonstrate that the expression of fenchol synthases may be precisely regulated by an integrated network of developmental, circadian, and jasmonate signaling pathways. This sophisticated regulation can optimize the plant's defense mechanisms and defines its aroma profile, providing a molecular foundation for improving the quality and yield of lavender EOs. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12298-025-01690-3.