The team found that overexpression of the OsTPS19 gene in rice plants enhanced the plants' resistance against rice blast. On the other hand, OsTPS19 RNAi-silenced lines were found more susceptible to the disease. Further analysis also revealed that the production of a monoterpene (S)-limonene was increased in OsTPS19-overexpressing lines while it decreased in RNAi lines.
This indicates that OsTPS19 functions as an (S)-limonene synthase in rice and plays a partial role in defense against M. oryzae.
For more information, read the article in Plant Biotechnology Journal.