Functional characterization of squalene epoxidase se gene isolated from chlorophytum borivilianum

Abstract

In vitro regeneration protocol for micro-propagation in C. borivilianum was standardized using leaf and flower stalk. A detailed study in N. tabacum (heterologous expression system) overexpressing CbSE gene was done. Morphological changes like wrinkled leaves, reduced plant height, increased number of leaves/plant, decreased leaf size, increased flower buds and delayed flowering was observed. Transgenic tobacco plants showed upregulation of upstream and downstream genes of the saponin biosynthetic pathway, led to the increased stigmasterol levels in hairy roots and leaves. This study will be helpful in generating plants with high saponin contents. newline