Heterologous Expression Of Furostanol Glycoside 26-O-Beta-Glucosidase Of Costus Speciosus In Nicotiana Tabacum

Furostanol glycoside 26-O-beta-glucosidase (F26G) is a specific beta-glucosidase converting a furostanol glycoside (FG) to its corresponding spirostanol glycoside (SG). A cDNA encoding F26G from Costus speciosus was introduced into a heterologous plant, Nicotiana tabacum via Agrobacterium tumefaciens using a binary Vector method. Successful integration of the cDNA into tobacco chromosomal DNA was confirmed by PCR analysis. F26G activity was also detected in cell-free extracts of the transgenic plantlets. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. Ali rights reserved.