Heterologous expression of Chlorophytum borivilianum Squalene epoxidase in tobacco modulates stigmasterol production and alters vegetative and reproductive growth

Keymessage: CbSE overexpression increased stigmasterol levels and altered plant morphology. The genes upstream and downstream of CbSE were found to be upregulated, which confirms its regulatory role in the saponin biosynthetic pathway. Abstract: Chlorophytum borivilianum is a high-value medicinal plant with many promising preclinical applications that include saponins as a major active ingredient. Squalene epoxidase (SE) is one of the major rate-limiting enzymes of the saponin biosynthetic pathway. Here, we functionally characterized C. borivilianum SE (CbSE) by over-expressing heterologously in Nicotiana tabacum. The heterologous expression of CbSE resulted in stunted pant growth with altered leaf and flower morphology. Next, RT-qPCR analysis of transgenic plants overexpressing CbSE revealed increased expression levels of Cycloartenol synthase (CAS), Beta amyrin synthase (βAS), and cytochrome P450 monooxygenase 51 (CYP51) (Cytochrome P450), which encode key enzymes for triterpenoid and phytosterol biosynthesis in C. borivilianum. Further, Methyl Jasmonate (MeJa) treatment upregulated Squalene synthase (SQS), SE, and Oxidosqualene cyclases (OSCs) to a significant level. GC–MS analysis of the leaf and hairy roots of the transformants showed an increased stigmasterol content (0.5–1.0 fold) compared to wild type (WT) plants. These results indicate that CbSE is a rate-limiting gene, which encodes an efficient enzyme responsible for phytosterol and triterpenoid production in C. borivilianum.