USE OF THE GENE P5SSR2 TO INCREASE THE SYNTHESIS OF CARDENOLIDES

摘要

Use of the gene P5ßR2 to increase the synthesis of cardenolides. The present invention describes a new gene encoding for a protein member of the SDR protein family with 5ß-reductase progesterone activity specific to plant species capable of synthesising cardenolides. Said gene, P5ßR2, presents a promoter sequence capable of increasing the expression thereof under conditions of biotic, abiotic stress and as a response to different chemical elicitors. The increase in gene expression of P5ßR2 is translated into an increase in the synthesis of total cardenolides by plants presenting said gene.