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RESEARCH PRODUCT

Genetic Transformation of Serratula tinctoria (Dyer’s Savory) for Ecdysteroid Production

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description

Serratula tinctoria is a perennial plant of the Compositae family with medium-sized, serrated leaves and purple flowers (Loste 1937). This plant, also known as dyer’s savory, is widespread in Europe but with an irregular distribution. Inflorescences (capitula) are purple and are usually unisexual, staminate, or pistillate. In Europe, the flowering period extends from July to September. More than 40 species have been described in Europe, North Africa, and Asia. The plants produce large amounts of secondary metabolites, in particular ecdysteroids at very high concentration in roots (up to 2% dry wt.), in flowers, and in leaves (Bathori et al. 1986; Rudel et al. 1992; Corio-Costet et al. 1993b). Three major ecdysteroids are present in S. tinctoria (Fig. 1): 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E), its corresponding 3-acetate (20E3Ac), and polypodine B (Pol B), together with numerous minor ecdysteroids such as diacetates of 20E, rubrosterone, poststerone, their corresponding 3-epimers and compounds with a 22-oxo group (Rudel et al. 1992).