Genes Encoding Z,Z-Farnesyl Diphosphate Synthase and A Sesquiterpene Synthase with Multiple Products and Uses Thereof

Abstract

The present invention relates to the genes involved in the biosynthetic pathway for sesquiterpenes of SB type (alpha-santalene, epi-beta-santalene, cis-alpha-bergamotene, trans-alpha-bergamotene and endo-beta-bergamotene,) and for the precursor thereof, Z,Z-farnesyl diphosphate (Z,Z-FPP), involving a Z,Z-FPP synthase and a sesquiterpene SB synthase, and to the uses thereof for producing sesquiterpeniques compounds of SB type.

1 . A method for producing sesquiterpenes in a cell comprising:
 a) introducing into said cell a construct having an expression cassette comprising a first gene encoding a Z,Z-farnesyl diphosphate synthase (zFPS) having at least 80% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 2 and a construct having an expression cassette comprising a second gene encoding a SB synthase (SBS) having at least 80% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 4; and   b) growing the transformed cell in the presence of isopentenyl diphosphate (IPP) and dimethylallyl diphosphate (DMAPP) under conditions suitable for the expression of said first and said second genes.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising collecting said sesquiterpenes contained in said cell and/or in culture medium containing said cell. 
     
     
         3 . A cDNA encoding a protein having at least 80% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 2 or having at least 80% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 4. 
     
     
         4 . A vector comprising a nucleic acid encoding a protein having at least 80% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 2 or having at least 80% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 4. 
     
     
         5 . The vector according to  claim 4  comprising an expression cassette, said expression cassette comprising the nucleic acid encoding a protein having at least 80% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 2 or having at least 80% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 4.