Overexpression of the Saussurea medusa chalcone isomerase gene in S. involucrata hairy root cultures enhances their biosynthesis of apigenin

Chalcone isomerase (CHI) is a key enzyme of the flavonoid biosynthesis pathway. The chi gene from Saussurea medusa was introduced into hairy roots of Saussurea involucrata using Agrobacterium rhizogenes. Transgenic hairy root lines produced significantly higher levels of total flavonoids as well as apigenin.