GENERATION OF CDNA CLONES FROM TRICOMES SPECIFIC CDNA LIBRARY OF MENTHA ARVENSIS

Partial sequencing of the cDNA clones together with homology search in sequence databases related the function of a specific EST isolated. Tissue specific cDNA library from glandular trichome of Mentha arvensis generated expressed sequence tags, which showed homology to the genes involved in the metabolic pathway and essential oil biosynthesis. One of the ESTs showed homology to a functional enzyme isopiperitenone reductase [Mentha x piperita] this enzyme is responsible for the conversion of (+) isopiperitenone into (+) cis isopulegone ,another enzyme (-) menthone reductase [Mentha x piperita] that is responsible for the conversion of (+) pullegone into (+)Menthofuran and menthol dehydrogenase [Mentha x piperita] converted menthone into menthol in the