Abstract 1998 Characterizing UDP-Dependent Glycosyltransferases in the Biosynthesis of Cardiac Glycosides in Wallflower

Cardenolides are plant specialized metabolites that have evolved independently in at least twelve plant families to serve as an herbivore defense mechanism. Cardenolides are cardiac glycosides that have a 6/6/6/5 steroid core with a five-membered lactone ring and one or more sugars. They act as potent sodium-potassium ATPase inhibitors that cause more forceful contractions in the heart and, in high doses, lead to cardiac arrest. Cardenolides have been used in traditional medicine for centuries, and the cardenolide digoxin is currently used medicinally in low doses to treat heart arrhythmias.