Embryo culture and taxane production inTaxus spp

Summary We have previously shown (Flores and Sgrignoli, 1991) that immature embryos ofTaxus brevifolia andT. X media are capable of precocious germination and can grow into seedlings in vitro. The cultural and environmental parameters for embryo germination and conversion into seedlings have been optimized and extended toT. baccata andT. cuspidata. A 14-h photoperiod improved embryo germination and growth into seedlings. A pregermination cold treatment of the seeds had a positive effect on both the onset and percentage of germination. Embryos from cold-treated seeds germinated earlier and at a higher frequency than those from control seeds. Boron was necessary for embryo germination, and levels of this micronutrient were established for optimal growth and germination ofT. brevifolia andT. X media cv. Hicksii embryos. Gupta and Durzan’s medium was superior to White’s for embryo germination and root formation. Naphthaleneacetic acid stimulated root formation in embryo-derived seedlings. We also found that immature embryos could be induced to form callus with embryogenic potential. Taxol and related taxanes were detected in embryo- derived seedlings.     

An analysis of seed development in Pisum sativum. VII. Embryo development and precocious germination in vitro

Three different culture media have been examined for their ability to support growth in culture of embryos of two pea lines near-isogenic except for the r-locus. Embryos showed a greater increase in fresh weight on a medium containing 10% sucrose and a high level of a mixture of amino acids than on either one containing an equivalent amount of glutamine as the sole nitrogen source or one containing both inorganic nitrogen and a low level of glutamine. Small embryos (up to 10 mg fresh weight) showed the greatest relative increase in fresh weight. Decreasing the osmotic pressure of an agar medium by lowering the sucrose content to 2% and reducing the concentration of amino acids induced precocious germination. Shoot growth was more sensitive than root growth to increasing sucrose concentrations and optimum development was obtained when embryos were cultured in liquid culture at a high osmotic pressure followed by growth on an agar medium at low osmotic pressure. Alternatively, precocious germination could be induced by removing the cotyledons. Embryos of all sizes and of both genotypes of pea responded in a similar manner.     

In vitro culture of immature embryos of Howea forsteriana Becc.

Immature zygotic embryos from Howea forsteriana Becc. were cultured on the Murashige and Skoog medium, supplemented with myo-inositol, thiamine-HCl and activated charcoal, in the absence of growth regulators. The fruits were stored for 4 weeks at +4°C and at –18°C. The excised embryos from the fruits stored at +4°C developed into plantlets, showing a well developed primary root, after 40 days in culture, while those excised from fruits stored at –18°C exhibited no growth.This is the first time that in vitro culture and plantlet regeneration from immature embryos of Howea forsteriana has been obtained.     

A spermine-resistant mutant of Arabidopsis thaliana displays precocious germination

From an ethylmethane sulphonate-mutagenized M₂ population of Arabidopsis thaliana L. var Landsberg erecta, a mutant was isolated on the basis of its ability to germinate in the presence of a germination inhibitory concentration (0.35 mM) of spermine. The mutant produced yellowish green seeds that lacked a mucilaginous sheath, exhibited reduced dormancy and were generally viviparous under ambient conditions. Dose-response assays indicated increased resistance of the mutant to spermine but normal sensitivity to spermidine, putrescine and abscisic acid. The spermine resistance and the associated phenotype of the mutant was inherited as a single recessive nuclear mutation. Following the genetic analysis, spermine-resistant mutant has been designated as spr2. The results suggest a role for spermine in seed dormancy.     

In vitro zygotic embryo culture of wild Musa acuminata ssp.malaccensis and factors affecting germination and seedling growth

In vitro zygotic embryo culture of wild banana significantly increased the germination compared to greenhouse grown seeds. Embryo orientation and BAP concentration significantly affected germination rate. These factors together with gelling agent, dark and light conditions and coconut water, also showed variable effects on the number of roots per plant, root length, shoot length, number of days to root emergence and number of days to shoot emergence.     

云南红豆杉新采收种子的形态与离体胚的萌发特性

通过云南红豆杉新采收种子形态观察、透水性测定、种子大小以及所带胚乳多少对离体胚萌发率的影响等试验,探讨云南红豆杉种子的休眠与萌发机理。结果表明,云南红豆杉种子呈倒卵形和三棱形;胚酒瓶形,白色;胚乳淡黄色,油质。种子千粒重为72.934g;种皮、种仁和种胚分别占种子鲜重的50.56%、40.45%和8.99%;胚与种子的体积比(E∶S)为0.074。胚的体积为0.156—1.012mm~3,种子为51.658—109.649mm~3,两者呈显著正相关(P0.05,r=0.810)。完整种子的吸水率明显低于破裂种皮、酸蚀40min和酸蚀20min的种子,但差异随着浸泡时间延长而缩小;种子含水量饱和时,完整种子、破皮种子与酸蚀种子的吸水率无显著差异(前者为23.7%,后两者约28.0%)。不同大小种子离体胚的萌发率差异显著(P0.05),特大、大、中、小和特小种子的离体胚的萌发率为80%、77.8%、67.5%、62.0%和44.0%。胚乳抑制离体胚的萌发,不带胚乳离体胚的萌发率为41.3%,显著高于带胚乳的萌发率(P0.05),带部分胚乳的胚为9.7%—13.3%,带全胚乳的胚为0。同时离体胚培养过程中所用种胚的新鲜程度也严重影响胚的萌发率。云南红豆杉种子休眠属于中度生理休眠类型,种子中的抑制物质含量随时间的动态变化和胚乳中抑制物质含量的多少对胚萌发率的影响是以后云南红豆杉休眠研究的重点。     

In vitro culture of Ginkgo

Summary Ginkgo biloba L. is an important landscape tree, is resistant to insect, fungi and other pests, and produces a number of chemicals that have pharmaceutical properties (termed ginkgolides). Studies were initiated to establish an in vitro culture protocol for Ginkgo. Explants (intact embryos, embryos with cotyledons removed, and cotyledon tissue) were removed from disinfested seeds and cultured on Murashige and Skoog minimal organics medium with various combinations of either 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) or naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) and either kinetin or benzyladenine (BA). Cultures were incubated in the light and morphological development was recorded. Both embryo and cotyledon explants produced callus (cotyledon tissue produced the most callus). Ginkgolides A and B were detected in callus tissue extracts. Intact embryo cultures initiated on media with 2,4-D plus NAA for 5 wk produced shoots and roots when transferred to media with 4.5 μM 2,4-D alone for an additional 5 wk. Plants were transferred from the 2,4-D media to pots and maintained in the greenhouse.     

Transient gus expression in zygotic embryos ofTaxus Brevifolia

Summary Germinated zygotic embryos of Pacific yew (Taxus brevifolia) were transiently transformed with the expression vector pBl121, as demonstrated by expression of the β-glucuronidase (GUS) gene. Embryos exhibited sectors of blue color following treatment with DNA and dimethyl sulfoxide (optimal concentration of 2.25%). However, transient expression depended on the presence of ions in the buffer, as no GUS activity was observed when deionized water was used in place of other buffers. GUS gene expression was dependent on the developmental stage of the embryo, since the frequency of GUS expression was elevated in embryos incubated with the expression vector during a period from 4 to 8 wk after culture of DCR medium. In addition, the utility of using zygotic embryos from mature seeds for tissue culture and transient expression experiments was also examined. Completed as partial fulfillment of the Masters of Science Degree in the Biological Sciences, Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. Each author contributed significantly to this work.     

Factors affecting the in vitro rapid germination of Taxus embryos and the evaluation of taxol content in the plantlets

A simple and efficient in vitro method for breaking the dormancy of Taxus baccata L. cv. Stricta seeds was investigated. The highest rate of germination (100%) of embryos isolated from seeds, which had been washed with running tap water for 7 days, was obtained after 7 days of culture on modified Murashige and Skoog or Heller media. The taxol equivalent content in 2-month-old Taxus plantlets was investigated using anti-taxol polyclonal antibodies. The results showed that the taxol equivalent content varied, depending on Taxus species and on the individuals in the same taxon.     

In vitro zygotic embryo culture of an endangered forest tree Givotia rottleriformis and factors affecting its germination and seedling growth

Summary This study reports a protocol for germination of Givotia rottleriformis (var. Tel. Thella Poniki) using zygotic embryo culture. A 100% germination was obtained by culturing the embryos on Murashige and Skoog medium containing 30 gl^−1 sucrose. A sucrose concentration lower or higher than 30 gl^−1 resulted in lower germination or promoted callus formation. The seedling growth was promoted by the addition of 100 mgl^−1 tyrosine in the medium. Seedlings germinated in the presence of 0.2–0.4 mgl^−1 α-naphthaleneacetic acid and 0.3–0.5 mgl^−1 indole-3-butyric acid were abnormal, showing a slender stem with slender roots or forming callus with stout roots. Germination also affected embryo orientation in culture; placing embryos upright on the medium was most beneficial for germination. The in vitro-germinated seedlings were acclimatized in soil under shady conditions with a survival rate of 60–70%. These plants were phenotypically normal, healthy, and similar to donor plants. This protocol will be useful for overcoming seed dormancy and for rapid multiplication and conservation of G. rottleriformis using zygotic embryo culture.     

In vitro culture of embryos of Cucumis spp.: heart-stage embryos have a higher ability of direct plant formation than advanced-stage embryos

Summary The ability of embryos at different developmental stages to form plants in vitro has been studied in cultivated Cucumis sativus L. and in the wild species C. zeyheri 2 x Sond. and C. metuliferus Naud. On MS medium containing 3.5% sucrose, 0.1 mg 1^–1 kinetin (Kn) and 0.01 mg 1^–1 indoleacetic acid (IAA), proembryos (0.03–0.05 mm) and early globular embryos (0.05–0.08 mm) from the wild species developed into plants in low frequencies of 8% and 21%, respectively. These embryos should be surrounded by the embryo sac tissue. On the same medium late globular (0.08–0.1 mm) and early heart-stage embryos (0.1–0.3 mm) developed into plants in moderately high and high frequencies of 48% and 83%, respectively. The presence of the embryo sac at these stages was still beneficial, but no longer a prerequisite. Late heart-stage embryos (0.3–0.8 mm) also showed high frequencies of plant formation, 63%, if Kn was applied at a concentration of 1 mg 1^–1. From the early cotyledon stage onwards, the frequency of plant formation gradually decreased, reaching a minimum at the late cotyledon stage. Subsequently it began to increase again up to the late maturation stage. The poor plant formation shown by the intermediate-aged embryos could be improved slightly by lowering the sucrose concentration to 0.5% and by increasing the Kn concentration to 10 mg 1^–1. Relative to the wild species, embryos of C. sativus showed lower percentages of plant formation. The optimum sucrose concentration was 2% for the heart-stage C. sativus embryos. In all three species the ability to form plants strongly decreased with increasing embryo age, from early to late cotyledon. This is thought to be caused by the increasing tendency of the embryos at these stages to continue in vitro the normal embryo development.     

Increasing in vitro germination of Musa balbisiana seed

Seeds of Musa balbisiana were soaked in water for five days prior to excision of embryos. Embryos with their longitudinal axis laid flat and half-way embedded on agar-solidified medium produced the highest germination and the most desirable plantlet characteristics. Germination in vitro was 94% within 7 days compared to 50% after 54 days for greenhouse-sown seeds.     

In vitro conidial germination in Arthrinium aureum and Arthrinium phaeospermum

This paper describes the microscopic details of conidial germination and the influence of pH, sodium chloride concentration, 3% glucose, 3% saccharose and ultraviolet irradiation on the conidial germination in Arthrinium species. Under laboratory conditions, germination started after an incubation period of 90 minutes in 2% malt extract broth at 25 degrees C. In vitro, the conidia of Arthrinium species have a very low percentage of germination (A. phaeospermum: 7.9%; A. aureum: 15.8%). Conidia of this genus have a characteristic equatorial slit. Conidia may break spontaneously at this slit, releasing their cytoplasmic contents. Arthrinium phaeospermum attains its optimum germination percentage when its conidia are suspended in a sterile saline solution (pH 3.5) in a water bath at 20 degrees C for 15 minutes before being inoculated on 2% malt extract agar. Conidial suspensions of A. aureum may be held in the same conditions, but for 30 minutes.     

大叶种胡椒实生苗茎尖培养和合子胚培养研究

利用各种表面消毒方法对采自海南岛三个地区的胡椒大田植株的外植体进行消毒试验,由于内源性污染,除胡椒成熟种子外,其它各种大田外植体的表面消毒均未能成功。以胡椒成熟种子无菌萌发的实生苗茎尖作外植体,在1/2MS(MS或B5)+1.5mg/LBA+0～0.2mg/LIAA(或NAA)上可实现丛生芽增殖。茎尖水平或竖直接种方法显著影响茎尖的增殖;水平接种茎尖的生长和增殖效果优于竖直茎尖接种方式。茎尖增殖率随BA浓度的增加而提高,但BA浓度大于2.0mg/L时会使苗芽的质量降低,愈伤组织产生严重,苗芽细小,抽出不明显,颜色发黄甚至变白。附加或不附加100mg/LAdSO4对丛生芽增殖没有明显影响。生根培养基以1/2MS+1.0mg/LIBA+0.5～1.0mg/LIAA为最优,生根率可达100%;在细沙∶土∶椰糠(1∶1∶1)的基质中常规炼苗,成活率可达98%以上。液体纸桥法对胡椒种胚进行培养,在不附加任何生长调节物质的培养基(MS、B5或SH)上只产生单苗,而在附加不同种类和不同浓度的生长调节物质的培养基上则诱导形成愈伤组织,但未能实现分化;以胡椒无菌萌发的实生苗胚轴和叶片切段作外植体进行培养,较易诱导产生愈伤组织,但难以实现分化。     

Culture of isolated zygotic embryos of Pinus radiata D. Don. Part I: Factors influencing in vitro germination and growth of isolated embryos

Summary Factors influeneing the conversion of isolated mature zygotic embryos of Pinus radiata D. Don into plantlets were investigated. Nutritional factors were critical to this conversion. The optimum medium strength was half-strength medium consisting of modified Quoirin and Le Poivre salts (von Arnold and Eriksson, 1981) and Schenk and Hildebrandt (1972) vitamins. Sucrose (3%), glucose (2–3%) and fructose (2–5%) could serve as carbon sources for this conversion. In general, a few significant benefits were found with the addition of organic nitrogen sources tested on the development of isolated embryos into plantlets. Nearly all plant growth regulators tested were not beneficial for this conversion, and some of them had a negative effect. Only gibberellic acid (GA₃ at 0.58 μM) seemed to stimulate embryos to germinate a little bit earlier in comparison with the control. Submerging the cotyledons of the isolated embryo into the agar-gelled medium led to better growth in comparison with the control. Embryos cultured in liquid medium grew better but the germination percentage was apparently lower compared with agar-gelled medium. Liquid medium with sponge support could increase the percentage of germinated isolated embryos, but the embryo growth was not comparable to the liquid medium only. The addition of polyethylene glycol 6000 to the liquid medium seemed to increase the germination percentage and had no adverse effect on the growth of isolated embryos. Light could influence embling growth in different ways.     

Development and germination of pecan somatic embryos derived from liquid culture

Aggregates of globular and pre-globular stage somatic embryos from suspension cultures of pecan (Carya illinoensis Koch) were cultured on solidified media for embryo development. Embryo aggregates and pre-globular stage embryo masses were given various treatments to further ontologic development. A 2- to 4-wk mild dehydration of the embryo aggregates suppressed recurrent embryogenesis, promoted development of globular embryos into cotyledonary stage embryos, and enhanced plant development beyond germination. Fine embryogenic tissue masses filtered from suspension formed cotyledonary-staged embryos when the collection filters were plated on solified medium. The embryogenic capacity of preglobular stage embryo masses was compared between media supplemented with varying concentrations of polyethylene glycol (molecular weight 8 000) vs. filter overlays. The filter paper overlays were not necessary for embryo development. An inverse relationship was found between the number of embryos that developed and the concentration of polyethylene glycol in the medium. However, this relationship was reversed for ability of embryos to germinate and develop into a plant.     

植物细胞工程技术生产紫杉醇研究进展

紫杉醇是一种二萜类生物碱,主要从红豆杉树皮中分离提取。目前采用植物细胞工程技术是提高紫杉醇产率、保护稀缺资源红豆杉、解决紫杉醇药源紧缺的一种最有效方法。该文对近十年来国内外有关采用植物细胞工程技术生产紫杉醇的研究进展,包括红豆杉细胞系的建立、悬浮培养条件的研究、生物反应器培养以及紫杉醇合成代谢调控方面的最新研究进展进行综述。并重点论述了前体、诱导子和代谢支路抑制剂对红豆杉细胞悬浮培养生产紫杉醇的影响,为植物细胞工程技术生产紫杉醇提供借鉴和参考。     

In vitro induction of pollen embryos and plantlets in Aesculus carnea Hayne through anther culture

Uninuclear microspores in red horse chestnut anther cultures formed pollen embryos and plantlents in MS agar medium supplemented with varying 2,4-D concentrations (1.0, 1.5 or 2.0 mg l^-1) and 1.0 mg l^-1 Kin. The highest number of embryogenic anthers (38%) was obtained in MS medium containing 1.0 mg l^-1 of each 2,4-D and Kin. The ability of pollen embryos to germinate was closely correlated with normal embryo morphology and was influenced by hormone content in the medium (MS+;1.0 mg l^-1 IAA+1.0 mg l^-1 GA₃+0.1 mg l^-1 Kin+400 mg l^-1 glutamine). Pollen embryos and plantlets had the haploid chromosome number (x=n=40). Cytological examinations demonstrated pollen dimorphism of this Aesculus species.Abbreviations AC activated charcoal - 2,4-D 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - IAA indole-3-acetic acid - Kin 6-furfurylaminopurine - GA₃ gibberellic acid - MS Murashige and Skoog     

Effect of kinetin and GA3 on in vitro ovule embryo culture of Cucumis melo L.

The ability of Cucumis melo embryos of different ages to form plants in vitro was studied in order to rescue hybrid embryos between C. melo and Cucumis metuliferus. Plants were grown in a glasshouse at temperatures ranging from 15°CN-28°CD. Best results were obtained with ovule embryos excised 17 days after pollination. At this age, kinetin of 0.5 mg l^–1 was found optimal for culturing embryo development. Similar results were obtained with ovule embryos excised 14 days after pollination which cultured on 0.5 mg l^–1 kinetin with 0.5 mg l^–1 GA₃.     

In vitro pollen germination of species and two interspecific hybrids from the genus Brassica

In vitro pollen germination of five species and two interspecific hybrids from the genus Brassica was tested in four media. Genetically fixed differences in the demands for optimal pollen germination among species were found. The experiments were designed to define optimal content of mineral salts, sugar, and PEG for every investigated species or hybrids. The differences found among species are discussed in relation to the evolutionary trend.