In suspension cultures of Catharanthus roseus the cyanide-resistant pathway is engaged in respiration by excess sugar in combination with phosphate or nitrogen starvation

Suspension cultured cells of Catharanthus roseus were used to study the effects of excess sugar, and phosphate or nitrogen starvation on growth and respiration. Excess sugar resulted in a higher dry weight but the cell number was not significantly higher than in the controls. After inoculation in phosphate-free medium almost no growth was observed, whereas in medium without nitrogen some growth still occurred, indicating that the medium contains more than enough nitrogen and only a limited amount of phosphate. The maintenance respiration in the nitrogen-free medium was lower than in the control, probably as a result of a lower protein production. In phosphate-free medium, however, the maintenance respiration was higher, because the cyanide-resistant pathway was engaged and the P/O ratio was decreased. In Catharanthus roseus cells the cyanide-resistant pathway is engaged upon phosphate or nitrogen starvation in combination with excess sugar, while excess sugar, as such, does not engage the cyanide-resistant pathway. In the presence of excess sugar the rate of glycolysis is adenylate-controlled. It is only in combination with mineral starvation that the rate of glycolysis does not match the capacity of the cytochrome pathway, resulting in an overflow via the alternative pathway. After combination of mineral starvation with a low sugar supply the rate of glycolysis is controlled by both the substrate supply and the adenylates, and the cyanide-resistant pathway is not engaged.     

Breathing activity of suspension culture of cells of Polyscias filicifolia Bailey, Stephania glabra (Roxb.) Miers, and Dioscorea deltoidea Wall

Peculiarities of breathing of cultures of cells producing biologically active compounds (isoprenoids and alkaloids) were investigated in order to optimize productivity of culture growth and biosynthesis. It had been revealed that studied cultures of cells of Dioscorea deltoidea Wall (producer of furistanol glycosides), Stephania glabra (Roxb.) Miers (producer of stepharin alkaloid) and Polyscias filicifolia Bailey (complex of biologically active agents) differ both in joint breathing activity and in ratio between cytochrome and cyanide-resistant breathing, while changes of rate of total oxygen consumption and activity of alternative oxidase during growth were found to be individual for every investigated culture. Maximum rate of oxygen consumption for cells of D. deltoidea and S. glabra was marked in the period preceding active synthesis of secondary metabolites (lag phase for D. deltoidea and exponential phase for S. glabra). The revealed trends can be used for further monitoring and regulation of growth and biosynthesis of secondary metabolites in producing cell cultures during deep cultivation.     

How suspension cultures of Catharanthus roseus respond to oxygen limitation: small-scale tests with applications to large-scale cultures

The effect of oxygen supply on the growth of suspension cultures of Catharanthus roseus in Erlenmeyer flasks was investigated. Below a critical oxygen supply rate the culture could not survive. By increasing the oxygen supply, a point is reached where the culture survives but no growth is possible. At higher oxygen supply rates there is a regime where both growth rate and the maximum biomass concentration increase with oxygen supply. Eventually there comes a point where no further increase in biomass is achieved, probably due to the depletion of the sugars; however, the growth rate continues to increase with oxygen supply until a maximum growth rate is obtained. The ratio of fresh to dry weight at maximum fresh weight increased with shaker table speed of rotation accompanied by a greater rate of sugar depletion.     

Effect of univalent cations and colchicine on growth,respiration and carbohydrate metabolism ofCunninghamella elegans

The results reported have a bearing on the necessity of sodium as a complementary ion for better growth ofCunninghamella. This element effected moderate sucrose absorption, polysaccharide accumulation and gain in dry weight accompanied by least galactosan building, maximum respiration rate and carbohydrate accumulation. Potassium gave the maximum gain in dry weight and least sugar absorption and polysaccharide accumulation. Although lithium exhibited a slightly higher rate of sugar absorption than potassium and showed the maximum polysaccharide formation, it about equalled potassium in having similar effects on carbon dioxide output and total carbohydrate content. Thallous ions were toxic as the fungus lost weight and showed the least carbohydrate content accompanied by very low respiration rate. Colchicine, under the above mentioned conditions, did not affect the dry weight of the fungus but increased or decreased the rate of absorption of sucrose, respiration and carbohydrate metabolism, depending on the concentration of the chemical and the type of prevalent univalent cation.     

Effects of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal infection and phosphate on Plantago major ssp. pleiosperma in relation to the internal phosphate concentration

Two experiments were carried out to study physiological effects of vesicular-arbuseular mycorrhizal infection on Plantago major L., ssp. pleiosperma (Pilger). In the first experiment, infection by the Glomus fasciculatum (Thaxt. sensu Gerdemann) Gerdemann and Trappe increased growth, shoot to root ratio, P concentrations in both shoot and roots and total uptake of P per plant. The percentages of dry matter in both shoot and roots were lower in mycorrhizal plants.
In the second experiment different P treatments were applied to both mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal P. major plants to separate any effects of mycorrhizal infection from increased uptake of P. In addition to the effects found in the first experiment, mycorrhizal, P, and mycorrhizal x P interaction effects were found on root respiration rate and the concentration of soluble sugars in the roots. No clear effects on total dry weight, N and starch concentrations in shoot and roots and sugar concentraion in the shoot were found. Irrespective of the mycorrhizal treatment, increased P concentration in the shoot correlated with an increased shoot to root ratio and root respiration rate, and a decreased percentage dry matter and sugar concentration in the roots. However, the root respiration rate and the P concentration in the roots of mycorrhizal plants were enhanced more than expected from the increased P concentrations in the shoots of these plants.     

The Effects of Sugar and Potassium on Extension Growth in the Root

1. A new technique for studying extension growth in the root isdescribed which is based on excising a zone which extends 1·5–3·0mm. from the tip. Large numbers of these segments are culturedwith different nutrient fluids in the dark at 25° C. withcontinual shaking.
2. The effects of a large number of nutrientson the growth ofthe segments have been studied, but only two,sugar and potassiumions, have been found to have stimulatingeffects.
3. The effects of water, three concentrations of sugar,and oneof potassium in air, and with an atmosphere containing5 percent. oxygen have been studied in detail in connexionwith lengthincrease, sugar absorption, content of free sugar,cellulosecontent, dry weight, and respiration.
4. It has beenshown that with increasing concentration of sugarin the medium,the rate of growth, the time during which growthproceeds, theinternal concentration, respiration, dry weight,and celluloseformation all increase. Also that potassium stimulatesthe rateof growth and respiration, and that with per cent,oxygen allthe aspects studied are depressed.
5. It is suggested that thestimulation due to sugar may be attributedto an accelerationof water absorption with a complementaryincrease in celluloseformation. It is further suggested thatsugar accelerates waterabsorption by accumulating in the vacuoleand thus sustainingthe osmotic pressure of the vacuolar sap.It is further suggestedthat potassium stimulates growth byincreasing water absorptionthrough an effect on respiration.The effect of respirationin this connexion may be to promotethe transport of water directlyto enhance the osmotic pressureof the sap by inducing an accumulationof inorganic ions inthe vacuole.

     

外源乙烯对长春花生理水平和生物碱积累的影响

药用植物长春花中含有100多种萜类吲哚生物碱（TIAs）,其中具有抗肿瘤功效的长春碱和长春新碱受到关注。为了研究外源乙烯处理对长春花生长情况、生理状态和萜类吲哚生物碱合成的整体影响,本文以长春花幼苗为实验材料,使用外源乙烯处理后对比了不同生长条件下长春花的生物量积累、根茎伸长、光合参数以及生物碱含量等指标,分析了生物碱合成与其他指标之间的相关性。结果表明,外源乙烯处理使长春花乙稀释放量上升,乙烯信号响应因子erf基因表达量提高。乙烯利抑制长春花幼苗生物量积累、根纵向生长,促进茎秆横向加粗生长,由非气孔因素导致净光合速率（P_n）和气孔导度（G_s）下降。外源乙烯促进异胡豆苷（STR）、长春质碱（CAT）、文多灵（VIN）和长春碱（VINB）积累,并且促进长春碱合成途径中关键酶基因str和CrPRX上调表达。相关性分析结果表明,次生代谢产物的积累、生长指标、光合参数之间存在明显的相关性;长春质碱、文多灵、长春碱与茎秆直径（SD）显著正相关（P < 0.05）,与生物量（B）、株高（H）、根长（RL）、净光合速率（P_n）呈显著负相关（P < 0.05）。本文为研究外源乙烯调控长春花生物碱积累的机制提供理论基础。     

Root Respiration and Carbohydrate Status of Two Wheat Genotypes in Response to Hypoxia

To investigate root respiration and carbohydrate status in relationto waterlogging or hypoxia tolerance, root respiration rateand concentrations of soluble sugars in leaves and roots weredetermined for two wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes differingin waterlogging-tolerance under hypoxia (5% O₂) and subsequentresumption of full aeration. Root and shoot growth were reducedby hypoxia to a larger extent for waterlogging-sensitive Coker9835. Root respiration or oxygen consumption rate declined withhypoxia, but recovered after 7 d of resumption of aeration.Respiration rate was greater for sensitive Coker 9835 than fortolerant Jackson within 8 d after hypoxia. The concentrationsof sucrose, glucose and fructose decreased in leaves for bothgenotypes under hypoxia. The concentration of these sugars inroots, however, increased under hypoxia, to a greater degreefor Jackson. An increase in the ratio of root sugar concentrationto shoot sugar concentration was found for Jackson under hypoxicconditions, suggesting that a large amount of carbohydrate waspartitioned to roots under hypoxia. The results indicated thatroot carbohydrate supply was not a limiting factor for rootgrowth and respiration under hypoxia. Plant tolerance to waterloggingof hypoxia appeared to be associated with low root respirationor oxygen consumption rate and high sugar accumulation underhypoxic conditions.Copyright 1995, 1999 Academic Press Oxygen consumption rate, sugar accumulation, Triticum aestivum L., waterlogging tolerance     

Carbon and nitrogen economy of 24 wild species differing in relative growth rate

The relation between interspecific variation in relative growth rate and carbon and nitrogen economy was investigated. Twentyfour wild species were grown in a growth chamber with a nonlimiting nutrient supply and growth, whole plant photosynthesis, shoot respiration, and root respiration were determined. No correlation was found between the relative growth rate of these species and their rate of photosynthesis expressed on a leaf area basis. There was a positive correlation, however, with the rate of photosynthesis expressed per unit leaf dry weight. Also the rates of shoot and root respiration per unit dry weight correlated positively with relative growth rate. Due to a higher ratio between leaf area and plant weight (leaf area ratio) fast growing species were able to fix relatively more carbon per unit plant weight and used proportionally less of the total amount of assimilates in respiration. Fast growing species had a higher total organic nitrogen concentration per unit plant weight, allocated more nitrogen to the leaves and had a higher photosynthetic nitrogen-use efficiency, i.e. a higher rate of photosynthesis per unit organic nitrogen in the leaves. Consequently, their nitrogen productivity, the growth rate per unit organic nitrogen in the plant and per day, was higher compared with that of slow growing species.     

Maintenance respiration correlates with sugar but not nitrogen concentration in dormant plants

The range and source of variation in foliage respiration rate in the dormant season were investigated for plants of Lycopodium annotinum L., Pinus contorta Dougl. var. latifolia Engelm., Picea abies (L.) Karst., Andromeda polifolia L., Calluna vulgaris (L.) Hull, Vaccinium myrtillus L., Vaccinium vitis-ideae L. and Empetrum hermaphroditum Hagerup. Field-grown plants were transferred to a cold room kept at 5°C in late autumn and then analysed for the foliage respiration rate in relation to nitrogen and sugar concentration over a period of many weeks. Respiration rate varied 1.6-fold among species at a given time, and decreased with time as long as plants remained dormant. Most of both sources of variation were accounted for by the same linear and positive correlation with total soluble sugar concentration, whereas no relationship with nitrogen concentration was found. The hypothesis presented is that respiration rate correlates with sugar concentration in the dormant season because cellular sugar concentrations are much increased and, thereby, the costs of maintaining concentration gradients. Pinus contorta had a significantly higher respiration rate for a given sugar concentration than any other species, and therefore suffered larger relative losses of sugars when kept at 5°C; possible reasons and consequences of this are discussed in relation to field performance.     

The relationship between isoprene emission rate and dark respiration rate in white poplar (Populus alba L.) leaves

In past studies, it was hypothesized that reductions in chloroplast isoprene emissions at high atmospheric CO(2) concentrations were caused by competition between cytosolic and mitochondrial processes for the same substrate, possibly phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP). We conducted field and laboratory experiments using leaves of white poplar (Populus alba L.) to identify whether an inverse relationship occurs between the dark respiration rate (a mitochondrial process) and the isoprene emission rate. Field experiments that were carried out in a free-air CO(2)-enriched (FACE) facility showed no clear effect of elevated CO(2) on either isoprene emission rate or respiration rate by leaves. In young, not yet fully expanded leaves, low isoprene emission and high dark respiration rates were measured in both ambient and elevated CO(2). In these leaves, isoprene emission was inversely correlated with dark respiration. It is possible to interpret from these results that, in young leaves, high rates of growth respiration compete with isoprene biosynthesis for the same substrate. However, it is also possible that the negative correlation reflects the contrasting reductions in growth respiration and increases in expression of the enzyme isoprene synthase at this final stage of leaf maturation. In contrast to our observations on young leaves, respiration rate and isoprene emission rate were positively correlated in older, fully expanded leaves (8 and 11 from apex). A positive correlation was also found between respiration rate and isoprene emission rate when these parameters were modulated using different ozone exposure, growth light intensity, growth temperature and exposure to different leaf temperatures in laboratory experiments. These data show that competition for substrate between isoprene biosynthesis and leaf respiration does not determine the rate of isoprene emission in most circumstances that affect both processes. A negative correlation was observed across all experiments between isoprene emission rate and the activity of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPc), a cytosolic enzyme that competes with isoprene biosynthesis for substrate. The cytosolic metabolite, PEP, occurs at a metabolic branch point from which substrate flows into three processes: (1) the production of pyruvate for mitochondrial respiration, (2) the production of oxaloacetate (OAA) by PEPc for anabolic support of mitochondrial respiration and (3) transport into the chloroplast to support chloroplastic demands for pyruvate, including isoprenoid biosynthesis. The results of our observations suggest that only the second process competes for substrate with isoprenoid synthesis, while the partitioning of PEP between mitochondrial respiration and chloroplast isoprenoid biosynthesis is controlled in a way that retains balance in substrate demand.     

Activities of plasma membrane-bound enzymes isolated from roots of spruce (Picea abies) grown in the presence of aluminium

In batch cultures of Petunia hybrida cv. Rosy Morn Fertile. one respiratory peak is usually observed shortly after subculturing. However, two types of peak respiration could be distinguished, one connected with the dilution process and one with sugar addition at low biomass concentrations. The dilution peak was observed when cells were diluted in medium without sugar, in the presence or absence of mannitol. The sugar peak occurred only after previous dilution of the cells and not when sugar is added at high biomass concentrations Apparently the existence of a dilute suspension is a prerequisite for the induction of the peak. The presence of sugar is not a prerequisite for the increased respiratory activity but it is necessary lor growth: however, growth is possible without the increase in respiration, as was shown by the addition of sugar to a culture with a high biomass concentration. The peak caused by dilution either in the presence or absence of sugar showed no significant differences in height. The height of the peak caused by sugar addition to a previously diluted cell suspension was correlated with the sugar concentration. The respiratory peak disappeared long before the end of the growth period; this decline of the respiratory rates was not connected to sugar or oxygen limitation. In a continuous culture of Petunia hybrida growing at low biomass concentration, the respiration was always at the high level as observed during the peak of batch culture. Growing at lower biomass concentrations might be more expensive for plant cell suspensions.     

Macrokinetic equations of pH effect on the growth of Actinomyces aureofaciens and biosynthesis of tetracycline]

The effect of pH on the culture respiration rate at different concentrations of glucose in the medium was studied. It was found that the hydrogen ions showed their effect irrespective of the subsrate concentration in the medium. In this connection a type of macrokinetic equations of the effect of pH on the growth and antibiotic biosynthesis was chosen. The constants of the model were determined.     

Carotenoids and fatty acids in red yeasts Sporobolomyces roseus and Rhodotorula glutinis

Rhodotorula glutinis and Sporobolomyces roseus, grown under different aeration regimes, showed differential responses in their carotenoid content. At higher aeration, the concentration of total carotenoids increased relative to biomass and total fatty acids in R. glutinis, but the composition of carotenoids (torulene > beta-carotene > gamma-carotene > torularhodin) remained unaltered. In contrast, S. roseus responded to enhanced aeration by a shift from the predominant beta-carotene to torulene and torularhodin, indicating a biosynthetic switch at the gamma-carotene branch point of carotenoid biosynthesis. The overall levels of total carotenoids in highly aerated flasks were 0.55 mol-percent and 0.50 mol-percent relative to total fatty acids in R. glutinis and S. roseus (respectively), and 206 and 412 microg g(-1) dry weight (respectively).     

Pravastatin: A tool for investigating the availability of mevalonate metabolites for primary and secondary metabolism in Catharanthus roseus cell suspensions

In the C20 strain of Catharanthus roseus , 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) reduces alkaloid accumulation by inhibiting the synthesis of precursors of alkaloid terpenoids. However, the presence of this growth regulator is necessary to promote growth, as measured in terms of dry weight and sterol content. The terpenoid metabolism implicated in the accumulation of alkaloids would therefore be the target of 2,4-D inhibition and not the metabolism leading to sterol biosynthesis. The specific inhibition by pravastatin of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl CoA reductase (EC 1.1.1.34), the enzyme that catalyses mevalonate synthesis, enables the limitation of mevalonate on sterol content and on alkaloid accumulation to be studied. In presence of pravastatin cells are supplied with labelled mevalonate. Under these conditions the mevalonate is incorporated into sterols but not into alkaloids accumulated in the absence of 2,4-D. The inhibition of sterol biosynthesis induced by pravastatin is not overcome by zeatin or a cytokinin-like compound, whereas the inhibition of alkaloid accumulation can be partially overcome. The use of pravastatin shows that the availability of mevalonate for primary and secondary metabolism is differently regulated in Catharanthus roseus cells.     

Temperature responses of dark respiration in relation to leaf sugar concentration

Changes in leaf sugar concentrations are a possible mechanism of short‐term adaptation to temperature changes, with natural fluctuations in sugar concentrations in the field expected to modify the heat sensitivity of respiration. We studied temperature‐response curves of leaf dark respiration in the temperate tree Populus tremula (L.) in relation to leaf sugar concentration (1) under natural conditions or (2) leaves with artificially enhanced sugar concentration. Temperature‐response curves were obtained by increasing the leaf temperature at a rate of 1°C min^?1. We demonstrate that respiration, similarly to chlorophyll fluorescence, has a break‐point at high temperature, where respiration starts to increase with a faster rate. The average break‐point temperature (T_RD) was 48.6 ± 0.7°C at natural sugar concentration. Pulse‐chase experiments with ¹⁴CO₂ demonstrated that substrates of respiration were derived mainly from the products of starch degradation. Starch degradation exhibited a similar temperature‐response curve as respiration with a break‐point at high temperatures. Acceleration of starch breakdown may be one of the reasons for the observed high‐temperature rise in respiration. We also demonstrate that enhanced leaf sugar concentrations or enhanced osmotic potential may protect leaf cells from heat stress, i.e. higher sugar concentrations significantly modify the temperature‐response curve of respiration, abolishing the fast increase of respiration. Sugars or enhanced osmotic potential may non‐specifically protect respiratory membranes or may block the high‐temperature increase in starch degradation and consumption in respiratory processes, thus eliminating the break‐points in temperature curves of respiration in sugar‐fed leaves.     

Elicitor-induced hydroxycinnamoyl-CoA:tyramine hydroxycinnamoyltransferase in plant cell suspension cultures

Treatment of Nicotiana glutinosa L. cell suspension cultures with chitosan results in the co-induction of phenylalanine ammonia lyase, 4-eoumarate:CoA ligase, tyrosine decarboxylase and tyramine hydroxycinnamoyltransferase, all involved in the biosynthesis of hydroxycinnamoyltyramines. The highest enzyme activities were observed around 12 h after addition of 0.8 to 1 mg chitosan per g fresh weight of cells. No hydroxycinnamoyltyramines could be detected by TLC or HPLC of extracts made from non-treated or elicited cells. [¹⁴C]-Tyramine was incorporated into insoluble polymeric material at a higher rate in elicitor-treated than in non-treated cells of N. glutinosa. Tyramine hydroxycinnamoyltransferase could be induced in suspension cultured cells of Eschscholtzia califortnca Cham, but not in cells of Phaseolus vulgaris L. or Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don by addition of a yeast elicitor to the growth medium.     

The effect of inoculum density and conditioned medium on the production of ajmalicine and catharanthine from immobilized Catharanthus roseus cells

The effect of the cell-inoculum size and the addition of conditioned medium on ajmalicine and catharanthine production were studied using immobilized Catharanthus roseus cells. Higher specific-uptake rates of ammonium, nitrate, and sugars were observed in the low-inoculum-density cultures (50 g FW/L) compared to the high-inoculum-density cultures (100 g FW/L). Alkaloid production was not correlated with the exhaustion of a particular nutrient from the medium. The high-inoculum-density cultures produced higher ajmalicine concentrations throughout the experiment. Catharanthine production was similar between the two inoculum-density cultures. The addition of conditioned medium to MS-production medium dramatically improved the production of ajmalicine and catharanthine. The addition of conditioned medium enhanced ajmalicine production from immobilized Catharanthus roseus cultures on day 15 by at least two- to fourfold compared to media without the conditioning factors. Catharanthine production was increased by nearly fivefold in cultures with conditioned medium compared to those without conditioned medium. The enhancing effects of conditioned medium on alkaloid production were attributed to an unidentified factor produced and secreted by suspension cultures of C. roseus. The presence of conditioned medium also decreased the sucrose hydrolysis rate. The ajmalicine concentration in these immobilized cell cultures was found to be a function of the fresh-weight concentration, irrespective of the inoculum density or the culture medium. The medium choice and the inoculum density determined how rapidly fresh weight was accumulated and thus, how quickly ajmalicine was produced. Ajmalicine production correlated positively with fresh-weight concentration, but catharanthine production was not correlated with fresh-weight concentration.     

Kinetics and stoichiometry of growth of plant cell cultures of Catharanthus roseus and Nicotiana tabacum in batch and continuous fermentors

Plant cell suspension cultures of Catharanthus roseus and Nicotiana tabacum were grown in stirred tank bioreactors operated in batch and continuous mode. The stoichiometry of growth of both species in steady-state glucose limited chemostats was studied at a range of different dilution rates. A linear relation was applied to describe specific glucose uptake, oxygen consumption, and carbon dioxide production as a function of the growth rate. Specific respiration deviated greatly from the linear relation. An unstructured mathematical model, based on the observed stoichiometry in the glucose limited chemostats, was applied to describe the growth in batch culture. From a comparison between the observed growth pattern in batch fermentors and computer simulations it appeared that the stoichiometry of growth of the C. roseus culture was different under steady-state and dynamic conditions. It was concluded that a mathematical model for the growth of suspension culture plant cells in which the biomass is considered to be a single compound with an average chemical composition is of limited value because large changes in the conmposition of the biomass may occur. (c) 1992 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.