Enzyme activities in cell-free extracts of shikonin-producing Lithospermum erythrorhizon cell suspension cultures

Lithospermum erythrorhizon cell cultures excrete large quantities of naphthoquinone pigments, viz. shikonin derivatives, which have made enzymatic studies impossible so far. This paper describes methods for the removal of shikonin derivatives from the cells with liquid paraffin during culture growth and for the preparation of active enzyme extracts. Chorismate mutase and shikimate dehydrogenase activities were used as indicators for the preparation of active extracts. The efficacy of the methods developed was proved by the demonstration of the enzymatic formation of m-geranyl-p-hydroxybcnzoic acid from geranylpyrophosphate and p-hydroxybenzoic acid in cell-free extracts of L. erythrorhizon cultures, the first detection of a key enzyme of shikonin biosynthesis.     

Geranylpyrophosphate: p-hydroxybenzoate geranyltransferase activity in extracts of Lithospermum erythrorhizon cell cultures

The enzymatic formation of m-geranyl-p-hydroxybenzoic acid from geranylpyrophosphate and p-hydroxybenzoic acid was investigated in cell-free extracts of Lithospermum erythrorhizon cell cultures. The reaction required the presence of a divalent cation, magnesium being the most effective activator. The enzyme showed a very broad pH optimum between pH 7.1 and 9.3. It was highly specific for both p-hydroxybenzoic acid and geranylpyrophosphate, and the apparent K_m values for these two substrates were 0.014 and 0.56 mM, respectively. The activity was located in the pellet of a 100 000 g centrifugation, showing that the enzyme is bound to membranes or microsomes. Shikonin-producing cultures contained an activity of this enzyme 35 times higher than non-producing cultures, suggesting that this enzyme is of regulatory importance in shikonin biosynthesis.     

Accumulation of hydroxybenzoic acids and other biologically active phenolic acids in shoot and callus cultures of Aronia melanocarpa (Michx.) Elliott (black chokeberry)

Phenolic acids are plant metabolites important in phytotherapy and also in cosmetology. In this study, proliferating shoot and callus cultures of Aronia melanocarpa were established and maintained on Linsmaier and Skoog (L-S) medium containing different levels of α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) and 6-benzyladenine (BA), ranging from 0.1 to 3.0 mg l^?1. Methanolic extracts from the biomass of these cultures and from the fruits of soil-grown plants were used to determine the amounts of free phenolic acids and cinnamic acid using the high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method. Out of a total of twelve analyzed compounds, all of the extracts contained four of them: caffeic acid, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, syringic acid, and vanillic acid. Moreover, shoot extracts also contained salicylic acid (o-hydroxybenzoic acid), while callus extracts contained p-coumaric acid. On the other hand, fruit extracts also contained both salicylic acid and p-coumaric acid. The total amount of the analyzed compounds in extracts from both shoot and callus cultures depended on the L-S medium used, and varied between 103.05 and 150.95 mg 100 g^?1 dry weight (DW), and between 50.23 and 81.56 mg 100 g^?1 DW, respectively. Both types of culture contained higher levels of phenolic acids than the fruit extracts (32.43 mg 100 g^?1 DW). In shoot cultures, p-hydroxybenzoic acid and salicylic acid were the predominant metabolites (reaching 55.14 and 78.25 mg 100 g^?1 DW, respectively), while in callus cultures, p-hydroxybenzoic acid (25.60 mg 100 g^?1 DW) and syringic acid (41.20 mg 100 g^?1 DW) were the main compounds. In fruit extracts, salicylic acid (15.60 mg 100 g^?1 DW) and p-hydroxybenzoic acid (5.29 mg 100 g^?1 DW) were predominant.     

Pigment formation in callus cultures of Lithospermum erythrorhizon

Undifferentiated callus tissues of Lithospermum erythrorhizon are capable of synthesizing shikonin derivatives, which are normally formed in the cork cells of the roots. Their biosynthesis in cultured cells is controlled by auxin and light. The pigment content increased linearly with time after a lag phase when callus tissues were grown on culture medium containing IAA in the dark, whereas it markedly decreased when 2,4-D was substituted for IAA or when cultures were irradiated with blue light.     

Induction of benzoquinone formation by activated carbon in Lithospermum erythrorhizon cell suspension cultures

Cultured cells of Lithospermum erythrorhizon which were capable of producing red naphthoquinone (shikonin) derivatives on Linsmaier-Skoog's agar medium stopped synthesizing these compounds when grown in liquid medium without agar. However, when the liquid medium was supplemented with a small amount of activated carbon, the cells produced a new orange benzoquinone derivative, echinofuran B, which may be considered an abnormal metabolite of geranylquinol, the key intermediate in the biosynthesis of shikonin. A similar effect of activated carbon was also observed with a variant cell line incapable of producing shikonin derivatives even on the agar medium. By contrast, the callus cultures grown on the agar medium as well as the dried roots of the intact plant were found to contain a small amount of echinofuran C, another new benzoquinone related to echinofuran B, in addition to shikonin derivatives.     

Degradation of phenylalanine and tyrosine by Sporobolomyces roseus

Ammonia-lyase activity for l-phenylalanine, m-hydroxyphenylalanine and l-tyrosine was demonstrated in cell-free extracts of Sporobolomyces roseus. Cultures of this organism converted dl-[ring-¹⁴C]phenylalanine and l-[U-¹⁴C]tyrosine into the corresponding cinnamic acid. Tracer studies showed that these compounds were further metabolized to [¹⁴C]protocatechuic acid. Benzoic acid and p-hydroxybenzoic acid were intermediates in this pathway. Washed cells of the organism readily utilized cinnamic acid, p-coumaric acid, caffeic acid, benzoic acid and p-hydroxybenzoic acid. Protocatechuic acid was the terminal aromatic compound formed during the metabolism of these compounds. The cells of S. roseus were able to convert m-coumaric acid into m-hydroxybenzoic acid, but the latter compound, which accumulated in the medium, was not further metabolized. 4-Hydroxycoumarin was identified as the product of o-coumaric acid metabolism by this organism.     

Production of shikonin derivatives by cell suspension cultures of Lithospermum erythrorhizon

Differences in the production of shikonin derivatives by callus and suspension cultures of Lithospermum erythrorhizon Sieb. et Zucc. were examined. When Linsmaier and Skoog medium was used in suspension cultures, cell growth was not accompanied by the production of shikonin compounds. Shikonin derivatives were produced, however, when this medium was used in callus cultures. Differences in shikonin production were examined in terms of the nutrient supply, the effect of the agar itself, and the oxygen supply. Shikonin derivatives could be produced without agar by keeping the cells exposed to air while providing an adequate supply of nutrients. In callus cultures, the production of shikonin compounds was reduced remarkedly when the oxygen concentration in the atmosphere was lowered, evidence that shikonin production during L. erythrorhizon cell growth on Linsmaier and Skoog agar medium is enhanced by an abundant supply of oxygen.     

Effect of l-phenylalanine on PAL activity and production of naphthoquinone pigments in suspension cultures of Arnebia euchroma (Royle) Johnst

The effects of l-phenylalanine (PHE) on cell growth and production of shikonin and its derivatives, acetylshikonin (ACS) and isobutyrylshikonin (IBS), in suspension cultures of Arnebia euchroma were examined. Supplementing media using PHE have been successfully utilized to enhance shikonin production in cell cultures of other species of Boraginaceae. l-Phenylalanine, the key compound in the phenylpropanoid pathway, is converted by phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) to trans-cinnamic acid, which is the precursor of p-hydroxybenzoic acid (PHB). Coupling of PHB and geranyl pyrophosphate (derived from mevalonate pathway) by p-hydroxybenzoate-m-geranyltransferase leads later to biosynthesis of shikonins. The addition of 0.01 or 0.1?mM PHE to the culture medium stimulated cell proliferation, where the highest observed increase in fresh cell biomass (measured as a ratio of final weight to initial weight) was 12-fold, in contrast to an eightfold increase in control cultures. Whereas, growth media supplemented with 1?mM PHE markedly reduced the rate of cell growth (to only twofold). Precursor feeding had detrimental effects on both ACS and IBS production in all PHE-supplemented media. The highest total content (intracellular + extracellular) of the investigated red pigments (9.5?mg per flask) was detected in the control culture without PHE. ACS was the major component of the naphthoquinone fraction determined in cells and post-culture media. Shikonin itself was found only in the post-culture media from cultures supplemented with 0.01 or 0.1?mM PHE. Increases in PAL activity corresponded well with the accumulation of investigated naphthoquinones in control culture. However, peak PAL activity did not directly correlate with maximum production of shikonin derivatives. Cytotoxicity of extracts, prepared from the cells cultivated in the presence of PHE or in control cultures, was tested on three cancer cell lines: HL-60, HeLa, and MCF-7. The extracts prepared from the untreated control cultures proved to be the most potent against the examined cancer cell lines. The mean inhibitory concentration values were 0.3, 13, and 8???g?ml^?1 for the HL-60, HeLa, and MCF-7 cells, respectively.     

Somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration of neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss.)

Somatic embryos were initiated with mature seeds of neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss.) when cultured on Murashige and Skoog's medium supplemented with thidiazuron (TDZ). Regeneration occurred via somatic embryogenesis: direct embryo formation and through an intermediary callus phase. TDZ was very effective and induced somatic embryogenesis across a wide range of concentrations (1–50 μm). However, somatic embryogenesis was accompanied by callus formation at concentrations of 20 μm and above. Cell suspension cultures were established with the TDZ-induced callus and groups of large cell clumps were formed within 2–3 weeks. Plants were regenerated from both directly formed somatic embryos and somatic embryos derived from cell suspensions plated on semisolid medium devoid of growth regulators. Regenerated plantlets continued to grow after transfer to a greenhouse environment and were similar phenotypically to zygotic seedlings. This simple regeneration system may be beneficial for mass propagation of selected elite clones of neem. Received: 13 May 1997 / Revision received: 13 November 1997 / Accepted: 2 December 1997     

Catabolism of Substituted Benzoic Acids by Streptomyces Species

Four thermotolerant actinomycetes from soil, identified as Streptomyces albulus 321, Streptomyces sioyaensis P5, Streptomyces viridosporus T7A, and Streptomyces sp. V7, were grown at 45°C in media containing either benzoic acid or hydroxyl- and methoxyl-substituted benzoic acids as the principal carbon sources. Benzoic acid was converted to catechol; p-hydroxybenzoic, vanillic, and veratric acids were converted to protocatechuic acid; and m-hydroxybenzoic acid was converted to gentisic acid. Catechol, protocatechuic acid, and gentisic acid were cleaved by catechol 1,2-dioxygenase, protocatechuate 3,4-dioxygenase, and gentisate 1,2-dioxygenase, respectively. Dioxygenases appeared only in induced cultures. m-Hydroxybenzoic, m-anisic, and p-anisic acids were gratuitous inducers of dioxygenases in some strains. One strain converted vanillic acid to guaiacol.     

Somatic embryogenesis from mature leaves of rose (Rosa sp.)

Several plant growth regulators (0.3–53.3 μm 6-benzyladenine, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, gibberellic acid, 3-indoleacetic acid, p-chlorophenoxyacetic acid, kinetin and α-naphthylacetic acid), alone or in combination, and culture conditions were tested for their capacity to induce somatic embryogenesis from mature leaf and stem explants of rose (Rosa sp.) of four commercial rose cultivars (Baccara, Mercedes, Ronto and Soraya). Somatic embryos were only induced from mature leaf explants derived from Soraya on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 53.5 μm p-chlorophenoxyacetic acid and 4.6 μm kinetin, although satisfactory callus induction rates were obtained from all cultivars. After subculturing on the same medium, embryos at various developmental stages (globular, heart and torpedo shaped) were transferred for maturation onto a MS medium supplemented with 5.2 μm 6-benzyladenine and 5.7 μm 3-indoleacetic acid. Germination of mature embryos took place after subculturing them onto medium of the same composition. Plantlets regenerated from embryos and bearing three to four leaves were transferred to a greenhouse. Received: 4 February 1997 / Revision received: 28 August 1997 / Accepted: 1 October 1997     

Callus induction and shoot organogenesis from anther cultures of Curcuma attenuata Wall

Curcuma attenuata is a highly valued ornamental. This study provides the first report on C. attenuata shoot organogenesis and plant regeneration. Immature anthers derived from 5 to 7?cm long inflorescences were isolated and cultured on different variations of Murashige and Skoog (MS) media to induce callus and then shoot organogenesis. When the 2-mm long anthers in which microspores were at the uninucleate developmental stage were cultured in the dark on MS medium containing 13.6???M 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and 2.3???M kinetin (KT) for 15?days and then transferred to 40???mol?m^?2?s^?1 fluorescent light for 30?days, the percentage callus induction reached 33.3?%. After callus was transferred to various differentiation media and cultured in the light, 33.1?% of all callus cultures could differentiate into adventitious shoots on MS medium supplemented with 22.0???M 6-benzyladenine (BA), 0.53???M ??-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) and 1.4???M thidiazuron (TDZ) after culturing for 60?days. Over 95?% of plantlets survived after transplanting plantlets into trays with a mixture of sand and perlite (2: 1) for 20?days. Chromosome number, determined from the root tips of young plantlets, indicated that all plantlets were diploid (2n?=?84).     

Physico-chemical factors influencing the shikonin derivatives production in cell suspension cultures of Arnebia euchroma (Royle) Johnston, a medicinally important plant species

Cell suspension cultures of Arnebia euchroma were raised from in vitro leaf-derived friable callus on liquid MS [Murashige and Skoog] medium supplemented with BAP (6-benzylaminopurine) (10.0 μM) and IBA (indole-3-butyric acid) (5.0 μM). A two-stage culture system was employed using growth and production medium for cell biomass and shikonin derivatives, respectively. Factors such as light, temperature, sucrose and pH (hydrogen ion concentration) were studied to observe their effect on the shikonin derivative production. Light conditions completely inhibited shikonin derivative production. Out of different temperature regimes tested, the highest yield (586.17 μg/g FW) was found at 25°C. Maximum production (656.14 μg/g FW) was observed in 6% sucrose. An alkaline pH (7.25-9.50) favoured shikonin derivative production. The results showed that physical and chemical factors greatly influence the production of shikonin derivatives in cell suspension cultures of A. euchroma. Therefore, by employing optimum culture conditions, it is possible to enhance the production of secondary compounds from the cells. The factors optimized for in vitro production of shikonin derivatives during the present study can successfully be employed for their large-scale production in bioreactors.     

Variation in pigment production in Lithospermum erythrorhizon callus cultures

Different strains of callus cultures of Lithospermum erythrorhizon showed wide variations in the production of shikonin derivatives. From these cultures, two high pigment-producing strains, whose content of shikonin derivatives are stable and similar to that of intact plant root, have been established by repeated selection.     

Effect of nutritional factors on shikonin derivative formation in Lithospermum callus cultures

Some nutritional factors affecting the biosynthesis of shikonin derivatives in callus cultures of Lithospermum erythrorhizon were examined. High sucrose concentrations increased the content of shikonin derivatives, but neither glucose nor fructose was effective for shikonin derivative formation. High concentrations of nitrogen sources inhibited or retarded shikonin derivative formation and streptomycin sulphate stimulated their biosynthesis. Addition of ascorbic acid increased the content of shikonin derivatives. Among some precursors tested only l-phenylalanine had a positive effect. At high concentrations, Ca²⁺ and Fe²⁺ inhibited the biosynthesis of shikonin derivatives.     

A Comparative Study of CN-Resistant Respiration in Different Cultures of Tobacco Callus

The callus of Nicotiana rustica cv Gansu yellow flower and N. tabacum cv willow leaf were cultured on ordinary subculture medium (M-1) and on regeneration medium (M-2), respectively. No differentiation was observed in Gansu yellow flower tobacco callus cultures grown on both M-1 and M-2 medium. The respiration of both cultures was partially resistant to cyanide and markedly inhibited by m-chlorobenzhydroxamic acid. The relative contributions of alternative and cytochrome pathway were 31% and 47% of the total respiration, respectively, in M-1 callus cultures. The relative O₂ uptake of the two pathways was not changed significantly in M-2 callus cultures. In subcultured M-1 callus cultures of Willow leaf tobacco, the respiration mediated via alternative pathway was about 29 to 38% of the total respiration, and the cytochrome pathway still was the major respiratory pathway. In M-2 callus cultures in which differentiation occurred, the relative contribution of alternative pathway increased to 41 to 47% of the total respiration, and the cytochrome pathway decreased considerably. These results suggested that the change of respiratory electron transport pathway was probably related to the differentiation of tobacco callus cultures.     

Efficient plant regeneration from embryogenic suspension cultures of sweetpotato

Summary Using 15 Chinese and Japanese cultivars of sweetpotato, Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam., we succeeded in developing an efficient plant regeneration system from embryogenic suspension cultures. The embryogenic callus derived from shoot apices of the 15 cultivars was used to initiate embryogenic suspension cultures in Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing 9.05 μM 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). Rapidly proliferating and well-dispersed embryogenic suspension cultures were established. Cell aggregates 0.7–1.1 mm in size from embryogenic suspension cultures were transferred to solid MS medium supplemented with 9.05 μM of 2,4-D and formed embryogenic callus with somatic embryos. The embryogenic callus with somatic embryos was further transferred to MS medium supplemented with 3.78 μM of abscisic acid, resulting in the germination of somatic embryos. Within 20 wk after the initiation, the frequencies of cell aggregates forming plantlets reached approximately 100% for the 15 tested cultivars. These plantlets, when transferred to soil, showed 100% survival. No morphological variations were observed.     

The establishment of cell suspension culture of sabah snake grass (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Clinacanthus nutans</Emphasis> (Burm.F.) Lindau)

Clinacanthus nutans (Burm.F.) Lindau is an herbaceous plant that has long been used for traditional medicinal purposes in Asia. It has recently gained popularity as an alternative treatment for cancer. The aim of this study was to establish cell suspension cultures of C. nutans and to identify targeted bioactive compounds in the cultures. Young leaf explants were cultured on Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with various combinations of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and kinetin to identify a suitable medium for callus induction and proliferation. Proliferated, friable calluses were cultured in different combinations of plant growth regulators (2,4-D, naphthaleneacetic acid [NAA], picloram, kinetin, and 6-benzylaminopurine) in liquid medium to establish cell suspension cultures. Three cell lines of suspension culture, callus, and intact plant parts were subjected to ethyl acetate extraction followed by thin layer chromatography for identification of selected bioactive compounds. Medium supplemented with 0.25 mg L^?1 2,4-D and 0.75 mg L^?1 kinetin was found to be optimal for callus induction, whereas supplementation with 0.50 mg L^?1 2,4-D was efficient for callus proliferation. Liquid medium supplemented with 0.25 mg L^?1 2,4-D and 0.50 mg L^?1 NAA produced the highest growth index (2.52). Quercetin, catechin, and luteolin were present together in the callus and cell suspension cultures of C. nutans, but all three compounds were detected separately in young leaves, mature leaves, and stems. This study is the first to report the establishment of cell suspension culture of C. nutans with both cell and callus cultures producing quercetin, catechin, and luteolin.     

Activity of thidiazuron inin vitro shoot cultures ofPrunus sp. andMorus alba

Thidiazuron incorporated into MS medium stimulated rosettes formation only in some treatments. This effect was more pronounced in cultures ofMorus alba thanPrunus sp. Mulberry cultures responded to the optimal concentration of thidiazuron (0.2 mg I^?1) not only with shoot formation but also, with growth of large leaves and poor development of callus tissue. In cultures of both investigated genera the shoot elongation was inhibited. Shoots of mulberry cultures growing on proliferation medium supplemented with thidiazuron formed roots, in many cases.     

The establishment of cell suspension cultures ofGladiolus that regenerate plants

Summary Inflorencence stalks from greenhouse-grownGladiolus plants of the cultivars ‘Blue Isle’ and ‘Hunting Song’ cultured on a Murashige and Skoog basal salts medium supplemented with 53.6 μM 1-napthaleneacetic acid formed a compact, not friable type of callus that regenerated plantlets. Cormel slices and intact plantlets of three cultivars (‘Peter Pears’, ‘Rosa Supreme’, ‘Jenny Lee’) propagated through tissue culture formed a friable type of callus when cultured on Murashige and Skoog basal salts medium supplemented with 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid. This friable callus readily formed a cell suspension when the callus was placed in a liquid medium. Plants were regenerated from two-month-old suspension cell cultures of the commercial cultivar ‘Peter Pears’ after the suspension cells had been cultured on solid medium.