Elicitation kinetics of taxane production in suspension cultures of Taxus baccata Pendula

Methyl jasmonate increased taxane production in suspension cultures of Taxus baccata Pendula. Time course changes of taxane production after methyl jasmonate addition were different from normal kinetics without elicitation. Baccatin III and 10-deacetyl baccatin III were detected first and paclitaxel, 10-deacetyl taxol and cephalomanine followed each other in sequence. Paclitaxel was not a dead-end metabolite.     

Source of isopentenyl diphosphate for taxol and baccatin III biosynthesis in cell cultures of Taxus baccata

To achieve a better understanding of the metabolism and accumulation of taxol and baccatin III in cell cultures of Taxus, three cell lines (I, II and III) of T. baccata were treated (on day 7) with several concentrations of fosmidomycin (100, 200 and 300 μM), an inhibitor of the non-mevalonate branch of the terpenoid pathway, or mevinolin (1, 3 and 5 μM), an inhibitor of the mevalonate branch, in both cases in presence and absence of 100 μM methyl jasmonate (MeJ). They were compared with lines treated only with the elicitor MeJ as well as an untreated control with respect to growth, viability and production of taxol and baccatin III. The results show that the cell line type was an important variable, mainly for taxane accumulation. The blocking effect of fosmidomycin on taxane production was significantly greater than that of mevinolin in all the cell lines, clearly suggesting that the isopentenyl diphosphate (IPP) used for the taxane ring formation was mainly formed via the non-mevalonate pathway. However, the significant reduction in the content of taxol (on average 3.8-fold) and baccatin III (on average 4.3-fold) in line I when treated with the elicitor together with mevinolin concentrations of 5 and 1 μM, respectively, also suggests that both non-mevalonate and mevalonate pathways are involved in the biosynthesis of the two taxanes as a result of cytosolic IPP and/or other prenyl diphosphate transport to the plastids. The observation that the inhibitory effect of fosmidomycin or mevilonin on taxol and baccatinn III yield does not interfere with methyl jasmonate elicitation is discussed.     

One step more towards taxane production through enhanced Taxus propagation

We have developed a high-yielding procedure for the in vitro propagation of juvenile material of Taxus baccata involving a combination of seed handling and culture on WP culture medium supplemented with sucrose (2%), activated charcoal (0.5%) and BAP (22.19 mM) for 30 days, followed by 40 days on hormone-free medium. Shoot apical ends should be decapitated to obtain propagation rates up to 12- to 18-fold per subculture period (70 days). In this way the high genetic variability of the juvenile material can be used in the most productive way. In addition to producing large numbers of yew plants (difficult to get by traditional methods), this procedure allows the fast screening of individuals for their taxane content. A negative correlation between growth and secondary metabolite content was found for paclitaxel. The positive correlation with 10-deacetyl baccatin III accumulation reflects once more the commercial viability of using 10-deacetyl baccatin III extraction as an alternative to taxane production, but this time opening up the possibility of selecting genotypes with both characteristics: fast growth and high productivity. Received: 12 July 1999 / Revision received: 22 November 1999 / Accepted: 22 November 1999     

Somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration from immature cotyledons of European chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.)

Here, we established a protocol for induction of somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration from immature cotyledons of open-pollinated seeds of European chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.) cultivars ‘Osmano?lu’ and ‘Sar?a?lama’. Basal media, Murashige and Skoog medium (MS), Driver and Kuniyuki Walnut medium (DKW), and Woody Plant Medium (WPM) supplemented with l-glutamine or casein hydrolysate, with or without silver nitrate, agar or gelrite, and various plant growth regulator (PGR) combinations were tested in initial cultures for induction of somatic embryos. The effects of initial cultures on the percentage of somatic embryos and average number of embryos per cotyledon explant, subcultured monthly, were determined at the end of 4 mo. Interactions were observed among the different treatments for ‘Osmano?lu’ cultivar, with the highest rates of somatic embryogenesis (4.7–9.7%) being obtained in MS, DKW, or WPM basal media supplemented with (1) 6-benzyladenine (BA; 1 mg/L)?+?kinetin (KIN; 2 mg/L)?+?indole-3-butyric acid (IBA; 0.01 mg/L); (2) BA (1 mg/L)?+?1-phenyl-3-(1,2,3-thiadiazol-5-yl; TDZ 0.1 mg/L)?+?IBA (0.01 mg/L), and (3) KIN (2 mg/L)?+?TDZ (0.1 mg/L)?+?IBA (0.01 mg/L) PGR combinations plus l-glutamine or casein hydrolysate, with or without silver nitrate, and with either gelrite or agar. The highest percentages (12.0% and 11.2%) of somatic embryogenesis for ‘Sar?a?lama’ were obtained in DKW supplemented with PGR combinations of (1) BA (1 mg/L)?+?KIN (2 mg/L)?+?IBA (0.01 mg/L), (2) BA (1 mg/L)?+?TDZ (0.1 mg/L)?+?IBA (0.01 mg/L), respectively. The average number of somatic embryos ranged between 0 and 0.65 per explant for ‘Osmano?lu’ and between 0 and 0.49 per ‘Sar?a?lama’ explant. For germination of somatic embryos, root, shoot, and plantlet regeneration, different treatments included desiccation, cold and gibberellic acid (GA₃), and BA alone or in combination with auxins (IBA or α-naphthaleneacetic acid, NAA; 0.1 mg/L). The highest rate of somatic embryos regeneration (27.5%) occurred using MS basal media with half-strength microelements containing 0.1 mg/L BA?+?0.1 mg/L NAA, after treatments of desiccation, or desiccation plus cold or GA₃ (3 mg/L).     

Somatic embryogenesis in Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertn

Induction of somatic embryos and plant regeneration was demonstrated for the first time in Alnus glutinosa. Somatic embryos were initiated from zygotic embryos collected 1–3 weeks post-anthesis (WPA), i.e., when they were at globular or early cotyledonary stage and were 0.5–1 mm in length. Induction frequency (16.6 %) and the mean number of somatic embryos (4.5 embryos/explant) were highest after culture of zygotic embryos, collected at 3 WPA, on Murashige and Skoog medium (MS) supplemented with 0.9-μM 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and 2.22-μM benzyladenine (BA). No embryogenic induction was observed on medium with BA alone. Initial somatic embryos differentiated indirectly from callus tissue formed at the surface of the zygotic embryos. Embryogenic competence was maintained by secondary embryogenesis, which was affected by explant type, plant growth regulators and genotype. Secondary embryogenesis was induced by culture of small groups of whole somatic embryos or isolated cotyledon explants on medium consisting of MS medium (half-strength macronutrients) supplemented with 0.44-μM BA. Histological study of isolated cotyledon explants revealed that secondary embryos developed directly from differentiated embryogenic tissue on the surface of cotyledons. Somatic embryos at successive stages of development, including cotyledonary-stage embryos with shoot and root meristems, were evident. For plantlet conversion, somatic embryos were transferred to maturation medium supplemented with 3 % maltose, followed by 6 weeks of culture in Woody Plant Medium supplemented with 0.44-μM BA and 0.46-μM Zeatin (Z). This novel protocol appears promising for mass propagation, conservation and genetic transformation of black alder.     

Two New Taxane Diterpenoids from Taxus yunnanensis

Five compounds were isolated from the bark of Taxus yunnanensis Cheng et L. K. Fu. Based on spectral IR, MS, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR and physico-chemical constant analysis, they were identified as 7-epi-taxol B ( Ⅰ ), 1, 13-diacetoxy-10-deacetyl baccatin Ⅲ (Ⅱ ), taxol C-7-xylose (Ⅲ), taxol (Ⅳ), 3-epi-ursolic acid (Ⅴ). Compounds Ⅰ and Ⅱ were newly identified.     

Micropropagation of juvenile and adult Annona squamosa

A micropropagation system for Annona squamosa L. (Sugar Apple) using hypocotyls of seedlings and nodal cuttings from 3-year-old plants was developed. Shoot proliferation was achieved with Woody Plant Medium supplemented with BA. Silver thiosulphate was added at 0.5 mg l^–1 to control leaf abscission. Rooting was obtained when subcultured shoots were preconditioned for 2 weeks in medium with 10 g l^–1 activated charcoal before treatment with 43 µm NAA or 39 µm IBA. Rooting was improved when galactose was used instead of sucrose in the rooting medium. The rooted plantlets were acclimatised successfully.Abbreviations NAA naphthaleneacetic acid - IBA indolebutyric acid - MS Murashige & Skoog Medium - WPM Woody Plant Medium - NN Nitsch Medium - Juv juvenile explant - Adu adult explant     

Efficient shoot formation on internodal segments and alkaloid formation in the regenerates of Cephaelis ipecacuanha A. Richard

Rapid shoot proliferation was established by adventitious shoot formation on internodal segments. Cross sections of the shoot initiation area were observed microscopically and adventitious shoots were studied under the scanning electron microscope. Shoots were directly formed on the epidermis of internodal segments in vitro without callusing, but not on that of nodal segments with axillary buds. The use of media containing 0.01 – 0.1 mg/l 6-benzyladenine or 0.1 mg /l kinetin and culture under 16 h light increased the number of shoots per segment. The shoots thus obtained were rooted on phytohormone-free Woody Plant or Gamborg B5 solid medium, and were then transferred to soil. When potted, these grew well in a greenhouse. The emetic alkaloid content of adventitious shoots and regenerated plants was determined by HPLC. In vitro shoots cultured in Woody Plant liquid medium supplemented with 0.01 – 0.1 mg/l 6-benzyladenine contained 0.04 – 0.07 % dry wt. emetine and 0.4 – 0.5 % dry wt. cephaeline. One-year old regenerated plants cultivated in a greenhouse demonstrated the same alkaloid content (roots contained 0.82 % dry wt. emetine and 2.16 % dry wt. cephaeline) as the parental plant.Abbreviations MS Murashige — Skoog (Murashige and Skoog 1962) - 1/2 MS half strength MS - B5 Gamborg B5 (Gamborg et al. 1968)] - WP woody plant (Lloyd and McCown 1980) - RC root culture (Thomas and Davey 1982) - HF phytohormone free - BA 6-benzyladenine - Kin kinetin - SEM scanning electron microscopy - RDF rotating drum fermenter     

Features of clonal micropropagation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Silene cretacea</Emphasis> (Caryophyllaceae) in in vitro culture

The features of the formation of microshoots in in vitro culture of Silene cretacea—endangered species with narrow ecological amplitude, which is a promising source of medicinal raw materials—were studied. It was demonstrated that, at the micropropagation step, basic Woody Plant Medium containing vitamins according to Murashige and Skoog and supplemented with 0.2 mg/L 6-benzylaminopurine, 1.0 mg/L kinetin, 1.0 mg/L gibberellic acid, and 0.5 mg/L indole-3-acetic acid is the most effective. The combination and concentration of these growth regulators, selected using mathematical combinatorial analysis, activated axillary buds and provided a high multiplication factor (9.3 ± 1.3 microshoots per explant). Morpho-histological analysis revealed the main stages of the formation of microshoots and proved the absence of callus formation during the whole time of the cultivation of explants. The features of the dynamics of the culture during the year of continuous cultivation are presented.     

Factors affecting plantlet regeneration from in vitro cultured immature embryos and cotyledons of Prunus mume “Xue mei”

Using immature embryos and cotyledons as explants, a successful immature embryo culture and efficient plant direct regeneration via organogenesis from cotyledons, which showed different patterns, was established for the “Xuemei” cultivar of Prunus mume. For immature embryo culture, high frequency plantlet forming (89.5%) from embryo axis was obtained on half-strength Murashige and Skoog (½MS) medium supplemented with 13.2 μM 6-benzyladenine (BA) and 2.7 μM 1-naphthaleneacetic (NAA). At the same time, shoots direct differentiation from cotyledons with the embryo axis development was also observed on ½MS medium containing 2.2 μM BA together with different combinations of NAA (2.7, 5.4 μM) and indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) (0, 2.5, 5.0 μM). Better results were achieved when embryo axes were removed from cotyledons and cultured on ½MS medium supplement with 13.2 μM BA, 2.7 μM NAA (72.9%) or 2.2 μM BA, 2.2 μM thidiazuron (TDZ), and 2.7 μM NAA (84.2%), respectively. Regenerated shoots were successfully rooted on ½MS or Woody Plant medium (WPM) supplemented with 2.5–5.0 μM IBA. The effect of embryo axes, BA and TDZ, on cotyledons’ regeneration were investigated in detail. The rooted plantlets were transferred to soil successfully with normal morphology.     

In vitro micropropagation of elite rosewood (Dalbergia latifolia Roxb.)

Induction of single and multiple shoots was obtained from nodal expiants of 60–80 year-old elite trees of rosewood on Murashige and Skoog's basal medium supplemented with 6-benzylaminopurine (1.0 mg 1^-1) and -Naphthalene acetic acid (0.05 mg 1^-1) or indole acetic acid (0.5 mg 1^-1). Multiplication of shoots was obtained on MS (reduced major elements) or Woody Plant Medium supplemented with 6-benzylaminopurine (1.0 mg 1^-1) and kinetin (0.5–1.0 mg 1^-1). Excised shoots were rooted on half-strength MS with IBA (2.0 mg 1^-1) to obtain complete plantlets. The regenerated plantlets have been acclimatized and successfully transferred to the soil.Abbreviations MS Murashige and Skoog's (1962) medium - B5 Gamborg (1968) medium - WPM Woody plant medium, Lloyd and McCown (1981) medium - NAA -naphthalene acetic acid - IAA indole-3-acetic acid - IBA indole-3-butyric acid - BAP 6-benzyl aminopurine - KIN kinetin - PVP polyvinyl pyrrolidone - CH casein hydrolysate - ADS adenine sulphate - L-Gl L-glutamine - L-Arg L-arginine - L-Asp L-asparagine - PG phloroglucinol     

In vitro adventitious shoot formation on mature-phase leaves and petioles of Liquidambar styraciflua L.

Adventitious shoots were induced to form on leaves and petiole segments of mature-phase Liquidambar styraciflua L. Shoot organogenesis occurred directly, without the formation of a distinct callus stage, and well-defined shoots were visible in 6–9 weeks. Prolific shoot production was supported by Woody Plant Medium supplemented with relatively high levels of benzyladenine (2.5 mg/l). Changes in benzyladenine concentration and the addition of 0.1 mg/l naphthaleneacetic acid to the medium altered the relative abundance of shoots on various parts of a leaf. Shoot formation occurred most frequently at or near breaks in major vasculature. Wounding of the leaves by slashing across the lamina and vasculature significantly increased the total number of shoots formed per explant and also altered the pattern of organogenesis. Differences in organogenic response were seen between the cultivars ‘Moraine’ and ‘Variegata’. Shoots derived from leaves were easily rooted and acclimated to greenhouse conditions. Three new variegation types arose in vitro as a result of adventitious shoot formation on ‘Variegata’ leaves.     

Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation of Atropa belladonna

Belladonna or deadly nightshade (Atropa belladonna L.) is an important medicinal plant in the family Solanaceae. It is a model plant for studying plant alkaloid biosynthesis. In this study, a reliable protocol for efficient transformation of A. belladonna using Agrobacterium tumefaciens was developed. Hypocotyl and cotyledon explants were co-cultivated with three opine-type Agrobacterium strains (LBA4404: pBISN1, GV3101: pBISN1, and EHA105: pBISN1). Selection and regeneration of transformed cells were conducted on two regeneration media; RM1 (Murashige and Skoog in Physiol Plant 15:473–497, 1962) medium (MS) salts, Gamborg B5 vitamins (Gamborg et al. in Exp Cell Res 50:151–158, 1968), 4.56 μM zeatin, and 2.9 μM indole-3-acetic acid (IAA)] and RM2 (MS salts, B5 vitamins, 4.65 μM kinetin, and 1.14 μM IAA), each containing 100 mg l^?1 kanamycin and 250 mg l^?1 timentin. Both regeneration media and type of explant had significant effects on frequencies of transformation. Using an optimal regeneration medium and regardless of the strain of Agrobacterium used, over 80 % of hypocotyl explants and 60 % of cotyledons developed at least one transformed shoot after 2–3 months of selection. Most transformants exhibited a normal phenotype while growing in the greenhouse. Southern blot analysis confirmed the stable integration of the nptII transgene in T₁ plants.     

Direct plant regeneration from different explants through micropropagation and determination of secondary metabolites in the critically endangered endemic Rhaponticoides mykalea

Direct plant regeneration from different explants, micropropagation and determination of secondary metabolites were studied in the critically endangered endemic Rhaponticoides mykalea (Hub.-Mor.) M.V. Agab & Greuter. Seed germination was achieved by damaging the seed coat and cultivating the embryos on Woody Plant Medium (WPM), of which 40% germinated. The epicotyls and cotyledonary petioles of seedlings were used as initial explants and direct shoot regeneration was obtained on WPM containing 2.22 μM 6-benzyladenine (BA). WPM medium supplemented with 2.22 μM BA and 4.92 μM indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) significantly improved the production of multiple shoots, resulting in an average of 5.6 shoots per explants. The highest rooting of shoots (35.6%) was observed with WPM medium containing 19.68 μM IBA with 990 μM putrescine. Plantlets with well-developed roots were transferred to soil and acclimatised within a plant growth chamber. Acclimatised plants showed 100% survival rate and remained healthy. As a part of our study, the content of secondary metabolites in three tissue culture regenerated lines were determined by HPLC analysis. Chlorogenic acid, Quercetin and scutellarin were confirmed secondary metabolites of R. mykalea.     

TDZ-induced plant regeneration in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Brassica oleracea</Emphasis> L. var. <Emphasis Type="Italic">botrytis</Emphasis>: effect of antioxidative enzyme activity and genetic stability in regenerated plantlets

The effects of various combinations of plant growth regulators on regeneration potential from seedling-derived leaf tissues of Brassica oleracea L. var. botrytis were evaluated. Callus was induced from 2-wk-old leaf explants. The explants were incubated on Gamborg’s (MSB₅) medium. The maximum frequency of callus induction (85.56%) was recorded on MSB₅ medium supplemented with 9.1 μM thidiazuron (TDZ) and 0.5 μM α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA). Optimum shoot induction (54.44%) was obtained on MSB₅ medium supplemented with 4.5 μM TDZ and 0.5 μM NAA. The maximum number of shoots per explant (5.33) was recorded on MSB₅ medium with 4.5 μM TDZ and 0.5 μM NAA, whereas the maximum shoot length (4.86 cm) was recorded for shoots cultured on MSB₅ medium supplemented with 4.5 μM TDZ and 5.7 μM gibberellic acid (GA₃). However, optimum root induction (71.11%) occurred on half-strength Murashige and Skoog basal medium supplemented with 4.9 μM indole-3 butyric acid (IBA). Studies on the antioxidant activity of superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase, and peroxidase in seedlings, callus, regenerated shoots, and regenerated plantlets cultured on 4.5 μM TDZ and 0.5 μM NAA medium revealed the roles of these key antioxidative enzymes in callus induction and regeneration. The genetic stability of the regenerated plantlets was assessed using inter simple sequence repeat primers. The monomorphic amplification products confirmed true-to-type in vitro regenerated plants. This in vitro regeneration method can be useful in the large-scale production of genetically uniform plants, for genetic transformation, and conservation of elite germplasm of plant species.     

High frequency multiple shoot induction from nodal segments and rhinacanthin production in the medicinal shrub Rhinacanthus nasutus (L.) Kurz

High frequency multiple shoots have been induced from nodal segments of Rhinacanthus nasutus (L.) Kurz., a potent anticancerous ethnomedicinal plant. For initiation of cultures, nodal segments were cultured on MS medium supplemented with various concentrations (1.0–5.0 μM) of 6-benzyladenine or thidiazuron (TDZ) alone or in combination with α-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA 0.5–1.0 μM). The optimum frequency of response (85 %) and shoot number (3.3) was observed on MS medium supplemented with 4.0 μM TDZ and 0.8 μM NAA. The shoots developed on initiation media were excised and nodal segments were subcultured on MS medium supplemented with TDZ (4.0 μM) and NAA (0.5–1.0 μM). This subculturing process was repeated thrice, each with 45 days of duration and the multiple shoot formation was recorded at the end of every subculture stage. The highest frequency of response (100 %) and number of multiple shoots (24.1) per explant were recorded at the end of the third subculture passage on MS medium supplemented with 4.0 μM TDZ and 0.8 μM NAA. The optimum rooting of shoots was observed on ½ MS medium fortified with 3.0 μM indole-3-butyric acid. The rooted plants were successfully transplanted to soil. The estimation of rhinacanthin (RC) content in shoots and roots was carried out in 6-month-old ex vitro plants (i.e., plants regenerated via in vitro culture) and field grown natural plants by high performance liquid chromatography. Both shoots and roots of naturally grown plants showed slightly higher RC content than ex vitro grown plants. The highest RC content (4.6 mg/g DW RC-C, 0.14 mg/g DW RC-D and 0.10 mg/g DW RC-N) was recorded in roots of naturally grown plants.     

Isolation of an endophytic fungus producing baccatin III from Taxus wallichiana var. mairei

The objective of this study was to isolate endophytic fungi producing baccatin III from yew for the purpose of baccatin III and paclitaxel manufacture. Surface sterilized bark of Taxus wallichiana var. mairei was used as source material with potato dextrose agar culture medium for isolation of endophytic fungi. Fungal cultures were extracted with a mixture of chloroform/methanol (1:1, v/v) and the baccatin III in the extracts was determined and authenticated with LC–MS. An endophytic fungus that produced baccatin III was identified by ITS rDNA and 26S D1/D2 rDNA sequencing. A total of 192 endophytic fungal strains were isolated from T. wallichiana var. mairei. Only one of the 192 strains produced baccatin III and it was identified as Diaporthe phaseolorum. The productivity of this strain cultured in PDA culture medium was 0.219 mg/l. The isolated endophytic fungus produced baccatin III at a relatively high level and shows promise as a producing strain for baccatin III and paclitaxel manufacture after strain improvement.     

An efficient system to produce transgenic plants via cyclic leave-originated secondary somatic embryogenesis in Rosa rugosa

An efficient and reproducible Agrobacterium-mediated transformation system via repetitive secondary somatic embryogenesis was developed for Rosa rugosa ‘Bao white’. Somatic embryogenesis was induced from in vitro-derived unexpanded leaflet explants on MS medium supplemented with 4.0 mg/L 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), 0.05 mg/L Kinetin and 30 g/L glucose. Secondary somatic embryos were successfully proliferated via cyclic secondary somatic embryogenesis on MS medium containing 1.0 mg/L 2,4-D, 0.01 mg/L 6-benzyladenine and 45 g/L glucose under light intensity of 500–1,000 lux. The highest germination rate (86.33 %) of somatic embryos was observed on 1/2-strength MS medium containing 1.0 mg/L BA. Relying on the repetitive secondary somatic embryogenesis and A. tumefaciens strain EHA105 harboring the binary vector pBI121, a stable and effective Agrobacterium-mediated transformation pattern was developed. The presented transformation protocol, in which somatic embryo clumps at globular stage (0.02–0.04 g) were infected by Agrobacterium for 60 min and co-cultivated for 2 days, and then selected under a procedure of 3 steps, were confirmed to be optional by GUS histochemical assay and Southern blot analysis. The procedure described here will be very useful for the introgression of desired genes into R. rugosa ‘Bao white’ and the molecular analysis of gene function.