Glucosylation of esculetin by plant cell suspension cultures

Cell suspension cultures of Lithospermum erythrorhizon, Gardenia jasminoides and Nicotiana tabacum were capable of glucosylating esculetin to esculin (7-hydroxycoumarin-6-O--D-glucoside). Especially, a culture strain of Lithospermum erythrorhizon was superior in the esculetin glucosylating capability; 40 to 50% of esculetin administered to the culture medium at early stationary growth stage was converted into esculin within 24 h. The rate of glucosylation was also dependent on the growth stage and the medium composition especially growth hormones and sugar.     

Induction of rosmarinic acid biosynthesis in Lithospermum erythrorhizon cell suspension cultures by yeast extract

Summary A transient increase in rosmarinic acid (RA) content in cultured cells of Lithospermum erythrorhizon was observed after addition of yeast extract (YE) to the suspension cultures, reaching a maximum at 24 hr. The highest increase of the RA content (2.5-fold) was obtained when 6-day-old cells in the exponential growth phase were treated with YE. Preceding the induced RA accumulation, phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activity increased rapidly, whereas tyrosine aminotransferase (TAT) activity was largely unaffected by the treatment. The incorporation of both ¹⁴C-phenylalanine and ¹⁴C-tyrosine into RA was enhanced in the YE-treated cells, consistent with increased synthesis of the ester.Abbreviations 2,4-D 2,4 dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - PAL phenylalanine ammonia-lyase - TAT tyrosine aminotransferase - RA rosmarinic acid - YE yeast extract     

Methyl jasmonate-induced rosmarinic acid biosynthesis in Lithospermum erythrorhizon cell suspension cultures

Summary A dramatic increase in rosmarinic acid (RA) content in cultured cells of Lithospermum erythrorhizon was observed after their exposure to methyl jasmonate (MJ). Preceding the induced RA accumulation, phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) and 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate reductase (HPR) activities increased rapidly and transiently, whereas tyrosine aminotransferase (TAT) activity showed only a slight increase. The elicitation activity of MJ was much higher than that of yeast extract (YE) in terms of the induction of PAL and HPR activities, RA accumulation and incorporation of both ¹⁴C-phenylalanine and ¹⁴C-tyrosine into RA. However, the response of the cultured cells to MJ-treatment was slower than that to YE-treatment.Abbreviations 2,4-D 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - LS Linsmaier and Skoog - HPR 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate reductase - PAL phenylalanine ammonia-lyase - TAT tyrosine aminotransferase - MJ methyl jasmonate - YE yeast extract     

Shikonin production and secretion by hairy root cultures of Lithospermum erythrorhizon

Summary Hairy root cultures of Lithospermum erythrorhizon were established by transformation of in vitro grown shoots with Agrobacterium rhizogenes 15834. Hairy roots cultured on Murashige and Skoog solid medium did not produce any red pigments. However, the hairy roots cultured in Root Culture solid or liquid media produced a large amount of red pigments, which were released to the medium. The addition of adsorbents to the culture medium stimulated shikonin production by ca. 3-fold. Using this method an air-lift fermenter system was established, equipped with a XAD-2 column, which continuously produced ca. 5 mg/day of shikonin during a period of more than 220 days.     

A protein induced by NaCl in suspension cultures ofNicotiana tabacum accumulates in whole plant roots

Summary We have characterized a 26 000 dalton (26 000 D) protein which accumulates inNicotiana tabacum cuspension cells grown in media containing 10–25 g/l NaCl (7, 11, 17). Antibody was prepared against this protein and used to examine protein accumulation in both suspension cells and whole plants. Western blot analysis revealed that the 26 000 D protein also accumulates in suspension cells grown in the absence of NaCl as they approach stationary phase but the accumulation never reaches the level seen in the salt adapted cells. This protein also accumulates after treatment with other agents which lower the water potential, such as PEG and KCl, but no increase is seen after nonosmotic stresses such as heat shock and growth in cadmium chloride. The 26 000 D protein is found not only in whole tobacco plants but also in other members of the Solanaceae that were tested, as well as in alfalfa and green beans. The accumulation of the protein seems to be tissue specific as there is considerably more accumulation in roots than in stems or leaves of greenhouse grown plants. We have been unable to correlate accumlation of the 26 000 D protein with salt in wild tomato species but have demonstrated an increase in the accumulation of this protein with salt stress in hydroponically grown tomato plants. These results lead to speculation as to the role of this protein in responding to lowered water potential in the whole plant.     

Cadmium and zinc-mediated oxidative burst in tobacco BY-2 cell suspension cultures

Generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) constitutes an important first reaction under many stress conditions in plants. We demonstrate that Nicotiana tabacum L. cv. Bright Yellow 2 (TBY-2) cells in suspension cultures, generate superoxide radical and hydrogen peroxide upon treatment with cadmium and zinc. Addition of catalase and N,N-diethyldithiocarbamate (DDC) decreased the level of H₂O₂, whereas superoxide dismutase (SOD) induced a slight increase of the H₂O₂ production. The effects of catalase, DDC and SOD on the heavy metal-induced ROS production indicate that it occurs outside of the cells, and that at least part of the hydrogen peroxide is produced by dismutation of the superoxide radical (O₂ ^·−). The effect of pretreatment of the cell cultures with commonly used mammalian NADPH oxidase inhibitors was also tested. Strong inhibitions of cadmium and zinc-mediated ROS production were obtained with the flavoprotein inhibitors—diphenylene iodonium (DPI) and quinacrine and with an inhibitor of b-type cytochromes—imidazol. Membrane permeable-N-ethyl maleimide (NEM) and iodoacetate, and membrane non-permeable thiol reagents—para-chloromercuribenzoic acid (pCMBS) also inhibited the ROS production. These results suggested that the enzyme responsible for cadmium and zinc-induced ROS production in tobacco cells contains a flavocytochrome. They also show the importance of intra- and extracellular thiol groups in the observed stress reaction. The induction of ROS production with heavy metals showed properties comparable to the elicitor-induced oxidative burst in other plant cells.     

An improved polyurethane support system for monitoring growth in plant cell cultures

An improved culture system for plant cells that employs filter paper resting on polyurethane saturated with liquid medium is described. It combines a simplified version of the system outlined by Weber and Lark [1979, Theor Appl Genet 55: 81–86] with the method of growth estimation described by Horsch et al. [1980, Can J Bot 58: 2402–2406]. The growth of plated cells or callus can be conveniently monitored through repeated non-destructive fresh weight measurements of the filter paper and adhering cells, thereby allowing the construction of a complete growth curve over the course of an experiment. Experiments with 3 Nicotiana genotypes (N. plumbaginifolia Viv., N. tabacum L. SC 58 and N. tabacum WI 38) and 3 Vitis vinifera L. genotypes (Chenin Blanc, Dogridge and White Riesling) clearly demonstrate higher growth rates of plated cells on polyurethane supports compared with agar. Further experiments with N. plumbaginifolia illustrate the use of polyurethane supports for culturing cells at low pH (4.0) and the recovery of spent medium for monitoring changes in pH. These features will greatly facilitate quantitative studies of mineral nutrition and metal toxicity in cultured cells. Polyurethane supports also allow the incorporation of conditioned medium or feeder cells to support the growth of cells at low densities and facilitate the rapid recovery of variant cells.     

Selection of paraquat-resistant variants of tobacco from cell cultures

Summary Paraquat-resistant cell lines and plants were isolated from cell cultures ofNicotiana tabacum var. Wisconsin 38. The resistant phenotype was successfully obtained from both callus and plated suspension cultures; however, recovery of phenotypically stable, resistant cell lines was higher among those derived from suspension cultures. The use of X-rays increased the recovery of paraquat-resistant cell lines. Stepwise selection procedures did not increase recovery of the resistant phenotype. Only 15 of 43 plants regenerated from paraquat-resistant cell lines retained the resistant phenotype; however, calli derived from leaves of both resistant and nonresistant plants exhibited either partial or complete resistance. This paper is a contribution from the Botanical Laboratory, N. Ser. 531. This material is based in part upon work supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agreement 5901-0410-9-0347-0.     

The cantharidin-induced oxidative burst in tobacco BY-2 cell suspension cultures

Summary The in vivo induction of H₂O₂ production was tested on tobacco cell suspension cultures (Nicotiana tabacum cv. Bright Yellow-2). The measurement of H₂O₂ was based on the oxidation of 3,5-dichloro-2-hydroxybenzensulfonic acid by endogenous peroxidases and spectrophotometric detection after reaction with 4-aminoanti-pyrine. The phosphatase inhibitor cantharidin induced a transient increase in H₂O₂ synthesis. The timing of the H₂O₂ production, the level of induction by cantharidin and the background H₂O₂ production were dependent on the tobacco cell concentration used. A concentration curve of cantharidin revealed saturating kinetics for the H₂O₂ detection (E₅₀=46 to 70 M, E_max=101 to 128 mol/h·g fresh weight). An inhibitor study with the tobacco BY-2 cells showed high inhibitions of the H₂O₂ induction with the flavin analogues diphenylene iodonium (I₅₀=1.26M) and acridine orange and with membrane-permeative thiol reagents (N-ethyl maleimide, N-pyrene maleimide, iodoacetate); whereas the nonpermeative thiol reagentp-chloromercuribenzoic acid was ineffective. Therefore, the induction of H₂O₂ production with phosphatase inhibitors (cantharidin) showed comparable properties to the elicitor-induced oxidative-burst response in other plant cells.Abbreviations AcOr acridine orange - AOS active-oxygen species - BY-2 Bright Yellow-2 - pCMBS p-chloromercuribenzoic acid - DHBS 3,5-dichloro-2-hydroxybenzenesulfonic acid - DMSO dimethylsulfoxide - DPI diphenylene iodonium - EtOH ethanol - H₂O₂ hydrogen peroxide - HRP horseradish peroxidase - MS Murashige and Skoog - NEM N-ethyl maleimide - NPM N-pyrene maleimide - O ₂ ^– superoxide - SOD superoxide dismutase     

Inhibitory effect of the Agrobacterium rhizogenes rolC gene on rabdosiin and rosmarinic acid production in Eritrichium sericeum and Lithospermum erythrorhizon transformed cell cultures

Rabdosiin and related caffeic acid metabolites have been proposed as active pharmacological agents demonstrating potent anti-HIV and antiallergic activities. We transformed Eritrichium sericeum and Lithospermum erythrorhizon seedlings by the rolC gene, which has been recently described as an activator of plant secondary metabolism. Surprisingly, the rolC-transformed cell cultures of both plants yielded two- to threefold less levels of rabdosiin and rosmarinic acid (RA) than respective control cultures. This result establishes an interesting precedent when the secondary metabolites are differently regulated by a single gene. We show that the rolC gene affects production of rabdosiin and RA irrespective of the methyl jasmonate (MeJA)-mediated and the Ca²⁺-dependent NADPH oxidase pathways. Cantharidin, an inhibitor of serine/threonine phosphatases, partly diminishes the rolC-gene inhibitory effect that indicates involvement of the rolC-gene-mediated signal in plant regulatory controls, mediated by protein phosphatases. We also show that the control MeJA-stimulated E. sericeum root culture produces (–)-rabdosiin up to 3.41% dry weight, representing the highest level of this substance for plant cell cultures reported so far.     

Protein kinase activities in the growth cycle of suspension cultured plant cells

In batch suspension cultures of Nicotiana tabacum and Datura innoxia protein kinase activity extracted from the whole cells and assayed with casein as substrate was followed over the growth cycle. In one case (N. tabacum) the activity was also determined in the nuclei preparation obtained from the suspension cultured cells. Immediately at the onset of the growth curve the protein kinase level increases strongly and reaches a maximum value at the early phase of proliferation; the enzyme level from the nuclei is slightly delayed. A comparison with protein synthesis shows that protein kinases are among the first proteins synthesized in the growth cycle. Chromatographic separation of the enzymes contributing to the total activity revealed that both in the extract of whole cells and in the nuclei two enzyme species are present. Their time course is similar to that of the total protein kinase level, although the activity corresponding to the enzyme with the higher molecular weight in the case of the whole cell extract is slightly delayed. The possible significance of protein phosphorylation in the growth cycle is discussed.     

Toward the production of artemisinin through tissue culture: Determining nutrient-hormone combinations suitable for cell suspension cultures

Summary Artemisia annua L. is the source of a potent antimalarial, artemisinin. As part of a program to produce artemisinin through tissue culture, a series of 14 multifactorial experiments were conducted to determine suitable conditions for initiating and maintaining friable callus fromA. annua. In the first six experiments, three different nutrient formulations [Gamborg B5 (B5), Murashige and Skoog (MS), and Whetmore and Rier (WR)], each with 32 combinations of auxins and cytokinins [2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) with benzyladenine (BA), or 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) with 6-furfurylaminopurine (kinetin)], were tested. Both B5 and WR nutrients supported friable callus formation from leaf explants with some combinations of auxin and cytokinin. Inasmuch as friable callus seemed to be produced over a wider range of auxin and cytokinin concentrations in combination with B5, the remaining experiments were conducted solely with this nutrient formulation. In the remaining eight experiments, it was determined that friable callus formed when combinations of NAA with kinetin or 2,4-D and BA were used with B5 medium. Lighter colored, more friable callus formed in response to 2,4-D and BA than with NAA and kinetin. No single combination of concentrations of auxin and cytokinin seemed to be “ideal” for producing friable callus. Ranges of 2,4-D from 0.5 to 2.0 with BA between 0.025 and 0.1, or NAA between 0.5 and 2.0 with kinetin between 0.5 and 1.0 mg/liter, produced acceptable results.     

Production of fertile tobacco pollen from microspores in suspension culture and its storage for in situ pollination

Summary A simple procedure is described for the in vitro production of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) pollen from microspores isolated just before entering mitosis. During a 3-day culture period in a liquid medium containing pyrimidine nucleosides these microspores develop into young pollen grains to the stage of starch deposition. Pollen maturation and transition to dormancy is achieved during a further 2- to 3-day culture period in the same medium stepwise supplemented by a concentrated solution of sucrose and l-proline. Upon transfer of the pollen to a simple germination medium containing sucrose and boric acid, up to 40% of the grains were observed to produce relatively long tubes. The in vitro-matured pollen grains can be stored at-20° C either suspended in 1.17 M sucrose and 100 mM l-proline or separated from the medium on filter paper discs. The stored pollen germinated both in vitro and on the stigma, the pollen tubes grew through the style into the ovary and pollination produced up to 300 viable seeds per pod. The procedure is of interest for pollen developmental studies and various fields of pollen manipulation, such as in vitro pollen selection.     

Enhancement of shikonin production in single- and two-phase suspension cultures of Lithospermum erythrorhizon cells using low-energy ultrasound

This work demonstrates the use of low-energy ultrasound (US) to enhance secondary metabolite production in plant cell cultures. Suspension culture of Lithospermum erythrorhizon cells was exposed to low-power US (power density < or = 113.9 mW/cm(3)) for short periods (1-8 min). The US exposure significantly stimulated the shikonin biosynthesis of the cells, and at certain US doses, increased the volumetric shikonin yield by about 60%-70%. Meanwhile, the shikonin excreted from the cells was increased from 20% to 65%-70%, due partially to an increase in the cell membrane permeability by sonication. With combined use of US treatment and in situ product extraction by an organic solvent, or the two-phase culture, the volumetric shikonin yield was increased more than two- to threefold. Increasing in the number of US exposures during the culture process usually resulted in negative effects on shikonin yield but slight stimulation of shikonin excretion. US at relatively high energy levels caused slight cell growth depression (maximum 9% decrease in dry cell weight). Two key enzymes for the secondary metabolite biosynthesis of cells, phenylalanine ammonia lyase and p-hydroxybenzoic acid geranyltransferase, were found to be stimulated by the US. The US stimulation of secondary metabolite biosynthesis was attributed to the metabolic activity of cells activated by US, and more specifically, the defense responses of plant cells to the mechanical stress of US irradiation.     

Cryopreservation of photosynthetic plant cell suspension cultures

Attempts were made to cryopreserve in liquid nitrogen six different photomixotrophic suspension cultured lines of five different species:Amaranthus powellii Wats.,Datura innoxia Mill.,Glycine max (L.) Merr.,Gossypium hirsutum L. andNicotiana tabacum xNicotiana glutinosa L. fusion hybrid. Only theD. innoxia line, DAT, and theG. max line, SB1, could be successfully recovered as viable, growing, dark green cultures. The successful method utilized a preculture treatment of from 2 to 8 days in a medium containing 3% starch and 3% sorbitol for DAT and 3% sucrose and 3% sorbitol for SB1 cells. The cells survived if frozen with 10% dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) and 9.1% sorbitol or with 10% DMSO and 8% sucrose. Following a programmed slow-cooling, the cells were thawed in a 40° C bath and could be recovered directly when added to fresh liquid medium. Cryostorage of these lines will save labor and prevent further genetic changes from occurring in these unique suspension cultures.     

Paclitaxel production in suspension cell cultures of Taxus

Five separate cell lines, three of Taxus canadensis Marsh. and two of Taxus cuspidata Sieb. et Zucc., were used to test the effect of carbohydrates and plant growth regulators on the growth of cells and production of paclitaxel in culture. There was no significant correlation between growth of cells and paclitaxel production. While no single medium was developed that was optimal for all cell lines, it was possible to develop a medium for each species that represented a superior combination of growth and paclitaxel production. A combination of NAA and thidiazuron produced the best combination of growth and paclitaxel production in cell lines of T. canadensis, while IAA and BA produced the best results in cell lines of T. cuspidata. A mixture of sucrose and fructose gave the best combination of growth and paclitaxel production. The addition of carbohydrates midway through the growth cycle increased the rate at which paclitaxel accumulated in the culture medium. The highest paclitaxel concentration obtained was 14.78±0.86 mg 1^–1 (n=3).Abbreviations 2,4-D 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - 2ip 6-(,-dimethylamino)-purine - BA 6-benzyladenine - IAA indole-3-acetic acid - IBA indole-3-butyric acid - kinetin 6-furfurylaminopurine - NAA -napthaleneacetic acid - picloram 4-amino-3,5,6-trichloropicolinic acid - thidiazuron 1-phenyl-3 (1,2,3-thiadiazol-5-yl)urea     

Extra thin alginate film: an efficient technique for protoplast culture

Summary. This paper reports an efficient protoplast culture technique, the “extra thin alginate film” technique. The development of this improved method of protoplast culture was an outcome of an assessment of the efficiency and shortcomings of various protoplast culture techniques. The efficiency of this technique was evaluated with two model plant systems, viz., Nicotiana tabacum and Lotus corniculatus, and a comparison was made with the “thin alginate layer” technique, another efficient protoplast culture system. Results indicate that the culture technique with extra thin alginate film is as efficient as the technique with thin alginate layer, with many additional advantages. The present innovation overcomes most of the limitations of protoplast culture techniques described so far and can now be applied to a wide variety of crops to check its general applicability. Correspondence and reprints: Department of Botanical and Environmental Sciences, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar 143 005, India.     

Improving alpha-tocopherol production in plant cell cultures

Suspension cell cultures of Helianthus annuus L. were previously established for the production of the most active component of vitamin E, alpha-tocopherol, by optimizing medium composition and culture conditions. In the present work, the possibility of enhancing alpha-tocopherol production by the addition of jasmonic acid to the culture medium was investigated both in sunflower and Arabidopsis cell cultures. A considerable increase (49% and 66%, respectively) of alpha-tocopherol production was obtained in both, after a 72-h treatment with 5 microM jasmonic acid. The modulation of alpha-tocopherol levels in plant cell cultures can provide useful hints for a regulatory impact on tocopherol metabolism.     

Dissimilation curves as a simple method for the characterization of growth of plant cell suspension cultures

A simple non-invasive method for the characterization of growth of a plant cell suspension in a single culture flask is given. The dissimilation of sugars by a cell-culture causes a loss of weight of the contents of the culture flask, and can therefore be used to follow the growth in that single culture flask. Because a correction for water evaporation is necessary, accurate results can only be obtained when a stable closure is used (e.g. Silicosen T-type plugs). The dissimilation curves obtained in this way were correlated to the concentration of sugars in the medium, the dry weight and the fresh weight. From these correlations the amount of intracellularly stored carbohydrates could be estimated. Rate constants for CO₂-diffusion were determined for different types of closure. These values allowed the estimation of CO₂ levels inside the culture flasks from the dissimilation curves (CO₂ release curves). The dissimilation curves obtained using this method can easily be related to other types of growth curves. Different growth-phases can be clearly distinguished, e.g. lag-phase, exponential growth-phase and stationary-phase.