Growth, metabolic profiling and enzymes activities of Catharanthus roseus seedlings treated with plant growth regulators

The effect of different growth regulators on growth and the production of terpenoid indole alkaloids as well as some enzymes involved in the biosynthesis were studied in Catharanthus roseus seedlings. The seedlings were grown on MS solid medium containing different concentrations of each growth regulator for a period of one month. Extracted alkaloids were analyzed by HPLC for determination of terpenoid indole alkaloid quantities. Continuous availability of growth regulators induced different alkaloids with variable effects among the regulators. Gibberellic acid at concentration of either 5.8 M or 11.6 M resulted in elongation of shoots with lowering the number of leaves. Abscisic acid has a retardant effect on growth. Ethylene did not effect the growth pattern at concentration of 100 M but seedlings were not tolerant to higher concentrations. Methyljasmonate reduced the growth of the root system. Methyljasmonate was a general inducer for all alkaloids and increased the activity of strictosidine glucosidase. Ethylene applications promoted the pathways towards ajmalicine, serpentine, tabersonine and vindoline. Similar effect as for ethylene was observed for abscisic acid. Salicylic acid treatment increased the production of serpentine, tabersonine and higher concentration of salicylic acid induced vindoline accumulation. Peroxidase activity was also induced by salicylic acid. Gibberellic acid has little effect on alkaloid levels.     

A differential response to chemical elicitors in Catharanthus roseus in vitro cultures

The effects of methyl jasmonate, salicylic acid and ethylene on alkaloid accumulation in in vitro cell suspension, hairy roots and rootless shoot cultures of Catharanthus roseus were analyzed. Ajmalicine, but not catharanthine, accumulation was promoted by jasmonate and ethylene treatments in cell suspensions. In hairy roots, jasmonate induced the accumulation of both alkaloids, whereas ethylene only induced catharanthine accumulation. In shoot cultures, positive effects of jasmonate and ethylene were recorded only in vindoline accumulation. Ethylene diminished catharanthine accumulation in these cultures. No effect of salicylic acid was observed in any of the studied in vitro culture systems. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

刈割对栽培长春花(Catharanthus roseus)生活史型转变的影响

为了提高栽培长春花（Catharanthus roseus）的生物碱产量,应用植物生活史型的理论和方法,研究了刈割对栽培长春花生活史型转变及其生物碱代谢的影响。运用主成分分析法（Principal Component Analysis, PCA）对刈割后的长春花后生活史型变化进行定量和定性划分,发现在对照栽培环境下生长的长春花处于DE生境,定性划分结果为SV生活史型,定量划分结果为V_0.3638S_0.6174C_0.0187,属于SV型。刈割使长春花的生活史型转变为V0.2847S0.6684C0.0469,属于SC型。同时,对两种生活史型的长春花中长春碱及其前体文朵灵和长春质碱的含量进行了检测分析,发现刈割后的SC型长春花不同叶位叶片中的生物碱含量均显著提高（p<0.05）,可以为提高栽培长春花生物碱含量提供科学指导,也进一步验证了生活史型理论。     

The impacts of increased nitrate supply on Catharanthus roseus growth and alkaloid accumulations under ultraviolet-B stress

It has been reported that nitrate availability was able to modify the detrimental effects induced by excess ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation on plants. In this study, the medical plant Catharanthus roseus was subjected to UV-B stress and altered levels of nitrate nutrition to investigate their influence in a sole or combined way on growth and alkaloid productions. Our results showed that the UV-B stress obviously inhibited growth and led to damages of oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation. The simultaneous supply of higher nitrate nutrition could largely alleviate the inhibitory effects and damage symptom under the UV-B stress in C. roseus. Meanwhile, the UV-B-absorbing compounds as well as three alkaloids, vinblastine, vindoline, and catharanthine, were observed to have a remarkable elevation. These compounds were considered to serve as protectants of UV-B radiation. It was concluded that an increased nitrogen (N) supply could not only alleviate the inhibitory effect of UV-B stress on plant growth, but also enhance the accumulation of pharmaceutically used alkaloid in these plants. We proposed that the enrichment of N nutrition might provide more N source for alkaloid synthesis induced by UV-B radiation, eventually resulting in an increase of alkaloids accumulation.     

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。     

Rapidly Induced Wound Ethylene from Excised Segments of Etiolated Pisum sativum L., cv. Alaska: I. Characterization of the Response

A rapidly induced, transitory increase in the rate of ethylene synthesis occurred in wounded tissue excised from actively growing regions of etiolated barley, cucumber, maize, oat, pea, tomato, and wheat seedlings. Cutting intact stems or excising 9-mm segments of tissue from near the apex of 7-day-old etiolated Pisum sativum L., cv. Alaska seedlings induced a remarkably consistent pattern of ethylene production. At 25 C, wound-induced ethylene production by segments excised 9 mm below the apical hook increased linearly after a lag of 26 minutes from 2.7 nanoliters per g per hour to the first maxium of 11.3 nanoliters per g per hour at 56 minutes. The rate of production then decreased to a minimum at 90 minutes, increased to a lower second maximum at 131 minutes, and subsequently declined over a period of about 100 minutes to about 4 nanoliters per g per hour. Removal of endogenous ethylene, before the wound response commenced, had no effect on the kinetics of ethylene production. Tissue containing large amounts of dissolved ethylene released it as an exponential decay with no lag period. Rapidly induced wound ethylene is synthesized by the tissue and is not merely the result of facilitated diffusion of ethylene already present in the tissue through the newly exposed cut surfaces. Previously wounded apical sections did not exhibit a second response when rewounded. No significant correlation was found between wound-induced ethylene synthesis and either CO₂ or ethane production.     

刈割对栽培长春花(Catharanthus roseus)生活史型转变的影响

为了提高栽培长春花（Catharanthus roseus）的生物碱产量,应用植物生活史型的理论和方法,研究了刈割对栽培长春花生活史型转变及其生物碱代谢的影响。运用主成分分析法（Principal Component Analysis,PCA）对刈割后的长春花后生活史型变化进行定量和定性划分,发现在对照栽培环境下生长的长春花处于DE生境,定性划分结果为SV生活史型,定量划分结果为V0.3638,S0.6174C0.0187,属于SV型。刈割使长春花的生活史型转变为V0．2847S0.6544C0.0469,属于SC型。同时,对两种生活史型的长春花中长春碱及其前体文朵灵和长春质碱的含量进行了检测分析,发现刈割后的SC型长春花不同叶位叶片中的生物碱含量均显著提高（P〈O．05）,可以为提高栽培长春花生物碱含量提供科学指导,也进一步验证了生活史型理论。     

Auxins induce tryptophan decarboxylase activity in radicles of catharanthus seedlings

Germinating seedlings of Catharanthus roseus produce monoterpenoid indole alkaloids as a result of a transient increase of tryptophan decarboxylase (TDC) activity. The influence of auxins on this transient rise of TDC activity was studied. External application of indolebutyric acid or 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid at a concentration of 20 to 40 μm enhanced and prolonged the rise in TDC activity in developing seedlings. Auxin treatment also influenced the morphology of the seedlings; it induced a shortening and thickening of the hypocotyl and the radicle and promoted the initiation of lateral roots in the radicle. During development, the radicles of auxin-treated seedlings displayed a gradual increase in TDC activity that was absent in the radicles of untreated controls. Examination of immunoblots revealed anti-TDC reactive proteins in extracts from radicles of auxin-treated seedlings, but none in extracts from radicles of control seedlings. In contrast, TDC activity and immunoreactive protein levels in the aerial parts of controls and auxin-treated seedlings were comparable. Our results indicate that externally applied auxins induce both abnormal development and TDC activity in the radicles of Catharanthus seedlings. Although auxins slightly delayed the light-mediated induction of the cotyledon-specific last step in vindoline biosynthesis (i.e. acetylcoenzyme A: deacetylvindolin-O-acetyltransferase activity), seedlings still synthesized vindoline, one of the major alkaloid end products.     

Vindoline formation in shoot cultures of Catharanthus roseus is synchronously activated with morphogenesis through the last biosynthetic step

Background and Aims

The Madagascar periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus) produces the monoterpenoid alkaloid vindoline, which requires a specialized cell organization present only in the aerial tissues. Vindoline content can be affected by photoperiod and this effect seems to be associated with the morphogenetic capacity of branches; this association formed the basis of the study reported here.

Methods

Vindoline-producing in vitro shoot cultures were exposed either to continuous light or a 16-h photoperiod regime. New plantlet formation and alkaloid biosynthesis were analysed throughout a culture cycle.

Key Results

In cultures under the photoperiod, the formation of new plantlets occurred in a more synchronized fashion as compared to those under continuous light. The accumulation of vindoline in cultures under the photoperiod occurred in co-ordination with plantlet formation, in constrast to cultures under continuous light, and coincided with a peak of activity of deacetylvindoline acetyl CoA acetyltransferase (DAT), the enzyme that catalyses the last step in vindoline biosynthesis. When new plantlet formation was blocked in cultures under the photoperiod by treatment with phytoregulators, vindoline synthesis was also reduced via an effect on DAT activity. No association between plantlet formation and other biosynthetic enzymes, such as tryptophan decarboxylase (TDC) and deacetoxyvindoline 4-hydroxylase (D4H), was found. Effects of light treatment on vindoline synthesis were not mediated by ORCA-3 proteins (which are involved in the induction of alkaloid synthesis in response to elicitation), suggesting that the presence of a different set of regulatory proteins.

Conclusions

The data suggest that vindoline biosynthesis is associated with morphogenesis in shoot cultures of C. roseus.Key words: Catharanthus roseus, deacetylvindoline acetyl CoA acetyltransferase, DAT, in vitro shoot cultures, morphogenesis, vindoline     

浙江富阳和海南文昌人工种植长春花生物碱积累组织特异性对比

药用植物长春花的人工栽培分布区主要在我国海南省,目前已引种扩大到浙江、四川等地。为了研究不同栽培区长春花生物碱积累的区域性差异和组织特异性分布特点,本文以浙江富阳和海南文昌两地所产的同苗龄长春花为原料,对其不同部位的长春碱、文朵灵和长春质碱的含量进行对比,分析3种生物碱在不同部位中积累的相关性。研究结果表明,海南文昌所产长春花植株的叶片中3种生物碱含量均高于浙江富阳。但分枝中长春碱含量特点是浙江富阳要显著高于海南文昌;不同部位生物碱之间相关性分析表明,叶片和主茎中文朵灵和长春质碱含量呈显著正相关,而分枝中长春碱与其前体长春质碱成极显著负相关。本文为长春花人工栽培区分布评估提供了理论指导。     

Reactive oxygen and ethylene are involved in the regulation of regurgitant-induced responses in bean plants

Application of regurgitant from Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say on wound surfaces of one wounded leaf of intact bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) plants resulted in activation of ethylene biosynthesis followed by an increase of both peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase activity. The aim of the present investigation was to study the source of increased oxidative enzyme activities in regurgitant-treated bean leaves and to determine if hydrogen peroxide and ethylene biosynthesis is responsible for regurgitant-induced amplification of wound responses in bean plants. As the regurgitant contained relative high activities of both peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase, there is a possibility that increased enzyme activities in bean leaves following regurgitant treatment is an artifact of insect-derived enzymes. Localisation experiments and electrophoretic analysis revealed that only part of the increased enzyme activities could be attributed to regurgitant-derived enzymes. Both increase of ethylene production and oxidative enzyme activities depended on protein synthesis. To demonstrate if the increase of oxidative metabolism was ethylene-dependent, seedlings were pretreated with aminooxyacetic acid, an inhibitor of ethylene biosynthesis, and 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP), a competitive inhibitor of ethylene action. Increase of both peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase activity in wounded and subsequently regurgitant-treated leaf was abolished by both aminooxyacetic acid and 1-MCP. Inhibitor studies indicated that H2O2 generated through NADPH oxidase and superoxide dismutase is necessary for regurgitant-induced increase of ethylene production and oxidative enzyme activities.     

盐胁迫对长春花幼苗生长和生物碱含量的影响

以NaCl浓度分别为0、50、100、150、200和250 mmol·L^-1的1/2 Hoagland营养液处理长春花幼苗,7 d后测定其鲜质量、干质量、丙二醛(MDA)和叶绿素含量、色氨酸脱羧酶（TDC）和过氧化物酶（POD）活性等生理指标及文多灵、长春质碱、长春新碱和长春碱等生物碱含量.结果表明：NaCl显著地降低长春花幼苗的鲜质量和干质量,提高MDA含量;叶绿素含量在低盐浓度(50 mmol·L^-1)下与对照相比差异不显著,在高于50 mmol·L^-1时随NaCl浓度的增加而逐渐降低;在NaCl处理下,POD活性与对照相比显著上升;TDC活性在50 mmol·L^-1 NaCl处理下活性最高,而后随盐浓度的增加逐渐降低;文多灵、长春质碱、长春新碱和长春碱含量都是在50 mmol·L^-1NaCl处理下最高,分别为4.61、3.56、1.19和2.95 mg·g^-1,并显著高于对照及其他处理.盐胁迫虽然在一定程度上抑制了长春花幼苗生长,但促进了其生物碱的代谢,提高了生物碱含量;50 mmol·L^-1NaCl处理对长春花吲哚生物碱代谢的促进作用最大.     

Effects of light and plant growth regulators on the biosynthesis of vindoline and other indole alkaloids in Catharanthus roseus callus cultures

A callus strain with stable ability for vindoline synthesis was selected from many prepared Catharanthus roseus leaf calli to study the regulation of vindoline biosynthesis as well as other indole alkaloids. It was shown that light and plant growth regulators significantly influenced the biosynthesis of vindoline and other alkaloids as well as acidic and basic peroxidase activities. Light promoted vindoline and serpentine biosynthesis, and stimulated plastid development and peroxidase activity. However, 2,4-D suppressed the biosynthesis of all indole alkaloids and peroxidase activity. Our results suggest that light or plant hormones regulate vindoline, serpentine and other alkaloid biosynthesis and accumulation by influencing peroxidase activity and the differentiation status of callus cultures, especially chloroplast development. Some possible relationships between serpentine or vindoline biosynthesis and peroxidase activity are proposed.     

Methyl jasmonate vapor increases the developmentally controlled synthesis of alkaloids in Catharanthus and Cinchona seedlings

Shortly after germination, alkaloids are rapidly synthesized in seedlings of both Catharanthus roseus L.G. Don and Cinchona ledgeriana Moens. The effect of low-level, atmospheric methyl jasmonate on this developmentally controlled process was studied. In both species, about 1 p.p.m. of methyl jasmonate vapor significantly enhanced alkaloid synthesis during germination, resulting in a doubling of alkaloid content in seedlings. Treatment with methyl jasmonate resulted in increased allocation of alkaloid precursors and in enhanced enzyme activities in alkaloid biosynthesis. The ability of methyl jasmonate to increase alkaloid biosynthesis decreased with age of the seedlings. Susceptibility of the process to methyl jasmonate was confined to a narrow time interval where the developmentally regulated onset of alkaloid synthesis occurred. When methyl jasmonate was applied at later developmental stages, its ability to enhance alkaloid content in the seedlings declined sharply.     

Isolation and Characterization of a 2-Oxoglutarate Dependent Dioxygenase Involved in the Second-to-Last Step in Vindoline Biosynthesis

Young leaves from Catharanthus roseus plants contain the enzymes which convert the monoterpenoid indole alkaloid, tabersonine by three hydroxylations, two methylations, and one acetylation step to vindoline. A novel direct enzyme assay has been developed for a hydroxylase involved in vindoline biosynthesis, which catalyzes the C4-hydroxylation of 2,3-dihydro-3-hydroxy-N(1)-methyltabersonine to the 3,4-dihydroxy derivative. The enzyme showed an absolute requirement for 2-oxoglutarate and enzymatic activity was enhanced by ascorbate, establishing it as a 2-oxoglutarate-dependent dioxygenase (EC 1.14.11.-). The hydroxylase exhibited specificity for position 4 of various alkaloid substrates. The enzyme exhibited a pH optima between 7 and 8 and an apparent molecular weight of 45,000. The appearance of 4-hydroxylase activity was developmentally regulated and was shown to be inducible by light treatment of seedlings. Substrate specificity studies of this enzyme for indole alkaloid substrate suggested that hydroxylation at position 3 and N-methylation occur prior to hydroxylation at position 4. This is in agreement with previous studies which suggest that C4-hydroxylation is the second to last step in vindoline biosynthesis in Catharanthus roseus.     

1-Aminocyclopropane-1-Carboxylic Acid Transported from Roots to Shoots Promotes Leaf Abscission in Cleopatra Mandarin (Citrus reshni Hort. ex Tan.) Seedlings Rehydrated after Water Stress

The effect of water stress and subsequent rehydration on 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) content, ACC synthase activity, ethylene production, and leaf abscission was studied in Cleopatra mandarin (Citrus reshni Hort. ex Tan.) seedlings. Leaf abscission occurred when drought-stressed plants were allowed to rehydrate, whereas no abscission was observed in plants under water stress conditions. In roots of water-stressed plants, a high ACC accumulation and an increase in ACC synthase activity were observed. Neither increase in ACC content nor significant ethylene production were detected in leaves of water-stressed plants. After rehydration, a sharp rise in ACC content and ethylene production was observed in leaves of water-stressed plants. Content of ACC in xylem fluid was 10-fold higher in plants rehydrated for 2 h after water stress than in nonstressed plants. Leaf abscission induced by rehydration after drought stress was inhibited when roots or shoots were treated before water stress with aminooxyacetic acid (AOA, inhibitor of ACC synthase) or cobalt ion (inhibitor of ethylene-forming enzyme), respectively. However, AOA treatments to shoots did not suppress leaf abscission. The data indicate that water stress promotes ACC synthesis in roots of Cleopatra mandarin seedlings. Rehydration of plants results in ACC transport to the shoots, where it is oxidized to ethylene. Subsequently, this ethylene induces leaf abscission.     

Involvement of ethylene in the action of the cotton defoliant thidiazuron

The effect of the defoliant thidiazuron (N-phenyl-N′-1,2,3-thiadiazol-5-ylurea) on endogenous ethylene evolution and the role of endogenous ethylene in thidiazuron-mediated leaf abscission were examined in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L. cv Stoneville 519) seedlings. Treatment of 20- to 30-day-old seedlings with thidiazuron at concentrations equal to or greater than 10 micromolar resulted in leaf abscission. At a treatment concentration of 100 micromolar, nearly total abscission of the youngest leaves was observed. Following treatment, abscission of the younger leaves commenced within 48 hours and was complete by 120 hours. A large increase in ethylene evolution from leaf blades and abscission zone explants was readily detectable within 24 hours of treatment and persisted until leaf fall. Ethylene evolution from treated leaf blades was greatest 1 day posttreatment and reached levels in excess of 600 nanoliters per gram fresh weight per hour (26.7 nanomoles per gram fresh weight per hour). The increase in ethylene evolution occurred in the absence of increased ethane evolution, altered leaf water potential, or decreased chlorophyll levels. Treatment of seedlings with inhibitors of ethylene action (silver thiosulfate, hypobaric pressure) or ethylene synthesis (aminoethoxyvinylglycine) resulted in an inhibition of thidiazuron-induced defoliation. Application of exogenous ethylene or 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid largely restored the thidiazuron response. The results indicate that thidiazuron-induced leaf abscission is mediated, at least in part, by an increase in endogenous ethylene evolution. However, alterations of other phytohormone systems thought to be involved in regulating leaf abscission are not excluded by these studies.     

Possible involvement of auxin-induced ethylene in an apoptotic cell death during temperature-sensitive lethality expressed by hybrid between Nicotiana glutinosa and N. repanda

Interspecific hybrids of Nicotiana glutinosa L. x N. repanda Willd. express temperature-sensitive lethality induced by apoptotic cell death. Hybrid seedlings cultured at 28 degrees C began to exhibit lethal symptoms during early growth stages, and then they showed a high level of endogenous auxin compared with those of parental seedlings. Meanwhile, the level of auxin in hybrid seedlings cultured at 32 degrees C, which is a condition suppressing the lethality of this cross combination, was equal to or lower than those of parental seedlings. Administration of 2,3,5-triiodobenzoic acid (TIBA) as an auxin transport inhibitor into the hybrid seedlings suppressed lethal symptoms and had a life-extending effect. Additionally, TIBA has an effect to suppress DNA fragmentation, which is one of characteristics of apoptosis and has been detected in the hybrid seedlings expressing the lethality. Administration of aminooxyacetic acid (AOA) as an ethylene synthesis inhibitor, which could inhibit ethylene production, also showed the same effects as TIBA for the lethality. From these results, we suggested that auxin and ethylene were involved in an apoptotic cell death during the lethality, and the abnormal increase of endogenous auxin may lead to the ethylene production in hybrid seedlings during early growth stages.     

Mechanical wounding and abscission in citrus

Fruit detachment force (FDF), ethylene evolution, fruit and leaf drop were determined in Citrus sinensis for periods up to 96 h after mechanical wounding. Injury by removing a thin section of mature fruit flavedo reduced FDF, increased ethylene evolution and promoted abscission. Injuring flavedo 1 cm below the calyx was more effective at reducing FDF than injuring flavedo at the equator or the blossom‐end of mature fruit. Injuring the calyx or peduncle of mature fruit, or injuring three leaves closest to the mature fruit did not reduce FDF. Immature fruitlets either did not abscise or underwent low rates of abscission in response to mechanical wounding, depending on age. Inhibiting ethylene binding in wounded mature fruit with 1‐methylcyclopropene (1‐MCP) increased ethylene evolution compared with wounded fruit alone, but the reduction in FDF was similar. When an ethylene biosynthesis inhibitor (aminoethoxyvinylglycine, AVG) was used, reduction in FDF of wounded mature fruit exposed to AVG was similar to that of wounded fruit alone but ethylene production was markedly reduced. Wounding mature leaf blades in the presence or absence of 1‐MCP resulted in elevated but equal ethylene evolution up to 48 h after wounding, however, no leaf drop occurred. Thereafter, ethylene evolution was higher in 1‐MCP‐treated wounded leaves. Removing up to 77% of the total mature leaf area did not cause leaf drop, nor did wounding tissue across the laminar or petiolar abscission zones. Leaflets of 5 mm length reached nearly 100% abscission after mechanical wounding, whereas wounding leaves 20 mm length resulted in 15% abscission. The data suggest that mechanical wounding of flavedo results in mature fruit abscission, and ethylene binding may not be mandatory to initiate abscission in citrus fruit. The differential response of fruit and leaves at different ages to wounding may be related to potential contribution to carbohydrate accumulation, and production and sensitivity of tissues to an abscission signal(s).     

A Cytochrome P-450 Monooxygenase Catalyzes the First Step in the Conversion of Tabersonine to Vindoline in Catharanthus roseus

Hydroxylation at the C-16 position of the indole alkaloid tabersonine has been suggested as the first step toward vindoline biosynthesis in Catharanthus roseus. Tabersonine 16-hydroxylase (16-OH) activity was detected in total protein extracts from young leaves of C. roseus using a novel coupled assay system. Enzyme activity was dependent on NADPH and molecular oxygen and was inhibited by CO, clotrimazole, miconazole, and cytochrome c. 16-OH was localized to the endoplasmic reticulum by linear sucrose density gradient centrifugation. These data suggest that 16-OH is a cytochrome P-450-dependent monooxygenase. The activity of 16-OH reached a maximum in seedlings 9 d postimbibition and was induced by light. The leaf-specific distribution of 16-OH in the mature plant is consistent with the localization of other enzymes in the tabersonine to vindoline pathway. However, in contrast to enzymes that catalyze the last four steps of vindoline biosynthesis, enzymes responsible for the first two steps from tabersonine (16-OH and 16-O-methyltransfersase) were detected in C. roseus cell-suspension cultures. These data complement the complex model of vindoline biosynthesis that has evolved with respect to enzyme compartmentalization, metabolic transport, and control mechanisms.