Differentiation of axon-related Schwann cells in vitro. I. Ascorbic acid regulates basal lamina assembly and myelin formation

Rat Schwann cells cultured with dorsal root ganglion neurons in a serum-free defined medium fail to ensheathe or myelinate axons or assemble basal laminae. Replacement of defined medium with medium that contains human placental serum (HPS) and chick embryo extract (EE) results in both basal lamina and myelin formation. In the present study, the individual effects of HPS and EE on basal lamina assembly and on myelin formation by Schwann cells cultured with neurons have been examined. Some batches of HPS were unable to promote myelin formation in the absence of EE, as assessed by quantitative evaluation of cultures stained with Sudan black; such HPS also failed to promote basal lamina assembly, as assessed by immunofluorescence using antibodies against laminin, type IV collagen, and heparan sulfate proteoglycan. The addition of EE or L-ascorbic acid with such HPS led to the formation of large quantities of myelin and to the assembly of basal laminae. Pretreatment of EE with ascorbic acid oxidase abolished the EE activity, whereas trypsin did not. Other batches of HPS were found to promote both basal lamina and myelin formation in the absence of either EE or ascorbic acid. Ascorbic acid oxidase treatment or dialysis of these batches of HPS abolished their ability to promote Schwann cell differentiation, whereas the subsequent addition of ascorbic acid restored that ability. Ascorbic acid in the absence of serum was relatively ineffective in promoting either basal lamina or myelin formation. Fetal bovine serum was as effective as HPS in allowing ascorbic acid (and several analogs but not other reducing agents) to manifest its ability to promote Schwann cell differentiation. We suggest that ascorbic acid promotes Schwann cell myelin formation by enabling the Schwann cell to assemble a basal lamina, which is required for complete differentiation.     

Embryogenic callus formation from maize protoplasts

Maize (Zea mays L.) protoplasts have been obtained which divide rapidly and produce a callus that differentiates to form somatic embryos. The somatic embryos can be induced to form roots and small leaf-like structures. The genotype was the hybrid A188xBlack Mexican Sweet. Protoplasts were prepared from an embryogenic suspension culture derived from a Type II callus which had been selected from Type I callus produced by immature zygotic embryos. The basal medium for the suspension culture was N6 (C.C. Chu et al., 1975, Scientia Sinica 18, 659–668). The 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid concentration of the suspension culture was critical for subsequent protoplast growth and was optimal at 4.0 mg.l. Protoplasts had to be cultured in a low-osmoticum medium (0.3 M mannitol) for subsequent cell divisions to occur. The protoplasts have been transformed transiently with the gene chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) containing the 35S promoter obtained from cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV-35S).Abbreviations FDA fluorescein diacetate - ABA abscisic acid - 2,4-D 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid     

Phylogenetic diversity and characterization of 2-haloacid degrading bacteria from the marine sponge <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hymeniacidon perlevis</Emphasis>

A total of 139 2-haloacid degrading bacteria strains were isolated from the marine sponge Hymeniacidon perlevis using a modified enrichment medium and a pH indicator method. After screening on indicator agar and 2-chloropropionic acid (2-CPA) liquid medium, 11 isolates with high degrading activities were characterized and initially identified. Seven of the 11 isolates were able to degrade 2-CPA at 8% salt, and four isolates (DEH 66, DEH 99, DEH125 and DEH138) degraded 2-CPA at 15% salt. Eight of the 11 isolates utilized all four types of organohalogen compounds used in this study. The DEH99 and DEH138 isolates exhibited the best enantioselectivity towards (S)-2-chloropropionic acid (S-CPA) and (R)-2-chloropropionic acid (R-CPA), respectively. The dehalogenase activities of DEH84 against racemic CPA, DEH99 against S-CPA, DEH138 against R-CPA and DEH130 against racemic CPA were 0.16U/mg, 0.06U/mg, 0.12U/mg and 0.19U/mg, respectively. Based on 16S rRNA sequence analysis, the 11 isolates were clustered into the Rhodobacteraceae family of α-proteobacteria and the Pseudomonadaceae family of γ-proteobacteria. To our knowledge, this is the first report detailing the isolation of organisms of Pseudomonas stuzeri sp. and the Rhodobacteraceae family with 2-haloacid dehalogenase activity from marine sponges.     

Effect of kinetin on tuber formation on isolated stolons of Solanum tuberosum L. cultured in vitro

Kinetin-induced tuber formation was investigated with regardto the role of temperature, sucrose concentration, time of kinetinapplication, and inhibitors of protein and nucleic acid biosynthesis.Low temperatures (15°C and 20°C) failed to promote tuberformation in the absence of kinetin, and at 15°C K-inducedtuber formation was partially prevented. Similarly, sucrose concentration per se did not promote tuberformation, however, K-induced tuber formation required a 6%or greater concentration of sucrose in the medium. Stolons preincubated in K prior to incubation on a basal mediumwithout K failed to form tubers but tubers were formed if theywere incubated on a basal medium with K. In order to inducetuber formation, K is only required in the basal medium for3–4 days. Thereafter tuber formation can progress unimpairedon a basal medium only. The inhibitors of protein and nucleic acid synthesis (ACTD,PFA, 2-TU, CHL, 5-FUDR) delayed tuber formation but failed toinhibit the process. The results are discussed in relation to the possible existenceof a tuber forming hormone related to cytokinins and the possibleeffect of temperature on its action. The possibility that tuberformation may be independent of protein and nucleic acid synthesisis also discussed. ¹Present address: Plant Hormone and Regulator Pioneering ResearchLab., U.S. Dept. Agric., Crops Res. Div., Beltsville, Md., U.S.A. (Received October 13, 1969; )     

Formation of dimethylsulfide and methanethiol from methoxylated aromatic compounds and inorganic sulfide by newly isolated anaerobic bacteria

Formation of gas and of methylated sulfur compounds was observed in anaerobic enrichment cultures with methoxylated aromatic compounds as substrates. Via direct dilution of mud samples in defined reduced media supplemented with trimethoxybenzoate or syringate two new strains of anaerobic homoacetogenic bacteria (strain TMBS4 and strain SA2) were obtained in pure culture. Both strains produced dimethylsulfide and methanethiol during growth on methoxylated aromatic compounds. Growth tests and determination of stoichiometries demonstrated that the volatile sulfur compounds were formed from the methyl group at the aromatic ring and the sulfide added as reducing agent to the medium (R = aromatic residue): 2 R - O - CH₃ + H₂ S 2 R - OH + (CH₃)₂SDimethylsulfide was the major organic sulfur compound formed, whereas methanethiol appeared only as intermediate in small quantities. The isolates grew also with trihydroxybenzenes such as gallate, phloroglucinol, or pyrogallol without formation of methylated sulfur compounds. The aromatic compounds were degraded to acetate. The freshwater strain TMBS4 also fermented pyruvate. Other aliphatic or aromatic compounds were not utilized. External electron acceptors (sulfate, nitrate, fumarate) were not reduced. Both strains were mesophilic and formed rod-shaped, non-motile, Gram-negative cells. Spore formation was not observed. Tentatively, both isolates can be affiliated to the genus Pelobacter.Abbreviations TMB 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoate - MT methanethiol - DMS dimethylsulfide     

Screening of Carbon Dioxide-Requiring Extreme Oligotrophs from Soil

We screened soil samples for CO₂-requiring extreme oligotrophs similar to Rhodococcus erythropolis N9T-4, which can grow on a basal salt agar medium without an organic carbon source. From 387 soil samples, three isolates were obtained and identified as Streptomyces spp. by 16S rDNA analysis. The isolates required gaseous CO₂ for growth and grew on a basal salt medium solidified by silica gel. These results suggest that such CO₂-requiring oligotrophs occur widely in nature.     

Studies on Pyricularia oryzae Cav. in Sierra Leone: Morphological and Physiological Variability of Some Isolates

The morphological and physiological variability of six isolatesof Pyricularia oryzae, the causal organism of rice blast disease,were investigated. The rate of growth, colony characters, andtime of sporulation were found to vary with the different isolatesthough not by appreciable amounts. Each of the isolates showedconsistently better growth on Takahashi's B medium than on Czapek-Dox'smedium although the growth trend was the same in both media.The colony characters developed by each isolate are not dependenton the medium on which it is growing—a pointer to thefact that such characters may be genetically controlled. Germinationwas faster in distilled water than in 2 per cent agar. All theisolates produced appresoria in vivo and in vitro; those producedin vivo were, however, considerably larger than those producedin vitro. On the basis of appresorial types, the isolates werefound to fall into two physiological races—smooth-walledand rough-walled. Each isolate produced consistently only oneappresorial type in vitro from the apical or basal cell of theconidium. The utilization of carbon and nitrogen compounds variedfrom one isolate to the other, carbon compounds being generallybetter utilized than nitrogen compounds. Pyricularia oryzaecan metabolize a wide range of carbon compounds. However, mannose,sucrose, glucose, fructose, and maltose proved to be most suitablecarbon sources. The variations in the utilization of the variouscarbon and nitrogen compounds seem to reflect inherent biochemicaland physiological differences among the isolates.     

Regulation of attachment, germination, and appressorium formation by zoospores ofLagenidium giganteum and related oomycetes by chitin, chitosan, and catecholamines

Summary Lagenidium giganteum (Oomycetes: Lagenidiales), a facultative parasite of mosquito larvae, infects the larval stage of most species of mosquitoes and a very limited number of alternate hosts. Host infection by this and other members of Oomycetes is initiated by motile, laterally biflagellate zoospores. Chemical bases for the various degrees of host specificity exhibited by these parasites is not known, but presumably involves receptors on the zoospore surface recognizing compounds either secreted by or on the surface of their hosts. Surface topography had no detectable effect onL. giganteum encystment or appressorium formation. Scanning electron microscopy documented the detachment of flagella during zoospore encystment. Bulbous knobs at the basal end of the detached flagellum were interpreted as encysting zoospores dropping the axoneme and/or the basal body and associated structures to which flagella are attached. Multiple signals appear to be involved in the initial steps ofL. giganteum host invasion. Zoospores of this parasite did not encyst on powdered preparations of chitin or chitosan (deacetylated chitin). Upon dissolution of chitosan in dilute acid followed by drying these solutions to form thin, transparent films, zoospores readily encysted. The degree of reacetylation of these films and the spacing of acetylated and deacetylated residues had no significant effect on zoospore encystment. Zoospores of a strain ofLagenidium myophilum isolated from marine shrimp, that also infects mosquito larvae, encysted on chitosan films. No encystment of spores of the plant parasitePhytophthora capsici was observed on chitin or chitosan films. Simulation of cuticle sclerotization by incubating chitosan films with different catecholamines and tyrosinase significantly reduced zoospore encystment. Zoospores that encysted on chitosan films did not germinate in distilled water. Germination could be induced by adding microgram quantities of bovine serum albumin or proteins secreted by motile zoospores into the water, and to a lesser degree by some amino acids, but not by various cations. Zoospores encysted and germinated on the pupal stage of some mosquito species. Appressoria were occasionally formed, but most subsequently sent out another mycelial branch, apparently without attempting to pierce the pupal cuticle. Methylation of pupal exuviae with ethereal diazomethane or methanol/HCl significantly increased zoospore encystment. Modification of chitin by catecholamines, lipids and protein on the epicuticular larval surface all affected host invasion.Abbreviations BSA bovine serum albumin - CID collision-induced dissociation - DOPA 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine - ESI-MS electrospray mass spectrometry - ESI-MS/MS tandem electrospray mass spectrometry - SDS-PAGE sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis - WGA wheat germ agglutinin - ZAP zoospore aggregation pheromone     

Plant regeneration in a jute species (C. capsularis) and its possible relationship with glyoxalase-I

Summary The addition of 3 mg/l of nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) to BAP and tyrosine fortified MS medium was essential to obtain organogenic callus from the hypocotyl segments of two varieties (D-154 and CVL-1) of Corchorus capsularis — one of the two jute species. When the organogenic callus, which is rich in large starch granules, was transferred to MS basal medium, it differentiated into single or multiple shoots usually in the first subculture and sometimes in the second. The activity of glyoxalase-I of the organogenic callus was found to be significantly lower than that observed in the nonorganogenic callus initiated on MS medium supplemented with 2,4-D, tyrosine, BAP or just BAP and tyrosine. This suggests an inverse relationship between differentiation and the level of glyoxalase-I activity in the two varieties of C. capsularis jute.Abbreviations BAP 6-benzylaminopurine - CVL 1 Corchorus capsularis var. CVL-1 - D-154 C. capsularis var. D 154 - O-4 C. olitorius var. O-4 - 2,4-D 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - IBA indole-3-butyric acid - NDGA nordihydroguaiaretic acid - tyr tyrosine     

Direct embryo formation in leaves of Camillia japonica L.

Summary The culture conditions for direct embryo formation in leaves of Camellia japonica L. were established. An auxin treatment followed by incubation during 11 days in darkness on diluted Murashige and Skoog modified basal medium induced direct morphogenesis. The number of subcultures, subculture interval and leaf age affected in vitro leaf response. The results showed that the cells from a cultured leaf respond differently to the same culture conditions by forming embryos, roots, and non-morphogenic as well as organogenic callus. Direct embryo formation occurred only in the marginal leaf regions. Direct root formation only occurred in a well-defined region of the midrib whereas callus was preferentially formed on the leaf basis. The results suggest the existence of differences in morphogenic competence according to leaf regions. Plantlet regeneration was successfully achieved from somatic embryos and from leaf basisderived callus, via shoot bud induction.Abbreviations BA 6-benzylaminopurine - 2,4-D 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - DTT dithiothreitol - IAA indole-3-acetic acid - IBA indole-3-butyric acid     

Diagnostic properties of three conventional selective plating media for selection of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacillus cereus</Emphasis>, <Emphasis Type="Italic">B. thuringiensis</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">B. weihenstephanensis</Emphasis>

The aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic properties of the two selective plating media and a chromogenic medium for identification of Bacillus cereus. The 324 isolates were B. cereus (37%), Bacillus weihenstephanensis (45%) or Bacillus thuringiensis (18%), as identified by a new combination of techniques. All isolates were growing on mannitol–egg yolk–polymyxin agar (MYP), and they did not form acid from mannitol. However, a significant lower number of B. thuringiensis isolates did not show lecithinase activity. All isolates were also growing on polymyxin–egg yolk–mannitol–bromothymol blue agar (PEMBA); however, 11% isolates indicated that they did produce acid from mannitol, and 15% isolates did not show any lecithinase activity. Five of the isolates did not grow at all on the chromogenic agar, and 14 of the growing isolates were β-glucosidase negative. It is concluded that the two recommended selective plating media MYP and PEMBA for detection of B. cereus group bacteria both have their limitations for identification of some B. cereus, B. weihenstephanensis or B. thuringiensis. However, MYP is preferable compared to PEMBA. The chromogenic medium has its own advantages and limitations, and some of the limitations seem to be solved by incubation at 30°C instead of the recommended 37°C.     

The effect of jasmonic acid, sucrose and darkness on garlic (Allium sativum L. cv. Ptujski jesenski) bulb formation in vitro

Summary The effect of sucrose, jasmonic acid (JA) and darkness on bulb formation of garlic Allium sativum L. cv. Ptujski jesenski was studied in vitro. B5 medium supplemented with 3% sucrose, 5 μM JA and 5 μM 2-isopentenyl adenine (2iP) was used for shoot induction on garlic basal plates. For bulb induction, explants with developed shoots were transferred onto media with 3% or 8% sucrose in the presence or absence of 5 μM JA. Sucrose (8%) significantly increased the percentage of shoots which formed bulbs by 86–90%, bulb diameter and the number of bulbs per basal plate. On medium supplemented with JA, the average number of bulbs per basal plate was 11.5. Growth of explants in the dark was ineffective for stimulating bulb formation. Simultaneous use of JA and sucrose can improve garlic micropropagation via bulb formation, without intermediate callus formation.     

Production of the new antimalarial drug artemisinin in shoot cultures of Artemisia annua L.

From aseptically grown Artemisia annua plantlets, shoot cultures were initiated. Using different concentrations of auxine, cytokinine and sucrose, a suitable culture medium was developed, with respect to the growth of the shoots and their artemisinin accumulation. Nitrate concentration and conductivity appeared to be suitable growth parameters. The artemisinin content was measured gas chromatographically. The shoot cultures were maintained in the developed standard medium, consisting of a half concentration of MS-salts with vitamins, 0.2 mg l^-1 BAP, 0.05 mg l^-1 NAA and 1% sucrose. The growth of the shoots and the artemisinin content remained stable for a longer period. They showed considerable photosynthetic activity and generally contained ca. 0.08% artemisinin on a dry weight basis. The highest artemisinin content found was 0.16% in the above mentioned standard medium, but also on the same medium with 0.5% sucrose. Attempts were made to further improve the artemisinin production by varying the medium composition through addition of gibberellic acid or casein hydroly-state; by omitting plant growth regulators; by precursor feeding, i.e. mevalonic acid; by influencing the biosynthesis routing through inhibition of the sterol synthesis by miconazole, naftifine or terbinafine; by changing gene expression with 5-azacytidine or colchicine; and by elicitation, using cellulase, chitosan, glutathione or nigeran. Enhanced artemisinin production was found with 10 mg l^-1 gibberellic acid, 0.5 g l^-1 casein hydrolysate, 10 mg l^-1 or 20 mg l^-1 naftifine. Relative increases of 154%, 169%, 140% and 120% were found, respectively. Other additions caused the growth to cease and the artemisinin contents to drop.Abbreviations BAP benzylaminopurine - DW dry weight - FW fresh weight - GA₃ gibberellic acid - MS Murashige & Skoog basal medium - NAA naphthaleneacetic acid     

Development and storage-protein synthesis in Brassica napus L. embryos in vivo and in vitro

Immature embryos of Brassica napus were cultured in vitro with and without various concentrations of germination inhibitors, and the progress of embryogeny was monitored by comparing accumulation of storage proteins in culture with the normal accumulation in seeds. The two major B. napus storage proteins (12S and 1.7S) were purified from seed extracts and analyzed by rocket immunoelectrophoresis (12S protein) or by sodium lauryl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (1.7S protein). During embryo development within seeds both the 12S and 1.7S proteins were first detected when the cotyledons were well developed (embryo dry weight, 0.4 mg), and each storage protein accumulated at an average rate of 26 g d^-1 during maximum deposition. Accumulation of the 1.7S protein stopped when the water content of the embryo began to decline (embryo DW, 2.7 mg), but accumulation of the 12S protein continued until seed maturity (embryo DW, 3.6 mg). At the end of embryo development the 12S and the 1.7S proteins comprised approx. 60 and 20% of the total salt-soluble protein, respectively. When embryos were removed from seeds at day 27, just as storage protein was starting to accumulate, and placed in culture on a basal medium, they precociously germinated within 3d, and incorporation of amino acids into the 12S storage protein dropped from 3% of total incorporation to less than 1%. If 10^-6 M abscisic acid (ABA) was included in the medium, amino-acid incorporation into the 12S protein increased from 3% of total incorporation when embryos were placed into culture to 18%, 5d later, and the accumulation rate (27.1±2.6 g embryo^-1 d^-1) matched the maximum rate observed in the seed. High osmotica, such as 0.29 M sucrose or mannitol, added to the basal medium, also inhibited precocious germination, but there was a lag period before 12S-protein synthesis rates equaled the rates on ABA media. These results indicate that some factor in the seed environment is necessary for storage-protein synthesis to proceed, and that ABA is a possible candidate.Abbreviations ABA abscisic acid - PAGE polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis - PMSF phenylmethylsulfonylfluoride - SDS sodium lauryl sulfate     

High frequency embryoid and plantlet formation from tissue cultures of the Finger millet-Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn

Compact nodulated embryogenic callus differentiated from cultured seeds of Eleusine coracana (Finger Millet) on Murashige and Skoog (1962) basal medium with 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (1.0, 3.0 mg ^l). This embryogenic callus was maintained on a medium with a lower level of 2,4 — dichlorophenoxyacetic acid. At every subculture the embryogenic callus had some preexisting embryoids in it. With this method of subculture the callus has retained its morphogenic potential for four years. Following transfer to media with different levels of auxins and cytokinins, the callus showed varied patterns of growth and morphogenesis. Embryoids could be germinated in profusion to form plantlets which could be transferred to the field. Shoot buds also differentiated from the whole surface of the embryoid or from the flattened meristemoids.Abbreviations BAP 6-benzylaminopurine - IAA indole-3-acetic acid - 2,4-D 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - NAA napthaleneacetic acid - IBA indolebutyric acid - KN kinetin - MS Murashige and Skoog (1962) - GA₃ Gibberellic acid     

An efficient in vitro method for mass propagation of a woody ornamentalIxora coccinea L.

Various factors that affect culture establishment, shoot growth, proliferation and rooting ofIxora coccinea L., a woody shrub, were studied. Stem cuttings (decapitated shoot, three nodes) were the most suitable explants for multiple-shoot proliferation, and when cultured on a woody plant medium (WPM) containing 2.5 M BA produced axillary shoots which branched repeatedly, yielding an average of 27 shoots per explant after 6 weeks in culture. Kinetin, 2-iP, zeatin and thidiazuron all induced multiple-shoot formation, but were less effective than BA. While the presence of IAA in the multiplication medium was detrimental to shoot proliferation, shoot growth was not affected by IAA. The production of large amounts of basal callus and vitrification of shoots were the major problems to be avoided in proliferating shoot cultures. Addition of TIBA to the multiplication medium markedly reduced basal callusing, while sealing the culture vessels with a fluorocarbon polymer (tetrafluoroethyleneperfluoroalkyl vinyl ether) film (Neoflon PFA film) almost completely eliminated vitrification. A reduction in the number of vitrified shoots was also achieved with AVG treatment. Following this protocol of using BA-supplemented WPM and Neoflon film, it would be possible to produce more than 100,000 plants from a single stem cutting in 1 year.Abbreviations AVG Aminoethoxyvinylglycine - BA N⁶-benzyladenine - BM basal medium - IAA indole-3-acetic acid - IBA indole-3-butyric acid - 2-tiP N⁶-(2-isopentenyl)adenine - KIN kinetin - MS Murashige and Skoog medium - NAA -naphthaleneacetic acid - SRM shoot regeneration medium - TDZ thidiazuron - TIBA 2,3,5-triiodobenzoic acid - WPM woody plant medium - ZEA zeatin     

Plant regeneration from protoplasts of Solanum species with potential agricultural value (S. hjertingii,S. polyadenium,S. capsicibaccatum)

Protoplasts have been isolated from three tuber-bearing Solanum species, S. hjertingii, S. polyadenium and S. capsicibaccatum, that are sexually incompatible with S. tuberosum, but possess potentially useful characters. For isolating protoplasts from leaves of in vitro shoot cultures of S. hjertingii and S. capsicibaccatum growth was improved by including silver thiosulfate in the medium. However, for S. polyadenium, leaves of pot-grown plants were the best source for protoplasts. Following protoplast division and culture, plants were regenerated from protoplasts of each of the species. The pattern of chromosome variation in regenerants was similar to that observed for other diploid and tetraploid Solanum species. The results indicate that it should be possible to introduce the potentially useful germplasm from these wild species into somatic hybrids with S. tuberosum by protoplast fusion.Abbreviations STS silver thiosulfate - BAP benzylaminopurine - GA₃ gibberellic acid - NAA naphthalene acetic acid - IAA indole-3-acetic acid     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">In vitro</Emphasis> culture of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hypericum rumeliacum</Emphasis> Boiss. and production of phenolics and flavonoids

The Balkan endemic species, Hypericum rumeliacum, Guttiferae was introduced in vitro for the first time with the aim to study the type of morphogenetic response to plant growth regulators and ability to produce phenolics and flavonoid compounds. The morphoregulatory effect of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), 1-naphtaleneacetic acid (NAA), 6-benzyladenine (BA) and combination of BA with NAA in Murashige–Skoog's basal medium on leaf lamina, internode stem segment, stem node and root cuttings was studied. Histological analysis of the structures regenerated from the primary explants proved the presence of both, embryoids and meristemoids. The node explants cultivated on BA-supplemented medium were the most favourable for regeneration through meristemoids. Therefore a double-stage culture approach, allowing an effective multiplication of large quantities of plant shoots in vitro along with maintenance of the biosynthetic capacity of the culture was developed. It comprised one subculture of three-nodal stem explants derived from the stock shoot cultures on MS medium supplemented with 0.2 mg/l BA followed by subculture of the induced multiple shoots on cytokinin-free MS medium. Determination of the total phenolics and flavonoids showed that the decrease of the levels of these secondary metabolites is transitional, as the exclusionof BA from the medium resulted in an increase of their total content.     

Influence of tissue culture conditions on apogamy in Dryopteris affinis sp. affinis

The naturally-occurring apogamy of some ferns can be modified by culture conditions and growth regulators. Gametophytes of the apogamic fern Dryopteris affinis sp. affinis L., were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) basal medium. Changes in concentration of MS medium components, sucrose, agar and different pH values were tested. The addition of benzyladenine (4.43 M) and naphthalene acetic acid (0.53 M) enhanced sporophyte proliferation on the gametophytes. After one month in culture, the gametophytes formed callus with a high morphogenic capacity. Culture of calli on medium without growth regulators yielded about 10,000 sporophytes per 1 g fresh weight of callus. This pattern of differentiation slowed with time to a point where only gametophyte regeneration was observed.Abbreviations BA benzyladenine - 2,4-d 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - F.W. fresh weight - MS Murashige & Skoog medium - NAA 1-naphthalene acetic acid - SE standard error     

Effects of auxins and cytokinins on formation of Catharanthus roseus G. Don multiple shoots

The effects of different combinations of plant growth regulators and light intensity on the formation of multiple shoots of Catharanthus roseus (L.) were studied. By composing three dimension surfaces and their topo views from experimental data, it was clear that Murashige-Shoog (MS) medium supplemented with 7.0 mg l^-1 BA and 1.0 mg l^-1 NAA strongly stimulated the formation of shoots, whereas medium supplemented with 2,4-d suppressed the formation of shoots or caused shoot dedifferentiated. Light intensities of 550–700 Lux were found to be beneficial to the formation of shoots when MS medium was supplemented with 2 mg l^-1 6-BA and 0–1.0mg l^-1 NAA.Abbreviations BA-6 benzyladenine - NAA -naphthalenacetic acid - 2,4-d 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid