Alginate promotes production of various enzymes by Catharanthus roseus cells

When 1.0 g/l of alginate was added to a Catharanthus roseus L. cell culture, many proteins were released from the cells as detected by SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. In particular, production and/or release of 5′-phosphodiesterase (5′-PDase), catalase and chitinase by C. roseus L. cells were promoted by the addition of alginate. The promotive effects of alginate on 5′-PDase production were observed for various C. roseus cell lines and similar results were obtained when different alginates with various mannuronate/guluronate ratios and viscosities were used. In contrast, agar, agarose, and chitosan did not promote 5′-PDase production. The promotion of 5′-PDase production was not due to cell mutation, the alginate acted rather as a kind of elicitor. During 82 subcultures (577 days) in Murashige and Skoog medium containing 1.0 g/l of alginate, production and release of 5′-PDase by C. roseus L. cells were promoted without inhibition of cell growth. Received: 27 February 1997 / Revision received: 10 July 1997 / Accepted: 20 July 1997