Biotechnology Letters

, Volume 36, Issue 2, pp 191–200 | Cite as

Oxidative stress and production of bioactive monoterpene indole alkaloids: biotechnological implications

  • Hélio Nitta Matsuura
  • Mariana Ritter Rau
  • Arthur Germano Fett-Neto
Review
First Online:
Received:
Accepted:

Abstract

Monoterpene indole alkaloids (MIAs) encompass plant natural products with important pharmacological relevance. They include the anti-tumoral MIAs found in Catharanthus roseus and Camptotheca acuminata. The often low yields of bioactive alkaloids in plants has prompted research to identify the factors regulating MIA production. Oxidative stress is a general response associated with biotic and abiotic stresses leading to several secondary responses, including elicitation of MIA production. These changes in secondary metabolism may take place directly or via second messengers, such as Ca2+ and reactive oxygen species (ROS). H2O2 is the main ROS that participates in MIA biosynthesis. This review analyzes the links between oxidative stress, elicitation of bioactive MIA production and their potential roles in antioxidant defense, as well as exploring the implications to developing biotechnological strategies relevant for alkaloid supply.

Keywords

Antioxidant Catharanthus roseus Hydrogen peroxide Monoterpene indole alkaloids Psychotria Reactive oxygen species 
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Notes

Acknowledgments

Research on MIAs in our laboratory is supported by grants and scholarships from the Brazilian Agencies National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) and State Foundation for Research Support of Rio Grande do Sul (Fapergs).

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Copyright information

© Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2013

Authors and Affiliations

  • Hélio Nitta Matsuura
    • 1
  • Mariana Ritter Rau
    • 1
  • Arthur Germano Fett-Neto
    • 1
  1. 1.Plant Physiology Laboratory, Department of Botany, Center for BiotechnologyFederal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS)Porto AlegreBrazil

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