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Regulation of product synthesis in cell cultures of Catharanthus roseus (L) G. Don

Growth-related indole alkaloid accumulation in batch cultures

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Abstract

Cell suspension cultures of the Madagascan Periwinkle Catharanthus roseus (L) G. Don were maintained on Gamborg's B5 medium and their growth monitored by measuring cellular fresh and dry weight, cell number and mitotic activity. Samples of cells of different ages and physiological states were subcultured onto an alkaloid production medium and their rates of growth and alkaloid accumulation measured over a period of 30–45 days. In two experiments the rate of biomass accumulation was directly related to the rate of cellular serpentine accumulation. Possible mechanisms underlying this phenomenon are discussed in relation to the properties of cells comprising the inocula.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Wolfson Institute of Biotechnology, The University, S10 2TN, Sheffield, U.K.

    Angela Stafford, Laura Smith & Michael W. Fowler

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  1. Angela Stafford
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  2. Laura Smith
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  3. Michael W. Fowler
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Stafford, A., Smith, L. & Fowler, M.W. Regulation of product synthesis in cell cultures of Catharanthus roseus (L) G. Don. Plant Cell Tiss Organ Cult 4, 83–94 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00041659

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00041659

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