Oxidative Burst, Jasmonic Acid Biosynthesis, and Taxol Production Induced by Low-Energy Ultrasound in Taxus chinensis Cell Suspension Cultures

Jianyong Wu, Xiuchun Ge

Research output: Journal article publicationJournal articleAcademic researchpeer-review

95 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This work aims to detect the two signal events in the elicitation of plant defense responses and secondary metabolism in plant cell cultures by low-energy ultrasound (US), transient production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) or the oxidative burst and jasmonic acid (JA) biosynthesis, and examine their influence on secondary metabolism. Experiments were carried out in Taxus chinensis cell suspension culture which produces the anticancer diterpenoid Taxol (paclitaxel). The culture was exposed to low-frequency US for a short period of time (2 min). At sufficiently high US power levels the US exposure significantly enhanced the Taxol production and slightly depressed cell growth and viability. The US exposure induced transient production of O 2.- and H2O2 and an increase in the intracellular JA level as well as the activities of enzymes for JA synthesis, lipoxygenase (LOX), and allene oxide synthase (AOS). Inhibition of the ROS production by putative ROS scavengers or the JA accumulation by LOX inhibitors effectively suppressed the US-stimulated Taxol production. Inhibition of the ROS production also suppressed the US-induced JA accumulation. These results suggest that oxidative burst is an upstream event to JA accumulation, and both ROS from the oxidative burst and JA from the LOX pathway are key signal elements in the elicitation of Taxol production of T. chinensis cells by low-energy US.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)714-721
Number of pages8
JournalBiotechnology and Bioengineering
Volume85
Issue number7
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 30 Mar 2004

Keywords

  • Elicitation
  • Jasmonic acid
  • Reactive oxygen species
  • Taxol accumulation
  • Taxus chinensis cell
  • Ultrasound

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biotechnology
  • Bioengineering
  • Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology

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