In vitro techniques and genetic engineering of Veratrum californicum Duran

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference abstract in proceedingsScientific

    Abstract

    The genus Veratrum is distributed throughout the northern temperate and Arctic regions of Europe, Asia and North America. Veratrum californicum Duran (Melanthiaceae) is an important monocotyledonous medicinal plant which is the only source of the anticancer compound cyclopamine. In order to be able to utilize Veratrum cells in the production of important secondary metabolites, an in vitro platform is needed. For that purpose, tissue culture, green plant regeneration and genetic engineering of Veratrum californicum were developed. Fine suspension cell lines were established from germinated mature embryos by transferring friable embryogenic calli to AA- and L2-medium. The suspension cells were cryopreserved successfully and recovered at a high rate. In addition, a highly embryogenic and regenerating cell line was established and kept on L2-medium without additional growth regulators. Very good growth was obtained by employing the temporary immersion system of RITA -bioreactors. The highly regenerating cell line and in vitro plantlets contained steroid alkaloids cyclopamine and veratramine. Furthermore, transformation methods were developed for Veratrum californicum. Transgenic cell lines were produced by Agrobacterium tumefaciens and A. rhizogenes -mediated deliveries. Also direct gene transfer techniques such as particle bombardment and protoplast-based techniques were applied. The basic tools for the metabolic engineering and biotechnological production of secondary metabolites of Veratrum californicum are now available.
    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationPlants for Human Health in the Post-Genome Era
    Subtitle of host publicationPSE Congress
    Place of PublicationEspoo
    PublisherVTT Technical Research Centre of Finland
    Pages88-88
    ISBN (Electronic)978-951-38-6322-7
    ISBN (Print)978-951-38-6321-0
    Publication statusPublished - 2007
    MoE publication typeNot Eligible
    EventPSE Congress: Plants for Human Health in the Post-Genome Era - Helsinki, Finland
    Duration: 26 Aug 200729 Aug 2007

    Publication series

    SeriesVTT Symposium
    Number249
    ISSN0357-9387

    Conference

    ConferencePSE Congress: Plants for Human Health in the Post-Genome Era
    Country/TerritoryFinland
    CityHelsinki
    Period26/08/0729/08/07

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