(571bd) Effects of Nitric Oxide on Growth and Terpenoid Indole Alkaloid Production In Catharanthus Roseus Hairy Root Cultures

Nitric oxide is known as a signal molecule involved in elicitor-induced defense responses of plants. Sodium nitroprusside (SNP) can be used as the donor of nitric oxide. It has been reported SNP stimulated catharanthine formation in Catharanthus roseus cells. Two important terpenoid indole alkaloids produced in small quantities within C. roseus are vinblastine and vincristine which are being used clinically as anticancer drugs. We are interested in engineering C. roseus hairy roots to increase the production of the TIAs. In the present study, we explored the effects of feeding the hairy root cultures of different concentration of SNP. The alkaloid levels were analyzed by sampling 9, 14, 17, 20, 23, 26 and 30 days after feeding of SNP on day 0, and mRNA expression levels of some important genes were investigated. We also studied the transient effects of the feeding of SNP during the exponential phase of the C.roseus hairy roots.