Elicitation of 2,3‐Dihydroxybenzoic Acid and Ajmalicine in a Catharanthus roseus Suspension Culture*

Abstract

Addition of an elicitor preparation from cell walls of Phytophthora megasperma f. sp. glycinea (Pmg elicitor) to a newly established cell suspension culture of Catharanthus roseus induced extracellular free 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid, suggesting its role in pathogen defense. The same substance also accumulated intracellularly in a bound form. Treatment of the crude Pmg elicitor preparation with trypsin abolished elicitor activity, suggesting that the active fraction is proteinaceous. The cells became more sensitive to low but not to elevated elicitor concentrations when they were pretreated with 2,6-dichloroisonicotinic (DCIA) or 5-chlorosalicylic (5CSA) acid for about 1 day before addition of the elicitor. This indicates that the elicitor reception/transduction system becomes improved by these compounds known to be related to systemic acquired resistance against plant pathogens. The newly established cell line initially accumulated also the indole alkaloid ajmalicine, a process enhanced by Pmg elicitor. This potency was lost during subculturing for about 1 year and was also not restored by preincubation with DCIA or 5CSA. In contrast, elicitation of 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid synthesis was undiminished, suggesting that the Pmg elicitor perception system was still functioning and not the cause for the decline in elicited indole alkaloid production.