Induction of ethylene biosynthesis is correlated with but not required for induction of alkaloid accumulation in elicitor-treated Eschscholtzia cells

Abstract

Cell suspension cultures of Eschscholtzia californica produce almost no ethylene under normal growth conditions. Addition of 1-aminocyclopropane carboxylic acid (ACC) to the culture results in a strong stimu lation of ethylene formation, indicating that the ethylene-forming enzyme is constitutively present in the cells. Incubation of the cells with different amounts of an elicitor derived from yeast extract leads to a dose-dependent induction of ACC synthase and ethylene biosynthesis. This effect is correlated with the previously described induction of benzophenanthridine alkaloids. Aminoethoxyvinylglycine, a known inhibitor of ACC synthase, suppresses the induction of ethylene biosynthesis but does not affect induction of alkaloid accumulation, indicating that biosynthesis of ACC and ethylene are not required for induction of alkaloid accumulation.