G. A. Ravishankar

Stable transformation and direct regeneration in Coffea canephora P ex. Fr. by Agrobacterium rhizogenes mediated transformation without hairy-root phenotype

A system for genetic transformation of Coffea canephora by co-cultivation with Agrobacterium rhizogenes harbouring a binary vector has been developed. The objective of the present study was the genetic transformation and direct regeneration of transformants through secondary embryos bypassing an intervening hairy root stage. Transformants were obtained with a transformation efficiency up to 3% depending on the medium adjuvant used. A. rhizogenes strain A4 harbouring plasmid pCAMBIA 1301 with an intron uidA reporter and hygromycin phosphotransferase (hptII) marker gene was used for sonication-assisted transformation of Coffea canephora. The use of hygromycin in the secondary embryo induction medium allowed the selection of transgenic secondary embryos having Ri T-DNA along with the T-DNA from the pCAMBIA 1301 binary vector. In addition transgenic secondary embryos devoid of Ri-T-DNA but with stable integration of the T-DNA from the binary vector were obtained. The putative transformants were positive for the expression of the uidA gene. PCR and Southern blot analysis confirmed the independent, transgenic nature of the analysed plants and indicated single and multiple locus integrations. The study clearly demonstrates that A. rhizogenes can be used for delivering transgenes into tree species like Coffea using binary vectors with Agrobacterium tumefaciens T-DNA borders.

Characterization of capsaicin synthase and identification of its gene (csy1) for pungency factor capsaicin in pepper (Capsicum sp.)

Capsaicin is a unique alkaloid of the plant kingdom restricted to the genus Capsicum. Capsaicin is the pungency factor, a bioactive molecule of food and of medicinal importance. Capsaicin is useful as a counterirritant, antiarthritic, analgesic, antioxidant, and anticancer agent. Capsaicin biosynthesis involves condensation of vanillylamine and 8-methyl nonenoic acid, brought about by capsaicin synthase (CS). We found that CS activity correlated with genotype-specific capsaicin levels. We purified and characterized CS (≈35 kDa). Immunolocalization studies confirmed that CS is specifically localized to the placental tissues of Capsicum fruits. Western blot analysis revealed concomitant enhancement of CS levels and capsaicin accumulation during fruit development. We determined the N-terminal amino acid sequence of purified CS, cloned the CS gene (csy1) and sequenced full-length cDNA (981 bp). The deduced amino acid sequence of CS from full-length cDNA was 38 kDa. Functionality of csy1 through heterologous expression in recombinant Escherichia coli was also demonstrated. Here we report the gene responsible for capsaicin biosynthesis, which is unique to Capsicum spp. With this information on the CS gene, speculation on the gene for pungency is unequivocally resolved. Our findings have implications in the regulation of capsaicin levels in Capsicum genotypes.

IN VITRO SHOOT MULTIPLICATION THROUGH SHOOT TIP CULTURES OF DECALEPIS HAMILTONII WIGHT & ARN., A THREATENED PLANT ENDEMIC TO SOUTHERN INDIA

SummaryAn efficient and rapid micropropagation system was developed for a food and medicinally important endangered shrub, Decalepis hamiltonii (‘swallow root’), through shoot multiplication. The influence of 2.5–7.5 μM isopentenyladenine (2iP), 4.4–17.7 μM 6-benzyladenine, 2.3–4.7 μM kinetin, 2.8–6.8 μM thidiazuron, and 2.3–11.4 μM zeatin alone and in combination with 0.3–0.9 μM indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) on in vitro multiple shoot production was studied. The maximum number of multiple shoots (6.5±0.4) was induced from shoot tips cultured on agar-based Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing 4.9 μM 2iP. But, both zeatin (9.1 μM) and kinetin (4.7 μM) in combination with IAA (0.6 μM) were able to produce a maximum of 5.0±0.4 and 5.1±0.4 multiple shoots, respectively. Further elongation of shoots and adventitious shoot formation was obtained on medium containing 2.5 μM 2iP and 0.3 μM gibberellic acid. Elongated shoots were separated and rooted on MS medium supplemented with 9.8μM indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) and various phenolic compounds within 5–6 wk. Phloroglucinol and salicylic acid interaction with IBA stimulated in vitro rooting of shoots. Successful field transfer was achieved in rooted plantlets.

Somatic embryogenesis, organogenesis, and regeneration from leaf callus culture of Decalepis hamiltonii Wight & Arn., an endangered shrub

SummaryA novel protocol has been developed for inducing somatic embryogenesis from leaf cultures of Decalepis hamiltonii. Callus was obtained from leaf sections in Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA)+N6-benzyladenine (BA) or 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D)+BA. Nodular embryogenic callus developed from the cut end of explants on media containing 2,4-D and BA, whereas compact callus developed on media containing NAA and BA. Upon subsequent transfer of explants with primary callus onto MS media containing zeatin and/or gibberellic acid (GA3) and BA, treatment with zeatin (13.68μM) and BA (10.65 μM) resulted in the induction of the highest number of somatic embryos directly from nodular tissue. The maturation of embryos took place along with the induction on the same medium. Embryogenic calluses with somatic embryos were subcultured onto MS basal medium supplemented with 4.56μM zeatin+10.65 μM BA. After 4wk, more extensive differentiation of somatic embryos was observed. The mature embryos developed into complete plantlets on growth regulator-free MS medium. A distinct feature of this study is the induction of somatic embryogenesis from leaf explants of Decalepis hamiltonii, which has not been reported previously. By using this protocol, complete plantlets could be regenerated through indirect somatic embryogenesis or organogenesis from leaf explants in 12–16 wk.

Developments in coffee biotechnology—in vitro plant propagation and crop improvement

Coffee is an important plantation crop grown in about 80 countries across the globe. In recent years, coffee attained lot of attention in the biotechnology research area. Since last three decades, there has been a steady flow of information on coffee biotechnology and now it is entering into the genomic era. Major milestones in coffee biotech research are successful in vitro manipulation and multiplication of coffee, development of gene transfer protocols and generation of transgenic coffee plants with specific traits. The isolation of genes involved in caffeine biosynthetic pathway has opened up new avenues for generating caffeine free transgenic coffee. With the initiation of international coffee genomics initiatives, the genomic research in coffee is expected to reach new dimensions. The IPR issues may play crucial role in sharing of benefits during international collaborations in near future. This review focuses on the basic and applied aspects of coffee biotechnology for newer potentials.

Regulation of astaxanthin and its intermediates through cloning and genetic transformation of β-carotene ketolase in Haematococcus pluvialis.

Astaxanthin, a high-value ketocarotenoid used in the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries is mainly produced from green alga, Haematococcus pluvialis. It is biosynthesized by the action of key enzyme, β-carotene ketolase (BKT) on β-carotene through intermediates echinenone and canthaxanthin. In this study, the β-carotene ketolase (bkt) gene was isolated from H. pluvialis and cloned in a vector pRT100 and further mobilized to a binary vector pCAMBIA 1304. The T-DNA of pCAMBIA 1304, which consists of cloned bkt, was successfully transformed to H. pluvialis through Agrobacterium mediation. The cloning and transformation of bkt in H. pluvialis was confirmed by Southern blotting and also by PCR analysis. Total carotenoids and astaxanthin content in the transformed cells were found to be 2-3-fold higher, while the intermediates like echinenone and canthaxanthin were found to be 8-10-fold higher than in the control cells. The expression level of carotenogenic genes like phytoene synthase (psy), phytoene desaturase (pds), lycopene cyclase (lcy), bkt, and β-carotene hydroxylase (bkh) were found to be higher in transformed cells compared to the non-transformed (NT) H. pluvialis.

Polyamines influence morphogenesis and caffeine biosynthesis in in vitro cultures of Coffea canephora P. ex Fr.

The influence of polyamines, polyamine inhibitors and ethylene inhibitors were tested in Coffea canephora for in vitro morphogenetic response and caffeine biosynthesis. Coffea canephora produced non-embryogenic and embryogenic calli. Somatic embryos were produced only from the embryogenic callus. Endogenous polyamine pools were estimated in these tissues. Somatic embryos were subjected to secondary embryogenesis under the influence of putrescine, silver nitrate and specific inhibitors of polyamine biosynthesis. Estimation of endogenous total polyamines revealed that embryogenic callus contained 11-fold more spermine and 3.3-fold higher spermidine when compared to non-embryogenic callus. Incorporation of polyamines resulted in 58% explant response for embryogenesis when compared to control with 42% response. Incorporation of silver nitrate resulted in 65% response for embryogenesis. Incorporation of polyamine biosynthetic pathway inhibitors DFMO and DFMA resulted in 83% reduction in embryogenic response with concomitant increase in caffeine levels by two-fold as compared to control. These results have clearly demonstrated that polyamines play a crucial role in embryogenesis and caffeine biosynthesis.

Micropropagation of Bixa orellana using phytohormones and triacontanol

An efficient micropropagation protocol for annatto (Bixa orellana L.) was achieved using nodal shoot tip explants. Shoot buds were obtained on the Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with various concentrations and combinations of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), N6-benzyladenine (BA) and triacontanol (TRIA). Maximum of 213 shoot buds along with 18 primary shoots were produced on MS medium containing 0.05 µM IAA, 8.87 µM BA, and 11.2 µM TRIA. The primary shoots elongated best on MS medium containing 6.66 µM BA and 2.45 µM indole-3-butyric acid (IBA). The regenerated shoots rooted best on MS medium supplemented with 4.9 µM IBA. The in vitro rooted plantlets were hardened and establishment rate under field conditions was 70 to 80 %.

Endogenous polyamine profiles in different tissues of Coffea sp., and their levels during the ontogeny of fruits

Polyamines are essential compounds for growth and development in plants. An attempt has been made to find out the endogenous polyamine profiles in various parts and during the ontogeny of fruit formation of two commercially important Coffea species viz., arabica and canephora. Putrescine (Put), spermine (Spm) and spermidine (Spd) are the predominant polyamines during the ontogeny of fruit and their level increased with the advancement of fruit development. However, in the initial stages of flower and fruit development Spm levels were found to be decreased. Elevated levels of major polyamines Put, Spd, and Spm were observed in zygotic embryos than in somatic embryos. Along with this cadavarine (Cad) and other biogenic amines viz., tyramine (Tyr) and tryptamine (Try) were also found during the ontogeny of fruit in C. canephora. In this study the enodogenous polyamine profiles in coffee tissues and beans have been addressed.