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Triterpenoid saponin content and the expression level of some related genes in calli of Centella asiatica

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Abstract

Centella asiatica has been extensively studied but there has been no report to date that relates gene expression and centelloside production in non-differentiated tissues. We have determined the content of the four principal triterpenoid bioactive compounds of C. asiatica (asiaticoside, madecassoside, asiatic acid and madecassic acid) in calli grown in different media and checked the expression level of some of the genes in the centelloside biosynthetic pathway. The results when compared with data from in vitro plant cultures showed a significantly lower expression of the gene encoding β-amyrin synthase in calli, which is consistent with the observed lower production of centellosides (less than 900 μg/g DW), while in the plants the production was around 1.5–2 mg/g DW. Moreover, we find an efficient housekeeping gene for this plant. The biosynthesis of phytosterols is also discussed.

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Abbreviations

4PU-30 :

N-(2-chloro-4-pyridyl)-N′-phenylurea

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Acknowledgements

We thank Dr Ruxian Ding from the School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University (Shangai, China) for the C. asiatica seeds, and the Technical Science Service from Barcelona University for their support. This research has been supported by grants from the Spanish MEC (BIO2002-03614; BIO2002-02328; BIO2005-05583). L. Osuna is grateful for her research grant (PIV) from the “Generalitat de Catalunya”.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratorio de Fisiología Vegetal, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Barcelona, Avda. Diagonal 643, 08028, Barcelona, Spain

    Susana Mangas, Rosa M. Cusido, Mercedes Bonfill & Javier Palazón

  2. Departament de Ciències Experimentals i de la Salut, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Avda. Dr. Aiguader 80, 08003, Barcelona, Spain

    Elisabeth Moyano

  3. Centro de Investigación Biomédica del Sur (Xochitepec, Morelos), IMSS, Col Juarez, Mexico

    Lidia Osuna

Authors
  1. Susana Mangas
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  2. Elisabeth Moyano
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  3. Lidia Osuna
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  4. Rosa M. Cusido
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  5. Mercedes Bonfill
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  6. Javier Palazón
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mercedes Bonfill.

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Mangas, S., Moyano, E., Osuna, L. et al. Triterpenoid saponin content and the expression level of some related genes in calli of Centella asiatica . Biotechnol Lett 30, 1853–1859 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10529-008-9766-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10529-008-9766-6

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