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Callus induction in Phyllanthus species and inhibition of viral DNA polymerase and reverse transcriptase by callus extracts

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Summary

Studies on callus induction and growth in Phyllanthus amarus Schum. & Thonn. (Euphorbiaceae) and some related species are described, as well as the inhibition of enzymes of hepatitis B and related viruses by callus extracts. Callus was induced from stem or branch pieces of P. amarus placed on several media combinations. Optimum induction and growth of friable, undifferentiated calli occurred on Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with either 0.5 mg or 1 mg of BA/liter and 1 mg/liter of either 2,4-D or IBA, but not IAA. Callus induction using the same media was also attempted with other Phyllanthus spp. The best success was with P. abnormis. Aqueous extracts from fieldgrown plants were more active in vitro against viral DNA polymerase and reverse transcriptase than extracts of calli.

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Abbreviations

DNAp:

DNA polymerase

RT:

reverse transcriptase

MS:

Murashige and Skoog salts medium

B5:

Gamborg's B5 salts medium

2,4-D:

(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)acetic acid

BA:

6-benzylaminopurine

IBA:

indole-3-butyric acid

IAA:

indole-3-acetic acid

kinetin:

6-furfurylaminopurine

NAA:

α-naphthaleneacetic acid

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Fox Chase Cancer Center, 7701 Burholme Ave., 19111, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    David W. Unander

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  1. David W. Unander
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Communicated by R. N. Beachy

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Unander, D.W. Callus induction in Phyllanthus species and inhibition of viral DNA polymerase and reverse transcriptase by callus extracts. Plant Cell Reports 10, 461–466 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00233815

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00233815

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