Influence of picloram and BAP on callus cultures for vindoline synthesis in Catharanthus roseus

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DOI: 10.1007/s42535-026-01689-5
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Keywords: Vindoline, Vincristine, Vinblastine, Plant cell culture


Abstract

This work reports that picloram alone or combined with 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP), is associated with vindoline accumulation. Under controlled in vitro conditions, picloram (3 µM) induced rapid callogenesis, while its combination with BAP (3–5 µM) generated highly friable, metabolically active tissues with up to fourfold higher biomass than conventional auxins (2,4-D or NAA). Alkaloid analysis revealed a distinctive alkaloid profile: picloram treatments were associated with a metabolic profile in which a compound consistent with vindoline was the only alkaloid detected among the targeted compounds (11.25–30.44 mg kg−1) without detectable catharanthine, vinblastine, or vincristine. In contrast, 2,4-D and NAA treatments yielded only minimal catharanthine (1 mg kg−1) and likely suppressed secondary metabolism. This pattern is consistent with a possible shift in the alkaloid profile toward vindoline under picloram treatment, potentially involving regulatory processes, although this remains to be experimentally validated. Increasing BAP concentrations amplified this response, supporting the role of auxin–cytokinin balance in influencing secondary metabolism. These findings identify picloram–BAP as a promising hormonal combination for promoting both robust callus growth and targeted indole alkaloid biosynthesis, providing a basis for future studies on metabolic regulation and potential biotechnological exploitation.

Vindoline, Vincristine, Vinblastine, Plant cell culture


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Author Information

Laboratorio de Bioingeniería-UNIDA, Tecnológico Nacional de México/Instituto Tecnológico de Veracruz, Veracruz, Mexico