Study on the Genes Involved in Camptothecin Production in Ophiorrhiza Pumila

Abstract

A monoterpene-indole alkaloid, camptothecin (CPT), is produced in hairy roots but not in dedifferentiated cell-suspension culture of Ophiorriza pumila . Using these systems, the genes specifically expressed in CPT-producing hairy roots were profiled. Among them, full length cDNA, OpERF, encoding a transcription factor witch belongs AP2/ERF family, and OpCYP1-4 encoding P450 family proteins were isolated. To clarify the function of these hairy root specific genes, the expression of OpERF and OpCYP1-4 was modified by RNAi technique and the effects on the expression of biosynthesis genes and on the CPT accumulation were studied.