Analyses for Inhibitory and Stimulatory Effects of 4-hydroxybenzyl Alcohol and Its Related Compounds on Somatic Embryogenesis in Carrot and Arabidopsis.

Abstract

Carrot inhibitory factor of somatic embryogenesis, 4-hydroxybenzyl alcohol (4HBA), is released from carrot embryogenic cells (EC), and inhibit somatic embryogenesis in liquid culture. We reported that 4HBA and vanillyl alcohol (VA) had not inhibited somatic embryogenesis on solidified medium from carrot hypocotyls, which were induced embryogenic competence (the 48th Annual Meeting of JSPP in 2007). Interestingly, VA showed stimulating effect on somatic embryogenesis rather than inhibiting effect. In this study, we report that 4HBA inhibited somatic embryo formation in Arabidopsis, while VA stimulated. The results may indicate that 4HBA or its related compounds act as regulators of somatic embryogenesis in flowering plants. Now we are also analyzing detailed effects of 4HBA and VA on somatic embryogenesis in carrot by transplanting the explants to the medium containing 4HBA or VA at the various timing in somatic embryo formation.