The Effect of Chitosan and Chitin Oligomers on Gene Expression and Lignans Production in Linum album Cell Cultures

The Effect of Chitosan and Chitin Oligomers on Gene Expression and Lignans Production in Linum album Cell Cultures

Background: Linum album, a herbaceous and medicinal plant, has been shown to accumulate anti-tumor podophyllotoxin (PTOX) and related lignans. Objective: In this study, we have verified the time-course of cell growth, lignan production in cells treated with chitosan and chitin oligomers. To study mechanism of chitosan and chitin oligomers action, expression of phenylalanine ammonio-lyase (PAL), cinnamoyl-CoA reductase (CCR), cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase (CAD) and pinoresinol lariciresinol reductase (PLR) genes were investigated. Methods: The cells were treated with 100 mg l-1 chitin and chitosan oligomers. Cells were harvested for 5 days after elicitation. lignans quantified by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Cell samples frozen with liquid N2 were used to elucidate the expression level of genes by quantitative PCR (qPCR). Results: Cells elicited with chitosan hexamer for 5 days yielded the highest amount of PTOX (73.5 µg/g dry weight) and lariciresinol (96 µg/g DW) which were about 3-fold and 2-fold higher than control, respectively. The expression of genes by oligomers was increased, reaching a peak at 3 day after treatment. Conclusion: Chitosan and chitin oligomers up-regulate the production of PTOX, by effecting on gene expression of PTOX biosynthesis pathway.