title: Production of justicidin B, a cytotoxic arylnaphthalene lignan from genetically transformed root cultures of Linum leonii.
abstract: Callus and hairy root cultures of Linum leonii were established. The genetic transformation in hairy roots was proven by PCR analysis, which showed integration of rol A and rol C genes into the plant genome. Calli and hairy roots accumulate the arylnaphthalene lignan justicidin B as a major constituent. Hairy roots produce 5-fold higher yields of justicidin B (10.8 mg g(-1) DW) compared to calli. Justicidin B shows strong cytotoxicity on the chronic myeloid leukemia LAMA-8 and K-562 cell lines and on the chronic lymphoid leukemia SKW-3 cell line with IC(50) values of 1.11, 6.08, and 1.62 microM, respectively. Apoptotic properties of justicidin B are reported for the first time.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacognosy and Botany, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University-Sofia, 2 Dunav, Sofia 1000, Bulgaria.
authors.forename: Nikolay
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Vasilev
authors.lastname: Elfahmi
authors.forename: Rein
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bos
authors.forename: Oliver
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Kayser
authors.forename: Georgi
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Momekov
authors.forename: Spiro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Konstantinov
authors.forename: Iliana
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ionkova
mesh_terms: D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004148:Dioxolanes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004354:Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor; D019597:Flax / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics*; D005602:France; D020128:Inhibitory Concentration 50; D017705:Lignans / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015394:Molecular Structure; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000737:chemistry; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics*; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D004148:Dioxolanes; D017705:Lignans; C049719:justicidins