title: Induction of berberine biosynthesis by cytokinins in Thalictrum minus cell suspension cultures.
abstract: Production of berberine could be induced by adding 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) to Thalictrum minus cells, cultured in suspension in a medium containing 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), early in the growth cycle. In the presence of BAP, the precursor, L-tyrosine, was rapidly converted into berberine which was then released into the medium, whereas substantial amounts of the intermediates, tyramine and dopamine, accumulated in non-berberine-producing cells grown in the same 2,4-D-containing medium without BAP. These results suggest that BAP activated enzymatic reactions subsequent to the formation of the amines in the biosynthesis of berberine.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyoto University, Yoshida, 606, Kyoto, Japan.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hara
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kitamura
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Fukui
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tabata