Over-Expression of AtPAP1 Transcriptional Factor Enhances Phenolic Acid Production in Transgenic Roots of Leonurus sibiricus L. and Their Biological Activities

Mol Biotechnol. 2018 Jan;60(1):74-82. doi: 10.1007/s12033-017-0048-1.

Abstract

This study examines the production of five phenolic acids (chlorogenic acid, neochlorogenic acid, ferulic acid, caffeic acid and p-coumaric acid) following over-expression of AtPAP1 transcription factor by four transgenic root clones of Leonurus sibiricus after Agrobacterium rhizogenes transformation. The AtPAP1 expression level was estimated by quantitative real-time PCR. High levels of phenolic acids were found in the transgenic roots of L. sibiricus and were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis. Additionally, transgenic roots showed antimicrobial potential and cytotoxic activity on glioma cells in IV grade. Our results suggest that L. sibiricus transformed roots with AtPAP1 gene over-expression may represent a potential source of phenolic acids.

Keywords: Antimicrobial activity; AtPAP1; Cytotoxic effect; Gene expression; Leonurus sibiricus; Phenolic acids; Transgenic roots.

MeSH terms

  • Agrobacterium / genetics
  • Anti-Infective Agents / pharmacology*
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / pharmacology*
  • Arabidopsis Proteins / genetics*
  • Arabidopsis Proteins / metabolism
  • Caffeic Acids / metabolism
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Chlorogenic Acid / analogs & derivatives
  • Chlorogenic Acid / metabolism
  • Coumaric Acids / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Plant
  • Glioma / drug therapy
  • Humans
  • Leonurus / genetics*
  • Leonurus / metabolism*
  • Metabolic Engineering / methods
  • Plant Roots / genetics
  • Plant Roots / metabolism
  • Plants, Genetically Modified
  • Propionates / metabolism
  • Quinic Acid / analogs & derivatives
  • Quinic Acid / metabolism
  • Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Transcription Factors / genetics*
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism

Substances

  • Anti-Infective Agents
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic
  • Arabidopsis Proteins
  • Caffeic Acids
  • Coumaric Acids
  • PAP1 protein, Arabidopsis
  • Propionates
  • Transcription Factors
  • Quinic Acid
  • Chlorogenic Acid
  • ferulic acid
  • p-coumaric acid
  • 5'-O-caffeoylquinic acid
  • caffeic acid