Relative expression of putative genes involved in galanthamine and other Amaryllidaceae alkaloids biosynthesis in Narcissus field and in vitro tissues

Abstract The Narcissus pseudonarcissus cv. Carlton contains Amaryllidaceae alkaloids namely galanthamine, lycorine, homolycorine, narciclasine, which are noted for their pharmaceutical properties such as the treatment of early to mid-stage Alzheimer's diseases, cancer, tumor etc. Alkaloid biosynthesis using plant in vitro systems has been considered a tool drug discovery and pathways starting be understood but still far from complete. Therefore, study was emphasized observe relative expressions putative genes involved biosynthetic pathway leading field grown bulbs developing cell culture Narcissus. MS media fortified with growth regulators were used development tissue twin-scale explants. medium high auxin, 20 mg/l NAA best callus maintenance while low 4 mg/l basal gave maximum bulblets. Field tissues showed higher amount galanthamine content; i.e. plate (1050–1310 µg Gal/g FW) bulb (980–1150 µg than derived samples; (1.0–7.0 µg bulblets (12–215 µg on fresh weight (FW) basis. GC–MS chromatograms samples under also presence other important lycorenine, haemanthamine, crinamine, lycoramine tazettine. RNA extracted callus, bulb, PCR detect expression genes; P450, PAL, TYDC NpO4OMT normalized actin. selected transcripts P450s expressed both tissues. Higher PAL observed calli samples. NpN4OMT notably could good source reproducible easy extraction plants.