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Thesis: How the plant cell synthesizes the pharmaceutical compounds?

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05.11.2008

VTT’s Research Scientist Suvi Häkkinen (MSc, Tech) has studied in her thesis alkaloid biosynthesis and metabolism in two Solanaceae plants, tobacco and Egyptian henbane.

The studies bring new information about the functions of genes involved with the biosynthesis of plant secondary metabolites. The results can be used in developing production of valuable pharmaceuticals in plant cell cultures.

Plants produce small-molecular-weight compounds, which are used for example to attract pollinators and in various defence-related reactions. These secondary metabolites are often produced in low quantities in plants. Moreover, they are often structurally very complex molecules, and therefore their chemical synthesis is challenging.

Alkaloids, such as morphine and paclitaxel, are secondary compounds which are used as pharmaceuticals. Using cell cultures these often valuable plant-based compounds can be produced in controlled conditions. The thesis of Suvi Häkkinen shows that increased knowledge of regulation of biosynthesis is needed to be able to engineer the production of these compounds in cell cultures.

In this work, a functional genomics-based technology for the discovery of genes involved in plant secondary metabolism was developed. As a result, two novel genes were discovered, which were suggested to be involved in tobacco alkaloid biosynthesis. In addition, a novel alkaloid in tobacco cell cultures was isolated and it was shown to exist in two isomeric forms.

When a gene involved in the alkaloid metabolism in Egyptian henbane was overexpressed in tobacco hairy roots, it was shown that added hyoscyamine was efficiently converted into pharmaceutically more valuable scopolamine. In addition, a majority of the produced scopolamine was secreted out of the cells, which facilitates the product recovery. The transportation of secondary metabolites was also studied by overexpressing a yeast transporter gene in tobacco cell cultures, and it was suggested that PDR5-type transporters can be used to stimulate the secretion of secondary metabolites in plant cells.

Suvi Häkkinen will defend her thesis ”A functional genomics approach to the study of alkaloid biosynthesis and metabolism in Nicotiana tabacum and Hyoscyamus muticus cell cultures” at the Helsinki University of Technology (address: Kemistintie 1, Espoo, Finland) on 7 November 2008.

Further information:

VTT
Suvi Häkkinen
Research Scientist
tel. +358 20 722 4456
suvi.hakkinen@vtt.fi

Further information on VTT:

Senior Vice President
Olli Ernvall
Tel. +358 20 722 6747
olli.ernvall@vtt.fi


VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland is the biggest contract research organization in Northern Europe. VTT provides high-end technology solutions and innovation services. From its wide knowledge base, VTT can combine different technologies, create new innovations and a substantial range of world-class technologies and applied research services, thus improving its clients' competitiveness and competence. Through its international scientific and technology network, VTT can produce information, upgrade technology knowledge and create business intelligence and value added to its stakeholders.

Suvi Häkkinen | Source: VTT
Further information: www.vtt.fi/?lang=en
www.vtt.fi/vtt_show_record.jsp?target=julk&form=sdefe&search=59583

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