Effects of Nutritional Factors on the Formation of Ubiquinone by Tobacco Plant Cells in Suspension Culture

Abstract

The ubiquinone (UQ) content of BY–2 cells on surface culture was examined to compare with that in suspension culture. The UQ content on surface culture was a little lower than that in suspension culture, but the pattern of the time-course of the UQ formation on surface culture was similar. The changes of UQ content in BY–2 cells during autolysis were also examined. UQ in the cells subjected to autolysis was not rapidly metabolized nor excreted into the medium. In order to obtain basic information for UQ formation by BY–2 cells in suspension culture, the cultural conditions, especially nutritional ones were investigated. Addition of 2,4-D was remarkably effective on UQ formation and a higher UQ content was observed with a higher 2,4-D concentration. Sucrose and glucose concentrations in the original medium were also influential factors. The UQ content tends to increase with the decrease of the sugar content. Precursors of UQ, amino acids, vitamins and organic acids were not effective on the UQ formation.