Analysis of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase gene expression in callus cells of hawthorn (Crataegus aronia L.)

Crataegus aronia is a small shrub that belongs to the Rosaceae family and has been known for the medicinal activity of its extracts due to the high levels of flavonoids and phenolic compounds. In this work, the gene expression patterns of CaPAL gene were monitored in C. aronia callus cell cultures subjected to different stress conditions. The qRT-PCR results revealed that the CaPAL gene is induced in response to visible and ultraviolet light, high sucrose and high 2,4-D levels. CaPAL gene expression reached its highest level after 8 h of exposing callus cells to the UV-light. Addition of 100 mM sucrose to the media enhanced the expression of the CaPAL gene during the first 48 h of culturing when compared with 10 mM level cultured cells. Incubation of callus cells in continuous light increased the expression levels of CaPAL up to 48 h. High CaPAL expression levels were observed in callus cells cultured on MS media supplemented with 18 mu M 2.4-D when compared with cells cultured on lower 2,4-D concentrations. These data reflect the effects of such treatments at the molecular level on the phenylpropanoid pathway in C. aronia callus culture.