INCREASED ACCUMULATION OF TRICHOSANTHIN IN TRICHOSANTHES KIRILOWII INDUCED BY MICROORGANISMS

Trichosanthin, a type 1 ribosome-inactivating protein, is highly expre ssed in the root tuber of Trichosanthes kirilowii when grown under nor mal greenhouse conditions, The expression level of trichosanthin was s ignificantly reduced when the seeds were germinated and subsequently g rown in a sterile environment. However, co-cultivation of the sterile T. kirilowii with microorganisms results in an accumulated level of tr ichosanthin suggesting a possible role of trichosanthin in defence aga inst pathogens.