A. Hemmerlin et Tj. Bach, Farnesol-induced cell death and stimulation of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase activity in tobacco cv Bright Yellow-2 cells, PLANT PHYSL, 123(4), 2000, pp. 1257-1268
Growth inhibition of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L. cv Bright Yellow-2) cell
s by mevinolin, a specific inhibitor of 3-hydrox-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme
A reductase (HMGR) could be partially overcome by the addition of farnesol.
However, farnesol alone inhibited cell division and growth as measured by
determination of fresh weight increase. When 7-d-old tobacco cv bright Yell
ow 2 cells were diluted 40-fold into fresh culture, the cells exhibited a d
ose-dependent sensitivity to farnesol, with 25 mu M sufficient to cause 100
% cell death, as measured by different staining techniques, cytometry, and
monitoring of fragmentation of genomic DNA. Cells were less sensitive to th
e effects of farnesol when diluted only 4-fold. Farnesol was absorbed by th
e cells, as examined by [1-H-3]farnesol uptake, with a greater relative enr
ichment by the more diluted cells. Both mevinolin and farnesol treatments s
timulated apparent HMGR activity. The stimulation by farnesol was also refl
ected in corresponding changes in the steady-state levels of HMGR mRNA and
enzyme protein with respect to HMGR gene expression and enzyme protein accu
mulation.