Transformed tissue of Dionaea muscipula J. Ellis as a source of biologically active phenolic compounds with bactericidal properties

Abstract

The Venus flytrap (Dionaea muscipula J. Ellis) is a carnivorous plant able to synthesize large amounts of phenolic compounds, such as phenylpropanoids, flavonoids, phenolic acids, and 1,4-naphtoquinones. In this study, the first genetic transformation of D. muscipula tissues is presented. Two wild-type Rhizobium rhizogenes strains (LBA 9402 and ATCC 15834) were suitable vector organisms in the transformation process. Transformation led to the formation of teratoma (transformed shoot) cultures with the bacterial rolB gene incorporated into the plant genome in a single copy. Using high-pressure liquid chromatography, we demonstrated that transgenic plants were characterized by an increased quantity of phenolic compounds, including 1,4-naphtoquinone derivative, plumbagin (up to 106.63 mg × g−1 DW), and phenolic acids (including salicylic, caffeic, and ellagic acid), in comparison to non-transformed plants. Moreover, Rhizobium-mediated transformation highly increased the bactericidal properties of teratoma-derived extracts. The antibacterial properties of transformed plants were increased up to 33% against Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, and Escherichia coli and up to 7% against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. For the first time, we prove the possibility of D. muscipula transformation. Moreover, we propose that transformation may be a valuable tool for enhancing secondary metabolite production in D. muscipula tissue and to increase bactericidal properties against human antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Key points • Rhizobium-mediated transformation created Dionaea muscipula teratomas. • Transformed plants had highly increased synthesis of phenolic compounds. • The MBC value was connected with plumbagin and phenolic acid concentrations.

Response of physiological parameters in Dionaea muscipula J. Ellis teratomas transformed with rolB oncogene

“…This gene is the most powerful inducer of plant secondary metabolism, which is why rol B-transformed plants are models in the medical plant area, as well as in research concentrated on plant secondary metabolism [ 3 ]. Expression of the rol B oncogene can increase the level of secondary metabolites in plant tissue [ 10 , 11 ], suppress reactive oxygen species (ROS) production [ 4 ], and modulate the antioxidant defence system [ 8 ]. Moreover, Veremeichik et al [ 12 ] showed that rol B expression regulates the activity of NADPH oxidase, while Bulgakov et al [ 5 ] reported the tyrosine phosphatase activity of the rolB protein.…”

“…D. muscipula tissue has a strong biologically active potential [ 16 , 17 ]. Additionally, Makowski et al [ 11 ] reported the first genetic transformation of the Venus flytrap with wild strains of R. rhizogenes bacteria.…”

“…In the present study, we examined two clones (teratomas) of D. muscipula (clones K and L) selected from our previous research. At the molecular level, both plants were transformed with the rol B gene, and it was incorporated into plant genomic DNA in a single copy [ 11 ]. Independent of the R. rhizogenes strain, such transformation types led to the creation of teratoma (transformed shoots) cultures (Fig.…”

Potential of Silver Nanoparticles in Overcoming the Intrinsic Resistance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to Secondary Metabolites from Carnivorous Plants

“…Carnivorous plants, especially those from Droseraceae family, were found to produce high levels of various SMs [ 4 ]. Although extracts and infusions from these plants were found to be active towards fungal pathogens and Gram-positive bacteria, they are less potent or lack the potential towards Gram-negative bacteria [ 12 , 13 , 14 , 38 , 39 ]. P. aeruginosa , i.e., Gram-negative, rod-shaped, encapsulated bacteria which lead to highly virulent infections [ 15 ], is an extreme example of a microorganism that is resistant to SMs from carnivorous plants.…”

“…Although extracts from carnivorous plants and their active constituents show strong antifungal activity [ 8 , 9 ] and high antibacterial potential towards gram-positive bacteria, they are less efficient against gram-negative bacteria [ 10 , 11 , 12 ]. It was shown that an extreme example of a pathogen that is resistant to secondary metabolites from Droseraceae plants is Pseudomonas aeruginosa [ 13 , 14 ], a rod-shaped, encapsulated bacterium that leads to highly virulent infections [ 15 ]. Its acquired multidrug resistance, as well as intrinsic resistance to variety of antibiotics and biologically active compounds, pose a serious threat to human health and life [ 16 , 17 ].…”