文摘
This work describes the development and utilization of a plant cell culture production approach tobiosynthesize and radiolabel phytoene and phytofluene for prostate cancer cell culture studies. Theherbicide norflurazon was added to established cell suspension cultures of tomato (Lycopersiconesculentum cv. VFNT cherry), to induce the biosynthesis and accumulation of the lycopene precursors,phytoene and phytofluene, in their natural isomeric forms (15-cis-phytoene and two cis-phytoflueneisomers). Norflurazon concentrations, solvent carrier type and concentration, and duration of cultureexposure to norflurazon were screened to optimize phytoene and phytofluene synthesis. Maximumyields of both phytoene and phytofluene were achieved after 7 days of treatment with 0.03 mgnorflurazon/40 mL fresh medium, provided in 0.07% solvent carrier. Introduction of 14C-sucrose tothe tomato cell culture medium enabled the production of 14C-labeled phytoene for subsequent prostatetumor cell uptake studies. In DU 145 prostate tumor cells, it was determined that 15-cis-phytoeneand an oxidized product of phytoene were taken up and partially metabolized by the cells. The abilityto biosynthesize, radiolabel, and isolate these carotenoids from tomato cell cultures is a novel, valuablemethodology for further in vitro and in vivo investigations into the roles of phytoene and phytofluenein cancer chemoprevention.Keywords: Phytoene; phytofluene; carotenoids; tomato; Lycopersicon esculentum; prostate cancer;norflurazon