Spatial accumulation of camptothecin associated with arbuscular mycorrhiza development in roots of Camptotheca acuminate seedlings.

摘要

Camptotheca acuminate plant is an important phytomedicinal species that contains camptothecin (CPT), a natural pentacyclic indole alkaloid. This study was aimed at the effect of arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) development on the accumulation and location of this metabolite in C. acuminate seedling roots. Autofluorescence of CPT shows the localization of CPT in mycorrhizal roots. We examined CPT level in response to AM development in C. acuminate roots by the combination of confocal laser scanning microscopy and spontaneous fluorescence of CPT. CPT was specifically localized around AM fungi in AM roots of C. acuminate, and the level of CPT rose with increasing colonization of roots with AM fungi. The accumulation and localization of CPT was directly correlated with the formation and development of AM in C. acuminate roots.