Biosynthesis of Anabasine and of Nicotine by Excised Root Cultures of Nicotiana Glauca

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Abstract
The simultaneous production rates of anabasine and of nicotine by excised root cultures of N. glauca have been measured. Since the rate of nicotine production was simply proportional to root growth while that of anabasine was not, it was concluded that the 2 synthesizing mechanisms are contained in different compartments in the root system. Nicotinic acids specifically ring labeled with tritium were supplied to the root cultures. The results indicate that anabasine is biosynthesized from nicotinic acid in the same general manner as is nicotine. It was shown that nicotinic acid content of the roots and of the culture medium did not limit rates of alkaloid production. The fact that additions of ornithine and of lysine respectively failed to influence the relative rates of biosynthesis of anabasine and of nicotine indicated the rate stability of the alkaloid biosynthetic process. An estimate of the rate of nicotine turnover in this experimental system was provided.