[Effects of cu2+ on biosynthesis of camptothecin in cell cultures of Camptotheca acuminata].

Camptothecin is a strong anti-tumor compound isolated from Camptotheca acuminata. One of the most important way for the production of Camptothecin is by cell cultures of Camptotheca acuminata. The effect of Cu2+ on camptothecin accumulation in Camptotheca acuminata cell line was described in this paper. The results showed that the optimum CuCl2 concentration in B5 medium was 0.008 mg/mL, which increased camptothecin production for 30 times compare to the control while has no inhibitive effects on cell growth, at the same time, the peroxidase activity was increased and the anthocyanidin accumulation was inhibited. The promotive effects of Cu2+ on camptothecin accumulation in light was higher than that in dark.