Terpenoid indole alkaloids tryptophan decarboxylase gene

Goddijn, O.J.M. (1992) Regulation of terpenoid indole alkaloid biosynthesis in Catha-ranthus roseus the tryptophan decarboxylase gene. Ph.D. Thesis, Leiden University. 

Transcription factors that upregulate strictosidine synthase (132), as well as a transcription factor that coordinately upregu-lates expression of several terpenoid indole alkaloid biosynthetic genes, have been found (133). Several zinc finger proteins that act as transcriptional repressors to tryptophan decarboxylase and strictosidine synthase also have been identified (134). Manipulation of these transcription factors may allow tight control of the regulation of terpenoid indole alkaloid production. Interestingly, expression of a transcription factor from Arabidopsis thaliana in C. roseus cell cultures results in an increase in alkaloid production (135). 

Mehrotra S, Srivastava V, Rahman LU, Kukieja AK. Overexpression of a Cathar-anthus tryptophan decarboxylase (tdc) gene leads to enhanced terpenoid indole alkaloid (TLA) production in transgenic hairy root lines of Rauwolfia serpenitina. Plant Cell Tiss Org Cult 2013 115(3) 377-84. 

Plant aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylases (AADCs) catalyze the initial reactions in the formation of terpenoid indole alkaloids (TIAs) such as quinine and strychnine, and benzyliso-quiuoline alkaloids (BIAs) such as morphine and codeine (Fig. 3). L-tryptophan decarboxylase (TDC) initiates TIA synthesis with the formation of tryptamine. TDC is encoded by two genes in Cola accuminata TDCl is expressed as part of a developmentally regulated chemical defense system, whereas TDC2 is induced after elicitation with yeast extract or methyl jas-monate (MI). 

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