Application of In Silico Analysis to Determine Morphogenesis in Plant Tissue Culture

Abstract

The work proposed and tested a new approach to optimizing biotechnological processes, including the process of microclonal propagation. The proposed method is based on constructing a map of the similarity of the structures of molecules of secondary metabolites of plant extracts and molecules that regulate the processes of plant morphogenesis (primarily phytohormones) with subsequent prediction of the action of the extract. Lichen extract of Cetraria islandica (L.) Ach. (Parmeliaceae)was used as an example, for which the range of secondary metabolites contained is well known. The structural similarity of aliphatic secondary compounds of lichen (protolichesteric and lichesteric acids) with strigolactones (to a greater extent), as well as with gibberellins and brassinosteroids, was revealed. Based on the analysis of the results obtained, a prediction was made about the dose-dependent effect of the lichen extract of C. islandica on growth processes and rhizogenesis of microshootsin vitro. This hypothesis was experimentally tested in experiments with microclonal propagation of higher plants Lonicera caerulea L. and Populus tremula L. As a result of the work carried out, it was established that the addition of extract from C. islandicaat a concentration of 10–50 mg/L in the nutrient medium increased the multiplication rate of L. caerulea (by 31%) and P. tremula (by 8%). The rhizogenic activity of the lichen extract at the same concentrations (10–50 mg/L of medium), similar to the activity of strigolactones and gibberellins, has been experimentally proven. The extract has also been shown to have a positive effect of C. islandica (50 mg/L) on elongation of microshoots of both cultures and hemogenesisof P. tremula.The proposed approach allows for optimizing studies aimed at identifying the effect of various extracts on plant morphogenesis in vitroby preliminary constructing a map of the similarity of secondary metabolites contained in extracts (including according to literature data) and known growth regulators (including phytohormones) with subsequent prediction of the effect of the extract.