Planta Med 1984; 50(4): 338-341
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-969725
Research Articles

© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Intracellular Localization and Secretion of Naphthoquinone Pigments in Cell Cultures of Lithospermum erythrorhizon

M. Tsukada, M. Tabata
  • Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyoto University, Yoshida, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606, Japan
Further Information

Publication History

1984

1984

Publication Date:
26 February 2007 (online)

Abstract

The intracellular localization and secretion process of naphthoquinone pigments (shikonin derivatives) in cell cultures of Lithospermum erythrorhizon were investigated chiefly by electron microscopy. The results have suggested that the pigments accumulate in “secretion vesicles” which originate from electron dense, spherical swellings formed in highly elongated, rough endoplasmic reticula. Most of these vesicles appeared to fuse with the plasma membrane to secrete the contents consisting mainly of shikonin pigments, lipids, and proteins to the outside of the cell wall.