Study on gene expression of Hyoscyamine 6-β hydroxylase (H6H) and Putrescine N-methyl transferase (PMT) isozymes under different concentrations of salicyclic acid in hairy roots and different organs of Atropa belladonna L.

Atropa belladonna، a member of Solanaceae family، is a very important pharmaceutical plant. Its roots are composed of significant amount of important alkaloids atropine and scopolamin. In this study the effect of different concentrations (0، 0. 01 and 0. 1 mM) of salicylic acid as a signal molecule was evaluated on gene expression levels of hyocyamin 6-β hydroxylase (H6H) and putrescinN-methyl transferase (PMT) in the hairy roots and plantlet. Expression level of these genes was evaluated by semi quantitative RT-PCR. The results showed that different concentrations of salicylic acid have different effects on gene expression levels. Isozymes of PMT and H6H in different organs and in response to the concentrations of salicylic acid were differentially expressed. H6H and PMT2 genes expression were increased at 0. 01mM in the hairy roots. Expression of PMT2 in the roots was increased at 0. 01mM. But the level of gene expression in shoot was not significantly affected.