Cytokinin Activation of Thiamine Biosynthesis in Tobacco Callus Cultures

Bioassays of tissue extracts show that high (500-1000 mug/liter) kinetin concentrations which permit growth of tobacco callus cultures on media without added thiamine activate the biosynthesis of this vitamin by the tissues. Although the tissue concentration of thiamine may fall appreciably, it is maintained at a level adequate for survival and slow growth of the cultures, and there is a large net increase in total thiamine content per culture with time. In the second and subsequent passages of tissue on a thiamine free medium, growth is obtained only when high kinetin concentrations are maintained. Effective inhibition of growth by antithiamines suggests that thiamine is utilized by the high-kinetin tissue.In the presence of low (30-100 mug/liter) kinetin concentrations, which would be optimal for growth in the presence of thiamine, growth only occurs early in the first passage of tissue from a medium with the vitamin to one without it. The thiamine concentration in the tissues falls to low levels, and no net biosynthesis is apparent. The tissues turn dark and die after 2 to 3 weeks. In contrast with this, in the absence of both added thiamine and kinetin no appreciable growth occurs, but the tissues keep their normal appearance, retain their thiamine content, and may stay alive for several weeks.