Abstract

Catharanthus roseus (L.) is a plant species known for its production of many pharmaceutically terpenoid indole alkaloids (TIAs). The intricate networks of TIAs biosynthesis is regulated by all kinds of molecules such as plant signaling molecules (jasmonate acid, ethylene and nitric oxide), plant growth regulators, prenylated proteins and transcription factors. This fine-tuned regulation is also accompanied with compartmentalization and transportation of various alkaloids in different parts of C. roseus. In this paper, we present an analysis of the state of the art related to these molecules regulation mechanism in the TIAs pathway in C. roseus.

Key words: Compartmentalization, indole alkaloid, jasmonate, nitric oxide, phytohormone, prenylated proteins.