The detection of cells with a laticifer-like metabolism in Asclepias syriaca L. suspension cultures

Plant cell suspension cultures of Asclepias syriaca L. are morphologically homogeneous, that is, most cells in a suspension population are thin-walled, parenchyma-like cells. However, metabolic specialization of certain cells may occur in culture without morphological specialization. This study shows that a small number of suspension cells may synthesize secondary metabolites normally synthesized by a secretory cell, the non-articulated laticifer. The laticifer cell is an elongate, non-septate cell that is present in most intact plant tissues of Asclepias syriaca but which has not been observed to develop in vitro.