Presence of the DBAT gene and in vitro production of Taxol in endophytic fungi isolated from Iranian yew (Taxus baccata)

Taxol, as a plant-derived anticancer drug, is widely used for the treatment of a variety of cancers. Traditional methods of extracting Taxol from the bark of Taxus species are inefficient and costly. Therefore, searching for alternative sources of this valuable compound is necessary. In this study, endophytic fungi are isolated from the bark of Iranian yew (Taxus baccata). Isolates were grown in Potato Dextrose Broth medium for 21 days. Genomic DNAs were extracted and subjected to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis for the presence of the DBAT gene, a key gene in Taxol biosynthesis pathway. The broth culture of the DBAT containing fungi was extracted and Taxol production was assessed by thin layer chromatography. A total of 60 endophytic fungal strains were isolated from Iranian yew. In 22 isolates, the presence of DBAT gene was confirmed. The results of thin layer chromatography showed the production of Taxol by some endophytic fungi isolates. Presence of DBAT gene as well as Taxol production were demonstrated in some endophytic fungi isolated from Iranian yew. These results showed that Taxol-producing endophytic fungi of yew can be a suitable alternative source for the Taxol supply.