bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Physiological Significance of Overproduced Carotenoids in Transformants of the Cyanobacterium Synechococcus PCC7942
Authors: Karapetyan Navassard V. , Windhövel Ute , Holzwarth Alfred R. , Böger Peter
Published: February 2015

The functional location of carotenoids in the photosynthetic apparatus of -crtB and -pys transformants of the cyanobacterium Synechococcus PCC7942 was studied and compared with a control strain -pFP 1-3. These transformants overproduce carotenoids due to the insertion of an additional foreign phytoene synthase gene. A higher carotenoid content was found for -crtB and -pys transformants both in whole cells and isolated membranes; the -crtB transformant was also enriched with chlorophyll. 77-K fluorescence emission and excitation spectra of the phycobilin-free membranes were examined for a possible location of overproduced carotenoids in pigment-protein complexes in situ. A similar ratio of the amplitudes of fluorescence bands at 716 and 695 nm emitted by photosystems I and II, found for the three strains, indicates that the stoichiometry between photosystems of the transformants was not changed. Overproduced carotenoids are not located in the core antenna of photosys­ tem I, since 77-K fluorescence excitation spectra for photosystem I of isolated membranes from the studied strains do not differ in the region of carotenoid absorption. When illuminated with light of the same intensity but different quality, absorbed preferentially by either carotenoids, chlorophylls or phycobilins, respectively, oxygen evolution was found always higher in the transformants -crtB and -pys than in -pFP 1-3 control cells. Identical kinetics of fluorescence induction of all strains under carotenoid excitation did not reveal a higher activity of photosystem II in cells enriched with carotenoids. It is suggested that overproduced carotenoids of the transformants are not involved in photosynthetic light-harvesting; rather they may serve to protect the cells and its membranes against photodestruction.
Heterologous Overexpression of Membrane-Anchored Subunit II of Spinach Chloroplast ATP Synthase and Its Detergent-Free Purification as a Soluble Protein
Authors: Tiburzy Hans-Jürgen , Zimmermann Martin , Oworah-Nkruma Regina , Berzborn Richard J.
Published: February 2015

Subunit II is one of the four nonidentical subunits of the membrane integral, protontransporting moiety (CFₒ) hloroplast ATP synthase. In chloroplasts of spinach leaves, it is the only nuclear-encoded CFₒ subunit. It has been deduced that CFₒII is not an additional subunit typical for photosynthetic organisms with no counterpart in E.coli, but equivalent to E. coli subunit b (Tiburzy, H.-J. and Berzborn, R. J. (1997), Z. Naturforsch. 52c, 789-798). Heterologous expression of subunit II was achieved by using the bacterial expression vector pT7-7. Recombinant subunit II (IIrec) does not integrate into the bacterial membrane nor does it precipitate into inclusion bodies. Gel filtration chromatography indicates that IIrec forms higher order aggregates. In three chromatographic steps approx. 10 mg of soluble IIrec of electrophoretic homogeneity are obtained from one liter of bacterial culture without using detergents. Thus, a eukaryotic membrane-anchored protein has been overexpressed in E. coli and has been purified in a soluble form.
Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase and Cell Cycle Progression During Mouse Egg Activation Induced by Various Stimuli
Authors: Sun Q. Y. , Lax Y. , Rubinstein S. , Chen D. Y. , Breitbart H.
Published: February 2015

A very sensitive method was established for detecting the activity of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase in mouse eggs, and used to follow temporal changes of this kinase during fertilization and sponatenous or chemically-induced parthenogenic activation. MAP kinase activity increased between 1 and 2.5 h post-insemination, at which time the second polar body was emitted and sperm chromatin was dispersed; its activity decreased sharply at 8 h, when pronuclei were formed. Both calcium ionophore A23187 and ethanol simulta­ neously induced pronuclear formation and MAP kinase inactivation in aged eggs 8 h after incubation but less effectively in fresh eggs. The protein kinase inhibitor staurosporine in­duced pronuclear formation and MAP kinase inactivation more quickly than other treat­ ments, with MAP kinase inactivation occurring slightly proceeding pronuclear formation. Okadaic acid, a specific inhibitor of protein phosphatase 1 and 2A , induced increase in MAP kinase activity, and overcame pronuclear formation induced by various stimuli. MAP kinase inactivation preceded pronuclear formation in eggs spontaneously activated by aging in vitro, perhaps due to cytoplasmic degeneration and thus delayed response of nuclear envelope precursors to MAP kinase inactivation. These data suggest that MAP kinase is a key protein kinase regulating the events of mouse egg activation. Increased MAP kinase activity is temporally correlated with the second polar body emission and sperm chromatin decondensation. Although different stimuli (including sperm) may initially act through different mechanisms, they finally inactivate MAP kinase, probably by allowing the action of protein phosphatase, and thus induces the transition to interphase.
Epicuticular Flavonoids of Some Scrophulariaceae
Authors: Wollenweber Eckhard , Dörr Marion , Roitman James N.
Published: February 2015

Twenty-two species of Scophulariaceae have been found to accumulate flavonoid aglycones externally on their leaves and stems. They belong to the genera Anarrhinum , Antirrhinum , Asarina, Calceolaria, Mimulus, and Odontites. Most of the flavonoids are methylated flavones and flavonols, some with 6-O and/or 8-O -substitution. One of them is the natural isobutyryl ester of a rare flavone.
Participation of the Tightly-Bound (Putative Cytoskeleton-Bound) Polysomes in Translation during Germination of Dormant and Non-Dormant Cereal Caryopses
Authors: Weidner Stanisław , Łukaszewicz Dorota , Amarowicz Ryszard
Published: February 2015

Research was done on dormant and non-dorm ant barley cv. Ars caryopses and triticale cv. Grado caryopses treated and non-treated with abscisic acid (ABA). During germination higher participation of populations of so-called tightly-bound polysom es (TBP) in embryos of dormant barley caryopses was observed, as well as their high metabolic activity. In embryos of triticale caryopses of which dormancy was imposed in an artificial way by ABA (100 μM), the strongest incorporation of 14C -amino acids into nascent polypeptide chains in vivo was found in population of TBP, as well as the highest participation among three of the studied fractions (free polysomes, membrane-bound polysom es and tightly-bound polysomes). These results may indicate the significant role of TBP (putative cytoskeleton-bound polysomes - CBP) in maintaining dormancy during imbibition of cereal caryopses.
Extracellular Xylanase Production by Two Thermophilic Alkali-Tolerant Bacillus Strains in Batch and Continuous Cultures
Authors: Emanuilova Elka I. , Dimitrov Plamen L. , Mandeva Rossica D. , Kambourova Margarita S. , Engibarov Stefan A.
Published: February 2015

Xylanase production of newly isolated thermophilic alkali-tolerant Bacillus sp. strain SP and strain BC was investigated in batch and continuous cultures. Enzyme synthesis was inducible with both strains and was observed only in xylan-containing media. Xylan from oat spelt is a better inducer than xylan from birch for strain Bacillus sp. BC while such difference was not observed for strain SP Compared with batch cultures xylanase production of both strains increased about two times and its rate became more than four times faster in continuous cultures at a dilution rate of 0.2 h-1.
Chemical Composition and Antimicrobial Activity of European Propolis
Authors: Hegazi Ahmed G. , Abd El Hady Faten K. , Abd Allah Fayrouz A. M.
Published: February 2015

Three propolis samples from Austria, Germany and France were investigated by GC/MS, where eleven compounds were being new for propolis. The samples showed some similarities in their qualitative composition. Phenylethyl-trans-caffeate, benzyl ferulate and galangin were predominant in German propolis. Benzyl caffeate was predominant in French sample. Pinocembrin was predominant in French and Austrian propolis and trans-p-coumaric acid was predominant in all samples.

The antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus; Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans was evaluated. German propolis showed the highest antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. While Austrian propolis has the highest activity against Candida albicans. French propolis was effective against all pathogens but less than German and Austrian propolis.
Evalution of Phenolic Compounds in Brazilian Propolis from Different Geographic Regions
Authors: Marcucci Maria Cristina , Ferreres Federico , Custódio Angela Ramalho , Ferreira Marcia M.C. , Bankova Vassya Stefanova , García-Viguera Cristina , Bretz Walter Antonio
Published: February 2015

Chemometrics has been shown quite efficient to uncover relationships between chemical composition of a sample and its geographical origin. Forty propolis samples originated from the the South and South East of Brazil were analyzed by HPLC and 18 compounds of interest were studied which included: caffeic, p-coumaric and ferulic acids, and some of their derivatives, pinobanksin, a derivative of kaempferol and five phenolic compounds (assigned as 3-prenyl-4-hydroxycinnamic acid (PHCA ); 2,2-dimethyl-6-carboxyethnyl-2H-l-benzopyran (DCBE); 3,5-diprenyl-4-hydroxycinnamic acid (DHCA ); compound E (still unknown) and 6-propenoic-2,2-dimethyl-8-prenyl-2H-l-benzopyran acid (DPB). Principal Component Analysis (PCA) indicated three different groups of propolis samples, having the same typical chromatogram, evaluated by HPLC. Samples from the South East group were rich in derivatives of kaempferol. Samples from the South group I had a high content of DPB compound, but a low concentration of kaempferol derivatives and of DCBEN compound. Samples from the South group II were characterized by a high concentration of DCBEN , DHCA , p-coum-aric and DPB compounds. Therefore, the identification of new compounds in Brazilian propolis can give useful information about the plant sources of a given geographic region.
Lethal Attribute of Serine Protease Secreted by Vibrio alginolyticus Strains in Kuruma Prawn Penaeus japonicus
Authors: Chen Ferng-Ruey , Liu Ping-Chung , Lee Kuo-Kau
Published: February 2015

Toxicity of the extracellular products (ECP) and the lethal attribute of serine protease secreted by five pathogenic Vibrio alginolyticus strains from various sources in kuruma prawn Penaeus japonicus were studied. The ECPs of organisms originally isolated from diseased kuruma prawn or small abalone Haliotis diversicolor supertexta were more lethal (LD50 value of 0.48 or 0.41 μg protein/g prawn) than those from diseased tiger prawn P.monodon, yellowfin porgy Acanthopagrus latus or horse mackerel (LD50 value of 0.98 -1.17 μg protein/g prawn). All the ECPs manifested strong, weak and no activities against gelatin, sheep erythrocytes and chitin, respectively. In immunodiffusion tests using rabbit antiserum to a purified 33 kDa serine protease of strain Swy against ECP of each tested strain produced one single precipitation band in each treatment. Furtherm ore, the serine protease was suggested to be the dominant protease secreted by V. alginolyticus strains tested since the majority of enzymatic activity of the respective ECP was inhibited by phenylmethanesulfonyl fluoride (PMSF). A higher inhibition of serine protease activity by PMSF resulted in lower mortality rate of the ECPs injected into the prawns suggesting that the protease is one of the major lethal factor(s) secreted by Valginolyticus.
Molecular Dynamics Study on an Adipokinetic Hormone Peptide in Aqueous Solution
Authors: Zubrzycki Igor Z.
Published: February 2015

Lom-AKH-I is a member of the adipokinetic hormone/ red pigment concentrating hormone (AKH / RPCH) family of peptides found in flying insects. A molecular dynamics simulation at room temperature (293 K) in water has been performed to survey the folding path of the Lom-AKH-I peptide in water and to establish the secondary structure of Lom-AKH-I. The obtained results indicate the presence of an undefined extended conformation.
Triflavones and a Biflavone from the Moss Rhizogonium distichum
Authors: Geiger Hans , Seeger Tassilo
Published: February 2015

From gametophytes of Rhizogonium distichum have been isolated the biflavone dicranolomin and five triluteolins. Two of the triluteolins, which were named rhizogoniumtriluteolin and distichumtriluteolin, were new compounds; their structures have been elucidated spectroscopically.
Megistolactone, a New Alkaloid from Sarcomelicope megistophylla
Authors: Fokialakis Nikolas , Magiatis Prokopios , Skaltsounis Alexios-Leandros , Tillequin François , Sévenet Thierry
Published: February 2015

A new quinolone alkaloid, megistolactone (1) was isolated from the bark of Sarcomelicope megistophylla. Its structure has been elucidated on the basis of MS and NMR data. From a biogenetic point of view, this compound should be considered as an oxidation product of 1,2,3,4-tetra-O-subsituted acridone alkaloids, which are also present in the bark.
Alkylresorcinols in Fruit Pulp and Leaves of Ginkgo biloba L.
Authors: Żarnowska Ewa D. , Żarnowski Robert , Kozubek Arkadiusz
Published: February 2015

These studies were undertaken to characterise resorcinolic lipids (5-n-alk(en)ylresorcinols) composition and to determine their seasonal fluctuations in fruit pulp and leaves of Ginkgo biloba L. Resorcinolic lipid concentrations were consistently higher in fruit pulp than in leaves. In pulp, several mono- and di-unsaturated homologs of alkylresorcinols were the predominant group of analysed lipids. Contrary to the fruit pulp, only 5-n-pentadecylresorcinol was demonstrated in leaves. Initially, the alkylresorcinol’s content both in pulp and leaves increased until June - July and decreased following seeds ripening. This trend continued until senescence of leaves in late September and October.
Degradation of Anthracene by Bacteria Isolated from Oil Polluted Tropical Soils
Authors: Ilori Matthew O. N. , Amund Dan-Israel
Published: February 2015

Four bacteria, identified as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Alcaligenes eutrophus, Bacillus subtilis and Micrococcus'luteus were isolated from crude oil polluted soils using anthracene as the sole carbon and energy source. All the organisms utilized n-hexadecane, n-tetradecane, diesel oil, engine oil and naphthalene as sole carbon sources. None could utilize hexane, cycloheptane, xylene, benzene, toluene, phenol, fluoranthene,and kerosene as carbon sources. Highest cell density obtained with 0.1% (w/v) anthracene were 4.5 × 107 (cfu/ml), 8.6 × 106 (cfu/ml), 5.4 × 106 and 2.4 × 106 (cfu/ml) respectively, for P. aeruginosa, A. eutrophus, B. subtilis and M. luteus after 30 days incubation. Growth of the organism s on a Nigerian crude oil resulted in a residual oil concentration of 22.2% , 33.3% , 39.3% ,44% and 91.7% respectively, for P. aeruginosa, A. eutrophus, B. subtilis, M. luteus and the noninoculated control on the 14 th day. Ring fission enzymes of the meta pathway were detected in induced cells of P. aeruginosa and A. eutrophus while ortho pathway enzymes were detected in B. subtilis and M. luteus. P. aeruginosa and A. eutrophus had specific catechol-2,3-dioxygenase activities of 3.8 ± 0.183 and 0.64 ± 0.032 μmol / min × mg protein respectively while catechol-1,2-dioxygenase activities of 1.95 ± 0.029 and 1.89 ± 0.026 μmol / min x mg protein were detected in B. subtilis and M. luteus respectively. This work , highlights the capability of these unreported tropical strains of A. eutrophus, B. subtilis and M. luteus as anthracene degraders.
Production of Xanthones with Free Radical Scavenging Properties, Emodin and Sclerotiorin by the Cultured Lichen Mycobionts of Pyrenula japonica
Authors: Takenaka Yukiko , Tanahashi Takao , Nagakura Naotaka , Hamada Nobuo
Published: February 2015

From the cultures of the spore-derived mycobionts of the lichen Pyrenula japonica, two new xanthones, 1,8-dihydroxy-3-hydroxym ethyl-5-m ethoxyxanthone and 1,2,8-trihydroxy-5-methoxy-3-methylxanthone, were isolated along with 1,7-dihydroxy-3-methylxanthone, 1,5,8- trihydroxy-3-methylxanthone, 1,8-dihydroxy-5-methoxy-3-methylxanthone, emodin and sclerotiorin. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic methods. Sclerotiorin was isolated for the first time from lichen mycobionts. Radical scavenging activities of the isolated xanthones were also studied.
Interrelation between Cyanophycin Synthesis, L-Arginine Catabolism and Photosynthesis in the Cyanobacterium Synechocystis Sp. Strain PCC 6803
Authors: Stephan Dirk Paul , Ruppel Hans Georg , Pistorius Elfriede K.
Published: February 2015

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Ultrastructural and imm unocytochemical investigations gave evidence that cyanophycin (multi--arginyl-poly-ʟ-aspartate) granules accumulate in the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. strain PCC 6803 under nutrient deficient growth conditions, especially under phosphate limitation. Besides nutrient deficiency, growth of Synechocystis PCC 6803 on ʟ-arginine or ʟ-asparagine as sole N-source also led to high increase of cyanophycin synthesis, while growth on the combination of ʟ-arginine or ʟ-asparagine with nitrate only caused minor cyanophycin accum ulation. Growth of Synechocystis PCC 6803 on ʟ-arginine as sole N-source caused substantial morphological and physiological changes, such as severe thylakoid membrane degradation with partial loss of pigments and photosynthetic activity leading to a phenotype almost like that seen under nutrient deficiency. In contrast to the wild type, the PsbO-free Synechocystis PCC 6803 mutant could grow on ʟ-arginine as sole N-source with only minor morphological and physiological changes. Due to its fairly balanced growth, the mutant accumulated only few cyanophycin granules. ʟ-arginine degrading activity (measured as ornithine and ammonium formation) was high in the PsbO-free mutant but not in the wild type when cells were grown on ʟ-arginine as sole N-source. In both cells types the ʟ-arginine degrading activity was high (although in the PsbO-free mutant about twice as high as in wild type), when cells were grown on ʟ-arginine in combination with nitrate, and as expected very low when cells were grown on nitrate as sole N-source. Thus, net cyanophycin accumulation in Synechocystis PCC 6803 is regulated by the relative concentration of ʟ-arginine to the total nitrogen pool, and the intracellular ʟ-arginine concentration is greatly influenced by the activity of the ʟ-arginine degrading enzyme system which in part is regulated by the activity status of photosystem II. These results suggest a complex interrelation between cyanophycin synthesis, ʟ-arginine catabolism , and in addition photosynthesis in Synechocystis PCC 6803.
The Role of Lipid Peroxidation in Aluminium Toxicity in Soybean Cell Suspension Cultures
Authors: Rath Ingo , Barz Wolfgang
Published: February 2015

The primary reactions leading to Al toxicity in plant cells have not yet been elucidated. We used soybean ( Glycine max [L.] Merr.) cell suspension cultures to address the question whether lipid peroxidation plays an important role in Al toxicity. Upon transfer to an Alcontaining culture medium with a calculated Al3+ activity of 15 μᴍ soybean cells showed a distinct and longtime increase in lipid peroxidation within 4h. At the same time a drastic loss of cell viability was observed. Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and N,N′-diphenyl-pphenylenediamine (DPPD), two lipophilic antioxidants, were able to almost completely suppress lipid peroxidation in Al-treated cells at a concentration of 20 μᴍ. This effect was dosedependent for DPPD and was observed at minimum concentrations of 1 -2 μᴍ. When lipid peroxidation was suppressed by DPPD or BHA cell viability remained high even in the presence of toxic Al concentrations. These results suggest that Al-induced enhancement of lipid peroxidation is a decisive factor for Al toxicity in suspension cultured soybean cells.
10-Hydroxystearic Acid - Identified after Homogenization of Tissue - Is Derived from Bacteria
Authors: Adam Petra , Hannemann Kerstin , Reiner Josef , Spiteller Gerhard
Published: February 2015

10-Hydroxystearic acid seems to be widely distributed in nature: Bacteria generate it by hydroxylation of oleic acid, but it was found also as constituent of plants, in cancer cell cultures and in mammalian tissue homogenates. Investigation of 10-hydroxystearic acid, obtained from mammalian tissue homogenates, revealed its identity with that of bacteria. Thus not 10-hydroxystearic acid is widely distributed in nature but its producers: bacteria. When biological material is processed in aqueous media, lipases are activated, these cleave membrane phospholipids. Thus liberated oleic acid is the substrate for widespread bacteria which are introduced into the media when the work up procedure is done in not sterile surrounding. The bacteria transform then oleic acid to 10R-hydroxystearic acid.
Succinopyoverdins - a New Variety of the Pyoverdin Chromophore
Authors: Lenz Christof , Amann Cordula , Briskot Gernot , Taraz Kambiz , Budzikiewicz Herbert
Published: February 2015

Pseudomonas spp. of the fluorescent group produce siderophores (so-called pyoverdins) consisting of a peptide chain attached to a pyrimidoquinoline ring system which is derived from a condensation product of L-Dab and D-Tyr. Commonly several related compounds are found to accompany the pyoverdins having the same peptide chain, but differing in the heterocyclic part. The structure elucidation of a new variety (succinopyoverdin) is described here.
Gene Expression of Medicago sativa Inoculated with Sinorhizobium meliloti as Modulated by the Xenobiotics Cadmium and Fluoranthene
Authors: Neumann Heike , Werner Dietrich
Published: February 2015

Alfalfa plants (Medicago sativa cv. Europe) inoculated with Sinorhizobium meliloti 2011 (formerly Rhizobium meliloti, de Lajudie et al., 1994) were cultivated for 14 days under standardized growth conditions in mineral medium with addition of the heavy metal cadmium or the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon fluoranthene. These xenobiotics significantly reduced the numbers of root nodules before any visible damage to the plant could be detected. EC10. EC50, and EC90 (effective concentrations reducing nodulation, shoot and root fresh weight by 10, 50, or 90% compared to the control without pollutant) were calculated. EC50 for cadmium ranged from 5.8 jam (nodulation) to more than 20 μᴍ (root fresh weight). Testing fluoranthene resulted in an EC50 of 2.5 μg cm-2 for nodulation, and EC50 values of more than 35 μg cm-2 for shoot and root biomass production, indicating that the effect parameter nodulation is 10-fold more sensitive than shoot and root fresh weight. With m RNA differential display techniques the effects of both xenobiotics on gene expression in alfalfa root systems were studied. 37 differentially displayed transcripts were detected. Two of them, called DDMs1 and DDMs2, were confirmed by northern hybridization to be down-regulated in the presence of the xenobiotics. The expression of transcript DDMs1 was enhanced in alfalfa control plants inoculated with rhizobia, the transcript level was increased 2.5-3-fold compared to non-inoculated plants. This positive effect of nodulation was suppressed, partly by 35 μg cm-2 fluoranthene and totally by 20 μᴍ cadmium. The decrease in DDMsl transcription was highly affected by the cadmium concentration with an EC50 of 5.9 μᴍ . Compared to nodulation, almost identical EC10, EC50. and EC90 values were found for DDMsl expression. Sequence analysis of DDMsl revealed a significant overall homology (50% identity) to a hypothetical protein from Arabidopsis thaliana with high similarity to a copper transporting ATPase. High levels of transcript DDMs2 were observed in control plants with a 50% decrease in the xenobiotic-treated plants. DDM s2 gave a strong homology (82% identity) to the cytoplasmatic 60S ribosomal protein L18 from Arabidopsis thaliana.
Metabolic Transformation of the Brassinosteroid 24-Epi-castasterone by the Cockroach Periplaneta americana
Authors: Schmidt Jürgen , Richter Klaus , Voigt Brunhilde , Adam Günter
Published: February 2015

After feeding of 24-epi-castasterone to the cockroach Periplaneta americana an organspecific epimerization of the brassinosteroid to 2,24-depi-castasterone could be detected in female insects. The metabolite being observed only in the ovaries and not in the testes of the insect was identified by GC/MS in comparison with a synthesized authentic sample. Contrary, 24-epi-brassinolide is not metabolized in the sexual organs of Periplaneta americana. This is the first evidence of a metabolic transformation of a brassinosteroid in insects.
Phospholipids in Mediterranean Cephalopods
Authors: Sinanoglou Vassilia J. , Miniadis-Meimaroglou Sofia
Published: February 2015

Polar lipids of the cephalopods Eledone moschata, Sepia officinalis and Todarodes sagittatus mantle, represent 50.5%, 66.1% and 74.2% of wet tissue respectively. On the other hand the polar lipids of these three species of cephalopods constitute of 80.8%, 94.8% and 93.7% of phospholipids, respectively. The main phospholipids identified were phosphatidylcholine (52.2, 51.3 and 58.4% of total phospholipids respectively in the above mentioned species), phosphatidylethanolamine (18.1, 19.7 and 23.9%), sphingomyelin (10.7, 15.2 and 6.7%), lysophosphatidylcholine (3.1, 3.8 and 1.8%) and the unusual lipid ceramide aminoethylphosphonic acid (15.9, 10 and 9.2%).

The 56.8% of phosphatidylcholine in Eledone moschata, the 46% in Sepia officinalis and the 74.1% in Todarodes sagittatus refer to the structure of 1,2-diacyl-glycerocholine and the remaining percentage refer to the structure of 1-o-alkyl-2-acyl-glycerocholine or 1-o-alkyl-lenyl- 2-acyl-glycerocholine.

The 87.2% of phosphatidylethanolamine in Eledone moschata, the 81% in Sepia officinalis and the 90.7% in Todarodes sagittatus refer to the structure of 1,2-diacyl-glyceroethanolamine and the remaining percentage refer to the structure of 1-o-alkyl-2-acyl-glyceroethanolamine or 1-o-alkyl-1-enyl-2-acyl-glyceroethanolamine.

The major saturated fatty acids in phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine were C16:0 (30.3-67.5% and 23.2-54.5% ) and C18:0 (3.6-17% and 15.4-28% ), respectively, while the major unsaturated fatty acids in these lipids were C18:1n-9, n-7 (1.0-7.3% and 5.3-10.5% ), C20:5n-3 (1.5-9.8% and 4,5-15.8% ) and C22:6n-3 (12.5-42.0% and 7 .0 - 11.3%), respectively.
Transfer to in vitro Conditions Influences Expression and Intracellular Distribution of Galectin-3 in Murine Peritoneal Macrophages
Authors: Dumić Jerka , Laue Gordan , Hadžija Mirko , Flögel Mirna
Published: February 2015

Galectin-3 is a β-galactoside-binding lectin that has been implicated in numerous physiological processes, including mRNA splicing, cell differentiation, tumor metastasis and the stress response. We have studied effects of transfer of resident murine peritoneal macrophages to in vitro conditions on galectin-3 in different cell compartments. Galectin-3 was purified by immunoprecipitation with rat monoclonal antibody M3/38, and analyzed by immunoblotting using the same antibody. Transfer to in vitro conditions nearly doubled the total amount of galectin-3 in cells, and caused significant alterations in its intracellular distribution, indicating that galectin-3 is involved in the adaptation of peritoneal macrophages to in vitro conditions.
Inhibitory Effect of a Cyclic Urea Derivative on Rubella Virus Replication
Authors: Galabov Angel S. , Mihneva Zefira , Hadjiathanassova Vessela , Zhukovec Vera
Published: February 2015

1-(4-Morpholinomethyl)-tetrahydro-2(1H)-pyrimidinone (mopyridone) exhibited a marked activity against rubella virus (Judith and RA27/3 strains), a MIC50 value of 0.9 μᴍ and selectivity ratio of 557.7 been found in the case of Judith strain. These data, in addition to the previous ones about its anti-alphavirus effects suggest the compound to be considered as a broad spectrum inhibitor of togavirus replication.
The Siderophores of Pseudomonas fluorescens 18.1 and the Importance of Cyclopeptidic Substructures for the Recognition at the Cell Surface
Authors: Amann Cordula , Taraz Kambiz , Budzikiewicz Herbert , Meyer Jean-Marie
Published: February 2015

The structure of the pyoverdin siderophore of Pseudomonas fluorescens 18.1 was elucidated by spectroscopic methods and chemical degradation. By cross feeding studies structurally closely related pyoverdins containing a C-terminal cyclopeptidic substructure were tested regarding the mutual recognition by the producing strains. Partial recognition of foreign pyoverdins was observed.
Major Constituents of the Foliar Epicuticular Waxes of Species from the Caatinga and Cerrado
Authors: Oliveira Antonio F. M. , Salatino Antonio
Published: February 2015

The epicuticular waxes of leaves of four species (Aspidospermci pyrifolium, Capparis yco, Maytenus rigida and Ziziphus joazeiro) from the Caatinga, (a semi-arid ecosystem of Northeast Brazil) and four species (Aristolochia esperanzae, Didymopanax vinosum, Strychnos pseudoquina and Tocoyena formosa) from the Cerrado, (a savanna ecosystem covering one third of the Brazilian territory), were analyzed. Six species contained a high content (above 60 μg.cm-2) of wax, four of them from the Caatinga. Triterpenoids and n-alkanes were the most frequent and abundant constituents found in the species from both habitats. The distribution of n-alkanes predominated by homologues with 27, 29, 31 and 33 carbon atoms, displayed no consistent differences between species from the two habitats. Lupeol, β-amyrin, epifriedelinol and ursolic acid were the triterpenoids found. Triterpenoids clearly predominate over alkanes in the waxes from the Cerrado species. The waxes of two evergreen species from the Caatinga yielded n-alkanes as predominant constituents. A comparison of foliar epicuticular waxes of native plants from ecosystems with different hydric constraints is discussed.
Elicitor-Induced Defence Reactions in Cell Suspension Cultures of Soybean Cultivars
Authors: Groten Karin , Barz Wolfgang
Published: February 2015

Suspension cultured soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr.) cells of four cultivars (Wilis, Lumut, Kalmit, Doko RC) were compared for their response to different fungal and bacterial elicitors. Cells were treated either with crude cell wall extracts of the fungal pathogens Phytophthora sojae (Pmg-elicitor) and Rhizoctonia solani (Riso-elicitor) or with two isolates of the bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas syringae pv. glycinea (Psg01/02) and a broad spectrum of antimicrobial defence reactions was measured. Cells of all four cultivars showed the same elicitor-induced rapid (H2O2 accumulation, alkalinization of the culture medium, peroxidative cross-linking of cell wall proteins) and slow (activation of phenylpropanoid metabolism, accumulation of phenolic compounds, induction of PR-proteins) defence responses. However, the reactivity of the cultivars was not identical in terms of time courses and intensities. Furthermore, the ability of the various elicitors to induce defence responses varied markedly. These differences indicate that (1) cells of the same species but of different cultivars are equipped with the same array of perception systems to recognise various stimuli but (2 ) the sensitivity of these perception systems or later steps in the signal transduction seem to be stimulated to a different extent in the analysed cultivars.
The Influence of Formamide on Thermal Denaturation Profiles of DNA and Metaphase Chromosomes in Suspension
Authors: Rauch Joachim , Wolf Dietmar , Hausmann Michael , Cremer Christoph
Published: February 2015

Systematic photometric studies are presented to analyze the thermal denaturation behaviour with and without formamide of metaphase chromosome suspensions in comparison to DNA solutions. Temperature dependent hyperchromicity measurements at 256 nm and 313 nm were performed using an appropriately designed computer-controlled photometer device. Due to an upright optical axis, this allowed absorbance measurements with negligible sedimentation effects not only for solutions of pure DNA, but also for particle suspensions of isolated metaphase chromosomes. This device has a temperature resolution of ± 0.5 °C and an optical sensitivity of 10-3 to 10-4 optical density. For calf thymus DNA the reduction of the melting point with the increase of formamide in the solution was measured at pH 7.0 and pH 3.2. The good correlation of the theoretical approximation to experimental data indicated the suitability of the apparatus to quantitatively describe DNA conformation changes induced by thermal denaturation. For metaphase chromosome preparations of Chinese hamster culture cells, absorbance changes were measured between 20 °C and 95 °C with a temperature gradient of 1 °C/min. These measurements were performed at pH 7.0 and at pH 3.2. The denaturation profiles (= first derivative of the absorbance curve) resulted in a highly variable peak pattern at 256 nm and 313 nm indicating complex conformation changes. A statistical evaluation of the temperature values of the peak maxima resulted in temperature ranges typical for chromosomal conformation changes during thermal treatment. Especially the range of highest temperature values was independent from pH modifications. For pH 3.2 the influence of formamide on the denaturation behaviour of metaphase chromosome preparations was analyzed. In contrast to pure DNA solutions, a reduction of the “melting point” (i.e. the maximum temperature at which a conformation change takes place) was not found. However, the denaturation behaviour depended on the duration of formamide treatment before the measurement.
Influence of Triphenyllead Chloride on Biological and Model Membranes
Authors: Kleszczyńska Halina , Bielecki Krzysztof , Sarapuk Janusz , Dziamska Anna , Przestalski Stanislaw
Published: February 2015

The physiological and hemolytic toxicities of triphenyllead chloride (TPhL) as well as its modyfying influence on model lipid membranes were studied. The experiments allowed the determination of TPhL concentrations causing 50% inhibition of growth of Spirodela oligorrhiza, Lemna minor and Solvinia natans (EC50), 100% hemolysis of pig erythrocytes (C100) and destabilization of planar lipid membranes (CC). Also, fluidity of erythrocyte ghosts was measured by fluorescence technique and osmotic sensitivity of erythrocytes to the presence of TPhL. All parameters studied were found to be dependent on pH, of experimental solutions and the concentration of TPhL. Acidic conditions increased EC50, C100 and CC concentrations of TPhL. Fluorescence and osmotic measurements showed that osmotic stability and fluidity decreased with increasing trimethyllead concentration.

A possible mechanism of TPhL toxicity is discussed. It is assumed that TPhL is interacting with the lipid phase of the models used. It is also assumed that there may exist various, ionic and nonionic, forms of TPhL as a result of its speciation under different experimental conditions. These species, due to their differentiated lipophilicity, may exert different effects on the model membranes studied.
Chemical Composition and Biological Activity of Propolis from Brazilian Meliponinae
Authors: Velikova Milena , Bankova Vassya , Marcucci Maria C. , Tsvetkova Iva , Kujumgiev Atanas
Published: February 2015

Twenty-one propolis samples produced by 12 different Meliponinae species were analyzed by GC-MS. Several chemical types of stingless bees’ propolis could be grouped, according to the prevailing type of compounds like: “gallic acid”, “diterpenic” and “triterpenic” types. The results confirm that neither the bee species nor the geographical location determine the chemical composition of Meliponinae propolis and the choice of its plant source, respectively. This could be explained by the fact that Meliponinae forage over short distances (maximum 500 m) and thus use as propolis source the first plant exudate they encounter during their flights. The antibacterial, antifungal and cytotoxic activities of the samples were also investigated. Most samples had weak or no activity against E. coli, weak action against Candida albicans. Some of them showed significant activity against St. aureus., presumably connected to the high concentration of diterpenic acids. Samples rich in diterpenic acids possessed also high cytotoxic activity (Artemia salina test).
The Complex Structure of Ferri-ferribactins
Authors: Taraz Kambiz , Seipold Lars , Budzikiewicz Herbert
Published: February 2015

By comparison of the NMR data of the ferribactins from Pseudomonas chlororaphis ATCC 9446 and of P. fluorescens 18.1 with those of their Ga3+-complexes as models for the Fe3+-complexes it will be shown that only two bidentate ligands are provided for complexation, both located in the peptide chain. The two remainig free sites of the octahedral metal ion are probably occupied by solvent molecules.
Are Hydrophobins and/or Non-Specific Lipid Transfer Proteins Responsible for Gushing in Beer? New Hypotheses on the Chemical Nature of Gushing Inducing Factors
Authors: Hippeli Susanne , Elstner Erich F.
Published: February 2015

Gushing of beer is characterised by the fact that immediately after opening a bottle a great number of fine bubbles are created throughout the volume of beer and ascend quickly under foam formation, which flows out of the bottle. This infuriating gushing phenomenon has been, and still is, a problem of world-wide importance to the brewing industry.

It is generally assumed that the causes of malt-derived gushing are due to the use of “weathered” barley or wheat and the growth of moulds in the field, during storage and malting. We now develop a hypothesis connecting several lines of evidence from different laboratories. These results indicate that the fungal hydrophobins, hydrophobic components of conidiospores or aerial mycelia, are gushing-inducing factors. Furthermore, increased formation of ns-LTPs (non-specific lipid transfer proteins), synthesised in grains as response to fungal infection, and their modification during the brewing process may be responsible for malt-derived gushing.
The Structures of the Pyoverdins from Two Pseudomonas fluorescens Strains Accepted Mutually by Their Respective Producers
Authors: Barelmann Insa , Taraz Kambiz , Budzikiewicz Herbert , Geoffroy Valérie , Meyer Jean-Marie
Published: February 2015

From Pseudomonas fluorescens PL7 and PL8 structurally related pyoverdins were isolated and their primary structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods and degradation reactions. Despite of some structural differences both Fe(III) complexes are taken up by either strain with a high rate. The implications regarding the recognition at the cell surface are discussed.
NewTriterpenoidal Alkaloids from Buxus sempervirens
Authors: Ata Athar , Naz Samina , Choudhary M. Iqbal , Atta-ur-Rahman  , Sener Bilge , Turkoz Songul
Published: February 2015

Phytochemical studies on the ethanolic extract of the roots of Buxus sempervirens of Turkish origin have resulted in the isolation of two new triterpenoidal alkaloids, (+)-16α, 31- diacetylbuxadine (1), (-)-Nb-demethylcyclomikuranine (2) along with three known natural products, (-)-cyclomikuranine (3), (-)-cyclobuxophylline-K (4) and (+)-buxaquamarine (5) isolated for the first time from this species of genus Buxus. The structures of these new natural products were established on the basis of extensive spectroscopic studies. Compound 1 exhibited antibacterial activity against human pathogenic bacteria and weak phytotoxic activity against Lemna minor Linn.
Two New Sulfated Furostanol Saponins from Tribulus terrestris
Authors: Kostova Ivanka , Dinchev Dragomir , Rentsch Gudrun Hopp , Dimitrov Vladimir , Ivanova Antoaneta
Published: February 2015

The known furostanol saponins methylprotodioscin and protodioscin and two new sulfated saponins, sodium salt of 26-O-β-glucopyranosyl-22α-methoxy-(25R)-furost-5-ene-3β,26-diol- 3-O-α-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-4-O-sulfo-glucopyranoside (methylprototribestin) and sodium salt of 26-O-β-glucopyranosyl-22α-hydroxy-(25R)-furost-5-ene-3β,26-diol-3-O-α-rhamnopyranosyl-( 1→2)-β-4-O-sulfo-glucopyranoside (prototribestin) have been isolated from the aerial parts of Tribulus terrestris L. growing in Bulgaria. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated on the basis of 1D and 2D (DQF-COSY, TOCSY, HSQC-TOCSY, HSQC, HMBC, ROESY) NMR data, ESI mass spectra and chemical transformation.
Lipid Analysis of Greek Walnut Oil (Juglans regia L.)
Authors: Tsamouris George , Hatziantoniou Sophia , Demetzos Costas
Published: February 2015

The walnut oil (Juglans regia L.) total lipids (TL) were extracted by the Bligh-Dyer method and the lipid classes have been isolated by chromatographic techniques and they were analyzed by high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) /FID and GC-MS. The oil was found to be rich in neutral lipids (96.9% of total lipids) and low in polar lipids (3.1% of total lipids). The neutral lipid fraction consisted mainly of triacylglycerides whereas the polar lipids mainly consisted of sphingolipids. GC-MS data showed that the main fatty acid was linoleic acid. Unsaturated fatty acids were found as high as 85%, while the percentage of the saturated fatty acids was found 15%. Two types of liposomes were prepared from the isolated walnut oil phospholipids and characterized as new formulations. These formulations may have future applications for encapsulation and delivery of drugs and cosmetic active ingredients.
Inhibition of Very-Long-Chain Fatty Acid Formation by Indanofan, 2-[2-(3-Chlorophenyl)oxiran-2-ylmethyl]-2-ethylindan-1,3-dione, and Its Relatives
Authors: Takahashi Hideomi , Schmalfuß Jochen , Ohki Aiko , Hosokawa Akemi , Tanaka Akira , Sato Yukiharu , Matthes Bernd , Böger Peter , Wakabayashi Ko
Published: February 2015

Indanofan and its analogs inhibited the elongation of stearoyl- or arachidoyl-CoA by [2-14C]-malonyl-CoA in leek microsomes from Allium porrum. Although the precise mode of interaction of indanofan at the molecular level is not completely clarified by the present study, it is concluded that indanofan and analogs act as inhibitor of the elongase enzyme involved in de novo biosynthesis of fatty acids with an alkyl chain longer than C18, called very-long-chain fatty acids (VLCFAs). For a strong inhibition of VLCFA formation chloro substituents at the benzene ring and the oxirane group were necessary. Furthermore, the greenhouse test showed strong activity for indanofan and its analogs, and the scores coincided with cell-free elongation inhibition. The cell-free assay, however, failed to indicate any activity for an analog having a methylene instead of the oxirane group, while both Digitaria ciliaris and Echinochloa oryzicola were killed with 1 kg a.i./ha. This finding cannot be discussed because the applied use rate of 1 kg a.i./ha is too high to allow for a score differentiation. For high concentrations of this compound additional unknown inhibitory effects may be involved besides fatty acid elongation.
Pharmaco-Toxicological Study of Kageneckia oblonga, Rosaceae
Authors: Delporte Carla , Muñozb Orlando , Rojas Javier , Ferrándiz Marisa , Payá Miguel , Erazo Silvia , Negrete Rosa , Maldonado Sergio , San Feliciano Arturo , Backhouse Nadine
Published: February 2015

The probable antipyretic, antiinflammatory, analgesic and antioxidant properties of Kageneckia oblonga, Rosaceae, were investigated and the major compounds of its active extracts were isolated. The study comprised the acute toxicity of the extracts of global methanol, hexane, dichloromethane and methanol. The cytotoxicity of global methanol extract was studied in three tumoral cell lines. All the extracts exhibited the pharmacological activities under study. Methanol and dichloromethane were the most toxic extracts. From the global methanol extract, isolations were performed of prunasin, 23,24- dihydro-cucurbitacin F, and a new cucurbitacin, 3β-(β-d-glucosyloxy)-16α,23α-epoxycucurbita-5,24-diene-11-one. The cytotoxicity of both cucurbitacins on human neutrophils at the assayed concentrations was not statistically significant. In-vitro assays showed that both cucurbitacins can be partly responsible for the analgesic, antipyretic, and anti-inflammatory activities.

Evaluation was done of the cytotoxicity of global methanol extract, 23, 24-dihydrocucurbitacin F, aqueous extracts and prunasin against P-388 murine leukaemia, A-549 human lung carcinoma and HT-29 colon carcinoma. Since global methanol extract presented a strong cytotoxicity against P-388 murine leukaemia, A-549 human lung carcinoma, and HT-29 cell lines, it is highly probable that this extract contain one or more cytotoxic compounds that could be investigated for their potential use as an agent against cancer.
Glutathione Peroxidase from the Liver of Japanese Sea Bass Lateolabrax japonicus
Authors: Nagai Takeshi , Yukimoto Takakiyo , Suzuki Nobutaka
Published: February 2015

Glutathione peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.9) present in the liver of Japanese sea bass (Lateolabrax japonicus) was extracted and purified by phenyl-toyopearl 650M, butyl-toyopearl 650ᴍ and DEAE-toyopearl 650ᴍ column chromatography. The molecular weight of the enzyme was estimated to be about 70 kDa by gel filtration by toyopearl HW-55F. On SDS-PAGE, this enzyme was composed of two identical subunits with 35 kDa and was a dimer. This enzyme was a typical SH-enzyme that was inhibited by iodoacetic acid, PCMB, DTNB, and Hg.
Effect of Cu/Zn-Superoxide Dismutase from the Fungal Strain Humicola lutea 103 on Antioxidant Defense of Graffi Tumor-Bearing Hamsters
Authors: Ivanova Emilia , Angelova Maria , Slokoska Ludmila , Pashova Svetlana , Toshkova Reneta , Dolashka-Angelova Pavlina , Dimitrova Petya , Voelter Wolfgang
Published: February 2015

A novel Cu/Zn-containing superoxide dismutase (SOD) was isolated from the fungal strain Humicola lutea 103. Previously, a protective effect of this enzyme (HLSOD) against tumor growth and also superoxide production in Graffi tumor-bearing hamsters (TBH) were established.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of HLSOD on the activity of endogenous SOD and catalase in the cells from TBH during tumor progression. Our results point out that transplantation of Graffi tumor causes a significant decrease in SOD activity in the cells from liver of the hosts (from 35 to 59% compared to the control). In the tumor cells relatively low levels of SOD (about 7 U mg protein-1) were found, and Cu/ZnSOD was the main isoenzyme in total SOD activity. Tumor growth resulted in a reduction of catalase activity, which correlated with the process of tumor progression. A single dose (65 U) treatment with HLSOD caused an increase in endogenous SOD and catalase activity in healthy animals and resulted in restoration of the antioxidant ability in liver cells of the hosts at the early stage of tumor progression. The results show the possible participation of HLSOD in the host oxidant-antioxidant balance, which is probably one of the factors of its immunoprotective action established earlier.
A New Phenylpropanoid Ester from the Bark of Zanthoxylum scandens (Rutaceae)
Authors: Nguyen Quang An , Van-Dufat Hanh Trinh , Michel Sylvie , Tillequin François , Dumontet Vincent , Sévenet Thierry
Published: February 2015

The alkaloids norchelerythrine, magnoflorine and (-)(S)-O-methylbalfourodinium cation were isolated from Zanthoxylum scandens bark collected in Vietnam, together with the flavanone glycoside hesperidin and the phenylpropanoids (E)-O-geranylconiferyl alcohol and (E)-O-geranylconiferyl alcohol (9Z, 12Z)-linoleate. This latter is a novel compound whose structure was elucidated on the basis of its spectral data and confirmed by chemical correlation.