bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Biochemical Approach for Detecting Interactions between Peptides from the HIV gp120 Glycoprotein and a CD4 Sequence
Authors: Chersi Alberto , Falasca Giuliana , Malorni Walter
Published: February 2015

Peptides selected from the HIV viral protein gp120 bind to a synthetic peptide mimicking sequence 78-89 of the human lymphocyte CD4 molecule, linked to activated Sepharose. The binding of viral fragments to the CD4 peptide-Sepharose beads was ascertained either by aid of a ninhydrin reagent or by fluorescence microscopy. A suitable alignment of these HIV peptides with the CD4 fragment showed that multiple interactions might occur between hydrophobic or charged groups of the two molecules. Although this experiment does not demonstrate that these two amino acid stretches are involved in the primary binding of gp120 to CD4 receptors, the present data suggest that the two sequences might have some kind of interaction during subsequent steps of viral infection.
The Ecdysteroid UDP-Glucosyltransferase Gene Promoter from Autographa californica Multicapsid Nucleopolyhedrovirus
Authors: Shen Xing-Jia , Yi Yong-Zhu , Tang Shun-Ming , Zhang Zhi-Fang , Li Yi-Ren , He Jia-Lu
Published: February 2015

The ecdysteroid UDP-glucosyltransferase (egt) gene promoter fragments of different lengths were generated from the genomic DNA of the Autographa californica multicapsid nucleopolyhedrovirus (AcMNPV) by PCR. After being purified and enzymatic digestion, they were cloned into the pGEM-3Z vector for construction of reporter plasmids pAcegt542- luc, pAcegt309-luc and pAcegt159-luc with the luciferase gene driven by the AcMNPV egt promoter. The results of transient expression in the Spodoptera frugiperda cell line-21 (Sf21) showed that the transcriptional activity of the AcMNPV egt promoter required the transactivation of viral factor(s). The expression of luciferase gene driven by the AcMNPV egt promoter was first detected at 24 h post infection. The egt promoter from the Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV), closely related to AcMNPV, revealed similar properties to that of the AcMNPV egt promoter. When BmNPV homologous region 3 was subcloned downstream the luciferase gene, the luciferase activity of the reporter plasmid was enhanced by over 1000-fold, but the property of the promoter was not changed. As a substrate of ecdysteroid UDP-glucosyltransferase (EGT), foreign insect ecdysone showed negative effects on egt promoter transcriptional activity. Ecdysone of 1.0-2.0 μg/ml significantly down-regulated the promoter activity. Promoter activities of different lengths showed that an AcMNPV egt promoter fragment of 159 bp has the basal transcriptional activity but it was almost abolished only about 0.2% of that of 309 bp and 542 bp, respectively, and the nucleotide sequence from - 159 to - 309 nt upstream the translation initiation site includes the main cis-acting elements interacting with viral factors.
Adaptation of the Phosphotungstate Method to Determine Reduced and Oxidized Vitamin C in Blood Plasma
Authors: Rutkowski Maciej , Grzegorczyk Krzysztof , Greger Janusz
Published: February 2015

The phosphotungstate reagent (PTR) was used for quantitative spectrophotometric determination of physiological forms of vitamin C in blood plasma. An immediate action of PTR on the first half of the tested samples allowed to determine reduced vitamin C concentrations (I) at 700 nm. 10 mм dithiothreitol added to the second half of the samples reduced oxidized vitamin C in it - hence the total amount of this vitamin was reduced with a concentration (II) determined as above (remains of dithiothreitol were removed with N-ethylmaleimide). The difference of results (II) and (I) gave the concentration of oxidized vitamin C. The method is characterised by fault-less analytical parameters: correlation coefficients of analytical curves > 0.99, recovery factor 100.5%, variation coefficients intra- and inter-serial < 3% and < 5%, respectively, detection limit 0.05 μm. The simplicity of the method enables an easy control of the ratio of oxidized and reduced vitamin C concentrations in blood plasma - the biomarker of the level of oxidative damage to cells.
Activity in vitro and in vivo against Plant Pathogenic Fungi of Grifolin Isolated from the Basidiomycete Albatrellus dispansus
Authors: Luo Du-Qiang , Shao Hong-Jun , Zhu Hua-Jie , Liu Ji-Kai
Published: February 2015

In the course of screening for novel naturally occurring fungicides from mushrooms in Yunnan province, China, the ethanol extract of the fruiting bodies of Albatrellus dispansus was found to show antifungal activity against plant pathogenic fungi. The active compound was isolated from the fruiting bodies of A. dispansus by bioassay-guided fractionation of the extract and identified as grifolin by IR, 1H and 13C NMR and mass spectral analysis. Its antifungal activities were evaluated in vitro against 9 plant pathogenic fungi and in vivo against the plant disease of Erysiphe graminis. In vitro, Sclerotinina sclerotiorum and Fusarium graminearum were the most sensitive fungi to grifolin, and their mycelial growth inhibition were 86.4 and 80.9% at 304.9 μᴍ, respectively. Spore germination of F. graminearum, Gloeosporium fructigenum and Pyricularia oryzae was almost completely inhibited by 38.1 μᴍ grifolin. In vivo, the curative effect of grifolin against E. graminis was 65.5% at 304.9 μᴍ after 8 days.
Germination Inhibitor from the Japanese Cedar Cryptomeria japonica
Authors: Chen Xiao Hui , Kashiwagi Takehiro , Tebayashi Shin-ichi , Kim Chul-Sa
Published: February 2015

(1S,6R)-2,7(14),10-Bisabolatrien-1-ol-4-one was identified as a germination inhibitor from the methanol extract of Japanese cedar wood, Cryptomeria japonica. The occurrence of this compound in 1 g fresh wood was 2.0 mg, and showed a maximum of 60% germination inhibition at the dose of 20 mg/filter paper (157 μg/cm2) against both of lettuce and rice seeds for 4 d. A selective activity between Dicotyledoneae and Monocotyledoneae seeds was not observed.
Transformations of Steroids by Beauveria bassiana
Authors: Huszcza Ewa , Dmochowska-Gładysz Jadwiga , Bartmańska Agnieszka
Published: February 2015

The course of transformations of testosterone and its derivatives, including compounds with an additional C1,C2 double bond and/or a 17α-methyl group, a 17β-acetyl group or without a 19-methyl group, by a Beauveria bassiana culture was investigated. The fungi promoted hydroxylation of these compounds at position 11α, oxidation of the 17β-hydroxyl group, reduction of the C1,C2 or C4,C5 double bonds and degradation of the progesterone side-chain, leading to testosterone. The structure of 4-ene-3-oxo-steroids had no influence on regio- and stereochemistry of hydroxylation. In a similar manner, dehydroepiandrosterone was hydroxylated by Beauveria bassiana at position 11α, however, a small amount of 7α- hydroxylation product was also formed.
Purification and Partial Characterization of an Extracellular Melanoprotein from the Fungus Venturia inaequalis
Authors: Singh Prikhshayat , Piotrowski Markus , Gau Achim E.
Published: February 2015

The fungus Venturia inaequalis clone No. 36 isolated from Malus domestica cv. Gloster excretes a melanoprotein of 36 kDa in relatively high amounts during growth in liquid culture. The protein was isolated from the culture medium and purified to homogeneity. It was shown to contain melanin. After raising an antiserum against the isolated protein, the protein could be shown to be located in the apoplast fluid of the V. inaequalis infected Malus domestica cv. Elstar. Partial sequencing of the protein revealed no significant sequence homologies to so far sequenced proteins. The melanoprotein binds ferrous and ferric iron. Moreover, it could be shown that the binding of ferric iron (but not of ferrous iron) leads to a change in the absorbance of the protein suggesting a modification of the protein by ferric, but not by ferrous, iron. In addition to iron, the protein also binds copper, but does not bind manganese or nickel. A possible function of this protein in the recruiting and transport of iron and copper and/or in the protection of the fungus by metal-ion mediated oxidative stress is discussed.
Antioxidant Activity and Angiotensin I-Converting Enzyme Inhibition by Enzymatic Hydrolysates from Bee Bread
Authors: Nagai Takeshi , Nagashima Toshio , Suzuki Nobutaka , Inoue Reiji
Published: February 2015

Enzymatic hydrolysates were prepared from bee bread using three proteases. The antioxidant properties of these hydrolysates were measured using four different methods. These had remarkable antioxidant activity similar or superior to that of 1 mm α-tocopherol. They also had high scavenging activities against active oxygen species as the superoxide anion radical and hydroxyl radicals. Moreover, they showed angiotensin I-converting enzyme inhibitory activities and the activities were similar to those from various fermented foods such as fish sauce, sake, vinegar, cheese, miso, and natto. The present studies reveal that enzymatic hydrolysates from bee bread are of benefit not only for the materials of health food diets, but also for in patients undergoing various diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and hypertension.
Comparison of Different Procedures for the Lipid Extraction from HL-60 Cells: A MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometric Study
Authors: Petković Marijana , Vocks Andreas , Müller Matthias , Schiller Jürgen , Arnhold Jürgen
Published: February 2015

A human leukaemia cell line - HL-60 - can be differentiated into neutrophils or macrophages and both differentiation processes are accompanied by changes of the lipid composition. Various methods were described for the extraction of lipids from cellular systems, but only two of them were applied to the HL-60 cell line so far. In this study we compared five selected extraction methods for the lipid extraction from HL-60 cells with regard to their qualitative analysis by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS): chloroform/methanol at volume ratios 2:1 and 1:2, isopropanol/ chloroform, isopropanol/hexane and butanol. In addition, the cholesterol and phospholipid concentrations in organic extracts were measured by colorimetric assays. Results can be summarized as follows: For the analysis of polar phospholipids obtained from HL-60 cells by MALDI-TOF MS, a chlorofom/methanol (1:2) or isopropanol/chloroform mixture or butanol can be applied as extraction systems. On the other hand, if one would like to analyze changes in triacylglycerols, then chloroform/methanol (2:1) would be the method of choice.
Essential Oil Composition and Antimicrobial Activity of Diplotaenia damavandica
Authors: Eftekhar Fereshteh , Yousefzadi Morteza , Azizian Dina , Sonboli Ali , Salehi Peyman
Published: February 2015

Antimicrobial activity of the essential oils obtained from leaves, root and the seeds of Diplotaenia damavandica Mozaffarian, Hedge & Lamond, an endemic plant to Iran, was determined against 10 microorganisms using the disk susceptibility test as well as measuring minimum inhibitory concentrations. The results showed that all three oils had antibacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Escherichia coli. The essential oil from the leaves had the highest antimicrobial activity against all test microorganisms including the fungal strains. The essential oils compositions were analyzed and determined by GC and GC-MS. The oils analyses resulted in the identification of 16, 17 and 20 compounds representing 94.2%, 96.4% and 95.1% of the total oils, respectively. The main components of the leaf essential oils were (Z)-β-ocimene (21.6%), α-phellandrene (21.3%) and terpinolene (20%). Dill apiol (30.1%) and γ-terpinene (16.2%) were the main components of the root and seed essential oils, respectively.
Redox Properties of Novel Antioxidant 5,8-Dihydroxycoumarin: Implications for its Prooxidant Cytotoxicity
Authors: Nemeikaitė-Čėnienė Aušra , Marozienė Audronė , Pukalskas Audrius , Venskutonis Petras Rimantas , Čėnasb Narimantas
Published: February 2015

The aim of this work was to characterize the redox properties of the new antioxidant 5,8- dihydroxycoumarin (5,8-DHC), isolated from sweet grass (Hierochloë odorata L.), and to determine its impact on its cytotoxic action. Reversible electrochemical oxidation of 5,8- DHC at pH 7.0 was characterized by the midpoint potential (Ep/2) of 0.23 V vs. the normal hydrogen electrode. 5,8-DHC was slowly autoxidized at pH 7.0, and it was active as a substrate for peroxidase (POD, EC 1.11.1.7) and tyrosinase (TYR, EC 1.14.18.1). Oxidation of 5,8-DHC by POD/H2O2 yielded the product(s) which reacted with reduced glutathione and supported the oxidation of NADPH by ferredoxin:NADP+ reductase (FNR, EC 1.18.1.2) and NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase (NQO1, DT-diaphorase, EC 1.6.99.2). The concentration of 5,8-DHC for 50% survival of bovine leukemia virus-transformed lamb kidney fibroblasts (line FLK) during a 24-h incubation was (60 ± 5.5) μm. Cytotoxicity of 5,8-DHC was decreased by desferrioxamine, catalase, the antioxidant N,N’-diphenyl-p-phenylene diamine, and potentiated by 1,3-bis-(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea and dicumarol, an inhibitor of NQO1. This shows that 5,8-DHC possesses the oxidative stress-type cytotoxicity, evidently due to the action of quinodal oxidation product(s). The protective effect of isoniazide, an inhibitor of cytochrome P-450 2E1, points to hydroxylation of 5,8-DHC as additional toxification route, whereas the potentiating effect of 3,5-dinitrocatechol, an inhibitor of catechol-omethyltransferase (COMT, EC 2.1.1.6), points to the o-methylation of hydroxylation products as the detoxification route.
Film Formation and Structural Characterization of Silk of the Hornet Vespa simillima xanthoptera Cameron
Authors: Kameda Tsunenori , Kojima Katsura , Miyazawa Mitsuhiro , Fujiwara Seita
Published: February 2015

We extracted silk produced by the larva of the hornet Vespa simillima xanthoptera Cameron from its nest. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) analysis of the extracted hornet silk showed four major components with molecular weights between 35 and 60 kDa. The main amino acid components of the hornet silk protein were Ala (33.5%), Ser (16.9%), Asp (8.5%) and Glu (8.1%). The hornet silk could be dissolved in hexafluoroisopropyl alcohol (HFIP) at 25 °C without incurring molecular degradation. A transparent film of hornet silk was obtained readily by the formation of a cast upon drying of the hornet silk in the HFIP solution. Residual HFIP solvent was removed from the film by extraction with pure water. Solid-state 13C NMR and FT-IR measurements revealed that the secondary structures of hornet silk proteins in the native state consisted of coexisting α-helix and β-sheet conformations. The β-sheet to α-helix ratio, which was changed by processing, was mainly responsible for the silk’s thermostability.
Assessing and Managing Biological Risks of Plants Used for Bioremediation, Including Risks of Transgene Flow
Authors: Gressel Jonathan , Al-Ahmad Hani
Published: February 2015

The plants used for phytoremediation pose special biological risks, whether transgenic or not, as most of the species: (a) are semi-domesticated; (b) are introduced from other habitats; (c) can become established in the contaminated site; (d) can spread and displace native species, and/or; (e) may introgress transgenes into related species. The addition of transgenes can reduce the risks, e.g. to sterilize or render the species and hybrid offspring hypersensitive to environmental effects (heat, cold), or to a chemical that will cull the species. Various measures can contain transgenes used in phytoremediation species to prevent gene flow, but most containment technologies are both uni-directional (prevent either outflow or influx), and are inherently leaky, even a concept specifically utilizable for phytoremediation Ð grafting non-transgenic scions on bioremediating transgenic rootstocks. Containment mechanisms should be either stacked with each other or with “mitigator” genes. Transgenic mitigation (TM) has mitigator genes added in tandem to the desired primary transgene (genetically linked) and the mitigator genes confer traits that are positive or neutral to the desired species but are deleterious to hybrids, keeping them at very low frequencies. The concept was demonstrated in tobacco and oilseed rape with a dwarfing mitigator gene that enhanced the reproductive productivity (harvest index) when cultured alone, but eliminated it from mixed populations. Besides the mitigator genes previously proposed for crop species (sterility, no seed shattering, dwarfing, no secondary dormancy) there are genes especially appropriate for phytoremediation, e.g. overexpression of cytokinin oxidase (reduces cytokinin levels) conferring reduced shoot systems (unfitness to compete) with a more extensive root system that is better for extracting toxic wastes as well as no-flowering for vegetatively propagated species. Thus, biotechnology can be harnessed to reduce risks from both non-transgenic and transgenic phytoremediation species.
Short Transcript-derived Fragments from the Metal Hyperaccumulator Model Species Arabidopsis halleri
Authors: Dräger Dörthe B. , Voigt Katrin , Krämer Ute
Published: February 2015

Phytoremediation of metal contaminated soils requires high-biomass plants exhibiting tolerance to and accumulation of metal contaminants. However, very little is known about the genes controlling these traits. In order to better understand this, Arabidopsis halleri ssp. halleri (L.) O’Kane and Al-Shehbaz, a naturally selected zinc and cadmium tolerant plant species capable of hyperaccumulating both metals, is a suitable model plant. To date, the scarcity of sequence information from A. halleri is still limiting its use as a model organism. Here we report 128 transcript-derived sequence fragments (TDFs) identified in a cDNAAFLP approach aimed at identifying metal-regulated transcripts in roots. In addition we show that in roots of A. halleri, transcript levels of AhPDR11, encoding an ATP-bindingcassette (ABC) transport protein, are slightly induced in response to metal exposure.
Transcription Profiling of the Metal-hyperaccumulator Thlaspi caerulescens (J. & C. PRESL)
Authors: Plessl Markus , Rigola Diana , Hassinen Viivi , Aarts Mark G. M. , Schat Henk , Ernst Dieter
Published: February 2015

Thlaspi caerulescens is a well-studied metal-hyperaccumulator of zinc, cadmium and nickel, belonging to the Brassicaceae family. Moreover it is one of the few hyperaccumulators that occur on different metalliferous soil types, as well as on nonmetalliferous soils. We are interested in the development of systems to improve phytoremediation of metal contaminated soils through improved metal-accumulation. About 1900 cDNAs isolated from T. caerulescens roots were hybridized with reverse transcribed RNA from zinc-treated T. caerulescens plants of two accessions originating from two different soil types. This comparative transcript profiling of T. caerulescens plants resulted in the identification of genes that are affected by heavy metals. The developed microarray proved to be an appropriate tool for a large scale analysis of gene expression in this metal-accumulator species.
Novel Metabolism of Nitrogen in Plants
Authors: Morikawa Hiromichi , Takahashi Misa , Sakamoto Atsushi , Ueda-Hashimoto Manami , Matsubara Toshiyuki , Miyawaki Kazuhiro , Kawamura Yoshifumi , Hirata Toshifumi , Suzuki Hitomi
Published: February 2015

Our previous study showed that approximately one-third of the nitrogen of 15N-labeled NO2 taken up into plants was converted to a previously unknown organic nitrogen (hereafter designated UN) that was not recoverable by the Kjeldahl method (Morikawa et al., 2004). In this communication, we discuss metabolic and physiological relevance of the UN based on our newest experimental results. All of the 12 plant species were found to form UN derived from NO2 (about 10-30% of the total nitrogen derived from NO2). The UN was formed also from nitrate nitrogen in various plant species. Thus, UN is a common metabolite in plants. The amount of UN derived from NO2 was greatly increased in the transgenic tobacco clone 271 (Vaucheret et al., 1992) where the activity of nitrite reductase is suppressed less than 5% of that of the wild-type plant. On the other hand, the amount of this UN was significantly decreased by the overexpression of S-nitrosoglutathione reductase (GSNOR). These findings strongly suggest that nitrite and other reactive nitrogen species are involved in the formation of the UN, and that the UN-bearing compounds are metabolizable. A metabolic scheme for the formation of UN-bearing compounds was proposed, in which nitric oxide and peroxynitrite derived from NO2 or endogenous nitrogen oxides are involved for nitrosation and/or nitration of organic compounds in the cells to form nitroso and nitro compounds, including N-nitroso and S-nitroso ones. Participation of non-symbiotic haemoglobin bearing peroxidase-like activity (Sakamoto et al., 2004) and GSNOR (Sakamoto et al., 2002) in the metabolism of the UN was discussed. The UN-bearing compounds identified to date in the extracts of the leaves of Arabidopsis thaliana fumigated with NO2 include a ⊿2- 1,2,3-thiadiazoline derivative (Miyawaki et al., 2004) and 4-nitro-β-carotene.
Tolerance to, and Uptake and Degradation of 2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene (TNT) are Enhanced by the Expression of a Bacterial Nitroreductase Gene in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Kurumata Mami , Takahashi Misa , Sakamoto Atsushi , Ramos Juan L. , Nepovim Ales , Vanek Tomas , Hirata Toshifumi , Morikawa Hiromichi
Published: February 2015

Arabidopsis thaliana was transformed with a gene encoding a nitroreductase (NTR, E.C. 1.6.99.7) with activity against a wide range of nitroaromatic compounds. The gene was transferred from Escherichia coli by an Agrobacterium-mediated in planta method. The ob­tained seeds were sowed to produce T1 plants, and they were assayed for the integration of the transgene in the plant genome. Transgenic plants that were positive with the PCR analysis were self-pollinated to produce T2 generation plants. Seven lines obtained were assayed for the NTR activity. While the noil-transformed wild-type plants showed no detectable NTR activity, the enzyme activity of the transgenic plant lines was approx. 20 times higher. Using the line with the highest NTR activity, the phytoremediation characteristics of plants against 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) was investigated. While the wild-type plants did not grow in the presence of 0.1 mᴍ TNT, the transgenic plants grew almost normally in this condition. The uptake of TNT by seedlings of transgenic plants increased by 7 to 8 times when they were floated on TNT solution. HPLC analysis showed that the peak due to TNT taken up into plant body was much smaller in the transgenic plants as compared with that of the wild type, and that a number of peaks attributable to the degradation products of TNT, including 4-amino-2,6-dinitrotoluene, were detected in the extract from the transgenic plants. This indi­cates that the expression of bacterial NTR improved the capability of plants to degrade TNT.
Genetic Modification of Wetland Grasses for Phytoremediation
Authors: Czakó Mihály , Feng Xianzhong , He Yuke , Liang Dali , Márton László
Published: February 2015

Wetland grasses and grass-like monocots are very important natural remediators of pollutants. Their genetic improvement is an important task because introduction of key transgenes can dramatically improve their remediation potential. Tissue culture is prerequisite for genetic manipulation, and methods are reported here for in vitro culture and micropropagation of a number of wetland plants of various ecological requirements such as salt marsh, brackish water, riverbanks, and various zones of lakes and ponds, and bogs. The monocots represent numerous genera in various families such as Poaceae, Cyperaceae, Juncaceae, and Typhaceae. The reported species are in various stages of micropropagation and Arundo donax is scaled for mass propagation for selecting elite lines for pytoremediation. Transfer of key genes for mercury phytoremediation into the salt marsh cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora) is also reported here. All but one transgenic lines contained both the organomercurial lyase (merB) and mercuric reductase (merA) sequences showing that co-introduction into Spartina of two genes from separate Agrobacterium strains is possible.
Differential Induction of Glutathione Transferases and Glucosyltransferases in Wheat, Maize and Arabidopsis thaliana by Herbicide Safeners
Authors: Edwards Robert , Buono Daniele Del , Fordham Michael , Skipsey Mark , Brazier Melissa , Dixon David P. , Cummins Ian
Published: February 2015

By learning lessons from weed science we have adopted three approaches to make plants more effective in phytoremediation:

1. The application of functional genomics to identify key components involved in the detoxification of, or tolerance to, xenobiotics for use in subsequent genetic engineering/breeding programmes.

2. The rational metabolic engineering of plants through the use of forced evolution of protective enzymes, or alternatively transgenesis of detoxification pathways.

3. The use of chemical treatments which protect plants from herbicide injury. In this paper we examine the regulation of the xenome by herbicide safeners, which are chemicals widely used in crop protection due to their ability to enhance herbicide selectivity in cereals. We demonstrate that these chemicals act to enhance two major groups of phase 2 detoxification enzymes, notably the glutathione transferases and glucosyltransferases, in both cereals and the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana, with the safeners acting in a chemical- and species-specific manner. Our results demonstrate that by choosing the right combination of safener and plant it should be possible to enhance the tolerance of diverse plants to a wide range of xenobiotics including pollutants.
Biodegrader Metabolic Expansion during Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons Rhizoremediation
Authors: Rugha Clayton L. , Susilawati Endang , Kravchenko Alexandra N. , Thomas John C.
Published: February 2015

Root-microbe interactions are considered to be the primary process of polyaromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) phytoremediation, since bacterial degradation has been shown to be the dominant pathway for environmental PAH dissipation. However, the precise mechanisms driving PAH rhizostimulation symbiosis remain largely unresolved. In this study, we assessed PAH degrading bacterial abundance in contaminated soils planted with 18 different native Michigan plant species. Phenanthrene metabolism assays suggested that each plant species differentially influenced the relative abundance of PAH biodegraders, though they generally were observed to increase heterotrophic and biodegradative cell numbers relative to unplanted soils. Further study of > 1800 phenanthrene degrading isolates indicated that most of the tested plant species stimulated biodegradation of a broader range of PAH compounds relative to the unplanted soil bacterial consortia. These observations suggest that a principal contribution of planted systems for PAH bioremediation may be via expanded metabolic range of the rhizosphere bacterial community.
The Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Status of Poplar Clones Selected for Phytoremediation of Soils Contaminated with Heavy Metals
Authors: Takács Tünde , Radimszky László , Németh Tamás
Published: February 2015

The aim of this work was to study the colonization of indigenous arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) species in fine-roots of poplar clones. Roots of 7 poplar clones were sampled from a 1-year-old trial established at an industrial site strongly polluted with heavy metals at Balatonfűzfő , Hungary. The poplar clones have shown variable degrees of colonization by AMF, suggesting differential host susceptibility or mycorrhizal dependency. After outplanting the percentage of poplar survival was strongly correlated with the frequency of AMF infection. Two clones that survived at the lowest ratio after outplanting had not been colonized by AMF in contrast to those which survived to a much higher extent.
Chemical Composition of Hips Essential Oils of Some Rosa L. Species December 13, 2004
Authors: Nowak Renata
Published: February 2015

The chemical composition of the hips essential oils of 9 taxa of Rosa L. was analyzed and compared using the standardized analytical GC and GC/MS methods. The volatile hips oil compositions for these species are presented. All oil samples were dominated by following components: vitispiran (isomer), α-E-acaridial, dodecanoic acid, hexadecanoic acid, docosane (C22), β-ionone, 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one, 2-heptanone, heptanal, myristic acid and linolic acid. Statistical analyses of 97 GC peaks of these oils were used to distinguish compositional patterns. There appeared to be correlation between the essential oil patterns and the classification within Rosa L. Cluster analysis of the composition of main components clearly showed two groups, one constituted by R. rugosa Thunb. from the Cinnamomea section, and the other constituted by the remaining taxa from the Caninae section.
Flavonol Glycosides from Distilled Petals of Rosa damascena Mill
Authors: Schieber Andreas , Mihalev Kiril , Berardini Nicolai , Mollov Plamen , Carle Reinhold
Published: February 2015

Flavonol glycosides were extracted from petals of Rosa damascena Mill. after industrial distillation for essential oil recovery and characterized by high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. Among the 22 major compounds analyzed, only kaempferol and quercetin glycosides were detected. To the best of our knowledge, the presence of quercetin 3-O-galactoside and quercetin 3-O-xyloside has so far not been reported within the genus Rosa. In addition, based on their fragmentation patterns, several acylated quercetin and kaempferol glycosides, some of them being disaccharides, were identified for the first time. The kaempferol glycosides, along with the kaempferol aglycone, accounted for 80% of the total compounds that were quantified, with kaempferol 3-O-glucoside being the predominant component. The high flavonol content of approximately 16 g/kg on a dry weight basis revealed that distilled rose petals represent a promising source of phenolic compounds which might be used as functional food ingredients, as natural antioxidants or as color enhancers.
The Possible Role of Hydroxylation in the Detoxification of Atrazine in Mature Vetiver (Chrysopogon zizanioides Nash) Grown in Hydroponics
Authors: Marcacci Sylvie , Raveton Muriel , Ravanel Patrick , Schwitzguébel Jean-Paul
Published: February 2015

The resistance mechanism of vetiver (Chrysopogon zizanioides) to atrazine was investigated to evaluate its potential for phytoremediation of environment contaminated with the herbicide. Plants known to metabolise atrazine rely on hydroxylation mediated by benzoxazinones, conjugation catalyzed by glutathione-S-transferases and dealkylation probably mediated by cytochromes P450. All three possibilities were explored in mature vetiver grown in hydroponics during this research project. Here we report on the chemical role of benzoxazinones in the transformation of atrazine.

Fresh vetiver roots and leaves were cut to extract and study their content in benzoxazinones known to hydroxylate atrazine, such as 2,4-dihydroxy-2H-1,4-benzoxazin-3(4H)- one (DIBOA), 2,4-dihydroxy-7-methoxy-2H-1,4-benzoxazin-3(4H)-one (DIMBOA) and their mono- and di-glucosylated forms. Identification of benzoxazinones was performed by thin layer chromatography (TLC) and comparison of retention factors (Rf) and UV spectra with standards: although some products exhibited the same Rf as standards, UV spectra were different. Furthermore, in vitro hydroxylation of atrazine could not be detected in the presence of vetiver extracts. Finally, vetiver organs exposed to [14C]-atrazine did not produce any significant amount of hydroxylated products, such as hydroxyatrazine (HATR), hydroxydeethylatrazine (HDEA), and hydroxy-deisopropylatrazine (HDIA). Altogether, these metabolic features suggest that hydroxylation was not a major metabolic pathway of atrazine in vetiver.
Inhibition of TNF-α Promoter Activity and Synthesis by A11-99-1, a New Cyclopentenone from the Ascomycete Mollisia melaleuca
Authors: Rether Jan , Erkel Gerhard , Sterner Olov , Anke Timm
Published: February 2015

In a search for inhibitors of the inducible tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) promoter activity and synthesis, a new chlorinated cyclopentenone was isolated from fermentations of the ascomycete Mollisia melaleuca. The structure was determined by a combination of spectroscopic techniques. The compound blocked the inducible human TNF-α promoter activity and synthesis with IC50-values of 2.5-5 μg/ml (8.1-16.1 μм). Studies on the mode of action of the compound revealed that the inhibition of TNF-α promoter activity is caused by an inhibition of the phosphorylation of the IϰB protein which prevents the activation of the transcription factor NF-ϰB. No cytotoxic, antibacterial and antifungal activities could be observed up to 100 μg/ml (323 μм) of the compound.
Assessment of Genetic Diversity among 16 Promising Cultivars of Ginger Using Cytological and Molecular Markers
Authors: Nayak Sanghamitra , Naik Pradeep K. , Acharya Laxmikanta , Mukherjee Arup K. , Panda Pratap C. , Das Premananda
Published: February 2015

Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) is an economically important plant, valued all over the world. The existing variation among 16 promising cultivars as observed through differential rhizome yield (181.9 to 477.3 g) was proved to have a genetic basis using different genetic markers such as karyotype, 4C nuclear DNA content and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD). The karyotypic analysis revealed a differential distribution of A, B, C, D and E type of chromosomes among different cultivars as represented by different karyotype formulas. A significant variation of 4C DNA content was recorded in ginger at an intraspecific level with values ranging from 17.1 to 24.3 pg. RAPD analysis revealed a differential polymorphism of DNA showing a number of polymorphic bands ranging from 26 to 70 among 16 cultivars. The RAPD primers OPC02, OPA02, OPD20 and OPN06 showing strong resolving power were able to distinguish all 16 cultivars. The extent of genetic diversity among these cultivars was computed through parameters of gene diversity, sum of allele numbers per locus and Shannon’s information indices. Cluster analysis, Nei’s genetic similarity and genetic distances, distribution of cultivars into special distance classes and principal coordinate analysis and the analysis of molecular variance suggested a conspicuous genetic diversity among different cultivars studied. The genetic variation thus detected among promising cultivars of ginger has significance for ginger improvement programs.
Non-homologous DNA End Joining Repair in Normal and Leukemic Cells Depends on the Substrate Ends
Authors: Pastwa Elzbieta , Poplawski Tomasz , Czechowska Agnieszka , Malinowski Mariusz , Blasiak Janusz
Published: February 2015

Double-strand breaks (DSBs) are the most serious DNA damage which, if unrepaired or misrepaired, may lead to cell death, genomic instability or cancer transformation. In human cells they can be repaired mainly by non-homologous DNA end joining (NHEJ). The efficacy of NHEJ pathway was examined in normal human lymphocytes and K562 myeloid leukemic cells expressing the BCR/ABL oncogenic tyrosine kinase activity and lacking p53 tumor suppressor protein. In our studies we employed a simple and rapid in vitro DSB end joining assay based on fluorescent detection of repair products. Normal and cancer cells were able to repair DNA damage caused by restriction endonucleases, but the efficiency of the end joining was dependent on the type of cells and the structure of DNA ends. K562 cells displayed decreased NHEJ activity in comparison to normal cells for 5′ complementary DNA overhang. For blunt-ended DNA there was no significant difference in end joining activity. Both kinds of cells were found about 10-fold more efficient for joining DNA substrates with compatible 5′ overhangs than those with blunt ends. Our recent findings have shown that stimulation of DNA repair could be involved in the drug resistance of BCR/ABL-positive cells in anticancer therapy. For the first time the role of STI571 was investigated, a specific inhibitor of BCR/ABL oncogenic protein approved for leukemia treatment in the NHEJ pathway. Surprisingly, STI571 did not change the response of BCR/ABL-positive K562 cells in terms of NHEJ for both complementary and blunt ends. Our results suggest that the various responses of the cells to DNA damage via NHEJ can be correlated with the differences in the genetic constitution of human normal and cancer cells. However, the role of NHEJ in anticancer drug resistance in BCR/ABL-positive cells is questionable.
Linum mucronatum: Organ to Organ Lignan Variations
Authors: Mohagheghzadeh Abdolali , Gholami Azra , Soltani Mohammad , Hemmati Shiva , Alfermann Wilhelm
Published: February 2015

The percentage of podophyllotoxin (PTOX) and its congener lignans were measured by HPLC in Linum mucronatum ssp. mucronatum (Linaceae) fresh plant organs. The highest amounts of PTOX (0.595 ± 0.060% g/g dry wt) and 6-methoxypodophyllotoxin (MPTOX) (1.491 ± 0.125% g/g dry wt) were found in the plant sexual organs. Whereas, the highest levels of β-peltatin, 5′-demethoxy-MPTOX and yatein were found in not developed buds, petals and sepals, respectively.
Atrovirisidone B, a New Prenylated Depsidone with Cytotoxic Property from the Roots of Garcinia atroviridis
Authors: Permana Dharma , Abas Faridah , Maulidiani Faridah , Shaari Khozirah , Stanslas Johnson , Ali Abdul Manaf , Lajis Nordin Hj.
Published: February 2015

A new prenylated depsidone, atrovirisidone B (2), together with naringenin (3) and 3,8″-binaringenin (4) were isolated from the roots of Garcinia atroviridis. Their structures were determined on the basis of spectral data interpretation. Compound 2 showed cytotoxic activity against human breast (MCF-7), human prostate (DU-145) and human lung (H-460) cancer cells.
Antibacterial and Antioxidant Activity and Essential Oil Composition of Grammosciadium scabridum Boiss. from Iran
Authors: Sonboli Ali , Salehi Peyman , Kanani Mohammad Reza , Ebrahimi Samad Nejad
Published: February 2015

The in vitro antibacterial and antioxidant activity of the essential oil and its two main components of Grammosciadium scabridum Boiss. (Apiaceae) growing wild in Iran, as well as the composition of its essential oil were studied. A total of 19 compounds representing 99.9% of the oil has been identified. γ-Terpinene (73.5%), p-cymene (14.2%) and (E)-β-farnesene (5.3%) were characterized as the main components. The oil showed remarkable activity against three Gram-negative and four Gram-positive test bacteria, with minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values ranging from 0.31 to 10.00 mg/ml. The oil and its two main components were also subjected to screening for their possible antioxidant activity by using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay. The free radical scavenging capacity of the oil was determined with an IC50 value of 6.6 mg/ml.
Antioxidative Activity of New N-Oxides of Tertiary Amines: Membrane Model and Chromogen Studies
Authors: Kleszczyńska Halina , Bonarska Dorota , Pruchnik Hanna , Bielecki Krzysztof , Piasecki Andrzej , Łuczyński Jacek , Sarapuk Janusz
Published: February 2015

Potential antioxidative activities of three series of newly synthesized N-oxides were studied. Individual components in each of the series differed in the lipophilicities and number of free radical scavenging groups. Various methods were used to determine their antioxidative efficiencies: Prevention of erythrocyte membrane lipid oxidation induced by UV irradiation and chromogen experiments in which antioxidative efficiencies of compounds were compared to that of the standard antioxidant Trolox (a water-soluble vitamin E analogue). Additionally, some hemolytic (pig erythrocytes) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurements were performed to determine a mechanism of the interaction between membranes and N-oxides.

It was found that N-oxides, especially those of long alkyl chains (> C12H25), readily interacted with both, erythrocyte and liposomal membranes. No marked differences were found in their protection of erythrocytes against oxidation. In most cases inhibition of oxidation changed between 15% and 25%. Still, it was far better than in chromogen experiments where suppression of free radicals reached 20% in the best case. It may be concluded that antioxidative capabilities of N-oxides are moderate.

Studies on the interaction mechanism showed that incorporation of particular compounds into model membranes varied. Hemolysing activities of compounds increased with the elongation of the alkyl chain but differed for corresponding compounds of particular series indicating that lipophilicity of compounds is not the only factor determing their interaction with erythrocyte membranes.

DSC experiments showed that N-oxides, upon incorporation into 1,2-dipalmitoyl-3-snphosphatidylcholine liposomes, shifted the subtransition (Tp) and the main transition (Tm). The shifts observed depended on the alkyl chain length. The effects differed for each series. It seems that in the case of long alkyl chain compounds the domain formation may take place. Generally, the decrease of Tm was greatest for the same compounds that exhibited the best hemolytic efficacy. The same conclusion concerns the decrease of cooperativity of the main transition and the observed changes suggest an increase in membrane fluidity. Both, erythrocyte and DSC experiments seem to indicate that compounds of particular series incorporate in a somewhat different way into membranes.
Naphthalene Degradation and Biosurfactant Activity by Bacillus cereus 28BN
Authors: Tuleva Borjana , Christova Nelly , Jordanov Bojidar , Nikolova-Damyanova Boryana , Petrov Petar
Published: February 2015

Biosurfactant activity and naphthalene degradation by a new strain identified as Bacillus cereus 28BN were studied. The strain grew well and produced effective biosurfactants in the presence of n-alkanes, naphthalene, crude oil and vegetable oils. The biosurfactants were detected by the surface tension lowering of the medium, thin layer chromatography and infrared spectra analysis. With (2%) naphthalene as the sole carbon source, high levels of rhamnolipids at a concentration of 2.3 g l-1 were determined in the stationary growth. After 20 d of incubation 72 ± 4% of the initial naphthalene was degraded. This is the first report for a Bacillus cereus rhamnolipid producing strain that utilized naphthalene under aerobic conditions. The strain looks promising for application in environmental technologies.
Selective Deacetylation of Zaluzanin D Using Transformed Escherichia coli Cultures
Authors: Ganesh Munuswamy Ramanujam , Arunachalam Jothi , Krithika Anand , Rajan Sundarajan Sundar
Published: February 2015

The use of conventional and unconventional reaction methodology for the hydrolysis of the acetate group in zaluzanin D (1) resulted in hydration of the 11,13 exocyclic bond along with deacetylation. But the microorganism E. coli selectively cleaved the acetate group to yield zaluzanin C (4).
Molecular Characterization of Five Medicinally Important Species of Typhonium (Araceae) through Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD)
Authors: Acharya Laxmikanta , Mukherjee Arup Kumar , Panda Pratap Chandra , Das Premananda
Published: February 2015

The interrelationship of five medicinally important species of Typhonium (Araceae) including T. venosum, which was previously placed under the genus Sauromatum, was inferred by analysis of random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD). DNA from pooled leaf samples was isolated and RAPD analysis was performed using 20 decamer oligonucleotide primers. Out of a total of 245 bands amplified, 12 were found to be monomorphic while 233 bands were polymorphic including 86 species-specific bands. The genetic similarities were analyzed from the dendrogram constructed by the pooled RAPD data using a similarity index. The dendrogram showed two distinct clades, one containing T. roxburghii, T. trilobatum and T. venosum and the other containing the remainder two species, i.e. T. diversifolium and T. flagelliforme. Both the clusters shared a common node approx. at 23.7% level of similarity. The maximum similarity of 31.2% was observed between T. venosum and T. trilobatum. In view of its close genetic similarity with other members of Typhonium, transfer of Sauromatum venosum to the genus Typhonium and merger of the two genera was supported.
Selection and Characterization of ʟ-Ethionine Resistant Mutants of Trichosporon cutaneum
Authors: Georgieva Nelly , Alexieva Zlatka
Published: February 2015

Trichosporon cutaneum R57 and its ʟ-ethionine resistant mutant NZ94 strain were investigated. The amino acid analyses of cell content of both strains were carried out. The pool of free methionine in the mutant strain is enhanced 16.5 times. The total amount of sulphurcontaining amino acids in the mutant cells was significantly increased from 36.8 in the wild strain to 113.4 mg/g protein in the mutant strain. In the process of mutant strain cultivation there was found a high excretion of free methionine (259 μg/ml) in the medium. It was shown that the amino acid content of both wild and mutant strains would be helpful for formulating of new improved animal nutritional diets.
Synthesis and Evaluation of Demethoxyviridin Derivatives as Potential Antimicrobials
Authors: Kiran Ismail , Ilhan Semra , Akar Tamer , Tur Lacine , Erol Erdinc
Published: February 2015

The in vitro antibacterial and antifungal activities of demethoxyviridin and some synthetic analogues were evaluated by the agar diffusion method. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of the active compounds were also determined by the agar dilution method. Demethoxyviridin (1) showed moderate antibacterial activity against most of the strains tested. 1α-Hydroxydemethoxyviridin (3) showed antibacterial activity and the most potent in vitro antifungal activity with MIC of 20 μg/ml (0.062 mm) against Aspergillus niger, A. fumigatus, A. flavus, A. parasiticus, Fusarium solani, F. graminarum, Geotrichum candidum whereas 5′-methylfuro-(4′,3′,2′-4,5,6)androst-5-ene-3,17-dione (7) exhibited very weak antifungal activity against Candida albicans only.
Ovipositional Deterrent on Mature Stage of Sweet Pepper, Capsicum annuum, against Liriomyza trifolii (Burgess)
Authors: Kashiwagi Takehiro , Mikagi Eriko , Mekuria Daniel Bisrat , Boru Aman Dekebo , Tebayashi Shin-ich , Kim Chul-Sa
Published: February 2015

Liriomyza trifolii (Burgess), the American serpentine leafminer fly, is a well-known serious pest in the world. This insect species attacks plants of more than 21 families including Solanaceae plants. A sweet pepper, Capsicum annuum (Solanaceae), on mature stage, however, shows resistance to this leafminer fly. This resistance is based on the ovipositional deterrent in the sweet pepper leaf against the fly species. Based on the bioassay guided fractionation, phytol [(2E)-3,7,11,15-tetramethyl-2-hexadecen-1-ol] was isolated and identified as an ovipositional deterrent against this insect species. The yield of this compound was 815 μg/g fresh leaf of C. annuum. This compound completely deterred the females from laying their eggs on host plant leaves treated at 35.2 μg/cm2.