Further research on chemotaxonomy of paeonol and analogs in Paeonia (Ranunculaceae)

In this paper, the paeonol, paeoniflorin and their analogs were analyzed in the roots of 14 species and 2 subspecies of Paeonia L. The existence and content of these compounds were discussed in three sections, sect. Moutan, sect. Paeonia and sect. Onaepia. In sect. Moutan, paeonol and its analogs were high in content in all species. In sect. Paeonia, low content of paeonol and its analogs were found in plants of four taxa, P. lactiflora, P. anomala ssp. veitchii, P. mairei and P. intermedia. None of these compounds was found in sect. Onaepia. Paeonol has a simple structure and is distributed widely in plant; its decrease and loss may be the result of evolution. Therefore, it is deduced that the relationship among the three sections of Paeonia might be that woody sect. Moutan is the more primitive and derived from the ancestor of Paeonia first. For the herbaceous sections, sect. Paeonia is more closely related to sect. Moutan than to sect. Onaepia. In sect. Moutan, there are less paeonol and its analogs in the species of subsect. Vaginata than in those of subsect. Delavayanae. Thus, the former may be considered more advanced. In sect. Paeonia, the taxa with minor content of paeonol and its analogs are diploid except P. mairei. Among them, P. lactiflora and P. anomala ssp. veitchii are relatively primitive by morphology. None of paeonol and its analogs was detected in the species with specialized form.     

RP-HPLC detection of a sulphiting-induced artefact from paeoniflorin in dried roots of Paeonia lactiflora

Paeoniflorin is one of the bioactive ingredients of the roots of Paeonia lactiflora (Paeoniaceae). A comparative study of processed and non-processed commercial samples of dried roots of P. lactiflora indicated a very low level of paeoniflorin in the processed sample and the formation of a new more polar component, sodium paeoniflorin sulphonate, during treatment of the roots with sulphiting agents.     

Structures of withanosides I, II, III, IV, V, VI, and VII, new withanolide glycosides, from the roots of Indian Withania somnifera DUNAL. and inhibitory activity for tachyphylaxis to clonidine in isolated guinea-pig ileum.

Seven new withanolide glycosides called withanosides I, II, III, IV, V, VI, and VII were isolated from an Indian natural medicine, Ashwagandha, the roots of Indian Withania somnifera DUNAL. (Solanaceae), together with four known compounds, withaferin A, 5 alpha,20 alpha(F)(R)-dihydroxy-6 alpha,7 alpha-epoxy-1-oxowitha-2,24-dienolide, physagulin D, and coagulin Q. The structures of withanosides I, II, III, IV, V, VI, and VII were determined based on chemical and physicochemical evidence. Principal constituents, withanoside VI (10 and 30 microM) and withaferin A (10 microM), attenuated the tachyphylaxis to clonidine on electrically stimulated guinea-pig ileum in vitro.     

Mutagenicity of the anticancer drug, caracemide, and related compounds for salmonella

Caracemide, MeCON(CONHMe)(OCONHMe) (I), is a novel anticancer drug. Since it was derived from acetohydroxamic acid (II), a known mutagen, its potential metabolites and related compounds were synthesized and tested for mutagenicities in S. typhimurium TA98 and TA100. These compounds were: MeNHCONH(OCONHMe) (III), MeCONH(OCONHMe) (IV), MeCONOH(CONHMe) (V), MeNHCOONH2 X HCl (VI), MeNHCONHOH (VII), MeNHCOON(CONHMe)2 (VIII), and NOH(CONHMe)2 (IX). The mutagenicities in the absence of rat liver homogenate were: (VI) much greater than (IV) greater than (II), (III), (V). The other compounds were not mutagenic. (I) was mutagenic only in the presence of rat liver homogenate. The doses required to demonstrate mutagenicities of these compounds were from 0.05 to 5 mumoles/plate. The major hydrolytic products at 25 degrees C, pH 7, were (III), (IV), and (V) from (I); (II) and (III) from (IV); and (II), (III), (VII) and MeNHCONH(OCOMe) (X) from (V). (III) was stable at pH 7. Treatment of (IV) with HCl yielded (VI). Hydrolysis of (III) or (V) with ammonia yielded (VII). These results suggest that caracemide may be activated enzymatically or nonenzymatically by deacetylation or decarbamoylation, and its anticancer activity may be related to the reactivity of its metabolites with DNA. The synthetic procedures and characterizations of new compounds (IV), (V) and (X) are described.     

Cytochrome c oxidase from bakers' yeast. IV. Immunological evidence for the participation of a mitochondrially synthesized subunit in enzymatic activity.

In order to study the role of the individual subunits of yeast cytochrome c oxidase, rabbit antisera were prepared against Subunit II (a mitochondrially made polypeptide) and Subunit VI (a cytoplasmically made polypeptide). Antisera were also obtained against a mixture of the two mitochondrially made subunits (I PLUS II) and against mixtures of the following cytoplasmically made subunits: (IV PLUS VI); (V PLUS VII); and (IV PLUS V PLUS VI PLUS VII). Neither anti-II serum nor anti-VI serum cross-reacted with any of the other six subunits of cytochrome c oxidase as judged by a sensitive ring test or by double diffusion in agarose gels. Anti-II serum inhibited the oxidation of ferrocytochrome c by purified yeast cytochrome c oxidase or by freshly isolated as well as sonically fragmented yeast mitochondria. Anti-(V, VII) serum and anti-(IV, V, VI, VII) serum were also strongly inhibitory. Anti-VI serum and anti-(IV, VI) serum inhibited only weakly. If purified cytochrome c oxidase was inhibited with a saturating amount of anti-VI serum, anti-II serum elicited a further increment of inhibition, as would be expected if the inhibitory effects of these two antisera involved different antigenic sites on the holoenzyme. Each of the antisera precipitated all seven cytochrome c oxidase subunits from crude mitochondrial extracts. However, anti-VI and, particularly, anti-II were much less effective precipitants than antisera against Subunits IV to VII or antisera against the holoenzyme. These data suggest that the oxidation of ferrocytochrome c by cytochrome c oxidase required both mitochondrially as well as cytoplasmically made subunits.     

Grouping of Micromonospora based on their cultural-morphologic features, antibiotic-sensitivity and formation of antibiotics

500 Micromonospora cultures were subdivided into nine groups on the basis of their cultural-morphological properties, the ability to produce antibiotics of certain chemical classes, and the sensitivity to 18 different antibiotics: aurantiaca (I), cinnamomea (II), cinnamomea-vinacea (III), cinnamomea-olivacea (IV), nigra (V), nigra-violacea (VI), lilacinescens (VII), coerulea (VIII) and brunnea (IX). Cultures belonging to groups I, II, III, V and VI are moderately sensitive to most of the antibiotics and often occur in natural substrates. Black Micromonospora cultures (groups V and VI) mostly produce aminoglycoside antibiotics while brown cultures (groups II and III) form macrolide antibiotics. Cultures belonging to groups IV, VII, VIII and IX have a higher sensitivity to most of the antibiotics and are rarely isolated from natural substrates. These cultures have a weak ability to produce antibiotics.     

白芍中丹皮酚、芍药苷和苯甲酸的反相薄层色谱分析

建立了对白芍中丹皮酚、芍药苷和苯甲酸同时进行反相薄层色谱分析的新方法。以RP－C18F254S高效反相薄层板,选择了合适的溶剂体系：四氢呋喃／水46／54（0.1%的四丁基溴化铵）,展距仅4.5cm,薄层扫描分析三者。结果准确,重现性好。     

Molecular genetic relationships of the salmonellae.

A multilocus enzyme electrophoresis analysis of 96 strains of the salmonellae distinguished 80 electrophoretic types (ETs) and placed them in eight groups, seven of which correspond precisely to the seven taxonomic groups (I, II, IIIa, IIIb, IV, V, and VI) previously defined on the basis of biotype and genomic DNA hybridization. In addition, multilocus enzyme electrophoresis identified an eighth distinctive group (designated VII) composed of five strains that had been assigned to group IV on the basis of biotype. An analysis of variation in the combined nucleotide sequences of five housekeeping genes among 16 strains representing all eight groups yielded estimates of overall genetic relationships that are fully consistent with those indicated by DNA hybridization. However, the nucleotide sequences of seven invasion genes (inv/spa) in the strains of group VII were closely similar to those of strains of group IV. These findings are interpreted as evidence that group VII represents an old, differentiated lineage to which one or more large parts of the chromosomal genome of the group IV lineage, including the 40-kb segment on which the invasion genes are located, have been horizontally transferred. All lines of molecular genetic evidence indicate that group V is very strongly differentiated from all other groups, thus supporting its current taxonomic treatment as a species, Salmonella bongori, separate from S. enterica. The Salmonella Reference Collection C, composed of the 16 strains used in DNA sequence studies, has been established for research on variation in natural populations.     

Immunological studies on cytochrome c oxidase: arrangements of protein subunits in the solubilized and membrane-bound enzyme.

Seven protein subunits of cytochrome c oxidase from bovine heart were isolated by gel filtration in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulphate (subunits I, II and III) and guanidine hydrochloride (subunits V, VI and VII), and ion-exchange chromatography in 6 M urea (subunit IV) after the enzyme had been dissociated in 6 M guanidine hydrochloride. When analysed by highly cross-linked sodium dodecyl sulphate/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of urea, the apparent molecular weights were = I, 36700; II, 24300; III, 20400; IV, 17300; V, 12300; VI, 8700: and VII, 5100. Monospecific rabbit antisera were obtained against subunits I, IV, V, VI and VII and a mixture of subunits II and III. These subunit-specific antisera with the exception of anti-I serum all cross-reacted with the detergent-solubilized native oxidase. Enzymatic studies on purified oxidase indicated that immunoglobulins against subunits II + III, IV, V, VI and VII respectively caused 25, 65, 20, 30 and 25% inhibition while anti-I immunoglobulin did not inhibit the activity. The subunit-specific antisera were used to examine the arrangements of the subunits in the membrane. Enzymatic studies using bovine heart mitochondria and rat liver mitochondrial digitonin particles showed that anti-(II + III) serum, anti-V serum and anti-VII serum all inhibited the oxidase activity while the other antisera did not. On the other hand, results of using 125I-labelled immunoglobulins showed that anti-IV, anti-V and anti-VII sera were bound to the surface of inverted vesicles (matrix side) while all other antisera were not. These results indicate that cytochrome oxidase subunits II and III are situated on the outer surface, and subunit IV is exclusively on the matrix surface while subunits V and VII are exposed on both surfaces of the mitochondrial membrane. Subunits I and VI are buried within the membrane, not exposed on either side.     

Nuclear genes for cytochrome c oxidase subunits of Neurospora crassa. Isolation and characterization of cDNA clones for subunits IV, V, VI, and possibly VII

We obtained cDNA clones for cytochrome oxidase subunits IV, V, VI, and possibly VII by constructing a lambda gt11 library of Neurospora crassa cDNA and probing it with antiserum directed against Neurospora cytochrome oxidase holoenzyme. Positive clones were further characterized with antisera directed against individual cytochrome oxidase subunits and subsequently by DNA sequencing. The clones for subunits IV and V encode proteins with regions matching the known N-terminal amino acid sequences of purified Neurospora cytochrome oxidase subunits IV and V, respectively. The sequences of these clones provide the first evidence that cytochrome oxidase subunits IV and V are made as precursors with N-terminal extensions in Neurospora. The N-terminal extensions encoded by these clones share homology, and are rich in arginine, as are signal sequences of other mitochondrially destined proteins. The subunit VI clone codes for the carboxyl terminus of a protein homologous to the carboxy termini of yeast cytochrome oxidase subunit VI and bovine cytochrome oxidase subunit Va. The subunit VII clone contains an open reading frame for a 47-residue protein, the expected size for subunit VII. However, the protein coded by this clone has an unusual amino acid composition. Whether this clone represents an authentic cytochrome oxidase subunit is not established.     

Structural variation in the Waxy gene and differentiation in foxtail millet [Setaria italica (L.) P. Beauv.]: implications for multiple origins of the waxy phenotype

The origin and evolution of the waxy type of foxtail millet [Setaria italica (L.) P. Beauv] were studied by analyzing structural variation in the Waxy gene. Initially, the Waxy gene was amplified by RT-PCR, RACE and genomic PCR from a non-waxy strain to determine the structure of the wild-type gene. Secondly, we screened by PCR for polymorphisms at the Waxy locus in 79 strains with various waxy phenotypes. We then carried out genomic Southern analysis on 67 strains and identified seven RFLP classes which were designated as types I-VII. RFLP type was correlated with phenotype, such that types I and II corresponded to non-waxy, types III and VI to low-amylose, and types IV, V and VII to waxy phenotypes. The differences between RFLP types could be attributed to insertions in the Waxy gene. Types II and VI were caused by the insertion of a Tourist element into intron 1 and a SINE-like sequence into intron 12, respectively. Types III, IV, V and VII were characterized by the insertion of large sequences into the Waxy gene that may alter the expression of the gene. Thus, multiple, independent insertions in the Waxy gene appear to have caused the loss-of-function waxy phenotypes. Furthermore, the geographical distributions of the three RFLP types associated with the waxy phenotype (types IV, V and VII) were distinct, with type IV being found mainly in Taiwan and Japan, type V in Korea, and type VII in Myanmar. These results indicate a polyphyletic origin for the waxy phenotype in landraces of foxtail millet.     

The taxonomy and morphological and anatomical differentiation of populations ofLeiothrix crassifolia (Eriocaulaceae)

The morphological and anatomical leaf and scape differentiation ofLeiothrix crassifolia is analysed and classified into seven types (I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII). The species has a relatively wide distribution in the campo rupestre of Minas Gerais in Brazil. Variation in the isolated populations on different mountain ranges is complex, does not follow a clear geographical pattern, and defies taxonomic classification.L. nubigena andL. obtusifolia are included inL. crassifolia.     

Interactions among the three adenovirus core proteins.

Interactions among the three adenovirus core polypeptides V, VII, and mu were examined, using the reversible chemical cross-linker dithiobis(succinimidyl propionate) and two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Cross-linked species obtained from gradient-purified adenovirus type 2 cores were well represented among the cross-linked products of pentonless virions and crude core preparations. The more efficiently formed cross-linked core species were also identified with the arginine-specific cross-linker, p-azidophenyl glyoxal. In addition to dimers of polypeptides V and VII, efficient cross-linking of V to VII, V to mu, and VII to V to mu was detected in adenovirus cores. Notably absent were cross-linked species corresponding to higher multimers of polypeptide VII. A major core-capsid interaction appeared to be via the association of polypeptide V with a dimer of polypeptide VI.     

Paeonicluside,a new salicylic glycoside from the Greek endemic species Paeonia clusii

A new glycoside of salicylic aldehyde, paeonicluside, was isolated from the roots of the Greek endemic species Paeonia clusii subsp. clusii and identified as alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl-(1-->6)-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside of salicylic aldehyde (1). In addition, one characteristic monoterpene and two monoterpene glycosides were identified as paeoniflorigenone, paeoniflorin and benzoyl paeoniflorin, respectively. The structure of 1 was elucidated on the basis of its spectroscopic data and chemical correlation. It is the first time that a derivative of salicylic aldehyde is isolated from the well-studied Paeonia genus.     

不同植被恢复模式下中亚热带黄壤坡地土壤微量元素效应

以武陵山区女儿寨小流域为例,研究了中亚热带黄壤坡地7种典型植被恢复模式下土壤微量元素有效性及其与土壤有机质、pH值之间的关系.结果表明： 0～20 cm土层荒草灌丛的B、Mn含量、油桐人工林Mo、Cu含量、杜仲人工林Zn含量和毛竹 杉木混交林Fe含量最高;20～40 cm土层润楠次生林B、Fe、Mn含量、荒草灌丛模式Mo含量、油桐人工林Zn含量和杜仲人工林Cu含量最高;毛竹 杉木混交林B、Mo、Cu、Mn含量在各层土壤均最低.各元素有效性指数以Mn最高,Cu最低,排序为Mn>Zn>Fe>Mo>B>Cu;土壤微量元素有效性综合指数以荒草灌丛模式最高(12.28),毛竹 杉木混交林最低(2.95),排序为Ⅶ>Ⅴ>Ⅲ>Ⅳ＞Ⅰ＞Ⅱ＞Ⅵ.土壤有机质含量与B、Zn有效态含量之间线性关系显著,二次多项式亦可较好地描述有机质与有效态Mn之间的关系,而有机质与Mo、Fe、Cu之间曲线回归关系不显著.土壤pH值与土壤Zn、Cu呈显著正相关,与Mn、Mo也有较好的相关性,而与B相关性较低,与Fe为弱负相关.     

Structure of the cytochrome c oxidase complex: labeling by hydrophilic and hydrophobic protein modifying reagents

Beef heart cytochrome c oxidase has been reacted with [35S]diazobenzenesulfonate ([35S]DABS), [35S]-N-(4-azido-2-nitrophenyl)-2-aminoethylsulfonate ([35S]NAP-taurine), and two different radioactive arylazidophospholipids. The labeling of the seven different subunits of the enzyme with these protein modifying reagents has been examined. DABS, a water-soluble, lipid-insoluble reagent, reacted with subunits II, III, IV, V, and VII but labeled I or VI only poorly. The arylazidophospholipids, probes for the bilayer-intercalated portion of cytochrome c oxidase, labeled I, III, and VII heavily and II and IV lightly but did not react with V or VI. NAP-taurine labeled all of the subunits of cytochrome c oxidase. Evidence is presented that this latter reagent reacts with the enzyme from outside the bilayer, and the pattern of labeling with the different hydrophilic and hydrophobic labeling reagents is used to derive a model for the arrangement of subunits in cytochrome c oxidase.     

Constituents of flowers of Paeoniaceae plants,Paeonia suffruticosa and Paeonia lactiflora

A new monoterpene glycoside, floralalbiflorin I (1), and a new flavonol glycoside, lactifloraoside I (2), were isolated from the flowers of Paeonia suffruticosa and Paeonia lactiflora (Paeoniaceae) together with 28 known compounds. The chemical structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated on the basis of chemical and physicochemical evidence. Among the major constituents of P. suffruticosa and P. lactiflora flowers, 1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-galloyl-β-d-glucopyranoside (10) [inhibition: 42.4% at 1 μM] and flavonoids having the catechol moiety showed significant inhibitory effect on Cu²⁺-induced low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation.