Behavior of meiotic chromosomes in Pinus wallichiana, P. strobus and their hybrid and nrDNA localization in pollen mother cells of the hybrid by using FISH

The complete process of meiosis was investigated in Pinus wallichiana, P. strobus and their artificial hybrid （F1） using microsporocytes. It is revealed that there were slightly lower chiasma frequency, lower ring bivalent frequency, lower meiotic index and distinctly higher frequency of aberrance （chromosomal bridges, fragments or micronuclei） in pollen mother cells （PMCs） of the hybrid （F1） than those of the parental species, which showed a certain degree of differentiation between homologous chromosomes of the two parents. However, relatively higher frequency of ring bivalents and higher meiotic index in all the three entities indicate the great stability of genomes of parental species, and the differentiation of genomes between the two parents must have been slight. Total nineteen signal loci of 18S rDNA were observed in nine bivalents of the hybrid （F1）, among which one bivalent bears two loci, while the others have only one. It is suggested that distinct differentiation at genetic level existed in homologous chromosomes of the two parental species, whereas only slight differentiation at karyotypic and genomic levels take place between the parent species.     

中国红豆杉羟化酶基因TcCYP725A22的克隆与功能研究

基于中国红豆杉( Taxus wallichiana var. chinensis (Pilger)Florin)转录组序列,从中扩增到1个新的P450羟化酶基因 TcCYP725A22 ,并对其进行了克隆、表达及功能分析。生物信息学分析结果显示:该基因编码区长1500 bp,共编码499个氨基酸;编码蛋白无信号肽,包含1个跨膜区,具有催化活性中心结构域。进一步将该基因在酿酒酵母WAT11 中进行异源表达功能研究,蛋白质免疫印迹(Western blot)实验结果表明,目的蛋白TcCYP725A22可在WAT11中成功表达;液相色谱-质谱联用(LC-MS)分析结果显示,羟化酶TcCYP725A22对底物紫杉素表现出催化活性。依据质谱结果及反应底物紫杉素的分子结构,判断其催化产物可能为添加了2个羟基的紫杉烷新衍生物。     

中国红豆杉羟化酶基因TcCYP725A22的克隆与功能研究

基于中国红豆杉（Taxus wallichiana var.chinensis（Pilger） Florin）转录组序列,从中扩增到1个新的P450羟化酶基因TcCYP725A22,并对其进行了克隆、表达及功能分析。生物信息学分析结果显示：该基因编码区长1500 bp,共编码499个氨基酸;编码蛋白无信号肽,包含1个跨膜区,具有催化活性中心结构域。进一步将该基因在酿酒酵母WAT11中进行异源表达功能研究,蛋白质免疫印迹（Western blot）实验结果表明,目的蛋白TcCYP725A22可在WAT11中成功表达;液相色谱-质谱联用（LC-MS）分析结果显示,羟化酶TcCYP725A22对底物紫杉素表现出催化活性。依据质谱结果及反应底物紫杉素的分子结构,判断其催化产物可能为添加了2个羟基的紫杉烷新衍生物。     

In vivo antipyretic,antiemetic, in vitro membrane stabilization,antimicrobial, and cytotoxic activities of different extracts from Spilanthes paniculata leaves

Background

The study was conducted to evaluate the in vitro antimicrobial activity, cytotoxic, and membrane stabilization activities, and in vivo antiemetic and antipyretic potentials of ethanolic extract, n-hexane and ethyl acetate soluble fractions of Spilanthes paniculata leaves for the first time widely used in the traditional treatments in Bangladesh.

Results

In antipyretic activity assay, a significant reduction (P < 0.05) was observed in the temperature in the mice tested. At dose 400 mg/kg-body weight, the n-hexane soluble fraction showed the effect (36.7 ± 0.63°C ) as like as the standard (dose 150 mg/kg-body weight) after 5 h of administration. Extracts showed significant (P < 0.001) potential when tested for the antiemetic activity compared to the standard, metoclopramide. At dose 50 mg/kg-body weight, the standard showed 67.23% inhibition, whereas n-hexane and ethyl acetate soluble fractions showed 37.53% and 24.93% inhibition of emesis respectively at dose 400 mg/kg-body weight. In antimicrobial activity assay, the n-hexane soluble fraction (400 μg/disc) showed salient activity against the tested organisms. It exerts highest activity against Salmonella typhi (16.9 mm zone of inhibition); besides, crude, and ethyl acetate extracts showed resistance to Bacillus cereus and Bacillus subtilis, and Vibrio cholera respectively. All the extracts were tested for lysis of the erythrocytes. At the concentration of 1mg/ml, ethanol extract, and n-hexane and ethyl acetate soluble fractions significantly inhibited hypotonic solution induced lysis of the human red blood cell (HRBC) (27.406 ± 3.57, 46.034 ± 3.251, and 30.72 ± 5.679% respectively); where standard drug acetylsalicylic acid (concentration 0.1 mg/ml) showed 77.276 ± 0.321% inhibition. In case of heat induced HRBC hemolysis, the plant extracts also showed significant activity (34.21 ± 4.72, 21.81 ± 3.08, and 27.62 ± 8.79% inhibition respectively). In the brine shrimp lethality bioassay, the n-hexane fraction showed potent (LC₅₀ value 48.978 μg/ml) activity, whereas ethyl acetate fraction showed mild (LC₅₀ value 216.77 μg/ml) cytotoxic activity.

Conclusions

Our results showed that the n-hexane extract has better effects than the other in all trials. In the context, it can be said that the leaves of S. paniculata possess remarkable pharmacological effects, and justify its folkloric use as antimicrobial, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, and antiemetic agent. Therefore, further research may be suggested to find possible mode of action of the plant part.     

中国红豆杉内生细菌的分离鉴定及活性研究

从中国红豆杉的茎中分离得到两株内生细菌G18、F19,通过生物学特性和16S rDNA序列分析,初步鉴定这两株菌分别为假单胞菌属(Psudomonas)和寡养单胞菌属(Stenotrophomonas)细菌.活性研究表明,G18、F19发酵液均对3种病原细菌有抑制作用,分剐对棉花黄萎病菌(Verticillium dahliae)和柑橘炭疽病菌(Colletotrichum gloeosporioides)有较强的抑制作用.G18和F19分别能降解水杨酸和敌敌畏.     

The genetic toxicity of 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane, 1,2-dibromo-3- chloro-2-methylpropane,and 1,2,3-tribromo-2-methylpropane

1,2-Dibromo-3-chloro-2-methylpropane (DBCMP) and 1,2,3- tribromo-2-methylpropane (TBMP) are contaminants formed during the manufacture of bromobutyl rubber. These chemicals are structurally similar to 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane (DBCP), a known genotoxin and rodent carcinogen. The present study compared the genotoxic properties of DBCMP and TBMP to those of DBCP. In the Salmonella assay, DBCP was positive in strains TA98, TA-100 and TA-1535 in the presence of exogenous activation; DBCP was weakly active in TA-1535 in the absence of activation. Neither DBCMP nor TBMP produced reproducible evidence of mutagenic activity in the Salmonella assay despite the use of several different variations of this test. In the mouse lymphoma gene mutation assay DBCP and TBMP were positive in the presence and absence of activation, while DBCMP was positive only in the absence of activation. All three test compounds were active in the Syrian hamster embryo morphologic transformation assay. The results indicated that both DBCMP and TBMP exhibited some genotoxic activity as did DBCP. The presence of the methyl group on the 2-carbon position essentially eliminated the mutagenicity of DBCMP and TBMP in the Salmonella assay.abbreviations CHO Chinese hamster ovary cells - DBCMP 1,2-dibromo-3-chloro-2-methylpropane - DBCP 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane - DMEM Dulbecco's Eagle's minimal E medium - MNNG N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine - S-9 microsomal fraction from rodent liver - TBMP 1,2,3-tribromo-2-methylpropane - TBP 1,2,3-tribromopropane - TFT trifluorothymidine     

In vitro cytotoxic and mutagenic evaluation of thirteen commercial herbal mixtures sold in KwaZulu-Natal,South Africa

Cytotoxic and mutagenic effects of thirteen commercial herbal mixtures sold in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa were evaluated using the neutral red uptake (NRU) assay and the Ames test. The herbal mixtures tested included Umzimba omubi, Umuthi wekukhwehlela ne zilonda, Mvusa ukunzi, Umpatisa inkosi, Imbiza ephuzwato, Vusa umzimba, Ingwe® muthi mixture, Ibhubezi™, Supreme one hundred™, Sejeso herbal mixture Ingwe®, Lion izifozonke Ingwe®, Stameta™ BODicare® and Ingwe® special muti. The relative cytotoxicity of the herbal mixtures was established by determining their NI₅₀ values (50% inhibition of neutral red uptake). The test revealed that the most toxic herbal mixture was Umpatisa inkosi with an NI₅₀ value of 0.016 mg/mL and the least toxic mixture was Stameta™ BODicare® with an NI₅₀ value of 28.00 mg/mL. The herbal mixtures showed no mutagenic effects against Salmonella typhimurium tester strains TA98, TA100, TA102, TA1535 and TA1537 when the assay was done without S9 metabolic activation. However, four herbal mixtures, Umpatisa inkosi, Imbiza ephuzwato, Vusa umzimba and Stameta™ BODicare® showed mutagenic effects against TA98 but not the rest of the tester strains after using S9 metabolic activation. Umpatisa inkosi also exhibited weak mutagenic activity against TA1535 after metabolic activation. The remaining mixtures did not show mutagenic effects against all the tester strains after S9 metabolic activation. The cytotoxic and mutagenic results reported here offer a step toward determining the safety of commercial herbal mixtures in South Africa. Herbal mixtures showing higher cytotoxic and mutagenic effects need to be further investigated for their possible effects on humans.     

Evaluation of hexamethylphosphoramide for gene mutations in Salmonella typhimurium using plate incorporation, preincubation, and suspension assays

Hexamethylphosphoramide (HMPA), a potent rat nasal carcinogen by inhalation, and three of its metabolites, pentamethylphosphoramide (PMPA), trimethylphosphoramide (TriMPA), and formaldehyde (HCHO), were assessed in Salmonella typhimurium gene mutation assays using various protocols, including plate incorporation, preincubation and suspension assays. HMPA (tested up to 15 000 μg/plate) was not mutagenic in plate incorporation or preincubation assays with or without metabolic activation. HCHO was mutagenic in the plate incorporation and preincubation assays (tested up to 150 μg/plate). In suspension assays, however, HMPA (tested up to 40 mg/ml), PMPA (up to 44 mg/ml) and HCHO (up to 45 μg/ml), but not TriMPA (up to 29 mg/ml), were mutagenic. HMPA and PMPA were positive only with activation. HMPA's mutagenicity was optimized using a relatively high level of rat liver S9 protein (3.5 mg/plate) in the metabolic activation mixture. Semicarbazide, an HCHO trapping agent, added at concentrations up to 167 μg/ml, markedly inhibited the mutagenic activities of HMPA and PMPA suggesting that HCHO generation may play a role in their mutagenicity. These studies show that HMPA is mutagenic in a modified Salmonella typhimurium reverse mutation assay with metabolic activation. Successive N-demethylation of HMPA eventually eliminates the mutagenic activity which further suggests that HMPA's mutagenic activity is related to the release of HCHO.     

云南切梢小蠹对初侵害云南松挥发物的电生理和行为反应

云南切梢小蠹Tomicus yunnanensis(Kirkendall and Faccoli)是一种蛀害云南松Pinus yunnanensis的本土害虫.为深入了解其寄主选择机制,用顶空动态法和浸提法分别提取了初侵染云南松针叶和松脂的挥发性化合物,并用气相色谱-质谱联用技术(GC-MS)、气相色谱-昆虫触角电位测量系统(GC-EAD)、生测法鉴定和筛选了对云南切梢小蠹具有活性功能的成分.结果表明:云南松针叶和松脂中共有18种化合物,均为萜烯类物质,但两者化学成分的构成有显著差异.针叶中单萜类占99.98％,主要是 α-蒎烯(80.82％)、β-蒎烯(8.78％)、D-柠檬烯(4.77％)、莰烯(2.86％)和β-月桂烯(1.42％),而松脂以单萜类和双萜类为主,前者以α-蒎烯(21.38％)、3-蒈烯(21.42％)和异松油烯(2.78％)为主要成分,后者仅有长叶松酸(51.13％)一种.云南切梢小蠹对α-蒎烯、β-蒎烯、3-蒈烯、γ-萜品烯和4-烯丙基苯甲醚有触角电位反应,其中α-蒎烯、3-蒈烯和γ-萜品烯具引诱作用,4-烯丙基苯甲醚和β-蒎烯则为驱避功能.研究可为开发植物源引诱剂或与性信息素结合进行种群监测和诱杀提供科学依据.     

Genotoxic and mutagenic activity of environmental air samples from different rural, urban and industrial sites in Flanders, Belgium

The present study reports mutagenic and genotoxic activities associated with ambient air collected at 15 sites characteristic for urban, industrial or rural conditions in Flanders. Airborne particulates (PM10) and semi-volatile compounds were collected on quartz filters (QF) and polyurethane foam (PUF) cartridges using a high-volume sampling device. The mutagenic and genotoxic potency of the organic extracts – Soxhlet extraction with acetone – was determined by use of the Salmonella mutagenicity standard plate-incorporation assay and the Vitotox^® assay, respectively. Concentrations of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the extracts were determined by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).Ambient air samples contained significant PAH levels and mutagenic activities at all 15 sites: direct mutagenicity of up to 47 revertants per cubic meter was found in the QF extracts and more limited activity of up to 11 rev m⁻³ in the PUF extracts. Metabolic activation of PUF extracts resulted in an important increase in mutagenic activity, up to 30 rev m⁻³, but no such increase was observed for QF extracts. The highest values were observed outside large cities at industrial sites and at a rural site contaminated by pollution from a chemical plant at a distance of 4 km. Also at the background location near the North Sea a significant mutagenic activity was measured in the QF extracts (+S9: 9 rev m⁻³; −S9: 7 rev m⁻³). Apparently, there is in Flanders a significant background exposure level to airborne mutagenicity, even in areas with limited or no nearby pollution sources. Based on the concentrations of 10 mutagenic PAHs and supposing additivity of their specific mutagenicities, only a few percent (mean 3%) of the observed indirect mutagenic activity could be explained. This implies that most mutagenic activity originated from other substances that were not identified or measured in our chemical analysis. This underscores the importance of bio-monitoring measurements.     

Thiono compounds. 4. In vitro mutagenic and antineoplastic activity of TEPA and thio-TEPA

Tris (1-aziridinyl) phosphine oxide (TEPA) and tris (1-aziridinyl) phosphine sulfide (thio-TEPA) induced base pair mutations in the Ames mutagenic assay. Thio-TEPA required metabolic activation while TEPA was active without metabolic activation. Growth of a human vaginal carcinoma (A431), a human breast carcinoma (MDAMB-231), and a human cervical carcinoma (HeLa) were inhibited in soft agar in vitro at concentrations which induced mutagenesis in the Ames Assay. A fourth line, JEG choriocarcinoma, was sensitive to the antigrowth properties of both drugs at concentrations below that which induced mutagenesis. These data suggest that as more antineoplastic agents become available, and as mean survival times increase, knowledge of the relative in vitro sensitivity of a patient's neoplasm to a specific antineoplastic drug (i.e., dose required for growth inhibition) as a function of its mutagenic index might be useful for prediction of clinical remission, as well as the risk of secondary neoplasm induction.Abbreviations TEPA tris (1-aziridinyl) phosphine oxide - thio-TEPA tris (1-aziridinyl) phosphine sulfide - MEM Minimal Essential Media This study was supported by PHS grant No. CA 30321 awarded by the National Cancer Institute (DHHS).     

Insect-induced chemical changes in young lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta): the effect of previous defoliation on oviposition, growth and survival of the pine beauty moth, Panolis flammea

ABSTRACT. 1. Significantly more eggs were laid by adult female pine beauty moths ( Panolis flammea (D&S)) on previously undefoliated lodgepole pine ( Pinus contorta Douglas) saplings than on those which had been partially defoliated the year before.
2. The larval weights, mean relative growth rates and survival rates of P.flammea were lower on defoliated trees than on undefoliated trees.
3. Marked and significant differences between the monoterpene profiles of the shoot cortical oleoresin of defoliated and undefoliated trees were linked to oviposition preferences in P.flammea.
4. Differences occurred between the levels of soluble tannins in previously defoliated and undefoliated trees.
5. The results are discussed in relation to earlier work on insect-induced changes in plants, and the significance of inter-provenance differences in lodgepole pine response is assessed.