Phenols and lignans from Chenopodium album

Cinnamic acid, 4-hydroxy-cinnamic acid, ferulic acid, methyl ferulate, sinapic acid, methyl 3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)propanoate, 4-(1-hydroxyethyl)-2-methoxyphenol, vanillyl alcohol, 4-(hydroxymethyl)-2-methoxyphenol, 4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzoic acid, 4-vinylphenol, 4-methylbenzaldehyde, N-[2-(1H-indol-3-yl)ethyl]acetamide, pinoresinol, syringaresinol, lariciresinol, 5,5'-dimethoxy-lariciresinol, threo-guaiacylglycerol-3-beta-4-syringaresinol ether and two new sesquilignans, namely, threo-guaiacylglycerol-alpha-O-methyl-beta-O-4-syringaresinol ether and threo-syringylglycerol-alpha-O-methyl-beta-O-4-syringaresinol ether, were isolated and identified as components of Chenopodium album. Constitutions were established on the basis of spectroscopic data, including two-dimensional NMR analyses.     

Ribosome-inactivating activity and cDNA cloning of antiviral protein isoforms of Chenopodium album

We have characterized a novel type I ribosome-inactivating protein (CAP30) from the leaves of Chenopodium album. Purified native CAP30 depurinated the ribosomes of Chenopodium, tomato, and tobacco leaves in vitro. To further characterize this protein, cDNA clones were isolated from a leaf cDNA library using a DNA probe derived from the N-terminal amino acid sequence. Two full-length cDNA clones, CAP30A and CAP30B, were isolated. The two clones were highly homologous (91.4% identity over 280 amino acids) at the deduced amino acid level. Both contain a putative signal peptide of 25 amino acid and a conserved domain commonly found in ribosome-inactivating proteins. This suggests that CAP30 is a single-chain ribosome-inactivating protein. Expression of CAP30 mRNA peaked twice, at 12 and 72 h, after tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) infection or wounding. Transformed Escherichia coli cells expressing pre- or mature CAP had greatly reduced growth rates. These results suggest that CAP30 functions as a broad-spectrum defense-related protein with both antiviral and anti-microbial activity.     

Biological control of Chenopodium album L. in Europe

Ascochyta caulina (P. Karst) v.d. Aa and v. Kest is aplant pathogenic fungus which is specific to Chenopodium albumL. It has been suggested as a potential mycoherbicide to this weed,which is important and wide spread in arable crops throughout Europe. Toinvestigate its potential as a biocontrol agent, the fungus has beentested in glasshouse and field experiments. Formulations containingdifferent combinations of A. caulina conidia, the phytotoxinsfrom the fungus and low doses of herbicides have been tested.Significant improvement in the efficacy of the fungus was achieved inglasshouse trials with an aqueous formulation containing PVA(0.1% v/v), Psyllium (0.4% w/v), Sylgard 309(0.1% v/v), nutrients and conidia (5 ×10⁶/ml). The extracellular, hydrophilic phytotoxinsproduced by A. caulina were purified and their structuresdetermined. The main toxin, named ascaulitoxin, was characterised as theN²--D-glucopyranoside of the unusual bis-aminoacid2,4,7-triamino-5-hydroxyoctandioic acid. Two other toxins proved to betrans-4-amino-D-proline and the aglycone of ascaulitoxin. Thesetoxins have shown promising herbicidal properties. Field trials haveinvestigated the performance of A. caulina conidia applied atdifferent developmental stages of C. album either as a singletreatment or combined with sub-lethal doses of herbicides or with thefungal phytotoxins. With the available formulation, favourable weatherconditions are needed to obtain infection in the field. The efficacy ofthe strain of A. caulina used so far has proved to beinadequate to justify its development as a bioherbicide. This isprobably due to its low virulence.     

The Surface Structure of Leaves of Chenopodium album L.

Photomicrographs were used to study the surface structure ofleaves of Chenopodium album L. (fat hen). The leaves have asilvery bloom which is a layer of small, separate spheres ofaverage diameter 80 µ, transparent when turgid. Each globuleis attached to the leaf by a capillary stalk and movement studieswith eosin showed that they are linked by a continuous aqueouspathway. As leaves mature, the globules are less densely distributed;they collapse and are then readily detached from the surface.They contain inorganic material, silicates being a major constituent.They are stable to heat, cooling in liquid nitrogen or brieftreatment with chloroform or surfactants. Probably, the globulesare not entirely bounded by wax, and silicates may form a largepart of the outer walls.     

Local spread of metamitron resistant Chenopodium album L. patches

Molecular markers can provide valuable information on the spread of resistant weed biotypes. In particular, tracing local spread of resistant weed patches will give details on the importance of seed migration with machinery, manure, wind or birds. This study investigated the local spread of metamitron resistant Chenopodium album L. patches in the southwest region of the province West-Flanders (Belgium). During the summer of 2009, leaf and seed samples were harvested in 27 patches, distributed over 10 sugar beet fields and 1 maize field. The fields were grouped in four local clusters. Each cluster corresponded with the farmer who cultivated these fields. A cleaved amplified polymorphic sequence (CAPS) procedure identified the Ser264 to Gly mutation in the D1 protein, endowing resistance to metamitron, a key herbicide applied in sugar beet. The majority of the sampled plants within a patch (97% on average) carried this mutation. Amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) analysis was performed with 4 primer pairs and yielded 270 molecular markers, polymorphic for the whole dataset (303 samples). Analysis of molecular variance revealed that a significant part of the genetic variability was attributed to variation among the four farmer locations (12 %) and variation among Chenopodium album patches within the farmer locations (14%). In addition, Mantel tests revealed a positive correlation between genetic distances (linearised phipt between pairs of patches) and geographic distances (Mantel-coefficient significant at p = 0.002), suggesting isolation-by-distance. In one field, a decreased genetic diversity and strong genetic relationships between all the patches in this field supported the hypothesis of a recent introduction of resistant biotypes. Furthermore, genetic similarity between patches from different fields from the same farmer and from different farmers indicated that seed transport between neighbouring fields is likely to have an important impact on the spread of metamitron resistant biotypes.     

藜叶中黄酮类化合物体外抗氧化活性研究

为了探讨藜叶中黄酮类化合物的体外抗氧化活性,采用有机溶剂提取法和色谱柱法对藜叶中化学成分进行提取与分离;以Vc作对照,对分离纯化的芦丁、乙酸乙酯浸膏和正丁醇浸膏进行DPPH·、O2^-·和·OH的清除效果试验。结果表明：三者对DPPH·、O2^-·、·OH均具有清除作用,且与浓度呈量效关系,芦丁对·OH清除效果优于Vc,芦丁具有较强的清除DPPH·能力,其IC50为0．05μg／mL。     

Seasonal Periodicity in Germination of Seeds of Chenopodium album L.

Seeds of Chenopodium album L. were buried under field and controlledconditions. The germination capacity of these seeds was testedover a range of conditions at regular intervals. Seed buriedin the field only showed small seasonal changes in germinationcapacity when tested at constant temperatures in incubators.However, when germination was tested at field temperatures,seasonal changes in germination were more obvious. Nitrate andlight always promoted germination. There was a strong positiveinteraction between the effects of the two factors. When nitrateand light were combined, exhumed seeds germinated over a muchlonger period of the year than in water with or without light.Desiccation only stimulated under particular conditions, forexample, when germination was tested in nitrate in darkness.A regression model was developed with the data from the germinationtests in incubators. The model describes the changes in dormancyand germination and estimates germination at field temperaturesaccurately throughout the year. Despite the absence of clearseasonal changes in the temperatures suitable for germination(computed with the model), germination in the field showed seasonalperiodicity, because the field temperature and the germination-temperaturerange only overlapped from spring to late summer.Copyright 1993,1999 Academic Press Chenopodium album, lamb's quarters, dormancy pattern, germination, regression model, temperature, light, nitrate, desiccation     

Distribution of metamitron-resistant Chenopodium album L. in Belgian sugar beet

Chenopodium album L. (fat-hen) with a Ser264-Gly mutation is resistant to photosystem II-inhibiting herbicides like the triazinone metamitron, a key herbicide in sugar beet. In recent years, this resistant biotype may cause unsatisfactory weed control in Belgian sugar beet. However, the dimension of the problem was yet unknown. Therefore, a survey was conducted in 2008 covering the whole Belgian sugar beet area. In randomly selected fields, C. album plants surviving weed control were counted and sampled. First, the number of surviving plants was used to estimate the prevalence of fields with unsatisfactory control and to classify the surveyed fields. Then, the share of the resistant biotype in each field was determined with cleaved amplified polymorphic sequence-analysis (CAPS-analysis) on sampled leaves. Finally, all results were visualised on the map of Belgium. Twenty percent of the fields had more than 500 surviving plants per hectare and were thus classified as fields with unsatisfactory C. album control. The resistant biotype was present in 95% of these fields and even in 74% of the sampled fields with good weed control. No pattern was found during mapping. These results indicate that the metamitron-resistant biotype has spread over the whole sugar beet area but that it is not (yet) causing severe problems in every field. To get a more accurate estimation of the portion of resistant plants in the field and the effect of herbicide treatment on this biotype, an elaborate survey will be conducted in 2010 on fields that have both untreated and treated plots installed.     

An antiviral meliacarpin from leaves of Melia azedarach L

Bioassay guided purification of the ethyl acetate extract of leaves of Melia azedarach led to the isolation of the limonoid 1-cinnamoyl-3,11-dihydroxymeliacarpin, which showed IC50 values of 6 microM and 20 microM for vesicular stomatitis (VSV) and herpes simplex (HSV-1) viruses, respectively. Its structure was established by spectroscopic methods.     

盐胁迫下藜的形态结构与生理响应

本文采用石蜡切片、扫描电镜和体视显微镜对藜进行了形态结构观察和多种生理指标检测,研究在盐胁迫下藜的结构和生理变化。结果表明：在花期,藜的株高和茎粗显著降低,叶未产生明显肉质化。高盐（300mmol·L^-1）胁迫下,叶维管束的导管数量及形成层层数增加,茎的维管束密度增加,根木质化程度增强,大导管密度显著降低。叶下表面的盐囊泡较上表面多,叶和茎细胞中均含有簇状结晶。随着盐浓度的升高,叶片中含水量降低,相对电导率升高,丙二醛（MDA）含量无显著变化,叶绿素含量在苗后期先升高后降低,在花期,其含量随盐浓度升高而降低。300mmol·L^-1盐胁迫下,苗后期的可溶性糖、脯氨酸7L-N-菜碱含量显著增J／w;至花期,脯氨酸及甜菜碱含量显著高于对照。以上结果初步显示,高浓度盐胁迫对花期的藜形态结构及部分生理指标均比苗期产生显著影响,但300mmol·L^-1盐胁迫下藜仍能完成其生活史。     

Chlorophyll fluorescence protocol for quick detection of triazinone resistant Chenopodium album L

Sugar beet growers in Europe are more often confronted with an unsatisfactory control of Chenopodium album L. (fat-hen), possibly due to the presence of a triazinone resistant biotype. So far, two mutations on the psbA-gene, i.e. Ser264-Gly and Ala251-Val, are known to cause resistance in C. album to the photosystem II-inhibiting triazinones metamitron, a key herbicide in sugar beet, and metribuzin. The Ser264-Gly biotype, cross-resistant to many other photosystem II-inhibitors like the triazines atrazine and terbuthylazine, is most common. The second resistant C. album biotype, recorded in Sweden, is highly resistant to triazinones but only slightly cross-resistant to terbuthylazine. Since farmers should adapt their weed control strategy when a resistant biotype is present, a quick and cheap detection method is needed. Therefore, through trial and error, a protocol for detection with chlorophyll fluorescence measurements was developed and put to the test. First, C. album leaves were incubated in herbicide solution (i.e. 0 microM, 25 microM metribuzin, 200 microM metamitron or 25 microM terbuthylazine) during three hours under natural light. After 30 minutes of dark adaptation, photosynthesis yield was measured with Pocket PEA (Hansatech Instruments). In Leaves from sensitive C. album, herbicide treatment reduces photosynthesis yield due to inhibition of photosynthesis at photosystem II. This results in a difference of photosynthesis yield between the untreated control and herbicide treatment. Based on the relative photosynthesis yield (as a percentage of untreated), a classification rule was formulated: C. album is classified as sensitive when its relative photosynthesis yield is less than 90%, otherwise it is resistant. While metribuzin, and to a lesser extent, metamitron treatment allowed a quick detection of triazinone resistant C. album, terbuthylazine treatment was able to distinguish the Ser264-Gly from the Ala251-Val biotype. As a final test, 265 plants were classified with the protocol. Simultaneously, a CLeaved Amplified Polymorphic Sequence (CAPS)-analysis was conducted on the same plants to verify the presence of the Ser264-Gly mutation. Only one mismatch was found when results of both detection methods were compared. The test results illustrate that this protocol provides a reliable, quick and cheap alternative for DNA-analysis and bio-assays to detect the triazinone resistant C. album biotypes.     

Purification and properties of antiviral proteins from the leaves of Bougainvillea xbuttiana

A non-phytotoxic, resistance inducing, proteinaceous antiviral principle was purified by ammonium sulphate fractionation, ion exchange chromatography and gel filtration from the leaves of Bougainvillea xbuttiana. It imparted resistance against tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) and sunnhemp rosette virus (SRV) in their respective test hosts viz. Nicotiana glutinosa, N. tabacum var. Samsun NN, and Cyamopsis tetragonoloba, respectively. The purified principle eluted as a single peak upon gel filtration, but exhibited two polypeptides on SDS-PAGE with Mr 28,000 and 24,000. The two polypeptides were found to be highly basic, rich in lysine with pI around 10.0 and 10.5, respectively. Since this principle effected local lesion inhibition in both treated and untreated top leaves of test host, it might be acting in the initial stages of virus infection as a systemic inducer.     

Unique features of the mitochondrial rolling circle-plasmid mp1 from the higher plant Chenopodium album (L.).

We analyzed the structure and replication of the mitochondrial (mt) circular DNA plasmid mp1 (1309 bp) from the higher plant Chenopodium album(L.). Two dimensional gel electrophoresis (2DE) revealed the existence of oligomers of up to a decamer in addition to the prevailing monomeric form. The migration behavior of cut replication intermediates during 2DE was consistent with a rolling circle (RC) type of replication. We detected entirely single-stranded (ss) plasmid copies hybridizing only with one of the two DNA strands. This result indicates the occurence of an asymmetric RC replication mechanism. mp1 has, with respect to its replication, some unique features compared with bacterial RC plasmids. We identified and localized a strand-specific nicking site (origin of RC replication) on the plasmid by primer extension studies. Nicks in the plasmid were found to occur at any one of six nucleotides (TAAG/GG) around position 735 of the leading strand. This sequence shows no homology to origin motifs from known bacterial RC replicons. mp1 is the first described RC plasmid in a higher plant.     

Rolling-circle replication of mitochondrial DNA in the higher plant Chenopodium album (L.).

The mitochondrial genomes of higher plants are larger and more complex than those of all other groups of organisms. We have studied the in vivo replication of chromosomal and plasmid mitochondrial DNAs prepared from a suspension culture and whole plants of the dicotyledonous higher plant Chenopodium album (L.). Electron microscopic studies revealed sigma-shaped, linear, and open circular molecules (subgenomic circles) of variable size as well as a minicircular plasmid of 1.3 kb (mp1). The distribution of single-stranded mitochondrial DNA in the sigma structures and the detection of entirely single-stranded molecules indicate a rolling-circle type of replication of plasmid mp1 and subgenomic circles. About half of the sigma-like molecules had tails exceeding the lengths of the corresponding circle, suggesting the formation of concatemers. Two replication origins (nicking sites) could be identified on mpl by electron microscopy and by a new approach based on the mapping of restriction fragments representing the identical 5' ends of the tails of sigma-like molecules. These data provide, for the first time, evidence for a rolling-circle mode of replication in the mitochondria of higher plants.     

Enzymatic Degradation of Chlorophyll in Chenopodium album

The breakdown of chlorophyll (Chi) in crude extracts of Chenopodiumalbum (white goose foot) in the dark was examined. Derivativesof pheophorbide were formed when Chi or chlorophyllide wasincubated with depigmented crude extracts. The formation ofpheophorbide was completely prevented by heat treatment of extracts,indicating that the reaction was enzymatic, and the presenceof a Mg-releasing enzyme, the so called Mg-dechelatase, waspostulated. This hypothesis was strongly supported by the observationthat the formation of pheophorbide was inhibited by 51% by 10mM MgCl₂. Analysis by high-performance thin-layer chromatography(HPTLC) and liquid chromatography (HPLC) showed that the appearanceof chlorophyllide , pheophorbide 13²-hydroxychlorophyllide and pyropheophorbide was accompanied by a concomitant decreasein levels of Chi The formation of 13²-hydroxychloro-phyllide was not clearly an enzymatic reaction and requires furtherexamination. It appears that Chl is degraded in a crude extractof C. album via the following enzymatically catalyzed reactions (Received September 10, 1990; Accepted November 15, 1990)     

The relationship between phytochrome-photoequilibrium and Development in light grown Chenopodium album L.

Chenopodium album seedlings were grown in light environments in which supplementary far-red light was mixed with white fluorescent light during various parts of the photoperiod. Both the logarithmic rate constant of stem extension and the leaf dry weight: stem dry weight ratio were linearly related to estimated phytochrome photoequilibrium () in each treatment regime. These data are taken to be indicative of a functional link between phytochrome and development in the green plant. A layer of chlorophyllous tissue only affected the linearity between calculated and the logarithmic stem extension rate at high chlorophyll concentrations, whilst even low concentrations-equivalent to the levels found in stem tissue-caused a significant shift in measured . End-of-day supplementary far-red (FR) light induced between 0–35 per cent of the response elicited by all-day supplementary FR, whilst daytime supplementary FR (with a white fluorescent light end-of-day treatment) induced approximately 90 per cent. The ecological significance of this difference is discussed with respect to shade detection.Paper 7 in the series The function of phytochrome in the natural environment [for paper 6 see McLaren, J.S., Smith, H., Plant, Cell and Environment 1, 61–67, 1978]     

Phytoextraction capacity of the Chenopodium album L. grown on soil amended with tannery sludge

The metal accumulation potential of Chenopodium album L. grown on various amendments of tannery sludge (TS) was studied after 60 days of sapling planted. The analysis of the results showed that the levels of pH, cation exchange capacity, organic carbon, organic matter and DTPA extractable metals (except Mn) of amendments increased by the addition of tannery sludge ratio. Shoot length of the plant increased by the addition of sludge, whereas, no marked change was observed in root length, fresh and dry weight of the plant. Accumulation of the metals in the plants was found in the order; Fe > Mn > Zn > Cr > Cu > Pb > Ni > Cd. Translocation of toxic metals (Cr, Pb, Cd) in different parts of the tested plant was found in the order; leaves > stems > roots. An increase in the photosynthetic pigments, carotenoid and leaf protein contents of the plants were found to increase with increase in sludge amendments. Correlation analysis between metal accumulation in the plants with DTPA extractable metals emphasized that Mn, Ni, Cr, Pb and Cd showed positive correlation (p < 0.05), whereas, Fe, Zn and Cu showed negative correlation. Transfer factor analysis emphasized that 10% TS amendments were suitable for phytoextraction of Cr. Overall analysis of the data exhibited that the plants may be used for phytoextraction of Cr from tannery waste contaminated soil as most of the metal was accumulated in harvestable part which is a matter of serious concern, whenever used for edible purposes.     

Seed Germination in Chenopodium album L: Relationships between Nitrate and the Effects of Plant Hormones

Effects of ethylene, gibberellins, and kinetin on the germination of two lots of Chenopodium album L. seeds, collected from the field in 1982 and 1983, were studied in relation to the availability of nitrate. The experiments were conducted in darkness and at temperatures ranging from 12 to 32°C. Ethylene induced over 75% germination in the 1983 seed but had little effect on the 1982 seed. Nitrate was only slightly promotive in either of the two seed lots. A combination of ethylene and nitrate, however, acted synergistically on 1982 seed, resulting in as much germination as that induced in 1983 seed by ethylene alone. In 1983 seed, a combination of ethylene and nitrate was only marginally more effective than ethylene. A similar relationship was observed in the effects of gibberellic acid₄₊₇ (GA₄₊₇) and nitrate on seeds from the two lots. The 1982 seed, which responded synergistically to combinations of nitrate with ethylene or GA₄₊₇ was found to contain an extremely low endogenous level of nitrate as compared to 1983 seed. Thus, high levels of either endogenous or applied nitrate appeared to enhance the germination response to ethylene or GA₄₊₇.

Kinetin had no effect on 1982 seed and only a small promotive effect on 1983 seed. There was no synergism between kinetin and nitrate in either of the seed lots.