Changes in the sugar composition and molecular mass distribution of matrix polysaccharides during cotton fiber development

Cotton (Gossypium herbaceum L.) fiber development consists of a fiber elongation stage (up to 20 d post-anthesis) and a subsequent cell wall thickening stage. Cell wall analysis revealed that the extractable matrix (pectic and hemicellulosic) polysaccharides accounted for 30-50% of total sugar content in the fiber elongation stage but less than 3% in the cell wall thickening stage. By contrast, cellulose increased dramatically after the fiber elongation ceased. The amounts of extractable xyloglucans and arabinose- and galactose-containing polymers per seed increased in the early fiber elongation stage and decreased thereafter. The amounts of extractable acidic polymers and non-cellulosic beta-glucans (mainly composed of beta-1,3-glucans) increased in parallel with fiber elongation and then decreased. The molecular masses of extractable non-cellulosic beta-glucans, and arabinose- and galactose-containing polymers decreased during both fiber elongation and cell wall thickening stages. The molecular mass of extractable xyloglucans also decreased during the fiber elongation stage, but this decrease ceased during the cell wall thickening stage. Conversely, the molecular size of acidic polymers in the extractable pectic fraction increased during both stages. Thus, not only the amounts but also the molecular size of the extractable matrix polysaccharides showed substantial changes during cotton fiber development.     

Purification and characterization of hydrosoluble components from the sap of Chinese lacquer tree Rhus vernicifera

Continuous gradient elution chromatography (CGEC) was employed to purify and separate enzymes and polysaccharides from the sap of Rhus vernicifera Chinese lacquer tree. There are three different molecules with laccase enzyme activity. Two are enzymes of each other (L1, and L2), whereas the third (RL) is an entirely separate entity. Two polysaccharides (GP1 and GP2) were also found. The Rhus laccase (RL), and isoenzymes L1 and L2, have peak molecular masses of 109,100, 120,000, 103,000 respectively; each has four copper atoms per molecule, and the pI values were 8.2, 8.6, and 9.1, respectively. The structure of the laccases was studied by Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) and Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry. The typical amide I (1646 cm⁻¹) and amide II (1545 cm⁻¹) bands were observed. The results from MALDI-TOF were similar to those from CGEC, but the molecular mass from the MALDI-TOF was significantly different from that obtained from sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE).     

猴头菌不同发育阶段产生的多糖结构特征及免疫活性

采收猴头菌Hericium erinaceus 7个不同发育阶段的子实体,经热水浸提后分别采用20%、50%、70%的乙醇终浓度进行分级沉淀,获得21个多糖组分,对它们的结构特征及体外免疫活性进行了研究。结果表明,在猴头菌发育过程中,多糖总得率呈现先增大后减小的趋势,在第5阶段达到最大值0.92%。20%醇沉的多糖含量也呈先增大后减小的趋势,在第5阶段达到最大值42.87%,其大分子量多糖（1 000-5 000kDa）所占比例最高。50%、70%醇沉多糖均为小分子量多糖,约为10-40kDa。获得的猴头菌多糖组分中,单糖组成多以岩藻糖、半乳糖、葡萄糖和甘露糖为主（相对比例存在一定差异）;另外,第1阶段20%、70%醇沉多糖还含有少量的核糖,第7阶段20%醇沉多糖含有一定量的鼠李糖;7个时期50%醇沉多糖均含有一定量的葡萄糖醛酸。所得多糖样品均具有刺激巨噬细胞释放NO的活性,其中20%醇沉多糖的活性优于50% 和70% 醇沉多糖,在50μg/mL时就表现出显著的体外免疫活性。此外,在第5阶段即中菌刺期产生的多糖活性最优,说明在此阶段采摘可以获得最佳的猴头菌多糖原材料。本研究为猴头菌生长发育过程中活性多糖的动态形成研究提供了一定的理论基础。     

体外模拟鳞杯伞子实体碱溶性多糖的消化与酵解特性

以热水浸提后的鳞杯伞Clitocybe squamulosa子实体残渣为原料,进行二次利用,浸提碱溶性多糖.通过模拟体外消化与厌氧发酵实验,探究鳞杯伞子实体碱溶性多糖的消化特性以及对肠道内短链脂肪酸含量的影响.结果 表明:体外模拟唾液和胃肠液消化后,多糖的官能团结构特征没有发生显著性改变,但碱溶性多糖的块状结构解体,碎...     

Evaluation of effectiveness of the methods for isolation of cell wall polysaccharides during cell elongation in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phaseolus vulgaris</Emphasis> seedlings

Phaseolus vulgaris seedlings were grown in light with or without chromium. Changes in cell wall components i.e. pectic polysaccharides and xyloglucan contents were looked into during cell elongation, by two different methods in order to find the most suitable method for isolation of cell wall polysaccharides. The first method was short and easy. It made use of organic solvents for preparation of cell wall components and ammonium oxalate and oxalic acid buffer and high temperature for extracting pectic polysaccharides; 0.7 M and 4.3 M KOH was used for extracting low and high molecular weight xyloglucans respectively. On the other hand, in the second method, cell wall components were fractionated by sequential treatments with different inorganic solvents, chelating agents, sodium lauryl sulphate, etc. KOH (1 M and 4 M) was used for extracting xyloglucans. The advantage of using the second method for extracting cell wall polysaccharides especially pectic polysaccharides is discussed.     

Distribution of xyloglucan in Phaseolus aureus seeds

Phaseolus aureus seeds were separated into three parts: hulls,cotyledons and hypocotyls. After the polysaccharides in eachpart had been fractionated by successive extraction with water,0.25% ammonium oxalate-oxalic acid, 4% KOH and 24% KOH, thexyloglucan content in each fraction was determined by Kooiman'smethod for quantitative analysis of amyloid coupled with cellulasetreatment. In each part, most of the xyloglucans were localizedin the 24% KOH extracts and moreover, these xyloglucans fromthe three seed parts had almost identical properties, whichagreed well with those of xyloglucans from the cell walls ofetiolated bean hypocotyls. (Received April 18, 1977; )     

Changes in wall-bound polysaccharidase activities during the culture cycle of a Rubus fruticosus cell suspension

Several hydrolytic enzyme activities were detected in the wall of developing cells of Rubus truticosus in suspension culture. The corresponding substrates of the enzymes are mostly polysaccharide wall constituents, except for chitinase activity. The activities measured when the enzymes were in the free state or wall-bound showed the positive influence of the cell wall micro-environment. Changes in the activities during a cell culture cycle demonstrated that those enzymes acting on xyloglucans behaved differently from the others, and suggest that xyloglucans undergo modifications in vivo over a longer period of time during the exponential growth phase. The same activities were identified in the culture medium. Endo-1,4-β-d-glucanase activities which depolymerized car☐ymethylcellulose (CMC) and xyloglucans (XG) were assayed viscosimetrically. It was found that XG oligosaccharides exhibited an inhibitory effect on the depolymerization of xyloglucans but not on that of CMC. This suggests that true xyloglucanases are present in the culture of Rubus cells.     

Auxin-induced changes in the cell wall structure: Changes in the sugar compositions, intrinsic viscosity and molecular weight distributions of matrix polysaccharides of the epicotyl cell wall of Vigna angularis

Rapid effects of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) on the mechanical properties of cell wall, and sugar compositions, intrinsic viscosity and molecular weight distribution of cell wall polysaccharides were investigated with excised epicotyl segments of Vigna angularis Ohwi et Ohashi cv. Takara.

• 1 IAA caused cell wall loosening as studied by stress-relaxation analysis within 15 min after the IAA application.
• 2 IAA stimulated the decrease in the content of arabinose and galactose in the hemicellulose 1 h after its application. The amounts of other component sugars in the cell wall polysaccharides remained constant during the IAA-induced segment growth.
• 3 The intrinsic viscocity of the pectin increased as early as 30 min after the IAA application. This effect was not prevented when elongation growth of the segment was osmotically suppressed by 0.15 M mannitol.
• 4 Gel permeation chromatography of the pectin on a Sepharose 4 B column demonstrated that IAA caused increase in the mass-average molecular weight of the pectin. Analysis of the sugar compositions of the pectin eluted from the Sepharose 4 B column indicated that IAA increased the molecular weight of the polysaccharides composed of uronic acid, galactose, rhamnose and arabinose. This effect became apparent within 30 min after the IAA application. Furthermore, IAA increased the molecular weight of the pectin when elongation growth of the epicotyl segments was osmotically suppressed by 0.15 M mannitol.
• 5 Hemicellulose of the cell wall chromatographed on a Sepharose CL-4 B column. Analysis of the neutral sugar compositions and the iodine staining property (specific for xyloglucans) of the polysaccharide solution eluted from the column indicated that the hemicellulose consisted of xyloglucans, arabinogalactans and polysaccharides composed of xylose and/or mannose. IAA caused a decrease in the arabinogalactan content and depolymerization of xyloglucans. These IAA effects became apparent within 30 min after the IAA application. These changes occurred even when elongation growth of the epicotyl segments was osmotically suppressed by 0.15 M mannitol.

Polymerization of the pectin, degradation of arabinogalactans and depolymerization of xyloglucans appear to be involved in the mechanism by which IAA induces cell wall loosening and therefore extension growth of cells.     

Solution properties of the xyloglucan polymer from Afzelia africana

In this paper we describe the solution properties of a new xyloglucan polysaccharide extracted from the African legume Afzelia africana Se. Pers. The polysaccharide is of high weight-average molecular weight (Mw), but application of the "pressure cell" method enabled a range of Mw fractions to be prepared. Results from the light scattering/intrinsic viscosity measurements on these fractions suggest that like other xyloglucans from tamarind and detarium it occurs in solution as a polymeric coil, with a small amount of excluded volume. Measurement of dilute and semidilute solution rheology suggests that, like these polymers, and the related galactomannan series, it forms viscous solutions at higher concentrations via entanglements.     

灵芝两个无孢品种中水提物成分分析及免疫活性比较

龙芝2号和鹿角灵芝均为赤芝的栽培品种,且在生长发育过程中均不产生孢子。目前,尚缺乏对两者化学成分和药理活性的系统比较研究。本研究以灵芝两个无孢品种——龙芝2号和鹿角灵芝为原料,研究对比两者子实体水提物成分差异及免疫活性的强弱。采用化学及仪器分析相结合的方法,分析两者水提物中的多糖得率、含量、重均分子量分布特征及核苷、蛋白质、氨基酸含量差异,并研究了灵芝两个无孢品种水提物样品刺激RAW 264.7细胞释放NO活性。结果表明,两者多糖得率及含量差异不大,但龙芝2号中重均分子量分布范围较广,多糖分子量较大,其含有3种多糖,分子量分别为2.021×10⁶、1.802×10⁶和4.825×10⁵,而鹿角灵芝中仅含有1种多糖,分子量为1.589×10⁴;两者中含有的核苷种类相似,但各核苷的含量存在差异;鹿角灵芝和龙芝2号中蛋白质含量分别为10.70%和10.32%,两者均不含有组氨酸,蛋氨酸在两者中含量均较高,分别达到2.556%和2.591%。从鹿角灵芝和龙芝2号中得到的水提物样品均具有体外刺激巨噬细胞释放NO的活性。     

Chemical modification of Cassia occidentalis seed gum: carbamoylethylation

The seeds of Cassia occidentalis, an annual weed occurring throughout India, is a rich source of galactomannan gum. The gum derived from seed endosperm can be potentially utilized in a number of industries to replace the conventional gums. With a view to utilize the gum for broader applications, carbamoylethylation of C. occidentalis seed gum was carried out with acrylamide in presence of sodium hydroxide under different reaction conditions. Variables studied were concentration of sodium hydroxide, acrylamide, gum–solvent ratio, reaction time and temperature. The nitrogen content, carboxyl content and total ether content were determined. The optimum condition for preparing carbamoylethyl C. occidentalis seed gum (%N=2.57) comprised concentration of acrylamide (0.070 mol), sodium hydroxide (0.125 mol), C. occidentalis seed gum (0.03 mol) at 30 °C for 3 h. Rheological properties of carbamoylethyl C. occidentalis seed gum solution showed non-Newtonian pseudo-plastic behavior, relatively high viscosity, cold water solubility and solution clarity vis-à-vis unmodified C. occidentalis seed gum.     

Two major proteins from locust plasma are involved in coagulation and are specifically precipitated by laminarin, a ß-1,3-glucan

Incubation of plasma of the locust Locusta migratoria, with laminarin induced the precipitation of two major proteins with molecular masses of about 260 000 (P260) and 85 000 Da (P85). This precipitation was not observed when other polysaccharides, such as curdlan, dextran, chitin, cellulose or mannan were used. P260 and P85 were purified to homogeneity by a single step on heparin-sepharose chromatography. Since all attempts to separate P260 from P85, other than the use of sodium dodecyl sulfate, were unsuccessful, it is likely that these two molecules form a complex non-covalently associated. Treatment of P260–P85 complex with N-glycosidase F showed that P260 did not appear to be glycosylated whereas 6% of P85 molecular mass was due to N-linked carbohydrates. On the other hand, no change in molecular masses of P260 or P85 was observed once the complex had been treated with lipase. SDS-PAGE and Western blots of plasma and serum stained with blue Coomassie for proteins or with highly specific polysera to P260 or P85, respectively, showed that P260 was only present in plasma and P85 remained in both samples. This indicates that P260 is likely to be one of the most abundant plasma proteins directly involved in the coagulation process in Locusta migratoria. The addition of plasma or P260–P85 complex to a hemocyte lysate supernatant prior to its activation by laminarin induced a lower protease as well as phenoloxidase activity compared with the control. This reduction of activities was not observed in the presence of serum or when P260–P85 complex was added to a fully activated proPO system.     

Action of xyloglucan hydrolase within the native cell wall architecture and its effect on cell wall extensibility in azuki bean epicotyls

Xyloglucan hydrolase (XGH) has recently been purified from the cell wall of azuki bean (Vigna angularis Ohwi et Ohashi) epicotyls as a new type of xyloglucan-degrading enzyme [Tabuchi et al. (2001) Plant Cell Physiol. 42: 154]. In the present study, the effects of XGH on the mechanical properties of the cell wall and on the level and the molecular size of xyloglucans within the native wall architecture were examined in azuki bean epicotyls. When the epidermal tissue strips from the growing regions of azuki bean epicotyls were incubated with XGH, the mechanical extensibility of the cell wall dramatically increased. XGH exogenously applied to cell wall materials (homogenates) or epidermal tissue strips decreased the amount of xyloglucans via the solubilization of the polysaccharides. Also, XGH substantially decreased the molecular mass of xyloglucans in both materials. These results indicate that XGH is capable of hydrolyzing xyloglucans within the native cell wall architecture and thereby increasing the cell wall extensibility in azuki bean epicotyls.     

Effects of increasing polymer hydrophobicity on distribution ratios of TcO4 in polyethylene/poly(propylene glycol)-based aqueous biphasic systems

The partitioning behavior of the pertechnetate anion was studied in aqueous biphasic systems (ABS) formed from (NH₄)₂SO₄ and four types of polymers – poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), poly(propylene glycol) (PPG), Pluronic (a PEG/PPG block copolymer), and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). Phase diagrams are reported for five (NH₄)₂SO₄-polymer ABS systems including the polymers PEG-2000, PEG-3400, PEG-12 000, Pluronic-L64 (average molecular mass ≈ 2900), and PVP-K15 (average M_r≈10 000). Distribution ratios for the TcO₄⁻ anion in each of these ABS were investigated as a function of increasing salt concentration. In addition, the water-insoluble polymer PPG-2000 was studied. Pertechnetate partitions nearly quantitatively to the polymer-rich phase in each ABS, however, distribution ratios of near one were found for the PPG system. The relative ordering of the distribution ratios is PPGPVP-2000PEG-3400>PEG-12 000, exhibiting the expected increase in phase incompatibility with increasing polymer M_r. Investigation of pertechnetate partitioning in two additional ABS based on K₃PO₄ and NaOH with Pluronic-L64 revealed trends similar to those reported for PEG-2000; the distribution ratio (D) values increase in the order NaOH<(NH₄)₂SO₄3PO₄. Despite the higher distribution ratios from Pluronic-L64 at lower concentrations than found for PEG, the limited useable range of salt concentrations available may limit the practical utilization of this polymer in ABS separations.     

红托竹荪多糖诱导肿瘤细胞凋亡的作用初探

探讨红托竹荪多糖对小鼠腹水瘤S180细胞凋亡的作用。分别使用不同浓度的红托竹荪多糖处理S180细胞24h,Western blot法检测Bcl-xl、Bax、caspase-9和Caspase-3等蛋白表达,使用流式细胞仪检测细胞凋亡。Western blot 法检测结果显示Bcl-xl表达量随竹荪多糖剂量增加而降低,Bax表达量则相反,每组Bax/Bcl-xl的比值增加,Caspase-9、Caspase-3表达量增加;流式细胞仪检测结果显示：0、25、50和100mg/L组细胞凋亡率分别为5.12%±0.11%、9.61%±0.61%、16.39%±0.19%和17.05%±0.13%,与对照组相比细胞凋亡率增高,差异具有统计学意义（P<0.05）,推断红托竹荪多糖具有诱导S180细胞凋亡的功能。     

Gravity resistance, another graviresponse in plants--function of anti-gravitational polysaccharides]

The involvement of anti-gravitational polysaccharides in gravity resistance, one of two major gravity responses in plants, was discussed. In dicotyledons, xyloglucans are the only cell wall polysaccharides, whose level, molecular size, and metabolic turnover were modified under both hypergravity and microgravity conditions, suggesting that xyloglucans act as anti-gravitational polysaccharides. In monocotyledonous Poaceae, (1-->3),(1-->4)-beta glucans, instead of xyloglucans, were shown to play a role as anti-gravitational polysaccharides. These polysaccharides are also involved in plant responses to other environmental factors, such as light and temperature, and to some phytohormones, such as auxin and ethylene. Thus, the type of anti-gravitational polysaccharides is different between dicotyledons and Poaceae, but such polysaccharides are universally involved in plant responses to environmental and hormonal signals. In gravity resistance, the gravity signal may be received by the plasma membrane mechanoreceptors, transformed and transduced within each cell, and then may modify the processes of synthesis and secretion of the anti-gravitational polysaccharides and the cell wall enzymes responsible for their degradation, as well as the apoplastic pH, leading to the cell wall reinforcement. A series of events inducing gravity resistance are quite independent of those leading to gravitropism.     

Structural features of cell-wall polymers of the apple

Cell-wall material was isolated from ripe-apple cortical tissues by sequential extraction with aqueous 1.5% sodium dodecyl sulphate and aqueous 90% methyl sulphoxide. The wall material, which contained ～1% of protein, with proline and hydroxyproline as the preponderant amino acids, was sequentially extracted with water at 80°, oxalate at 80°, m KOH at 1°, and m and 4m KOH at 20°, to leave a residue of α-cellulose, which was associated with an appreciable amount of arabinose-rich pectic material. The depectinated material was also extracted with 6m guanidinium thiocyanate at 20° to solubilise preferentially polysaccharides rich in mannose. The hot-water-soluble pectic substances were richer in arabinose compared with the oxalate-soluble ones and were resolved into five fractions by anion-exchange chromatography. The bulk of the hemicelluloses, which were xyloglucans, were solubilised by 4m KOH. The alkali-soluble hemicellulose polymers were resolved by anion-exchange chromatography into polysaccharides, mainly xyloglucans, arabinoxylan-pectic-xyloglucan, and arabinoxylan-pectic complexes. Small amounts of polysaccharide-protein-polyphenol complexes (where the polysaccharide moieties were arabinoxylans), pectic substances, and xyloglucans were also present. The glycosidic linkages of the above polymers were determined by methylation analysis. The general structural features of the cell-wall polymers are discussed.     

Preparation of bovine blood coagulation factors X1 and X2

A method is described for the preparation of both Factor X1 and Factor X2 from citrated bovine blood. The proteins from the plasma were first adsorbed on barium citrate by adding barium chloride solution. The precipitate formed was stirred with citrate/NaOH pH 6.9 buffer; barium and other clotting factors were removed by adding ammonium sulphate (up to 30% saturation) to the suspension. The Factor X was then precipitated by 65% ammonium sulphate, after resolution in citrate buffer chromatographed on DEAE-Sephadex and purified by rechromatography on DEAE-Sephadex and DEAE-Sepharose, respectively. This yielded Factor X1 and Factor X2 with respective purifications of about 16 000 and 24 000-fold that of the plasma. The apparent molecular mass of both Factor X1 and Factor X2 was 55 kDa as estimated by the sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Factor X2 had a higher specific biological activity of about 340 000 units/mg compared to that of Factor X1 of about 230 000 units/mg.     

Haemolymph plasma composition of the Essig''s lupine aphid, Macrosiphum albifrons Essig (homoptera: aphididae)

Haemolymph from the Essig's Lupine aphid, Macrosiphum albifrons (Essig), was analyzed for pH, osmolality, and concentrations of magnesium, calcium, potassium, sodium, chloride, phosphate and citrate. The concentration of inorganic ions and citrate was relatively low forming only 14% of the osmotic potential of the plasma (476 mOsm). The composition of the plasma resembled more the composition of phytophagous Endopterygota than Exopterygota.     

Protective effect of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides on streptozotocin-induced oxidative stress in rats

Fruit from Lycium barbarum L. in the family Solanaceae is well-known in traditional Chinese herbal medicine. Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBP) have been identified as one of the active ingredients responsible for its biological activities. We isolated polysaccharides from dried Lycium barbarum fruits by boiling water extraction. In the study, 50 animals were divided into two groups: a nondiabetic control (n = 10) and a diabetic group (n = 40). Diabetes was induced by a single injection of streptozotocin (50 mg/kg BW; Sigma, USA) freshly dissolved in a 0.1 mol/L citrate buffer (pH 4.5) into the intraperitonium. The normal control rats and the untreated diabetic control rats were only injected with the citrate buffer. Treated diabetic rats were administrated with LBP in drinking water through oral gavage for 30 days. At the end of experiment, oxidative indice in blood, liver and kidney of all groups were examined. The results show that administration of LBP can restore abnormal oxidative indice near normal levels. Therefore, we may assume that LBP is effective in the protection of liver and kidney tissue from the damage of STZ-induced diabetic rats and that the LBP may be of use as a antihyperglycemia agent.