Modification of phenolic metabolism in soybean hairy roots through down regulation of chalcone synthase or isoflavone synthase

Soybean hairy roots, transformed with the soybean chalcone synthase (CHS6) or isoflavone synthase (IFS2) genes, with dramatically decreased capacity to synthesize isoflavones were produced to determine what effects these changes would have on susceptibility to a fungal pathogen. The isoflavone and coumestrol concentrations were decreased by about 90% in most lines apparently due to gene silencing. The IFS2 transformed lines had very low IFS enzyme activity in microsomal fractions as measured by the conversion of naringenin to genistein. The CHS6 lines with decreased isoflavone concentrations had 5 to 20-fold lower CHS enzyme activities than the appropriate controls. Both IFS2 and CHS transformed lines accumulated higher concentrations of both soluble and cell wall bound phenolic acids compared to controls with higher levels found in the CHS6 lines indicating alterations in the lignin biosynthetic branch of the pathway. Induction of the soybean phytoalexin glyceollin, of which the precursor is the isoflavone daidzein, by the fungal pathogen Fusarium solani f. sp. glycines (FSG) that causes soybean sudden death syndrome (SDS) showed that the low isoflavone transformed lines did not accumulate glyceollin while the control lines did. The (iso)liquritigenin content increased upon FSG induction in the IFS2 transformed roots indicating that the pathway reactions before this point can control isoflavonoid synthesis. The lowest fungal growth rate on hairy roots was found on the FSG partially resistant control roots followed by the SDS sensitive control roots and the low isoflavone transformants. The results indicate the importance of phytoalexin synthesis in root resistance to the pathogen. Names are necessary to report factually on available data; however, the USDA neither guarantees nor warrants the standard of the product, and the use of the name by USDA implies no approval of the product to the exclusion of others that may also be suitable.     

Biotransformation of soybean isoflavones by a marine <Emphasis Type="Italic">Streptomyces</Emphasis> sp. 060524 and cytotoxicity of the products

A marine Streptomyces sp. 060524 capable of hydrolyzing the glycosidic bond of isoflavone glycosides, was isolated by detecting its β-glucosidase activity. 5 isoflavone aglycones were isolated from culture filtrates in soybean meal glucose medium. They were identified as genistein (1), glycitein (2), daidzein (3), 3′,4′,5,7-tetrahydroxyisoflavone (4), and 3′,4′,7-trihydroxyisoflavone (5), based on UV, NMR and mass spectral analysis. The Streptomyces can selectively hydroxylate at the 3′-position in the daidzein and genistein to generate 3′-hydroxydaidzein and 3′-hydroxygenistein, respectively. The Strain biotransformed more than 90% of soybean isoflavone glycosides into their aglycones within 108 h. 3′-hydroxydaidzein and 3′-hydroxygenistein exhibited stronger cytotoxicity against K562 human chronic leukemia than daidzein and genistein.     

An anti-inflammatory isoflavone from soybean inoculated with a marine fungus Aspergillus terreus C23-3

ABSTRACT

A new isoflavone derivative compound 1 (psoralenone) was isolated from soybean inoculated with a marine fungus Aspergillus terreus C23-3, together with seven known compounds including isoflavones 2–6, butyrolactone I (7) and blumenol A (8). Their structures were elucidated by MS, NMR, and ECD. Psoralenone displayed moderate in vitro anti-inflammatory activity in the LPS-induced RAW264.7 cell model. Compound 2 (genistein) showed moderate acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activity whereas compounds 2, 5 (biochanin A), 6 (psoralenol), and 7 exhibited potent larvicidal activity against brine shrimp. Compounds 3 (daidzein), 4 (4?-hydroxy-6,7-dimethoxyisoflavone), and 5–7 showed broad-spectrum anti-microbial activity, and compound 7 also showed moderate 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging activity.     

Biotransformation of artemisinic acid by the fungus Trichothecium roseum and anti-candidal activity of its metabolites

The microbial transformation of artemisinic acid (1) using cell culture of endophytic fungus Trichothecium roseum was investigated. Previously, we have reported two major metabolites, 3β-hydroxyartemisinic acid (2) and 3β,15-dihydroxyartemisinic acid (3) from the biotransformation of artemisinic acid by the fungus T. roseum CIMAPN1. Here in the present paper, we obtained a new minor compound 4 (5.2% in yield) along with compounds 2 and 3 through scale-up of biotransformation process of artemisinic acid using the same fungus. The structure of compound 4 was established as 3-oxoartemisinic acid on the basis of its IR, ESI-MS, HRMS, 1?D (¹H and ¹³C, DEPT), and 2?D (COSY, HSQC, HMBC) NMR spectral data analysis. The possible reaction mechanism of the formation of 3-oxoartemisinic acid from artemisinic acid was proposed. Furthermore, all the three metabolites along with the artemisinic acid were evaluated for their antifungal activity against the three fungal strains Candida albicans (ATCC 14053), Candida albicans clinical isolates and Candida kefyr (ATCC 204093). 3-Oxoartemisinic acid was the most active (4 to 16 times more potent than artemisinic acid) with MIC ranges from 125 to 500?µg/mL among all tested compounds. This study suggested that the artemisinic acid molecule has a great potential to be exploited for further biotransformation by the different fungi and can produce chemically diverse molecules with better biological activity.     

Conferin,potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory isoflavone from Caragana conferta Benth

Conferin (1), a new isoflavone, has been isolated from the ethyl acetate soluble fraction of Caragana conferta Benth. along with seven known compounds, namely biochanin A (2), p-hydroxybenzoic acid (3), 3,5- dimethoxybenzoic acid (4), ursolic acid (5), erythrodiol (6), pinoresinol (7), and syringresinol (8), reported for the first time from this species. The structure of the new isoflavone was deduced on the basis of spectroscopic studies. Compounds 1 and 2 were investigated for biological activities and showed significant anti-inflammatory activity in carrageenan induced paw edema of rats. Evaluation of antioxidant activity by the radical scavenging method indicated that compound 1 is a potent antioxidant while 2 is moderately active. It was also shown that the reducing capability of compound 2 was remarkably increased in a concentration dependent manner as compared to 1. Compound 1 showed moderate inhibitory activity against the enzyme lipoxygenase, while 2 showed weak activity.     

Isoflavone Aglycon Produced by Culture of Soybean Extracts with Basidiomycetes and Its Anti-angiogenic Activity

Soybean extracts (SBE) containing isoflavone glycosides were cultured with Ganoderma lucidum mycelia producing β-glucosidase. The anti-angiogenic effects of the cultivated product, containing rich in genistein, named GCP (genistein combined polysaccharide), were assessed with chick chorioallantoic membranes (CAM) and a mouse dorsal air-sac model. β-Glucosidase produced by the mycelia converted the isoflavone glycosides into aglycons. A test of volunteers showed that serum concentrations of genistein in the subjects treated with GCP (n=4) at 3 h after administration were significantly higher than those in the subjects treated with SBE (n=4).

GCP inhibited angiogenesis in CAM, and the activity of GCP was greater than that of SBE. GCP inhibited the formation of new vessels induced by colon carcinoma cells in vivo.     

富硒条件下蜜环菌菌株硒耐受性及胞外酶生物活性的研究

[目的]通过对蜜环菌(Armillaria mellea)的富硒驯化,研究各菌株硒耐受性、有机硒含量及生物活性的变化规律,从而获得生物活性更强的蜜环菌,并对富硒蜜环菌的生物学特征进行初步研究.[方法]以Na2SeO3为无机硒试剂对蜜环菌进行富硒驯化;采用氢化物原子荧光光谱法测定蜜环菌的硒含量,热水浴法测定蜜环菌的无机硒...     

整合转录组数据鉴定大型真菌原基形成的潜在通路

[背景]大型真菌子实体发育特别是从菌丝体到原基转变的分子机制,目前仍不清楚.现有的研究大多集中在有限的真菌种类或环境因素上,但对在发育中起关键作用的基因提供的信息有限.[目的]研究大型真菌原基形成的分子机制.[方法]对11个物种及4个环境因子相关的转录组数据进行分析.[结果]与对照组相比,上调基因数量从白灵菇(Pleu...     

Biotransformation of 16-oxacleroda-3,13(14)E-dien-15-oic acid isolated from Polyalthia longifolia by Rhizopus stolonifer increases its antifungal activity

Biotransformation of the antifungal compound 16-oxocleroda-3,13(14)E-dien-15-oic acid (1) isolated from Polyalthia longifolia leaves was achieved by Rhizopus stolonifer in broth medium containing the substrate at the sublethal concentration of 0.06?mg ml^?1. A novel derivative, 18-hydroxy-16-oxocleroda-3,13(14)E-dien-15-oic acid (2) was isolated after 4 d of incubation. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined against 11 fungal pathogens of clinical and agricultural importance. The biotransformed compound showed lower MIC values than the natural parent compound. The study showed that the fungus R. stolonifer has the potential to hydroxylate a natural fungicidal clerodane diterpene at allylic position to produce a novel hydroxylated derivative with enhanced antifungal activity.     

Biotransformation of gallic acid by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Beauveria sulfurescens</Emphasis> ATCC 7159

Preparative-scale fermentation of gallic acid (3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoic acid) (1) with Beauveria sulfurescens ATCC 7159 gave two new glucosidated compounds, 4-(3,4-dihydroxy-6-hydroxymethyl-5-methoxy-tetrahydro-pyran-2-yloxy)-3-hydroxy-5-methoxy-benzoic acid (4), 3-hydroxy-4,5-dimethoxy-benzoic acid 3,4-dihydroxy-6-hydroxymethyl-5-methoxy-tetrahydro-pyran-2-yl ester (7), along with four known compounds, 3-O-methylgallic acid (2), 4-O-methylgallic acid (3), 3,4-O-dimethylgallic acid (5), and 3,5-O-dimethylgallic acid (6). The new metabolite genistein 7-O-β-D-4″-O-methyl-glucopyranoside (8) was also obtained as a byproduct due to the use of soybean meal in the fermentation medium. The structural elucidation of the metabolites was based primarily on 1D-, 2D-NMR, and HRFABMS analyses. Among these compounds, 2, 3, and 5 are metabolites of gallic acid in mammals. This result demonstrated that microbial culture parallels mammalian metabolism; therefore, B. sulfurescens might be a useful tool for generating mammalian metabolites of related analogs of gallic acid (1) for complete structural identification and for further use in investigating pharmacological and toxicological properties in this series of compounds. In addition, a GRE (glucocorticoid response element)-mediated luciferase reporter gene assay was used to initially screen for the biological activity of the 6 compounds, 2–6 and 8, along with 1 and its chemical O-methylated derivatives 9–13. Among the 12 compounds tested, 11–13 were found to be significant, but less active than the reference compounds of methylprednisolone and dexamethasone.     

真菌Talaromyces stipitatus WH4-2中的抗菌活性成分

【目的】对真菌菌株WH4-2进行鉴定并分离鉴定具有抗菌活性的天然产物。【方法】综合菌落形态和ITS全序列分析,鉴定菌株种属。以抗菌活性分析为导向对其中的活性组分进行分离纯化,波谱分析鉴定结构。采用微量稀释法对化合物进行活性复筛,得最小抑菌浓度MIC值。【结果】真菌菌株WH4-2鉴定为Talaromyces stipitatus。从其土豆发酵液中分离鉴定化合物1 (5S-arugosin K)、2 (5R-arugosin K)、3 (5S-arugosin M)、4 (5R-arugosin M)和5 (Chrysophanol),其中1–4为含异戊烯基的dibenzo[b,e]oxepinone类化合物,5为蒽醌类化合物。1–4对Staphylococcus aureus ATCC43300、ATCC33591,Enterococcus faecium ATCC35667和Bacillussubtilis ATCC6633具有抗菌活性。【结论】含异戊烯基的Dibenzo[b,e]oxepinone类化合物是真菌T. stipitatus中抗菌活性成分。     

Experimentally induced mastitis and metritis modulate soy bean derived isoflavone biotransformation in diary cows

The present study compared the changes in isoflavone (daidzein and genistein) and their metabolite (equol and para-ethyl-phenol) concentrations in the blood plasma of cows with induced mastitis and metritis after feeding with soy bean. Sixteen cows were divided into four groups: control for mastitis group, cows with induced mastitis group, control for metritis group, and cows with induced metritis group. All cows were fed a single dose of 2.5 kg of soy bean and then blood samples were taken from the jugular vein for 8 h at predetermined intervals. The concentrations of soy bean-derived isoflavones and their active metabolites were measured in the blood plasma on HPLC system. β-Glucuronidase activity in the blood plasma of cows was measured by fluorometric method. In the blood plasma of cows with induced mastitis and metritis, we found considerably higher concentrations and time-dependent increase in isoflavone metabolites (equol and para-ethyl-phenol) with reference to cyclic cows (P < 0.05). Moreover, we noticed significant decrease of genistein in the blood plasma of the cows with induced metritis compared with control cows (P < 0.05). In addition, in the blood plasma of the cows with induced metritis, we found an increase in β-glucuronidase activity compared with control cows (P < 0.05). In conclusion, health status of the females influenced the concentrations of isoflavone metabolites in the blood plasma of the cows. Experimentally induced mastitis and metritis increased isoflavone absorption, biotransformation and metabolism. Therefore, we suggest that cows with induced mastitis and metritis are more exposed to active isoflavone metabolite actions than healthy cows.     

Alternaria cassiae Alters Phenylpropanoid Metabolism in Sicklepod (Cassia obtusifolia)

Phenylpropaniod metabolism has been implicated in plant defence mechanism(s) against pathogen attack. In this study, phenylpropanoid metabolism was examined over a 72 h time course in the weed sicklepod (Cassia obtusifolia) in relation to pathogenic effects of the fungus Alternaria cassiae. When 3- to 4-week old seedlings were challenged by the pathogen, extrable phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL, E.C. 4.3.1.5) activity was dramatically increased above that in uninfected plants severalhours after inoculation and exposure to dew. Greatest increases of enzyme activity (3-fold, specific activity basis) occurred at ca 15–23 after treatment with fungal spores. After this peak of activity, PAL activity declined with time in infectedtissue, but remained greater than in uninfected plants through 65 h after treatment. Total methanol-soluble hydroxyphenolic compound levels (PAL products) were higher in shoots (stems and leaves) of infected plants at 48–72 h. Leaves contained a higherconcentration (per gram fresh weight) of hydroxyphenolic compounds than did stems, and infected leaves exhibited a phenolic content greater than that of uninfected leaves at ca 27–72 h. Increased soluble phenolic compound production correlated with the appearance of lesions and necrotic spots on leaves and stems. UV irradiation examination and spectrofluorometric analysis of thin layer chromatographic separations of methanolic exatracts revealed a substantial increase of several components ininfected tissue 48 h after inoculation. Results support the view that PAL activity increases correlate with increased phenolic compound production in this host/pathogen interaction.     

Bioefficacy of some Rhizobactrial isolates against sorghum root Rot pathogen Bipolaris sorokiniana

This study carried out to identify certain microbial allelochemicals with antifungal activity of some rhziobacterial isolates against Bipolaris sorokiniana fungi. The fungicidal activity of isolated microbe metabolites was compared based on inhibition % of fungal growth. Results showed that ethyl acetate crude extracts with two concentrations (500 and 1000 ppm) of Pseudomonas geniculata (SC) and Bacillus cereus (S4) were the most efficient isolates recorded inhibition % 33.62 and 52.59% followed by S4 (Bacillus cereus (ATCC 14579) which achieved inhibition % 33.62 and 46.55% at the same concentrations, respectively. After 4 days.The constituents analyzed by LC-MS/MS and FTIR of the ethyl acetate extracts of the Pseudomonas geniculata ATCC19374 were afforded aminobutyric acid, 1,4-benzoquinone, coumaric acid, sinapic acid, tryptophan amino acid, Succinic acid and ferulic acid. While, the secondary metabolites of (Bacillus cereus ATCC 14579 extract were aminobutyric acid, 1,4-benzoquinone, coumaric acids, sinapic acid, ferulic acid and benzoic acid. Results indicated that the isolates of Pseudomonas geniculata ATCC19374 and Bacillus cereus ATCC 14579 could be use as a good element in plant root rot pathogen Bipolaris sorokiniana management.     

Experimentally induced mastitis and metritis modulate soy bean derived isoflavone biotransformation in diary cows

The present study compared the changes in isoflavone (daidzein and genistein) and their metabolite (equol and para-ethyl-phenol) concentrations in the blood plasma of cows with induced mastitis and metritis after feeding with soy bean. Sixteen cows were divided into four groups: control for mastitis group, cows with induced mastitis group, control for metritis group, and cows with induced metritis group. All cows were fed a single dose of 2.5 kg of soy bean and then blood samples were taken from the jugular vein for 8 h at predetermined intervals. The concentrations of soy bean-derived isoflavones and their active metabolites were measured in the blood plasma on HPLC system. β-Glucuronidase activity in the blood plasma of cows was measured by fluorometric method. In the blood plasma of cows with induced mastitis and metritis, we found considerably higher concentrations and time-dependent increase in isoflavone metabolites (equol and para-ethyl-phenol) with reference to cyclic cows (P < 0.05). Moreover, we noticed significant decrease of genistein in the blood plasma of the cows with induced metritis compared with control cows (P < 0.05). In addition, in the blood plasma of the cows with induced metritis, we found an increase in β-glucuronidase activity compared with control cows (P < 0.05). In conclusion, health status of the females influenced the concentrations of isoflavone metabolites in the blood plasma of the cows. Experimentally induced mastitis and metritis increased isoflavone absorption, biotransformation and metabolism. Therefore, we suggest that cows with induced mastitis and metritis are more exposed to active isoflavone metabolite actions than healthy cows.     

Metabolic engineering of isoflavone genistein in Brassica napus with soybean isoflavone synthase

Genistein, 4′,5,7-trihydroxyisoflavone, is an isoflavonoid compound predominantly restricted to legumes and known to possess phyto-oestrogenic and antioxidative activities. The key enzyme that redirects phenylpropanoid pathway intermediates from flavonoids to isoflavonoids is the isoflavone synthase (IFS). Brassica napus is a non-legume oilseed crop with vegetative tissues producing phenylpropanoids and flavonoids, but does not naturally accumulate isoflavones due to the absence of IFS. To demonstrate whether exogenous IFS is able to use endogenous substrate to produce isoflavone genistein in oilseed crop, the soybean IFS gene (GmIFS2) was incorporated into B. napus plants. The presence of GmIFS2 in B. napus was shown to direct the synthesis and accumulation of genistein derivatives in leaves up to 0.72 mg g⁻¹ DW. In addition, expression levels for most B. napus genes in the phenylpropanoid pathway were altered. These results suggest that the heterologous GmIFS2 enzyme is functionally active at using the B. napus naringenin as a substrate to produce genistein in oilseed rape.     

Differential antibacterial activity of genistein arising from global inhibition of DNA, RNA and protein synthesis in some bacterial strains

Antibacterial activities of various flavonoids have been reported previously, but mechanism(s) of their action on bacterial cells remain(s) largely unknown. Here, we investigated effects of genistein, an isoflavone, and representatives of other flavonoids: daidzein (another isoflavone), apigenin (a flavone), naringenin (a flavanone) and kaempferol (a flavonol), on commonly used laboratory strains of model bacterial species: Escherichia coli, Vibrio harveyi and Bacillus subtilis. We found that E. coli was resistant to all tested flavonoids at concentrations up to 0.1 mM, while high sensitivity of V. harveyi to most of them (except daidzein, which exhibited significantly less pronounced effect) was observed. Effects of the flavonoids on B. subtilis were relatively intermediate to the two extremes, i.e., E. coli and V. harveyi. Action of genistein on bacterial cells was investigated in more detail to indicate changed cell morphology (formation of filamentous cells) of V. harveyi and drastic inhibition of global synthesis of DNA and RNA as shortly as 15 min after addition of this isoflavone to a bacterial culture to a final concentration of 0.1 mM. Protein synthesis inhibition was also apparent, but delayed. Both cell morphology and synthesis of nucleic acids and proteins were unaffected in E. coli cultures under analogous conditions. Studies on cell survival suggest that genistein is a bacteriostatic agent rather than a bactericidal compound.     

Studies on hydrazone derivatives as antifungal agents

The increasing clinical importance of drug-resistant fungal pathogens has urged additional need to fungal research and new antifungal compound development. For this purpose, some N-(1-benzyl-2-phenylethylidene)-N′-[4-(aryl)thiazol-2-yl]hydrazone (1a-e) and N-(1-phenylbutylidene)-N′-[4-(aryl)thiazol-2-yl]hydrazone (2a-e) derivatives were synthesised and evaluated for antifungal activity. Their antifungal activities against standard and clinical strands of Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, Candida utilis, Candida tropicalis, Candida krusei, Candida zeylanoides, and Candida parapsilosis were investigated. A significant level of activity was observed.     

Hydrolysis of soybean isoflavone glucosides by lactic acid bacteria

Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. delbrueckii KCTC 1047, grown in de Man, Rogosa and Sharpe (MRS) or soymilk media, completely hydrolyzed the isoflavone glucosides, genistin and daidzin at 50 g ml^–1, into their respective aglycones, genistein and daidzein within 30 min. Other lactic acid bacteria did not produce -glucosidase, the enzyme responsible for the hydrolysis of isoflavone glucosides, when cultured in MRS medium. Glucoside-hydrolyzing activity was induced in some lactic acid bacteria when cultured in soymilk medium. These strains hydrolyzed 70–80% of genistin into genistein and 25–40% of daidzin into daidzein.     

Fungal Metabolism of the Prenylated Isoflavone Licoisoflavone A

Cultures of Aspergillus flavus and Botrytis cinerea have been found to rapidly convert the fungitoxic isoflavone licoisoflavone A [5,7,2′,4′-tetrahydroxy-3′-(3,3-dimethylallyl)isoflavone] into products with reduced antifungal activity, as judged from TLC plate bioassays against the growth of Cladosporium herbarum. Both fungi produced the same five metabolites, but often in greatly differing quantities. Using physico-chemical procedures, the metabolites were characterized as a glycol (2″,3″-dihydrodihydroxylicoisoflavone A), two dihydrofurano-isoflavones (one of which was identical with lupinisoflavone D found in Lupinus albus roots) and two hydroxydihydropyrano-isoflavones.