Genetic transformation of commercial cultivars of oat (Avena sativa L.) and barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) using in vitro shoot meristematic cultures derived from germinated seedlings

 Genetic transformation using shoot meristematic cultures (SMCs) derived from germinated seedlings is established in commercial varieties of oat cv 'Garry' and barley cv 'Harrington'. Six-month-old SMCs of oat were induced on MPM and bombarded with bar and uidA; 9-month-old SMCs of barley were induced on an improved medium (MPM-MC) containing maltose and high levels of copper and bombarded with bar/nptII and uidA. After 3–4 months on selection, seven independent transgenic lines of oat were obtained, two lines of barley. All transgenic lines produced T₀ plants; five lines of oat and one line of barley were self-fertile, and the other barley line produced T₁ seed when out-crossed. Both Mendelian and non-Mendelian segregation ratios of transgene expression were observed in T₁ and T₂ progeny of transgenic oat. Normal as well as low physical transmission of the transgenes was also seen in T₁ and T₂ progeny of oat. The bar-containing line of barley showed stable transgene expression in all of the T₁ and T₂ progeny tested. Received: 4 January 1999 / Accepted: 14 January 1999     

丛枝菌根真菌在田间的分布特征、代谢活性及其对甘薯生长的影响

研究了大田条件下丛枝菌根(AM)真菌的分布特征、代谢活性及其对甘薯的生长效应.结果表明,接种Glomus intraradices 8周后,甘薯地上部干重,薯块鲜重和薯块个数均明显高于不接种对照;植株地上部和根系的吸磷量显著提高.与不接种对照相比,接种处理的甘薯菌根侵染率、甘薯根外菌丝密度以及甘薯根内菌丝的活性(根内菌丝碱性磷酸酶活性)显著提高.进一步分析甘薯根际不同方位上的菌丝分布,发现接种处理中平行于垄的方向的菌丝密度显著高于苗子下方的菌丝密度,而不接种处理的各个方向总菌丝密度无差异;活菌丝(具琥珀酸脱氢酶活性的菌丝)密度在各个方向的分布规律与总菌丝密度的分布规律一致.接种后根内菌丝活性的增强,根外活性菌丝密度的增加及其分布特征的改变,是甘薯产量增加的主要原因.     

Characterization of a protein-kinase activity associated with phytochrome from etiolated oat (Avena sativa L.) seedlings

A protein-kinase activity which is co-purified with phytochrome from etiolated oat seedlings was investigated in some detail. Whereas phytochrome was always phosphorylated in solution (together with some contaminating protein bands), radioactive phosphate was not found in the phytochrome band after native gel electrophoresis and incubation of the entire gel with labeled ATP. Since protein kinases are usually autophosphorylated under these conditions, the result shows that the kinase activity does not reside in the phytochrome molecule itself. Radioactivity was exclusively detected in a band with the apparent molecular weight 450 kDa; sodium-dodecyl-sulfate gel electrophoresis revealed an apparent molecular weight of 60 kDa for the phosphorylated subunit. The N-terminal amino-acid sequence A L E S _A ^G K _Q ^L V P W was determined for this subunit which is a potential candidate for the protein kinase. The optimum conditions (pH, metal ion concentration) and kinetics of the phosphorylation reaction were determined. The presumed connection between proteinkinase activity and the signal chain leading from the far-red-absorbing form of phytochrome to physiological responses still awaits elucidation.Abbreviations Bistris 2-[bis(2-hydroxyethyl)amino]-2-(hydroxymethyl)-1,3-propanediol - kDa kilodalton - Pfr far-red absorbing form of phytochrome - Pr red-absorbing form of phytochrome - PMBS p-chloromercuribenzenesulfonate - SDS sodium dodecyl sulfate - Tris 2-amino-2-(hydroxymethyl)-1,3-propanediol Dedicated to Professor A. Trebst on the occasion of his 60th birthday     

来自普哥滨珊瑚的一株Talaromyces sp.真菌的活性次生代谢产物

利用硅胶柱层析、制备型HPLC和重结晶等手段从普哥滨珊瑚分离的一株Talaromyces sp.真菌C21-1中筛选得到2个活性化合物,运用核磁共振、质谱和圆二色谱等技术鉴定这两个化合物分别为(R)-(-)-hydroxysydonic acid（1）和homodimeric WIN 64821（2）,补充完善了化合物2的核磁共振信号归属,并对化合物进行抗菌活性和乙酰胆碱酯酶抑制活性的测定,发现化合物1对白色假丝酵母Canidia albicans和耐甲氧基青霉素的金黄色葡萄球菌Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus（MRSA）具有一定的抑制作用,其最低抑菌浓度（MIC）分别为0.075mmol/L和0.2mmol/L,对副溶血弧菌Vibrio parahemolyticus的抑制活性较弱,在0.2mmol/L浓度下的抑制率为17%;化合物2最大浓度0.2mmol/L条件下对这3种菌均没有明显的抑制效果。化合物2表现出剂量依赖的乙酰胆碱酯酶抑制活性,0.5mmol/L时抑制率达到35.1%。     

Two new 1,4-naphthoquinone derivatives from Impatiens balsamina L. flowers

Two new 1,4-naphthoquinone derivatives, balsaminone D (1), balsaminone E (2) along with two known compounds (3 and 4) were discovered from Impatiens balsamina L. flowers. Their structures were identified with spectroscopic methods including HR–EI–MS, 1D and 2D NMR, as well as the absolute configuration was determined by ECD calculation. In addition, new compounds 1 and 2 with IC₅₀ value of 30.54 and 40.67 μg/mL exhibited better activities against activated t-HSC/Cl-6 cells than positive control Silymarin and Fufang Biejia Ruangan Pian, of which the IC₅₀ value were 202.34 and 231.56 μg/mL, respectively.     

Temporal and light regulation of the expression of three phytochromes in germinating seeds and young seedlings of Avena sativa L.

An oat (Avena sativa L.) plant contains at least three phytochromes, which have monomeric masses of 125, 124, and 123 kilodaltons (kDa) (Wang et al., 1991, Planta 184, 96–104). The 124-kDa phytochrome is most abundant in dark-grown seedlings, while the other two phytochromes predominate in light-grown seedlings. Using three monoclonal antibodies, each specific to one of the three phytochromes, we have monitored by immunoblot assay the expression of these three phytochromes in the 5 d following onset of imbibition of seeds. On a per-organism basis, each of these three phytochromes increased in abundance for the first 3 d in the light, or for the first 4 d in darkness, after which they each began to decrease in quantity. When 3-d-old dark-grown seedlings were transferred to the light, the abundance of each of these three phytochromes decreased both in absolute amount and relative to the phytochrome levels in control seedlings kept in darkness. In contrast, when 3-d-old light-grown seedlings were transferred to darkness, the abundance of the 124-kDa and 125-kDa phytochromes increased while that of 123-kDa phytochrome remained unchanged. In each case, the level of phytochrome was greater than that of control seedlings maintained in the light. Thus, in addition to temporal regulation, all three phytochromes exhibit photoregulated expression at the protein level, although the magnitude of this photoregulation varies substantially. We thank Drs. Elizabeth Williams and Tammy Sage (Botany Department, University of Georgia, USA) for generously permitting us to use their image-analysis system. This research was supported by USDA NRICGP grant 91-37100-6490.     

Discrimination between the red- and far-red-absorbing forms of phytochrome from Avena sativa L. by monoclonal antibodies

A set of rat monoclonal antibodies (ARC MAC 48 to 52 and 54 to 56), raised to phytochrome from dark-grown seedlings of Avena sativa L. was tested for the ability to discriminate between the red-absorbing (Pr) and far-red-absorbing (Pfr) forms of phytochrome by indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. MAC 50 bound more strongly to Pfr and MAC 49 and 52 showed preferential binding to Pr from extracts of dark-grown Avena seedlings; MAC 50 also bound more strongly to Pfr from brushite-purified phytochrome. The remainder of the monoclonal antibodies and a rabbit polyclonal antiphytochrome preparation did not discriminate between Pr and Pfr. The results provide evidence for conformational changes in defined regions of the phytochrome apoprotein upon photoconversion.Abbreviations ELISA enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay - FR far-red light - McAb monoclonal antibody(ies) - PBS phosphate-buffered saline - Pfr far-red-absorbing form of phytochrome - Pr red-absorbing form of phytochrome - R red light - PMSF phenylmethylsulphonylfluoride     

Barley yellow dwarf virus: effects on carbohydrate metabolism in oat (Avena sativa) during cold hardening

Barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV) causes significant losses in yield and in overwintering ability of winter cereals. Mechanisms by which the physiology of plants is affected by the virus are not clear. To see how carbohydrates in the crown of winter cereals were affected by BYDV, fructan isomers of degree of polymerization (DP) 3–5, fructan DP>6 and the simple sugars, glucose, fructose and sucrose, were measured before and during cold hardening in three oat ( Avena sativa L.) cultivars, 'Wintok', 'Coast Black' and 'Fulghum'. On a fresh weight basis fructan DP>6 decreased by 50% in infected 'Wintok' and 'Coast Black' and by 25% in 'Fulghum'. Two DP3, one DP4 and one DP5 isomer were significantly higher than non-infected controls. The percentages of simple sugars in infected crowns were significantly higher than controls in all three cultivars in every week except the first week of hardening. Crude enzyme extracts from BYDV infected plants incubated with sucrose suggested higher invertase and lower sucrose-sucrosyl transferase activity. When incubated with 1-kestose and neokestin, no significant difference was found in fructose fructosyl transferase or in hydrolase activity. The activity of unidentified enzymes catalysing the synthesis of larger (DP>5) fructan was altered by BYDV. The decrease of carbohydrates in the crown induced indirectly by BYDV may alter the plant's capacity to regenerate tillers in the spring. The ability of plants to prevent or tolerate carbohydrate fluctuations induced by BYDV infection may be an important genetically regulated characteristic for developing virus-resistant cultivars.     

艾纳香内生真菌粉红粘帚霉抗菌次生代谢产物

植物内生真菌一直是发现结构新颖、活性广泛的化合物的重要宝库。文中对一株艾纳香内生真菌粉红粘帚霉Clonostachysrosea进行化学研究,通过活性跟踪手段,结合硅胶柱色谱、凝胶色谱、以及半制备液相色谱技术从该菌株的发酵提取物中共分离获得6个单体化合物,经波谱学技术结合质谱鉴定其分别为verticillin A (1)、(S)-(+)-fusarinolic acid (2)、8-hydroxyfusaric acid (3)、cerebroside C (4)、3-Maleimide-5-oxime (5)以及bionectriol A(6)。所有化合物进行了体外抗大肠埃希菌、金黄色葡萄球菌、枯草芽孢杆菌以及铜绿假单胞菌4株细菌的活性评价,其中1、4和6对3株细菌表现出显著的抑菌活性,MIC值2–16μg/mL。研究结果为从黎药植物艾纳香的内生真菌中寻找新型抗生素提供重要参考。     

Photosynthesis in chloroplasts rapidly isolated from primary leaves of oat (Avena sativa L.): effects of orthophosphate, metal ion and chelators

Abstract A simple mechanical method for the rapid isolation of chloroplasts with high rates of photosynthesis from young leaves of oat (Avena sativa L.) was described. The photosynthetic activity of these chloroplasts was stable for at least 2 h with rates of CO₂-dependent O₂ evolution of 30–40 μmol g ¹ Chl s ¹. The photosynthetic properties of these chloroplasts were similar to those reported for spinach and pea chloroplasts isolated by mechanical disruption. The pH optimum for photosynthetic O₂ evolution was pH 7.6. The induction time was 0.5–2 min. Maximal rates of photosynthetic O₂ evolution in these chloroplast preparations were obtained in the absence of both divalent cations and EDTA. Addition of divilent cations strongly inhibited photosynthesis which could be partially restored by the subsequent addition of EDTA. But when these cations were not present in the assay medium the addition of EDTA greater than 1 mol m ³ decreased photosynthetic activity. The optimal orthophosphate concentration required for photosynthesis in these chloroplast preparations was 0.2–0.3 mol m ³. In contrast, the addition of pyrophosphate either in the light or dark inhibited photosynthesis. In a comparative study, chloroplasts were also isolated from oat and wheat (Triticum aestivum L., cultivar Hybrid C306) protoplasts. These chloroplast preparations were found to have properties similar to those determined for oat chloroplasts isolated by the mechanical method reported above.     

Metallo-proteinase from the seedlings of kale (Brassica oleracea L. var. sabellica):

Metallo-proteinase from 8-d-old seedlings of kale was isolated. The enzyme was extracted with 1% NaCl, concentrated by ammonium sulfate and finally purified by high-performance liquid chromatography. The isolated enzyme had a molecular weight of 22.4 kDa and showed a maximum activity at pH 9.0 using casein as a substrate. Proteolytic activity of proteinase was inhibited by chelators. The inhibition by ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA) was abolished by some divalent metals ions, especially by Zn²⁺. The enzyme showed activity against the synthetic peptides Suc-Ala-Ala-Pro-Leu-pNA and Suc-Ala-Ala-Pro-Phe-pNA, and hydrolized the following peptide bonds in the oxidized insulin B-chain: Leu6-Cya7, Leu15-Tyr16, Leu17—Val18 and Phe25-Tyr26.Abbreviations EDTA ethylenediaminotetraacetic acid - HPLC high-performance liquid chromatography - NEM N-ethylmaleimide - PCMB p-mecuribenzoic acid - PMSF phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride This work was supported by the University Science Programme, Ministry of National Education, and Polish Academy of Science, Warsaw, Poland.     

Studies on the feeding of Sitona lineatus L. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) on white clover (Trifolium repens L.) seedlings

Measurements of feeding damage by sitona weevil (Sitona lineatus L.) adults on differing numbers of seedlings of white clover (Trifolium repens L.) at the first and fourth trifoliate leaf stage were made in the glasshouse at 20°C. S. lineatus consumed more of the trifoliate component of the seedling. Sitona adults caused significant yield reduction at all levels of plant population. Total clover consumption increased with increasing size of sitona population, but consumption per adult weevil was reduced.     

A new chromosome nomenclature system for oat (Avena sativa L. and A. byzantina C. Koch) based on FISH analysis of monosomic lines

Fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) with multiple probes was used to analyze mitotic and meiotic chromosome spreads of Avena sativa cv ‘Sun II’ monosomic lines, and of A. byzantina cv ‘Kanota’ monosomic lines from spontaneous haploids. The probes used were A. strigosa pAs120a (a repetitive sequence abundant in A-genome chromatin), A. murphyi pAm1 (a repetitive sequence abundant in C-genome chromatin), A. strigosa pITS (internal transcribed spacer of rDNA) and the wheat rDNA probes pTa71 (nucleolus organizer region or NOR) and pTa794 (5S). Simultaneous and sequential FISH employing pairs of these probes allowed the identification and genome assignation of all chromosomes. FISH mapping using mitotic and meiotic metaphases facilitated the genomic and chromosomal identification of the monosome in each line. Of the 17 ‘Sun II’ lines analyzed, 13 distinct monosomic lines were found, corresponding to four monosomes of the A-genome, five of the C-genome and four of the D-genome. In addition, 12 distinct monosomic lines were detected among the 20 ‘Kanota’ lines examined, corresponding to six monosomes of the A-genome, three of the C-genome and three of the D-genome. The results show that 19 chromosomes out of 21 of the complement are represented by monosomes between the two genetic backgrounds. The identity of the remaining chromosomes can be deduced either from one intergenomic translocation detected on both ‘Sun II’ and ‘Kanota’ lines, or from the single reciprocal, intergenomic translocation detected among the ‘Sun II’ lines. These results permit a new system to be proposed for numbering the 21 chromosome pairs of the hexaploid oat complement. Accordingly, the A-genome contains chromosomes 8A, 11A, 13A, 15A, 16A, 17A and 19A; the C-genome contains chromosomes 1C, 2C, 3C, 4C, 5C, 6C and 7C; and the D-genome consists of chromosomes 9D, 10D, 12D, 14D, 18D, 20D and 21D. Moreover, the FISH patterns of 16 chromosomes in ‘Sun II’ and 15 in ‘Kanota’ suggest that these chromosomes could be involved in intergenomic translocations. By comparing the identities of individually translocated chromosomes in the two hexaploid species with those of other hexaploids, we detected different types of intergenomic translocations.     

Cd2+ effects on transmembrane electrical potential difference,respiration and membrane permeability of rice (Oryza sativa L) roots.

Among other detrimental effects of the heavy metal Cd²⁺, a decrease in the plant content of essential mineral nutrients is known. In this study, the effect of Cd²⁺ on different physiological activities of rice roots involved in nutrient acquisition has been studied. Upon addition of 0.1 or 1 mM Cd²⁺ to the experimental solution, root cell membranes depolarized in few minutes, reaching very low Em values. This effect was transient and the initial membrane potential recovered totally within 6–8 h. Only the highest concentration used had an inhibitory effect on root respiration. Significant respiratory inhibition appeared after 2 h of exposure to Cd²⁺ and lasted for at least 4 h. In turn, membrane permeability increased in the presence of Cd²⁺ for at least 8 h, inducing K⁺ efflux from the roots. The relationship between these parameters and their possible involvement in lowered nutrient content in Cd²⁺-treated plants is discussed.     

Two novel isoflavone derivatives from Ficus esquiroliana Levl. and their cytotoxic effects on cancer cells

Two novel isoflavone derivatives ficusavone A and B (1 and 2) together with two known biogenetically related isoflavone derivatives (3 and 4) were isolated from the stems of Ficus esquiroliana Levl. The structures of these compounds were elucidated using comprehensive spectroscopic methods. Compounds 1 and 2 represent the rare example of an isoflavone derivative of oxidative cracking of isopentene from natural products. The inhibitory activities of all compounds against HeLa, MCF-7 and A549 cells were evaluated. Compound 1 showed the cytotoxicity against the MCF-2 (IC₅₀ = 12.3 μM) and A549 (IC₅₀ = 17.8 μM) cell lines. The other compounds showed modest activities or were inactive.     

Synthesis, characterization and antibacterial activity of new sulfonamide derivatives and their nickel(II), cobalt(II) complexes

Methanesulfonicacid hydrazide (a sulfonamide compound, msh: CH₃SO₂NHNH₂) derivatives: methylsalicylaldehydemethanesulfonylhydrazone (5msalmsh), 5-methyl-2-hydroxyaceto-phenonemethanesulfonylhydrazone (5mafmsh) and their Ni(II), Co(II) complexes have been synthesized for the first time. The structure of these sulfonamide compounds has been investigated by using elemental analyses; FT-IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, LC-MS, and UV-Vis spectrometric methods; magnetic susceptibility; conductivity measurements; thermal studies. The crystal structure of 5msalmsh has been investigated by X-ray analysis. The antibacterial activities of synthesized compounds were studied against gram positive bacteria: Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, and Bacillus magaterium; and gram negative bacteria: Salmonella enteritidis, and Escherichia coli by using the microdilution broth method. The biological activity screening showed that ligands have more activity than complexes against the tested bacteria.     

Isolation of Two Plasticizers,Bis(2-ethylhexyl) Terephthalate and Bis(2-ethylhexyl) Phthalate,from Capparis spinosa L. Leaves

Many plants have been known to be contaminated and accumulate plasticizers from the environment, including water sources, soil, and atmosphere. Plasticizers are used to confer elasticity and flexibility to various fiber and plastic products. Consumption of plasticizers can lead to many adverse effects on human health, including reproductive and developmental toxicity, endocrine disruption, and cancer. Herein, we report for the first time that two plasticizers, bis(2-ethylhexyl) terephthalate (DEHT) and bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), have been isolated from the leaves of Capparis spinosa L. (the caper bush), a plant that is widely used in food seasonings and traditional medicine. 297 mg/kg of DEHT and 48 mg/kg of DEHP were isolated from dried and grounded C. spinosa L. leaves using column chromatography and semi-preparative high-performance liquid chromatography. Our study adds to the increase in the detection of plasticizers in our food and medicinal plants and to the alarming concern about their potential adverse effects on human health.