Glucosides of ionone-related compounds in several nicotiana species

The β-glucosides of 3-oxo-α-ionol and 5,6-epoxy-5,6-dihydro-3-hydroxy-β-ionol were isolated from fresh leaves of Nicotiana rustica. Two or more of the glucosides of 3-oxo-α-ionol, 5,6-epoxy-5,6-dihydro-3-hydroxy-β-ionol, 3-hydroxy-β-damascone, blumenol A, 4-(3-hydroxybutylidene)-3,5,5-trimethyl-2-cyclohexenl-one and blumenol C were shown to be present and the amounts measured in N. alata, N. repanda, N. rustica, N. undulata, N. accuminata, N. sylvestris and N. tabacum. No glucosides were detected in N. paniculata.     

Dibenzofuran and pyranone metabolites from Hypericum revolutum ssp. revolutum and Hypericum choisianum

In a project to isolate and characterise anti-staphylococcal compounds from members of the genus Hypericum, a dibenzofuran and a pyranone were isolated from the dichloromethane and hexane extracts of Hypericum revolutum ssp. revolutum Vahl (Guttiferae) and Hypericum choisianum Wall. ex. N. Robson (Guttiferae), respectively. The structures of these compounds were elucidated by 1- and 2D-NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry as 3-hydroxy-1,4,7-trimethoxydibenzofuran (1) and 4-(3-O-3″)-3″-methylbutenyl-6-phenyl-pyran-2-one (2). The metabolites were evaluated against a panel of multidrug-resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus. Compound 1 exhibited a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 256 μg/ml, whereas compound 2 was inactive at a concentration of 512 μg/ml.     

Presence of Nosema ceranae in honeybees (Apis mellifera) in Uruguay

The microsporidium Nosema ceranae is an emergent pathogen of European honeybees Apis mellifera. Using a PCR-RFLP diagnosis, 29 samples of infected honeybees obtained in 2007-2008 (N = 26), 2004 (N = 2) and before 1990 (N = 1) were analyzed for the presence of Nosema apis and N. ceranae. Only N. ceranae was found in all samples, indicating that this species dispersed to Uruguay (and likely the region) at some time before 1990. The presence of N. ceranae in Uruguay is not associated with an increase of Nosemosis, and its role in colony loss seems to be irrelevant.     

Mononuclear and tetranuclear palladacycles with terdentate [C,N,N] and [C,N,O] Schiff base ligands. C-H versus C-Br activation reactions

Reaction of the Schiff base ligands 2-Br-4,5-(OCH₂O)C₆H₂C(H)NCH₂CH₂NMe₂ (a) and 4,5-(OCH₂CH₂)C₆H₃C(H)NCH₂CH₂NMe₂ (b) with Pd(OAc)₂ or K₂[PdCl₄] leads to the mononuclear cyclometallated compounds [Pd{2-Br-4,5-(OCH₂O)C₆HC(H)NCH₂CH₂NMe₂-C6,N,N}(OCOMe)] (1a) and [Pd{4,5-(OCH₂CH₂)C₆H₂C(H)NCH₂CH₂NMe₂-C6,N,N}(Cl)] (1b), derived from C-H activation at the C6 carbon. Treatment of a with Pd₂(dba)₃ gave [Pd{4-5-(OCH₂O)C₆H₂C(H)NCH₂CH₂NMe₂-C2,N,N}(Br)] (2a), via C-Br activation.The metathesis reaction of 1a with aqueous sodium chloride gave [Pd{2-Br-4,5-(OCH₂O)C₆HC(H)NCH₂CH₂NMe₂-C6,N,N}(Cl)] (3a), with exchange of the acetate group by a chloride ligand. Treatment of the cyclometallated monomers 1a-3a with PPh₃ in a 1:1 molar ratio yielded the mononuclear complexes [Pd{2-Br-4,5-(OCH₂O)C₆HC(H)NCH₂CH₂NMe₂-C6,N}(L)(PPh₃)] (L: OAc, 4a; Cl, 5a) and [Pd{4-5-(OCH₂O)C₆H₂C(H)NCH₂CH₂NMe₂-C2,N}(Br)(PPh₃)] (6a), with Pd-NMe₂ bond cleavage. However, treatment of a solution of 3a or 2a with silver trifluoromethanesulfonate, followed by reaction with PPh₃ in acetone yielded the cyclometallated complexes [Pd{2-Br-4,5-(OCH₂O)C₆HC(H)NCH₂CH₂NMe₂-C6,N,N}(PPh₃)][CF₃SO₃] (7a) and [Pd{4-5-(OCH₂O)C₆H₂C(H)NCH₂CH₂NMe₂-C2,N,N}(PPh₃)][CF₃SO₃] (8a), respectively, where the Pd-NMe₂ bond was retained.The reaction of the ligands 2-Br-4,5-(OCH₂O)C₆H₂C(H)N(2′-OH-5′-^tBuC₆H₃) (c) and 4,5-(OCH₂CH₂)C₆H₃C(H)N(2′-OH-5′-^tBuC₆H₃) (d) with Pd(OAc)₂ gave the tetranuclear complexes [Pd{2-Br-4,5-(OCH₂O)C₆HC(H)N(2′-O-5′-^tBuC₆H₃)-C6,N,O}]₄ (1c) and [Pd{4,5-(OCH₂CH₂)C₆H₂C(H)N(2′-O-5′-^tBuC₆H₃)-C6,N,O}]₄ (1d), respectively. Treatment of 1c with PPh₃ in 1:4 molar ratio, gave the mononuclear species [Pd{2-Br-4,5-(OCH₂O)C₆HC(H)N(2′-(O)-5′-^tBuC₆H₃)-C6,N,O}(PPh₃)] (2c) with opening of the polynuclear structure after P-O_bridging bond cleavage.The structure of compounds 2a, 1c and 1d has been determined by X-ray diffraction analysis.     

6-Hydroxy- and 6-methoxyflavonoids from Neurolaena lobata and N. macrocephala

Twelve flavonoids including one new sulfate were isolated from Neurolaena lobata, and six known flavonoids were obtained from N. macrocephala. The new compound isolated from N. lobata is 6-hydroxykaempferol 3-methyl ether 7-sulfate, and the known flavonoids are 6-hydroxykaempferol 3,7-di-dimethyl ether, 6-hydroxykaempferol, 3-methyl ether 7-glucoside, 6-hydroxykaempferol 7-glucoside, quercetagetin and its 7-glucoside, quercetagetin 3,6- and 3,7-dimethyl ethers, quercetagetin 3-methyl ether 7-glucoside and 7-sulfate, 6-hydroxyluteolin 3′-methyl ether and 6-hydroxyluteolin 7-glucoside. The known flavonoids identified from N. macrocephala are quercetagetin 3,6- and 3, 7-dimethyl ethers, quercetagetin 6-methyl ether 7-glucoside, quercetagetin 3,6-dimethyl ether 7-glucoside, quercetagetin 7-glucoside and quercetagetin 3-methyl ether 7-sulfate.     

Asymmetrical coexistence of Nosema ceranae and Nosema apis in honey bees

Globalization has provided opportunities for parasites/pathogens to cross geographic boundaries and expand to new hosts. Recent studies showed that Nosema ceranae, originally considered a microsporidian parasite of Eastern honey bees, Apis cerana, is a disease agent of nosemosis in European honey bees, Apis mellifera, along with the resident species, Nosema apis. Further studies indicated that disease caused by N. ceranae in European honey bees is far more prevalent than that caused by N. apis. In order to gain more insight into the epidemiology of Nosema parasitism in honey bees, we conducted studies to investigate infection of Nosema in its original host, Eastern honey bees, using conventional PCR and duplex real time quantitative PCR methods. Our results showed that A. cerana was infected not only with N. ceranae as previously reported [Fries, I., Feng, F., Silva, A.D., Slemenda, S.B., Pieniazek, N.J., 1996. Nosema ceranae n. sp. (Microspora, Nosematidae), morphological and molecular characterization of a microsporidian parasite of the Asian honey bee Apis cerana (Hymenoptera, Apidae). Eur. J. Protistol. 32, 356-365], but also with N. apis. Both microsporidia produced single and mixed infections. Overall and at each location alone, the prevalence of N. ceranae was higher than that of N. apis. In all cases of mixed infections, the number of N. ceranae gene copies (corresponding to the parasite load) significantly out numbered those of N. apis. Phylogenetic analysis based on a variable region of small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSUrRNA) showed four distinct clades of N. apis and five clades of N. ceranae and that geographical distance does not appear to influence the genetic diversity of Nosema populations. The results from this study demonstrated that duplex real-time qPCR assay developed in this study is a valuable tool for quantitative measurement of Nosema and can be used to monitor the progression of microsprodian infections of honey bees in a timely and cost efficient manner.     

Melongosides n,o and p: steroidal saponins from seeds of solanum melongena

Three new saponins, melongosides N, O and P, have been isolated from the methanolic extract of seeds of Solanum melongena and their structures elucidated. Melongoside N is 3-O-[β-D-glucopyranosy l-(1 → 2)-β-D-glucopyranosyl]-26-O-(β-D-glucopyranosyl)-(25R)-5α-furostan-3β,22 α,26-triol, whereas melongoside O is 3-O-[β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 2)β-D-glucopyranosyl]- 26-O-(β-D-glucopyranosyl)-(25R)-furost-5-en-3β,22α,26-triol and melongoside P is 3-O- [β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 2)]-[α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 3)]-β-D-glucopyranosyl)-26-O- (β-D-glucopyranosyl)-(25 R)-5α-furostan-3β,22α,26-triol.     

Dihydrofurocoumarin glucosides from Angelica archangelica and Angelica silvestris

A water-soluble root extract of Angelica archangelica subsp. litoralis afforded, in addition to adenosine, coniferin and the two known dihydrofurocoumarin glycosides, apterin and 1′-O-β-d-glycopyranosyl-(S)-marmesin (marmesinin), two new dihydrofuranocoumarin glycosides, 1′-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(2S, 3R)-3-hydroxymarmesin, and 2′-β-d-glucopyranosyloxymarmesin. For the latter a 2S-configuration was demonstrated, the stereochemistry at position 1′ remaining undefined. Roots of A. silvestris similarly afforded 1′-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(2S, 3R)-3-hydroxymarmesin. By correlation with the aglycone 2S,3R)-3-hydroxymarmesin obtained in this work, the absolute configurations (2S,3R) were established for the known dihydrofurocoumarin diesters smirniorin and smirnioridin.     

2(S),3(S)-3-hydroxy-4-methyleneglutamic Acid from Gleditsia caspica

A new natural product, 2(S),3(S)-3-hydroxy-4-methyleneglutamic acid (G3) has been isolated from seeds of Gleditsia caspica. The structure has been established by chemical and spectroscopic methods. Catalytic reduction of G3 yields 2(S),4(S)-4-methylglutamic acid and a new amino acid, 2(S),3(S),4(S)-3-hydroxy-4-methylglutamic acid. Ozonolysis of G3 followed by oxidation gives 2(S),3(R)-3-hydroxyaspartic acid. The S- (or l-) configurations at C₂ in G3 and in 2(S),3(S),4(S)-3-hydroxy-4-methyglutamic acid and the S-configurations at C₃ for G3 and 2(S),3(S),4(S)-3-hydroxy-4-methylglutamic acid and at C₄ for 2(S),3(S),4(S)-3-hydroxy-4-methylglutamic acid are inferred from the configurations at C₂ in 2(_S),4(_S)-4-methylglutamic acid and at C₂ and C₃ in 2(S),3(R)-3-hydroxyaspartic acid. The seeds also contain appreciable quantities of 2(S),3(S),4(R)-3-hydroxy-4-methylglutami c acid (G1) and 2(S),4(R)-4-methylglutamic acid.     

Biochemical systematics of the cyprinid genus Notropis—I. The subgenus Luxilus

Population samples for all taxa in the subgenus Luxilus of Notropis were genetically analysed by vertical starch gel electrophoresis to detect protein variability. A total of 38 alleles were resolved at 17 presumptive loci. Protein systems examined included adenylate kinase, aspartate aminotransferase, creatine kinase, calcium-binding proteins, general protein, glucosephosphate isomerase, glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, lactate dehydrogenase, malate dehydrogenase, phosphoglucomutase, and superoxide dismutase. A phylogenetic analysis of the molecular data allows the recognition of four species-groups: (a) the cornutus group including Notropis albeolus, N. chrysocephalus chrysocephalus, N. c. isolepis, and N. cornutus: (b) the zonatus group including N. pilsbryi and N. zonatus; (c) the coccogenis group including N. coccogenis and N. zonistius; and (d) the cerasinus group comprised of N. cerasinus alone. Notropis cerasinus exhibits little genetic affinity for the cornutus species-group and is most closely related to the coccogenis species-group. Both phenetic and phylogenetic analyses deny specific status to the isolepis form. A further analysis of isozyme variability at the Pgm-A and Gpi-A loci may clarify the relationship between N. cornutus and N. chrysocephalus.     

Furanocoumarins from Dorsteniafoetida

The linear furanocoumarins 5-(2,3-epoxy-3-methyl-butoxy)-chalepensin, 5-methoxy-3-(3-methyl-2,3-dihydroxybutyl)-psoralen-diacetate (7), 5-methoxy-3-[3-(β-d-glucopyranosyloxy)-2-acetyloxy-3-methyl-butyl]-psoralen and 5-(3-methyl-2,3-dihydroxybutyloxy)-3-[3-(β-d-glucopyranosyloxy)-2-hydroxy-3-methyl-butyl]-psoralen, and the coumarin derivative 7-hydroxy-5-methoxy-6-carboxymethyl-3-[3-(β-d-glucopyranosyloxy)-2-hydroxy-3-methyl-butyl]-coumarin were isolated from the leaves of Dorstenia foetida (Moraceae) along with the known compounds psoralen, bergapten, isopimpinellin, phellopterin, 5-methoxychalepensin and turbinatocoumarin. Further furanocoumarins were characterized by ESI-MS/MS investigations. The nonpolar extracts of D. foetida exhibit antifungal, antibacterial and cytotoxic activity, however, no anthelminthic activity.     

Fruit-coat and seed fats of Rhopalostylis, Elaeocarpus and Nestegis species

The fruit-coat fats of Rhopalostylis sapida, R. baueri (Palmae), Elaeocarpus dentatus (Elaeocarpaceae) and Nestegis cunninghamii (Oleaceae) and the seed fats of E. dentatus and N. cunninghamii contain as their major fatty acids palmitic 11–35%, oleic 13–68%, and linoleic 16–31%. The seed fat of E. dentatus contains 10% hexadecenoic acid and the fruit-coat fat of N. cunninghamii 13% linolenic acid.     

Lactate dehydrogenase isoenzymes in the larvae of Barathra brassicae and Galleria mellonella during microsporidan infection

Changes in the activities of lactate dehydrogenase isoenzymes in the gut and fat body of Galleria mellonella and Barathra brassicae larvac infected by the microsporidans Nosema plodiae and Pleistophora schubergi were studied by means of dise electrophoresis. In the normal last instar G. mellonella gut and fat body three isoenzymes, LDH-1, LDH-2-3, and LDH-4, and in B. brassicae two isoenzymes, LDH-1 and LDH-2-3, were present. In the fat body of both the animals infected by N. plodiae, the isoenzyme LDH-2-3 increased in activity substantially by the fifth day of infection. The gut LDH isoenzymes were not affected by the microsporidan. The same LDH-2-3 effect could be provoked by some enzymes toxic for G. mellonella larvae such as phospholipase-C and protease preparations.     

Stereochemistry of C-methylation in the biosynthesis of rhododendrin in Alnus and Betula

Using differently labelled precursors, it was established that rhododendrin (3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1-methylpropyl-β-D-glucopyranoside) is formed through the phenylpropane pathway via p-coumaryl alcohol, dihydro-p-coumaryl alcohol and C-methylation of the γ-C-atom of the C₆C₃ unit with methionine supplying the methyl group. It was demonstrated that the pro-(S)-hydrogen atom of dihydro-p-coumaryl alcohol is replaced stereospecifically by the methyl group.     

Physiological responses of Pogonatum cirratum subsp. fuscatum living in different habitats to simulated nitrogen deposition

The effects of nitrogen (N) deposition on Pogonatum cirratum (Sw.) Bird. subsp. fuscatum (Mitt.) Hyvoenen, a species of moss widely distributed in South China, were investigated. Plots subjected to a gradient of N treatments were established in 3 habitats with different illumination and humidity conditions. N was sprayed onto plots with NH₄NO₃ solutions, at doses equivalent to 20, 40 and 60 kg N ha^?1, in 4 applications during May 2006 and January 2007. The results suggest that high N deposition affects both carbon (C) and N metabolism of P. cirratum subsp. fuscatum, as well as the interaction between them. On the other hand, the sensitivity of the moss varied according to the humidity and light conditions. Moss in a habitat with high humidity and moderate light was more tolerant to an N deposition increase than moss in a habitat with low humidity and low light, as the latter was extremely sensitive to an increase in N deposition.     

Cycloartanes from Lindheimera texana

The following new cycloartanes were isolated from the aerial parts of Lindheimera texana: (16S,23S)- and (16S,23R)-16,23-epoxycycloart-24-en-3-one, (3S,16S,23S)- and (3S,16S,23R)-16,23-epoxycycloart-24-en-3ol, (16S,23R)-16,23-epoxy-23,25-epidioxycycloartan-3-one, (16S)-23,24,25,26,27-pentanorcycloartan-3-one-16,22-olide, (16S,23S,24R)- or (16S,23R,24S)-23,24-epoxycycloartan-3-one-16,25-diol and (16S,23ζ,24ζ)-cycloartan-3-one-16,23,24,25-tetrol. Structures were established by chemical transformations and spectroscopic methods and, in the case of (16S,23R)-16,23-epoxy-23,25-epidioxycycloartan-3-one, by X-ray crystallography. Norambreinolide, several known labdanes and oleanolic acid were also isolated.     

Functional analysis and tissue-differential expression of four FAD2 genes in amphidiploid Brassica napus derived from Brassica rapa and Brassica oleracea

Fatty acid desaturase 2 (FAD2), which resides in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), plays a crucial role in producing linoleic acid (18:2) through catalyzing the desaturation of oleic acid (18:1) by double bond formation at the delta 12 position. FAD2 catalyzes the first step needed for the production of polyunsaturated fatty acids found in the glycerolipids of cell membranes and the triacylglycerols in seeds. In this study, four FAD2 genes from amphidiploid Brassica napus genome were isolated by PCR amplification, with their enzymatic functions predicted by sequence analysis of the cDNAs. Fatty acid analysis of budding yeast transformed with each of the FAD2 genes showed that whereas BnFAD2-1, BnFAD2-2, and BnFAD2-4 are functional enzymes, and BnFAD2-3 is nonfunctional. The four FAD2 genes of B. napus originated from synthetic hybridization of its diploid progenitors Brassica rapa and Brassica oleracea, each of which has two FAD2 genes identical to those of B. napus. The BnFAD2-3 gene of B. napus, a nonfunctional pseudogene mutated by multiple nucleotide deletions and insertions, was inherited from B. rapa. All BnFAD2 isozymes except BnFAD2-3 localized to the ER. Nonfunctional BnFAD2-3 localized to the nucleus and chloroplasts. Four BnFAD2 genes can be classified on the basis of their expression patterns.     

Isolation and in silico analysis of Fe-superoxide dismutase in the cyanobacterium Nostoc commune

Cyanobacteria are known to endure various stress conditions due to the inbuilt potential for oxidative stress alleviation owing to the presence of an array of antioxidants. The present study shows that Antarctic cyanobacterium Nostoc commune possesses two antioxidative enzymes viz., superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase that jointly cope with environmental stresses prevailing at its natural habitat. Native-PAGE analysis illustrates the presence of a single prominent isoform recognized as Fe-SOD and three distinct isoforms of catalase. The protein sequence of Fe-SOD in N. commune retrieved from NCBI protein sequence database was used for in silico analysis. 3D structure of N. commune was predicted by comparative modeling using MODELLER 9v11. Further, this model was validated for its quality by Ramachandran plot, ERRAT, Verify 3D and ProSA-web which revealed good structure quality of the model. Multiple sequence alignment showed high conservation in N and C-terminal domain regions along with all metal binding positions in Fe-SOD which were also found to be highly conserved in all 28 cyanobacterial species under study, including N. commune. In silico prediction of isoelectric point and molecular weight of Fe-SOD was found to be 5.48 and 22,342.98 Da respectively. The phylogenetic tree revealed that among 28 cyanobacterial species, Fe-SOD in N. commune was the closest evolutionary homolog of Fe-SOD in Nostoc punctiforme as evident by strong bootstrap value. Thus, N. commune may serve as a good biological model for studies related to survival of life under extreme conditions prevailing at the Antarctic region. Moreover cyanobacteria may be exploited for biochemical and biotechnological applications of enzymatic antioxidants.     

越南拟单性木兰属一新组合

粗壮光叶拟单性木兰(Magnolia nitida var. robusta)被转移到拟单性木兰属(Parakmeria),升级为种的等级。它与光叶拟单性木兰不同,特征是:长叶片,长叶柄,雌蕊短于雄蕊,花两性或雄性,被片乳白色,附属物尖 (3~3.5 mm)。     

The influence of bioturbation by the sandprawn Callianassa kraussi on feeding and survival of the bivalve Eumarcia paupercula and the gastropod Nassarius kraussianus

Field observations and experimental evidence have shown that bioturbation by the southern African sandprawn Callianassa kraussi may significantly influence the abundance and distribution of the filter-feeding bivalve Eumarcia paupercula and the grazing gastropod Nassarius kraussianus. It was hypothesized that (1) sediment reworking by C. kraussi negatively affects microalgal growth on the sediment surface, leading to a reduction in food intake by N. kraussianus, (2) sediment deposited by C. kraussi will also diminish the food uptake of E. paupercula by interfering with its filtration mechanism. To test these hypotheses, manipulative field and laboratory experiments were undertaken in which N. kraussianus and E. paupercula were added to treatments with and without C. kraussi, and their survival and gut chlorophyll-a content measured. The effects of C. kraussi on sediment erodability and on condition of E. paupercula (tissue mass/shell length) were determined in a second experiment. In the presence of C. kraussi, (1) microalgal consumption by both N. kraussianus and E. paupercula was halved; (2) condition and survival of E. paupercula were significantly reduced but survival of N. kraussianus was unaffected; and (3) sediment erodability was increased. A significant negative relationship was established between sediment erodability and condition of E. paupercula. Evidently C. kraussi exerts a strongly negative influence on the feeding of E. paupercula and N. kraussianus, and this may explain the scarcity of these organisms in areas containing high densities of C. kraussi.