Immunolocalization of 8-5′ and 8-8′ linked structures of lignin in cell walls of Chamaecyparis obtusa using monoclonal antibodies

Mouse monoclonal antibodies were generated against dehydrodiconiferyl alcohol- or pinoresinol-p-aminohippuric acid (pAHA)-bovine serum albumin (BSA) conjugate as probes that specifically react with 8-5′ or 8-8′ linked structure of lignin in plant cell walls. Hybridoma clones were selected that produced antibodies that positively reacted with dehydrodiconiferyl alcohol- or pinoresinol-pAHA–BSA and negatively reacted with pAHA–BSA and guaiacylglycerol-beta-guaiacyl ether-pAHA–BSA conjugates containing 8-O-4′ linkage. Eight clones were established for each antigen and one of each clone that positively reacted with wood sections was selected. The specificity of these antibodies was examined by competitive ELISA tests using various lignin dimers with different linkages. The anti-dehydrodiconiferyl alcohol antibody reacted specifically with dehydrodiconiferyl alcohol and did not react with other model compounds containing 8-O-4′, 8-8′, or 5-5′ linkages. The anti-pinoresinol antibody reacted specifically with pinoresinol and syringaresinol and did not react with the other model compounds containing 8-O-4′, 8-5′, or 5-5′ linkages. The antibodies also did not react with dehydrodiconiferyl alcohol acetate or pinoresinol acetate, indicating that the presence of free phenolic or aliphatic hydroxyl group was an important factor in their reactivity. In sections of Japanese cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa), labeling by the anti-dehydrodiconiferyl alcohol antibody was found in the secondary walls of phloem fibers and in the compound middle lamellae, and secondary walls of tracheids. Weak labeling by the anti-pinoresinol antibody was found in secondary walls of phloem fibers and secondary walls and compound middle lamellae of developed tracheids. These labelings show the localization of 8-5′ and 8-8′ linked structure of lignin in the cell walls.     

Biosynthesis of dehydrodiconiferyl alcohol glucosides: implications for the control of tobacco cell growth

The dehydrodiconiferyl alcohol glucosides A and B are factors isolated from transformed Vinca rosea tumor cells that can replace the cytokinin requirement for growth of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) pith and callus cells in culture. These factors, present in tobacco pith cells, have their concentrations elevated approximately 2 orders of magnitude after cytokinin exposure. Biosynthesis experiments showed that these compounds are not cell wall fragments, as previously suggested, but are produced directly from coniferyl alcohol. Their synthesis is probably associated with the existing pathway for cell wall biosynthesis in both Vinca tumors and tobacco pith explants. The pathway requires only two steps, the dimerization of coniferyl alcohol by a soluble intracellular peroxidase and subsequent glycosylation. Biosynthetic experiments suggested that dehydrodiconiferyl alcohol glucoside breakdown was very slow and control of its concentration was exerted through restricted availability of coniferyl alcohol.     

Gadain,a lignan from jatropha gossypifolia

The isolation of a new lignan, gadain, from Jatropha gossypifolia is reported. The structure and stereochemistry of this compound have been determined from spectral analysis, partial synthesis from jatrophan (a lignan of known absolute configuration) and from its transformation reactions.     

(+)-Calocedrin,a lignan dihydroanhydride from Calocedrus formosana

A novel lignan dihydroanhydride, (+)-calocedrin, was isolated from the wood of Calocedrus formosana. Its structure was determined to be trans-α-(3,4-methylenedioxybenzylidene)-β-(3,4-methylenedioxybenzyl)-γ-hydroxybutanolide by spectroscopic methods. Reduction of (+)-calocedrin resulted in an optically inactive lignan lactone, (±)-hibalactone.     

(—)-Massoniresinol,a lignan from Pinus massoniana

A new lignan, named (—)-massoniresinol, has been isolated from Pinus massoniana needles. Its structure has been proved to be (2R,3S,4R)-3,4-dihydroxy-2-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-4-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzyl)-3-tetrahydrofuranmethanol by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, mass and CD spectroscopy.     

(+)-Arctigenin,a lignan from Wikstroemia indica

A new lignan, (+)-aretigenin has been isolated from the roots of Wikstroemia indica (Nan-Ling-Jao-Hua) and identified as 8(R) 8′(S)-4′-hydroxy-3, 4,3′-trimethoxylignan-olid (9, 9′) on the basis of spectral evidence as well as a direct comparison with its enantiomer, (?)-arctigenin.     

RNAi-mediated pinoresinol lariciresinol reductase gene silencing in flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) seed coat: Consequences on lignans and neolignans accumulation

RNAi technology was applied to down regulate LuPLR1 gene expression in flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) seeds. This gene encodes a pinoresinol lariciresinol reductase responsible for the synthesis of (+)-secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG), the major lignan accumulated in the seed coat. If flax lignans biological properties and health benefits are well documented their roles in planta remain unclear. This loss of function strategy was developed to better understand the implication of the PLR1 enzyme in the lignan biosynthetic pathway and to provide new insights on the functions of these compounds. RNAi plants generated exhibited LuPLR1 gene silencing as demonstrated by quantitative RT-PCR experiments and the failed to accumulate SDG. The accumulation of pinoresinol the substrate of the PLR1 enzyme under its diglucosylated form (PDG) was increased in transgenic seeds but did not compensate the overall loss of SDG. The monolignol flux was also deviated through the synthesis of 8-5′ linked neolignans dehydrodiconiferyl alcohol glucoside (DCG) and dihydro-dehydrodiconiferyl alcohol glucoside (DDCG) which were observed for the first time in flax seeds.     

Tumour-inhibitory aryltetralin lignans from Podophyllum pleianthum

Roots of Podophyllum pleianthum contain eight aryltetralin lignans: podophyllotoxin, desoxypodophyllotoxin, podophyllotoxone, isopicropodophyllone and the four corresponding 4′-demethyl derivatives. The lignan pattern is very similar to that of P. hexandrum. A useful TLC spray reagent for Podophyllum lignans is described.     

A naphthoquinone and a lignan from the wood of Kigelia pinnata

A new naphthoquinone, kigelinone, and a new lignan, kigeliol, together with six known constituents including lapachol and dehydro-α- lapachone, were isolated from the wood of Kigelia pinnata. On the basis of spectral data and chemical degradations, kigelinone was characterized as 2-(1-hydroxyethyl)-8-hydroxy-naphtho[2,3-b]furano-4,9-dione and kigeliol as (2S,6S)-bis(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)- 3,7- dioxabicyclo[3.3.0]octan-1R,5R-diol or its enantiomer.     

Stryspinolactone,an unusual monoterpene lactone from Strychnos spinosa

The structure of stryspinolactone, an unusual lactone from Strychnos spinosa, was determined from spectroscopic data.     

Stereoselective Synthesis of the Optically Active Samin Type of Lignan from L-Glutamic Acid

The optically active samin type of lignan, (1R,2S,5R, 6S)-6-(2-methoxy-4,5-methylenedioxyphenyl)-3,7-dioxabicyclo[3.3.0]octan-2-ol, was stereoselectively synthesized from L-glutamic acid via (2R,3R)-2-[(1S and R)- 1-[(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)oxy]-1-(2-methoxy-4,5-methylenedioxyphenyl)methyl]-3-[(tert-butyldiphenylsilyl)oxy]methyl-1,4-butanediol.     

Stereoselective Model Synthesis of the Optically Active Olivil Type of Lignan from D-Xylose

The olivil type of lignan, (2S,3R,4R)-4-benzyl-4- hydroxy-3-hydroxymethyl-2-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)tetrahydrofuran, was stereoselectively synthesized from D-xylose.     

Elemanolide sesquiterpenes and eudesmane sesquiterpene glycosides from Centaurea hierapolitana

Two elemanolide sesquiterpenes and two eudesmane-type sesquiterpene glycosides named hierapolitanins A-D, were isolated, together with five known compounds, two flavones; hispidulin and jaceosidin, a flavon-C-glycoside, shaftoside, a flavonol glycoside, kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside and a neolignan, dehydrodiconiferyl alcohol from the aerial parts of Centaurea hierapolitana Boiss. (Asteraceae). Structure elucidations were based on spectroscopic evidence.     

Dimeric phenolic constituents from the roots of Tamarix nilotica

The debarked roots of Tamarix nilotica contain the furanofuran lignan (±)-syringaresinol so far not reported from the Tamaricaceae, and the new natural product ellagic acid 3,3′-dimethyl ether 4-O-β-d-glucopyranoside. Further constituents were isoferulic acid, gallic acid, dehydrodigallic acid and ellagic acid. The structure of the isolated compounds was determined mostly by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy.     

Structure of a secoisolariciresinol diester from Salvia plebeia seed

The structure of a unique lignan diester from Salvia plebeia seed has been determined. Hydrolysis of the diester yields ferulic acid, (+)-l2 l-methyltetradecanoic acid and secoisolariciresinol.     

Prinsepiol,a lignan from stems of Prinsepia utilis

Chemical investigation of Prinsepia utilis yielded a new lignan designated prinsepiol, in addition to l-epicatechin and β-sitosteryl-β-glucoside. Prinsepiol was shown to be 1,5 - dihydroxy - 2,6 - di(4′ - hydroxy - 3′ - methoxyphenyl) - 3,7 - dioxabicyclo[3,3,o]octane, on the basis of spectral and other evidence.     

Biological activities of lignans and neolignans on the aphid Myzus persicae (Sulzer)

Lignans and neolignans have been reported to exert different biological activities, including insecticidal ones. Three lignans, secoisolariciresinol (SECO), secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG), and anhydrosecoisolariciresinol (AHS), and one neolignan, dehydrodiconiferyl alcohol-4-β-d-glucoside (DCG), were isolated from flax. Their insecticidal properties were evaluated on the aphid Myzus persicae reared on artificial diet. Life history parameters, i.e., nymphal survival, prereproductive period, and daily fecundity, were assessed and used to calculate the intrinsic rate of natural increase and the doubling time of aphid populations. Compared to the control, SDG and DCG significantly increased aphid mortality by at least 25 %, while SECO and AHS did not affect their survival. SDG did not affect life history parameters, except at the highest concentration of 100 μg/mL, which increased the population’s doubling time by more than 5 days. DCG altered all the life history parameters at all concentrations assayed. SECO induced significant deleterious effects on the aphids, except at the highest concentration of 100 μg/mL. AHS only altered prereproductive period, which increased by at least 2 days at 50 and 100 μg/mL. Lignans and neolignans are potential new bioinsecticides against aphids in the context of alternative management programs.     

Triolein,as a Phagostimulant for Albino Rat

Protaminobacter ruber, having a firm cell wall, could be lyzed by treatment with glycine or penicillin. Among amino acids tested, only glycine showed an excellent effect for the lysis. The optimal amount and time of addition of glycine for the lysis were 6 mg per ml culture and 4 to 5 hr after initiation of the cultivation, respectively. Aeration was necessary for the lysis as well as the growth of P. ruber. Morphological changes during the lysis of the bacterium were confirmed by electron microscopy. Proteins and (δ-ALA dehydratase were excreted into the medium with the progress of lysis.     

Lignans of Larix leptolepis

Five lignans have been isolated from wood of Larix leptolepis. They are identified as 1-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-2-4-[2-formyl-(E)-vinyl]-2-methoxyphenoxy-propane- 1,3-diol, 1-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-2-2-methoxy-4-[1-(E)-propen-3-ol]-phenoxy- propane-1,3-diol, 1-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-2-(4-formyl-2-methoxyphenoxy)-propane-1,3-diol, 1,2-bis-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-propane-1,3-diol and a trilignol, leptolepisol C.