Atrazine metabolism in resistant corn and sorghum

The metabolism of 2-chloro-4-ethylamino-6-isopropylamino-s-triazine (atrazine) in the resistant species, corn (Zea mays L.) and sorghum (Sorghum vulgare Pers.) was not the same. In corn, atrazine was metabolized via both the 2-hydroxylation and N-dealkylation pathways while sorghum metabolized atrazine via the N-dealkylation pathway. Atrazine metabolism in corn yielded the metabolites, 2-hydroxy-4-ethylamino-6-isopropylamino-s-triazine (hydroxyatrazine), 2-hydroxy-4-amino-6-isopropylamino-s-triazine (hydroxycompound I), and 2-hydroxy-4-amino-6-ethylamino-s-triazine (hydroxycompound II). None of these hydroxylated derivatives appeared as metabolites of atrazine in sorghum.

Hydroxycompounds I and II were formed in 2 ways in corn: (1) by benzoxazinone-catalyzed hydrolysis of 2-chloro-4-amino-6-isopropylamino-s-triazine (compound I) and 2-chloro-4-amino-6-ethylamino-s-triazine (compound II) that were formed by N-dealkylation of atrazine and (2) by N-dealkylation of hydroxyatrazine, the major atrazine metabolite in corn. The interaction of the 2-hydroxylation and N-dealkylation pathways in corn results in the formation of the 3 hydroxylated non-phytotoxic derivatives of atrazine.

     

A tetra-acylated cyanidin 3-sophoroside-5-glucoside from the purple-violet flowers of Moricandia arvensis (L.) DC. (Brassicaceae)

A novel tetra-acylated cyanidin 3-sophoroside-5-glucoside was isolated from the purple-violet flowers of Moricandia arvensis (L.) DC. (Family: Brassicaceae), and determined to be cyanidin 3-O-[2-O-(2-O-(4-O-(6-O-(4-O-(β-glucopyranosyl)-trans-caffeoyl)-β-glucopyranosyl)-trans-caffeoyl)-β-glucopyranosyl)-6-O-(trans-caffeoyl)-β-glucopyranoside]-5-O-[6-O-(malonyl)-β-glucopyranoside] by chemical and spectroscopic methods.     

EFFECTS OF S-TRIAZINES ON PROTEIN AND FINE STRUCTURE OF COTYLEDONS OF BUSH BEANS

A significant increase in protein content of bean cotyledons resulted by applications of 0.5 ppm of atrazine (2-chloro-4-ethylamino-6-isopropylamino-s-triazine), simazine [2-chloro-4,6-bis(ethylamino)-s-triazine], terbutryn (2-methylmercapto-4-ethylamino-6-isobutylamino-.s-triazine), or GS-14254 (2-methoxy-4-isopropylamino-6-butylamino-s-triazine) to the foliage of 5-6 week old bean plants grown in a controlled environment or field conditions. Aen electron microscopic study indicated that in the cotyledonary cells s-triazines inducd a 2-fold increase in the number of cisternae of rough endoplasmic reticulum. These treatments also increased the number of vesicles, which apparently contain protein, and the amount of cytoplasmic ribosomes.     

Syntheses and Herbicidai Activities of Phenoxypyrimidines and Phenoxytriazines

Series of phenoxypyrimidines and phenoxytriazines were prepared to be evaluated as herbicides. Among them, 2-(2,6-dichlorophenoxy)-pyrimidine (XV), 2-phenoxy-4,6-dimethyl- pyrimidine (XVII), 2-(3-methyl-4-chlorophenoxy)-4,6-bis(ethylamino)-5-triazine (LIV), 2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)-4,6-bis(ethylamino)-s-triazine (LVIII), and 2-(2,6-dichlorophenoxy)-4,6-bis(ethylamino)-s-triazine (LX) showed high pre-emergent herbicidai activity to radish. On the other hand, 2-chloro-4-(2,6-dichlorophenoxy)-6-methylpyrimidine (XXX) revealed high efficiency to millet. Some structure-activity relationship is discussed.     

GhAGL15s,preferentially expressed during somatic embryogenesis,promote embryogenic callus formation in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)

Somatic embryogenesis is a useful tool for gene transfer and propagation of plants. AGAMOUS-LIKE15 (AGL15) promotes somatic embryogenesis in many plant species. In this study, three homologous AGL15 genes were isolated from Gossypium hirsutum L., namely GhAGL15-1, GhAGL15-3, and GhAGL15-4. Their putative proteins contained a highly conserved MADS-box DNA-binding domain and a less conserved K domain. Phylogenetic analysis suggested that the three GhAGL15s clustered most closely with AGL15 proteins in other plants. Subcellular location analyses revealed that three GhAGL15s were localized in the nucleus. Furthermore, their expression levels increased following embryogenic callus induction, but sharply decreased during the embryoid stage. GhAGL15-1 and GhAGL15-3 were significantly induced by 2,4-D and kinetin, whereas GhAGL15-4 was only responsive to 2,4-D treatment. Over-expression of the three GhAGL15s in cotton callus improved callus quality and significantly increased the embryogenic callus formation rate, while GhAGL15-4 had the highest positive effect on the embryogenic callus formation rate (an increase from 38.1 to 65.2 %). These results suggest that over-expression of GhAGL15s enhances embryogenic potential of transgenic calli. Therefore, spatiotemporal manipulation of GhAGL15s expression may prove valuable in improving cotton transformation efficiency.     

Atrazine metabolism and herbicidal selectivity

Metabolism of the herbicide 2-chloro-4-ethylamino-6-isopropylamino-s-triazine (atrazine) was investigated in resistant corn (Zea mays L.) and sorghum (Sorghum vulgare Pers.), intermediately susceptible pea (Pisum sativum L.), and highly susceptible wheat (Triticum vulgare Vill.) and soybean (Glycine max Merril.). This study revealed that 2 possible pathways for atrazine metabolism exist in higher plants. All species studied were able to metabolize atrazine initially by N-dealkylation of either of the 2 substituted alkylamine groups. Corn and wheat, which contain benzoxazinone, also metabolized atrazine initially by hydrolysis in the 2-position of the s-triazine ring to form hydroxyatrazine. Subsequent metabolism by both pathways resulted in the conversion of the parent atrazine to more polar compounds and eventually into methanol-insoluble plant residue. No evidence for s-triazine ring cleavage was obtained.

Both pathways for atrazine metabolism appear to detoxify atrazine. The hydroxylation pathway results in a direct conversion of a highly phytotoxic compound to a completely non-phytotoxic derivative. The dealkylation pathway leads to detoxication through one or more partially detoxified, stable intermediates. Therefore, the rate and pathways of atrazine metabolism are important in determining the tolerance of plants to the herbicide. Both quantitative and qualitative differences in atrazine metabolism were detected between resistant, intermediately susceptible, and susceptible species. The ability of plants to metabolize atrazine by N-dealkylation and the influence of this pathway in determining tolerance of plants to atrazine are discussed.

     

Two new glycosides from Dianella ensifolia (L.) DC

The Dianella genus includes approximately 20 species in all over the world. So far, only the chemical constituents of the lipophilic extract from Dianella ensifolia have been investigated. However, there have been no reports of its aqueous extract. In this article, two previously undescribed glucopyranosides, methyl 2-methoxyl-6-methyl benzoate-4-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (1) and methyl 2-hydroxy-3,6-dimethyl benzoate-4-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→6)-β-d-glucopyranoside (2), were isolated from the aqueous extract of D. ensifolia. Their structures were elucidated by comprehensive spectral measurements and comparisons with data reported in the literature. Compound 2 exhibited inhibitory effects against PTP-1B with an IC₅₀ value of 12.88 ± 0.87 μM.     

Mechanism for the differential translocation of amiben in plants

The proportion of the total plant radioactivity present in shoots at the end of a 24-hour exposure of the roots to 0.5 milligram per liter ¹⁴C-3-amino-2,5-dichlorobenzoic acid (¹⁴C-amiben) ranged from 1.4 to 74.3% in 13 species. When roots of 10-day-old wheat (Triticum aestivum L. em. Thell., Triumph) and 13-day-old barnyard grass (Echinochloa crusgalli L. Beauv.) plants were treated with 0.5 milligram per liter ¹⁴C-amiben for 12 or 24 hours, barnyard grass shoots contained at least eight times more of the total plant radioactivity than did wheat shoots. In similar experiments with ¹⁴C-2-chloro-4-(ethylamino)-6-(isopropylamine)-s-triazine (¹⁴C-atrazine), there were no differences in translocation between these two species.     

Secondary metabolites from Scutellaria albida L. ssp. velenovskyi (Rech. f.) Greuter & Burdet

Fourteen compounds (Fig.1) were isolated from the aerial parts of Scutellaria albida L. ssp. velenovskyi (Rech. f.) Greuter & Burdet, including four iridoids (1–4) catalpol, macfadienoside, mussaenosidic acid, albidoside; four flavonoids (5–8) hispidulin 7-Ο-β-D-glucuronide, scutellarin, xanthomicrol, eriodictyol; four phenylethanoid glycosides (9–12) verbascoside, leucosceptoside A, martynoside, 2-(3-hydroxy-4-methoxy-phenyl)-ethyl-1-Ο-β-D-glucopyranoside; the sugar ester 6′-β-D-glucopyranosyl-E-p-coumarate (13), as well as the acetogenic glucoside (Z)-3-hexenyl-1-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-β-D-glucopyranoside (14). The structures of the isolates were established by means of NMR and HRMS spectral analyses. This is the first phytochemical study on S. velenovskyi and the first report of an acetogenic glycoside in the genus Scutellaria L. A chemical review on the isolated secondary metabolites in this study has been carried out. The chemotaxonomic value of the isolates is also discussed. Based on the literature data, the analysis revealed that the chemical profile of S. velenovskyi is close to that of the taxa belonging to the S. albida group.     

Lysine Biosynthesis in Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)

Lysine biosynthesis in seedlings of barley (Hordeum vulgare L. var. Emir) was studied by direct injection of the following precursors into the endosperm of the seedlings: acetate-1-¹⁴C; acetate-2-¹⁴C; pyruvate-1-¹⁴C; pyruvate-2-¹⁴C; pyruvate-3-¹⁴C; alanine-1-¹⁴C; aspartic acid-1-¹⁴C; aspartic acid-2-¹⁴C; aspartic acid-3-¹⁴C; aspartic acid-4-¹⁴C; α-aminoadipic acid-1-¹⁴C; and α, ε-diaminopimelic acid-1-(7)-¹⁴C. The distribution of activity in the individual carbon atoms of lysine in the different biosynthetic experiments was determined by chemical degradation. The incorporation percentages and labeling patterns obtained are in agreement with the occurrence of the diaminopimelic acid pathway. The results do not fit the incorporation percentages and labeling patterns expected if the α-aminoadipic acid pathway was operating. However, the results show that barley seedlings are able to convert a small part of the α-aminoadipic acid administered directly to lysine.     

Purification and Characterization of an Inducible s-Triazine Hydrolase from Rhodococcus corallinus NRRL B-15444R

The widespread use and relative persistence of s-triazine compounds such as atrazine and simazine have led to increasing concern about environmental contamination by these compounds. Few microbial isolates capable of transforming substituted s-triazines have been identified. Rhodococcus corallinus NRRL B-15444 has previously been shown to possess a hydrolase activity that is responsible for the dechlorination of the triazine compounds deethylsimazine (6-chloro-N-ethyl-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diamine) (CEAT) and deethylatrazine (6-chloro-N-isopropyl-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diamine) (CIAT). The enzyme responsible for this activity was purified and shown to be composed of four identical subunits of 54,000 Da. Kinetic experiments revealed that the purified enzyme is also capable of deaminating the structurally related s-triazine compounds melamine (2,4,6-triamino-1,3,5-triazine) (AAAT) and CAAT (2-chloro-4,6-diamino-1,3,5-triazine), as well as the pyrimidine compounds 2,4,6-triaminopyrimidine (AAAP) and 4-chloro-2,6-diaminopyrimidine (CAAP). The triazine herbicides atrazine and simazine inhibit the hydrolytic activities of the enzyme but are not substrates. Induction experiments demonstrate that triazine hydrolytic activity is inducible and that this activity rises approximately 20-fold during induction.     

alpha-l-Arabinofuranosidase from Radish (Raphanus sativus L.) Seeds

An α-l-arabinofuranosidase has been purified 1043-fold from radish (Raphanus sativus L.) seeds. The purified enzyme was a homogeneous glycoprotein consisting of a single polypeptide with an apparent molecular weight of 64,000 and an isoelectric point value of 4.7, as evidenced by denaturing gel electrophoresis and reversed-phase or size-exclusion high-performance liquid chromatography and isoelectric focusing. The enzyme characteristically catalyzes the hydrolysis of p-nitrophenyl α-l-arabinofuranoside and p-nitrophenyl β-d-xylopyranoside in a constant ratio (3:1) of the initial velocities at pH 4.5, whereas the corresponding α-l-arabinopyranoside and β-d-xylofuranoside are unsusceptible. The following evidence was provided to support that a single enzyme with one catalytic site was responsible for the specificity: (a) high purity of the enzyme preparation, (b) an invariable ratio of the activities toward the two substrates throughout the purification steps, (c) a parallelism of the activities in activation with bovine serum albumin and in heat inactivation of the enzyme as well as in the inhibition with heavy metal ions and sugars such as Hg²⁺, Ag⁺, l-arabino-(1→4)-lactone, and d-xylose, and (d) results of the mixed substrate kinetic analysis using the two substrates. The enzyme was shown to split off α-l-arabinofuranosyl residues in sugar beet arabinan, soybean arabinan-4-galactan, and radish seed and leaf arabinogalactan proteins. Arabinose and xylose were released by the action of the enzyme on oat-spelt xylan. Synergistic action of α-l-arabinofuranosidase and β-d-galactosidase on radish seed arabinogalactan protein resulted in the extensive degradation of the carbohydrate moiety.     

Flavonoids from the flowers of Adenium obesum (Forssk.) Roem. & Schult., Mandevilla sanderi (Hemsl.) Woodson,and Nerium oleander L. (Apocynaceae)

Twenty-two ornamental flowers from different Adenium obesum, Mandevilla sanderi, and Nerium oleander cultivars/seedlings were analyzed for the presence of anthocyanins, flavonols, and chlorogenic acid using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and mass spectrometry (MS). Cyanidin 3-O-[6-O-(rhamnosyl)-galactoside] and cyanidin 3-O-(galactoside) were identified as the major and minor anthocyanins, respectively, in three A. obesum seedlings that had red and red-purple flowers.Cyanidin 3-O-[2-O-(xylosyl)-galactoside] was identified as the major anthocyanin, whereas cyanidin 3-O-[6-O-(rhamnosyl)-galactoside] and cyanidin 3-O-(galactoside) were identified as the minor anthocyanins in 8 M. sanderi cultivars that had red and red-purple flowers. Cyanidin 3-O-[6-O-(rhamnosyl)-galactoside] and cyanidin 3-O-(galactoside) were identified as the major anthocyanins, whereas cyanidin 3-O-[2-O-(xylosyl)-galactoside] was identified as the minor anthocyanin in 8 N. oleander cultivars with red and red-purple flowers. Low levels of anthocyanins were detected in the N. oleander and M. sanderi cultivars that had white flowers, and there were no anthocyanins detected in the N. oleander cultivars with yellow flowers. Chlorogenic acid and four flavonols, quercetin 3-O-[6-O-(rhamnosyl)-galactoside], quercetin 3-O-[6-O-(rhamnosyl)-glucoside], kaempferol 3-O-(galactoside), and kaempferol 3-O-[6-O-(rhamnosyl)-galactoside], were identified in the flowers from all 22 cultivars/seedlings investigated.     

The leaf tannin of willow-herb [Chamaenerion angustifolium (L.) Scop.]

1. The leaf tannin of willow-herb [Chamaenerion angustifolium (L.) Scop.] has been isolated and separated into two fractions of differing solubility. 2. The tannin contains a penta-O-galloyl-β-d-glucose core to which further galloyl groups are depsidically bound. 3. The unfractionated tannin contains an average of 10·5 galloyl groups/glucose molecule; the soluble fraction has on average 7·6 galloyl groups/glucose molecule and the less soluble fraction has 12·4. 4. The tannin is a mixture of molecules ranging at least from hepta- to trideca-galloyl-β-d-glucose. 5. The tannin forms complexes with proteins and the fact that it is a hydrolysable gallotannin has a bearing on the release of nitrogen from the protein of the dead leaf.     

Phytochemical screening of flavonoids with their antioxidant activities from rapeseed (Brassica napus L.)

Ten flavone compounds, including three new flavonoid glycosides, were isolated from defatted rapeseed, and their protective antioxidant effect on H₂O₂-induced oxidative damage in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (ECV-304) was investigated. Three new flavonoid glycosides were identified as kaempferol-3-O-[(6-O-sinapoyl)-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-β-d-glucopyranoside]-7-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (8), kaempferol-3,7-di-O-β-d-glucopyranoside-4'-O-(6-O-sinapoyl)-β-d-glucopyranoside (9), and kaempferol-3-O-[(3-O-sinapoyl)-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-β-d-glucopyranoside]-7-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (10). The protective effects of all of the isolated compounds on H₂O₂-induced oxidative damage were assessed, and the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were measured. All of compounds had a protective effect on H₂O₂-induced oxidative damage in ECV-304 cells and the presence of a substituted sinapoyl group and its position in the structures were used to elucidate the activity differences.     

Enzymatic Degradation of Chlorodiamino-s-Triazine

2-Chloro-4,6-diamino-s-triazine (CAAT) is a metabolite of atrazine biodegradation in soils. Atrazine chlorohydrolase (AtzA) catalyzes the dechlorination of atrazine but is unreactive with CAAT. In this study, melamine deaminase (TriA), which is 98% identical to AtzA, catalyzed deamination of CAAT to produce 2-chloro-4-amino-6-hydroxy-s-triazine (CAOT). CAOT underwent dechlorination via hydroxyatrazine ethylaminohydrolase (AtzB) to yield ammelide. This represents a newly discovered dechlorination reaction for AtzB. Ammelide was subsequently hydrolyzed by N-isopropylammelide isopropylaminohydrolase to produce cyanuric acid, a compound metabolized by a variety of soil bacteria.     

Binding site of novel 2-benzylamino-4-methyl-6-trifluoromethyl-1,3,5- triazine herbicides in the D1 protein of Photosystem II

A series of replacement experiments of [¹⁴C]-triazines, [¹⁴C]-atrazine and [7-¹⁴C]-2-benzylamino-4-methyl-6-trifluoromethyl-1,3,5-triazine, bound to thylakoids isolated from wild-type and atrazine-resistant Chenopodium album (lambsquarters) were conducted. Replacement experiments of [¹⁴C]-triazines bound to wild-type Chenopodium thylakoids with non-labeled atrazine and 2-benzylamino-4-methyl-6-trifluoromethyl-1,3,5-triazine were carried out, to elucidate whether benzylamino-1,3,5-triazines use the same binding niche as atrazine. [¹⁴C]-Atrazine and [7-¹⁴C]-2-benzylamino-4-methyl-6-trifluoromethyl-1,3,5-triazine bound to wild-type thylakoids were replaced by non-labeled 2-benzylamino-4-methyl-6-trifluoromethyl-1,3,5-triazine and non-labeled atrazine, respectively. The above two replacements showed mutual competition. To clarify further whether benzylamino-1,3,5-triazines bind at the D1-protein to amino acid residue(s) different from atrazine or not, experiments to replace [7-¹⁴C]-2-benzylamino-4-methyl-6-trifluoromethyl-1,3,5-triazines bound to atrazine-resistant Chenopodium thylakoids by non-labeled atrazine, 2-(4-bromobenzylamino)-4-methyl-6-trifluoromethyl-1,3,5-triazine, DCMU and DNOC were carried out. Although the bound [7-¹⁴C]-2-benzylamino-4-methyl-6-trifluoromethyl-1,3,5-triazine was difficult to be replaced even with high concentrations of atrazine, [¹⁴C]-labeled 1,3,5-triazine was competitively replaced by non-labeled 2-(4-bromobenzylamino)-4-methyl-6-trifluoromethyl-1,3,5-triazine, DCMU or DNOC. Thus, 2-benzylamino-4-methyl-6-trifluoromethyl-1,3,5-triazine herbicides are considered to bind to the same niche at the D1 protein as atrazine, but use amino acid residue(s) different from those involved with atrazine binding. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Soluble and Bound Apoplastic Activity for Peroxidase, beta-d-Glucosidase, Malate Dehydrogenase, and Nonspecific Arylesterase, in Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and Oat (Avena sativa L.) Primary Leaves

An intercellular washing solution containing about 1% of the soluble protein, 0.3% or less of the glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity, but up to 20% of the peroxidase and β-d-glucosidase activity of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) or oat (Avena sativa L.) primary leaves was obtained by vacuum infiltrating peeled leaves with pH 6.9 buffered 200 millimolar NaCl. After this wash, segments were homogenized in buffer, centrifuged, and the supernatant was assayed for soluble cytoplasmic enzymes. The pellet was washed and resuspended in 1 molar NaCl to solubilize enzymes strongly ionically bound to the cell wall. The final pellet was assayed for enzyme activity covalently bound in the cell wall. Apoplastic (intercellular washing solution, ionically bound, and covalently bound) fractions contained up to 76% of the β-d-glucosidase activity, 36% of the peroxidase activity, 11% of the nonspecific arylesterase activity, 4% of the malate dehydrogenase activity, but less than 2% of the glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity of peeled leaf segments. The partitioning and salt-solubility of the enzymes between the apoplast and symplast differed considerably between these two species. Intercellular washing fluid prepared by centrifuging unpeeled leaves had higher activity for glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, less soluble protein, and less peroxidase activity per leaf than intercellular washing solution obtained by our peeling-infiltration-washing technique. The results are discussed in relation to the roles of these enzymes in phenolic metabolism in the cell wall.     

Isozymes of beta-N-Acetylhexosaminidase from Pea Seeds (Pisum sativum L.)

Four isozymes of β-N-acetylhexosaminidase (β-NAHA) from pea seeds (Pisum sativum L.) have been separated, with one, designated β-NAHA-II, purified to apparent homogeneity by means of an affinity column constructed by ligating p-aminophenyl-N-acetyl-β-d-thioglucosaminide to Affi-Gel 202. The other three isozymes have been separated and purified 500- to 1750-fold by chromatography on Concanavalin A-Sepharose, Zn²⁺ charged immobilized metal affinity chromatography, hydrophobic chromatography, and ion exchange chromatography on CM-Sephadex. All four isozymes are located in the protein bodies of the cotyledons. The molecular weight of each isozyme is 210,000. β-NAHA-II is composed of two heterogenous subunits. The subunits are not held together by disulfide bonds, but sulfhydryl groups are important for catalysis. All four isozymes release p-nitrophenol from both p-nitrophenyl-N-acetyl-β-d-glucosaminide and p-nitrophenyl-N-acetyl-β-d-galactosaminide. The ratio of activity for hydrolysis of the two substrates is pH dependent. The K_m value for the two substrates and pH optima of the isozymes are comparable to β-NAHAs from other plant sources.