Subcellular distribution and chemical forms of cadmium in Morus alba L.

Morus alba L. (mulberry) is a perennial woody tree and a species with great potential for Cd phyremediation owing to its large biomass and extensive root system. The mechanisms involved in Cd detoxification were investigated by analyzing the subcellular distribution and chemical forms of Cd in mulberry in the present study. These results indicated that 53.27–70.17% of Cd mulberry accumulated was stored in the root and only about 10% were in the leaves. Lots of the Cd was located in the cell wall of the mulberry root and in soluble fraction of the mulberry leaf. Moreover, in roots, the largest amount of Cd was in the form of undissolved Cd-phosphate. While in mulberry leaves and stems, most of the Cd was extracted by 2% Acetic acid and 0.6 M HCl, representing Cd-phosphate and Cd-oxalate. It could be concluded that the Cd combination with peptides and organo-ligands in vacuole of leaf or complexed with proteins or cellulose in the cell wall of root might be contributed to the tolerance of mulberry to Cd stress. The mulberry could be used to remediate the Cd polluted farmland soils.     

桑白皮的化学成分研究

采用硅胶和凝胶柱层析方法对桑白皮(Cortex Mori)的化学成分进行分离纯化,并根据理化性质和光谱数据分析鉴定得到11个化合物,分别是:羟基白藜芦醇(Hydroxyresveratrol,1),桑叶苷A(mulberroside A,2),熊果酸(ursolic acid,3),3-乙酰基-α-香树酯醇(3-acetyl-α-amyranol,4),熊果烷(ursane,5),β-谷甾醇(β-sitosterol,6),胡萝卜苷(daucosterol,7),十六碳烷酸(palmitic acid,8),十八碳烷酸(stearic acid,9),二十六烷酸-α-单甘油酯(α-glycerol monohexacosanoate,10),二十八烷酸-α-单甘油酯(α-glycerol monooctacosanoate,11)。其中化合物5、8～11均为首次从桑白皮中获得。     

Purification and Characterization of a Novel Anti-Proliferative Lectin from Morus alba L. Leaves

A novel anti-proliferative lectin was purified from Morus alba L. (Mulberry) leaves by a two step chromatographic procedure namely, immobilized metal ion affinity chromatography (IMAC) and convective interaction media (CIM) based anion exchange chromatography. The purified mulberry leaf lectin (MLL) was specific to galactose, galactosamine and N-acetyl galactosamine (GalNAc). MLL was homogenous with a molecular weight of ~56kDa in silver stained SDS-PAGE. The lectin showed RBC agglutination activity up to 40°C and was independent of pH above pH 6. Haemagglutination activity of purified MLL was not dependent on any metal ions. However, with high concentration of trivalent metal ions, Fe3+ and Al3+ and the divalent metal ion Fe2+, a three fold increase in agglutination activity was observed. The purified MLL showed an anti-proliferative activity towards human breast cancer cells (MCF-7) and colon cancer cells (HCT-15) with a higher potency towards MCF-7 cells. This is the first report on the anti-proliferative activity of a GalNAc specific lectin from M. alba.     

Antiviral flavonoids from the root bark of Morus alba L

A prenylated flavonoid, moralbanone, along with seven known compounds kuwanon S, mulberroside C, cyclomorusin, eudraflavone B hydroperoxide, oxydihydromorusin, leachianone G and alpha-acetyl-amyrin were isolated from the root bark of Morus alba L. Leachianone G showed potent antiviral activity (IC(50) = 1.6 microg/ml), whereas mulberroside C showed weak activity (IC(50) = 75.4 microg/ml) against herpes simplex type 1 virus (HSV-1). Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods.     

Moracin M from Morus alba L. is a natural phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitor

Phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4) has been identified to be a promising target for treatment of asthma. Moracin M extracted from Chinese herbal drug 'Sang-Bai-Pi' (Morus alba L.) was studied for the inhibitory affinity towards PDE4. It inhibited PDE4D2, PDE4B2, PDE5A1, and PDE9A2 with the IC(50) values of 2.9, 4.5, >40, and >100 μM, respectively. Our molecular docking and 8ns molecular dynamics (MD) simulations demonstrated that moracin M forms three hydrogen bonds with Gln369, Asn321, and Asp318 in the active site and stacks against Phe372. In addition, comparative kinetics analysis of its analog moracin C was carried out to qualitatively validate their inhibitory potency as predicted by the binding free energy calculations after MD simulations.     

Antidiabetic and Antioxidant Effects and Phytochemicals of Mulberry Fruit (Morus alba L.) Polyphenol Enhanced Extract

The antidiabetic and antioxidant activities of the ethyl acetate-soluble extract (MFE) of mulberry fruit (Morus alba L.) were investigated. In vitro, MFE showed potent α-glucosidase inhibitory activity and radical-scavenging activities against DPPH and superoxide anion radicals. In vivo, MFE could significantly decrease fasting blood glucose (FBG) and glycosylated serum protein (GSP), and increase antioxidant enzymatic activities (SOD, CAT, GSH-Px) in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice. Bioactivity-guided fractionation of the MFE led to the isolation of 25 phenolic compounds, and their structures were identified on the basis of MS and NMR data. All the 25 compounds were isolated from mulberry fruit for the first time. Also, the α-glucosidase inhibitory activity and antioxidant activity of the phenolics were evaluated. Potent α-glucosidase inhibitory and radical-scavenging activities of these phenolics suggested that they may be partially responsible for the antidiabetic and antioxidant activities of mulberry fruit.     

In vitro induction of tetraploidy in mulberry (Morus alba L.)

A high frequency of tetraploidy was induced in mulberry (Morus alba L.) through apical bud treatment under in vitro conditions. Apical buds from in vitro-grown plants were treated with three different concentrations (0.05, 0.1 and 0.2%) of colchicine in MS medium for 24 h. Tetraploidy at a frequency of 39.4±4.8% was obtained using 0.1% colchicine, whereas the frequency of tetraploidy was significantly reduced to 16.7±2.3% when 0.2% colchicine was used. Morphological, histological and cytological evidence indicated a phenotypic and genomic similarity of in vitro- with ex vitro-induced tetraploids. Rooting of tetraploids was on basal medium containing 2.6 μm NAA. The recovery of tetraploids was 80.8% more efficient using the in vitro method instead of the ex vitro method. The use of the same colchicine medium for up to 4 weeks with additional explants was found to be equally effective for the induction of tetraploidy. Received: 6 January 1997 / Revision received: 6 October 1997 / Accepted: 12 December 1997     

Alginate immobilization of Morus alba L. cell suspension cultures improved the accumulation and secretion of stilbenoids

Bioprocess and Biosystems Engineering - Morus alba L. (Moraceae) has been used in traditional medicine for the treatment of several illnesses. Recent research also revealed several pharmacological...     

增温和升高CO2浓度对桑树幼苗的生长和叶片品质的影响

研究了增温(+2 ℃)、升高CO₂浓度(+300 ppm)及同时增温和升高CO₂浓度(+2 ℃和+300 ppm CO₂)处理60 d后1年生桑树幼苗的形态、生物量积累及叶片品质的变化.结果表明: 与对照相比,增温显著增加桑树的基径、叶片数、总叶面积、叶干质量、叶干质量分数和可溶性蛋白含量,分别增加了9.9%、17.4%、23.0%、9.2%、10.1%和23.1%;升高CO₂浓度显著增加了桑树幼苗的茎干质量、根干质量和总干质量,比对照分别增加10.7%、15.9%和9.2%,但对幼苗的形态和叶片品质无显著影响;同时增温和升高CO₂浓度条件下,叶片数、株高、基径、总叶面积、叶干质量、根干质量、总干质量、叶片可溶性糖和粗蛋白含量均显著升高,与对照相比分别增加28.8%、9.1%、19.4%、32.6%、12.4%、17.2%、10.1%、45.8%和11.9%,但粗纤维含量显著降低16.8%.短期增温和升高CO₂浓度对桑树幼苗的生长发育和叶片品质有促进作用.     

Agrobacterium-mediated transient MaFT expression in mulberry (Morus alba L.) leaves

To optimize Agrobacterium-mediated transient transformation assay in mulberry (Morus alba L.), various infiltration methods, Agrobacterium tumefaciens (A. tumefaciens) strains, and bacterial concentrations were tested in mulberry seedlings. Compared with LBA4404, GV3101 harboring pBE2133 plasmids presented stronger GUS signals at 3 days post infiltration using syringe. Recombinant plasmids pBE2133:GFP and pBE2133:GFP:MaFT were successfully constructed. Transient expression of MaFT:GFP protein was found in leaves, petiole (cross section), and shoot apical meristem (SAM) of mulberry according to the GFP signal. Moreover, MaFT:GFP mRNA was also detected in leaves and SAM via RT-PCR and qRT-PCR. An efficient transient transformation system could be achieved in mulberry seedlings by syringe using A. tumefaciens GV3101 at the OD₆₀₀ of 0.5. The movement of MaFT expression from leaves to SAM might trigger the precocious flowering of mulberry.     

High-speed pollen release in the white mulberry tree, Morus alba L

Anemophilous plants described as catapulting pollen explosively into the air have rarely attracted detailed examination. We investigated floral anthesis in a male mulberry tree with high-speed video and a force probe. The stamen was inflexed within the floral bud. Exposure to dry air initially resulted in a gradual movement of the stamen. This caused fine threads to tear at the stomium, ensuring dehiscence of the anther, and subsequently enabled the anther to slip off a restraining pistillode. The sudden release of stored elastic energy in the spring-like filament drove the stamen to straighten in less than 25 μs, and reflex the petals to velocities in excess of half the speed of sound. This is the fastest motion yet observed in biology, and approaches the theoretical physical limits for movements in plants. Electronic Supplementary Material Supplementary material is available for this article at and is accessible for authorized users. An erratum to this aticle is available at .     

Effects of AgNO3 and Ethylene Biosynthetic Inhibitors on Auxin-induced Petiole Epinasty of Morus alba

A family-4 α-galactosidase Mel4A of Bacillus halodurans was expressed in Escherichia coli and characterized. Recombinant enzyme rMel4A depended on NAD⁺, some divalent cations such as Mn²⁺, and reducing reagents such as dithiothreitol. rMel4A was active on small saccharides such as raffinose but not on highly polymerized galactomannan. Immunological analysis indicated that raffinose induced the production of Mel4A in B. halodurans.     

云桑1号的组织培养及植株再生

1　植物名称　桑 (Ｍｏｒｕｓａｌｂａ)品种云桑 1号。2　材料类别　顶芽及腋芽。3　培养条件　 (1 )基础培养基 :ＭＳ ＢＡ 2 .0ｍｇ·Ｌ-1(以下单位同 ) ＩＡＡ 0 .5 ;(2 )增殖培养基 :ＭＳ ＢＡ 2 .0～ 5 .0 ＩＡＡ 0 .5 ;(3)生根培养基 :1 /2ＭＳ ＩＢＡ 0 .5。蔗糖用     

Distribution and Toxic Effects of Cadmium and Lead on Maize Roots

Two-day-old seedlings of maize (Zea mays L.) were incubated on Cd and Pb nitrate solutions at the concentrations that inhibited root growth approximately by 50% after two-day-long incubation (LC₅₀; 10^–4 and 10^–3 M, respectively) or completely terminated growth of the primary root after one-day-long incubation (LC; 5 × 10^–4 and 10^–2 M, respectively). Cd and Pb contents were measured using an anodic inversion voltammetric technique in a flow injection system and a histochemical method. At LC₅₀, Cd and Pb were discerned, by histochemical techniques, in all root apical tissues, whereas in the root hair zone, the heavy metals were primarily accumulated in the apoplast of the rhizodermis and cortex and to a lesser extent, in the vascular tissues and parenchyma cells surrounding the metaxylem vessels. Insignificant accumulation of Cd and Pb in the pericycle probably explains why root branching was tolerant to these agents. At LC, Cd and Pb were found in the apoplast of all root tissues, in accordance with the practically complete inhibition of root growth and branching. Irrespectively of Cd and Pb concentrations in the external solution, the metal contents in the root apex exceeded those in the basal region. Procion dyes were used to assess cell death inflicted by Cd and Pb. At LC, the root cap and meristematic cells perished, together with the rhizodermal cells and the outer cortical cells of the root apex, whereas only the rhizodermal cells in the root apical region died at LC₅₀. The evidence that Cd and Pb cross the endodermal barrier at LC presumes that, at lower metal concentrations, the Casparian strip and plasmalemma of the endodermis regulate the transport of these metals into the central cylinder. The authors conclude that the identical barriers control Cd and Pb transport in root tissues.     

Production of triploid plants of mulberry (Morus alba L) by endosperm culture

 A continuously growing callus was obtained from immature endosperm of Morus alba L Cv S-36 cultured on Murashige and Skoog medium containing 5 μm 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid. Shoot buds were produced when the callus was subcultured on a medium containing a cytokinin or a cytokinin and 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA). The maximum number of shoots was formed on the medium containing thidiazuron (1 μM), or benzylaminopurine (5 μM) and NAA (1 μM). Shoots were multiplied by forced axillary branching and rooted in vitro. Endosperm-derived plants were established in soil. Each of the ten plants examined cytologically was triploid (3 n=42). Received:17 February 1999 / Revision received: 4 May 1999 / Accepted: 19 May 1999     

Physiological Aspects of Cadmium and Lead Toxic Effects on Higher Plants

Using the examples of cadmium and lead, the review considers the various toxic effects exerted by these heavy metals. Putative specific and nonspecific mechanisms of the toxic effects of the heavy metals and plant responses are discussed together with the issue of Cd and Pb accumulation in various plant organelles, cells, tissues, and organs. The basic mechanisms providing for plant resistance to excess Cd and Pb are elucidated. These data are used to schematically outline the changes in plant metabolism produced by these heavy metals.     

硝酸银对桑树遗传转化的作用(简报)

调查了硝酸银对农杆菌介导的桑（Morus alba L.)品种“新一之濑”遗传转化的作用。在抗性筛选培养基中添加2mg L^-1硝酸银,桑叶盘褐化死亡率减少7．2％,抗性芽分化率增加3．9％,外源基因转化频率增加9．6％,“假阳性”转化体减少42．5％。感染农杆菌的桑叶盘经MS培养基培养、农杆菌液体培养和固体培养基上划线培养等实验证实,硝酸银对工程农杆菌LBA4404的生长具有抑制作用,这可能是提高桑树转化频率的原因之一。