Naphthoquinones produced by Fusarium solani isolated from citrus

Eleven naphthoquinone pigments are described which were produced by F. solani isolates obtained from roots of diseased citrus trees. One of these pigments was shown to be the precursor for six of the isolated compounds.     

Metabolism of the phytoalexins medicarpin and maackiain by Fusarium solani

Non-inhibitory concentrations of the pterocarpan phytoalexin medicarpin were completely metabolized by isolates of Fusarium solani f. sp. pisi, f. sp. cucurbitae, f. sp. phaseoli and two other F. solani isolates genetically related to f. sp. pisi during 24 hr of growth in liquid medium. The major metabolic products accumulated without significant further degradation. Medicarpin was modified at one of three adjacent carbon atoms to form either an isoflavanone derivative, a 1a-hydroxydienone derivative or 6a-hydroxymedicarpin. Whereas each isolate degraded medicarpin to one or more metabolises, the isolates varied as to which metabolise they produced. Maackiain, another pterocarpan phytoalexin, was also metabolized by all the isolates to products analogous to those formed from medicarpin. The ability to metabolize medicarpin and maackiain was not always associated with the ability to metabolize pisatin and phaseollin, two other pterocarpan phytoalexins that were degraded by several of the isolates. Tolerance of medicarpin and maackiain was similarly not always associated with tolerance to pisatin.     

Identification of 1 a-hydroxy phaseollone,a phaseollin metabolite produced by Fusarium solani

A structure for the phaseollin metabolite of Fusarium solani f. sp phaseoli has been proposed and assigned the name 1 a-hydroxyphaseollone.     

Detoxification of phaseollidin by Fusarium solani f.sp. Phaseoli

The phytoalexin phaseollidin is transformed into phaseollidin hydrate by liquid mycelial cultures and cell-free culture filtrates of Fusarium solani f.sp. phaseoli. The antifungal activity of the hydrate is much less than that of the original phytoalexin.     

Degradation of the isoflavone biochanin a by isolates of Nectria haematococca (Fusarium solani)

Twelve isolates of Nectria haematococca, mating population VI (Fusarium solani) previously characterized for their virulence on pea plants and their ability to degrade the phytoalexin pisatin were assayed for the catabolism of the isoflavone biochanin A (5,7-dihydroxy-4′-methoxyisoflavone). Eleven isolates catabolized the isoflavone along the pathway: biochanin A → dihydrobiochanin A → 3-(p-methoxyphenyl)-6-hydroxy-γ-pyrone → p-methoxyphenylacetic acid → p-hydroxyphenylacetic acid → 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid.     

Functional properties of diapophytoene and related desaturases of C30 and C40 carotenoid biosynthetic pathways

The desaturation reactions of C₃₀ carotenoids from diapophytoene to diaponeurosporene was investigated in vitro and by complementation in Escherichia coli. The expressed diapophytoene desaturase from Staphylococcus aureus inserts three double bonds in an FAD-dependent reaction. The enzyme is inhibited by diphenylamine. In the complementation experiment diapophytoene desaturase was able to convert C₄₀ phytoene to some extend but exhibited a high affinity to ζ-carotene. Comparison to the reaction of a phytoene desaturase from Rhodobacter capsulatus catalyzing a parallel three-step desaturation sequence with the corresponding C₄₀ carotenes revealed that this desaturase can also convert C₃₀ diapophytoene. Other homologous bacterial C₄₀ carotene desaturases could also utilize C₃₀ substrates, including one type of ζ-carotene desaturase which converted diaponeurosporene to diapolycopene. Further complementation experiments including the diapophytoene synthase gene from S. aureus revealed that the C₃₀ carotenogenic pathway is determined by this initial enzyme which is highly homologous to C₄₀ phytoene synthases.     

C3与C4植物的环境调控

环境条件决定着不同光合类型植物的地理分布范围和区域 ,一般来说 ,C4 植物分布于高温、强光的环境而 C3植物分布于阴凉、湿润的环境 ,且 C4 比 C3植物光合速率高。但环境条件影响着不同光合类型植物的光合潜能的发挥 ,C4 植物在高温、强光、干旱条件下所表现出来的优势在其它环境条件下未必就显现出来。环境条件甚至可以引起 C3、C4 光合途径间的相互转化 ,这使得目前几种鉴别植物光合类型的方法出现不一致的结果。因此 ,在判断植物的光合类型时 ,要注意多种手段的综合利用 ,同时注意植物所处环境条件的影响。     

Mallotin—a new C32 triterpenoid from Mallotous stenanthus

Mallotin, a new C₃₂ triterpene from Mallotous stenanthus, has been isolated and its structure established as 24,24-dimethyl-lanosta-7,25-dien-3α-ol.     

New bufadienolides and C23 steroids from the venom of Bufo bufo gargarizans

Six new bufadienolides (1-6) and two new C₂₃ steroids (7 and 8), together with three known compounds (9-11) were isolated from the venom of Bufo bufo gargarizans. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. In vitro cytotoxicities of all compounds were evaluated in A549 cancer cell line. Compounds 2, 3 and 10 showed significant cytotoxic activities.     

Five new C21 steroidal glycosides from the stems of Marsdenia tenacissima

Five new C₂₁ steroidal glycosides (1-5) were isolated from the stems of Marsdenia tenacissima. The chemical structures and relative configurations of the new compounds were elucidated by mass spectrometry and NMR spectroscopy. Cellular assay of these compounds showed that they are weak cytotoxic to various cell lines.     

Surface lipid composition of C3 and C4 plants

The characteristic surface lipid compositions of several C₃ and C₄ plants are discussed. C₄ plants produce surface lipids (epicuticular waxes) made up of the ubiquitous classes of aliphatic compounds: free fatty acids, aldehydes, primary alcohols, alkanes and aliphatic linear esters. C₃ plants synthesize surface lipids comprising the ubiquitous classes and either of the two following groups of compound: (i) lβ-diketones, hydroxy lβ-diketones, alkan-2-ol esters; (il) ketones and secondary alcohols with the functional group in the middle of the hydrocarbon chain. These features are suggested to represent physioIogical characteristics of the plant and to be related to ecological adaptations. Wax class compositions might also be an ancillary method for defining the C₃ or C₄ mechanism of CO₂ assimilation in cases where uncertainty exists.     

Purification and properties of the latent F1-ATPase of Micrococcus lysodeikticus

The latent coupling factor (F₁)-ATPase of Micrococcus lysodeikticus has been purified to homogeneity as determined by a number of criteria including, non-denaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, crossed immunoelectrophoresis and analytical ultracentrifugation. By inclusion of 1 mM phenylmethyl sulfonyl fluoride, a serine protease inhibitor, in the shock-wash step of release of F₁ from the membranes, the spontaneous activation of both crude and purified ATPase by endogenous membrane protease(s) can be prevented, thereby yielding a highly latent ATPase preparation. Equilibrium ultracentrifugation of the latent ATPase gave a molecular weight of 400 000. The ATPase contained five different subunits α, β, γ, δ, and ? and their molecular weights determined by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis were 60 000, 54 000, 37 000, 27 000 and 9000, respectively. The subunit composition was determined with ¹⁴C-labelled, F₁-ATPase prepared from cells grown on medium containing [U-¹⁴C]-labelled algal protein hydrolysate. Within the limitations of this method the results tentatively suggest a subunit composition of 3 : 3 : 1 : 1 : 3.     

C31,-secodammarane-type triterpenoid saponins from the male flowers of Alnus pendula

Six C₃₁-secodammarane-type triterpenoid saponins, in addition to alnustic acid, were isolated from the male flowers of Alnus pendula. Two of these saponins were new and were shown to be the 12-O-(2′-O-acetyl)-β-d-xylopyranoside and the 12-O-(2′-O-acetyl)-β-d-glucopyranoside of alnustic acid, respectively, on the basis of their physico-chemical data.     

The fate of radiolabelled C28 and C29 phytosterols in the honey bee

The fate of radiolabelled campesterol, sitosterol and 24-methylenecholesterol fed in chemically-defined diets to honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) workers was determined. At various intervals, sterols of prepupae, newly emerged adults and queens were analyzed qualitatively, quantitatively and radiochemically and it was determined that there was not sufficient radioactivity associated with cholesterol and/or desmosterol in any of the samples to verify that any of the three C₂₈ and C₂₉ sterols was dealkylated and converted to cholesterol. Similarly, there was no evidence for the conversion of campesterol or sitosterol to 24-methylenecholesterol. It was concluded that the major portion of the sterols incorporated into the tissues of the brood larvae originated from the worker bees used to establish the colony. There is good evidence supporting the premise that the workers can make available sterols from their endogenous pools to the nutrient in the hive and that they can replenish these sterols with those from the artificial diet. The queen is also able to replenish sterols utilized in egg production from those obtained by the workers from the artificial diet, and at the end of nine weeks queens contained more than four times as much sterol, on a ‘μg sterol per g fresh weight’ basis, than was found in fertile queens at the beginning of the test period.     

Oxidation of C1-compounds in Pseudomonas C

Extracts of Pseudomonas C grown on methanol as sole carbon and energy source contain a methanol dehydrogenase activity which can be coupled to phenazine methosulfate. This enzyme catalyzes two reactions namely the conversion of methanol to formaldehyde (phenazine methosulfate coupled) and the oxidation of formaldehyde to formate (2,6-dichloroindophenol-coupled). Activities of glutathione-dependent formaldehyde dehydrogenase (NAD⁺) and formate dehydrogenase (NAD⁺) were also detected in the extracts.The addition of d-ribulose 5-phosphate to the reaction mixtures caused a marked increase in the formaldehyde-dependent reduction of NAD⁺ or NADP⁺. In addition, the oxidation of [¹⁴C]formaldehyde to CO₂, by extracts of Pseudomonas C, increased when d-ribulose 5-phosphate was present in the assay mixtures.The amount of radioactivity found in CO₂, was 6.8-times higher when extracts of methanol-grown Pseudomona C were incubated for a short period of time with [1-¹⁴C]glucose 6-phosphate than with [U-¹⁴C]glucose 6-phosphate.These data, and the presence of high specific activities of hexulose phosphate synthase, phosphoglucoisomerase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase indicate that in methanol-grown Pseudomonas C, formaldehyde carbon is oxidized to CO₂ both via a cyclic pathway which includes the enzymes mentioned and via formate as an oxidation intermediate, with the former predominant.     

The fine structure of the infracerebral complex of Perinereis cultrifera grube (annelida: Polychaeta): C1 and C2 cells

The infracerebral complex of Perinereis cultrifera is located along the posterior, ventral portion of the brain, between the brain capsule and the coelomic sinus. The C₁ cells are characterized by the presence of an entanglement of cell processes along the basal border, numerous filament bundles throug Golgi complexes with small vesicles nearby in the apical region. The C₂ cells, stellate in form, resemble protein-synthesizing neurosecretory cells because of the electrondense granules found in the cell body and its processes. This cell i cells, thereby eliminating direct contact with the coelomic sinus or the blood vessels although processes extend dorsally to the brain capsule. No significant ultrastructural change appears in either cell type during a 24-hr cycle or during the juvenile or reproductive phase of the animal's life.     

Purification and partial characterization of cytochrome b5 from Tetrahymena pyriformis

With the use of detergents and successive column chromatographies, Tetrahymena b-type cytochrome was purified from microsomes to a specific content of 36.0 nmol per mg of protein. The purified form showed a single band on SDS-polyacrylamide gel with molecular weight of 22,000. The spectral properties of the reduced b-type cytochrome, the α-peak of which is situated at 560 nm and asymmetric with a shoulder at 556 nm, was different from that of rat liver microsomal cytochrome b₅. However, it was reducible by NADH in the presence of NADH-cytochrome b₅ reductase purified from rat liver microsomes.The results indicated that the microsomal b-type cytochrome should be designated as cytochrome b₅ of a ciliated protozoan, Tetrahymena pyriformis.     

Purification and characterization of a nitrilase from Fusarium solani O1

An intracellular nitrilase was purified from a Fusarium solani O1 culture, in which the enzyme (up to 3000 U L⁻¹) was induced by 2-cyanopyridine. SDS-PAGE revealed one major band corresponding to a molecular weight of approximately 40 kDa. Peptide mass fingerprinting suggested a high similarity of the protein with the putative nitrilase from Gibberella moniliformis. Electron microscopy revealed that the enzyme molecules associated into extended rods. The enzyme showed high specific activities towards benzonitrile (156 U mg⁻¹) and 4-cyanopyridine (203 U mg⁻¹). Other aromatic nitriles (3-chlorobenzonitrile, 3-hydroxybenzonitrile) also served as good substrates for the enzyme. The rates of hydrolysis of aliphatic nitriles (methacrylonitrile, propionitrile, butyronitrile, valeronitrile) were 14–26% of that of benzonitrile. The nitrilase was active within pH 5–10 and at up to 50 °C with optima at pH 8.0 and 40–45 °C. Its activity was strongly inhibited by Hg²⁺ and Ag⁺ ions. More than half of the enzyme activity was preserved at up to 50% of n-hexane or n-heptane or at up to 15% of xylene or ethanol. Operational stability of the enzyme was examined by the conversion of 45 mM 4-cyanopyridine in a continuous and stirred ultrafiltration-membrane reactor. The nitrilase half-life was 277 and 10.5 h at 35 and 45 °C, respectively.