The chemical diversity and distribution of glucosinolates and isothiocyanates among plants

Glucosinolates (beta-thioglucoside-N-hydroxysulfates), the precursors of isothiocyanates, are present in sixteen families of dicotyledonous angiosperms including a large number of edible species. At least 120 different glucosinolates have been identified in these plants, although closely related taxonomic groups typically contain only a small number of such compounds. Glucosinolates and/or their breakdown products have long been known for their fungicidal, bacteriocidal, nematocidal and allelopathic properties and have recently attracted intense research interest because of their cancer chemoprotective attributes. Numerous reviews have addressed the occurrence of glucosinolates in vegetables, primarily the family Brassicaceae (syn. Cruciferae; including Brassica spp and Raphanus spp). The major focus of much previous research has been on the negative aspects of these compounds because of the prevalence of certain "antinutritional" or goitrogenic glucosinolates in the protein-rich defatted meal from widely grown oilseed crops and in some domesticated vegetable crops. There is, however, an opposite and positive side of this picture represented by the therapeutic and prophylactic properties of other "nutritional" or "functional" glucosinolates. This review addresses the complex array of these biologically active and chemically diverse compounds many of which have been identified during the past three decades in other families. In addition to the Brassica vegetables, these glucosinolates have been found in hundreds of species, many of which are edible or could provide substantial quantities of glucosinolates for isolation, for biological evaluation, and potential application as chemoprotective or other dietary or pharmacological agents.     

Influence of chemical profiles of host plants on the infestation diversity ofRetithrips syriacus

The onset of biotic stress in the host plants as a result of increased insect population size leads to enhanced levels of secondary metabolites and associated phenolic enzyme activity. Of the three host plants examined, viz.Ricinus communis (castor),Eucalyptus globulus (eucalyptus) andManihot utilissima (tapioca), castor was the host most preferred byRetithrips syriacus. Despite the fact that tapioca had the highest levels of secondary compounds, thrips infestation persisted. However, fecundity and growth were reduced because of the relatively high levels of primary metabolites. Gallic acid was found to be the most toxic of the phenolic acids, followed by pyrogallol, resorcinol, phloroglucinol and vanillic acid. The less toxic phenolic acids and flavanoids were detected in leaves that harboured thrips, while the preponderance of gallic acid was found in uninfested hosts. Thus the interaction ofRetithrips syriacus with the hosts is governed essentially by the biochemical profiles of its hosts, which tend to be altered subsequent to infestation, thus manifesting induced resistance through enhanced production of phenolics     

中国种子植物区系中的藤本多样性

藤本植物是植被的重要组成部分,但由于野外考察中物种及无性系分株鉴定的困难,长期以来在生态学研究中常常被忽视。为揭示中国藤本植物的多样性和特有性,作者研究了其科属组成、区系成分和攀援方式。结果显示:中国藤本植物种类丰富,共计有85科409属3,073种(含变种、亚种),占中国种子植物区系的11.3%;其中草质藤本898种,木质藤本2,175种,分别占中国种子植物区系的3.3%和8.0%。中国藤本植物区系热带成分显著,热带分布科和属分别占总科数或总属数(不含世界广布科属)的87.9%和79.2%;有14个含藤属为中国所特有,但没有特有含藤科。中国藤本植物最主要的攀援方式是缠绕类,占藤本植物总数的56.7%;其次为蔓生类和卷须类,分别占22.1%和17.0%;吸附类藤本种类最少,只占4.2%。     

Prostaglandins and related substances in plants

Prostaglandins (PGs) have been detected in many different plants and certain microorganisms. A few prostaglandin-like compounds have also been shown to occur in plants such as flax,Chromolaena morii, and aquatic sedge; and direct precursors (arachidonic acid, di-homo-γ-linolenic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid) have been detected in a variety of plants and microorganisms, including certain red algae, brown algae, green algae, and saltwater diatoms. Furthermore, arachidonic acid has been found in mosses and a liverwort. It has also been reported that arachidonic acid occurs in certain angiosperms, namely, poplar (Populus balsamifera), wheat germ oil,Aloe vera, andAllium sativum (garlic). In our studies on the possible physiological effects of prostaglandins we found that a PG possibly has an effect on the flowering of the short-day plantPharbitis nil. It has hastened flower formation by 28 days as compared with controls under inductive conditions (short days), and certain inhibitors of PG-biosynthesis inhibited flowering to a greater or lesser extent. In other physiological studies of prostaglandins, it was found that they have an effect on such aspects as GA₃-controlled responses in barley endosperm, inhibition of crown gall tumor formation on potato discs, and certain electron-flow reactions in isolated chloroplasts. In corn leaf segments it has an effect on photosynthesis, nucleic acid metabolism, and protein synthesis. The effect on four plant bioassay systems was negligible. It has also been reported that PGs play a role in the regulation of cell membrane permeability.     

The chemical constituents and economic plants of the Euphorbiaceae

The chemical constituents and economic plants of the Euphorbiaceae. A chemical review of the different classes of compounds which have been isolated from the Euphorbiaceae (other than the diterpenoids) is given. This includes triterpenoids and related compounds (sterols, alcohols and hydrocarbons), phenolic compounds (flavonoids, lignans, coumarins, tannins, phenanthrenes, quinones, phenolic acids, etc.), alkaloids, cyanogenic glucosides and glucosinolates. A summary of the industrial and medicinal uses of members of the Euphorbiaceae is provided.     

Functional aquaporin diversity in plants

Due to the fact that most plants are immobile, a rapid response of physiological processes to changing environmental conditions is essential for their survival. Thus, in comparison to many other organisms, plants might need a more sophisticated tuning of water balance. Among others, this is reflected by the comparable large amount of aquaporin genes in plant genomes. So far, aquaporins were shown to be involved in many physiological processes like root water uptake, reproduction or photosynthesis. Their classification as simple water pores has changed according to their molecular function into channels permeable for water, small solutes and/or gases. An adjustment of the corresponding physiological process could be achieved by regulation mechanisms. Concerning aquaporins these range from posttranslational modification, molecular trafficking to heteromerization of aquaporin isoforms. The aim of this review is to underline the function of the four plant aquaporin family subclasses with regard to the substrate specificity, regulation and physiological relevance.     

Hartmannella: Growth controlling substances in culture medium

Summary Growth inhibiting thermolabile factor(s) accumulate in some of the axenic media during growth ofHartmannella cultures. The physiological effectiveness of the factors depends in a not understood way on the concentration of cells in culture. The factor may be active antigenically.Supported by NIH grant FR 05 4582-07.     

Functional aquaporin diversity in plants

Due to the fact that most plants are immobile, a rapid response of physiological processes to changing environmental conditions is essential for their survival. Thus, in comparison to many other organisms, plants might need a more sophisticated tuning of water balance. Among others, this is reflected by the comparable large amount of aquaporin genes in plant genomes. So far, aquaporins were shown to be involved in many physiological processes like root water uptake, reproduction or photosynthesis. Their classification as simple water pores has changed according to their molecular function into channels permeable for water, small solutes and/or gases. An adjustment of the corresponding physiological process could be achieved by regulation mechanisms. Concerning aquaporins these range from posttranslational modification, molecular trafficking to heteromerization of aquaporin isoforms. The aim of this review is to underline the function of the four plant aquaporin family subclasses with regard to the substrate specificity, regulation and physiological relevance.     

Intraspecific genotypic diversity in plants

Variations in the nuclear DNA, mainly as a result of quantitative modulations of DNA repeats belonging to different sequence families of satellite DNA and to the activity of transposable elements, have been assessed within several angiosperm species. These variations alter the amount and organization of the DNA and therefore the genotype, rather than the genome proper. They take place on an evolutionary time scale as the result of selection processes after the occurrence of uncontrolled events in the genome or may be due to direct responses of plant genomes to environmental stimuli that occur under plant-level control within a short developmental period of a single generation. These DNA changes are correlated to changes in the developmental dynamics and phenotypic characteristics of the plants, and the capability to carry out genotypic variation is an evolutionary trait that allows plant species to adapt to different environmental conditions, as well as to the variability of conditions in a given environment. The link between developmental and environmental stimuli and repetitive DNA that elicits the intraspecific diversity of plant genotypes may provide models of evolutionary change that extend beyond the conventional view of evolution by allelic substitution and take into account epigenetic effects of the genome structure.     

樱桃属(Cerasus)植物根围微生物多样性

研究了樱桃属(Cerasus) 5种植物本溪山樱(Cs)、大青叶(Cp)、马哈利(Cm)、考特(Cap)、早红宝石(Ca)各主要生长期根围微生物数量、种群组成、Shannom-Wiener指数(H)、丰富度(S)、Pielou均匀度指数(J)、Simpson 优势度(D)和优势微生物种群变化动态.从樱桃根围共分离到细菌18属,优势菌属主要为假单胞菌属(Pseudomonas)、芽孢杆菌属(Bacillus)和黄杆菌属(Flavobacterium);放线菌为链霉菌的12个类群,优势类群主要为白色类群(Albosporus)、吸水类群(Hygroscopicus)和黄色类群(Flavus);真菌6属,优势菌属为青霉属(Penicillium).樱桃根围微生物的多样性指数(H)、丰富度指数(S)、均匀度指数(J) 及优势度指数(D) 随樱桃种类不同而发生变化,细菌的多样性和丰富度指数为Ca＞Cs＞Cp＞Cm＞Cap,放线菌为Ca＞Cp＞Cs＞Cm＞Cap,真菌为Cm＞Ca＞Cp＞Cs＞Cap.各生长期根围微生物种类与数量发生变化,新梢迅速生长期Ca、Cs、Cp和Cm根围微生物种类与数量较多,新梢停长期Cap根围微生物种类与数量较多,落叶期5种樱桃属植物根围微生物种类与数量均较少.