Within-plant distribution and emission of sesquiterpenes from Copaifera officinalis

Copaifera officinalis, the diesel tree, is known for massive production of oleoresin, mainly composed of sesquiterpene hydrocarbons. In this study, composition of these sesquiterpenes and their concentrations in leaves, stems and roots of C. officinalis at two developmental stages, including the three-week old (TW) seedlings and two-year old (TY) trees, were determined. The leaves of TW seedlings and TY trees contained similar number of sesquiterpenes, which also had comparable concentrations. The stems of TW seedlings had higher concentrations of sesquiterpenes than those of TY trees. In contrast, the number of sesquiterpene species and their concentrations in the roots of TW seedlings were much lower than those in the roots of TY trees. Cluster analysis of sesquiterpenes estimated that there are at least four terpene synthase genes involved in the production of sesquiterpenes in C. officinalis. Because sesquiterpenes are highly volatile, emissions of sesquiterpenes from healthy and wounded TW seedlings were examined using headspace analysis. Whereas very low emission of sesquiterpenes was detected from undamaged plants, the physically injured seedlings emitted a large number of sesquiterpenes, the quality and the relative quantity of which were similar to those in leaves determined using organic extraction. The implications of our findings to the biosynthetic pathways leading to the production of sesquiterpenes as well as their biological roles in C. officinalis are discussed.     

Pollination strategies in Cretan Arum lilies

Flowers of the genus Arum are known to attract dung‐breeding flies and beetles through olfactory deceit. In addition to this strategy, the genus has evolved several other pollination mechanisms. The present study aimed to characterize the pollination strategies of the Cretan Arum species by investigating the flowering phenology, thermogeny, inflorescence odours, and the pollinating fauna. The results obtained show that Arum cyrenaicum and Arum concinnatum emit a strong dung smell and exhibit the distinctive features associated with this pollination syndrome. Both species are highly thermogenic, have a similar odour profile and attract small‐bodied Diptera. Although sharing the same habitat, these two plant species are never found growing sympatrically as a result of the early blooming period of A. cyrenaicum. By contrast, Arum creticum and Arum idaeum have evolved a more traditional and mutually beneficial pollination mechanism. The stinking smell has been replaced by a more flower‐like odour that attracts bees (Lasioglossum sp.) and, occasionally, bugs (Dionconotus cruentatus). Although attracting the same pollinator, the main compound present in the odour of A. creticum is different from that of A. idaeum. Principal component analysis (PCA), based on physiologically active components of the flower odours determined by testing on the antenna of the Lasioglossum bee, revealed two different clusters, indicating that pollinators can potentially discriminate between the odours of the two species. A further PCA on the main floral odour volatiles as identified by gas chroatography‐mass spectroscopy from all the Arum species under investigation displayed odour‐based similarities and differences among the species. The PCA‐gas chomotography‐electroantennographic detection active peaks analysis showed that the two species, A. creticum and A. idaeum, form two groups and are clearly separated from A. cyrenaicum and A. concinnatum, which, conversely, cluster together. The evolutionary forces and selective pressures leading to diversification of pollination mechanisms in the Cretan Arum spp. are discussed. © 2010 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2010, 101 , 991–1001.     

Systemin and jasmonic acid regulate constitutive and herbivore-induced systemic volatile emissions in tomato, Solanum lycopersicum

Transgenic tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) plants that overexpress the Prosystemin gene (35S::PS) and plants with a mutation in the JA biosynthetic pathway (def1) are known to exhibit a constitutive or reduced wound response, respectively. Here it is demonstrated that several independent 35S::PS lines emit high levels of specific volatiles in addition to increased accumulation of proteinase inhibitors (PIs). Furthermore, the temporal dynamics of systemically induced volatile compounds including green-leaf volatiles, terpenes, and shikimic acid-derivatives from 35S::PS and def1 plants in response to herbivore wounding and treatment with jasmonic acid (JA) are described. Application of JA induced defense protein accumulation and volatile emissions in wild type plants, but did not further increase systemic volatile emissions from 35S::PS plants. Wounding by Manduca sexta larvae induced synthesis of defense proteins and emission of volatiles in wild type plants, but not in def1 plants. Application of jasmonic acid restored the local and systemic accumulation of defense proteins in def1, as well as enhanced herbivore-induced volatile emissions. These results provide strong support for the role of prosystemin- and JA-signaling in the regulation of volatile emissions in tomato plants.     

The molecular basis of host plant selection in Melaleuca quinquenervia by a successful biological control agent

Melaleuca quinquenervia (Cav) S.T. Blake (broadleaf paperbark) is an Australian tree that has become a serious weed in many places around the world. Two insects Oxyops vitiosa (the melaleuca weevil), and Boreioglycaspis melaleucae (the melaleuca psyllid), which were introduced to Florida as part of a biological control programme, have been very effective in reducing survival and reproduction of this weed. There are two terpene chemotypes of M. quinquenervia; one rich in the sesquiterpene E-nerolidol whereas the other is rich in viridiflorol. Viridiflorol is a strong feeding deterrent for the melaleuca weevil and retards larval development. The larvae therefore avoid the viridiflorol-rich chemotype, in contrast, female melaleuca psyllids prefer to oviposit on these leaves. To identify the molecular basis of these preferences, we isolated and characterised two terpene synthases from the viridiflorol-rich chemotype, both of which utilise farnesyl pyrophosphate and have the same product profile. Chemotypic variation in terpenes in M. quinquenervia is under strong genetic control and the reproductive potential of each chemotype is limited by a different insect. These insects could, therefore, be selective agents for the maintenance of chemotypic variation in M. quinquenervia.     

Parathyroid hormone-related peptide improves contractile function of stunned myocardium in rats and pigs

The effect of synthetic parathyroid hormone (PTH)-related peptide [PTHrP(1-34)] on regional myocardial function was studied in 11 anesthetized pigs. Intracoronary infusion of PTHrP (cumulative dose: 14 +/- 1 microg) decreased coronary resistance to 33 +/- 2% of baseline (P < 0.05) and regional myocardial function to 90 +/- 3% of baseline (not significant). Ischemia-reperfusion alters the activity of several kinases and therefore possibly the myocardial effects of PTHrP. In stunned myocardium, induced by 20-min ischemia and 30-min reperfusion, the dose of PTHrP reducing coronary resistance to a minimum of 29 +/- 2% was decreased to 8 +/- 2 microg (P < 0.05). Regional myocardial function was no longer decreased but increased to 132 +/- 9% (P < 0.05). The increase in regional myocardial function during PTHrP was inversely related to baseline function at 30-min reperfusion in vivo (r = 0.9) as well as in myocytes isolated from stunned pig hearts (r = 0.7). In isolated rat hearts subjected to 30-min global ischemia followed by 30-min reperfusion, blockade of endogenous PTHrP by d-Trp(12)-Tyr(34)-PTH(7-34) attenuated the recovery of left ventricular developed pressure by 30 +/- 14% (P < 0.05). Thus endogenous and exogenous PTHrP impact on the function of stunned myocardium.