Plant Secondary Metabolism Research Papers (original) (raw)

The production of lignocellulolytic enzymes by eleven basidiomycetes species isolated from two ecosystems of Georgia was investigated for the first time under submerged (SF) and solid-state fermentation (SSF) of lignocellulosic... more

The production of lignocellulolytic enzymes by eleven basidiomycetes species isolated from two ecosystems of Georgia was investigated for the first time under submerged (SF) and solid-state fermentation (SSF) of lignocellulosic by-products. Notable intergeneric and intrageneric differences were revealed with regard to the extent of hydrolase and oxidase activity. Several fungi produced laccase along with hydrolases in parallel with growth during the trophophase, showing that the synthesis of this enzyme is not connected with secondary metabolism. The lignocellulosic substrate type had the greatest impact on enzyme secretion. Some of the substrates significantly stimulated lignocellulolytic enzyme synthesis without supplementation of the culture medium with specific inducers. Exceptionally high carboxymethyl cellulase (CMCase, 122 U ml -1 ) and xylanase (195 U ml -1 ) activities were revealed in SF of mandarin peelings by Pseudotremella gibbosa IBB 22 and of residue after ethanol production (REP) by Fomes fomentarius IBB 38, respectively. The SSF of REP by T. pubescens IBB 11 ensured the highest level of laccase activity (24,690 U l -1 ), whereas the SSF of wheat bran and SF of mandarin peels provided the highest manganese peroxidase activity (570-620 U l -1 ) of Trichaptum biforme IBB 117. Moreover, the variation of lignocellulosic growth substrate provides an opportunity to obtain enzyme preparations containing different ratios of individual enzymes.

The literature concerning the formation of secondary metabolites in cell and tissue cultures of Catharanthus roseus has been reviewed. Several aspects involved in the formation of secondary metabolites are discussed; e.g. regulation of... more

The literature concerning the formation of secondary metabolites in cell and tissue cultures of Catharanthus roseus has been reviewed. Several aspects involved in the formation of secondary metabolites are discussed; e.g. regulation of secondary metabolism, environmental factors influencing secondary metabolism, biosynthesis and enzymology of the products, analysis of product formation, immobilization of cultured cells and stability of cell lines. Some economical aspects of production processes are discussed. Table 1. Alkaloids isolated from C. roseus cell and tissue cultures.

The aim of this study was to investigate both a mass in vitro propagation system and the β-ecdysone content in roots and aerial parts of Pfaffia glomerata and Pfaffia tuberosa. Nodal segments of two genotypes (BRA and JB-UFSM) of P.... more

The aim of this study was to investigate both a mass in vitro propagation system and the β-ecdysone content in roots and aerial parts of Pfaffia glomerata and Pfaffia tuberosa. Nodal segments of two genotypes (BRA and JB-UFSM) of P. glomerata, originated from aseptically grown plants, were cultivated on hormone-free Murashige and Skoog medium. For the proliferation of P. tuberosa shoots, nodal segments, originated from aseptically grown plants, were either cultivated on hormone-free Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium or were supplemented with 1.0 µM thidiazuron (TDZ); the elongation and rooting of these plants were carried out on MS medium without TDZ. Plantlets of both species were acclimatized and transferred to field conditions. The β-ecdysone content in the plants was determined by high performance liquid chromatography. The BRA genotype showed a greater in vitro proliferation rate and β-ecdysone content than that of the JB-UFSM genotype. The culture of nodal segments of P. tuberosa on medium with 1.0 µM TDZ with subsequent subcultivation of shoots on hormone-free medium was shown to be a suitable method for micropropagation due to the high multiplication rate and good plant development. Both species showed good adaptation to ex vitro conditions. The β-ecdysone content in micropropagated P. tuberosa was similar to that found in field-grown plants. For both species, the aerial parts accumulated higher β-ecdysone content than roots. These results reveal that micropropagation is a successful, alternative method for rapid plant multiplication of both species of Brazilian ginseng. Furthermore, this study demonstrates that these two species have a potential for cultivation that is associated with high β-ecdysone production.

Micropropagation of Origanum vulgare L. by shoot buds, as a potential model system for studying carbon skeleton diversion from growth to secondary metabolism as adaptive response to nutrient deficiency, has been performed. In addition,... more

Micropropagation of Origanum vulgare L. by shoot buds, as a potential model system for studying carbon skeleton diversion from growth to secondary metabolism as adaptive response to nutrient deficiency, has been performed. In addition, the antioxidant phenolic compounds, produced by shoots under nutritional stress or in response to exogenously added proline, have been studied. Caffeic acid, rosmarinic acid, and lithospermic acid B have been isolated in oregano shoot cultures by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography, and their structures have been elucidated by tandem mass spectrometry. Both nutritional stress, which in turn causes a moderate increase of constitutive free proline, and exogenous proline affect growth and antioxidant phenolic content of oregano shoots, compared to control.The role of proline, and the associated redox cycle, as a form of metabolic signaling based on a transfer of redox potential amongst interacting cell pathways, which in turn elicit phenolic metabolism via stimulated carbon flux through oxidative pentose phosphate pathway, is discussed. Furthermore, the potential use of oregano tissue and callus cultures as a new strategy to enable the production of useful secondary metabolites on a commercial scale is also discussed.

The study of aflatoxin in Aspergillus spp. has garnered the attention of many researchers due to aflatoxin’s carcinogenic properties and frequency as a food and feed contaminant. Significant progress has been made by utilizing the model... more

The study of aflatoxin in Aspergillus spp. has garnered the attention of many researchers due to aflatoxin’s carcinogenic properties and frequency as a food and feed contaminant. Significant progress has been made by utilizing the model organism Aspergillus nidulans to characterize the regulation of sterigmatocystin (ST), the penultimate precursor of aflatoxin. A previous forward genetic screen identified 23 A. nidulans mutants involved in regulating ST production. Six mutants were characterized from this screen using classical mapping (five mutations in mcsA ) and complementation with a cosmid library (one mutation in laeA ). The remaining mutants were backcrossed and sequenced using Illumina and Ion Torrent sequencing platforms. All but one mutant contained one or more sequence variants in predicted open reading frames. Deletion of these genes resulted in identification of mutant alleles responsible for the loss of ST production in 12 of the 17 remaining mutants. Eight of these mu...

Recent achievements have been made in the metabolic engineering of plant secondary metabolism. Various pathways have been altered using genes encoding biosynthetic enzymes or genes encoding regulatory proteins. In addition, antisense... more

Recent achievements have been made in the metabolic engineering of plant secondary metabolism. Various pathways have been altered using genes encoding biosynthetic enzymes or genes encoding regulatory proteins. In addition, antisense genes have been used to block competitive pathways, thereby increasing the flux towards the desired secondary metabolites.

Rose-scented geranium (Pelargonium sp.) is a highly valued aromatic crop. Its growth is limited by soil salinity and sodicity stress. Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus, phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB), and P fertilizers may enhance... more

Rose-scented geranium (Pelargonium sp.) is a highly valued aromatic crop. Its growth is limited by soil salinity and sodicity stress. Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus, phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB), and P fertilizers may enhance the growth and secondary metabolism in geranium plants. In this context, a pot experiment was conducted to study the effects of PSB, AM fungi (Glomus intraradices), and P fertilizer on the yield, chemical composition of essential oil, and mineral element acquisition of geranium. The dry matter yield of shoot and essential oil yield, and mineral element (P, K, Ca, Mg, Na, Fe, Cu, and Zn) uptake in shoot tissues of geranium were significantly increased by the inoculation with AM fungi, co-inoculation with AM fungi and PSB, and P fertilization as compared to control. While the co-inoculation of geranium with AM fungi and PSB significantly enhanced the content of the monoterpenes such as citronellol, geraniol, geranial, and a sesquiterpene (10-epi-γ eudesmol), the P fertilization only enhanced the content of a sesquiterpene, 10-epi-γ eudesmol in the volatile oil. We conclude that the co-inoculation of PSB and AM fungi could be the best natural alternative to phosphate fertilizers to enhance the yield and quality of essential oil from geranium plants grown in sodic soils.

| Much of natural product chemistry concerns a group of compounds known as secondary metabolites. These low-molecular-weight metabolites often have potent physiological activities. Digitalis, morphine and quinine are plant secondary... more

| Much of natural product chemistry concerns a group of compounds known as secondary metabolites. These low-molecular-weight metabolites often have potent physiological activities. Digitalis, morphine and quinine are plant secondary metabolites, whereas penicillin, cephalosporin, ergotrate and the statins are equally well known fungal secondary metabolites. Although chemically diverse, all secondary metabolites are produced by a few common biosynthetic pathways, often in conjunction with morphological development. Recent advances in molecular biology, bioinformatics and comparative genomics have revealed that the genes encoding specific fungal secondary metabolites are clustered and often located near telomeres. In this review, we address some important questions, including which evolutionary pressures led to gene clustering, why closely related species produce different profiles of secondary metabolites, and whether fungal genomics will accelerate the discovery of new pharmacologically active natural products. NATURE REVIEWS | MICROBIOLOGY VOLUME 3 | DECEMBER 2005 | 937 R E V I E W S © 2005 Nature Publishing Group ERGOT ALKALOID Any of a group of about 30 indole alkaloids obtained from the sclerotial phase of the fungus Claviceps purpurea. INTERMEDIARY METABOLISM Enzyme-catalysed processes within cells that metabolize macronutrients, carbohydrate, fat and protein. ALLELOPATHIC Describes secondary metabolites released by plants, bacteria, fungi or viruses that have a direct or indirect, harmful or even beneficial effect on another organism.

Plant growth and productivity is adversely affected by nature's wrath in the form of various biotic and abiotic stress factors. Water deficit is one of the major abiotic stresses, which adversely affects crop growth and yield. These... more

Plant growth and productivity is adversely affected by nature's wrath in the form of various biotic and abiotic stress factors. Water deficit is one of the major abiotic stresses, which adversely affects crop growth and yield. These changes are mainly related to altered metabolic functions, one of those is either loss of or reduced synthesis of photosynthetic pigments. This results in declined light harvesting and generation of reducing powers, which are a source of energy for dark reactions of photosynthesis. These changes in the amounts of photosynthetic pigments are closely associated to plant biomass yield. This review describes some aspects of drought induced changes in morphological, physiological and pigments composition in higher plants.

The scientific basis for the statement that plants and their active constituents play an important role in the prevention of chronic and degenerative diseases is continuously advancing. In fact, the origin of many therapeutic substances... more

The scientific basis for the statement that plants and their active constituents play an important role in the prevention of chronic and degenerative diseases is continuously advancing. In fact, the origin of many therapeutic substances is due to secondary metabolism in the plant. The genus Hibiscus contains 220 species distributed around the world. It is an interesting source of potential bioactive molecules, as phenolic compounds, triterpene derivatives, phytosteroids, with antioxidant, cardioprotective, antihypertensive and antiproliferative activities. This work reviews the pharmacological evidence of extracts of plants from the genus Hibiscus, giving an overview of the most studied biological effects and the known phytochemical composition. Although more studies are necessary, Hibiscus spp. exhibits proven potential to become of important pharmacological interest.

Cannabis sativa L. is an annual dioecious plant from Central Asia. Cannabinoids, flavonoids, stilbenoids, terpenoids, alkaloids and lignans are some of the secondary metabolites present in C. sativa. Earlier reviews were focused on... more

Cannabis sativa L. is an annual dioecious plant from Central Asia. Cannabinoids, flavonoids, stilbenoids, terpenoids, alkaloids and lignans are some of the secondary metabolites present in C. sativa. Earlier reviews were focused on isolation and identification of more than 480 chemical compounds; this review deals with the biosynthesis of the secondary metabolites present in this plant. Cannabinoid biosynthesis and some closely related pathways that involve the same precursors are disscused.

Phytochemicals are structurally diverse secondary metabolites synthesized by plants and also by non-pathogenic endophytic microorganisms living within plants. Phytochemicals help plants to survive environmental stresses, protect plants... more

Phytochemicals are structurally diverse secondary metabolites synthesized by plants and also by non-pathogenic endophytic microorganisms living within plants. Phytochemicals help plants to survive environmental stresses, protect plants from microbial infections and environmental pollutants, provide them with a defense from herbivorous organisms and attract natural predators of such organisms, as well as lure pollinators and other symbiotes of these plants. In addition, many phytochemicals can extend longevity in heterotrophic organisms across phyla via evolutionarily conserved mechanisms. In this review, we discuss such mechanisms. We outline how structurally diverse phytochemicals modulate a complex network of signaling pathways that orchestrate a distinct set of longevity-defining cellular processes. This review also reflects on how the release of phytochemicals by plants into a natural ecosystem may create selective forces that drive the evolution of longevity regulation mechanis...

Hypocrea/Trichoderma is a genus of soil-borne or wood-decaying fungi containing members important to mankind as producers of industrial enzymes and biocontrol agents against plant pathogens, but also as opportunistic pathogens of... more

Hypocrea/Trichoderma is a genus of soil-borne or wood-decaying fungi containing members important to mankind as producers of industrial enzymes and biocontrol agents against plant pathogens, but also as opportunistic pathogens of immunocompromised humans and animals, while others can cause damage to cultivated mushroom. With the recent advent of a reliable, BarCode-aided identification system for all known taxa of Trichoderma and Hypocrea, it became now possible to study some of the biological fundamentals of the diversity in this fungal genus in more detail. In this article, we will therefore review recent progress in (1) the understanding of the geographic distribution of individual taxa; (2) mechanisms of speciation leading to development of mushroom diseases and facultative human mycoses; and (3) the possible correlation of specific traits of secondary metabolism and molecular phylogeny.

The conversion of alpha-phenylalanine to beta-phenylalanine is the first committed step in the biosynthesis of the C-13 side chain of Taxol. Thus, the novel enzyme responsible for this step, phenylalanine aminomutase (PAM), is of... more

The conversion of alpha-phenylalanine to beta-phenylalanine is the first committed step in the biosynthesis of the C-13 side chain of Taxol. Thus, the novel enzyme responsible for this step, phenylalanine aminomutase (PAM), is of considerable interest for studies of Taxol biosynthesis and represents a potential target for genetic engineering. A method is described for purifying PAM from Taxus chinensis cell cultures. The purified enzyme has a K(m) of 1.1mM, a V(max) of 110.1 microm/min/mg protein, a pH optimum of 7.5-8.0, and a denatured molecular weight of about 80 kDa. Peptide sequences derived from the purified protein were used to design and synthesize degenerate primers enabling the PCR synthesis of the PAM cDNA. The PAM cDNA encodes a protein of 687 amino acid residues with a deduced molecular weight of 75.3 kDa. The PAM cDNA was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli, and PAM activity was demonstrated. As a gene symbol for the PAM enzyme, pam is proposed. Protein sequence alignments of PAM, phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), and histidine ammonia-lyase (HAL) sequences exhibit significant similarity providing insight into potential active site residues of PAM.

Plant secondary metabolites are unique sources for pharmaceuticals, food additives, flavors, and other industrial materials. Accumulation of such metabolites often occurs in plants subjected to stresses including various elicitors or... more

Plant secondary metabolites are unique sources for pharmaceuticals, food additives, flavors, and other industrial materials. Accumulation of such metabolites often occurs in plants subjected to stresses including various elicitors or signal molecules. Understanding signal transduction paths underlying elicitor-induced production of secondary metabolites is important for optimizing their commercial production. This paper summarizes progress made on several aspects of elicitor signal transduction leading to production of plant secondary metabolites, including: elicitor signal perception by various receptors of plants; avirulence determinants and corresponding plant R proteins; heterotrimeric and small GTP binding proteins; ion fluxes, especially Ca2+ influx, and Ca2+ signaling; medium alkalinization and cytoplasmic acidification; oxidative burst and reactive oxygen species; inositol trisphosphates and cyclic nucleotides (cAMP and cGMP); salicylic acid and nitric oxide; jasmonate, ethylene, and abscisic acid signaling; oxylipin signals such as allene oxide synthase-dependent jasmonate and hydroperoxide lyase-dependent C12 and C6 volatiles; as well as other lipid messengers such as lysophosphatidylcholine, phosphatidic acid, and diacylglycerol. All these signal components are employed directly or indirectly by elicitors for induction of plant secondary metabolite accumulation. Cross-talk between different signaling pathways is very common in plant defense response, thus the cross-talk amongst these signaling pathways, such as elicitor and jasmonate, jasmonate and ethylene, and each of these with reactive oxygen species, is discussed separately. This review also highlights the integration of multiple signaling pathways into or by transcription factors, as well as the linkage of the above signal components in elicitor signaling network through protein phosphorylation and dephosphorylation. Some perspectives on elicitor signal transduction and plant secondary metabolism at the transcriptome and metabolome levels are also presented.

Plant secondary metabolism is very important for traits such as flower color, flavor of food, and resistance against pests and diseases. Moreover, it is the source of many fine chemicals such as drugs, dyes, flavors, and fragrances. It is... more

Plant secondary metabolism is very important for traits such as flower color, flavor of food, and resistance against pests and diseases. Moreover, it is the source of many fine chemicals such as drugs, dyes, flavors, and fragrances. It is thus of interest to be able to engineer the secondary metabolite production of the plant cell factory, e.g. to produce more of a fine chemical, to produce less of a toxic compound, or even to make new compounds, Engineering of plant secondary metabolism is feasible nowadays, but it requires knowledge of the biosynthetic pathways involved. To increase secondary metabolite production different strategies can be followed, such as overcoming rate limiting steps, reducing flux through competitive pathways, reducing catabolism and overexpression of regulatory genes. For this purpose genes of plant origin can be overexpressed, but also microbial genes have been used successfully. Overexpression of plant genes in microorganisms is another approach, which might be of interest for bioconversion of readily available precursors into valuable fine chemicals. Several examples will be given to illustrate these various approaches. The constraints of metabolic engineering of the plant cell factory will also be discussed. Our limited knowledge of secondary metabolite pathways and the genes involved is one of the main bottlenecks.

Fungi have the capacity to cause devastating diseases of both plants and animals, causing significant harvest losses that threaten food security and human mycoses with high mortality rates. As a consequence, there is a critical need to... more

Fungi have the capacity to cause devastating diseases of both plants and animals, causing significant harvest losses that threaten food security and human mycoses with high mortality rates. As a consequence, there is a critical need to promote development of new antifungal drugs, which requires a comprehensive molecular knowledge of fungal pathogenesis. In this review, we critically evaluate current knowledge of seven fungal organisms used as major research models for fungal pathogenesis. These include pathogens of both animals and plants; Ashbya gossypii, Aspergillus fumigatus, Candida albicans, Fusarium oxysporum, Magnaporthe oryzae, Ustilago maydis and Zymoseptoria tritici. We present key insights into the virulence mechanisms deployed by each species and a comparative overview of key insights obtained from genomic analysis. We then consider current trends and future challenges associated with the study of fungal pathogenicity.

The technology of large-scale plant cell culture is feasible for the industrial production of plant-derived fine chemicals. Due to low or no productivity of the desired compounds the economy is only in a few cases favorable. Various... more

The technology of large-scale plant cell culture is feasible for the industrial production of plant-derived fine chemicals. Due to low or no productivity of the desired compounds the economy is only in a few cases favorable. Various approaches are studied to increase yields, these encompass screening and selection of high producing cell lines, media optimization, elicitation, culturing of differentiated cells (organ cultures), immobilization. In recent years metabolic engineering has opened a new promising perspectives for improved production in a plant or plant cell culture.

Marine actinobacteria are one of the most efficient groups of secondary metabolite producers and are very important from an industrial point of view. Many representatives of the order Actinomycetales are prolific producers of thousands of... more

Marine actinobacteria are one of the most efficient groups of secondary metabolite producers and are very important from an industrial point of view. Many representatives of the order Actinomycetales are prolific producers of thousands of biologically active secondary metabolites. Actinobacteria from terrestrial sources have been studied and screened since the 1950s, for many important antibiotics, anticancer, antitumor and immunosuppressive agents. However, frequent rediscovery of the same compounds from the terrestrial actinobacteria has made them less attractive for screening programs in the recent years. At the same time, actinobacteria isolated from the marine environment have currently received considerable attention due to the structural diversity and unique biological activities of their secondary metabolites. They are efficient producers of new secondary metabolites that show a range of biological activities including antibacterial, antifungal, anticancer, antitumor, cytotoxic, cytostatic, anti-inflammatory, antiparasitic, anti-malaria, antiviral, antioxidant, anti-angiogenesis, etc. In this review, an evaluation is made on the current status of research on marine actinobacteria yielding pharmaceutically active secondary metabolites. Bioactive compounds from marine actinobacteria possess distinct chemical structures that may form the basis for synthesis of new drugs that could be used to combat resistant pathogens. With the increasing advancement in science and technology, there would be a greater demand for new bioactive compounds synthesized by actinobacteria from various marine sources in future.

Background: Ultraviolet (UV) radiation modulates secondary metabolism in the skin of Vitis vinifera L. berries, which affects the final composition of both grapes and wines. The expression of several phenylpropanoid biosynthesis-related... more

Background: Ultraviolet (UV) radiation modulates secondary metabolism in the skin of Vitis vinifera L. berries, which affects the final composition of both grapes and wines. The expression of several phenylpropanoid biosynthesis-related genes is regulated by UV radiation in grape berries. However, the complete portion of transcriptome and ripening processes influenced by solar UV radiation in grapes remains unknown.

The important anticancer pharmaceuticals, vinblastine and vincristine, are produced by Catharanthus roseus. Given their cytotoxicity, these valuable alkaloids are produced in very small quantities within the aerial parts of the plant. The... more

The important anticancer pharmaceuticals, vinblastine and vincristine, are produced by Catharanthus roseus. Given their cytotoxicity, these valuable alkaloids are produced in very small quantities within the aerial parts of the plant. The high cost of isolating the drugs has led to research efforts to increase the alkaloid content of C. roseus cell cultures, tissue cultures, and seedlings. The metabolic engineering

The Metabolic Pathways Database (MPW) (www. biobase.com/emphome.html/homepage.html/pags/ pathways.html ) a derivative of EMP (www.biobase. com/EMP ) plays a fundamental role in the technology of metabolic reconstructions from sequenced... more

The Metabolic Pathways Database (MPW) (www. biobase.com/emphome.html/homepage.html/pags/ pathways.html ) a derivative of EMP (www.biobase. com/EMP ) plays a fundamental role in the technology of metabolic reconstructions from sequenced genomes under the PUMA (www.mcs.anl.gov/home/ compbio/PUMA/Production/ReconstructedMetabolism/ reconstruction.html), WIT (www.mcs.anl.gov/home/ compbio/WIT/wit.html ) and WIT2 (beauty.isdn.mcs. anl.gov/WIT2.pub/CGI/user.cgi ) systems. In October 1997, it included some 2800 pathway diagrams covering primary and secondary metabolism, membrane transport, signal transduction pathways, intracellular traffic, translation and transcription. In the current public release of MPW (beauty.isdn.mcs.anl.gov/ MPW), the encoding is based on the logical structure of the pathways and is represented by the objects commonly used in electronic circuit design. This facilitates drawing and editing the diagrams and makes possible automation of the basic simulation operations such as deriving stoichiometric matrices, rate laws, and, ultimately, dynamic models of metabolic pathways. Individual pathway diagrams, automatically derived from the original ASCII records, are stored as SGML instances supplemented by relational indices. An auxiliary database of compound names and structures, encoded in the SMILES format, is maintained to unambiguously connect the pathways to the chemical structures of their intermediates.

The ascomycete fungus Fusarium fujikuroi (Gibberella fujikuroi MP-C) produces secondary metabolites of biotechnological interest, such as gibberellins, bikaverin, and carotenoids. Production of these metabolites is regulated by nitrogen... more

The ascomycete fungus Fusarium fujikuroi (Gibberella fujikuroi MP-C) produces secondary metabolites of biotechnological interest, such as gibberellins, bikaverin, and carotenoids. Production of these metabolites is regulated by nitrogen availability and, in a specific manner, by other environmental signals, such as light in the case of the carotenoid pathway. A complex regulatory network controlling these processes is recently emerging from the alterations of metabolite production found through the mutation of different regulatory genes. Here we show the effect of the targeted mutation of the acyA gene of F. fujikuroi, coding for adenylyl cyclase. Mutants lacking the catalytic domain of the AcyA protein showed different phenotypic alterations, including reduced growth, enhanced production of unidentified red pigments, reduced production of gibberellins and partially derepressed carotenoid biosynthesis in the dark. The phenotype differs in some aspects from that of similar mutants of the close relatives F. proliferatum and F. verticillioides: contrary to what was observed in these species, DacyA mutants of F. fujikuroi showed enhanced sensitivity to oxidative stress (H 2 O 2 ), but no change in heavy metal resistance or in the ability to colonize tomato tissue, indicating a high versatility in the regulatory roles played by cAMP in this fungal group.

Laccases have received much attention from researchers during the past decades due to their broad substrate specificity and to the fact that they use molecular oxygen as the final electron acceptor instead of hydrogen peroxide as used by... more

Laccases have received much attention from researchers during the past decades due to their broad substrate specificity and to the fact that they use molecular oxygen as the final electron acceptor instead of hydrogen peroxide as used by peroxidases. This makes laccases highly interesting for a wide variety of processes, such as textile dye decolouration, pulp bleaching, effluent detoxification, biosensors and bioremediation.

Natural products isolated from sponges are an important source of new biologically active compounds. However, the development of these compounds into drugs has been held back by the difficulties in achieving a sustainable supply of these... more

Natural products isolated from sponges are an important source of new biologically active compounds. However, the development of these compounds into drugs has been held back by the difficulties in achieving a sustainable supply of these often-complex ...

The fungus Fusarium fujikuroi (Gibberella fujikuroi mating group C) exhibits a rich secondary metabolism that includes the synthesis of compounds of biotechnological interest, such as gibberellins, bikaverin, and carotenoids. The effect... more

The fungus Fusarium fujikuroi (Gibberella fujikuroi mating group C) exhibits a rich secondary metabolism that includes the synthesis of compounds of biotechnological interest, such as gibberellins, bikaverin, and carotenoids. The effect of the carbon source on their production was checked using a two-phase incubation protocol, in which nine different sugars were added upon transfer of the fungus from repressed to appropriate inducing conditions, i.e., nitrogen starvation for gibberellins and bikaverin and illumination for carotenoids production. Most of the carbon sources allowed the synthesis of these metabolites in significant amounts. However, bikaverin production was strongly increased by the presence of sucrose in comparison to other carbon sources, an effect not exhibited for the production of gibberellins and carotenoids. The bikaverin inducing effect was enhanced in the absence of phosphate and/or sulfate. Similar results were also observed in carotenoid-overproducing strains known to be altered in bikaverin production. The induction by salt starvation, but not by sucrose, correlated with an increase in messenger RNA levels of gene bik1, encoding a polyketide synthase of the bikaverin pathway.

Plant-insect interactions are not just influenced by interactions between plants and the actively feeding stages, but also by the close relationships between plants and insect eggs. Here, we review both effects of plants on insect eggs... more

Plant-insect interactions are not just influenced by interactions between plants and the actively feeding stages, but also by the close relationships between plants and insect eggs. Here, we review both effects of plants on insect eggs and, vice versa, effects of eggs on plants. We consider the influence of plants on the production of insect eggs and address the role of phytochemicals for the biosynthesis and release of insect sex pheromones, as well as for insect fecundity. Effects of plants on insect oviposition by contact and olfactory plant cues are summarised. In addition, we consider how the leaf boundary layer influences both insect egg deposition behaviour and development of the embryo inside the egg. The effects of eggs on plants involve egg-induced changes of photosynthetic activity and of the plant's secondary metabolism. Except for gall-inducing insects, egg-induced changes of phytochemistry were so far found to be detrimental to the eggs. Egg deposition can induce h...

Glucotropaeolin and total phenolic concentrations were assessed in three different organs (inflorescences, leaves, unripe seeds) of nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus L.), which are consumed as herbal plant products, in order to determine the... more

Glucotropaeolin and total phenolic concentrations were assessed in three different organs (inflorescences, leaves, unripe seeds) of nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus L.), which are consumed as herbal plant products, in order to determine the effect of short-term and moderate UV-B exposure as targeted postharvest stress treatment on the secondary plant metabolism. For this purpose, nasturtium plants were subjected to two UV-B radiation levels: 0.075 and 0.15 W h m− 2. The results clearly demonstrate that the plant response to short-term and moderate UV-B exposure is organ-, plant tissue age-, and phytochemical-specific and that these factors influence a change of secondary metabolism as revealed by the different phytochemical concentration levels elicited.In food processing UV treatment is mainly attributed to disinfection. This study examined the feasibility of short-term and moderate UV-B application as emerging technology for enhancing health-promoting phytochemicals in freshly consumed plant products (inflorescences, leaves, unripe seeds) demonstrated by the herbal plant nasturtium. Optimizing phytochemical concentration by targeted postharvest UV-B applications will add health value and subsequently generate new opportunities for growers and processors by achieving the health-oriented food market.

Light plays an important role in almost all plant developmental processes and provides the fundamental building blocks for growth, development, primary and secondary metabolism. The effects of light on growth rate and caffeic acid... more

Light plays an important role in almost all plant developmental processes and provides the fundamental building blocks for growth, development, primary and secondary metabolism. The effects of light on growth rate and caffeic acid derivative (CADs) biosynthesis in hairy root cultures of Echinacea purpurea (Moench) were assessed. Light-grown hairy roots accumulated increased levels of anthocyanins, which became visible in outer cell layer of the cortex as a ring of purple color. The light-grown root cultures also had radially thickened morphology compared with the dark-grown controls. The growth rate and cell viability of the hairy root cultures in light did not show obvious difference in comparison with those in dark. However, biosynthesis of CADs including cichoric acid, caftaric acid, chlorogenic acid and caffeic acid was significantly increased in hairy root cultures grown in the light. The enhanced accumulation of CADs and anthocyanins in E. purpurea hairy root cultures was correlated to an observed light-stimulated activity of phenylalanine ammonium lyase (PAL).

Advanced oxidation of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and o-, m-, and p-xylene (BTEX) by the extracellular hydroxyl radicals ( • OH) generated by the white-rot fungus Trametes versicolor is for the first time demonstrated. The production... more

Advanced oxidation of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and o-, m-, and p-xylene (BTEX) by the extracellular hydroxyl radicals ( • OH) generated by the white-rot fungus Trametes versicolor is for the first time demonstrated. The production of • OH was induced by incubating the fungus with 2,6-dimethoxy-1,4benzoquinone (DBQ) and Fe 3+ -EDTA. Under these conditions, • OH were generated through DBQ redox cycling catalyzed by quinone reductase and laccase. The capability of T. versicolor growing in malt extract medium to produce • OH by this mechanism was shown during primary and secondary metabolism, and was quantitatively modulated by the replacement of EDTA by oxalate and Mn 2+ addition to DBQ incubations. Oxidation of BTEX was observed only under • OH induction conditions. • OH involvement was inferred from the high correlation observed between the rates at which they were produced under different DBQ redox cycling conditions and those of benzene removal, and the production of phenol as a typical hydroxylation product of • OH attack on benzene. All the BTEX compounds (500 M) were oxidized at a similar rate, reaching an average of 71% degradation in 6 h samples. After this time oxidation stopped due to O 2 depletion in the closed vials used in the incubations.

The choice of selection breeding for crop improvement in cut roses requires a better understanding of biological mechanisms and knowledge of the inheritance of the major target traits which can lead to new or improved screening methods.... more

The choice of selection breeding for crop improvement in cut roses requires a better understanding of biological mechanisms and knowledge of the inheritance of the major target traits which can lead to new or improved screening methods. Colour is still the most important trait in cut roses. A tetraploid mapping population will be characterized for flower colour, by using colour charts such as the official chart of the Royal Horticultural Society, and additionally, by image analysis and measuring reflectance using a spectrocolorimeter. The genetics of flower colour will be studied. In addition, flower petals of all genotypes will be analysed by HPLC to characterize secondary metabolic components that determine flower colour, such as anthocyanins. The inheritance of these components will also be assessed and compared to that of flower colour. Preliminary results show that the most effective method to quantify colour is by HPLC analysis of the extracted anthocyanins. The highest pelargonidin concentrations occur at relatively low cyanidin concentrations. Absorbance and reflectance measurements illustrate the accumulated effect of all the individual anthocyanins present in the petal. a virginia.gitonga@wur.nl Proc. 23 rd Intl. Eucarpia Symp. (Sec. Ornamentals) on "Colourful Breeding and Genetics" Eds.: J.M. van Tuyl and D.P. de Vries Acta Hort. 836, ISHS 2009

Combinatorial biosynthesis is a new tool in the generation of novel natural products and for the production of rare and expensive natural products. The basic concept is combining metabolic pathways in different organisms on a genetic... more

Combinatorial biosynthesis is a new tool in the generation of novel natural products and for the production of rare and expensive natural products. The basic concept is combining metabolic pathways in different organisms on a genetic level. As a consequence heterologous organisms provide precursors from their own primary and secondary metabolism that are metabolised to the desired secondary product due to the expression of foreign genes. In this review we discuss the possibilities and limitations of combining genes from different organisms and the expression of heterologous genes. Major focuses are fundamentals of the genetic work, used expression systems and latest progress in this field. Combinatorial biosynthesis is discussed for important classes of natural products, including alkaloids (vinblastine, vincristine), terpenoids (artemisinin, paclitaxel) and flavonoids. The role and importance of today's used host organisms is critically described, and the latest approaches discussed to give an outlook for future trends and possibilities. #

Two direct HPLC analytical methods for the screening of the major indole alkaloids of Catharanthus roseus hairy roots and their iridoid precursors have been developed. Photodiode array and fluorescence detection were performed. The... more

Two direct HPLC analytical methods for the screening of the major indole alkaloids of Catharanthus roseus hairy roots and their iridoid precursors have been developed. Photodiode array and fluorescence detection were performed. The separation was achieved on a reversed-phase C column. The first method allowed the separation of catharanthine, 18 serpentine, tabersonine, vindoline, vinblastine, and vincristine in 20 min. Ajmalicine, tryptophan, tryptamine and secologanine were separated using the second method in 13 min. The identification of the compounds was based on the retention time and the comparison of UV spectra with those of authentic standards. A simplified alkaloid extraction method was developed in order to accelerate sample preparation. The assays were successfully used to quantify major compounds of the secondary metabolism of hairy root cultures of C. roseus, thus providing a reliable tool for rapid screening of C. roseus secondary metabolite samples. In these cultures, ajmalicine, serpentine, catharanthine, tabersonine, and tryptamine were detected, but tryptophan, vindoline, vinblastine and vincristine were not.

Plant pathology a b s t r a c t Fungal secondary metabolites are an important source of bioactive compounds for agrochemistry and pharmacology. Over the past decade, many studies have been undertaken to characterize the biosynthetic... more

Plant pathology a b s t r a c t Fungal secondary metabolites are an important source of bioactive compounds for agrochemistry and pharmacology. Over the past decade, many studies have been undertaken to characterize the biosynthetic pathways of fungal secondary metabolites. This effort has led to the discovery of new compounds, gene clusters, and key enzymes, and has been greatly supported by the recent releases of fungal genome sequences. In this review, we present results from a search for genes involved in secondary metabolism and their clusters in the genome of the rice pathogen, Magnaporthe grisea, as well as in other fungal genomes. We have also performed a phylogenetic analysis of recently discovered genes encoding hybrids between a polyketide synthase and a single non-ribosomal peptide synthetase module (PKS-NRPS), as M. grisea seems rich in these enzymes compared with other fungi. Using results from expression and functional studies, we discuss the role of these PKS-NRPS in the avirulence and pathogenicity of M. grisea. j o u r n a l h o m e p a g e : w w w . e l s e v i e r . c o m / l o c a t e / m y c r e s m y c o l o g i c a l r e s e a r c h 1 1 2 ( 2 0 0 8 ) 2 0 7 -2 1 5 0953-7562/$ -see front matter ª

Plants are unrivaled in the common world in both the number and unpredictability of secondary metabolites they produce, and the pervasive phenylpropanoids and the heredity explicit glucosinolates speak to two such vast and artificially... more

Plants are unrivaled in the common world in both the number and unpredictability of secondary metabolites they produce, and the pervasive phenylpropanoids and the heredity explicit glucosinolates speak to two such vast and artificially various gatherings. Advances in genome-empowered natural chemistry and metabolomic innovations have incredibly expanded the comprehension of their metabolic systems in assorted plant species. There additionally has been some advancement in explaining the quality administrative systems that are critical to their combination, gathering and capacity. Secondary metabolites have essential defense and flagging jobs, and they add to the general quality of creating and aging natural products. Particularly, light conditions and temperature are exhibited to have an unmistakable job on the organization of phenolic compounds. The present survey centers around the examinations on components related with the guideline of key secondary metabolites, mostly phenolic compounds, in different plants are a helpful cluster of normal items as well as an essential piece of plant defense framework against pathogenic assaults and environmental stresses. With astounding biological exercises, plant SMs are progressively utilized as drug fixings and nourishment added substances for remedial, fragrant and culinary purposes. Different hereditary, ontogenic, morphogenetic and environmental components can impact the biosynthesis and aggregation of SMs. As indicated by the writing reports, for instance, SMs gathering is unequivocally reliant on an assortment of environmental factors, for example, light, temperature, soil water, soil richness and saltiness, and for most plants, an adjustment in an individual factor may modify the substance of SMs regardless of whether different elements stay steady. Here, we survey with accentuation how every one of single elements to influence the collection of plant secondary metabolites, and lead a relative examination of applicable normal items in the stressed and unstressed plants. Hopefully, this narrative survey will diagram a general picture of environmental elements in charge of change in plant SMs, give a handy method to get reliable quality and high amount of bioactive compounds in vegetation, and present a few proposals for future innovative work.

Plants and their extracts have been used traditionally against different pathologies, and in some poor regions they are the only therapeutic source for treatments and the presence of specific active secondary metabolites can be account... more

Plants and their extracts have been used traditionally against different pathologies, and in some poor regions they are the only therapeutic source for treatments and the presence of specific active secondary metabolites can be account for amelioration of clinical status of suffering individual. A series of ethnopharmacological surveys conducted in Brazil recorded the traditional use of plants against different pathologies and interestingly, some of them presented antileishmanial activity in vitro and in vivo, possibly due to their immunostimulatory, healing and microbicidal properties. Of note, Leishmania parasites can alter patient's immunological status, leading to the development of extensive skin and/or visceral alterations. Therefore, the extracts or secondary metabolites presented in plants that might be capable of modifying these pathological conditions can be attractive candidates in the development of new chemotherapeuticals against leishmaniosis.

Phytoplasmas are bacteria without cell walls from the class Mollicutes. They are obligate intracellular plant pathogens which cause diseases in hundreds of economically important plants including the grapevine (Vitis vinifera). Knowledge... more

Phytoplasmas are bacteria without cell walls from the class Mollicutes. They are obligate intracellular plant pathogens which cause diseases in hundreds of economically important plants including the grapevine (Vitis vinifera). Knowledge of their biology and the mechanisms of their interactions with hosts is largely unknown because they are uncultivable and experimentally inaccessible in their hosts. We detail here the global transcriptional profiling in grapevine responses to phytoplasmas. The gene expression patterns were followed in leaf midribs of grapevine cv. 'Chardonnay' naturally infected with a phytoplasma from the stolbur group 16SrXII-A, which is associated with the grapevine yellows disease 'Bois noir'.

This study reports FDG-PET findings in Wernicke-Korsakoff patients. Twelve patients suffering amnesia arising from the Korsakoff syndrome were compared with 10 control subjects without alcohol-related disability. Subjects received [ 18... more

This study reports FDG-PET findings in Wernicke-Korsakoff patients. Twelve patients suffering amnesia arising from the Korsakoff syndrome were compared with 10 control subjects without alcohol-related disability. Subjects received [ 18 F]-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG-PET) imaging as well as neuropsychological assessment and high-resolution MR imaging with volumetric analysis. Volumetric MRI analysis had revealed thalamic and mamillary body atrophy in the patient group as well as frontal lobe atrophy with relative sparing of medial temporal lobe structures. Differences in regional metabolism were identified using complementary region of interest (ROI) and statistical parametric mapping (SPM) approaches employing either absolute methods or a reference region approach to increase statistical power. In general, we found relative hypermetabolism in white matter and hypometabolism in subcortical grey matter in Korsakoff patients. When FDG uptake ratios were examined with occipital lobe metabolism as covariate reference region, Korsakoff patients showed widespread bilateral white matter hypermetabolism on both SPM and ROI analysis. When white matter metabolism was the reference covariate, Korsakoff patients showed relative hypometabolism in the diencephalic grey matter, consistent with their known underlying neuropathology, and medial temporal and retrosplenial hypometabolism, interpreted as secondary metabolic effects within the diencephalic-limbic memory circuits. There was also evidence of a variable degree of more general frontotemporal neocortical hypometabolism on some, but not all, analyses.

Plant secondary metabolites (PSMs) are ubiquitous in plants and play many ecological roles. Each compound can vary in presence and/or quantity, and the composition of the mixture of chemicals can vary, such that chemodiversity can be... more

Plant secondary metabolites (PSMs) are ubiquitous in plants and play many ecological roles. Each compound can vary in presence and/or quantity, and the composition of the mixture of chemicals can vary, such that chemodiversity can be partitioned within and among individuals. Plant ontogeny and environmental and genetic variation are recognized as sources of chemical variation, but recent advances in understanding the molecular basis of variation may allow the future deployment of isogenic mutants to test the specific adaptive function of variation in PSMs. An important consequence of high intraspecific variation is the capacity to evolve rapidly. It is becoming increasingly clear that trait variance linked to both macro-and micro-environmental variation can also evolve and may respond more strongly to selection than mean trait values. This research, which is in its infancy in plants, highlights what could be a missing piece of the picture of PSM evolution. PSM polymorphisms are probably maintained by multiple selective forces acting across many spatial and temporal scales, but convincing examples that recognize the diversity of plant population structures are rare. We describe how diversity can be inherently beneficial for plants and suggest fruitful avenues for future research to untangle the causes and consequences of intraspecific variation.

A split plot 3 by 4 experiment was designed to examine the impact of 15-week variable levels of nitrogen fertilization (0, 90, 180 and 270 kg N/ha) on the characteristics of total flavonoids (TF), total phenolics (TP), total non... more

A split plot 3 by 4 experiment was designed to examine the impact of 15-week variable levels of nitrogen fertilization (0, 90, 180 and 270 kg N/ha) on the characteristics of total flavonoids (TF), total phenolics (TP), total non structurable carbohydrate (TNC), net assimilation rate, leaf chlorophyll content, carbon to nitrogen ratio (C/N), phenyl alanine lyase activity (PAL) and protein content, and their relationships, in three varieties of Labisia pumila Blume (alata, pumila and lanceolata). The treatment effects were solely contributed by nitrogen application; there was neither varietal nor interaction effect observed. As nitrogen levels increased from 0 to 270 kg N/ha, the production of TNC was found to decrease steadily. Production of TF and TP reached their peaks under 0 followed by 90, 180 and 270 kg N/ha treatment. However, net assimilation rate was enhanced as nitrogen fertilization increased from 0 to 270 kg N/ha. The increase in production of TP and TF under low nitrogen...

Nonanthocyanin secondary metabolites potentially contributing to the antiproliferative bioactivity of black raspberry (Rubus occidentalis L.) fruits were extracted in ethyl acetate and isolated by semipreparative and analytical HPLC and... more

Nonanthocyanin secondary metabolites potentially contributing to the antiproliferative bioactivity of black raspberry (Rubus occidentalis L.) fruits were extracted in ethyl acetate and isolated by semipreparative and analytical HPLC and analyzed by NMR, HPLC-ESI-MS, and ESI-MS/MS techniques. Here we present complete and partial structures of a variety of the chemical entities such as quercetin 3-glucoside, quercetin 3-rutinoside, myricetin glucoside, dihydrokaempferol glucoside, benzoic acid β-D-glucopyranosyl ester, 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid, epicatechin, caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid, p-coumaryl glucoside, p-coumaryl sugar ester, ellagic acid, methyl ellagic acid acetylpentose, methyl ellagic acid valerylpentose, trans-piceid, phloretin glucoside (phloridzin), dihydrosinapic acid, salicylic acid β-D-glucopyranosyl ester, a salicylic acid derivative without attached sugar, p-alkylphenyl glucoside, and a citric acid derivative. To our knowledge, 15 of these compounds were not previously reported in black raspberry fruits.

Secondary metabolic pathways of fungal origin provide an almost unlimited resource of new compounds for medical applications, which can fulfill some of the, currently unmet, needs for therapeutic alternatives for the treatment of a number... more

Secondary metabolic pathways of fungal origin provide an almost unlimited resource of new compounds for medical applications, which can fulfill some of the, currently unmet, needs for therapeutic alternatives for the treatment of a number of diseases. Secondary metabolites secreted to the extracellular medium (extrolites) belong to diverse chemical and structural families, but the majority of them are synthesized by the condensation of a limited number of precursor building blocks including amino acids, sugars, lipids and low molecular weight compounds also employed in anabolic processes. In fungi, genes related to secondary metabolic pathways are frequently clustered together and show a modular organization within fungal genomes. The majority of fungal gene clusters responsible for the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites contain genes encoding a high molecular weight condensing enzyme which is responsible for the assembly of the precursor units of the metabolite. They also contain other auxiliary genes which encode enzymes involved in subsequent chemical modification of the metabolite core. Synthetic biology is a branch of molecular biology whose main objective is the manipulation of cellular components and processes in order to perform logically connected metabolic functions. In synthetic biology applications, biosynthetic modules from secondary metabolic processes can be rationally engineered and combined to produce either new compounds, or to improve the activities and/or the bioavailability of the already known ones. Recently, advanced genome editing techniques based on guided DNA endonucleases have shown potential for the manipulation of eukaryotic and bacterial genomes. This review discusses the potential application of genetic engineering and genome editing tools in the rational design of fungal secondary metabolite pathways by taking advantage of the increasing availability of genomic and biochemical data.