Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Plant Structures”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 667 records · Page 37Linked to original sources

Total phenolics concentration and antioxidant potential of extracts of medicinal plants of Pakistan.

Thirty-seven plant organs, traditionally used as drugs, collected in Pakistan, were extracted with 70% acetone and analyzed for their total phenolics concentration and antioxidant potential. Seven extracts showed more than 85% inhibition of lipid peroxidation in vitro as compared with blank. Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) (IC50 = 233.6 microg/l +/- 28.3) was the strongest antioxidant in our test system. The IC50 results indicate that the extracts of Nymphaea lotus L. flowers, Acacia nilotica (Linn.) Delile beans, Terminalia belerica Roxb. fruits, and Terminalia chebula Retz. (fruits, brown) were stronger antioxidants than alpha-tocopherol, while Terminalia chebula Retz. (fruit coat), Terminalia chebula Retz. (fruits, black) and Ricinus communis L. leaves were weaker antioxidant extracts than alpha-tocopherol and BHT. Total phenolics concentration, expressed as gallic acid equivalents, showed close correlation with the antioxidant activity. High performance liquid chromatographic analysis with diode array detection at 280 nm, of the seven extracts indicated the presence of hydroxybenzoic acid derivatives, hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives, flavonol aglycones and their glycosides as main phenolics compounds. This information, based on quick screening methods, enables us to proceed towards more detailed chemical and pharmacological understanding of these plant materials.

Animals↗

Phytoecdysteroid levels and distribution during development in Limnanthes alba Hartw. ex Benth. (Limnanthaceae).

Phytoecdysteroid (PE) production and accumulation in Limnanthes alba Hartw. ex Benth. is associated with flowering. PE content per plant remains fairly constant during the primary growth phase of the plant and only begins to increase significantly above amounts found in the seed once the development of the flower stalk has begun. Both content and concentration increase concomitantly from this point. Distributions in individual plants also associated the highest levels of PE accumulation with the reproductive tissues. This substantiates the association of PE with tissues of greatest fitness value and therefore the hypothesis that they contribute to defence. Analysis of extracts of L. alba tissues by reversed-phase HPLC coupled with ecdysteroid-specific RIA was used to monitor ecdysteroid profiles. RIA-positive peaks co-chromatographing with 20-hydroxyecdysone, ecdysone and ponasterone A were detected and several tissues also contain PE conjugates. Seedmeal of L. alba appears to be a convenient and promising source for the commercial isolation of the potent PE ponasterone A.

Brassicaceae↗

GC-MS investigation of tropane alkaloids in Datura stramonium.

Alkaloids, GS-MS, Datura stramonium The alkaloid spectrum in roots, leaves and seeds of Datura stramonium L. was investigated by GC-MS. Twenty-nine tropane alkaloids are detected. Twelve of them are new constituents for the species and the two tropane esters 3-(3'-acetoxytropoyloxy)tropane (21) and 3-(2'-hydroxytropoyloxy)tropane (26) are described for the first time.

Alkaloids↗

Flavonoids from Tephrosia major. A new prenyl-beta-hydroxychalcone.

The roots and aerial parts of Tephrosia major Micheli, afforded a new prenylated-beta-hydroxychalcone, characterized as 2',6'-dihydroxy-3'-prenyl-4'-methoxy-beta-hydroxychalcone. In addition, seven prenylated flavonoids, two rotenoids, beta-sitosterol, stigmasterol, lupeol and quercetin were isolated. The structure of the new beta-hydroxy chalcone was established by spectroscopic methods, including 2D NMR experiments.

Chalcone↗

Molecular cloning and developmental expression of AtGR1, a new growth-related Arabidopsis gene strongly induced by ionizing radiation.

Screening for mRNAs that accumulate after DNA damage induced by ionizing radiation, we have isolated a 2.0-kb cDNA coding for a new Arabidopsis PEST-box protein named AtGR1 (A. thaliana gamma response 1) with an expression profile similar to that observed for several plant cell cycle-related proteins. Using an anti-AtGR1 antibody, we have shown that the AtGR1 protein is expressed at basal levels in mitotically dividing cells (meristematic tissues and organ primordia) and at a strongly enhanced level in endoreduplicating cells (stipules, trichomes). Using transgenic Arabidopsis plants that express the GUS reporter gene under the control of the AtGR1 promoter, we have demonstrated that the observed AtGR1 protein distribution is due to the promoter activity. Our results suggest that basal AtGR1 levels are associated with progression through mitosis, whereas elevated intracellular levels of AtGR1 seem to induce changes between the S and M phases of the cell cycle that trigger somatic cells to enter the endoreduplication cycle. Ionizing radiation-induced rapid and dose-dependent accumulation of AtGR1 mRNA in cell cultures and plant tissues leads to tissue-specific accumulation of AtGR1 protein, best observed in ovules, which never undergo an endoreduplication cycle. It therefore appears that the radiation-induced transient AtGR1 accumulation reflects DNA damage-dependent transient cell cycle arrest before mitosis, which is necessary to accomplish DNA repair prior to chromosome segregation and cytokinesis.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Role of multidecadal climate variability in a range extension of pinyon pine.

Evidence from woodrat middens and tree rings at Dutch John Mountain (DJM) in northeastern Utah reveal spatiotemporal patterns of pinyon pine (Pinus edulis Engelm.) colonization and expansion in the past millennium. The DJM population, a northern outpost of pinyon, was established by long-distance dispersal (approximately 40 km). Growth of this isolate was markedly episodic and tracked multidecadal variability in precipitation. Initial colonization occurred by AD 1246, but expansion was forestalled by catastrophic drought (1250-1288), which we speculate produced extensive mortality of Utah Juniper (Juniperus osteosperma (Torr.) Little), the dominant tree at DJM for the previous approximately 8700 years. Pinyon then quickly replaced juniper across DJM during a few wet decades (1330-1339 and 1368-1377). Such alternating decadal-scale droughts and pluvial events play a key role in structuring plant communities at the landscape to regional level. These decadal-length precipitation anomalies tend to be regionally coherent and can synchronize physical and biological processes across large areas. Vegetation forecast models must incorporate these temporal and geographic aspects of climate variability to accurately predict the effects of future climate change.

Climate↗

Instrumentation and methodology for quantifying GFP fluorescence in intact plant organs.

The General Fluorescence Plant Meter (GFP-Meter) is a portable spectrofluorometer that utilizes a fiber-optic cable and a leaf clip to gather spectrofluorescence data. In contrast to traditional analytical systems, this instrument allows for the rapid detection and fluorescence measurement of proteins under field conditions with no damage to plant tissue. Here we discuss the methodology of gathering and standardizing spectrofluorescence data from tobacco and canola plants expressing GFP. Furthermore, we demonstrate the accuracy and effectiveness of the GFP-Meter. We first compared GFP fluorescence measurements taken by the GFP-Meter to those taken by a standard laboratory-based spectrofluorometer, the FluoroMax-2. Spectrofluorescence measurements were taken from the same location on intact leaves. When these measurements were tested by simple linear regression analysis, we found that there was a positive functional relationship between instruments. Finally, to exhibit that the GFP-Meter recorded accurate measurements over a span of time, we completed a time-course analysis of GFP fluorescence measurements. We found that only initial measurements were accurate; however, subsequent measurements could be used for qualitative purposes.

Brassica↗

Molecular cloning and characterization of a novel stem-specific gene from Camptotheca acuminata.

In higher plants, P450s participate in the biosynthesis of many important secondary metabolites. Here we reported for the first time the isolation of a new cytochrome P450 cDNA that expressed in a stem-specific manner from Camptotheca acuminata (designated as CaSS), a native medicinal plant species in China, using RACE-PCR. The full-length cDNA of CaSS was 1735 bp long containing a 1530 bp open reading frame (ORF) encoding a polypeptide of 509 amino acids. Bioinformatic analysis revealed that CASS contained a heme-binding domain PFGXGRRXCX and showed homology to other plant cytochrome P450 monooxygenases and hydroxylases. Southern blotting analysis revealed that there was only one copy of the CaSS present in the genome of Camptotheca acuminata. Northern blotting analysis revealed that CaSS expressed, in a tissuespecific manner, highly in stem and lowly in root, leaf and flower. Our study suggests that CaSS is likely to be involved in the phenylpropanoid pathway.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

[Standardization of the sour orange flower and leaf].

Dried flowers (1 batch) and leaves (6 batches) of sour orange Citrus aurantium L. had a similar flavonoid pattern. But the flavonoid levels of flowers were higher than those of leaves. The mean levels of the principal flavonoid compounds were respectively: total flavonoids 12.35 and 1.06%, neohesperidin 5.44 and 0.08%, naringin 1.93 and 0.06%, eriocitrin 0.38 and 0.25%. 18 batches of commercial origine were also examined for a comparative study. Specifications were proposed for a revision of the monographs "Sour orange flower" and "Sour orange leaf" of the French Pharmacopoeia.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗

Differential expression of the Arabidopsis genes coding for Em-like proteins.

Late embryogenesis abundant (lea) genes are a large and diverse group of genes highly expressed during late stages of seed development. Five major groups of LEA proteins have been described. Two Em genes (group I lea genes) are present in the genome of Arabidopsis thaliana L., AtEm1 and AtEm6. Both genes encode for very similar proteins which differ basically in the number of repetitions of a highly hydrophilic amino acid motif. The spatial patterns of expression of the two Arabidopsis Em genes have been studied using in situ hybridization and transgenic plants transformed with the promoters of the genes fused to the beta-glucuronidase reporter gene (uidA). In the embryo, AtEm1 is preferentially expressed in the pro-vascular tissues and in meristems. In contrast, AtEm6 is expressed throughout the embryo. The activity of both promoters disappears rapidly after germination, but is ABA-inducible in roots of young seedlings, although in different cells: the AtEm1 promoter is active in the internal tissues (vasculature and pericycle) whereas the AtEm6 promoter is active in the external tissues (cortex, epidermis and root hairs). The AtEm1 promoter, but not AtEm6, is also active in mature pollen grains and collapsed nectaries of young siliques. These data indicate that the two Em proteins could carry out at least slightly different functions and that the expression of AtEm1 and AtEm6 is controlled at, at least, three different levels: temporal, spatial and hormonal (ABA).

Amino Acid Motifs↗

Dark green.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Darkness↗

Morphological changes in garlic (Allium sativum L.) microbulblets during dormancy and sprouting as related to peroxidase activity and gibberellin A3 content.

The aim of this work was to study the physiological mechanisms of dormancy and sprouting during post-harvest of garlic (Allium sativum L.) microbulblets produced by meristem culture of garlic seed cloves. The morphological changes occurring in garlic microbulblets were assessed from harvest till sprouting in relation with peroxidase activity and levels of gibberellins. Also the effect of a cold treatment (30 days at 4 degrees C) given 30 days after harvest was studied. The results showed that during the state of dormancy in garlic microbulblets formation of the leaf primordia and vascular differentiation of the storage leaf occurred, while increases of peroxidase activity and low levels of GA3 (the only active gibberellin identified) were found. At the end of dormancy the sprouting channel was formed, vascular differentiation established, and peaks of soluble peroxidase activity as well as of GA3 were observed. At day 90 post-harvest, garlic microbulblets showed physiologically mature and able to sprout. Further on, bud expansion and decrease of GA3 levels characterized sprouting of the microbulblets. The cold treatment enhanced GA3 levels and anticipated the sprouting process.

Cell Differentiation↗

[To be effective and not harmful, ragweed-trimming methods should be rigorous].

We decided to undertake the experiments dedicated to the height of Ragweed cutting. The experiment was focused on transplanted plants of Ragweed two months earlier to study the growth of male spikes. It took place near Lyon, on the second part of July 2000. We proved with the experiment that the number of male spikes produced is, to a significant extent, much more important when the height of cutting back is 10 cm instead of 5 cm. Moreover, to inhale or to be in contact with airborne matters because of Ragweed was at the origin of allergic symptoms for the author that was not atopic. It explains that Ragweed is a pollutant agent when inhaled in large quantities. Therefore, during the eradication campaign--last two weeks of July--it results better to cut back Ragweed close as possible to the ground. From spring to mid-July it is imperative not to abrade ground whereas after this period it is not really an essential point. Moreover, Ragweed has not enough grown to be cut with a mower or an edge so cutting back deals with other types of vegetal cover.

Humans↗

Boron supply into wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Wilgoyne) ears whilst still enclosed within leaf sheaths.

The present study investigates whether there is significant remobilization of (10)B previously loaded in the flag and penultimate leaves into the young, actively growing ear enclosed within the sheaths of flag and penultimate leaves. It also explores whether B transport into the enclosed ear declines when air humidity in the shoot canopy increases. After 5 d (10)B labelling during the period from early to full emergence of the flag leaf, the plants were transferred into nutrient solutions containing either 10 microM (11)B or no added B for 3 d. Regardless of the subsequent B supply levels to the roots, (10)B contents in the ear continued to increase by up to 5-fold 3 d after the end of (10)B supply in the nutrient solution. During these 3 d, the ear experienced a rapid increase in biomass. However, the majority of B in the ear during the 3 d treatment period was from the newly acquired (11)B from root uptake, rather than retranslocation of (10)B previously deposited in the leaves. By comparing the relative distribution of (10)B, Rb (xylem-to-phloem transfer marker) and Sr (xylem-marker) in the ear and the flag leaf, the distribution of (10)B resembled that of Rb more than Sr. Canopy cover treatment greatly suppressed leaf transpiration and decreased the amount of newly acquired (10)B in the flag leaf and the ear, but not in the upper stem segments. The results suggest that whilst the young ear was still fully enclosed within the leaf sheaths without any significant transpiration activity, B transport into the ear is predominantly dependent on the long-distance B transport in the xylem driven by leaf transpiration and, therefore, on concurrent B uptake from the roots.

Biological Transport↗

Tomato ribonuclease LX with the functional endoplasmic reticulum retention motif HDEF is expressed during programmed cell death processes, including xylem differentiation, germination, and senescence.

We have studied the subcellular localization of the acid S-like ribonuclease (RNase) LX in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) cells using a combination of biochemical and immunological methods. It was found that the enzyme, unexpectedly excluded from highly purified vacuoles, accumulates in the endoplasmic reticulum. The evidence that RNase LX is a resident of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is supported by an independent approach showing that the C-terminal peptide HDEF of RNase LX acts as an alternative ER retention signal in plants. For functional testing, the cellular distribution of chimeric protein constructs based on a marker protein, Brazil nut (Bertholletia excelsa) 2S albumin, was analyzed immunochemically in transgenic tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) plants. Here, we report that the peptide motif is necessary and sufficient to accumulate 2S albumin constructs of both vacuolar and extracellular final destinations in the ER. We have shown immunochemically that RNase LX is specifically expressed during endosperm mobilization and leaf and flower senescence. Using immunofluorescence, RNase LX protein was detected in immature tracheary elements, suggesting a function in xylem differentiation. These results support a physiological function of RNase LX in selective cell death processes that are also thought to involve programmed cell death. It is assumed that RNase LX accumulates in an ER-derived compartment and is released by membrane disruption into the cytoplasma of those cells that are intended to undergo autolysis. These processes are accompanied by degradation of cellular components supporting a metabolic recycling function of the intracellular RNase LX.

Amino Acid Motifs↗