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At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed2003

Isomers of hexadecenoic and hexadecadienoic acids in Androsace septentrionalis (Primulaceae) seed oil.

Seeds of Androsace septentrionalis of the genus Androsace (tribus Primuleae) from the plant family Primulaceae were studied for their oil content and FA composition. The seed oil of A. septentrionalis was found to contain two unusual FA rarely occurring in plants: 11-cis-hexadecenoic acid (16:1delta11c or 16:1n-5) and 9-cis,12-cis-hexadecadienoic acid (16:2delta9c,12c or 16:2n-4). It also contained an unusually high amount (21.4%) of 9-cis-hexadecenoic acid (palmitoleic acid; 16:1delta9c or 16:1n-7), i.e., at a level higher than that of oleic acid, in addition to common FA. Compared with most plant seed oils, at 3.8% the level of 18:1delta11c (or 18:1n-7) also was elevated. The nonidentity of the Androsace 16:2-acid with the 16:2-acid, which is very typical for Ranunculus spp., as well as its identity with the 16:2-acid typically found in Asclepiadaceae was established by co-chromatography. The structure and composition of the constituent FA of A. septentrionalis were also determined by various chromatographic methods (TLC, Ag+-TLC, capillary GLC) and spectroscopic methods (IR, GC-MS). The significant deviation of the Androsace FA pattern from that of other Primuleae, indicating a separate phylogenetic position of Androsace, is discussed.

Chromatography, Gas↗
PubMed1998

A pathway for biosynthesis of divinyl ether fatty acids in green leaves.

[1-14C]alpha-Linolenic acid was incubated with a particulate fraction of homogenate of leaves of the meadow buttercup (Ranunculus acris L.). The main product was a divinyl ether fatty acid, which was identified as 12-[1'(Z),3'(Z)-hexadienyloxy]-9(Z),11(E)-dodecadienoic acid. Addition of glutathione peroxidase and reduced glutathione to incubations of alpha-linolenic acid almost completely suppressed formation of the divinyl ether acid and resulted in the appearance of 13(S)-hydroxy-9(Z), 11(E),15(Z)-octadecatrienoic acid as the main product. This result, together with the finding that 13(S)-hydroperoxy-9(Z), 11(E),15(Z)-octadecatrienoic acid served as an efficient precursor of the divinyl ether fatty acid, indicated that divinyl ether biosynthesis in leaves of R. acris occurred by a two-step pathway involving an omega6-lipoxygenase and a divinyl ether synthase. Incubations of isomeric hydroperoxides derived from alpha-linolenic and linoleic acids with the enzyme preparation from R. acris showed that 13(S)-hydroperoxy-9(Z),11(E)-octadecadienoic acid was transformed into the divinyl ether 12-[1'(Z)-hexenyloxy]-9(Z), 11(E)-dodecadienoic acid. In contrast, neither the 9(S)-hydroperoxides of linoleic or alpha-linolenic acids nor the 13(R)-hydroperoxide of alpha-linolenic acid served as precursors of divinyl ethers.

Chlorophyll↗
PubMed1994

The effects of watercress growing on chalk headwater streams in Dorset and Hampshire.

Chalk stream headwaters are of high value for water supply, amenity, game fishing and fish farming. The water quality implications of modern watercress growing watercress beds are reflected in increasing concentrations of phosphorus and potassium downstream of the beds. Zinc concentrations in both suspended solids emanating from the beds and in sediments downstream of the watercress farms reach high levels in some cases. Ranunculus plants downstream of the watercress farms show elevated levels of zinc. Large amounts of suspended solids enter the receiving streams from watercress beds and in many cases the stream bed directly downstream of the farms has a high proportion of fine organic sediments derived from the watercress farms.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2004

Screening of selected indigenous plants of Lebanon for antimicrobial activity.

The objective of this study is to test in vitro the antimicrobial efficacy of 39 water and 39 methanol extracts derived from different parts of 27 indigenous wild plant species that have been commonly used in Lebanese folk medicine. The antimicrobial efficacy was determined using the single disk diffusion method, with 10 and 20 microl load extract volume per disc. Nine test microorganisms were used namely, Escherichia coli, Proteus sp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Shigella dysenteria, Salmonella enteritidis, Salmonella typhi, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus faecalis, and Candida albicans. Only one water extract out of 39 derived from whole plant of Alchemilla diademata showed an antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus. The percentage of test organisms that were susceptible to 10 most efficacious methanol plant extracts (20 microl/disc) were as follows: Achillea damascena whole plant (88.8%), Anthemis scariosa flower (88.8%), Cirsium sp. whole plant (88.8%), Centaurea ainetensis flowers (88.8%), Hieracium sp. whole plant (88.8%), Origanum libanoticum whole plant (99.9%), Ranunculus myosuroudes whole plant (88.8%), Nepata curviflora leaf (88.8%), Nepata curviflora stem, and Verbascum leptostychum flower (99.9%). The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined on plant extracts that showed high efficacy against the test organisms. The chance to find antimicrobial activities was more apparent in methanol rather than water extracts of the same indigenous plants of Lebanon, with higher antimicrobial activities in 20 microl methanol extract-discs in comparison to that present in the 10 microl discs (P < 0.05).

Anti-Infective Agents↗
PubMed2006

Turkish freshwater and marine macrophyte extracts show in vitro antiprotozoal activity and inhibit FabI, a key enzyme of Plasmodium falciparum fatty acid biosynthesis.

The ethanolic extracts of a number of Turkish freshwater macrophytes (Potamogeton perfoliatus, Ranunculus tricophyllus and Cladophora glomerata) and marine macroalgae (Dictyota dichotoma, Halopteris scoparia, Posidonia oceanica, Scinaia furcellata, Sargassum natans and Ulva lactuca) were assayed for their in vitro antiprotozoal activity. Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense, Trypanosoma cruzi, Leishmania donovani and Plasmodium falciparum were used as test organisms. The cytotoxicity of the extracts was also assessed against primary rat skeletal myoblasts (L6 cells). Whereas none of the extracts were active against T. cruzi, all crude extracts displayed appreciable trypanocidal activity against T. brucei rhodesiense, with S. natans being the most active one (IC(50) 7.4microg/ml). Except for the marine alga H. scoparia, all extracts also possessed leishmanicidal potential. The best antileishmanial activity was exerted by U. lactuca and P. oceanica (IC(50)'s 5.9 and 8.0microg/ml, respectively). Five extracts that demonstrated inhibitory activity towards P. falciparum (IC(50)'s 18.1-48.8microg/ml) were simultaneously assayed against FabI, a crucial enzyme of the fatty acid system of P. falciparum, to find out whether FabI was their target. The extracts of C. glomerata and U. lactuca efficiently inhibited the FabI enzyme with IC(50) values of 1.0 and 4.0microg/ml, respectively. None of the extracts were cytotoxic towards mammalian L6 cells. This work reports for the first time antiprotozoal activity of some Turkish marine and freshwater algae, as well as a target-based antiplasmodial screening for the identification of P. falciparum FabI inhibitors from aquatic and marine macrophytes.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Slow turnover of the D1 reaction center protein of photosystem II in leaves of high mountain plants.

The D1 reaction center protein of photosystem II usually exhibits a rapid turnover in light. The D1 protein turnover was compared in three species of alpine plants, Homogyne alpina, Ranunculus glacialis, Soldanella alpina, and in the lowland plant Taraxacum officinale by radioactive labeling in light and subsequent chase experiments. The D1 protein of alpine plants could also be recognized by its more rapid labeling, relative to other membrane proteins. However, compared to T. officinale the turnover of the D1 protein was considerably slower in the alpine plants. The potential advantage of a slow D1 turnover for adaptation to the environmental conditions of high mountain plants is discussed.

Altitude↗
PubMed2002

Macrophyte and periphyton dynamics in a UK Cretaceous Chalk stream: the river Kennet, a tributary of the Thames.

An initial study to observe the seasonal trends and to determine the factors influencing macrophyte and periphyton growth patterns was undertaken on a representative reach of the River Kennet (UK) over a 2-year period (1998-2000). Maximum average macrophyte and average periphyton dry matter biomass recorded during the growing season were 200 and 21 g m(-2), respectively. The relationships between macrophyte and periphyton percentage cover and biomass data with physico-chemical variables were investigated. Regression analysis indicated that of the parameters measured, flow, and in the case of the dominant Ranunculus spp., solar radiation, were best able to predict macrophyte biomass and cover. The periphytic biomass within the reach was low, possibly as a result of relatively high flows and low phosphorus concentrations following the introduction of effluent treatment at the sewage works immediately upstream of the reach. Periphytic biomass was poorly correlated with the physical variables measured. This indicates that biomass is regulated by complex interactions between the physical and chemical factors, such as flow, solar radiation and phosphorus concentration. These interrelationships require further investigation.

Biomass↗
PubMed2003

Citrus psorosis virus RNA 1 is of negative polarity and potentially encodes in its complementary strand a 24K protein of unknown function and 280K putative RNA dependent RNA polymerase.

Citrus psorosis virus (CPsV), the type member of genus Ophiovirus, has three genomic RNAs. Complete sequencing of CPsV RNA 1 revealed a size of 8184 nucleotides and Northern blot hybridization with chain specific probes showed that its non-coding strand is preferentially encapsidated. The complementary strand of RNA 1 contains two open reading frames (ORFs) separated by a 109-nt intergenic region, one located near the 5'-end potentially encoding a 24K protein of unknown function, and another of 280K containing the core polymerase motifs characteristic of viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerases (RdRp). Comparison of the core RdRp motifs of negative-stranded RNA viruses, supports grouping CPsV, Ranunculus white mottle virus (RWMV) and Mirafiori lettuce virus (MiLV) within the same genus (Ophiovirus), constituting a monophyletic group separated from all other negative-stranded RNA viruses. Furthermore, RNAs 1 of MiLV, CPsV and RWMV are similar in size and those of MiLV and CPsV also in genomic organization and sequence.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2002

Inhibition of Trypanosoma cruzi growth by medical plant extracts.

This study describes the screening of extracts obtained from 18 plants and two fungi used in the Chinese and Mediterranean traditional medicines on epimastigote forms of Trypanosoma cruzi. The extracts were tested against epimastigote of T. cruzi Bra C15C2 clone in vitro at 27 degrees C and at a concentration of 250 microg/ml in axenic culture. Angelica dahurica, A. pubescens, A. sinensis, Astragalus membranaceus, Coptis chinensis, Haplophyllum hispanicum, Phellodendron amurense, Poria cocos, Ranunculus sceleratus and Scutellaria baicalensis showed significant effects against the parasite with a percentage of growth inhibition between 20 and 100%. C. chinensis and R. sceleratus showed the greatest activity with IC(50) values of 1.7 microg/ml for C. chinensis and 10.7 microg/ml for R. sceleratus. These activities are greater than that of allopurinol. C. chinesis and R. sceleratus extracts did not show cytotoxic effects on rat polimorphonuclear cells using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide and lactic dehydrogenase assays. These results allowed us to suggest that R. sceleratus and C. chinensis could be a source of new compounds clinically active against T. cruzi.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Growth and stomatal responses of temperate meadow species to enhanced levels of UV-A and UV-B+A radiation in the natural environment.

Some responses of various meadow species to enhanced UV-radiation of the natural daylight spectrum are described together with the experimental protocol employed. Growth responses to supplementary UV-B+A are mostly inhibitory when compared to the ambient daylight treatment for Bellis perennis, Cardamine pratensis, Cynosurus critatus and Ranunculus ficaria. However, the response of UV-A treatment compared to that of the UV-B+A varies in significance according to the species and parameter investigated. The pertinence of the ambient and UV-A treatment to data interpretation is discussed. Stomatal conductance of B. perennis was measured throughout the 24 h cycle. Although no significant difference could be found between the stomatal conductance of UV and ambient treated plants during the hours of daylight, at night it was found that the UV-B+A treated plants were unable to achieve the same degree of closure as the ambient treated plants. UV-damage and growth responses could alter the diversity of the meadow ecosystem and these effects could be exacerbated by water loss.

Asteraceae↗
PubMed2001

Multilocus nested haplotype networks extended with DNA fingerprints show common origin and fine-scale, ongoing genetic divergence in a wild microbial metapopulation.

Nested haplotype networks for three loci in a haploid, fungal plant pathogen, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, in two natural, Norwegian populations of the woodland buttercup, Ranunculus ficaria, were extended with DNA fingerprints to determine fine-scale population divergence. To preserve the cladistic structure in the network for both nonrecombinant and postrecombinant haplotypes in highly recombinant clades, recombinant events were not removed ('peeled off'), but instead were examined in alternative (marginal) networks. Fungi from both sampling locations share a common origin with subsequent genetic divergence, consistent with expectations for metapopulation structure. Evidence for divergence includes (i) lack of shared fingerprints between the two locations, (ii) evolution of new fingerprints, via transposition and recombination, within 2 years on a fine spatial scale within one sampling location, and (iii) increase in the size of the intergenic spacer (IGS) in both sampling locations. Sites of microsatellite repeat expansion and of an insertion were consistent with the boundaries of two recombination blocks in the IGS. Both alternative networks based on the recombination blocks were essential to finding all associations of DNA fingerprints with IGS size, sampling site, sampling year and mycelial compatibility group. Variation in the elongation factor 1alpha and calmodulin loci supported the topologies and the recurrent, ongoing polarity of change in fingerprints and IGS size inferred from the IGS.

Ascomycota↗
PubMed2005

Identifying the basal angiosperm node in chloroplast genome phylogenies: sampling one's way out of the Felsenstein zone.

While there has been strong support for Amborella and Nymphaeales (water lilies) as branching from basal-most nodes in the angiosperm phylogeny, this hypothesis has recently been challenged by phylogenetic analyses of 61 protein-coding genes extracted from the chloroplast genome sequences of Amborella, Nymphaea, and 12 other available land plant chloroplast genomes. These character-rich analyses placed the monocots, represented by three grasses (Poaceae), as sister to all other extant angiosperm lineages. We have extracted protein-coding regions from draft sequences for six additional chloroplast genomes to test whether this surprising result could be an artifact of long-branch attraction due to limited taxon sampling. The added taxa include three monocots (Acorus, Yucca, and Typha), a water lily (Nuphar), a ranunculid (Ranunculus), and a gymnosperm (Ginkgo). Phylogenetic analyses of the expanded DNA and protein data sets together with microstructural characters (indels) provided unambiguous support for Amborella and the Nymphaeales as branching from the basal-most nodes in the angiosperm phylogeny. However, their relative positions proved to be dependent on the method of analysis, with parsimony favoring Amborella as sister to all other angiosperms and maximum likelihood (ML) and neighbor-joining methods favoring an Amborella + Nymphaeales clade as sister. The ML phylogeny supported the later hypothesis, but the likelihood for the former hypothesis was not significantly different. Parametric bootstrap analysis, single-gene phylogenies, estimated divergence dates, and conflicting indel characters all help to illuminate the nature of the conflict in resolution of the most basal nodes in the angiosperm phylogeny. Molecular dating analyses provided median age estimates of 161 MYA for the most recent common ancestor (MRCA) of all extant angiosperms and 145 MYA for the MRCA of monocots, magnoliids, and eudicots. Whereas long sequences reduce variance in branch lengths and molecular dating estimates, the impact of improved taxon sampling on the rooting of the angiosperm phylogeny together with the results of parametric bootstrap analyses demonstrate how long-branch attraction might mislead genome-scale phylogenetic analyses.

Chloroplasts↗
PubMed2002

Nucleotide sequence and genomic organization of an ophiovirus associated with lettuce big-vein disease.

The complete nucleotide sequence of an ophiovirus associated with lettuce big-vein disease has been elucidated. The genome consisted of four RNA molecules of approximately 7.8, 1.7, 1.5 and 1.4 kb. Virus particles were shown to contain nearly equimolar amounts of RNA molecules of both polarities. The 5'- and 3'-terminal ends of the RNA molecules are largely, but not perfectly, complementary to each other. The virus genome contains seven open reading frames. Database searches with the putative viral products revealed homologies with the RNA-dependent RNA polymerases of rhabdoviruses and Ranunculus white mottle virus, and the capsid protein of Citrus psorosis virus. The gene encoding the viral polymerase appears to be located on the RNA segment 1, while the nucleocapsid protein is encoded by the RNA3. No significant sequence similarities were observed with other viral proteins. In spite of the morphological resemblance with species in the genus Tenuivirus, the ophioviruses appear not to be evolutionary closely related to this genus nor any other viral genus.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed2007

Endosperm formation in aposporous Crataegus (Rosaceae, Spiraeoideae, tribe Pyreae): parallels to Ranunculaceae and Poaceae.

Apomixis in Crataegus is primarily aposporous and requires pollination. The embryo sac is of the Polygonum type. A combination of meiotically unreduced embryo sacs with apparently reduced pollen would violate the usual requirement for a 2 : 1 ratio of maternal to paternal contributions to the endosperm. We therefore investigated the origin of endosperm in seeds of sexual diploids and apomictic polyploids of the sister genera Crataegus and Mespilus. Flow-cytometric DNA measurements from embryo and endosperm in mature seeds were converted to ploidy levels using leaf-tissue information. The diploids had triploid endosperm. In c. 60% of seed from polyploids, one sperm apparently contributes to the endosperm, while 25% or more may involve two sperm. Additional results suggest that trinucleate central cells also occur. Fertilization of meiotically unreduced eggs is indicated. The ratio of maternal to paternal contributions to the endosperm in these apomictic Crataegus is not constrained to 2 : 1. They thus resemble some Sorbus (Pyreae) and very distantly related Ranunculus (Ranunculaceae). It is suggested that Paspalum (Poaceae) may have similarly flexible endosperm ploidy levels.

Crataegus↗
PubMed2006

Traditional use of medicinal plants among the tribal communities of Chhota Bhangal, Western Himalaya.

The importance of medicinal plants in traditional healthcare practices, providing clues to new areas of research and in biodiversity conservation is now well recognized. However, information on the uses for plants for medicine is lacking from many interior areas of Himalaya. Keeping this in view the present study was initiated in a tribal dominated hinterland of western Himalaya. The study aimed to look into the diversity of plant resources that are used by local people for curing various ailments. Questionnaire surveys, participatory observations and field visits were planned to illicit information on the uses of various plants. It was found that 35 plant species are commonly used by local people for curing various diseases. In most of the cases (45%) under ground part of the plant was used. New medicinal uses of Ranunculus hirtellus and Anemone rupicola are reported from this area. Similarly, preparation of "sik" a traditional recipe served as a nutritious diet to pregnant women is also not documented elsewhere. Implication of developmental activities and changing socio-economic conditions on the traditional knowledge are also discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

[Pollen assemblage and palaeo-vegetation of Late holocene fen in Dunhua of Jilin Province].

Based on the study of pollen, stratum and 14C dating of Daqiao fen in Dunhua of Jilin Province, four pollen zones were distinguished, i.e., Pinus-Picea-Abies assemblage (2195 +/- 70 to appromimately 2045 +/- 70 B. P., Carex-Pinus-BetulaCorylus-Juglans assemblage (2045 +/- 70 to appromimately 1745 +/- 70 B.P.), Pinus-Corylus-Carpinus-Carex-Ranunculus assemblage (1745 +/- 70 to appromimately 705 +/- 70 B.P.), and Pinus-Picea-Abies-Betula-Carex assemblage (705 +/- 70 to appromimately 1950 AD). The vegetation changed from coniferous forest (similar to the vegetation currently foundover 1100 m a.s. 1. in this area), through conifer-broad-leaved mixed forest (similar to the vegetation currently found between 400-600 m a.s.l.) and conifer-broad-leaved mixed forest (similar to the vegetation currently found between 600-800 m a.s.l.), to conifer-broad-leaved mixed forest (similar to the vegetation currently found between 800-1100 m a.s.l.). Accordingly, Daqiao fen underwent the periods of gestation, fast development, expansion, and dieing out.

China↗
PubMed1979

Light and electron microscopic investigation of in vitro starch synthesis in chromoplasts.

Chromoplasts having a globular inner structure in the petals of Forsythia suspensa can form starch grains in their stroma when incubated with glucose solution. The same result was obtained with chromoplasts, similar in structure, from Laburnum anagyroides and Ranunculus acer. Fibrillar chromoplasts in tepals of Lilium croceum are able to synthesize starch in vitro, not, however, from glucose but from glucose-1-phosphate. This starch differs from the above mentioned both in respect of electron microscopic structure and digestibility with alpha-amylase, a feature presumably caused by the relatively high activity of the branching (Q) enzyme. The substrate specificity of Lilium-starch synthesis can be explained by blocking of the phosphorylation of glucose in the cytoplasm, rather than by the selective permeability of the plasmalemma.

Microscopy, Electron↗