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At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
PubMed2000

CDNA cloning of chloroplast omega-3 fatty acid desaturase from Capsicum annuum and its expression upon wounding.

A clone for a plastid omega-3 fatty acid desaturase (FAD) was isolated from a leaf cDNA library of hot pepper (Capsicum annuum L.). The nucleotide sequence of a 1,317 bp open reading frame in the CachFAD showed 80.9% homology with that of tobacco plant. It codes for a polypeptide of 438 amino acids with molecular mass of 50.5 kDa and a pI of 8.14. The CachFAD had a putative transit peptide for targeting the chloroplast. Genomic Southern hybridization indicated that it exists as small gene family. Northern hybridization revealed that its mRNA was present in leaves, but not in roots. Transcript levels in the leaves upon wounding increased rapidly to reach the first peak between 1-3 h, decreased thereafter and slightly increased at 24 h after wounding. The levels of linolenic acid (18:3) in wounded leaves also reached the first peak at 6 h, decreased thereafter and reached the second peak at 18 h. These results indicated that wounding not only enhanced the accumulation of the CachFAD mRNA but also increased the conversion of linoleic acid (18:2) to linolenic acid (18:3) in leaf lipids of hot pepper.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2006

Fungicidal and cytotoxic activity of a Capsicum chinense defensin expressed by endothelial cells.

Plant defensins are antimicrobial peptides that exhibit mainly antifungal activity against a broad range of plant fungal pathogens. However, their actions against Candida albicans have not been extensively studied. The mRNA for gamma-thionin, a defensin from Capsicum chinense, has been expressed in bovine endothelial cells. The conditioned medium of these cells showed antifungal activity on germ tube formation (60-70% of inhibition) and on the viability of C. albicans (70-80% of inhibition). Additionally, C. albicans was not able to penetrate transfected cells. Conditioned medium from these cells also inhibited the viability (80%) of the human tumor cell line, HeLa.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

The ethylene-responsive factor like protein 1 (CaERFLP1) of hot pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) interacts in vitro with both GCC and DRE/CRT sequences with different binding affinities: possible biological roles of CaERFLP1 in response to pathogen infection and high salinity conditions in transgenic tobacco plants.

From a pathogen-inoculated hot pepper (Capsicum annuum L. cv. Pukang) leaf EST, we identified a cDNA clone, pCaERFLP1, encoding a putative transcription factor that contains a single ERF/AP2 DNA binding domain. CaERFLP1 was most closely related to tomato LeERF2 (73%), both of which belong to the novel ERF class IV typified by the N-terminal MCGGAIL signature sequence, while it had a limited sequence identity (25-30%) with Arabidopsis AtERFs and tobacco NtERFs. Quantitative gel retardation assays revealed that bacterially expressed full-length CaERFLP1 was able to form a specific complex with both the GCC box and DRE/CRT motif, with its binding affinity for GCC being stronger than for DRE/CRT. When fused to the GAL4 DNA binding domain, the N-terminal CaERFLP1(1-37) and C-terminal CaERFLP1(198-264) mutant polypeptides could function individually as transactivators in yeast. This suggests that two separate domains of CaERFLP1 may play distinct roles in transcription activation. In particle co-bombardment experiments, CaERFLP1 activated the transcription of reporter genes containing the 4X[GCC] element in tobacco cells. In hot pepper plants, the steady-state level of CaERFLP1 mRNA was markedly induced by multiple environmental factors, such as pathogen infection, ethylene, mechanical wounding and high salinity. Furthermore, ectopic expression of CaERFLP1 in transgenic tobacco plants resulted in partially improved tolerance against the bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas syringae and salt stress (100 mM NaCl). Consistently, various defense-related genes, including GCC box-containing PR genes and the DRE/CRT-containing LTI45 (ERD10) gene, were constitutively expressed in 35S::CaERFLP1 tobacco plants. Thus, it appears that CaERFLP1 is functional in tobacco cells, where it induces the transactivation of some GCC- and DRE/CRT-genes to trigger a subset of stress response. Here, the possible biological role(s) of CaERFLP1 is discussed, especially with regard to the possibility that CaERFLP1 has multiple functions in the regulation of GCC- and DRE/CRT-mediated gene expression in hot pepper plants.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2005

A GH3-like gene, CcGH3, isolated from Capsicum chinense L. fruit is regulated by auxin and ethylene.

Auxin, which has been implicated in multiple biochemical and physiological processes, elicits three classes of genes (Aux/IAAs, SAURs and GH3s) that have been characterized by their early or primary responses to the hormone. A new GH3-like gene was identified from a suppressive subtraction hybridization (SSH) library of pungent pepper (Capsicum chinense L.) cDNAs. This gene, CcGH3, possessed several auxin- and ethylene-inducible elements in the putative promoter region. Upon further investigation, CcGH3 was shown to be auxin-inducible in shoots, flower buds, sepals, petals and most notably ripening and mature pericarp and placenta. Paradoxically, this gene was expressed in fruit when auxin levels were decreasing, consistent with ethylene-inducibility. Further experiments demonstrated that CcGH3 was induced by endogenous ethylene, and that transcript accumulation was inhibited by 1-methylcyclopropene, an inhibitor of ethylene perception. When over-expressed in tomato, CcGH3 hastened ripening of ethylene-treated fruit. These results implicate CcGH3 as a factor in auxin and ethylene regulation of fruit ripening and suggest that it may be a point of intersection in the signaling by these two hormones.

Arabidopsis↗
PubMed2005

A Colletotrichum gloeosporioides-induced esterase gene of nonclimacteric pepper (Capsicum annuum) fruit during ripening plays a role in resistance against fungal infection.

Ripe fruits of pepper (Capsicum annuum) are resistant to the anthracnose fungus, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, whereas unripe-mature fruits are susceptible. A pepper esterase gene (PepEST) that is highly expressed during an incompatible interaction between the ripe fruit of pepper and C. gloeosporioides was previously cloned. Deduced amino acid sequence of PepEST cDNA showed homology to both esterases and lipases, and contained -HGGGF- and -GXSXG- motifs and a catalytic triad. Inhibition of PepEST activity by a specific inhibitor of serine hydrolase demonstrated that a serine residue is critical for the enzyme activity. Expression of PepEST gene was fruit-specific in response to C. gloeosporioides inoculation, and up-regulated by wounding or jasmonic acid treatment during ripening. PepEST mRNA and protein was differentially accumulated in ripe vs. unripe fruit from 24 h after inoculation when C. gloeosporioides is invading into fruits. Immunochemical examination revealed that PepEST accumulation was localized in epidermal and cortical cell layers in infected ripe fruit, but rarely even in epidermal cells in infected unripe one. Over-expression of PepEST in transgenic Arabidopsis plants caused restriction of Alternaria brassicicola colonization by inhibition of spore production, resulting in enhanced resistance against A.brassicicola. These results suggest that PepEST is involved in the resistance of ripe fruit against C.gloeosporioides infection.

Abscisic Acid↗
PubMed2006

Cooperative effect of two amino acid mutations in the coat protein of Pepper mild mottle virus overcomes L3-mediated resistance in Capsicum plants.

We found that an L3 resistance-breaking field isolate of Pepper mild mottle virus (PMMoV), designated PMMoV-Is, had two amino acid changes in its coat protein (CP), namely leucine to phenylalanine at position 13 (L13F) and glycine to valine at position 66 (G66V), as compared with PMMoV-J, which induces a resistance response in L3-harboring Capsicum plants. The mutations were located to a CP domain corresponding to the outer surface of PMMoV particles in computational molecular modeling. Analyses of PMMoV CP mutants containing either or both of these amino acid changes revealed that both changes were required to efficiently overcome L3-mediated resistance with systemic necrosis induction. Although CP mutants containing either L13F or G66V could not efficiently overcome L3-mediated resistance, these amino acid changes had different effects on the elicitor activity of PMMoV CP. L13F caused a slight reduction in the elicitor activity, resulting in virus restriction to necrotic local lesions that were apparently larger than those induced by wild-type PMMoV, while G66V rendered wild-type PMMoV the ability to overcome L3-mediated resistance, albeit with a lower efficiency than PMMoV with both changes. These results suggest that a cooperative effect of the L13F and G66V mutations on the elicitor activity of CP is responsible for overcoming the L3-mediated resistance.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1995

Changes in ascorbate peroxidase activities during fruit ripening in Capsicum annum.

The ascorbate peroxidase (APX) system was studied in Capsicum annum during fruit ripening. A large increase in organelle APX activity was found during chloroplast-chromoplast transition whereas only a slight difference was detected in total fruit extracts. On native gels, four different isoforms were found in total fruit extracts but the patterns for red and green fruit were quite different. In isolated organelles, six isozymes were found and a comparison of the patterns showed significant differences. A cDNA encoding a cytosolic APX was cloned and sequenced. The corresponding transcript was shown to increase 3-4-fold during fruit ripening.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1993

Computer-aided modeling and optimization for capsaicinoid production by immobilized Capsicum frutescens cells.

Production of capsaicinoids by immobilized cell cultures of Capsicum entrapped in calcium alginate matrix is influenced by several factors related to immobilization techniques, including media composition and the biosynthetic capability of cells. Central composite rotatable design (CCRD), one of the response surface methodologies, was used to arrive at optimal conditions for maximizing the yields of capsaicinoids in only 53 experiments, instead of 15,625. Immobilization of cells in 2.5% sodium alginate with 15 min contact time in 60 mM calcium chloride and culture in Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with 3 mg l-1 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and 0.2% curdlan gave the highest yield of 220 micrograms g-1 in 3 days.

Alginates↗
PubMed1994

Clastogenicity of red pepper (Capsicum frutescens L.) extracts.

Extracts from the fruits of Capsicum frutescens L. were tested for their clastogenicity using the mouse-bone-marrow micronucleus (mouse-MN) assay. Results of the mouse-MN, an in vivo method, indicated that the isolate CF-1 is clastogenic at the maximum tolerated dose of 1.22 mg/kg mouse. Statistical analysis using the Wilcoxon two-sample test showed that the null hypothesis, mu tetracycline = muCF-1, is acceptable at 0.05 and 0.01 degrees of significance. Hence, the clastogenicity of CF-1 is statistically similar to that of tetracycline, a known clastogen, at the 5% and 1% levels of significance.

Alkanes↗
PubMed1992

A 4-week feeding study of ground red chilli (Capsicum annuum) in male B6C3F1 mice.

The toxicity of red chilli was examined in male B6C3F1 mice fed a commercial meal diet mixed with ground Capsicum annuum (Linn.) at levels of 0.5, 1.0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5 and 10% by weight. Mice were offered control or test diets ad lib. starting at 6 wk of age. Food consumption was measured daily and individual body weights recorded weekly for the 4-wk feeding period. General health, body weight and food intake were apparently not adversely affected at any level of pepper consumption. Histopathological evaluation revealed slight glycogen depletion and anisocytosis of hepatocytes in the 10% group. However, other organs did not reveal any lesions attributable to the chilli exposure. It appears that red chilli is relatively non-toxic at the doses tested in male B6C3F1 mice.

Animal Feed↗
PubMed2004

The CaPRP1 gene encoding a putative proline-rich glycoprotein is highly expressed in rapidly elongating early roots and leaves in hot pepper (Capsicum annuum L. cv. Pukang).

Most of the proline-rich cell wall glycoprotein genes isolated from higher plants are preferentially expressed in the transmitting tissues of the flower organ. In conducting expressed sequence tag (EST) analysis, which was prepared from 5-day-old early roots of hot pepper (Capsicum annuum L. cv. Pukang), we identified a cDNA clone, pCaPRP1, encoding a putative cell wall proline-rich glycoprotein. CaPRP1 (Mr=28 kDa, pI=9.98) was most closely related to Nicotiana alata NaPRP4 (71%), while most distantly related to soybean PvPRP (37%). The predicted primary structure of CaPRP1 contains a putative N-terminal signal peptide, six repeats of the Lys-Pro-Pro tripeptide, four repeats of a five-amino acid sequence [Pro-(Ser/The)-Pro-Pro-Pro] and one potential N-glycosylation site (Asn-Asn-Ser). In contrast to most proline-rich cell wall glycoprotein genes, CaPRP1 was highly expressed in rapidly elongating very early roots and young leaves as well as developing flower tissues. Although the physiological function of CaPRP1 is not yet clear, there are several possibilities for its role in cell expansion and elongation during early development of hot pepper plants.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2005

In vivo and in vitro effect of Capsicum annum proteinase inhibitors on Helicoverpa armigera gut proteinases.

Two proteinase inhibitors (PIs), CapA1 and CapA2, were purified from Capsicum annum Linn. Var. Phule Jyoti leaves and assessed for their in vitro and in vivo activity against Helicoverpa armigera gut proteinases (HGPs). Both the inhibitors exhibited molecular weights of about 12 kDa with inhibitory activity against bovine trypsin and chymotrypsin indicating presence of probable two-inhibitor repeats of PIN II family. CapA1 and CapA2 inhibited 60-80% HGP (azocaseinolytic) activity of fourth instar larvae feeding on various host plants while 45-65% inhibition of HGP activity of various instars (II to VI) larvae reared on artificial diet. The partial purification of HGP isoforms, their characterization with synthetic inhibitors and inhibition by C. annum PIs revealed that most of the trypsin-like activity (68-91%) of HGPs was sensitive to C. annum PIs while 39-85% chymotrypsin-like activity of HGPs was insensitive to these inhibitors. The feeding of C. annum leaf extracts and two purified PIs in various doses to H. armigera larvae for two successive generations through artificial diet demonstrated their potential in inhibiting larval growth and development, delay in pupation period and dramatic reduction in fecundity and fertility. This is the first report-demonstrating efficacy of C. annum PIs against insect gut proteinases as well as larval growth and development of H. armigera.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed2004

Effect of red pepper Capsicum annuum var. conoides and garlic Allium sativum on plasma lipid levels and cecal microflora in mice fed beef tallow.

Antihyperlipidemia or hypocholesterolaemic and antibacterial activities of red hot pepper and garlic are well known. To determine the effect of the dietary spices ingested to suppress blood lipids on the intestinal condition, we examined plasma lipid levels and cecal microflora in mice that were fed diets containing 19% (w/w) beef tallow and 2% red pepper Capsicum annuum var. conoides 'Takanotume' (RP) or garlic Allium sativum 'White' (GP) for 4-weeks. Plasma triacylglyceride level was suppressed by the spices. RP lowered cecal bacteroidaceae, a predominant bacterial group (from 9.4 to 9.0 log CFU/g), bifidobacteria (from 8.7 to 7.6 log CFU/g), and staphylococci. Although GP increased the cecal weight including their contents, significant differences were not shown in the cecal microflora. These results suggest that RP can affect the intestinal condition and host health through the disturbance of intestinal microflora.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Molecular and functional characterization of CaLEA6, the gene for a hydrophobic LEA protein from Capsicum annuum.

We used differential screening to isolate a full-length dehydration-responsive cDNA clone encoding a hydrophobic late embryogenesis abundant (LEA)-like protein from PEG-treated hot pepper leaves. Named CaLEA6 (for Capsicum annuum LEA), this gene belongs to the atypical hydrophobic LEA Group 6. The full-length CaLEA6 is 709 bp long with an open reading frame encoding 164 amino acids. It is predicted to produce a highly hydrophobic, but cytoplasmic, protein. The putative M(r) of CaLEA6 protein is 18 kDa, with a theoretical pI of 4.63. Based on our Southern blot analysis, CaLEA6 appears to exist as a small gene family. CaLEA6 was not expressed prior to any treatment, but its transcript was rapidly and greatly increased following trials with PEG, ABA, and NaCl. Chilling also induced its rapid induction, but to a much lesser extent. Accumulation of CaLEA6 protein occurred soon after NaCl applications, but considerably delayed after treatment with PEG. Tobacco plants that overexpressed CaLEA6 showed enhanced tolerance to dehydration and NaCl but not to chilling, as defined by their leaf fresh weights, Chl contents, and the general health status of the leaves. Therefore, we suggest that CaLEA6 protein plays a potentially protective role when water deficit is induced by dehydration and high salinity, but not low temperature.

Abscisic Acid↗
PubMed2005

Determination of the equilibrium, kinetic and thermodynamic parameters of adsorption of copper(II) ions onto seeds of Capsicum annuum.

Adsorption of copper ions onto Capsicum annuum (red pepper) seeds was investigated with the variation in the parameters of pH, contact time, adsorbent and copper(II) concentrations and temperature. The nature of the possible adsorbent and metal ion interactions was examined by the FTIR technique. The copper(II) adsorption equilibrium was attained within 60 min. Adsorption of copper(II) ions onto C. annuum seeds followed by the Langmuir, Freundlich and Dubinin-Radushkevich (D-R) isotherm models. Maximum adsorption capacity (q(max)) of copper(II) ions onto red pepper seeds was 4.47x10(-4) molg(-1) at 50 degrees C. Three kinetic models including the pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order and intraparticle diffusion equations were selected to follow the adsorption process. Kinetic parameters such as rate constants, equilibrium adsorption capacities and related correlation coefficients, for each kinetic model were calculated and discussed. It was indicated that the adsorption of copper(II) ions onto C. annuum seeds could be described by the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and also followed the intraparticle diffusion model up to 60 min, but diffusion is not only the rate controlling step. Thermodynamics parameters such as the change of free energy, enthalpy and entropy were also evaluated for the adsorption of copper(II) ions onto C. annuum seeds.

Capsicum↗
PubMed2006

Different cation stresses affect specifically osmotic root hydraulic conductance, involving aquaporins, ATPase and xylem loading of ions in Capsicum annuum, L. plants.

In order to study the effect of nutrient stress on water uptake in pepper plants (Capsicum annuum L.), the excess or deficiency of the main cations involved in plant nutrition (K(+), Mg(2+), Ca(2+)) and two different degrees of salinity were related to the activity of plasma membrane H(+)-ATPase, the pH of the xylem sap, nutrient flux into the xylem (J(s)) and to a number of parameters related to water relations, such as root hydraulic conductance (L(0)), stomatal conductance (g(s)) and aquaporin activity. Excess of K(+), Ca(+) and NaCl produced a toxic effect on L(0) while Mg(2+) starvation produced a positive effect, which was in agreement with aquaporin functionality, but not with ATPase activity. The xylem pH was altered only by Ca treatments. The results obtained with each treatment could suggest that detection of the quality of the nutrient supply being received by roots can be related to aquaporins functionality, but also that each cation stress triggers specific responses that have to be assessed individually.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗
PubMed2005

Methyl jasmonate modulated biotransformation of phenylpropanoids to vanillin related metabolites using Capsicum frutescens root cultures.

Normal root cultures of Capsicum frutescens biotransform externally fed precursors, like caffeic acid and veratraldehyde, to vanillin and other related metabolites. The bioconversion of caffeic acid to further metabolites--viz. vanillin, vanillylamine, vanillic acid--was shown to be elicited by treating the cultures with 10 microM methyl jasmonate (MJ). Root cultures treated with MJ accumulated (1.93 times) more of vanillin (20.2 microM on day-3) than untreated ones. A concomitant increase in enzymatic activity of caffeic acid O-methyl transferase (CAOMT, EC 2.1.1.68) was obtained in MJ treated cultures, compared to untreated cultures. After 24 h of MJ treatment, a 13.7-fold increase in CAOMT activity was recorded in root cultures of C. frutescens. Cultures treated with veratraldehyde accumulated more vanillin (78 microM) than caffeic acid fed cultures, 6 days after precursor addition. Capsaicin did not accumulate even after addition of precursors. The efficiencies of biotransformation with caffeic acid and veratraldehyde were 2.2% and 9% with respect to vanillin formation, indicating a possible diversion of the phenylpropanoid pathway towards other secondary metabolites.

Acetates↗
PubMed2006

Effect of composted sewage sludge application to soil on sweet pepper crop (Capsicum annuum var. annuum) grown under two exploitation regimes.

The aim of this study is to monitor the effect of the application of three increasing amounts of composted sewage sludge (3, 6 and 9 kg compost m(-2)) on the physico-chemical properties of a horticultural calcareous soil where sweet pepper plants (Capsicum annuum var. annuum) cv. California were grown. A comparative study of two different exploitation regimes was carried out; the first was an open-air field-grown plot and the second plot was kept under controlled conditions in a greenhouse. Changes in physical and chemical properties measured in soil and sweet pepper crop were recorded during crop growth in order to measure the evolution of these properties as a consequence of increasing compost applications. Organic matter, total nitrogen Kjeldahl and available phosphorus contents increased in soil after composted sewage sludge applications. The 9 kg compost m(-2) application promoted the appearance of deleterious effects on the properties of soil, such as salt accumulation, a significant increase in the electrical conductivity and an input of heavy metals (Pb>Cr>Cd). The 6 kg compost m(-2) application provided a supply of nutrients necessary to grow peppers plants under both exploitation regimes. Pepper fruit biomass production under greenhouse was almost 60% higher compared to that of the open-air plot. Lower contents of Ca and increased levels of Cu in fruit under greenhouse growing conditions compared to those of open-air grown peppers seemed to promote the occurrence of blossom-end rot, affecting more than 10% of the harvested fruits.

Biodegradation, Environmental↗