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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2002

Mutational analysis of the carbohydrate-binding activity of the NeuAc(alpha-2,6)Gal/GalNAc-specific type 2 ribosome-inactivating protein from elderberry (Sambucus nigra) fruits.

Sambucus nigra agglutinin I (SNA-I) is a type 2 ribosome-inactivating protein. Site-directed mutagenesis was used to mimic the conversion of the highly active B-chain of fruit-specific SNA (SNA-If) into the completely inactive B-chain of the closely related and naturally occurring loss-of-activity mutant called S. nigra agglutinin lectin-related protein. In the first mutant SNA-If-M1 the high-affinity site 2 of SNA-If was disrupted by replacing the presumed critical residue Asp231 with Glu231. In the double mutant SNA-If-M2, site 1 of SNA-If-M1 was also disrupted by substituting the presumed critical residue Asn48 with Ser48. The parent type 2 ribosome-inactivating protein and both mutants were expressed in Nicotiana tabacum Samsun NN and the recombinant proteins were purified and analysed. Recombinant SNA-If agglutinated rabbit erythrocytes equally well as SNA-If, but both mutants were completely inactive in this test. Binding assays to immobilized galactose and fetuin revealed that the mutation Asp231-->Glu231 reduces the affinity of the B-chain for galactose and fetuin by more than 50%. Furthermore, the introduction of the second mutation Asn48-->Ser48 reduces the binding activity to less than 20% of the original activity.

Acetylgalactosamine↗
PubMed1996

Characterization and molecular cloning of Sambucus nigra agglutinin V (nigrin b), a GalNAc-specific type-2 ribosome-inactivating protein from the bark of elderberry (Sambucus nigra).

The molecular structure of the Sambucus nigra agglutinin V (SNAV), which has been described previously as a type-2 ribosome-inactivating protein called nigrin b, has been studied in detail by analysis of the purified protein combined with cDNA cloning and molecular modelling. Native SNAV is a dimer of two [A-s-s-B] pairs. Hapten inhibition assays indicated that GalNAc is a 20-fold more potent inhibitor of SNAV than Gal. A cDNA clone encoding SNAV was isolated from a cDNA library constructed with mRNA from the bark. Sequence analysis of this cDNA revealed a striking similarity to the recently cloned NeuAc alpha-2,6-gal/GalNAc-specific S. nigra bark agglutinin I (SNAI) and to the previously sequenced type-2 ribosome-inactivating proteins from Ricinus communis and Abrus precatorius. In addition, molecular modelling of SNAV further suggested that its structure closely resembles that of ricin. The N-terminal sequence of the B chain of SNAV also shows a marked similarity with the polypeptide of the previously described GalNAc-specific s. nigra bark agglutinin II (SNAII), which unlike SNAV and SNAI has no ribosome-inactivating activity. It appears, therefore, that elderberry bark contains at least two different type-2 ribosome-inactivating proteins and a lectin built up of subunits which are closely related to the B chain of SNAV.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1991

Purification and partial characterization of a novel lectin from elder (Sambucus nigra L.) fruit.

A previously unknown haemagglutinin, named Sambucus nigra agglutinin-III (SNA-III), has been purified from the fruit of the elder (Sambucus nigra). Whereas elder bark agglutinin I (SNA-I) is highly specific for terminal alpha 2,6-linked sialic acid residues, SNA-III displays a high affinity for oligosaccharides containing exposed N-acetylgalactosamine and galactose residues. Different N-terminal sequences and the amino acid composition distinguish the fruit lectin from elder bark agglutinin II (SNA-II), which shows a similar carbohydrate specificity. The 40-fold higher affinity of SNA-III for asialofetuin than for human asialo-alpha 1-acid glycoprotein and human asialotransferrin respectively suggests a preference for O-linked glycans. SNA-III occurs mainly as a monomeric glycoprotein, but tends to form di- and oligo-meric aggregates. This aggregation seems to mediate the multivalent interaction, leading to agglutination. SDS/PAGE revealed two major polypeptides with apparent molecular masses of 32 and 33 kDa respectively. This heterogeneity is probably a result of proteolysis in the C-terminal region. Binding to concanavalin A and susceptibility to peptide: N-glycosidase F indicated the presence of N-glycosidically linked oligosaccharides.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1993

Isolation and partial characterization of nigrin b, a non-toxic novel type 2 ribosome-inactivating protein from the bark of Sambucus nigra L.

The bark of Sambucus nigra L. contains a non-toxic novel type 2 ribosome-inactivating protein that we named nigrin b. In vitro, nigrin b strongly inhibited mammalian protein synthesis but did not affect plant nor bacterial protein synthesis. The protein (M(r) 58,000) contains two subunits, A (M(r) 26,000) and B (M(r) 32,000); linked by disulphide bridge(s). Nigrin b was found to be an rRNA N-glycosidase of the rRNA of intact mammalian ribosomes and shares a very good N-terminal amino-acid sequence homology with the anti-HIV-1 proteins TAP 29 and trichosanthin.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2005

Antiviral activity in vitro of Urtica dioica L., Parietaria diffusa M. et K. and Sambucus nigra L.

Parietaria diffusa M. et K., Urtica dioica L. (Urticaceae) and Sambucus nigra L. (Caprifoliaceae) are plants usually used in popular medicine of central Italy for treating numerous diseases, first of all Herpes zoster. Several plant products have been described as potential antiviral agents, with special attention being devoted to those having retroviruses as etiological agents, including acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), in which a retrovirus, the designated human immunodeficiency virus HIV, has been clearly identified as the primary cause of this disease. The present study proposes a preliminary screening of the antiviral activity of Parietaria diffusa, Sambucus nigra and Urtica dioica preparation against the feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) infection. The feline immunodeficiency virus is a widespread lentivirus of domestic cats sharing numerous biological and pathogenic features with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). FIV infection in cats has therefore been proposed as an animal model for AIDS studies with respect to pathogenesis, chemotherapy, and vaccine development [Pedersen, N.C., 1993. Feline immunodeficiency virus infection. In: Levy, J.A. (Ed.), The Retroviridae. Plenum Press, New York; Bendinelli, M., Pistello, M., Lombardi, S., Poli, A., Garzelli, C., Matteucci, D., Ceccherini-Nelli, L., Malvaldi, G., Tozzini, F., 1995. Feline immunodeficiency virus: an interesting model for AIDS studies and an important cat pathogen. Clinical Microbiology Revue 8, 87-112; North, T.W., LaCasse, R.A., 1995. Testing anti-HIV drugs in the FIV model. Nature Medicine 1, 410-411; Matteucci, D., Pistello, M., Mazzetti, P., Giannechini, S., Isola, P., Merico, A., Zaccaro, L., Rizzati, A., Bendinelli, M., 2000. AIDS vaccination studies using feline immunodeficiency virus as a model: immunisation with inactivated whole virus suppresses viraemia levels following intravaginal challenge with infected cells but non-following intravenous challenge with cell-free virus. Vaccine 18, 119-130]. Early studies showed that some of them presented antiviral activity against infection of FIV as assayed by syncytia formation using feline kidney Crandell cells (CrFK).

Animals↗
PubMed2002

A complex fruit-specific type-2 ribosome-inactivating protein from elderberry (Sambucus nigra) is correctly processed and assembled in transgenic tobacco plants.

Fruits of elderberry (Sambucus nigra) express small quantities of a type-2 ribosome-inactivating protein with an exclusive specificity towards the NeuAc(alpha2,6)Gal/GalNAc disaccharide and a unique molecular structure typified by the occurrence of a disulfide bridge between the B-chains of two adjacent protomers. A cDNA clone encoding this so-called Sambucus nigra fruit specific agglutinin I (SNA-If) was isolated and expressed in tobacco (Samsun NN) under the control of the 35S cauliflower mosaic virus promoter. Characterization of the purified protein indicated that the recombinant SNA-If from tobacco leaves has the same molecular structure and biological activities as native SNA-If from elderberry fruits, demonstrating that transgenic tobacco plants are fully capable of expressing and correctly processing and assembling a type-2 ribosome-inactivating protein with a complex molecular structure. None of the transformants showed a phenotypic effect, indicating that the ectopically expressed SNA-If does not affect the viability of the tobacco cells. Bioassays further demonstrated that none of the transgenic lines exhibited a decreased sensitivity to infection with tobacco mosaic virus suggesting that the elderberry type-2 RIP SNA-If does not act as an antiviral agent in planta.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2001

Nonsaponifiable lipid components of the pollen of elder (Sambucus nigra L.).

Pollen of the elder (Sambucus nigra L.) was extracted with chloroform-methanol. The extract was separated by column chromatography into the following groups of compounds: hydrocarbons (8.7%). polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (0.2%), complex esters (5.2%), triglycerides (18.7%), hydroxy esters (27.9%), free fatty acids and alcohols (16.8%), free sterols (6.8%), and triterpenic alcohols (4.0%). The nonsaponifiable components (hydrocarbons, fatty acids, alcohols, and sterols) were examined in detail using spectroscopic and chromatographic methods (IR spectroscopy, GC, and GC-MS). The identified compounds were characterized by their mass spectra and Kováts retention indices. The double bond positions and their configurations in unsaturated compounds are also reported.

Chromatography, Gas↗
PubMed2005

Changes in expansin activity and gene expression during ethylene-promoted leaflet abscission in Sambucus nigra.

During ethylene-promoted leaflet abscission in Sambucus nigra a 7-fold increase in expansin activity was detected specifically in tissues undergoing cell separation, whilst only low levels of activity were seen in adjacent non-abscising tissues. An RT-PCR strategy was used to amplify expansin fragments from a cDNA library generated from mRNA extracted from ethylene-treated leaflet abscission-zone tissue. Two different full-length expansin-encoding cDNAs were isolated with sizes of 1190 bp and 1169 bp and named SniExp2 and SniExp4, respectively. The deduced protein sequences of SniExp2 and SniExp4 exhibited 67% homology and comprised 256 and 249 amino acids, respectively. Both putative proteins contained signal sequences at their N terminal ends, suggesting that they were likely to encode secreted or transmembrane proteins. Northern analyses with probes specific for each gene revealed that transcripts for both of these cDNAs accumulated specifically in abscission zone tissues in response to ethylene treatment, with no expression being apparent in either freshly excised material or non-separating tissues. These data support a role for expansins in ethylene-stimulated abscission and provide evidence that specific family members contribute to the cell separation process that takes place during organ shedding.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2000

The traditional plant treatment, Sambucus nigra (elder), exhibits insulin-like and insulin-releasing actions in vitro.

Sambucus nigra (elder) has been documented as a traditional treatment of diabetes. In the present study, an aqueous extract of elder (AEE, 1 g/L) significantly increased 2-deoxy-glucose transport, glucose oxidation and glycogenesis of mouse abdominal muscle in the absence of added insulin (2 x 2 factorial design). in acute 20-min tests, 0.25-1 g/L AEE evoked a stepwise stimulation of insulin secretion from clonal pancreatic beta-cells. The insulin releasing effect of AEE (0.5 g/L) was significantly potentiated by 16.7 mmol/L of glucose and significantly reduced by 0.5 mmol/L of diazoxide. AEE did not further enhance insulin secretion in cells stimulated by 10 mmol/L of L-alanine, 1 mmol/L of 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine or a depolarizing concentration of KCl (25 mmol/L). Prior exposure of clonal pancreatic beta-cells to AEE did not alter subsequent stimulation of insulin secretion induced by 10 mmol/L of L-alanine, thereby precluding a detrimental effect on cell viability. The insulinotropic action of AEE was partially dependent upon use of heat during extract preparation. Activity of AEE was heat-stable, acetone-insoluble and unaltered by prolonged exposure to acid/alkali (0.1 mol/L of HCl and NaOH). However, activity was significantly decreased 41% by dialysis to remove components with molecular mass <2000 Da. Sequential extraction with solvents revealed activity in both methanol and water fractions, indicating a cumulative effect of more than one extract constituent. Known constituents of elder, including lectin, rutin and the lipophilic triterpenoid (lupeol) and sterol (beta-sitosterol), did not stimulate insulin secretion. The results demonstrate the presence of insulin-releasing and insulin-like activity in the traditional antidiabetic plant, Sambucus nigra.

1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine↗
PubMed1997

The major elderberry (Sambucus nigra) fruit protein is a lectin derived from a truncated type 2 ribosome-inactivating protein.

The major protein of elderberry (Sambucus nigra L.) fruits is a lectin, called Sambucus nigra agglutinin IVf or SNAIVf. This lectin is composed of subunits that strongly resemble the B chain of the type 2 ribosome-inactivating protein (RIP), called SNAVf, present in the same tissue. To corroborate the possible relationship between both proteins their corresponding cDNAs were cloned and compared. Alignment of the deduced amino acid sequences revealed that the cDNA encoding SNAIVf is almost identical to that of SNAVf except that its A chain is truncated. Northern blot analysis confirmed that the mRNA encoding SNAIVf is about 500 nucleotides shorter than the SNAVf mRNA. In addition, the occurrence of a truncated type 2 RIP gene was unambiguously demonstrated by the analysis of PCR amplified genomic sequences. These results not only demonstrate for the first time that a plant lectin is encoded by a truncated type 2 RIP gene but also address important questions with respect to the molecular evolution of RIP and lectins.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1991

Expression of alpha 2,6-linked sialic acid residues in neoplastic but not in normal human colonic mucosa. A lectin-gold cytochemical study with Sambucus nigra and Maackia amurensis lectins.

Increased sialylation of cell surface glycoconjugates has been demonstrated in malignant tumors and shown to be correlated with the invasive and metastatic growth of colon carcinoma cells. The authors have applied the Maackia amurensis lectin, which interacts with alpha 2,3-linked sialic acid, and the Sambucus nigra I lectin specific for alpha 2,6-linked sialic acid. In human colon, alpha 2,3-linked sialic acid was detectable in normal and transitional mucosa as well as in adenomas with different degrees of dysplasia and in carcinoma. In contrast, alpha 2,6-linked sialic acid as visualized with Sambucus nigra I lectin was found only in severe dysplasia and carcinoma. Thus expression of binding sites for Sambucus nigra I lectin was associated with the occurrence of histologic features of malignancy. It is concluded that malignant transformation in human colonic epithelium is accompanied by the de novo expression of an alpha 2,6 sialyl-transferase. These findings provide the basis for more detailed studies of the possible role of cell surface glycoconjugates bearing alpha 2,6-linked sialic acid in growth behavior of human colonic epithelial cells.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1986

Seasonal Fluctuations of Lectins in Barks of Elderberry (Sambucus nigra) and Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia).

Elderberry (Sambucus nigra) and black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) agglutinins, which are abundantly present in the bark of both species, display seasonal fluctuations with regard to their content in this tissue. These seasonal changes result apparently from a circa-annual rhythm of lectin accumulation and depletion during autumn and spring, respectively. Because the bark of trees can be considered as a type of vegetative storage tissue, the results suggest that bark lectins behave as typical storage proteins.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2005

The use of common elder Sambucus nigra to promote Aphidophagous syrphids in apple orchards.

Elder shrubs (Sambucus nigra L.) were planted in an experimental apple orchard as bordering hedgerow with the objective of rearing syrphids (Diptera: Syrphidae) and consequently enhancing the biological control of the rosy apple aphid Dysaphis plantaginea (Passerini). The inoculative introduction of the specific elder aphid Aphis sambuci L. (Homoptera: Aphididae) in late March 2002 and again in 2003 led to the complete hedgerow turning into an early and productive alternative prey reservoir for indigenous syrphids. The species Scaeva pyrastri (L.), S. selenetica (Meigen), Syrphus ribesii (L.), S. vitripennis Meigen, Epistrophe eligans (Harris), E. nitidicollis (Meigen), Platycheirus scutatus (Meigen), Eupeodes corollae (F.), Meligramma triangulifera (Zetterstedt) and Episyrphus balteatus (De Geer) developed on the elder hedgerow during the spring 2002 taking advantage of the aphid infestation. The season 2003 was characterised by a quite different species abundance pattern as, contrary to the previous year when both monovoltine and polyvoltine species were equally represented, the monovoltine syrphids (Epistrophe spp.) represented the dominant group exploiting the elder aphids. A parallel analysis showed that the faeces of the first adult syrphids observed ovipositing on the elder hedgerow in spring contained digested pollen of mainly apple. Our observations indicate the possibility of establishing a local population of monovoltine syrphids in apple orchards by managing an aphid-infested elder hedgerow, without any additional pollen or nectar producing plants.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

[A method of selective histochemical analysis of sialoglycoproteins using lectins from elder (Sambucus nigra L.)].

Good potentialities in application of elderberry (Sambucus nigra L.) bark lectin for selective histochemical identification of sialylated glycoconjugates has been demonstrated using lectin-peroxidase technique. In order to omit this lectin binding to D-galactose and N-acetyl-D-galactosamine residues, preincubation of tissue sections with non-marked PNA and SBA (or other lectins with similar carbohydrate specificity) is proposed. By means of neuraminidase digestion it has been ascertained, that oligosaccharide chains of secretory glycopolymers, synthesised in ovine submandibular gland mucocytes, contain DGal and DGalNAc residues penultimate to terminal sialic acids.

Alcian Blue↗
PubMed1984

A lectin from elder (Sambucus nigra L.) bark.

A lectin was isolated from elder (Sambucus nigra) bark by affinity chromatography on fetuin-agarose. It is a tetrameric molecule (Mr 140000) composed of two different subunits of Mr 34500 and 37500 respectively, held together by intramolecular disulphide bridges. The lectin is a glycoprotein and is especially rich in asparagine/aspartic acid, glutamine/glutamic acid, valine and leucine. It is also the first lectin isolated from a species belonging to the plant family Caprifoliaceae.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed1987

Fractionation of sialylated oligosaccharides, glycopeptides, and glycoproteins on immobilized elderberry (Sambucus nigra L.) bark lectin.

A new plant lectin from elderberry (Sambucus nigra L.) bark, which was shown by immunochemical techniques to bind specifically to terminal Neu5Ac(alpha 2-6)Gal/GalNAc residues of glycoconjugates, was immobilized onto Sepharose 4B (SNA-Sepharose) and its carbohydrate binding properties was determined using a series of standard compounds. Oligosaccharides, glycopeptides, or glycoproteins containing terminal Neu5Ac(alpha 2-6)Gal/GalNAc sequences bound to SNA-Sepharose and were eluted with 50-100 mM lactose, whereas those with Neu5Ac(alpha 2-3)Gal/GalNAc failed to bind to this column. Furthermore, the SNA-Sepharose column was capable of resolving two oligosaccharides/glycopeptides based on the number of Neu5Ac(alpha 2-6)Gal units present in each molecule. Application of this technique to two glycoproteins, fetuin and orosomucoid, revealed the presence of microheterogeneity. It was also shown that esterification of the carboxyl group of Neu5Ac units, or branching at the O-3 of the subterminal GalNAc (probably also Gal) destroyed the binding ability of the molecule.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Olfactory and quantitative analysis of aroma compounds in elder flower (Sambucus nigra L.) drink processed from five cultivars.

Fresh elder flowers (Sambucus nigra L.) were extracted with an aqueous solution containing sucrose, peeled lemon slices, tartaric acid, and sodium benzoate to make elder flower syrup. Aroma compounds emitted from the elder flower syrup were collected by the dynamic headspace technique and analyzed by GC-FID and GC-MS. A total of 59 compounds were identified, 18 of which have not previously been detected in elder flower products. The concentrations of the identified volatiles were measured in five elder cultivars, Allesoe, Donau, Sambu, Sampo, and Samyl, and significant differences were detected among cultivars in the concentration levels of 48 compounds. The odor of the volatiles was evaluated by the GC-sniffing technique. cis-Rose oxide, nerol oxide, hotrienol, and nonanal contributed to the characteristic elder flower odor, whereas linalool, alpha-terpineol, 4-methyl-3-penten-2-one, and (Z)-beta-ocimene contributed with floral notes. Fruity odors were associated with pentanal, heptanal, and beta-damascenone. Fresh and grassy odors were primarily correlated with hexanal, hexanol, and (Z)-3-hexenol.

Beverages↗