Changes In Secondary Metabolism Research Articles

Comparison of transgenic Gerbera hybrida lines and traditional varieties shows no differences in cytotoxicity or metabolic fingerprints

Genetic modification using gene transfer (GM) is still controversial when applied to plant breeding at least in Europe. One major concern is how GM affects other genes and thus the metabolism of the plant. In this study, 225 genetically modified lines of the ornamental plant Gerbera hybrida and 42 non-GM gerbera varieties were used to investigate changes in secondary metabolism. The cytotoxicity of GM and non-GM gerbera extracts was evaluated on human cell lines derived from lung, liver, and intestinal tissues. The results indicate that the safety profile for GM gerbera lines is similar to the viability pattern for non-GM varieties-none of the extracts were toxic. In addition, metabolic fingerprints of gerbera extracts were identified using thin-layer chromatography and analysed by principal component analysis (PCA), the nearest neighbour classifier, and Fligner-Killeen test. No new compounds unique to GM lines were observed. With PCA, no separation between GM gerbera lines and varieties could be demonstrated. In the nearest neighbour classifier, 54% of the samples found the expected neighbour based on the gene constructs used for transformation. With Fligner-Killeen test, we studied if the amounts of compounds vary more in GM gerberas than in varieties. In most cases, there were no statistically significant differences between the varieties and GM lines or there was more variation among the non-GM varieties than in the GM lines. The variance of a single compound was significantly larger in transgenic gerbera lines than in varieties and of three compounds in non-GM varieties.

Plant physiology meets phytopathology: plant primary metabolism and plant pathogen interactions

Phytopathogen infection leads to changes in secondary metabolism based on the induction of defence programmes as well as to changes in primary metabolism which affect growth and development of the plant. Therefore, pathogen attack causes crop yield losses even in interactions which do not end up with disease or death of the plant. While the regulation of defence responses has been intensively studied for decades, less is known about the effects of pathogen infection on primary metabolism. Recently, interest in this research area has been growing, and aspects of photosynthesis, assimilate partitioning, and source-sink regulation in different types of plant-pathogen interactions have been investigated. Similarly, phytopathological studies take into consideration the physiological status of the infected tissues to elucidate the fine-tuned infection mechanisms. The aim of this review is to give a summary of recent advances in the mutual interrelation between primary metabolism and pathogen infection, as well as to indicate current developments in non-invasive techniques and important strategies of combining modern molecular and physiological techniques with phytopathology for future investigations.

Changes in secondary metabolism during stromatal ontogeny of Hypoxylon fragiforme

Stromata of Hypoxylon fragiforme were studied during the vegetation period by hplc profiling, revealing changes in the composition during stromatal development. Cytochalasin H and two new cytochalasins named fragiformins A–B were identified as major constituents of the young, maturing stromata, whereas mature, ascogenous material yielded large amounts of mitorubrin-type azaphilones. The above compounds, further cytochalasins from Xylariaceae and other fungi, and additional azaphilones of the mitorubrin type were assayed for their nematicidal effects against Caenorhabditis elegans and their antimicrobial activities against Bacillus subtilis, Yarrowia lipolytica, and various filamentous fungi. The results confirmed data in the literature on broad-spectrum non-selective activities of azaphilones and cytochalasins in biological systems. Most interestingly, laboratory cultures of the above Hypoxylon spp. mainly produced dihydroisocoumarin derivatives and were found devoid of mitorubrins and cytochalasins. These rather drastic changes in the secondary metabolism of H. fragiforme and the above biological activities are discussed in relation to the possible biological functions of secondary metabolites (extrolites) in the Hypoxyloideae.

Phytochemicals in Fruit and Vegetables: Health Promotion and Postharvest Elicitors

Inverse associations between fruit and vegetable intake and chronic diseases, such as different types of cancer and cardiovascular disease, have been demonstrated in numerous epidemiological studies. Phytochemicals have been indicated to be responsible for this observed protective effect. Application of postharvest elicitors can trigger distinct changes in the plant's secondary metabolism. Thus, targeted postharvest elicitor treatments may be used to obtain fruit and vegetables enriched with phytochemicals for sale as fresh market products or used as raw material for functional foods and supplements, thereby promoting higher consumption of these health-promoting substances. Referee: Professor Charles A. Sims, Chair, Food Science and Human Nutrition POB 110370, University of Florida/IFAS, Gainesville, FL 32611-0370

Genomic and ploidy manipulation for enhanced production of phyto-pharmaceuticals

Polyploidization is often accompanied by increased cell size and conspicuous changes in secondary metabolism. Where vegetative plant organs are the source of secondary metabolites, as is the case with most medicinal plants, ploidy manipulations such as direct chromosome doubling or allopolyploidization provide a rapid means to realize enhanced production of phyto-pharmaceuticals. Supported with prospective examples, this article illustrates the potential of genomic and ploidy manipulation to enhance the resourcing of pharmaceuticals of plant origin and suggests some appropriate strategies for optimum utilization.

Metabolic profiling of the Arabidopsis pkl mutant reveals selective derepression of embryonic traits.

Embryos express several unique differentiation characteristics, including the accumulation of a number of metabolites that are generally considered to be unique to seeds. PICKLE (PKL) codes for a CHD3-chromatin remodeling factor that is necessary for repression of embryonic traits in seedlings of Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. In pkl mutants, primary roots are capable of expressing many embryonic traits after germination and are referred to as "pickle roots". In an attempt to examine the breadth of PKL-dependent repression of embryo-specific differentiation pathways, we determined the extent to which a variety of embryo-specific compounds accumulate in pickle roots. We found that pickle roots accumulate triacylglycerol with a fatty acid composition that is similar to that found in seeds. The major seed storage proteins are also present in pickle roots. In addition to these two well-characterized seed storage compounds, we observed that pickle roots accumulate phytate, a form of stored phosphate that is preferentially accumulated in seeds. Seeds of members of the Brassicaceae also accumulate a variety of unique secondary metabolites, including sinapate esters and glucosinolates. Surprisingly, the levels of secondary metabolites in pickle roots were not suggestive of an embryonic differentiation state, but did reveal that a mutation in PKL results in substantial changes in root secondary metabolism. Taken together, these data suggest that PKL is responsible for regulating some but not all aspects of the embryonic program as it relates to the accumulation of embryo-specific metabolites.

Deletion of vitamin D receptor gene in mice results in abnormal skeletal muscle development with deregulated expression of myoregulatory transcription factors.

Although rachitic/osteomalacic myopathy caused by impaired vitamin D actions has long been described, the molecular pathogenesis remains elusive. To determine physiological roles of vitamin D actions through vitamin D receptor (VDR) in skeletal muscle development, we examined skeletal muscle in VDR gene deleted (VDR -/-) mice, an animal model of vitamin D-dependent rickets type II, for morphological changes and expression of myoregulatory transcription factors and myosin heavy chain isoforms. We found that each muscle fiber was small and variable in size in hindlimb skeletal muscle from VDR -/- mice, although overall myocyte differentiation occurred normally. These abnormalities were independent of secondary metabolic changes such as hypocalcemia and hypophosphatemia, and were accompanied by aberrantly high and persistent expression of myf5, myogenin, E2A, and early myosin heavy chain isoforms, which are normally down-regulated at earlier stages. Moreover, treatment of VDR-positive myoblastic cells with 1,25(OH)2D3 in vitro caused down-regulation of these factors. These results suggest that VDR plays a physiological role in skeletal muscle development, participating in temporally strict down-regulation of myoregulatory transcription factors. The present study can form a molecular basis of VDR actions on muscle and should help further establish the physiological roles of VDR in muscle development as well as pharmacological effects of vitamin D on muscle functions.

Ultraviolet‐B radiation effects on plants: induction of morphogenic responses

Plants raised under field conditions are acclimated to ambient levels of solar UV‐B radiation. Morphogenic responses are part of the UV‐B acclimation process and have been hypothesized to contribute to UV avoidance. UV‐B induced morphogenic responses include inhibition of hypocotyl and stem elongation, leaf curling, leaf thickening and increased axillary branching. So far, neither the photosensory nor the signal transduction mechanism involved in UV‐B mediated morphogenesis has been identified. The combination of classical photobiological techniques and Arabidopsis genetic resources comprises a powerful tool for the analysis of morphogenic responses. However, no morphogenic mutants, specifically altered in their response to UV‐B, have yet been identified. In this paper we discuss the possibility that some UV‐B driven morphogenic responses do not involve a dedicated photosensory system, but rather are a consequence of UV‐B induced changes in secondary metabolism. UV‐B induced flavonoid aglycones and phenol‐oxidizing peroxidases can affect, respectively, polar auxin transport and auxin catabolism, and hence plant architecture. Integration of genetic, photobiological, biochemical and physiological approaches is necessary to fully appraise the ecophysiological role of UV‐B radiation in controlling plant architecture.

Marked disproportionality in bone size and mineral, and distinct abnormalities in bone markers and calcitropic hormones in adult turner syndrome: a cross-sectional study.

Most women with Turner syndrome (TS) have no gonadal activity and thus lack estrogen. Bone mineral density (BMD) is often reduced, leading to an increased risk of osteoporosis and fractures. However, growth retardation with reduced final height and other endocrine disturbances may compromise interpretation of skeletal measurements. The aim of the present study was to explore skeletal findings, bone metabolism, and calcium homeostasis in TS. Sixty women with TS (age, 37 +/- 9 yr) and 181 normal age-matched female controls were studied. Bone area (A; square centimeters), bone mineral content (BMC; grams), area-adjusted BMD (aBMD; grams/square centimeter), and volumetric BMD (vBMD; grams/cubic centimeter) were measured at lumbar spine, femoral neck, and forearm using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry. Twenty-eight percent had osteopenia, and 23% had osteoporosis, according to World Health Organization criteria. At the lumbar spine, A, BMC, aBMD, and vBMD were reduced by 18, 27, 11, and 6%, respectively; at the femoral neck, A, BMC, and aBMD were reduced by 2, 10, and 8%, respectively, whereas the 9% reduction in vBMD was insignificant (P = 0.07); and in the forearm, A, BMC, and aBMD were reduced by 53, 55, and 9%, respectively. Bone markers indicated an enhanced bone resorption (21 and 23% increase in C-terminal and N-terminal cross-linking telopeptides of type I collagen/creatinine, respectively) with unchanged (osteocalcin, procollagen I N-terminal propeptide) or reduced (54% reduction in bone alkaline phosphatase) bone formation. Plasma levels of calcium and 25-hydroxyvitamin D (26%) were reduced, and PTH levels increased (74%) in TS. IGF-I (30%), IGF binding protein 3 (18%), testosterone (50%), and SHBG (40%) were reduced in TS. In summary, A, BMC, and aBMD were found to be universally reduced in TS, whereas vBMD was slightly reduced in the spine. Increased resorption of bone was present, with normal or blunted bone formation, suggesting uncoupling or imbalance in bone remodeling. Skeletal changes may be induced by chromosome abnormalities or by secondary endocrine or metabolic changes related to a relative estrogen deficiency, testosterone deficiency, reduced IGF-I, low vitamin D status, and secondary hyperparathyroidism.

Cadmium-induced changes in antioxidative systems, hydrogen peroxide content, and differentiation in Scots pine roots.

To investigate whether Cd induces common plant defense pathways or unspecific necrosis, the temporal sequence of physiological reactions, including hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) production, changes in ascorbate-glutathione-related antioxidant systems, secondary metabolism (peroxidases, phenolics, and lignification), and developmental changes, was characterized in roots of hydroponically grown Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) seedlings. Cd (50 microM, 6 h) initially increased superoxide dismutase, inhibited the systems involved in H(2)O(2) removal (glutathione/glutathione reductase, catalase [CAT], and ascorbate peroxidase [APX]), and caused H(2)O(2) accumulation. Elongation of the roots was completely inhibited within 12 h. After 24 h, glutathione reductase activities recovered to control levels; APX and CAT were stimulated by factors of 5.5 and 1.5. Cell death was increased. After 48 h, nonspecific peroxidases and lignification were increased, and APX and CAT activities were decreased. Histochemical analysis showed that soluble phenolics accumulated in the cytosol of Cd-treated roots but lignification was confined to newly formed protoxylem elements, which were found in the region of the root tip that normally constitutes the elongation zone. Roots exposed to 5 microM Cd showed less pronounced responses and only a small decrease in the elongation rate. These results suggest that in cells challenged by Cd at concentrations exceeding the detoxification capacity, H(2)O(2) accumulated because of an imbalance of redox systems. This, in turn, may have triggered the developmental program leading to xylogenesis. In conclusion, Cd did not cause necrotic injury in root tips but appeared to expedite differentiation, thus leading to accelerated aging.

Acute Effect of Pegvisomant on Cardiovascular Risk Markers in Healthy Men: Implications for the Pathogenesis of Atherosclerosis in GH Deficiency

Cardiovascular risk is increased in GH deficiency (GHD). GHD adults are frequently abdominally obese and display features of the metabolic syndrome. Otherwise healthy abdominally obese subjects have low GH levels and show features of the metabolic syndrome as well. We investigated in healthy nonobese males the effect of the GH receptor antagonist pegvisomant in different metabolic conditions. This is a model for acute GHD without the alterations in body composition associated with GHD. We compared the effect of pegvisomant with that of placebo before and after 3 d of fasting. In addition, we investigated the effect of pegvisomant under normal, i.e. fed, conditions. Three days of fasting as well as pegvisomant alone decreased serum free IGF-I levels (1.0 +/- 0.15 vs. 0.31 +/- 0.05 ng/ml and 0.86 +/- 0.23 vs. 0.46 +/- 0.23 ng/ml, respectively). Fasting in combination with pegvisomant also decreased serum free IGF-I levels (1.0 +/- 0.15 vs. 0.31 +/- 0.07 ng/ml). Treatment with pegvisomant had no additional influence on the decline of free IGF-I induced by fasting. Pegvisomant alone had no influence on insulin sensitivity. The increase in insulin sensitivity induced by fasting was comparable to the increase in insulin sensitivity induced by fasting combined with pegvisomant. Among serum lipid concentrations, only serum triglycerides increased significantly as a result of pegvisomant alone (1.0 +/- 0.2 vs. 1.6 +/- 0.4 mmol/liter). The changes in lipid concentrations induced by fasting alone or pegvisomant were not different from those induced by pegvisomant alone. von Willebrand factor antigen levels declined significantly under the influence of pegvisomant alone (1.1 +/- 0.07 vs. 0.8 +/- 0.06 U/ml). In conclusion, in different metabolic conditions the GH receptor antagonist pegvisomant induces no significant acute changes in the major risk markers for cardiovascular disease. These data suggest that the secondary metabolic changes, e.g. abdominal obesity or inflammatory factors, that develop as a result of long-standing GHD are of primary importance in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis in patients with GHD.

Cold shocks: a stressor for common carp

The stress response of common carp Cyprinus carpio was studied by evaluating plasma cortisol, glucose and lactate after single or multiple rapid temperature drops (ΔT: 7, 9 or 11° C). All three amplitudes used induced a significant rise in plasma cortisol levels. Peaks occurred within 20 min after onset of the cold shock. No stress‐related secondary metabolic changes were observed in any of the experiments described: plasma glucose levels remained unaffected and plasma lactate levels dropped. Carp of 60 days old showed a significant stress response, although plasma cortisol levels were lower than those observed in carp of 120 days. Furthermore, fish that had experienced multiple cold shocks showed an overall lower cortisol response than fish experiencing a single cold shock, indicating that habituation to this stressor occurred.

Chemical fingerprinting for the evaluation of unintended secondary metabolic changes in transgenic food crops

A common element in designed guidelines for assessment of the food safety of transgenic crops is centred on a comparative analytical analysis with conventionally bred crop plants, assuming that these products have a long history of safe use (i.e. OECD-principle of substantial equivalence). In this study we examine the utility of an off-line combination of 400 MHz proton ( 1H)-NMR spectroscopy and liquid chromatography (LC) for the multi-component comparison of low-molecular weight compounds (i.e. chemical fingerprinting) in complex plant matrices. The developed NMR-methodology can contribute to the demonstration of substantial equivalence by its ability to compare possible compositional alterations in a novel food crop with respect to related non-transgenic reference lines. In this respect a hierarchical approach is proposed by comparing the chemical fingerprints of the transgenic crop plant to those of: (1) isogenic parental or closely related lines bred at identical and multiple sites; (2) extended ranges of commercial varieties of that plant; and (3) downstream processing effects. This is of importance to assess the likelihood that some of the statistical differences in a transgenic crop plant may be false positives due to chance alone or arose from natural genetic and/or physiologic variations.

Metabolic engineering of lactic acid bacteria: overview of the approaches and results of pathway rerouting involved in food fermentations.

Lactic acid bacteria such as Lactococcus lactis are the microorganisms of choice for performing metabolic engineering in relation to food fermentation. These bacteria are used extensively in food fermentations, they have a simple and therefore controllable metabolism and the molecular genetics of these food bacteria is well-developed. There have been recent successes in metabolic engineering in these lactic acid bacteria, including examples of changes in both primary metabolism (diacetyl and alanine) and secondary metabolism (exopolysaccharides and flavour).

Effect of butyrolactone I on the producing fungus, Aspergillus terreus.

Butyrolactone I [alpha-oxo-beta-(p-hydroxyphenyl)-gamma-(p-hydroxy-m-3, 3-dimethylallyl-benzyl)-gamma-methoxycarbonyl-gamma-butyrolactone] is produced as a secondary metabolite by Aspergillus terreus. Because small butyrolactone-containing molecules act as self-regulating factors in some bacteria, the effects of butyrolactone I on the producing organism were studied; specifically, changes in morphology, sporulation, and secondary metabolism were studied. Threefold or greater increases in hyphal branching (with concomitant decreases in the average hyphal growth unit), submerged sporulation, and secondary metabolism were observed when butyrolactone I was added to cultures of A. terreus. Among the secondary metabolites whose production was increased by this treatment was the therapeutically important compound lovastatin. These findings indicate that butyrolactone I induces morphological and sporulation changes in A. terreus and enhances secondary metabolite production in a manner similar to that previously reported for filamentous bacteria.

Metabolism of ethanol by rat pancreatic acinar cells

It has been postulated that ethanol-induced pancreatic injury may be mediated by the oxidation of ethanol within the pancreas with secondary toxic metabolic changes, but there is little evidence of pancreatic ethanol oxidation. The aims of this study were to determine whether pancreatic acinar cells metabolize significant amounts of ethanol and, if so, to compare their rate of ethanol oxidation to that of hepatocytes. Cultured rat pancreatic acinar cells and hepatocytes were incubated with 5 to 50 mmol/L carbon 14-labeled ethanol (25 dpm/nmol). Ethanol oxidation was calculated from the production of 14C-labeled acetate that was isolated by Dowex ion-exchange chromatography. Ethanol oxidation by pancreatic acinar cells was demonstrable at all ethanol concentrations tested. At an intoxicating ethanol concentration (50 mmol/L), 14C-labeled acetate production (227 ± 20 nmol/10 6 cells/h) approached that of hepatocytes (337 ± 61 nmol/10 6 cells/h). Phenanthroline (an inhibitor of classes I through III isoenzymes of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH)) inhibited pancreatic ethanol oxidation by 90%, but 4-methylpyrazole (a class I and II ADH inhibitor), carbon monoxide (a cytochrome P450 inhibitor), and sodium azide (a catalase inhibitor) had no effect. This study has shown that pancreatic acinar cells oxidize significant amounts of ethanol. At intoxicating concentrations of ethanol, pancreatic acinar cell ethanol oxidation may have the potential to contribute to pancreatic cellular injury. The mechanism appears to involve the class III isoenzyme of ADH.

The ppGpp synthetase gene (relA) of Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2) plays a conditional role in antibiotic production and morphological differentiation.

Deletion of most of the coding region of the ppGpp synthetase gene (relA) of Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2) resulted in loss of ppGpp synthesis, both upon entry into stationary phase under conditions of nitrogen limitation and following amino acid starvation during exponential growth, but had no effect on growth rate. The relA mutant, which showed continued rRNA synthesis upon amino acid depletion (the relaxed response), failed to produce the antibiotics undecylprodigiosin (Red) and actinorhodin (Act) under conditions of nitrogen limitation. The latter appears to reflect diminished transcription of pathway-specific regulatory genes for Red and Act production, redD and actII-ORF4, respectively. In addition to the changes in secondary metabolism, the relA mutant showed a marked delay in the onset and extent of morphological differentiation, resulting in a conspicuously altered colony morphology.

Characterization of a Genomic Locus Required for Synthesis of the Antibiotic 2,4-diacetylphloroglucinol by the Biological Control AgentPseudomonas fluorescensQ2-87

The antibiotic 2,4-diacetylphloroglucinol (Phl) is an important factor in the biological control by fluorescent Pseudomonas spp. of many soilborne diseases including take-all disease of wheat. A 6.5-kb genomic DNA fragment from Pseudomonas fluorescens Q2-87 conferred production of Phl and of a red pigment distinct from Phl, but which typically is present when Phl is produced, upon all of 13 Phl-nonproducing recipient Pseudomonas strains into which it was introduced. Larger fragments that included flanking DNA sequences did not transfer this capability, suggesting that they contain negative regulatory element(s). Analysis of the 6.5-kb fragment by Tn3HoHo1 mutagenesis further localized the sequences required for Phl production to a segment of approximately 5 kb and revealed the presence of at least two divergently oriented transcriptional units. Insertions within the smaller unit or within about 3 kb of the 5' end of the larger unit caused loss of production of both Phl and the red pigment. Other insertions within the distal 1.5 kb of the larger transcriptional unit abolished production of only the red pigment. Pleiotropic changes in secondary metabolism or colony morphology were not observed in Pseudomonas strains containing the 6.5-kb fragment, although some Phl-producing derivatives grew more slowly and gave rise to smaller colonies than did the wild-type parental strains. The size of the genomic region involved in Phl production, and the consistency and specificity with which these sequences transferred Phl biosynthetic capability, support the conclusion that the 6.5-kb fragment contains the Phl biosynthetic locus.

Stress responses in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) XIX. Transcriptional activation of oxidative pentose phosphate pathway genes at the onset of the isoflavonoid phytoalexin response.

We have isolated cDNA clones encoding the pentose phosphate pathway enzymes 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6PGDH, EC 1.1.1.44) and glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH, EC 1.1.1.49) from alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.). These exhibit extensive nucleotide and amino acid sequence similarity to the corresponding genes from bacteria, Drosophila and mammals. Transcripts encoding both enzymes are expressed at high levels in roots and nodules. Exposure of alfalfa suspension cells to an elicitor from yeast cell walls results in co-ordinated increases in transcription rates for both genes, followed by increased steady state transcript levels but only slightly increased extractable enzyme activities, at the onset of accumulation of isoflavonoid phytoalexins. Levels of NADPH and NADP remain relatively constant in alfalfa cells following elicitation. The rapid transcriptional activation of 6PGDH and G6PDH does not therefore appear to be a response to altered pyridine nucleotide redox state. These genes appear to respond to early events in elicitor-mediated signalling rather than to subsequent elicitor-induced changes in secondary metabolism. Hydrogen peroxide, a potential signal for elicitation of anti-oxidative genes in biologically stressed plant cells, did not induce 6PGDH or G6PDH transcripts or enzymatic activity.

Volatile Metabolites Produced by Kluyveromyces lactis and Their Changes During Fermentation

Volatile metabolites produced during Kluyveromyces lactis fermentation were identified and their kinetics examined. More than 50 compounds identified in the fermentation broth were mainly benzenoid hydrocarbons, alcohols, carboxylic acids, esters, carbonyl and heterocyclic compounds. Predominant components were isoamyl alcohol, isobutanol, 2-phenylethanol, isobutyric acid, isovaleric acid, 2-phenylethyl acetate, 2-phenylethyl isobutyrate and 3-hydroxy-2-butanone. The level of total volatile metabolites increased almost in parallel with biomass during fermentation. The major individual components showed kinetic patterns. Accumulation of carboxylic acids appeared to induce a change in secondary metabolism at a late stage of fermentation.