Erythrina Research Articles

Metabolites from Endophytes of the Medicinal Plant Erythrina crista-galli

Erythrina crista-galli (Fabaceae) is used in Argentinean ethnopharmacology as anti-inflammatory medication, narcotic, desinfectant, and for the treatment of wounds. The common name of the tree is "ceibo" or coral tree. The dominating endophytes in E. crista-galli all belong to the genus Phomopsis as identified by microscopic features and the analysis of their ITS sequences. To investigate a possible contribution of Phomopsis spp. to the metabolites found in the plant, twelve different isolates were cultivated in different media. Besides several new metabolites a number of known compounds were detected: mellein, nectriapyrone, 4-hydroxymellein, scytalone, tyrosol, clavatol, mevinic acid, and mevalonolactone.

Analysis of nesting material in bird nest boxes

Seven wooden nest boxes for birds each of 20x22x25cm dimensions with an opening of 5.6cm diameter were installed on 30 October 2001 on different trees in Punjab Agricultural University Campus, Ludhiana (30056'N & 70052'E). The study aimed to understand the acceptance and adoption of wooden nest boxes by birds. Only one of the nest box installed on the Indian Coral tree Erythrina indica was occupied by Common Myna Acridotheres tristis and Spotted Owlet Athene brama at different durations over a period of two years. The nest box was emptied out first on 25 May 2002 and again on 31 March 2003 to examine and weigh the nesting materials gathered by Common Myna and Spotted Owlet after their respective periods of nest box occupation.

Complementary structural information from a tryptic N-linked glycopeptide via electron transfer ion/ion reactions and collision-induced dissociation.

Glycosylation is an important post-translational modification. Analysis of glycopeptides is difficult using collision-induced dissociation, as it typically yields only information about the glycan structure, without any peptide sequence information. We demonstrate here how a 3D-quadrupole ion trap, using the complementary techniques of collision induced dissociation (CID) and electron-transfer dissociation (ETD), can be used to elucidate the glycan structure and peptide sequence of the N-glycosylated peptide from a fractionated tryptic digest of the lectin from the coral tree, Erythina cristagalli. CID experiments on the multiply protonated glycopeptide ions yield, almost exclusively, cleavage at glycosidic bonds, with little peptide backbone fragmentation. ETD reactions of the triply charged glycopeptide cations with either sulfur dioxide or nitrobenzene anions yield cleavage of the peptide backbone with no loss of the glycan structure. These results show that a 3D-quadrupole ion trap can be used to provide glycopeptide amino acid sequence information as well as information about the glycan structure.

Description of Fish Assemblages in the Black Coral Beds off Lahaina, Maui, Hawai'i

ABSTRACT A series of scuba dives surveyed patches of black corals and their associated deep-reef fish community in the channel waters (50–73 m depth) of Maui, Hawai‘i. Most of the corals were identified as Antipathes dichotoma and averaged 76 cm (±0.37) in height. Forty fish taxa were surveyed in the patches. Only Oxycirrhites typus was found exclusively within these coral trees. Sixty percent of the fish taxa surveyed were observed to frequent and pass through the coral branches. However, only four fish species were documented to reliably take shelter in the coral branches when evading an approaching diver. An archival video monitored movement patterns of fishes around a cluster of black coral trees for a 60-hr period. During daylight hours Dascyllus albisella, Centropyge potteri, Forcipiger flavissimus, Aulostomus chinensis, and Canthigaster jactator were observed to be the routine users of the coral patch, but only Dascyllus albisella and Centropyge potteri appeared to be resident to specific trees. At...

Sex pheromone components of pyralid moths Terastia subjectalis and Agathodes ostentalis feeding on the coral tree, Erithrina variegata: Two sympatric species share common components in different ratios

Two common components, identified as (E)-11-hexadecenal (E11-16:Ald) and (E,E)-10,12-hexadecadienal (E10E12-16:Ald), were found in the extract of virgin females of two sympatric pyralid moths, Terastia subjectalis Lederer, and Agathodes ostentalis (Geyer). The amount of E11-16:Ald and E10E12-16:Ald was 0.12 and 2.8 ng/female for T. subjectalis and 2.0 and 1.8 ng/female for A. ostentalis, respectively. Hexadecanal (16:Ald) was also found at 0.7 ng/female in the extract of A. ostentalis, but EAG activity was unclear. In the field, T. subjectalis and A. ostentalis males were captured with species specific blends in the proportions of 5:95 and 50:50 blends. Blends attractive to one species did not attract the opposite one. Rubber septa loaded with 1 mg each of 5:95 and 50:50 blends of E11-16:Ald and E10E12-16:Ald were as attractive as two virgin females of T. subjectalis and A. ostentalis , respectively. This demonstrated that different ratios of shared pheromone components could provide species specific cues for critical mate location in the two sympatric pyralid moths. It is suggested that directional selection probably occurs in the pheromone blends in opposite directions in both species.

Phytoremediation of petroleum hydrocarbons in tropical coastal soils. I. Selection of promising woody plants.

This glasshouse study is aimed at evaluating tropical plants for phytoremediation of petroleum hydrocarbon-contaminated saline sandy subsurface soils. Tropical plants were selected for their ability to tolerate high salinity and remove No. 2 diesel fuel in coastal topsoil prior to further investigation of the phytoremediation feasibility in deep contaminated soils. The residual petroleum-hydrocarbon contaminant at the John Rogers Tank Farm site, a former petroleum storage facility, at Hickam Air Force Base, Honolulu, Hawaii, is located in a coastal area. It lies below a layer of silt in the subsurface, in loamy sand characterized by moderate salinity and high pH. Little is known regarding the ability of tropical plants to remediate petroleum hydrocarbon-contaminated subsurface soil in Hawaiian and other Pacific Island ecosystems although suitable plants have been identified and utilized for bioremediation in surface soil or marine sediments. The experiments were conducted in long narrow pots under glasshouse conditions in two phases. A preliminary experiment was done with nine tropical plants: kiawe (Prosopis pallida), milo (Thespesia populnea), common ironwood (Casuarina equisetifolia), kou (Cordia subcordata), tropical coral tree (Erythrina variegata), false sandalwood (Myoporum sandwicense), beach naupaka (Scaevola sericea), oleander (Nerium oleander), and buffelgrass (Cenchrus ciliaris). These plants were screened for resistance to high salinity treatment (2% NaCl) and two diesel fuel levels (5 and 10 g No. 2 diesel fuel/kg soil) in separate treatments. Plants that showed good tolerance of both factors were further evaluated in a second phase for their efficacy in the phytoremediation of diesel-fuel petroleum hydrocarbons under moderate salinity treatment (1% NaCl). Tropical coral tree and buffelgrass were susceptible to either 2% NaCl or diesel fuel at 10 g/kg soil, but tolerant of diesel fuel at 5 g/kg soil. Kiawe, milo, kou, common ironwood, N. oleander, beach naupaka and false sandalwood were tolerant of high salinity (2% NaCl) or high diesel fuel level (10 g/kg soil). These seven plants were also tolerant of the combined adverse effects of a moderate salinity (1% NaCl) and 10 g diesel fuel/kg soil. Three trees, kiawe, milo and kou significantly accelerated the degradation of petroleum hydrocarbons in the soil spiked with 10 g diesel fuel/kg soil under a moderate salinity treatment (1% NaCl). Thus the tropical woody plants, kiawe, milo and kou showed potential for use in phytoremediation of petroleum hydrocarbons in coastal tropical soils. Two fast growing trees, milo and kou, appeared promising for further phytoremediation evaluation in experiments that simulate the soil profile at the field site.

Lectins in fish skin: do they play a role in host-monogenean interactions?

Mucus samples from rainbow trout skin with or without infections by Gyrodactylus derjavini were tested for the presence of lectins reacting with mannose, galactose and lactose. The samples inhibited the binding of biotinylated lectins (from Canavalia ensiformis, Artocarpus integrifolia and Erythrina corallodendron, respectively) to microtitre plates with covalently bound carbohydrates (mannopyranoside, galactopyranoside and lactose, respectively). However, the inhibition of C. ensiformis and A. integrifolia lectins was slightly greater when mucus from infected (but recovering) fish was used, suggesting an increase of mannose and galactose binding lectins in fish skin exposed to parasites. As mannose, galactose and lactose are present on the glycocalyx of Gyrodactylus derjavini, it is suggested that lectins could play a dual role in interactions between fish hosts and their monogenean parasites. Thus, recognition between parasite and host and also host responses towards parasite infections could both, at least partly, involve carbohydrate-lectin binding.

Electron capture dissociation and infrared multiphoton dissociation MS/MS of an N-glycosylated tryptic peptic to yield complementary sequence information.

Glycoproteins are a functionally important class of biomolecules for which structural elucidation presents a challenge. Fragmentation of N-glycosylated peptides, employing collisionally activated dissociation, typically yields product ions that result from dissociation at glycosidic bonds, with little occurrence of dissociation at peptide backbone sites. We have applied two dissociation techniques, electron capture dissociation (ECD) and infrared multiphoton dissociation (IRMPD), in a 7-T Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometer, in the investigation of an N-glycosylated peptide from an unfractionated tryptic digest of the lectin of the coral tree, Erythrina corallodendron. ECD provided c and z. ions derived from the peptide backbone, with no observed loss of sugars. Cleavage at 11 of 15 backbone amine bonds was observed. The lack of cleavage at sites located close to the glycosylated asparagine residue may result from steric blocking by the glycan. IRMPD provided abundant fragment ions, primarily through dissociation at glycosidic linkages. The monosaccharide composition and the presence of three glycan branch sites could be determined from the IRMPD fragments. The two types of spectra, obtained with the same instrument, thus provide complementary structural information about the glycopeptide. The current result extends the applicability of ECD for glycopeptide analysis to N-glycosylated peptides and to peptides containing branched, highly substituted glycans.

An isoflavan from Erythrina x bidwillii

A new isoflavan, erythbidin A, was isolated from the wood of Erythrina x bidwillii, together with three known isoflavans, phaseollinisoflavan, 2′-methoxyphaseollinisoflavan, and 2′- O-methylphaseollidinisoflavan and another pterocarpan, sandwicensin. Erythbidin A has a dimethylpyrene substitution at the 2′,3′-position.

Retrimming the Coral Family Tree

Retrimming the Coral Family Tree

Retrimming the Coral Family Tree

Retrimming the Coral Family Tree

Development of continuous liver cell cultures from the marine teleost, spot ( Leiostomus xanthurus, Pisces: Sciaenidae)

This study was designed to identify the optimal conditions for spot ( Leiostomus xanthurus) liver cell survival and propagation in vitro. Livers were digested by trypsin disaggregation. Liver cells were obtained in yields that ranged from 4 to 64 × 10 4 cells/g of live body weight (average 15 × 10 4 cells/g). The isolated liver cells attached to the substrate within 2–6 h and formed confluent monolayers by the 6–8th day of culture. Intercellular junctions were frequently observed between neighboring hepatocytes. The best results were obtained when the cells were seeded at a density of 1 × 10 6 cells/25 cm 2 flask. RPMI-1640 and L-15 media supported cellular growth in the presence or absence of 5% CO 2. Cultured spot liver cells formed a monolayer over a wide range of osmolalities (i.e. 295 to 355 mOsm/kg). Incubation at either 27 °C or 21 °C best supported the growth of the cultured cells. Cultured spot liver cells were able to synthesize DNA, RNA, and protein. Coral tree extract, concanavalin A, and bacterial lipopolysaccharides augmented DNA synthesis in cultured liver cells. Subculturing was possible and three continuous cultures (designated as SLW, SLN, and SLF) with the potential to become immortal cell lines were developed. Undoubtedly, immortal liver cell lines will be useful in vitro models that will allow further investigation of the mechanisms of hepatic metabolism, tumor formation, and xenobiotic activation.

Inactivation of Acacia Confusa Trypsin Inhibitor by Site-Specific Mutagenesis

ACTI is comprised of two chains, namely A and B chain linked by the disulphide bond between Cys(133) and Cys(141), and the inhibitor consists of 175 amino acid residues, 136 residues in the A chain and 39 residues the B chain. The putative reactive site of ACTI is located at Lys64 residue while all other Kunitz family trypsin inhibitors, at Arg64 residue. When the Lys64 residue of ACTI was converted into Ile or Arg residue by site-specific mutagenesis, the mutant (K64I) completely lost its inhibitory activity but the mutant (K64R) retained most of its inhibitory activity. Native ACTI contains two disulphide bonds; one is an intra-disulphide bond (CyS40-CyS86), located in A-chain while the other is an inter-disulphide bond (Cys133-cys141), in A and B-chain. The reACTI of single polypeptide chain without post-translation processing by proteoloysis is biologically active. The mutant (C133G) lost its inhibitory activity while the mutant (C40G) did not. It suggests that the inter-disulphide bond (Cys133-Cys141) linking between two b-strands of six-strand b barrel is indepensible for ACTI inhibitory activity while the intradisulphide bond (Cys40-Cys86) connecting two loops is dispensible based on the 3-D structure of Erythrina caffra trypsin inhibitor which amino acid sequence has a high degree of homology to that of ACTI.

The avian population of an urban bushland reserve at Wollongong, New South Wales: implications for management

This study focuses on the avian ecology and management of a 43.5 ha remnant hind-dune and estuary ecosystem in suburban Wollongong (population 200 000). In total, 62 land-bird species and 24 water-bird species were present between July 1984 and February 1987 (32 months). During area searches ( n=12) in each calendar month, an average of 427 individuals of 31 species was recorded with an average species diversity of 70%. The avian population was characterised by a small number of species with high abundance and vice versa. Five species were migratory. Resident species ranged in abundance from the Eastern Whipbird Psophodes olivaceus (maximum population eight birds) to the New Holland Honeyeater Phylidonyris novaehollandiae (maximum population 200 birds). Numbers of the latter species increased markedly in autumn and winter when banksia and coral trees were rich with nectar. Most terrestrial species were habitat specialist, linked to the various microhabitats for food, nesting or protection. Recommendations to preserve the bird community are as follows: (1) the catchment should be managed to control siltation and contamination of the wetland, rather than dredging the estuary itself; (2) wetland diversity should be maintained by allowing water levels to vary naturally; (3) terrestrial microhabitats should be preserved by maintaining their structural and floristic diversity; (4) refuge areas should be established to minimise the impact of human-related disturbance; (5) a network of corridors should be provided to facilitate movement of birds into the reserve; (6) a buffer zone should be maintained around the reserve to shield the birdlife from suburban disturbance and domestic animals.

Histochemical analysis of rat testicular glycoconjugates. 2. Beta-galactosyl residues in O- and N-linked glycans in seminiferous tubules.

Rat testes have been examined with a panel of lectins that bind specifically to oligosaccharide sequences having terminal or subterminal beta-galactosyl residues in O-linked glycans, or in the outer chains of complex N-linked glycans: Arachis hypogaea (peanut, AHA), Erythrina cristagalli (coral tree, ECA), Ricinus communis (castor bean, RCA120) and Abrus precatorius (jequirity bean, APA) agglutinins. Pretreatment of sections with neuraminidase, beta-galactosidase and removal of alkali-labile O-linked sequences by beta-elimination allowed the structure of these glycans to be further explored. In spermatogonia and spermatocytes there was little evidence of glycans terminating in beta-galactosyl residues, although these were present at non-reducing terminals as sialylgalactosides. The acrosome contained two subsets of O-linked glycans terminating in sialylgalactosides, while the nuclear cap showed at least two subsets of N-linked sialylgalactosyl as well as O-linked glycans. Spermatozoa exhibited minor changes in the pattern of glycosylation, although the overall pattern of beta-galactosyl expression was similar. Binding to Sertoli cells showed the presence of some unsubstituted beta-galactosyl terminals on O-linked glycans but few such N-linked residues, while terminal beta-galactosides were scanty in tubular basement membranes.

Isolation, purification and characterization of a lectin from the seed of Erythrina costaricensis (Leguminosae)

A lectin was isolated from the crude extract prepared from the seeds of E. costaricensis. It was purified by gel filtration on Sephadex G-100 followed by DEAE-Sephadex A-50 chromatography. PAGE revealed only one protein band, while analytical isoelectric focusing revealed four bands. The protein is a dimer with M(r) 58kda not united by disulfide bridges. It is a glycoprotein with 6.5% of neutral sugars, stable at 70 degrees C and at a pH range between 2 to 10. The protein exhibited a non specific agglutination of human erythrocytes, nevertheless it differentiated between erythrocytes of animal origin, agglutinating those of rabbit and chicken and not those from horse, goat, sheep or rat. Galactose, N-acetyl-D-galactosamine, lactose and EDTA are inhibitors while Ca++ and Mn++ acted as activators of the agglutination. No change in the blood pressure was observed when the lectin was intravenously injected in rats.

Coding and classification of d-galactose, N-acetyl- d-galactosamine, and β- d-Gal p-[1→3(4)]-β- d-Glc pNAc, specificities of applied lectins

Grouping of lectin-binding properties, based on determinant structure rather than monosaccharide-inhibition pattern, should facilitate the selection of lectins as structural probes for glycans, as well as for the interpretation of the distribution and the properties of the carbohydrate chains on the cell surface. Based on the binding specificities studied with glycan by precipitin-inhibition, competitive-binding, and hemagglutinin-inhibition assays, twenty d-galactose-or N-acetyl- d-galactosamine-(or both)-specific lectins have been divided into six classes according to their specificity for a disaccharide unit, as all or part of the determinants, and the α- d-Gal pNAc-(1→3)-Ser(Thr) unit of the glycopeptide chain. A scheme of classification is shown as follows: (a) F-specific lectins [α- dGal pNAc-(1→3)- d-GalNAc, Forssman specific disaccharide]: Dolichos biflorus (DBL), Helix pomatia (HPL), hog peanut (ABL, Amphicarpaea bracteata), and Wistaria floribunda (WFL) lectins. (b) A-specific lectins [α- d-Gal pNAc-(1→3)- d-Gal blood group A-specific disaccharide]: Griffonia (Bondeiraea) simplicifolia-A 4 (GSI-A 4), lima bean (LBL), soy bean(SBL), Vicia villosa (VVL), Wistaria floribunda (WFL), Dolichos biflorus (DBL), and Helix pomatia (HPL) lectins. (c) Tn-specific lectins [α- d-Gal pNAc-(1→3)-Ser(Thr) of the protein core]: Vicia villosa B 4 (VVL-B 4), Salvia sclarea (SSL), Machura pomifera (MPL), Bauhinia purpurea alba (BPL), HPL, and WFL, lectins. (d) T-specific lectins [β- d-Gal p-(1→3)- d-GalNAc, the mucin-type sugar sequences on human erythrocyte membrane and T antigen, or the terminal, nonreducing disaccharide end-groups of the gangliosides]: Peanut (PNA), Bauhinia purpurea alba (BPL), Machura pomifera (MPL), Sophora japonica (SJL), Artocarpus integrifolia (Jacalin, AIL), and Artocarpus lakoocha (Artocarpin) lectins. (e) Type I and II specific lectins [β- d-Gal p-(1→3 or 4)- d-GlCNAc, the disaccharide residues at the nonreducing end of the carbohydrate chains derived from either N- or O-glycans]: Ricinus communis agglutinin (RCAl), Datura stramonium (TAL, Thorn apple), Erythrina cristagalli (ECL, Coral tree), and Geodia cydonium (GCL), lectins. (f) B-specific lectin [α- d-Gal p-(1→3)-β- d-Gal p, human blood group B-specific disaccharide]: Griffonia (Bandeiraea) simplicifolia B 4 (GSI-B 4) lectin. Many other GalNAc- or Gal-(or both)-specific lectins that can be used as tools are also described.

Stimulation of vascular cell proliferation by β‐galactoside specific lectins

An investigation was conducted to assess the effects of various beta-galactoside specific lectins on the growth of vascular cells in vitro. The plant lectins from peanut (Arachis hypogaea), mushroom (Agaricus bisporus), and coral tree (Erythrina corallodendron) were used in these studies with the ultimate purpose of comparing those findings with data derived with the lectin isolated from rat lung. Peanut lectin was added to confluent and subconfluent cultures of smooth muscle cells (SMC), pulmonary arterial (PEC), and aortic endothelial cells (BAEC) at concentrations of 2, 3.5, and 7.0 micrograms/ml. There was a dose-dependent increase in cell proliferation for both confluent and subconfluent SMC, with maximal stimulation noted between 3.5 and 7 micrograms/ml of peanut lectin. A dose-dependent stimulation of PEC proliferation was also found with maximal stimulation between 3.5 and 7.0 micrograms/ml. Peanut lectin did not stimulate BAEC to multiply. The stimulation of PEC and SMC by peanut lectin could be prevented by the addition of 50 mM lactose. Peanut and mushroom lectin stimulated the proliferation of sparse cultures of SMC in a dose-dependent fashion in both standard (10% fetal bovine serum, or FBS) or low (0.5% FBS) serum to about the same degree. Coral tree lectin did not have a significant stimulation of proliferation under either serum conditions. The incorporation of [3H]thymidine into the DNA of PEC was increased 30 and 150% by peanut lectin and lung galaptin, respectively, under standard serum conditions. However, under low serum conditions, both lectins increased incorporation by about the same extent (93 and 78% for peanut lectin and galaptin, respectively). Both lectins produced a 30% increase in DNA synthesis by SMC under standard serum conditions, and about a 200% increase under low serum conditions. These studies indicate that beta-galactoside specific lectins such as lung galaptin have mitogenic activity toward vascular cells.

Comparative mitogenic response of old and young Rhesus monkey T cells to lectin from Erythrina cristagalli

The lectin (EC) from the coral tree, E. cristagalli, while less mitogenic on a molar or weight basis than PHA or ConA, strongly activates both Rhesus monkey and human T cells. The optimal mitogenic concentrations for both Rhesus and human T cells are 0.25, 2.5, and 25 μg/ml, respectively, for PHA, ConA, and EC. Aged Rhesus T cells were profoundly suppressed in mitogenic response to EC (approx. 80%) compared to young Rhesus cells. However, in the presence of supplemental interleukin 2 (20 U/ml), the age-related defect was reversed; the average mitogenic response of the old Rhesus T cells was increased sixfold.

Alkaloidal constituents of Erythrina variegata bark.

Alkaloidal constituents of Erythrina variegata bark.