Fatty Aldehydes Research Articles

Sjögren–Larsson Syndrome: A Case Report of a Rare Neuro-cutaneous Disorder

Sjögren–Larsson syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive neuro-cutaneous disease. The dominant features are congenital ichthyotic hyperkeratosis, spastic diplegia and mild to moderate mental retardation. The cause of this syndrome is the deficiency of microsomal fatty aldehyde dehydrogenase. The deficiency of this enzyme results in the accumulation of fatty aldehydes and fatty alcohols in various tissues including skin. Here, we report a case presented with ichthyosis, bilateral lower limb spasticity, and mental retardation, diagnosed as Sjögren–Larsson syndrome.

Will the climate of plant origins influence the chemical profiles of cuticular waxes on leaves of Leymus chinensis in a common garden experiment?

Cuticular wax covering the leaf surface plays important roles in protecting plants from biotic and abiotic stresses. Understanding the way in which plant leaf cuticles reflect their growing environment could give an insight into plant resilience to future climate change. Here, we analyzed the variations of cuticular waxes among 59 populations of Leymus chinensis in a common garden experiment, aiming to verify how environmental conditions influence the chemical profiles of cuticular waxes. In total, eight cuticular wax classes were identified, including fatty acids, aldehydes, primary alcohols, alkanes, secondary alcohols, ketones, β‐diketones, and alkylresorcinols, with β‐diketones the predominant compounds in all populations (averaged 67.36% across all populations). Great intraspecific trait variations (ITV) were observed for total wax coverage, wax compositions, and the relative abundance of homologues within each wax class. Cluster analysis based on wax characteristics could separate 59 populations into different clades. However, the populations could not be separated according to their original longitudes, latitudes, annual temperature, or annual precipitation. Redundancy analysis showed that latitude, arid index, and the precipitation from June to August were the most important parameters contributing to the variations of the amount of total wax coverage and wax composition and the relative abundance of wax classes. Pearson's correlation analysis further indicated that the relative abundance of wax classes, homologues in each wax class, and even isomers of certain compound differed in their responses to environmental factors. These results suggested that wax deposition patterns of L. chinensis populations formed during adaptations to their long‐term growing environments could inherit in their progenies and exhibit such inheritance even these progenies were exported to new environments.

Extractable lipids from Phleum pratense pollen grains and their modifications by ozone exposure

Grass pollen grains are an important source of aeroallergens eliciting respiratory allergic diseases worldwide. In the field of allergology, Phleum pratense pollen is considered as a model for other grass taxa. Upon contact with the aqueous phase of mucosa membranes, lipids are co-delivered from pollen grains with allergens. Lipid molecular species have pro-allergic, pro-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects on the cells of the allergic immune response. The quantitative analysis of Phleum pratense pollen lipids is missing in the literature. In this work, the total mass of lipids extractable by methylene chloride was determined to be 22 ± 1 µg per mg of Phleum pratense pollen. Eighteen percent of the lipidic mass was quantified and identified by gas chromatographic analysis. Identified lipids included alkanes, alkenes, saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, aldehydes and alcohols. Pollen samples harvested at different times and locations showed a very similar lipidic pattern, both qualitatively and quantitatively. Laboratory ozone exposure of pollen substantially modified its lipidic composition by reactions of ozone with alkenes leading to the production of fatty acids and aldehydes. A deeper knowledge of the lipids released by pollen grains, including pollen from polluted areas, is essential for a better understanding of the chemical environment at the cellular level where allergic reactions take place.

TEMPERATURE MODES OF METHANOGENESIS AND TECHNOLOGICAL SCHEMES FOR BIOGAS PRODUCTION

The temperature regimes of fermentation of organic substances and the conditions of active methane generation are considered. It was shown that at the first stage of anaerobic digestion, enzymatic hydrolytic decomposition of organic substances occurs by a wide range of hydrolysis enzymes secreted into the medium by anaerobic bacteria, which are called bacteria - hydrolytics. Under the influence of hydrolytics, high-molecular compounds (polysaccharides, fats, protein substances) are transformed into low-molecular ones. The latter, under the action of acidic bacteria (the second stage), turn into volatile fatty acids, organic acids, alcohols, aldehydes, ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, carbon dioxide, hydrogen and water. The resulting organic acids, with the exception of acetic and formic, under the action of a special group of bacteria - acetogens - turn into acetic and formic acids, hydrogen, etc. As a result of the first three stages - hydrolytic, acid and acetogenic - acetic and formic acid, methyl accumulate in the medium alcohol, methylamine, hydrogen, carbon monoxide and dioxide, ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, phosphorus oxide. These compounds are the main substrates for the energy metabolism of a special group of anaerobic bacteria, which crown the complex process of decomposition of biopolymers under anaerobic conditions. It was established that the degradation of organic substances during methanogenesis is carried out as a multi-stage process in which carbon bonds are gradually destroyed under the influence of various groups of microorganisms. Methane-forming bacteria impose significantly higher requirements on the conditions of their existence than acid-forming bacteria - they require an absolutely anaerobic environment and require a long time for reproduction. As a criterion for the efficiency of the process, the amount of additional marketable energy obtained during the processing of manure of equal volume with the same properties at different temperature conditions - thermophilic, mesophilic or psychrophilic is proposed.

Ability of Three Kind of Imidazole Dipeptides, Carnosine, Anserine, and Balenine, to Interact with Unsaturated Fatty Acid-Derived Aldehydes and Carbohydrate-Derived Aldehydes

Imidazole dipeptides (IDPs) such as carnosine (CAR), anserine (ANS), and balenine (BAL) are widely distributed in the skeletal muscle of vertebrates. Recently, several studies have revealed that CAR plays an important role in the detoxification of cytotoxic aldehydes arising from the peroxide of unsaturated fatty acids and carbohydrate metabolite. Although intensive studies on the detoxification of aldehydes by CAR have been performed, few studies have focused on the effects of detoxification by ANS and BAL. To determine the potential of minor IDPs such as ANS and BAL to react with cytotoxic aldehydes, the present study was established to investigate the consumption of IDP after co-incubation with cytotoxic aldehydes using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). In the case of unsaturated fatty acid-derived aldehydes such as 4-hydroxy-2-trans-nonenal (from n-6 fatty acid) and 4-hydroxy-2-trans-hexenal (from n-3 fatty acid), ANS and CAR decreased considerably after co-incubation, but BAL did not. In the case of 3-deoxyglucosone and methylglyoxal as carbohydrate metabolites, no IDPs decreased after co-incubation; however, the absorbance at 336 nm of the CAR and BAL mixtures increased dramatically in a time-dependent manner. In the case of glyceraldehyde, which is also a carbohydrate metabolite, all IDPs, especially BAL, decreased after co-incubation and a new peak, surmised to represent an IDP-glyceraldehyde adduct, appeared on the HPLC chromatogram. These results can help explain the unique function and behavior of ANS and BAL in specific species.

Prediction of liquid-liquid equilibria of multicomponent fatty systems using the ASOG method

Purification steps, as solvent extraction, play an important role in biodiesel and edible oil processing. Their continuous improvement relies on predictive tools for computing liquid-liquid equilibria (LLE), and among these tools, group contribution methods, such as the UNIQUAC Functional-group Activity Coefficients (UNIFAC) method and its variants, and the Analytical Solutions of Groups (ASOG) method, are commonly used. In this work the ASOG method was evaluated for predicting LLE of 372 multicomponent fatty systems from the literature. The ASOG method, although quite unexplored, in particular for fatty systems, performed satisfactorily well, resulting in a global deviation of 9.27%. The Solution Structure of Isoactivity Equations (SSIE), a recently published procedure for computing LLE based on the solution of the isoactivities was adopted as the calculation strategy. The predictive capacity of the ASOG method was also improved by means of readjustment of interaction parameters related to functional groups of fatty acid (COOH), ester (COO), aldehydes (COH), water (H2O), and unsaturation (CC). The new parameters allowed prediction of solubility of fatty acid, alcohol and aldehyde in both fatty and solvent phases more precisely, diminishing deviations between calculated and experimental compositions.

Volatome finger printing of red wines made from grapes grown under tropical conditions of India using thermal-desorption gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (TD-GC/MS).

The current study evaluated the key characters of aroma composition in diversified red wines (Cinsaut, Grenache, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Nielluccio, Tempranillo, Syrah, Merlot and Caladoc). Out of hundreds of volatile compounds 64 compounds were considered for study. Different groups consisting of fatty acids, volatile alcohols, aldehydes, esters, volatile phenols and terpenes were analysed using gas chromatography mass spectrometry coupled with thermal desorption (TD-GC-MS). Among all these diversified classes, alcohols were found as the most dominant group followed by esters and acids whereas aldehydes, phenols and terpenes were found to be minor compounds. Among the varieties, Nielluccio wine recorded highest concentration of total volatile compounds (191.53mg/L) while, it was least in Caladoc wines (15.45mg/L). The principal component analysis clearly differentiated Grenache wines based on their relationships between scores and their aroma composition followed by Nielluccio and Cinsuat wines. Out of sixty four compounds, only six aromatic compounds viz. butanediol, isoamyl actate, γ-Terpene, butanol, acetic acid and furfural have satisfying aroma descriptors with floral and fruity nuances and contribute to differentiate the Grenache wines from other varieties which have similar scores in PC1 analysis. The cluster analysis also suggested that the wines in the same group (Cinsaut, Tempranillo and Syrah), (Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Caladoc and Merlot) and (Nielluccio and Petit Verdot) had similar aroma characterization. Grenache wines were well differentiated from the sub group formed by other red varieties.

Sjogren-Larsson syndrome associated hypermelanosis.

Sjogren - Larsson syndrome (SLS) is a rare autosomal recessive disease of the mutation ALDH3A2 that identifies a part of fatty acids for fatty aldehyde dehydrogenase: NAD-oxidoreductase enzyme complex. This study aimed to access variant ALDH3A2 gene coded for FALDH and products regulating pathogenic melanogenesis owing to increased oxidative stress and reactive oxygen species resulting in DNA harm in SLS. By turning them into fatty acids, FALDH avoids the accumulation of toxic fatty aldehydes. The mutation results in the accumulation of aldehyde-modified lipids or fatty alcohols that may interfere with skin and brain function. In Nov 2018, we performed a literature search in PubMed for clinical studies, clinical trials, case reports, controlled trials, randomized controlled trials, and systemic reviews. The search terms we used were "SJOGREN-LARSSON SYNDROME" AND "HYPERMELANNOSIS" OR "FALDH" (from 1985). The search resulted in 1,289 articles, out of these 95 articles met our inclusion exclusion criteria. Our inclusion criteria included relevant original articles relevant, critical systemic reviews, and crucial referenced articles, ex-clusion criteria included duplicates and articles not published in English language. Toxicity of long-chain aldehydes to FALDH-deficient cells owing to accumulation under the profound epidermis layer improves oxidative stress in the cell resulting in keratinocyte hyperproliferation. While it continues to be determined whether accumulated fatty alcohol and fatty aldehydes obtained from ether glycerolipids and sphingolipids improve the susceptibility of melanocytes and their element accountable for skin hyperpigmentation to biological colour.

Production of long-chain hydroxy fatty acids by Starmerella bombicola.

To decrease our dependency for the diminishing source of fossils resources, bio-based alternatives are being explored for the synthesis of commodity and high-value molecules. One example in this ecological initiative is the microbial production of the biosurfactant sophorolipids by the yeast Starmerella bombicola. Sophorolipids are surface-active molecules mainly used as household and laundry detergents. Because S. bombicola is able to produce high titers of sophorolipids, the yeast is also used to increase the portfolio of lipophilic compounds through strain engineering. Here, the one-step microbial production of hydroxy fatty acids by S. bombicola was accomplished by the selective blockage of three catabolic pathways through metabolic engineering. Successful production of 17.39 g/l (ω-1) linked hydroxy fatty acids was obtained by the successive blockage of the sophorolipid biosynthesis, the β-oxidation and the ω-oxidation pathways. Minor contamination of dicarboxylic acids and fatty aldehydes were successfully removed using flash chromatography. This way, S. bombicola was further expanded into a flexible production platform of economical relevant compounds in the chemical, food and cosmetic industries.

The effect of herpes viruses on antenatal programming of children's health

Objective: to assess the effect of viruses of herpes family in pregnant women on the health of children in the first half of their lives.A clinical and laboratory observation of 33 mother-child pairs was conducted. Of these, 25 women were from the risk group for intrauterine infection and 8 women were with a physiological course of pregnancy. The quantitative content of herpes virus markers was studied by their effect on cholesterol metabolism and symbiotic microbiota was studied by the quantitative content of long chain fatty acids and fatty aldehydes, phospholipids by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in all women at 34-37 weeks of gestation and their infants.It was revealed that pregnant women of “risk group” increased the quantitative content of herpes virus markers with the prevalence of herpes simplex virus (HSV) 1,2 types and its associations with cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV).A correlation was found between the degree of increase in markers of HSV, EBV, and CMV with that of the bacterial load of the intestine by conditionally pathogenic representatives and the deficiency of priority genera of the intestinal microbiota in mothers and the same indicators in their children.An increase in the quantitative content of herpes viruses, exceeding the norm by more than 2 times, is interconnected with the pathological course of pregnancy and the violation of the microecological status of pregnant women, which predicts the realization of somatic and infectious pathology in children in the first half of life.

Comparison of Differential Flavor Metabolites in Meat of Lubei White Goat, Jining Gray Goat and Boer Goat.

Flavor is one of the most important sensory characteristics of meat. The development of taste and aroma can be attributed to thousands of flavor molecules and precursors that are present in meat tissues. As a result, the identification of these flavor compounds and an improved understanding of their roles are necessary for improving the sensory quality and customer appeal of meat products. In the current study, we compared the metabolic profiles of meat specimens from the Lubei white goats (LBB), Boer goats (BE) and Jining grey goats (JNQ) by untargeted liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Our metabolomic data revealed that the three types of goat meat showed significantly different profiles of fatty acids, aldehydes, ketones, lactones, alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolics and drug residues, which could underpin the nuances of their flavors. Taken together, our results provided insights into the molecular basis for sensory variations between different goat meat products.

Drop-in biofuel production using fatty acid photodecarboxylase from Chlorella variabilis in the oleaginous yeast Yarrowia lipolytica

BackgroundOleaginous yeasts are potent hosts for the renewable production of lipids and harbor great potential for derived products, such as biofuels. Several promising processes have been described that produce hydrocarbon drop-in biofuels based on fatty acid decarboxylation and fatty aldehyde decarbonylation. Unfortunately, besides fatty aldehyde toxicity and high reactivity, the most investigated enzyme, aldehyde-deformylating oxygenase, shows unfavorable catalytic properties which hindered high yields in previous metabolic engineering approaches.ResultsTo demonstrate an alternative alkane production pathway for oleaginous yeasts, we describe the production of diesel-like, odd-chain alkanes and alkenes, by heterologously expressing a recently discovered light-driven oxidase from Chlorella variabilis (CvFAP) in Yarrowia lipolytica. Initial experiments showed that only strains engineered to have an increased pool of free fatty acids were susceptible to sufficient decarboxylation. Providing these strains with glucose and light in a synthetic medium resulted in titers of 10.9 mg/L of hydrocarbons. Using custom 3D printed labware for lighting bioreactors, and an automated pulsed glycerol fed-batch strategy, intracellular titers of 58.7 mg/L were achieved. The production of odd-numbered alkanes and alkenes with a length of 17 and 15 carbons shown in previous studies could be confirmed.ConclusionsOleaginous yeasts such as Yarrowia lipolytica can transform renewable resources such as glycerol into fatty acids and lipids. By heterologously expressing a fatty acid photodecarboxylase from the algae Chlorella variabilis hydrocarbons were produced in several scales from microwell plate to 400 mL bioreactors. The lighting turned out to be a crucial factor in terms of growth and hydrocarbon production, therefore, the evaluation of different conditions was an important step towards a tailor-made process. In general, the developed bioprocess shows a route to the renewable production of hydrocarbons for a variety of applications ranging from being substrates for further enzymatic or chemical modification or as a drop-in biofuel blend.

Investigation of fatty aldehyde and alcohol synthesis from fatty acids by αDox- or CAR-expressing Escherichia coli

Fatty aldehydes are among the most important flavor and fragrance compounds. Most biotechnological production approaches make use of the one step conversion of fatty acids from renewable sources by the enzymes α-dioxygenase (αDox) or carboxylic acid reductase (CAR). Their reaction mechanisms and cofactor dependencies are very different. In contrast to heme-containing αDox which requires only oxygen as cosubstrate, CAR needs NADPH and ATP, which is a clear argument for the application of a whole cell catalyst. Therefore we compared fatty acid biotransformations with growing Escherichia coli cells expressing αDox or CAR to investigate their suitability for fatty aldehyde and also fatty alcohol production. Our results show the main product of fatty acid conversions with αDox-expressing cells to be the expected Cn-1 aldehyde. However, 14% of the products consist of the corresponding alcohol, but in addition, 17% of the products consist of further shortened aldehydes, alcohols and acids that result from the consecutive activity of αDox and a putative endogenous fatty aldehyde dehydrogenase activity in E. coli. Conversely, CAR-expressing cells produced only the unshortened fatty aldehyde and alcohol, whereby the latter surprisingly accounts for at least 80% of the products. The considerably higher extend of aldehyde reduction of CAR-expressing cells was shown to be causally connected to the CAR-mediated fatty acid conversion. Our study provides an overview about the applicability of αDox- or CAR-based whole cell catalysts and gives a detailed description of side products as well as suggestions for tailored strain engineering.

Genetic assessment of ten Egyptian patients with Sjögren-Larsson syndrome: expanding the clinical spectrum and reporting a novel ALDH3A2 mutation.

Assessment of ten Egyptian patients with Sjögren-Larsson syndrome (SLS) detected; unusual clinical manifestations, a first report of brain atrophy in SLS, some patients exhibited neither retinal dots nor white matter changes previously reported as essential manifestations. We identified five mutations in ALDH3A2 gene including a novel one and suggest a founder effect. Sjögren-Larsson syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive inborn error of lipid metabolism caused by mutations in the ALDH3A2 gene that codes for fatty aldehyde dehydrogenase and result in a triad of ichthyosis, spasticity, and mental retardation. Clinical, radiological, biochemical, and neurophysiological evaluation in ten SLS patients descending from seven unrelated Egyptian pedigrees was followed by Sanger sequencing of ALDH3A2 performed by ABI 3500. All patients presented with SLS triad; ichthyosis, spasticity of four limbs and hyperreflexia with an intelligent quotient (IQ) ranging from (39 to 69). Other manifestations were dysmorphic features, seizures, and skeletal and ophthalmological affection. Mutational analysis of ALDH3A2 gene revealed three missense, one splice site, and one novel stop codon mutation; c.991G>T (p.E331X). Biochemical studies showed decrease of fatty aldehyde dehydrogenase activity. Our results reinforce the distinct clinical, radiological, and biochemical features of ALDH3A2-related SLS which are the clue for targeted molecular testing. Moreover, we present additional unreported clinical findings and a novel mutation thus expanding the phenotypic and mutational spectrum of this rare disorder.

Cilantro leaf harbors a potent potassium channel-activating anticonvulsant.

Herbs have a long history of use as folk medicine anticonvulsants, yet the underlying mechanisms often remain unknown. Neuronal voltage-gated potassium channel subfamily Q (KCNQ) dysfunction can cause severe epileptic encephalopathies that are resistant to modern anticonvulsants. Here we report that cilantro (Coriandrum sativum), a widely used culinary herb that also exhibits antiepileptic and other therapeutic activities, is a highly potent KCNQ channel activator. Screening of cilantro leaf metabolites revealed that one, the long-chain fatty aldehyde (E)-2-dodecenal, activates multiple KCNQs, including the predominant neuronal isoform, KCNQ2/KCNQ3 [half maximal effective concentration (EC50), 60 ± 20 nM], and the predominant cardiac isoform, KCNQ1 in complexes with the type I transmembrane ancillary subunit (KCNE1) (EC50, 260 ± 100 nM). (E)-2-dodecenal also recapitulated the anticonvulsant action of cilantro, delaying pentylene tetrazole-induced seizures. In silico docking and mutagenesis studies identified the (E)-2-dodecenal binding site, juxtaposed between residues on the KCNQ S5 transmembrane segment and S4-5 linker. The results provide a molecular basis for the therapeutic actions of cilantro and indicate that this ubiquitous culinary herb is surprisingly influential upon clinically important KCNQ channels.-Manville, R. W., Abbott, G. W. Cilantro leaf harbors a potent potassium channel-activating anticonvulsant.

Phenotypic and mutational spectrum of thirty-five patients with Sjögren-Larsson syndrome: identification of eleven novel ALDH3A2 mutations and founder effects.

Sjögren-Larsson syndrome (SLS) is a rare neurocutaneous disorder characterized by congenital ichthyosis, spastic diplegia and intellectual disability. It is an inborn error of lipid metabolism caused by biallelic mutations in the ALDH3A2 gene encoding the fatty aldehyde dehydrogenase that plays a pivotal role in metabolism of long-chain aliphatic aldehydes and alcohols. In this report, we describe the clinical, neuro-radiological and molecular findings of 35 patients with SLS. All patients shared the typical clinical manifestations of SLS including spasticity, ichthyosis and intellectual disability. Brain MRI demonstrated deep while matter affection in all patients that varied in severity. Mutational analysis of the ALDH3A2 gene revealed 16 distinct mutations including 11 previously unreported ones. Three mutations (p.S365L, p.R9* and p.G400R) were recurrent in our patients with frequencies ranging from 12 to 24%. Interestingly, patients carrying the two new mutations p.R9* and p.G400R shared similar haplotypes suggesting possible founder effects in our population. In conclusion, we present a large cohort of patients from the same ethnicity with the characteristic clinical and brain imaging findings of SLS but with variable inter and intra familial severity and expressivity. We also identified many novel and founder ALDH3A2 mutations thus expanding the mutational spectrum of the disorder.

Improvement of the aroma of lily rice wine by using aroma-producing yeast strain Wickerhamomyces anomalus HN006

A fruity aroma-producing yeast strain was isolated with the aim of improving the aroma of fermented lily rice wine, and identified as Wickerhamomyces anomalus HN006. In addition, the effects of adding solid residues of previous fermentation cycles, and of fungus α-amylase and W. anomalus HN006 supplementation on the biochemical parameters of lily rice wine were evaluated. The optimum quality of the wine, in terms of ethanol and residual sugar content, acidity levels and aroma, was obtained with 5% (w/v) solid residue addition, and supplementation with 10 U/g fungal α-amylase and 2% (v/v) W. anomalus inoculum on the 4th day of fermentation. Volatile compound profiles, the total amount of amino acids and the sensory characteristics of the lily rice wines produced by the two fermentation processes were also evaluated and compared. The lily rice wine obtained from our optimized experimental technology produced higher amounts of some esters, free fatty acids, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, alkenes, volatile phenol and thiazole, in addition to higher total amino acid content and sensory scores compared to the traditionally brewed wine. Our process resulted in an intensification and improvement of lily rice wine aroma.

Effects of selenium supplementation on chemical composition and aromatic profiles of cow milk and its derived cheese

This study aimed to investigate the effect of dietary selenium supplementation of Friesian cows on chemical-nutritional and volatile fraction of caciocavallo cheese. A sample of 32 Friesian cows, balanced for parity, milk production, and days in milk, were randomly assigned to 2 groups. The control group (CG) was fed with a conventional feeding strategy, while the experimental group (SeG) received a daily selenomethionine supplementation of 0.45 mg/kg in total mixed ration. During the experimental period, milk yield was monitored, and samples of milk and caciocavallo cheese were collected and analyzed to obtain information on chemical-nutritional composition and volatile compounds profile. Dietary Se integration did not induce variations on milk yield or composition but significantly lowered the somatic cell count (SCC). In both milk and cheese, samples from SeG were characterized by a lower concentration of saturated fatty acids (SFA) and increases in linoleic and rumenic acids. The volatile compounds profile of dairy products was also positively affected by dietary Se intake, with an increase in concentration of free fatty acids, esters, and aldehydes. These results suggest that Se plays a positive role in improving bovine mammary gland functionality and the nutraceutical properties of milk and caciocavallo cheese made therefrom. Such findings could contribute to the production of cheeses with interesting organoleptic properties, although further sensorial evaluations should be performed to deeply investigate these changes and confirm consumer acceptability.

PeSHN1 regulates water-use efficiency and drought tolerance by modulating wax biosynthesis in poplar

Wax, a hydrophobic structure that provides an effective waterproof barrier to the leaves, is an important drought adaptation trait for preventing water loss. However, limited knowledge exists regarding the molecular mechanisms underlying wax biosynthesis in trees. Here, PeSHN1, an AP2/ethylene response factor transcription factor, was isolated from a fast-growing poplar Populus × euramericana cv. 'Neva' clone. To study the potential biological functions of PeSHN1, transgenic 84K poplar (Populus alba × Populus glandulosa) plants overexpressing PeSHN1 were generated. PeSHN1 overexpression resulted in decreased transpiration, increased water-use efficiency (WUE) and increased drought tolerance. The transgenic poplar plants exhibited increased wax accumulation and altered wax composition, mainly because of a substantial increase in long-chain (>C30) fatty acids, aldehydes and alkanes. Gene expression analyses revealed that many genes involved in wax biosynthesis were induced in the PeSHN1 overexpression plants. In addition, chromatin immunoprecipitation-PCR assays and dual luciferase assays revealed that at least one of those genes, LACS2, is likely targeted by PeSHN1. Moreover, the PeSHN1 overexpression plants maintained higher photosynthetic activity and accumulated more biomass under drought stress conditions. Taken together, these results suggest that PeSHN1 regulates both WUE and drought tolerance in poplar by modulating wax biosynthesis and that altered PeSHN1 expression could represent a novel approach (altering the wax trait on leaf surfaces to increase WUE) for breeding drought-tolerant plants.

Mechanisms of tanshinone Ⅱ_A in reducing 4-HNE-induced hepatocyte damage by activating PPARα

Tanshinone Ⅱ_A( Tan Ⅱ_A),the liposoluble constituents of Salvia miltiorrhiza,can not only ameliorate the lipidic metabolism and decrease the concentration of lipid peroxidation,but also resist oxidation damage,scavenge free radicals and control inflammation,with a protective effect on prognosis after liver function impairment. Therefore,the studies on the exact mechanism of Tan Ⅱ_A in protecting the liver can provide important theoretical and experimental basis for the prevention and treatment effect of Tan Ⅱ_A for liver injury. In the present study,the protective effects and mechanism of Tan Ⅱ_A on 4-hydroxynonenal( 4-HNE)-induced liver injury were investigated in vitro. Normal liver tissues NCTC 1469 cells were used to induce hepatocytes oxidative damages by 4-HNE treatment. The protective effect of Tan Ⅱ_A on hepatocytes oxidative damages was detected by release amount of lactate dehydrogenase( LDH) analysis and hoechst staining. The protein expression changes of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α( PPARα) and peroxisome proliferator response element( PPRE) were analyzed by Western blot analysis in NCTC 1469 cells before and after Tan Ⅱ_A treatment. The gene expression changes of fatty aldehyde dehydrogenase( FALDH) were analyzed by Real-time polymerase chain reaction( PCR) analysis. The results showed that 4-HNE increased the release amount of LDH,lowered the cell viability of NCTC 1469 cells,and Tan Ⅱ_A reversed 4-HNE-induced hepatocyte damage. Western blot analysis and RT-PCR analysis results showed that 4-HNE decreased the expression of PPARα and FALDH and increased the expression of 4-HNE. However,the expression of PPARα and FALDH were increased significantly and the expression of 4-HNE was decreased obviously after Tan Ⅱ_A treatment. This study confirmed that the curative effect of Tan Ⅱ_A was obvious on hepatocytes damage,and the mechanism may be associated with activating PPARα and FALDH expression as well as scavenging 4-HNE.