Species Of Caryophyllaceae Research Articles

The complete chloroplast genome of Spergularia marina (Caryophyllaceae) and its phylogenetic analysis

Spergularia marina (L.) Griseb, 1843 (Caryophyllaceae) is a halophytic plant widely distributed along the southwestern coast of the Korean Peninsula. In this study, the complete chloroplast genome sequence of S. marina was determined using next-generation sequencing (NGS). The chloroplast genome of S. marina is 152,460 bp in length with 36.7% GC content. It comprises a large single-copy (LSC; 83,321), a small single copy (SSC; 17,205 bp), and a pair of inverted repeats (IRs; 25,967 bp) with a typical quadripartite structure. It consists of 131 genes, including 86 protein-coding genes, 8 ribosomal RNAs, and 37 transfer RNAs. Phylogenetic analysis using complete chloroplast genomes showed that among the 17 Caryophyllaceae species, S. marina is most closely related to Spergula arvensis. Since no complete chloroplast genome of the genus Spergularia has been reported to date, our study provides useful genetic information for determining phylogenetic relationships within the Caryophyllaceae.

Chloroplast Genome Sequences and Phylogenetic Analysis of Eight Newly Sequenced Caryophyllaceae Species.

Caryophyllaceae is a big family composed of many economic and medicinal species. However, the phylogeny of the family is insufficient and genome data are lacking for many species. Using next-generation sequencing (NGS) to acquire the chloroplast (cp) genomes of Eremogone acicularis (F.N.Williams) Ikonn., E. brevipetala (Tsui & L.H.Zhou) Sadeghian & Zarre, E. bryophylla (Fernald) Pusalkar & D.K.Singh, E. kansuensis (Maxim.) Dillenb. & Kadereit, Shivparvatia glanduligera (Edgew.) Pusalkar & D.K.Singh, Silene atsaensis (Marq.) Bocquet, S. caespitella Williams, and S. lhassana (Williams) Majumdar. Bioinformatic software was used to conduct the comparative genome and phylogeny analysis of these cp genomes. The eight cp genomes were 132 188-151 919 bp in length, containing 130-132 genes. A/T was dominant in simple sequence repeats (SSRs). Forward repeats and palindromic repeats were the most frequent in long terminal repeats (LTRs). Compared with the four species of Eremogone Fenzl, theinverted repeat (IR) boundaries of S. caespitella, S. atsaensis, S. lhassana, and Sh. glanduligera were significantly expanded. Four and one mutational hotspots were identified in the large single copy (LSC) region and small single copy (SSC) region, respectively. The ratio of nonsynonymous substitution to synonymous substitution (Ka/Ks ratio) showed these cp genomes may have undergone strong purifying selection. In the phylogenetic trees, both Silene L. and Eremogone were monophyletic groups. However, Sh. glanduligera was closely related to Amaranthus hypochondriacus. These results have provided new evidence and useful information for species identification, evolution, and genetic research on the Caryophyllaceae. In this study, eight newly sequenced cp genomes of Caryophyllaceae species were reported for the first time.

Sileneophioglossa (Caryophyllaceae, Sileneae), a new species from southwest China.

Sileneophioglossa Huan C. Wang & Feng Yang, a new species of Caryophyllaceae, is here described and illustrated based on morphological and molecular evidence. The new species was found in Sichuan and Yunnan provinces, southwest China. Phylogenetic analysis based on ITS sequences showed this new species belongs to section Cucubaloides. Morphologically, it resembles S.phoenicodonta and S.viscidula, which were also found in the southwest China, but clearly differs from the latter two species by having 5-7 mm long calyces with sparsely hirtellous and short glandular hairs, white petals, linear limbs and lobes, and absent or oblong-linear coronal scales. A distribution map and a table with morphological diagnostic characters of new species and its closest relatives are provided, as well as a preliminary conservation assessment of S.ophioglossa under the IUCN criteria.

The chromosome-level genome of Gypsophila paniculata reveals the molecular mechanism of floral development and ethylene insensitivity.

Gypsophila paniculata, belonging to the Caryophyllaceae of the Caryophyllales, is one of the most famous worldwide cut flowers. It is commonly used as dried flowers, whereas the underlying mechanism of flower senescence has not yet been addressed. Here, we present a chromosome-scale genome assembly for G. paniculata with a total size of 749.58 Mb. Whole-genome duplication signatures unveil two major duplication events in its evolutionary history: an ancient one occurring before the divergence of Caryophyllaceae and a more recent one shared with Dianthus caryophyllus. The integrative analyses combining genomic and transcriptomic data reveal the mechanisms regulating floral development and ethylene response of G. paniculata. The reduction of AGAMOUS expression probably caused by sequence polymorphism and the mutation in miR172 binding site of PETALOSA are associated with the double flower formation in G. paniculata. The low expression of ETHYLENE RESPONSE SENSOR (ERS) and the reduction of downstream ETHYLENE RESPONSE FACTOR (ERF) gene copy number collectively lead to the ethylene insensitivity of G. paniculata, affecting flower senescence and making it capable of making dried flowers. This study provides a cornerstone for understanding the underlying principles governing floral development and flower senescence, which could accelerate the molecular breeding of the Caryophyllaceae species.

Polycarpaea palakkadensis (Caryophyllaceae), a new species from Kerala, South-West India

Polycarpaea palakkadensis, a new species of Caryophyllaceae from the hillocks of Palakkad District (Kerala, India) is described and illustrated. P. palakkadensis is morphologically similar to P. rangaiahiana from which differs in having fused ovate bracts, capilliform bracteoles, linear stipules, ovate-cordate petals, filaments much shorter than anther, capsule with 1–2 ovoid elliptical seeds.

Seasonal variation in AMF colonisation, soil and plant nutrient content in gypsum specialist and generalist species growing in P-poor soils

AimsGypsum soils are P-limited atypical soils that harbour a rich endemic flora. These singular soils are usually found in drylands, where plant activity and soil nutrient availability are seasonal. No previous studies have analysed the seasonality of P nutrition and its interaction with the arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi (AMF) colonisation in gypsum plants. Our aim was to evaluate the seasonal changes in plant nutrient status, AMF colonisation and rhizospheric soil nutrient availability in gypsum specialist and generalist species.MethodsWe evaluated seasonal variation in the proportion of root length colonised by AMF structures (hyphae, vesicules and arbuscules), plant nutrient status (leaf C, N and P and fine root C and N) and rhizospheric soil content (P, organic matter, nitrate and ammonium) of three gypsum specialists and two generalists throughout a year.ResultsAll species showed arbuscules within roots, including species of Caryophyllaceae and Brassicaceae. Root colonisation by arbuscules (AC) was higher in spring than in other seasons, when plants showed high leaf P-requirements. Higher AC was decoupled from inorganic N and P availability in rhizospheric soil, and foliar nutrient content. Generalists showed higher AC than specialists, but only in spring.ConclusionsSeasonality was found in AMF colonisation, rhizospheric soil content and plant nutrient status. The mutualism between plants and AMF was highest in spring, when P-requirements are higher for plants, especially in generalists. However, AMF decoupled from plant demands in autumn, when nutrient availability increases in rhizospheric soil.

Cancer Treatment by Caryophyllaceae-Type Cyclopeptides.

Cancer is one of the leading diseases, which, in the most cases, ends with death and, thus, continues to be a major concern in human beings worldwide. The conventional anticancer agents used in the clinic often face resistance among many cancer diseases. Moreover, heavy financial costs preclude patients from continuing treatment. Bioactive peptides, active in several diverse areas against man’s health problems, such as infection, pain, hypertension, and so on, show the potential to be effective in cancer treatment and may offer promise as better candidates for combating cancer. Cyclopeptides, of natural or synthetic origin, have several advantages over other drug molecules with low toxicity and low immunogenicity, and they are easily amenable to several changes in their sequences. Given their many demanded homologues, they have created new hope of discovering better compounds with desired properties in the field of challenging cancer diseases. Caryophyllaceae-type cyclopeptides show several biological activities, including cancer cytotoxicity. These cyclopeptides have been discovered in several plant families but mainly are from the Caryophyllaceae family. In this review, a summary of biological activities found for these cyclopeptides is given; the focus is on the anticancer findings of these peptides. Among these cyclopeptides, information about Dianthins (including Longicalycinin A), isolated from different species of Caryophyllaceae, as well as their synthetic analogues is detailed. Finally, by comparing their structures and cytotoxic activities, finding the common figures of these kinds of cyclopeptides as well as their possible future place in the clinic for cancer treatment is put forward.

Hofmeister’s Rule’s Paradox: Explaining the Changeable Carpel Position in Caryophyllaceae

Premise of research. In Caryophyllaceae with a gynoecium isomerous with the other floral whorls, carpels can be in either antesepalous or antepetalous position. Morphologists have long been unable to find a unifying hypothesis to explain the different carpel positions in Caryophyllaceae, as variation in carpel position breaks with Hofmeister’s rule of alternating whorls.Methodology. In this study, we investigate the floral development of six species of Caryophyllaceae with isomerous flowers using scanning electron microscopy to clarify the differences between carpel positions and whether developmental modes are responsible. Special attention is paid to the correlation between the development of carpels and other floral organs.Pivotal results. In Spergula arvensis, Agrostemma githago, and Myosoton aquaticum, carpels are in antepetalous position, while the antesepalous stamens develop more centrally in a sequence inverse to the sepals. In Cerastium glomeratum and Silene diocia, carpels are in antesepalous position, while the antesepalous stamens do not show an inverse development and are inserted almost at the same level as antepetalous stamens. In Lychnis flos-cuculi, the carpels are not clearly in an antesepalous or antepetalous radius, and the development of antesepalous stamens shows a slight unequal growth.Conclusions. Developmental evidence rejects the hypothesis that the developmental modes of carpels are the reason for the different carpel positions. Carpel position is correlated with the developmental sequence of antesepalous stamens and the level of emergence of antepetalous stamens on the floral apex. Space availability and pressure exercised by the sepals is responsible for the unequal development and a more central position of antesepalous stamens, with those opposite the inner sepals developing faster, causing the carpels to shift to an antepetalous position. With greater availability of space, antesepalous stamens initiate simultaneously or continue the sequence of sepal initiation, and all stamens are more or less equidistant from the apex; the antesepalous stamens do not display an inverse development, and the carpels initiate in antesepalous position, which is consistent with Hofmeister’s rule.

<p><strong>A new species of <em>Polycarpaea </em>(Caryophyllaceae) from India</strong></p>

Polycarpaea rangaiahiana, a new species of Caryophyllaceae from the lateritic plains of Kannur District, Kerala, India is described and illustrated. P. rangaiahiana is morphologically similar to P. aurea from which differs in having ovate-lanceolate stipules with fimbriate margin and other floral characters. The name P. aurea is discussed from the nomenclatural point of view and a second-step typification was proposed.

The complete chloroplast genome of Prince Ginseng, Pseudostellaria heterophylla (Miq.) Pax (Caryophyllaceae)

We presented complete chloroplast genome of Prince Ginseng, Pseudostellaria heterophylla which is 149,795 bp long and has four subregions: 81,460 bp of large single copy (LSC) and 16,983 bp of small single copy (SSC) regions are separated by 25,676 bp of inverted repeat (IR) regions including 126 genes (81 CDS, 8 rRNAs, and 37 tRNAs). The overall GC content of the chloroplast genome is 36.5% and those in the LSC, SSC, and IR regions are 34.3%, 29.4%, and 42.3%, respectively. Phylogenetic trees of 25 Caryophyllaceae species present phylogenetic position of P. heterophylla among available Pseudostellaria species.

Effect of indole-3-butyric acid application type and concentration on rooting efficacy in three endemic rare-endangered Dianthus species with conservation priority

Efficient propagation of uniform starting material is a critical requirement for mass production of most ornamental plants. Conservation and protection of rare-threatened plants and sustainable exploitation of biodiversity can be achieved through ex situ conservation actions. Therefore, propagation experiments were carried out on three endemic Caryophyllaceae species with limited spread and conservation priority: Dianthus ingoldbyi, Dianthus juniperinus subsp. bauhinorum and Dianthus fruticosus subsp. occidentalis. Softwood top cuttings were used in the middle of winter for D. fruticosus (6-7 cm) and D. juniperinus (5-6 cm) and in early spring for D. ingoldbyi (4-5 cm). The base of cuttings was immersed for 1 min in solutions of four IBA concentrations (0, 1000, 2000 and 4000 ppm) and also dusted with 0.066% and 0.2% IBA (in powder form). The cuttings were placed in a peat: perlite (1:3) substrate on a heated greenhouse mist. The most appropriate treatment for D. ingoldbyi (7 weeks) was 2000 ppm IBA (15.07 roots3.06 cm long, 100% rooting). In D. juniperinus, 1000 ppm IBA gave the highest rooting (57.14%) with 39.75 roots 7.49 cm long (8 weeks). Rooting of D. fruticosus was more effective (45.33 roots 5.85 cm long, 28.57% rooting) with 1000 ppm IBA (8 weeks).

A Morphological Comparative Study for the Species of Caryophyllaceae in Middle and North of Iraq

In this study, 12 species were studied within 8 species belonging to the Caryophyllaceae family in central and northern Iraq. The study examined the similarities and differences in the morphological characteristics of the roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits and seeds. The study showed that Stellaria media was the longest species with a length of 74.6 cm The longest roots appeared in the type Spergulariarubrawas 26.35 mm and the lowest root length was in the type Stellaria mediaof 5.6 mm, while the length of the parasites in the legs was the most in the type of Saponoariaofficiualis and 10.3 cm, and characterized the papers in the species under study being simple Simple blades Not divided or fragmented Cauline leaves, in the form of sessile leaves, do not have a pregnant and arranged opposite. The opposite of the two bases is the two sides of the joint, which are bound together with a part of the salami containing the enzymes. The leaves differed in terms of blade shapes, peaks and base, but they were similar on the edge of the bladeAs it was flat and smooth Entire and the highest rate of the length of the blade in the type Spergulariarubra 52.7 mm and was the lowest in the type Saginaapetala and 11.8 mm, and resembled flowers in all species under study in terms of forms, consisting of 5 leaves petals composition, and varied in colors, Solitary or massively aggregated The difference in the shape of the fruits in the species under study was ellipticin Cerastiumper foliatum, Saginaapetala, Saginasaginoides, Spergulariarubra and Stellaria mediacapsule capsule in Cerastiumdichotomum, while the seeds showed clear differences in dimensions and shapes and inscriptions was the longest In Vaccaria Hispanica and 148.9 micrometres in Saginasaginoides, 33.5 micrometers. The seed of the Cerastiumperfoliatum was characterized by a seeded wing that was not observed in other species. Its surface inscriptions were fine-reticulate in Saponoariaofficinalis, Stellaria media, Telephiumimperatic and Saginasaginoidesand Spergulariarubra Vaccariahispanica and free of inscriptions in Vaccariasagetalis. The study included 12 species of pink family spread in central and northern Iraq: Cerastiumdichotomum, Cerastiumperfoliatum, Minuartiapicta, Saginaapetala, Saginasaginouides, Saponoariaofficiualis, Spergulariamarain, Spergulariarubra, Stellaria media, Telephiumimperatic, Vaccariahispenica, Vaccariasagetalis.

The complete chloroplast genome sequences of Lychnis wilfordii and Silene capitata and comparative analyses with other Caryophyllaceae genomes.

The complete chloroplast genomes of Lychnis wilfordii and Silene capitata were determined and compared with ten previously reported Caryophyllaceae chloroplast genomes. The chloroplast genome sequences of L. wilfordii and S. capitata contain 152,320 bp and 150,224 bp, respectively. The gene contents and orders among 12 Caryophyllaceae species are consistent, but several microstructural changes have occurred. Expansion of the inverted repeat (IR) regions at the large single copy (LSC)/IRb and small single copy (SSC)/IR boundaries led to partial or entire gene duplications. Additionally, rearrangements of the LSC region were caused by gene inversions and/or transpositions. The 18 kb inversions, which occurred three times in different lineages of tribe Sileneae, were thought to be facilitated by the intermolecular duplicated sequences. Sequence analyses of the L. wilfordii and S. capitata genomes revealed 39 and 43 repeats, respectively, including forward, palindromic, and reverse repeats. In addition, a total of 67 and 56 simple sequence repeats were discovered in the L. wilfordii and S. capitata chloroplast genomes, respectively. Finally, we constructed phylogenetic trees of the 12 Caryophyllaceae species and two Amaranthaceae species based on 73 protein-coding genes using both maximum parsimony and likelihood methods.

Ten years of progress in the study of Hadena-Caryophyllaceae nursery pollination. A review in light of new Mediterranean data

Nursery pollination interactions are widespread between Caryophyllaceae species and the pollinating-seed predator Hadena moths (Noctuidae). A previous revision of this system was based mainly on widely distributed species in the north and center of Europe. However, there was no information from the Mediterranean region, one of the global diversification centers of both taxa. The aim of this work is to review the progress on the knowledge of this nursery pollination system since the first revision, providing unpublished data of Caryophyllaceae-Hadena associations from Spain. Furthermore, we conduct a preliminary network analysis to illustrate the advantages of this approach to explore nursery pollination systems.In the last 10 years, most of studies have focused on selective forces exerted by Hadena on the plant reproductive traits through pollination and predation. Hadena moths are selectively attracted by flower scents, flower sizes and number of flowers per plant are also crucial for attraction of the moths. Caryophyllaceae species may have developed some phenological, chemical, morphogical and physiological adaptations to avoid overexploitation by larvae. The evolution of sexual dimorphism in Caryophyllaceae may be a consequence of mutualistic and antagonistic interactions. Other pollinators as well as an anther smut fungus and larval parasitoids are important selective agents that can shift this interaction between mutualism and parasitism. Whereas most studies highlighted the parasitic nature of the Hadena-Caryophyllaceae interaction, we need further analyses on the pollinator effectiveness of Hadena and on the spatio-temporal variation of the interaction outcome. Based on our field surveys and bibliographic records we found evidence of nursery pollination between 22 noctuid species (mostly Hadena) and 70 Caryophyllaceae species from 11 genera (mostly Silene and Dianthus). From these interactions, 26 were new for the Iberian Peninsula and 18 were not described before. Results of our preliminary network analysis suggest that these interactions are constrained by phylogenetic, geographical and ecological filters.

Characterisation of betalain biosynthesis in Parakeelya flowers identifies the key biosynthetic gene DOD as belonging to an expanded LigB gene family that is conserved in betalain-producing species.

Plant betalain pigments are intriguing because they are restricted to the Caryophyllales and are mutually exclusive with the more common anthocyanins. However, betalain biosynthesis is poorly understood compared to that of anthocyanins. In this study, betalain production and betalain-related genes were characterized in Parakeelya mirabilis (Montiaceae). RT-PCR and transcriptomics identified three sequences related to the key biosynthetic enzyme Dopa 4,5-dioxgenase (DOD). In addition to a LigB gene similar to that of non-Caryophyllales species (Class I genes), two other P. mirabilis LigB genes were found (DOD and DOD-like, termed Class II). PmDOD and PmDOD-like had 70% amino acid identity. Only PmDOD was implicated in betalain synthesis based on transient assays of enzyme activity and correlation of transcript abundance to spatio-temporal betalain accumulation. The role of PmDOD-like remains unknown. The striking pigment patterning of the flowers was due to distinct zones of red betacyanin and yellow betaxanthin production. The major betacyanin was the unglycosylated betanidin rather than the commonly found glycosides, an occurrence for which there are a few previous reports. The white petal zones lacked pigment but had DOD activity suggesting alternate regulation of the pathway in this tissue. DOD and DOD-like sequences were also identified in other betalain-producing species but not in examples of anthocyanin-producing Caryophyllales or non-Caryophyllales species. A Class I LigB sequence from the anthocyanin-producing Caryophyllaceae species Dianthus superbus and two DOD-like sequences from the Amaranthaceae species Beta vulgaris and Ptilotus spp. did not show DOD activity in the transient assay. The additional sequences suggests that DOD is part of a larger LigB gene family in betalain-producing Caryophyllales taxa, and the tandem genomic arrangement of two of the three B. vulgaris LigB genes suggests the involvement of duplication in the gene family evolution.

Cytotoxic effects of four Caryophyllaceae species extracts on macrophage cell lines

Context: Saponins have been reported to possess antitumor properties, to inhibit angiogenesis and to induce tumor apoptosis.Objective: To test the possible cytotoxic effect of crude extracts from four Caryophyllaceae species including Gypsophila paniculata L., Gypsophila trichotoma Wend., Saponaria officinalis L., and Dianthus sylvestris Wulffen on cultured monocyte/macrophage cell lines.Materials and methods: After acid hydrolysis of the methanol-aqueous extracts, two representative prosaponins of the Caryophyllaceae, gypsogenin 3-O-glucuronide and quillaic acid 3-O-glucuronide were purified using solid-phase extraction (SPE), then identified by ultra-performance liquid chromatography–electrospray/mass spectrometry (UPLC-ESI/MS). Cytotoxic activity of the crude extracts at concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 200 µg/ml was evaluated on rat alveolar macrophage NR8383 and human monocytic THP-1 cell lines. Apoptosis was determined by measuring caspase-3 activity.Results: Quantitative analysis by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) revealed a high content of gypsogenin 3-O-glucuronide in Gypsophila species roots (0.52–1.13% dry weight). At a concentration ≥10 µg/ml of crude extracts, a significant reduction of NR8383 and THP-1 cell lines viability was evidenced using the Trypan blue exclusion test. D. sylvestris extract exhibited the highest toxicity against THP-1 cells. Caspase-3 activation was evidenced after 4 and 24 h incubation of macrophages with 100 µg/ml of S. officinalis and G. trichotoma extracts, indicating apoptosis induction.Discussion and conclusion: Crude extracts from the assayed species revealed cytotoxic effects toward macrophage cell lines. In Gypsophila species, gypsogenin 3-O-glucuronide derivatives could be responsible for the observed cytotoxicity. Therefore, crude extract of Caryophyllaceae is worth investigating for the potential development of agents against cancer cells.

Phytoecdysteroids of Caryophyllaceae Juss.

Distribution of phytoecdysteroids is analyzed in the family Caryophyllaceae, which includes a large number of ecdysteroid-containing species. Species of this family synthesize a wide variety of steroid compounds, insect molting and metamorphosis hormones, many of which are not found in other plants. Most of the species of Caryophyllaceae are characterized by high levels of phytoecdysteroids. The flowers of the perennial Silene frivaldszkyana accumulate up to 7% 20-hydroxyecdysone.

Seed Diversity among Certain Species of Caryophyllaceae in Egypt

Seed Diversity among Certain Species of Caryophyllaceae in Egypt

No Evidence of Sex‐Differential Pollen Limitation at the Flower Level in the Gynodioecious Gypsophila repens Infected by Microbotryum violaceum

Because in gynodioecious species females are expected to be more pollen limited than hermaphrodites, we tested for sex-differential pollen limitation at the flower level, comparing fruit production and fecundity between open-pollinated and hand-pollinated flowers of Gypsophila repens (Caryophyllaceae) over two years. No sex difference in pollen limitation was found. Hand-pollination increased fruit and seed production in the first year of the study but not in the second, and it actually decreased fruit set in the latter year, although overall fecundity was higher in that year. Ovule number differed between years, with perfect flowers containing more ovules in the second year. Gypsophila repens harbors the anther smut fungus Microbotryum violaceum, which infects and sterilizes many species of Caryophyllaceae. In G. repens, however, some infected plants are capable of seed production, although their fecundity is far lower than that of healthy plants. Seed production was not pollen limited even with the high percentage of infected individuals that could reduce the quantity of pollen available at the population level.

Sex‐Ratio Bias in Populations of the Phytopathogenic FungusMicrobotryum violaceumfrom Several Host Species

The present study explores the maintenance of a segregation distortion in the phytopathogenic fungus Microbotryum violaceum (anther smut). Some individuals of this species produce spores with completely biased sex ratio because of the presence of haplo‐lethal alleles linked to the mating‐type gene. To test the different hypotheses proposed to explain the maintenance of these haplo‐lethal alleles (diploid advantage to counterbalance haploid deleterious effects, neutrality of haplo‐lethal alleles only in populations with high interstrain competition, and complete neutrality), sex‐ratio bias was investigated in natural European populations of M. violaceum from Silene latifolia and other species of Caryophyllaceae. The negative relationship observed between proportions of strains expressing a sex‐ratio bias and disease prevalence was opposite the one predicted by the second hypothesis. On the contrary, the pattern of the variances, with proportions of biased strains more extreme in smaller populations, fitted perfectly with the prediction of the third hypothesis. Experimental studies are now needed to confirm the complete neutrality of the haplo‐lethal alleles linked to the mating‐type gene in M. violaceum.