Thermopsis Turcica Research Articles

Cyborg Encounters: Three Art-Science Interactions

This contribution includes three selected works from an exhibition on Cyborg Encounters. These works deal with hybrid connections of human and non-human species that (might) emerge as a result of enhancement technologies and bio-technological developments. They offer not only an artistic exploration of contemporary but also futuristic aspects of the subject. Followed by an introduction by Melike Şahinol, Critically Endangered Artwork (by Ayşe Melis Okay) highlights Turkey’s ongoing problems of food poverty and the amount of decreasing agricultural lands. It displays seeds of a promising endemic plant to mitigate these problems using the seeds of the Thermopsis Turcica, a herbaceous perennial endemic plant. Ecomasculinist Pregnancy (by Burak Taşdizen and Charles John McKinnon Bell) follows the design fiction methodology and illustrates a future scenario through a patient’s diary and the medical letters he receives during his pregnancy with an extinct sea-lion. Polluted Homes (by Beyza Dilem Topdal) is a fictional art installation consisting of polychaete species evolved in time under the ecological circumstances prevalent in the Bosphorus and the Sea of Marmara today. These works show, that manufacturing life has consequences, not only for the human body and its physical appearance, but also, for example, for gender orders, the social structure of society, and even the environment, and thus for (re)shaping (non)living matter and their environments. This Art-Science Collection intends to provide an impetus for debate about the extent to which cyborg encounters should be taken seriously.

Isolation and Expression Analysis of Meristem Gene <i>CLV</i>2 and Carpel Generation Gene (<i>CRC</i>) from Multi-Carpel Structure of <i>Thermopsis turcica</i>

Thermopsis turcica is an endemic species of wild legume in Türkiye. The plant produces flower pistils with unusual morphological properties. The aim of this study was to determine the factors controlling the interesting feature of this plant. Particularly the controlling features of the flower meristem and the pistils that mutations in two genes and helps occurring the number of flower organs and can cause abnormalities, This study has attempted to explore the controlling feature of Thermopsis turcica, the young bud Arabidopsis CLV2, and CRC gene homologs were isolated and analyzed in different tissues. First, with total RNA isolated from the first thread degenerated primers synthesized cDNA expressions, second with a partial length cDNA cloning process made and the replicated set of analyses. The full-length cDNA of genes related to RACE analysis was carried out with the sequencing process. The real-time PCR method was applied for gene functional analyses with buds, sepals, petals and stamen and relative expression analysis of genes in the tissue of pistils. Full-length cDNA sequence for the gene CLV2 2557 bp, the encoded protein 716 amino acids, CRC 901 for full-length cDNA sequence of the gene—bp, the encoded protein 174 identified as amino acids. Alignment and phylogenetic analyses of CLV2 and CRC genes were found to be similar to other types of legumes in homologous sets. Real-time (RT-qPCR) PCR results relative to study courses with genes.

Floral development in Thermopsis turcica, an unusual multicarpellate papilionoid legume

The vast majority of the species of family Leguminosae have an apocarpous monomerous gynoecium. However, only a few taxa regularly produce multicarpellate gynoecia. The only known species of papilionoid legumes which has both a typical “flag blossom” and more than one carpel is Thermopsis turcica (tribe Thermopsideae). We studied the floral ontogeny of T. turcica with special reference to its gynoecium initiation and development. Flowers arise in simple terminal racemes in a helical order and are subtended by bracts. Bracteoles are initiated but then suppressed. Sepals appear more or less simultaneously. Then, petals emerge and remain retarded in development until later stages. The gynoecium usually includes three carpels with an abaxial one initiating first and two adaxial carpels arising later and developing somewhat asynchronously. The abaxial carpel appears concomitant with the outer stamens and is always oriented with its cleft toward the adaxial side, while the adaxial carpels face each other with their clefts and have them slightly turned to the adaxial side. Rarely uni-, bi- or tetracarpellate flowers arise. Seed productivity of T. turcica is on approximately the same level as in unicarpellate species of Thermopsis hence supporting the fact that the multicarpellate habit is adaptive or at least not harmful in this species.

Genotoxic Evaluation of an Endemic Plant Thermopsis turcica Extracts on Liver Cancer Cell Line

Genotoxic Evaluation of an Endemic Plant Thermopsis turcica Extracts on Liver Cancer Cell Line

Comparison of plant regeneration of ovules from pistils having a different number of fully-developed carpels inThermopsis turcica

Comparison of plant regeneration of ovules from pistils having a different number of fully-developed carpels in<i>Thermopsis turcica</i>

First report about the identification and preliminary analysis of a partial sequence of dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (NADP+) in Thermopsis turcica during floral development using degenerate primers

Thermopsis turcica Kit Tan, Vural & Kucukoduk is an herbaceous perennial, endemic and listed as endangered species by IUCN in Turkey. This plant is noted for its unusual floral structure characterized by a 2–4 carpellary ovary. In this study, a DPD (NADP+)-like gene was partially sequenced for the first time in T. turcica. Since there is no previous molecular genetic information available for T. turcica, RT-PCR was performed using degenerate primers targeted to conserved sequences of WUS protein homologues from related legume species. Amplified cDNAs of the expected size were sequenced and analyzed using bioinformatics tools. The analysis strongly suggested that a 283 bp PCR product was part of a dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (NADP+)-like coding sequence with a Flavin mononucleotide binding domain. The putative gene was named Tt-DPD and the partial CDS submitted to the NCBI database (accession number KT182937). This gene has not been identified previously in T. turcica. The DPD (NADP+) enzyme is the rate-limiting step in pyrimidine degradation, which is essential for the biosynthesis of beta-alanine and pantothenates in plants; it has also been shown to be required for normal seed development in Arabidopsis. Expression of Tt-DPD was monitored by both endpoint and real-time RT-PCR. High expression of the identified gene was observed in the mid-developmental stage of the pistil of T. turcica. The findings presented here provide a starting point for understanding the roles of this gene in pyrimidine catabolism in T. turcica.

Anti-Cancerous Efficacy of Alcoholic and Aqueous Extracts from an Endemic Plant Thermopsis turcica on Liver Carcinoma

Anti-Cancerous Efficacy of Alcoholic and Aqueous Extracts from an Endemic Plant Thermopsis turcica on Liver Carcinoma

Proteomic analysis of flowers at two developmental stages in Thermopsis turcica (Fabaceae)

Flower development is a complex physiological phenomenon that is affected by environmental stimuli and endogenous signals. Several molecular approaches have provided a comprehensive view of the physiological processes associated with flower development, but little is known about proteomic changes. Therefore, we investigated the proteomic alterations during flower development in endemic Thermopsis turcica (Vuralia turcica), an unusual legume species with 3-4 free carpels in a single flower. A comparative proteomic analysis to identify proteins involved in flower development was carried out in T. turcica. Alterations in proteomes of the flower buds and fully opened flowers were studied by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. A total of 66 proteins were differentially expressed during flower development. Among them, 32 protein spots were identified by mass spectrometry. Functional annotation of these flower proteins revealed their involvement in transcription and protein metabolism, energy and carbohydrate metabolisms, plant defense, cell walls, photosynthesis, secondary metabolism, and amino acid metabolism. Moreover, most of these proteins were downregulated at the later stage of flower development. Proteins involved in protein metabolism, sugar metabolism, and stress defense are regulated during flower development, suggesting that they have possible roles in developmental regulation. These results have given new insights into the proteome alterations during flower development.

Investigation of intergeneric crossability of Vicia faba L. and Thermopsis turcica Kit Tan, Vural et Küçüködük

An unilocular ovary is often observed in the Fabaceae family. Thermopsis turcica Kit Tan, Vural et Kucukoduk is an endemic, rare plant species in Turkey that is distinguished by its multi-carpellary apocarpous ovaries. No research has been conducted on the crossing of T. turcica with other species to date. Vicia faba L. (fababean) (2n = 12), which is one of the oldest crops used for human and animal consumption, and Thermopsis turcica (2n = 18) were selected to explore the possibility of increasing yield in edible crops by intergeneric crossing. When T. turcica was used as a male parent, pollen germination and pollen tube growth appeared to be normal and globular embryo formation was observed, but hybrid seeds aborted due to post-fertilization barriers. In contrast, in all crosses in which T. turcica was used as a maternal parent, an embryo was not obtained, and viability of the pistil did not exceed 10 days after pollination. Also, in the samples left to free pollination, pistils died in a few days after anthers were removed just before pre-anthesis. Inability to obtain viable seeds by hybridization of Vicia faba and T. turcica should not be considered as a demonstration of complete incompatibility of the species in intergeneric crosses. The present report constitutes the first study on this issue.

Isolation and expression analysis of three different flowering genes(TtLFY, TtAP1, and TtAP2) from an unusual legume species, Thermopsis turcica

LEAFY (LFY), APETALA1 (AP1), and APETALA2 (AP2) genes encode three different transcription factors that control and regulate flower initiation and development in Arabidopsis. By using 3'- and 5'-RACE analysis, we isolated and sequentially characterized TtLFY (a LEAFY-like gene), TtAP1 (a MADS-box-like gene), and TtAP2 (an AP2/ERBF-like gene) in Thermopsis turcica, an unusual endemic legume species with three free carpellated flower structure. Semiquantitative RT-PCR analysis for 18 different vegetative and reproductive tissues of T. turcica indicated TtLFY transcripts mainly in the shoot tips and young floral buds and TtAP1 transcripts in the sepals and petals; however, TtAP2 transcripts were detected in all tissues. This is the first record for a LFY-like gene, TtLFY, expressed in the shoot tips of an underground plant section and for an AP2-like gene transcript found in all tissues, similar to a housekeeping gene.

Antimicrobial activity against periodontopathogenic bacteria, antioxidant and cytotoxic effects of various extracts from endemic Thermopsis turcica

To investigate the in vitro antimicrobial potential of Thermopsis turcica Kit Tan, Vural & Küçüködük against periodontopathogenic bacteria, its antioxidant activity and cytotoxic effect on various cancer cell lines. In vitro antimicrobial activities of ethanol, methanol, ethyl acetate (EtAc), n-hexane and water extracts of Thermopsis turcica herb against periodontopathogenic bacteria, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans ATCC 29523 and Porphyromonas gingivalis ATCC 33277 were tested by agar well diffusion, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC). Antioxidant properties of the extracts were evaluated by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl radical scavenging activity and β-carotene bleaching methods. Amounts of phenolic contents of the extracts were also analysed by using the Folin-Ciocalteu reagent. Additionally, cytotoxic activity of the extracts on androgen-insensitive prostate cancer, androgen-sensitive prostate cancer, chronic myelogenous leukemia and acute promyelocytic leukemia human cancer cell lines were determined by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. Human gingival fibroblast cells were used as a control. Our data showed that EtAc extract had the highest antimicrobial effect on Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (MIC: 1.562 mg/mL, MBC: 3.124 mg/mL) and Porphyromonas gingivalis (MIC: 0.781 mg/mL, MBC: 1.562 mg/mL). In antioxidant assays, EtAc extract exhibited also the highest radical scavenging activity [IC50=(30.0±0.3) µg/mL] and the highest inhibition [(74.35±0.30)%] against lineloic acide oxidation. The amount of phenolic content of it was also the highest [(162.5±1.2) µg/mg gallic acid]. In cytotoxic assay, only ethanol [IC50=(80.00±1.21) µg/mL] and EtAc extract [IC50=(70.0±0.9) µg/mL] were toxic on acute promyelocytic leukemia cells at 20-100 µg/mL (P<0.05). However, no toxic effect was observed on human gingival fibroblast cells. According to our findings, owing to its antioxidant and cytotoxic potential, EtAc extract might include anticancer agents for acute promyelocytic leukemia.

In vitro plant regeneration derived from leaf and stem explants of endemic Thermopsis turcica

This plant tissue study of micropropagation identifies the selective medium saving for rapid propagation in cultivated Thermopsis turcica, an endangered germplasm of the family Fabaceae. The aim is to obtain the optimum growth medium of T. turcica by enabling the in vitro propagation of this endemic. In this study, the leaves and stems of T. turcica were cultured on a Murashige and Skoog’s medium supplemented with various concentrations (0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 mg L−1 1-Naphthaleneacetic acid) of auxin and (0.2 and 0.5 mg L−1 Zeatin) (1.0 and 2.0 mg L−1 Benzylaminopurine) of cytokinins. Previous research focused on the regeneration from the seed of T. turcica Eber population; we concentrated upon the regeneration of different plant parts (leaf and stem) of T. turcica Aksehir population. In addition, according to the literature on T. turcica that to date the effects of Zeatin on the regeneration has not been performed. The most promising regeneration and growth were obtained from leaf explants cultured on the media with 2.0 mg L−1 1-Naphthaleneacetic acid and 0.5 mg L−1Zeatin (93.3%). The regenerated plantles were rooted on the media containing 2.0 mg L−1 Indole-3-butyric acid. Rooted plantlets were transplanted into potting of sterilized soil. The present study reports on the sufficient in vitro regeneration protocol through organogenesis in T. turcica. The findings presented here have implications for in vitro protection and use of this endemic endangered species in further biotechnological research.

A new genus segregated from Thermopsis (Fabaceae: Papilionoideae): Vuralia

A relict endemic species originating from Turkey, Thermopsis turcica, was excluded from Thermopsis in consideration of morphologic studies based on its flowers and fruits as well as micromorphological features that were obtained by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and data from supporting molecular analyses internal transcribed spacer (ITS). Additionally, phylogenetic analyses (maximum parsimony and neighbour-joining) were conducted using PAUP 4.0 software. These analyses supported a new taxonomical position for the Turkish species. SEM and morphological studies indicated that the species has unique features that have not been observed in other Thermopsideae species. The unique features and characteristics are comprehensively illustrated here. For confirmation of our purpose, the chromosome number and karyotype of V. turcica were determined via the KAMERAM software program. As a result, all detailed examinations and comparisons of Vuralia and related genera suggest that Vuralia is a new monotypic genus within Thermopsideae, and a new genus and combination nova were established for this Turkish species.

Modulation of osmotic adjustment and antioxidant status in salt-stressed leaves of Thermopsis turcica

Thermopsis turcica is distributed naturally in saline soils. Interestingly, how T. turcica can live in harsh salt conditions is unknown. To study its defense responses under salinity, T. turcica was grown in a medium containing 100 and 200 mM NaCl for 7 and 14 days. Physiological parameters, ion contents, reactive oxygen species accumulation, activities of antioxidant enzymes/isozymes, NADPH oxidase enzyme/isozyme, lipid peroxidation (TBARS) and osmolyte contents were investigated. Stress caused a rapid decline in relative growth rate, relative water content and chlorophyll fluorescence (Fv/Fm) under both NaCl treatments. These traits were more suppressed at 200 mM NaCl. The decline in osmotic potential (ΨΠ) with salinity increased the gradient for water flux into the cell and assisted in turgor maintenance. The increased membrane permeability under stress caused the entrance of excess Na+ and K+ into the cell. Stress decreased superoxide dismutase, catalase and peroxidase after 14 days of growth in 200 mM NaCl, whereas glutathione reductase (GR) increased throughout the experiment. While ascorbate peroxidase (APX) increased by 44 % at 7 days, it decreased after 14 days exposure to 200 mM NaCl. 200 mM NaCl caused the highest increase in TBARS at 14 days, indicating a decrease in OH· scavenging activity. Increasing concentrations of salinity caused an increase in glycine betaine (GB) and choline (Cho), though an increase in proline was only observed at 200 mM NaCl for 14 days. Briefly, H2O2 was more efficiently eliminated in 100 mM-treated plants by the ascorbate–glutathione cycle in which APX acts a strong catalyst together with GR. Also, Cho and GB help to maintain osmotic adjustment and cytoplasmic function.

Free radical scavenging activity, total phenolic content, total antioxidant status, and total oxidant status of endemic Thermopsis turcica

Thermopsis turcica, endemic to Turkey, is in danger of extinction. Studies on this species are very few due to the fact that it was only discovered in 1983 and grows in a small circumscribed area in Turkey. In this study, free radical scavenging activity, total phenolic content, total oxidant status (TOS), and total antioxidant status (TAS) of methanol (TTM) and acetone (TTA) extracts of T. turcica were measured spectroscopically. Free radical scavenging activity was determined according to the elimination of DPPH radicals and total phenol content was determined by the Folin–Ciocalteu reaction. Total oxidant status (TOS) and total antioxidant status (TAS) were measured with commercially available kits. Methanol and acetone extracts of T. turcica were found to have a specific radical scavenging effect. This effect was found to be related to the total phenolic content of the extracts. Since the TTA had a higher phenolic content than the methanol extract, it had a stronger radical scavenging effect. In addition, the total antioxidant capacity of the methanol extract was observed to be higher than that of its acetone counterpart. As a result, due to its antioxidative properties, T. turcica is thought to be a natural source of antioxidants.

Determination of mutagenic potencies of aqueous extracts of Thermopsis turcica by Ames test

Thermopsis turcica is an endemic species of Turkey popularly known as Eber Sarısı or Piyam; it is a member of the Thermopsis genus, which contains plants considered to be medicinal throughout the world. In this study, the mutagenic effect of aqueous extracts obtained from the leaves, root, stem, and flowers of T. turcica were evaluated by the Ames test, using Salmonella typhimurium TA97, TA98, TA100, and TA102 strains with and without an S9 activation system. The results obtained were analyzed statistically using SPSS for Windows, and the Mann-Whitney test was performed for comparisons. The results showed that all of the aqueous extracts of T. turcica were mutagenic for S. typhimurium TA98 with S9 mix, and, at a dosage of 3750 µg/plate, the leaf extracts were also found to be mutagenic for S. typhimurium TA102 with or without S9 mix. The results further demonstrated that, in relation to the concentration, leaf extracts of T. turcica increased the frequency of reverse mutation in S. typhimurium TA102 with S9 mix.

Propagation of Endangered Thermopsis turcica Tan, Vural &amp; Küçüködük Using Conventional and In Vitro Techniques

This report deals with the successful clonal propagation of endangered T. turcica using rhizome cuttings and epicotyl explants. Rhizome cuttings were treated with \alpha-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) or indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) before planting for vegetative multiplication. Rhizome cuttings pretreated with NAA (10 mg/L) were both rooted and sprouted (66.6 percent) after 100 days. Application of NAA induced callus and adventitious root formation in epicotyl explants and 6-benzyladenine (BA) induced production of microshoots. Low levels of NAA (0.5-1 \muM) together with BA promoted shoot initiation and development. The highest regeneration rate (86.6 percent), with a mean number of shoots (3.05) and a mean length of shoots (2.3 cm) per epicotyl, was achieved at 10 µM BA and 0.5 \muM NAA. About 83 percent of in vitro regenerated shoots rooted on a ½ Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 0.3 \muM NAA. In vitro plantlets were morphologically normal and a uniform chromosome complement of 2n = 18 was detected in root tips. The study demonstrated that both conventional and in vitro techniques could be useful for large scale multiplication and propagation of this endangered plant species.

In vitro propagation of an endangered plant species, Thermopsis turcica (Fabaceae)

This report deals with micropropagation of the critically endangered and endemic Turkish shrub, Thermopsis turcica using callus, root and cotyledonary explants. Callus cultures were initiated from root and cotyledon explants on MS medium supplemented with 0.5–20 µM NAA or 2,4-D. The root explants were found to be better in terms of quick responding and callusing percentages as compared to the cotyledons. Organogenic callus production with adventitious roots and shoots were obtained on MS medium with only NAA. The calli obtained with NAA, root and cotyledonary explants were cultured with BA and kinetin (2–8 µM) alone or in combination with a low level (0.5 µM) of 2,4-D or NAA. The best regeneration of shoots from root explants was observed on hormone-free MS medium. NAA with BA or kinetin in the medium improved shoot induction from the calli obtained with NAA. Maximum percentage of shoots (93.3%), maximum number of shoots (6.2) and maximun length of shoots (8.22 cm) were achieved from cotyledonary explants at 4 µM BA and 0.5 µM NAA. The presence of 0.5 µM or higher levels of 2,4-D in shoot induction medium inhibited the regeneration in T. turcica explants. 83% of in vitro rooting was attained on pulsed-IBA treated shoots. The regenerated plants with well developed shoots and roots were successfully acclimatized. Application of this study’s results has the potential to conserve T. turcica from extinction.

Morphology and anatomy of endemic Thermopsis turcica Kit Tan, Vural &amp; Küçüködük

&#x0D; Morphology and anatomy of an endemic plant from Turkey, Thermopsis turcica Kit Tan, Vural &amp; Küçüködük, belonging to Fabaceae have been investigated. The species had a perennial rhizome, an erect stem and compound leaves consisting of three leaflets. Morphological and anatomical research findings have been presented by photographs, drawings and tables.&#x0D;