Evolution of the SPATULA/ALCATRAZ gene lineage and expression analyses in the basal eudicot, Bocconia frutescens L. (Papaveraceae)

Abstract Background SPATULA (SPT) and ALCATRAZ (ALC) are recent paralogs that belong to the large bHLH transcription factor family. Orthologs of these genes have been found in all core eudicots, whereas pre-duplication genes, named paleoSPATULA/ALCATRAZ, have been found in basal eudicots, monocots, basal angiosperms and gymnosperms. Nevertheless, functional studies have only been performed in Arabidopsis thaliana, where SPT and ALC are partially redundant in carpel and valve margin development and ALC has a unique role in the dehiscence zone. Further analyses of pre-duplication genes are necessary to assess the functional evolution of this gene lineage. Results We isolated additional paleoSPT/ALC genes from Aristolochia fimbriata, Bocconia frutescens, Cattleya trianae and Hypoxis decumbens from our transcriptome libraries and performed phylogenetic analyses. We identified the previously described bHLH domain in all analyzed sequences and also new conserved motifs using the MEME suite. Finally, we analyzed the expression of three paleoSPT/ALC genes (BofrSPT1/2/3) from Bocconia frutescens, a basal eudicot in the Papaveraceae. To determine the developmental stages at which these genes were expressed, pre- and post-anthesis carpels and fruits of B. frutescens were collected, sectioned, stained, and examined using light microscopy. Using in situ hybridization we detected that BofrSPT1/2/3 genes are expressed in floral buds, early sepal initiation, stamens and carpel primordia and later during fruit development in the dehiscence zone of the opercular fruit. Conclusions Our expression results, in comparison with those available for core eudicots, suggest conserved roles of members of the SPT/ALC gene lineage across eudicots in the specification of carpel margins and the dehiscence zone of the mature fruits. Although there is some redundancy between ALC and SPT, these gene clades seem to have undergone some degree of sub-functionalization in the core eudicots, likely by changes in cis regulatory regions and to some extent in coding sequences, at least in Brassicaceae. Our results also indicate that in Bocconia frutescens, paleoSPT/ALC genes may play a role in early floral organ specification that was subsequently lost in core eudicot lineages

Enzymatic formation of protopines by a microsomal cytochrome P-450 system of Corydalis vaginans

A microsomal cytochrome P-450-NADPH dependent enzyme which hydroxylates stereo- and regiospecifically carbon atom 14 of (S)- -N- methyltetrahydroprotoberberines has been discovered in a number of plant cell cultures originating from species containing protopine alkaloids; the monooxygenase was solubilized, partially purified (100-fold) and characterized

Floral Morphogenesis in Euptelea (Eupteleaceae, Ranunculales)

Background and Aims Based on molecular phylogenetic studies, the unigeneric family Eupteleaceae has a prominent phylogenetic position at or near the base of Ranunculales, which, in turn, appear at the base of eudicots. The aim of the present paper is to reveal developmental features of the flowers and to put the genus in a morphological context with other basal eudicots. Methods Flowers in all developmental stages of Euptelea pleiosperma were collected in the wild at intervals of 7-10 d in the critical stages and studied with a scanning electron microscope. Key Results Remnants of a perianth are lacking throughout flower development. Floral symmetry changes from monosymmetric to asymmetric to disymmetric during development. Asymmetry is expressed in that the sequence of stamen initiation is from the centre to both lateral sides on the adaxial side of the flower but starting from one lateral side and proceeding to the other on the abaxial side. Despite the pronounced floral disymmetry, a dimerous pattern of floral organs was not found. The carpel primordia arise between the already large stamens and alternate with them. Stamens and carpels each form a somewhat irregular whorl. The carpels are ascidiate from the beginning. The stigma differentiates as two crests along the ventral slit of the ovary. The few lateral ovules alternate with each other. Conclusions Although the flowers have some unusual autapomorphies (wind pollination, lack of a perianth, pronounced disymmetry of the floral base, long connective protrusion, long temporal gap between androecium and gynoecium initiation, small space for carpel initiation), they show some plesiomorphies at the level of basal eudicots (free carpels, basifixed anthers, whorled phyllotaxis), and thus fit well in Ranunculale

A Refined Methodology for Defining Plant Communities Using Postagricultural Data from the Neotropics

How best to define and quantify plant communities was investigated using long-term plot data sampled from a recovering pasture in Puerto Rico and abandoned sugarcane and banana plantations in Ecuador. Significant positive associations between pairs of old field species were first computed and then clustered together into larger and larger species groups. I found that (1) no pasture or plantation had more than 5% of the possible significant positive associations, (2) clustering metrics showed groups of species participating in similar clusters among the five pasture/plantations over a gradient of decreasing association strength, and (3) there was evidence for repeatable communities—especially after banana cultivation—suggesting that past crops not only persist after abandonment but also form significant associations with invading plants. I then showed how the clustering hierarchy could be used to decide if any two pasture/plantation plots were in the same community, that is, to define old field communities. Finally, I suggested a similar procedure could be used for any plant community where the mechanisms and tolerances of species form the “cohesion” that produces clustering, making plant communities different than random assemblages of species

Actividad antioxidante de los alcaloides de Bocconia arborea. Estudio sobre seis métodos de análisis

Antioxidative activity-guided fractionation together with chemical analysis led to the isolation of three benzophenanthridinealkaloids from methanol extract of the bark of Bocconia arborea. Identification was based on spectroscopic methods.The isolated alkaloids 6-acetonyldihydrochelerythrine, chelerythrine and dihydrochelerythrine were tested for antioxidativeactivity on thiocyanate assays, free radical scavenging activity, b-carotene bleaching method, and deoxyribose assay. Allalkaloids exhibited significant antioxidant activities in linoleic acid and b-carotene. Although afforded protection againstthe damage of deoxyribose, liposome peroxidation and microsomial lipid from peroxidation, also exhibited scavengingeffects on the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radicals.El fraccionamiento de la actividad antioxidante dirigida por actividad, junto con el análisis químico, llevaron alaislamiento de tres alcaloides de benzofenantridina del extracto de metanol de la corteza de Bocconia arborea. Laidentificación se basó en métodos espectroscópicos. Se analizó la actividad antioxidante de los alcaloides aislados 6-acetonildihidroqueleritrina, queleritrina y dihidroqueleritrina en ensayos de tiocianato, la actividad de barrido delos radicales libres, el método de decoloración del b-caroteno y el ensayo de la desoxirribosa. Todos los alcaloidesmostraron actividad antioxidante significativa en ácido linoleico y b-caroteno. Además de conceder protección frentea la desoxirribosa, la peroxidación liposómica y los lípidos microsomiales de la peroxidación, también presentaronefectos de barrido en los radicales de 1,1-difenil-2-picrilhidrazi

Benzophénanthridines isolées de Zanthoxylum psammophilum

Dix-huit composés dont deux nouvelles benzophénanthridines la 8-méthoxy-7,8-dihydrofagaridine 1 et la 8-acétonyl-7,8-dihydrofagaridine 2 ont été isolés des racines de Zanthoxylum psammophilum (Rutaceae). La structure de ces composés (1-18) a été déterminée principalement par l’utilisation de la spectroscopie de RMN 1D (1H et 13C) et 2D (COSY, NOESY, HSQC, HMBC). Le composé 1 a montré une activité antimicrobienne sur S. Aureus.Mots clés: Rutaceae, alcaloïdes, 8-méthoxy-7,8-dihydrofagaridine, 8- acétonyl-7,8-dihydrofagaridin

Análisis de la respuesta de ocho especies nativas del bosque alto andino ante dos métodos de propagación

The objective of this research was to the generate information on the native tree species represent an alternative in the ecological restoration of the Colombian high Abdean forest, according to its dynamo-genetic characteristics. We have chosen and spread the species: Baccharis latifolia (R and P), Boconia frutescens L., Cordia cylindrostachya (R and P), Diplostephium rosmarinifolium (Benth), Drymis granadensis L f., Eupatorium angustifolium (Kunth), Palicourea vaginata Benth, and Palicourea linearifolia Wernham. The species include a morpholical description of flowers, fruits and seeds, and ISTA test. The spread experiments were made in the nurseries of the Universidad Distrital and La Florida park. For the sexual spread, we have used as treatments four gibberellins concentrations and three shadow conditions, while the vegetative spread consisted of two diameters and five indol butiric acid (IBA) concentrations. Results have shown that pre-germination treatments are needed for Bocconia frutenscens y Palicourea vaginata, in order to increase the probability and germination rate.On the other hand, shadow conditions are needed for Baccharis latifolia, Diplostephium rosmarinifolium, Drymis granadensis, Eupatorium angustifolium and Palicourea vaginata, as their seeds exhibit photoblastic characteristics. Due to the Cordia cylindrostachya and Palicourea linearifolia seed attack by insects (Lepidoptera and Hymenoptera) their sexual spread id highly limited. Finally, regarding the species response to the IBA and diameter combinations, each species responded in a different manner. additionally, regarding the vegetative spread, the species Bocconia frutescens, Cordia cylindrostachya, Palicourea vaginata, Diplostephium rosmarinifolium and Drymis granadensis were difficult to spread.Esta investigación se enfocó en obtener información acerca de las especies nativas que de acuerdo con sus características dinamogenéticas son una altenativa en los procesos de restauración ecológica de los bosques altos andinos colombianos. Se escogieron y se propagaron las especies Baccharis latifolia (R and P), Bocconia frutenses L., Cordia cylindrostachya (R and P), Diplostephium rosmarinifolium angustifolium (Kunth), Palicourea vaginata Benth, y Palicourea linearifolia Wernham. Estas especies cuentan con una descripción morfológica de flores, frutos, semillas, junto con los resultados de las puebas ISTA. El establecimiento de ensayos de propagación se realizó en los viveros de la Distrital y el Parque de La Florida, contempló cómo tratamientos en la propagación sexual cuatro concentraciones de giberelina (GA3) y tres intensidades de sombra, mientras que en la propagación vegetativa se manejaron dos diámetros y cinco concentraciones de ácido indol-3 burítico (AIB). Los resultados mostraron que las especies Bocconia frutescens y Palicourea vaginata requieren de tratamientos pregerminativos en las semillas, para aumentar la velocidad y el porcentaje de germinación. Por otro lado, las semillas de Baccharis laifolia, Diplostephium rosmarinifolium, Drymis granadensis, Eupatorium angustifolium y Palicourea vaginata tienen características fotoblásticas, por lo cual necesitan de sombra para una germinación adecuada. Las especies Cordia cylindrostachya y Palicourea linearifolia muestran graves problemas en su propagación sexual debido al ataque por insectos del orden Lepidoptera e Hymenoptera en sus semillas.Respecto al comportamiento de todas las especies ante los tratamientos de AIB, se observa que no existe una concentración particular que favorezca su desarrollo, sino que la combinación entre las concentraciones de AIB y el diámetro resultó en una respuesta diferente para cada una de las especies de estudio. Adicionalmente, con realción a la escala de propagación asexual de las especies Bocconia frutescens, Cordia cylindrostachya, Palicourea vaginata, Diplostephium rosmarinifolium y Drymis granadensis se encontró que son muy dificiles de reproducir