Tropane and Granatane Alkaloid Biosynthesis: A Systematic Analysis

The tropane and granatane alkaloids belong to the larger pyrroline and piperidine classes of plant alkaloids, respectively. Their core structures share common moieties and their scattered distribution among angiosperms suggest that their biosynthesis may share common ancestry in some orders, while they may be independently derived in others. Tropane and granatane alkaloid diversity arises from the myriad modifications occurring to their core ring structures. Throughout much of human history, humans have cultivated tropane- and granatane-producing plants for their medicinal properties. This manuscript will discuss the diversity of their biological and ecological roles as well as what is known about the structural genes and enzymes responsible for their biosynthesis. In addition, modern approaches to producing some pharmaceutically important tropanes via metabolic engineering endeavors are discussed

Leaf sugar metabolomic profiling reveals differences between Coffea arabica cultivars in two locations of Cerrado Mineiro (Brazil)

29th Conference of Association for the Science and Information on Coffee, 11 Sept. - 14 Sept. 2023 Hanoi, Vietnaminfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Assessment of carbon metabolism of Coffee Kawisari hybrid challenged by Hemileia vastatrix, the causal agent of Coffee Leaf Rust.

Plants have evolved sophisticated mechanisms to coordinate carbon metabolism during growth and development both under optimal and stress conditions. In coffee-rust biotrophic interactions, plants try to limit pathogen access to nutrients (e.g., sugars and sugar derivatives) and trigger immune responses, while Hemileia vastatrix (Hv) attempts to circumvent plant defences and control the host's primary metabolism for its own benefit. Previous proteomics data highlighted the up-regulation of proteins from photosynthesis, primary metabolism, and redox-related enzymes along the coffee resistance response. Coffee Kawisari hybrid - Hv interactions (resistant and susceptible reactions) were evaluated using a single sample fractionation method for metabolite and protein extraction. The microscopic evaluation of the Hv infection process revealed that coffee resistance was associated with early hypersensitive response and accumulation of phenolic-like compounds in host cell walls. GC-TOF-MS untargeted metabolomics allowed the identification of metabolic components, such as sugars, sugar derivatives, amino acids, phenylpropanoids, chlorogenic acids, alkaloids, and fatty acids (using the Golm Metabolome database). The overrepresentation of several caffeoylquinic acids in the resistance reaction may be linked to the accumulation of the phenolic-like compounds that were cytologically observed at the infection sites. Furthermore, sugar-related features also played a role in distinguishing between resistant and susceptible reactions, such as glucose and galactose. The cellular availability of mono and disaccharides is the result of the activity of several enzymes, e.g., sucrose synthase and invertases, that can be targeted by Hv in its strategy to manipulate plant carbon metabolism. The activity profile of these enzymes along the infection will be discussed. Proteomic analysis of the same samples (using the single sample fractionation method previously mentioned) is foreseen. The ultimate goal is to establish a connection between the metabolite and protein signatures.Financial support by the Access to Research Infrastructures, Horizon2020 Programme of the EU (EPPN2020 Grant Agreement 731013) and Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) and FEDER funds through PORNorte under the project CoffeeRES (PTDC/ASP- PLA/29779/2017), UNIT LEAF (UID/AGR/04129/2020), UCIBIO (UIDP/04378/2020; UIDB/04378/ 2020) and i4HB (LA/P/0140/2020).N/

Integrative transcriptomic and metabolomic approaches to unravel the resistance profile of Kawisari coffee against Hemileia vastatrix

29th Conference of Association for the Science and Information on Coffee, 11 Sept. - 14 Sept. 2023 Hanoi, Vietnaminfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Discovery of Samarium, Europium, Gadolinium, and Terbium Isotopes

Currently, thirty-four samarium, thirty-four europium, thirty-one gadolinium, and thirty-one terbium isotopes have been observed and the discovery of these isotopes is discussed here. For each isotope a brief synopsis of the first refereed publication, including the production and identification method, is presented.Comment: To be published in At. Data Nucl. Data Table

Inhibition of Nitric Oxide (NO) Production in Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-Activated Murine Macrophage RAW 264.7 Cells by the Norsesterterpene Peroxide, Epimuqubilin A

Seven norsesterterpene peroxides: epimuqubilin A (1), muqubilone B (2), unnamed cyclic peroxide ester (3), epimuqubilin B (4), sigmosceptrellin A methyl ester (5), sigmosceptrellin A (6), and sigmosceptrellin B methyl ester (7), isolated from the marine sponge Latrunculia sp., were examined with regard to their effects on nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated murine macrophage RAW 264.7 cells. The results indicated epimuqubilin A (1) possessed potent NO inhibitory activity against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide release with an IC50 value of 7.4 μM, a level three times greater than the positive control, L-NG-monomethyl arginine citrate, followed by 6 (sigmosceptrellin A, IC50 = 9.9 μM), whereas other compounds exhibited only modest activity (Table 1). These compounds did not show appreciable cytotoxicity at their IC50 values for NO–inhibitory activity. The structure–activity upon NO inhibition could be summarized as follows: (1) a monocyclic carbon skeleton framework was essential for activity, (2) free acids gave higher activity, (3) the orientation of H3-22 with an equatorial position increased activity, and (4) a bicyclic structure reduced activity. This is the first report of a norsesterterpene peroxide with NO–inhibitory activity. In addition, compounds 1–7 were also evaluated for their inhibitory activities in the yeast glycogen synthase kinase-3β assay. In summary, several norsesterterpene peroxides showed novel biological activities of inhibition in NO production, suggesting that these might provide leads for anti-inflammatory or cancer chemopreventive agents

Discovery of Rubidium, Strontium, Molybdenum, and Rhodium Isotopes

Currently, thirty-one rubidium, thirty-five strontium, thirty-five molybdenum and thirty-eight rhodium isotopes have been observed and the discovery of these isotopes is discussed here. For each isotope a brief synopsis of the first refereed publication, including the production and identification method, is presented.Comment: To be published in Atomic Data and Nuclear Data Table

Discovery of Cesium, Lanthanum, Praseodymium and Promethium Isotopes

Currently, forty-one cesium, thirty-five lanthanum, thirty-two praseodymium, and thirty-one promethium, isotopes have been observed and the discovery of these isotopes is discussed here. For each isotope a brief synopsis of the first refereed publication, including the production and identification method, is presented.Comment: To be published in At. Data. Nucl. Data Table

Carboxylic ester hydrolases from hyperthermophiles

Carboxylic ester hydrolyzing enzymes constitute a large group of enzymes that are able to catalyze the hydrolysis, synthesis or transesterification of an ester bond. They can be found in all three domains of life, including the group of hyperthermophilic bacteria and archaea. Esterases from the latter group often exhibit a high intrinsic stability, which makes them of interest them for various biotechnological applications. In this review, we aim to give an overview of all characterized carboxylic ester hydrolases from hyperthermophilic microorganisms and provide details on their substrate specificity, kinetics, optimal catalytic conditions, and stability. Approaches for the discovery of new carboxylic ester hydrolases are described. Special attention is given to the currently characterized hyperthermophilic enzymes with respect to their biochemical properties, 3D structure, and classification