RESUMO
Terpenes are important mediators of plant chemical response to environmental cues. Here, we describe the genome-wide identification and biochemical characterization of TPS-a members in Medicago truncatula, a model legume crop. Genome mining identified thirty-nine full-length terpene synthases with a significant number predicted to produce monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes. Biochemical characterization of the TPS-a subfamily associated with sesquiterpene biosynthesis revealed such compounds, that exhibit substantial biological activity in other plants. Gene expression analysis using qPCR and the Medicago gene atlas illustrated distinct tissue and time-based variation in expression in leaves and roots. Together our work establishes the gene-to-metabolite relationships for sesquiterpene synthases in M. truncatula. Understanding the biosynthetic capacity is a foundational step to defining the ecological roles of this important family of compounds.
RESUMO
The antimicrobial activity of the methanolic extract from the stem bark of Irvingia gabonensis (IGM), fractions and compounds isolated from IGM [3-friedelanone (1), betulinic acid (2), oleanolic acid (3), 3,3',4'-tri-O-methylellagic acid (4), 3,4-di-O-methylellagic acid (5) and hardwickiic acid (6)] was evaluated against Gram-positive bacteria (6 species), Gram-negative bacteria (13 species) and three Candida species using dilution methods for the determination of the minimal inhibition concentration (MIC) and the minimal microbicidal concentration (MMC). From the obtained results, IGM prevented the growth of all the species of microorganisms tested at a concentration limit of 312.50 microg/ml. Compounds 4-6 also inhibited the growth of all the tested microbial species while compounds 1-3 showed selective activities. The lowest MIC values (78.12 microg/ml) were obtained with IGM on 13 of the 22 microorganisms tested. The corresponding value of 1.22 microg/ml (4.26 microM) for compounds was recorded with compound 6 on Neisseria gonorrhoeae. The obtained results confirmed the use of Irvingia gabonensis in the treatment of bacterial and fungal infections.