Transcriptional Changes in Damask Rose Suspension Cell Culture Revealed by RNA Sequencing.

Damask roses (Rosa x damascena) are widely used in cosmetics and pharmaceutics. Here, we established an in vitro suspension cell culture for calli derived from damask rose petals. We analyzed rose suspension cell transcriptomes obtained at two different time points by RNA sequencing to reveal transcriptional changes during rose suspension cell culture. Of the 580 coding RNAs (1.3%) highly expressed in the suspension rose cells, 68 encoded cell wall-associated proteins. However, most RNAs encoded by the chloroplasts and mitochondria are not expressed. Many highly expressed coding RNAs are involved in translation, catalyzing peptide synthesis in ribosomes. Moreover, the amide metabolic process producing naturally occurring alkaloids was the most abundant metabolic process during the propagation of rose suspension cells. During rose cell propagation, coding RNAs involved in the stress response were upregulated at an early stage, while coding RNAs associated with detoxification and transmembrane transport were upregulated at the late stage. We used transcriptome analyses to reveal important biological processes and molecular mechanisms during rose suspension cell culture. Most non-coding (nc) RNAs were not expressed in the rose suspension cells, but a few ncRNAs with unknown functions were highly expressed. The expression of ncRNAs and their target coding RNAs was highly correlated. Taken together, we revealed significant biological processes and molecular mechanisms occurring during rose suspension cell culture using transcriptome analyses.

Gene expression profile of human follicle dermal papilla cells in response to Camellia japonica phytoplacenta extract.

Camellia japonica L. is a flowering tree with several medicinal and cosmetic applications. Here, we investigated the efficacy of C. japonica placenta extract (CJPE) as a potential therapeutic agent for promotion of hair growth and scalp health by using various in vitro and in vivo assays. Moreover, we performed transcriptome analysis to examine the relative expression of human follicle dermal papilla cells (HFDPC) in response to CJPE by RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq). In vitro assays revealed upregulation of the expression of hair growth marker genes in HFDPC after CJPE treatment. Moreover, in vivo clinical tests with 42 adult female participants showed that a solution containing 0.5% CJPE increased the moisture content of the scalp and decreased the scalp's sebum content, dead scalp keratin, and erythema. Furthermore, RNA-seq analysis revealed key genes in HFDPC which are associated with CJPE. Interestingly, genes associated with lipid metabolism and cholesterol efflux were upregulated. Genes upregulated by CJPE are associated with several hormones, including parathyroid, adrenocorticotropic hormone, α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH), and norepinephrine, which are involved in hair follicle biology. Furthermore, some upregulated genes are associated with the regulation of axon guidance. In contrast, many genes downregulated by CJPE are associated with structural components of the cytoskeleton. In addition, CJPE suppressed genes associated with muscle structure and development. Taken together, this study provides extensive evidence that CJPE may have potential as a therapeutic agent for scalp treatment and hair growth promotion.

Synthesis of Acyl Alkenylindium Reagents and Their Application in the Synthesis of (Z)-α,ß-Unsaturated Ketones via Palladium-Catalyzed Cross-Coupling Reaction.

A synthetic method for the preparation of acyl alkenylindium reagents was developed involving the hydroindation reaction of allenyl ketones with indium and indium chloride in methanol under mild conditions. Their synthetic applications were demonstrated from Pd-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions with aryl bromides and iodides and alkenyl and aryl triflates for the synthesis of (Z)-α,ß-unsaturated ketones.

Synthesis of 2-aryl-2H-benzotrizoles from azobenzenes and N-sulfonyl azides through sequential rhodium-catalyzed amidation and oxidation in one pot.

An efficient synthetic method of 2-aryl-2H-benzotriazoles from nonprefunctionalized azobenzenes and N-sulfonyl azides via sequential Rh-catalyzed amidation (C-N bond formation) and oxidation (N-N bond formation) with PhI(OAc)2 in one pot is reported.

ICl-mediated intramolecular twofold iodoarylation of diynes and diynyl diethers and amines: synthesis of bis(2H-hydronaphthalene and chromene) and 2H-quinoline bearing an alkenyl iodide moiety.

Electrophilic intramolecular twofold iodoarylation was developed from the reaction of diynes and diynyl diethers and amines with iodine monochloride under mild conditions, which produced bis(2H-hydronaphthalene and chromene) and 2H-quinoline bearing an alkenyl iodide moiety in good to excellent yields. These compounds underwent Pd-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions with arylboronic acid and indium tris(arylthiolate) to produce the functionalized styrene derivatives.

Ruthenium-catalyzed C-H activation/cyclization for the synthesis of phosphaisocoumarins.

An efficient and cost-effective ruthenium-catalyzed oxidative cyclization of phosphonic acid monoesters or phosphinic acids with alkynes has been developed for the synthesis of a wide range of phosphaisocoumarins in good to excellent yields under aerobic conditions. A multitude of arylphosphonic acid monoesters and arylphosphinic acids having electron-donating and -withdrawing groups were oxidatively cyclized. Various diarylacetylenes, dialkylacetylenes, and alkylarylacetylenes effectively underwent the ruthenium-catalyzed oxidative cyclization. A substrate possessing benzoic acid as well as a phenylphosphonic monoester moiety was smoothly cyclized with hex-3-yne to afford a compound having both isocoumarin and phosphaisocoumarin moieties. Alkenylphosphonic monoester afforded phosphorus 2-pyrone through oxidative cyclization with alkyne. Competition experiments between diaryl- and dialkylalkynes and between diarylacetylenes having p-methoxy and p-chloro groups gave results which showed that the present oxidative cyclizations were not affected by the electronic effects of alkynes. Mechanistic studies revealed C-H bond metalation to be the rate-limiting step.