Isolation and functional characterization of the pheromone biosynthesis activating neuropeptide receptor of Chinese oak silkworm, Antheraea pernyi.

Insect pheromone biosynthesis activating neuropeptide (PBAN) controls the synthesis and actuating of sex pheromones of female adult. In the current examination, the full-length cDNA encoding the PBAN receptor was cloned from the pheromone gland (PG) of Antheraea pernyi (AntpePBANR). The AntpePBANR displayed the characteristic seven transmembrane areas of the G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) and was closely related to the PBANR from Bombyx mori and Manduca sexta in the phylogenetic tree. The AntpePBANR expressed in mammalian cell lines were enacted by AntpePBAN in a concentration-dependent manner. AntpePBANR activation resulted in the calcium mobilization but did not activate the cAMP elevation pathway. Cells expressing AntpePBANR were profoundly responsive to Antpe-γ-SGNP (suboesophageal ganglion neuropeptides) and Antpe-DH (diapause hormone), different individuals from FXPRLamide (X = T, S or V) family in A. pernyi. Deletion of residues in the C-terminal hexapeptide (FSPRLamide) proved that P, R and L played the key parts in initiating the AntpePBANR, the amination to the last C terminal residues which can also likewise impact the activation of AntpePBAN receptor altogether. The mRNA of the AntpePBANR gene demonstrated the most noteworthy transcript levels in pheromone gland followed by fat body.

Lignans from the bark of Zanthoxylum simulans.

Investigation on the EtOAc extract of the bark of Zanthoxylum simulans led to the isolation of four new lignans including zanthoxylumin A (1), zanthoxylumin B (2), ( - )-magnolin (3), and ( - )-pinoresinol-di-3,3-dimethylallyl ether (4). Their structures were established by comprehensive analysis of the spectral data, especially 1D and 2D NMR spectra.

[Study on chemical constituents of Zanthoxyli cortex's ethyl acetate extract].

OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical constituents of Zanthoxyli Cortex. METHODS: The chemical constituents were isolated and purified by silica gel and HP-20, MCI gel, Sephadex LH -20 column chromatography, RP-18 and PTLC. Their structures were elucidated by the analysis of spectral data and chemical properties. RESULTS: Ten compounds were isolated from EtOAc extract and their structures were identified as: asarinin (I), fargesin (II), eudesmin (III), (1R, 2R, 5R, 6S)-2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-6-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3,7-dioxabicyclo[3.3.0]-octane(IV), dimethoxysamin(V), rel-(1R,5R,6S)-6-(3,4-dimethoxyphen-yl)-3,7-dioxabicyclo-[3.3.0]-octan-2-one(VI), Magnone A(VII), beta-sitoste-rol( VIII), beta-armyrin(IX), beta-amyrone(X). CONCLUSION: These compounds isolated from Zanthoxyli Cortex's Ethyl acetate extract are all known compounds. Fargesin(II) and beta-amyrone(X) are isolated from Zanthoxyli Cortex for the first time.

Removal of nitrogen, phosphorus, and organic pollutants from water using seeding type immobilized microorganisms.

OBJECTIVE: To study the possibility of removing nitrogen, phosphorus, and organic pollutants using seeding type immobilized microorganisms. METHODS: Lakes P and M in Wuhan were chosen as the objects to study the removal of nitrogen, phosphorus, and organic pollutants with the seeding type immobilized microorganisms. Correlations between the quantity of heterotrophic bacteria and the total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), and total organic carbon (TOC) in the two lakes were studied. The dominant bacteria were detected, inoculated to the sludge and acclimated by increasing nitrogen, phosphorus and decreasing carbon source in an intermittent, time-controlled and fixed-quantity way. The bacteria were then used to prepare the seeding type immobilized microorganisms, selecting diatomite as the adsorbent carrier. The ability and influence factors of removing nitrogen, phosphorus, and organic pollutant from water samples by the seeding type immobilized microorganisms were studied. RESULTS: The coefficients of the heterotrophic bacterial quantity correlated with TOC, TP, and TN were 0.9143, 0.8229, 0.7954 in Lake P and 0.9168, 0.7187, 0.6022 in Lake M. Ten strains of dominant heterotrophic bacteria belonging to Pseudomonas, Coccus, Aeromonas, Bacillus, and Enterobateriaceae, separately, were isolated. The appropriate conditions for the seeding type immobilized microorgansims in purifying the water sample were exposure time=24 h, pH=7.0-8.0, and quantity of the immobilized microorganisms=0.75-1 g/50 mL. The removal rates of TOC, TP, and TN under the above conditions were 80.2%, 81.6%, and 86.8%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The amount of heterotrophic bacteria in the two lakes was correlated with TOC, TP, and TN. These bacteria could be acclimatized and prepared for the immobilized microorganisms which could effectively remove nitrogen, phosphorus, and mixed organic pollutants in the water sample.