Physiological and protein profiling analysis provides insight into the underlying molecular mechanism of potato tuber development regulated by jasmonic acid in vitro.

BACKGROUND: Jasmonates (JAs) are one of important phytohormones regulating potato tuber development. It is a complex process and the underlying molecular mechanism regulating tuber development by JAs is still limited. This study attempted to illuminate it through the potential proteomic dynamics information about tuber development in vitro regulated by exogenous JA. RESULTS: A combined analysis of physiological and iTRAQ (isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantification)-based proteomic approach was performed in tuber development in vitro under exogenous JA treatments (0, 0.5, 5 and 50 µΜ). Physiological results indicated that low JA concentration (especially 5 µM) promoted tuber development, whereas higher JA concentration (50 µM) showed inhibition effect. A total of 257 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were identified by iTRAQ, which provided a comprehensive overview on the functional protein profile changes of tuber development regulated by JA. The Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis indicated that low JA concentration (especially 5 µM) exhibited the promotion effects on tuber development in various cellular processes. Some cell wall polysaccharide synthesis and cytoskeleton formation-related proteins were up-regulated by JA to promote tuber cell expansion. Some primary carbon metabolism-related enzymes were up-regulated by JA to provide sufficient metabolism intermediates and energy for tuber development. And, a large number of protein biosynthesis, degradation and assembly-related were up-regulated by JA to promote tuber protein biosynthesis and maintain strict protein quality control during tuber development. CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first to integrate physiological and proteomic data to provide useful information about the JA-signaling response mechanism of potato tuber development in vitro. The results revealed that the levels of a number of proteins involved in various cellular processes were regulated by JA during tuber development. The proposed hypothetical model would explain the interaction of these DEPs that associated with tuber development in vitro regulated by JA.

Leaf proteome reveals the alterations in photosynthesis and defense-related proteins between potato tetraploid cultivars and diploid wild species.

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) as the important food crop worldwide has abundant morphological and genetic diversity. To understand the underlying molecular mechanisms determining phenotypic differences in wild species and cultivated potato, a comparative proteomics approach was applied to analyze leaf proteome alteration among three tetraploid cultivars and three diploid wild species using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE). Quantitative image analysis showed a total of 47 protein spots with significantly altered abundance (>3-fold, P < 0.05), and 45 differentially abundant proteins were identified by MALDI-TOF/TOF MS. These proteins exhibited both the qualitative and quantitative changes. Most of them were involved in photosynthesis, cell defense and rescue, protein biosynthesis, which might exhibit the main differences between tetraploid cultivars and diploid wild species. The photosynthesis and protein biosynthesis-related proteins were up-regulated or only present in tetraploid cultivars, suggesting the higher photosynthetic efficiency and more newly synthesized peptides. It might contribute to some superior traits of tetraploid cultivars, such as larger leaf size, greater growth vigor, better tuber yield and quality. However, some cell defense and rescue-related proteins, especially the pathogenesis-related proteins and antioxidant enzymes, were up-regulated or only present in diploid wild species. It might be responsible for stronger resistance to diseases and pests or tolerance to environmental stresses in diploid wild species. This study would provide valuable information for the underlying molecular mechanisms of potato genetic diversity, and help in developing strategies for the utilization of wild species for potato improvement.

Effects of Paeonol and Gastroretention Tablets of Paeonol on Experimental Gastric Ulcers and Intestinal Flora in Rats.

Paeonol, a major ingredient isolated from Moutan Cort, has various pharmacological effects. Our previous studies have shown that paeonol can exert antioxidant and anti-inflammatory therapeutic effects on ethanol-induced experimental gastric ulcer (GU). Therefore, in this study, we designed two GU models in rats induced by pyloric ligation (PL) and acetic acid and evaluated the protective effects of paeonol and gastroretention tablets of paeonol (GRT-Ps; 24, 48, and 96 mg/kg) on GU in rats and the effect of paeonol (48 mg/kg) on the intestinal flora. In vivo experiments showed that paeonol or GRT-Ps remarkably reduced gastric mucosal damage in a dose-dependent manner in the different types of models and improved the superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and the malondialdehyde (MDA) content. And in fact, the sustained-release effect of GRT-Ps is more conducive to the improvement of GU compared with the rapid clearance of free drugs. In the PL-induced model, gastric secretion parameters, that is, pH and total acid, showed significant differences compared with the model group. In addition, paeonol treatment can improve the richness and diversity of the intestinal flora and increase the amount of beneficial bacteria, such as Lactobacillus. Paeonol and its stable sustained-release tablet GRT-Ps can promote ulcer healing by inhibiting oxidative stress and regulating the intestinal flora. This study can provide basis for the clinical treatment of GU with paeonol. Graphical Abstract.

Propolis Reduces Phosphatidylcholine-Specific Phospholipase C Activity and Increases Annexin a7 Level in Oxidized-LDL-Stimulated Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells.

To understand the mechanisms underlying the regulating dyslipidemia action of Chinese propolis and Brazilian green propolis, we investigated their effects on phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase C (PC-PLC) activity and annexin a7 (ANXA7) level which play crucial roles in the control of the progress of atherosclerosis. Furthermore, active oxygen species (ROS) levels, nuclear factor-KappaB p65 (NF- κ B p65), and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) were also investigated in oxidized-LDL- (ox-LDL-) stimulated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Our data indicated that the treatment of both types of propolis 12.5 µ g/mL significantly increased cell viability and attenuated apoptosis rate, increased ANXA7 level, and decreased PC-PLC activity. Both types of propolis also inhibited ROS generation as well as the subsequent MMP collapse, and NF- κ B p65 activation induced by ox-LDL in HUVECs. Our results also indicated that Chinese propolis and Brazilian green propolis had similar biological activities and prevented ox-LDL induced cellular dysfunction in HUVECs.

[Technology study on extraction and purification of alkaloid from Stemona japonica].

OBJECTIVE: In order to obtain the optimal conditions for separating the alkaloids from the extract of Stemona japonica by selecting appropriate cation exchange resins. METHODS: Seven types of cation exchange resins were evaluated in separating efficiency with measuring the adsorption ratio and eluting ratio of total alkaloids as indices, and the content of total alkaloids from Stemona japonica was determined as an index by spectrophotometry to choose the optimal technological parameters. RESULTS: The optimal result of extraction was obtained as Stemona japonica shattered into thick powder, adding eight times amount of 90% alcohol and refluxing and extracting for 3 h (totally extracting for 3 times). Each gram of D004 cation exchange resin could absorb 0.5003 mg of the total alkaloid, and the desorption ratio was 68.45%. The transfer rate of total alkaloids was 58.70%. the product purity of alkaloids was up to 70%. CONCLUSION: The D004 cation exchange resin can be used for purificating total alkaloids from Stemona japonica and the established procedure is simple and feasible.