Profiling of indole metabolic pathway in thermo-sensitive Bainong male sterile line in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.).

Bainong male sterile (BNS) wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a thermo-sensitive genic male sterile line with excellent sterility and self-restoration. We focused on transcriptional profiles of differentially expressed probes between BNS sterile and fertile anthers. Anthers, rachis and spikes from sterile line and fertile line were collected. Extracted RNA was assayed using wheat expression microarray and Gene Ontology was analyzed using Cytoscape with ClueGO. An indole (indole-3-acetic acid: IAA) metabolism pathway sub-network was almost formed in all differentially expressed profiles between sterile and fertile samples. IAA sub-network contained four nodes of indole and alkaloid metabolism connecting main network via indole compounds. This sub-network was absent in rachis and intact in transformed fertile anthers, which was the main differently expressed metabolism pathway in F1 anthers with restorer genes. Alkaloid metabolism was absent in sterile anthers. Abnormal metabolism of IAA may be involved in BNS sterility. BNS transformation may be regulated by the production of IAA and alkaloid metabolism pathway, which favor the safe utilization of the sterile line in hybrid wheat production.

Characterization of the complete chloroplast genome of Melampyrum roseum.

In this study, the complete chloroplast (cp) genome of Melampyrum roseum was determined through Illumina sequencing method. The complete cp genome of M. roseum was 143,896 bp in length and contained a pair of IR regions (25,210 bp) separated by a small single-copy region (10,292 bp) and a large single-copy region (83,184 bp). The cp genome of M. roseum encoded 117 genes including 78 protein-coding genes, 31 tRNA genes, and 8 rRNA genes. The overall GC content of M. roseum cp genome is 38.1%. By phylogenetic analysis using maximum-likelihood (ML) method, M. roseum was placed in Rhinantheae clade as expected.

Characterization of the complete chloroplast genome of Phtheirospermum japonicum (Rhinantheae).

In this study, we report the complete chloroplast (cp) genome of Phtheirospermum japonicum was determined through Illumina sequencing method. The complete chloroplast genome of Ph. japonicum was 153,397 bp in length and contained a pair of IR regions (25,601 bp) separated by a small single copy region (17,728 bp) and a large single copy region (84,467 bp). The cp genome of Ph. japonicum encoded 125 genes including 86 protein-coding genes, 31 tRNA genes and eight ribosomal RNA genes. The overall GC content of Ph. japonicum cp genome is 38.3%. By phylogenetic analysis using ML method, Ph. japonicum was placed in family Orobanchaceae and showed the closest relationship with Castilleja paramensis.

Two thymol derivatives from the flower buds of Lonicera japonica and their antibacterial activity.

A new monoterpenoid, 7-acetyl-8,9-dihydroxy thymol (1), together with a known one 7,8-dihydroxy-9-buyryl thymol (2), were isolated from the dried flower buds of Lonicera japonica Thunb. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic data analyses. The potential antibacterial effects of these compounds on Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Micrococcus luteus, and Bacillus cereus were evaluated. Interestingly, both compounds 1 and 2 exhibited significant antibacterial activities with IC50 values range from 27.64 ± 2.26 to 128.58 ± 13.26 µg/mL.

One new 19-nor cucurbitane-type triterpenoid from the stems of Momordica charantia.

One new 19-nor cucurbitane-type triterpenoid (3ß,9ß,25-trihydroxy-7ß-methoxy-19-nor-cucurbita-5,23(E)-diene) (1), together with other six known cucurbitane-type triterpenoids (2-7), were isolated from the stems of Momordica charantia L. The chemical structure of 1 was elucidated by extensive 1D NMR and 2D NMR (HSQC, HMBC, COSY and ROESY), MS experiments. Using MTT assay, compound 1 exhibited weak cytotoxicity against HL-60, A-549, and SK-BR-3 cell lines with the IC50 values at 27.3, 32.7 and 26.6 µM, respectively.

Three new iridoids from leaves of Cornus officinalis.

Three new iridoids, cornifins A-C (1-3), together with a known iridoid, were obtained from EtOAc layer of leaves of Cornus officinalis. The structures of new compounds were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analyses. Compound 2 showed weak inhibitory activity against lung cancer cell line A-549 with IC50 value of 29.1 µM.