Phylogeographic analysis of Siraitia grosvenorii in subtropical China provides insights into the origin of cultivated monk fruit and conservation of genetic resources.

Siraitia grosvenorii, an economically important plant species with high medicinal value, is endemic to subtropical China. To determine the population structure and origin of cultivated S. grosvenorii, we examined the variation in three chloroplast DNA regions (trnR-atpA, trnH-psbA, trnL-trnF) and two orthologous nuclear genes (CHS and EDL2) of S. grosvenorii in 130 wild individuals (selected from 13 wild populations across its natural distribution range) and 21 cultivated individuals using a phylogeographic approach. The results showed three distinct chloroplast lineages, which were restricted to different mountain ranges, and strong plastid phylogeographic structure. Our findings suggest that S. grosvenorii likely experienced ancient range expansion and survived in multiple refuges in subtropical China during glacial periods, resulting in population fragmentation in different mountainous areas. Our results also demonstrated that wild populations in Guilin (Guangxi, China) share the same gene pool as cultivated S. grosvenorii, suggesting that current cultivars were collected directly from local wild resources, consistent with the principles of "nearby domestication." The results of this study provide insights into improving the efficiency of S. grosvenorii breeding using a genetic approach and outline measures for the conservation of its genetic resources.

Genetic and ecophysiological evidence that hybridization facilitated lineage diversification in yellow Camellia (Theaceae) species: a case study of natural hybridization between C. micrantha and C. flavida.

BACKGROUND: Hybridization is generally considered an important creative evolutionary force, yet this evolutionary process is still poorly characterized in karst plants. In this study, we focus on natural hybridization in yellow Camellia species, a group of habitat specialists confined to karst/non-karst habitats in southwestern China. RESULTS: Based on population genome data obtain from double digest restriction-site associated DNA (ddRAD) sequencing, we found evidence for natural hybridization and introgression between C. micrantha and C. flavida, and specifically confirmed their hybrid population, C. "ptilosperma". Ecophysiological results suggested that extreme hydraulic traits were fixed in C. "ptilosperma", these being consistent with its distinct ecological niche, which lies outside its parental ranges. CONCLUSION: The identified hybridization event is expected to have played a role in generating novel variation during, in which the hybrid population displays different phenological characteristics and novel ecophysiological traits associated with the colonization of a new niche in limestone karst.

Complete chloroplast genomes of Camellia pubipetala Y. Wan et S. Z. Huang and Camellia debaoensis R. C. Hu et Y. Q. Liufu.

Camellia pubipetala Y. Wan et S. Z. Huang and Camellia debaoensis R. C. Hu et Y. Q. Liufu are two threatened species of yellow camellias. The complete chloroplast genomes of C. pubipetala and C. debaoensis are 156,811 and 156,854 bp, respectively. They both have a typical quadripartite structure. C. pubipetala contains 134 genes, including 90 protein-coding genes, 36 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, and 8 ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes. Camellia debaoensis also possesses 134 different genes, including 90 protein-coding, 36 tRNA, and 8 rRNA genes. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that C. pubipetala is closely related to Camellia huana. Camellia debaoensis, Camellia liberofilamenta, and Camellia mingii formed a clade with 75% bootstrap values.

Camellia debaoensis (Theaceae), a new species of yellow camellia from limestone karsts in southwestern China.

Camellia debaoensis R.C.Hu & Y.Q.Liufu, sp. nov. is described and illustrated as a new species from southwestern Guangxi, China. It is morphologically similar to Camellia pubipetala Y. Wan & S. Z. Huang, C. mingii S.X. Yang and C. tuyenquangensis D.V. Luong, N.N.H. Le & N. Tran, but it differs from these species in having glabrous young branches, glabrous petiole, glabrous sepals, glabrous petals, glabrous stamens and glabrous ovary, 10 petals, cylindrical ovary and style 3-lobed to 1/6 style length.

Highly Active Catalysis of Cobalt Tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)porphyrin Promoted by Chitosan for Cyclohexane Oxidation in Response-Surface-Methodology-Optimized Reaction Conditions.

We aimed at elevating catalytic performances of cobalt tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)porphyrin (Co TPFPP) through axial coordination, nanocavities, and covalently grafting action. The Co TPFPP was immobilized onto nanoporous and nonporous chitosan, forming Co TPFPP/np- and nonp-CTS catalysts, respectively. The catalysts were characterized by various spectroscopic techniques. The catalytic performances of these catalysts for cyclohexane oxidation under response-surface-methodology-optimized oxidation reaction conditions were estimated and compared. Co TPFPP/np-CTS was an excellent catalyst at aspect of catalytic activity, exhibiting the considerable potential reusability, 24.2 mol % yields (KA oil : cyclohexanone and cyclohexanol) in average, and total turnover frequencies (TOFs) of 3.25×106 h-1. This is attributed to the structural characteristics of the Co TPFPP/np-CTS catalyst: the cobalt porphyrin molecules could be highly scattered on CTS, forming the independent active sites, and were not leached. The axial coordination exerted the most important effect on the catalytic activity, and the covalent grafting action had a decisive effect on the increase of the total TOFs and on the reusability of the catalyst.

Population Genetic Structure and Phylogeography of Camellia flavida (Theaceae) Based on Chloroplast and Nuclear DNA Sequences.

Camellia flavida is an endangered species of yellow camellia growing in limestone mountains in southwest China. The current classification of C. flavida into two varieties, var. flavida and var. patens, is controversial. We conducted a genetic analysis of C. flavida to determine its taxonomic structure. A total of 188 individual plants from 20 populations across the entire distribution range in southwest China were analyzed using two DNA fragments: a chloroplast DNA fragment from the small single copy region and a single-copy nuclear gene called phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL). Sequences from both chloroplast and nuclear DNA were highly diverse; with high levels of genetic differentiation and restricted gene flow. This result can be attributed to the high habitat heterogeneity in limestone karst, which isolates C. flavida populations from each other. Our nuclear DNA results demonstrate that there are three differentiated groups within C. flavida: var. flavida 1, var. flavida 2, and var. patens. These genetic groupings are consistent with the morphological characteristics of the plants. We suggest that the samples included in this study constitute three taxa and the var. flavida 2 group is the genuine C. flavida. The three groups should be recognized as three management units for conservation concerns.

Porous chitosan-supported metal tetra(4-carboxyphenyl)porphyrin as a practical model for the hydrophobic pocket/cavity of cytochrome P-450 enzyme.

The objective of this study was to investigate porous chitosan-supported metal tetra(4-carboxyphenyl)porphyrin [Me TCPP/p-CTS] as a practical model for the structure and function of the hydrophobic pocket cavity in cytochrome P-450 enzyme. Porous and non-porous chitosan-supported Me TCPPs [Me TCPP/p- and nonp-CTS] were prepared by a similar procedure, characterized using various techniques, and then used as catalysts for the aerobic oxidation of cyclohexane. The Me TCPP/p-CTS, which contained many cavities, showed higher catalytic activity than the Me TCPP/nonp-CTS. The catalytic activities of Mn TCPP/p-CTS and Fe TCPP/p-CTS were 12.4% and 24.4% greater than those of Mn TCPP/nonp-CTS and Fe TCPP/nonp-CTS, respectively. These differences in catalytic activity were mainly influenced by the characteristics and numbers of cavities (or pores) contained in the supported catalysts.