In vitro micropropagation and tiliroside production in Paratecoma peroba (Record) Kuhlm, an endemic and endangered Brazilian tree.

In vitro tissue culture can be an alternative method for endangered species propagation, biodiversity conservation and secondary metabolite studies. Paratecoma peroba (Record) Kuhlm. (Bignoniaceae) is an endemic and endangered Brazilian species. This work aimed to establish in vitro morphogenesis and callus induction and to perform a phytochemical analysis of P. peroba callus extract. Higher seed germination (43%) was obtained in Wood Plant Medium culture without activated charcoal (AC). Combination of 5 µM benzyladenine + 10 µM gibberellic acid, without AC, resulted in a higher number of shoots (2 shoots/explant). A callus culture was stabilised from zygotic embryos using 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid. A callus methanolic extract was used for phytochemical analysis. The isolated substance was identified as tiliroside (kaempferol 3-O-ß-D-(6''-O-E-p-coumaroyl)-glucopyranoside) by NMR and quantified in callus and leaf extracts by HPLC. This study adds to the chemical knowledge of this species and it is the first report of a flavonol in Paratecoma.

Genome sequence of the white-rot fungus Irpex lacteus F17, a type strain of lignin degrader fungus.

Irpex lacteus, a cosmopolitan white-rot fungus, degrades lignin and lignin-derived aromatic compounds. In this study, we report the high-quality draft genome sequence of I. lacteus F17, isolated from a decaying hardwood tree in the vicinity of Hefei, China. The genome is 44,362,654 bp, with a GC content of 49.64% and a total of 10,391 predicted protein-coding genes. In addition, a total of 18 snRNA, 842 tRNA, 15 rRNA operons and 11,710 repetitive sequences were also identified. The genomic data provides insights into the mechanisms of the efficient lignin decomposition of this strain.

Termiticidal lectins from Myracrodruon urundeuva (Anacardiaceae) cause midgut damage when ingested by Nasutitermes corniger (Isoptera: Termitidae) workers.

BACKGROUND: Myracrodruon urundeuva is a hardwood tree, and its bark, heartwood and leaf contain lectins (MuBL, MuHL and MuLL respectively) with termiticidal activity against Nasutitermes corniger. In this work, the effects of these lectins on the midgut of N. corniger workers were evaluated. RESULTS: The insects were supplied with an artificial diet containing the lectins at their respective LC50 (previously determined). At 48 h after treatment, the midguts were dissected and fixed for histopathology analyses. Toluidine-blue-stained midguts from lectin-treated workers showed disorganisation, with the presence of debris in the lumen and the absence of brush border. Fluorescence microscopy revealed that the numbers of digestive and proliferating cells were lower in lectin-treated individuals than in the control, and caspase-3 staining confirmed the occurrence of cell apoptosis. Enteroendocrine cells were not seen in the treated individuals. The midguts from treated insects showed greater staining for peroxidase than the control, suggesting that the lectins caused oxidative stress. Staining with wheat germ agglutinin conjugated to FITC revealed that the lectins interfered with the integrity of the peritrophic matrix. CONCLUSION: This study showed that termiticidal lectins from M. urundeuva cause severe injuries, oxidative stress and cell death in the midgut of N. corniger workers. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.