Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Wen-Li Wang, Dong-Rong Zhu, Ling-Nan Li, Xiao-Qin Liu, Li Zhu, Tian-Yu Zhu, Chen Chen, Chao Han, Pin Ying, Zhi-Hua Lin, Jian-Guang Luo, Ling-Yi Kong
Summary: Taiwania cryptomerioides is an endangered plant endemic to China that provides decay-resistant timber and regenerative leaves for the discovery of diterpenoids. A study on the leaves of T. cryptomerioides led to the isolation of ten new heterodimeric diterpenoids, along with known ones, and evaluation of their anti-multidrug resistance activities.
CHEMISTRY & BIODIVERSITY
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Nai-Wen Tsao, Ying-Hsuan Sun, Fang-Hua Chu, Shih-Chang Chien, Sheng-Yang Wang
Summary: The relationship between lignan biosynthesis and programmed cell death (PCD) of ray parenchyma cells during the heartwood formation of Taiwania was investigated. The PCD of ray parenchyma cells and the synthesis of lignans are two important processes involved in heartwood formation and both are regulated by genes. The genotoxic induces the PCD of tracheids, while biological factors like fungi, bacteria, and viruses induce the PCD of ray parenchyma cells, which could lead to oxidative stress. The accumulation of savinin in ray parenchyma cells is found to cause PCD, as confirmed by in vitro experiments and the production of taiwanin A, the marker of heartwood formation.
Review
Food Science & Technology
Himanshu Chhillar, Priyanka Chopra, Mohd Ashraf Ashfaq
Summary: Lignans are complex diphenolic compounds considered as phytoestrogens, widely present in the plant kingdom. Linseed is noted for being one of the richest sources of lignans, particularly the essential lignan SDG. Lignans exhibit established antimitotic, antiviral, and anti-tumor properties, contributing to their medicinal value.
CRITICAL REVIEWS IN FOOD SCIENCE AND NUTRITION
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Chun-Ya Lin, Sen-Sung Cheng, Shang-Tzen Chang
Summary: This study compared the chemical composition of volatile compounds in Chamaecyparis formosensis and C. obtusa var. formosana wood. The results showed significant compositional differences between these two species. The characteristic compounds of C. formosensis were cis-myrtanol and chamaecynone, while those of C. obtusa var. formosana were alpha-terpineol and borneol.
BIOCHEMICAL SYSTEMATICS AND ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Lei Huang, Yajun Zeng, Shikai Yang, Hua Zhou, Jiajuan Xu, Yunchao Zhou, Gang Wang
Summary: Forests, including Chinese fir, are important sustainable sources of ecosystems and contribute to human welfare. However, little is known about the mechanisms of wood formation in Chinese fir. This study used transcriptome analysis to identify differentially expressed genes and pathways associated with timber formation in Chinese fir at different stand ages. The results showed that genes involved in plant hormone signal transduction, flavonoid metabolism, starch and sucrose metabolism, and MAPK signal transduction pathways may play a role in diameter formation in Chinese fir. Certain transcriptome factors related to timber formation were also identified, and key genes were validated by qRT-PCR analysis. This research provides insights into the regulation of wood formation and can contribute to improving the quality of Chinese fir production.
Article
Forestry
Nai-Wen Tsao, Shih-Chang Chien, Yueh-Hsiung Kuo, Sheng-Yang Wang
Summary: Taiwania cryptomerioides, a living fossil from the Mesozoic Tertiary period, is known for its distinguished yellowish-red heartwood color. This study identified three new sesquiterpenoids and confirmed the presence of lignans in the sapwood of Taiwania, supporting previous research on heartwood formation.
JOURNAL OF WOOD SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Chi-Hsiang Wen, Nai-Wen Tsao, Sheng-Yang Wang, Fang-Hua Chu
Summary: The color variation of Formosan sweet gum in young and senescent leaves is determined by the composition of anthocyanidins through the transcriptional regulation of related genes.
PHYSIOLOGIA PLANTARUM
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Li-Ting Ma, Chang-Hsin Wang, Chong-Yao Hon, Yi-Ru Lee, Fang-Hua Chu
Summary: Chamaecyparis formosensis is an endemic and precious coniferous species of Taiwan, known for its high abundance of specialized metabolites with anti-fungal and antibacterial bioactivities, which contribute to plant defense against pathogens. This species contains unique diterpenoids, including cadinene, ferruginol, and derivatives of isoabienol, which are essential for understanding diterpenoid metabolism in Cupressaceae.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yu-Cheng Chang, Yi-Ching Chiu, Nai-Wen Tsao, Yuan-Lin Chou, Choon-Meng Tan, Yi-Hsuan Chiang, Pei-Chi Liao, Ya-Chien Lee, Li-Ching Hsieh, Sheng-Yang Wang, Jun-Yi Yang
Summary: This study characterized the core genes involved in betalain biosynthesis in Amaranthus tricolor through comparative transcriptome analysis and functional enzymatic experiments, revealing the mechanism of red betalain pigment synthesis.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Correction
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yu-Cheng Chang, Yi-Ching Chiu, Nai-Wen Tsao, Yuan-Lin Chou, Choon-Meng Tan, Yi-Hsuan Chiang, Pei-Chi Liao, Ya-Chien Lee, Li-Ching Hsieh, Sheng-Yang Wang, Jun-Yi Yang
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Chun-Wei Chuang, Chi-Hsiang Wen, Tsai-Jung Wu, Ching-Ching Li, Nien-Ting Chiang, Li-Ting Ma, Chen-Lung Ho, Gene-Sheng Tung, Chin-Cheng Tien, Yi-Ru Lee, Fang-Hua Chu
Summary: Zanthoxylum ailanthoides is a traditional spice crop in Taiwan with unique smells and tastes that differ between prickly (young) and nonprickly (mature) leaves. Different volatile terpenes between prickly young and nonprickly mature leaves were identified and considered to be one of the sources of their aromas. The functions of terpene synthase genes were investigated, revealing the biosynthesis of compounds responsible for the distinct aromas of Z. ailanthoides.
JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Li-Ting Ma, Pi-Ling Liu, Yang-Tui Cheng, Tz-Fan Shiu, Fang-Hua Chu
Summary: This study used transcriptome mining and functional characterization to uncover the activity of several monoterpene synthases in Taiwania cryptomerioides, and compared their evolutionary characteristics. The results suggest that there may be crucial regions in the catalytic residues of Cupressaceae monoterpene synthases, which help determine the formation of different monoterpenes.
Article
Plant Sciences
Wen-Wei Hsiao, K. J. Senthil Kumar, Hui-Ju Lee, Nai-Wen Tsao, Sheng-Yang Wang
Summary: Calocedrus formosana wood essential oil (CFEO) and its bioactive components exhibit anti-melanogenic activity and have the potential to be used in the development of skin whitening products.
Article
Biology
Ching-Chih Lin, Sin Yong Hoo, Li-Ting Ma, Chih Lin, Kai-Fa Huang, Ying-Ning Ho, Chi-Hui Sun, Han-Jung Lee, Pi-Yu Chen, Lin-Jie Shu, Bo-Wei Wang, Wei-Chen Hsu, Tzu-Ping Ko, Yu-Liang Yang
Summary: In a multi-omics analysis, bacterial polyynes were found to act as antifungal agents by inhibiting the Candida albicans polyyne resistance gene ERG10, providing a potential target for developing antifungal agents.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Forestry
Nai-Wen Tsao, Yen-Chi Lin, Yen-Hsueh Tseng, Shih-Chang Chien, Sheng-Yang Wang
Summary: This study identified the main compounds of exudates from 13 conifers in Taiwan, revealing that the main volatiles were alpha-pinene, beta-ocimene, beta-pinene, sabinene, and caryophyllene. It also found that the nonvolatile compounds were diterpenoids, classified into three types. The analysis results of conifers' epigenetics by GC-MS and HSQC were similar to traditional taxonomy classification, indicating the usefulness of this technology in classifying conifers. Additionally, certain conifers showed strong antifungal activity against white-rot and brown-rot fungi.
JOURNAL OF WOOD SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Chong-Yao Hong, Nai-Wen Tsao, Sheng-Yang Wang, Fang-Hua Chu
Summary: Terpene synthase (TPS) analysis was conducted to better understand terpenoid biosynthesis and the evolution of phylogenetic taxonomy. Three sesquiterpene synthase genes were isolated and characterized, with their products identified through GC/MS and NMR analysis. These enzymes biosynthesize acora-4(14),8-diene and (5R,6R,10S)-alpha-gorgonene, and may catalyze further cyclization of the substrate.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kotapati Kasi Viswanath, Song-Yi Kuo, Ying-Wen Huang, Nai-Wen Tsao, Chung-Chi Hu, Na-Sheng Lin, Sheng-Yang Wang, Yau-Heiu Hsu
Summary: This study uncovers the interaction between virus-responsive promoter and the corresponding transcription factor in plants, and reveals that NbMYB30 can affect the expression of the AGO5 gene and the accumulation of viruses.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Gyaltsen Dakpa, Kanthasamy Jayabal Senthil Kumar, Nai-Wen Tsao, Sheng-Yang Wang
Summary: This study investigated the metabolic alterations induced by SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and the regulatory effect of antcin A on these changes. The results showed that antcin A significantly reversed the altered metabolites mediated by the SARS-CoV-2 protein and inhibited the up-regulation of related receptors.
PHYTOTHERAPY RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Chieh-Yin Chen, Pei-Chen Wu, Nai-Wen Tsao, Yen-Hsueh Tseng, Fang-Hua Chu, Sheng-Yang Wang
Summary: The study on the leaves and extracts of Cinnamomum insularimontanum demonstrated good anti-inflammatory activity, suggesting its potential for the development of healthcare products.
Article
Plant Sciences
Wei-Lin Fan, Chi-Hsiang Wen, Li-Ting Ma, Chen-Lung Ho, Gene-Sheng Tung, Chin-Cheng Tien, Fang-Hua Chu
Summary: In this study, five candidate monoterpene synthase genes were cloned and characterized, and it was found that the leaves of Tana contain volatile terpenoids such as sabinene, geraniol, and (E)-& beta;-ocimene, which may contribute to the distinctive aroma of this plant. Real-time PCR analysis showed that two genes, Za_mTPS1 and Za_mTPS5, were expressed at higher levels in prickly leaves of cultivated Tana, suggesting their involvement in the unique aroma of this plant.
PLANT PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY
(2023)
