Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ombeline Sculfort, Melanie McClure, Bastien Nay, Marianne Elias, Violaine Llaurens
Summary: Chemical defences in animals vary significantly between individuals, with factors such as larval host plants and brood lines influencing the type and amount of defensive compounds. The study highlights the continuous increase in chemical defences throughout the life of H. numata, with a significant effect of brood lines on CG concentrations. The overlooked effect of synthesis capabilities, which may be genetically determined, is also emphasized.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL ECOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Food Science & Technology
Nirmala Chongtham, Madho Singh Bisht, Thounaojam Premlata, Harjit Kaur Bajwa, Vivek Sharma, Oinam Santosh
Summary: Bamboo shoot is a nutritious food source in Asian countries, but it contains antinutrients such as cyanogenic glycosides and phytates which can lead to deficiencies in vitamins and minerals. Proper processing techniques like soaking, boiling, drying, and fermentation can reduce the level of antinutrients to improve the quality of bamboo shoots.
JOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY-MYSORE
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
M. N. Sohail, A. A. Quinn, C. K. Blomstedt, R. M. Gleadow
Summary: Droughted sorghum, both wildtype and dhurrin-lacking mutants, had higher concentrations of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Dhurrin increased in wildtype genotypes with drought. Sorghum bicolor is tolerant of high temperatures and prolonged droughts. During droughts, concentrations of dhurrin increase posing a risk to livestock of hydrogen cyanide poisoning.
Article
Entomology
Tina Klenovsek, Predrag Jaksic, Franc Janzekovic
Summary: The variability of the burnet moth's forewing is mainly manifested in the shape of the outline, showing differences among different locations. Two morphological groups were identified based on the forewing shape: one with narrower pointed forewings and the other with wider forewings with a blunt apex.
TURKIYE ENTOMOLOJI DERGISI-TURKISH JOURNAL OF ENTOMOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Microbiology
A. M. Pirttila, V. Brusila, J. J. Koskimaki, P. R. Wali, A. L. Ruotsalainen, M. Mutanen, A. M. Markkola
Summary: Prokaryotic and eukaryotic microbial symbiotic communities exist across different kingdoms, extending the host genome and aiding adaptation to changing environments. Plants and insects carry a variety of microbes on their surfaces, internally, and even within cells, with the insect gut being a selective environment. Despite their high dependence and frequent interaction, it remains uncertain how much plants and insects exchange and modify each other's microbiomes. This review focuses on herbivores that feed on plants in forest ecosystems, discussing the plant microbiome, overlap with insect microbial communities, and the effects of microbiome exchange on each host's fitness.
Article
Plant Sciences
Mei Luo, Bin Li, Georg Jander, Shaoqun Zhou
Summary: Non-volatile metabolites play a crucial role in plant-insect interactions, serving as both nutrients and defensive compounds. Functional genetics studies have identified receptors targeting plant non-volatile metabolites in insects, while the understanding of plant receptors for insect-derived molecules is limited. Insect feeding induces changes in plant specialized metabolism, but the effects on core metabolism vary among species. Furthermore, non-volatile metabolites can facilitate tripartite communication in plant communities through direct root-to-root communication and interactions with parasitic plants, mycorrhizae, and the rhizosphere microbiome.
Article
Plant Sciences
Huijun Liu, Nikola Micic, Sara Miller, Christoph Crocoll, Nanna Bjarnholt
Summary: Seed germination is essential for plant productivity, and the metabolic changes of specialized compounds during germination are important for plant development. By studying the metabolism of the defense compound dhurrin during sorghum grain germination, we discovered that dhurrin is synthesized and degraded in different tissues of the grain. In contrast, cyanogenic glucoside biosynthesis in barley occurs exclusively in the embryonic axis. Our findings also identified glutathione transferase enzymes as important in dhurrin catabolism during cereal germination.
PLANT PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Patrik Rada, Lenka Safarova, Petra Svobodova, Jakub Horak
Summary: Zygaena carniolica, an emblematic species of calcareous grasslands in central Europe, has experienced a decline in its population. This decline is attributed to the loss of suitable habitats and the decline in its preferred host plant. Effective habitat management is crucial for the conservation of this species.
JOURNAL OF INSECT CONSERVATION
(2023)
Review
Plant Sciences
Shaoqun Zhou, Georg Jander
Summary: Plant-derived volatile organic compounds play key roles in interactions with insect herbivores, acting as toxic or deterrent agents, signal molecules, and priming signals for plant tissues. The functions of VOC blends are strongly influenced by environmental conditions and specific plant-insect interactions. The complexity of plant-insect chemical communication via VOCs is enriched by the sophisticated molecular perception mechanisms of insects, which influence insect behavior in ways that are not fully understood.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Feifei An, Xinhui Xiao, Ting Chen, Jingjing Xue, Xiuqin Luo, Wenjun Ou, Kaimian Li, Jie Cai, Songbi Chen
Summary: In this study, the bHLH gene family in cassava was investigated through genome-wide survey and transcriptome data analysis. The results revealed the important roles of these genes in various physiological and stress responses in cassava. In addition, some MebHLH genes were found to be sensitive to postharvest physiological deterioration (PPD) and may be involved in the regulation of this process.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Entomology
M. P. Ali, M. S. Rahman, Farzana Nowrin, S. S. Haque, Xinghu Qin, M. A. Haque, M. M. Uddin, Douglas A. Landis, M. T. H. Howlader
Summary: The study found that increased salinity suppressed the growth of rice cultivars and reduced the population size of brown planthoppers due to decreased plant quality. Meanwhile, the highest population density of green mirid bugs occurred under control conditions and decreased significantly with increasing salinity. Overall, higher salinity negatively affected plant-herbivore-natural enemy systems and plant-pest-predator interactions, suggesting a decline in predatory insects' effectiveness in pest suppression in saline-affected rice production areas.
JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Max F. Cowan, Cecilia K. Blomstedt, Birger Lindberg Moller, Robert J. Henry, Roslyn M. Gleadow
Summary: Domestication has reduced genetic diversity in crop wild relatives, potentially decreasing their ability to adapt to climate change. Wild sorghum produces significantly less toxic dhurrin in their leaves compared to domesticated sorghum. Differences in plant morphology, dhurrin content, and nitrogen allocation suggest that domestication has altered the functional roles of dhurrin in sorghum.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Manisha Yadav, Indrakant K. Singh, Archana Singh
Summary: This article provides an overview of Dhurrin's properties, distribution, metabolism, and detoxification pathway, as well as its potential application as a natural pest control agent.
Review
Plant Sciences
Po-An Lin, Jessica Kansman, Wen-Po Chuang, Christelle Robert, Matthias Erb, Gary W. Felton
Summary: Water availability has a significant impact on plant-herbivore interactions. This review summarizes recent research on the effects of water availability on plant antiherbivore defense and the physiological processes involved. Water deficit tends to enhance certain defense traits but negatively affects others, and the impact of water availability on species interactions and plant evolution is discussed. However, there is a lack of study on the interactive impact of additional abiotic stressors on water-plant-herbivore interactions.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Alicia A. Quinn, Harry Myrans, Roslyn M. Gleadow
Summary: This study investigated cassava food products in Melbourne, Australia and found that ready-to-eat cassava chips had the highest cyanide content, with imported products having higher levels than those manufactured in Australia. Cyanide was detected in frozen cassava products, but processing according to instructions significantly reduced the levels. The study emphasizes the need for ongoing testing of cassava food products.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Karel Miettinen, Nattawat Leelahakorn, Aldo Almeida, Yong Zhao, Lukas Hansen, Iben Nikolajsen, Jens Andersen, Michael Givskov, Dan Staerk, Soren Bak, Sotirios Kampranis
Summary: The authors constructed yeast-based biosensors using G-protein coupled receptors to detect cannabinoids, screened agonists and antagonists, and developed a portable detection device.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Cecilie Cetti Hansen, Mette Sorensen, Matteo Bellucci, Wolfgang Brandt, Carl Erik Olsen, Jason Q. D. Goodger, Ian E. E. Woodrow, Birger Lindberg Moller, Elizabeth H. J. Neilson
Summary: This study investigates the biosynthesis of prunasin, a cyanogenic glucoside, in the economically and ecologically important genus Eucalyptus. By comparing cyanogenic and acyanogenic species, researchers identified a novel UDP-glucosyltransferase UGT87 that catalyzes the final step of prunasin biosynthesis. Additionally, the loss of different ortholog prunasin biosynthetic genes was observed in acyanogenic species. These findings highlight the heterogeneity and dynamic evolution of chemical defense pathways within a single genus, providing insights into the adaptability of Eucalyptus trees.
Article
Agronomy
Galaihalage K. S. Ananda, Sally L. Norton, Eve Barnes, Agnelo Furtado, Birger Lindberg Moller, Roslyn Gleadow, Robert J. Henry
Summary: In this study, the variation of grain size related genes in wild Sorghum was analyzed, revealing high morphological diversity in wild sorghum species. Six candidate genes related to grain size showed polymorphism, which may contribute to understanding and engineering grain size in sorghum and other cereals.
GENETIC RESOURCES AND CROP EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
E. Gundersen, A. H. C. Christiansen, K. Jorgensen, M. Lubeck
Summary: Cassava leaves are a promising biomass for protein extraction, as they are rich in protein with a balanced content of amino acids. The study found that protein concentrates from cassava leaves contained 40-45% crude protein, comparable to soybean, making it suitable for feed and food purposes. However, the extraction process did not significantly reduce the cyanogenic potential, which requires further research.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Elia Lacchini, Marie-Laure Erffelinck, Jan Mertens, Shirley Marcou, Francisco Javier Molina-Hidalgo, Oren Tzfadia, Jhon Venegas-Molina, Pablo D. Cardenas, Jacob Pollier, Aldo Tava, Soren Bak, Monica Hofte, Alain Goossens
Summary: Through co-expression analysis, we have found that the model legume Medicago truncatula has evolved a two-component system consisting of a beta-glucosidase, named G1, and triterpene saponins, which are physically separated in intact cells. G1 expression is specific to roots, induced by stress, and co-regulated with genes encoding triterpene saponin biosynthetic enzymes. However, the G1 protein is stored in the nucleolus and is released and combined with its substrates stored in vacuoles only upon tissue damage, partly mediated by the surfactant action of saponins themselves. Subsequently, enzymatic removal of carbohydrate groups from saponins creates a pool of metabolites with increased broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. We refer to this defense system as the saponin bomb, analogous to beta-glucosidase-dependent defense systems for glucosinolates and cyanogenic glucosides commonly known as mustard oil and cyanide bombs.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Yong Zhao, Oliver Gericke, Tuo Li, Louise Kjaerulff, Kenneth T. Kongstad, Allison Maree Heskes, Birger Lindberg Moller, Flemming Steen Jorgensen, Henrietta Venter, Sonia Coriani, Susan J. Semple, Dan Staerk
Summary: The development of sustainable and safe drugs to combat emerging health pandemics requires new analytical technologies to explore the unique chemical properties in Nature. In this study, a new analytical technology called polypharmacology-labeled molecular networking (PLMN) was introduced, which combined positive and negative ionization tandem mass spectrometry with polypharmacological high-resolution inhibition profiling data. By applying PLMN analysis to the crude extract of Eremophila rugosa, the antihyperglycemic and antibacterial constituents were identified, revealing their activity in different assays. Furthermore, 27 new non canonical nerylneryl diphosphate-derived diterpenoids were discovered, with serrulatane ferulate esters showing potential antihyperglycemic and antibacterial activities, including synergy with oxacillin in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains and saddle-shaped binding to the active site of protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B. PLMN holds promise for polypharmacological natural-products-based drug discovery.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Chao Liang, Chi Ndi, Louise Kjaerulff, Susan Semple, Bevan Buirchell, Sonia Coriani, Birger Lindberg Moller, Dan Staerk
Summary: Extracts of Eremophila phyllopoda subsp. phyllopoda exhibited inhibitory activity against alpha-glucosidase and PTP1B. Through high-resolution profiling, 21 new serrulatane diterpenoids and five known furofuran lignans were identified. The structures were elucidated using HRMS and NMR spectroscopic data. The compounds showed potential as inhibitors for alpha-glucosidase and PTP1B.
JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yong Zhao, Nikolaj L. Hansen, Yao-Tao Duan, Meera Prasad, Mohammed S. Motawia, Birger L. Moller, Irini Pateraki, Dan Staerk, Soren Bak, Karel Miettinen, Sotirios C. Kampranis
Summary: Researchers have identified a compound called celastrol in the roots of Tripterygium wilfordii, which has potential as an effective treatment for obesity. They have also developed a synthetic method for celastrol, allowing it to be produced from table sugar. This study demonstrates the successful combination of plant biochemistry, metabolic engineering, and chemistry for the scalable synthesis of complex specialized metabolites.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Pablo D. Cardenas, Jonas P. Landtved, Signe H. Larsen, Nicolai Lindegaard, Sebastian Wohlk, Karen R. Jensen, David I. Pattison, Meike Burow, Soren Bak, Christoph Crocoll, Niels Agerbirk
Summary: This study investigated the production of phytoalexins in the crucifer plant Barbarea vulgaris after exposure to abiotic stress. The results showed that two genotypes of B. vulgaris accumulated three major phytoalexins in the treated leaves. The levels of phytoalexins varied among plant types and individual phytoalexins. Summary: Two genotypes of B. vulgaris accumulated three major phytoalexins in response to abiotic stress.
Article
Plant Sciences
Aldo Almeida, Bruno Trevenzoli Favero, Lemeng Dong, Pablo D. Gardenas, Jorge Saenz-Mata, Henrik Lutken, Soren Bak
Summary: Cucurbitaceae species are used in traditional medicine globally, and cucurbitacins have shown potent anticancer activity. Hairy roots of Cucurbita pepo can be used for metabolic engineering of cucurbitacins. The formation of hairy roots leads to changes in cucurbitacin accumulation, and transcription factors play a significant role in this process.
PLANT PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Davide Mancinotti, Katarzyna Czepiel, Jemma L. Taylor, Hajar Golshadi Galehshahi, Lillian A. Moller, Mikkel K. Jensen, Mohammed Saddik Motawia, Barbara Hufnagel, Alexandre Soriano, Likawent Yeheyis, Louise Kjaerulff, Benjamin Peret, Dan Staerk, Toni Wendt, Matthew N. Nelson, Magdalena Kroc, Fernando Geu-Flores
Summary: This study reveals that the sweet gene "pauper" in lupin encodes an acetyltransferase (AT) involved in the early QA pathway, leading to the accumulation of QAs and decreasing sweetness. Mutagenesis in narrow-leafed lupin reproduces the pauper chemotype, confirming the hypothesis. This research expands our understanding of QA biosynthesis and identifies the sweet gene in lupin for the first time, facilitating lupin breeding and domestication of other QA-containing legumes.
Article
Plant Sciences
Chao Liang, Chi Ndi, Louise Kjaerulff, Susan Semple, Bevan Buirchell, Sonia Coriani, Birger Lindberg Moller, Dan Staerk
Summary: Extracts of Eremophila phyllopoda subsp. phyllopoda demonstrated inhibitory activity against alpha-glucosidase and PTP1B. Through extensive analysis, 21 previously undescribed serrulatane diterpenoids, two known serrulatane diterpenoids, and five known furofuran lignans were identified. These compounds showed potential as inhibitors against alpha-glucosidase and PTP1B.
JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Jan Guenther, Pernille Osterbye Erthmann, Bekzod Khakimov, Soren Bak
Summary: In this study, two amino acid residues responsible for the dominant changes in product ratios of beta-amyrin and alpha-amyrin in 2,3-oxidosqualene cyclase enzymes in wild cruciferous wintercress are identified. These findings highlight the functional diversity and promiscuity of these enzymes.