Propiconazole inhibits the sterol 14α-demethylase in Glomus irregulare like in phytopathogenic fungi

The increasing concentrations impact (0.02, 0.2 and 2 mg L⁻¹) of a Sterol Biosynthesis Inhibitor (SBI) fungicide, propiconazole, was evaluated on development and sterol metabolism of two non-target organisms: mycorrhizal or non-mycorrhizal transformed chicory roots and the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (AMF) Glomus irregulare using monoxenic cultures. In this work, we provide the first evidence of a direct impact of propiconazole on the AMF by disturbing its sterol metabolism. A significant decrease in end-products sterols contents (24-methylcholesterol and in 24-ethylcholesterol) was observed concomitantly to a 24-methylenedihydrolanosterol accumulation indicating the inhibition of a key enzyme in sterol biosynthesis pathway, the sterol 14α-demethylase like in phytopathogenic fungi. A decrease in end-product sterol contents in propiconazole-treated roots was also observed suggesting a slowing down of the sterol metabolism in plant. Taken together, our findings suggest that the inhibition of the both AM symbiotic partners development by propiconazole results from their sterol metabolism alterations.     

Heritable pheromone blend variation in a local population of the butterbur borer moth Ostrinia zaguliaevi (Lepidoptera: Crambidae)

Summary. In a local population of Ostrinia zaguliaevi Mutuura & Munroe (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), extensive variation was found in the blend ratio of three sex pheromone components, (Z)-9-tetradecenyl acetate (Z9-14:OAc, 10.2-63.8%), (Z)-11-tetradecenyl acetate (Z11-14:OAc, 32.2-86.8%), and (E)-11-tetradecenyl acetate (E11-14:OAc, 2.1-11.9%). The variation was observed over a three-year period (2002-2004). Mother-daughter regression analyses have shown that although the heritability of the minor component E11-14:OAc was not significant, the heritability of the proportions of Z9-14:OAc and Z11-14:OAc were substantial (0.5–0.6). In artificial selection experiments, the mean % Z9-14:OAc in the sex pheromone changed significantly within three generations (37% in the control line, 48 and 52% for two lines selected for increase, and 23 and 30% for two lines selected for decrease). Despite these changes, the amounts of fatty acyl pheromone precursors, (Z)-9-, (Z)-11- and (E)-11-tetradecenoate, in the pheromone gland were not significantly affected by the selection. Taken together, variation in the pheromone blend of O. zaguliaevi is likely to be attributable to a few genes involved in the reduction or acetylation of fatty acyl pheromone precursors, the last two steps in pheromone biosynthesis.     

Ladybird defence alkaloids: Structural,chemotaxonomic and biosynthetic aspects (Col.: Coccinellidae)

Summary The defensive mechanisms which protect ladybird beetles (Coccinellidae) against predators are reviewed. Besides behavioural mechanisms, such as thanatosis and reflex bleeding, chemical defence mechanisms are playing a prevalent role. Indeed, ladybirds are protected not only by their smell, but also by repulsive alkaloids, most of which are considered to be of autogenous origin. In a few cases, dietarily-acquired substances are also involved. Particular emphasis is laid on the repellent alkaloids which are contained in the haemolymph of many species. The structures of 34 nitrogen-containing compounds isolated so far are presented, and their distribution within the family is discussed in the light of the most widely accepted classification of these beetles. To conclude, the mode of release of the alkaloids, their variation through the life cycle and their repellent and toxic properties are discussed, as well as the few biosynthetic data yet available.     

金属离子诱导Trichoderma sp.WL-Go合成纳米金特性研究

生物法合成纳米金是一种环境友好且经济高效的合成途径,受到广泛关注.普遍认为微生物合成纳米金是通过胞外分泌生物大分子而实现的一种自发脱毒过程.同时,相关研究表明低浓度的重金属离子对菌株胞外酶的活性会产生一定的影响,进而会对菌株合成纳米金的能力产生影响.基于此,本研究选择一株前期筛选得到的真菌Trichoderma sp. WL-Go,探究不同金属离子诱导菌株对其合成的纳米金特性的影响.结果表明,经Co~(2+)、Al~(3+)、Zn~(2+)、Sn~(2+)、Ni~(2+)等金属离子诱导后,菌株WL-Go合成纳米金的能力均有所提升,而Pb~(2+)、Cu~(2+)、Fe~(3+)与对照组相比,其合成的纳米金浓度及转化率都无明显变化.此外,Co~(2+)诱导菌株合成的纳米金呈现肉眼可见的团簇状,发生明显的团聚现象.本实验还考察了生物合成纳米金对4-硝基苯酚还原的催化特性,结果表明,Sn~(2+)和Pb~(2+)的诱导使菌株WL-Go合成的纳米金催化速率得到明显提升,而其他金属离子均有所抑制.最后选取革兰氏阳性菌Arthrobacter sp. W1和革兰氏阴性菌Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3)验证了不同金属离子诱导后合成的纳米金均具有良好的生物相容性.综上,本研究为对于拓宽纳米金的工业化应用前景有着重要意义.     

Chemical defense and evolutionary trends in biosynthetic capacity among dorid nudibranchs (Mollusca: Gastropoda: Opisthobranchia)

Summary. An evolutionary scenario incorporating recent advances in phylogenetic research begins with an opisthobranch-pulmonate common ancestor that was herbivorous and had some diet-derived chemical defense. The Nudibranchia and their closest relatives, the Notaspidea, form a lineage the ancestors of which had switched to feeding upon sponges and deriving protection from metabolites contained in them. Subsequently there have been repeated shifts in food and defensive metabolites, and trends are evident in the ability to detoxify, sequester and utilize metabolites from food, as well as to synthesize defensive compounds de novo. The Notaspidea display a minor adaptive radiation that foreshadows a more extensive one in the various lineages of nudibranchs. This review emphasizes changes that have occurred within the Holohepatica, or dorid nudibranchs (order Doridacea). Their sister-group, the Cladohepatica, consists of three other orders, Dendronotacea, Arminacea, and Aeolidiacea, in which there has been a shift from sponges to Cnidaria as food. The Dendronotacea often feed upon Octocorallia, which combine spicules, chemical defense, and stinging capsules and thereby suggest a transition from feeding on sponges. A previous diet of Octocorallia is suggested by the defensive use of prostaglandins in the dendronotacean Tethys fimbria, which eats crustaceans. A shift to bryozoans in some Arminacea is accompanied by use of different metabolites. Dorid nudibranchs evidently began as sponge-feeders, but some lineages have shifted to a variety of other food organisms, and others have specialized in the kind of sponges they feed on and how they do it. There have been shifts to bryozoans (Ectoprocta) and ascidians (Chordata: Urochordata) that track metabolites rather than the taxonomy of the food. There is a crude correlation between the genealogy and the defensive metabolites of the sponge-feeding dorids. De novo synthesis is well documented in this order and the metabolites are appropriately positioned so as to have an adaptive effect. The hypothesis that the capacity for de novo synthesis was acquired by gene transfer across lineages is rejected, partly on the basis of different chirality of metabolites in the nudibranchs and their food organisms. Instead it is proposed that there has been a preadaptive phase followed by evolution in a retrosynthetic mode, with selection favoring enzymes that enhance the yield of end products that are already present in the food. Received 5 February 1999; accepted 26 July 1999     

脂多糖诱发生物体内合成NO_2~－和胺类化合物的研究

脂多糖诱发生物体内合成ＮＯ_２~－和胺类化合物的研究宋秀贤，赵海涛，金秀兰许后效，林继红，陆德培（中国科学院生态环境研究中心，北京，１０００８５）关键词亚硝酸根；胺类化合物；生物合成；脂多糖．一些研究已经证明Ｎ－亚硝基化合物（ＮＯＣ）对动物存在致癌性￣...     

应用细胞合成计量关系模型分析鱼腥藻7120的混合营养生长

根据文献中鱼腥藻细胞大分子的含量和组成情况,计算了细胞合成所需要的小分子单体和前体代谢物的量,得到代谢意义上的细胞生物合成计量关系,此计量关系模型,对鱼腥藻7120细胞在气升式光生物反应器中光自养和混合营养生长的对数生长阶段进行了代谢通量分析。结果表明,葡萄糖的利用影响细胞初级碳代谢的流动状况,混合营养生长过程比光自养生长过程磷酸戊糖途径氧化性分支的反应程度明显加强,随着培养的进行,葡萄糖被细胞用作碳源的比例可能减小,而用作能源的比例可能增大。     

靛蓝的微生物合成研究新进展

靛蓝是一种广泛应用于印染、医药等行业的有机色素,利用微生物法合成靛蓝已引起国内外学者的广泛关注.本文综述了微生物法合成靛蓝的研究进展及动态.靛蓝的微生物合成可归纳为3个阶段:野生型微生物催化合成、基因工程菌全细胞催化转化及代谢工程调控转化.多数芳烃降解菌及其编码酶均具备催化吲哚合成靛蓝的能力,采用定向进化、宏基因组技术以及两相体系等对已知酶资源进行深尺度研究,将为靛蓝生物合成过程注入新的活力.同时,靛蓝合成过程中产生的羟基吲哚及靛蓝衍生物是新型药物及化工中间体,也具有较大的研究价值.然而,由于靛蓝合成过程涉及的中间产物及副产物间转化关系及合成脉络仍不明晰,靛蓝产率低,因此将分子生物学及代谢工程手段融入到靛蓝合成机理及产业化应用的探索将成为该方向的研究重点.     

赤潮甲藻毒素麻痹性贝毒的生物合成研究进展

简要介绍了赤潮甲藻毒素麻痹性贝毒的生物合成过程及毒素结构的化学转换和生物转换方面的研究进展。包括利用放射性标记物质喂养产毒甲藻Gonyaulax tamarensis的研究实验,提出了该甲藻是通过一个乙酸单元或者它的衍生物与精氨酸或其等价物在α碳上的胺基的克莱森聚合(CLAISEN),随后失去羰基碳,并在相邻的羰基碳上形成咪唑环而合成麻痹性贝毒的理论过程。还介绍了N-磺酰基耦联的麻痹性毒素被弱酸和生物系统中的N-磺酰酶水解时结构转换方面的研究进展。也介绍了我国的研究进展和该领域今后的研究方向。