On the mechanism of action and selectivity of the corn herbicide topramezone: a new inhibitor of 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase

Topramezone is a new, highly selective herbicide of pyrazole structure for the post-emergence control of broadleaf and grass weeds in corn. The biokinetic properties and mode of action of topramezone were investigated in plants of Setaria faberi Herrm, Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench, Solanum nigrum L. and the crop species corn (Zea mays L.). Within 2-5 days after treatment, topramezone caused strong photobleaching effects on the shoot, followed by plant death of sensitive weeds. The selectivity of topramezone between corn and the weed species has been quantified as above 1000-fold. By virtue of the plant symptoms and the reversal of the effects in Lemna paucicostata L. by adding homogentisate, it was hypothesized that topramezone blocks the formation of homogentisate, possibly through inhibition of 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (4-HPPD). Indeed, topramezone strongly inhibited 4-HPPD activity in vitro, with I(50) values of 15 and 23 nM for the enzyme isolated from S. faberi and recombinant enzyme of Arabidopsis thaliana L. respectively. The enzyme activity from corn was approximately 10 times less sensitive. After root and foliar application of [(14)C]topramezone, equivalent to field rates of 75 g ha(-1), the herbicide was rapidly absorbed and systemically translocated in the plant. Only marginal differences between leaf uptake and translocation of topramezone by the weeds and corn were found. Metabolism of foliar-applied [(14)C]topramezone was far more rapid in corn than in the weeds. A more rapid metabolism combined with a lower sensitivity of the 4-HPPD target enzyme contributes to the tolerance of corn to topramezone.     

茶树单体和聚合态儿茶素生物合成的研究进展

儿茶素类化合物,主要包括单体儿茶素和聚合态儿茶素,是茶树(Camellia sinensis)多酚主要组成部分,是绿茶"茶味"决定性成分.茶树儿茶素类化合物合成与积累具有显著的组织器官特异性,鲜叶中主要积累单体儿茶素,根中以积累聚合态儿茶素为主.类黄酮代谢途径下游的无色花青素还原酶(LAR)和花青素还原酶(ANR)是决...     

Altered tryptophan metabolism in FIV-positive cats

BACKGROUND: Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) is analogous to human immunodeficiency virus, the causative agent of human acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). In AIDS patients, a progressive reduction in serum tryptophan concentration occurs because of activation of an inducible tryptophan degradation pathway mediated by elevated lamda-interferon production. HYPOTHESIS: Cats infected with FIV have increased tryptophan catabolism evidenced by reduced circulating concentrations of tryptophan and increased concentrations of the tryptophan catabolite kynurenine. ANIMALS: Convenience sample of 235 cats submitted for diagnostic FIV serology (115 FIV-negative and 120 FIV-positive cats). METHODS: Retrospective, cross-sectional study. Serum was assayed for tryptophan and kynurenine using a high performance liquid chromatography assay with fluorescence and ultraviolet detection, respectively. RESULTS: Tryptophan and kynurenine concentrations were log-normally distributed. Geometric mean concentrations were: tryptophan: FIV-positive 30.6 microM (95% CI: 26.8 34.8 microM), FIV-negative 48.9 [microM (95% CI: 43.6-54.9 microM) (P < .001); kynurenine: FIV-positive 22.7 microM (95% CI: 25.5-10.9 microM), FIV-negative 9.9 microM (95% CI: 20.3-9.03 microM) (P < .001). The ratio of kynurenine to tryptophan was: FIV-positive 4.93 (95% CI: 5.62-4.32), FIV-negative 1.34 (95% CI: 1.53 1.17) (P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Serum tryptophan concentration was significantly lower and serum kynurenine concentration was significantly higher in FIV-positive cats. The kynurenine: tryptophan ratio was >3-fold higher in FIV-positive animals, indicating increased tryptophan catabolism in this group. Dietary or pharmacologic intervention to support serum tryptophan concentrations has been shown to be clinically useful in humans with AIDS and might be applicable to cats with FIV infection.     

Synthesis and herbicidal activity of phenyl-substituted benzoylpyrazoles

A novel series of substituted 3-phenyl benzoylpyrazoles were prepared and tested as potential grass herbicides. The targeted materials were prepared by three newly developed synthetic routes, which allowed a comprehensive study of the SAR (structure-activity relationships) of this series. The best combination of grass weed activity (Avena fatua L, Setaria viridis (L) Beauv and Alopecurus myosuroides Huds) and wheat selectivity was obtained with an alkoxy group in the 4-position of the phenyl ring. Activity was further enhanced by the presence of tert-butyl on the pyrazole and a methyl group at the C-2 position of the benzoyl moiety. The alkoxy-substituted 3-phenylbenzoylpyrazoles are a novel class of herbicides with potential utility for control of important grass weeds in cereals.     

水稻DUS测试标准品种丛矮2号矮化多分蘖表型的遗传基础

水稻DUS测试标准品种之一丛矮2号(cl2)具有矮化多分蘖的表型特征,遗传分析表明该性状由1对隐性核基因控制,已将其定位在第4染色体长臂InDel标记C4-CL5和C4-CL4之间。对这两个标记之间一个已报道的多分蘖基因D17/HTD1进行测序,发现cl2中的D17/HTD1基因编码区第1 796个碱基由C突变为T,从而导致第599位的氨基酸由脯氨酸变成亮氨酸。同时对另一个来源于粳稻品种日本晴的矮化多分蘖突变体S1-40进行测序,发现D17/HTD1第3内含子3’端拼接点由AG突变为AA,导致mRNA产生2种错误的剪接形式。D17/HTD1编码类胡萝卜素裂解双加氧酶7 (Carotenoid Cleavage Dioxygenase7, CCD7),参与新型植物激素独脚金内酯(Strigolactones, SLs)的合成。利用SLs的人工合成类似物GR24处理cl2,其多分蘖表型得到抑制。系统进化树分析发现CCD7在几乎所有植物都有同源蛋白,水稻CCD7蛋白与同属禾本科的玉米、高粱和短柄草同源性最高。Real-time RT-PCR结果显示D17/HTD1基因在植物所有组织都有表达,尤以茎部最高。     

万寿菊类胡萝卜素裂解双加氧酶基因CCD4b的克隆与表达分析

为探讨万寿菊类胡萝卜素降解过程中CCD4b的功能,以万寿菊(Tagetes erecta L.)‘Scarletade’品种舌状花为试材,利用同源基因克隆获得CCD4b,命名为TeCCD4b (GenBank:KY450708)。序列分析表明TeCCD4b cDNA全长为1 725bp,编码区长度1 392bp,所编码的产物含463个氨基酸,主要定位于质体膜,属RPE65超家族,包含CCD家族保守的结构域;同源分析表明TeCCD4b与向日葵HaCCD4-L、案头菊CmCCD4b同源性最高;系统进化树分析显示TeCCD4b与HaCCD4-L和CmCCD4b亲缘关系最近,与其他物种的CCD4和CCD4a存在差异,表明TeCCD4b在进化过程中保守性不强,不同种属之间具有明显差异,基本符合植物的进化规律;荧光定量PCR结果显示TeCCD4b在舌状花发育过程中均有表达,且与万寿菊花色变化基本一致,表明万寿菊舌状花颜色变化可能与TeCCD4b表达量高低相关。     

Herbicide pyrazolate causes cessation of carotenoids synthesis in early watergrass by inhibiting 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase

In aqueous solution, the herbicide pyrazolate [4‐(2,4‐dichlorobenzoyl)‐1,3‐dimethyl‐5‐pyrazolyl p‐toluenesulfonate] is rapidly hydrolyzed to destosyl pyrazolate (DTP), 4‐(2,4‐dichlorobenzoyl)‐1,3‐dimethyl‐5‐hydroxypyrazole, which is an active form of the herbicide. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of pyrazolate and DTP on carotenoids synthesis in susceptible weed, early watergrass (Echinochloa oryzicola Vasing.). Furthermore, their in vitro effect on 4‐hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD) was determined. Roots of the plants at the two‐leaf stage were soaked for 24 h into pyrazolate (5 × 10^–5 mol L^?1) or norflurazon (10^–6 mol L^?1) solution containing 0.5% volume of acetone. At the first sampling time (3 days after treatment: 3 DAT), the chlorophyll content in the third leaves of pyrazolate‐treated plants were not different compared with the untreated control, but it was decreased between 3 and 6 DAT. The declining pattern of β‐carotene in the third leaf of early watergrass was very similar to that of chlorophyll. Both herbicides induced greater accumulation of phytoene in the third leaves of early watergrass 3 DAT, and the levels were kept until 9 DAT. However, feeding of homogentisate reduced the phytoene accumulation only in pyrazolate‐treated plants, suggesting the site of action of the herbicide located in the pathway of plastoquinone synthesis. In a HPPD assay, DTP revealed to inhibit the enzyme with an IC₅₀ value of 13 nmol L^?1 and that of pyrazolate was 52 nmol L^?1. In the pyrazolate solution used in the assay, some of the herbicide possibly has been hydrolyzed to DTP. From the all results obtained, it is strongly suggested that pyrazolate inhibits carotenoids synthesis and causes bleaching on the developing leaves by the similar mechanism with norflurazon, but its action site is not phytoene desaturase and is HPPD.     

饲料牛磺酸含量对斜带石斑鱼幼鱼生长性能、体成分、TauT mRNA表达量及牛磺酸合成关键酶活性的影响

为探讨饲料牛磺酸含量对斜带石斑鱼幼鱼生长性能、体成分、TauT mRNA表达量及牛磺酸合成关键酶(CSD和CDO)活性的影响,实验在以酪蛋白和明胶为蛋白源的基础饲料(0DT)中分别添加0.5%(0.5DT)、1.0%(1.0DT)、1.5%(1.5DT)的牛磺酸,配制成4种不同牛磺酸含量的饲料。将平均体质量为(13.85±0.25) g的320尾斜带石斑鱼幼鱼随机分为4组,每组4个循环水族箱,每箱放养20尾鱼,每组分别投喂一种相同实验饲料,每天定时投喂实验饲料至表观饱食状态,实验为期84 d。结果显示,在0DT饲料中补充外源牛磺酸能显著提高饲料效率、摄食率、增重率和全鱼粗蛋白含量,而显著降低肝体比和全鱼粗脂肪含量。组织中肝脏、肌肉、肠道TauT mRNA表达量在1.0DT组时达到最大值,且显著高于其他各组,当饲料牛磺酸含量继续增加至1.5DT组时明显降低,但仍显著高于0DT和1.0DT组。斜带石斑鱼幼鱼血浆、肝脏、肠道和肌肉中牛磺酸含量与饲料牛磺酸含量之间呈正相关。饲料中补充外源牛磺酸能够显著降低肝脏、肌肉中CSD活性,同时降低血浆、肝脏、肠道和肌肉中CDO活性,但对血浆CSD活性无显著影响。研究表明,饲料中补充外源牛磺酸能够明显促进斜带石斑鱼幼鱼生长,增加鱼体蛋白沉积,同时降低鱼体脂肪沉积,上调组织中TauT mRNA表达水平及提高牛磺酸蓄积,降低牛磺酸合成关键酶活性。研究表明,以增重率为目标,通过二次多项式回归分析,饲料中牛磺酸的适宜含量为0.92%。     

甘肃红豆草无色花青素还原酶LAR基因的克隆和表达分析

以甘肃红豆草为材料,采用RT-PCR法克隆无色花青素还原酶LAR基因,分析该功能基因在甘肃红豆草不同器官表达的差异性。结果表明,克隆的甘肃红豆草LAR基因,与GenBank已报道LAR基因(登录号:HM152981)序列相似性达到98.34%,其ORF长为1089 bp,编码362个氨基酸残基;其编码的氨基酸序列与不同属豆科物种的相似性存在较大的差异。基因序列已注册到GenBank,序列登录号为KP013623。LAR基因在甘肃红豆草不同器官表达差异较大;其中叶中表达量最高,其次是花和果,茎中表达量最低,这与器官间缩合单宁含量的变化规律一致。推测其表达与甘肃红豆草缩合单宁器官间的积累差异有关。这些研究结果也为探索缩合单宁积累和表达调控的机制提供基础。