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beruecksichtige naturwissenschaftliche Journale:
Phytochemistry Reviews - published by
Springer -
... is an international review journal that publishes peer-reviewed papers in three issues annually. The journal examines topical issues, some of which result from meetings organized by the Phytochemical Society of Europe. The journal also presents original review papers advancing knowledge of plants in respect to their chemistry, function, biosynthesis, effects on other plants, animal physiology and pathology.
Phytochemical Analysis - published by
Wiley-Interscience -
... is devoted to the publication of original articles on the utilization of analytical methodology in the plant sciences.
Aktuelle wissenschaftliche Fachartikel der
genannten Journale:
Abstract Aliphatic glucosinolates are a major class of defensive secondary metabolites in plants that are mostly derived from methionine.
Occurring in different chain lengths, they show a structural diversity arising from the variable number of chain elongation
cycles taking place during their biosynthesis. The key enzymes in determining glucosinolate chain length are the methylthioalkylmalate
(MAM) synthases, MAM1 and MAM3, with MAM3 showing a broader substrate specificity than MAM1. A comparison of the measurements
of wild type and MAM1 knockout mutant plants shows the following distinct changes in glucosinolate chain length profiles:
(1)
a reversal of the relative proportions of the two shortest glucosinolates,
(2)
a significant increase in the concentration of the longest glucosinolate,
(3)
an increase in total glucosinolate content in the mutant.
MAM3 knockout mutants on the contrary differ from wild type plants by a pronounced abundance of the second shortest glucosinolate
and the depletion of the two longest glucosinolates. To clarify the contribution of the multifunctional enzymes MAM1 and MAM3
to the glucosinolate profile of Arabidopsis thaliana leaves, we simulated glucosinolate biosynthesis in a kinetic model, taking into account the structure of the pathway and
measured enzymatic properties. The predicted glucosinolate profiles show all characteristics of the actual differences between
wild-type and MAM1 mutants or MAM3 mutants, respectively. The model strongly supports experimental indications that the two MAM activities are not independent
of each other. In particular, it showed that an elevated expression of MAM3 in the MAM1 mutant is critical in determining the glucosinolate profile of this plant line. The simulation was critical for this finding
since it allowed us to assess the individual effects of two processes—the knocking out of MAM1 and the overexpression of MAM3—that
are difficult to separate experimentally.
Content Type Journal Article
DOI 10.1007/s11101-008-9107-3
Authors
Beate Knoke, Friedrich Schiller University Department of Bioinformatics Ernst-Abbe-Platz 2 07743 Jena Germany
Susanne Textor, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology Department of Biochemistry Hans-Knöll-Strasse 8 07745 Jena Germany
Jonathan Gershenzon, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology Department of Biochemistry Hans-Knöll-Strasse 8 07745 Jena Germany
Stefan Schuster, Friedrich Schiller University Department of Bioinformatics Ernst-Abbe-Platz 2 07743 Jena Germany
Abstract Epidemiological studies suggest that broccoli can decrease risk for cancer. Broccoli contains many bioactives, including vitamins
C and E, quercetin and kaempferol glycosides and, like other members of the Brassicaceae, several glucosinolates, including
glucobrassicin (3-indolylmethyl glucosinolate) and glucoraphanin (4-methylsulphinylbutyl glucosinolate). A key bioactive component
responsible for much of this activity may be sulforaphane (1-isothiocyanato-4-methylsulfinylbutane), a hydrolysis product
of glucoraphanin. Sulforaphane not only upregulates a number of phase II detoxification enzymes involved in clearance of chemical
carcinogens and reactive oxygen species, but has anti-tumorigenic properties, causing cell cycle arrest and apoptosis of cancer
cells. The bioequivalency of sulforaphane and whole broccoli have not been fully evaluated, leaving it unclear whether whole
broccoli provides a similar effect to purified sulforaphane, or whether the presence of other components in broccoli, such
as indole-3-carbinol from glucobrassicin, is an added health benefit. Dietary indole-3-carbinol is known to alter estrogen
metabolism, to cause cell cycle arrest and apoptosis of cancer cells and, in animals, to decrease risk for breast cancer.
Recent research suggests that both dietary broccoli and the individual components sulforaphane and indole-3-carbinol may offer
protection from a far broader array of diseases than cancer, including cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. A common
link between these oxidative degenerative diseases and cancer may be aggravation by inflammation. A small body of literature
is forming suggesting that both indole-3-carbinol and sulforaphane may protect against inflammation, inhibiting cytokine production.
It remains to be seen whether cancer, cardiovascular disease, dementia and other diseases of aging can all benefit from a
diet rich in broccoli and other crucifers.
Content Type Journal Article
DOI 10.1007/s11101-008-9106-4
Authors
Elizabeth H. Jeffery, University of Illinois 260 Bevier Hall, 905 S Goodwin Ave Urbana IL 61801 USA
Marcela Araya, University of Illinois 260 Bevier Hall, 905 S Goodwin Ave Urbana IL 61801 USA
Abstract Direct and indirect plant defences are well studied, particularly in the Brassicaceae. Glucosinolates (GS) are secondary plant
compounds characteristic in this plant family. They play an important role in defence against herbivores and pathogens. Insect
herbivores that are specialists on brassicaceous plant species have evolved adaptations to excrete or detoxify GS. Other insect
herbivores may even sequester GS and employ them as defence against their own antagonists, such as predators. Moreover, high
levels of GS in the food plants of non-sequestering herbivores can negatively affect the growth and survival of their parasitoids.
In addition to allelochemicals, plants produce volatile chemicals when damaged by herbivores. These herbivore induced plant
volatiles (HIPV) have been demonstrated to play an important role in foraging behaviour of insect parasitoids. In addition,
biosynthetic pathways involved in the production of HIPV are being unraveled using the model plant Arabidopsis thialiana. However, the majority of studies investigating the attractiveness of HIPV to parasitoids are based on experiments mainly
using crop plant species in which defence traits may have changed through artificial selection. Field studies with both cultivated
and wild crucifers, the latter in which defence traits are intact, are necessary to reveal the relative importance of direct
and indirect plant defence strategies on parasitoid and plant fitness. Future research should also consider the potential
conflict between direct and indirect plant defences when studying the evolution of plant defences against insect herbivory.
Content Type Journal Article
DOI 10.1007/s11101-008-9104-6
Authors
Rieta Gols, Wageningen University Laboratory of Entomology P.O. Box 8031 6700 EH Wageningen The Netherlands
Jeffrey A. Harvey, Netherlands Institute of Ecology Department of Multitrophic Interactions P.O. Box 40 6666 ZG Heteren The Netherlands
Abstract The bioactive hydrolysis products of glucosinolates, particularly the isothiocyanates, can be used to control soil pests and
weeds by incorporating glucosinolate-containing plant material in soil—a practice known as biofumigation. The fate of glucosinolates
and their hydrolysis products in soil determines both the efficacy and environmental impact of biofumigation. Knowledge of
the processes by which these compounds are sorbed, degraded or otherwise lost from the soil is fundamental to developing effective,
but environmentally benign biofumigation strategies. Effective biofumigation relies on maximum hydrolysis of the glucosinolate
in the plant tissue to generate high isothiocyanate concentrations in the soil after incorporation. This is favoured by maximum
cell disruption, by addition of water, and a high soil temperature. Residual glucosinolates are very weakly sorbed, readily
leached and are microbially degraded and mineralised in soil. In contrast, isothiocyanates are strongly sorbed by the organic
matter in soil, react strongly with nucleophilic groups present in soil, and are prone to volatilization losses in addition
to microbial degradation and mineralisation. These loss processes are influenced by soil type, water content and temperature.
Using appropriate incorporation strategies, sufficiently high isothiocyanate concentrations (>100 nmol g−1) can be achieved in soil using biofumigation for effective suppression of susceptible pests. The relatively rapid sorption
and degradation of the isothiocyanates in the period of days after incorporation minimizes the risks of persistence in the
environment or leaching. Biofumigation is therefore a promising technique which can be further developed to form part of IPM
(Integrated Pest Management) strategies to reduce reliance on synthetic pesticides with minimal unintended impacts on the
environment.
Content Type Journal Article
DOI 10.1007/s11101-008-9105-5
Authors
Anne Louise Gimsing, University of Copenhagen Department of Natural Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences Thorvaldsensvej 40 1871 Frederiksberg C Denmark
John A. Kirkegaard, CSIRO Plant Industry GPO Box 1600 Canberra ACT 2601 Australia
Abstract The role of glucosinolates in aboveground plant–insect and plant–pathogen interactions has been studied widely in both natural
and managed ecosystems. Fewer studies have considered interactions between root glucosinolates and soil organisms. Similarly,
data comparing local and systemic changes in glucosinolate levels after root- and shoot-induction are scarce. An analysis
of 74 studies on constitutive root and shoot glucosinolates of 29 plant species showed that overall, roots have higher concentrations
and a greater diversity of glucosinolates than shoots. Roots have significantly higher levels of the aromatic 2-phenylethyl
glucosinolate, possibly related to the greater effectiveness and toxicity of its hydrolysis products in soil. In shoots, the
most dominant indole glucosinolate is indol-3-ylglucosinolate, whereas roots are dominated by its methoxyderivatives. Indole
glucosinolates were the most responsive after jasmonate or salicylate induction, but increases after jasmonate induction were
most pronounced in the shoot. In general, root glucosinolate levels did not change as strongly as shoot levels. We postulate
that roots may rely more on high constitutive levels of glucosinolates, due to the higher and constant pathogen pressure in
soil communities. The differences in root and shoot glucosinolate patterns are further discussed in relation to the molecular
regulation of glucosinolate biosynthesis, the within-tissue distribution of glucosinolates in the roots, and the use of glucosinolate-containing
crops for biofumigation. Comparative studies of tissue-specific biosynthesis and regulation in relation to the biological
interactions in aboveground and belowground environments are needed to advance investigations of the evolution and further
utilization of glucosinolates in natural and managed ecosystems.
Content Type Journal Article
DOI 10.1007/s11101-008-9101-9
Authors
Nicole M. van Dam, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW) PO Box 40 6666 ZG Heteren The Netherlands
Tom O. G. Tytgat, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW) PO Box 40 6666 ZG Heteren The Netherlands
John A. Kirkegaard, CSIRO, Plant Industry GPO Box 1600 2610 Canberra ACT Australia
Abstract Plants’ sessile nature has led them to develop chemical defenses, secondary metabolites, to directly cope with environmental
changes rather than escape to more favorable sites. The diversity and fluctuation in biological stresses faced by a plant
have generated extraordinary genetic diversity controlling the synthesis and regulation of secondary metabolites that is only
now being explored. The glucosinolate secondary metabolites, amino acid derived thioglucosides specific to the order Capparales,
is a model system for understanding the molecular basis of complex quantitative traits and their potential ecological role.
This review focuses on the extensive progress being made towards understanding the complete molecular basis underlying the
glucosinolate genetic diversity at both biosynthetic and regulatory loci. This has identified a highly interactive genetic
network whereby biosynthetic loci have additional functions as regulatory loci and laid the foundation for glucosinolates
to be a model system for understanding quantitative traits in a broader context.
Content Type Journal Article
DOI 10.1007/s11101-008-9102-8
Authors
Daniel J. Kliebenstein, University of California, Davis Department of Plant Sciences One Shields Avenue Davis CA 95616 USA
Abstract The clubroot disease is caused by the obligate biotrophic protist Plasmodiophora brassicae and is one of the most damaging for the family of Brassicaceae. Since many economically important crops belong to this plant
family, the understanding of mechanisms how the disease is developing, are of high importance. Glucosinolates, a group of
secondary plant products in the family of Brassicaceae, have long been associated with clubroot disease symptoms. Measurements
showed that several glucosinolates are induced in root galls. While aliphatic glucosinolates are regarded as defense compounds,
analysis of Brassica cultivars as well as Arabidopsis thaliana mutants provided correlative evidence between disease severity and indole glucosinolate content. The latter have been discussed
as precursors for auxin biosynthesis. Since high auxin levels are associated with large root galls, indole glucosinolates
could contribute directly or indirectly to the extent of disease development. Transcriptome and proteome experiments have
revealed evidence for the involvement of genes from the glucosinolate and auxin pathway in gall formation. These data have
been complemented by expression and mutant analysis. It can be concluded that regulation of glucosinolate and IAA biosynthesis
might differ in Brassica and Arabidopsis.
Content Type Journal Article
DOI 10.1007/s11101-008-9096-2
Authors
Jutta Ludwig-Müller, Technische Universität Dresden Institut für Botanik 01062 Dresden Germany
Abstract Glucosinolates display an enormous amount of structural variation, both within and between species. This diversity is thought
to have evolved in response to challenges imposed on plants by their biotic environment. During the past decade, glucosinolates
and myrosinase-catalyzed glucosinolate hydrolysis have become excellent examples for understanding functional diversification
in plant secondary metabolism and plant defence. Methylthioalkylmalate (MAM) synthase genes and enzymes are central to the
diversification of aliphatic glucosinolate structures in Arabidopsis thaliana and related plants. This review summarizes efforts to elucidate how MAM-mediated diversity in aliphatic glucosinolate structures is generated and maintained. It also attempts to put variability
in methionine carbon chain elongation during glucosinolate biosynthesis into an ecological and evolutionary context.
Content Type Journal Article
DOI 10.1007/s11101-008-9097-1
Authors
Markus Benderoth, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology AG Genetics and Evolution Hans-Knöll-Str. 8 07745 Jena Germany
Marina Pfalz, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology AG Genetics and Evolution Hans-Knöll-Str. 8 07745 Jena Germany
Juergen Kroymann, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology AG Genetics and Evolution Hans-Knöll-Str. 8 07745 Jena Germany
Abstract Most species in the Brassicaceae produce one or more indole glucosinolates. In addition to the parent indol-3-ylmethylglucosinolate
(IMG), other commonly encountered indole glucosinolates are 1-methoxyIMG, 4-hydroxyIMG, and 4-methoxyIMG. Upon tissue disruption,
enzymatic hydrolysis of IMG produces an unstable aglucone, which reacts rapidly to form indole-3-acetonitrile and indol-3-ylmethyl
isothiocyanate. The isothiocyanate, in turn, can react with water, ascorbate, glutathione, amino acids, and other plant metabolites
to produce a variety of physiologically active indole compounds. Myrosinase-initiated breakdown of the substituted indole
glucosinolates proceeds in a similar manner to that of IMG. Induction of indole glucosinolate production in response to biotic
stress, experiments with mutant plants, and artificial diet assays suggest a significant role for indole glucosinolates in
plant defense. However, some crucifer-feeding specialist herbivores recognize indole glucosinolates and their breakdown products
as oviposition and/or feeding stimulants. In mammalian diets, IMG can have both beneficial and deleterious effects. Most IMG
breakdown products induce the synthesis of phase 1 detoxifying enzymes, which may in some cases prevent carcinogenesis, but
in other cases promote carcinogenesis. Recent advances in indole glucosinolate research have been fueled by their occurrence
in the well-studied model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. Knowledge gained from genetic and biochemical experiments with A. thaliana can be applied to gain new insight into the ecological and nutritional properties of indole glucosinolates in other plant
species.
Content Type Journal Article
DOI 10.1007/s11101-008-9098-0
Authors
Niels Agerbirk, University of Copenhagen Faculty of Life Science 1871 Frederiksberg C Denmark
Martin De Vos, Boyce Thompson Institute for Plant Research 1 Tower Road Ithaca NY 14853 USA
Jae Hak Kim, Boyce Thompson Institute for Plant Research 1 Tower Road Ithaca NY 14853 USA
Georg Jander, Boyce Thompson Institute for Plant Research 1 Tower Road Ithaca NY 14853 USA
Abstract Concurrent with the increase in our knowledge of the genetic and environmental factors that lead to glucosinolate accumulation
in plants, and the role of these compounds and their derivatives in mediating plant–herbivore interactions, there has been
significant advances in our understanding of how glucosinolates and their products may contribute to a reduction in risk of
carcinogenesis and heart disease when consumed as part of the diet. In this paper, we review the epidemiological evidence
for the health promoting effects of cruciferous vegetables, the processes by which glucosinolates and isothiocyanates are
absorbed and metabolised by humans, with particular regard to the role of glutathione S-transferases, and the biological activity
of isothiocyanates towards mammalian cells and tissues.
Content Type Journal Article
DOI 10.1007/s11101-008-9103-7
Authors
Maria Traka, Institute of Food Research Phytochemicals and Health Programme Colney Lane Norwich NR4 7UA UK
Richard Mithen, Institute of Food Research Phytochemicals and Health Programme Colney Lane Norwich NR4 7UA UK
Abstract A large percentage of allergenic proteins are of plant origin. Hence, plant-based expression systems are considered ideal
for the recombinant production of certain allergens. First attempts to establish production of plant-derived allergens in
plants focused on transient expression in Nicotiana benthamiana infected with recombinant viral vectors. Accordingly, allergens from birch and mugwort pollen, as well as from apple have
been expressed in plants. Production of house dust mite allergens has been achieved by Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of tobacco plants. Beside the use of plants as production systems, other approaches have focused
on the development of edible vaccines expressing allergens or epitopes thereof, which bypasses the need of allergen purification.
The potential of this approach has been convincingly demonstrated for transgenic rice seeds expressing seven dominant human
T cell epitopes derived from Japanese cedar pollen allergens. Parallel to efforts in developing recombinant-based diagnostic
and therapeutic reagents, different gene-silencing approaches have been used to decrease the expression of allergenic proteins
in allergen sources. In this way hypoallergenic ryegrass, soybean, rice, apple, and tomato were developed.
Content Type Journal Article
DOI 10.1007/s11101-008-9099-z
Authors
Georg Schmidt, University of Salzburg Christian Doppler Laboratory for Allergy Diagnosis and Therapy, Department of Molecular Biology Hellbrunnerstr. 34 5020 Salzburg Austria
Gabriele Gadermaier, University of Salzburg Christian Doppler Laboratory for Allergy Diagnosis and Therapy, Department of Molecular Biology Hellbrunnerstr. 34 5020 Salzburg Austria
Heidi Pertl, University of Salzburg Molecular Plant Biophysics and Biotechnology, Department of Molecular Biology Salzburg Austria
Marc Siegert, University of Salzburg Molecular Plant Biophysics and Biotechnology, Department of Molecular Biology Salzburg Austria
Kirsi-Marja Oksman-Caldentey, VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Espoo Finland
Anneli Ritala, VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Espoo Finland
Martin Himly, University of Salzburg Christian Doppler Laboratory for Allergy Diagnosis and Therapy, Department of Molecular Biology Hellbrunnerstr. 34 5020 Salzburg Austria
Gerhard Obermeyer, University of Salzburg Molecular Plant Biophysics and Biotechnology, Department of Molecular Biology Salzburg Austria
Fatima Ferreira, University of Salzburg Christian Doppler Laboratory for Allergy Diagnosis and Therapy, Department of Molecular Biology Hellbrunnerstr. 34 5020 Salzburg Austria
Abstract Plant foods contain substantial amounts of phenolic compounds. Dietary interventions with phenolic supplementation show that
phenolic compounds are transformed into phenolic acids or lactone structures by intestinal microbiota. The colon is the main
site of microbial fermentation. The metabolites circulate in plasma and are excreted via urine. The entero-hepatic circulation
ensures that their residence time in plasma is extended compared to that of their parent compounds. Thus these metabolites
may exert systemic effects, which however have not been studied adequately. In particular the health implications of microbial
metabolites of flavonoids, mostly phenolic acids, are unknown. This review aims to elucidate the microbial metabolism of most
of the phenolic classes: flavonoids, isoflavonoids, lignans, phenolic acids and tannins. Some examples of biological activity
studies of flavonoid and lignan metabolites are given. Biological significance of enterolactone, a mammalian plant lignan
metabolite, has been studied quite extensively, but convincing evidence of the health benefits of the diverse pool of microbial
metabolites is still scarce. Hopefully, novel tools in systems biology and the constant search for biomarkers will elucidate
the role of the phenolic metabolome in health and in the prevention of chronic diseases. In conclusion, the colon is not only
an excretion route, but also an active site of metabolism and deserves further attention from the scientific community.
Content Type Journal Article
DOI 10.1007/s11101-008-9095-3
Authors
Anna-Marja Aura, VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland P.O. Box 1000 Tietotie 2 02044 VTT, Espoo Finland
Abstract Cannabis sativa L. is an annual dioecious plant from Central Asia. Cannabinoids, flavonoids, stilbenoids, terpenoids, alkaloids and lignans
are some of the secondary metabolites present in C. sativa. Earlier reviews were focused on isolation and identification of more than 480 chemical compounds; this review deals with
the biosynthesis of the secondary metabolites present in this plant. Cannabinoid biosynthesis and some closely related pathways
that involve the same precursors are disscused.
Content Type Journal Article
DOI 10.1007/s11101-008-9094-4
Authors
Isvett Josefina Flores-Sanchez, Leiden University Pharmacognosy Department, Institute of Biology P.O. Box 9502 2300 RA Leiden The Netherlands
Robert Verpoorte, Leiden University Pharmacognosy Department, Institute of Biology P.O. Box 9502 2300 RA Leiden The Netherlands
Abstract It has been generally accepted that regular consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables is linked with a relatively low incidence
of cancers (e.g. breast, cervix, and colon). A number of plant-derived compounds have been identified that are considered
to play a role in cancer prevention. However, at present there is no satisfactory explanation for the cancer preventative
properties of the above-mentioned compound groups. The current review is an effort to develop a consistent and unambiguous
model that explains how some plant-derived compounds can prevent tumour development. The model is based on recent discoveries
in the fields of genomics and drug-metabolism; notably, the discovery that CYP1 genes are highly expressed in developing tumour cells but not in the surrounding tissue, and that a variety of plant-derived
compounds are substrates for the CYP1 enzymes. Our hypothesis is that some dietary compounds act as prodrugs, i.e. compounds
with little or no biological effect as such, but become pharmaceutically effective when activated. More specifically, we state
that the abovementioned prodrugs are only activated in CYP1-expressing cells—i.e. cells in the early stages of tumour development—to be converted into compounds which inhibit cell growth.
Thus, the prodrugs selectively kill precancerous cells early in tumour development. The review focuses on the identification
of naturally-occurring prodrugs that are activated by the tumour-specific CYP1 enzymes and aims to assess their role in cancer
prevention.
Content Type Journal Article
DOI 10.1007/s11101-008-9093-5
Authors
Randolph R. J. Arroo, De Montfort University Leicester School of Pharmacy The Gateway Leicester LE1 9BH UK
Vasilis Androutsopoulos, De Montfort University Leicester School of Pharmacy The Gateway Leicester LE1 9BH UK
Asma Patel, De Montfort University Leicester School of Pharmacy The Gateway Leicester LE1 9BH UK
Somchaiya Surichan, De Montfort University Leicester School of Pharmacy The Gateway Leicester LE1 9BH UK
Nicola Wilsher, De Montfort University Leicester School of Pharmacy The Gateway Leicester LE1 9BH UK
Gerry A. Potter, De Montfort University Leicester School of Pharmacy The Gateway Leicester LE1 9BH UK
Abstract Plant metabolites have been the successful source of drugs and provided considerable value not only to the pharmaceutical
industry but also to human health problems. Although pharmaceutical companies significantly decreased their activities in
natural product discovery during the past few decades, various multidisciplinary approaches have been made to create new opportunities
for finding innovative plant derived pharmaceuticals in post-genome era. Strategies to integrate the knowledge on medicinal
plants into rational drug screening, the unique biodiversity of plant metabolites into random drug screening, and the chemical
diversity of plant metabolites into combinatorial chemistry have been reviewed with concrete examples. Innovative biotechnologies
in plant cell and tissue cultures, and the latest achievements in metabolic engineering and genetic modification should significantly
improve the production sustainability and efficiency of plant-derived pharmaceuticals.
Content Type Journal Article
DOI 10.1007/s11101-008-9092-6
Authors
Ying Wang, Novartis Pharma AG Novartis Institute for Biomedical Research WSJ-507.6.04 4002 Basel Switzerland
Abstract Metabolomics has developed into a major tool in functional genomics and plant systems biology. The various methods used for
metabolomic analysis will be discussed from the analytical methods back to the preanalytical phase and the biological experiment.
Particularly aspects of the preanalytical phase of the analysis is dealt with, including the risks of artefact formation with
the various commonly used solvents. Metabolomics is like a snap shot, and conclusions from dynamic systems must be drawn with
great care as demonstrated with a biosynthetic study of salicylate in Catharanthus roseus cell cultures.
Content Type Journal Article
DOI 10.1007/s11101-008-9091-7
Authors
R. Verpoorte, Institute of Biology, Leiden University Division of Pharmacognosy, Section Metabolomics Leiden The Netherlands
Y. H. Choi, Institute of Biology, Leiden University Division of Pharmacognosy, Section Metabolomics Leiden The Netherlands
N. R. Mustafa, Institute of Biology, Leiden University Division of Pharmacognosy, Section Metabolomics Leiden The Netherlands
H. K. Kim, Institute of Biology, Leiden University Division of Pharmacognosy, Section Metabolomics Leiden The Netherlands
Abstract A variety of plant species have been genetically modified to accumulate vaccine antigens for human and animal health and the
first vaccine candidates are approaching the market. The regulatory burden for animal vaccines is less than that for human
use and this has attracted the attention of researchers and companies, and investment in plant-made vaccines for animal infectious
disease control is increasing. The dosage cost of vaccines for animal infectious diseases must be kept to a minimum, especially
for non-lethal diseases that diminish animal welfare and growth, so efficient and economic production, storage and delivery
are critical for commercialization. It has become clear that transgenic plants are an economic and efficient alternative to
fermentation for large-scale production of vaccine antigens. The oral delivery of plant-made vaccines is particularly attractive
since the expensive purification step can be avoided further reducing the cost per dose. This review covers the current status
of plant-produced vaccines for the prevention of disease in animals and focuses on barriers to the development of such products
and methods to overcome them.
Content Type Journal Article
DOI 10.1007/s11101-008-9088-2
Authors
J. J. Joensuu, University of Helsinki Department of Applied Biology P.O. Box 27 00014 Helsinki Finland
V. Niklander-Teeri, University of Helsinki Department of Applied Biology P.O. Box 27 00014 Helsinki Finland
J. E. Brandle, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Southern Crop Protection and Food Research Centre 1391 Sandford Street London ON Canada N5V 4T3
Abstract There are many different agricultural expression systems that can be used for the large-scale production of recombinant proteins,
but field-grown cereal crops are among the most attractive because recombinant proteins can be targeted to accumulate in the
seed, and specifically in the endosperm, which has evolved naturally as a protein storage tissue. Within the developing endosperm,
proteins are supplied with molecular chaperones and disulfide isomerases to facilitate folding and assembly, while the mature
tissue is desiccated to prevent proteolytic degradation. Proteins expressed in cereal seeds can therefore remain stable for
years in ambient conditions. Recent basic research has revealed a surprising diversity of protein targeting mechanisms in
the endosperm, which can help to control post-translational modification and accumulation. Applied research and commercial
development has seen several pharmaceutical proteins produced in cereals reach late stage preclinical development and the
first clinical trials, with a number of companies now dedicated to developing cereal-based production platforms. In this review
we discuss the basic science of molecular pharming in cereals, some of the lead product candidates, and challenges that remain
to be addressed including the emerging regulatory framework for plant-made pharmaceuticals.
Content Type Journal Article
DOI 10.1007/s11101-008-9087-3
Authors
Koreen Ramessar, Universitat de Lleida Department de Produccio Vegetal I Ciencia Forestal Av. Alcalde Rovira Roure, 191 25198 Lleida Spain
Teresa Capell, Universitat de Lleida Department de Produccio Vegetal I Ciencia Forestal Av. Alcalde Rovira Roure, 191 25198 Lleida Spain
Paul Christou, Universitat de Lleida Department de Produccio Vegetal I Ciencia Forestal Av. Alcalde Rovira Roure, 191 25198 Lleida Spain
Abstract Phenylanthraquinones belong to the quite rare class of fully unsymmetric biaryls, consisting of two different molecular portions,
an anthraquinone part, chrysophanol, and a phenyl part, 2,4-dihydroxy-6-methoxyacetophenone, linked together by phenol-oxidative
coupling. The biosynthesis of these two moieties, from eight and four acetate units, respectively, bears some unique features:
Chrysophanol is the first example of an acetogenic natural product that is, in an organism-specific manner, formed via more
than one folding mode: In eukaryotes, like, e.g., in fungi, in higher plants, and in insects, it is formed via folding mode
F, while in prokaryotes it originates through mode S. It has, more recently, even been found to be synthesized by a third
pathway, which we have named mode S′. It is thus the first example of biosynthetic convergence in polyketide biosynthesis.
The monocyclic “southern” portion of the molecule, which is much simpler (arising from only four acetate units and without
decarboxylation), unexpectedly does not show the anticipated randomization of the C2-labeling in the aromatic ring, but has clearly localized C2 units, excluding any symmetric intermediate like, e.g., 2,4,6-trihydroxyacetophenone. This is confirmed by competitive feeding
experiments with specifically 13C2-labeled acetophenones, showing the O-methylation to be the decisive symmetry-preventing step, which hints at a close collaboration of the participating enzymes.
The results make knipholone an instructive example of structure, function, and evolution of polyketide synthases and O-methyltransferases, and their cooperation.
Content Type Journal Article
DOI 10.1007/s11101-008-9090-8
Authors
Gerhard Bringmann, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland Institute of Organic Chemistry 97074 Würzburg Germany
Andreas Irmer, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland Institute of Organic Chemistry 97074 Würzburg Germany
