Are tissue cultures of Peganum harmala a useful model system for studying how to manipulate the formation of secondary metabolites?

Green vegetables are thought to be responsible for several beneficial properties such as antioxidant, anti-mutagenic, and detoxification activities. It is not known whether these effects are due to chlorophyll which exists in large amounts in many foods or result from other secondary metabolites. In this study, we used the model systemCaenorhabditis elegansto investigate the anti-oxidative and anti-aging effects of chlorophyllin vivo. We found that chlorophyll significantly improves resistance to oxidative stress. It also enhances the lifespan ofC. elegansby up to 25% via activation of the DAF-16/FOXO-dependent pathway. The results indicate that chlorophyll is absorbed by the worms and is thus bioavailable, constituting an important prerequisite for antioxidant and longevity-promoting activities inside the body. Our study thereby supports the view that green vegetables may also be beneficial for humans.

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MODIFICATION OF MORPHOGENETIC PATTERNS IN TISSUE CULTURES OF ARTEMISIA ALBA TURRA AS A KEY FOR SECONDARY METABOLITES TARGETING

18th SGEM International Multidisciplinary Scientific GeoConference SGEM2018, Nano, Bio, Green and Space: Technologies for Sustainable Future ◽

10.5593/sgem2018v/6.4/s08.028 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Kalina Danova

Keyword(s):

Secondary Metabolites ◽

Tissue Cultures

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The function of secondary metabolites in plant carnivory

Annals of Botany ◽

10.1093/aob/mcz191 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 125 (3) ◽

pp. 399-411 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Christopher R Hatcher ◽

David B Ryves ◽

Jonathan Millett

Keyword(s):

Secondary Metabolites ◽

Convergent Evolution ◽

Functional Role ◽

Plant Ecology ◽

Model System ◽

Plant Evolution ◽

Carnivorous Plants ◽

Plant Metabolites ◽

Pollinator Attraction

Abstract Background Carnivorous plants are an ideal model system for evaluating the role of secondary metabolites in plant ecology and evolution. Carnivory is a striking example of convergent evolution to attract, capture and digest prey for nutrients to enhance growth and reproduction and has evolved independently at least ten times. Though the roles of many traits in plant carnivory have been well studied, the role of secondary metabolites in the carnivorous habit is considerably less understood. Scope This review provides the first synthesis of research in which secondary plant metabolites have been demonstrated to have a functional role in plant carnivory. From these studies we identify key metabolites for plant carnivory and their functional role, and highlight biochemical similarities across taxa. From this synthesis we provide new research directions for integrating secondary metabolites into understanding of the ecology and evolution of plant carnivory. Conclusions Carnivorous plants use secondary metabolites to facilitate prey attraction, capture, digestion and assimilation. We found ~170 metabolites for which a functional role in carnivory has been demonstrated. Of these, 26 compounds are present across genera that independently evolved a carnivorous habit, suggesting convergent evolution. Some secondary metabolites have been co-opted from other processes, such as defence or pollinator attraction. Secondary metabolites in carnivorous plants provide a potentially powerful model system for exploring the role of metabolites in plant evolution. They also show promise for elucidating how the generation of novel compounds, as well as the co-option of pre-existing metabolites, provides a strategy for plants to occupy different environments.

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Secondary chemistry of cultured mycobionts: formation of a complete chemosyndrome by the lichen fungus of Lobaria spathulata

The Lichenologist ◽

10.1006/lich.2002.0395 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 34 (4) ◽

pp. 351-359 ◽

Cited By ~ 24

Author(s):

Elfie Stocker-Wörgötter ◽

John A. Elix

Keyword(s):

Secondary Metabolites ◽

Secondary Compounds ◽

Culture Conditions ◽

Model System ◽

Nutrient Requirements ◽

Nutrient Media ◽

Secondary Chemistry ◽

Lichen Substances ◽

Lichen Thallus ◽

Lichen Fungus

AbstractThe study aimed to optimize culture conditions and nutrient requirements for theproduction of secondary metabolites by the cultured mycobiont Lobaria spathulata. This species proved to be an excellent model system for such studies, as the complete chemosyndromefound in the natural lichen thallus was repeatedly formed in the cultured mycobiont with differentiated, aerial mycelia. Nutrient media containing the disaccharide, sucrose, were found to favour both rapid growth and the production of typical lichen substances. Higher proportions of the secondary compounds were detected in the developing mycobiont than in mature lichen thalli.

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Opium poppy: a model system to investigate alkaloid biosynthesis in plants

Canadian Journal of Botany ◽

10.1139/b05-094 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 83 (10) ◽

pp. 1189-1206 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Peter J. Facchini ◽

David A. Bird ◽

Richard Bourgault ◽

Jillian M. Hagel ◽

David K. Liscombe ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Secondary Metabolites ◽

Secondary Metabolism ◽

Secondary Compounds ◽

Model System ◽

Opium Poppy ◽

Mentha Piperita ◽

Alkaloid Biosynthesis ◽

Model Legume ◽

Integrative Research ◽

The Many

Remarkable progress on the biology of plant secondary metabolism has recently been realized. The application of advanced biochemistry, molecular, cellular, and genomic methodologies has revealed biological paradigms unique to the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, including alkaloids, flavonoids, glucosinolates, phenylpropanoids, and terpenoids. The use of model plant systems has facilitated integrative research on the biosynthesis and regulation of each group of natural products. The model legume, Medicago truncatula Gaertn., plays a key role in studies on phenylpropanoid and flavonoid metabolism. Mint ( Mentha × piperita L.) and various conifers are the systems of choice to investigate terpenoid metabolism, whereas members of the mustard family (Brassica spp.) are central to work on glucosinolate pathways. Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. is also used to study the biosynthesis of most secondary compounds, except alkaloids. Unlike other categories of secondary metabolites, the many structural types of alkaloids are biosynthetically unrelated. The biology of each group is unique, although common paradigms are also apparent. Opium poppy ( Papaver somniferum L.) produces a large number of benzylisoquinoline alkaloids and has begun to challenge Madigascar periwinkle ( Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don), which accumulates monoterpenoid indole alkaloids, as the most versatile model system to study alkaloid metabolism. An overview of recent progress on the biology of plant alkaloid biosynthesis, with a focus on benzylisoquinoline alkaloid pathways in opium poppy and related species, highlights the emergence of opium poppy as an important model system to investigate secondary metabolism.

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