Diacylglycerol Acetyltransferase Gene Isolated from Euonymus europaeus L. Altered Lipid Metabolism in Transgenic Plant towards the Production of Acetylated Triacylglycerols

Euonymus species from the Celastraceae family are considered as a source of unusual genes modifying the oil content and fatty acid composition of vegetable oils. Due to the possession of genes encoding enzyme diacylglycerol acetyltransferase (DAcT), Euonymus plants can synthesize and accumulate acetylated triacyglycerols. The gene from Euonymus europaeus (EeDAcT) encoding the DAcT was identified, isolated, characterized, and modified for cloning and genetic transformation of plants. This gene has a unique nucleotide sequence and amino acid composition, different from orthologous genes from other Euonymus species. Nucleotide sequence of original EeDAcT gene was modified, cloned into transformation vector, and introduced into tobacco plants. Overexpression of EeDAcT gene was confirmed, and transgenic host plants produced and accumulated acetylated triacylglycerols (TAGs) in immature seeds. Individual transgenic plants showed difference in amounts of synthesized acetylTAGs and also in fatty acid composition of acetylTAGs.

Revision of seven species of Euonymus (Celastraceae) from East and South Asia

Based on re-collections at known sites, field observations, researches on specimens and literatures, taxonomic revisions of seven Euonymus species from East and South Asia are provided. Three easily-confused Euonymus species from E. actinocarpus s. l. are clarified. Euonymus quinquecornutus, E. stenophyllus, and E. cornutoidesare reduced to the synonym of E. cornutus, E. clivicola, and E. frigidus respectively. E. elegantissimus is re-instated. The lectotypes are also designated for thirteen names involved within this report since the holotype were not designated in the protologue. Additionally, the conservation status of these species is also reevaluated according to IUCN standards (version 3.1). Besides the above, the key to the species in sect. Uniloculares is also provided.

Revision of five species of Euonymus (Celastraceae) from East and South Asia

Based on re-collections at known sites, field observations, study of specimens and review of literature, taxonomic revisions of five Euonymus species from East and South Asia are presented, including three new synonyms of Euonymus laxiflorus Champion ex Bentham, a new synonym of Euonymus mengtzeanus (Loesener) Sprague, a new synonym of Euonymus gracillimus Hemsley, and supplemental descriptions of the floral features of Euonymus pittosporoides Cheng ex Ma and Euonymus ficoides Cheng ex Ma. Lectotypes are also designated for seven names wherein the holotype had not been designated in the original publication. Additionally, the conservation status of these species is reevaluated according to IUCN standards (version 3.1).

Differential Susceptibility of Six Euonymus Species and Cultivars to Euonymus Scale, Unaspis euonymi (Comstock)

The susceptibility of Euonymus species and cultivars to infestation by euonymus scale was studied in both field-grown and container plants. Significantly lower levels of euonymus scale were observed on Euonymus kiautschovicus ‘Manhattan’, E. japonicus, and E. fortunei in the field studies. In contrast, E. japonicus ‘Albo-marginatus’ and E. japonicus ‘Microphyllus’ had the highest infestation levels, indicating greatersusceptibility to euonymus scale. In container studies, E. japonicus ‘Albo-marginatus’ was the most susceptible of the species and cultivars; however, none of the remaining 5 differed significantly from one another