Development of Simple Sequence Repeats (SSR) markers in Setaria italica (Poaceae) and cross-amplification in related species.

Foxtail millet is one of the world's oldest cultivated crops. It has been adopted as a model organism for providing a deeper understanding of plant biology. In this study, 45 simple sequence repeats (SSR) markers of Setaria italica were developed.

A novel homodimeric geranyl diphosphate synthase from the orchid Phalaenopsis bellina lacking a DD(X)2-4D motif.

Geranyl diphosphate (GDP) is the precursor of monoterpenes, which are the major floral scent compounds in Phalaenopsis bellina. The cDNA of P. bellina GDP synthase (PbGDPS) was cloned, and its sequence corresponds to the second Asp-rich motif (SARM), but not to any aspartate-rich (Asp-rich) motif.

Comparison of transcripts in Phalaenopsis bellina and Phalaenopsis equestris (Orchidaceae) flowers to deduce monoterpene biosynthesis pathway.

Background: Floral scent is one of the important strategies for ensuring fertilization and for determining seed or fruit set. Research on plant scents has hampered mainly by the invisibility of this character, its dynamic nature, and complex mixtures of components that are present in very small quantities. Most progress in scent research, as in other areas of plant biology, has come from the use of molecular and biochemical techniques.

Phenanthroindolizidine alkaloids from the stems of Ficus septica.

In addition to six known phenanthroindolizidine alkaloids, eight new alkaloids, namely, ficuseptines B-D (1-3), 10R,13aR-tylophorine N-oxide (4), 10R,13aR-tylocrebrine N-oxide (5), 10S,13aR-tylocrebrine N-oxide (6), 10S,13aR-isotylocrebrine N-oxide (7), and 10S,13aS-isotylocrebrine N-oxide (8), were isolated from a methanol extract of the stems of Ficus septica. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by means of spectroscopic data interpretation. Cytotoxicity of some of these alkaloids was assessed in vitro using the HONE-1 and NUGC cell lines.

A new phytoecdysteroid from Ajuga taiwanensis.

A new phytoecdysteroid, namely ajugalide-E (1), together with twenty five known compounds were isolated from Ajuga taiwanensis collected from Tainan, Taiwan. Their structures were determined by spectral analysis including high resolution one- and two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy.

PeMADS6, a GLOBOSA/PISTILLATA-like gene in Phalaenopsis equestris involved in petaloid formation, and correlated with flower longevity and ovary development.

In this study, we isolated and characterized the function of a GLOBOSA/PISTILLATA-like gene, PeMADS6, from a native Phalaenopsis species, P. equestris. Southern blot analysis showed PeMADS6 as a single copy in the Phalaenopsis genome.

Four DEF-like MADS box genes displayed distinct floral morphogenetic roles in Phalaenopsis orchid.

The complex flower organization of orchids offers an opportunity to discover new variant genes and different levels of complexity in the morphogenesis of flowers. In this study, four B-class Phalaenopsis DEF-like MADS-box genes were identified and characterized, including PeMADS2, PeMADS3, PeMADS4 and PeMADS5. Differential expression profiles of these genes were detected in the floral organs of P.

Cytotoxic and anti-HIV principles from the rhizomes of Begonia nantoensis.

Three new compounds: begonanline (1). nantoamide (2). and methyl (S)-glycerate (3).