Publications by authors named "Dieter Sicker"

For the characterization of BOA-OH insensitive plants, we studied the time-dependent effects of the benzoxazolinone-4/5/6/7-OH isomers on maize roots. Exposure of Zea mays seedlings to 0.5 mM BOA-OH elicits root zone-specific reactions by the formation of dark rings and spots in the zone of lateral roots, high catalase activity on root hairs, and no visible defense reaction at the root tip.

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A facultative, microbial micro-community colonizing roots of Abutilon theophrasti Medik. supports the plant in detoxifying hydroxylated benzoxazolinones. The root micro-community is composed of several fungi and bacteria with Actinomucor elegans as a dominant species.

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is a bacterium associated with other microorganisms on Medik. roots. It converts 6-hydroxybenzoxazolin-2(3)-one (BOA-6-OH), a hydroxylated derivative of the allelochemical benzoxazolin-2(3)-one, into 6-hydroxy-5-nitrobenzo[]oxazol-2(3)-one.

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The major detoxification product in maize roots after 24 h benzoxazolin-2(3H)-one (BOA) exposure was identified as glucoside carbamate resulting from rearrangement of BOA-N-glucoside, but the pathway of N-glucosylation, enzymes involved and the site of synthesis were previously unknown. Assaying whole cell proteins revealed the necessity of H2O2 and Fe(2+) ions for glucoside carbamate production. Peroxidase produced BOA radicals are apparently formed within the extraplastic space of the young maize root.

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Oxo- and hydroxy-carboxylic acids are of special interest in organic synthesis. However, their introduction by chemical reactions tends to be troublesome especially with regard to stereoselectivity. We describe herein the biotechnological preparation of selected oxo- and hydroxycarboxylic acids under "green" conditions and their use as promising new building blocks.

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Esters of alpha-oxo-carbonic acids such as ethyl pyruvate (EP) have been demonstrated to exert inhibitory effects on the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines. So far, there is no information about effects, if any, of ethyl lactate (EL), an obviously inactive analogue of EP, on inflammatory immune responses. In the present study, we provide evidence that the anti-inflammatory action of alpha-oxo-carbonic acid esters is mediated by inhibition of glyoxalases (Glo), cytosolic enzymes that catalyse the conversion of alpha-oxo-aldehydes such as methylglyoxal (MGO) into the corresponding alpha-hydroxy acids using glutathione as a cofactor.

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Benzoxazinoids were identified in the early 1960s as secondary metabolites of the grasses that function as natural pesticides and exhibit allelopathic properties. Benzoxazinoids are synthesized in seedlings and stored as glucosides (glcs); the main aglucone moieties are 2,4-dihydroxy-2H-1,4-benzoxazin-3(4H)-one (DIBOA) and 2,4-dihydroxy-7-methoxy-2H-1,4-benzoxazin-3(4H)-one (DIMBOA). The genes of DIBOA-glc biosynthesis have previously been isolated and the enzymatic functions characterized.

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The mol-ecular conformation of the title compound, C(18)H(18)O(5), is stabilized by a strong intra-molecular hydrogen bond between the hydroxyl and carbonyl groups. The C=C double bond displays an E configuration while the carbonyl group shows an S-cis configuration relative to the double bond. The dihedral angle between the two rings is 15.

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Incubation of Zea mays cv. Nicco seedlings with 6-methoxybenzoxazolin-2(3H)-one (MBOA) led to a minor detoxification product hitherto only found in Poaceae. This new compound was identified as 1-(2-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenylamino)-1-deoxy-beta-glucoside 1,2-carbamate (1) (methoxy glucoside carbamate) and represents an analogue to the previously described 1-(2-hydroxyphenylamino)-1-deoxy-beta-glucoside 1,2-carbamate (glucoside carbamate) from benzoxazolin-2(3H)-one (BOA).

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Benzoxazinoids are secondary metabolites of grasses that function as natural pesticides. While many steps of DIMBOA biosynthesis have been elucidated, the mechanism of the introduction of OCH(3)-group at the C-7 position was unknown. Inhibitor experiments in Triticum aestivum and Zea mays suggest that a 2-oxoglutarate-dependent dioxygenase catalyses the hydroxylation reaction at C-7.

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Dehydration of a 2-(13)C-labeled synthetic sample of the natural aglucone 2,4-dihydroxy-7-methoxy-2H-1,4-benzoxazin-3(4H)-one ([2-(13)C]-DIMBOA, 10) using N-ethoxycarbonyltrichloroacetaldimine led to 3-formyl-6-methoxybenzoxazolin-2(3H)-one ((13)C-labeled FMBOA, 11) with complete transfer of the (13)C label into the -CHO group. On the basis of this finding, a mechanism for the dehydration is proposed.

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