CDPK-driven changes in the intracellular ROS level and plant secondary metabolism.

Heterologous expression of a constitutively active calcium-dependent protein kinase (CDPK) gene was previously shown to increase secondary metabolite production in cultured cells of Rubia cordifolia, but the critical question of how CDPK activates secondary metabolism remains to be answered. In this article, we report that the expression of the Arabidopsis CDPK gene, AtCPK1, in R. cordifolia cells caused moderate and stable elevation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels.

Individual and combined effects of the rolA, B, and C genes on anthraquinone production in Rubia cordifolia transformed calli.

It is known that the rolA, rolB, and rolC genes of Agrobacterium rhizogenes T-DNA affect processes of plant development and activate the synthesis of secondary metabolites in transformed plant cells. Although a synergistic activity of the rol genes on root formation is well-documented, little is known about their individual and combined action on secondary metabolism. In the present investigation, we provide evidence indicating that individual rolA, rolB, and rolC genes are capable of increasing biosynthesis of anthraquinones (AQs) in transformed calli of Rubia cordifolia.

Synthesis of echinamines A and B, the first aminated hydroxynaphthazarins produced by the sea urchin Scaphechinus mirabilis and its analogues.

The first total synthesis of two marine aminated hydroxynaphthazarins, echinamines A (3-amino-7-ethyl-2,5,6,8-tetrahydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone) and B (2-amino-7-ethyl-3,5,6,8-tetrahydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone), produced by the sea urchin Scaphechinus mirabilis is described. This was achieved from 1,2,4-triacetoxybenzene (13) through a sequence involving double Fries rearrangement of 13, reduction of 3,5-diacetyl-1,2,4-trihydroxybenzene (14), methylation of 3,5-diethyl-1,2,4-trihydroxybenzene (15), simultaneous double acylation of 3,5-diethyl-1,2,4-trimethoxybenzene (16) with a dichloromaleic anhydride-ethyl radical elimination process, methylation of 6,7-dichloro-3-ethyl-2-hydroxynaphthazarin (17), nucleophilic substitution of a chlorine atom by the methoxy group in 6,7-dichloro-3-ethyl-2-methoxynaphthazarin (18), introduction of an amino group via direct substitution of a chlorine atom in 7-chloro-3-ethyl-2,6-dimethoxy- (11) and 7-chloro-2-ethyl-3,6-dimethoxynaphthazarins (12) by an azido group, and functional group deprotection. The synthesis of amino analogues of spinazarin and spinochrome D is also described.

Echinamines A and B, first aminated hydroxynaphthazarins from the sea urchin Scaphechinus mirabilis.

Two new spinochromes, echinamines A (1) and B (2), were isolated from the sea urchin Scaphechinus mirabilis. Compounds 1 and 2 represent the first examples of natural polyhydroxynaphthazarins with a primary amine group. The structures of 1 and 2 were established by analysis of spectroscopic data and synthesis of their dimethyl ethers.