Publications by authors named "Patricia Davidow"
Genes encoding regulatory factors isolated from Arabidopsis, soybean and corn have been screened to identify those that modulate the expression of genes encoding for enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of morphinan alkaloids in opium poppy (Papaver somniferum) and benzophenanthridine alkaloids in California poppy (Eschscholzia californica). In opium poppy, the over-expression of selected regulatory factors increased the levels of PsCOR (codeinone reductase), Ps4'OMT (S-adenosyl-l-methionine:3'-hydroxy-N-methylcoclaurine 4'-O-methyltransferase) and Ps6OMT [(R,S)-norcoclaurine 6-O-methyltransferase] transcripts by 10- to more than 100-fold. These transcriptional activations translated into an enhancement of alkaloid production in opium poppy of up to at least 10-fold.
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- Plants can produce secondary metabolites that might help treat human diseases, and researchers are exploring this potential by expressing human nuclear receptors in plants.
- Functional assays have been created using three specific nuclear receptors: estrogen receptor (ER), androgen receptor (AR), and retinoid X receptor-alpha/thyroid hormone receptor-beta (RXRA/THRB).
- These in planta screening experiments have successfully identified new natural ligands for the ER, indicating that this method could complement existing high-throughput screening techniques.