Characterization and Molecular Engineering of a -Methyltransferase from Edible Leaves Involved in Nuciferine Biosynthesis.

Lotus leaf, traditionally used as both edible tea and herbal medicine in Asia, contains nuciferine, a lipid-lowering and weight-loss compoud. The biosynthetic pathways of nuciferine in remain unclear. We characterized a specific -methyltransferase, NnNMT, which had a novel function and catalyzed only nuciferine synthesis from the aporphine-type alkaloid -nornuciferine.

Ginkgolides with anti-PAF activity from Ginkgo biloba L.

Four undescribed ginkgolides, including two rare sesquiterpene ginkgolides (compounds 1 and 2) and two diterpenoid ginkgolides (compounds 3 and 4), were isolated from Ginkgo biloba L. The structures of these four ginkgolides were identified based on extensive spectroscopic analysis, DP4+ probability analysis and X-ray diffraction. Compounds 1 and 2 exhibited excellent antiplatelet aggregation activities with IC values of 1.

Metabolomic analysis revealed the edible and extended-application potential of specific tissues.

The diverse applications of various tissues of (PM) encompass the use of its leaf and bud as tea and vegetables, as well as the utilization of its expanded root tubers and caulis as medicinal substances. However, previous studies in the field of metabolomics have primarily focused on the medicinal properties of PM. In order to investigate the potential for broader applications of other tissues within PM, a metabolomic analysis was conducted for the first time using UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS on 15 fresh PM tissues.

Basic leucine zipper gene is expressed at a quantitative trait locus for high monoterpene content in grape berries.

The widely appreciated muscat flavor of grapes and wine is mainly attributable to the monoterpenes that accumulate in ripe grape berries. To identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) for grape berry monoterpene content, an F mapping population was constructed by a cross between two grapevine genotypes, one with neutral aroma berries (cv. 'Beifeng') and the other with a pronounced muscat aroma (elite line '3-34').

Qualitative and quantitative analysis of triterpenoids in different tissues of Pulsatilla chinensis.

Pulsatilla chinensis (P.chinensis) is a traditional Chinese medicine used for the treatment of intestinal amebiasis diseases, vaginal trichomoniasis and bacterial infections. Tritepenoid saponins were important components of P.

The triterpenoid saponin content difference is associated with the two type oxidosqualene cyclase gene copy numbers of and .

is an important medicinal herb, its dried radix is used to treat the inflammation since ancient China. Triterpenoid saponins are proved to be the main active compounds of genus. The triterpenoid saponin contents vary widely in different species.

Functional characterization and key residues engineering of a regiopromiscuity -methyltransferase involved in benzylisoquinoline alkaloid biosynthesis in .

Lotus (), an ancient aquatic plant, possesses a unique pharmacological activity that is primarily contributed by benzylisoquinoline alkaloids (BIAs). However, only few genes and enzymes involved in BIA biosynthesis in have been isolated and characterized. In the present study we identified the regiopromiscuity of an -methyltransferase, designated NnOMT6, isolated from ; NnOMT6 was found to catalyze the methylation of monobenzylisoquinoline 6-/7-, aporphine skeleton 6-, phenylpropanoid 3-, and protoberberine 2-.

miR‑151a‑5p promotes the proliferation and metastasis of colorectal carcinoma cells by targeting AGMAT.

Colorectal carcinoma (CRC) is one of the most common types of digestive cancer. It has been reported that the ectopic expression of microRNAs (miRs) plays a critical role in the occurrence and progression of CRC. In addition, it has also been suggested that miR‑151a‑5p may serve as a useful biomarker for the early detection and treatment of different types of cancer and particularly CRC.

Hormone biosynthesis and metabolism members of 2OGD superfamily are involved in berry development and respond to MeJA and ABA treatment of Vitis vinifera L.

Background: Hormones play an indispensable role during fruit ripening, nine clades in 2-oxoglutarate-dependent dioxygenase (2OGD) superfamily are responsible for the hormone biosynthesis and metabolism, but less information is known about them.

Results: A total of 163 Vv2OGD superfamily members were identified from grape genome, which were mainly expanded by local (tandem and proximal) duplication. Phylogenetic analysis of 2OGD members in grape and Arabidopsis indicates 37 members in Vv2OGD superfamily are related to hormone biosynthesis and metabolism process (Vv2OGD-H), which could be divided into 9 clades, gibberellin (GA) 3-oxidase (GA3ox), GA 20-oxidase (GA20ox), carbon-19 GA 2-oxidase (C-GA2ox), carbon-20 GA 2-oxidase (C-GA2ox), 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid oxidase (ACO), dioxygenase for auxin oxidation (DAO), lateral branching oxidoreductas (LBO), downy mildew resistant 6 and DMR6-like oxygenase (DMR6/DLO) and jasmonate-induced oxygenase (JOX).

Agmatinase facilitates the tumorigenesis of pancreatic adenocarcinoma through the TGFβ/Smad pathway.

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAAD) is one of the most lethal malignancies. Due to the lack of typical symptoms and difficulties in early diagnosis, PAAD has a high mortality rate. Therefore, it is essential to identify novel specific biomarkers for the application of targeted therapies.

Genome-wide identification of B-box proteins and VvBBX44 involved in light-induced anthocyanin biosynthesis in grape (Vitis vinifera L.).

Genome-wide identification, analysis and functional characterization of an unreported VvBBX gene showed a response to light and positive correlation with anthocyanin content, but also inhibition of light-induced anthocyanin synthesis. B-box (BBX) proteins are a class of zinc (Zn) finger transcription factors or regulators characterized by the presence of one or two BBX domains and play important roles in plant growth and development. However, the BBX genes' potential functions are insufficiently characterized in grape, a globally popular berry with high economic value.

Author Correction: Whole-genome resequencing of 472 Vitis accessions for grapevine diversity and demographic history analyses.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.

Whole-genome resequencing of 472 Vitis accessions for grapevine diversity and demographic history analyses.

Understanding the Vitis species at the genomic level is important for cultivar improvement of grapevine. Here we report whole-genome genetic variation at single-base resolution of 472 Vitis accessions, which cover 48 out of 60 extant Vitis species from a wide geographic distribution. The variation helps to identify a recent dramatic expansion and contraction of effective population size in the domesticated grapevines and that cultivars from the pan-Black Sea region have a unique demographic history in comparison to the other domesticated cultivars.

VvWRKY8 represses stilbene synthase genes through direct interaction with VvMYB14 to control resveratrol biosynthesis in grapevine.

Resveratrol (Res) is a stilbenoid, a group of plant phenolic metabolites derived from stilbene that possess activities against pests, pathogens, and abiotic stresses. Only a few species, including grapevine (Vitis), synthesize and accumulate Res. Although stilbene synthases (STSs) have been isolated and characterized in several species, the gene regulatory mechanisms underlying stilbene biosynthesis are still largely unknown.

CRISPR/Cas9-mediated efficient targeted mutagenesis in Chardonnay (Vitis vinifera L.).

The type II clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/CRISPR-associated protein 9 system (CRISPR/Cas9) has been successfully applied to edit target genes in multiple plant species. However, it remains unknown whether this system can be used for genome editing in grape. In this study, we described genome editing and targeted gene mutation in 'Chardonnay' suspension cells and plants via the CRISPR/Cas9 system.

Identification of genomic sites for CRISPR/Cas9-based genome editing in the Vitis vinifera genome.

Background: CRISPR/Cas9 has been recently demonstrated as an effective and popular genome editing tool for modifying genomes of humans, animals, microorganisms, and plants. Success of such genome editing is highly dependent on the availability of suitable target sites in the genomes to be edited. Many specific target sites for CRISPR/Cas9 have been computationally identified for several annual model and crop species, but such sites have not been reported for perennial, woody fruit species.

[The version and academic characteristics of Mai jue kan wu (Correcting Errors in Pulse Study in Verse)].

Mai jue kan wu (Correcting Errors in Pulse Study in Verse) was written by Dai Qizong of the Yuan Dynasty without block-printing when completed. It was reviewed and checked by Wang Ji, attached with the main discourses on pulse taking from various scholars of pulse taking and Jiao shi huo mai lun (On Pulse-taking with Corrections on Its Popular Difficult Issues) and was block-printed in 1523. This book corrects the fallacies on the descriptions of pulse shape and pulse body reflecting its underlying diseases appeared in Mai jue (Pulse Study in Verse), refutes its classification of the so-called "Seven exterior", "Eight interior" and "Nine dao (channels)".

MNV primarily surveillance by a recombination VP1-derived ELISA in Beijing area in China.

Murine norovirus (MNV) was first found as a surrogate for human norovirus study. However, MNV infection was mostly prevalent in laboratory mice, and its immunomodulatory properties may affect the outcome of animal experiments. MNV surveillance had been performed in Europe, North America and some other countries, but not in China.

[Observation on therapeutic effect of warming needle moxibustion on chronic pelvic inflammation of cold-damp stagnation type].

Objective: To observe clinical therapeutic effect of warming needle moxibustion on chronic pelvic in flammation of cold-damp stagnation type.

Methods: Eighty-five cases with chronic pelvic inflammation were randomly divided into a warming needle moxibustion group of 45 cases and a Chinese drug group of 40 cases. The war ming needle moxibustion group were treated with warming needle moxibustion at Guanyuan (CV 4), Qihai (CV 6), Zusanli (ST 36) and Shenshu (BL 23) etc.