Ectopic expression of snapdragon transcription factors facilitates the identification of genes encoding enzymes of anthocyanin decoration in tomato.

Given the potential health benefits of polyphenolic compounds in the diet, there is a growing interest in the generation of food crops enriched with health-protective flavonoids. We undertook a series of metabolite analyses of tomatoes ectopically expressing the Delila and Rosea1 transcription factor genes from snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus), paying particular attention to changes in phenylpropanoids compared to controls. These analyses revealed multiple changes, including depletion of rutin and naringenin chalcone, and enhanced levels of anthocyanins and phenylacylated flavonol derivatives.

Phytoecdysteroids from Ajuga macrosperma var. breviflora roots.

Three new phytoecdysteroids, ajugacetalsterones C (1) and D (3) and breviflorasterone (2), were isolated from the roots of Ajuga macrosperma var. breviflora along with five known compounds, namely, 20-hydroxyecdysone, cyasterone, makisterone A, 20-hydroxyecdysone 3-acetate, and 20-hydroxyecdysone 2-acetate. The structures of 1-3 were elucidated on the basis of extensive 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic studies.

New phytoecdysteroids from cultured plants of Ajuga nipponensis Makino.

An extract from aerial parts of Ajuga nipponensis Makino was examined by high performance liquid chromatography for minor ecdysteroids. Along with the compounds already reported, namely cyasterone, ajugasterone C, cyasterone 22-acetate and 22-dehydrocyasterone, the presence of three additional bands with the expected ecdysteroid-like UV absorption was observed. The structures of the isolates were unambiguously elucidated based on extensive NMR spectral studies (one and two-dimensional experiments) and pointed out three new phytoecdysteroids.