Identification and quantification of catecholamines in potato plants (Solanum tuberosum) by GC-MS

Interkingdom Hormonal Regulations between Plants and Animals Provide New Insight into Food Safety

Food safety has become an attractive topic among consumers. Raw material production for food is also a focus of social attention. As hormones are widely used in agriculture and human disease control, consumers' concerns about the safety of hormone agents have never disappeared. The present review focuses on the interkingdom regulations of exogenous animal hormones in plants and phytohormones in animals, including physiology and stress resistance. We summarize these interactions to give the public, researchers, and policymakers some guidance and suggestions. Accumulated evidence demonstrates comprehensive hormonal regulation across plants and animals. Animal hormones, interacting with phytohormones, help regulate plant development and enhance environmental resistance. Correspondingly, phytohormones may also cause damage to the reproductive and urinary systems of animals. Notably, the disease-resistant role of phytohormones is revealed against neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and diabetes. These resistances derive from the control for abnormal cell cycle, energy balance, and activity of enzymes. Further exploration of these cross-kingdom mechanisms would surely be of greater benefit to human health and agriculture development.

Dopamine alters phage morphology to exert an anti-infection effect

Antiviral drug development is important for human health, and the emergence of novel COVID-19 variants has seriously affected human lives and safety. A bacteriophage-a bacterial virus with a small and simple structure-is an ideal experimental candidate for studying the interactions between viruses and their hosts. In this study, the effects and mechanisms of catecholamines on phages were explored, and dopamine (DA) was found to have general and efficient anti-infection effects. A clear dose-dependent effect was observed when different phages were treated with DA, with higher DA concentrations exhibiting stronger anti-phage activity. The half maximal inhibitory concentration values of DA for vB-EcoS-IME167, T4 Phage, and VMY22 were determined as 0.26, 0.12, and 0.73 mg mL-1, respectively. The anti-phage effect of DA increased with treatment duration. In addition, the anti-infection activities of DA against vB-EcoS-IME167, T4 Phage, and VMY22 were increased by 105, 104, and 104 folds compared to that of the control. This ability of DA was observed only in phages and not in the host bacteria. Morphological changes of phages were observed under transmission electron microscopy following their treatment with DA, and considerable changes in adsorption were confirmed via quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. These results suggest that the anti-phage effect of DA is primarily due to the destruction of the external structure of the phage. This study, to the best of our knowledge, is the first to report the universal anti-phage infection effect of dopamine, which provides novel information regarding DA and forms a basis for further research and development of antiviral drugs. Moreover, it provides a new perspective for the research about the defense and counter-defense of bacteria and bacteriophages.

Extensive cross-talk among stress-regulated protective metabolites, biogenic-amines and phytohormone-signalling, co-ordinated by dopamine-mediated seed-priming, governs tolerance against fluoride stress in rice

Seed priming with dopamine reduced fluoride bioaccumulation, induced endogenous dopamine level, thereby orchestrating phytohormone homeostasis and biogenic amine metabolism, and modulating osmolyte and antioxidant machinery to enhance fluoride tolerance in rice. The aim of this study was to decipher the efficacy of seed priming with dopamine in curtailing the adverse impacts of fluoride toxicity in rice seedlings. Fluoride-stressed seedlings exhibited severe growth retardation, high fluoride bioaccumulation, electrolyte leakage and marked cellular injuries. Dopamine priming stimulated the overall physiological growth parameters during stress, via reduced formation of H₂O₂, malondialdehyde and methylglyoxal, due to lesser fluoride-accumulation. Fluoride stress-induced endogenous dopamine level was further induced upon dopamine priming, marked by the up regulated DOPA decarboxylase expression. Additionally, dopamine treatment led to escalated activity of catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase in the stressed seedlings, concomitant with altered CAT, SOD and GPX expression. The higher accumulation of protective osmolytes (proline and total amino acids) and non-enzymatic antioxidants (phenolics, flavonoids, anthocyanins, glutathione and carotenoids), upon dopamine priming, during fluoride stress, could be linked with the altered expression pattern of the respective genes. Dopamine promoted active utilization of the biogenic amine (polyamines and ϒ-amino butyric acid) pools for toxicity mitigation, correlated with the modulation of the concerned enzyme activity and gene expression. Dopamine stimulated the accumulation of phytohormones like gibberellin and salicylic acid, via inducing the biosynthetic genes like gibberellin-3-oxidase (GA3ox) and isochorismate synthase (ICS), respectively, while depreciating the abscisic acid and melatonin level during fluoride stress. To our knowledge, this is the first documented report for the remedial role of dopamine priming against fluoride stress in any plant species. This study will open new arenas in sustainable agriculture for the exploitation of this pulsating biomolecule against fluoride stress.

An Overview of Methods for L-Dopa Extraction and Analytical Determination in Plant Matrices

L-dopa is a precursor of dopamine used as the most effective symptomatic drug treatment for Parkinson's disease. Most of the L-dopa isolated is either synthesized chemically or from natural sources, but only some plants belonging to the Fabaceae family contain significant amounts of L-dopa. Due to its low stability, the unambiguous determination of L-dopa in plant matrices requires appropriate technologies. Several analytical methods have been developed for the determination of L-dopa in different plants. The most used for quantification of L-dopa are mainly based on capillary electrophoresis or chromatographic methods, i.e., high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), coupled to ultraviolet-visible or mass spectrometric detection. HPLC is most often used. This paper aims to give information on the latest developments in the chemical study of L-dopa, emphasizing the extraction, separation and characterization of this compound by chromatographic, electrochemical and spectral techniques. This study can help select the best possible strategy for determining L-dopa in plant matrices using advanced analytical methods.

Metabolic profiles and non-targeted LC-MS/MS approach as a complementary tool to targeted analysis in assessment of plant exposure to pesticides

Liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry was employed for the detection of pesticides (thiamethoxam, lambda-cyhalothrin, deltamethrin, and metalaxyl) and their metabolites in Raphanus sativus var. longipinnatus exposed to these compounds under experimental conditions. Metalaxyl (0.008 mg/kg), metalaxyl acid (0.009 mg/kg), and (+)-trans-chrysanthemic acid (0.098 mg/kg) were identified in the plants exposed to the individual pesticides and their metabolites. Non-targeted analysis revealed the presence of thiamethoxam, lambda-cyhalothrin, and deltamethrin metabolites in plants exposed to these substances, despite the fact that the pesticide concentrations were below the analytical method's limit of quantification (0.005-0.006 mg/kg). Based on the non-targeted screening, non-specific (leucine and tyramine) and specific (epinephrine, dopamine, tryptamine, and serotonin) markers of plant exposure to the mentioned stress-inducing compounds were detected. These findings prove that non-targeted analysis is an indispensable tool for determining plants' exposure to pesticides, even when the parent compound has been completely metabolized.

Green synthesis of nonprecious metal-doped copper hydroxide nanoparticles for construction of a dopamine sensor

Background: Copper oxide nanoparticles doped with nonprecious metal species (Ni and Mn) were synthesized. Method: A glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was modified by drop-casting of nanostructure suspensions, constructing Ni:Cu(OH)₂/GCE, Mn:Cu(OH)₂/GCE and Cu(OH)₂/GCE. Results: The voltammetric oxidation of dopamine (DA) by the constructed electrodes confirmed that the electrocatalytic oxidation of DA is a reversible, pH-dependent, diffusion-controlled process; the best response was obtained by Mn:Cu(OH)₂/GCE. A sensitive calibration graph (0.664 μA/μM) was produced for DA in the concentration range of 0.3-10.0 μM, with a detection limit of 79 nM using Mn:Cu(OH)₂/GCE. Conclusion: The Mn:Cu(OH)₂/GCE possessed an accurate response toward DA with an acceptable selectivity, stability and antifouling effect, revealing the applicability of the Mn:Cu(OH)₂/GCE for DA analysis in biological samples.

Targeting salt stress coping mechanisms for stress tolerance in Brassica: A research perspective

Brassica genus comprises numerous cultivated brassica species with various economic importance. Salt stress is an overwhelming problem causing serious losses in Brassica species (e.g. B. napus, B. rapa, B. oleracea, B. juncea) growth and grain yield production by inducing ionic and ROS toxicity. Given that a significant variation exists in salt tolerance level in Brassica genus, Brassica species exhibited numerous salt tolerance mechanisms which were either overlooked or given less importance to improve and understand innate salt stress tolerance mechanism in Brassica species. In this review, we tried to highlight the importance and recent findings relating to some overlooked and potential mechanisms such as role of neurotransmitters, and role of cytosolic Ca²⁺ and ROS as signaling elements to enhance salt stress tolerance. Studies revealed that salt tolerant brassica species retained more K⁺ in leaf mesophyll which confers overall salinity tolerance in salt tolerance brassica species. Neurotransmitter such as melatonin, dopamiane and eATP regulates K⁺ and Ca²⁺ permeable ion channels and plays a very crucial role in ionic homeostasis under salinity stress in brassica. At the end, the numerous possible salt stress agronomic strategies were also discussed to mitigate the severity of the salt stress in Brassica species.

Expression of the Tyrosine Hydroxylase Gene from Rat Leads to Oxidative Stress in Potato Plants

Catecholamines are biogenic aromatic amines common among both animals and plants. In animals, they are synthesized via tyrosine hydroxylation, while both hydroxylation or decarboxylation of tyrosine are possible in plants, depending on the species, though no tyrosine hydroxylase-a counterpart of the animal enzyme-has been identified yet. It is known that in potato plants, it is the decarboxylation of tyrosine that leads to catecholamine production. In this paper, we present the effects of the induction of an alternative route of catecholamine production by introducing the tyrosine hydroxylase gene from rat. We demonstrate that an animal system can be used by the plant. However, it does not function to synthesize catecholamines. Instead, it leads to elevated reactive oxygen species content and a constant stress condition in the plant, which responds with elevated antioxidant levels and improved resistance to infection.

Graphene-like boron carbide monolayer as an electronic and work function-type sensor for dopamine drug

The electronic response of both pristine and Al-doped BC₃ nanosheets toward 3, 4-dihydroxyphenyl ethylamine, i.e. dopamine (DA) was studied through density functional theory. Based on the adsorption energy the tendency of pristine BC₃ toward DA drug insignificant and also after adsorption of DA drug the electronic properties of BC₃ were changed negligibly. While doping the sheet by Al significantly increases its reactivity and sensitivity toward the DA drug. By adsorption of DA HOMO-LUMO gap dramatically decreased of from 1.34 to 1.12 eV, thereby enhancing the electrical conductivity. It indicates that the doped BC₃ nanosheets may be a suitable candidate as a DA electronic sensor, unlike the pristine BC₃. Furthermore, the work function of doped BC₃ was changed significantly after DA adsorption. Based on these results the doped BC₃ can also act as a work function-type sensor to the sensing of DA was used. Finally, the most important factor of the doped BC₃ sheet is a short recovery time of 7.36 ms for the desorption process of DA.

New insights on neurotransmitters signaling mechanisms in plants

Neurotransmitters (NTs) such as acetylcholine, biogenic amines (dopamine, noradrenaline, adrenaline, histamine), indoleamines [(melatonin (MEL) & serotonin (SER)] have been found not only in mammalians, but also in diverse living organisms-microorganisms to plants. These NTs have emerged as potential signaling molecules in the last decade of investigations in various plant systems. NTs have been found to play important roles in plant life including-organogenesis, flowering, ion permeability, photosynthesis, circadian rhythm, reproduction, fruit ripening, photomorphogenesis, adaptation to environmental changes. This review will provide an overview of recent advancements on the physiological and molecular mechanism of NTs in plants. Moreover, molecular crosstalk of SER and MEL with various biomolecules is also discussed. The study of these NTs may serve as new understanding of the mechanisms of signal transmission and cell sensing in plants subjected to various environmental stimulus.

Exogenous Dopamine Application Promotes Alkali Tolerance of Apple Seedlings

Arid and semiarid apple producing areas suffer from severe alkalinity of soil, which strongly affects the yield and quality of apples. Dopamine (DA) is involved in metabolic activities in response to abiotic stress in plants. To detect the effects of exogenous DA application on the adaption of apple (Malus hupehensis) seedlings to alkali stress and as a protection from oxidative stress, 0.1 mM DA was identified as the most suitable concentration by hydroponic culture. Further experimentation showed that the growth and photosynthesis of apple seedlings were significantly inhibited under alkali stress, and more reactive oxygen species accumulated, compared with control. However, exogenous DA application suppressed the loss of the plant height, root length, chlorophyll levels, and photosynthetic capacity of apple seedlings that were caused by alkali stress. In the leaves of alkali stressed seedlings, the catalase, superoxide dismutase, and peroxidase activities were lower and hydrogen peroxide and malondialdehyde levels were higher than in the untreated plants. The presence of DA significantly alleviated such effects of alkali stress. In addition, exogenous DA application increased the antioxidant capacity of apple seedlings under alkali stress by increasing the level of chlorogenic acid. These results are significant for improving the alkali tolerance of apple in apple-producing areas with alkalized soil.

Transcriptomic and Metabolomics Analysis of Different Endosperm Region under Nitrogen Treatments

Storage protein distribution in wheat-grain endosperm is heterogeneous, but the underlying molecular mechanism remains unclear. Two parts of the endosperm region, the innermost endosperm (IE) region and the remaining endosperm (RE) region, grown under low nitrogen (LN) and high nitrogen (HN) treatments were used to perform metabolomic and transcriptomic analysis. We identified 533 and 503 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) with at least a two-fold expression change (p < 0.05) between IE and RE, among which 81 and 78 transcripts under LN and HN, respectively, related to carbon and nitrogen metabolism, and encoded transcription factors or proteins involved in post-translational modification (PTM). The significantly differentially abundant metabolites between IE and RE were mainly amino acids, N-compounds, carbohydrates, and nucleic acids. More upregulated transcripts and metabolites were identified in RE than IE under HN conditions, indicating that HN activates metabolism in the endosperm periphery. In addition to carbon and nitrogen metabolism, transcription factors and protein PTMs, such as phosphorylation and acetylation, might determine the protein heterogeneous distribution between IE and RE and its response to nitrogen fertilizer supply.

Metabolite and transcript markers for the prediction of potato drought tolerance

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is one of the most important food crops worldwide. Current potato varieties are highly susceptible to drought stress. In view of global climate change, selection of cultivars with improved drought tolerance and high yield potential is of paramount importance. Drought tolerance breeding of potato is currently based on direct selection according to yield and phenotypic traits and requires multiple trials under drought conditions. Marker-assisted selection (MAS) is cheaper, faster and reduces classification errors caused by noncontrolled environmental effects. We analysed 31 potato cultivars grown under optimal and reduced water supply in six independent field trials. Drought tolerance was determined as tuber starch yield. Leaf samples from young plants were screened for preselected transcript and nontargeted metabolite abundance using qRT-PCR and GC-MS profiling, respectively. Transcript marker candidates were selected from a published RNA-Seq data set. A Random Forest machine learning approach extracted metabolite and transcript markers for drought tolerance prediction with low error rates of 6% and 9%, respectively. Moreover, by combining transcript and metabolite markers, the prediction error was reduced to 4.3%. Feature selection from Random Forest models allowed model minimization, yielding a minimal combination of only 20 metabolite and transcript markers that were successfully tested for their reproducibility in 16 independent agronomic field trials. We demonstrate that a minimum combination of transcript and metabolite markers sampled at early cultivation stages predicts potato yield stability under drought largely independent of seasonal and regional agronomic conditions.

The drought response of potato reference cultivars with contrasting tolerance

Systems responses to drought stress of four potato reference cultivars with differential drought tolerance (Solanum tuberosum L.) were investigated by metabolome profiling and RNA sequencing. Systems analysis was based on independent field and greenhouse trials. Robust differential drought responses across all cultivars under both conditions comprised changes of proline, raffinose, galactinol, arabitol, arabinonic acid, chlorogenic acid and 102 transcript levels. The encoded genes contained a high proportion of heat shock proteins and proteins with signalling or regulatory functions, for example, a homolog of abscisic acid receptor PYL4. Constitutive differences of the tolerant compared with the sensitive cultivars included arbutin, octopamine, ribitol and 248 transcripts. The gene products of many of these transcripts were pathogen response related, such as receptor kinases, or regulatory proteins, for example, a homolog of the Arabidopsis FOUR LIPS MYB-regulator of stomatal cell proliferation. Functional enrichment analyses imply heat stress as a major acclimation component of potato leaves to long-term drought stress. Enhanced heat stress during drought can be caused by loss of transpiration cooling. This effect and CO₂ limitation are the main consequences of drought-induced or abscisic acid-induced stomatal closure. Constitutive differences in metabolite and transcript levels between tolerant and sensitive cultivars indicate interactions of drought tolerance and pathogen resistance in potato.

New Trends and Perspectives in the Evolution of Neurotransmitters in Microbial, Plant, and Animal Cells

The evolutionary perspective on the universal roles of compounds known as neurotransmitters may help in the analysis of relations between all organisms in biocenosis-from microorganisms to plant and animals. This phenomenon, significant for chemosignaling and cellular endocrinology, has been important in human health and the ability to cause disease or immunity, because the "living environment" influences every organism in a biocenosis relationship (microorganism-microorganism, microorganism-plant, microorganism-animal, plant-animal, plant-plant and animal-animal). Non-nervous functions of neurotransmitters (rather "biomediators" on a cellular level) are considered in this review and ample consideration is given to similarities and differences that unite, as well as distinguish, taxonomical kingdoms.

Banana (Musa spp) from peel to pulp: ethnopharmacology, source of bioactive compounds and its relevance for human health

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Banana is a fruit with nutritional properties and also with acclaimed therapeutic uses, cultivated widely throughout the tropics as source of food and income for people. Banana peel is known by its local and traditional use to promote wound healing mainly from burns and to help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses, as depression.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This review critically assessed the phytochemical properties and biological activities of Musa spp fruit pulp and peel.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A survey on the literature on banana (Musa spp, Musaceae) covering its botanical classification and nomenclature, as well as the local and traditional use of its pulp and peel was performed. Besides, the current state of art on banana fruit pulp and peel as interesting complex matrices sources of high-value compounds from secondary metabolism was also approached.

RESULTS

Dessert bananas and plantains are systematic classified into four sections, Eumusa, Rhodochlamys, Australimusa, and Callimusa, according to the number of chromosomes. The fruits differ only in their ploidy arrangement and a single scientific name can be given to all the edible bananas, i.e., Musa spp. The chemical composition of banana's peel and pulp comprise mostly carotenoids, phenolic compounds, and biogenic amines. The biological potential of those biomasses is directly related to their chemical composition, particularly as pro-vitamin A supplementation, as potential antioxidants attributed to their phenolic constituents, as well as in the treatment of Parkinson's disease considering their contents in l-dopa and dopamine.

CONCLUSION

Banana's pulp and peel can be used as natural sources of antioxidants and pro-vitamin A due to their contents in carotenoids, phenolics, and amine compounds, for instance. For the development of a phytomedicine or even an allopathic medicine, e.g., banana fruit pulp and peel could be of interest as raw materials riches in beneficial bioactive compounds.

Extraction for metabolomics: access to the metabolome

INTRODUCTION

The value of information obtained from a metabolomic study depends on how much of the metabolome is present in analysed samples. Thus, only a comprehensive and reproducible extraction method will provide reliable data because the metabolites that will be measured are those that were extracted and all conclusions will be built around this information.

OBJECTIVE

To discuss the efficiency and reliability of available sample pre-treatment methods and their application in different fields of metabolomics.

METHODS

The review has three sections: the first deals with pre-extraction techniques, the second discusses the choice of extraction solvents and their main features and the third includes a brief description of the most used extraction techniques: microwave-assisted extraction, solid-phase extraction, supercritical fluid extraction, Soxhlet and a new method developed in our laboratory--the comprehensive extraction method.

RESULTS

Examination of over 200 studies showed that sample collection, homogenisation, grinding and storage could affect the yield and reproducibility of results. They also revealed that apart from the solvent used for extraction, the extraction techniques have a decisive role on the metabolites available for analysis.

CONCLUSION

It is essential to evaluate efficacy and reproducibility of sample pre-treatment as a first step to ensure the reliability of a metabolomic study. Among the reviewed methods, the comprehensive extraction method appears to provide a promising approach for extracting diverse types of metabolites.

Simultaneous quantification of seven hippocampal neurotransmitters in depression mice by LC-MS/MS

BACKGROUND

There is no method available to simultaneously detect GABA, Glu, Epi, NE, DA, 5-HT and 5-HIAA in mouse hippocampus.

NEW METHOD

A rapid and sensitive LC-MS/MS method has been developed for simultaneously measuring seven neurotransmitters in mouse hippocampus. The analytes were detected in positive mode with multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) and the procedure was completed in less than 9min.

RESULTS

This method exhibited excellent linearity for all of the analytes with regression coefficients higher than 0.99, and showed good intra- and inter-day precisions (RSD<15%) with good accuracy (80-120%). Moreover, the method was successfully applied for the quantitative determination of neurotransmitters in a mouse depression model induced by successive methylprednisolone injections. The results indicated that this depression model was closely associated with the decreased level of Epi (p=0.002) and elevated ratio of 5-HIAA/5-HT (p=0.01), which has never been reported elsewhere.

COMPARISON WITH EXISTING METHOD(S)

Compared with previous methods, current approach is more convenient without any pre-column derivatization of the analytes but enhances detectability with incremental neurotransmitter profile and shortens detection time.

CONCLUSIONS

This work represents the first accurate simultaneous determination of seven neurotransmitters in the mouse depression model induced by methylprednisolone. The reliable method will benefit the research of neurological diseases with the altered neurotransmitter profile in brain.

Nanosheet-based 3D hierarchical ZnO structure decorated with Au nanoparticles for enhanced electrochemical detection of dopamine

A novel sensor based on well-dispersed Au nanoparticles on a nanosheet-based three-dimensionally hierarchical ZnO matrix was fabricated to sensitively detect DA.

A novel approach to transforming a non-targeted metabolic profiling method to a pseudo-targeted method using the retention time locking gas chromatography/mass spectrometry-selected ions monitoring

Non-targeted metabolic profiling is the most widely used method for metabolomics. In this paper, a novel approach was established to transform a non-targeted metabolic profiling method to a pseudo-targeted method using the retention time locking gas chromatography/mass spectrometry-selected ion monitoring (RTL-GC/MS-SIM). To achieve this transformation, an algorithm based on the automated mass spectral deconvolution and identification system (AMDIS), GC/MS raw data and a bi-Gaussian chromatographic peak model was developed. The established GC/MS-SIM method was compared with GC/MS-full scan (the total ion current and extracted ion current, TIC and EIC) methods, it was found that for a typical tobacco leaf extract, 93% components had their relative standard deviations (RSDs) of relative peak areas less than 20% by the SIM method, while 88% by the EIC method and 81% by the TIC method. 47.3% components had their linear correlation coefficient higher than 0.99, compared with 5.0% by the EIC and 6.2% by TIC methods. Multivariate analysis showed the pooled quality control samples clustered more tightly using the developed method than using GC/MS-full scan methods, indicating a better data quality. With the analysis of the variance of the tobacco samples from three different planting regions, 167 differential components (p<0.05) were screened out using the RTL-GC/MS-SIM method, but 151 and 131 by the EIC and TIC methods, respectively. The results show that the developed method not only has a higher sensitivity, better linearity and data quality, but also does not need complicated peak alignment among different samples. It is especially suitable for the screening of differential components in the metabolic profiling investigation.

Gas chromatography-mass spectrometric method for metabolic profiling of tobacco leaves

A gas chromatography-mass spectrometric method was developed for profiling of tobacco leaves. The differentiation among tobacco leaves planted in two different regions was investigated. Prior to analysis, the extraction solvent formulation was optimized and a combination of water, methanol and acetonitrile with a volume ratio of 3:1:1 was found to be optimal. The reproducibility of the method was satisfactory. Kendall tau-b rank correlation coefficients were equal to 1 (p<0.05) for 82% of the resolved peaks (up to 95% of the overall peak areas), indicating the good response correlation. Forty-four compounds including 9 saccharides, 9 alcohols, 9 amino acids, 16 organic acids and phosphoric acid were identified based on standard compounds. The method was successfully applied for profiling of tobacco leaves from Zimbabwe and Yunnan of China. Our result revealed that levels of saccharides and their derivatives including xylose, ribose, fructose, glucose, turanose, xylitol and glyceric acid were more abundant while sucrose, glucitol and D-gluconic acid were less abundant in tobacco leaves from Yunnan as compared to those from Zimbabwe. Amino acids such as L-alanine, L-tyrosine and L-threonine were found to be richer in Zimbabwe tobacco than in Yunnan tobacco.

Characterization of 1H NMR spectroscopic data and the generation of synthetic validation sets

MOTIVATION

Common contemporary practice within the nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) metabolomics community is to evaluate and validate novel algorithms on empirical data or simplified simulated data. Empirical data captures the complex characteristics of experimental data, but the optimal or most correct analysis is unknown a priori; therefore, researchers are forced to rely on indirect performance metrics, which are of limited value. In order to achieve fair and complete analysis of competing techniques more exacting metrics are required. Thus, metabolomics researchers often evaluate their algorithms on simplified simulated data with a known answer. Unfortunately, the conclusions obtained on simulated data are only of value if the data sets are complex enough for results to generalize to true experimental data. Ideally, synthetic data should be indistinguishable from empirical data, yet retain a known best analysis.

RESULTS

We have developed a technique for creating realistic synthetic metabolomics validation sets based on NMR spectroscopic data. The validation sets are developed by characterizing the salient distributions in sets of empirical spectroscopic data. Using this technique, several validation sets are constructed with a variety of characteristics present in 'real' data. A case study is then presented to compare the relative accuracy of several alignment algorithms using the increased precision afforded by these synthetic data sets.

AVAILABILITY

These data sets are available for download at http://birg.cs.wright.edu/nmr_synthetic_data_sets.

Growth inhibition and biodegradation of catecholamines in the ciliated protozoan Tetrahymena pyriformis

A 96-well plate culture methodology for the unicellular eukaryote Tetrahymena pyriformis, strain GL was used for the determination of toxicity and metabolism of catecholamines. Catecholamines exhibited moderate acute toxicity to Tetrahymena cells where dopamine and L-DOPA showed higher toxic potential at EC(10) (0.39 ppm and 0.63 ppm, respectively) and EC(20) (1.1 ppm and 1.0 ppm respectively) after 48 h exposure. All tested catecholamines were highly degradable in the PPY-medium due to the oxidizing environment during incubation. Also the catecholamines were naturally synthesized and released by Tetrahymena cells into the culture medium and increasingly accumulated with time where noradrenalin exhibited the highest degree of accumulation. However, the exogenous exposure of catecholamines to the cells caused the depletion of natural noradrenalin synthesis even with the addition of very low physiological concentration (0.12 ppm). Dopamine caused the higher effect on inhibiting noradrenalin synthesis. Treatment with a higher concentration (8.0 ppm) of dopamine in 96-well plates caused strong excitation of the cells and ascertained a new metabolite in vivo while the other representative catecholamines were not responsible for the production of this metabolite. This dopamine metabolite is relatively non-polar as compared to noradrenalin, adrenaline and dopamine and eluting later through the reverse phase C-18 column.

Metabolomic analysis of eukaryotic tissue and prokaryotes using negative mode MALDI time-of-flight mass spectrometry

Metabolites in islets of Langerhans and Escherichia coli strain DH5-alpha were analyzed using negative-mode, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). For analysis of anionic metabolites by MALDI, 9-aminoacridine as the matrix yielded a far superior signal in comparison to alpha-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid, 2,5-dihydrobenzoic acid, 2,4,6,-trihydroxyacetophenone, and 3-hydroxypicolinic acid. Limits of detection for metabolite standards were as low as 15 nM for GDP, GTP, ADP, and ATP and as high as 1 muM for succinate in 1-muL samples. Analysis of islet extracts allowed detection of 44 metabolites, 29 of which were tentatively identified by matching molecular weight to compounds in METLIN and KEGG databases. Relative quantification was demonstrated by comparing the ratio of selected di- and triphosphorylated nucleotides for islets incubated with different concentrations of glucose. For islets at 3 mM glucose, concentration ratios of ATP/ADP, GTP/GDP, and UTP/UDP were 1.9 +/- 1.39, 1.12 +/- 0.50, and 0.79 +/- 0.35 respectively, and at 20 mM glucose stimulation, the ratios increased to 4.13 +/- 1.89, 5.62 +/-4.48, and 4.30 +/- 4.07 (n = 3). Analysis was also performed by placing individual, intact islets on a MALDI target plate with matrix and impinging the laser directly on the dried islet. Direct analysis of single islets allowed detection of 43 metabolites, 28 of which were database identifiable. A total of 43% of detected metabolites from direct islet analysis were different from those detected in islet extracts. The method was extended to prokaryotic cells by analysis of extracts from E. coli. Sixty metabolites were detected, 39 of which matched compounds in the MetaCyc database. A total of 27% of the metabolites detected from prokaryotes overlapped those found in islets. These results show that MALDI can be used for detection of metabolites in complex biological samples.

Recent advances in methods for the analysis of catecholamines and their metabolites

Catecholamines, for example epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine, are widely distributed and are important neurotransmitters and hormones in mammalian species. Several methods have been developed for analysis of catecholamines and related compounds. Determination of catecholamines in biological fluids has enabled us to clarify the physiological role played by these amines. Catecholamine levels in plasma and/or urine are also useful for diagnosis of several diseases, for example hypertension, pheochromocytoma, and neuroblastoma. This review covers reports from 2000 to the present of methods for the analysis of catecholamines and their metabolites.

Grape phytochemicals: a bouquet of old and new nutraceuticals for human health

Health benefits associated with Mediterranean diets are due to the significantly large intake of functional plant foods and beverages, i.e., fruits, vegetables, cereals, legumes, nuts, wine, beer, and olive oil, containing a great array of bioactive phytochemicals or nutraceutical compounds. Therefore, the low risk of chronic diseases, such as coronary hearth disease and certain cancers, observed in some population groups, results from a diversified eating style, either in term of foods and food components. The paradigm of the relationship between the chemical diversity of a particular food and the array of its biological activities may be symbolized by grape. Despite the extensive knowledge about phenylpropanoids, principally polyphenols (stilbenes and anthocyanins) and condensed tannins (proanthocyanidins), in grape and wine, little it is known about the other compounds, such as tetrahydro-beta-carbolines. Recently, it has been attached importance to the dietary indoleamines, melatonin, and serotonin, in different plant foods, including grape, thus further supporting the hypothesis that health benefits, associated with Mediterranean dietary style, are due to plant food chemical diversity.

Scaling and Normalization Effects in NMR Spectroscopic Metabonomic Data Sets

Considerable confusion appears to exist in the metabonomics literature as to the real need for, and the role of, preprocessing the acquired spectroscopic data. A number of studies have presented various data manipulation approaches, some suggesting an optimum method. In metabonomics, data are usually presented as a table where each row relates to a given sample or analytical experiment and each column corresponds to a single measurement in that experiment, typically individual spectral peak intensities or metabolite concentrations. Here we suggest definitions for and discuss the operations usually termed normalization (a table row operation) and scaling (a table column operation) and demonstrate their need in 1H NMR spectroscopic data sets derived from urine. The problems associated with "binned" data (i.e., values integrated over discrete spectral regions) are also discussed, and the particular biological context problems of analytical data on urine are highlighted. It is shown that care must be exercised in calculation of correlation coefficients for data sets where normalization to a constant sum is used. Analogous considerations will be needed for other biofluids, other analytical approaches (e.g., HPLC-MS), and indeed for other "omics" techniques (i.e., transcriptomics or proteomics) and for integrated studies with "fused" data sets. It is concluded that data preprocessing is context dependent and there can be no single method for general use.

Dopamine functions as an antiherbivore defense in the temperate green alga Ulvaria obscura

On northeastern Pacific coasts, Ulvaria obscura is a dominant component of subtidal "green tide" blooms, which can be harmful to marine communities, fisheries, and aquaculture facilities. U. obscura is avoided by herbivores relative to many other locally common macrophytes, which may contribute to its ability to form persistent blooms. We used a bioassay-guided fractionation method to experimentally determine the cause of reduced feeding on Ulvaria by echinoderms, molluscs, and arthropods. Our results indicated that dopamine, which constituted an average of 4.4% of the alga's dry mass, was responsible for decreased feeding by sea urchins (Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis). Subsequent experiments demonstrated that dopamine also reduced the feeding rates of snails (Littorina sitkana) and isopods (Idotea wosnesenskii). Dopamine is a catecholamine that is a common neurotransmitter in animals. The catecholamines dopamine, epinephrine (adrenaline), and norepinephrine also occur in at least 44 families of higher plants. The functions of catecholamines in plants are less well known than in animals but are likely to be diverse and include both physiological and ecological roles. Our results are the first experimental demonstration of a plant or algal catecholamine functioning as a feeding deterrent. This novel use of dopamine by Ulvaria may contribute to the formation and persistence of harmful Ulvaria blooms in northeastern Pacific coastal waters.

Simple Analysis Used in Diagnosis and Follow-up of Schizophrenic Patients (Patent)

Dopamine acts as neurotransmitter in the central and peripheral sympathetic nervous system. Determination of dopamine (DO) was performed by spectrophotometric analysis depending on the formation of new colored compound. The proposed procedure was efficient in quantitative determination of DO as pure material in pharmaceutical preparations and in urine samples. DO concentration in urine sample of patient confirms the affection with schizophrenia and the proposed procedure was used to facilitate diagnosis and followup of schizophrenic patients. It is recommended to apply the proposed procedures as routine analysis in pharmaceutical companies for quality control and in analytical laboratories to diagnose and follow up schizophrenia.

Metabolic Flux Analysis of the Phenylpropanoid Pathway in Elicitor-treated Potato Tuber Tissue

The effects of beta-1,3-oligosaccharide elicitor on the metabolism of phenylpropanoids in potato tuber were analyzed quantitatively, by monitoring the time-dependent changes in the levels of seven compounds. The elicitor treatment caused an increase in the pool size of octopamine and tyramine amides (N-p-coumaroyloctopamine, N-feruloyloctopamine, N-p-coumaroyltyramine and N-feruloyltyramine), as well as a decrease in that of chlorogenic acid and putrescine amides (caffeoylputrescine and feruloylputrescine). An analysis of metabolic flux using stable isotope labeling and liquid chromatography-spectrometry (LC-MS) detection clearly demonstrated that the changes in the pool size of these compounds were correlated with the changes in their flux for biosynthesis (Jin) upon elicitor treatment. The increase in Jin in the cases of octopamine and tyramine amides was accompanied by an increase in flux for the transformation (Jout), indicating a rapid turnover of these compounds in the elicitor-treated tuber tissue. The result of the flux analysis indicated that the actual activation of the biosynthesis of octopamine and tyramine amides after the elicitor treatment was greater than that estimated from the changes in their levels in the potato tissue. These findings suggest that these amide compounds and their metabolic derivatives play an important role in the defense-related metabolism of phenylpropanoids in potato.

Expression of human dopamine receptor in potato (Solanum tuberosum) results in altered tuber carbon metabolism

BACKGROUND

Even though the catecholamines (dopamine, norepinephrine and epinephrine) have been detected in plants their role is poorly documented. Correlations between norepinephrine, soluble sugars and starch concentration have been recently reported for potato plants over-expressing tyrosine decarboxylase, the enzyme mediating the first step of catecholamine synthesis. More recently norepinephrine level was shown to significantly increase after osmotic stress, abscisic acid treatment and wounding. Therefore, it is possible that catecholamines might play a role in plant stress responses by modulating primary carbon metabolism, possibly by a mechanism similar to that in animal cells. Since to date no catecholamine receptor has been identified in plants we transformed potato plants with a cDNA encoding human dopamine receptor (HD1).

RESULTS

Tuber analysis of transgenic plants revealed changes in the activities of key enzymes mediating sucrose to starch conversion (ADP-glucose phosphorylase and sucrose synthase) and sucrose synthesis (sucrose phosphate synthase) leading to altered content of both soluble sugars and starch. Surprisingly the catecholamine level measured in transgenic plants was significantly increased; the reason for this is as yet unknown. However the presence of the receptor affected a broader range of enzyme activities than those affected by the massive accumulation of norepinephrine reported for plants over-expressing tyrosine decarboxylase. Therefore, it is suggested that the presence of the exogenous receptor activates catecholamine cAMP signalling in plants.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data support the possible involvement of catecholamines in regulating plant carbon metabolism via cAMP signalling pathway.

The catecholamine biosynthesis route in potato is affected by stress

The catecholamine compounds in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) leaves and tubers have been identified by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS) measurements. The finding that the catecholamine level is dramatically increased upon tyrosine decarboxylase (TD) overexpression potentiates the investigation on their physiological significance in plants. It was then evidenced that catecholamines play an important role in regulation of starch-sucrose conversion in plants. In this paper we investigated catecholamine biosynthetic pathway in potato plants exposed to the different stress conditions. The activation of TD (EC 4.1.1.25), tyrosine hydroxylase (TH, EC 1.14.18.1) and l-Dopa decarboxylase (DD, EC 4.1.1.25) was a characteristic feature of the potato leaves treated with abscisic acid (ABA). In high salt condition only TD activity was increased and in drought both TH and DD were activated. UV light activated predominantly DD activity. Leaves of plants grown in the dark and in red light circumstances were characterized by significantly decreased activities of all the three enzymes whereas those grown in cold were characterized by the decreased activity of DD only. In all, stress conditions the normetanephrine level and thus catecholamine catabolism was significantly decreased. Increased catecholamine level in TD-overexpressing potato resulted in enhanced pathogen resistance. Our data suggest that plant catecholamines are involved in plant responses towards biotic and abiotic stresses. It has to be pointed out that this is the first report proposing catecholamine as new stress agent compounds in plants.

The catecholamine potentiates starch mobilization in transgenic potato tubers

In human and animal cells, the catecholamines are involved in glycogen mobilization. Since the compounds are found in a potato, their function in starch mobilization was hypothesized. In order to verify this hypothesis, the transgenic potato plants Solanum tuberosum L. cv. Desiree overexpressing tyrosine decarboxylase (TD EC 4.1.1.25) cDNA from parsley has been generated. The cDNA expression was judged by the northern blot analysis and the enzyme activity measurements. Four independent transgenic lines with the highest TD mRNA expression were selected and analyzed. The expected substantial decrease in tyrosine content was followed by significant increase in tyramine and dramatic enhancement of norepinephrine synthesis was detected. The level of L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanin (L-Dopa) was only slightly increased and dopamine significantly decreased in most cases in these plants. The increase in norepinephrine was accompanied by changes in carbohydrate metabolism. The significant increase in glucose and sucrose and the decrease in starch content were characteristic features of TD overexpressed transgenic potato tubers. The features mentioned above indicate that catecholamines potentiate starch mobilization in potato plants in common with animal cells. The decrease in tyrosine content in transgenic plants is also compensated by significant increase in chlorogenic acid synthesis thus potentially increasing the antioxidant capacity of transgenic tubers. The glycoalkaloids content is changed in the transformants. This may originate from glucose accumulation and glycolysis activation. The obtained transgenic potato provides material for further detailed studies of the physiological function of catecholamines in plants.

Analysis of an Arabidopsis thaliana protein family, structurally related to cytochromes b561 and potentially involved in catecholamine biochemistry in plants

Cytochromes b561 (cyts b561) constitute a family of eukaryotic membrane proteins, catalysing ascorbate (Asc)-mediated trans-membrane electron transport, and hence likely involved in Asc regeneration. A class of proteins (DoH-CB) has been identified in plants and animals, containing the cyt b561 electron-transport domain (CB), combined with the catecholamine-binding regulatory domain of dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (DoH). A mammalian DoH-CB protein was previously reported to function as a cell-derived growth factor receptor (SDR2). We have performed an in silico analysis on DoH-CB proteins from Arabidopsis thaliana and demonstrate that structural features of both CB and DoH domains are well conserved. The combination of both domains may have evolved from a functional interaction between a cyt b561 and a DoH-containing protein, illustrating the so-called "Rosetta Stone" evolutionary principle, and this hypothesis is supported by sequence comparisons. DoH-CB proteins form a newly identified group of proteins, likely to play a key role in catecholamine action in plants. It is suggested that these proteins may function as trans-membrane electron shuttles, possibly regulated by catecholamines. The role and action of catecholamines in plants is poorly documented, but it is clear that they are involved in many aspects of growth and development. Whether the DoH-CB proteins functionally interact with Asc, as is the case for cyts b561, remains to be determined.

Transcriptome analysis of sulfur depletion in Arabidopsis thaliana: interlacing of biosynthetic pathways provides response specificity

Higher plants assimilate inorganic sulfate into cysteine, which is subsequently converted to methionine, and into a variety of other sulfur-containing organic compounds. To resist sulfur deficiency, plants must demonstrate physiological flexibility: the expression of an extensive set of genes and gene regulators that act in the affected pathways or signalling cascades must be delicately tuned in response to environmental challenges. To elucidate this network of interactions, we have applied an array hybridisation/transcript profiling method to Arabidopsis plants subjected to 6, 10 and 13 days of constitutive and induced sulfur starvation. The temporal expression behaviour of approximately 7200 non-redundant genes was analysed simultaneously. The experiment was designed in a way to identify statistically significant changes of gene expression based on sufficient numbers of repeated hybridisations performed with five uniform pools of plant material. The expression profiles were processed to select differentially expressed genes. Among the 1507 sulfur-responsive clones implicated in this way, 632 genes responded specifically to sulfur deficiency by significant over-expression. The sulfur-responsive genes were grouped according to functional categories or biosynthetic pathways. As expected, genes of the sulfur assimilation pathway were altered in expression. Furthermore, genes involved in flavonoid, auxin, and jasmonate biosynthesis pathways were upregulated in conditions of sulfur deficiency. Based on the correlative analysis of gene expression patterns, we suggest that a complex co-ordination of systematic responses to sulfur depletion is provided via integration of flavonoid, auxin and jasmonate pathway elements. Plait concept for transduction of specificity via the main non-specific signalling stream is proposed.

ADP ribosylation factor regulates metabolism and antioxidant capacity of transgenic potato tubers

In our recent studies we have evidenced that repression of ADP-ribosylation factor (ARF) in potato plants results in 14-3-3 gene activation. The significant alteration in plant phenotype and in carbohydrate content clearly indicates that there may also be changes in other metabolite syntheses. In this paper we present the data on contents of compounds, occurring in transgenic potato tubers from field trial, known to be important for the human diet. We also determine which of the ARF-antisense plant features resulted from ARF repression. This determination was accomplished by the analysis of ARF-antisense plants transformed with cDNA encoding 14-3-3 protein in reverse orientation. The sucrose accumulation and the decrease in glycoalkaloids level were found to be characteristic features of all transgenic plants. The increase in antioxidant capacity of transgenic potato tubers should also be pointed out. The analysis of fat from modified potato tubers revealed a nutritionally valuable composition of fatty acids, including the significant increase of linoleic acid level.

Repression of the 14-3-3 gene affects the amino acid and mineral composition of potato tubers

Recently, transgenic potato plants were created showing underexpression of the 20R isoform of the 14-3-3 protein. The transgenic plants grown in tissue culture showed a significant increase in nitrate reductase activity and a decrease in nitrate level. The transgenic line with the lowest 14-3-3 quantity was field-trialed (1997-2000) and analyzed. The reduction in the 14-3-3 protein level consistently resulted in a starch content increase and in an increase in the ratio of soluble sugars to starch in the tubers, although the latter was only barely visible. The determination of amino acid composition in the tubers showed a significant increase in methionine, proline, and arginine content and a slight but consistent increase in hydrophobic amino acid and lysine content in the cells of the transgenic potato plants. We also observed an increase in the crude protein content, from 19 to 22.1% of the control value in consecutive years. It is proposed that all of these changes might have resulted from the downregulation of nitrate reductase and sucrose phosphate synthase activities by 14-3-3, although other potential mechanisms cannot be excluded (e.g., an increase in enzyme protein level). 14-3-3-repressed transgenic plants showed a significant increase in calcium content in their tubers. It is thus proposed that a function of the isolated 14-3-3 isoform is in the control of amino acid synthesis and calcium metabolism. However, the mechanism of this control is as yet unknown.