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Tan LT. Impact of Marine Chemical Ecology Research on the Discovery and Development of New Pharmaceuticals. Mar Drugs 2023; 21:174. [PMID: 36976223 PMCID: PMC10055925 DOI: 10.3390/md21030174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Revised: 03/04/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Diverse ecologically important metabolites, such as allelochemicals, infochemicals and volatile organic chemicals, are involved in marine organismal interactions. Chemically mediated interactions between intra- and interspecific organisms can have a significant impact on community organization, population structure and ecosystem functioning. Advances in analytical techniques, microscopy and genomics are providing insights on the chemistry and functional roles of the metabolites involved in such interactions. This review highlights the targeted translational value of several marine chemical ecology-driven research studies and their impact on the sustainable discovery of novel therapeutic agents. These chemical ecology-based approaches include activated defense, allelochemicals arising from organismal interactions, spatio-temporal variations of allelochemicals and phylogeny-based approaches. In addition, innovative analytical techniques used in the mapping of surface metabolites as well as in metabolite translocation within marine holobionts are summarized. Chemical information related to the maintenance of the marine symbioses and biosyntheses of specialized compounds can be harnessed for biomedical applications, particularly in microbial fermentation and compound production. Furthermore, the impact of climate change on the chemical ecology of marine organisms-especially on the production, functionality and perception of allelochemicals-and its implications on drug discovery efforts will be presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lik Tong Tan
- Natural Sciences and Science Education, National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637616, Singapore
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2
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Bharate SS, Mignani S, Vishwakarma RA. Why Are the Majority of Active Compounds in the CNS Domain Natural Products? A Critical Analysis. J Med Chem 2018; 61:10345-10374. [PMID: 29989814 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.7b01922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Small-molecule natural products (NPs) have a long and successful track record of providing first-in-class drugs and pharmacophore (scaffolds) in all therapeutic areas, serving as a bridge between modern and traditional medicine. This trajectory has been remarkably successful in three key areas of modern therapeutics: cancers, infections, and CNS diseases. Beginning with the discovery of morphine 200 years ago, natural products have remained the primary source of new drugs/scaffolds for CNS diseases. In this perspective, we address the question: why are the majority of active compounds in the CNS domain natural products? Our analysis indicates that ∼84% approved drugs for CNS diseases are NPs or NP-inspired, and interestingly, 20 natural products provided more than 400 clinically approved CNS drugs. We have discussed unique physicochemical properties of NPs and NP-inspired vis-à-vis synthetic drugs, isoform selectivity, and evolutionary relationship, providing a rationale for increasing focus on natural product driven discovery for next-generation drugs for neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonali S Bharate
- Preformulation Laboratory, PK-PD Toxicology and Formulation Division , CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine , Canal Road , Jammu 180001 , India
| | - Serge Mignani
- UMR 860, Laboratoire de Chimie et de Biochimie Pharmacologiques et Toxicologique , Université Paris Descartes, PRES Sorbonne Paris Cité, CNRS , 45 rue des Saints Pères , 75006 Paris , France.,CQM-Centro de Química da Madeira, MMRG , Universidade da Madeira , Campus da Penteada , 9020-105 Funchal , Portugal.,Medicinal Chemistry Division , CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine , Canal Road , Jammu 180001 , India
| | - Ram A Vishwakarma
- Medicinal Chemistry Division , CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine , Canal Road , Jammu 180001 , India
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Baek SH, Joung O, Lee HY, Shin JC, Choi WS, Lee TH, Hwang JS, Nam SH, Son HU, Lee SH. Anti-oxidative Fraction of Lycorma delicatula Alleviates Inflammatory Indicators. Nat Prod Commun 2018. [DOI: 10.1177/1934578x1801300413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Lycorma delicatula is a reluctant pest capable of living in the stems of several tree species. The population has recently expanded in Korea due to several environmental factors including climate change. However, the precise reasons for this rapid and drastic increase in population size remain unknown. In order to examine the potential utility of this surplus biomass of Lycorma delicatula, we prepared an aqueous fraction from a dried imago, and tested its various anti-inflammatory activities and effects on cytokine levels in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated RAW264.7 cells. The aqueous extract of Lycorma delicatula showed potent inhibitory activity on nitric oxide production, by more than 60% at a concentration of 300 μg/mL. We also evaluated interleukin (IL)-13 level using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). The anti-oxidative fraction of Lycorma delicatula inhibited LPS-induced IL-13 production in a dose-dependent manner, and T-bet promoter activity of cells treated with 300 μg/mL of Lycorma delicatula extract was also dramatically inhibited to 62% of that of LPS-treated cells. Furthermore, we compared matrix metalloproteinase-7 (MMP-7), -9, -14 and -17 expressions using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), which showed a drastic decrease in RNA levels in cells treated with the anti-oxidative fraction. Together, the present results suggest that the aqueous fraction of Lycorma delicatula has potential to ameliorate inflammatory characteristics during an inflammation event, supporting the idea that the fraction may be applied as a biomaterial to prevent inflammatory damage in skin tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seung-Hwa Baek
- School of Food Science & Biotechnology, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea
| | - Okjin Joung
- New & New Co., Ltd., Cheonan 31094, Republic of Korea
| | - Ho-Young Lee
- New & New Co., Ltd., Cheonan 31094, Republic of Korea
| | | | - Won-Sik Choi
- JeonJinBio Co., Ltd., Daegu 42716, Republic of Korea
| | - Tae Hun Lee
- JeonJinBio Co., Ltd., Daegu 42716, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae-Sam Hwang
- Department of Agricultural Biology, National Academy of Agricultural Science, RDA, Jeon-ju 54875, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung-Hee Nam
- Department of Agricultural Biology, National Academy of Agricultural Science, RDA, Jeon-ju 54875, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyeong-U Son
- School of Food Science & Biotechnology, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang-Han Lee
- School of Food Science & Biotechnology, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea
- Food & Bio-Industry Research Institute, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea
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4
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da Silva AC, de Oliveira Silva FM, Milagre JC, Omena-Garcia RP, Abreu MC, Mafia RG, Nunes-Nesi A, Alfenas AC. Eucalypt plants are physiologically and metabolically affected by infection with Ceratocystis fimbriata. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY : PPB 2018; 123:170-179. [PMID: 29247937 DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2017.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2017] [Revised: 12/01/2017] [Accepted: 12/02/2017] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Ceratocystis wilt, caused by Ceratocystis fimbriata, is currently one of the most important disease in eucalypt plantations. Plants infected by C. fimbriata have lower volumetric growth, lower pulp yields and reduced timber values. The physiological bases of infection induced by this pathogen in eucalypt plant are not known. Therefore, this study aims to assess the physiological and metabolic changes in eucalypt clones that are resistant and susceptible to C. fimbriata. Once, we evaluated in detail their leaf gas exchange, chlorophyll a fluorescence, water potential, metabolite profiling and growth-related parameters. When inoculated, the susceptible clone displayed reduced water potential, CO2 assimilation rate, stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, photochemical quenching coefficient, electron transport rate, and root biomass. Inoculated resistant and susceptible clones both presented higher respiration rates than healthy plants. Many compounds of primary and secondary metabolism were significantly altered after fungal infection in both clones. These results suggest that, C. fimbriata interferes in the primary and secondary metabolism of plants that may be linked to the induction of defense mechanisms and that, due to water restrictions caused by the fungus in susceptible plants, there is a partial closure of the stomata to prevent water loss and a consequent reduction in photosynthesis and the transpiration rate, which in turn, leads to a decrease in the plant's growth-related. These results combined, allowed for a better understanding of the physiological and metabolic changes following the infectious process of C. fimbriata, which limit eucalypt plant growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- André Costa da Silva
- Departamento de Fitopatologia, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, 36570-900, Viçosa, MG, Brazil.
| | | | | | | | - Mário Castro Abreu
- Departamento de Fitopatologia, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, 36570-900, Viçosa, MG, Brazil.
| | | | - Adriano Nunes-Nesi
- Departamento de Biologia Vegetal, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, 36570-900, Viçosa, MG, Brazil.
| | - Acelino Couto Alfenas
- Departamento de Fitopatologia, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, 36570-900, Viçosa, MG, Brazil.
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5
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Traniello JFA, Bakker TCM. Behavioral ecology and sociobiology in post-truth society. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-017-2303-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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6
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Moore M. Attack as the Best Form of Defense: Natural Products in the Forefront of Contemporary Drug Research. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2016. [DOI: 10.1177/108705719600100109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Michael Moore
- Xenova Ltd. 240 Bath Road, Slough, Berkshire, SLi 4EF, England
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7
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Atanasov AG, Waltenberger B, Pferschy-Wenzig EM, Linder T, Wawrosch C, Uhrin P, Temml V, Wang L, Schwaiger S, Heiss EH, Rollinger JM, Schuster D, Breuss JM, Bochkov V, Mihovilovic MD, Kopp B, Bauer R, Dirsch VM, Stuppner H. Discovery and resupply of pharmacologically active plant-derived natural products: A review. Biotechnol Adv 2015; 33:1582-1614. [PMID: 26281720 PMCID: PMC4748402 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2015.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1337] [Impact Index Per Article: 148.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2015] [Revised: 07/16/2015] [Accepted: 08/07/2015] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Medicinal plants have historically proven their value as a source of molecules with therapeutic potential, and nowadays still represent an important pool for the identification of novel drug leads. In the past decades, pharmaceutical industry focused mainly on libraries of synthetic compounds as drug discovery source. They are comparably easy to produce and resupply, and demonstrate good compatibility with established high throughput screening (HTS) platforms. However, at the same time there has been a declining trend in the number of new drugs reaching the market, raising renewed scientific interest in drug discovery from natural sources, despite of its known challenges. In this survey, a brief outline of historical development is provided together with a comprehensive overview of used approaches and recent developments relevant to plant-derived natural product drug discovery. Associated challenges and major strengths of natural product-based drug discovery are critically discussed. A snapshot of the advanced plant-derived natural products that are currently in actively recruiting clinical trials is also presented. Importantly, the transition of a natural compound from a "screening hit" through a "drug lead" to a "marketed drug" is associated with increasingly challenging demands for compound amount, which often cannot be met by re-isolation from the respective plant sources. In this regard, existing alternatives for resupply are also discussed, including different biotechnology approaches and total organic synthesis. While the intrinsic complexity of natural product-based drug discovery necessitates highly integrated interdisciplinary approaches, the reviewed scientific developments, recent technological advances, and research trends clearly indicate that natural products will be among the most important sources of new drugs also in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atanas G. Atanasov
- Department of Pharmacognosy, University of Vienna, Althanstrasse 14, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Birgit Waltenberger
- Institute of Pharmacy/Pharmacognosy and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80-82, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Eva-Maria Pferschy-Wenzig
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Pharmacognosy, University of Graz, Universitätsplatz 4/I, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Thomas Linder
- Institute of Applied Synthetic Chemistry, Vienna University of Technology, Getreidemarkt 9/163-OC, 1060 Vienna, Austria
| | - Christoph Wawrosch
- Department of Pharmacognosy, University of Vienna, Althanstrasse 14, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Pavel Uhrin
- Institute of Vascular Biology and Thrombosis Research, Center of Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Veronika Temml
- Institute of Pharmacy/Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80-82, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Limei Wang
- Department of Pharmacognosy, University of Vienna, Althanstrasse 14, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Stefan Schwaiger
- Institute of Pharmacy/Pharmacognosy and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80-82, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Elke H. Heiss
- Department of Pharmacognosy, University of Vienna, Althanstrasse 14, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Judith M. Rollinger
- Department of Pharmacognosy, University of Vienna, Althanstrasse 14, 1090 Vienna, Austria
- Institute of Pharmacy/Pharmacognosy and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80-82, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Daniela Schuster
- Institute of Pharmacy/Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80-82, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Johannes M. Breuss
- Institute of Vascular Biology and Thrombosis Research, Center of Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Valery Bochkov
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Graz, Humboldtstrasse 46/III, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Marko D. Mihovilovic
- Institute of Applied Synthetic Chemistry, Vienna University of Technology, Getreidemarkt 9/163-OC, 1060 Vienna, Austria
| | - Brigitte Kopp
- Department of Pharmacognosy, University of Vienna, Althanstrasse 14, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Rudolf Bauer
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Pharmacognosy, University of Graz, Universitätsplatz 4/I, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Verena M. Dirsch
- Department of Pharmacognosy, University of Vienna, Althanstrasse 14, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Hermann Stuppner
- Institute of Pharmacy/Pharmacognosy and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80-82, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
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8
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Chooi YH, Solomon PS. A chemical ecogenomics approach to understand the roles of secondary metabolites in fungal cereal pathogens. Front Microbiol 2014; 5:640. [PMID: 25477876 PMCID: PMC4237128 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2014.00640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2014] [Accepted: 11/06/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Secondary metabolites (SMs) are known to play important roles in the virulence and lifestyle of fungal plant pathogens. The increasing availability of fungal pathogen genome sequences and next-generation genomic tools have allowed us to survey the SM gene cluster inventory in individual fungi. Thus, there is immense opportunity for SM discovery in these plant pathogens. Comparative genomics and transcriptomics have been employed to obtain insights on the genetic features that enable fungal pathogens to adapt in individual ecological niches and to adopt the different pathogenic lifestyles. Here, we will discuss how we can use these tools to search for ecologically important SM gene clusters in fungi, using cereal pathogens as models. This ecological genomics approach, combined with genome mining and chemical ecology tools, is likely to advance our understanding of the natural functions of SMs and accelerate bioactive molecule discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yit-Heng Chooi
- Plant Sciences Division, Research School of Biology, The Australian National University Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Peter S Solomon
- Plant Sciences Division, Research School of Biology, The Australian National University Canberra, ACT, Australia
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9
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De Novo transcriptome sequencing reveals important molecular networks and metabolic pathways of the plant, Chlorophytum borivilianum. PLoS One 2013; 8:e83336. [PMID: 24376689 PMCID: PMC3871651 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0083336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2013] [Accepted: 11/01/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Chlorophytum borivilianum, an endangered medicinal plant species is highly recognized for its aphrodisiac properties provided by saponins present in the plant. The transcriptome information of this species is limited and only few hundred expressed sequence tags (ESTs) are available in the public databases. To gain molecular insight of this plant, high throughput transcriptome sequencing of leaf RNA was carried out using Illumina's HiSeq 2000 sequencing platform. A total of 22,161,444 single end reads were retrieved after quality filtering. Available (e.g., De-Bruijn/Eulerian graph) and in-house developed bioinformatics tools were used for assembly and annotation of transcriptome. A total of 101,141 assembled transcripts were obtained, with coverage size of 22.42 Mb and average length of 221 bp. Guanine-cytosine (GC) content was found to be 44%. Bioinformatics analysis, using non-redundant proteins, gene ontology (GO), enzyme commission (EC) and kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) databases, extracted all the known enzymes involved in saponin and flavonoid biosynthesis. Few genes of the alkaloid biosynthesis, along with anticancer and plant defense genes, were also discovered. Additionally, several cytochrome P450 (CYP450) and glycosyltransferase unique sequences were also found. We identified simple sequence repeat motifs in transcripts with an abundance of di-nucleotide simple sequence repeat (SSR; 43.1%) markers. Large scale expression profiling through Reads per Kilobase per Million mapped reads (RPKM) showed major genes involved in different metabolic pathways of the plant. Genes, expressed sequence tags (ESTs) and unique sequences from this study provide an important resource for the scientific community, interested in the molecular genetics and functional genomics of C. borivilianum.
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FARROKHNIA MARYAM, NABIPOUR IRAJ, BARGAHI AFSHAR. A THEORETICAL STUDY OF DACTYLYNE STEREOISOMERS: A MARINE NATURAL PRODUCT FROM APLYSIA DACTYLOMELA. JOURNAL OF THEORETICAL & COMPUTATIONAL CHEMISTRY 2012. [DOI: 10.1142/s0219633612500575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Dactylyne is an acetylenic dibromochloro ether from the Persian Gulf sea hare, Aplysia dactylomela. As a result of its unique structure and nontoxic nature; it has been known as a promising pharmacological substance of marine origin. A theoretical study of dactylyne and its stereoisomers, initiated in the hope of understanding more details of its action, is reported here. In the present research, for the first time, a density functional theory (DFT) calculation has been performed on the stereoisomers of dactylyne to determine the most stable configurations in gas phase. The HOMO–LUMO gap, global softness, chemical potential, and electrophilicity index have been calculated for the most stable stereoisomers at the B3LYP level of theory. These DFT-based global reactivity descriptors have been applied to demonstrate the reactive nature of compounds. Moreover, results from the quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM) and natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis have been employed to support the finding of more reactive stereoisomers. The investigation has indicated that the configuration of stereoisomers has some effects on their electronic and structural properties which control their global reactivity. It is also shown that the most probable interaction sites of dactylyne are in its unsaturated region. In the second part of our study, the effects of some typical substituents on dactylyne reactivity have been investigated theoretically and it has been shown that the strong electron donor groups increase the reactivity of dactylyne more than withdrawing substituent. However, creation of an ionic compound highly influences on reactivity descriptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- MARYAM FARROKHNIA
- The Persian Gulf Marine Biotechnology Research Center, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran
| | - IRAJ NABIPOUR
- The Persian Gulf Marine Biotechnology Research Center, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran
| | - AFSHAR BARGAHI
- The Persian Gulf Marine Biotechnology Research Center, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran
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Abstract
This chapter presents an overview of the preparation of extracts from plants using organic solvents, with emphasis on common problems encountered and methods for their reduction or elimination. In addition to generally applicable extraction protocols, methods are suggested for selectively extracting specific classes of plant-derived compounds, and phytochemical procedures are presented for the detection of classes of compounds encountered commonly during extraction, including selected groups of secondary metabolites and interfering compounds. Successful extraction begins with careful selection and preparation of plant samples and thorough review of the appropriate literature for suitable protocols for a particular class of compounds or plant species. During the extraction of plant material, it is important to minimize interference from compounds that may co-extract with the target compounds, and to avoid contamination of the extract, as well as to prevent decomposition of important metabolites or artifact formation as a result of extraction conditions or solvent impurities.
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Affiliation(s)
- William P Jones
- Ingredient and Process Research, Kraft Foods, Glenview, IL, USA
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Valletta A, Trainotti L, Santamaria AR, Pasqua G. Cell-specific expression of tryptophan decarboxylase and 10-hydroxygeraniol oxidoreductase, key genes involved in camptothecin biosynthesis in Camptotheca acuminata Decne (Nyssaceae). BMC PLANT BIOLOGY 2010; 10:69. [PMID: 20403175 PMCID: PMC3095343 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2229-10-69] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2009] [Accepted: 04/19/2010] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Camptotheca acuminata is a major natural source of the terpenoid indole alkaloid camptothecin (CPT). At present, little is known about the cellular distribution of the biosynthesis of CPT, which would be useful knowledge for developing new strategies and technologies for improving alkaloid production. RESULTS The pattern of CPT accumulation was compared with the expression pattern of some genes involved in CPT biosynthesis in C. acuminata [i.e., Ca-TDC1 and Ca-TDC2 (encoding for tryptophan decarboxylase) and Ca-HGO (encoding for 10-hydroxygeraniol oxidoreductase)]. Both CPT accumulation and gene expression were investigated in plants at different degrees of development and in plantlets subjected to drought-stress. In all organs, CPT accumulation was detected in epidermal idioblasts, in some glandular trichomes, and in groups of idioblast cells localized in parenchyma tissues. Drought-stress caused an increase in CPT accumulation and in the number of glandular trichomes containing CPT, whereas no increase in epidermal or parenchymatous idioblasts was observed. In the leaf, Ca-TDC1 expression was detected in some epidermal cells and in groups of mesophyll cells but not in glandular trichomes; in the stem, it was observed in parenchyma cells of the vascular tissue; in the root, no expression was detected. Ca-TDC2 expression was observed exclusively in leaves of plantlets subjected to drought-stress, in the same sites described for Ca-TDC1. In the leaf, Ca-HGO was detected in all chlorenchyma cells; in the stem, it was observed in the same sites described for Ca-TDC1; in the root, no expression was detected. CONCLUSIONS The finding that the sites of CPT accumulation are not consistently the same as those in which the studied genes are expressed demonstrates an organ-to-organ and cell-to-cell translocation of CPT or its precursors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessio Valletta
- Department of Plant Biology, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Livio Trainotti
- Department of Biology, University of Padua, Via Trieste 75, 35121 Padua, Italy
| | - Anna Rita Santamaria
- Department of Plant Biology, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Gabriella Pasqua
- Department of Plant Biology, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
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13
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Dossey AT. Insects and their chemical weaponry: New potential for drug discovery. Nat Prod Rep 2010; 27:1737-57. [DOI: 10.1039/c005319h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 132] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
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15
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Barsby T. Drug discovery and sea hares: bigger is better. Trends Biotechnol 2006; 24:1-3. [PMID: 16290235 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2005.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2005] [Revised: 09/22/2005] [Accepted: 11/02/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Traditionally, small molecules (<1kDa) have dominated the study of the chemistry and chemical ecology of marine natural products. However, as reported in a recent publication, Yang and co-workers have isolated a 60-kDa antibacterial protein from the defensive secretions of the sea hare Aplysia californica. This protein, escapin, has been characterized as an l-amino acid oxidase with bacteriostatic and bacteriocidal activities. Their work highlights the largely untapped biomedical potential of marine organism-derived proteins and addresses the problems of supply associated with invertebrate natural products. It also leads to intriguing hypotheses about the ecological function(s) of the new protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Todd Barsby
- Faculty of Science, University of Ontario Institute of Technology, 2000 Simcoe Street North, Oshawa, ON L1H 7K4, Canada.
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16
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Allen RS, Millgate AG, Chitty JA, Thisleton J, Miller JAC, Fist AJ, Gerlach WL, Larkin PJ. RNAi-mediated replacement of morphine with the nonnarcotic alkaloid reticuline in opium poppy. Nat Biotechnol 2004; 22:1559-66. [PMID: 15543134 DOI: 10.1038/nbt1033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 125] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2004] [Accepted: 09/22/2004] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
We report on the silencing of codeinone reductase (COR) in the opium poppy, Papaver somniferum, using a chimeric hairpin RNA construct designed to silence all members of the multigene COR family through RNA interference (RNAi). After gene silencing, the precursor alkaloid (S)-reticuline-seven enzymatic steps upstream of codeinone-accumulated in transgenic plants at the expense of morphine, codeine, oripavine and thebaine. Methylated derivatives of reticuline also accumulated. Analysis verified loss of Cor gene transcript, appearance of 22-mer degradation products and reduction of enzyme activity. The surprising accumulation of (S)-reticuline suggests a feedback mechanism preventing intermediates from general benzylisoquinoline synthesis entering the morphine-specific branch. However transcript levels for seven other enzymes in the pathway, both before and after (S)-reticuline, were unaffected. This is the first report of gene silencing in transgenic opium poppy and of metabolic engineering to cause the high-yield accumulation of the nonnarcotic alkaloid reticuline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert S Allen
- CSIRO Plant Industry, PO Box 1600, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2601, Australia
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Abstract
PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to establish an automated approach to salt selection and to search for unique trazodone salts for new applications. METHODS Automated procedures were developed on a Biomek 2000 automation workstation with stacker and plate reader capabilities. Trazodone was dispensed into 96-well plates, and an automated method was set up to form 104 trazodone salts. Salts were observed under a polarized light microscope to determine crystallinity. After stepwise eliminations, the remaining salts were scaled-up and subjected to differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), powder x-ray diffraction (PXRD), hygroscopic, pH-solubility, density, surface area, and particle size analyses. RESULTS Oils formed in several cases resulting in preliminary elimination of mesyl and esyl salts and four crystallizing solvents. Crystallinity was observed in 34 of 44 scaled-up trazodone salts. PXRD, DSC, and hygroscopic analyses indicated a number of new salts that were comparable in physicochemical parameters to the marketed HCl salt. Among them, the tosylate salt showed uniqueness for new applications. CONCLUSIONS Automated procedures can be developed to increase the efficiency of pharmaceutical salt selection. The new tosylate salt gave a unique pH-solubility profile with low solubility over the entire pH range making it a potential candidate for a suspension or prolonged action formulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily C Ware
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602, USA
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Facchini PJ. ALKALOID BIOSYNTHESIS IN PLANTS: Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Molecular Regulation, and Metabolic Engineering Applications. ANNUAL REVIEW OF PLANT PHYSIOLOGY AND PLANT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2001; 52:29-66. [PMID: 11337391 DOI: 10.1146/annurev.arplant.52.1.29] [Citation(s) in RCA: 285] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Recent advances in the cell, developmental, and molecular biology of alkaloid biosynthesis have heightened our appreciation for the complexity and importance of plant secondary pathways. Several biosynthetic genes involved in the formation of tropane, benzylisoquinoline, and terpenoid indole alkaloids have now been isolated. The early events of signal perception, the pathways of signal transduction, and the function of gene promoters have been studied in relation to the regulation of alkaloid metabolism. Enzymes involved in alkaloid biosynthesis are associated with diverse subcellular compartments including the cytosol, vacuole, tonoplast membrane, endoplasmic reticulum, chloroplast stroma, thylakoid membranes, and perhaps unique "biosynthetic" or transport vesicles. Localization studies have shown that sequential alkaloid biosynthetic enzymes can also occur in distinct cell types, suggesting the intercellular transport of pathway intermediates. Isolated genes have also been used to genetically alter the accumulation of specific alkaloids and other plant secondary metabolites. Metabolic modifications include increased indole alkaloid levels, altered tropane alkaloid accumulation, elevated serotonin synthesis, reduced indole glucosinolate production, redirected shikimate metabolism, and increased cell wall-bound tyramine formation. This review discusses the biochemistry, cell biology, molecular regulation, and metabolic engineering of alkaloid biosynthesis in plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter J Facchini
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada; e-mail:
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Using Chemical Ecology to Locate New Antifungal Natural Products. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2000. [DOI: 10.1016/s1572-5995(00)80023-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register]
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Hansen SH, Jensen AG, Cornett C, Bjørnsdottir I, Taylor S, Wright B, Wilson ID. High-Performance Liquid Chromatography On-Line Coupled to High-Field NMR and Mass Spectrometry for Structure Elucidation of Constituents of Hypericum perforatum L. Anal Chem 1999. [DOI: 10.1021/ac990598x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Steen Honoré Hansen
- Department of Analytical and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, The Royal Danish School of Pharmacy, Universitetsparken 2, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark, and Department of Safety of Medicines, Zeneca Pharmaceuticals, Macclesfield, UK
| | - Anette Gemal Jensen
- Department of Analytical and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, The Royal Danish School of Pharmacy, Universitetsparken 2, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark, and Department of Safety of Medicines, Zeneca Pharmaceuticals, Macclesfield, UK
| | - Claus Cornett
- Department of Analytical and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, The Royal Danish School of Pharmacy, Universitetsparken 2, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark, and Department of Safety of Medicines, Zeneca Pharmaceuticals, Macclesfield, UK
| | - Inga Bjørnsdottir
- Department of Analytical and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, The Royal Danish School of Pharmacy, Universitetsparken 2, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark, and Department of Safety of Medicines, Zeneca Pharmaceuticals, Macclesfield, UK
| | - Steven Taylor
- Department of Analytical and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, The Royal Danish School of Pharmacy, Universitetsparken 2, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark, and Department of Safety of Medicines, Zeneca Pharmaceuticals, Macclesfield, UK
| | - Brian Wright
- Department of Analytical and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, The Royal Danish School of Pharmacy, Universitetsparken 2, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark, and Department of Safety of Medicines, Zeneca Pharmaceuticals, Macclesfield, UK
| | - Ian D. Wilson
- Department of Analytical and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, The Royal Danish School of Pharmacy, Universitetsparken 2, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark, and Department of Safety of Medicines, Zeneca Pharmaceuticals, Macclesfield, UK
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Currie CR, Scott JA, Summerbell RC, Malloch D. Fungus-growing ants use antibiotic-producing bacteria to control garden parasites. Nature 1999. [DOI: 10.1038/19519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 558] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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22
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Chapter 29. Natural Products Research and Pharmaceuticals in the 1990's. ANNUAL REPORTS IN MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY 1997. [DOI: 10.1016/s0065-7743(08)61487-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register]
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Kutchan TM. Alkaloid Biosynthesis[mdash]The Basis for Metabolic Engineering of Medicinal Plants. THE PLANT CELL 1995; 7:1059-1070. [PMID: 12242397 PMCID: PMC160910 DOI: 10.1105/tpc.7.7.1059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- T. M. Kutchan
- Laboratorium fur Molekulare Biologie, Universitat Munchen, Karlstrasse 29, 80333 Munich, Germany
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Kutchan TM. Alkaloid Biosynthesis[mdash]The Basis for Metabolic Engineering of Medicinal Plants. THE PLANT CELL 1995. [PMID: 12242397 DOI: 10.2307/3870057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- T. M. Kutchan
- Laboratorium fur Molekulare Biologie, Universitat Munchen, Karlstrasse 29, 80333 Munich, Germany
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Ecker DJ, Crooke ST. Combinatorial drug discovery: which methods will produce the greatest value? BIO/TECHNOLOGY (NATURE PUBLISHING COMPANY) 1995; 13:351-60. [PMID: 9634776 DOI: 10.1038/nbt0495-351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Combinatorial strategies are important new approaches to drug discovery, and it seems quite likely that they will result in the discovery of interesting potential pharmaceuticals. However, it is less clear whether combinatorial approaches will result in quantum advances in therapeutics. Nor is there general agreement about the factors most important in defining how combinatorial strategies will provide value to the discovery of lead and therapeutic compounds. In this review, we propose criteria that define the value of combinatorial strategies and categorize the various approaches by: (a) the type of chemical space to be searched, (b) the tactics employed to synthesize and screen libraries, and (c) the structures of individual molecules in libraries. We evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the various strategies and suggest milestones that can help to track their success.
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Affiliation(s)
- D J Ecker
- Isis Pharmaceuticals, Carlsbad, CA 92008, USA.
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