The nature and distribution of daffodil pickers' rash

Taro raphide-associated proteins: Allergens and crystal growth

Calcium oxalate raphide crystals are found in bundles in intravacuolar membrane chambers of specialized idioblasts cells of most plant families. Aroid raphides are proposed to cause acridity in crops such as taro (Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott). Acridity is irritation that causes itchiness and pain when raw/insufficiently cooked tissues are eaten. Since raphides do not always cause acridity and since acridity can be inactivated by cooking and/or protease treatment, it is possible that a toxin or allergen-like compound is associated with the crystals. Using two-dimensional (2D) gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry (MS) peptide sequencing of selected peptides from purified raphides and taro apex transcriptome sequencing, we showed the presence on the raphides of peptides normally associated with mitochrondria (ATP synthase), chloroplasts (chaperonin ~60 kDa), cytoplasm (actin, profilin), and vacuole (V-type ATPase) that indicates a multistage biocrystallation process ending with possible invagination of the tonoplast and addition of mucilage that may be derived from the Golgi. Actin might play a crucial role in the generation of the needle-like raphides. One of the five raphide profilins genes was highly expressed in the apex and had a 17-amino acid insert that significantly increased that profilin's antigenic epitope peak. A second profilin had a 2-amino acid insert and also had a greater B-cell epitope prediction. Taro profilins showed 83% to 92% similarity to known characterized profilins. Further, commercial allergen test strips for hazelnuts, where profilin is a secondary allergen, have potential for screening in a taro germplasm to reduce acridity and during food processing to avoid overcooking.

An Assessment of Engineered Calcium Oxalate Crystal Formation on Plant Growth and Development as a Step toward Evaluating Its Use to Enhance Plant Defense

The establishment of new approaches to control chewing insects has been sought not only for direct use in reducing crop loss but also in managing resistance to the pesticides already in use. Engineered formation of calcium oxalate crystals is a potential strategy that could be developed to fulfill both these needs. As a step toward this development, this study investigates the effects of transforming a non-calcium oxalate crystal accumulating plant, Arabidopsis thaliana, into a crystal accumulating plant. Calcium oxalate crystal accumulating A. thaliana lines were generated by ectopic expression of a single bacterial gene encoding an oxalic acid biosynthetic enzyme. Biochemical and cellular studies suggested that the engineered A. thaliana lines formed crystals of calcium oxalate in a manner similar to naturally occurring crystal accumulating plants. The amount of calcium oxalate accumulated in leaves also reached levels similar to those measured in the leaves of Medicago truncatula in which the crystals are known to play a defensive role. Visual inspection of the different engineered lines, however, suggested a phenotypic consequence on plant growth and development with higher calcium oxalate concentrations. The restoration of a near wild-type plant phenotype through an enzymatic reduction of tissue oxalate supported this observation. Overall, this study is a first to provide initial insight into the potential consequences of engineering calcium oxalate crystal formation in non-crystal accumulating plants.

Towards a molecular understanding of the biosynthesis of amaryllidaceae alkaloids in support of their expanding medical use

The alkaloids characteristically produced by the subfamily Amaryllidoideae of the Amaryllidaceae, bulbous plant species that include well know genera such as Narcissus (daffodils) and Galanthus (snowdrops), are a source of new pharmaceutical compounds. Presently, only the Amaryllidaceae alkaloid galanthamine, an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor used to treat symptoms of Alzheimer's disease, is produced commercially as a drug from cultivated plants. However, several Amaryllidaceae alkaloids have shown great promise as anti-cancer drugs, but their further clinical development is restricted by their limited commercial availability. Amaryllidaceae species have a long history of cultivation and breeding as ornamental bulbs, and phytochemical research has focussed on the diversity in alkaloid content and composition. In contrast to the available pharmacological and phytochemical data, ecological, physiological and molecular aspects of the Amaryllidaceae and their alkaloids are much less explored and the identity of the alkaloid biosynthetic genes is presently unknown. An improved molecular understanding of Amaryllidaceae alkaloid biosynthesis would greatly benefit the rational design of breeding programs to produce cultivars optimised for the production of pharmaceutical compounds and enable biotechnology based approaches.

Medicago truncatula mutants demonstrate the role of plant calcium oxalate crystals as an effective defense against chewing insects

Calcium oxalate is the most abundant insoluble mineral found in plants and its crystals have been reported in more than 200 plant families. In the barrel medic Medicago truncatula Gaertn., these crystals accumulate predominantly in a sheath surrounding secondary veins of leaves. Mutants of M. truncatula with decreased levels of calcium oxalate crystals were used to assess the defensive role of this mineral against insects. Caterpillar larvae of the beet armyworm Spodoptera exigua Hübner show a clear feeding preference for tissue from calcium oxalate-defective (cod) mutant lines cod5 and cod6 in choice test comparisons with wild-type M. truncatula. Compared to their performance on mutant lines, larvae feeding on wild-type plants with abundant calcium oxalate crystals suffer significantly reduced growth and increased mortality. Induction of wound-responsive genes appears to be normal in cod5 and cod6, indicating that these lines are not deficient in induced insect defenses. Electron micrographs of insect mouthparts indicate that the prismatic crystals in M. truncatula leaves act as physical abrasives during feeding. Food utilization measurements show that, after consumption, calcium oxalate also interferes with the conversion of plant material into insect biomass during digestion. In contrast to their detrimental effects on a chewing insect, calcium oxalate crystals do not negatively affect the performance of the pea aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum Harris, a sap-feeding insect with piercing-sucking mouthparts. The results confirm a long-held hypothesis for the defensive function of these crystals and point to the potential value of genes controlling crystal formation and localization in crop plants.

Calcium oxalate in plants: formation and function

Calcium oxalate (CaOx) crystals are distributed among all taxonomic levels of photosynthetic organisms from small algae to angiosperms and giant gymnosperms. Accumulation of crystals by these organisms can be substantial. Major functions of CaOx crystal formation in plants include high-capacity calcium (Ca) regulation and protection against herbivory. Ultrastructural and developmental analyses have demonstrated that this biomineralization process is not a simple random physical-chemical precipitation of endogenously synthesized oxalic acid and environmentally derived Ca. Instead, crystals are formed in specific shapes and sizes. Genetic regulation of CaOx formation is indicated by constancy of crystal morphology within species, cell specialization, and the remarkable coordination of crystal growth and cell expansion. Using a variety of approaches, researchers have begun to unravel the exquisite control mechanisms exerted by cells specialized for CaOx formation that include the machinery for uptake and accumulation of Ca, oxalic acid biosynthetic pathways, and regulation of crystal growth.

Occupational contact dermatitis. Recognition and management

Occupational contact dermatitis (OCD) represents 90 to 95% of all occupational dermatoses. The incidence rate of OCD is estimated to be around 0.5 to 1.9 cases per full-time worker per year. However, epidemiologic data are lacking and incidence is probably underestimated, especially in the US. Over the past 20 years, OCD has been the most frequently reported occupational disorder to German social insurance institutions. Critical factors in the management of OCD are recognition of clinical features, knowledge of allergens and irritants present in different occupational fields, knowledge of suitable protection, interpretation of patch test results, and awareness of medicolegal aspects. Management of OCD should be carried out by dermatologists and patch test clinics in cooperation with physicians specialized in industrial medicine. Individuals at high risk of OCD are hairdressers, dental laboratory technicians, other healthcare workers, construction industry workers, metal workers, leather and shoe manufacturers, florists and gardeners, and bakers, caterers, confectioners and cooks.

Irritant contact dermatitis caused by needle-like calcium oxalate crystals, raphides, in Agave tequilana among workers in tequila distilleries and agave plantations

It was found that needle-like calcium oxalate crystals, raphides, are found abundantly in all tissues of Agave tequilana plants; thus, 1 droplet (0.03 ml) of juice pressed from leaves contains 100-150 crystals, 30-500 microm in length, sharpened at both ends. In tequila distilleries, 5/6 of the workers who handle the agave stems have experienced the characteristic irritation. In contrast, only 1/3 of workers in agave plantations who harvest agave plants, complain of the irritation. It is confirmed that all the irritation suffered in both distilleries and plantations takes place at bodily locations where the plants come into contact with the worker's skin in the course of their work.

Phytodermatitis

BACKGROUND

Most dermatologists can recognize the classic patterns of presentation of plant contact dermatitis; however, few can recognize the offending plants or know the name and chemical structure of the allergens or irritants that they contain.

OBJECTIVE

Five basic clinical patterns of phytodermatitis are reviewed: 1) allergic phytodermatitis, 2) photophytodermatitis, 3) irritant contact dermatitis, 4) pharmacologic injury, and 5) mechanical injury. The plants responsible for each pattern are presented by families, according to current scientific taxonomy. The chemical structure of the offending substances is described, and principles of investigation, prevention, and treatment are outlined.

CONCLUSIONS

Plant contact dermatitis remains an extremely vast and complex topic. Exotic plants and woods are now present in our gardens and homes. The newfound interest in aromatherapy, phytotherapy, and so-called "natural" therapies is the cause of a tremendous increase in exposure to plant products and extracts. This is responsible for the appearance of atypical patterns of plant contact dermatitis with which the practising dermatologist must become familiar.