Effects of plant growth retardant daminozide (Alar) on neuromuscular co-ordination behavior in Drosophila melanogaster

Daminozide (alar), a plant growth retardant, is used in different fruit orchard to make fruits attractive and reduce pre-harvest losses. Previously data demonstrated that acute daminozide exposure affected reproductive fitness and produced neurodegeneration in Drosophila melanogaster. The goal of this study was to determine whether continuous exposure to daminozide affects neuromuscular co-ordination in D. melanogaster as manifested in various behavioral responses. Fruit flies were exposed to 200 or 400 mg/L concentration of daminozide for two successive generations. Treated D. melanogaster were examined for the behaviors indicative of neuromuscular coordination and cognitive abilities, that include climbing, social interaction, adult grooming, migration, flight, male aggression, and adult courtship. Aberrant behavioral responses were noted among treated D. melanogaster of both sexes as evidenced by the following parameters: reduction in flight duration, abnormal social interaction, altered copulatory acts, and over-aggressiveness. Data suggest that daminozide produces impairment in neuromuscular coordination and cognitive ability in Drosophila, which was reflected as altered behavioral patterns. As Drosophila is considered as a reliable in vivo model utilized in toxicity testing, our findings may help us to anticipate and monitor potential daminozide-induced toxicity in animals and humans.

Daminozide reduces red color intensity in herbaceous peony (Paeonia lactiflora Pall.) flowers by inhibiting the expression of flavonoid biosynthetic genes

Daminozide is a plant growth retardant that inhibits 2-oxoglutarate-dependent dioxygenase activity in the gibberellin biosynthesis pathway, but few studies have focused on its effect on the flavonoid biosynthesis pathway involved in flower color. In the present study, the effect of daminozide on the regulation of flower color was investigated. An herbaceous peony (Paeonia lactiflora Pall.) cultivar 'Fenzhu Pan' was used as the material and treated with daminozide. Color parameters of petals were measured; flavonoid composition and content as well as flavonoid biosynthetic gene expression were monitored. The results showed that daminozide treatment caused less red coloration in herbaceous peony. The content of total anthocyanins was decreased by 23%, and the content of total anthoxanthins was increased by 8%; thus, it appeared that less red coloration in daminozide-treated flowers was associated with restricted anthocyanin accumulation. Furthermore, the gene expression patterns of flavonoid 3'-hydroxylase, dihydroflavonol 4-reductase and anthocyanidin synthase were lower after daminozide treatment, which could decrease anthocyanin accumulation and lead to less red coloration in flowers. These findings would improve our understanding of daminozide regulation of flower color in herbaceous peony.

N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) formation during ozonation of N,N-dimethylhydrazine compounds: Reaction kinetics, mechanisms, and implications for NDMA formation control

Compounds with N,N-dimethylhydrazine moieties ((CH₃)₂N-N-) form N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) during ozonation, but the relevant reaction chemistry is hitherto poorly understood. This study investigated the reaction kinetics and mechanisms of NDMA formation during ozonation of unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine (UDMH) and daminozide (DMZ) as structural model N,N-dimethylhydrazine compounds. The reaction of ozone with these NDMA precursor compounds was fast, and k_O3 at pH 7 was 2 × 10⁶ M^-1 s^-1 for UDMH and 5 × 10⁵ M^-1 s^-1 for DMZ. Molar NDMA yields (i.e., Δ[NDMA]/Δ[precursor] × 100) were 84% and 100% for UDMH and DMZ, respectively, determined at molar ozone dose ratio ([O₃]₀/[precursor]₀) of ≥4 in the presence of tert-butanol as hydroxyl radical (OH) scavenger. The molar NDMA yields decreased significantly in the absence of tert-butanol, indicating OH formation and its subsequent reaction with the parent precursors forming negligible NDMA. The k_OH at pH 7 was 4.9 × 10⁹ M^-1 s^-1 and 3.4 × 10⁹ M^-1 s^-1 for UDMH and DMZ, respectively. Reaction mechanisms are proposed in which an ozone adduct is formed at the nitrogen next to N,N-dimethylamine which decomposes via homolytic and heterolytic cleavages of the -N⁺-O-O-O^- bond, forming NDMA as a final product. The heterolytic cleavage pathway explains the significant OH formation via radical intermediates. Overall, significant NDMA formation was found to be unavoidable during ozonation or even O₃/H₂O₂ treatment of waters containing N,N-dimethylhydrazine compounds due to their rapid reaction with ozone forming NDMA with high yield. Thus, source control or pre-treatment of N,N-dimethylhydrazine precursors and post-treatment of NDMA are proposed as the mitigation options.

Visualization of hormone binding proteins in vivo based on Mn-doped CdTe QDs

Daminozide (B9) is a growth inhibitor with important regulatory roles in plant growth and development. Locating and quantifying B9-binding proteins in plant tissues will assist in investigating the mechanism behind the signal transduction of B9. In this study, red fluorescent Mn-doped CdTe quantum dots (CdTeMn QDs) were synthesized by a high-temperature hydrothermal process. Since CdTeMn QDs possess a maximum fluorescence emission peak at 610nm, their fluorescence properties are more stable than those of CdTe QDs. A B9-CdTeMn probe was synthesized by coupling B9 with CdTeMn QDs. The fluorescence intensity of the probe is double that of CdTeMn QDs; its fluorescence stability is also superior under different ambient conditions. The probe retains the biological activity of B9 and is unaffected by interference from the green fluorescent protein present in plants. Therefore, we used this probe to label B9-binding proteins selectively in root tissue sections of mung bean seedlings. These proteins were observed predominantly on the surfaces of the cell membranes of the cortex and epidermal parenchyma.