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At least 235 records · Page 13Linked to original sources

PubMed1998

Differentiation among isolates of prunus necrotic ringspot virus by transcript conformation polymorphism.

A method based on differences in electrophoretic mobility of RNA transcripts made from polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products was used for differentiation among virus isolates. A T7 RNA polymerase promoter was attached to amplified prunus necrotic ringspot virus (PNRSV) sequences by PCR. The PCR products then served as a template for transcription. Single-stranded transcripts originated from different PNRSV isolates varied in electrophoretic mobility in polyacrylamide gels, presumably because of transcript conformation polymorphism (TCP). This procedure was applied for the differentiation of PNRSV isolates.

Ilarvirus↗

PubMed1999

Differentiation of closely related but biologically distinct cherry isolates of Prunus necrotic ringspot virus by polymerase chain reaction.

Prunus necrotic ringspot ilarvirus (PNRSV) exists as a number of biologically distinct variants which differ in host specificity, serology, and pathology. Previous nucleotide sequence alignment and phylogenetic analysis of cloned reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) products of several biologically distinct sweet cherry isolates revealed correlations between symptom type and the nucleotide and amino acid sequences of the 3a (putative movement protein) and 3b (coat protein) open reading frames. Based upon this analysis, RT-PCR assays have been developed that can identify isolates displaying different symptoms and serotypes. The incorporation of primers in a multiplex PCR protocol permits rapid detection and discrimination among the strains. The results of PCR amplification using type-specific primers that amplify a portion of the coat protein gene demonstrate that the primer-selection procedure developed for PNRSV constitutes a reliable method of viral strain discrimination in cherry for disease control and will also be useful for examining biological diversity within the PNRSV virus group.

DNA Restriction Enzymes↗

PubMed2001

Purification and characterisation of a beta-glucosidase abundantly expressed in ripe sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) fruit.

A beta-glucosidase (beta-D-glucoside glucohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.21) was purified to homogeneity from ripe fruits of sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) by ammonium sulphate precipitation, ion exchange and size exclusion chromatography. The enzyme is a monomer with a molecular mass of approximately 68 kDa and an acidic isoelectric point. N-terminal sequence analysis indicated that sweet cherry beta-glucosidase is related to other plant cyanogenic beta-glucosidases. Substrate specificity studies revealed that the enzyme is able to attack and hydrolyse several synthetic substrates and total cell walls purified from ripe fruit. Biochemical and immunolocalisation studies showed that sweet cherry beta-glucosidases are mainly localised in the cytosol and in the apoplast, at the unripe stage of ripening; in ripe fruit it is also associated with cell wall.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2001

Are hyperhydric shoots of Prunus avium L. energy deficient?

The content of oxidized and reduced pyridine nucleotides and some enzymatic activities of the oxidative pentose phosphate and glycolytic pathways were compared in normal (NS, growing on agar) and hyperhydric (HS, growing on gelrite) shoots of Prunus avium L. after 4 weeks of in vitro culture. The chlorophyll fluorescence from leaves and the redox capacity of the plasma membrane (reduction of exogenously added ferricyanide) of both types of shoots were recorded. The pool of oxidized and reduced pyridine nucleotides was lower in HS than in NS. These results suggested a reduced metabolism of HS in comparison to normal ones. This hypothesis was also supported by other observations. First, chlorophyll fluorescence measurements showed a lower chlorophyll content and a slight reduction of the photosynthetic capacity in HS. Second, the low activity of some enzymes of oxidative pentose phosphate pathway (OPP) and glycolysis indicated a decline of these biochemical pathways in HS with the consequence of a reduced production of chemical energy in the form of NAD(P)H and ATP. Finally, the lower reduction of ferricyanide by HS suggested a lower rate of redox reactions at the level of the plasma membrane of these shoots in comparison to NS.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1997

Evaluation of ozone injury on foliage of black cherry (Prunus serotina) and tall milkweed (Asclepias exaltata) in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

The incidence and severity of visible foliar ozone injury on black cherry (Prunus serotina) seedlings and saplings and tall milkweed (Asclepias exaltata) plants in Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GRSM) were determined by surveys along selected trails conducted during late summer 1992. The incidence (% injured plants) of ozone injury on black cherry was 47% and the percent injured leaves/injured plant and average leaf area injured were 43 and 6%, respectively. Maximum severity (avg. leaf area of the most severely injured leaf) was 12%. Black cherry seedlings and saplings exhibiting ozone injury were taller than non-injured plants. When insect feeding was present, it occurred 96% of the time on plants with ozone injury. Significantly more injury (p=0.007) on black cherry (% injured leaves/injured black cherry) occurred in the NW section of GRSM compared with the other Park sections. Regression analyses showed no relationships in ozone injury with respect to aspect, slope or elevation. Tall milkweed was evaluated twice during August for ozone injury. The incidence (% injured plants) of ozone injury was 74 and 79% for the first and second survey, respectively. The percentage of injured leaves per plant from the first to second survey was 63 to 79%, respectively. Tall milkweeds showing ozone injury were taller than the non-injured plants. The percentage of insect-damaged plants was 50% among plants without ozone injury and 60% among ozone-injured plants. Non-injured tall milkweed had fewer flowers and/or pods than the injured plants. Mean leaf area injured increased over time, and mean maximum leaf area injured increased from 8 to 11% during the same period. Regression analyses showed no differences in ozone injury regarding aspect, slope or elevation. Our findings indicate that ozone injury is widespread throughout the Park on sensitive vegetation.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2000

Two A-type proanthocyanidins from Prunus armeniaca roots.

Two A-type proanthocyanidins, ent-epiafzelechin-(4alpha-->8, 2alpha-->O-->7)-(-)-epicatechin and its isomer, ent-epiafzelechin-(4alpha-->8', 2alpha-->O-->7')-catechin, together with other known compounds, have been isolated from the roots of Prunus armeniaca. The concerted use of one- and two-dimensional NMR methods (1H-(1)H COSY, HMQC, HMBC and NOESY) allowed the identification of these compounds.

Anthocyanins↗

PubMed2001

Protection against ultraviolet B- and C-induced DNA damage and skin carcinogenesis by the flowers of Prunus persica extract.

The ethanol extract of the flowers of Prunus persica (Ku-35) (50-200 microg/ml) was found to inhibit UVB- as well as UVC-induced DNA damage measured by the COMET assay in the skin fibroblast cell (NIH/3T3). In addition, Ku-35 inhibited UVB- or UVC-induced lipid peroxidation, especially against UVB-induced peroxidation at higher than 10 microg/ml. We also evaluated the protective effect of Ku-35 against UVB-induced non-melanoma skin cancer in mice. Ku-35 was applied topically before UVB exposure, and its effects on tumor incidence (% of mice with tumors) and tumor multiplicity (number of tumors per mouse) were evaluated. The application of Ku-35 clearly resulted in a delay of tumor development compared to the control. In tumor incidence, 100% mice in the control group and the low dose treatment of Ku-35 had tumors, whereas 94.1% of the mice had tumors after the high dose treatment of Ku-35 at the end of experiment (28 weeks). In tumor multiplicity, low and high treatments of Ku-35 resulted in 25.9 and 53.9% reduction at the end of the experiment (P<0.05, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA)). The present data indicate that Ku-35 protects against photogenotoxicity in NIH/3T3 fibroblasts. The possible action mechanism of Ku-35 may be through its anti-oxidant activity without pro-oxidant effect. Ku-35 can also show a delay of tumor development against UVB-induced skin carcinogenesis. These results suggest that Ku-35 extract may be useful for protecting UV-induced DNA damage and carcinogenesis when topically applied.

3T3 Cells↗

PubMed2000

Identification, quantitative determination, and antioxidative activities of chlorogenic acid isomers in prune (Prunus domestica L. ).

Neochlorogenic acid (3-CQA) and cryptochlorogenic acid (4-CQA), isolated from prune (Prunus domestica L.), were identified by NMR and MS analyses. In addition, the quantity of chlorogenic acid isomers in prune were measured by HPLC. These isomers, 3-CQA, 4-CQA, and chlorogenic acid (5-CQA), were contained in the ratio 78.7:18. 4:3.9, respectively. 4-CQA was identified and quantified in prune for the first time, and relatively high amounts of this isomer were characteristic. Antioxidative activities of the chlorogenic acid isomers, such as scavenging activity on superoxide anion radicals and inhibitory effect against oxidation of methyl linoleate, were also evaluated. Each isomer showed antioxidative activities which were almost the same.

Antioxidants↗

PubMed2005

Oil quality and sensory evaluation of almond (Prunus amygdalus) stored after electron beam processing.

The changes in the lipid fraction and the deterioration of its quality were studied in almonds (Prunus amygdalus) of the variety Guara after treatment with accelerated electrons at doses of 3, 7, and 10 kGy, during a storage period of 5 months. In almond oil, the most significant difference from the nutritional point of view was seen in the fatty acid linolenic (18:3), which shows at 3 kGy a maintenance of the initial content during the whole storage period, whereas, at 7 and 10 kGy, the content in 18:3 disappears from the first moment. The quality indices of the oil (K(232), K(270)) decreased at all doses and remained stable during the time of storage. The peroxide value did not show changes at the doses of 3 and 7 kGy, in non-irradiated samples, but significantly increased when the maximum dose of 10 kGy was applied. These changes were reflected in the sensory analysis, in which the tasters did not find sensory differences between the controls and those irradiated at doses of 3 or 7 kGy, whereas almonds irradiated at 10 kGy exhibited a rancid flavor and a significant decrease in general quality.

Aflatoxins↗

PubMed1999

Antioxidant polyphenols from tart cherries (Prunus cerasus).

Montmorency and Balaton tart cherries were lyophilized and sequentially extracted with hexane, ethyl acetate, and methanol. Methanolic extracts of dried Balaton and Montmorency tart cherries (Prunus cerasus) inhibited lipid peroxidation induced by Fe(2+) at 25 ppm concentrations. Further partitioning of this methanol extract with EtOAc yielded a fraction that inhibited lipid peroxidation by 76% at 25 ppm. Purification of this EtOAc fraction afforded eight polyphenolic compounds, 5,7,4'-trihydroxyflavanone (1), 5,7, 4'-trihydroxyisoflavone (2), chlorogenic acid (3), 5,7,3', 4'-tetrahydroxyflavonol-3-rhamnoside (4), 5,7,4'-trihydroxyflavonol 3-rutinoside (5), 5,7,4'-trihydroxy-3'methoxyflavonol-3-rutinoside (6), 5,7,4'-trihydroxyisoflavone-7-glucoside (7), and 6, 7-dimethoxy-5,8,4'-trihydroxyflavone (8), as characterized by (1)H and (13)C NMR experiments. The antioxidant assays revealed that 7-dimethoxy-5,8,4'-trihydroxyflavone (8) is the most active, followed by quercetin 3-rhamnoside, genistein, chlorogenic acid, naringenin, and genistin, at 10 microM concentrations.

Antioxidants↗

PubMed1999

Mumefural, citric acid derivative improving blood fluidity from fruit-juice concentrate of Japanese apricot (Prunus mume Sieb. et Zucc).

The effects of food components on blood fluidity were studied by in vitro assay using a dedicated microchannel instrument for model capillaries. We found that the fruit-juice concentrate of the Japanese apricot (Prunus mume Sieb. et Zucc), a traditional Japanese food, markedly improved the fluidity of human blood. Using HPLC, we isolated the active compounds and characterized them using UV, MS, IR, and NMR. They included a novel compound, 1-[5-(2-formylfuryl)methyl] dihydrogen 2-hydroxypropane-1,2, 3-tricarboxylate (mumefural), and a related compound, 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furfural (HMF). Mumefural markedly improved blood fluidity in all subjects, while HMF worked differently in different individuals. The flow rate of blood spiked with mumefural or HMF was compared to that of the two predominant organic acids in the fruit. Citric acid, malic acid, and furfuryl alcohol also improved fluidity in all subjects. The activity of P. mume is derived from not only artifacts produced during thermal processing, such as mumefural, but also from endogenous organic acids.

Beverages↗

PubMed2002

New flavonol oligoglycosides and polyacylated sucroses with inhibitory effects on aldose reductase and platelet aggregation from the flowers of Prunus mume.

The methanolic extract from the fresh flowers of Prunus mume exhibited inhibitory effects against aldose reductase and platelet aggregation. From the methanolic extract, two new flavonol oligoglycosides, 2' '-O-acetylrutin and 2' '-O-acetyl-3'-O-methylrutin, and two new polyacylated sucroses, prunoses I and II, were isolated together with 11 known constituents. The structures of 2' '-O-acetylrutin, 2' '-O-acetyl-3'-O-methylrutin, and prunoses I and II were determined on the basis of chemical and physicochemical evidence as quercetin 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1-->6)-2' '-O-acetyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside, 3'-O-methylquercetin 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1-->6)-2' '-O-acetyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside, 1,4,3',4',6'-penta-O-acetyl-6-O-p-coumaroylsucrose, and 1,3',4',6'-tetra-O-acetyl-6-O-p-coumaroylsucrose, respectively. The flavonol glycosides and prunose I were found to inhibit aldose reductase, while prunoses I and II inhibited platelet aggregation induced by thrombin.

Aldehyde Reductase↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Antihyperlipidemic effect of flavonoids from Prunus davidiana.

Blood lipid levels in rats with hyperlipidemia resulting from high-fat feeding were determined after ip administration of an MeOH extract of Prunus davidiana stems and its flavonoid components, (+)-catechin, prunin (= naringenin 7-O-glucoside), and hesperetin 5-O-glucoside. Administration of the MeOH extract for 3 days produced a significant decrease of blood triglyceride and total cholesterol, and the atherogenic index was also improved. (+)-Catechin was shown to be effective in reducing the elevated level of triglyceride. Prunin and hesperetin 5-O-glucoside did not show such an effect in high-fat-fed hypertriglyceridemic rats, but they did exhibit a significant hypocholesterolemic effect.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

An A-type proanthocyanidin from Prunus armeniaca.

Roots of Prunus armeniaca yielded a new A-type proanthocyanidin whose structure was assigned as ent-epiafzelechin-3-O-p-hydroxybenzoate-(4alpha-->8, 2alpha-->O-->7)-epiafzelechin (1). The structure of 1 was determined through extensive 1D and 2D NMR studies.

Anthocyanins↗

PubMed1999

Novel antioxidant compounds from tart cherries (Prunus cerasus).

As indicated by an Fe(II)-induced liposome peroxidation bioassay, the EtOAc extract of tart cherries (Prunus cerasus) was found to have strong antioxidant activity. Purification of this extract afforded chlorogenic acid methyl ester (1) and three novel compounds, 2-hydroxy-3-(o-hydroxyphenyl) propanoic acid (2); 1-(3', 4'-dihydroxycinnamoyl)-cyclopenta-2,5-diol (3), and 1-(3', 4'-dihydroxycinnamoyl)-cyclopenta-2,3-diol (4), as determined by their spectral data. At a 20-microM concentration, the antioxidant activities of compounds 3 and 4 were comparable to the antioxidant activities of caffeic acid, whereas compound 1 showed activity similar to chlorogenic acid. Also, these compounds showed antioxidant activities similar to the commercial antioxidants tert-butylhydroquinone and butylated hydroxytoluene. However, compound 2 was not active when tested at a 100-microM concentration.

Antioxidants↗

PubMed2002

Peach (Prunus persica) fruit ripening: aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG) and exogenous polyamines affect ethylene emission and flesh firmness.

The effect of various concentrations of aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG; 0.32 and 1.28 mM), an ethylene biosynthesis inhibitor, and of the polyamines putrescine (10 mM), spermidine (0.1, 1 and 5 mM) and spermine (2 mM) on peach (Prunus persica L. Batsch cv. Redhaven) fruit ripening was evaluated under field conditions. Treatments were performed 19 (polyamines) and 8 (AVG) days before harvest. Fruit growth (diameter, fresh and dry weight), flesh firmness, soluble solids content and ethylene emission were determined on treated and untreated (controls) fruits. Moreover, endogenous polyamine content and S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase (SAMDC, EC 4.1.1.21) activity were determined to check for a possible competition between polyamines and ethylene for their common precursor S-adenosylmethionine (SAM). Both treatments strongly inhibited ethylene emission and delayed flesh softening. On a biochemical level, AVG and exogenous polyamines both reduced the free-to-conjugate ratio of endogenous polyamines, and transiently altered SAMDC activity. The possible use of these compounds to control fruit ripening is discussed also in the light of their rejuvenating effect on peach fruits.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2000

RAPD variation and population genetic structure in Prunus mahaleb (Rosaceae), an animal-dispersed tree.

We examined the patterns of random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) variation among seven Prunus mahaleb (Rosaceae) populations extending over approximately 100 km2 to examine local differentiation in relation to spatial isolation due to both geographical distance and differences in elevation. No less than 51. 4% of the RAPD loci were polymorphic, but very few were fixed and among-population variation accounted for 16.46% of variation in RAPD patterns. Mean gene diversity was 0.1441, with mean Nei's genetic diversity for individual populations ranging between 0.089 and 0.149. Mean GST value across loci was 0.1935 (range, 0.0162-0.4685), giving an average estimate for Nm of 1.191. These results suggest extensive gene flow among populations, but higher GST and lower Nm values relative to other outcrossing, woody species with endozoochorous dispersal, also suggest a process of isolation by distance. The combined effect of both geographical and elevation distances and nonoverlapping flowering and fruiting phenophases on the GST matrix was partially significant, revealing only marginal isolation of the P. mahaleb populations. The matrix correlation between estimated Nm values among populations and the geographical + elevation distance matrices (r = -0.4623, P = 0.07), suggests a marginal trend for more isolated populations to exchange less immigrants. Long-distance seed dispersal by efficient medium-sized frugivorous birds and mammals is most likely associated to the high levels of within-population genetic diversity. However, vicariance factors and demographic bottlenecks (high postdispersal seed and seedling mortality) explain comparatively high levels of local differentiation.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Molecular cloning and biochemical characterization of a lipoxygenase in almond (Prunus dulcis) seed.

We have characterized an almond (Prunus dulcis) lipoxygenase (LOX) that is expressed early in seed development. The presence of an active lipoxygenase was confirmed by western blot analysis and by measuring the enzymatic activity in microsomal and soluble protein samples purified from almond seeds at this stage of development. The almond lipoxygenase, which had a pH optimum around 6, was identified as a 9-LOX on the basis of the isomers of linoleic acid hydroperoxides produced in the enzymatic reaction. A genomic clone containing a complete lipoxygenase gene was isolated from an almond DNA library. The 6776-bp sequence reported includes an open reading frame of 4667 bp encoding a putative polypeptide of 862 amino acids with a calculated molecular mass of 98.0 kDa and a predicted pI of 5.61. Almond seed lipoxygenase shows 71% identity with an Arabidopsis LOX1 gene and is closely related to tomato fruit and potato tuber lipoxygenases. The sequence of the active site was consistent with the isolated gene encoding a 9-LOX.

Amino Acid Sequence↗