SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “Pinus”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 307 records · Page 17Linked to original sources

PubMed2005

Catalytic properties of glutathione-binding residues in a tau class glutathione transferase (PtGSTU1) from Pinus tabulaeformis.

Glutathione transferases (GSTs) play important roles in stress tolerance and detoxification in plants. However, there is extremely little information on the molecular characteristics of GSTs in gymnosperms. In a previous study, we cloned a tau class GST (PtGSTU1) from a gymnosperm (Pinus tabulaeformis) for the first time. Based on the N-terminal amino acid sequence identity to the available crystal structures of plant tau GSTs, Ser13, Lys40, Ile54, Glu66 and Ser67 of PtGSTU1 were proposed as glutathione-binding (G-site) residues. The importance of Ser13 as a G-site residue was investigated previously. The functions of Lys40, Ile54, Glu66 and Ser67 of PtGSTU1 are examined in this study through site-directed mutagenesis. Enzyme assays and thermal stability measurements on the purified recombinant PtGSTU1 showed that substitution at each of these sites significantly affects the enzyme's substrate specificity and affinity for GSH, and these residues are essential for maintaining the stability of PtGSTU1. The results of protein expression and refolding analyses suggest that Ile54 is involved in the protein folding process. The findings demonstrate that the aforementioned residues are critical components of active sites that contribute to the enzyme's catalytic activity and structural stability.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2004

Colonisation of Pinus halepensis roots by Pseudomonas fluorescens and interaction with the ectomycorrhizal fungus Suillus granulatus.

Colonisation of Pinus halepensis roots by GFP-tagged Pseudomonas fluorescens Aur6 was monitored by epifluorescence microscopy and dilution plating. Aur6-GFP was able to colonise and proliferate on P. halepensis roots. Co-inoculation with the ectomycorrhizal fungus Suillus granulatus did not affect the bacterial colonisation pattern whereas it had an effect on bacterial density. Bacterial counts increased during the first 20 days of seedling growth, irrespective of seedlings being mycorrhizal or not. After 40 days, bacterial density significantly decreased and bacteria concentrated on the upper two-thirds of the pine root. The presence of S. granulatus significantly stimulated survival of bacteria in the root elongation zone where fungal colonisation was higher. The number of mycorrhizas formed by S. granulatus was not affected by co-inoculation with Aur6-GFP. Neither Aur6-GFP nor S. granulatus stimulated P. halepensis development when inoculated alone, but a synergistic effect was observed on seedling growth when bacteria and fungus were co-inoculated.

Bacterial Proteins↗

PubMed2005

Purification and properties of a xylanase from Ceriporiopsis subvermispora cultivated on Pinus taeda.

The production of hemicellulose and cellulose degrading enzymes by the white-rot fungus Ceriporiopsis subvermispora was determined while growing in Pinus taeda wood chips. Enzymes produced by the fungus were extracted after 30 days of cultivation and at least two different xylanases were secreted. An endo-(1,4)-beta-xylanase was purified by means of ultrafiltration, anion exchange chromatography and gel filtration. Its molecular mass was 29 kDa and the pH and temperature optima were 5.0 and 60 degrees C, respectively. The endo-xylanase was able to hydrolyze xylan to principally xylotriose and xylotetraose and it has different activities against different xylans. With birchwood xylan as substrate, the enzyme showed a K(m) of 1.93 mg/ml and specific activity of 538 units/mg protein at 50 degrees C.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗

PubMed2006

Tannins from barks of Pinus caribaea protect Escherichia coli cells against DNA damage induced by gamma-rays.

This work was aimed to evaluate genotoxicity and antigenotoxicity activity against gamma-rays of a tannin fraction obtained from barks of Pinus caribaea, as well as to elucidate the antigenotoxic mechanisms involved in radioprotection by using different approaches as pre-, co- and post-irradiation cell treatments with plant extract. The tannin fraction was not genotoxic to Escherichia coli cells in experiments using different exposure times. This extract was antigenotoxic against gamma-rays when the cells were pre- or co-treated with this extracts, but not during post-irradiation treatments, suggesting a possibly antigenotoxic action through free radical scavenging mechanisms. The results are discussed in relation to the chemopreventive and therapeutic potential of the studied plant species.

DNA Damage↗

PubMed2005

The cellulose synthase gene PrCESA10 is involved in cellulose biosynthesis in developing tracheids of the gymnosperm Pinus radiata.

One full length (PrCESA10) and seven other cDNA clones (PrCESA2, 3, 5-8, 11) encoding cellulose synthases (CESAs) were isolated from the coniferous gymnosperm Pinus radiata. PrCESA10 encodes a protein predicted to contain the same domains and regions as angiosperm CESA genes: a zinc finger domain, a hypervariable region 1 (HVR1), a plant-conserved region (CR-P), a class-specific region or hypervariable region 2 (HVR2), in addition to the four conserved domains U1-U4 that are characteristic of the family 2 processive beta-glycosyltransferases. The P. radiata protein is also predicted to contain eight transmembrane domains. The zinc finger domain, the CR-P and the C-terminal portion of the proteins, are highly conserved between P. radiata and the nearest angiosperm CESA protein from Solanum tuberosum. Reverse transcriptase-PCR showed that all the P. radiata genes were expressed in all organs tested, although to different extents. In situ hybridization studies with PrCESA10 in stems of 2- and 12-month-old seedlings showed that it was expressed in the secondary xylem in the two-to-three most recently developed tracheids, which were laying down secondary cell walls.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2005

Uptake of phenol from aqueous solutions by adsorption in a Pinus pinaster bark packed bed.

The adsorption of phenol from aqueous solutions using a column packed with pre-treated Pinus pinaster bark was studied. The influence of the inlet phenol concentration (0.01 or 0.1 g/L) and the flow rate (6, 15.6 or 30 mL/min) on the breakthrough curves was analysed. An increase in the flow rate, decreased the time necessary to reach the breakthrough point and, for the highest inlet concentration, the dynamic capacity of the bed, from 7.5 to 0.4 min and from 0.38 to 0.15 mg phenol/go.d. bark, respectively, at 0.1 g/L. The LUB Design Approach was used to determine the equivalent length of unused bed. The lower LUB values, which imply a better utilization of the bark bed, were obtained at the higher flow rate. A model which considered the effect of axial dispersion was successfully used to describe the fixed-bed operation behaviour for the lower flow rates. For the lowest inlet phenol concentration, the axial dispersion coefficient increased significantly when the flow rate increased.

Adsorption↗

PubMed2005

Removal of lead (II) ions from synthetic and real effluents using immobilized Pinus sylvestris sawdust: adsorption on a fixed-bed column.

The purpose of this work was to evaluate the potential of Pinus sylvestris sawdust, in a continuous flow removal of lead (II) ions from synthetic and industrial aqueous effluents. The kinetic parameters obtained in a batch process were used to scale-up the process on a mini-column and to choose the breakthrough model. The column experimental data concerning the volumes treated were correlated using the bed depth service time model. These experimental data closely fitted the bed depth service time model at 10% of the breakthrough curve. The results from the bed depth service time model on the mini-column were then used to design a pilot plant adsorption unit. The performance of the pilot plant column accurately agreed with that obtained from the mini-column. The experiments carried out in a dynamic reactor allowed to bring out the influence of various parameters on the efficiency of the P. sylvestris sawdust. In addition, the process was checked for the treatment of industrial aqueous effluents on a pilot plant scale and the results were in accordance with those obtained from synthetic effluents.

Adsorption↗

PubMed2005

Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase and catalase activities in Pinus mugo needles growing at elevated stands in the mountains, and their photochemical efficiency of PSII.

Pinus mugo needles were sampled at different altitudes (1420, 1590 and 1920 m a.s.l.) to analyse levels of oxidative stress and changes in maximum photochemical efficiency of PSII. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis demonstrated that almost all superoxide dismutase activity represented Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase, and only 4-6% represents Mn superoxide dismutase. In extracts from plants sampled at 1590 and 1920 m a.s.l., lower activity of Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase was found. Comparing these data with immunoblots, it can be concluded that the differences in superoxide dismutase activity was related to protein amount. In needles from higher altitudes, a decrease in catalase activity was detected, as opposed to the protein amount, which was higher in needles from the higher stands. Considering the decrease in catalase and Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase activities in needles collected at 1590 and 1920 m a.s.l., we suggest that higher levels of oxidative stress may induce changes in photochemical efficiency of PSII.

Altitude↗

PubMed2005

Plant regeneration through multiple adventitious shoot differentiation from callus cultures of slash pine (Pinus elliottii).

A plant regeneration system through multiple adventitious shoot differentiation from callus cultures has been established in slash pine (Pinus elliottii). Influences of seven different basal media on callus induction, adventitious shoot formation, and rooting were investigated. Among the different basal media, B5, SH, and TE proved to be suitable for callus induction and plantlet regeneration. Multiple adventitious shoot formation was obtained from callus cultures of slash pine on B5, SH, and TE media containing indole-3-butyric acid, N6-benzyladenine, and thidiazuron. Scanning electron microscopy demonstrated the early development of adventitious shoots derived from callus cultures. These results indicate that an efficient plant regeneration protocol for micropropagation of slash pine had been established. This protocol could be most useful for future studies on genetic transformation of slash pine.

Pinus↗

PubMed2006

Comparative studies on pyrimidine metabolism in excised cotyledons of Pinus radiata during shoot formation in vitro.

Changes in the pattern of pyrimidine nucleotide metabolism were investigated in Pinus radiata cotyledons cultured under shoot-forming (SF; +N(6)-benzyladenine) and non-shoot-forming (NSF, -N(6)-benzyladenine) conditions, as well as in cotyledons unresponsive (OLD) to N(6)-benzyladenine. This was carried out by following the metabolic fate of externally supplied (14)C-labeled orotic acid, intermediate of the de novo pathway, and (14)C-labeled uridine and uracil, substrates of the salvage pathway. Nucleic acid synthesis was also investigated by following the metabolic fate of (14)C-labeled thymidine during shoot bud formation and development. The de novo synthesis of pyrimidine nucleotides was operative under both SF and NSF conditions, and the activity of orotate phosphoribosyltransferase (OPRT), a key enzyme of the de novo pathway, was higher in SF tissue. Utilization of both uridine and uracil for nucleotide and nucleic acid synthesis clearly indicated that the salvage pathway of pyrimidine metabolism is also operative during shoot organogenesis. In general, uridine was a better substrate for the synthesis of salvage products than uracil, possibly due to the higher activity of uridine kinase (UK), compared to uracil phosphoribosyltransferase (UPRT). Incorporation of uridine into the nucleic acid fraction of OLD cotyledons was lower than that observed for their responsive (day 0) counterparts. Similarly, uracil utilization for nucleic acid synthesis was lower in NSF cotyledons, compared to that observed for SF tissue after 10 days in culture. This difference was ascribed to higher UPRT activity measured in the latter. Thus, there was an apparent difference in the utilization of nucleotides derived from uracil and uridine for nucleotide synthesis. The increased ability to produce pyrimidine nucleotides via the salvage pathway during shoot bud formation may be required in support of nucleic acid synthesis occurring during the process. Studies on thymidine metabolism confirmed this notion.

Benzyl Compounds↗

PubMed2005

A density-based approach for the modelling of root architecture: application to Maritime pine (Pinus pinaster Ait.) root systems.

Root morphology influences strongly plant/soil interactions. However, the complexity of root architecture is a major barrier when analysing many phenomena, e.g. anchorage, water or nutrient uptake. Therefore, we have developed a new approach for the representation and modelling of root architecture based on branching density. A general root branching density in a space of finite dimension was used and enabled us to consider various morphological properties. A root system model was then constructed which minimizes the difference between measured and simulated root systems, expressed with functions which map root density in the soil. The model was tested in 2D using data from Maritime pine Pinus pinaster Ait. structural roots as input. We showed that simulated and real root systems had similar root distributions in terms of radial distance, depth, branching angle and branching order. These results indicate that general density functions are not only a powerful basis for constructing models of architecture, but can also be used to represent such structures when considering root/soil interaction. These models are particularly useful in that they provide a local morphological characterization which is aggregated in a given unit of soil volume.

Models, Biological↗

PubMed2006

Fungal endophytes in seeds and needles of Pinus monticola.

Using a sequence-based approach, we investigated the transmission of diverse fungal endophytes in seed and needles of Pinus monticola, western white pine. We isolated 2003 fungal endophytes from 750 surface-sterilized needles. In contrast, only 16 endophytic isolates were obtained from 800 surface-sterilized seeds. The ITS region was sequenced from a representative selection of these endophytes. Isolates were then assigned to the most closely related taxa in GenBank. Although 95% of the endophytes in needles from mature trees belonged to the Rhytismataceae, 82 unique ITS sequences were obtained from at least 21 genera and 10 different orders of fungi. Significantly, none of the endophytes in seed were rhytismataceous (chi(2) = 180; P < 0.001). Similarly, needles of greenhouse seedlings yielded only non-rhytismataceous isolates, whereas seedlings of the same age that had naturally regenerated near older white pines in roadless areas were colonized by rhytismataceous endophytes almost to the same extent as in mature trees. Only one of 17 rhytismataceous isolates were able to grow on a medium containing only 0.17% nitrogen, whereas 25 of 31 non-rhytismataceous endophytes grew. Rhytismataceous endophytes are dominant in needles of P. monticola, but they appear to be absent in seed, and unlikely colonists of nitrogen-limiting host tissues such as the apoplast.

Ascomycota↗

PubMed2006

Genetic population structure of three Armillaria species at the landscape scale: a case study from Swiss Pinus mugo forests.

Armillaria species are plant pathogens that cause Armillaria root rot and are known to cause mortality of mountain pines (Pinus mugo) in the Swiss National Park in the Central Alps. The identity of isolates and the spatially explicit population structure of the Armillaria species were investigated in a 3.3km(2) study area in the Swiss National Park. In total, 242 Armillaria isolates, 205 from wood samples and 37 from epiphytic rhizomorphs, were collected. Species were identified using haploid-diploid pairings and genets were determined using intraspecific somatic incompatibility tests. The population structure differed markedly among the Armillaria species. A. cepistipes and A. borealis mainly occurred as genets of small spatial extent (mean 0.2ha, and 0.6ha), whereas A. ostoyae formed significantly larger genets (mean 6.8ha). The largest A. ostoyae genet extended over approx. 37ha. Several disease centres associated with Heterobasidion annosum were found to be embedded within large Armillaria genets. The extension of large A. ostoyae genets suggests that forests that occupy the study area have developed in the presence of these Armillaria genets. The finding of large Armillaria genets supports the assumption that large genets occur in areas with cold climate and little precipitation.

Agaricales↗

PubMed2005

The monoterpene terpinolene from the oil of Pinus mugo L. in concert with alpha-tocopherol and beta-carotene effectively prevents oxidation of LDL.

Antioxidants from several nutrients, e.g. vitamin E, beta-carotene, or flavonoids, inhibit the oxidative modification of low-density lipoproteins. This protective effect could possibly retard atherogenesis and in consequence avoid coronary heart diseases. Some studies have shown a positive effect of those antioxidants on cardiovascular disease. Another class of naturally occurring antioxidants are terpenoids, which are found in essential oils. The essential oil of Pinus mugo and the contained monoterpene terpinolene effectively prevent low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-oxidation. In order to test the mechanism by which terpinolene protects LDL from oxidation, LDL from human blood plasma enriched in terpinolene was isolated. In this preparation not only the lipid part of LDL is protected against copper-induced oxidation--as proven by following the formation of conjugated dienes, but also the oxidation of the protein part is inhibited, since loss of tryptophan fluorescence is strongly delayed. This inhibition is due to a retarded oxidation of intrinsic carotenoids of LDL, and not, as in the case of some flavonoids, attributable to a protection of intrinsic alpha-tocopherol. These results are in agreement with our previous results, which showed the same effects for a monoterpene from lemon oil, i.e. gamma-terpinene.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

Anti-oxidant activity and effect of Pinus morrisonicola Hay. on the survival of leukemia cell line U937.

The free radical scavenging and anti-cancer activites of Pinus morrisonicola Hay. were studied using different parts of the pine, namely, needle, bark and cone. Results showed that pine needle water extract has the highest scavenging superoxide anion activity and the lowest IC50 value in inhibiting superoxide anion formation; however, the bark water extract showed the best anti-lipid peroxidation activity. Additionally, needle water extract displayed the highest inhibition of leukemia cell line U937 growth. The results indicated that P. morrisonicola Hay. possesses potential chemopreventative and therapeutic properties.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Analysis of volatiles from black pine (Pinus nigra): significance of wounding and egg deposition by a herbivorous sawfly.

The composition of headspace volatiles of black pine (Pinus nigra) was analysed by coupled gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). It has been shown in a previous study that egg deposition of the sawfly Diprion pini on P. sylvestris induces a quantitative change of the pine volatile blend . Chrysonotomyia ruforum, an egg parasitoid of D. pini, is known to be attracted by volatiles from egg-carrying P. sylvestris, but not by odour from egg-laden P. nigra. Therefore, the present study focused on the question whether also P. nigra as another host plant of this sawfly responds to egg deposition by change of its volatile blend. The headspace of untreated, egg-carrying, and artificially wounded P. nigra twigs were compared. The artificial damage inflicted to the twigs mimicked the damage by the sawfly female prior to egg deposition. Thirty five mainly terpenoid compounds that were identified in more than 50% of the egg-carrying P. nigra twigs could also be detected in the headspace of untreated and artificially wounded twigs. Quantitative differences of the blends of volatiles from differently treated P. nigra twigs were compared by multivariate data analyses. PLS-DA (projection to latent structures-discriminant analysis) revealed that blends of volatiles from differently treated P. nigra differed significantly. When comparing volatiles from egg-carrying and artificially wounded P. nigra with respective P. sylvestris samples, qualitative and quantitative differences were detected. The differences in volatile composition of P. nigra and P. sylvestris are discussed with special respect to the egg parasitoid's response to odours of egg-carrying pine twigs.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Diterpene resin acid biosynthesis in loblolly pine (Pinus taeda): functional characterization of abietadiene/levopimaradiene synthase (PtTPS-LAS) cDNA and subcellular targeting of PtTPS-LAS and abietadienol/abietadienal oxidase (PtAO, CYP720B1).

Diterpene resin acids are prominent defense compounds against insect pests and pathogens in conifers. Biochemical and molecular analyses in grand fir (Abies grandis), Norway spruce (Picea abies), and loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) have identified two classes of genes and enzymes that generate much of the structural diversity of terpenoid defense compounds: The terpenoid synthases (TPS) and cytochrome P450 monooxgenases (P450). Using a single substrate, geranylgeranyl diphosphate, families of single-product and multi-product diterpene synthases generate an array of cyclic diterpene olefins. These diterpenes are converted to diterpene resin acids by activity of one or more P450 enzymes. A few conifer diterpene synthases have previously been cloned and characterized in grand fir and in Norway spruce. We have also previously shown that the loblolly pine P450 abietadienol/abietadienal oxidase (PtAO) catalyzes multiple oxidations of several diterpene alcohols and aldehydes. Conifer diterpene synthases are thought to function in plastids while P450s can also be localized to plastids or to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Here, we show that a loblolly pine cDNA (PtTPS-LAS) encodes a typical multi-product conifer diterpene synthase that forms levopimaradiene, abietadiene, palustradiene, and neoabietadiene similar to the grand fir abietadiene synthase and Norway spruce levopimaradiene/abietadiene synthase. Subcellular targeting of PtTPS-LAS and PtAO to plastids and ER, respectively, was shown with green fluorescent fusion protein expression in tobacco cells. These data suggest that enzymes for conifer diterpene resin acid biosynthesis are localized to at least two different subcellular compartments, plastids and ER, requiring efficient transport of intermediates and secretion of diterpene resin acids into the extracelluar space.

Alkyl and Aryl Transferases↗

PubMed2006

Pinus taeda phenylpropenal double-bond reductase: purification, cDNA cloning, heterologous expression in Escherichia coli, and subcellular localization in P. taeda.

A phenylpropenal double-bond reductase (PPDBR) was obtained from cell suspension cultures of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.). Following trypsin digestion and amino acid sequencing, the cDNA encoding this protein was subsequently cloned, with the functional recombinant protein expressed in Escherichia coli and characterized. PPDBR readily converted both dehydrodiconiferyl and coniferyl aldehydes into dihydrodehydrodiconiferyl and dihydroconiferyl aldehydes, when NADPH was added as cofactor. However, it was unable to reduce directly either the double bond of dehydrodiconiferyl or coniferyl alcohols in the presence of NADPH. During this reductive step, the corresponding 4-proR hydrogen was abstracted from [4R-3H]-NADPH during hydride transfer. This is thus the first report of a double-bond reductase involved in phenylpropanoid metabolism, and which is presumed to be involved in plant defense. In situ mRNA hybridization indicated that the PPDBR transcripts in P. taeda stem sections were localized to the vascular cambium, as well as to radial and axial parenchyma cell types. Additionally, using P. taeda cell suspension culture crude protein extracts, dehydrodiconiferyl and coniferyl alcohols could be dehydrogenated to afford dehydrodiconiferyl and coniferyl aldehydes. Furthermore, these same extracts were able to convert dihydrodehydrodiconiferyl and dihydroconiferyl aldehydes into the corresponding alcohols. Taken together, these results indicate that in the crude extracts dehydrodiconiferyl and coniferyl alcohols can be converted to dihydrodehydrodiconiferyl and dihydroconiferyl alcohols through a three-step process, i.e. by initial phenylpropenol oxidation, then sequential PPDBR and phenylpropanal reductions, respectively.

Aldehyde Reductase↗