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At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
PubMed1992

Metabolic engineering of medicinal plants: transgenic Atropa belladonna with an improved alkaloid composition.

The tropane alkaloid scopolamine is a medicinally important anticholinergic drug present in several solanaceous plants. Hyoscyamine 6 beta-hydroxylase (EC 1.14.11.11) catalyzes the oxidative reactions in the biosynthetic pathway leading from hyoscyamine to scopolamine. We introduced the hydroxylase gene from Hyoscyamus niger under the control of the cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter into hyoscyamine-rich Atropa belladonna by the use of an Agrobacterium-mediated transformation system. A transgenic plant that constitutively and strongly expressed the transgene was selected, first by screening for kanamycin resistance and then by immunoscreening leaf samples with an antibody specific for the hydroxylase. In the primary transformant and its selfed progeny that inherited the transgene, the alkaloid contents of the leaf and stem were almost exclusively scopolamine. Such metabolically engineered plants should prove useful as breeding materials for obtaining improved medicinal components.

Atropa belladonna↗
PubMed1998

Molecular cloning of plant spermidine synthases.

Four cDNAs for spermidine synthase (SPDS), which converts the diamine putrescine to the higher polyamine spermidine using decarboxylated S-adenosylmethionine as the co-factor, were isolated from Nicotiana sylvestris, Hyoscyamus niger, and Arabidopsis thaliana. When the N.sylvestris SPDS cDNA was expressed in a SPDS-deficient E. coli mutant, the recombinant protein showed high SPDS activity, but did not have any spermine synthase activity. The plant SPDSs have molecular masses of about 34 kDa, possess the co-factor binding motifs which have been proposed for S-adenosylmethionine, and are more homologous in amino acid sequence to tobacco putrescine N-methyltransferase (PMT) than to SPDSs from mammals and E. coli. The SPDS gene is expressed in root, stem, and leaf in N.sylvestris, whereas the PMT gene is expressed only in root. The potential evolution of plant SPDS and PMT, and their evolutionary relationships with animal SPDS are discussed.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1999

Two tropinone reductases, that catalyze opposite stereospecific reductions in tropane alkaloid biosynthesis, are localized in plant root with different cell-specific patterns.

In the plant species that produce tropane alkaloids, two tropinone reductases (TRs) catalyze the stereospecific reductions of the 3-carbonyl group of tropinone. This reduction is a key branch point that determines the metabolite flow into the separate alkaloid groups, each with different stereospecific configurations. In this study, a specific antibody was prepared for each of the TRs by immunizing mice with recombinant TR protein and subsequent immuno-affinity purification of the antiserum. Immunoblot analyses revealed that accumulation of both TRs was highest in the lateral roots of Hyoscyamus niger throughout its development. In cultured roots, TR proteins were accumulated in a basal region but not in root apex. These patterns were similar to that of hyoscyamine 6 beta-hydroxylase (H6H), an enzyme that catalyzes a downstream step in the same biosynthetic pathway. However, an immunohistochemical analysis revealed that the two TRs and H6H were accumulated with different cell-specific patterns in the cultured root, suggesting transportation of the alkaloid intermediate(s) across the different cell layers.

Alcohol Oxidoreductases↗
PubMed1999

Expression of Atropa belladonna putrescine N-methyltransferase gene in root pericycle.

The cDNAs encoding putrescine N-methyltransferase (PMT), which catalyzes the S-adenosylmethionine-dependent N-methylation of putrescine at the first committed step in the biosynthetic pathways of tropane alkaloids, were isolated from Atropa belladonna and Hyoscyamus niger. These PMTs, however, lacked the N-terminal tandem repeat arrays previously found in Nicotiana PMTs. AbPMT1 RNA was much more abundant in the root of A. belladonna than was AbPMT2 RNA. The 5'-flanking region of the AbPMT1 gene was fused to the beta-glucuronidase (GUS) reporter gene and transferred to A. belladonna. Histochemical analysis showed that GUS is expressed specifically in root pericycle cells and that the 0.3-kb 5'-upstream region was sufficient for pericycle-specific expression. Treatment of A. belladonna roots with methyl jasmonate did not up-regulate the expression of GUS or endogenous AbPMT genes. The regulation of tropane alkaloid biosynthesis is discussed and compared with that of nicotine biosynthesis.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2000

Density-dependent aposematism in the desert locust.

The ecological processes underlying locust swarm formation are poorly understood. Locust species exhibit phenotypic plasticity in numerous morphological, physiological and behavioural traits as their population density increases. These density-dependent changes are commonly assumed to be adaptations for migration under heterogeneous environmental conditions. Here we demonstrate that density-dependent nymphal colour change in the desert locust Schistocerca gregaria (Orthoptera: Acrididae) results in warning coloration (aposematism) when the population density increases and locusts consume native, toxic host plants. Fringe-toed lizards (Acanthodactylus dumerili (Lacertidae)) developed aversions to high-density-reared (gregarious-phase) locusts fed Hyoscyamus muticus (Solanaceae). Lizards associated both olfactory and visual cues with locust unpalatability, but only gregarious-phase coloration was an effective visual warning signal. The lizards did not associate low rearing density coloration (solitarious phase) with locust toxicity. Predator learning of density-dependent warning coloration results in a marked decrease in predation on locusts and may directly contribute to outbreaks of this notorious pest.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Species-dependent expression of the hyoscyamine 6 beta-hydroxylase gene in the pericycle.

The tropane alkaloid scopolamine is synthesized in the pericycle of branch roots in certain species of the Solanaceae. The enzyme responsible for the synthesis of scopolamine from hyoscyamine is hyoscyamine 6 beta-hydroxylase (H6H). The gene for H6H was isolated from Hyoscyamus niger. It has an exon/intron organization very similar to those for ethylene-forming enzymes, suggesting a common evolutionary origin. The 827-bp 5' flanking region of the H6H gene was fused to the beta-glucuronidase (GUS) reporter gene and transferred to three solanaceous species by Agrobacterium-mediated transformation systems: H. niger and belladonna (Atropa belladonna), which have high and low levels, respectively, of H6H mRNA in the root, and tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum), which has no endogenous H6H gene. Histochemical analysis showed that GUS expression occurred in the pericycle and at the root meristem of transgenic H. niger hairy roots, but only at the root meristem of transgenic H. niger hairy roots, but only at the root meristem of hairy roots and plants of transgenic tobacco. In transgenic hairy roots and regenerated plants of belladonna, the root meristem was stained with GUS activity, except for a few transformants in which the vascular cylinder was also stained. These studies indicate that the cell-specific expression of the H6H gene is controlled by some genetic regulation specific to scopolamine-producing plants.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1995

Cloning and characterization of a glutathione S-transferase that can be photolabeled with 5-azido-indole-3-acetic acid.

Previously, we identified a soluble protein from Hyoscyamus muticus that was photolabeled by 5-azido-indole-3-acetic acid. This protein was determined to be a glutathione S-transferase (GST; J. Bilang, H. Macdonald, P.J. King, and A. Sturm [1993] Plant Physiol 102: 29-34). We have examined the effect of auxin on the activity of this H. muticus GST. Auxins reduced enzyme activity only at high concentrations, with 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid being more effective than indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and naphthylacetic acid. IAA was a noncompetitive inhibitor, whereas inhibition by 2,4-D was competitive with respect to 1-chloro-2,4-dinitro-benzene. We also present the sequence of a full-length cDNA clone that codes for a GST and contains all partial amino acid sequences of the purified protein. The auxin-binding GST was found in high amounts in roots and stems and low amounts in leaves and flower buds. The steady-state mRNA level was not regulated by IAA or naphthylacetic acid, whereas 2,4-D and 2,3-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid increased mRNA levels. We propose a model in which 2,4-D is a substrate for GST, whereas IAA binds at a second site, known as a ligandin-binding site for the purpose of intracellular transport.

Affinity Labels↗
PubMed1997

Temperature-Sensitive Plant Cells with Shunted Indole-3-Acetic Acid Conjugation.

Cells of henbane (Hyoscyamus muticus L.) grow indefinitely in culture without exogenous auxin. Cells of its temperature-sensitive variant XIIB2 grow like the wild type at 26[deg]C but die rapidly at 33[deg]C unless auxin is added to the medium. Despite this temperature-sensitive auxin auxotrophy, XIIB2 produces wild-type amounts of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). IAA is the predominant auxin and is important for plant growth and development. Since the IAA production of the variant is functional, we investigated whether the synthesis or degradation of IAA metabolites, possibly active auxins themselves, is altered. The IAA metabolites were IAA-aspartate (IAAsp) and IAA-glucose. The wild type converted IAA mainly to IAAsp, whereas the variant produced mainly IAA-glucose. Exogenous auxin corrected the shunted IAA metabolism of the variant. The half-life of labeled IAAsp in the variant was reduced 21-fold, but in the presence of exogenous auxin it was not different from the wild type. The temperature sensitivity of XIIB2 was also corrected by supplying IAAsp. Pulse-chase experiments revealed that henbane rapidly metabolizes IAAsp to compounds not identical to IAA. The data show that the variant XIIB2 is a useful tool to study the function of IAA conjugates to challenge the popular hypothesis that IAA conjugates are merely slow-release storage forms of IAA.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1986

Immunochemical comparison of glutamine synthetases from some solanaceae plants.

The presence of different glutamine synthetase isoenzymes in different Solanaceae plants and their relative antigenicities against antiglutamine synthetase from tomato leaf serum were studied. All the plants tested showed one glutamine synthetase isoenzyme except for Mandragora autumnalis, which showed two, after discontinuous polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and specific in situ assay. Antigenicities were compared by the double immunodiffusion technique. The Nicotiana glauca enzyme showed equal reactivity to that of Lycopersicon esculentum, but its antigenicity was higher than Withania frutescens, Datura stramonium, and Hyoscyamus niger. The study of relative antigenicities permitted differentiation of the glutamine synthetase enzymes from uncultivated species of Solanaceae.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1987

Epoxidation in vivo of hyoscyamine to scopolamine does not involve a dehydration step.

Hyoscyamine is epoxidized to scopolamine via 6beta-hydroxyhyoscyamine in several solanaceous plants. 6,7-Dehydrohyoscyamine has been proposed to be an intermediate in the conversion of 6beta-hydroxyhyoscyamine to scopolamine on the basis of the observation that this unsaturated alkaloid is converted to scopolamine when fed to a Datura scion. To determine whether a dehydration step is involved in scopolamine biosynthesis, [6-(18)O]6beta-hydroxyhyoscyamine was prepared from l-hyoscyamine and (18)O(2) using hyoscyamine 6beta-hydroxylase obtained from root cultures of Hyoscyamus niger L. When [6-(18)O]6beta-hydroxyhyoscyamine was fed to shoot cultures of Duboisia myoporoides R. B(R)., the labeled alkaloid was converted to scopolamine which retained (18)O in the epoxide oxygen. It is concluded that 6beta-hydroxyhyoscyamine is converted in vivo to scopolamine without a dehydration step.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2002

Therapeutic methods used for otolaryngological problems during the Byzantine period.

Evidence of herbal, animal, and chemical substances from the natural world used in medicines for otolaryngological problems, including opium, hyoscyamus, barley, honey, dried beans and peas, olives, fruits, Agaricus, castoreum, cassia, and afronitron, was traced in the Byzantine medical treatises, mainly from the 4th century AD to the 15th century AD. The texts of Antyllus, Orivasios of Pergamos, Aetios of Amida, Alexander of Tralles, Paul Aeginitis, Leon Iatrosophistis, Theophanis Nonnos, Nickolaos Myrepsos, Michael Psellos, and others strongly suggest the influence of ancient Greek and Roman medicine, but at the same time stress original medical thought. The main otolaryngological problems encountered in that period were loss of hearing, purulent otitis, rupture of the tympanic membrane, pharyngitis, laryngitis, rhinitis, acute tonsillitis, seasickness, vertigo, fracture of the nose, and cancers of the ear, larynx, nose, and oral cavity. The tradition stating that remedies were the final products of substance combinations, started in the classical period (5th and 4th centuries BC), is presented clearly and in detail in Byzantine prescriptions related to otolaryngology.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Application of ion-pair high performance liquid chromatography for analysis of hyoscyamine and scopolamine in solanaceous crude drugs.

A new ion-pair high-performance liquid chromatographic method for the analysis of hyoscyamine and scopolamine in various kinds of crude drugs derived from solanaceous plants was evaluated using sodium dodecyl sulfate as a counter ion. A reversed-phase chromatographic system consisting of a chemically bonded ODS silica gel column with phosphate buffer (pH 2.5)-acetonitrile (65:35) containing 17.5 mM sodium dodecyl sulfate as the mobile phase was used. Hyoscyamine and scopolamine in crude drugs derived from Scopolia, Atropa, Hyoscyamus and Datura species were separated from other compounds in the crude drugs and determined within 20 min after direct injection of the solution extracted with the mobile phase. The results for various kinds of samples are presented.

Atropine↗
PubMed1976

Henbane chewing.

A case is presented of deliberate chewing of the flowers of henbane (Hyoscyamus niger) in the hope of producing euphoria, and an account is given of the poisoning so produced. The case indicates a more widespread use of this plant among the drug-taking community of Australia, and discussion of the case includes a description of the plant and an outline of treatment for the acute stage of the poisoning.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Analysis of 156 cases of plant intoxication received in the Toxicologic Information Center at Catholic University of Chile.

We present a retrospective analysis of plant and mushroom ingestions reported to the Toxicologic Information Center at the Catholic University of Chile. All the phone calls of plant and mushroom intoxications received from January 1998 through June 2000, were classified according to agent, clinical presentation, affected age group, origin of the phone call, and time from exposure to the toxic agent. Of 36,580 consultations received, 156 were intoxications with plants or mushrooms, and 53.9% of them affected children < 6years. Most patients were symptomatic at consultation, with digestive, neurologic, anticholinergic or cutaneous effects. The most frequent accidental ingestions were of elephant's ear (Colocasia sp) by children, causing digestive symptoms, and by intentional ingestions of black henbane (Hyoscyamus niger) by adolescents, causing anticholinergic symptoms; 5 cases of Amanitaphalloides wer ereported with 3 fatal due to fulminant hepatic damage. Plant and mushroom intoxications are an uncommon event, but can seriously compromise those that ingest them. Despite its low incidence, public and medical community education is essential to prevent and manage these intoxications efficiently.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

[Mystery of mydriatic pupils].

The authors describe the case of a 27-year-old man who was examined on account of vertigo and blurred vision. In the objective case-history there was mild confusion, in the physical examination broad symmetrical mydriasis dominated. Later other similar patients were found. Atropine intoxication was proved. The source of the alkaloid was poppy seed contaminated with seeds of henbane (Hyoscyamus niger), in bakery goods served in the works canteen.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Biological studies of indigenous medicinal plants--I: physicochemical and antimicrobial screening of non-alkaloidal constituents of some solanaceous seeds.

The seeds of Atropa belladonna Datura fastuosa D. stramoniurn and Hyoscyamus niger were investigated for the isolation and anti-microbial activity of non-alkaloidal constituents. The compounds were separated by column chromatography and spectral studies i.e. IR and UV were performed to ascertain their chemical nature. The anti-microbial activity of crude extracts and purified compounds was tested against Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria and a fungus. All the micro-organisms tested were markedly inhibited, however, the crude extracts as well as the purified compounds isolated from the seeds of A. belladonna and D. fastuosa showed little inhibitory activity.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1991

[Mydriasis caused by plant contact].

Uni- or bilateral dilatation of pupils that are not reactive to light and lack miosis in response to 1% pilocarpine may be caused by contact with plants containing alkaloids such as scopolamine and atropine. Other causes of a non-light-reactive dilated pupil, such as Adie's tonic pupil, third nerve palsy and lesion of the mesencephalic pretectal region, must be excluded before testing the iris sphincter reaction to 1% pilocarpine. Among the naturally growing flowers in Germany, deadly nightshade (Atropa belladonna), jimson weed (thornapple, Datura stramonium) and black henbane (Hyoscyamus niger) contain enough alkaloids to cause mydriasis by direct contact. However, in most cases an accidental mydriasis by plants in Germany is caused by Datura arborea taxa, e.g. Datura suaveolens, D. candida, D. aurea and D. sanguinea. They contain up to 0.6% dry weight scopolamine. These plants can grow very large and are often planted in tubs. They have to be cut back each year before the winter. This is typically how the eye is contaminated by parts of the plants, which can cause dilatation of the pupil mimicing a neuroophthalmological disorder.

Diagnosis, Differential↗