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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2001

Final report on the safety assessment of Corylus Avellana (Hazel) Seed Oil, Corylus Americana (Hazel) Seed Oil, Corylus Avellana (Hazel) Seed Extract, Corylus Americana (Hazel) Seed Extract, Corylus Avellana (Hazel) Leaf Extract, Corylus Americana (Hazel) Leaf Extract, and Corylus Rostrata (Hazel) Leaf Extract.

These ingredients are all derived from hazelnut trees. The two seed oils are expressed from the nuts of the hazelnut tree of the particular species identified. Most current reported cosmetic uses are of the seed oils. The seed extracts are the extract of the nuts of the identified species tree. There is one current report of use of seed extract in cosmetics. The leaf extracts are the extract from the leaves of the particular species tree. There are no current reports of use of these extracts in cosmetics. Analysis of seed oil from one species identified Oleic Acid, Palmitoleic Acid, Linoleic Acid, Eicosaenoic Acid, Docosenoic Acid, Eicosanoic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Stearic Acid, and Tetraeicosanoic Acid. Little information is available to characterize the extracts, however. The functions of most of these ingredients in cosmetics are not reported. In studies of hazelnuts from Spain and Egypt, aflatoxin was reported as a possible contaminant. Aflatoxins are considered carcinogenic in humans. Virtually no safety test data are available on these ingredients. Negative results in one comedogenicity study using a seed oil are reported. Cross-sensitivity to proteins in peanuts and those in hazelnuts are reported, but the presence or absence of protein in nut extract and plant extract from hazelnut trees is not known. Additional data were provided regarding concentration of use, method of extraction and contaminants, comedogenicity, and ultraviolet (UV) radiation absorption, but these data related to nut oil from only one species, and were not overall sufficient to resolve questions about irritation, sensitization, and photosensitization. Because of the absence of data, it is concluded that the available data are insufficient to support the safety of these ingredients in cosmetic products. Because of the limited information that characterizes any of these oils or extracts, data are needed on each (except that items 1, 2, and 3 below are not needed for Hazel [Corylus Avellana] Nut Oil). The additonal data needs include: (1) current concentration of use; (2) method of extraction/manufacture and quality control (i.e., chemical analyses); (3) contaminants and methods of extraction (especially pesticides and heavy metals); (4) dermal irritation and sensitization; (5) UV absorption; if there is significant absorption, then a photosensitization study will be needed; (6) 28-day dermal toxicity; (7) reproductive and developmental toxicity; and (8) two genotoxicity assays, one in a mammalian system; if positive, then a 2-year dermal carcinogenesis study using National Toxicology Program (NTP) methods may be needed.

Acne Vulgaris↗

PubMed2006

Changes in the pollen seasons of the early flowering trees Alnus spp. and Corylus spp. in Worcester, United Kingdom, 1996-2005.

Previous work on Betula spp. (birch) in the UK and at five sites in Europe has shown that pollen seasons for this taxon have tended to become earlier by about 5-10 days per decade in most regions investigated over the last 30 years. This pattern has been linked to the trend to warmer winters and springs in recent years. However, little work has been done to investigate the changes in the pollen seasons for the early flowering trees. Several of these, such as Alnus spp. and Corylus spp., have allergens, which cross-react with those of Betula spp., and so have a priming effect on allergic people. This paper investigates pollen seasons for Alnus spp. and Corylus spp. for the years 1996-2005 at Worcester, in the West Midlands, United Kingdom. Pollen data for daily average counts were collected using a Burkard volumetric trap sited on the exposed roof of a three-story building. The climate is western maritime. Meteorological data for daily temperatures (maximum and minimum) and rainfall were obtained from the local monitoring sites. The local area up to approximately 10 km surrounding the site is mostly level terrain with some undulating hills and valleys. The local vegetation is mixed farmland and deciduous woodland. The pollen seasons for the two taxa investigated are typically late December or early January to late March. Various ways of defining the start and end of the pollen seasons were considered for these taxa, but the most useful was the 1% method whereby the season is deemed to have started when 1% of the total catch is achieved and to have ended when 99% is reached. The cumulative catches (in grains/m(3)) for Alnus spp. varied from 698 (2001) to 3,467 (2004). For Corylus spp., they varied from 65 (2001) to 4,933 (2004). The start dates for Alnus spp. showed 39 days difference in the 10 years (earliest 2000 day 21, latest 1996 day 60). The end dates differed by 26 days and the length of season differed by 15 days. The last 4 years in the set had notably higher cumulative counts than the first 2, but there was no trend towards earlier starts. For Corylus spp. start days also differed by 39 days (earliest 1999 day 5, latest 1996 day 44). The end date differed by 35 days and length of season by 26 days. Cumulative counts and lengths of season showed a distinct pattern of alternative high (long) and low (short) years. There is some evidence of a synchronous pattern for Alnus spp.. These patterns show some significant correlations with temperature and rainfall through the autumn, winter and early spring, and some relationships with growth degree 4s and chill units, but the series is too short to discern trends. The analysis has provided insight to the variation in the seasons for these early flowering trees and will form a basis for future work on building predictive models for these taxa.

Acclimatization↗

PubMed2001

Comparative analysis of pollen counts of Corylus, Alnus and Betula in Szczecin, Warsaw and Lublin (2000-2001).

The aim of the study was to compare the airborne concentrations of allergenic pollen produced by three early flowering tree taxa (Corylus, Alnus, Betula) in the cities of Warsaw (central Poland), Lublin (eastern Poland) and Szczecin (western Poland) during the years 2000-2001. Measurements were performed by the volumetric method. Pollen seasons were defined as the periods in which 95% of the total catch occurred. The highest concentration and annual pollen count of Corylus was measured in Lublin in both seasons, while the highest annual pollen counts of Alnus and Betula were noted in Warsaw, where the annual pollen count of Betula in 2001 was four times higher than in 2000 and equalled 5,376 grains in m3 per 24 h. Significant differences in the pollen count of the examined taxa were observed between two seasons: the pollen count of Corylus was higher in 2000 than in 2001, while for Alnus and Betula the opposite was the case. The longest pollen seasons were observed at low annual pollen counts for the pollen of Corylus. Results of the study reveal significant differences between the seasons and the cities. The differences concern the dates of the appearance of pollen grains in the air, the duration of the presence of sporomorphs and the maximum concentrations in particular seasons. The pollen counts of alder, birch and hazel trees are determined by the weather, diversity of local flora and specific rhythm of pollination of particular taxa.

Air Pollution↗

PubMed2002

Chloroplast DNA variation, postglacial recolonization and hybridization in hazel, Corylus avellana.

To unravel the postglacial migration history of hazel, Corylus avellana, the genetic variation at two types of chloroplast DNA markers, polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and microsatellites, was assessed in 26 natural hazel populations distributed across the range of C. avellana. In addition a sequence of 2468 base pairs, which contains the matK gene, was analysed in seven individuals. Very little variation was detected overall [hT:PCR-RFLP= 0.091, hT:microsatellite= 0.423, pi (nucleotide diversity) = 0.00093] but the microsatellite markers, which have the highest levels of variation, show a clear geographical structure that divides Europe into two areas: (i) Italy and the Balkans, on one hand and (ii) the rest of Europe, on the other hand. These data exclude Italy and the Balkans as possible origins of the postglacial recolonization but cannot unambiguously show which other area is the origin, since the genetic data does not indicate the direction of spread. If we take the pollen record into account, the most likely scenario would be an expansion from southwestern France into most of Europe except Italy and the Balkans, and then a local expansion in the latter area. The two main haplotypes identified with both PCR-RFLP and sequencing, A and B, were found not only in C. avellana but also in other European Corylus species and cultivars. Haplotype A, which is dominating all investigated natural populations of C. avellana, is also found in the European tree hazel (C. colurna) and haplotype B, which is rare in C. avellana, has been identified in the filbert (C. maxima) and C. avellana cultivars. This pattern seems to indicate a history of past hybridization among the European Corylus species and cultivars.

Corylus↗

PubMed2004

Comparison of Alnus, Corylus and Betula pollen counts in Lublin (Poland) and Skien (Norway).

Symptoms of pollen allergy in springtime in Middle and Northern Europe are mainly caused by pollen grains of birch, hazel and alder. The aim of the present study was the pollen fall comparison of the mentioned taxa in Lublin (Poland) and Skien (Norway). These sites are located approximately 1,200 km away apart by air. The pollen monitoring was carried out by gravimetric method in 1999-2000. The start and end of pollen seasons were defined by the 90% method. The beginning of pollen seasons for Corylus and Betula were observed 1-3 weeks earlier in Lublin than in Skien, but pollen grains of Alnus appeared simultaneously in both towns. In 1999, annual totals of Alnus, Corylus and Betula pollen grains were considerably less numerous in Skien than in Lublin. No important differences were observed among the pollen fall amounts of the mentioned taxa in 2000. The maximum values of pollen grains were defined in different terms. The results of investigations differed as regards the years compared as well as the sites.

Alnus↗

PubMed1999

Effects of Corylus avellana in acetaminophen and CCl4 induced toxicosis.

Our study investigated the effects of Corylus avellana extract on acetaminophen and carbon tetrachloride intoxicated liver of young rats. Hepatocytolysis was determined by measuring the level of serum transaminases (GPT and GOT), steatosis by Sudan black staining, histological structures by hamatoxylineosin staining and the activity of enzymes such as SDH, GtDH, G-6-Pase and ATPase. Comparatively, the most serious lesions appeared in CCl4 intoxication. Corylus avellana extract had some beneficial effects in CCl4 toxicosis: it reduced hepatocytolysis as well as histological lesions and returned the activity of some enzymes to normal values.

Acetaminophen↗

PubMed1993

Variations in leaf morphometry and nitrogen concentration in Betula pendula Roth., Corylus avellana L. and Lonicera xylosteum L.

Relations between leaf dry weight to leaf area (LWA), leaf nitrogen concentration and irradiance inside a natural canopy were studied in Betula pendula Roth., Corylus avellana L. and Lonicera xylosteum L. In all species, LWA increased with increasing irradiance. Relative variability in LWA was smaller in Betula pendula than in the other two species. In Corylus avellana, LWA also depended on total plant height. Foliar nitrogen concentration (on a dry weight basis) increased with increasing irradiance and LWA in Betula pendula, but decreased in the other two species. The interspecific variation in response to light availability and in nitrogen partitioning may be caused by different light demands or different life forms (trees versus shrubs), or both, of the species examined, and must be considered in contemporary canopy models.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2003

RAPD markers linked to eastern filbert blight resistance in Corylus avellana.

A total of 1,110 decamer primers were screened for RAPD markers linked to a dominant allele in hazelnut ( Corylus avellana) that confers resistance to eastern filbert blight caused by Anisogramma anomala. Twenty RAPD markers linked in coupling, and five markers linked in repulsion, were found. A seedling population was used to construct a linkage map of the region flanking the resistance locus. The map spans 46.6 cM, with 14 markers on one side of the resistance locus and eight on the other side. Eleven markers showed less than 3% recombination with resistance, including three that showed no recombination. Seven of these 11 markers are sufficiently robust to allow their use in marker-assisted selection. These include AA12(850) which shows no recombination, and six markers on one side of the resistance locus: 173(500), 152(800), 122(825), 275(1130), H19(650) and O16(1250). Marker 268(580), which flanks the resistance locus on the other side, is also suitable for use in marker-assisted selection, but shows 5.8% recombination with resistance. Other markers are less suitable for marker-assisted selection because of sensitivity to changes in primer or MgCl(2) concentration, or the long time required for electrophoresis to separate bands of similar size. The 16 markers closest to the resistance locus were cloned and sequenced. The W07(365) marker, which showed no recombination with the resistance locus but is difficult to score, includes a CT microsatellite repeat. The sequence information will allow the design of SCAR primers and eventual map-based cloning of the resistance allele.

Base Sequence↗

PubMed2004

Isolation and partial characterisation of acid phosphatase isozymes from dormant oilseed of Corylus avellana L.

The acid phosphatase (orthophosphoric-monoester phosphohydrolase, EC 3.1.3.2) complement from dormant hazel (Corylus avellana L.) seeds was found to exhibit significant electrophoretic heterogeneity partially attributable to the presence of distinct molecular forms. In axiferous tissue, total acid phosphatase activity increased in a biphasic fashion during chilling, a treatment necessary to alleviate seed dormancy. Three acid phosphatase isozymes were isolated from cotyledons of dormant hazel seeds by successive ammonium sulphate precipitation, size-exclusion, Concanavalin A affinity, cation- and anion-exchange chromatographies resulting in 75-, 389- and 191-fold purification (APase1, APase2, APase3, respectively). The three glycosylated isoforms were isolated to catalytic homogeneity as determined by electrophoretic, kinetic and heat-inactivation studies. The native acid phosphatase complement of hazel seeds had an apparent Mr of 81.5 +/- 3.5 kDa as estimated by size-exclusion chromatography, while the determined pI values were 5.1 (APase1), 6.9 (APase2) and 7.3 (APase3). The optimum pH for p-nitrophenyl phosphate hydrolysis was pH 3 (APase1), pH 5.6 (APase2) and pH 6 (APase3). The hazel isozymes hydrolysed a variety of phosphorylated substrates in a non-specific manner, exhibiting low Km and the highest specificity constant (Vmax/ Km) for pyrophosphate. They were not primary phytases since they could not initiate phytic acid hydrolysis, while APase2 and APase3 had significant phospho-tyrosine phosphatase activity. Inorganic phosphate was a competitive inhibitor, while activity was significantly impaired in the presence of vanadate and fluoride.

Acid Phosphatase↗

PubMed2003

Isolation and characterisation of phytase from dormant Corylus avellana seeds.

Phytase (myo-inositol-1,2,3,4,5,6-hexakisphosphate phosphohydrolase, EC 3.1.3.26), which catalyses the step-wise hydrolysis of phytic acid, was purified from cotyledons of dormant Corylus avellana L. seeds. The enzyme was separated from the major soluble acid phosphatase by successive (NH4)(2)SO(4) precipitation, gel filtration and cation exchange chromatography resulting in a 300-fold purification and yield of 7.5%. The native enzyme positively interacted with Concanavalin A suggesting that it is putatively glycosylated. After size exclusion chromatography and SDS-PAGE it was found to be a monomeric protein with molecular mass 72+/-2.5 kDa. The hazel enzyme exhibited optimum activity for phytic acid hydrolysis at pH 5 and, like other phytases, had broad substrate specificity. It exhibited the lowest Km (162 microM) and highest specificity constant (V(max)/Km) for phytic acid, indicating that this is the preferred in vivo substrate. It required no metal ion as a co-factor, while inorganic phosphate and fluoride competitively inhibited enzymic activity (Ki=407 microM and Ki=205 microM, respectively).

6-Phytase↗

PubMed2006

Influence of Cultivar and Environmental Conditions on the Triacylglycerol Profile of Hazelnut (Corylus avellana L.).

The oil of several hazelnut (Corylus avellana L.) samples was extracted and evaluated for their triacylglycerol (TAG) composition. Trials were conducted in two Portuguese localities (Vila Real and Felgueiras) during three consecutive years and involved a total of 19 cultivars. The samples were analyzed by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with evaporative light-scattering detection. Sample preparation was fast and simple, consisting only of the dissolution of the oil in acetone, homogenization, and filtration, allowing this technique to be suitable for routine analyses. All samples presented a similar qualitative profile composed of eleven compounds: LLL, OLL, PLL, OOL, POL, PPL, OOO, POO, PPO, SOO and PSO (P, palmitoyl; S, stearoyl; O, oleoyl; and L, linoleoyl). The main components were OOO, LOO, and POO, reflecting the high content of oleic acid in hazelnut oils. A total of 79 different samples were studied, and the obtained data were statistically analyzed. Significant differences were verified in canonical variate plots when cultivars were grouped by country of origin. In general, the American cultivars were richer in TAGs with saturated fatty acids moieties, and the group of French, German, and English cultivars was richer in TAGs containing linoleic acid moieties. Differences were also significant when cultivars were grouped by year of production, showing that besides genetic factors, the TAG composition can be influenced by environmental factors.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗

PubMed2004

Hazelnut (Corylus avellana) vicilin Cor a 11: molecular characterization of a glycoprotein and its allergenic activity.

In Europe, hazelnuts (Corylus avellana) are a frequent cause of food allergies. Several important hazelnut allergens have been previously identified and characterized. Specific N-glycans are known to induce strong IgE responses of uncertain clinical relevance, but so far the allergenic potential of glycoproteins from hazelnut has not been investigated. The aim of the study was the molecular characterization of the glycosylated vicilin Cor a 11 from hazelnut and the analysis of its allergenic activity. Although MALDI-TOF (matrix-assisted laser-desorption ionization-time-of-flight) MS showed that one of two potential glycosylation sites of Cor a 11 was glycosylated, CD spectroscopy indicated that recombinant and natural Cor a 11 share similar secondary structures. Thus to analyse the impact of the glycan residues of Cor a 11 on IgE binding, the allergenic activity of natural glycosylated Cor a 11 and recombinant Cor a 11 was compared. In addition, the IgE sensitization pattern to recombinant Cor a 11, Cor a 1, Cor a 2 and Cor a 8 of 65 hazelnut allergic patients was determined in vitro. The prevalence of IgE reactivity to hazelnut vicilin Cor a 11 was below 50%. Basophil histamine-release assays were used to determine the allergenic activity of both natural and recombinant Cor a 11 in comparison with Cor a 1, a birch (Betula verrucosa) pollen-related major hazelnut allergen. Both forms of Cor a 11 induced mediator release from basophils to a similar extent, indicating that the hazelnut allergic patients had cross-linking IgE antibodies binding to the protein backbone and not to carbohydrate structures. In comparison to Cor a 1, a 10000-fold higher concentration of Cor a 11 was required to induce similar basophil mediator release. In conclusion, the hazelnut vicilin Cor a 11 is a minor allergen both in regard to prevalence and allergenic potency, whereas its glycan does not contribute to its allergenic activity.

Allergens↗

PubMed2004

Phytic acid mobilization is an early response to chilling of the embryonic axes from dormant oilseed of hazel (Corylus avellana).

Dormancy of hazel (Corylus avellana L.) seeds is alleviated by a chilling treatment during which cytological, hormonal, and biochemical changes occur. Phytic acid and phosphate mobilization have been examined during this treatment. Phytic acid accounted for 0.7% and up to 3.2% of dry weight in axiferous and cotyledonary tissue, respectively. Phytic acid levels in embryonic axes were reduced by 60% within the first 3 weeks of chilling, with little subsequent change, in contrast to warm-imbibed tissue where levels did not change significantly. In cotyledons, phytic acid was mobilized to a lesser extent. Phosphate levels expressed on a fresh weight basis remained almost unaltered suggesting either the operation of a homeostatic mechanism for intracellular concentration or rapid utilization due to active metabolism. Phytase activity increased during stratification in both axiferous and cotyledonary tissue. The initial rise observed was associated with dormancy alleviation, since it occurred before the realization of full germination potential by the seeds and not in warm-imbibed tissue. Protein bodies were isolated from hazel seeds by non-aqueous density gradients. Phytase activity was closely associated with the purified organelles, where phytic acid was located by light microscopy. Overall, these findings suggest that phytic acid mobilization by phytase and previously described processes associated with protein bodies, such as considerable proteolysis, are early participants in the plethora of events leading to seed dormancy relief and germination in hazel.

6-Phytase↗

PubMed2003

Hyper-expression of small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) in female inflorescences of hazelnut (Corylus avellana L.) supports rRNA aggregation in vitro.

Under certain in vitro (salt and temperature) conditions rRNA aggregation occurs in female inflorescences but not in leaves or pollen RNA preparations from hazelnut (Corylus avellana L.), a species of economic interest. This paper describes experiments addressing an explanation of this phenomenon. The experiments demonstrate that: (i) trans-acting factors induce rRNA aggregate formation in female inflorescences RNA preparations; (ii) these factors support aggregation also of heterologous rRNA; (iii) aggregation is a function of temperature pre-treatment of rRNA and not of source 18S rRNA; (iv) the factors inducing rRNA aggregates are sensitive to RNase; (v) antisense small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) participate in rRNA aggregate formation. snoRNAs are involved in pre-rRNA spacer cleavages, and are required for the two most common types of rRNA modifications: 2'-O-ribose methylation and pseudouridylation. Even though it is questionable whether rRNA aggregation really happens in female inflorescence in vivo, the phenomenon observed in vitro may reflect the abundance of snoRNAs in these reproductive structures. In fact the level of accumulation of three tested snoRNAs, R1, U14 and U3, is much higher in female inflorescence than in leaves or pollen of hazelnut. This finding opens the possibility of studying the role of snoRNAs in tissue development in plants.

Base Sequence↗

PubMed2006

A genetic linkage map for hazelnut (Corylus avellana L.) based on RAPD and SSR markers.

A linkage map for European hazelnut (Corylus avellana L.) was constructed using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers and the 2-way pseudotestcross approach. A full-sib population of 144 seedlings from the cross OSU 252.146 x OSU 414.062 was used. RAPD markers in testcross configuration, segregating 1:1, were used to construct separate maps for each parent. Fifty additional RAPD loci were assigned to linkage groups as accessory markers whose exact location could not be determined. Markers in intercross configuration, segregating 3:1, were used to pair groups in one parent with their homologues in the other. Eleven groups were identified for each parent, corresponding to the haploid chromosome number of hazelnut (n = x = 11). Thirty of the 31 SSR loci were able to be assigned to a linkage group. The maternal map included 249 RAPD and 20 SSR markers and spanned a distance of 661 cM. The paternal map included 271 RAPD and 28 SSR markers and spanned a distance of 812 cM. The maps are quite dense, with an average of 2.6 cM between adjacent markers. The S-locus, which controls pollen-stigma incompatibility, was placed on chromosome 5S where 6 markers linked within a distance of 10 cM were identified. A locus for resistance to eastern filbert blight, caused by Anisogramma anomala, was placed on chromosome 6R for which two additional markers tightly linked to the dominant allele were identified and sequenced. These maps will serve as a starting point for future studies of the hazelnut genome, including map-based cloning of important genes. The inclusion of SSR loci on the map will make it useful in other populations.

Alleles↗

PubMed2006

DNA typing and genetic relations among European hazelnut (Corylus avellana L.) cultivars using microsatellite markers.

In this work, 78 hazelnut (Corylus avellana L.) cultivars from various germplasm repositories were studied at 16 simple sequence repeat (SSR) loci in order to identify the genotypes and investigate their genetic relations. Polymorphism at SSR loci was evaluated on the basis of number of alleles (mean: 9.4), expected heterozygosity (mean: 0.78), and power of discrimination (mean: 0.91). Several synonyms reported in the literature were confirmed, and new cases of synonymy were identified. The parentage of North American cultivars 'Butler', 'Ennis', and 'Royal', the French selection 'Fercoril-Corabel', and 'Impératrice Eugenie' was investigated on the basis of the alleles present at 16 loci and analysis at 8 additional loci. A dendrogram generated from cluster analysis using the unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean grouped cultivars according to their pedigrees or geographical origins. There was an evident differentiation of the northern European cultivars from the southern European ones and from the Turkish cultivars. The latter clustered close to but separate from the Italian and Spanish clusters. It is very likely that exchanges of cultivars occurred between the central and western Mediterranean basin as a result of human migration and trade. A database containing the SSR profiles of the most important hazelnut cultivars will be useful for identification of cultivars and synonyms, legal protection, and parentage analysis.

Cluster Analysis↗

PubMed2006

In vitro cell cultures obtained from different explants of Corylus avellana produce Taxol and taxanes.

BACKGROUND: Taxol is an effective antineoplastic agent, originally extracted from the bark of Taxus brevifolia with a low yield. Many attempts have been made to produce Taxol by chemical synthesis, semi-synthesis and plant tissue cultures. However, to date, the availability of this compound is not sufficient to satisfy the commercial requirements. The aim of the present work was to produce suspension cell cultures from plants not belonging to Taxus genus and to verify whether they produced Taxol and taxanes. For this purpose different explants of hazel (Corylus avellana species) were used to optimize the protocol for inducing in vitro callus, an undifferentiated tissue from which suspension cell cultures were established. RESULTS: Calli were successfully induced from stems, leaves and seeds grown in various hormone concentrations and combinations. The most suitable callus to establish suspension cell cultures was obtained from seeds. Media recovered from suspension cell cultures contained taxanes, and showed antiproliferative activity on human tumour cells. Taxol, 10-deacetyltaxol and 10-deacetylbaccatin III were the main taxanes identified. The level of Taxol recovered from the media of hazel cultures was similar to that found in yew cultures. Moreover, the production of taxanes in hazel cell cultures increased when elicitors were used. CONCLUSION: Here we show that hazel cell cultures produce Taxol and taxanes under controlled conditions. This result suggests that hazel possesses the enzymes for Taxol production, which until now was considered to be a pathway particular to Taxus genus. The main benefit of producing taxanes through hazel cell cultures is that hazel is widely available, grows at a much faster rate in vivo, and is easier to cultivate in vitro than yew. In addition, the production of callus directly from hazel seeds shortens the culture time and minimizes the probability of contamination. Therefore, hazel could become a commercial source of Taxol and taxanes, both to be used as new therapeutic agents or as new precursors for Taxol semi-synthesis.

Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic↗

PubMed1994

Kinesin-related polypeptide is associated with vesicles from Corylus avellana pollen.

A 100-kDa polypeptide with microtubule-interacting properties was identified in a Golgi vesicle-enriched fraction from Corylus avellana pollen. The k71s23 antibody (directed to the kinesin heavy chain from bovine brain) [Tiezzi et al., 1992: Cell Motil. Cytoskeleton 21:132-137] localized the polypeptide on the external surface of membrane-bounded organelles. Some 100-kDa-containing vesicles copelleted with microtubules (polymerized from purified bovine brain tubulin) either in presence or absence of 5 mM AMPPNP, but they could be released by 10 mM ATP or 0.5 M KCl. The pollen microtubule-interacting protein, salt-extracted from membranes and partially purified by gel filtration, exhibited an ATPase activity (16.2 nmolPi/mg/min) which could be stimulated about 2-fold (32.5 nmolPi/mg/min) by addition of bovine brain microtubules. We suppose that the 100-kDa polypeptide is part of a molecular complex showing properties of the kinesin class.

Animals↗