Altered nitrogen metabolism associated with de-differentiated suspension cultures derived from root cultures of Datura stramonium studied by heteronuclear multiple bond coherence (HMBC) NMR spectroscopy. (9/46)

De-differentiation of transformed root cultures of Datura stramonium has previously been shown to cause a loss of tropane alkaloid synthetic capacity. This indicates a marked shift in physiological status, notably in the flux of primary metabolites into tropane alkaloids. Nitrogen metabolism in transformed root cultures of D. stramonium (an alkaloid-producing system) and de-differentiated suspension cultures derived therefrom (a non-producing system) has been compared using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. (15)N-Labelled precursors [((15)NH(4))(2)SO(4) and K(15)NO(3)] were fed and their incorporation into nitrogenous metabolites studied using Heteronuclear Multiple Bond Coherence (HMBC) NMR spectroscopy. In both cultures, the same amino acids were resolved in the HMBC spectra. However, marked differences were found in the intensity of labelling of a range of nitrogenous compounds. In differentiated root cultures, cross-peaks corresponding to secondary metabolites, such as tropine, were observed, whereas these were absent in the de-differentiated cultures. By contrast, N- acetylputrescine and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) accumulated in the de-differentiated cultures to a much larger extent than in the root cultures. It can therefore be suggested that the loss of alkaloid biosynthesis was compensated by the diversion of putrescine metabolism away from the tropane pathway and toward the synthesis of GABA via N-acetylputrescine.  (+info)

The avirulence domain of Cauliflower mosaic virus transactivator/viroplasmin is a determinant of viral virulence in susceptible hosts. (10/46)

Cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) transactivator/viroplasmin (Tav) is a multifunctional protein essential for basic replication of CaMV. It also plays a role in viral pathogenesis in crucifer and solanaceous host plants. Deletion mutagenesis revealed that N- and C-terminal parts of Tav are not essential for CaMV replication in transfected protoplasts. Two deletion mutants having only minimal defects in basic replication were infectious in turnips but only with highly attenuated virulence. This was shown to be due to delayed virus spread within the inoculated leaves and to the upper leaves. Unlike the wild-type virus, the mutant viruses successfully spread locally without inducing a host defense response in inoculated Datura stramonium leaves, but did not spread systemically. These results provide the first evidence that a Tav domain required for avirulence function in solanaceous plants is not essential for CaMV infectivity but has a role in viral virulence in susceptible hosts.  (+info)

Divalent ion-dependent swelling of tomato bushy stunt virus: a multi-approach study. (11/46)

Time-resolved small-angle X-ray and neutron scattering (SAXS and SANS) in solution were used to study the swelling reaction of TBSV upon chelation of its constituent calcium at mildly basic pH. SAXS intensities comprise contribution from the protein capsid and the RNA moiety, while neutron scattering, recorded in 72% D2O, is essentially due to the protein capsid. Cryo-electron micrographs of compact and swollen virus were used to produce 3D reconstructions of the initial and final conformations of the virus at a resolution of 13 A and 19 A, respectively. While compact particles appear to be very homogeneous in size, solutions of swollen particles exhibit some size heterogeneity. A procedure has been developed to compute the SAXS pattern from the 3D reconstruction for comparison with experimental data. Cryo-electron microscopy thereby provides an invaluable starting (and ending) point for the analysis of the time-resolved swelling process using the scattering data.  (+info)

Analysis of lectin properties with membrane ultrafiltration and high-pressure liquid chromatography. (12/46)

A convenient method for the analysis of the binding properties of lectin with fluorogenic sugar chains is described. A lectin (concanavalin A or Datura stramonium agglutinin) was mixed with pyridylaminated sugar chains in buffer and the free chains obtained were isolated by membrane ultrafiltration. The amount of free sugar chains in the filtrate was measured by high-pressure liquid chromatography. The binding constants with the sugar chains, reaction kinetics, and other properties of these lectins were easily investigated. The method is simple and could be used to study the characteristics of any lectin in native form.  (+info)

Some Lithuanian ethnobotanical taxa: a linguistic view on thorn apple and related plants. (13/46)

BACKGROUND: The perception and use of plants correspond with common plant names. The study of plant names may give insight into historical and recent use of plants. METHODS: Plant names in dictionaries and folklore have been evaluated. A etymological analysis of the names is provided. Onomasiological and semasiological aspects have been considered. Therefore, species named with names related to each other have been selected. RESULTS: Plant names containing the stem dag- or deg- may belong to either of two categories: incenses or thorny plants. Plants named in durn- have been in use as psychopharmaca. The name rymo points not to Rome but to the use of plants as anodyne or psychopharmaca.  (+info)

Teenagers with Jimson weed (Datura stramonium) poisoning. (14/46)

We report 2 cases of teenagers who were poisoned with Jimson weed (Datura stramonium) and presented to the emergency department with a severe acute anticholinergic toxidrome after ingestion of several hundred seeds. The patients presented with visual hallucinations, disorientation, incomprehensible and nonsensical speech, and dilated sluggish pupils. Both patients required restraints for combativeness until adequate sedation with lorazepam and haloperidol was achieved. Jimson weed is found in southern Canada and the United States and can cause acute anticholinergic poisoning and death in humans and animals. The treatment of choice for anticholinergic poisoning is mainly supportive care and gastrointestinal decontamination with activated charcoal. Jimson weed intoxication should be considered in cases of patients presenting with unexplained peripheral and central anticholinergic symptoms including delirium, agitation and seizures, especially among younger patients and partygoers. It is important that health care professionals recognize that Jimson weed is a toxic, indigenous, "wild" growing plant, subject to misuse and potentially serious intoxication requiring hospitalization.  (+info)

Flow cytometric investigations of diploid and tetraploid plants and in vitro cultures of Datura stramonium and Hyoscyamus niger. (15/46)

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A soluble form of the Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) glycoprotein G(N) (G(N)-S) inhibits transmission of TSWV by Frankliniella occidentalis. (16/46)

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