Equisetum
Tracheobionta
Lycopodiaceae
Ferns
Modelling primary and secondary growth processes in plants: a summary of the methodology and new data from an early lignophyte. (1/16)
A mathematical method, based on polar coordinates that allow modelling of primary and secondary growth processes in stems of extant and fossil plants, is summarized and its potential is discussed in comparison with numerical methods using digitizing tablets or electronic image analysing systems. As an example, the modelling of tissue distribution in the internode of an extant sphenopsid (Equisetum hyemale) is presented. In the second half of the paper we present new data of a functional analysis of stem structure and biomechanics of the early lignophyte Tetraxylopteris schmidtii (Middle Devonian) using the polar coordinate method for modelling the tissue distribution in stems of different ontogenetic age. Calculations of the mechanical properties of the stems, based on the modelling of the tissue arrangement, indicate that there is no increase in structural bending modulus throughout the entire development of the plant. The oldest ontogenetic stage has a significantly smaller bending elastic modulus than the intermediate ontogenetic stage, a 'mechanical signal', which is not consistent with a self-supporting growth form. These results, and the ontogenetic variations of the contributions of different stem tissues to the flexural stiffness of the entire stem, are discussed in the evolutionary context of cambial secondary growth. (+info)A structural basis of Equisetum arvense ferredoxin isoform II producing an alternative electron transfer with ferredoxin-NADP+ reductase. (2/16)
We have determined the crystal structure, at 1.2-A resolution, of Equisetum arvense ferredoxin isoform II (FdII), which lacks residues equivalent to Arg(39) and Glu(28) highly conserved among other ferredoxins (Fds). In other Fds these residues form an intramolecular salt bridge crucial for stabilization of the [2Fe-2S] cluster, which is disrupted upon complex formation with Fd-NADP(+) oxidoreductase (FNR) to form two intermolecular salt bridges. The overall structure of FdII resembles the known backbone structures of E. arvense isoform I (FdI) and other plant-type Fds. Dramatically, in the FdII structure a unique, alternative salt bridge is formed between Arg(22) and Glu(58). This results in a different relative orientation of the alpha-helix formed by Leu(23)-Glu(29) and eliminates the possibility of forming three of the five intermolecular salt bridges identified on formation of a complex between maize FdI and maize FNR. Mutation of FdII, informed by structural differences with FdI, showed that the alternative salt bridge and the absence of an otherwise conserved Tyr residue are important for the alternative stabilization of the FdII [2Fe-2S] cluster. We also investigated FdI and FdII electron transfer to FNR on chloroplast thylakoid membranes. The K(m) and V(max) values of FdII are similar to those of FdI, contrary to previous measurements of the reverse reaction, from FNR to Fd. The affinity between reduced FdI and oxidized FNR is much greater than that between oxidized FdI and reduced FNR, whereas this is not the case with FdII. The pH dependence of electron transfer by FdI, FdII, and an FdII mutant with FdI features was measured and further indicated that the binding mode to FNR differs between FdI and FdII. Based on this evidence, we hypothesize that binding modes with other Fd-dependent reductases may also vary between FdI and FdII. The structural differences between FdI and FdII therefore result in functional differences that may influence partitioning of electrons into different redox metabolic pathways. (+info)Triploidy in Equisetum subgenus Hippochaete (Equisetaceae, Pteridophyta). (3/16)
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The genus Equisetum is cytologically uniform, having a base chromosome number of x = 108. All previously known species and hybrids that have been counted represent diploids with a sporophytic chromosome number of 2n = 216. Biosystematic studies on Equisetum subgenus Hippochaete revealed evidence that triploids occur in nature. The objective of this study was to confirm that triploid plants exist in the natural environment. METHODS: Flow cytometry was used to establish nuclear DNA values and cytological investigations of meiosis were carried out to obtain information on chromosome number and pairing behaviour. KEY RESULTS: Triploidy exists in three morphologically different hybrid taxa. Two of these are morphologically intermediate between a primary diploid hybrid and a parent, while the third apparently combines genomes from all three Central European Hippochaete species. Nuclear 1C DNA values for the four European Hippochaete species range from 21.4-31.6 pg. For the hybrids, the 1C DNA values not only occupy the same range as the species, but their total DNA amounts agree closely with values predicted by adding the 1C DNA values of each parental genome. Chromosome counts confirm diploidy in the species E. hyemale and E. variegatum and in the hybrid E. xtrachyodon (= E. hyemale x E. variegatum). For the triploids (2n approximately 324), cytological information is presented for the first time. CONCLUSIONS: Triploid taxa may have originated by backcrossing or by crossing of a diploid hybrid with an unrelated diploid species. As tetraploid plants are unknown, these crossings probably involve diploid gametophytes that developed from unreduced diplospores. By repeated crossing events or backcrossing, reticulate evolution patterns arise that are similar to those known for a number of ferns and fern allies. (+info)Meiotic proteins bqt1 and bqt2 tether telomeres to form the bouquet arrangement of chromosomes. (4/16)
In many organisms, meiotic chromosomes are bundled at their telomeres to form a "bouquet" arrangement. The bouquet formation plays an important role in homologous chromosome pairing and therefore progression of meiosis. As meiotic telomere clustering occurs in response to mating pheromone signaling in fission yeast, we looked for factors essential for bouquet formation among genes induced under mating pheromone signaling. This genome-wide search identified two proteins, Bqt1 and Bqt2, that connect telomeres to the spindle-pole body (SPB; the centrosome equivalent in fungi). Neither Bqt1 nor Bqt2 alone functions as a connector, but together the two proteins form a bridge between Rap1 (a telomere protein) and Sad1 (an SPB protein). Significantly, when both Bqt1 and Bqt2 are ectopically expressed in mitotic cells, they also form a bridge between Rap1 and Sad1. Thus, a complex including Bqt1 and Bqt2 is essential for connecting telomeres to the SPB. (+info)Megastigmane glucosides from Equisetum debile and E. diffusum. (5/16)
A new megastigmane diglucoside, (3S,5R,6S,7E,9S)-megastigman-7-ene-5,6-epoxy-3,9-diol 3,9-O-beta-D-diglucopyranoside (3), was isolated from the aerial portion of Equisetum debile along with macarangioside D (debiloside A), sammangaoside A, (6R,9S)-3-oxo-alpha-ionol 9-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside, debiloside B, kaempferol 3-O-sophoroside, kaempferol 3,7-O-beta-D-diglucopyranoside, kaempferol 3-O-sophoroside-7-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside, phenylethyl O-beta-D-glucopyranoside, (Z)-3-hexenyl O-beta-D-glucopyranoside, (7S,8R)-dehydrodiconiferyl 4-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside, and L-tryptophan. The absolute configuration at C-6 of the original structure of debilo-side A was revised to 6R-configuration, and was identical with macarangioside D (1). From the aerial portion of E. diffusum, four compounds, sammangaoside A, kaempferol 3-O-sophoroside and L-tryptophan and (3S,5R,6S,7E,9S)-megastigman-7-ene-5,6-epoxy-3,9-diol 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside were identified. The spectroscopic data of (3S,5R,6S,7E,9S)-megastigman-7-ene-5,6-epoxy-3,9-diol 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (13) were found to be identical with corchoionoside A (9R-isomeric compound). The structure of corchoionoside A was also discussed. Structure determinations were based on physical data and spectroscopic evidence. (+info)Insights into the chemical composition of Equisetum hyemale by high resolution Raman imaging. (6/16)
Equisetaceae has been of research interest for decades, as it is one of the oldest living plant families, and also due to its high accumulation of silica up to 25% dry wt. Aspects of silica deposition, its association with other biomolecules, as well as the chemical composition of the outer strengthening tissue still remain unclear. These questions were addressed by using high resolution (<1 microm) Confocal Raman microscopy. Two-dimensional spectral maps were acquired on cross sections of Equisetum hyemale and Raman images calculated by integrating over the intensity of characteristic spectral regions. This enabled direct visualization of differences in chemical composition and extraction of average spectra from defined regions for detailed analyses, including principal component analysis (PCA) and basis analysis (partial least square fit based on model spectra). Accumulation of silica was imaged in the knobs and in a thin layer below the cuticula. In the spectrum extracted from the knob region as main contributions, a broad band below 500 cm(-1) attributed to amorphous silica, and a band at 976 cm(-1) assigned to silanol groups, were found. From this, we concluded that these protrusions were almost pure amorphous, hydrated silica. No silanol group vibration was detected in the silicified epidermal layer below and association with pectin and hemicelluloses indicated. Pectin and hemicelluloses (glucomannan) were found in high levels in the epidermal layer and in a clearly distinguished outer part of the hypodermal sterome fibers. The inner part of the two-layered cells revealed as almost pure cellulose, oriented parallel along the fiber. (+info)Phenolic compounds in field horsetail (Equisetum arvense L.) as natural antioxidants. (7/16)
In this paper, the study of antioxidant activity and phenolic composition of three different extracts (EtOAc, n-BuOH and H(2)O) of field horsetail (Equisetum arvense L.) is presented. The antioxidant activity has been evaluated measuring the total reducing power (expressed by Ascorbate Equivalent Antioxidant Capacity - AEAC), inhibition of lipid peroxidation, and free radical scavenging capacity (RSC) towards 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH radical) and nitric oxide (NO), respectively. In addition, the total flavonoid content (TFC) and phenolic constituents of each extract have been determined. The results obtained show that the highest RSC regarding both DPPH and NO radicals is expressed by EtOAc extract (EC(50)=2.37 microg/mL and EC(50)=90.07 microg/mL, respectively), and the lowest by H(2)O extract (EC(50)=37.2 microg/mL and EC(50)>333.33 microg/mL, respectively). n-BuOH extract showed the highest total reducing power (AEAC=13.40 microg/mL). Differences in the phenolic composition of examined extracts are found comparing the HPLC chemical profiles. Although, isoquercitrin is the main flavonoid in both EtOAc and n-BuOH extracts, a considerable amount of di-E-caffeoyl-meso-tartaric acid was presented in the n-BuOH extract. In H(2)O extract high content of phenolic acids and low percentage of flavonoids were detected. (+info)Study of acute hepatotoxicity of Equisetum arvense L. in rats. (8/16)
(+info)'Equisetum' is the medical term for a genus of vascular plants also known as horsetails. These plants are characterized by their jointed, hollow stems and rough, sandpaper-like texture. While some species of Equisetum have been used in traditional medicine, it is important to note that they can also contain toxic compounds and should only be used under the guidance of a medical professional.
"Tracheobionta" is not a standard medical term. However, in the field of biology, it is used to refer to a group of organisms that possess a respiratory system with a true trachea or its equivalent, such as insects, spiders, and other arthropods.
In a broader context, Tracheobionta is sometimes used interchangeably with the term "Tracheata," which refers to a taxonomic category that includes all organisms with a true tracheal system for respiration, including various invertebrate groups such as arthropods and nematodes.
However, it's important to note that these terms are not commonly used in medical contexts, but rather in the fields of biology, zoology, and taxonomy.
Lycopodiaceae is a family of non-flowering plants in the class Lycopodiopsida, also known as clubmosses. These are small, vascular plants that typically grow in damp habitats such as forests, swamps, and bogs. They have slender, creeping stems that produce small, scale-like leaves and reproduce by means of spores produced in strobili or cones.
The family Lycopodiaceae includes several genera, including Lycopodium, Lycopodiella, and Diphasiastrum. These plants have been used traditionally for medicinal purposes, such as treating wounds and skin conditions, but there is limited scientific evidence to support their effectiveness. Some species of clubmosses contain alkaloids that can be toxic if ingested in large quantities.
Ferns are a group of vascular plants that reproduce by means of spores rather than seeds. They are characterized by their frond-like leaves and lack of flowers or fruits. Ferns have been around for millions of years, with some fossilized ferns dating back to the Devonian period, over 360 million years ago.
Ferns are an important part of many ecosystems, particularly in tropical rainforests where they provide habitat and food for a variety of animals. They also play a role in soil erosion control and nutrient cycling.
Medically, some ferns have been used in traditional medicine to treat various ailments, such as bracken fern which has been used to treat wounds, burns, and skin diseases. However, it is important to note that not all ferns are safe for consumption or use as medicines, and some can be toxic if ingested or applied topically. It is always recommended to consult with a healthcare professional before using any plant-based remedies.
'Hot Springs' are a type of geothermal feature where water is heated by the Earth's internal heat and emerges from the ground at temperatures greater than the surrounding air temperature. The water in hot springs can range in temperature from warm to extremely hot, and it is often rich in minerals such as calcium, magnesium, sulfur, and sodium.
People have been using hot springs for thousands of years for various purposes, including relaxation, recreation, and therapeutic benefits. The heat and mineral content of the water can help to soothe sore muscles, improve circulation, and promote healing in some cases. However, it is important to note that not all hot springs are safe for bathing, as some may contain harmful bacteria or pollutants. It is always recommended to check with local authorities before using a hot spring for therapeutic purposes.