Biochemistry Commons^™

Poisonous Rangeland Plants In San Luis Obispo County, Sara Litten, Amanda Ou

Animal Science

Poisonous Rangeland Plants in San Luis Obispo County is a comprehensive educational guide to rangeland plants that are toxic to domestic livestock. This guide begins with an exploration of how the biological systems are affected by the poisonous plant toxins. The biochemistry behind these toxins is included in the discussion. Next, reference material for fourteen plants that inhabit San Luis Obispo County is provided. This information includes specific toxins found in poisonous plants, affected animals, symptoms of poisoning, stages of growth, lethal dose, and distribution of the plant in California. This section of the guide is filled with helpful photos …

Very-Long-Chain Fatty Acids Are Involved In Polar Auxin Transport And Developmental Patterning In Arabidopsis, Françoise Roudier, Lionel Gissot, Frédéric Beaudoin, Richard Haslam, Louise V. Michaelson, Jessica Marion, Diana Molino, Amparo Lima, Liên Bach, Halima Morin, Frédérique Tellier, Jean-Christophe Palauqui, Yannick Bellec, Charlotte Renne, Martine Miquel, Marco Dacosta, Julien Vignard, Christine Rochat, Jennifer E. Markham, Patrick Moreau, Jonathan Napier, Jean-Denis Faure

Department of Biochemistry: Faculty Publications

Very-long-chain fatty acids (VLCFAs) are essential for many aspects of plant development and necessary for the synthesis of seed storage triacylglycerols, epicuticular waxes, and sphingolipids. Identification of the acetyl-CoA carboxylase PASTICCINO3 and the 3-hydroxy acyl-CoA dehydratase PASTICCINO2 revealed that VLCFAs are important for cell proliferation and tissue patterning. Here, we show that the immunophilin PASTICCINO1 (PAS1) is also required for VLCFA synthesis. Impairment of PAS1 function results in reduction of VLCFA levels that particularly affects the composition of sphingolipids, known to be important for cell polarity in animals. Moreover, PAS1 associates with several enzymes of …

Studies Of Antioxidant Activity Of Bioactive Compounds Derived From Ardisia Crispa., Hassan Mahmood Kzar Jindal

Student Works (2010-2019)

In recent times, researches have focused on medicinal plants in order to extract natural and low cost antioxidants that can help protect the human body against oxidative stress, and replace the synthetic additives that might be carcinogenic. In present study, the crude extracts of leaves and fruits from Ardisia crispa were investigated for their chemical constituents and antioxidant activity. Preliminary phytochemical screening of the crude extracts via TLC analysis revealed the presence of several secondary compounds mainly, terpenoids and phenolic compounds in addition to alkaloids and saponins. HPLC analysis showed the possibility of presence of gallic acid in the fruits …

In Vitro Cultures For Production Of Zerumbone And Mass Propagation In Zingiber Zerumbet Smith., Farah Diana Idris

Student Works (2010-2019)

Lempoyang (Zingiber zerumbet Smith.) is an important plant which has been propagated because of its medicinal values. Lempoyang is widely used as a folk medicine in Asian countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia, India and Taiwan. Zerumbone, a cyclic sesqueterpene found to be the major and main bioactive compound that gives great potential in medicinal purposes especially in the treatment of chronic diseases based on recent reports. Recently, it was found that zerumbone inhibited the growth of human leukemia cell line, HL-60 cell. Even though there are so many great values contain in the lempoyang but it is hard to obtain …

Functional Characterization Of The Arabidopsis Β-Ketoacyl-Coenzyme A Reductase Candidates Of The Fatty Acid Elongase, Frédéric Beaudoin, Xianzhong Wu, Fengling Li, Richard P. Haslam, Jennifer E. Markham, Huanquan Zheng, Johnathan A. Napier, Ljerka Kunst

Department of Biochemistry: Faculty Publications

In plants, very-long-chain fatty acids (VLCFAs; >18 carbon) are precursors of sphingolipids, triacylglycerols, cuticular waxes, and suberin. VLCFAs are synthesized by a multiprotein membrane-bound fatty acid elongation system that catalyzes four successive enzymatic reactions: condensation, reduction, dehydration, and a second reduction. A bioinformatics survey of the Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) genome has revealed two sequences homologous to YBR159w encoding a Saccharomyces cerevisiae β-ketoacyl reductase (KCR), which catalyzes the first reduction during VLCFA elongation. Expression analyses showed that both AtKCR1 and AtKCR2 genes were transcribed in siliques, flowers, inflorescence stems, leaves, as well as developing embryos, but only AtKCR1 …

Temperature Influence And Heat Management Requirements Of Microalgae Cultivation In Photobioreactors, Thomas Hagen Mehlitz

Master's Theses

Microalgae are considered one of the most promising feedstocks for biofuel production for the future. The most efficient way to produce vast amounts of algal biomass is the use of closed tubular photobioreactors (PBR). The heat requirement for a given system is a major concern since the best algae growth rates are obtained between 25-30 °C, depending on the specific strain. A procedure to determine temperature influence on algal growth rates was developed for a lab-scale PBR system using the species Chlorella. A maximum growth rate of 1.44 doublings per day at 29 °C (optimal temperature) was determined. In addition, …

Letter From The Dean, Lalit Verma

Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

No abstract provided.

The Very-Long-Chain Hydroxy Fatty Acyl-Coa Dehydratase Pasticcino2 Is Essential And Limiting For Plant Development, Liên Bach, Louise V. Michaelson, Richard Haslam, Yannick Bellec, Lionel Gissot, Jessica Marion, Marco Da Costa, Jean-Pierre Boutin, Martine Miquel, Frédérique Tellier, Frederic Domergue, Jennifer E. Markham, Frederic Beaudoin, Johnathan A. Napier, Jean-Denis Faure

Department of Biochemistry: Faculty Publications

Very-long-chain fatty acids (VLCFAs) are synthesized as acyl-CoAs by the endoplasmic reticulum-localized elongase multiprotein complex. Two Arabidopsis genes are putative homologues of the recently identified yeast 3-hydroxy-acyl-CoA dehydratase (PHS1), the third enzyme of the elongase complex. We showed that Arabidopsis PASTICCINO2 (PAS2) was able to restore phs1 cytokinesis defects and sphingolipid long chain base overaccumulation. Conversely, the expression of PHS1 was able to complement the developmental defects and the accumulation of long chain bases of the pas2–1 mutant. The pas2–1 mutant was characterized by a general reduction of VLCFA pools in seed storage triacylglycerols, cuticular waxes, …

A Watershed Analysis Of Pattee Pond: Implications For Water Quality And Land Use Management, Problems In Environmental Science Course (Biology 493), Colby College, Colby Environmental Assessment Team, Colby College

Colby College Watershed Study: Pattee Pond (2008, 1992)

The Colby Environmental Assessment Team (CEAT) investigated the impact of land use patterns on the water quality of Pattee Pond in Winslow, Maine, during the summer and fall of 2008. Physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of water quality were analyzed to evaluate the current health of the lake. Data collected were compared with previous studies conducted by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and CEAT to examine changes in water quality and land use over time. Trends in Pattee Pond water quality suggest an improvement since the 1970s. However, the lake is still experiencing algal blooms resulting from phosphorus …

A Simple Array Platform For Microrna Analysis And Its Application In Mouse Tissues, Xiaoqing Tang, Jozsef Gal, Xun Zhuang, Wang-Xia Wang, Haining Zhu, Guiliang Tang

Plant and Soil Sciences Faculty Publications

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a novel class of small noncoding RNAs that regulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level and play a critical role in many important biological processes. Most miRNAs are conserved between humans and mice, which makes it possible to analyze their expressions with a set of selected array probes. Here, we report a simple array platform that can detect 553 nonredundant miRNAs encompassing the entire set of miRNAs for humans and mice. The platform features carefully selected and designed probes with optimized hybridization parameters. Potential cross-reaction between mature miRNAs and their precursors was investigated. The array platform was …

The Effect Of Residue C:N Ratio On The Turnover Of N And C In Various Soil Organic Matter Fractions, Ana B. Wingeyer

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Identifying soil organic matter (SOM) fractions that contribute to soil indigenous nitrogen (N) supply and understanding their turnover under different management constitute necessary tools toward an efficient N use. The objectives of this study were: i) trace the endpoint of carbon (C) flux from residue inputs into SOM; and ii) asses the role of the light fraction (LF), mobile humic acid (MHA) fraction and calcium humate (CaHA) fraction as N sources for heterotrophic decomposition of fresh plant residues with contrasting C:N ratio. A long-term aerobic soil incubation was carried out on ¹⁵N-labeled soil samples from Lincoln and Mead, NE. …

The Development Of A Gc/Ms Protocol For The Analysis Of Polysaccharides In Echinacea Purpurea, Michaela Knapp

Undergraduate Theses and Capstone Projects

Echinacea purpurea is an herbal supplement used to reduce symptoms of common colds and flu-like illnesses. As of right now, it is not well understood what chemical components in the plant are immunologically active. The four main potentially immunologically active chemical components in E. purpurea are caffeic acid derivatives, alkamides, polyacetylenes, and polysaccharides. In this investigation, a protocol was developed in an attempt to identify polysaccharides present in Puritan’s Pride E. purpurea (aerial) “non-irradiated” herbal supplement First, an estimate of the crude total polysaccharide content in Puritan’s Pride and in a ChromaDex certified botanical standard (E. purpurea -powdered root) was …

Enhancing Fertiliser Use Efficiency For Transplanted Vegetables, Dennis Phillips, Aileen Reid, Gavin D'Adhemar

Horticulture research reports

Horticulture Australia (HAL) Project No. VG04018.

Project VG 04018 ‘Enhancing fertiliser use efficiency for transplanted vegetables’ showed that spraying highly concentrated solutions containing nitrogen over newly transplanted vegetable seedlings for between 14 and 21 days after planting can increase marketable yields by as much as 300% compared to other methods of fertiliser application. Crops that this method has been successfully tested on in this study by the W.A. Department of Agriculture and Food include iceberg and Cos lettuce, broccoli, cauliflower, Chinese cabbage (wombok), celery and cabbage.

The research was conducted on virgin sandy soils of the Swan Coastal Plain near …

1080 Summary Information, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia, Department Of Conservation And Land Management, Western Australia, Department Of Health, Western Australia

Biosecurity research reports

Fluoroacetate, the active ingredient of 1080, occurs naturally in toxic plants in Australia, South Africa, and South America. Manufactured I080 underpins most vertebrate pest control programs in Australia and New Zealand. Fluoroacetate occurs naturally in about 40 plant species in Australia with most of these plants restricted to the south-west of WA.

I080 was introduced to rabbit control programs in the early 1950s and therefore has a long history of proven effectiveness and safety in Australia. There have been few repo1ted problems associated with human safety, environmental persistence, bioaccumulation or impact on populations of non-target species.

In particular, I080 baits …

Cyclopropane Fatty Acid Expression In Plants, Katherine M. Schmid

Scholarship and Professional Work - LAS

Pants [sic] are transformed with a bacterial cyclopropane fatty acid synthase gene to produce lipids containing cyclopropane fatty acids. Using this technology dihydrosterculate is produced in oilseed crops such as rape.

A Novel Iron-Regulated Metal Transporter From Plants Identified By Functional Expression In Yeast., David Eide, Margaret Broderius, Jeanette Fett, Mary Lou Guerinot

Dartmouth Scholarship

Iron is an essential nutrient for virtually all organisms. The IRT1 (iron-regulated transporter) gene of the plant Arabidopsis thaliana, encoding a probable Fe(II) transporter, was cloned by functional expression in a yeast strain defective for iron uptake. Yeast expressing IRT1 possess a novel Fe(II) uptake activity that is strongly inhibited by Cd. IRT1 is predicted to be an integral membrane protein with a metal-binding domain. Data base comparisons and Southern blot analysis indicated that IRT1 is a member of a gene family in Arabidopsis. Related sequences were also found in the genomes of rice, yeast, nematodes, and humans. In Arabidopsis, …

Biotin Carboxyl Carrier Protein And Carboxyltransferase Subunits Of The Multi-Subunit Form Of Acetyl-Coa Carboxylase From Brassica Napus: Cloning And Analysis Of Expression During Oilseed Rape Embryogenesis, Kieran M. Elborough, Robert Winz, Ranjit K. Deka, Jennifer E. Markham, Andrew J. White, Stephen Rawsthorne, Antoni R. Slabas

Department of Biochemistry: Faculty Publications

In the oilseed rape Brassica napus there are two forms of acetyl- CoA carboxylase (ACCase). As in other dicotyledonous plants there is a type I ACCase, the single polypeptide 220 kDa form, and a type II multi-subunit complex analogous to that of Escherichia coli and Anabaena. This paper describes the cloning and characterization of a plant biotin carboxyl carrier protein (BCCP) from the type II ACCase complex that shows 61% identity/79% similarity with Anabaena BCCP at the amino acid level. Six classes of nuclear encoded oilseed rape BCCP cDNA were cloned, two of which contained the entire coding region. …

Structural Characterization Of Fucoidan And Its Role In The Hemizona Assay, Manish S. Patankar

Chemistry & Biochemistry Theses & Dissertations

Fucoidan is a polysaccharide commonly found in brown algae. It is a sulfated polymer of the monosaccharide L-fucose. Fucoidan is thought to function in water retention by algae. Commercially available fucoidan is extracted from a brown algae called Eurus vesiculosus.

This polysaccharide has immense potential as a biologically active agent: (i) it exhibits anticoagulant action, (ii) it has also been reported to block retroviral replication and (iii) it is capable of blocking sperm-egg binding in sea urchin, mouse and rabbit. Recently, fucoidan has also been shown to block the interaction of human sperm and egg in the hemizona assay …

A Comparison Of Chemical Composition & Fermentation Patterns Of Alternative Silages To Whole Plant Corn Silage, Susan Fox

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

A comparison of the relationship of fermentation to chemical composition was made for forages which were wilted and ensiled at 35 to 45 percent dry matter. Trial I consisted of three forages ensiled in October, 1981: interseeded soybeans and grain sorghum. whole plant corn with added anhydrous ammonia, and whole plant corn with shelled corn added at a rate of 150 kg/t of fresh forage. Trial II consisted of two forages ensiled in 1982: interseeded soybeans and pearlmillet, and wheat. Temperatures of fermentation were collected, and chemical composition during the first 25 days of fermentation analyzed.

Production data were also …

Expression Of Holo And Apo Forms Of Spinach Acyl Carrier Protein-I In Leaves Of Transgenic Tobacco Plants, M. A. Post-Beittenmiller, Katherine M. Schmid, J. B. Ohlrogge

Scholarship and Professional Work - LAS

Acyl carrier protein (ACP) is a chloroplast-localized cofactor of fatty acid synthesis, desaturation, and acyl transfer. We have transformed tobacco with a chimeric gene consisting of the tobacco ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase promoter and transit peptide and the sequence encoding the mature spinach ACP-I. Spinach ACP-I was expressed in the transformed plants at levels twofold to threefold higher than the endogenous tobacco ACPs as determined by protein immunoblots and assays of ACP in leaf extracts. In addition to these elevated levels of the holo form, there were high levels of apoACP-I, a form lacking the 4'-phosphopantetheine prosthetic group and not previously detected …

Effects Of Growth Temperatures On The Fatty Acid Composition Of Isolated Chloroplasts From Two Species Differing In Heat Sensitivity, Roy Z. Gehring, Glenn W. Todd

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

Lipid analyses of chloroplasts isolated from wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Arthur) and milo (Sorghum bicolor cv. Funk's hybrid 522) suggest no major heat effect on lipid class distribution. Assuming milo is more heat tolerant than wheat and that increased saturated/unsaturated fatty acid values increase thermal stability, changes in sulfoquinovosyldiglyceride (SL) appear to be more important than phosphatidylglycerol (PG) in conferring thermal stability to isolated chloroplasts.

Investigations Of Possible Allelopathic Effects Of Lycopodium Flabelliforme (Fern.) Blanch., Joan Macuszek

Masters Theses

Lycopodium flabelliforme (Fern.) Blanch. sporophytes were collected from a colony west of Flat Rock in Crawford County, Illinois. The material was either ground to a coarse grade using a Wiley Mill (grindate), left whole and untreated (fresh) or water extracted with a Waring blender (extract). The effect of the sporophyte material was tested on the germination of seeds and on the growth of seedlings of Raphnus sativa L. Sporophytes subjected to the grindate treatment showed the most inhibitory effects. It was shown that the alledged inhibitory substance was heat stable and able to be concentrated. Using column chromatography, at 37.7°C, …

Report On Wastewater Disposal To Board Of County Commissioners, Clark County Nevada, Clair N. Sawyer

Publications (WR)

This report is concerned with the management of waste-waters and subsurface drainage from the City of Las Vegas and its environs and the BMI complex, all in Clark County, Nevada. The prime objective is to recommend a plan of action which will utilize the natural resources of the area in the least costly manner and still protect Lake Mead for recreational purposes and use as a public water supply, At this writing, conditions in the upper Las Vegas arm of Boulder Basin are quite unsatisfactory for some recreational purposes due to the extensive blooms of algae which develop. Experience at …

The Effects Of Deficiencies Of Certain Mineral Nutrients On The Activity And Various Properties Of Ribulose-1,5-Diphosphate Carboxylase From Barley (Hordeum Vulgare L.), Philip Alan Harrison

Theses and Dissertations

Barley plants grown in Mg, Mn, Zn and Cu deficient media were analyzed for specific activity, total activity and amount of RuDPCase present. Percent dry weight, as well as chlorophyll and soluble protein content were determined. All deficiencies caused lower chlorophyll and RuDPCase concentrations than occurred in the control. Soluble protein content, however, was higher in all deficient plants than in the control, either on a dry or a fresh weight basis. The addition of 18 μM Mn^2+ increased the activity of Mg^2+ containing RuDPCase preparations as much as 133% above normal. The specific activity of RuDPCase from Mg, Mn, …

Form And Level Of Coumarin In Deer's Tongue, Trilisa Odoratissima, Francis A. Haskins, H. J. Gorz, R. C. Leffel

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Fresh leaves of deer’s tongue contain large quantities (more than 10% of the dry weight, in some cases) of o-hydroxycinnamic acid (o-HCA). Both cis- and trans-o-HCA are present, and both isomers exist in the fresh tissue predominantly as glucosides. Cured deer’s tongue leaves contain relatively high levels of coumarin and lower amounts of o-HCA glucosides. It is probable that during the curing process cis-o-HCA glucoside is hydrolyzed by an endogenous β-glucosidase, and that the liberated cis-o-HCA lactonizes spontaneously to form coumarin.

The Regulatory Effects Of Certain S-Triazine Compounds On The Nutritive Composition Of Seeds And Leaves Of The Pea (Pisum Sativum L.) And Sweet Corn (Zea Mays L.) And Responses Of Metabolic Systems, Ming-Tsung Wu

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The study was conducted to investigate the influence of eight s-triazine compounds--simazine, atrazine, terbutryne, GS-14254, propazine, prometryne, prometone, and ametryne--on the composition of seeds of peas and sweet corn through soil and foliar application. In order to understand the mechanism of the effects of these a-triazines on protein accumulation, the responses of the metabolic systems of pea and sweet corn seedlings to s-triazine treatment was studied with emphasis on the stimulation of certain enzymes, and the changes in the rates of incorporation of ¹⁴C-L-leucine (U) into soluble protein. In addition, the effect of simazine on the ultrastructure …

The Effects Of 2-Chloro-4-Ethylamino-6-Isopropylamino-S-Triazine (Atrazine) On The Activities Of Certain Calvin Cycle Enzymes In Barley And Corn, L. Chris Harrison

Theses and Dissertations

Atrazine (2-chloro-4, ethylamino-6-isopropylaminos- triazine) applied to Hordium vulgare L. variety barbless in low concentrations (0.001, 0.01, 0.1 uM) was shown to in--­ crease the activity of D-ribulose-1, 5-diphosphate carboxylase (RuDPCase) and phosphoribulokinase (PRuK) up to 23% and 30% respectively and increase the amount of chlorophyll and extractable protein up to 18% and 21% respectively over the control plants. These results indicate that sub-toxic levels of atrazine significantly stimulate plant growth. Barley plants given higher concentrations of atrazine (1.0 and 10 uM) showed up to a 78% and 42% decrease in the activity of RuDPCase and PRuK respectively as well as …

Gas Chromatographic Determination Of Changes In Concentration Of Pipecolic Acid And Other Free Amino Acids In Hypersensitive Tobacco Plants Induced By Tobacco Mosaic Virus And Temperature, David Francis Brown

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Changes in concentrations of pipecolic acid and other free amino acids in Nicotiana tabacum, L. cv. Xanthi induced by tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) incubated at 75 or 95 F after inoculation were investigated gas chromatographically. A preliminary extraction and gas chromatographic technique for separation and quantitative determination of the free amino acids, using hydroxyproline as an internal standard, was developed.

Amino acids were converted into their trifluoroacetyl n-butyl (TAB) derivatives and gas chromatographed on 0.325 percent ethylene glycol adipate (EGA) columns. Resolution was generally good, but glycine-isoleucine and phenylalanine-aspartic acids were not resolved on old columns. The over-all …

Quantitative Evaluation Of Saponin Content In Du Puits Alfalfa Foliage (Medicago Sativa L.) With Trichoderma, Wang Li-Chun

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Selections in Du Puits alfalfa (Medicago sativa L. ) were evaluated for saponin content. The data obtained from the Trichoderma bioassay were converted to saponin values by regressions and standard curves. It was necessary to adjust the concentration of alfalfa extract in the bioassay so that the saponin content in alfalfa was estimated in that portion of the curve showing a marked response to saponin. A different regression was established for each group of low and high saponin plants of Du Puits alfalfa. The standard curve prepared with extract of Du Puits alfalfa used on the basis of its …

Nitrogen Fertiliser Survey, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

THE DECEMBER, 1968 issue of the "Journal of Agriculture" included, as part of an article on the economics of nitrogen fertiliser use, a lift-out section for farmers to complete and return to the Journal.

In the lift-out, farmers were asked to calculate their fertiliser costs and answer a series of questions about the use of nitrogen on their farms.