DOCSLIB.ORG

(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2009/0305338 A1 Ritala-Nurmi Et Al

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2009/0305338 A1 Ritala-Nurmi Et Al US 20090305338A1 (19) United States (12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2009/0305338 A1 Ritala-Nurmi et al. (43) Pub. Date: Dec. 10, 2009 (54) PLANT CELL LINES ESTABLISHED FROM (86). PCT No.: PCT/EP2007/0602O1 THE MEDICINAL PLANT VERATRUM CALFORNCUM S371 (c)(1), (2), (4) Date: Jun. 3, 2009 (30) Foreign Application Priority Data (76) Inventors: Anneli Ritala-Nurmi, Helsinki (FI); Heiko Rischer, Espoo (FI); Kirsi-Marja Oksman-Caldentey, Sep. 29, 2006 (EP) .................................. O6121472.2 Helsinki (FI); Ma Rui, Jilin (CN) Publication Classification (51) Int. Cl. CI2P 33/20 (2006.01) Correspondence Address: CI2N 5/04 (2006.01) TRASKBRITT, P.C. P.O. BOX 2.5SO (52) U.S. Cl. ............ 435/53; 435/410; 435/.420; 435/419 SALT LAKE CITY, UT 84110 (US) (57) ABSTRACT The present invention relates to the field of plant secondary (21) Appl. No.: 12/310,869 metabolites. More particularly plant cell lines are established from the medicinal plant Veratrum californicum. Said plant cell lines can be used for the production of cyclopamine and (22) PCT Filed: Sep. 26, 2007 related steroid alkaloids and their precursors. Patent Application Publication Dec. 10, 2009 Sheet 1 of 3 US 2009/0305338A1 Figure 1 Figure 2 100 $88 2 3 frts 2 is Patent Application Publication Dec. 10, 2009 Sheet 2 of 3 US 2009/0305338A1 Figure 3 S8f O, 4. 6 8 2 & 8 2 & 4, days is Cause Patent Application Publication Dec. 10, 2009 Sheet 3 of 3 US 2009/0305338A1 Figure 4 A) 33OOO - 3OOOO - 2SOOO - 2OOOO 13OOO - 1OOOO - SOOO - B-samples grown in the light B-samples grown in the dark US 2009/0305338 A1 Dec. 10, 2009 PLANT CELL LINES ESTABLISHED FROM synthetic activity of the commercially most important sec THE MEDICINAL PLANT VERATRUM ondary products. In the present invention we have generated CALFORNCUM an in vitro culture system for Veratrum Californicum compris ing the initiation of callus, the establishment of cell Suspen FIELD OF THE INVENTION sion cultures, their long-term storage by cryo-preservation, the formation of shoot cultures and the regeneration of plants. 0001. The present invention relates to the field of plant In addition, the isolated cell lines Surprisingly show the pres secondary metabolites. More particularly plant cell lines are ence of Veratrum steroid alkaloids such as cyclopamine and established from the medicinal plant Veratrum Californicum. jervine. Said plant cell lines can be used for the production of cyclo pamine and related Steroid alkaloids and their precursors. FIGURES BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION 0003 FIG. 1: Chemical structures of cyclopamine (1) and jervine (2) 0002 Plants provide not only foods, but also other useful 0004 FIG. 2: Plant regeneration from embryogenic calli materials such as wood, cellulose, gums and rubbers. They of Veratrum Californicum (regeneration medium: L2 without contain a wide range of chemical compounds including phar hormone) maceuticals, flavours, fragrance, colours and insecticides. 0005 Meansistandard division are from 5 replicates These compounds belong to a group collectively known as 0006 |t|=6.130>to 2.306 (P<0.001) for green plant secondary products or secondary metabolites. The genus Ver 0007 |t|=0.40<tos=2.306 (P>0.05) for albino plant atrum comprises up to 45 species of perennial herbs distrib 0008 FIG. 3: Growth of cell suspension line B in medium uted throughout the northern temperate to arctic regions of AA (with 4 mg/l NAA). Fresh weight-closed symbols, dry Europe, Asia and North America. Its exact systematic posi weight-open symbols. Meansistandard division are from 3 tion is still under debate but modern systems place it within replicates. the tribe Melanthieae of Melanthiaceae whereas traditionally 0009 FIG. 4: Panel A shows the relative cyclopamine the genus belongs to the large family of Liliaceae (1). Ver contents (as shown in the Y-axis as the response value of atrum is phytochemically characterised by the presence of detecting the specific cyclopamine ion 124) of individual B steroid alkaloids which exhibit interesting pharmacological cell line samples (n=9, as shown in the X-axis) grown in the properties already recognised in ancient times. The teratoge light (grey bars) compared to grown in the dark (dark bars). nic species Veratrum Californicum Durand is distributed Panel B shows the response values for cyclopamine in the throughout the mountains of the western USA and often light- (L) and dark- (D) grown B cell line samples. The two referred to as the corn lily, was noticed when a high percent groups are significantly different (t-test, p=0.0344). age of sheep grazing these areas gave birth to deformed lambs. Only offspring of ewes which had consumed Veratrum AIMS AND DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE during early pregnancy developed the anomalies varying INVENTION from cyclopia, i.e. extreme craniofacial malformation, to mildly deformed upper jaws (2). Two steroid alkaloids cyclo 0010 Veratrum californicum (Liliaceae) is an important pamine (11-deoxojervine) andjervine have been identified as monocotyledonous medicinal plant which is the only source the responsible teratogens (FIG. 1). More recently the of the anticancer compound cyclopamine. In the present molecular mode of action for cyclopamine-induced teratoge invention an in vitro culture system for Somatic embryogen nesis has been investigated and it has been revealed that the esis and green plant regeneration of Veratrum Californicum compound selectively blocks Sonic hedgehog signal trans was developed. Embryogenic calli were induced from mature duction (3). This pathway has a central role in a multitude of embryos on induction medium. Five basal media Supple developmental processes. Interestingly, a number of genes in mented with different growth regulators were evaluated for the Sonic hedgehog signaling network have been associated embryogenic callus induction, modified MS medium with 4 with certain human tumors. Therefore, cyclopamine and its mg/l picloram showing the best result for embryogenic callus derivatives are proposed as potential therapeutic agents for production. Fine suspension cell lines were established by the treatment of tumors arising from disruption of compo employing friable embryogenic calli as starting material and nents of the hedgehog pathway (4). Cyclopamine has already AA medium and L2 medium as culture media. The Suspen shown promise in the treatment of medulloblastoma tumor sion cell lines cultured in M medium with 4 mg/l NM (5), basal cell carcinoma (6) and Small cell lung cancer (7) in appeared to be fresh yellow and fast growing. The Suspension vitro and in whole animal systems. At present, Veratrum cells were cryopreserved successfully and recovered at a high Californicum is the only source for cyclopamine because the rate. Green plants were regenerated from embryogenic calli compound with its complex chemical structure cannot be as well as from Suspension plant cells. The in vitro plantlets synthesized at an economical price. Isolation of the Substance contained the steroid alkaloids cyclopamine and Veratramine. from wild plants is impeded by the low and highly variable These in vitro systems (i.e. callus culture, plant cell line quantity, and is therefore very expensive. In vitro cultures for culture and shoot culture) form a springboard for the produc the production of valuable secondary metabolites have long tion of the pharmaceutically important secondary metabolite been recognized as a means of avoiding these shortcomings. cyclopamine. Thus it would theoretically be possible to grow large quanti 0011 Thus in a first embodiment the invention provides an ties of biomass for the production of complex secondary isolated plant cell line from Veratrum californicum. products by fermentation. But in practice, this is not always 0012. In yet another embodiment the isolated plant cell the case. This is due to the non-amenability of many plants to line of Veratrum Californicum is capable of producing jervine grow in culture. Furthermore, of those that could be finally and cyclopamine. The term capable of refers to the fact that grown under Suitable conditions, many lacked desired bio said plant cell line produces jervine and cyclopamine. In a US 2009/0305338 A1 Dec. 10, 2009 particular embodiment said plant cell lines produces jervine active in specific organs, tissues, or cells (e.g. only in roots, and/or cyclopamine upon elicitation with an elicitor. In yet leaves, epidermis, guard cells or the like). Other examples of another particular embodiment said elicitor is light, i.e. the regulated expression comprise promoters whose activity is plant cell lines are grown in the light. induced or repressed by adding chemical or physical stimuli 0013. In yet another embodiment the invention provides a to the plant cell. In a preferred embodiment the expression is method for the production of a Veratrum californicum plant under control of environmental, hormonal, chemical, and/or cell line, said method comprising: a) germinating and isolat developmental signals. Such promoters for plant cells include ing mature embryos from Veratrum Californicum wherein promoters that are regulated by (1) heat, (2) light, (3) hor said embryos are larger than 2 mm, b) cultivating said mones. Such as abscisic acid and methyl jasmonate (4) embryos on modified Murashige and Skoog salts medium wounding or (5) chemicals such as salicylic acid, chitosans or Supplemented with 4 mg/1-7 mg/l picloram towards embryo metals. Indeed, it is well known that the expression of sec genic callus and c) forming
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Plant List Bristow Prairie & High Divide Trail
    *Non-native Bristow Prairie & High Divide Trail Plant List as of 7/12/2016 compiled by Tanya Harvey T24S.R3E.S33;T25S.R3E.S4 westerncascades.com FERNS & ALLIES Pseudotsuga menziesii Ribes lacustre Athyriaceae Tsuga heterophylla Ribes sanguineum Athyrium filix-femina Tsuga mertensiana Ribes viscosissimum Cystopteridaceae Taxaceae Rhamnaceae Cystopteris fragilis Taxus brevifolia Ceanothus velutinus Dennstaedtiaceae TREES & SHRUBS: DICOTS Rosaceae Pteridium aquilinum Adoxaceae Amelanchier alnifolia Dryopteridaceae Sambucus nigra ssp. caerulea Holodiscus discolor Polystichum imbricans (Sambucus mexicana, S. cerulea) Prunus emarginata (Polystichum munitum var. imbricans) Sambucus racemosa Rosa gymnocarpa Polystichum lonchitis Berberidaceae Rubus lasiococcus Polystichum munitum Berberis aquifolium (Mahonia aquifolium) Rubus leucodermis Equisetaceae Berberis nervosa Rubus nivalis Equisetum arvense (Mahonia nervosa) Rubus parviflorus Ophioglossaceae Betulaceae Botrychium simplex Rubus ursinus Alnus viridis ssp. sinuata Sceptridium multifidum (Alnus sinuata) Sorbus scopulina (Botrychium multifidum) Caprifoliaceae Spiraea douglasii Polypodiaceae Lonicera ciliosa Salicaceae Polypodium hesperium Lonicera conjugialis Populus tremuloides Pteridaceae Symphoricarpos albus Salix geyeriana Aspidotis densa Symphoricarpos mollis Salix scouleriana Cheilanthes gracillima (Symphoricarpos hesperius) Salix sitchensis Cryptogramma acrostichoides Celastraceae Salix sp. (Cryptogramma crispa) Paxistima myrsinites Sapindaceae Selaginellaceae (Pachystima myrsinites)
    [Show full text]
  • Establishing Irrigation Criteria for Cultivation of Veratrum Californicum
    AN ABSTRACT OF THE THESIS OF Alison R. Doniger for the degree of Master of Science in Water Resources Science presented on November 16, 2012 Title: Establishing Irrigation Criteria for Cultivation of Veratrum californicum Abstract approved: Mary V. Santelmann Veratrum californicum (common name: corn lily) is a wild plant species that grows in the Intermountain West, its range extending from British Columbia to Mexico. Corn lily is of interest because it has the potential to provide pharmaceutical precursors for use in the treatment of cancer. Pharmaceutical companies are currently running clinical trials of new drugs that use these precursors. As such, a sustainable supply of corn lily is needed if these drugs are ever to enter the market. Unfortunately, wild populations of corn lily will not be able to meet the market demand. Therefore, it is necessary that horticultural guidelines be established so that corn lily can be grown in an agricultural setting. Establishing irrigation criteria is one crucial component in this process, as corn lily grows in naturally wet areas and will most likely require supplemental irrigation in an agricultural setting. In order to determine the appropriate level of irrigation for corn lily, an appropriate range of irrigation levels to test in a field trial must be determined. Plant success as a function of irrigation level can then be measured. In order to determine what irrigation levels should be tested, the OSU Malheur Experiment Station monitored the natural environment of corn lily at a variety of locations over the course of four seasons. Results showed that for the majority of its growing season, corn lily occupies a narrow environmental niche where soil water tension ranges from 0 kPa to 30 kPa.
    [Show full text]
  • Aconitum Napellus)
    Phil Rasmussen (M.Pharm., M.P.S., Dip. Herb. Med., M.N.H.A.A., M.N.I.M.H.(U.K.), M.N.Z.A.M.H.) Consultant Medical Herbalist 23 Covil Ave Te Atatu South Auckland New Zealand tel.(0064)09 378 9274 fax.(0064) 09 834 8870 email: [email protected] _____________________________________________________________________ Report on Appropriate Classification for Aconite (Aconitum napellus) Confidential May 9, 2001. Summary An assessment of safety considerations with respect to human usage of complementary medicine preparations made from the substance Aconite (any part of the plant Aconitum napella, otherwise known as Monkshood), has been undertaken. The available toxicological data was reviewed, and levels of intake of the known toxic constituents, the alkaloids aconitine, mesaconitine and jesaconitine, known to be associated with adverse effects and possible fatality in humans, were determined. From this assessment, concentration levels of the known toxic alkaloids below which no toxic effects would normally be associated with their internal ingestion or use, was determined. Levels of ingestion of these toxic components which could normally be deemed as completely safe, were then ascertained. This assessment was then applied to an evaluation of homoeopathic Aconite-containing preparations available in the marketplace, to select ‘cut off points’ below which general sales classification is deemed appropriate. These calculations were based upon both concentration levels of the toxic alkaloids, as well as the maximum recommended pack size of preparations containing them. Aconite: an introduction Aconite (a preparation made from either the roots or herb of the European shrub Aconitum napellus, or other Aconitum species ), has long been used both as a traditional herbal medicine as well as a homoeopathic remedy.
    [Show full text]
  • Veratrum Steroidal Alkaloid Toxicity Following Ingestion of Foraged
    Veratrum Steroidal Alkaloid Toxicity Following Ingestion of Foraged Veratrum Parviflorum M Anwar 1, MW Turner 2, N Farrell 3, R Kleiman 4, WB Zomlefer 5, OM McDougal 2, BW Morgan 1 1Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA; 5Boise State University, Boise, ID; 3Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI; 4Wellstar Kennestone Hospital, Marietta, GA; 5University of Georgia, Athens, GA BACKGROUND RESULTS DISCUSSION • Steroidal alkaloids are found in the Veratrum genus of • The specimen was identified as V. parviflorum by botanists • Steroidal alkaloids have previously been isolated and toxicity plants. at the University of Georgia . has been reported from many species of Veratrum plants. ¡ ¢ £ ¡ ¤ ¥ ¢ ¦ ¨ § • Their toxicity manifests as GI illness followed by a x107 1.0 • This is the first reported case of Veratrum toxicity from V. Bezold-Jarisch reflex: hypopnea, hypotension and 0.5 ©¨ parviflorum with identified steroidal alkaloids. bradycardia. x107 1.0 • As far as we know, there is no previous study to characterize • Some Veratrum steroidal alkaloids are also teratogens 0.5 ¨ x107 the steroidal alkaloids in V. parviflorum . interfering with the hedgehog-2 signaling pathway which 1.0 causes cyclopsia and holoprosencephaly. 0.5 ¨ • A prior study shows some cross reactivity between Veratrum x107 1.0 steroidal alkaloids and the digoxin assay but no digoxin CASE PRESENTATION 0.5 ¨ immune fab binding. x107 • A 27 year old man (patient 1) and his 25 year old wife 1.0 0.5 (patient 2) presented to the ED with nausea and 0 x107 f) vomiting after foraging and ingesting what they believed 1.0 to be wild leeks from the Appalachian Trail in Georgia, 0.5 10 USA.
    [Show full text]
  • Native V. Californicum Alkaloid Combinations Induce Differential Inhibition of Sonic Hedgehog Signaling
    molecules Article Native V. californicum Alkaloid Combinations Induce Differential Inhibition of Sonic Hedgehog Signaling Matthew W. Turner 1,2, Roberto Cruz 2, Jordan Elwell 2, John French 2, Jared Mattos 2 and Owen M. McDougal 2,* ID 1 Biomolecular Sciences Graduate Programs, Boise State University, 1910 University Drive, Boise, ID 83725, USA; [email protected] 2 Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Boise State University, 1910 University Drive, Boise, ID 83725, USA; [email protected] (R.C.); [email protected] (J.E.); [email protected] (J.F.); [email protected] (J.M.) * Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel.: +1-208-426-3964 Received: 28 July 2018; Accepted: 30 August 2018; Published: 1 September 2018 Abstract: Veratrum californicum is a rich source of steroidal alkaloids such as cyclopamine, a known inhibitor of the Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway. Here we provide a detailed analysis of the alkaloid composition of V. californicum by plant part through quantitative analysis of cyclopamine, veratramine, muldamine and isorubijervine in the leaf, stem and root/rhizome of the plant. To determine whether additional alkaloids in the extracts contribute to Hh signaling inhibition, the concentrations of these four alkaloids present in extracts were replicated using commercially available standards, followed by comparison of extracts to alkaloid standard mixtures for inhibition of Hh signaling using Shh-Light II cells. Alkaloid combinations enhanced Hh signaling pathway antagonism compared to cyclopamine alone, and significant differences were observed in the Hh pathway inhibition between the stem and root/rhizome extracts and their corresponding alkaloid standard mixtures, indicating that additional alkaloids present in these extracts are capable of inhibiting Hh signaling.
    [Show full text]
  • Liliaceae Lily Family
    Liliaceae lily family While there is much compelling evidence available to divide this polyphyletic family into as many as 25 families, the older classification sensu Cronquist is retained here. Page | 1222 Many are familiar as garden ornamentals and food plants such as onion, garlic, tulip and lily. The flowers are showy and mostly regular, three-merous and with a superior ovary. Key to genera A. Leaves mostly basal. B B. Flowers orange; 8–11cm long. Hemerocallis bb. Flowers not orange, much smaller. C C. Flowers solitary. Erythronium cc. Flowers several to many. D D. Leaves linear, or, absent at flowering time. E E. Flowers in an umbel, terminal, numerous; leaves Allium absent. ee. Flowers in an open cluster, or dense raceme. F F. Leaves with white stripe on midrib; flowers Ornithogalum white, 2–8 on long peduncles. ff. Leaves green; flowers greenish, in dense Triantha racemes on very short peduncles. dd. Leaves oval to elliptic, present at flowering. G G. Flowers in an umbel, 3–6, yellow. Clintonia gg. Flowers in a one-sided raceme, white. Convallaria aa. Leaves mostly cauline. H H. Leaves in one or more whorls. I I. Leaves in numerous whorls; flowers >4cm in diameter. Lilium ii. Leaves in 1–2 whorls; flowers much smaller. J J. Leaves 3 in a single whorl; flowers white or purple. Trillium jj. Leaves in 2 whorls, or 5–9 leaves; flowers yellow, small. Medeola hh. Leaves alternate. K K. Flowers numerous in a terminal inflorescence. L L. Plants delicate, glabrous; leaves 1–2 petiolate. Maianthemum ll. Plant coarse, robust; stems pubescent; leaves many, clasping Veratrum stem.
    [Show full text]
  • Original Article Neurotoxicity of Veratrum Nigrum L. and the Molecular Mechanism of Veratridine Toxicity
    Int J Clin Exp Med 2018;11(7):6547-6559 www.ijcem.com /ISSN:1940-5901/IJCEM0065327 Original Article Neurotoxicity of Veratrum nigrum L. and the molecular mechanism of veratridine toxicity Xianxie Zhang1,3*, Yanli Wang2,3*, Shuai Shao3, Yan Wu1, Yuguang Wang3, Zengchun Ma3, Hailong Yuan1, Yue Gao3 1Air Force General Hospital of People’s Liberation Army, Beijing, China; 2China Hospital Knowledge Depot, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Beijing, China; 3Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing, China. *Equal contributors and co-first authors. Received April 6, 2017; Accepted February 14, 2018; Epub July 15, 2018; Published July 30, 2018 Abstract: Veratrum nigrum L. has been used as an herbal preparation in worldwide for treatment of blood-stroke, excessive phlegm, epilepsy, etc. Veratridine is both active and toxic constituents of Veratrum nigrum L., which has been reported to affect excitable membranes, peripheral nerves, and skeletal and cardiac muscle. Previous work and literature research are reported that veratridine can act on the central nervous system. Therefore, it is very meaningful to study the neurotoxicity of veratridine. Cell viability, LDH release, ROS generation, MMP expression, Ca2+ concentration and apoptosis were measured to evaluate the neurotoxic mechanism of veratridine in SH-SY5Y cells. A positive injury model was established with glutamic acid in SH-SY5Y cells and Western blot was used to cor- relate toxicity with the MAPK signaling pathway. The results show that veratridine causes, MMP expression changes, Ca2+ accumulation in the cytoplasm, increased ROS and LDH releasing and SH-SY5Y cell membrane damage. SH- SY5Y cell viability diminished due to apoptosis.
    [Show full text]
  • Conservation Assessment for White Adder's Mouth Orchid (Malaxis B Brachypoda)
    Conservation Assessment for White Adder’s Mouth Orchid (Malaxis B Brachypoda) (A. Gray) Fernald Photo: Kenneth J. Sytsma USDA Forest Service, Eastern Region April 2003 Jan Schultz 2727 N Lincoln Road Escanaba, MI 49829 906-786-4062 This Conservation Assessment was prepared to compile the published and unpublished information on Malaxis brachypoda (A. Gray) Fernald. This is an administrative study only and does not represent a management decision or direction by the U.S. Forest Service. Though the best scientific information available was gathered and reported in preparation for this document and subsequently reviewed by subject experts, it is expected that new information will arise. In the spirit of continuous learning and adaptive management, if the reader has information that will assist in conserving the subject taxon, please contact: Eastern Region, USDA Forest Service, Threatened and Endangered Species Program, 310 Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53203. Conservation Assessment for White Adder’s Mouth Orchid (Malaxis Brachypoda) (A. Gray) Fernald 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS .................................................................................................................1 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS..............................................................................................................2 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ..............................................................................................................3 INTRODUCTION/OBJECTIVES ...................................................................................................3
    [Show full text]
  • Comparative Chloroplast Genome Analysis Of
    Comparative Chloroplast Genome Analysis of Medicinally Important Veratrum (Melanthiaceae) in China: Insights into Genomic Characterization and Phylogenetic Relationships Ying-min Zhang Yunnan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Li-jun Han Yunnan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Ying-Ying Liu Yunnan provincial food and drug evaluation and inspection center Cong-wei Yang Yunnan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Xing Tian Yunnan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Zi-gang Qian Yunnan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Guodong Li ( [email protected] ) Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9108-5454 Research Keywords: Veratrum, Chloroplast genome, Sequences variations, Medicine-herb, Phylogeny Posted Date: December 7th, 2020 DOI: https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-117897/v1 License: This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Read Full License Page 1/15 Abstract Background: Veratrum is a genus of perennial herbs that are widely used as traditional Chinese medicine for emetic, resolving blood stasis and relieve pain. However, the species classication and the phylogenetic relationship of the genus Veratrum have long been controversial due to the complexity of morphological variations. Knowledge on the infrageneric relationships of the genus Veratrum can be obtained from their chloroplast genome sequences and increase the taxonomic and phylogenetic resolution. Methods: Total DNA was extracted from ten species of Veratrum and subjected to next-generation sequencing. The cp genome was assembled by NOVOPlasty. Genome annotation was conducted using the online tool DOGMA and subsequently corrected by Geneious Prime. Then, genomic characterization of the Veratrum plastome and genome comparison with closely related species was analyzed by corresponding software.
    [Show full text]
  • Wildflower Guide
    Pussypaws (or Pussy Toes) Sierra Morning Glory Western Peony Calyptridium umbellatum Calystegia malacophylla Paeonia brownii Portulacaceae (Purslane) family Convolvulaceae (Morning Glory) family Paeoniaceae (Peony) family May-August July–August May-June The flower head clusters are reminiscent There are over 1,000 species of morning This flower’s petals are maroon to of fuzzy kitten paws. The stems and glory worldwide. Many bloom in the early brownish and the flower usually nods, flower heads are often almost prostrate morning hours, giving the family or points downward, so it can be easy (lying on the ground). Pussypaws are its name. Tahoe Donner is near the upper to miss. widespread and somewhat variable. elevation of the range for Sierra morning glory. Rabbitbrush Snow Plant Willow WILDFLOWER Ericameria sp. Sarcodes sanguinea Salix spp. Asteraceae (Sunflower or Aster) family Ericaceae (Heath) family Salicaceae (Willow) family GUIDE August–October May–June March–June This shrub is common throughout the Appears almost as soon as snow melts. There are several types of willow in Tahoe Donner area. The tips of the Saprophytic plant: obtains nutrients from the Tahoe Donner area, with blooming branches look yellow throughout the decaying organic matter in the soil (no seasons that extend from March at least blooming season. photosynthesis). through June. The picture shows typical early-spring catkins (buds) that are getting ready to bloom, and gives the smaller types of willow the familiar name pussy willow. Ranger’s Buttons Varileaf Phacelia Woolly Mule Ears Sphenosciadium capitellatum Phacelia heterophylla Wyethia mollis Apiaceae (Carrot) family Hydrophyllaceae (Waterleaf) family Asteraceae (Sunflower or Aster) family July–August April–July June–July Often found in wet or swampy places.
    [Show full text]
  • Photosynthetic Characteristics of Veratrum Californicum in Varied
    Sun et al.: Photosynthetic Characteristics of Veratrum californicum in Varied Photosynthetic Characteristics of Veratrum californicum in Varied Greenhouse Environments Youping Sun1, 3, Sarah White1, David Mann2, and Jeffrey Adelberg1,* 1School of Agricultural, Forest, and Environmental Sciences, E-143 Poole Agricultural Center, Clemson, SC 29634, USA; Current address: Texas A&M AgriLife Research Center at El Paso, 1380 A & M Circle, El Paso, TX 79927, USA 2Infinity Pharmaceutical, Inc., Cambridge MA 02139, USA *Corresponding author: [email protected]. Date received: October 5, 2012 Keywords: Corn lily, photosynthesis, supplemental light, transpiration, volumetric water content. ABSTRACT with supplemental light and when volumetric water Corn lily or California false hellebore content remained above 44%. The water use effi- (Veratrum californicum Durand), a perennial ciency of corn lily may be low, as water is not nor- species native to the western United States, mally limiting in the natural environment where produces several alkaloid compounds. A derivative corn lily grows. of these alkaloid compounds, primarily veratramine and cyclopamine, shows promise as a therapeutic INTRODUCTION agent for treatment of a variety of tumor types. Corn lily (Veratrum californicum Durand; Here we report the first study of corn lily cultivated Melanthiaceae family) is a poisonous, herbaceous in greenhouse. Growth response of corn lily was perennial, facultative wetland species in its native examined under two light levels (ambient and habitat range within the Rocky Mountains and supplemental), two fertilization types (20 N-4.4 P- mountains of western North America (Niehaus et 16.6 K Peat-lite special and 15N-2.2P-12.5K al., 1984; USDA, 2011). The Veratrum genus con- CalMag special) at 100-mg·L-1 total nitrogen, and sists of 27 species (Ferguson, 2010; Liao et al., three irrigation cycles [sub-irrigation every day 2007; Zomlefer et al., 2003).
    [Show full text]
  • Zigadenus Sawfly Rhadinoceraea Zigadenusae Contributor: David R
    Zigadenus Sawfly Rhadinoceraea zigadenusae Contributor: David R. Smith DESCRIPTION Taxonomy and Basic Description Sawflies, sometimes called “broad-waisted” wasps, belong to the Order Hymenoptera along with wasps, bees and ants. The Zigadenus sawfly is in the family Tenthredinidae, one of four families in the superfamily Tenthredinoidea, which is contained in the suborder Symphyta, the sawtails and horntails. Sawflies are distinguished from other Hymenoptera by the abdomen being broadly joined to the thorax, not with a wasp-like constriction in the middle. Most are fly-like in appearance, but have four wings, compared to two wings in flies. The female’s ovipositor cuts into plant tissue for insertion of eggs and is saw-like; thus, the common name “sawflies.” All sawflies are phytophagous in the larval stage, with the larvae being caterpillar-like in appearance, but are differentiated from caterpillars (Lepidoptera larvae) by the presence of only one ocellus (light sensing organ) and usually more prolegs on the abdomen. Over 1,000 species are known in North America and over 8,000 species are known worldwide (Smith 1979). Hosts include a wide variety of plants including ferns, grasses, pines and other conifers, oaks, hickories, poplars, elms, willows, roses, cherries, pears and blackberry. Many species are significant economic pests in gardens, agricultural crops and forests. A sawfly feeding on star lilies (Zigadenus; Liliaceae) was not discovered until 1990 and was named R. zigadenusae after the food plant (Smith and McDearman 1990). A second species also feeding on Zigadenus was discovered later in the mountains of West Virginia and named Rhadinoceraea sodsensis (Smith and Barrows 1995).
    [Show full text]