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Laccetti L, Salbitani G, Lumaga MRB, Bossa R, Cerasuolo P, Loreto F, Manna M, Carfagna S, Scopece G. How to survive on Mediterranean coastal cliffs: tolerance to seawater in early life-cycle stages in Brassica incana Ten. (Brassicaceae). PLANT BIOLOGY (STUTTGART, GERMANY) 2024. [PMID: 39012215 DOI: 10.1111/plb.13693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/17/2024]
Abstract
Mediterranean coastal cliffs are reservoirs of plant biodiversity, hosting vulnerable plant species particularly exposed to the risk of local extinction due to extreme abiotic conditions and climate changes. Therefore, studies aiming to understand the tolerance of cliff plant species to abiotic stresses are important to predict their long-time persistence or to highlight inherent threats. We used an integrative approach including anatomical, physiological and phenotypic analyses on (a) seeds, (b) cotyledons of seedlings; and (c) young plants to assess whether the cliff species Brassica incana, can tolerate exposure to different seawater (SW: 25%, 50% and 100%) concentrations during the early stages of its life cycle. Seeds could germinate when exposed to up to 50% SW. Seeds did not germinate in 100% SW, but could resume germination after washing with freshwater. Seed germination rate also decreased with increasing SW concentration. Exposure to SW decreased stomatal size and stomatal index of cotyledons and caused long-lasting and severe damage to the photochemical reactions of photosynthesis. Photochemistry was also sensitive to SW in young plants, but the effect was lower than in cotyledons. This may involve a remodulation of chloroplast dimensions and activation of cellular metabolism. However, photochemical reactions limited photosynthesis at100% SW even after recovery from SW exposure. Our data show that B. incana has strong tolerance to seawater and shows clear signs of halophytic adaptation. Whilst seeds and juvenile plants are able to withstand SW, the seedling stage appears to be more sensitive.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Laccetti
- Department of Biology, University Federico II of Naples, Complesso Universitario MSA, Naples, Italy
| | - G Salbitani
- Department of Biology, University Federico II of Naples, Complesso Universitario MSA, Naples, Italy
| | - M R B Lumaga
- Department of Biology, University Federico II of Naples, Complesso Universitario MSA, Naples, Italy
| | - R Bossa
- Department of Biology, University Federico II of Naples, Complesso Universitario MSA, Naples, Italy
| | - P Cerasuolo
- Department of Biology, University Federico II of Naples, Complesso Universitario MSA, Naples, Italy
| | - F Loreto
- Department of Biology, University Federico II of Naples, Complesso Universitario MSA, Naples, Italy
| | - M Manna
- Department of Biology, University Federico II of Naples, Complesso Universitario MSA, Naples, Italy
| | - S Carfagna
- Department of Biology, University Federico II of Naples, Complesso Universitario MSA, Naples, Italy
| | - G Scopece
- Department of Biology, University Federico II of Naples, Complesso Universitario MSA, Naples, Italy
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2
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Sharara A, Badran A, Hijazi A, Albahri G, Bechelany M, Mesmar JE, Baydoun E. Comprehensive Review of Cyclamen: Development, Bioactive Properties, and Therapeutic Applications. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2024; 17:848. [PMID: 39065699 PMCID: PMC11279937 DOI: 10.3390/ph17070848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2024] [Revised: 06/13/2024] [Accepted: 06/22/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Plants are being researched as potential sources of novel drugs, which has led to a recent acceleration in the discovery of new bioactive compounds. Research on tissue culture technology for the synthesis and processing of plant compounds has skyrocketed, surpassing all expectations. These plants can be bought either raw or as extracts, where some of the chemicals are extracted by mashing the plant in water, alcohol, or another solvent. The use of herbal medicine may open new chances for reducing the onset of infections and treating different diseases including cancer. A perennial plant that blooms in the winter, Cyclamen, is one of the most widely used potted flowers in many nations. Alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, tannins, saponins, sterols, and glycosides are the main active components of Cyclamen. Analgesic, cytotoxic, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties have all been demonstrated as potential effects of various extracts of Cyclamen tubers. However, the use of this medicinal plant in official medicine will require further research in the areas of pharmacology. Furthermore, it is necessary to create standard operating procedures for a crude herbal medication. In this regard, this review aims to highlight the key characteristics of the Cyclamen plant, such as its various parts, species, stages of development, and geographic range; pinpoint its intriguing bioactivities, its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and its anti-cancerous effects; and ascertain its potential medicinal uses and the main future perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aya Sharara
- Plateforme de Recherche et D’Analyse en Sciences de L’Environnement (EDST-PRASE), Beirut P.O. Box 6573/14, Lebanon; (A.S.); (A.H.); (G.A.)
| | - Adnan Badran
- Department of Nutrition, University of Petra, Amman P.O. Box 961343, Jordan;
| | - Akram Hijazi
- Plateforme de Recherche et D’Analyse en Sciences de L’Environnement (EDST-PRASE), Beirut P.O. Box 6573/14, Lebanon; (A.S.); (A.H.); (G.A.)
| | - Ghosoon Albahri
- Plateforme de Recherche et D’Analyse en Sciences de L’Environnement (EDST-PRASE), Beirut P.O. Box 6573/14, Lebanon; (A.S.); (A.H.); (G.A.)
| | - Mikhael Bechelany
- Institut Européen des Membranes, IEM, UMR-5635, University Montpellier, ENSCM, CNRS, Place Eugene Bataillon, 34095 Montpellier, France
- Functional Materials Group, Gulf University for Science and Technology (GUST), Mubarak Al-Abdullah 32093, Kuwait
| | - Joelle Edward Mesmar
- Department of Biology, American University of Beirut, Beirut P.O. Box 110236, Lebanon;
| | - Elias Baydoun
- Department of Biology, American University of Beirut, Beirut P.O. Box 110236, Lebanon;
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3
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De Castro O, Avino M, Carraturo F, Di Iorio E, Giovannelli D, Innangi M, Menale B, Mormile N, Troisi J, Guida M. Profiling microbial communities in an extremely acidic environment influenced by a cold natural carbon dioxide spring: A study of the Mefite in Ansanto Valley, Southern Italy. ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY REPORTS 2024; 16:e13241. [PMID: 38407001 PMCID: PMC10895555 DOI: 10.1111/1758-2229.13241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
The Ansanto Valley's Mefite, one of the Earth's largest non-volcanic CO2 gas emissions, is distinguished by its cold natural carbon dioxide springs. These emissions originate from the intricate tectonics and geodynamics of the southern Apennines in Italy. Known for over two millennia for its lethal concentration of CO2 and other harmful gases, the Mefite has a reputation for being toxic and dangerous. Despite its historical significance and unique geological features, there is a lack of information on the microbial diversity associated with the Mefite's gas emissions. This study presents an integrated exploration of the microbial diversity in the mud soil, using high-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA (Prokaryotes) and ITS2 (Fungi), alongside a geochemical site characterisation. Our findings reveal that the Mefite's unique environment imposes a significant bottleneck on microbial diversity, favouring a select few microbial groups such as Actinobacteria and Firmicutes for Prokaryotes, and Basidiomycota for Fungi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga De Castro
- Department of BiologyUniversity of Naples Federico IINaplesItaly
- Botanical GardenNaplesItaly
| | - Mariano Avino
- Department of Biochemistry and Functional GenomicsSherbrooke UniversitySherbrookeQuebecCanada
| | | | | | - Donato Giovannelli
- Department of BiologyUniversity of Naples Federico IINaplesItaly
- National Research CouncilInstitute of Marine Biological Resources and Biotechnologies—CNR‐IRBIMAnconaItaly
- Department of Marine and Coastal ScienceRutgers UniversityNew BrunswickNew JerseyUSA
- Marine Chemistry & Geochemistry DepartmentWoods Hole Oceanographic InstitutionWoods HoleMassachusettsUSA
- Earth‐Life Science InstituteTokyo Institute of TechnologyTokyoJapan
| | - Michele Innangi
- EnvixLab, Department of Biosciences and TerritoryUniversity of Molise Contrada Fonte LapponePesche (IS)Italy
| | - Bruno Menale
- Department of BiologyUniversity of Naples Federico IINaplesItaly
- Botanical GardenNaplesItaly
| | - Nicolina Mormile
- Department of BiologyUniversity of Naples Federico IINaplesItaly
| | - Jacopo Troisi
- European Biomedical Research Institute of Salerno (EBRIS)SalernoItaly
- Theoreo srlMontecorvino Pugliano (SA)Italy
| | - Marco Guida
- Department of BiologyUniversity of Naples Federico IINaplesItaly
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Salbitani G, Maresca V, Cianciullo P, Bossa R, Carfagna S, Basile A. Non-Protein Thiol Compounds and Antioxidant Responses Involved in Bryophyte Heavy-Metal Tolerance. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:5302. [PMID: 36982378 PMCID: PMC10049163 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/04/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Heavy-metal pollution represents a problem which has been widely discussed in recent years. The biological effects of heavy metals have been studied in both animals and plants, ranging from oxidative stress to genotoxicity. Plants, above all metal-tolerant species, have evolved a wide spectrum of strategies to counteract exposure to toxic metal concentrations. Among these strategies, the chelation and vacuolar sequestration of heavy metals are, after cell-wall immobilization, the first line of defence that prevent heavy metals from interacting with cell components. Furthermore, bryophytes activate a series of antioxidant non-enzymatic and enzymatic responses to counteract the effects of heavy metal in the cellular compartments. In this review, the role of non-protein thiol compounds and antioxidant molecules in bryophytes will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Adriana Basile
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80138 Naples, Italy
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Saridis P, Georgiadou X, Shtein I, Pouris J, Panteris E, Rhizopoulou S, Constantinidis T, Giannoutsou E, Adamakis IDS. Stomata in Close Contact: The Case of Pancratium maritimum L. (Amaryllidaceae). PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 11:3377. [PMID: 36501416 PMCID: PMC9740904 DOI: 10.3390/plants11233377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
A special feature found in Amaryllidaceae is that some guard cells of the neighboring stomata form a "connection strand" between their dorsal cell walls. In the present work, this strand was studied in terms of both its composition and its effect on the morphology and function of the stomata in Pancratium maritimum L. leaves. The structure of stomata and their connection strand were studied by light and transmission electron microscopy. FM 4-64 and aniline blue staining and application of tannic acid were performed to detect cell membranes, callose, and pectins, respectively. A plasmolysis experiment was also performed. The composition of the connection strand was analyzed by fluorescence microscopy after immunostaining with several cell-wall-related antibodies, while pectinase treatment was applied to confirm the presence of pectins in the connection strand. To examine the effect of this connection on stomatal function, several morphological characteristics (width, length, size, pore aperture, stomatal distance, and cell size of the intermediate pavement cell) were studied. It is suggested that the connecting strand consists of cell wall material laid through the middle of the intermediate pavement cell adjoining the two stomata. These cell wall strands are mainly comprised of pectins, and crystalline cellulose and extensins were also present. Connected stomata do not open like the single stomata do, indicating that the connection strand could also affect stomatal function. This trait is common to other Amaryllidaceae representatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pavlos Saridis
- Section of Botany, Department of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15784 Athens, Greece
| | - Xenia Georgiadou
- Section of Botany, Department of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15784 Athens, Greece
- Section of Ecology and Systematics, Department of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15784 Athens, Greece
| | - Ilana Shtein
- Eastern Region Resarch and Development Center, Milken Campus, Ariel 40700, Israel
| | - John Pouris
- Section of Botany, Department of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15784 Athens, Greece
| | - Emmanuel Panteris
- Department of Botany, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Sophia Rhizopoulou
- Section of Botany, Department of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15784 Athens, Greece
| | - Theophanis Constantinidis
- Section of Ecology and Systematics, Department of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15784 Athens, Greece
| | - Eleni Giannoutsou
- Section of Botany, Department of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15784 Athens, Greece
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Pouris J, Levizou E, Karatassiou M, Meletiou-Christou MS, Rhizopoulou S. The Influence of the Partitioning of Sugars, Starch, and Free Proline in Various Organs of Cyclamen graecum on the Biology of the Species and Its Resistance to Abiotic Stressors. PLANTS 2022; 11:plants11091254. [PMID: 35567255 PMCID: PMC9104608 DOI: 10.3390/plants11091254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The geophyte Cyclamen graecum is native to the eastern Mediterranean. Its beautiful flowers with upswept pink petals appear during early autumn, after the summer drought period and before leaf expansion in late autumn. The floral and leaf development alternates with their cessation in early winter and late spring, respectively. Ecophysiological parameters and processes underlining the life-cycle of C. graecum have not previously been published. Seasonal fluctuations of sugars, starch, and free proline have been investigated in tubers, leaves, pedicels, and petals, as well as petal and leaf water status. At the whole plant level, the seasonal co-existence of leaves and flowers is marked by an elevated soluble sugar content, which was gradually reduced as the above-ground plant parts shed. The sugar content of petals and pedicels was lower than that of leaves and tubers. Leaf starch content increased from late autumn to spring and was comparable to that of tubers. The starch content in petals and pedicels was substantially lower than that of tubers and leaves. In tubers, monthly proline accumulation was sustained at relatively constant values. Although the partitioning of proline in various organs did not show a considerable seasonal variation, resulting in an unchanged profile of the trends between tubers, leaves, and flowers, the seasonal differences in proline accumulation were remarkable at the whole plant level. The pronounced petal proline content during the flowering period seems to be associated with the maintenance of floral turgor. Leaf proline content increased with the advance of the growth season. The values of leaf relative water content were sustained fairly constant before the senescence stage, but lower than the typical values of turgid and transpiring leaves. Relationships of the studied parameters with rainfall indicate the responsiveness of C. graecum to water availability in its habitat in the Mediterranean ecosystem.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Pouris
- Section of Botany, Department of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis Athens, 15784 Athens, Greece; (J.P.); (M.-S.M.-C.)
| | - Efi Levizou
- Department of Agriculture Crop Production and Rural Environment, University of Thessaly, Fytokou Str., 38446 Volos, Greece;
| | - Maria Karatassiou
- Laboratory of Rangeland Ecology (PO 286), School of Forestry and Natural Environnent, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece;
| | - Maria-Sonia Meletiou-Christou
- Section of Botany, Department of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis Athens, 15784 Athens, Greece; (J.P.); (M.-S.M.-C.)
| | - Sophia Rhizopoulou
- Section of Botany, Department of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis Athens, 15784 Athens, Greece; (J.P.); (M.-S.M.-C.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +30-210-727-4513
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Maresca V, Salbitani G, Moccia F, Cianciullo P, Carraturo F, Sorbo S, Insolvibile M, Carfagna S, Panzella L, Basile A. Antioxidant response to heavy metal pollution of Regi Lagni freshwater in Conocephalum conicum L. (Dum.). ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2022; 234:113365. [PMID: 35259593 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2022.113365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Revised: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Conocephalum conicum L. is a cosmopolitan liverwort species able to respond to local environmental pollution by changing its biological features. In the present study, we assessed the different biological responses in C. conicum to heavy metal contamination of Regi Lagni channels, a highly polluted freshwater body. As for the in field experiment, we set up moss bags containing collected samples of the local wild growing C. conicum, from the upstream site (non-polluted area), and we exposed them in the three selected sites characterized by different and extreme conditions of heavy metal pollution. In addition, to better understand the contribution of heavy metals to the alterations and response of the liverwort, we performed in vitro tests, using the same concentration of heavy metals measured in the sites at the moment of the exposition. In both experimental settings, bioaccumulation, ultrastructural damage, reactive oxygen species production and localization, antioxidant enzymes activity (superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione S-transferases), glutathione (reduced and oxidized) levels, localization of compounds presenting thiol groups and phenolic content were investigated. The results showed that the samples from different sites and conditions (for in vitro tests) showed significant differences. In particular, the ultrastructural alterations show a trend correlated to the different exposure situations; ROS contents, glutathione, antioxidant enzyme activities, and phenolic contents were increased showing an enhancement of the antioxidant defense both by the enzymatic way and by using the synthesis of antioxidant phenolic compounds. This study confirms the ability of C. conicum to respond to heavy metal pollution and the responses studied are, at least partially, correlated to the presence of heavy metals. All the responses considered respond consistently with the pollution trend and they can be proposed as pollution biomarkers. Therefore, we suggest the use of C. conicum to identify local hot spots of pollution in further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viviana Maresca
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.
| | | | - Federica Moccia
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.
| | | | | | - Sergio Sorbo
- CeSMA, section of Microscopy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.
| | - Marilena Insolvibile
- ISPRA, Italian National Institute for Environmental Protection and Research, Rome, Italy.
| | - Simona Carfagna
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.
| | - Lucia Panzella
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.
| | - Adriana Basile
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.
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Enhancement of Pigments Production by Nannochloropsis oculata Cells in Response to Bicarbonate Supply. SUSTAINABILITY 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/su132111904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
In this study, the effects of bicarbonate addition on growth and pigment contents of the unicellular microalga Nannochloropsis oculata, were evaluated. N. oculata represents an interesting source of biomolecules widely used for food supplements and nutraceuticals. The bicarbonate was supplemented to microalgae cultures at concentrations of 0, 6, 18, 30, 42 and 60 mM. The cultures supplemented with salt at highest concentrations (42 and 60 mM) showed a significant increase in algal growth, demonstrated by the optical density spread. The intracellular content of pigments such as chlorophyll a and total carotenoids reached the highest values in cells from cultures supplied with bicarbonate. In fact, concentrations of bicarbonate from 30 to 60 mM strongly improved, for a short period of only 72 h, the cellular levels of chlorophylls and carotenoids. These are interesting pigments with commercial applications. The utilization of bicarbonate could represent an interesting sustainable opportunity to improve microalgae cultivation for cellular growth and pigment contents.
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