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Guerra-García A, Trněný O, Brus J, Renzi JP, Kumar S, Bariotakis M, Coyne CJ, Chitikineni A, Bett KE, Varshney R, Pirintsos S, Berger J, von Wettberg EJB, Smýkal P. Genetic structure and ecological niche space of lentil's closest wild relative, Lens orientalis (Boiss.) Schmalh. Plant Biol (Stuttg) 2024; 26:232-244. [PMID: 38230798 DOI: 10.1111/plb.13615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
Crops arose from wild ancestors and to understand their domestication it is essential to compare the cultivated species with their crop wild relatives. These represent an important source of further crop improvement, in particular in relation to climate change. Although there are about 58,000 Lens accessions held in genebanks, only 1% are wild. We examined the geographic distribution and genetic diversity of the lentil's immediate progenitor L. orientalis. We used Genotyping by Sequencing (GBS) to identify and characterize differentiation among accessions held at germplasm collections. We then determined whether genetically distinct clusters of accessions had been collected from climatically distinct locations. Of the 195 genotyped accessions, 124 were genuine L. orientalis with four identified genetic groups. Although an environmental distance matrix was significantly correlated with geographic distance in a Mantel test, the four identified genetic clusters were not found to occupy significantly different environmental space. Maxent modelling gave a distinct predicted distribution pattern centred in the Fertile Crescent, with intermediate probabilities of occurrence in parts of Turkey, Greece, Cyprus, Morocco, and the south of the Iberian Peninsula with NW Africa. Future projections did not show any dramatic alterations in the distribution according to the climate change scenarios tested. We have found considerable diversity in L. orientalis, some of which track climatic variability. The results of the study showed the genetic diversity of wild lentil and indicate the importance of ongoing collections and in situ conservation for our future capacity to harness the genetic variation of the lentil progenitor.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Guerra-García
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada
- Departamento de Biotecnología y Bioquímica, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (CINVESTAV-IPN), Irapuato, Guanajuato, Mexico
| | - O Trněný
- Agriculture Research Ltd, Troubsko, Czech Republic
| | - J Brus
- Department of Geoinformatics, Palacký University, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - J P Renzi
- Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - S Kumar
- International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), Rabat, Morocco
| | - M Bariotakis
- Department of Biology, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
- Botanical Garden, Rethymnon, Greece
| | - C J Coyne
- Western Regional Plant Introduction Station, USDA-ARS, Pullman, WA, USA
| | - A Chitikineni
- International Crop Research Institute for the semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Patancheru, Hyderabad, India
| | - K E Bett
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada
| | - R Varshney
- International Crop Research Institute for the semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Patancheru, Hyderabad, India
- Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA, Australia
| | - S Pirintsos
- Department of Biology, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
| | - J Berger
- CSIRO Plant Industry, Wembley, WA, Australia
| | - E J B von Wettberg
- Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, Gund Institute for the Environment, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA
| | - P Smýkal
- Department of Botany, Palacký University, Olomouc, Czech Republic
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Pirintsos S, Panagiotopoulos A, Bariotakis M, Daskalakis V, Lionis C, Sourvinos G, Karakasiliotis I, Kampa M, Castanas E. From Traditional Ethnopharmacology to Modern Natural Drug Discovery: A Methodology Discussion and Specific Examples. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27134060. [PMID: 35807306 PMCID: PMC9268545 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27134060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Revised: 06/19/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Ethnopharmacology, through the description of the beneficial effects of plants, has provided an early framework for the therapeutic use of natural compounds. Natural products, either in their native form or after crude extraction of their active ingredients, have long been used by different populations and explored as invaluable sources for drug design. The transition from traditional ethnopharmacology to drug discovery has followed a straightforward path, assisted by the evolution of isolation and characterization methods, the increase in computational power, and the development of specific chemoinformatic methods. The deriving extensive exploitation of the natural product chemical space has led to the discovery of novel compounds with pharmaceutical properties, although this was not followed by an analogous increase in novel drugs. In this work, we discuss the evolution of ideas and methods, from traditional ethnopharmacology to in silico drug discovery, applied to natural products. We point out that, in the past, the starting point was the plant itself, identified by sustained ethnopharmacological research, with the active compound deriving after extensive analysis and testing. In contrast, in recent years, the active substance has been pinpointed by computational methods (in silico docking and molecular dynamics, network pharmacology), followed by the identification of the plant(s) containing the active ingredient, identified by existing or putative ethnopharmacological information. We further stress the potential pitfalls of recent in silico methods and discuss the absolute need for in vitro and in vivo validation as an absolute requirement. Finally, we present our contribution to natural products’ drug discovery by discussing specific examples, applying the whole continuum of this rapidly evolving field. In detail, we report the isolation of novel antiviral compounds, based on natural products active against influenza and SARS-CoV-2 and novel substances active on a specific GPCR, OXER1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stergios Pirintsos
- Department of Biology, School of Sciences and Technology, University of Crete, 71409 Heraklion, Greece;
- Botanical Garden, University of Crete, 74100 Rethymnon, Greece
- Nature Crete Pharmaceuticals, 71305 Heraklion, Greece; (C.L.); (G.S.); (M.K.)
- Correspondence: (S.P.); (E.C.)
| | - Athanasios Panagiotopoulos
- Laboratory of Experimental Endocrinology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71409 Heraklion, Greece;
| | - Michalis Bariotakis
- Department of Biology, School of Sciences and Technology, University of Crete, 71409 Heraklion, Greece;
| | - Vangelis Daskalakis
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Cyprus University of Technology, Limassol 3603, Cyprus;
| | - Christos Lionis
- Nature Crete Pharmaceuticals, 71305 Heraklion, Greece; (C.L.); (G.S.); (M.K.)
- Clinic of Social and Family Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71409 Heraklion, Greece
| | - George Sourvinos
- Nature Crete Pharmaceuticals, 71305 Heraklion, Greece; (C.L.); (G.S.); (M.K.)
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71409 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Ioannis Karakasiliotis
- Laboratory of Biology, School of Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, 68100 Alexandroupolis, Greece;
| | - Marilena Kampa
- Nature Crete Pharmaceuticals, 71305 Heraklion, Greece; (C.L.); (G.S.); (M.K.)
- Laboratory of Experimental Endocrinology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71409 Heraklion, Greece;
| | - Elias Castanas
- Nature Crete Pharmaceuticals, 71305 Heraklion, Greece; (C.L.); (G.S.); (M.K.)
- Laboratory of Experimental Endocrinology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71409 Heraklion, Greece;
- Correspondence: (S.P.); (E.C.)
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Maresca V, Bellini E, Landi S, Capasso G, Cianciullo P, Carraturo F, Pirintsos S, Sorbo S, Sanità di Toppi L, Esposito S, Basile A. Biological responses to heavy metal stress in the moss Leptodictyum riparium (Hedw.) Warnst. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 2022; 229:113078. [PMID: 34929502 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2021.113078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Revised: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Leptodictyum riparium, a widely distributed aquatic moss, can both tolerate and accumulate very high concentrations of toxic heavy metals, with only slight apparent damage. Here we report the effects on photosynthetic yield, glutathione (GSH), phytochelatin (PCn) synthesis, nitrogen metabolism and cellular localization of molecules rich in SH groups in L. riparium exposed in vitro to heavy metals. We simulated the concentrations of Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb detected in Regi Lagni, Italy, one of the most contaminated freshwater sites in Southern Europe, in the laboratory to test how the moss responds to heavy metal contamination. There was a steady decrease of photosynthetic efficiency correlated with the heavy metal concentrations and ultrastructural organization. All PCn levels increased significantly as the concentration of heavy metals increased, while the GSH levels did not appear to be particularly affected. A significant increase of GDH and NADH-GOGAT activities increased with increasing heavy metal concentration. Immunoblotting analysis revealed an increase of the chl-GS2 while no significant increase was detected in the cyt-GS1. These results give insight into the molecular events underlying the metal-tolerance of the aquatic moss L. riparium exposed to environmental heavy metal concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viviana Maresca
- Department of Biology, University of Naples "Federico II", 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Erika Bellini
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Simone Landi
- Department of Biology, University of Naples "Federico II", 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Giorgia Capasso
- Department of Biology, University of Naples "Federico II", 80126 Naples, Italy
| | | | - Federica Carraturo
- Department of Biology, University of Naples "Federico II", 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Stergios Pirintsos
- Department of Biology, University of Crete, 71409 Heraklion, Greece; Botanical Garden, University of Crete, 741 00 Rethymnon, Greece
| | - Sergio Sorbo
- CeSMA, Microscopy Section, University of Naples "Federico II", 80126 Naples, Italy
| | | | - Sergio Esposito
- Department of Biology, University of Naples "Federico II", 80126 Naples, Italy.
| | - Adriana Basile
- Department of Biology, University of Naples "Federico II", 80126 Naples, Italy.
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Kyriatzi A, Tzivras G, Pirintsos S, Kotzabasis K. Biotechnology under extreme conditions: Lichens after extreme UVB radiation and extreme temperatures produce large amounts of hydrogen. J Biotechnol 2021; 342:128-138. [PMID: 34743006 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiotec.2021.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2021] [Revised: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
The present study demonstrates biotechnological applications of the lichen Pleurosticta acetabulum, specifically the production of large amounts of hydrogen even after the lichen exposure to extreme conditions such as a) extreme UVB radiation (1.7 mW/cm2 = 1000 J m-2 min-1) over different time periods (4, 20 & 70 h) and b) combined exposure of the lichen to high intensity UVB radiation and extreme low (-196 °C) or extreme high temperatures (+70 °C). The results highlight that the extremophilic and polyextremophilic behavior of lichens both in dehydrated and in regenerated form, under extreme conditions not necessarily recorded on earth, is compatible with their biotechnological uses. The lichen viability was measured using fluorescence induction techniques (OJIP-test), which record changes in the molecular structure and function of the photosynthetic mechanism, while its ability to produce molecular hydrogen was measured through thermal conductivity gas chromatography (GC-TCD) analysis. Hydrogen is a promising fuel for the future. The exciting result of a lichen micro-ecosystem is its ability to expel its moisture and remain in an inactive state, protecting itself from extreme conditions and maintaining its ability to high yield hydrogen production in a closed system, with the sole addition of water and without the need for additional energy. Our results expand the potential use of lichens for future biotechnological applications in extreme Earth environments, but also in environments on other planets, such as Mars, thus paving the way for astrobiotechnological applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasia Kyriatzi
- Department of Biology, University of Crete, Voutes University Campus, GR-70013 Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | - Gerasimos Tzivras
- Department of Biology, University of Crete, Voutes University Campus, GR-70013 Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | - Stergios Pirintsos
- Department of Biology, University of Crete, Voutes University Campus, GR-70013 Heraklion, Crete, Greece; Botanical Garden, University of Crete, Gallos University Campus, GR-74100 Rethymnon, Crete, Greece
| | - Kiriakos Kotzabasis
- Department of Biology, University of Crete, Voutes University Campus, GR-70013 Heraklion, Crete, Greece; Botanical Garden, University of Crete, Gallos University Campus, GR-74100 Rethymnon, Crete, Greece.
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5
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Panagiotopoulos AA, Karakasiliotis I, Kotzampasi DM, Dimitriou M, Sourvinos G, Kampa M, Pirintsos S, Castanas E, Daskalakis V. Natural Polyphenols Inhibit the Dimerization of the SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease: The Case of Fortunellin and Its Structural Analogs. Molecules 2021; 26:6068. [PMID: 34641612 PMCID: PMC8512273 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26196068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Revised: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
3CL-Pro is the SARS-CoV-2 main protease (MPro). It acts as a homodimer to cleave the large polyprotein 1ab transcript into proteins that are necessary for viral growth and replication. 3CL-Pro has been one of the most studied SARS-CoV-2 proteins and a main target of therapeutics. A number of drug candidates have been reported, including natural products. Here, we employ elaborate computational methods to explore the dimerization of the 3CL-Pro protein, and we formulate a computational context to identify potential inhibitors of this process. We report that fortunellin (acacetin 7-O-neohesperidoside), a natural flavonoid O-glycoside, and its structural analogs are potent inhibitors of 3CL-Pro dimerization, inhibiting viral plaque formation in vitro. We thus propose a novel basis for the search of pharmaceuticals as well as dietary supplements in the fight against SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Athanasios A. Panagiotopoulos
- Laboratory of Experimental Endocrinology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece; (A.A.P.); (D.-M.K.); (M.K.)
| | - Ioannis Karakasiliotis
- Laboratory of Biology, School of Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, 68100 Alexandroupolis, Greece; (I.K.); (M.D.)
| | - Danai-Maria Kotzampasi
- Laboratory of Experimental Endocrinology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece; (A.A.P.); (D.-M.K.); (M.K.)
| | - Marios Dimitriou
- Laboratory of Biology, School of Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, 68100 Alexandroupolis, Greece; (I.K.); (M.D.)
| | - George Sourvinos
- Laboratory of Virology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece;
- Nature Crete Pharmaceuticals, 71305 Heraklion, Greece;
| | - Marilena Kampa
- Laboratory of Experimental Endocrinology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece; (A.A.P.); (D.-M.K.); (M.K.)
- Nature Crete Pharmaceuticals, 71305 Heraklion, Greece;
| | - Stergios Pirintsos
- Nature Crete Pharmaceuticals, 71305 Heraklion, Greece;
- Department of Biology, University of Crete, 71409 Heraklion, Greece
- Botanical Garden, University of Crete, 74100 Rethymnon, Greece
| | - Elias Castanas
- Laboratory of Experimental Endocrinology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece; (A.A.P.); (D.-M.K.); (M.K.)
- Nature Crete Pharmaceuticals, 71305 Heraklion, Greece;
| | - Vangelis Daskalakis
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Cyprus University of Technology, 3603 Limassol, Cyprus
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Panagiotopoulos A, Tseliou M, Karakasiliotis I, Kotzampasi D, Daskalakis V, Kesesidis N, Notas G, Lionis C, Kampa M, Pirintsos S, Sourvinos G, Castanas E. p-cymene impairs SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza A (H1N1) viral replication: In silico predicted interaction with SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein and H1N1 nucleoprotein. Pharmacol Res Perspect 2021; 9:e00798. [PMID: 34128351 PMCID: PMC8204097 DOI: 10.1002/prp2.798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2021] [Revised: 04/10/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Therapeutic regimens for the COVID-19 pandemics remain unmet. In this line, repurposing of existing drugs against known or predicted SARS-CoV-2 protein actions have been advanced, while natural products have also been tested. Here, we propose that p-cymene, a natural monoterpene, can act as a potential novel agent for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2-induced COVID-19 and other RNA-virus-induced diseases (influenza, rabies, Ebola). We show by extensive molecular simulations that SARS-CoV-2 C-terminal structured domain contains a nuclear localization signal (NLS), like SARS-CoV, on which p-cymene binds with low micromolar affinity, impairing nuclear translocation of this protein and inhibiting viral replication, as verified by preliminary in vitro experiments. A similar mechanism may occur in other RNA-viruses (influenza, rabies and Ebola), also verified in vitro for influenza, by interaction of p-cymene with viral nucleoproteins, and structural modification of their NLS site, weakening its interaction with importin A. This common mechanism of action renders therefore p-cymene as a possible antiviral, alone, or in combination with other agents, in a broad spectrum of RNA viruses, from SARS-CoV-2 to influenza A infections.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Melpomeni Tseliou
- Laboratory of Clinical VirologySchool of MedicineUniversity of CreteHeraklionGreece
| | - Ioannis Karakasiliotis
- Laboratory of BiologySchool of MedicineDemocritus University of ThraceAlexandroupolisGreece
| | - Danai‐Maria Kotzampasi
- Laboratory of Experimental EndocrinologySchool of MedicineUniversity of CreteHeraklionGreece
| | - Vangelis Daskalakis
- Department of Chemical EngineeringCyprus University of TechnologyLimassolCyprus
| | - Nikolaos Kesesidis
- Laboratory of BiologySchool of MedicineDemocritus University of ThraceAlexandroupolisGreece
| | - George Notas
- Laboratory of Experimental EndocrinologySchool of MedicineUniversity of CreteHeraklionGreece
| | - Christos Lionis
- Clinic of Social and Family MedicineSchool of MedicineUniversity of CreteHeraklionGreece
- Nature Crete PharmaceuticalsHeraklionGreece
| | - Marilena Kampa
- Laboratory of Experimental EndocrinologySchool of MedicineUniversity of CreteHeraklionGreece
- Nature Crete PharmaceuticalsHeraklionGreece
| | - Stergios Pirintsos
- Nature Crete PharmaceuticalsHeraklionGreece
- Department of BiologyUniversity of CreteHeraklionGreece
- Botanical GardenUniversity of CreteRethymnonGreece
| | - George Sourvinos
- Laboratory of Clinical VirologySchool of MedicineUniversity of CreteHeraklionGreece
- Nature Crete PharmaceuticalsHeraklionGreece
| | - Elias Castanas
- Laboratory of Experimental EndocrinologySchool of MedicineUniversity of CreteHeraklionGreece
- Nature Crete PharmaceuticalsHeraklionGreece
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Kalyvianaki K, Malamos P, Mastrodimou N, Manoura-Zonou I, Vamvoukaki R, Notas G, Malliaraki N, Moustou E, Tzardi M, Pirintsos S, Lionis C, Sourvinos G, Castanas E, Kampa M. Toxicity evaluation of an essential oil mixture from the Cretan herbs thyme, Greek sage and Cretan dittany. NPJ Sci Food 2020; 4:20. [PMID: 33298942 PMCID: PMC7652874 DOI: 10.1038/s41538-020-00080-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The importance of herbal extracts on health, which was initially based on ethnopharmacological and traditional knowledge, becomes increasingly well documented by numerous experimental and intervention studies. The daily use of beverages from different aromatic plants which becomes more popular nowadays, has been a tradition in Crete, and a habit that has been linked to the longevity seen in the island. Additionally, a certain combination of aromatic plants has been used against common cold and influenza. Interestingly, when such a mixture of essential oils from Cretan herbs (Cretan Aromatic Plants essential oil, CAPeo, from thyme, Greek sage, and Cretan dittany) was formulated, significant antiviral properties were observed in vitro and a significant reduction in the duration and severity of symptoms of patients with upper respiratory tract infections was found in a clinical study. However, since many plants extracts can exert toxic effects, toxicity issues should be properly addressed. In the present work we present an acute and sub-chronic toxicity evaluation for this mixture of aromatic plants' essential oils in rats. In fact, it is the only toxicity study for Cretan dittany. We report absence of toxicity, rendering the use of the mixture of essential oils from Cretan dittany, Greek sage and thyme as safe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konstantina Kalyvianaki
- Laboratory of Experimental Endocrinology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Panagiotis Malamos
- Laboratory of Experimental Endocrinology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Niki Mastrodimou
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Ioanna Manoura-Zonou
- Laboratory of Experimental Endocrinology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Rodanthi Vamvoukaki
- Laboratory of Experimental Endocrinology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
| | - George Notas
- Laboratory of Experimental Endocrinology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Niki Malliaraki
- Laboratory of Clinical Chemistry and Biochemistry, University Hospital of Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | - Eleni Moustou
- Laboratory of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Maria Tzardi
- Laboratory of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Stergios Pirintsos
- Department of Biology, University of Crete, 71409, Heraklion, Greece
- Botanical Garden, University of Crete, 74100, Rethymnon, Greece
| | - Christos Lionis
- Clinic of Social and Family Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
| | - George Sourvinos
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | - Elias Castanas
- Laboratory of Experimental Endocrinology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Marilena Kampa
- Laboratory of Experimental Endocrinology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece.
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Kioukis A, Michalopoulou VA, Briers L, Pirintsos S, Studholme DJ, Pavlidis P, Sarris PF. Intraspecific diversification of the crop wild relative Brassica cretica Lam. using demographic model selection. BMC Genomics 2020; 21:48. [PMID: 31937246 PMCID: PMC6961386 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-019-6439-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2019] [Accepted: 12/29/2019] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Crop wild relatives (CWRs) contain genetic diversity, representing an invaluable resource for crop improvement. Many of their traits have the potential to help crops to adapt to changing conditions that they experience due to climate change. An impressive global effort for the conservation of various CWR will facilitate their use in crop breeding for food security. The genus Brassica is listed in Annex I of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. Brassica oleracea (or wild cabbage), a species native to southern and western Europe, has become established as an important human food crop plant because of its large reserves stored over the winter in its leaves. Brassica cretica Lam. (Bc) is a CWR in the brassica group and B. cretica subsp. nivea (Bcn) has been suggested as a separate subspecies. The species Bc has been proposed as a potential gene donor to brassica crops, including broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, oilseed rape, etc. RESULTS: We sequenced genomes of four Bc individuals, including two Bcn and two Bc. Demographic analysis based on our whole-genome sequence data suggests that populations of Bc are not isolated. Classification of the Bc into distinct subspecies is not supported by the data. Using only the non-coding part of the data (thus, the parts of the genome that has evolved nearly neutrally), we find the gene flow between different Bc population is recent and its genomic diversity is high. CONCLUSIONS Despite predictions on the disruptive effect of gene flow in adaptation, when selection is not strong enough to prevent the loss of locally adapted alleles, studies show that gene flow can promote adaptation, that local adaptations can be maintained despite high gene flow, and that genetic architecture plays a fundamental role in the origin and maintenance of local adaptation with gene flow. Thus, in the genomic era it is important to link the selected demographic models with the underlying processes of genomic variation because, if this variation is largely selectively neutral, we cannot assume that a diverse population of crop wild relatives will necessarily exhibit the wide-ranging adaptive diversity required for further crop improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonios Kioukis
- Institute of Computer Science, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas, Heraklion, 70013, Crete, Greece
| | - Vassiliki A Michalopoulou
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas, Heraklion, 70013, Crete, Greece
| | - Laura Briers
- Biosciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Stergios Pirintsos
- Department of Biology, University of Crete, 714 09, Heraklion, Greece
- Botanical Garden, University of Crete, Gallos Campus, 741 00, Rethymnon, Greece
| | - David J Studholme
- Biosciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK.
| | - Pavlos Pavlidis
- Institute of Computer Science, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas, Heraklion, 70013, Crete, Greece
| | - Panagiotis F Sarris
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas, Heraklion, 70013, Crete, Greece.
- Biosciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK.
- Department of Biology, University of Crete, 714 09, Heraklion, Greece.
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Hradilová I, Duchoslav M, Brus J, Pechanec V, Hýbl M, Kopecký P, Smržová L, Štefelová N, Vaclávek T, Bariotakis M, Machalová J, Hron K, Pirintsos S, Smýkal P. Variation in wild pea ( Pisum sativum subsp. elatius) seed dormancy and its relationship to the environment and seed coat traits. PeerJ 2019; 7:e6263. [PMID: 30656074 PMCID: PMC6336014 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.6263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2018] [Accepted: 12/11/2018] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Seed germination is one of the earliest key events in the plant life cycle. The timing of transition from seed to seedling is an important developmental stage determining the survival of individuals that influences the status of populations and species. Because of wide geographical distribution and occurrence in diverse habitats, wild pea (Pisum sativum subsp. elatius) offers an excellent model to study physical type of seed dormancy in an ecological context. This study addresses the gap in knowledge of association between the seed dormancy, seed properties and environmental factors, experimentally testing oscillating temperature as dormancy release clue. METHODS Seeds of 97 pea accessions were subjected to two germination treatments (oscillating temperatures of 25/15 °C and 35/15 °C) over 28 days. Germination pattern was described using B-spline coefficients that aggregate both final germination and germination speed. Relationships between germination pattern and environmental conditions at the site of origin (soil and bioclimatic variables extracted from WorldClim 2.0 and SoilGrids databases) were studied using principal component analysis, redundancy analysis and ecological niche modelling. Seeds were analyzed for the seed coat thickness, seed morphology, weight and content of proanthocyanidins (PA). RESULTS Seed total germination ranged from 0% to 100%. Cluster analysis of germination patterns of seeds under two temperature treatments differentiated the accessions into three groups: (1) non-dormant (28 accessions, mean germination of 92%), (2) dormant at both treatments (29 acc., 15%) and (3) responsive to increasing temperature range (41 acc., with germination change from 15 to 80%). Seed coat thickness differed between groups with dormant and responsive accessions having thicker testa (median 138 and 140 µm) than non-dormant ones (median 84 mm). The total PA content showed to be higher in the seed coat of dormant (mean 2.18 mg g-1) than those of non-dormant (mean 1.77 mg g-1) and responsive accessions (mean 1.87 mg g-1). Each soil and bioclimatic variable and also germination responsivity (representing synthetic variable characterizing germination pattern of seeds) was spatially clustered. However, only one environmental variable (BIO7, i.e., annual temperature range) was significantly related to germination responsivity. Non-dormant and responsive accessions covered almost whole range of BIO7 while dormant accessions are found in the environment with higher annual temperature, smaller temperature variation, seasonality and milder winter. Ecological niche modelling showed a more localized potential distribution of dormant group. Seed dormancy in the wild pea might be part of a bet-hedging mechanism for areas of the Mediterranean basin with more unpredictable water availability in an otherwise seasonal environment. This study provides the framework for analysis of environmental aspects of physical seed dormancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iveta Hradilová
- Department of Botany, Palacký University Olomouc, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Duchoslav
- Department of Botany, Palacký University Olomouc, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Brus
- Department of Geoinformatics, Palacký University Olomouc, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Vilém Pechanec
- Department of Geoinformatics, Palacký University Olomouc, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Miroslav Hýbl
- The Centre of the Region Haná for Biotechnological and Agricultural Research, Crop Research Institute, Prague, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Pavel Kopecký
- The Centre of the Region Haná for Biotechnological and Agricultural Research, Crop Research Institute, Prague, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Lucie Smržová
- Department of Botany, Palacký University Olomouc, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Nikola Štefelová
- Department of Mathematical Analysis and Applications of Mathematics, Palacký University Olomouc, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Tadeáš Vaclávek
- Department of Mathematical Analysis and Applications of Mathematics, Palacký University Olomouc, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Michael Bariotakis
- Department of Biology and Botanical Garden, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Jitka Machalová
- Department of Mathematical Analysis and Applications of Mathematics, Palacký University Olomouc, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Karel Hron
- Department of Mathematical Analysis and Applications of Mathematics, Palacký University Olomouc, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Stergios Pirintsos
- Department of Biology and Botanical Garden, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Petr Smýkal
- Department of Botany, Palacký University Olomouc, Olomouc, Czech Republic
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Hradilová I, Duchoslav M, Brus J, Pechanec V, Hýbl M, Kopecký P, Smržová L, Štefelová N, Vaclávek T, Bariotakis M, Machalová J, Hron K, Pirintsos S, Smýkal P. Variation in wild pea ( Pisum sativum subsp. elatius) seed dormancy and its relationship to the environment and seed coat traits. PeerJ 2019; 7:e6263. [PMID: 30656074 DOI: 10.7717/peerj6263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2018] [Accepted: 12/11/2018] [Indexed: 05/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Seed germination is one of the earliest key events in the plant life cycle. The timing of transition from seed to seedling is an important developmental stage determining the survival of individuals that influences the status of populations and species. Because of wide geographical distribution and occurrence in diverse habitats, wild pea (Pisum sativum subsp. elatius) offers an excellent model to study physical type of seed dormancy in an ecological context. This study addresses the gap in knowledge of association between the seed dormancy, seed properties and environmental factors, experimentally testing oscillating temperature as dormancy release clue. METHODS Seeds of 97 pea accessions were subjected to two germination treatments (oscillating temperatures of 25/15 °C and 35/15 °C) over 28 days. Germination pattern was described using B-spline coefficients that aggregate both final germination and germination speed. Relationships between germination pattern and environmental conditions at the site of origin (soil and bioclimatic variables extracted from WorldClim 2.0 and SoilGrids databases) were studied using principal component analysis, redundancy analysis and ecological niche modelling. Seeds were analyzed for the seed coat thickness, seed morphology, weight and content of proanthocyanidins (PA). RESULTS Seed total germination ranged from 0% to 100%. Cluster analysis of germination patterns of seeds under two temperature treatments differentiated the accessions into three groups: (1) non-dormant (28 accessions, mean germination of 92%), (2) dormant at both treatments (29 acc., 15%) and (3) responsive to increasing temperature range (41 acc., with germination change from 15 to 80%). Seed coat thickness differed between groups with dormant and responsive accessions having thicker testa (median 138 and 140 µm) than non-dormant ones (median 84 mm). The total PA content showed to be higher in the seed coat of dormant (mean 2.18 mg g-1) than those of non-dormant (mean 1.77 mg g-1) and responsive accessions (mean 1.87 mg g-1). Each soil and bioclimatic variable and also germination responsivity (representing synthetic variable characterizing germination pattern of seeds) was spatially clustered. However, only one environmental variable (BIO7, i.e., annual temperature range) was significantly related to germination responsivity. Non-dormant and responsive accessions covered almost whole range of BIO7 while dormant accessions are found in the environment with higher annual temperature, smaller temperature variation, seasonality and milder winter. Ecological niche modelling showed a more localized potential distribution of dormant group. Seed dormancy in the wild pea might be part of a bet-hedging mechanism for areas of the Mediterranean basin with more unpredictable water availability in an otherwise seasonal environment. This study provides the framework for analysis of environmental aspects of physical seed dormancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iveta Hradilová
- Department of Botany, Palacký University Olomouc, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Duchoslav
- Department of Botany, Palacký University Olomouc, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Brus
- Department of Geoinformatics, Palacký University Olomouc, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Vilém Pechanec
- Department of Geoinformatics, Palacký University Olomouc, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Miroslav Hýbl
- The Centre of the Region Haná for Biotechnological and Agricultural Research, Crop Research Institute, Prague, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Pavel Kopecký
- The Centre of the Region Haná for Biotechnological and Agricultural Research, Crop Research Institute, Prague, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Lucie Smržová
- Department of Botany, Palacký University Olomouc, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Nikola Štefelová
- Department of Mathematical Analysis and Applications of Mathematics, Palacký University Olomouc, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Tadeáš Vaclávek
- Department of Mathematical Analysis and Applications of Mathematics, Palacký University Olomouc, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Michael Bariotakis
- Department of Biology and Botanical Garden, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Jitka Machalová
- Department of Mathematical Analysis and Applications of Mathematics, Palacký University Olomouc, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Karel Hron
- Department of Mathematical Analysis and Applications of Mathematics, Palacký University Olomouc, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Stergios Pirintsos
- Department of Biology and Botanical Garden, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Petr Smýkal
- Department of Botany, Palacký University Olomouc, Olomouc, Czech Republic
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Parasyri A, Papazi A, Stamatis N, Zerveas S, Avramidou EV, Doulis AG, Pirintsos S, Kotzabasis K. Lichen as Micro-Ecosystem: Extremophilic Behavior with Astrobiotechnological Applications. Astrobiology 2018; 18:1528-1542. [PMID: 30383392 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2017.1789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
This work demonstrates the tolerance of lichen Pleurosticta acetabulum under extreme conditions similar to those encountered in extraterrestrial environments. Specifically, the impact of three extreme Mars-like conditions-complete dehydration, extremely low temperature (-196°C/77K), and oxygen depletion-on lichens was investigated. The symbiosis of mycobiont and photobiont partners creates a micro-ecosystem that ensures viability of both symbiotic partners under prolonged desiccation and extremely low temperatures without any cultivation care. Changes in the molecular structure and function of the photosynthetic apparatus, in the level of chlorophylls, polyamines, fatty acids, carbohydrates, ergosterol, efflux of K+, and DNA methylation ensure the ecological integrity of the system and offer resistance of lichens to above-mentioned extreme environmental conditions. For the first time, we also demonstrate that the unprecedented polyextremophilic characteristic of lichens could be linked to biotechnological applications, following exposure to these extreme conditions, such that their ability to produce a high yield of hydrogen was unchanged. All these support that lichens are (a) ideal model systems for a space mission to inhabit other planets, supporting also the aspect that the panspermia theory could be extended to incorporate in the traveling entities not only single organisms but micro-ecosystems like lichens, and (b) ideal model systems for astrobiotechnological applications (hydrogen production), such as in the development of bioregeneration systems for extraterrestrial environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Athina Parasyri
- 1 Department of Biology, University of Crete, Voutes University Campus , Heraklion, Greece
| | - Aikaterini Papazi
- 1 Department of Biology, University of Crete, Voutes University Campus , Heraklion, Greece
| | | | - Sotirios Zerveas
- 1 Department of Biology, University of Crete, Voutes University Campus , Heraklion, Greece
| | | | | | - Stergios Pirintsos
- 1 Department of Biology, University of Crete, Voutes University Campus , Heraklion, Greece
- 3 Botanical Garden, University of Crete , Gallos Campus, Rethymnon, Greece
| | - Kiriakos Kotzabasis
- 1 Department of Biology, University of Crete, Voutes University Campus , Heraklion, Greece
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Smýkal P, Trněný O, Brus J, Hanáček P, Rathore A, Roma RD, Pechanec V, Duchoslav M, Bhattacharyya D, Bariotakis M, Pirintsos S, Berger J, Toker C. Correction: Genetic structure of wild pea (Pisum sativum subsp. elatius) populations in the northern part of the Fertile Crescent reflects moderate cross-pollination and strong effect of geographic but not environmental distance. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0196376. [PMID: 29672627 PMCID: PMC5908173 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0196376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
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Smýkal P, Trněný O, Brus J, Hanáček P, Rathore A, Roma RD, Pechanec V, Duchoslav M, Bhattacharyya D, Bariotakis M, Pirintsos S, Berger J, Toker C. Genetic structure of wild pea (Pisum sativum subsp. elatius) populations in the northern part of the Fertile Crescent reflects moderate cross-pollination and strong effect of geographic but not environmental distance. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0194056. [PMID: 29579076 PMCID: PMC5868773 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0194056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2017] [Accepted: 02/24/2018] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Knowledge of current genetic diversity and mating systems of crop wild relatives (CWR) in the Fertile Crescent is important in crop genetic improvement, because western agriculture began in the area after the cold-dry period known as Younger Dryas about 12,000 years ago and these species are also wild genepools of the world's most important food crops. Wild pea (Pisum sativum subsp. elatius) is an important source of genetic diversity for further pea crop improvement harbouring traits useful in climate change context. The genetic structure was assessed on 187 individuals of Pisum sativum subsp. elatius from fourteen populations collected in the northern part of the Fertile Crescent using 18,397 genome wide single nucleotide polymorphism DARTseq markers. AMOVA showed that 63% of the allelic variation was distributed between populations and 19% between individuals within populations. Four populations were found to contain admixed individuals. The observed heterozygosity ranged between 0.99 to 6.26% with estimated self-pollination rate between 47 to 90%. Genetic distances of wild pea populations were correlated with geographic but not environmental (climatic) distances and support a mixed mating system with predominant self-pollination. Niche modelling with future climatic projections showed a local decline in habitats suitable for wild pea, making a strong case for further collection and ex situ conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petr Smýkal
- Department of Botany, Palacký University, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | | | - Jan Brus
- Department of Geoinformatics, Palacký University, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Pavel Hanáček
- Department of Plant Biology, Mendel University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | | | | | - Vilém Pechanec
- Department of Geoinformatics, Palacký University, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Duchoslav
- Department of Botany, Palacký University, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | | | - Michalis Bariotakis
- Department of Biology and Botanical Garden, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Stergios Pirintsos
- Department of Biology and Botanical Garden, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Jens Berger
- CSIRO Agriculture and Food, Wembley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Cengiz Toker
- Department of Field Crops, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey
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Smýkal P, Hradilová I, Trněný O, Brus J, Rathore A, Bariotakis M, Das RR, Bhattacharyya D, Richards C, Coyne CJ, Pirintsos S. Genomic diversity and macroecology of the crop wild relatives of domesticated pea. Sci Rep 2017; 7:17384. [PMID: 29234080 PMCID: PMC5727218 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-17623-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2017] [Accepted: 11/29/2017] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
There is growing interest in the conservation and utilization of crop wild relatives (CWR) in international food security policy and research. Legumes play an important role in human health, sustainable food production, global food security, and the resilience of current agricultural systems. Pea belongs to the ancient set of cultivated plants of the Near East domestication center and remains an important crop today. Based on genome-wide analysis, P. fulvum was identified as a well-supported species, while the diversity of wild P. sativum subsp. elatius was structured into 5 partly geographically positioned clusters. We explored the spatial and environmental patterns of two progenitor species of domesticated pea in the Mediterranean Basin and in the Fertile Crescent in relation to the past and current climate. This study revealed that isolation by distance does not explain the genetic structure of P. sativum subsp. elatius in its westward expansion from its center of origin. The genetic diversity of wild pea may be driven by Miocene-Pliocene events, while the phylogenetic diversity centers may reflect Pleisto-Holocene climatic changes. These findings help set research and discussion priorities and provide geographical and ecological information for germplasm-collecting missions, as well as for the preservation of extant diversity in ex-situ collections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petr Smýkal
- Department of Botany, Palacký University in Olomouc, Olomouc, Czech Republic.
| | - Iveta Hradilová
- Department of Botany, Palacký University in Olomouc, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | | | - Jan Brus
- Department of Geoinformatics, Palacký University in Olomouc, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Abhishek Rathore
- The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics, Hyderabad, India
| | - Michael Bariotakis
- Department of Biology and Botanical Garden, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Roma Rani Das
- The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics, Hyderabad, India
| | | | - Christopher Richards
- United States Department of Agriculture, National Laboratory for Genetic Resources Preservation, Fort Collins, USA
| | - Clarice J Coyne
- United States Department of Agriculture, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA
| | - Stergios Pirintsos
- Department of Biology and Botanical Garden, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
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Abstract
CONTEXT Phytopharmacology is a complex but very promising research area. The different plant parts and extraction methods may result in opposed effects. Phlomis species have been reported for both anti-inflammatory and tonic properties. OBJECTIVE The effect of Phlomis lanata Willd. (Lamiaceae) protein extracts on immune cell reactivity was studied in the experimental mouse model. MATERIALS AND METHODS Protein extracts from P. lanata aerial parts were fractionated by Q-sepharose ion-exchange chromatography and applied to whole spleen cells or T-cell subsets at 5 μg/ml. Cell growth and cytokine production were evaluated after 4 and 2 d of culture using (3)H-thymidine-uptake and ELISA techniques, respectively. RESULTS Among the protein fractions tested, column wash proteins (W1) and the fraction eluted using 600 mM NaCl (F6) reduced by 76% and increased by 78% spleen cell proliferation, respectively. W1 suppressed proliferation of effector T-cells, but stimulated the growth of suppressor/regulatory cells by 62-148%. Although W1 stimulated IL-2 and IL-10 production from total spleen cells, it significantly increased IL-10 (50%) and reduced IL-2 (30-50%) production from T-cells, while TNF-α release was enhanced in CD25(+)CD4(+) by 92% and reduced by 50% in CD25(+)CD8(+) cells. F6 stimulated whole spleen cell growth, reduced proliferation of CD8(+) and CD25(+) cells by approximately 50%, while decreasing by 60-80% TNF-α production from CD25(-) and CD25(+)CD8(+) cells. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION The suppressive activity of W1 could be attributed to IL-10 and TNF-α, while the stimulatory effect of F6 could be attributed to the inhibition of T-regulatory cells. In the same plant, coexisting protein fractions induce both immunostimulatory and immunosuppressive activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debora Karali
- a Laboratory of Immunology, Department of Biology , University of Crete , Crete , Greece
| | - Luciana Georgescu
- b Laboratory of Plant Ecology, Department of Biology , University of Crete , Crete , Greece , and
| | - Stergios Pirintsos
- b Laboratory of Plant Ecology, Department of Biology , University of Crete , Crete , Greece , and
- c Botanical Garden, University of Crete , Crete , Greece
| | - Irene Athanassakis
- a Laboratory of Immunology, Department of Biology , University of Crete , Crete , Greece
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Papazi A, Kastanaki E, Pirintsos S, Kotzabasis K. Lichen symbiosis: nature's high yielding machines for induced hydrogen production. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0121325. [PMID: 25826211 PMCID: PMC4380476 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0121325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2014] [Accepted: 01/30/2015] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Hydrogen is a promising future energy source. Although the ability of green algae to produce hydrogen has long been recognized (since 1939) and several biotechnological applications have been attempted, the greatest obstacle, being the O2-sensitivity of the hydrogenase enzyme, has not yet been overcome. In the present contribution, 75 years after the first report on algal hydrogen production, taking advantage of a natural mechanism of oxygen balance, we demonstrate high hydrogen yields by lichens. Lichens have been selected as the ideal organisms in nature for hydrogen production, since they consist of a mycobiont and a photobiont in symbiosis. It has been hypothesized that the mycobiont's and photobiont's consumption of oxygen (increase of COX and AOX proteins of mitochondrial respiratory pathways and PTOX protein of chrolorespiration) establishes the required anoxic conditions for the activation of the phycobiont's hydrogenase in a closed system. Our results clearly supported the above hypothesis, showing that lichens have the ability to activate appropriate bioenergetic pathways depending on the specific incubation conditions. Under light conditions, they successfully use the PSII-dependent and the PSII-independent pathways (decrease of D1 protein and parallel increase of PSaA protein) to transfer electrons to hydrogenase, while under dark conditions, lichens use the PFOR enzyme and the dark fermentative pathway to supply electrons to hydrogenase. These advantages of lichen symbiosis in combination with their ability to survive in extreme environments (while in a dry state) constitute them as unique and valuable hydrogen producing natural factories and pave the way for future biotechnological applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aikaterini Papazi
- Department of Biology, University of Crete, Voutes University Campus, Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | - Elizabeth Kastanaki
- Department of Biology, University of Crete, Voutes University Campus, Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | - Stergios Pirintsos
- Department of Biology, University of Crete, Voutes University Campus, Heraklion, Crete, Greece
- Botanical Garden, University of Crete, Gallos Campus, Rethymnon, Greece
| | - Kiriakos Kotzabasis
- Department of Biology, University of Crete, Voutes University Campus, Heraklion, Crete, Greece
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