Lipid droplets are accumulations of neutral lipids surrounded by a monolayer phospholipids and associated proteins. Recent proteomic analysis isolated suggests that they part dynamic organelle system is involved in membrane traffic as well packaging distributing the cell. To gain better insight into function droplets, we used combination mass spectrometry NMR spectroscopy to characterize lipid composition this compartment. In addition cholesteryl esters triacylglycerols with mixed fatty acid...

Abietane diterpenoids are major constituents of conifer resins that have important industrial and medicinal applications. However, their function in plants is poorly understood. Here we show dehydroabietinal (DA), an abietane diterpenoid, activator systemic acquired resistance (SAR), which inducible defense mechanism activated the distal, non-colonized, organs a plant has experienced local foliar infection. DA was purified as SAR-activating factor from vascular sap Arabidopsis thaliana...

Abstract Lignin biosynthesis is evolutionarily conserved among higher plants and features a critical 3-hydroxylation reaction involving phenolic esters. However, increasing evidence questions the involvement of single pathway to lignin formation in vascular plants. Here we describe an enzyme catalyzing direct 4-coumarate caffeate as bifunctional peroxidase that oxidizes both ascorbate at comparable rates. A combination biochemical genetic model Brachypodium distachyon Arabidopsis thaliana...

We have compared two methods for collecting earthworm leukocytes (coelomocytes) with respect to cell yield, viability and behaviour in immunoassays. Non-invasive extrusion was more efficient than puncturing the coelomic cavity. Extrusion does not produce trauma earthworms maintained under long term laboratory conditions. Neither technique modified immune assays, as determined by erythrocyte secretory rosette formation, phagocytosis, since all 3 were functionally equivalent. After an initial...

Mercury is a global contaminant, which may be microbially transformed into methylmercury (MeHg), bioaccumulates. This results in potentially toxic body burdens high trophic level organisms aquatic ecosystems and maternal transfer to offspring. We previously demonstrated effects on developing fish including hyperactivity, altered time-to-hatch, reduced survival, dysregulation of the dopaminergic system. A link between gut microbiota central nervous system function teleosts has been...

Fusarium graminearum causes head blight, an important disease of wheat. F. can also cause in Arabidopsis thaliana. Here, we show that the LOX1 and LOX5 genes, which encode 9-lipoxygenases (9-LOXs), are targeted during this interaction to facilitate infection. expression were upregulated graminearum-inoculated plants loss or function resulted enhanced resistance corresponding mutant plants. The infection lox1 lox5 mutants was accompanied by more robust induction salicylic acid (SA)...

In vertebrates, the endocannabinoid signaling pathway is an important lipid regulatory that modulates a variety of physiological and behavioral processes. N-Acylethanolamines (NAEs) comprise group fatty acid derivatives function within this pathway, their activity terminated by enzyme called amide hydrolase (FAAH), which hydrolyzes NAEs to ethanolamine corresponding free acids. Bioinformatic approaches led identification plant homologues FAAH are capable hydrolyzing in vitro. To better...

Abstract The antimicrobial triclosan was analyzed in unfiltered samples from influent, effluent, and receiving stream before after a pilot‐scale constructed wetland at North Texas municipal wastewater treatment plant. Triclosan concentrations were reduced by 97 to 99% the activated sludge Effluent further passage through wetland, but not statistically significantly different effluent concentrations. of seasonal with highest occurring during summer months. effluent‐dominated maximum months...

Abstract N-Acylethanolamines (NAEs) are bioactive acylamides that present in a wide range of organisms. In plants, NAEs generally elevated desiccated seeds, suggesting they may play role seed physiology. NAE and abscisic acid (ABA) levels were depleted during germination, both metabolites inhibited the growth Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings within similar developmental window. Combined application low ABA produced more dramatic reduction germination than either compound alone. Transcript...

Summary N ‐acylethanolamines are a group of lipid mediators that accumulate under variety neurological and pathological conditions in mammals. ‐acylethanolamine signaling is terminated by the action diverse hydrolases, among which fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) has been well characterized. Here, we show transgenic Arabidopsis lines overexpressing an AtFAAH more susceptible to bacterial pathogens Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato P. maculicola . overexpressors also were highly non‐host...

Recently, the biosynthesis of an unusual membrane phospholipid, N-acylphosphatidylethanolamine (NAPE), was found to increase in elicitor-treated tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) cells (K.D. Chapman, A. Conyers-Hackson, R.A. Moreau, S. Tripathy [1995] Physiol Plant 95: 120-126). Here we report that before induction NAPE biosynthesis, N-acylethanolamine (NAE) is released from cultured 10 min after treatment with fungal elicitor xylanase. In radiolabeling experiments [14C]NAE (labeled on...

N-Acylethanolamines (NAEs) were quantified in seeds of several plant species and cultivated varieties a single (cotton [Gossypium hirstutum]) by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy. The total NAE content dry ranged from 490 +/- 89 ng g(-1) fresh weight pea (Pisum sativum cv early Alaska) to 1,608 309 cotton (cv Stoneville 7A glandless). Molecular NAEs all contained predominantly 16C 18C fatty acids, with N-linoleoylethanolamine (NAE18:2) being the most abundant (approaching 1,000...

In a recent study of N-acylphosphatidylethanolamine (NAPE) metabolism in elicitor-treated tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) cells, we identified rapid release and accumulation medium-chain N-acylethanolamines (NAEs) (e.g. N-myristoylethanolamine or NAE 14:0) compensatory decrease cellular NAPE (K.D. Chapman, S. Tripathy, B. Venables, A.D. Desouza [1998] Plant Physiol 116: 1163-1168). the present study, extend this observation report 10- to 50-fold increase 14:0 content leaves (cv Xanthi) plants...

Abstract The toxicity and estrogenicity of a final treated municipal effluent was examined while flowing through constructed wetland in north-central Texas, USA. Fish data were collected, baseline characterization performed to assess treatment potential for these properties. Vitellogenin (VTG), gonadosomatic index (GSI), hepatosomatic (HSI), secondary sexual characteristics biomarkers used fish models aqueous estrogenicity. Biological indicators overall health included hematocrit condition...

Three wetland macrophytes, Sesbania herbacea, Bidens frondosa, and Eclipta prostrata, were exposed (0.4-1,000-ppb nominal concentrations) to the antimicrobial triclosan for 28 d in a flow-through system. herbacea had decreased seed germination at 100-ppb exposure level days 7, 14, 21, B. frondosa was reduced 1,000-ppb day 7. prostrata unaffected. Seedling effects monitored total fresh weight, shoot root weights, length, surface area. Root metrics most affected by exposure. Total length...