The natural trigger for heat production in the thermogenic inflorescences of Sauromatum guttatum Schott (voodoo lily) was recently identified as salicylic acid (SA), which induced at levels low 13 ng g f. wt−1. Since then SA were determined other and non-thermogenic plant species. In five aroid species, male cones least four cycads during exceeded 1 μg not detected flowers a water lily, Victoria regia Lindl. (Nymphaeaceae), Bactris major Jacq. (Palmae). Levels varied substantially floral...

summary This report combines chemical, electron microscopic and ecological studies on the volatiles liberated by Sauromatum guttatum appendix D‐Day, day of inflorescence‐opening heat‐production. More than 100 compounds from at least nine different chemical classes (monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, fatty acids, ketones, alcohols, aldehydes, indole, phenolic sulphur compounds) are during thermogenic activity. The were identified using gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry. Electron microscopy...

The pattern of surface temperatures the inflorescence Sauromatum guttatum was investigated by using an infrared camera. male flowers are weakly thermogenic on first day opening (D-day) as well next (D + 1), reaching 0.5 to 1 degrees C above ambient temperature. appendix (the upper sterile part inflorescence) is highly D-day, 32 C, and faintly D 1, lower spadix, close female flowers, also D-day a temperature similar that only 1. Salicylic acid does not induce heat production in it appendix....

Electron microscopy of the cells thermogenic appendix Sauromatum guttatum has revealed a fusion event between pocket-like structures rough endoplasmic reticulum (rER) and plasma membrane. As result event, many regions membrane have paired unit membranes (four leaflets instead two). The allows transfer osmiophilic material from rER pockets to membrane, where is confined bilayer, structures. A clear correlation found presence compound sesquiterpenes. Prior heat production, rER- plasma-membrane...

The thermogenic carpellary appendages of the flowers Victoria cruziana d'Orb. and staminal Nelumbo lutea (Willd.) Pers. possess cyanide-insensitive, ‘alternative’ respiratory pathway. presence this pathway was demonstrated in tissue slices as well mitochondria. activity accompanied by ultrastructural changes Before anthesis, mitochondria with well-developed cristae were present appendage large numbers. During lamelliform appeared a different orientation.

Microcalorimetric analysis of heat-production by single intact sporophylls from thermogenic male cones two cycad species (Ceratozamia miqueliana H. Wendl. and Zamia furfuracea L. f.) showed an oscillatory behaviour for three consecutive days during pollen maturation shedding. In C. rumphii Miq., a weakly with no maximum heat-production, such oscillations were not detected. The presence the alternative respiratory pathway in pumila has been demonstrated.

Electron microscopic studies showed that the trans‐Golgi network (trans indicates polarity of cisternae within Golgi apparatus; it is opposite to cis‐face adjacent rough endoplasmic reticulum) was involved in processing osmiophilic material present appendix inflorescence Sauromatum guttatum . This accumulated reticulum and special pockets plasma membrane prior heat production. Associations between were observed. The apparatus composed 5–6 dictyosomes on one side or two somewhat detached...

In appendices of Sauromatum guttatum that are developing thermogenicity, mitochondria isolated from successive developmental stages the inflorescence show an increase in oxidation rates proline and glutamate. A similar rise these compounds is observed obtained spathe, a nonthermogenic organ inflorescence. Changes oxidative metabolism were also sections immature appendix treated with salicylic acid (SA) at 0.69 microgram per gram fresh weight indicating they induced by SA. At concentration,...

The mode of action the thermogenic inducers (salicylic acid, aspirin, and 2,6-dihydroxybenzoic acid) in appendix Sauromatum guttatum inflorescence is poorly understood. Using ESI-MS light scattering analysis, we have demonstrated that NAD(P) reductase like protein (RL) salicylic acid receptor appendix. RL was self-assembled water into a large unit with hydrodynamic diameter 800 nm. In presence 1 pM exhibited discontinuous reversible volume phase transitions. changed from to 300 nm vice...

The heat evolved by 1 mm-thick tissue slices of the appendix Sauromatum guttatum inflorescence was measured calorimetrically during development. From D–5 (5 d before inflorescence-opening, designated as D-day) to D–2 about 8 μW mg−1 fresh wt. observed, and D–1 an increase in evolution 14 monitored. produced through oxidative metabolism, since replacing air microcalorimeter with nitrogen blocked heatproduction. Addition salicylic acid thermogenic organs (appendix, lowest part spadix male...

Electron microscopic studies show that the electron density of mitochondria thermogenic appendix Sauromatum guttatum inflorescences changes during development. Two to 3 days before heat-production, accumulate osmiophilic, electron-dense material between inner and outer membranes. During heat-production release volatiles compounds osmiophilic disappears from inter membrane space. Deposits with same are also found in endoplasmic reticulum. It is concluded may have capacity

The fatty acid profiles of various organs the thermogenic inflorescence Sauromatum guttatum and sporophylls male cones two cycad species (Encephalartos ferox Dioon edule var angustifolium) were determined by gas chromatography. During anthesis, palmitate (16:0), oleate [18:1 (9)], cis-vaccinate (11)], linoleate [18:2 (9, 12)] most abundant acids in appendix. cis-Vaccinic acid, a positional isomer oleic was identified comparing its retention time on chromatography column mass spectrum to an...

Three phenolic compounds are capable of activating the process that simultaneously leads to temperature rise and odor-production in Sauromatum appendix. These salicylic acid, aspirin, 2,6 dihydroxybenzoic acid. The objectives present study were examine effect various concentrations these inducers on mitochondrial inhibitors (KCN SHAM) an uncoupler (DNP) rise.In sections appendix two successive rate maxima detected presence three inducers. Two also appendices intact inflorescences. profiles...

A NAD(P)H-reductase like protein that undergoes conformational changes in the presence of salicylic acid, aspirin, and 2,6-dihydroxybenzoic acid has been purified. The is evolutionarily conserved was found plants humans. strong relationship between conformation temperature plants, human neuroblastoma cell line, SK-N-SH, mouse brain tissue demonstrated. These findings create a common ground for studying thermoregulation