A cytotoxic diterpenoid and antifungal phenolic compounds from Frullania muscicola steph
A novel ent -labdane type diterpenoid, muscicolone ( 1 ), as well as two bibenzyls ( 2 , 3 ) and four flavonoids ( 4 - 7 ) were isolated from the liverwort Frullania muscicola Steph. Their structures were established by analysis of the spectral data of IR, UV, 1D-, 2D-NMR, and ORD. The stereostructure of 1 was confirmed by X-ray crystallographic analysis. Bioassay experiments showed that compound 3 and 4 have potent inhibitory effects against some fungi while 1 showed cytotoxic effects to some human tumor cells.
Molecular cloning and functional characterization of a phenylalanine ammonia-lyase from liverwort Plagiochasma appendiculatum
Liverworts are rich in phenolic compounds, including flavonoids and the distinctive type of bisbibenzyls. The biosynthesis of both types of compounds is believed to involve the phenylpropanoid pathway. Phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) is thought to be the key enzyme in the biosynthesis of bisbibenzyls and flavonoids in liverworts. In this study, PAL (designated as PaPAL) was cloned and characterized from both the cDNA and genomic DNA of the liverwort Plagiochasma appendiculatum. The full-length cDNA sequence contains 2,202 bp and is predicted to encode a protein with 733 amino acids. Sequence alignment showed that PaPAL’s predicted amino acid sequence shares more than 70 % identity with PAL sequences reported in public databases. The recombinant protein was heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli and exhibited high PAL activity, catalyzing the conversion of l-phenylalanine to trans-cinnamic acid. However, the enzyme exhibited lower activity in catalyzing the formation of p-coumaric acid from l-tyrosine. Additionally, when the thallus of P. appendiculatum was treated with abiotic stress inducers methyl jasmonate and abscisic acid, PaPAL expression was enhanced, thereby augmenting bisbibenzyl formation. These results suggest that PaPAL plays a key role in the early steps of bisbibenzyl biosynthesis and that abiotic stress can stimulate the expression of PaPAL, resulting in the accumulation of bisbibenzyls in the plant.
The Illinois Legislature
It further provides that the county must have voted "for license" at the last general election on that subject. Also, that the petition, together with all names and addresses on it, must first be published in at least two issues of some newspaper published in the town where the petition was circulated, for at least ten days before the petition is acted upon. Any officer authorized to issue licenses violating the provisions of this act is liable to a fine of from $500 to $1000 and imprisonment in the county jail for from two to twelve months. The act does not repeal any local laws forbidding the sale of liquor, but is cumulative to all anti-liquor laws now in force. The final section is: "This Act being necessary for the public peace, health, and safety, shall take effect and be in force from and after December 31, 1913." The postponement of the time for going into effect was made io order not to interfere with licenses already issued and to give the liquor dealers time to adjust themselves to the provisions of the act. But the liquor people denied that the emergency clause could be attached to an act the operation of which was postponed nearly a year. They called attention to the omission of the word "immediate," and declared that the postponement was in itself sufficient evidence that it was not necessary for the "immmediate preservation of the public health, peace and safety." A petition for reference was circulated and the necessary number of signatures was secured. The attorney-general was first asked for his opinion as to whether the act was subject to the referendum. That officer stated that he could find no precedent for such a case. Basing his decision on reason and common sense he declared the act not subject to the referendum. The circuit court was then asked for a write of mandamus against the secretary of state to compel him to submit the act, but the court refused to grant it, saying that the attachment of the emergency clause was evidence that the legislature intended to prevent its submission. At this writing the question is pending on appeal before the supreme court.