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.
Functional Characterization of a Hydroxyacid/Alcohol Hydroxycinnamoyl Transferase Produced by the Liverwort Marchantia emarginata
The aerial organs of most terrestrial plants are covered by a hydrophobic protective cuticle. The main constituent of the cuticle is the lipid polyester cutin, which is composed of aliphatic and aromatic domains. The aliphatic component is a polyester between fatty acid/alcohol and hydroxycinnamoyl acid. The BAHD/HxxxD family enzymes are central to the synthesis of these polyesters. The nature of this class of enzymes in bryophytes has not been explored to date. Here, a gene encoding a fatty ω-hydroxyacid/fatty alcohol hydroxycinnamoyl transferase (HFT) has been isolated from the liverwort Marchantia emarginata and has been functionally characterized. Experiments based on recombinant protein showed that the enzyme uses ω-hydroxy fatty acids or primary alcohols as its acyl acceptor and various hydroxycinnamoyl-CoAs—preferentially feruloyl-CoA and caffeoyl-CoA—as acyl donors at least in vitro. The transient expression of a MeHFT-GFP fusion transgene in the Nicotiana benthamiana leaf demonstrated that MeHFT is directed to the cytoplasm, suggesting that the feruloylation of cutin monomers takes place there.
Isotachin c and balantiolide two aromatic compounds from the new zealand liverwort balantiopsis rosea
Abstract Isotachin C and balantiolide, two new aromatic compounds, were isolated from the New Zealand liverwort Balantiopsis rosea. Their structures were established to be 2-methoxybenzyl trans-β-methylthioacrylate and 3-[3′,4′-dimethoxybenzyl]-7-hydroxy-5-methoxyphthalide, respectively, by spectral methods. The previously known isotachin A, isotachin B, benzoates, cinnamates and sesquiterpenoids were also found. B. rosea is chemically quite close to Isotachis japonica.