Comparative genomics analyses of citrus-associated bacteria

Xylella fastidiosa 9a5c (XF-9a5c) and Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. citri (XAC) are bacteria that infect citrus plants. Sequencing of the genomes of these strains is complete and comparative analyses are now under way with the genomes of other bacteria of the same genera. In this review, we present an overview of this comparative genomic work. We also present a detailed genomic comparison between XF-9a5a and XAC. Based on this analysis, genes and operons were identified that might be relevant for adaptation to citrus. XAC has two copies of a type II secretion system, a large number of cell wall-degrading enzymes and sugar transporters, a complete energy metabolism, a whole set of avirulence genes associated with a type III secretion system, and a complete flagellar and chemotatic system. By contrast, XF-9a5c possesses more genes involved with type IV pili biosynthesis than does XAC, contains genes encoding for production of colicins, and has 4 copies of Type I restriction/modification system while XAC has only one.

Novel insights into the genomic basis of citrus canker based on the genome sequences of two strains of Xanthomonas fuscans subsp aurantifolii

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Behavioral Response of the Leafcutter Ant, Atta sexdens rubropilosa (Hymenoptera, Formicidae), to Components of Citrus Pulp

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Gas exchange rates at different vapor pressure deficits and water relations of 'Pera' sweet orange plants with citrus variegated chlorosis (CVC)

Net photosynthesis (A) and transpiration rates (E), stomatal conductance (g), water use efficiency (WUE), intrinsic water use efficiency (IWUE) and internal leaf CO2 concentration (C) in response to different vapor pressure deficit (1.2 and 2.5 kPa) were investigated in 'Pera' sweet orange plants affected by citrus variegated chlorosis (CVC), a disease caused by Xylella fastidiosa. All plants were well watered and leaf water potential (Pw) was also measured by the psychrometric technique. Results showed that healthy plants responded to higher vapor pressure deficit (VPD), lowering its net photosynthesis and transpiration rates, and stomatal conductance. However, diseased plants presented no clear response to VPD, showing lower A, E and g for both VPDs studied and very similar values to these variables in healthy plants at the highest VPD. Internal leaf CO2 concentration also decreased for healthy plants when under the highest VPD, and surprisingly, the same pattern of response was found in plants with CVC. These results, the lower Psi(w) and higher WUE values for diseased plants, indicated that this disease may cause stomatal dysfunction and affect the water resistance through xylem vessels, which ultimately may play some role in photosynthetic metabolism. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. B.V. All rights reserved.

Influence of different levels of aluminum on the development of citrus rootstock swingle citrumelo (Citrus paradisi mcf. x Poncirus trifoliata raf.) in nutrient solution

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Anxiolytic and sedative effects of extracts and essential oil from Citrus aurantium L.

Citrus aurantium L. is commonly used as an alternative treatment for insomnia, anxiety and epilepsy. Essential oil from peel (EOP) and hydroethanolic (70% w/v) extract (HE) from leaves were obtained. Hexanic (HF), dichloromethanic (DF) and final aqueous (AF) fractions were obtained from HE by successive partitions. Swiss male mice (35-45 g) were treated orally with 0.5 or 1.0 g/kg of these preparations 30 min before the experiments for the evaluation of the sedative/hypnotic activity (sleeping time induced by sodium pentobarbital-SPB: 40 mg/kg, i.p.), anxiolytic activity (elevated plus maze-EPM) and anticonvulsant activity (induced by pentylenetetrazole-PTZ: 85 mg/kg, se or by maximal electroshock-MES: 50 mA, 0.11s, corneal). The results showed that EOP (0.5 g/kg) increased the latency period of tonic seizures in both convulsing experimental models. This effect was not dose-dependent. Treatment with 1.0 g/kg increased the sleeping time induced by barbiturates and the time spent in the open arms of the EPM. Specific tests indicated that the preparation, in both doses used, did not promote deficits in general activity or motor coordination. HF and DF fractions (1.0 g/kg) did not interfere in the epileptic seizures, but were able to enhance the sleeping time induced by barbiturates. The results obtained with EOP in the anxiety model, and with EOP, HF and DF in the sedation model, are in accord with the ethnopharmacological use of Citrus aurantium L., which could be useful in primary medical care, after toxicological investigation.

Effects of the essential oil from Citrus aurantium L. in experimental anxiety models in mice

Citrus aurantium L. is popularly used to treat anxiety, among other indications suggesting central nervous system action. Previous studies showed anxiolytic effect in the essential oil from peel in mice evaluated on the elevated plus maze [Carvalho-Freitas, M.I.R., Costa, M., 2002. Anxiolytic and sedative effects of extracts and essential oil from Citrus aurantium L. Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin 25, 1629-1633.]. In order to better characterize the activity of the essential oil, it was evaluated in two other experimental models: the light-dark box and the marble-burying test, respectively related to generalized anxiety disorder and to obsessive compulsive disorder. Mice were treated acutely by oral route 30 min (single dose) or once a day for 15 days (repeated doses) before experimental procedures. In light-dark box test, single treatment with essential oil augmented the time spent by mice in the light chamber and the number of transitions between the two compartments. There were no observed alterations in the parameters evaluated in light-dark box after repeated treatment. Otherwise, single and repeated treatments with essential oil were able to suppress marble-burying behavior. At effective doses in the behavioral tests, mice showed no impairment on rotarod procedure after both single and repeated treatments with essential oil, denoting absence of motor deficit. Results observed in marble-burying test, related to obsessive compulsive disorder, appear more consistent than those observed in light-dark box. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Gastroprotective mechanisms of Citrus lemon (Rutaceae) essential oil and its majority compounds limonene and beta-pinene: Involvement of heat-shock protein-70, vasoactive intestinal peptide, glutathione, sulfhydryl compounds, nitric oxide and prostaglandin E-2

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Effect of Citrus aurantium l. essential oil on muscle regeneration in mdx mice

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a severe X-linked recessive disorder characterized by the progressive loss of muscular strength. Mdx mutant mice show a marked deficiency in dystrophin, which was related to muscle membrane stability. The aim of this study was to verify the possible protective anti-inflammatory effect of citrus oil on mdx muscle fibers. Thus, adult male and female mdx mice (014/06-CEEA) were divided into control and citrus-treated. After 60 days of treatment, one ml of blood was collected for creatine kinase (CK) test. Diaphragm, sternomastoideus, anterior tibial and gastrocnemius muscles were removed and processed according to histological routine methods. The observed alterations indicate a direct effect of citrus. Recent studies have improved the diagnosis of muscular diseases but with no definitions of efficient treatments. Intervention with several therapies is important to many patients presenting muscular dystrophy, which enables them to live longer and be more active, while there is no development of gene therapies.

Effects of limonene and essential oil from Citrus aurantium on gastric mucosa: Role of prostaglandins and gastric mucus secretion

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Uso do colírio de Citrus lemon em úlceras de córnea induzidas em coelhos

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Gastric Ulcers in Middle-Aged Rats: The Healing Effect of Essential Oil from Citrus aurantium L. (Rutaceae)

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Peroxidase activity and total phenol content in citrus cuttings treated with different copper sources

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)