cDNA cloning, characterization and mRNA expression of a pacifastin light chain gene from the Chinese mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis

The pacifastin family, characterized by several conserved arrays of six cysteine residues, is a newly identified serine protease inhibitor (SPI) family discovered uniquely in arthropods and plays important roles in multiple biological processes. In the present study, the full-length cDNA of a pacifastin light chain (designated ESPLC) was cloned from the Chinese mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis by expressed sequence tags (ESTs) and PCR techniques. The 1036 bp ESPLC cDNA contained an 831 bp open reading frame (ORF) encoding a putative pacifastin-related peptide of 276 amino acids, a 5'-untranslated region (UTR) of 67 bp, and a 3'-UTR of 138 bp. Six putative conserved domains sharing a characteristic cysteine array (Cys-Xaa(9-12)-Cys-Asn-Xaa-Cys-Xaa-Cys-Xaa(2-3)-Gly-Xaa(3-4)-Cys-Thr-Xaa(3)-Cys) were identified in the deduced amino acid sequence of ESPLC. The conservation of these PLDs (pacifastin light chain domains) and the relative higher similarity of ESPLC to other pacifastin-related precursors suggested that ESPLC was a member of pacifastin family. The mRNA transcripts of ESPLC were found to be higher expressed in hepatopancreas, gill and haemolymph than in gonad, muscle and heart, with the highest expression level in hepatopancreas. The ESPLC mRNA expression in haemolymph of Chinese mitten crab was up-regulated at 2 h and 12 h after challenged with Listonella anguillarum. The tissue distribution and temporal characteristics of ESPLC mRNA expression, similar to that of prophenoloxidase gene in E. sinensis, suggested that ESPLC was potentially involved in the response against invading bacteria, with the possibility that it functioned in the prophenoloxidase system in E sinensis. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Molecular cloning, genomic organization and functional analysis of an anti-lipopolysaccharide factor from Chinese mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis

Anti-lipopolysaccharide factor (ALF) represents one kind of basic proteins, which binds and neutralizes LPS and exhibits strong antibacterial activity against Gram-negative R-type bacteria. The ALF gene of Chinese mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis (Milne Edwards, 1853) (denoted as EsALF) was identified from haemocytes by expressed sequence tag (EST) and PCR approaches. The full-length cDNA of EsALF consisted of 700 nucleotides with a canonical polyadenylation signal-sequence AATAAA, a polyA tail, and an open-reading frame of 363 bp encoding 120 amino acids. The high similarity of EsALF-deduced amino acid sequence shared with the ALFs from other species indicated that EsALF should be a member of ALF family. The mRNA expression of EsALF in the tissues of heart, gonad, gill, haemocytes, eyestalk and muscle was examined by Northern blot analysis and mRNA transcripts of EsALF were mainly detected in haemocytes, heart and gonad. The temporal expression of EsALF in haemocytes after Vibrio anguillarum challenge was recorded by quantitative real-time RT-PCR. The relative expression level of EsALF was up-regulated rapidly at 2 h post-injection and reached 3-fold to that in blank group. After a drastic decrease to the original level from 4 to 8h, the expression level increased again and reached 4-fold to that in the blank group at 12 h post-injection. The genomic DNA sequence of EsALF gene consists of 1174bp containing three exons and two introns. The coding sequence of the EsALF mature peptide was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3)-pLysS to further elucidate its biological functions. The purified recombinant product showed bactericidal activity against both Gram-positive (G(+)) and Gram-negative (G(-)) bacteria, which demonstrated that the rEsALF was a broad-spectrum antibacterial peptide. All these results indicated that EsALF was an acute-phase protein involved in the immune responses of Chinese mitten crab, and provided a potential therapeutic agent for disease control in aquaculture. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Identification and characterization of a Cystatin gene from Chinese mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis

Cystatins are a superfamily of proteins as reversible inhibitor of cysteine proteinases which play essential roles in a spectrum of physiological and immunological processes In this study, a novel member of Cystatin superfamily was identified from Chinese mitten crab Enocheir sinensis (designated EsCystain) by expressed sequence tag (EST) analysis and rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) approaches The full-length cDNA of EsCystatin was of 1486 bp, consisting of a 5'-terminal untranslated region (UTR) of 92 bp, a 3' UTR of 1034 bp with a polyadenylation signal sequence AATAAA and a polyA tail, and an open reading frame (ORF) of 360 bp encoded a polypeptide of 120 amino acids with the theoretical isoelectric point of 548 and the predicted molecular weight of 13 39 kDa. A signal Cystatin-like domain (Gly(25) to Lys(112)) was found in the putative amino acid sequences of EsCystatin Similar to other Cystatins, the conserved central Q(70)VVSG(74) motif was located in the Cystatin-like domain of EsCystatin But EsCystatin lacked of signal peptide and disulphide bond. The EsCystatin exhibited homology with the other known Cystatins from invertebrates and higher vertebrates, and it was clustered into Cystatin family 1 in the phylogenetic tree. The mRNA transcripts of EsCystain were mainly expressed in hemolymph, gill, hepatopancreas, gonad and muscle, and also marginally detectable in heart After Listonella anguillarum challenge, the relative expression level of EsCystatin in hemolymph was down-regulated to 0 6-fold (P < 0.05) at 3 h post-challenge. Subsequently, it was up-regulated to 3.0-fold (P < 0.01)at 24 h Afterwards. EsCystatin mRNA transcripts suddenly decreased to original level. After Pichia pastoris GS115 challenge, its mRNA expression level in hemolymph was up-regulated to the peak at 3 h (2 8-fold of that in blank (P < 0 01)) The cDNA fragment encoding the mature peptide of EsCystatin was recombined and expressed in Escherichia coli Rosetta-gami (DE3). The recombinant EsCystatin displayed a promoter inhibitory activity against papain When the concentration of EsCystatin protein was of 300 mu g mL(-1), almost 89% of papain activity could be inhibited. These results collectively suggested that EsCystatin was a novel member of protein in Cystatin family, was a potent inhibitor of papain and involved in immune response versus invading microorganisms. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd All rights reserved.

The second anti-lipopolysaccharide factor (EsALF-2) with antimicrobial activity from Eriocheir sinensis

The anti-lipopolysaccharide factor CALF) is a small basic protein that can bind and neutralize lipopolysaccharide (LPS), mediating degranulation and activation of an intracellular coagulation cascade. In the present study, cDNA of the second Eriocheir sinensis ALF (designated as EsALF-2) was cloned and the full-length cDNA of EsALF-2 was of 724 bp, consisting of an open reading frame (ORF) of 363 bp encoding a polypeptide of 120 amino acids. The deduced amino acid of EsALF-2 shared 82% similarity with EsALF-1 from E. sinensis and about 53-65% similarity with ALFs from other crustaceans. The potential tertiary structures of EsALF-1 and EsALF-2 contained two highly conserved-cysteine residues to define the LPS binding site, but the N-terminal of EsALF-1 formed a single additional alpha-helix compared to EsALF-2, implying that EsALF-1 and EsALF-2 might represent different biological functions in E. sinensis. The mRNA transcript of EsALF-2 was detected in all examined tissues of healthy crabs, including haemocytes, hepatopancreas, gill, muscle, heart and gonad, which suggested that EsALF-2 could be a multifunctional molecule for the host immune defense responses and thereby provided systemic protection against pathogens. The mRNA expression of EsALF-2 was up-regulated after Listonelln anguillarum and Pichia pastoris challenge and the recombinant protein of EsALF-2 showed antimicrobial activity against L. anguillarum and P. pastoris. indicating that EsALF-2 was involved in the immune defense responses in Chinese mitten crab against L. anguillarum and P. pastoris. These results together indicated that there were abundant and diverse ALFs in E. sinensis with various biological functions and these ALFs would provide candidate promising therapeutic or prophylactic agents in health management and diseases control of crab aquaculture. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

中华绒螯蟹（Eriocheir sinensis）cDNA文库的构建、EST分析及其酚氧化酶系统关键基因的研究

中华绒螯蟹（Eriocheir sinensis）是我国的特色物种，具有重要的经济和科研价值。酚氧化酶系统作为节肢动物特有的免疫机制，在中华绒螯蟹的免疫反应中发挥重要作用。本研究构建了一个中华绒螯蟹的cDNA文库，利用表达序列标签 (Expressed Sequence Tag，EST) 技术，对中华绒螯蟹表达序列进行了大规模测序分析，并利用cDNA末端快速扩增（rapid amplification of cDNA ends，RACE）、实时定量PCR、原核重组和RNAi等技术研究了其酚氧化酶免疫系统的分子基础及其相应功能。 用鳗弧菌和金黄色葡萄球菌同时感染中华绒螯蟹，提取血细胞的RNA构建了一个库容为3.3×106 克隆cDNA文库。随机测序后获得7535条高质量的EST序列，其中在GenBank数据库中未发现同源序列的为4593 条，而具有较高同源性2942条可以分为20个功能类别，参与了23个生物学反应。 进一步分析发现，969 条（32.9% ）EST与免疫相关，可拼接成221个免疫基因。这个比例高于其它任何一个已公布的甲壳动物cDNA文库。在免疫相关EST中，抗菌肽比例最高，约占总数的20.1%（195条EST）。免疫基因的高比例和抗菌肽的高表达，证明细菌刺激是提高cDNA 文库中免疫基因丰度的有效方法。 EST序列的获得和免疫基因的富集，丰富了中华绒螯蟹的基因组信息，初步了解了中华绒螯蟹固有免疫系统的概况, 为进一步克隆和研究中华绒螯蟹免疫防御功能基因提供了序列基础。 本研究在EST分析的基础上，克隆获得了中华绒螯蟹酚氧化酶系统10个基因的cDNA全长序列, 它们分别是前酚氧化酶（EsproPO），丝氨酸蛋白酶同源物（EsSPH), 丝氨酸蛋白酶抑制剂pacifastin, serpin, PAPII (EsPLC, Es serpin, EsPAPII), 模式识别丝氨酸蛋白酶（EsPRSP），peroxinectin (Esperoxinectin)和3个前酚氧化酶激活酶 (EsPAP1, 2, 3)。它们与相近物种的酚氧化酶系统相应基因均具有较高同源性，并含有胰酶催化结构域，CLIP结构域，PLD结构域，KAZAL结构域，Serpin结构域以及酚氧化酶结构域等酚氧化酶系统相应基因典型的特征结构域。分析发现，PAPs的CLIP结构域和PRSP，Pacifastin，Proxinectin，proPO基因是节肢动物特有的，是酚氧化酶系统作为节肢动物特有免疫机制的分子基础。本研究从多个基因的3′UTR区发现了调控元件，如15-LOX-DICE，K-box和 Brd-Box。在所推断的蛋白中，EsPAP3和EsPAPII的等电点呈碱性，Esperoxinetin的为中性，而EsPRSP，EsSPH，EsproPO, EsPAPII, Esserpin，EsPAP1的等电点在酸性区间。健康中华绒螯蟹 EsPAP1，EsPAP2，EsPAPII基因在肌肉中的表达量最高，而在血细胞中的表达量相对较低；EsPAP3，EsproPO，EsPLC基因在血细胞中表达量较高，在肌肉中的表达量最低。其中，EsPAP3在血细胞中的表达量是其在肌肉组织中表达量的526.35倍。调控元件和多种激活酶与抑制剂的存在、组织分布和等电点的差异，说明中华绒螯蟹酚氧化酶系统在转录、翻译、激活等多个层次上受到了调控。在中华绒螯蟹受到鳗弧菌刺激后，EsPAP1，EsPAP2，EsPAP3，EsPLC和EsPAPII基因的表达量呈上升或下降的趋势，但表达量的极限值均出现在2小时和12小时，这一规律与EsproPO应激后的mRNA表达和酶比活力的变化特点相吻合，说明中华绒螯蟹酚氧化酶系统各因子相互协调共同参与中华绒螯蟹对入侵细菌的防御反应。同时EsPAP2，EsPAP3，EsproPO，EsPAPII，EsPLC在中华绒螯蟹受到鳗弧菌刺激后的表达呈现反复多次上升，表明酚氧化酶系统可能参与了多种免疫反应。研究还发现EsPAP1参与中华绒螯蟹血液凝集过程，而EsPAP3是蟹血细胞中的有效的前酚氧化酶激活因子。研究结果初步揭示了中华绒螯蟹酚氧化酶系统的分子基础、对微生物的响应机制及其调控机制和演化趋势，为节肢动物固有免疫系统研究奠定了良好基础。

中华绒螯蟹（Eriocheir sinensis）Peroxiredoxin 6和Thioredoxin1基因的克隆及表达

中华绒螯蟹是我国重要的水产经济动物，近年来养殖规模不断扩大，产量持续增加。但是，伴随着养殖规模的扩大，养殖环境也日益恶化并导致了大量疾病的发生，严重制约了中华绒螯蟹养殖业的健康发展。因此，疾病预防和控制对中华绒螯蟹养殖业的可持续发展具有举足轻重的作用。与其他无脊椎动物一样，中华绒螯蟹的免疫系统没有免疫球蛋白和淋巴细胞，而是依靠由细胞免疫和体液免疫构成的固有免疫系统来对病原进行识别和清除。中华绒螯蟹的固有免疫机制的研究有助于推动中华绒螯蟹病害防治工作的开展。 本研究采用大规模EST测序方法，结合末端快速扩增（rapid amplification of cDNA ends，RACE）技术从中华绒螯蟹血淋巴中克隆到了过氧化物还原酶（peroxiredoxin，EsPrx6）和硫氧还蛋白（thioredoxin，EsTrx1）基因的cDNA 全长序列；采用实时荧光定量PCR 技术检测了这两个基因在健康个体中表达的组织分布情况以及鳗弧菌刺激后血淋巴细胞中的时序表达规律；同时，将这两个基因的编码区克隆到pET 系列载体，并在大肠杆菌中实现了重组表达，并进行了体外活性检测。 过氧化物还原酶是一个抗氧化蛋白超家族，在保护机体免受活性氧（reactive oxygen species，ROS）的伤害中发挥着重要作用。中华绒螯蟹Prx6（EsPrx6） 基因的cDNA 全长为1076 bp，5` UTR（untranslated region，UTR） 为69 bp，3` UTR 为347 bp，开放阅读框（open reading frame，ORF）为660 bp，编码219 个氨基酸的蛋白。mRNA 3`-端具有多聚腺苷酸加尾信号（polyadenylation signal）AATAAA 和polyA 尾巴。EsPrx6 的预测分子量为 24 kDa，理论等电点为6.21，具有一个保守的Prx 结构域、一个AhpC 结构域和过氧化物酶催化活性中心PVCTTE，表明EsPrx6 属于1-Cys 型Prx。在所检测的组织中均有EsPrx6 的表达，其中以肝胰腺表达量最高，为血淋巴细胞中表达量的17.4 倍。鳗弧菌刺激后，血淋巴细胞中EsPrx6 的表达下降，到12 h 时，实验组显著低于对照组（P<0.05）；随时间推移，表达水平逐渐回升，但在整个实验期间，都没有恢复到起始水平。将EsPrx6 进行体外重组并在大肠杆菌E. coli BL21（DE3）中实现表达，重组EsPrx6 具有预期的抗氧化活性和过氧化物酶活性，其中抗氧化活力为14.69 U/mg 蛋白，高于相同条件下GSH 的抗氧化力（P<0.05），过氧化物酶活力为23.46 U/mg 蛋白。结果表明，EsPrx6 作为一种重要的抗氧化剂，在中华绒螯蟹抵御ROS 可能引起的氧化损伤方面具有重要作用。 硫氧还蛋白是广泛存在于生物体内的一种具有硫醇依赖性的具有还原活性的蛋白。中华绒螯蟹Trx1（EsTrx1）基因的cDNA 全长为641 bp，5` UTR 为17 bp，3` UTR 为306 bp，开放阅读框为318 bp，编码105 个氨基酸。EsTrx1 的预测分子量为12.2 kDa，理论等电点为4.8。EsTrx1 不含信号肽，其氨基酸序列与其他动物的Trx1s 具有高度相似性，如与地中海黄蝎的Trx1 相似度达到73%；而与其他物种Trx2 的同源性很低，相似度仅为14.3-22.8%，表明EsTrx1 属于Trx1 亚族。实时荧光定量PCR 检测发现，EsTrx1 在鳃、性腺、肝胰腺、肌肉、心脏和血淋巴细胞中都有表达。血淋巴细胞中EsTrx1 mRNA 的表达量在菌刺激后上升，刺激后6 h，实验组表达量显著高于对照组和空白组（P<0.05），然后逐渐恢复到刺激前水平。为进一步探讨其生物学功能，将EsTrx1 进行体外重组并在大肠杆菌E. coli BL21（DE3）得到表达，重组EsTrx1 具有预期的氧化还原调节活性，抗氧化活力为3.06 U/mg，且抗氧化活力高于GSH（P<0.05）。rEsTrx1 的二硫键还原活力为5.03，低于凡纳滨对虾的二硫键还原活力（10.44），接近于大肠杆菌（4.93），小牛胸腺（6.50）和小牛肝脏（5.09），而高于鲍鱼Trx2（1.83）活力。结果表明，EsTrx1 在生理条件下能够作为一种重要的抗氧化剂，参与对细菌感染的免疫应答反应。

马先蒿属6个种的核型与进化研究

分析和报道了马先蒿属（Pedicularis Linn.）分布于青藏高原东北部６个特有种的核型，并根据核型及其有关参数，分析和比较了该６种马先蒿核型的不对称性和相对进化程度。６个种的体细胞染色体数目都是２ｎ＝１６。核型分别为：绵德马先蒿P.pilostachya Maxim.，核型公式Ｋ（２ｎ）＝１６＝４ｍ＋１２ｓｍ，染色体相对长度组成２Ｌ＋６Ｍ２＋６Ｍ１＋２Ｓ，核型不对称系数Ａｓ·Ｋ＝６５．２９％，属于２Ａ型；青海马先蒿P.przewalskii Maxim.，Ｋ（２ｎ）＝１６＝８ｍ（ＳＡＴ）＋４ｓｍ＋２ｓ＋２ｔ，２Ｌ＋８Ｍ２＋２Ｍ１＋４Ｓ，Ａｓ·Ｋ＝６５．０２％，２Ｂ型；华马先蒿P.oederi Vahl.var.sinensis(Maxim.)Hurus.，K(2n)=16=12m+4sm，2L+4M2+8M1+2 S，As·K=59.89%，2B型；粗野马先蒿P.rudis Maxim.，K(2n)=16=4m+10sm+2st，4L+4M2+4M1+2 S，As·K=68.10%，2B型；甘肃马先蒿P.kansuensis Maxim. Subsp. kansuensis，K(2n)=16=6m+6sm+2st+2t，2L+6M2+6M1+2 S，As·K=68.92%，2A型；藓生马先蒿P.muscicola Maxim. K(2n)=16=8m(SAT)+8sm，2L=8M2+4M1+2S，As·K=62.64%，2B型。根据这6个种的核型和已有资料，认为该属的染色体基数x=8，极少数种有多倍体。通过对以上6种核型及进化程度的比较，该属核型变异较大，以中部着丝粒染色体为组成基础（较原始的种类，如华马先蒿和绵穗马先蒿），端部或近端部着丝粒染色体存在与否与该属内种的进化程度有关。核型不对称性所表示的进化程度似乎与花冠的演化有联系。

Nine microsatellite DNA primers for Hippophae rhamnoides ssp sinensis (Elaeagnaceae)

Hippophae rhamnoides ssp. sinensis occurs mainly in the and regions of northwest China. The wood stands of this subspecies play an important role in maintaining the local ecosystems in these regions. In addition, the genetic characteristics are essential to understand the historical range changes of this subspecies and its morphological differentiation with other subspecies. In this study, we developed nine microsatellite loci for this subspecies for the first time. We used the combining biotin capture method to enrich AG/CT/AC/GT/CG/GTG/CCA microsatellites. Twenty-six microsatellites were isolated from the enriching library and nine of them were found to be polymorphic through screening 12 distantly distributed individuals. The number of alleles per locus ranged from three to twelve and expected heterozygosity from 0.2659 to 0.4767, respectively. We further performed cross-priming tests in another subspecies and two congeneric species. These firstly isolated loci will provide a useful tool to investigate the genetic structure of this subspecies and its morphological differentiation from the other subspecies.

Reproductive biology of great cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis) in the qinghai-tibet plateau

There have been no detailed studies on reproductive biology of the Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis) in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. We conducted such investigations during the breeding seasons of 1999 and 2000 in Qinghai-Lake Bird Isle, China. Great Cormorants began to migrate to Qinghai-Lake for reproduction from the middle of March and left from early October at the end of reproduction. Nesting periods were from early April to mid June and took 50 days. Egg-laying occurred during the three weeks from the end of April to 20 May. Females typically laid an egg every 1-2 days until clutch completion. Mean clutch size in the study area over two years was 3.3 (SE +/- 0.13, N = 68, range 1-5) and most (66.18%) fell within the range 3-4 eggs. Length of eggs averaged 61.01 mm and breadth averaged 34.13 mm. Fresh egg weight averaged 57.34 g (SE +/- 0.36, range 46.0-73.7 g, N = 179). Hatching success was 48.7% and fledging success was 64.9% over two years. Decline of available fish resources in Qinghai-Lake might be one of main causes of lower reproductive success. The causes of chick loss were possibly high altitude, high winds and prolonged rain.

Screening and analysis of biologically active compounds in Angelica sinensis by molecular biochromatography

A novel strategy for the screening and analysis of biologically active compounds in traditional Chinese medicine by molecular biochromatography is proposed. Molecular biochromatography with human serum albumin (HSA) immobilized on silica as stationary phase was used to screen and analyse the bioactive compounds in the typical Chinese medicine of Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels. Ten peaks showed retention on this column, which is based on their affinity for HSA. Ferulic acid and liguistilide were identified as the principal active components, which agrees very well with the results in the literature. A quality control method was also developed based on the simultaneous determination the concentrations of ferulic acid and liguistilide in solutions of Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels extracted with water and methanol. It was observed that the concentrations of ferulic acid and liguistilide in solution extracted with methanol were 2 and 53 times higher, respectively, than those with water. It was shown that molecular biochromatography is an effective way of analysing and screening biologically active compounds in traditional Chinese medicine.

Valoración económica productiva de tres sistemas de riego localizado en naranjo (Citrus sinensis L.)

p.33-39

Triterpenoid saponins from a cytotoxic root extract of Sideroxylon foetidissimum subsp. gaumeri

Evaluation of the cytotoxicity of an ethanolic root extract of Sideroxylonfoetidissimum subsp. gaumeri (Sapotaceae) revealed activity against the murine macrophage-like cell line RAW 264.7. Systematic bioassay-guided fractionation of this extract gave an active saponin-containing fraction from which four saponins were isolated. Use of 1D ((1)H, (13)C, DEPT135) and 2D (COSY, TOCSY, HSQC, and HMBC) NMR, mass spectrometry and sugar analysis gave their structures as 3-O-(beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-28-O-(alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->3)[beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-->4)]-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-->4)-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl)-16alpha-hydroxyprotobassic acid, 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-28-O-(alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->3)[beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-->4)]-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-->4)-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl)-16alpha-hydroxyprotobassic acid, 3-O-(beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-28-O-(alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->3)-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-->4)[beta-D-apiofuranosyl-(1-->3)]-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl)-16alpha-hydroxyprotobassic acid, and the known compound, 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-28-O-(alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->3)[beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-->4)]-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-->4)-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl)-protobassic acid. Two further saponins were obtained from the same fraction, but as a 5:4 mixture comprising 3-O-(beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-28-O-(alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->3)-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-->4)[beta-D-apiofuranosyl-(1-->3)]-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl)-16alpha-hydroxyprotobassic acid and 3-O-(beta-D-apiofuranosyl-(1-->3)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-28-O-(alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->3)[beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-->4)]-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-->4)-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl)-16alpha-hydroxyprotobassic acid, respectively. This showed greater cytotoxicity (IC(50)=11.9+/-1.5 microg/ml) towards RAW 264.7 cells than the original extract (IC(50)=39.5+/-4.1 microg/ml), and the saponin-containing fraction derived from it (IC(50)=33.7+/-6.2 microg/ml).

Les foréts de Pinus nigra subsp. salzmannii des Pyrénées aragonaises

Confirmation de la présence do Lonicero-Pinetum thalictretosum, climacique dans les Pyrénées aragonaises sur substrats calcaires. Il s’y développe, á l’étage supraméditerranéen, dans des conditions climatiques méditerranéo-continentales mais relativement xérothermiques.