Induction of the expression of defence genes in Carica papaya fruit by methyl jasmonate and low temperature treatments

The defence mechanisms that are activated by methyl jasmonate (MJ) in fruits are not well understood. In this work, we studied the expression of defence genes in papaya fruit that are induced by the exposure to MJ and/or low temperatures. The papaya fruits ‘Maradol’ were randomly divided into two groups: one group was the untreated control and the other was treated with 10-4 M of MJ. Half of the fruits from each of the two groups were stored after treatment for 5 days at 5ºC and 2 days at 20ºC. We studied the expression levels of the pdf1.1 and pdf1.2 genes by amplification from expression libraries created from the pulp and skin tissues of the papaya fruit. As a reference, the mRNA level of the 18s ribosomal gene was used. In the skin tissue, the expression levels of the pdf1.1 and pdf1.2 genes were higher immediately after MJ treatment compared to the control. Furthermore, the expression of pdf1.2 remained high after MJ treatment and subsequent storage compared to the control. It was therefore concluded that the activation of the pdf1.1 and pdf1.2 genes forms part of the molecular defence mechanism in fruits that is activated by exposure to MJ. To our knowledge, this is the first study that analyzes the gene expression in papaya fruit that is induced by the exogenous application of methyl jasmonate and cold treatment.

Effect of sucrose and methyl jasmonate on biomass and anthocyanin production in cell suspension culture of Melastoma malabathricum (Melastomaceae)

Melastoma malabathricum, belongs to the Melastomaceae family, is an important medicinal plant widely distributed from Madagascar to Australia, that is used in traditional remedies for the treatment of variousailments. Besides its medicinal properties, it has been identified as a potential source of anthocyanin production.The present study was carried out to investigate the effect of sucrose and methyl jasmonate and feeding time oncell biomass yield and anthocyanin production in cell suspension culture of M. malabathricum. Addition of differentconcentrations of sucrose into the cell culture of M. malabathricum influenced cell biomass and pigment accumulation. The addition of methyl jasmonate was found to have no effect on cell biomass but the presence of higher amount (12.5-50mg/L) had caused a reduction in anthocyanin production and accumulation. MS medium supplemented with 30g/L sucrose and 3.5 mg/L of MeJA added on cero day and 3rd day produced high fresh cell mass at the end of nine days of culture but did not support the production of anthocyanins. However, cells cultured in the medium supplemented with 45g/L sucrose without MeJA showed the highest pigment content (0.69±0.22Cv/g-FCM). The cells cultured in MS medium supplemented with 30 g/L sucrose with 3.5mg/L MeJA added on the 3rd and 6th day of culture, showed the lowest pigment content (0.37-0.40Cv/g-FCM). This study indicated that MeJA was not necessary but sucrose was needed for the enhancement of cell growth and anthocyanin production in M. malabathricum cell cultures. Rev. Biol. Trop. 59 (2): 597-606. Epub 2011 June 01.

elastoma malabathricum pertenece a la familia de las melastomáceas, es una planta medicinal importante ampliamente distribuida desde Madagascar hasta Australia, que se utiliza en remedios tradicionales para el tratamiento de diversas dolencias. Además de sus propiedades medicinales, se ha identificado como una fuente potencial de producción de antocianinas. En esta investigación se estudió el efecto de la sucrosa, el metil jasmonato y el tiempo de ingestión en la producción de biomasa de las células y la producción de antocianinas, en el cultivo de células en suspensión de M. malabathricum. La adición de diferentes concentraciones de sucrosa al cultivo de células de M. malabathricum influencia la biomasa de las células y la acumulación de pigmento. La adición de metil jasmonato no tuvo ningún efecto sobre la biomasa celular, pero la presencia de una cantidad más alta (12.5-50mg/L) causó una reducción en la producción y acumulación de antocianinas. El medio MS complementado con sucrosa 30g/L y 3.5mg/L de MeJA en el día cero y el tercer día produjo una gran masa de células frescas al final de los nueve días de cultivo pero no se pudo mantener la producción de antocianinas. Sin embargo, las células cultivadas en el medio complementado con 45g/L de sucrosa sin MeJA mostró el mayor contenido de pigmento (0.69±0.22cv/g-fcm). Las células cultivadas en el medio MS complementado con 30 g/L de sucrosa y con 3.5 mg/l MeJA en el tercer y sexto día de cultivo, mostró el menor contenido de pigmentos (0.37-0.40cv/g-fcm). Este estudio indicó que MeJA no era necesario pero la sucrosa sí se necesitaba para mejorar el crecimiento celular y la producción de antocianinas en cultivos de células de M. malabathricum.

In vivo anti-angiogenic effects further support the promise of the antineoplasic activity of methyl jasmonate / Efeitos antiangiogênicos in vivo convalidam a atividade antineoplásica potencial do metiljasmonato

Molecular plant components have long been aimed at the angiogenesis and anti-angiogenesis pathways, and have been tested as sources for antineoplasic drugs with promising success. The present work deals with the anti-angiogenic effects of Methyl Jasmonate. Jasmonate derivatives were demonstrated to selectively damage the mitochondria of cancer cells. In vitro, 1-10 mM Methyl Jasmonate induced the cell death of the human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and the Murine melanoma cells (B16F10), while micromolar concentrations were ineffective. In vivo, comparable concentrations were toxic and reduced the vessel density of the Chorioallantoic Membrane of the Chicken Embryo (CAM). However, 1-10 µM concentrations produced a complex effect. There was increased capillary budding, but the new vessels were leakier and less organised than corresponding controls. It is suggested that not only direct toxicity, but also the drug effects upon angiogenesis are relevant to the antineoplasic effects of Methyl Jasmonate.

Moléculas de origem vegetal são, há muito, conhecidas como substâncias ativas sobre as vias de angiogênese e antiangiogênese e foram testadas como fonte de drogas antineoplásicas com sucesso promissor. Este trabalho trata dos efeitos antiangiogênicos do Metiljasmonato, um protótipo da família dos derivados do ácido jasmônico, que danificam seletivamente a mitocôndria de células neoplásicas. In vitro, metiljasmonato 1-10 mM promoveu a morte celular de células endoteliais humanas de cordão umbilical (HUVEC) e de melanoma murino (B16F10); concentrações micromolares foram inócuas. In vivo, concentrações equivalentes foram tóxicas e reduziram a densidade de vasos em membranas corioalantoicas de embrião de galinha (CAM). Entretanto, concentrações entre 1-10 µM produziram um efeito complexo. Ocorreu aumento no brotamento capilar, mas os novos vasos apresentaram-se frágeis e menos organizados que os controles correspondentes. Sugere-se que, além da toxicidade direta contra as células tumorais, a ação do metiljasmonato sobre a angiogênese seja relevante para seu efeito antineoplásico.