The complete chloroplast genome sequence of yellow mustard (Sinapis alba L.) and its phylogenetic relationship to other Brassicaceae species.

As a member of the large Brassicaceae family, yellow mustard (Sinapis alba L.) has been used as an important gene pool for the genetic improvement of cash crops in Brassicaceae. Understanding the phylogenetic relationship between Sinapis alba (S. alba) and other Brassicaceae crops can provide guidance on the introgression of its favorable alleles into related species. The chloroplast (cp) genome is an ideal model for assessing genome evolution and the phylogenetic relationships of complex angiosperm families. Herein, we de novo assembled the complete cp genome of S. alba by integrating the PacBio and Illumina sequencing platforms. A 153,760 bp quadripartite cycle without any gap was obtained, including a pair of inverted repeats (IRa and IRb) of 26,221 bp, separated by a large single copy (LSC) region of 83,506 bp and a small single copy (SSC) region of 17,821 bp. A total of 78 protein-coding genes, 30 tRNA genes, and four rRNA genes were identified in this cp genome, as were 89 simple sequence repeat (SSR) loci of 18 types. The codon usage analysis revealed a preferential use of the Leu codon with the A/U ending. The phylogenetic analysis using 82 Brassicaceae species demonstrated that S. alba had a close relationship with important Brassica and Raphanus species; moreover, it likely originated from a separate evolutionary pathway compared with the congeneric Sinapis arvensis. The synonymous (Ks) and non-synonymous (Ks) substitution rate analysis showed that genes encoding "Subunits of cytochrome b/f complex" were under the lowest purifying selection pressure, whereas those associated with "Maturase", "Subunit of acetyl-CoA", and "Subunits of NADH-dehydrogenase" underwent relatively higher purifying selection pressures. Our results provide valuable information for fully utilizing the S. alba cp genome as a potential genetic resource for the genetic improvement of Brassica and Raphanus species.

Antiproliferative, Proapoptotic, Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Effects of Sinapis nigra L. and Sinapis alba L. Extracts.

High Brassicaceae consumption reduces the risk of developing several cancer types, probably due to high levels of glucosinolates. Extracts from Sinapis nigra L. (S. nigra) and Sinapis alba L. (S. alba) have been obtained from leaves and seeds under different conditions using ethanol/water mixtures because their glucosinolates are well accepted by the food industry. The EtOH/H2O 8:2 mixture gives better yields in glucosinolate amounts from ground seeds, mainly, sinalbin in S. alba and sinigrin in S. nigra. The highest antiproliferative activity in both non-tumor and tumor cell lines was induced by S. alba seeds extract. To evaluate whether the effect of Sinapis species (spp) was only due to glucosinolate content or whether it was influenced by the extracts' complexity, cells were treated with extracts or glucosinolates, in the presence of myrosinase. Pure sinigrin did not modify cell proliferation, while pure sinalbin was less effective than the extract. The addition of myrosinase increased the antiproliferative effects of the S. nigra extract and sinigrin. Antiproliferative activity was correlated to Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases modulation, which was cell and extract-dependent. Cell-cycle analysis evidenced a proapoptotic effect of S. alba on both tumor cell lines and of S. nigra only on HCT 116. Both extracts showed good antimicrobial activity in disc diffusion tests and on ready-to-eat fresh salad. These results underline the potential effects of Sinapis spp in chemoprevention and food preservation.

Thermal and pressure stability of myrosinase enzymes from black mustard (Brassica nigra L. W.D.J. Koch. var. nigra), brown mustard (Brassica juncea L. Czern. var. juncea) and yellow mustard (Sinapsis alba L. subsp. maire) seeds.

This study investigates the effects of temperature and pressure on inactivation of myrosinase extracted from black, brown and yellow mustard seeds. Brown mustard had higher myrosinase activity (2.75 un/mL) than black (1.50 un/mL) and yellow mustard (0.63 un/mL). The extent of enzyme inactivation increased with pressure (600-800 MPa) and temperature (30-70° C) for all the mustard seeds. However, at combinations of lower pressures (200-400 MPa) and high temperatures (60-80 °C), there was less inactivation. For example, application of 300 MPa and 70 °C for 10 min retained 20%, 80% and 65% activity in yellow, black and brown mustard, respectively, whereas the corresponding activity retentions when applying only heat (70° C, 10 min) were 0%, 59% and 35%. Thus, application of moderate pressures (200-400 MPa) can potentially be used to retain myrosinase activity needed for subsequent glucosinolate hydrolysis.

Development of a chloroplast DNA marker for monitoring of transgene introgression in Brassica napus L.

Chloroplast molecular markers can provide useful information for high-resolution analysis of inter- and intra-specific variation in Brassicaceae and for differentiation between its species. Combining data generated from nuclear and chloroplast markers enables the study of seed and pollen movement, and assists in the assessment of gene-flow from genetically modified (GM) plants through hybridization studies. To develop chloroplast DNA markers for monitoring of transgene introgression in Brassica napus L., we searched for sequence variations in the chloroplast (cp) genome, and developed a simple cpDNA marker that is reliable, time-saving, and easily discriminates among 4 species (B. napus, B. rapa, Raphanus sativus, and Sinapis alba) based on PCR-product length polymorphism. This marker will be useful to identify maternal lineages and to estimate transgene movement of GM canola.

[Micromorphological comparative identification between several Chinese herbal medicines and their counterfeits].

OBJECTIVE: To identify comparatively several commercial Chinese herbal medicines and their counterfeits. METHOD: The micromorphological characters were identified. The shape, surface, section and other characters of the medicinal materials were identified by using anatomical lens and scanning apparatus. Pictures were taken and saved. RESULT: Main micromorphological differences between several Chinese herbal medicine including Lonicera macranthoides, L. similis, Cuminum cyminum, Plantago asiatica, Cuscuta chinensis, Sinapis alba, Salvia miltiorrhiza and their counterfeits were identified. CONCLUSION: The reference for the authenticity identification of Chinese herbal medicine and helpful experiences for the research of the same subject were provided.

Genome-specific SCAR markers help solve taxonomy issues: a case study with Sinapis arvensis (Brassiceae, Brassicaceae).

PREMISE OF THE STUDY: Traditional taxonomy and nomenclature of Brassiceae (Brassicaceae) species do not reflect their phylogeny. Revision of the species and generic limits supported by extensive molecular data seems crucial. METHODS AND RESULTS: Genome-specific polymorphisms extracted from non-coding and coding sequences were used to develop 14 sequence characterized amplified region (SCAR) markers specific for the Brassica B genome. These SCARs were verified against 77 accessions of six U-triangle Brassica species and used to screen 23 accessions of seven wild Brassiceae species to test for their cross-species amplification. SCARs were found in all B-genome Brassica species and also in Sinapis arvensis. CONCLUSIONS: SCAR markers can be employed for discerning B-genome chromosomes in Brassica species and S. arvensis to reliably identify B-genome species and their natural hybrids. The combined molecular evidence supports the suggestion to revise the generic limits of Brassica and Sinapis.

The mosaic of ancestral karyotype blocks in the Sinapis alba L. genome.

The organisation of the Sinapis alba genome, comprising 12 linkage groups (n = 12), was compared with the Brassicaceae ancestral karyotype (AK) genomic blocks previously described in other crucifer species. Most of the S. alba genome falls into conserved triplicated genomic blocks that closely match the AK-defined genomic blocks found in other crucifer species including the A, B, and C genomes of closely related Brassica species. In one instance, an S. alba linkage group (S05) was completely collinear with one AK chromosome (AK1), the first time this has been observed in a member of the Brassiceae tribe. However, as observed for other members of the Brassiceae tribe, ancestral genomic blocks were fragmented in the S. alba genome, supporting previously reported comparative chromosome painting describing rearrangements of the AK karyotype prior to the divergence of the Brassiceae from other crucifers. The presented data also refute previous phylogenetic reports that suggest S. alba was more closely related to Brassica nigra (B genome) than to B. rapa (A genome) and B. oleracea (C genome). A comparison of the S. alba and Arabidopsis thaliana genomes revealed many regions of conserved gene order, which will facilitate access to the rich genomic resources available in the model species A. thaliana for genetic research in the less well-resourced crop species S. alba.