lignin-down-regulation-zea-mays-via-dsrnai-klason-lignin

Lignin Down-regulation of <em>Zea mays</em> via dsRNAi and Klason Lignin Analysis

To facilitate the use of lignocellulosic biomass as an alternative bioenergy resource, during biological conversion processes, a pretreatment step is ...

ultrasonic-assisted-extraction-cannabidiolic-acid-from-cannabis

Ultrasonic-Assisted Extraction of Cannabidiolic Acid from <em>Cannabis</em> Biomass

Industrial hemp (Cannabis spp.) has many compounds of interest with potential medical benefits. Of these compounds, cannabinoids have come to the center ...

employing-aeroponic-systems-for-the-clonal-propagation-of-cannabis

Employing Aeroponic Systems for the Clonal Propagation of Cannabis

This protocol describes the standardization of an efficient clonal propagation technique of hemp by utilizing aeroponic systems. Primary shoot cuttings ...

tobacco-hornworm-as-an-insect-model-system-for-cannabinoid-pre

Tobacco Hornworm as an Insect Model System for Cannabinoid Pre-clinical Studies

With increased attention on cannabinoids in medicine, several mammalian model organisms have been used to elucidate their unknown pharmaceutical ...

University of Arizona

Colorado State University-Pueblo

Calcium oxalate is the most abundant insoluble mineral found in plants and its crystals have been reported in more than 200 plant families. In the barrel medic Medicago truncatula Gaertn., these crystals accumulate predominantly in a sheath surrounding secondary veins of leaves. Mutants of M. truncatula with decreased levels of calcium oxalate crystals were used to assess the defensive role of this mineral against insects. Caterpillar larvae of the beet armyworm Spodoptera exigua Hübner show a clear feeding preference for tissue from calcium oxalate-defective (cod) mutant lines cod5 and cod6 in choice test comparisons with wild-type M. truncatula. Compared to their performance on mutant lines, larvae feeding on wild-type plants with abundant calcium oxalate crystals suffer significantly reduced growth and increased mortality. Induction of wound-responsive genes appears to be normal in cod5 and cod6, indicating that these lines are not deficient in induced insect defenses. Electron micrographs of insect mouthparts indicate that the prismatic crystals in M. truncatula leaves act as physical abrasives during feeding. Food utilization measurements show that, after consumption, calcium oxalate also interferes with the conversion of plant material into insect biomass during digestion. In contrast to their detrimental effects on a chewing insect, calcium oxalate crystals do not negatively affect the performance of the pea aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum Harris, a sap-feeding insect with piercing-sucking mouthparts. The results confirm a long-held hypothesis for the defensive function of these crystals and point to the potential value of genes controlling crystal formation and localization in crop plants.

Medicago truncatula mutants demonstrate the role of plant calcium oxalate crystals as an effective defense against chewing insects.

Recent studies indicated that water treatment polymers such as poly(epichlorohydrin dimethylamine) (polyamine) and poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (polyDADMAC) may form N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) when in contact with chloramine water disinfectants. To minimize such potential risk and improve the polymer products, the mechanisms of how the polymers behave as NDMA precursors need to be elucidated. Direct chloramination of polymers and intermediate monomers in reagent water was conducted to probe the predominant mechanisms. The impact of polymer properties including polymer purity, polymer molecular weight and structure, residual dimethylamine (DMA), and other intermediate compounds involved in polymer synthesis, and reaction conditions such as pH, oxidant dose, and contact time on the NDMA formation potential (NDMA-FP) was investigated. Polymer degradation after reaction with chloramines was monitored at the molecular level using FT-IR and Raman spectroscopy. Overall, polyamines have greater NDMA-FP than polyDADMAC, and the NDMA formation from both polymers is strongly related to polymer degradation and DMA release during chloramination. Polyamines' tertiary amine chain ends play a major role in their NDMA-FP, while polyDADMACs' NDMA-FP is related to degradation of the quaternary ammonium ring group.

Degradation of amine-based water treatment polymers during chloramination as N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) precursors.

Although several biological roles of SIRT1 have been reported, the expression and role of SIRT1 in human dental pulp cells (HDPCs) remain unknown. To identify the role of SIRT1 in HDPCS, we measured SIRT1 messenger RNA and protein levels during the odontoblastic differentiation of HDPCs. Additionally, we investigated the effects of SIRT1 overexpression and knockdown on the differentiation of HDPCs.

The role of SIRT1 on angiogenic and odontogenic potential in human dental pulp cells.

Upland cotton ( L.) produces terpenoid aldehydes (TAs) that protect the plant from microbial and insect infestations. Foliar TAs include plus (+)- and minus (-)-gossypol, hemigossypolone, and heliocides. To examine foliar TAs' response to physical wounding, the four TA derivatives of a fully glanded  variety JACO GL were quantified by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography. The results show that foliar heliocides increased by 1.7-fold in younger leaves after wounding. While the hemigossypolone level was not affected by the physical wounding, the level of heliocides was significantly increased up to 1.8-fold in the younger leaves. Upland cotton accumulates concentrated carbohydrates, amino acids, and fatty acids in foliar extrafloral nectar (EFN) to serve as a nutrient resource, which attracts both beneficial insects and damaging pests. To better understand the nectar physiology, particularly to determine the temporal dynamics of EFN metabolites in response to the wounding, a gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer (GC-MS) was used to perform metabolic profiling analyses of a  variety Deltapine 383 that has fully developed extrafloral nectaries. A total of 301 compounds were monitored, specifically 75 primary metabolites, two secondary metabolites and 224 unidentified compounds. The physical wounding treatment changed the EFN composition and lowered overall production. The accumulation of 30 metabolites was altered in response to the wounding treatment and threonic acid levels increased consistently. GC-MS combined with Kovat's analysis enabled identification of EFN secondary metabolites including furfuryl alcohol and 5-hyrdomethoxyfurfural, which both have antioxidant and antimicrobial properties that may protect the nectar against microbial pathogens. This study provides new insights into the wounding response of cotton plants in terms of cotton metabolites found in leaf glands and extrafloral nectar as well as highlighting some protective functions of secondary metabolites produced in foliar glands and extrafloral nectaries.

Chemical defense responses of upland cotton,  L. to physical wounding.

Cannabis sativa, also known as marijuana or hemp, produces a non-psychoactive compound cannabidiol (CBD). To investigate the defensive role of CBD, a feeding preference assay was performed with tobacco hornworm Manduca sexta. The larvae clearly show feeding preference towards the Cannabis tissue containing low CBD over high CBD. While the larva avoided the high CBD diet, we investigated detrimental effects of CBD in the insects' diet. Contrasted to the performance on low CBD-infused artificial diet (AD), larvae reared on the high CBD diet suffer significantly reduced growth and increased mortality. Through testing different carriers, we found that the increase of EtOH in the diet is negatively correlated with insect development and behaviors. Notably, CBD treatment significantly improved ethanol-intoxicated larval survival rate by 40% and also improved diet searching activity, resulting in increased diet consumption. Electrophysiology results revealed that the CBD-treated ganglia had delayed but much larger response with electric stimuli in comparison to the larvae reared on AD only and EtOH-added diet. Our results show CBDs' defensive role against pest insects, which suggests its possible use as an insecticide. We also provide evidence that CBD alleviates alcohol-induced stress; consequently, improving the performance and viability of M. sexta larvae.

Contrasting Roles of Cannabidiol as an Insecticide and Rescuing Agent for Ethanol-induced Death in the Tobacco Hornworm Manduca sexta.

This review aims to present completed clinical trial data surrounding the medicinal benefits and potential side effects of the increasingly popular cannabidiol (CBD)-based drug products, specifically Epidiolex. The article is divided into two sections based on if the ailment being treated by this cannabinoid is classified as either physiological or neurological conditions. In addition to describing the current status, we also examined the different primary and secondary outcomes recorded for each study, which varies greatly depending on the funding source of the clinical trial. With the recent FDA-approval of Epidiolex, this review mainly focused on trials involving this specific formulation since it is the only CBD-based drug currently available to clinicians, although all other clinically trialed CBD(A) drugs were also examined. We hope this review will help guide future research and clinical trials by providing the various outcomes measured in a single review.

Cannabidiol Drugs Clinical Trial Outcomes and Adverse Effects.

For nearly a century,  has been stigmatized and criminalized across the globe, but in recent years, there has been a growing interest in  due to the therapeutic potential of phytocannabinoids. With this emerging interest in , concerns have arisen about the possible contaminations of hemp with pesticides, heavy metals, microbial pathogens, and carcinogenic compounds during the cultivation, manufacturing, and packaging processes. This is of particular concern for those turning to  for medicinal purposes, especially those with compromised immune systems. This review aims to provide types of contaminants and examples of  contamination using case studies that elucidate the medical consequences consumers risk when using adulterated  products. Thus, it is imperative to develop universal standards for cultivation and testing of products to protect those who consume .

Cannabis Contaminants Limit Pharmacological Use of Cannabidiol.

Primary phloem fibres (PPFs) have higher fibre quality and are economically more important for the textile sector than secondary phloem fibres. Both the chemical composition and mechanical structure of the secondary cell wall mainly influence the quality of bast fibres. We investigated the thickening of the galactan-enriched (Gn) layer and its modification process into a gelatinous (G)-layer, which is the largest portion of the secondary cell wall, during the development of the PPF in . Stem segments of hemp collected at 17, 29, 52 and 62 days after sowing were comparatively examined using light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The initial cells of PPF started the proliferation and differentiation at 17 days, but the secondary cell wall thickening had already commenced before the 29 days. Both the G- and Gn-layer were rapidly added onto the S-layer of PPFs; thus, the secondary cell wall thickness increased approximately 2-fold at 52 days (from the 29-day mark), and 8-fold at 62 days. The cortical microtubule arrays appeared adjacent to the plasma membrane of PPF cells related to the cellulose synthesis. Additionally, cross-sectioned microfibrils were observed on Gn-layer as the cluster of tiny spots. At 62 days, the specific stratification structure consisting of several lamellae occurred on the G-layer of the secondary cell wall. The secondary cell wall thickened remarkably at 52 days through 62 days so that the mature secondary cell wall consisted of three distinctive layers, the S-, G- and Gn-layer. Cortical microtubule arrays frequently appeared adjacent to the plasma membrane together with cellulose microfibrils on secondary cell wall. The G-layer of PPF at 62 days exhibited the characteristic stratification structure, which demonstrates the modification of the Gn-layer into the G-layer.

The thickening and modification of the galactan-enriched layer during primary phloem fibre development in .

Cannabis sativa L. produces at least 120 cannabinoids. Although genetic variation is the main factor in cannabinoid production, the effects of short-term environmental stresses in the early flowering stage remains largely unknown.

Effects of short-term environmental stresses on the onset of cannabinoid production in young immature flowers of industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.).

Cross-pollination of commercial crops has been an ongoing issue in many species.  spp. encompasses the classifications of marijuana [high in Δ-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)] and hemp (below 0.3% THC). As such, cannabis is the most recent crop facing the dilemma of cross-pollination and is leading to litigation. These litigations are driven by the large misunderstanding of the impacts of cross-pollination within the cannabis industry. The misconception is that if hemp is cross-pollinated by high THC cannabis, the hemp will become "hot" (high in THC) thereby rendering the crop illegal under the 2018 Farm Bill. However, there are many factors that contribute to the amount of THC a plant may produce. This article examines and refutes the misconception of cross-pollination increasing THC levels by highlighting several methods of how THC may become high in a given hemp crop.

Industry-Based Misconceptions Regarding Cross-Pollination of  spp.

Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the most abundant components of Cannabis and has long been used in Cannabis-based preparations. Recently, CBD has become a promising pharmacological agent because of its beneficial properties in the pathophysiology of several diseases. Although CBD is a kind of cannabinoid and acts on cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2), molecular targets involved in diverse therapeutic properties of CBD have not been identified because CBD also interacts with other molecular targets. Considering that CBD alters the intracellular calcium level by which calpain activity is controlled, and both CBD and calpain are associated with various diseases related to calcium signaling, including neurological disorders, this review provides an overview of calpain and calcium signaling as possible molecular targets of CBD. As calpain is known to play an important role in the pathophysiology of neurological disease, a deeper understanding of its relationship with CBD will be meaningful. To understand the role of CBD as a calpain regulator, in silico structural analysis on the binding mode of CBD with calpain was performed.

Cannabidiol, a Regulator of Intracellular Calcium and Calpain.

Resequencing of the chloroplast genome (cpDNA) of  UTEX 25 was completed (GenBank Accession no. KC631634.1), revealing a genome size of 84,576 base pairs and 30.8% GC content, consistent with features reported for the previously sequenced  0710, (GenBank Accession no. KC843975). The  UTEX 25 cpDNA encoded 78 predicted open reading frames, 32 tRNAs, and 4 rRNAs, making it smaller and more compact than the cpDNA genome of  (124,579 bp) and  (150,613 bp). By comparison, the compact genome size of  was attributable primarily to a lower intergenic sequence content. The cpDNA coding regions of all known  species were found to be organized in conserved colinear blocks, with some rearrangements. The  and  species genome structure and composition were similar, and of particular interest were genes influencing photosynthetic efficiency, i.e., chlorophyll synthesis and photosystem subunit I and II genes, consistent with other biofuel species of interest. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that  is the closest known  relative, followed by members of the genus . The cpDNA of  encodes 37 genes that are highly homologous to representative cyanobacteria species, including , , and , corroborating a well-recognized symbiosis. Several putative coding regions were identified that shared high nucleotide sequence identity with virus-like sequences, suggestive of horizontal gene transfer. Despite these predictions, no corresponding transcripts were obtained by RT-PCR amplification, indicating they are unlikely to be expressed in the extant lineage.

ArticleTotal : 4	Year
Publication title Cited by 7	2014
Publication title Cited by 5	2022
Publication title Cited by 4	2021
Publication title Cited by 4	2021

Article	Year
Medicago truncatula mutants demonstrate the role of plant calcium oxalate crystals as an effective defense against chewing insects. Plant physiology\| PubMed ID: 16514014	2006
Degradation of amine-based water treatment polymers during chloramination as N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) precursors. Environmental science & technology\| PubMed ID: 19350904	2009
The role of SIRT1 on angiogenic and odontogenic potential in human dental pulp cells. Journal of endodontics\| PubMed ID: 22703651	2012
Chemical defense responses of upland cotton, L. to physical wounding. Plant direct\| PubMed ID: 31245779	2019
Contrasting Roles of Cannabidiol as an Insecticide and Rescuing Agent for Ethanol-induced Death in the Tobacco Hornworm Manduca sexta. Scientific reports\| PubMed ID: 31324859	2019
Cannabidiol Drugs Clinical Trial Outcomes and Adverse Effects. Frontiers in pharmacology\| PubMed ID: 32161538	2020
Cannabis Contaminants Limit Pharmacological Use of Cannabidiol. Frontiers in pharmacology\| PubMed ID: 33013414	2020
The thickening and modification of the galactan-enriched layer during primary phloem fibre development in . AoB PLANTS\| PubMed ID: 34394905	2021
Effects of short-term environmental stresses on the onset of cannabinoid production in young immature flowers of industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.). Journal of cannabis research\| PubMed ID: 34980266	2022
Industry-Based Misconceptions Regarding Cross-Pollination of spp. Frontiers in plant science\| PubMed ID: 35154220	2022
Cannabidiol, a Regulator of Intracellular Calcium and Calpain. Cannabis and cannabinoid research\| PubMed ID: 35196129	2022
Comparison of and spp. Chloroplast Genomes: Evidence for Endosymbiosis and Horizontal Virus-like Gene Transfer. Life (Basel, Switzerland)\| PubMed ID: 35330209	2022

Sang-Hyuck Park

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