Omanische Heilpflanze im Fokus der Phytochemie IPB-Wissenschaftler und Partner aus Dhofar haben jüngst die omanische Heilpflanze Terminalia dhofarica unter die phytochemische Lupe genommen. Die Pflanze ist reich an…
Geschmack ist vorhersagbar: Mit FlavorMiner. FlavorMiner heißt das Tool, das IPB-Chemiker und Partner aus Kolumbien jüngst entwickelt haben. Das Programm kann, basierend auf maschinellem Lernen (KI), anhand der…
Wouters, A. D.; Bessa, A. B.; Sachini, M.; Wessjohann, L. A.; Lüdtke, D. S.;Boron-Zinc Exchange in The Diastereoselective Arylation of Sugar-Based Aldehydes: Stereoselective Synthesis of (+)-7-epi-Goniofufurone and AnaloguesSynthesis452222-2233(2013)DOI: 10.1055/s-0033-1339285
The substrate-controlled diastereoselective arylation of chiral aldehydes readily available from carbohydrates is described, using the boron–zinc exchange reaction to generate the transferable aryl groups. The methodology developed was applied to the total synthesis of the styryllactone (+)-7-epi-goniofufurone and analogues thereof.
Publikation
Wirthmueller, L.; Maqbool, A.; Banfield, M. J.;On the front line: structural insights into plant–pathogen interactionsNat. Rev. Microbiol.11761-776(2013)DOI: 10.1038/nrmicro3118
Over the past decade, considerable advances have been made in understanding the molecular mechanisms that underpin the arms race between plant pathogens and their hosts. Alongside genomic, bioinformatic, proteomic, biochemical and cell biological analyses of plant–pathogen interactions, three-dimensional structural studies of virulence proteins deployed by pathogens to promote infection, in some cases complexed with their plant cell targets, have uncovered key insights into the functions of these molecules. Structural information on plant immune receptors, which regulate the response to pathogen attack, is also starting to emerge. Structural studies of bacterial plant pathogen–host systems have been leading the way, but studies of filamentous plant pathogens are gathering pace. In this Review, we summarize the key developments in the structural biology of plant pathogen–host interactions.
Publikation
Wirthmueller, L.; Roth, C.; Banfield, M. J.; Wiermer, M.;Hop-on hop-off: importin-α-guided tours to the nucleus in innate immune signalingFront. Plant Sci.4149(2013)DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2013.00149
Nuclear translocation of immune regulatory proteins and signal transducers is an essential process in animal and plant defense signaling against pathogenic microbes. Import of proteins containing a nuclear localization signal (NLS) into the nucleus is mediated by nuclear transport receptors termed importins, typically dimers of a cargo-binding α-subunit and a β-subunit that mediates translocation through the nuclear pore complex. Here, we review recent reports of importin-α cargo specificity and mutant phenotypes in plant- and animal–microbe interactions. Using homology modeling of the NLS-binding cleft of nine predicted Arabidopsis α-importins and analyses of their gene expression patterns, we discuss functional redundancy and specialization within this transport receptor family. In addition, we consider how pathogen effector proteins that promote infection by manipulating host cell nuclear processes might compete with endogenous cargo proteins for nuclear uptake.
Publikation
Wils, C. R.; Brandt, W.; Manke, K.; Vogt, T.;A single amino acid determines position specificity of an Arabidopsis thaliana CCoAOMT-like O-methyltransferaseFEBS Lett.587683-689(2013)DOI: 10.1016/j.febslet.2013.01.040
Caffeoyl‐coenzyme A O‐methyltransferase (CCoAOMT)‐like proteins from plants display a conserved position specificity towards the meta‐position of aromatic vicinal dihydroxy groups, consistent with the methylation pattern observed in vivo. A CCoAOMT‐like enzyme identified from Arabidopsis thaliana encoded by the gene At4g26220 shows a strong preference for methylating the para position of flavanones and dihydroflavonols, whereas flavones and flavonols are methylated in the meta‐position. Sequence alignments and homology modelling identified several unique amino acids compared to motifs of other CCoAOMT‐like enzymes. Mutation of a single glycine, G46 towards a tyrosine was sufficient for a reversal of the unusual para‐ back to meta‐O‐methylation of flavanones and dihydroflavonols.