Lycoris
Detection of hydrolytic activity of trypsin with a fluorescence-chymotryptic peptide on a TLC plate. (1/12)
To find a new trypsin-like enzyme, a simple assay method of the hydrolysis activity for trypsin has been found. We used 6-aminoquinolyl-N-hydroxysuccinimidyl carbamate (AQC) in the peptide labeling as a substrate for the trypsin-like peptidase in this study. The peptidase activity of trypsin was detected by using an AQC-chymotryptic peptide (AHP1) obtained from bovine hemoglobin. This showed that the substrate specificity of trypsin-like peptidase was distinguishable from that of the others by this procedure, and the method was used extensively in cases of various trypsin inhibitors with no significant interference from the concomitant. (+info)Genetic variations in Lycoris radiata var. radiata in Japan. (2/12)
The genetic variations of Lycoris radiata var. radiata, a completely sterile triploid from Japan, were examined by comparing the nucleotide sequences of genomic DNA regions in 11 triploid strains sampled from Japan and four triploid strains sampled from China, and in two diploid strains of Lycoris radiata var. pumila, which is endemic to China and fertile. For this purpose, two genes were analyzed, the lectin gene in the nuclear genome and the maturase gene in the chloroplast genome. A clear genetic constancy was observed in their DNA nucleotide sequences. For both genes, completely identical nucleotide sequences were detected in the 11 Japanese and four Chinese triploid strains and also between the two Chinese diploid strains. However, some genetic variations were observed between the Japanese and Chinese triploid strains, and between the triploid and diploid strains. These results are consistent with the findings obtained from previous chromosome karyotype analyses and allozyme analyses. In addition, in our preliminary FISH analysis of the physical mapping of the rRNA gene family, the 18S-5.8S-26S rRNA and 5S rRNA loci were localized on six and four chromosomes, respectively. Regarding the 18S-5.8S-26S rRNA loci, two were associated with two SAT chromosomes. The remaining four were distinguished by having no secondary constriction. Localization of 5S rRNA loci to chromosome spreads revealed three sites on the proximal part of the long arm of three acrocentric chromosomes and one site on the distal part of the long arm of the SAT chromosome; the latter site was juxtaposed to the 18S-5.8S-26S rRNA loci. These findings indicate that L. radiata var. radiata is not a typical autotriploid. The present paper discusses the possible origin of L. radiata var. radiata from a diploid variety of L. radiata var. pumila, based on the molecular cytogenetic analysis and DNA sequence analysis. (+info)Genetic variations in the chloroplast genome and phylogenetic clustering of Lycoris species. (3/12)
The genus Lycoris of Amaryllidaceae comprises approximately 20 species that are distributed only in the moist warm temperate woodlands of eastern Asia. The objectives of this study were: (1) to clarify the phylogeny of the Lycoris species by using the definitive DNA sequencing method and (2) to examine the possible maternal donor of the hybrid origin Lycoris species and the Japanese triploid strains of Lycoris radiata var. radiata. The nucleotide sequence of the maturase K (matK) gene and the noncoding intergenic spacer (IGS) between the atpB and rbcL genes in the chloroplast genome were determined in a total of 27 strains of 11 species of the genus Lycoris. Variation among taxa was mainly due to nucleotide substitution, although deletions and an insertion were found in the IGS. For two chloroplast regions, the phylogenetic trees showed essentially similar topology, indicating the existence of four clades, I, II, III, and IV. For all the species except L. radiata, intraspecific variation was smaller than interspecific variation. For L. radiata, triploid strains were divided into clades I and II, and diploid strains were divided into clades I and IV. This implies that the diploid species of L. radiata var. pumila is a probable ancestral species. The clustering indicated that the chloroplast genome has not evolved in parallel with the karyotype in genus Lycoris. Regarding the hybrid origin species, the maternal parents of L. squamigara, L. albiflora and L. rosea were revealed to be L. longituba, L. radiata and L. radiata var pumila, respectively. We also suggest that a diploid strain of L. radiata var. pumila in clade I might be a candidate of the maternal donor of the Japanese triploid strains. A possible model of the maternal donor of Lycoris species is proposed. (+info)A novel tetrameric lectin from Lycoris aurea with four mannose binding sites per monomer. (4/12)
The mannose-binding agglutinin from bulbs of Lycoris aurea (LAA) agglutinates rabbit but not human erythrocytes. The molecular mass of the monomer in SDS/PAGE is 12 kDa while the apparent molecular mass in gel filtration is 48 kDa, indicating that LAA is a homotetramer. The full-length cDNA of LAA contains 683 bp with an open reading frame encoding a protomer of 162 amino-acid residues. Hydrophobic Cluster Analysis and molecular modeling of the 109-residue mature polypeptide suggested a similar secondary and tertiary structure to those of Narcissus pseudonarcissus agglutinin (NPA). Molecular docking revealed that, besides the three mannose-binding sites common among Amaryllidaceae lectins, LAA also contains a fourth unique mannose-binding site formed by a tryptophan cluster. The existence of four mannose-binding sites in each monomer of LAA is very unusual and has only been reported for NPA earlier. (+info)Two new amaryllidaceae alkaloids from the bulbs of Lycoris radiata. (5/12)
Two new Amaryllidaceae alkaloids, named lycoranines A (1) and B (2), were isolated from the bulbs of Lycoris radiata. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis. Compound 2 was a new-type alkaloid, which provided a new insight into the biosynthesis of alkaloids in Amaryllidaceae plants. (+info)Analysis of floral transcription factors from Lycoris longituba. (6/12)
(+info)Natural variation in petal color in Lycoris longituba revealed by anthocyanin components. (7/12)
(+info)Polymorphic microsatellite loci for the genetic analysis of Lycoris radiata (Amaryllidaceae) and cross-amplification in other congeneric species. (8/12)
(+info)"Lycoris" is a term that pertains to a genus of herbaceous, flowering plants in the amaryllis family (Amaryllidaceae). These plants are native to eastern and southern Asia, and they are known for their attractive, funnel-shaped flowers that bloom in late summer or early fall.
However, it seems that you may be looking for a medical definition of "Lycoris." In this context, there is no widely recognized medical term called "Lycoris." It's possible that you might be referring to "lycorine," which is a toxic alkaloid found in several plants of the Amaryllidaceae family, including those of the genus Lycoris.
Lycorine has shown potential as an anticancer agent in laboratory studies, but its clinical use is not established due to its high toxicity and limited research on its safety and efficacy in humans. It's important to note that lycorine should only be used under the supervision of medical professionals for experimental or therapeutic purposes.
Amaryllidaceae alkaloids are a type of naturally occurring chemical compounds that are found in plants belonging to the Amaryllidaceae family, which includes amaryllis, snowdrop, and daffodil species. These alkaloids have diverse pharmacological activities and have been studied for their potential medicinal properties. Some well-known Amaryllidaceae alkaloids include lycorine, galanthamine, and haemantamine.
Lycorine has been shown to have antiviral, antimalarial, and anti-cancer properties. Galanthamine is a reversible acetylcholinesterase inhibitor that has been used in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Haemantamine has been studied for its potential as an anti-arrhythmic agent.
It is important to note that while Amaryllidaceae alkaloids have shown promise in preclinical studies, further research is needed to determine their safety and efficacy in humans before they can be approved for medical use. Additionally, some of these alkaloids can be toxic in high concentrations, so it is important to exercise caution when handling or consuming plants that contain them.