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Adaptations of Plant Metabolism and Their Consequences on Nutritive Potential and Bioactivity

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A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Plant Sciences".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 August 2024) | Viewed by 16040

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Dr. Ivana Sola

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Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia
Interests: phytochemistry; plant bioactive compounds; plant specialized metabolism
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Dear Colleagues,

Increasingly pronounced changes in environmental conditions that occur due to climate change (high/low temperatures, drought/flooding), anthropogenic influence (such as the use of pesticides, planting monocultures, enriching the soil with minerals, water pollution, etc.), and the appearance of various pathogens (bacteria, viruses, viroids, fungi, phytoplasmas, etc.) inevitably affect plant organisms. In order to survive these conditions, plants adapt their primary (gene expression, protein, carbohydrate and lipid profile) and specialized metabolism (phenolics, glucosinolates, vitamins, etc.). Such adaptations could have profound consequences on the nutritional value of plants and bioactivity of their extracts as well.

In this Special Issue, the contributing authors explore changes in plants’ primary and specialized metabolisms under the influence of environmental pressure. They investigate the potential of adaptation in different stages of plant development, among different plant varieties, under the influence of short or constant, sudden or gradual stress, etc. The approaches employed include different techniques and methods, such as HPLC, LC-MS/MS, GC-MS/MS, NMR, ICP-MS, spectrophotometry, RT-PCR, qRT-PCR, NGS, etc. They also investigate potential consequences of such changes on the nutritional value of plant material, as well as the biological effects of its extracts using methods like MTT assay, neutral red, comet assay, effects on enzymes activity, etc. Manuscripts describing different models of prediction are welcome.

Dr. Ivana Sola
Guest Editor

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Keywords

plant primary metabolism
plant specialized metabolism
phytochemistry
plant bioactive components
plant metabolic plasticity
plant nutritional value
bioactivity of plant extracts
plant–stress response
abiotic stress
climate change
global warming
environmental pressure
biotic stress
anthropogenic influence on plant metabolites
predictive models

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Published Papers (8 papers)

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Research

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20 pages, 7090 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Correlation with Apoptosis Process through RNA-Seq Data Analysis of Hep3B Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells Treated with Glehnia littoralis Extract (GLE)

by Min-Yeong Park, Sujin Lee, Hun-Hwan Kim, Se-Hyo Jeong, Abuyaseer Abusaliya, Pritam Bhangwan Bhosale, Je-Kyung Seong, Kwang-Il Park, Jeong-Doo Heo, Meejung Ahn, Hyun-Wook Kim and Gon-Sup Kim

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(17), 9462; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25179462 - 30 Aug 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1578

Abstract

Glehnia littoralis is a perennial herb found in coastal sand dunes throughout East Asia. This herb has been reported to have hepatoprotective, immunomodulatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer activities. It may be effective against hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, whether this has been proven through gene-level RNA-seq analysis is still being determined. Therefore, we are attempting to identify target genes for the cell death process by analyzing the transcriptome of Hep3B cells among HCC treated with GLE (Glehnia littoralis extract) using RNA-seq. Hep3B was used for the GLE treatment, and the MTT test was performed. Hep3B was then treated with GLE at a set concentration of 300 μg/mL and stored for 24 h, followed by RNA isolation and sequencing. We then used the data to create a plot. As a result of the MTT analysis, cell death was observed when Hep3B cells were treated with GLE, and the IC50 was about 300 μg/mL. As a result of making plots using the RNA-seq data of Hep3B treated with 300 μg/mL GLE, a tendency for the apoptotic process was found. Flow cytometry and annexin V/propidium iodide (PI) staining verified the apoptosis of HEP3B cells treated with GLE. Therefore, an increase or decrease in the DEGs involved in the apoptosis process was confirmed. The top five genes increased were GADD45B, DDIT3, GADD45G, CHAC1, and PPP1R15A. The bottom five genes decreased were SGK1, CX3CL1, ZC3H12A, IER3, and HNF1A. In summary, we investigated the RNA-seq dataset of GLE to identify potential targets that may be involved in the apoptotic process in HCC. These goals may aid in the identification and management of HCC. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Adaptations of Plant Metabolism and Their Consequences on Nutritive Potential and Bioactivity)

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24 pages, 4661 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of UV-B and UV-C Spectrum Supplementation on the Antioxidant Properties and Photosynthetic Activity of Lettuce Cultivars

by Ernest Skowron, Magdalena Trojak and Ilona Pacak

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(17), 9298; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25179298 - 27 Aug 2024

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1364

Abstract

Indoor farming systems enable plant production in precisely controlled environments. However, implementing stable growth conditions and the absence of stress stimulants can weaken plants’ defense responses and limit the accumulation of bioactive, health-beneficial phytochemicals. A potential solution is the controlled application of stressors, such as supplemental ultraviolet (UV) light. To this end, we analyzed the efficiency of short-term pre-harvest supplementation of the red–green–blue (RGB, LED) spectrum with ultraviolet B (UV-B) or C (UV-C) light to boost phytochemical synthesis. Additionally, given the biological harm of UV radiation due to high-energy photons, we monitored plants’ photosynthetic activity during treatment and their morphology as well as sensory attributes after the treatment. Our analyses showed that UV-B radiation did not negatively impact photosynthetic activity while significantly increasing the overall antioxidant potential of lettuce through enhanced levels of secondary metabolites (total phenolics, flavonoids, anthocyanins), carotenoids, and ascorbic acid. On the contrary, UV-C radiation-induced anthocyanin accumulation in the green leaf cultivar significantly harmed the photosynthetic apparatus and limited plant growth. Taken together, we showed that short-term UV-B light supplementation is an efficient method for lettuce biofortification with healthy phytochemicals, while UV-C treatment is not recommended due to the negative impact on the quality (morphology, sensory properties) of the obtained leafy products. These results are crucial for understanding the potential of UV light supplementation for producing functional plants. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Adaptations of Plant Metabolism and Their Consequences on Nutritive Potential and Bioactivity)

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14 pages, 18360 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Do Arabinogalactan Proteins Occur in the Transfer Cells of Utricularia dichotoma?

by Bartosz J. Płachno, Małgorzata Kapusta, Piotr Stolarczyk, Marcin Feldo and Piotr Świątek

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(12), 6623; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25126623 - 16 Jun 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1255

Abstract

Species in the genus Utricularia are carnivorous plants that prey on invertebrates using traps of leaf origin. The traps are equipped with numerous different glandular trichomes. Trichomes (quadrifids) produce digestive enzymes and absorb the products of prey digestion. The main aim of this study was to determine whether arabinogalactan proteins (AGPs) occur in the cell wall ingrowths in the quadrifid cells. Antibodies (JIM8, JIM13, JIM14, MAC207, and JIM4) that act against various groups of AGPs were used. AGP localization was determined using immunohistochemistry techniques and immunogold labeling. AGPs localized with the JIM13, JIM8, and JIM14 epitopes occurred in wall ingrowths of the pedestal cell, which may be related to the fact that AGPs regulate the formation of wall ingrowths but also, due to the patterning of the cell wall structure, affect symplastic transport. The presence of AGPs in the cell wall of terminal cells may be related to the presence of wall ingrowths, but processes also involve vesicle trafficking and membrane recycling, in which these proteins participate. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Adaptations of Plant Metabolism and Their Consequences on Nutritive Potential and Bioactivity)

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17 pages, 7736 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Exploring the Structure and Substance Metabolism of a Medicago sativa L. Stem Base

by Qian Gao, Kun Wang, Jing Huang, Pengpeng Dou and Zhengzhou Miao

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(11), 6225; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25116225 - 5 Jun 2024

Viewed by 1500

Abstract

The stem base of alfalfa is a critical part for its overwintering, regeneration, and yield. To better understand the specificity and importance of the stem base, we analyzed the structure, metabolic substances, and transcriptome of the stem base using anatomical techniques, ultra-high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS), and RNA sequencing (RNA-seq), and compared it with stems and roots. The anatomical structure shows that the ratio of xylem to phloem changes at the base of the stem. A total of 801 compounds involved in 91 metabolic pathways were identified from the broadly targeted metabolome. Transcriptome analysis revealed 4974 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) at the stem base compared to the stem, and 5503 DEGs compared to the root. Comprehensive analyses of differentially accumulated compounds (DACs) and DEGs, in the stem base vs. stem, identified 10 valuable pathways, including plant hormone signal transduction, zeatin biosynthesis, α-Linolenic acid metabolism, histidine metabolism, carbon metabolism, carbon fixation in photosynthetic organisms, pentose phosphate pathway, galactose metabolism, and fructose and mannose metabolism. The pathways of plant hormone signal transduction and carbon metabolism were also identified by comparing the stem base with the roots. Taken together, the stem base of alfalfa is the transition region between the stem and root in morphology; in terms of material metabolism, its growth, development, and function are regulated through hormones and sugars. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Adaptations of Plant Metabolism and Their Consequences on Nutritive Potential and Bioactivity)

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26 pages, 1689 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Adjustments of the Phytochemical Profile of Broccoli to Low and High Growing Temperatures: Implications for the Bioactivity of Its Extracts

by Ivana Šola, Daria Gmižić, Marija Pinterić, Ana Tot and Jutta Ludwig-Müller

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(7), 3677; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25073677 - 26 Mar 2024

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 1962

Abstract

Climate change causes shifts in temperature patterns, and plants adapt their chemical content in order to survive. We compared the effect of low (LT) and high (HT) growing temperatures on the phytochemical content of broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. convar. botrytis (L.) Alef. var. cymosa Duch.) microgreens and the bioactivity of their extracts. Using different spectrophotometric, LC-MS/MS, GC-MS, and statistical methods, we found that LT increased the total phenolics and tannins in broccoli. The total glucosinolates were also increased by LT; however, they were decreased by HT. Soluble sugars, known osmoprotectants, were increased by both types of stress, considerably more by HT than LT, suggesting that HT causes a more intense osmotic imbalance. Both temperatures were detrimental for chlorophyll, with HT being more impactful than LT. HT increased hormone indole-3-acetic acid, implying an important role in broccoli’s defense. Ferulic and sinapic acid showed a trade-off scheme: HT increased ferulic while LT increased sinapic acid. Both stresses decreased the potential of broccoli to act against H₂O₂ damage in mouse embryonal fibroblasts (MEF), human keratinocytes, and liver cancer cells. Among the tested cell types treated by H₂O₂, the most significant reduction in ROS (36.61%) was recorded in MEF cells treated with RT extracts. The potential of broccoli extracts to inhibit α-amylase increased following both temperature stresses; however, the inhibition of pancreatic lipase was increased by LT only. From the perspective of nutritional value, and based on the obtained results, we conclude that LT conditions result in more nutritious broccoli microgreens than HT. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Adaptations of Plant Metabolism and Their Consequences on Nutritive Potential and Bioactivity)

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17 pages, 1559 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Metabolic Response of Peach Fruit to Invasive Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (Halyomorpha halys Stål.)’s Infestation

by Sasa Gacnik, Denis Rusjan and Maja Mikulic-Petkovsek

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(1), 606; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25010606 - 3 Jan 2024

Viewed by 1313

Abstract

The brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB; Halyomorpha halys Stål.) is a highly destructive and polyphagous invasive pest that poses a serious threat to more than a hundred reported host plants. In the current study, the metabolic response of peach fruit of two cultivars—‘Maria Marta’ and ‘Redhaven’—to BMSB infestation was studied using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and mass spectrometry (MS). In general, a strong phenolic response to BMSB infestation in peach flesh in the injury zone was observed, with flavanol content increasing by 2.4-fold, hydroxycinnamic acid content by 5.0-fold, flavonol content by 3.2-fold, flavanone content by 11.3-fold, and dihydrochalcones content by 3.2-fold compared with the undamaged tissue in the cultivar ‘Maria Marta’. The phenolic response in the ‘Redhaven’ cultivar was even stronger. Consequently, the total phenolic content in the injured flesh also increased, 3.3-fold in ‘Maria Marta’ and 6.9-fold in ‘Redhaven’, compared with the uninjured flesh. Infestation with BMSB induced the synthesis of cyanidin-3-glucoside, which is not normally present in peach flesh. In comparison, the phenolic response was lower in peach peel, especially in the cultivar ‘Maria Marta’. The study showed that both peach cultivars reacted to BMSB infestation with an increase in phenolic content in the peach flesh, but in a limited area of injury. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Adaptations of Plant Metabolism and Their Consequences on Nutritive Potential and Bioactivity)

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19 pages, 2802 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Studying the Functional Potential of Ground Ivy (Glechoma hederacea L.) Extract Using an In Vitro Methodology

by Danijela Šeremet, Ksenija Durgo, Jelena Kosanović, Ana Huđek Turković, Ana Mandura Jarić, Aleksandra Vojvodić Cebin and Draženka Komes

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(23), 16975; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms242316975 - 30 Nov 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1821

Abstract

Glechoma hederacea L., known as ground ivy, has a long history of use in folk medicine. The main bioactive compounds in ground ivy are polyphenolic compounds known for their potent antioxidant and antimicrobial activities and thus have high potential as functional ingredients against bacterial infections and the occurrence of chronic diseases associated with oxidative stress in the human body. The aim of the present study was to determine the biological activity of ground ivy extract on selected human cell lines, including hepatic (HepG2), tongue (CAL 27), gastric (AGS) and colon (Caco-2) cancer cell lines by evaluating cytotoxicity, formation of reactive oxygen species and genotoxicity. The antioxidant capacity of the extract was additionally evaluated using cellular model macromolecules of protein and DNA, bovine serum album and plasmid phiX174 RF1 DNA. The effect of ground ivy extract on representatives of human microflora, including L. plantarum, E. coli and S. aureus, was also studied. The cytotoxicity of the extract depended on the type of cells treated, and the pro-oxidant effect generally decreased with increasing exposure time. The most pronounced genoprotective effect against hydroxyl radical damage was monitored in model plasmid DNA and occurred at the highest tested concentration (0.25 mg mL⁻¹), with 95.89% preservation of the supercoiled form of the plasmid. This concentration also had the most significant antioxidant activity on the model protein—14.01% more than the positive control prepared using Trolox. The ground ivy extract showed high antimicrobial potential against the pathogenic bacteria E. coli and S. aureus. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Adaptations of Plant Metabolism and Their Consequences on Nutritive Potential and Bioactivity)

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Review

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17 pages, 1353 KiB

Open AccessReview

Environmental Stimuli and Phytohormones in Anthocyanin Biosynthesis: A Comprehensive Review

by Lei Shi, Xing Li, Ying Fu and Changjiang Li

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(22), 16415; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms242216415 - 16 Nov 2023

Cited by 30 | Viewed by 4252

Abstract

Anthocyanin accumulation in plants plays important roles in plant growth and development, as well as the response to environmental stresses. Anthocyanins have antioxidant properties and play an important role in maintaining the reactive oxygen species (ROS) homeostasis in plant cells. Furthermore, anthocyanins also act as a “sunscreen”, reducing the damage caused by ultraviolet radiation under high-light conditions. The biosynthesis of anthocyanin in plants is mainly regulated by an MYB-bHLH-WD40 (MBW) complex. In recent years, many new regulators in different signals involved in anthocyanin biosynthesis were identified. This review focuses on the regulation network mediated by different environmental factors (such as light, salinity, drought, and cold stresses) and phytohormones (such as jasmonate, abscisic acid, salicylic acid, ethylene, brassinosteroid, strigolactone, cytokinin, and auxin). We also discuss the potential application value of anthocyanin in agriculture, horticulture, and the food industry. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Adaptations of Plant Metabolism and Their Consequences on Nutritive Potential and Bioactivity)

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