Detection and Quantification of Glycosylated Flavonoid Malonates in Celery,
Chinese Celery, and Celery Seed by LC/​DAD/​ESI/MS.

Lin LZ, Lu S, Harnly JM.

Food Composition Laboratory, Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center,
Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 103000 Baltimore
Avenue, Beltsville, Maryland 20705, and Department of Food Science, Zhejiang
Wanli University, Ninbo, China 315100.

A screening method using LC/​DAD/​ESI/MS was applied to the analysis of flavonoids
in celery, Chinese celery, and celery seeds (Apium graveolens L. and varieties).
Fifteen flavonoid glycosides were detected in the three celery materials. They
were identified as luteolin 7/​O/​apiosylglucoside, luteolin 7/​O/​glucoside,
apigenin 7/​O/​apiosylglucoside, chrysoeriol 7/​O/​apiosylglucoside, chrysoeriol
7/​O/​glucoside, and more than 10 malonyl derivatives of these glycosides. The
identification of the malonyl derivatives was confirmed by their conversion into
glycosides upon heating and by comparison of some of the malonates with
malonates that had previously been identified in red bell pepper and parsley.
The concentrations of the glycosides and the malonyl glycosides in the three
materials were estimated by comparison to aglycone standards. This is the first
report of the presence of these glycosylated flavonoid malonates in celery.
Keywords: Chinese celery; celery and celery seeds; Apium graveolens L. and
varieties; glycosylated flavonoids; flavonoid malonates; LC/​DAD/​ESI/MS.

PMID: 17253711 [PubMed /​ as supplied by publisher]

2: Plant Cell Environ. 2007 Feb;30(2):187/​201.

Involvement of the xyloglucan endotransglycosylase/hydrolases encoded by celery
XTH1 and Arabidopsis XTH33 in the phloem response to aphids.

Divol F, Vilaine F, Thibivilliers S, Kusiak C, Sauge MH, Dinant S.

Laboratoire de Biologie Cellulaire UR501, Institut National de la Recherche
Agronomique (INRA), Versailles F/​78026, France.

During infestation, phloem/​feeding insects induce transcriptional reprogramming
in plants that may lead to protection. Transcripts of the celery XTH1 gene,
encoding a xyloglucan endotransglycosylase/hydrolase (XTH), were previously
found to accumulate systemically in celery (Apium graveolens) phloem, following
infestation with the generalist aphid Myzus persicae. XTH1 induction was
specific to the phloem but was not correlated with an increase in xyloglucan
endotransglycosylase (XET) activity in the phloem. XTH1 is homologous to the
Arabidopsis thaliana XTH33 gene. XTH33 expression was investigated following M.
persicae infestation. The pattern of XTH33 expression is tightly controlled
during development and indicates a possible role in cell expansion. An xth33
mutant was assayed for preference assay with M. persicae. Aphids settled
preferentially on the mutant rather than on the wild type. This suggests that
XTH33 is involved in protecting plants against aphids; therefore, that cell wall
modification can alter the preference of aphids for a particular plant.
Nevertheless, the ectopic expression of XTH33 in phloem tissue was not
sufficient to confer protection, demonstrating that modifying the expression of
this single gene does not readily alter plant/​aphid interactions.

PMID: 17238910 [PubMed /​ in process]

3: Primates. 2006 Nov 14; [Epub ahead of print]

Self/​anointing behavior in free/​ranging spider monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi) in
Mexico.

Laska M, Bauer V, Salazar LT.

Department of Medical Psychology, University of Munich Medical School,
Goethestr. 31, 80336, Munich, Germany, Matthias.Laska@med.uni/​muenchen.de.

During 250 h of observation, a total of 20 episodes of self/​anointing, that is,
the application of scent/​bearing material onto the body, were recorded in a
group of free/​ranging Mexican spider monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi). The animals
used the leaves of three species of plants (Brongniartia alamosana, Fabaceae;
Cecropia obtusifolia, Cecropiaceae; and Apium graveolens, Umbelliferae) two of
which have not been reported so far in this context in any New World primate
species. The findings that only two males displayed self/​anointing, that only
the sternal and axillary regions of the body were rubbed with the mix of saliva
and plant material, and a lack of correlation between the occurrence of
self/​anointing and time of day, season of the year, ambient temperature or
humidity do not fit the hypothesis that this behavior functions in repelling
insects and/or mitigating topical skin infections in this species. Rather, the
data and the observation that the leaves of all three plant species spread an
intensive and aromatic odor when crushed, support the hypothesis that
self/​anointing in A. geoffroyi may play a role in the context of social
communication, possibly for signaling of social status or to increase sexual
attractiveness.

PMID: 17103123 [PubMed /​ as supplied by publisher]

4: J Ethnobiol Ethnomedicine. 2006 Oct 13;2:45.

Ethnomedicines used in Trinidad and Tobago for urinary problems and diabetes
mellitus.

Lans CA.

BCICS, University of Victoria, British Columbia, V8W 2Y2, Canada.
cher2lans@netscape.net.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: This paper is based on ethnobotanical interviews conducted
from 1996/​2000 in Trinidad and Tobago with thirty male and female respondents.
METHODS: A non/​experimental validation was conducted on the plants used for
urinary problems and diabetes mellitus: This is a preliminary step to establish
that the plants used are safe or effective, to help direct clinical trials, and
to inform Caribbean physicians of the plants' known properties to avoid
counter/​prescribing. RESULTS: The following plants are used to treat diabetes:
Antigonon leptopus, Bidens alba, Bidens pilosa, Bixa orellana, Bontia
daphnoides, Carica papaya, Catharanthus roseus, Cocos nucifera, Gomphrena
globosa, Laportea aestuans, Momordica charantia, Morus alba, Phyllanthus
urinaria and Spiranthes acaulis. Apium graviolens is used as a heart tonic and
for low blood pressure. Bixa orellana, Bontia daphnoides, Cuscuta americana and
Gomphrena globosa are used for jaundice. The following plants are used for
hypertension: Aloe vera, Annona muricata, Artocarpus altilis, Bixa orellana,
Bidens alba, Bidens pilosa, Bonta daphnoides, Carica papaya, Cecropia peltata,
Citrus paradisi, Cola nitida, Crescentia cujete, Gomphrena globosa, Hibiscus
sabdariffa, Kalanchoe pinnata, Morus alba, Nopalea cochinellifera, Ocimum
campechianum, Passiflora quadrangularis, Persea americana and Tamarindus
indicus.The plants used for kidney problems are Theobroma cacao, Chamaesyce
hirta, Flemingia strobilifera, Peperomia rotundifolia, Petiveria alliacea,
Nopalea cochinellifera, Apium graveolens, Cynodon dactylon, Eleusine indica,
Gomphrena globosa, Pityrogramma calomelanos and Vetiveria zizanioides. Plants
are also used for gall stones and for cooling. CONCLUSION: Chamaesyce hirta,
Cissus verticillata, Kalanchoe pinnata, Peperomia spp., Portulaca oleraceae,
Scoparia dulcis, and Zea mays have sufficient evidence to support their
traditional use for urinary problems, "cooling" and high cholesterol.Eggplant
extract as a hypocholesterolemic agent has some support but needs more study.
The plants used for hypertension, jaundice and diabetes that may be safe and
justify more formal evaluation are Annona squamosa, Aloe vera, Apium graveolens,
Bidens alba, Carica papaya, Catharanthus roseus, Cecropia peltata, Citrus
paradisi, Hibsicus sabdariffa, Momordica charantia, Morus alba, Persea
americana, Phyllanthus urinaria, Tamarindus indicus and Tournefortia
hirsutissima. Several of the plants are used for more than one condition and
further trials should take this into account.

PMID: 17040567 [PubMed /​ in process]

5: Biomacromolecules. 2006 Sep;7(9):2688/​91.

Vibrational spectroscopy of biopolymers under mechanical stress: processing
cellulose spectra using bandshift difference integrals.

Sturcova A, Eichhorn SJ, Jarvis MC.

WestChem, Glasgow University, Glasgow G12 8QQ, Scotland, United Kingdom.

Mechanical stretching of covalent bonds, for example when a fibrous polymer is
loaded in tension, results in their stretching vibrational bands in the infrared
or Raman spectrum being shifted to lower frequency. Conversely stretching a
hydrogen bond shifts the stretching vibrational mode of the donor covalent X/​H
bond to higher frequency. These band shifts are small and difficult to detect in
complex regions of the spectrum where differently affected bands overlap. This
paper describes a method of integrating the difference spectra (spectrum under
tensile strain minus spectrum at zero tensile strain) to recover the shape of
the bands that are shifted and the spectral variation in bandshift. The
application of this method to two sets of vibrational spectra of cellulose under
tension is described. In one example, C/​O/​C stretching bands of highly
crystalline tunicate cellulose were observed to shift to lower frequency under
axial strain. In the other example, a group of overlapping O/​D stretching bands
in partially deuterated cellulose showed varied bandshifts under axial strain,
some bandshifts being positive as expected due to extension of axially oriented
hydrogen bonds while others were negative. The possibility of constructing
spectral plots of bandshift has the potential to clarify the interpretation of
overlapped, shifting bands in the vibrational spectra of polymers under tension.

Publication Types:
Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

PMID: 16961333 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

6: Mycologia. 2006 Mar/​Apr;98(2):275/​85.

Host range of Cercospora apii and C. beticola and description of C. apiicola, a
novel species from celery.

Groenewald M, Groenewald JZ, Braun U, Crous PW.

Centraalbureau voor Schimmelcultures, Fungal Biodiversity Centre, Uppsalalaan 8,
3584 CT Utrecht, The Netherlands. m.groenewald@cbs.knaw.nl

The genus Cercospora is one of the largest and most heterogeneous genera of
hyphomycetes. Cercospora species are distributed worldwide and cause Cercospora
leaf spot on most of the major plant families. Numerous species described from
diverse hosts and locations are morphologically indistinguishable from C. apii
and subsequently are referred to as C. apii sensu lato. The importance and
ecological role that different hosts play in taxon delimitation and recognition
within this complex remains unclear. It has been shown that Cercospora leaf spot
on celery and sugar beet are caused respectively by C. apii and C. beticola,
both of which are part of the C. apii complex. During this study we
characterized a new Cercospora species, C. apiicola, which was isolated from
celery in Venezuela, Korea and Greece. The phylogenetic relationship between C.
apiicola and other closely related Cercospora species was studied with five
different gene areas. These analyses revealed that the C. apiicola isolates
cluster together in a well defined clade. Both C. apii and C. beticola sensu
stricto form well defined clades and are shown to have wider host ranges and to
represent distinct species.

Publication Types:
Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

PMID: 16894973 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

7: Ying Yong Sheng Tai Xue Bao. 2006 May;17(5):925/​8.

[Effects of metolachlor on biological activities in celery rhizophere and
non/​rhizosphere soil]

[Article in Chinese]

Chen B, Xu D, Liu G, Liu W.

Institute of Environmental Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310029, China.
chenbo1980119@163.com

The study with rhizobag showed that in celery rhizophere and non/​rhizosphere
soil, metolachlor had a certain inhibitory effect on catalase activity, but
stimulated dehydrogenase activity. Generally, the enzyme activities in
rhizosphere soil were higher than those in non/​rhizosphere soil. After 45 days
of metolachlor treatment, the numbers of bacteria and fungi in rhizosphere soil
were higher than those in non/​rhizosphere soil, and the R/S was 1.76 to
approximately 2. 51. The numbers of actinomycetes were relatively stable, and
the rhizosphere effect was not significant. The degradation rate of metolachlor
in rhizosphere and nonrhizosphere soil was 0. 0217 and 0.0176, and the
corresponding half/​live was 31.9 and 39.4 days, respectively. The degradation of
metolachlor was enhanced greatly in rhizosphere soil.

Publication Types:
English Abstract
Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

PMID: 16883829 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

8: Parasitol Res. 2006 Nov;99(6):715/​21.

Essential oils as potential adulticides against two populations of Aedes
aegypti, the laboratory and natural field strains, in Chiang Mai province,
northern Thailand.

Chaiyasit D, Choochote W, Rattanachanpichai E, Chaithong U, Chaiwong P, Jitpakdi
A, Tippawangkosol P, Riyong D, Pitasawat B.

Department of Parasitology, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand.

Essential oils derived from five plant species, celery (Apium graveolens),
caraway (Carum carvi), zedoary (Curcuma zedoaria), long pepper (Piper longum),
and Chinese star anise (Illicium verum), were subjected to investigation of
adulticidal activity against mosquito vectors. Two populations of Aedes aegypti,
the laboratory and natural field strains, collected in Chiang Mai province,
northern Thailand were tested in pyrethroid/​susceptibility bioassays. The
results revealed that the natural field strain of A. aegypti was resistant to
permethrin, with mortality rates ranging from 51 to 66%. A mild susceptibility,
with mortality rates ranging from 82 to 88%, was observed in the natural field
strain of A. aegypti exposed to lambdacyhalothrin, which suggested that this
strain was tolerant and might be resistant to this insecticide. However,
laboratory/​reared A. aegypti exposed to discriminating dosages of permethrin and
lambdacyhalothrin induced 100% mortality in all cases, thus indicating complete
susceptibility of this strain to these insecticides. The adulticidal activity
determined by topical application revealed that all five essential oils exerted
a promising adulticidal efficacy against both laboratory and natural field
strains of A. aegypti. Although the laboratory strain was slightly more
susceptible to these essential oils than the natural field strain, no
statistically significant difference was observed. Moreover, comparison of the
adulticidal activity indicated that the performance of these essential oils
against the two strains of A. aegypti was similar. The highest potential was
established from caraway, followed by zedoary, celery, long pepper, and Chinese
star anise, with an LC(50) in the laboratory strain of 5.44, 5.94, 5.96, 6.21,
and 8.52 microg/mg female, respectively, and 5.54, 6.02, 6.14, 6.35, and 8.83
microg/mg female, respectively, in the field strain. These promising essential
oils are, therefore, an alternative in developing and producing mosquito
adulticides as an effective measure used in controlling and eradicating mosquito
vectors.

Publication Types:
Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

PMID: 16738885 [PubMed /​ in process]

9: Phytother Res. 2006 Jul;20(7):531/​7.

Effect of celery (Apium graveolens) extracts on some biochemical parameters of
oxidative stress in mice treated with carbon tetrachloride.

Popovic M, Kaurinovic B, Trivic S, Mimica/​Dukic N, Bursac M.

Faculty of Sciences, Chemistry Department, University of Novi Sad, Serbia and
Montenegro. popovic@ih.ns.ac.yu

Extracts of celery leaves and roots in ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate,
n/​butanol and water were evaporated to dryness and dissolved in 50% ethanol to
make 10% (w[sol ]v) solutions. The potential protective action of the extracts
was assessed by the corresponding in vitro and in vivo tests. In the in vitro
experiments crude methanol extracts were tested as potential scavengers of free
OH* and DPPH* radicals, as well as inhibitors of liposomal peroxidation (LPx).
Analogous experiments were also carried out with the extracts of celery root,
for comparison. The results obtained show that both the extracts of root and
leaves are good scavengers of OH* and DPPH* radicals and reduce LPx intensity in
liposomes, which points to their protective (antioxidant) activity. In vivo
experiments were concerned with antioxidant systems (activities of GSHPx, GSHR,
Px, CAT, XOD, GSH content and intensity of LPx) in liver homogenate and blood of
mice after their treatment with extracts of celery leaves, or in combination
with CCl4. On the basis of the results obtained it can be concluded that the
examined extracts showed a certain protective effect. Of all the extracts the
n/​butanol extract showed the highest protective effect. Combined treatments with
CCl4 and extracts showed both positive and negative synergism /​ inducing or
suppressing the impact of CCl4 alone. The differences observed in the action of
particular extracts are probably due to the different contents of flavonoids and
some other antioxidant compounds.

Publication Types:
Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

PMID: 16685681 [PubMed /​ in process]

10: Food Addit Contam. 2006 May;23(5):484/​91.

Uptake of thallium from naturally/​contaminated soils into vegetables.

Pavlickova J, Zbiral J, Smatanova M, Habarta P, Houserova P, Kuban V.

Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mendel University of Agriculture and
Forestry, Zemedelska, Brno, Czech Republic.

Thallium transfer from naturally (pedogeochemically) contaminated soils into
vegetables was studied. Three different types of top/​soil (heavy, medium, and
light) were used for pot experiments. The soils were collected from areas with
low, medium, and high levels of pedogeochemical thallium (0.3, 1.5 and 3.3 mg
kg(/​1)). The samples of vegetables were collected and analysed. The total
content of thallium in soil and the type of soil (heavy, medium and light),
plant species and plant variety were found to be the main factors influencing
thallium uptake by plants. The uptake of thallium from soils with naturally high
pedogeochemical content of this element can be high enough to seriously endanger
the food chain. These findings are very important because of the high toxicity
of thallium and the absence of threshold limits for thallium in soils,
agricultural products, feedstuffs and foodstuffs in most countries, including
the Czech Republic.

Publication Types:
Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

PMID: 16644596 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

11: Biosci Biotechnol Biochem. 2006 Apr;70(4):958/​65.

Potent odorants characterize the aroma quality of leaves and stalks in raw and
boiled celery.

Kurobayashi Y, Kouno E, Fujita A, Morimitsu Y, Kubota K.

Graduate School of Humanities and Sciences, Laboratory of Food Chemistry,
Ochanomizu University, Tokyo, Japan.

The raw and boiled odors of celery leaves and stalks were investigated. Among 12
compounds identified as potent odorants, 3/​n/​butylphthalide 1, sedanenolide 2,
and trans/​ and cis/​sedanolides 3, 4 were assessed to be most contributive to the
overall odor of celery. These three phthalides, (3E,5Z)/​1,3,5/​undecatriene,
myrcene, and (E)/​2/​nonenal were common to both raw and boiled materials. Two
compounds, ((Z)/​3/​hexenal and (Z)/​3/​hexenol), were dominant in raw materials and
four compounds, (2/​methylbutanoic acid, sotolon, beta/​damascenone, and
beta/​ionone), were dominant in boiled materials. Sensory evaluations were
performed on natural celery odor and a series of reconstructed model aromas by
assigning each intensity ratings for a set of seven odor qualities which aptly
describe the odors of raw and boiled celery. According to the evaluation
results, six common components contributed to the moderate odor of raw celery,
two components dominant in raw materials enhanced the raw celery character, and
four components dominant in boiled materials reduced the raw celery character
and enhanced the boiled celery character. It was clarified that boiling/​induced
changes in celery odor were not affected by the amounts of phthalides, but by
thermally generated compounds such as sotolon, beta/​damascenone, and
beta/​ionone, which reduce the "green spicy" note.

Publication Types:
Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

PMID: 16636464 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

12: Commun Agric Appl Biol Sci. 2005;70(4):1059/​66.

Effectiveness and residues of procymidone applied on celery and fennel in the
control of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary.

Pompi V, Galli M, Leandri A, Forchielli L.

Plant Pathology Research Institute Via C.G. Bertero 22, 1/​00156 Roma, Italy.
v.pompi@ispave.it

A biennial experimentation has been led using the active ingredient (a.i.)
procymidone, for the control of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) De Bary on
fennel and celery. At present this utilizathion it is not authorized, even
though this "minor use" is considered essential for the control of the various
phytopathologies. For every test, both in field and in greenhouse, two
treatments to the dose of 40 g/hl of a.i. have been made. After the second
treatment two assessments were led to check effectiveness of a.i. and subsequent
vegetable samplings have been made to determine the entity and the persistence
of the residues of the used active ingredient.At the end of the agricultural
cycle, in all the tests a good control of the infection caused by the fungus has
been found; statistically significant differences of the infection between
treated plots and the control. At harvesting (21 days from the 2nd treatment) we
have found a residue average value of 0.1/​0.2 mg/kg (field) and 0.3/​0.4 mg/kg
(greenhouse) on fennel and of: 1.0/​1.5 mg/kg (field) e 3.0/​3.5 mg/kg
(greenhouse) on celery.

PMID: 16628955 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

13: Chemosphere. 2006 Sep;64(10):1695/​703. Epub 2006 Feb 14.

Uptake and toxicity of Cr(III) in celery seedlings.

Scoccianti V, Crinelli R, Tirillini B, Mancinelli V, Speranza A.

Istituto di Botanica, Universita di Urbino Carlo Bo, 61029 Urbino, Italy.
v.scoccianti@uniurb.it

The present study shows that in celery Cr(III) induces deleterious effects on
seedling development and morphology, and a number of metabolic responses related
to stress. Exogenous CrCl3 from 0.01 to 1 mM increasingly inhibited seed
germination and hypocotyl elongation, or completely blocked it (10 mM), while
the root apparatus was dramatically damaged even at the lowest dose. Seedlings
took up exogenous Cr(III) in a dose/​dependent manner, roots being the site of
major metal accumulation; translocation towards the hypocotyl and cotyledonary
leaves was also detected. Either total or chlorophyll a content was
significantly reduced by chromium as low as 0.01 mM. A large accumulation of
free and, to a lesser extent, conjugated polyamines occurred in all segments of
treated plants. A dose/​dependent relationship linking actual amounts of Cr(III)
recovered in the entire seedling or organ and the respective polyamine titre was
evidenced. Free putrescine, in particular, was the polyamine exhibiting the
highest rate of increase, and cotyledonary leaves the organ where the major
response occurred. A marked increase in ubiquitin/​protein conjugates after
Cr(III) treatment was also observed, particularly in roots. Thus, the study
suggests for the first time a possible relationship between ubiquitination and
Cr(III)/​stress. The putative function of polyamines as a stress response, and
the recruitment of the ubiquitin pathway to remove damaged or aberrant proteins
which might have been produced in metal/​treated seedlings are discussed.

Publication Types:
Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

PMID: 16481028 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

14: Arch Latinoam Nutr. 2005 Sep;55(3):287/​92.

Effect of gamma irradiation on the microbiological quality of minimally
processed vegetables.

Lopez L, Avendano S, Romero J, Garrido S, Espinoza J, Vargas M.

Facultad de Ciencias Quimicas y Farmaceuticas, Universidad de Chile, Santiago de
Chile, Comision Chilena de Energia Nuclear, Santiago, Chile.

The initial microflora of minimally processed celery and cabbage packaged under
a modified atmosphere was determined. The samples came from the same producer
and were sold in a supermarket chain of Santiago, Chile. Although neither E.
coli nor Salmonella spp. were detected, initial total plate and
Enterobacteriaceae counts were high (= 10(5) cfu/g), not meeting in most cases
the specifications of the Chilean legislation. The D10 value for two strains of
E. coli (ATCC 8739 and a wild type) inoculated as indicator microorganisms was
determined. After irradiating with 5 D10 doses (1kGy), the variation of the
microbial population and sensory quality during a 7 days storage period at 5
degrees C was studied. In irradiated celery, a reduction of 4.7 and 3.8 logs for
total plate and Enterobacteriaceae counts respectively was observed. There was a
decrease of 3.8 and 3.6 logs in cabbage for total plate and Enterobacteriaceae
counts respectively. In both irradiated and non/​irradiated vegetables, neither
E. coli nor Salmonella spp. were detected. An increase of 1.6 /​ 1.7 logs in both
microbiological parameters in non/​irradiated samples was observed during
storage. In irradiated products, only celery showed an increase of 1.2 log in
total plate count. Both Enterobacteriaceae count in the two vegetables and Total
plate count in cabbage presented essentially no variation in time. No
significant differences (p = 0.05) were detected in sensory total quality
between the control and the irradiated vegetable and between days of storage.

PMID: 16454055 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

15: J Plant Physiol. 2007 Feb;164(2):174/​84. Epub 2006 Jan 24.

The effect of abiotic stresses on carbohydrate status of olive shoots (Olea
europaea L.) under in vitro conditions.

Rejskova A, Patkova L, Stodulkova E, Lipavska H.

Faculty of Science, Department of Plant Physiology, Charles University, Vinicna
5, Prague 2, 128 44 Czech Republic.

Olive plants produce both sucrose and mannitol as major photosynthetic products.
Contrary to previously studied celery [Vitova et al., Mannitol utilisation by
celery (Apium graveolens) plants grown under different conditions in vitro.
Plant Sci 2002; 163: 907/​16], in vitro these carbohydrates were found to be able
to sustain growth of olive shoots roughly to the same extent at all tested
concentrations (1/​9% w/v). We studied the involvement of the particular
components of the endogenous carbohydrate spectrum in response to different
abiotic stresses (osmotic stress, salinity, low temperature) in vitro. Salinity
(100mM NaCl) caused a decrease of total soluble carbohydrates, while an increase
was observed during low/​temperature treatment (0 and 4 degrees C). Mannitol
accumulated primarily under salinity (up to 40% of total soluble carbohydrates
compared to 10/​20% in controls). Only a small (two/​fold) increase of proline
content in salinity stressed plants indicates proline does not play a
significant role in olive stress response. Low temperature led to an increase of
the raffinose family oligosaccharides (RFO) proportion in total carbohydrates.
We conclude that olive plants exploit the high diversity of the carbohydrate
spectrum in specific response to different stresses.

PMID: 16436306 [PubMed /​ in process]

16: Clin Exp Allergy. 2006 Jan;36(1):77/​86.

Cloning, expression and immunological characterization of full/​length timothy
grass pollen allergen Phl p 4, a berberine bridge enzyme/​like protein with
homology to celery allergen Api g 5.

Dewitt AM, Andersson K, Peltre G, Lidholm J.

Pharmacia Diagnostics AB, Uppsala, Sweden.

BACKGROUND: Timothy grass pollen is a common cause of respiratory allergy in the
temperate regions. The major group 4 allergen, Phl p 4, has previously been
purified and studied biochemically and immunologically, but has so far not been
produced and characterized as a recombinant protein. OBJECTIVE: To clone and
characterize timothy grass pollen allergen Phl p 4. METHODS: Full/​length Phl p 4
cDNA was cloned using a PCR/​based strategy including 3'/​and 5'/​RACE. Recombinant
Phl p 4 was expressed in Escherichia coli and purified by immobilized metal ion
affinity chromatography. Its immunological activity was investigated using
experimental ImmunoCAP tests, sera from Phl p 4 sensitized individuals and Phl p
4 reactive polyclonal and monoclonal animal antibodies. RESULTS: Five
full/​length Phl p 4 cDNA clones were analysed. Sequence deviations between the
clones were present at nine amino acid positions, and the consensus sequence
comprised an open reading frame of 525 amino acids, including a predicted
25/​residue signal peptide. The calculated molecular weight of the deduced mature
protein was 55.6 kDa and the isoelectric point 9.9, both consistent with
previously observed properties of purified nPhl p 4. Close sequence similarity
was found to genomic clones from several other Pooideae grass species and to
Bermuda grass pollen allergen BG60. Further, similarity was found to members of
the berberine bridge enzyme (BBE) family, including celery allergen Api g 5.
Recombinant Phl p 4 bound specific immunoglobulin (Ig)E from 31 of 32 nPhl p
4/​reactive sera, and the IgE binding to rPhl p 4 could be inhibited by nPhl p 4
in a dose/​dependent manner. CONCLUSIONS: Full/​length Phl p 4 cDNA was cloned and
showed sequence similarity to members of the BBE family. Recombinant Phl p 4 was
produced and shared epitopes with natural Phl p 4.

PMID: 16393269 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

17: J Plant Physiol. 2005 Nov;162(11):1263/​9.

Molecular cloning and characterization of a cDNA encoding endonuclease from
potato (Solanum tuberosum).

Larsen K.

Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Danish Institute of Agricultural
Sciences, Denmark. Knud.Larsen@agrsci.dk

A cDNA, StEN1, encoding a potato (Solanum tuberosum) endonuclease was cloned and
sequenced. The nucleotide sequence of this clone contains an open reading frame
of 906 nucleotides encoding a protein of 302 amino acids, and with a calculated
molecular mass of 34.4kDa and a Pi of 5.6. The deduced StEN1 protein contains a
putative signal sequence of 25 amino acid residues. The StEN1 encoded protein
shows substantial homology to both plant and fungal endonucleases isolated and
cloned from other sources. The highest identity (73%) was observed with AgCEL I
from celery, Apium graveolens, ZEN1 from Zinnia elegans (69%) and DSA6 from
daylily, Hemerocallis (68%). RT/​PCR expression analysis demonstrated that the
potato StEN1 gene is constitutively expressed in potato, although minor
differences in expression level in different tissues were observed.

PMID: 16323278 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

18: Allergol Immunopathol (Madr). 2005 Sep/​Oct;33(5):288/​90.

Occupational asthma due to carrot in a cook.

Moreno/​Ancillo A, Gil/​Adrados AC, Dominguez/​Noche C, Cosmes PM, Pineda F.

Allergy Unit, Hospital Virgen del Puerto, Plasencia, Caceres, Spain.
alvaro@telefonica.net

BACKGROUND: Few previous reports of carrot/​induced asthma have been confirmed by
objective tests. Hypersensitivity to carrot is frequently associated with
allergy to Apiaceae spices and sensitization to birch and mugwort pollens.
CLINICAL CASE: A 40/​year/​old cook woman was seen with sneezing, rhinorrhea,
contact urticaria and wheezing within few minutes of handling or cutting raw
carrots. She needed to leave out of the kitchen while the other cooks cut raw
carrots. METHODS AND RESULTS: Skin tests were positive to carrot, celery,
aniseed and fennel. Rubbing test with fresh carrot was positive. Specific IgE to
carrot was 4.44 kU/L. Determinations of specific IgE to mugwort, grass and birch
pollens were negative. Inhalative provocation test, performed as a handling
test, was positive. The IgE/​immunoblotting showed two bands in carrot extract: a
band with apparent molecular weight of 30 kd and other band of 18 kd. This band
of 18 kd was Dau c 1. The band of 30 kd could correspond a phenylcoumaran
benzylic ether reductase. Dau c 1 did not appear to be the unique allergen in
this case. Additional allergens may induce the sensitization. Primary
sensitization due to airborne allergens of foods and the lack of pollen allergy
in this patient are notorious events.

Publication Types:
Case Reports

PMID: 16287550 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

19: Trop Med Int Health. 2005 Nov;10(11):1190/​8.

Repellent properties of celery, Apium graveolens L., compared with commercial
repellents, against mosquitoes under laboratory and field conditions.

Tuetun B, Choochote W, Kanjanapothi D, Rattanachanpichai E, Chaithong U,
Chaiwong P, Jitpakdi A, Tippawangkosol P, Riyong D, Pitasawat B.

Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang
Mai, Thailand.

In our search for new bioactive products against mosquito vectors, we reported
the slightly larvicidal and adulticidal potency, but remarkable repellency of
Apium graveolens both in laboratory and field conditions. Repellency of the
ethanolic preparation of hexane/​extracted A. graveolens was, therefore,
investigated and compared with those of 15 commercial mosquito repellents
including the most widely used, DEET. Hexane/​extracted A. graveolens showed a
significant degree of repellency in a dose/​dependent manner with vanillin added.
Ethanolic A. graveolens formulations (10/​25% with and without vanillin) provided
2/​5 h protection against female Aedes aegypti. Repellency that derived from the
most effective repellent, 25% of hexane/​extracted A. graveolens with the
addition of 5% vanillin, was comparable to the value obtained from 25% of DEET
with 5% vanillin added. Moreover, commercial repellents, except formulations of
DEET, showed lower repellency than that of A. graveolens extract. When applied
on human skin under field conditions, the hexane/​extracted A. graveolens plus 5%
vanillin showed a strong repellent action against a wide range of mosquito
species belonging to various genera. It had a protective effect against Aedes
gardnerii, Aedes lineatopennis, Anopheles barbirostris, Armigeres subalbatus,
Culex tritaeniorhynchus, Culex gelidus, Culex vishnui group and Mansonia
uniformis. The hexane/​extracted A. graveolens did not cause a burning sensation
or dermal irritation when applied to human skin. No adverse effects were
observed on the skin or other parts of the human volunteers' body during 6
months of the study period or in the following 3 months, after which time
observations ceased. Therefore, A. graveolens can be a potential candidate for
use in the development of commercial repellents that may be an alternative to
conventional synthetic chemicals, particularly in community vector control
applications.

Publication Types:
Comparative Study
Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

PMID: 16262746 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

20: Magn Reson Med. 2005 Oct;54(4):893/​900.

Determination and analysis of guided wave propagation using magnetic resonance
elastography.

Romano AJ, Abraham PB, Rossman PJ, Bucaro JA, Ehman RL.

Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC 20375, USA. romano@pa.nrl.navy.mil

We present a novel extension of standard magnetic resonance elastography (MRE)
measurement and analysis methods, which is applicable in cases where the medium
is characterized by waveguides or fiber bundles (i.e., muscle) leading to
constrained propagation of elastic waves. As a demonstration of this new method,
MRI is utilized to identify the pathways of the individual fibers of a stalk of
celery, and 3D MRE is then performed throughout the volume containing the celery
fibers for a measurement of the displacements. A Helmholtz decomposition is
performed permitting a separation of the displacements into longitudinal and
transverse components, and an application of a hybrid Radon transform permits a
spectral decomposition of wave propagation along the fibers. Dot product
projections between these elastic displacements measured in the global
coordinate system and three Frenet vectors representing the tangent and two
corresponding orthogonal vectors along any particular fiber orientation yield
the displacement contributions to wave propagation along the fiber as if it were
a waveguide. A sliding window spatial Fourier transform is then performed along
the length of each fiber to obtain dispersion images that portray
space/​wavenumber profiles. Therefore, this method can permit localized tracking
and characterization of wave types, velocities, and coupling along arbitrarily
oriented fibers. Copyright 2005 Wiley/​Liss, Inc.

Publication Types:
Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non/​P.H.S.
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

PMID: 16155879 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

21: Ann Dermatol Venereol. 2005 Jun/​Jul;132(6/​7 Pt 1):566/​7.

[Phototoxic side/​effect following celery ingestion during puvatherapy]

[Article in French]

Jeanmougin M, Varroud/​Vial C, Dubertret L.

Publication Types:
Case Reports
Letter

PMID: 16149168 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

22: J Magn Reson. 2005 Nov;177(1):9/​21.

Multiple/​quantum vector field imaging by magnetic resonance.

Bouchard LS, Warren WS.

Department of Chemistry, Princeton University, NJ 08544, USA.
LSBouchard@waugh.cchem.berkeley.edu

We introduce a method for non/​invasively mapping fiber orientation in materials
and biological tissues using intermolecular multiple/​quantum coherences. The
nuclear magnetic dipole field of water molecules is configured by a CRAZED
sequence to encode spatial distributions of material heterogeneities. At any
given point r in space, we obtain the spherical coordinates of fiber orientation
(theta,phi) with respect to the external field by comparing three signals
||G(X)||, ||(Y)||, and ||G(Z)|| (modulus), acquired with linear gradients
applied along the X, Y, and Z axes, respectively. For homogeneous isotropic
materials, a subtraction ||G(Z)|| /​ ||G(X)|| /​ ||G(Y)|| gives zero. With
anisotropic materials, we find an empirical relationship relating ||G(Z)|| /​
||G(X)|| /​ ||G(Y)||/(||G(X)|| + ||G(Y)|| + ||G(Z)||) to the polar angle theta,
while ||G(X|| /​ ||G(Y)||/(||G(X)|| + ||G(Y)|| + ||G(Z)||) is related to the
azimuthal angle phi. Experiments in structured media confirm the structural
sensitivity. This technique can probe length scales not accessible by
conventional MRI and diffusion tensor imaging.

Publication Types:
Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

PMID: 16087374 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

23: Appl Environ Microbiol. 2005 Aug;71(8):4655/​63.

Elevated temperature enhances virulence of Erwinia carotovora subsp. carotovora
strain EC153 to plants and stimulates production of the quorum sensing signal,
N/​acyl homoserine lactone, and extracellular proteins.

Hasegawa H, Chatterjee A, Cui Y, Chatterjee AK.

Department of Plant Microbiology and Pathology, University of Missouri,
Columbia, MO 65211, USA.

Erwinia carotovora subsp. atroseptica, E. carotovora subsp. betavasculorum, and
E. carotovora subsp. carotovora produce high levels of extracellular enzymes,
such as pectate lyase (Pel), polygalacturonase (Peh), cellulase (Cel), and
protease (Prt), and the quorum/​sensing signal N/​acyl/​homoserine lactone (AHL) at
28 degrees C. However, the production of these enzymes and AHL by these bacteria
is severely inhibited during growth at elevated temperatures (31.2 degrees C for
E. carotovora subsp. atroseptica and 34.5 degrees C for E. carotovora subsp.
betavasculorum and most E. carotovora subsp. carotovora strains). At elevated
temperatures these bacteria produce high levels of RsmA, an RNA binding protein
that promotes RNA decay. E. carotovora subsp. carotovora strain EC153 is an
exception in that it produces higher levels of Pel, Peh, Cel, and Prt at 34.5
degrees C than at 28 degrees C. EC153 also causes extensive maceration of celery
petioles and Chinese cabbage leaves at 34.5 degrees C, which correlates with a
higher growth rate and higher levels of rRNA and AHL. The lack of pectinase
production by E. carotovora subsp. carotovora strain Ecc71 at 34.5 degrees C
limits the growth of this organism in plant tissues and consequently impairs its
ability to cause tissue maceration. Comparative studies with ahlI (the gene
encoding a putative AHL synthase), pel/​1, and peh/​1 transcripts documented that
at 34.5 degrees C the RNAs are more stable in EC153 than in Ecc71. Our data
reveal that overall metabolic activity, AHL levels, and mRNA stability are
responsible for the higher levels of extracellular protein production and the
enhanced virulence of EC153 at 34.5 degrees C compared to 28 degrees C.

Publication Types:
Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non/​P.H.S.

PMID: 16085860 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

24: J Mol Biol. 2005 Sep 2;351(5):1101/​9.

Crystal structure of the major celery allergen Api g 1: molecular analysis of
cross/​reactivity.

Schirmer T, Hoffimann/​Sommergrube K, Susani M, Breiteneder H, Markovic/​Housley
Z.

Department of Structural Biology, Biozentrum, University of Basel, CH/​4056
Basel, Switzerland.

Many patients who have been sensitised to pollen, display allergic symptoms
after ingestion of certain plant food such as fresh fruit, vegetables and nuts.
The cause is the cross/​reactivity between structurally very similar major plant
allergens. In particular, allergy to celery is very frequently associated with
birch and mugwort pollen sensitization, known as to the birch/​mugwort/​celery
syndrome. The crystal structure of the major celery allergen Api g 1, a
homologue of the major birch pollen allergen Bet v 1, has been determined to a
resolution of 2.9 A. The structure of Api g 1 is very similar to that of Bet v 1
with major differences occurring in the segment comprised of residues 23/​45,
preceding the well conserved glycine/​rich P/​loop, as well as in loops
beta3/​beta4 and beta5/​beta6. In particular, Api g 1 lacks E45, which has been
shown to be a crucial residue for antibody recognition in the crystal complex of
Bet v 1 with the Fab fragment of a murine monoclonal IgG (BV16) antibody. The
absence of E45 and the structural differences in the preceding segment suggest
that this region of the Api g 1 surface is probably not responsible for the
observed cross/​reactivity with Bet v 1. A detailed analysis of the molecular
surface in combination with sequence alignment revealed three conserved surface
patches which may account for cross/​reactivity with Bet v 1. Several residues of
Bet v 1 which have been shown by mutagenesis studies to be involved in IgE
recognition belong to these conserved surface regions. The structure of Api g 1
and the related epitope analysis provides a molecular basis for a better
understanding of allergen cross/​reactivity and may lead to the development of
hypoallergens which would allow a safer immunotherapy.

Publication Types:
Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

PMID: 16051263 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

25: Environ Int. 2005 Aug;31(6):855/​60.

Tissue/​dependent distribution and accumulation of chlorobenzenes by vegetables
in urban area.

Zhang J, Zhao W, Pan J, Qiu L, Zhu Y.

College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou
310028, China. zjy@zju.edu.cn

Five seasonal vegetables from three growing sites in Hangzhou city, Zhejiang
Province, were studied for the levels of four chlorobenzenes(CBs):
o/​dichlorobenzene (o/​DCB), p/​dichlorobenzene (p/​DCB), m/​dichlorobenzene (m/​DCB),
and 1,2,4/​trichlorobenzene (1,2,4/​TCB). Samples of each vegetable from each site
were subdivided into leaves, stems, and roots, and these subsamples were
analyzed separately for the levels of accumulated CBs. Relations between the
levels of CBs in vegetables with the total organic carbon (TOC) of the soil, the
lipid content of the vegetable, and the physicochemical properties of CBs were
established. Results showed that o/​DCB, p/​DCB, m/​DCB, 1,2,4/​TCB were present in
all vegetables analyzed. For spinaches (Spinacia oleracea), Chinese cabbages
(Brassica rapa var. pekinensis), and celery (Apium graveolens var. dulce), the
highest level of CBs was with roots, followed by leaves. While for radishes
(Raphanus sativus), and carrots (Daucus carota subsp. sativus), the highest
level was with leaves, followed by stems. The accumulation of CBs was found to
have a good correlation with the plant/​tissue lipid content, the contaminant
air/​water Henry's coefficient (H), the contaminant octanol/​water partition
coefficient (K(ow)), and the physiological characteristics of the vegetables.

Publication Types:
Comparative Study
Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

PMID: 16002141 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

26: Arch Latinoam Nutr. 2004 Dec;54(4):444/​8.

[Pesticide detection in Costarican vegetables based on the inhibition of serum
and erythrocytic human cholinesterases]

[Article in Spanish]

Nevermann KS, Guzman EQ.

Centro de Investigaciones en Enfermedades Tropicales (CIET) y Departamento de
Analisis Clinicos, Facultad de Microbiologia, Universidad de Costa Rica.

A simple and low cost method able to detect the presence of pesticides,
organophosphates and carbamates based on the inhibition of serum and
erythrocytic cholinesterases, was used in lettuce (Lactuca sativa), cilantro
(Coriandum santivum) and celery (Apium graveolens) obtained from the Ferias del
Agricultor from Valle Central of Costa Rica. The percentage inhibition of
cholinesterases is related to the presence of plaguicide in the vegetable.
Thirteen percent of the analyzed samples were positive for plaguicides using
serum cholinesterase and 33% for erythrocytic cholinesterase. Washing and
cooking the vegetables does not eliminate the presence of plaguicides but they
lower slightly the concentration. Statistical evidence (p = 0.0001) indicates
that erythrocytic cholinesterase has higher analytical sensitivity than serum
cholinesterase. It is very important to establish the degree of contamination
with pesticides in these agricultural products because they are exposed to
direct contamination by fumigation, soil contamination and irrigation water, and
are products that are often consumed without adequate cooking and washing.

Publication Types:
English Abstract

PMID: 15969271 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

27: Phytochemistry. 2005 Jun;66(11):1273/​84.

Molecular evolution of flavonoid dioxygenases in the family Apiaceae.

Gebhardt Y, Witte S, Forkmann G, Lukacin R, Matern U, Martens S.

Philipps Universitat Marburg, Institut fur Pharmazeutische Biologie,
Deutschhausstr. 17A, D/​35037 Marburg/Lahn, Germany.

Plant species of the family Apiaceae are known to accumulate flavonoids mainly
in the form of flavones and flavonols. Three 2/​oxoglutarate/​dependent
dioxygenases, flavone synthase or flavanone 3 beta/​hydroxylase and flavonol
synthase are involved in the biosynthesis of these secondary metabolites. The
corresponding genes were cloned recently from parsley (Petroselinum crispum)
leaves. Flavone synthase I appears to be confined to the Apiaceae, and the
unique occurrence as well as its high sequence similarity to flavanone
3beta/​hydroxylase laid the basis for evolutionary studies. In order to examine
the relationship of these two enzymes throughout the Apiaceae, RT/​PCR based
cloning and functional identification of flavone synthases I or flavanone
3beta/​hydroxylases were accomplished from Ammi majus, Anethum graveolens, Apium
graveolens, Pimpinella anisum, Conium maculatum and Daucus carota, yielding
three additional synthase and three additional hydroxylase cDNAs. Molecular and
phylogenetic analyses of these sequences were compatible with the phylogeny
based on morphological characteristics and suggested that flavone synthase I
most likely resulted from gene duplication of flavanone 3beta/​hydroxylase, and
functional diversification at some point during the development of the apiaceae
subfamilies. Furthermore, the genomic sequences from Petroselinum crispum and
Daucus carota revealed two introns in each of the synthases and a lack of
introns in the hydroxylases. These results might be explained by intron losses
from the hydroxylases occurring at a later stage of evolution.

Publication Types:
Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

PMID: 15913674 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

28: J Biomed Opt. 2005 Mar/​Apr;10(2):024013.

Second/​harmonic imaging of plant polysaccharides.

Cox G, Moreno N, Feijo J.

University of Sydney, Electron Microscope Unit, NSW 2006, Australia.
guy@emu.usyd.edu.au

The application of second/​harmonic generation (SHG) microscopy to plant
materials has been neglected hitherto even though it would seem to have promise
for identification and characterization of biologically and commercially
important plant polysaccharides. We find that imaging of cellulose requires
rather high laser powers, which are above optimal values for live cell imaging.
Starch, however, is easily imaged by the technique at laser fluences compatible
with extended cell viability. This also has useful applications in imaging
plant/​derived starchy food products. Lignin in plant cell walls shows a strong
three/​photon excited fluorescence, which may be enhanced by resonance effects.
Copyright 2005 Society of Photo/​Optical Instrumentation Engineers.

PMID: 15910087 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

29: Chirality. 2005 May 5;17(4):218/​32.

Synthesis of enantiopure phthalides including 3/​butylphthalide, a fragrance
component of celery oil, and determination of their absolute configurations.

Kosaka M, Sekiguchi S, Naito J, Uemura M, Kuwahara S, Watanabe M, Harada N,
Hiroi K.

Institute of Multidisciplinary Research for Advanced Materials, Tohoku
University, 2/​1/​1 Katahira, Aoba, Sendai 980/​8577, Japan.

Enantiopure phthalides 2 and 5/​8 were synthesized via enantioresolution of the
corresponding alcohols with a chiral auxiliary of camphorsultam dichlorophthalic
acid, (1S,2R,4R)/​(/​)/​CSDP acid 3, followed by solvolysis with KOH in MeOH and
the catalytic oxidation of chiral glycols with iridium complex 28. The absolute
configurations of phthalides 2 and 5/​8 were determined by applying the (1)H/​NMR
anisotropy method of MalphaNP acid (4), 2/​methoxy/​2/​(1/​naphthyl)propionic acid,
to the chiral synthetic precursory alcohols. In the case of 3/​phenylphthalide
(R)/​(/​)/​7, the absolute configuration determined by the (1)H/​NMR anisotropy
method using MalphaNP acid 4 agreed with that by the X/​ray crystallographic
method. By applying these methods, 3/​butylphthalide (S)/​(/​)/​2, a fragrance
component of essential oil of celery, has been synthesized in an enantiopure
form, and its absolute configuration was unambiguously determined. (c) 2005
Wiley/​Liss, Inc.

Publication Types:
Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

PMID: 15830406 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

30: Plant Mol Biol. 2005 Mar;57(4):517/​40.

Systemic response to aphid infestation by Myzus persicae in the phloem of Apium
graveolens.

Divol F, Vilaine F, Thibivilliers S, Amselem J, Palauqui JC, Kusiak C, Dinant S.

Laboratory of Cell Biology, INRA, Versailles 78026, France.

Little is known about the molecular processes involved in the phloem response to
aphid feeding. We investigated molecular responses to aphid feeding on celery
(Apium graveolenscv. Dulce) plants infested with the aphid Myzus persicae, as a
means of identifying changes in phloem function. We used celery as our model
species as it is easy to separate the phloem from the surrounding tissues in the
petioles of mature leaves of this species. We generated a total of 1187
expressed sequence tags (ESTs), corresponding to 891 non/​redundant genes. We
analysed these ESTs in silico after cDNA macroarray hybridisation. Aphid feeding
led to significant increase in RNA accumulation for 126 different genes.
Different patterns of deregulation were observed, including transitory or stable
induction 3 or 7 days after infestation. The genes affected belonged to various
functional categories and were induced systemically in the phloem after
infestation. In particular, genes involved in cell wall modification, water
transport, vitamin biosynthesis, photosynthesis, carbon assimilation and
nitrogen and carbon mobilisation were up/​regulated in the phloem. Further
analysis of the response in the phloem or xylem suggested that a component of
the response was developed more specifically in the phloem. However, this
component was different from the stress responses in the phloem driven by
pathogen infection. Our results indicate that the phloem is actively involved in
multiple adjustments, recruiting metabolic pathways and in structural changes
far from aphid feeding sites. However, they also suggest that the phloem
displays specific mechanisms that may not be induced in other tissues.

Publication Types:
Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

PMID: 15821978 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

31: Cancer Lett. 2005 Apr 18;221(1):11/​20.

Inhibitory effect of celery seeds extract on chemically induced
hepatocarcinogenesis: modulation of cell proliferation, metabolism and altered
hepatic foci development.

Sultana S, Ahmed S, Jahangir T, Sharma S.

Section of Chemoprevention and Nutrition Toxicology, Department of Medical
Elementology and Toxicology, Faculty of Science, Jamia Hamdard (Hamdard
University), Hamdard Nagar, New Delhi 110062, India. sarwat@786@rediffmail.com

The chemopreventive activity of methanolic extract of Apium graveolens seeds
(celery seeds) has been investigated against Solt Farber protocol of
hepatocarcinogenesis, oxidative stress and induction of positive foci of
gamma/​GT in the liver of Wistar rats. The prophylactic treatment of celery seeds
extract protected dose dependently against diethylnitrosoamine
(DEN)+2/​acetylaminofluorine (AAF)+partial hepatectomy (PH) induced
hepatocarcinogenesis and other related events such as induction of gamma/​GT
positive foci (P<0.001). 2/​AAF administration in diet with PH in rats resulted
in increased hepatic ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity and a consequent
increase in the rate of DNA synthesis when compared to saline treated control
group while pretreatment of rats with celery seeds extract resulted in
inhibition of aforementioned parameters dose dependently. The augmentation of
quinone reductase (QR), glutathione/​S/​transferase (GST) and serum gamma/​glutamyl
transpeptidase (GGT) activities; and depletion of the tissue GSH content after
2/​AAF (i.p. injection) for five consecutive days was prevented with the
administration of celery seed extract. On the basis of the above results it can
be said that A. graveolens is a potent plant against experimentally induced
hepatocarcinogenesis in Wistar rats.

Publication Types:
Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

PMID: 15797622 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

32: J Agric Food Chem. 2005 Apr 6;53(7):2518/​23.

Polyacetylenes from the Apiaceae vegetables carrot, celery, fennel, parsley, and
parsnip and their cytotoxic activities.

Zidorn C, Johrer K, Ganzera M, Schubert B, Sigmund EM, Mader J, Greil R,
Ellmerer EP, Stuppner H.

Abteilung Pharmakognosie, Institut fur Pharmazie der Universitat Innsbruck,
Josef/​Moeller/​Haus, Innrain 52, A/​6020 Innsbruck, Austria.
Christian.H.Zidorn@uibk.ac.uk

A dichloromethane extract of root celery yielded falcarinol, falcarindiol,
panaxydiol, and the new polyacetylene 8/​O/​methylfalcarindiol. The structure of
the new compound was established by one/​ and two/​dimensional (1D and 2D) NMR,
mass spectrometry, and optical rotation data. Nonpolar extracts of roots and
bulbs of carrots, celery, fennel, parsley, and parsnip were investigated for
their content of polyacetylenes by high/​performance liquid chromatography with
diode array detection (HPLC/​DAD). All five species contained polyacetylenes,
although carrots and fennel only in minor amounts. Additionally, the
cytotoxicity of the four polyacetylenes against five different cell lines was
evaluated by the annexin V/​PI assay. Falcarinol proved to be the most active
compound with a pronounced toxicity against acute lymphoblastic leukemia cell
line CEM/​C7H2, with an IC(50) of 3.5 micromol/L. The possible chemopreventive
impact of the presented findings is discussed briefly.

PMID: 15796588 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

33: Int Arch Allergy Immunol. 2005 Mar;136(3):230/​8. Epub 2005 Feb 15.

In vitro analysis of birch/​pollen/​associated food allergy by use of recombinant
allergens in the basophil activation test.

Erdmann SM, Sachs B, Schmidt A, Merk HF, Scheiner O, Moll/​Slodowy S, Sauer I,
Kwiecien R, Maderegger B, Hoffmann/​Sommergruber K.

Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Hospital of Aachen,
Aachen, Germany. serdmann@ukaachen.de

BACKGROUND: Basophil activation is associated with the expression of CD63. In
birch/​pollen/​associated food allergy to celery, carrot and apple, Bet v 1, Api g
1, Dau c 1 and Mal d 1 are major allergens. Recombinant allergens have not yet
been used in the CD63/​based basophil activation test (BAT). OBJECTIVE: To
evaluate the feasibility of using recombinant allergens in the BAT in the
diagnosis of allergy to apple, carrot and celery and to compare results with
routine tests, i.e. skin prick tests (SPTs) and specific IgE. METHODS:
Thirty/​two patients with an oral allergy syndrome induced by apple, carrot or
celery and 22 controls were studied. SPTs were performed with native foods.
Specific IgE was determined by the CAP method and basophil activation by
flowcytometry upon double staining with anti/​IgE/anti/​CD63 monoclonal antibodies
after incubating with purified recombinant Bet v 1, Bet v 2, Api g 1, Dau c 1
and Mal d 1. RESULTS: By the combined use of the BAT and the CAP method,
sensitization to Bet v 1 and Bet v 2 was detected in 100 and 25% of all
subjects, respectively. Sensitivity of specific IgE for apple, carrot and celery
was 60, 70 and 75% with corresponding specificities of 64, 86 and 82%.
Sensitivity of the BAT for Mal d 1, Dau c 1 and Api g 1 was 75, 65 and 75% with
corresponding specificities of 68, 100 and 77%. CONCLUSIONS: The BAT using
recombinant allergens provides a valuable new in vitro method for the detection
of sensitization to foods. Although double/​blind placebo/​controlled food
challenges remain the gold standard to confirm food allergy, the CD63/​based BAT
with recombinant allergens may supplement routine tests for allergy diagnosis.
Copyright (c) 2005 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Publication Types:
Comparative Study
In Vitro

PMID: 15713985 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

34: J Vector Ecol. 2004 Dec;29(2):340/​6.

Potential of crude seed extract of celery, Apium graveolens L., against the
mosquito Aedes aegypti (L.) (Diptera: Culicidae).

Choochote W, Tuetun B, Kanjanapothi D, Rattanachanpichai E, Chaithong U,
Chaiwong P, Jitpakdi A, Tippawangkosol P, Riyong D, Pitasawat B.

Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang
Mai 50200, Thailand.

Crude seed extract of celery, Apium graveolens, was investigated for
anti/​mosquito potential, including larvicidal, adulticidal, and repellent
activities against Aedes aegypti, the vector of dengue haemorrhagic fever. The
ethanol/​extracted A. graveolens possessed larvicidal activity against fourth
instar larvae of Ae. aegypti with LD50 and LD95 values of 81.0 and 176.8 mg/L,
respectively. The abnormal movement observed in treated larvae indicated that
the toxic effect of A. graveolens extract was probably on the nervous system. In
testing for adulticidal activity, this plant extract exhibited a slightly
adulticidal potency with LD50 and LD95 values of 6.6 and 66.4 mg/cm2,
respectively. It showed repellency against Ae. aegypti adult females with ED50
and ED95 values of 2.03 and 28.12 mg/cm2, respectively. It also provided biting
protection time of 3 h when applied at a concentration of 25 g%. Topical
application of the ethanol/​extracted A. graveolens did not induce dermal
irritation. No adverse effects on the skin or other parts of the body of human
volunteers were observed during 3 mo of the study period or in the following 3
mo, after which time observations ceased. A. graveolens, therefore, can be
considered as a probable source of some biologically active compounds used in
the development of mosquito control agents, particularly repellent products.

Publication Types:
Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

PMID: 15707293 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

35: J AOAC Int. 2004 Nov/​Dec;87(6):1448/​57.

Protein quantification, sandwich ELISA, and real/​time PCR used to monitor
industrial cleaning procedures for contamination with peanut and celery
allergens.

Stephan O, Weisz N, Vieths S, Weiser T, Rabe B, Vatterott W.

Paul/​Ehrlich/​Institut, Paul/​Ehrlich/​Strasse 51/​59, D/​63225 Langen, Germany.

In the United States, peanut is one of the main sources of food allergens.
Similarly, celery is a common allergenic food in Western Europe. Severe allergic
reactions to both foods are common. Unexpected allergic reactions can occur
after the consumption of celery/​ and peanut/​free foods as a result of
inadvertent cross/​contaminations during manufacturing. Therefore, in cooperation
with a flavor manufacturer, we monitored the cleaning process of slurry
preparation equipment with regard to contaminations of follow/​up products with
celery and peanut compounds. Washing water samples taken after different
cleaning steps and follow/​up products were analyzed for the presence of celery
and peanut traces with a celery/​specific real/​time polymerase chain reaction
(PCR) and a peanut/​specific sandwich enzyme/​linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
PCR and ELISA were compared with a nonspecific protein assay to evaluate whether
the detection of protein traces can be a fast and cost/​effective method for
monitoring the effectiveness of wet cleaning procedures. Additionally, the
allergenic potential of the celery and peanut mush, which were used as source
material, were measured by a mediator release assay using a rat basophilic
leukemia (RBL) cell line. In conclusion, the quantification of total protein in
washing water was suitable for monitoring the cleaning process. Our study also
revealed evidence that, in cases where wet cleaning is applicable, allergenic
traces can be removed with high efficiency.

Publication Types:
Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

PMID: 15675458 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

36: Plant Cell. 2005 Jan;17(1):204/​18. Epub 2004 Dec 14.

Arabidopsis POLYOL TRANSPORTER5, a new member of the monosaccharide
transporter/​like superfamily, mediates H+/​Symport of numerous substrates,
including myo/​inositol, glycerol, and ribose.

Klepek YS, Geiger D, Stadler R, Klebl F, Landouar/​Arsivaud L, Lemoine R, Hedrich
R, Sauer N.

Molekulare Pflanzenphysiologie, Universitat Erlangen/​Nurnberg, D/​91058 Erlangen,
Germany.

Six genes of the Arabidopsis thaliana monosaccharide transporter/​like (MST/​like)
superfamily share significant homology with polyol transporter genes previously
identified in plants translocating polyols (mannitol or sorbitol) in their
phloem (celery [Apium graveolens], common plantain [Plantago major], or sour
cherry [Prunus cerasus]). The physiological role and the functional properties
of this group of proteins were unclear in Arabidopsis, which translocates
sucrose and small amounts of raffinose rather than polyols. Here, we describe
POLYOL TRANSPORTER5 (AtPLT5), the first member of this subgroup of Arabidopsis
MST/​like transporters. Transient expression of an AtPLT5/​green fluorescent
protein fusion in plant cells and functional analyses of the AtPLT5 protein in
yeast and Xenopus oocytes demonstrate that AtPLT5 is located in the plasma
membrane and characterize this protein as a broad/​spectrum H+/​symporter for
linear polyols, such as sorbitol, xylitol, erythritol, or glycerol.
Unexpectedly, however, AtPLT5 catalyzes also the transport of the cyclic polyol
myo/​inositol and of different hexoses and pentoses, including ribose, a sugar
that is not transported by any of the previously characterized plant sugar
transporters. RT/​PCR analyses and AtPLT5 promoter/​reporter gene plants revealed
that AtPLT5 is most strongly expressed in Arabidopsis roots, but also in the
vascular tissue of leaves and in specific floral organs. The potential
physiological role of AtPLT5 is discussed.

Publication Types:
Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

PMID: 15598803 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

37: Biol Trace Elem Res. 2004 Dec;101(3):265/​76.

Selecting iodine/​enriched vegetables and the residual effect of iodate
application to soil.

Dai JL, Zhu YG, Zhang M, Huang YZ.

Research Center for Eco/​environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences,
Beijing 100085, China.

A greenhouse pot experiment was conducted to select vegetables for iodine
uptake. The residual effect of iodate fertilization on the growth of and iodine
uptake by spinach plants were also investigated. Six vegetables, including leafy
vegetables (pakchoi [Brassica chinensis L.], spinach [Spinacia oleracea L.]),
tuber vegetables (onion [Allium cepa L.]), shoot vegetables (water spinach
[Ipomoea aquatica Forsk.], celery [Apium graveolens L.]), and root vegetables
(carrot [Daucus carota var. sativa DC.]) were examined. Results showed that the
concentrations of iodate in soil had significant effect on the biomass of edible
parts of pakchoi and spinach (p<0.01), whereas the concentrations of iodate in
soil had no significant effect on that of carrots, water spinach, celery, and
onion. Iodine concentrations in edible parts of vegetables and the transfer
factors (TFedible parts) of soil/​to/​edible parts of vegetables significantly
increased with increasing iodine concentrations in soil (p<0.001), and iodine
concentrations in edible parts and TFedible parts of spinach were much higher
than those of other vegetables at any treatment. Both transfer coefficients for
edible parts (TCedible parts) and for aerial parts (TCaerial parts) of
vegetables changed differently with increasing iodine concentrations in the
soil, and TCedible parts and TCaerial parts of spinach were higher than those of
other vegetables. Therefore, spinach was considered as an efficient vegetable
for iodine biofortification. Further experiment showed that there is
considerable residual effect of soil fertilization with iodate.

Publication Types:
Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

PMID: 15564656 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

38: Prep Biochem Biotechnol. 2004 Nov;34(4):387/​97.

Some biochemical properties of polyphenol oxidase from celery.

Yagar H.

Department of Chemistry, Trakya University, Edirne, Turkey. hulyagar@yahoo.com

Polyphenol oxidase (PPO, EC 1.14.18.1) was extracted from celery roots (Apium
graveolens L.) with 0.1 M phosphate buffer, pH 7.0. The PPO was partially
purified by (NH4)2SO4 and dialysis. Substrate specificity experiments were
carried out with catechol, pyrogallol, L/​DOPA, p/​cresol, resorcinol, and
tyrosine. The Km for pyrogallol, catechol, and L/​DOPA were 4.5, 8.3, and 6.2mM,
respectively, at 25 degrees C. Data for Vmax/Km values, which represent
catalytic efficiency, show that pyrogallol has the highest value. The optimum pH
and temperature were determined with catechol, pyrogallol, and L/​DOPA. Optimum
pH was 7.0 for catechol and L/​DOPA, and 7.5 for pyrogallol. Optimum temperatures
for maximum PPO activity were 25 degrees C for pyrogallol, 40 degrees C for
catechol, and 45 degrees C for L/​DOPA. Heat inactivation studies showed a
decrease in enzymatic activity at temperatures above 60 degrees C. The order of
inhibitor effectiveness was: L/​cysteine > ascorbic acid > glycine > resorcinol >
NaCl.

PMID: 15553907 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

39: Allergy. 2004 Dec;59(12):1318/​25.

The prevalence of positive reactions in the atopy patch test with aeroallergens
and food allergens in subjects with atopic eczema: a European multicenter study.

Darsow U, Laifaoui J, Kerschenlohr K, Wollenberg A, Przybilla B, Wuthrich B,
Borelli S Jr, Giusti F, Seidenari S, Drzimalla K, Simon D, Disch R, Borelli S,
Devillers AC, Oranje AP, De Raeve L, Hachem JP, Dangoisse C, Blondeel A, Song M,
Breuer K, Wulf A, Werfel T, Roul S, Taieb A, Bolhaar S, Bruijnzeel/​Koomen C,
Bronnimann M, Braathen LR, Didierlaurent A, Andre C, Ring J.

Department of Dermatology and Allergy Biederstein, Technical University Munich
and Division of Environmental Dermatology and Allergy GSF/TUM, Munich, Germany.

BACKGROUND: The atopy patch test (APT) was proposed to evaluate IgE/​mediated
sensitizations in patients with atopic eczema (AE). OBJECTIVE: The prevalence
and agreement with clinical history and specific IgE (sIgE) of positive APT
reactions was investigated in six European countries using a standardized
method. METHODS: A total of 314 patients with AE in remission were tested in 12
study centers on clinically uninvolved, non/​abraded back skin with 200 index of
reactivity (IR)/g of house dust mite Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, cat dander,
grass, and birch pollen allergen extracts with defined major allergen contents
in petrolatum. Extracts of egg white, celery and wheat flour with defined
protein content were also patch tested. APT values were evaluated at 24, 48, and
72 h according to the European Task Force on Atopic Dermatitis (ETFAD)
guidelines. In addition, skin/​prick test (SPT) and sIgE and a detailed history
on allergen/​induced eczema flares were obtained. RESULTS: Previous eczema
flares, after contact with specific allergens, were reported in 1% (celery) to
34% (D. pteronyssinus) of patients. The frequency of clear/​cut positive APT
reactions ranged from 39% with D. pteronyssinus to 9% with celery. All ETFAD
intensities occured after 48 and 72 h. Positive SPT (16/​57%) and elevated sIgE
(19/​59%) results were more frequent. Clear/​cut positive APT with all SPT and
sIgE testing negative was seen in 7% of the patients, whereas a positive APT
without SPT or sIgE for the respective allergen was seen in 17% of the patients.
APT, SPT and sIgE results showed significant agreement with history for grass
pollen and egg white (two/​sided Pr > /Z/ < or = 0.01). In addition, SPT and sIgE
showed significant agreement with history for the other aeroallergens. With
regard to clinical history, the APT had a higher specificity (64/​91% depending
on the allergen) than SPT (50/​85%) or sIgE (52/​85%). Positive APT were
associated with longer duration of eczema flares and showed regional
differences. In 10 non/​atopic controls, no positive APT reaction was seen.
CONCLUSION: Aeroallergens and food allergens are able to elicit eczematous skin
reactions after epicutaneous application. As no gold standard for aeroallergen
provocation in AE exists, the relevance of aeroallergens for AE flares may be
evaluated by APT in addition to SPT and sIgE. The data may contribute to the
international standardization of the APT.

Publication Types:
Clinical Trial
Comparative Study
Multicenter Study
Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

PMID: 15507101 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

40: Phytother Res. 2004 Aug;18(8):670/​3.

Antimicrobial evaluation of some medicinal plants for their anti/​enteric
potential against multi/​drug resistant Salmonella typhi.

Rani P, Khullar N.

Department of Biotechnology, Panjab University, Chandigarh/​160 014, India.

Screening was done of some plants of importance in the Ayurvedic system of
traditional medicine used in India to treat enteric diseases. Fifty four plant
extracts (methanol and aqueous) were assayed for their activity against
multi/​drug resistant Salmonella typhi. Strong antibacterial activity was shown
by the methanol extracts of Aegle marmelos, Salmalia malabarica, Punica
granatum, Myristica fragrans, Holarrhena antidysenterica, Terminalia arjuna and
Triphal (mixture of Emblica of fi cinalis, Terminalia chebula and Terminalia
belerica). Moderate antimicrobial activity was shown by Picorhiza kurroa, Acacia
catechu, Acacia nilotica, Cichorium intybus, Embelia ribes, Solanum nigrum,
Carum copticum, Apium graveolens, Ocimum sanctum, Peucedanum graveolens and
Butea monosperma.

Publication Types:
Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

PMID: 15476301 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

41: Opt Lett. 2004 Jul 15;29(14):1647/​9.

Near/​infrared dyes as contrast/​enhancing agents for spectroscopic optical
coherence tomography.

Xu C, Ye J, Marks DL, Boppart SA.

Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, and Beckman Institute for
Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois at Urbana/​/​Champaign,
Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA.

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) images of biological tissues often have low
contrast. Spectroscopic optical coherence tomography (SOCT) methods have been
developed to enhance contrast but remain limited because most tissues are not
spectrally active in the frequency bands of laser sources commonly used in OCT.
Near/​infrared (NIR) dyes with absorption spectra features within the OCT source
spectrum can be used for enhancing contrast in this situation. We introduce and
demonstrate the use of NIR dyes as contrast agents for SOCT. Contrast/​enhanced
images are compared with fluorescence microscopy, demonstrating a link between
SOCT and fluorescence imaging.

Publication Types:
Comparative Study
Evaluation Studies
Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non/​P.H.S.
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

PMID: 15309847 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

42: Biomacromolecules. 2004 Jul/​Aug;5(4):1333/​9.

Structural details of crystalline cellulose from higher plants.

Sturcova A, His I, Apperley DC, Sugiyama J, Jarvis MC.

Chemistry Department, Glasgow University, Glasgow G12 8QQ, Scotland, United
Kingdom.

It is commonly assumed that cellulose from higher plants contains the Ialpha and
Ibeta crystalline allomorphs together with surface and disordered chains. For
cellulose Ialpha, the evidence for its presence in higher plants is restricted
to the C/​4 signals in the solid/​state (13)C NMR spectrum, which match those of
crystalline cellulose Ialpha from algal sources. Algal cellulose Ialpha can be
converted to the Ibeta form by high/​temperature annealing. We used this approach
to generate cellulose samples differing in Ibeta content from flax fibers and
celery collenchyma, which respectively are representative of textile
(secondary/​wall) and primary/​wall cellulose. It was then possible to isolate the
detailed spectral contributions of the surface, Ibeta and Ialpha/​like phases
from linear combinations of the observed (13)C NMR and FTIR spectra. The (13)C
NMR spectra resembled those of highly crystalline tunicate or algal cellulose
Ibeta and Ialpha, with slight differences implying increased disorder and minor
conformational discrepancies. The FTIR spectrum of the Ibeta form was closely
similar to its more crystalline counterparts, but the FTIR spectrum of the
Ialpha form was not. In addition to increased bandwith indicative of lower
order, it showed substantial differences in the profile of hydroxyl stretching
bands. These results confirm that higher plants synthesize cellulose Ibeta but
show that the Ialpha/​like chains, although conformationally quite similar to
crystalline algal cellulose Ialpha, sit in a different hydrogen/​bonding
environment in higher plants. The differences are presumably occasioned by the
small diameter of the crystallites and the influence of the crystallite surface
on chain packing.

Publication Types:
Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

PMID: 15244448 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

43: Z Naturforsch [C]. 2004 Mar/​Apr;59(3/​4):201/​4.

Biotransformation of isoprenoids and shikimic acid derivatives by a vegetable
enzymatic system.

Maczka WK, Mironowicz A.

Department of Chemistry, Agricultural University, ul. Norwida 25, 50/​375
Wroclaw, Poland.

In biotransformations carried out under similar conditions enzymatic systems
from carrot (Daucus carota L.), celeriac (Apium graveolens L. var. rapaceum) and
horse/​radish (Armoracia lapathifolia Gilib.) hydrolyzed the ester bonds of
acetates of phenols or alicyclic alcohols. Nevertheless, methyl esters of
aromatic acids did not undergo hydrolysis. Alcohols were oxidized to ketones in
a reversible reaction.

PMID: 15241926 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

44: Ann Trop Med Parasitol. 2004 Jun;98(4):407/​17.

Mosquito repellency of the seeds of celery (Apium graveolens L.).

Tuetun B, Choochote W, Rattanachanpichai E, Chaithong U, Jitpakdi A,
Tippawangkosol P, Riyong D, Pitasawat B.

Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang
Mai 50200, Thailand.

When the mosquito repellencies of four fractions of Apium graveolens seeds (one
hexane, two dichloromethane and one methanolic) were investigated in the
laboratory, all four were found to offer human volunteers some protection
against female, adult Aedes aegypti. The hexane fraction, however, was found to
exhibit the highest repellency in the laboratory, with median effective doses
(ED50) and ED95 of 0.41 and 2.93 mg/cm2 skin, respectively. Only this fraction,
which was also found to provide protection against mosquito bites for 3.5 h when
applied, in the laboratory, at a concentration of 250 mg/ml, was then
investigated for its repellency in the field and its stability. In storage, it
was found to retain its repellency for at least 2 months, although significant
reductions in its repellency were observed (in terms of shortened
complete/​protection times) after 3 months, whatever the temperature of storage
(/​20 degrees C, 4 degrees C, or room temperature). When applied to the skin of
volunteers under field conditions, the hexane fraction showed strong repellent
activity against a wide range of mosquito species belonging to various genera
(Ae. gardnerii, Ae. lineatopennis, Armigeres subalbatus, Culex
tritaeniorhynchus, Cx. vishnui group, Cx. quinquefasciatus and Mansonia
uniformis). It appeared not to cause dermal irritation or any other adverse
effect, either during 6 months of use or in the following 3 months of follow/​up.
Mosquito repellents based on extracts of Ap. graveolens seeds could be developed
commercially, as an effective personal/​protection measure against mosquito bites
and the diseases caused by mosquito/​borne pathogens.

Publication Types:
Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

PMID: 15228722 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

45: Commun Agric Appl Biol Sci. 2003;68(4 Pt B):619/​29.

New and remarkable records of microfungi from Turkey.

Ale/​Agha N, Feige GB, Christiaans B, Dundar AE.

Botanisches Institut der Universitat Essen, Universitatsstrasse 5, D/​45117
Essen, Germany.

During a botanical excursion of the University of Essen in the year 2002 to
North/​, Central/​ and South/​Anatolia we have collected representatives of about
100 genera of microfungi as parasites or saprophytes on crops and wild plants.
Some of them are new for Turkey: Passalora dubia on Atriplex hortensis,
Pseudocercospora ligustri on Ligustrum ovalifolium, Passalora smilacis on Smilax
aspera, Uromyces limonii on Limonium spec., Puccinia jasmini on Jasminim spec.,
Sawadea bicornis on Acer negundo, Puccinia sii/​falcariae on Falcaria vulgaris,
Phomia hedericola on Hedera helix, Camorosporium pistaciae on Pistacia
terebinthus, Erysiphe bahrii on Silene spec., Ramularia heraclei on Apium
graveolens. All specimens are located in the Herbarium ESS, Mycotheca parva,
collection G.B. Feige & N. Ale/​Agha.

PMID: 15151298 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

46: Arch Latinoam Nutr. 2003 Dec;53(4):383/​8.

[Microbiological quality and effect of washing and disinfection of pre/​cut
Chilean vegetables]

[Article in Spanish]

Lopez L, Romero J, Duarte F.

Universidad de Chile, Facultad de Ciencias Quimicas y Farmaceuticas, Santiago de
Chile.

Actually it is possible to find a great offer of pre/​cut vegetables in the
Chilean market. These products present certain advantages, such as saving time
in their preparation at home. The microbiological quality of some of these
vegetables, pre/​cut celery and pre/​cut cabbage was assayed. Two different types
of the products were studied. The traditional pre/​cut vegetable and another one,
which is also pre/​cut but it is labeled as "ready/​to/​eat" (minimally processed).
The last one could be consumed without previous washing or disinfecting. The
assayed microbiological parameters were: total plate count, Enterobacteriaceae
count, total coliforms and fecal coliforms most probable number, investigation
of Escherichia coli and absence or presence of Salmonella. The effect of washing
and washing and disinfecting on the natural microflora was also carried out. A
disinfectant product for home use was obtained from the market. When comparing
the obtained results for the two vegetables from both types, a high level of
total plate count, Enterobacteriaceae count and total coliforms most probable
number was observed. Fecal coliforms were detected only in samples of the
traditional type in both vegetables. In each case E. coli was identified. No
samples showed presence of Salmonella. Washing and washing and disinfecting
effect was low. The maximum reduction of the present microflora of both
vegetables was only up to 2 logarithm cycles.

Publication Types:
English Abstract

PMID: 15125080 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

47: Appl Spectrosc. 2003 Jul;57(7):811/​22.

Multi/​wavelength mid/​infrared micro/​spectral imaging using semiconductor lasers.

Guo B, Wang Y, Peng C, Luo GP, Le HQ.

Photonic Device and System Laboratories, Department of Electrical and Computer
Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, Texas 77204/​4005, USA.

Infrared (IR, 3/​12/​microm) microscopic spectral imaging is an important
analytical technique. Many current instruments employ thermal IR light sources,
which suffer the problem of low brightness and high noise. This paper evaluates
the system engineering merit in using semiconductor lasers, which offer
orders/​of/​magnitude/​higher power, brightness, and lower noise. A microscopic
spectral imaging system using semiconductor lasers (quantum cascade) as
illuminators, and focal plane array detectors demonstrated a high
signal/​to/​noise ratio (> 20 dB) at video frame rate for a large illuminated
area. The comparative advantages of laser vs. thermal light source are analyzed
and demonstrated. Microscopic spectral imaging with fixed/​wavelength and tunable
lasers of 4.6/​, 5.1/​, 6/​, and 9.3/​microm wavelength was applied to a number of
representative samples that consist of biological tissues (plant and animal),
solid material (a stack of laminated polymers), and liquid chemical (benzene).
Transmission spectral images with approximately 30/​dB dynamic range were
obtained with clear evidence of spectral features for different samples. The
potential of more advanced systems with a wide coverage of spectral bands is
discussed.

Publication Types:
Comparative Study
Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non/​P.H.S.

PMID: 14658660 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

48: Eur J Immunol. 2003 Dec;33(12):3303/​10.

Bet v 1, the major birch pollen allergen, initiates sensitization to Api g 1,
the major allergen in celery: evidence at the T cell level.

Bohle B, Radakovics A, Jahn/​Schmid B, Hoffmann/​Sommergruber K, Fischer GF, Ebner
C.

Department of Pathophysiology, Division of Immunopathology, University of
Vienna, Vienna, Austria. barbara.bohle@akh/​wien.ac.at

Due to IgE cross/​reactivity, birch pollen/​allergic individuals frequently
develop type I hypersensitivity reactions to celery tuber. We evaluated the T
cell response to the major allergen in celeriac, Api g 1, and the cellular
cross/​reactivity with its homologous major allergen in birch pollen, Bet v 1.
Api g 1/​specific T cell lines (TCL) and clones (TCC) were established from
peripheral blood mononuclear cells of allergic patients. Epitope mapping of Api
g 1 with overlapping Api g 1/​derived peptides revealed one dominant T
cell/​activating region, Api g 1(109/​126). TCL and TCC generated with Api g 1
cross/​reacted with the birch pollen allergen and, although initially stimulated
with the food allergen, cellular responses to Bet v 1 were stronger than to Api
g 1. Epitope mapping with Bet v 1/​derived peptides revealed that T cells
specific for several distinct epitopes distributed over the complete Bet v 1
molecule could be activated by Api g 1. Bet v 1(109/​126) was identified as the
most important T cell epitope for cross/​reactivity with Api g 1. This epitope
shares 72% amino acid sequence similarity with the major T cell/​activating
region of the food allergen, Api g 1(109/​126). Our data provide evidence that
humoral as well as cellular reactivity to the major celery allergen is
predominantly based on cross/​reactivity with the major birch pollen allergen.
The activation of Bet v 1/​specific Th2 cells by Api g 1, in particular outside
the pollen season, may have consequences for birch pollen/​allergic individuals.

Publication Types:
Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

PMID: 14635038 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

49: BMC Plant Biol. 2003 Nov 24;3:7.

Synthesis of L/​ascorbic acid in the phloem.

Hancock RD, McRae D, Haupt S, Viola R.

Unit of Plant Biochemistry, Scottish Crop Research Institute, Invergowrie,
Dundee DD2 5DA, United Kingdom. rhanco@scri.sari.ac.uk

BACKGROUND: Although plants are the main source of vitamin C in the human diet,
we still have a limited understanding of how plants synthesise L/​ascorbic acid
(AsA) and what regulates its concentration in different plant tissues. In
particular, the enormous variability in the vitamin C content of storage organs
from different plants remains unexplained. Possible sources of AsA in plant
storage organs include in situ synthesis and long/​distance transport of AsA
synthesised in other tissues via the phloem. In this paper we examine a third
possibility, that of synthesis within the phloem. RESULTS: We provide evidence
for the presence of AsA in the phloem sap of a wide range of crop species using
aphid stylectomy and histochemical approaches. The activity of almost all the
enzymes of the primary AsA biosynthetic pathway were detected in phloem/​rich
vascular exudates from Cucurbita pepo fruits and AsA biosynthesis was
demonstrated in isolated phloem strands from Apium graveolens petioles incubated
with a range of precursors (D/​glucose, D/​mannose, L/​galactose and
L/​galactono/​1,4/​lactone). Phloem uptake of D/​[U/​14C]mannose and
L/​[1/​14C]galactose (intermediates of the AsA biosynthetic pathway) as well as
L/​[1/​14C]AsA and L/​[1/​14C]DHA, was observed in Nicotiana benthamiana leaf discs.
CONCLUSIONS: We present the novel finding that active AsA biosynthesis occurs in
the phloem. This process must now be considered in the context of mechanisms
implicated in whole plant AsA distribution. This work should provoke studies
aimed at elucidation of the in vivo substrates for phloem AsA biosynthesis and
its contribution to AsA accumulation in plant storage organs.

Publication Types:
Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

PMID: 14633288 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

50: Biochem J. 2003 Nov 15;376(Pt 1):e1/​2.

Comment on:
Biochem J. 2003 Nov 15;376(Pt 1):97/​107.

Correlating IgE reactivity with three/​dimensional structure.

Crameri R.

Swiss Institute of Allergy and Asthma Research (SIAF), Obere Strasse 22, CH/​7270
Davos, Switzerland. crameri@siaf.unizh.ch

This Commentary discusses the work of Neudecker et al. in this issue of the
Biochemical Journal in which site/​directed mutagenesis and NMR spectroscopy have
been used to analyse in detail the IgE/​binding capacity of two cross/​reactive
allergens: Apg1.0101 from celery ( Apium graveolens ) and Pru av 1 from cherry (
Prunus avium ), which are both members of the pathogenesis/​related allergen
family. The study, showing that the IgE/​binding epitopes are highly patient
specific, will have a profound impact on our understanding of conformational
IgE/​binding epitopes, raising serious questions about the therapeutic usefulness
of conventional site/​directed/​mutagenic approaches for the production of
hypo/​allergenic protein variants.

Publication Types:
Comment

PMID: 14602045 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

51: Phytochemistry. 2003 Nov;64(5):1003/​11.

Polar constituents of celery seed.

Kitajima J, Ishikawa T, Satoh M.

Showa Pharmaceutical University, Higashi/​Tamagawagakuen 3, Machida, Tokyo
194/​8543, Japan. kitajima@ac.shoyaku.ac.jp

From the water/​soluble portion of the methanol extract of celery seed (fruit of
Apium graveolens L.) five sesquiterpenoid glucosides (celerioside A/​E) and three
phthalide glycosides (celephtalide A/​C) were isolated together with six aromatic
compound glucosides, two norcarotenoid glucosides and a lignan glucoside. Their
structures were determined by spectral investigations.

PMID: 14561518 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

52: J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2003 Sep;112(3):579/​84.

TH1/​promoting DNA immunization against allergens modulates the ratio of
IgG1/IgG2a but does not affect the anaphylactic potential of IgG1 antibodies: no
evidence for the synthesis of nonanaphylactic IgG1.

Hochreiter R, Ferreira F, Thalhamer J, Hammerl P.

Institute of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Salzburg,
Hellbrunnerstrasse 34, A/​5020 Salzburg, Austria.

BACKGROUND: In mouse, IgG1 has been reported to make up 2 functionally distinct
phenotypes that also differ in their induction requirements. One of these
phenotypes lacks anaphylactic activity. OBJECTIVE: We hypothesized that
nonanaphylactic IgG1 could modulate allergic reactions and investigated whether
such antibodies are induced by DNA immunization. METHODS: Mice were immunized
with allergen/​encoding plasmid DNA or with recombinant allergens and alum. Sera
were analyzed for IgG subclasses by ELISA for anaphylactic IgE by rat basophil
degranulation, and after heat inactivation of IgE for anaphylactic IgG by
passive cutaneous anaphylaxis assay. IFN/​gamma and IL/​5 from in/​vitro
restimulated spleen cells were quantitated by ELISA. RESULTS: After protein
immunization, mice produced IgG1 and IgE, whereas DNA immunization elicited IgG1
and IgG2a but no IgE. However, all sera were positive for non/​IgE/​mediated
passive cutaneous anaphylaxis. In the presence of anaphylactic IgG1, the
additional occurrence of nonanaphylactic IgG1 cannot be strictly ruled out. To
circumvent this problem, we immunized IL/​4 receptor/​deficient mice against Bet v
1a, because anaphylactic but not nonanaphylactic IgG1 has been reported to
depend on IL/​4. These animals produced only low amounts of IgG1, but sera were
again positive for non/​IgE/​mediated anaphylactic activity. CONCLUSIONS: Our
results revealed no evidence for the production of nonanaphylactic IgG1.
Furthermore, our data indicate that the development of non/​IgE/​mediated
anaphylaxis does not require IL/​4 receptor signaling.

Publication Types:
In Vitro
Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

PMID: 13679818 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

53: Plant J. 2003 Oct;36(1):67/​81.

Towards deciphering phloem: a transcriptome analysis of the phloem of Apium
graveolens.

Vilaine F, Palauqui JC, Amselem J, Kusiak C, Lemoine R, Dinant S.

Laboratory of Cell Biology, INRA, Versailles 78026, France.

Events occurring in the phloem tissue are key to understanding a wide range of
developmental and physiological processes in vascular plants. While a
considerable amount of molecular information on phloem proteins has emerged in
the past decade, a unified picture of the molecular mechanisms involved in
phloem differentiation and function is still lacking. New models to increase our
understanding of this complex tissue can be created by the development of global
approaches such as genomic analysis. In order to obtain a comprehensive overview
of the molecular biology of the phloem tissue, we developed a genomic approach
using Apium graveolens as a model. cDNA libraries were constructed from mRNAs
extracted from isolated phloem of petioles. Expression data obtained from the
analysis of 989 expressed sequence tags (ESTs) and the transcript profile
deduced from a cDNA macroarray of 1326 clones were combined to identify genes
showing distinct expression patterns in the vascular tissues. Comparisons of
expression profiles obtained from the phloem, xylem and storage parenchyma
tissues uncovered tissue/​specific differential expression patterns for given
sets of genes. The major classes of mRNAs predominantly found in the phloem
encode proteins related to phloem structure, metal homeostasis or distribution,
stress responses and degradation or turnover of proteins. Of great interest for
future studies are the genes we found to be specifically expressed in the phloem
but for which the function is still unknown, and also those genes described in
previous reports to be up or downregulated by specific interactions. From a
broader prospective, our results also clearly demonstrate that cDNA macroarray
technology can be used to identify the key genes involved in various
physiological and developmental processes in the phloem.

PMID: 12974812 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

54: FASEB J. 2003 Sep;17(12):1697/​9. Epub 2003 Jul 18.

Cross/​reactive N/​glycans of Api g 5, a high molecular weight glycoprotein
allergen from celery, are required for immunoglobulin E binding and activation
of effector cells from allergic patients.

Bublin M, Radauer C, Wilson IB, Kraft D, Scheiner O, Breiteneder H,
Hoffmann/​Sommergruber K.

Department of Pathophysiology, University of Vienna, Austria.

Allergy diagnosis relying on the determination of specific IgE is frequently
complicated by the presence of cross/​reacting IgE of unclear clinical relevance.
Particularly, the anaphylactogenic activity of IgE directed to cross/​reactive
carbohydrate moieties of glycoproteins from plants and invertebrates has been a
matter of debate. In this study, we present the biochemical and immunological
characterization of Api g 5, a glycoprotein allergen from celery with homology
to FAD containing oxidases. Carbohydrate analysis of the allergen revealed the
presence of glycans carrying fucosyl and xylosyl residues, structures previously
shown to bind IgE. Chemical deglycosylation of the protein completely abolished
binding of serum IgE from all 14 patients tested. Likewise, basophils from a
patient allergic to mugwort pollen and celery were stimulated only by native Api
g 5, whereas the deglycosylated allergen did not trigger release of histamine.
IgE inhibition immunoblots showed that native Api g 5 other than the
deglycosylated protein completely inhibited IgE binding to high molecular weight
allergens in protein extracts from birch pollen, mugwort pollen, and celery. A
similar inhibition was accomplished using the IgE binding oligosaccharide, MUXF,
coupled to bovine serum albumin. All these observations taken together confer
convincing evidence that IgE directed to cross/​reactive carbohydrates is capable
of eliciting allergic reactions in vivo.

PMID: 12958180 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

55: Biochem J. 2003 Nov 15;376(Pt 1):97/​107.

Comment in:
Biochem J. 2003 Nov 15;376(Pt 1):e1/​2.

Mutational epitope analysis of Pru av 1 and Api g 1, the major allergens of
cherry (Prunus avium) and celery (Apium graveolens): correlating IgE reactivity
with three/​dimensional structure.

Neudecker P, Lehmann K, Nerkamp J, Haase T, Wangorsch A, Fotisch K, Hoffmann S,
Rosch P, Vieths S, Scheurer S.

Lehrstuhl fur Biopolymere, Universitaet Bayreuth, Universitatsstrasse 30, 95440
Bayreuth, Germany. philipp.neudecker@uni/​bayreuth.de

Birch pollinosis is often accompanied by adverse reactions to food due to
pollen/​allergen specific IgE cross/​reacting with homologous food allergens. The
tertiary structure of Pru av 1, the major cherry (Prunus avium) allergen, for
example, is nearly identical with Bet v 1, the major birch (Betula verrucosa)
pollen allergen. In order to define cross/​reactive IgE epitopes, we generated
and analysed mutants of Pru av 1 and Api g 1.0101, the major celery (Apium
graveolens) allergen, by immunoblotting, EAST (enzyme allergosorbent test), CD
and NMR spectroscopy. The mutation of Glu45 to Trp45 in the P/​loop region, a
known IgE epitope of Bet v 1, significantly reduced IgE binding to Pru av 1 in a
subgroup of cherry/​allergic patients. The backbone conformation of Pru av 1
wild/​type is conserved in the three/​dimensional structure of Pru av 1 Trp45,
demonstrating that the side chain of Glu45 is involved in a cross/​reactive IgE
epitope. Accordingly, for a subgroup of celery/​allergic patients, IgE binding to
the homologous celery allergen Api g 1.0101 was enhanced by the mutation of
Lys44 to Glu. The almost complete loss of IgE reactivity to the Pru av 1 Pro112
mutant is due to disruption of its tertiary structure. Neither the mutation
Ala112 nor deletion of the C/​terminal residues 155/​159 influenced IgE binding to
Pru av 1. In conclusion, the structure of the P/​loop partially explains the
cross/​reactivity pattern, and modulation of IgE/​binding by site/​directed
mutagenesis is a promising approach to develop hypo/​allergenic variants for
patient/​tailored specific immunotherapy.

Publication Types:
Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

PMID: 12943529 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

56: J Agric Food Chem. 2003 Apr 9;51(8):2222/​6.

Polyphenols and antioxidant capacity of vegetables under fresh and frozen
conditions.

Ninfali P, Bacchiocca M.

Istituto di Chimica Biologica, G. Fornaini Universita di Urbino, via Saffi 2,
61029 Urbino (PU), Italy. p.ninfali@uniurb.it

The phenolic and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) values have been
measured in six fresh and frozen vegetables (beet green, spinach, broccoli,
carrot, onion, and celery) from the same cultivar by analyzing the whole juice
(WJ) and the acetonic extract of the squeezed pulp. To exploit the effect of the
acid environment on the stability and recovery of the phenolics, perchloric acid
(PCA) was added directly to WJ and to the pulp before the extraction with
acetone. In both fresh and frozen vegetables, PCA markedly increased the
recovery of phenolics extracted from the pulp, but PCA had no effect on the WJ.
Four of six frozen vegetables showed lower phenolic and ORAC values than the
fresh vegetables, whereas in the other two cases, values were significantly
higher compared to fresh samples. Among the fresh vegetables, beet green showed
the highest ORAC and phenolic values; however, when measured in two different
cultivars of beet green, the ORAC value showed as much as 4.5/​fold variation,
whereas total phenolics and flavonoids showed 1.2/​ and 3.5/​fold variations,
respectively. The results show that total phenolics and ORAC, compared in fresh
and frozen vegetables, represent an index of the mildness of blanching in the
industry of frozen vegetables and provide a measure of the gap in antioxidants
in the diet of people who consume frozen instead of fresh vegetables. The plant
genotype is an important source of variability in the ORAC value, which can be
conveniently used to increase the intake of antioxidants from vegetables.

PMID: 12670160 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

57: Plant Physiol. 2003 Jan;131(1):114/​28.

Diversity of the superfamily of phloem lectins (phloem protein 2) in
angiosperms.

Dinant S, Clark AM, Zhu Y, Vilaine F, Palauqui JC, Kusiak C, Thompson GA.

Laboratoire de Biologie Cellulaire, Institut National de la Recherche
Agronomique, Versailles 78026, France.

Phloem protein 2 (PP2) is one of the most abundant and enigmatic proteins in the
phloem sap. Although thought to be associated with structural P/​protein, PP2 is
translocated in the assimilate stream where its lectin activity or RNA/​binding
properties can exert effects over long distances. Analyzing the diversity of
these proteins in vascular plants led to the identification of PP2/​like genes in
species from 17 angiosperm and gymnosperm genera. This wide distribution of PP2
genes in the plant kingdom indicates that they are ancient and common in
vascular plants. Their presence in cereals and gymnosperms, both of which lack
structural P/​protein, also supports a wider role for these proteins. Within this
superfamily, PP2 proteins have considerable size polymorphism. This is
attributable to variability in the length of the amino terminus that extends
from a highly conserved domain. The conserved PP2 domain was identified in the
proteins encoded by six genes from several cucurbits, celery (Apium graveolens),
and Arabidopsis that are specifically expressed in the sieve element/​companion
cell complex. The acquisition of additional modular domains in the
amino/​terminal extensions of other PP2/​like proteins could reflect divergence
from its phloem function.

Publication Types:
Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non/​P.H.S.

PMID: 12529520 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

58: J Egypt Soc Parasitol. 2002 Dec;32(3):893/​900.

Anthelminthic efficacy of traditional herbs on Ascaris lumbricoides.

El Garhy MF, Mahmoud LH.

Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Egypt.

The ascaricidal efficacy of six commonly used traditional herbs. Artemesia
santonica, Inula helenium, Cassia abutnsifolla, Albizzia lebbek, Acacia
auriculoformis and oil of Apium graveolens, was tested in vitro against the eggs
and larvae of Ascaris lumbricoides. Aqueous extracts of 1% Artemesia and 5% of
Albizzia and Inula were effective in killing both the infective larvae ill less
than 40 days and eggs in 20 days. The results showed that Artemesia, Albizzia
and to less extent Inula were promising antihelmintics against Ascaris
lumbricoides. Extracts of the other tested herbs were less or no value.

PMID: 12512821 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

59: Nature. 2002 Oct 17;419(6908):712/​5.

Jasmonate and salicylate induce expression of herbivore cytochrome P450 genes.

Li X, Schuler MA, Berenbaum MR.

Department of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095,
China. lxc@life.uiuc.edu

Jasmonate and salicylate are plant/​produced signals that activate plant defence
genes after herbivory or pathogen attack. Amplification of these signals, evoked
by either enemy attack or experimental manipulation, leads to an increase in the
synthesis of toxic compounds (allelochemicals) and defence proteins in the
plants. Although the jasmonate and salicylate signal cascades activate different
sets of plant defence genes, or even act antagonistically, there is substantial
communication between the pathways. Jasmonate and salicylate also contribute to
protecting plants against herbivores by causing plants that experience insect
damage to increase their production of volatile molecules that attract natural
enemies of herbivorous insects. In response to plant defences, herbivores
increase their production of enzymes that detoxify allelochemicals, including
cytochrome P450s (refs 15, 16). But herbivores are potentially vulnerable to
toxic allelochemicals in the duration between ingesting toxins and induction of
detoxification systems. Here we show that the corn earworm Helicoverpa zea uses
jasmonate and salicylate to activate four of its cytochrome P450 genes that are
associated with detoxification either before or concomitantly with the
biosynthesis of allelochemicals. This ability to 'eavesdrop' on plant defence
signals protects H. zea against toxins produced by host plants.

Publication Types:
Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non/​P.H.S.

PMID: 12384696 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

60: Plant Physiol. 2002 Oct;130(2):675/​87.

The calcium/​binding activity of a vacuole/​associated, dehydrin/​like protein is
regulated by phosphorylation.

Heyen BJ, Alsheikh MK, Smith EA, Torvik CF, Seals DF, Randall SK.

Department of Biology, Indiana University/​Purdue University at Indianapolis, 723
West Michigan Street, Indianapolis, IN 46202/​5132, USA.

A vacuole membrane/​associated calcium/​binding protein with an apparent mass of
45 kD was purified from celery (Apium graveolens). This protein, VCaB45, is
enriched in highly vacuolate tissues and is located within the lumen of
vacuoles. Antigenically related proteins are present in many dicotyledonous
plants. VCaB45 contains significant amino acid identity with the dehydrin family
signature motif, is antigenically related to dehydrins, and has a variety of
biochemical properties similar to dehydrins. VCaB45 migrates anomalously in
sodium dodecyl sulfate/​polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis having an apparent
molecular mass of 45 kD. The true mass as determined by matrix/​assisted
laser/​desorption ionization time of flight was 16.45 kD. VCaB45 has two
characteristic dissociation constants for calcium of 0.22 +//​ 0.142 mM and 0.64
+//​ 0.08 mM, and has an estimated 24.7 +//​ 11.7 calcium/​binding sites per
protein. The calcium/​binding properties of VCaB45 are modulated by
phosphorylation; the phosphorylated protein binds up to 100/​fold more calcium
than the dephosphorylated protein. VCaB45 is an "in vitro" substrate of casein
kinase II (a ubiquitous eukaryotic kinase), the phosphorylation resulting in a
partial activation of calcium/​binding activity. The vacuole localization,
calcium binding, and phosphorylation of VCaB45 suggest potential functions.

Publication Types:
Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non/​P.H.S.

PMID: 12376635 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

61: Plant J. 2002 Oct;32(1):41/​9.

Constitutive expression of a celery mannitol dehydrogenase in tobacco enhances
resistance to the mannitol/​secreting fungal pathogen Alternaria alternata.

Jennings DB, Daub ME, Pharr DM, Williamson JD.

Department of Horticultural Science, North Carolina State University, Raleigh NC
27695, USA.

Our previous observation that host plant extracts induce production and
secretion of mannitol in the tobacco pathogen Alternaria alternata suggested
that, like their animal counterparts, plant pathogenic fungi might produce the
reactive oxygen quencher mannitol as a means of suppressing reactive
oxygen/​mediated plant defenses. The concurrent discovery that pathogen attack
induced mannitol dehydrogenase (MTD) expression in the non/​mannitol/​containing
host tobacco suggested that plants, unlike animals, might be able to counter
this fungal suppressive mechanism by catabolizing mannitol of fungal origin. To
test this hypothesis, transgenic tobacco plants constitutively expressing a
celery Mtd cDNA were produced and evaluated for potential changes in resistance
to both mannitol/​ and non/​mannitol/​secreting pathogens. Constitutive expression
of the MTD transgene was found to confer significantly enhanced resistance to A.
alternata, but not to the non/​mannitol/​secreting fungal pathogen Cercospora
nicotianae. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that MTD plays a
role in resistance to mannitol/​secreting fungal plant pathogens.

Publication Types:
Comparative Study
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non/​P.H.S.

PMID: 12366799 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

62: Eur J Drug Metab Pharmacokinet. 2002 Jul/​Sep;27(3):153/​6.

The effect of celery and parsley juices on pharmacodynamic activity of drugs
involving cytochrome P450 in their metabolism.

Jakovljevic V, Raskovic A, Popovic M, Sabo J.

Institute of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Novi Sad, Yugoslavia.

Celery (Apium graveolens) and parsley (Petroselinum sativum), plants used
worldwide in human nutrition, are the natural sources of methoxsalen. In this
study we investigated the effect of mice pretreatment with juices of this plants
on the hypnotic action of pentobarbital and analgesic action of paracetamol and
aminopyrine, the drugs involving cytochrome P450 superfamily in their
metabolism. In mice pretreated with celery and parsley juices a prolonged action
of pentobarbital with respect to control was observed, statistical significance
being attained only with parsley/​pretreated animals. Both pretreatments
increased and prolonged the analgesic action of aminopyrine and paracetamol,
pretreatment with parsley being again more effective. Celery and parsley juices
given to animals two hours before their decapitation caused a significant
decrease of cytochrome P450 in the liver homogenate as compared to control.

Publication Types:
Comparative Study

PMID: 12365194 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

63: Physiol Plant. 2002 Oct;116(2):164/​171.

Celery (Apium graveolens) parenchyma cell walls: cell walls with minimal
xyloglucan.

Thimm JC, Burritt DJ, Sims IM, Newman RH, Ducker WA, Melton LD.

Department of Botany, Department of Chemistry, University of Otago, PO Box 56,
Dunedin, New Zealand Industrial Research Limited, PO Box 31/​310, Lower Hutt, New
Zealand Food Science Programme, Department of Chemistry, University of Auckland,
Private Bag 92019, Auckland, New Zealand.

The primary walls of celery (Apium graveolens L.) parenchyma cells were isolated
and their polysaccharide components characterized by glycosyl linkage analysis,
cross/​polarization magic/​angle spinning solid/​state 13C nuclear magnetic
resonance (CP/MAS 13C NMR) and X/​ray diffraction. Glycosyl linkage analysis
showed that the cell walls consisted of mainly cellulose (43 mol%) and pectic
polysaccharides (51 mol%), comprising rhamnogalacturonan (28 mol%), arabinan (12
mol%) and galactan (11 mol%). The amounts of xyloglucan (2 mol%) and xylan (2
mol%) detected in the cell walls were strikingly low. The small amount of
xyloglucan present means that it cannot coat the cellulose microfibrils.
Solid/​state 13C NMR signals were consistent with the constituents identified by
glycosyl linkage analysis and allowed the walls to be divided into three
domains, based on the rigidity of the polymers. Cellulose (rigid) and
rhamnogalacturonan (semi/​mobile) polymers responded to the CP/MAS 13C NMR pulse
sequence and were distinguished by differences in proton spin relaxation time
constants. The arabinans, the most mobile polymers, responded to single/​pulse
excitation (SPE), but not CP/MAS 13C NMR. From solid/​state 13C NMR of the cell
walls the diameter of the crystalline cellulose microfibrils was determined to
be approximately 3 nm while X/​ray diffraction of the cell walls gave a value for
the diameter of approximately 2 nm.

PMID: 12354192 [PubMed /​ as supplied by publisher]

64: Plant Physiol. 1997 Oct;115(2):587/​592.

Estimation of Polymer Rigidity in Cell Walls of Growing and Nongrowing Celery
Collenchyma by Solid/​State Nuclear Magnetic Resonance in Vivo.

Fenwick KM, Jarvis MC, Apperley DC.

Chemistry Department, Glasgow University, Glasgow G12 8QQ, Scotland, United
Kingdom (K.M.F., M.C.J.).

When the growth of a plant cell ceases, its walls become more rigid and lose the
capacity to extend. Nuclear magnetic resonance relaxation methods were used to
determine the molecular mobility of cell wall polymers in growing and nongrowing
live celery (Apium graveolens L.) collenchyma. To our knowledge, this is the
first time this approach has been used in vivo. Decreased polymer mobility in
nongrowing cell walls was detected through the 13C/​nuclear magnetic resonance
spectrum by decreases in the proton spin/​spin relaxation time constant and in
the intensity of a sub/​spectrum corresponding to highly mobile pectins, which
was obtained by a spectral editing technique based on cross/​polarization rates.
Flexible, highly methyl/​esterified pectins decreased in relative quantity when
growth ceased. A parallel increase in the net longitudinal orientation of
cellulose microfibrils was detected in isolated cell walls by polarized
Fourier/​transformed infrared spectrometry.

PMID: 12223826 [PubMed /​ as supplied by publisher]

65: Allergy. 2002;57 Suppl 72:100/​5.

Allergens in celery and zucchini.

Vieths S, Luttkopf D, Reindl J, Anliker MD, Wuthrich B, Ballmer/​Weber BK.

Department of Allergology, Paul/​Ehrlich/​Institut, Paul/​Ehrlich/​Strasse 51/​59,
D/​63225 Langen, Germany.

The aim of this study was to confirm allergy to celery tuber and to zucchini,
for the first time, by DBPCFC, and to identify the allergens recognized by IgE
from DBPCFC/​positive patients. Therefore, raw vegetables were hidden in a
broccoli drink, and a DBPCFC/​procedure was developed that consisted of a spit
and swallow protocol, making sure that the procedure was safe for the patients
and that reactions strictly localized to the oral cavity as well as systemic
reactions could be reproduced by DBPCFC. The allergens in celery and zucchini
extract were identified by immunoblot inhibition using allergen extracts,
recombinant allergens and purified N/​glycans as inhibitors. Celery allergy was
confirmed in 69% (22/32) of subjects with a positive case history. Four subjects
with a history of allergic reactions to zucchini had a positive DBPCFC to this
vegetable. During DBPCFC, systemic reactions were provoked in 50% (11/22) of the
patients to celery, and in 3/4 of the zucchini/​allergic patients. The Bet v
1/​related major celery allergen was detected by IgE of 59% (13/22) of the
patients. Cross/​reactive carbohydrate epitopes (CCD) bound IgE of 55% (12/22) of
the celery/​allergic patients and in 2/4 of the subjects with zucchini allergy.
Profilin was a food allergen in celery in 23% (5/22) and in zucchini in 2/4 of
the cases. A zucchini/​specific allergen was detected by IgE from one patient. We
conclude that ubiquitous cross/​reactive structures are important in allergy to
both, celery and zucchini, and that a specific association to birch pollen
allergy exists in allergy to celery (mediated by Api g 1), but not in zucchini
allergy.

Publication Types:
Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

PMID: 12144566 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

66: Phytomedicine. 2002 May;9(4):312/​8.

Antioxidant, cyclooxygenase and topoisomerase inhibitory compounds from Apium
graveolens Linn. seeds.

Momin RA, Nair MG.

Department of Horticulture and National Food Safety and Toxicology Center,
Michigan State University, East Lansing 48824, USA.

Cyclooxygenase inhibitory and antioxidant bioassay/​directed extraction and
purification of celery seeds yielded sedanolide (1), senkyunolide/​N (2),
senkyunolide/​J (3), 3/​hydroxymethyl/​6/​methoxy/​2,3/​dihydro/​1H/​indol/​2/​ol (4),
L/​tryptophan (6), and
7/​[3/​(3,4/​dihydroxy/​4/​hydroxymethyl/​tetrahydro/​furan/​2/​yloxy)/​4,5/​dihydroxy/​6/​hy
droxymethyl/​tetrahydro/​pyran/​2/​yloxy]/​5/​hydroxy/​2/​(4/​hydroxy/​3/​methoxy/​phenyl)/​c
hromen/​4/​one (7). The structures of compounds 1/​7 were determined using
spectroscopic methods. Compound 4 is reported here for the first time. At 250 pg
ml(/​1), compounds 1/​4, 6 and 7 displayed prostaglandin H endoperoxide synthase/​I
(COX/​I) and prostaglandin H endoperoxide synthase/​II (COX/​II) inhibitory
activities at pH 7. The acetylated product (5) of compound 4 also inhibited
COX/​I and COX/​II enzymes when tested at 250 microg ml(/​1). Compounds 6 and 7
exhibited good antioxidant activity at concentrations of 125 and 250 microg
ml(/​1). Only compounds 1/​3 exhibited topoisomerase/​I and /​II enzyme inhibitory
activity at concentrations of 100, 200 and 200 microg ml(/​1), respectively.

Publication Types:
Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non/​P.H.S.
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

PMID: 12120812 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

67: Prehosp Emerg Care. 2002 Jul/​Sep;6(3):348/​50.

Food/​dependent exercise/​induced anaphylaxis.

Vilke GM.

Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California, San Diego Medical
Center, 92103, USA. gmvilke@ucsd.edu

Publication Types:
Case Reports

PMID: 12109583 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

68: Plant J. 2002 Jun;30(6):721/​31.

Conformational features of crystal/​surface cellulose from higher plants.

Vietor RJ, Newman RH, Ha MA, Apperley DC, Jarvis MC.

Chemistry Department, Glasgow University, Scotland, UK.

Native cellulose in higher plants forms crystalline fibrils a few nm across,
with a substantial fraction of their glucan chains at the surface. The accepted
crystal structures feature a flat/​ribbon 21 helical chain conformation with
every glucose residue locked to the next by hydrogen bonds from O/​3' to O/​5 and
from O/​2 to O/​6'. Using solid/​state NMR spectroscopy we show that the surface
chains have a different C/​6 conformation so that O/​6 is not in the correct
position for the hydrogen bond from O/​2. We also present evidence consistent
with a model in which alternate glucosyl residues are transiently or permanently
twisted away from the flat/​ribbon conformation of the chain, weakening the O/​3'
/​ 0/​5 hydrogen bond. Previous molecular modelling and the modelling studies
reported here indicate that this 'translational' chain conformation is
energetically feasible and does not preclude binding of the surface chains to
the interior chains, because the surface chains share the axial repeat distance
of the 21 helix. Reduced intramolecular hydrogen bonding allows the surface
chains to form more hydrogen bonds to external molecules in textiles, wood,
paper and the living plant.

Publication Types:
Comparative Study
Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

PMID: 12061903 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

69: Lipids. 2002 May;37(5):527/​32.

Base/​catalyzed derivatization methodology for FA analysis. application to milk
fat and celery seed lipid TAG.

Destaillats F, Angers P.

Department of Food Science and Nutrition, and Dairy Research Center (STELA),
Universite Laval, Sainte/​Foy, Quebec, Canada.

In this paper, an alternative base/​catalyzed methodology for the facile
derivatization in mild conditions of lipid TAG prior to FA analysis is proposed.
Reagents were prepared by proton exchange between potassium tert/​butoxide and
either ethanol, n/​propanol, n/​butanol, or 2/​methoxyethanol and used for the
synthesis, at 40 degrees C for 15 min, of the corresponding derivatives, which
were directly analyzed by GC. This methodology can be used on a routine basis
and has been applied to standard and complex natural lipid samples. Tripalmitin
was used to determine optimal reaction conditions; and bovine milk fat,
containing C4 to C22 acids, and celery (Apium graveolens) seed oil,
characterized by a high level of petroselinic acid, were comparatively analyzed
as their ethyl, n/​propyl, n/​butyl, and 2/​methoxyethyl esters.

Publication Types:
Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

PMID: 12056597 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

70: Allergy. 2002 Mar;57(3):228/​35.

Influence of food processing on the allergenicity of celery: DBPCFC with celery
spice and cooked celery in patients with celery allergy.

Ballmer/​Weber BK, Hoffmann A, Wuthrich B, Luttkopf D, Pompei C, Wangorsch A,
Kastner M, Vieths S.

Allergy Unit, Department of Dermatology, University Hospital, Zurich,
Switzerland.

BACKGROUND: Celery root is often consumed in a processed form as a cooked
vegetable or as a spice. So far, however, there has been no information about
the allergenicity of processed celery in celery/​allergic patients. METHODS: In
12 patients with a history of allergic reactions to raw or raw and cooked
celery, double/​blind placebo/​controlled food challenges (DBPCFCs) with raw
celery (n = 10), cooked celery (110 degrees C/15 min; n = 11), and celery spice
(n = 5) were performed. Nine patients underwent an open mucosal challenge with
four samples of canned celery retorted at Co/​values (cooking effect) of
7.45/​76.07 (corresponding to the time periods in minutes at a thermal influence
of 100 degrees C). IgE immunoblot analysis of celery extract was performed with
sera of all challenged patients. The thermal stability of celery allergen was
investigated by enzyme allergosorbent test (EAST) inhibition. Furthermore,
intraperitoneal immunization of mice followed by a rat basophil leukemia (RBL)
cell mediator release assay was used as a biological in vitro model to assess
the allergenicity of processed celery. RESULTS: Six out of 11 patients showed a
positive DBPCFC to cooked celery and five out of five patients to celery spice.
Allergenicity of celery was preserved in four patients with a positive DBPCFC to
cooked celery even if celery was treated at a Co/​value of 76.07. Patients with
positive DBPCFC to cooked celery reacted to known celery allergens (Api g 1, Api
g 4, cross/​reactive carbohydrate determinants CCD). EAST inhibition showed that
heat resistance of celery allergens decreases in the following order: CCD > Api
g 4 > Api g 1. Accordingly, five of six patients with a positive DBPCFC to
cooked celery were sensitized to profilin and/or CCD. The murine model reflected
the reactivity of patients sensitized to the major allergen Api g 1.
CONCLUSIONS: 1) In a subset of patients with a positive DBPCFC to cooked celery,
celery remains allergenic even after extended thermal treatment (76.07 min/100
degrees C). 2) Celery spice is allergenic for patients with an allergy to raw
celery. 3) RBL cells sensitized with mouse IgE to raw celery may serve as a
useful tool for screening the potential allergenicity of heat/​processed products
containing celery.

Publication Types:
Clinical Trial
Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

PMID: 11906337 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

71: J Ethnopharmacol. 2002 Mar;79(3):313/​6.

Hepatoprotective activity of two plants belonging to the Apiaceae and the
Euphorbiaceae family.

Ahmed B, Alam T, Varshney M, Khan SA.

Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Antihepatotoxic Research Laboratory,
Faculty of Pharmacy, Jamia Hamdard, Hamdard Nagar, New Delhi 110 062, India.
baharchem@yahoo.com

The different extracts of Apium graveolens Linn. (Apiaceae) and Croton
oblongifolius Roxb. (Euphorbiaceae) were tested for their hepatoprotective
activity against CCl(4) induced hepatotoxicity in albino rats. The degree of
protection was measured by using biochemical parameters like serum transaminases
(SGOT and SGPT), alkaline phosphatase, total protein and albumin. The methanolic
extracts showed the most significant hepatoprotective activity comparable with
standard drug silymarin. Other extracts namely petroleum ether and acetone also
exhibited a potent activity.

Publication Types:
Comparative Study
Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

PMID: 11849834 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

72: Plant Mol Biol. 2001 Nov;47(5):621/​31.

Analysis of celery (Apium graveolens) mannitol dehydrogenase (Mtd) promoter
regulation in Arabidopsis suggests roles for MTD in key environmental and
metabolic responses.

Zamski E, Guo WW, Yamamoto YT, Pharr DM, Williamson JD.

Department of Horticultural Science, North Carolina State University, Raleigh
27695/​7609, USA.

Of the growing list of promising genes for plant improvement, some of the most
versatile appear to be those involved in sugar alcohol metabolism. Mannitol, one
of the best characterized sugar alcohols, is a significant photosynthetic
product in many higher plants. The roles of mannitol as both a metabolite and an
osmoprotectant in celery (Apium graveolens) are well documented. However, there
is growing evidence that 'metabolites' can also have key roles in other
environmental and developmental responses in plants. For instance, in addition
to its other properties, mannitol is an antioxidant and may have significant
roles in plant/​pathogen interactions. The mannitol catabolic enzyme mannitol
dehydrogenase (MTD) is a prime modulator of mannitol accumulation in plants.
Because the complex regulation of MTD is central to the balanced integration of
mannitol metabolism in celery, its study is crucial in clarifying the
physiological role(s) of mannitol metabolism in environmental and metabolic
responses. In this study we used transformed Arabidopsis to analyze the multiple
environmental and metabolic responses of the Mtd promoter. Our data show that
all previously described changes in Mtd RNA accumulation in celery cells
mirrored changes in Mtd transcription in Arabidopsis. These include
up/​regulation by salicylic acid, hexokinase/​mediated sugar down/​regulation, and
down/​regulation by salt, osmotic stress and ABA. In contrast, the massive
up/​regulation of Mtd expression in the vascular tissues of salt/​stressed
Arabidopsis roots suggests a possible role for MTD in mannitol translocation and
unloading and its interrelation with sugar metabolism.

Publication Types:
Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

PMID: 11725947 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

73: Bioelectrochemistry. 2001 Nov;54(2):151/​6.

Mapping peroxidase in plant tissues by scanning electrochemical microscopy.

Zhou H, Shiku H, Kasai S, Noda H, Matsue T, Ohya/​Nishiguchi H, Kamada H.

Institute for Life Support Technology, Yamagata Public Corporation for the
Development of Industry, Yamagata 990/​2473, Japan.

Scanning electrochemical microscopy has been firstly used to map the enzymatic
activity in natural plant tissues. The peroxidase (POD) was maintained in its
original state in the celery (Apium graveolens L.) tissues and electrochemically
visualized under its native environment. Ferrocenemethanol (FMA) was selected as
a mediator to probe the POD in celery tissues based on the fact that POD
catalyzed the oxidation of FMA by H(2)O(2) to increase FMA(+) concentration.
Two/​dimensional reduction current profiles for FMA(+) produced images indicating
the distribution and activity of the POD at the surface of the celery tissues.
These images showed that the POD was widely distributed in the celery tissues,
and larger amounts were found in some special regions such as the center of
celery stem and around some vascular bundles.

Publication Types:
Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

PMID: 11694396 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

74: J AOAC Int. 2001 Jul/​Aug;84(4):1135/​43.

Furanocoumarins in celery and parsnips: method and multiyear Canadian survey.

Lombaert GA, Siemens KH, Pellaers P, Mankotia M, Ng W.

Health Canada, Health Products and Food Banch, Winnipeg.

The natural occurrence of biologically active furanocoumarins in common
vegetables is an area of increasing interest with respect to human health. In
this study, an efficient, rugged, and sensitive liquid chromatographic method
with ultraviolet photodiode array detection was developed for the estimation of
5 biologically active furanocoumarins (psoralen, bergapten, xanthotoxin,
trioxsalen, and angelicin) in celery and parsnips. When authentic samples were
spiked with a mixture of furanocoumarins at individual levels of 2 to 10
microg/g, the method produced overall recoveries of 77 and 75% of all
furanocoumarins from celery and parsnips, respectively. The method was applied
in 2 laboratories to a multiyear survey of more than 200 samples. Of 110
parsnips samples, 109 (99%) contained quantitatable levels of furanocoumarins.
The mean level of total furanocoumarins in the positive parsnip samples was 15.1
microg/g; the maximum level detected was 145 microg/g. Of 114 celery samples, 88
(77%) contained quantitatable levels of furanocoumarins. The mean level of total
furanocoumarins in the positive celery samples was 1.9 microg/g; the maximum
level detected was 15.2 microg/g. Xanthotoxin and bergapten were the most
commonly detected furanocoumarins in both celery (68 and 63%) and parsnips (97
and 96%). Xanthotoxin had the highest mean level of positives in both celery
(1.3 microg/g) and parsnips (8.5 microg/g). Little year/​to/​year variation in
either total furanocoumarin levels or incidence was noted.

PMID: 11501915 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

75: J Agric Food Chem. 2001 Jun;49(6):3101/​5.

Alpha/​tocopherol content in 62 edible tropical plants.

Ching LS, Mohamed S.

Faculty of Food Science and Biotechnology, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400
Serdang Selangor, Malaysia.

Vitamin E was determined by the high/​performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)
method. All the plants tested showed differences in their alpha/​tocopherol
content and the differences were significant (p < 0.05). The highest
alpha/​tocopherol content was in Sauropus androgynus leaves (426.8 mg/kg edible
portion), followed by Citrus hystrix leaves (398.3 mg/kg), Calamus scipronum
(193.8 mg/kg), starfruit leaves Averrhoa belimbi (168.3 mg/kg), red pepper
Capsicum annum (155.4 mg/kg), local celery Apium graveolens (136.4 mg/kg), sweet
potato shoots Ipomoea batatas (130.1 mg/kg), Pandanus odorus (131.5 mg/kg),
Oenanthe javanica (146.8 mg/kg), black tea Camelia chinensis (183.3
mg/kg),papaya Carica papaya shoots (111.3 mg/kg), wolfberry leaves Lycium
chinense (94.4 mg/kg), bird chili Capsicum frutescens leaves (95.4 mg/kg),
drumstick Moringa oleifera leaves (90.0 mg/kg), green chili Capsicum annum (87
mg/kg), Allium fistulosum leaves (74.6 mg/kg), and bell pepper Capsicum annum
(71.0 mg/kg). alpha/​Tocopherol was not detected in Brassica oleracea, Phaeomeria
speciosa, Pachyrrhizus speciosa, Pleurotus sajor/​caju, and Solanum melongena.

PMID: 11410015 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

76: Carbohydr Res. 2001 May 8;332(1):85/​94.

Structure of the complex of beta/​cyclodextrin with beta/​naphthyloxyacetic acid
in the solid state and in aqueous solution.

Kokkinou A, Yannakopoulou K, Mavridis IM, Mentzafo D.

Physics Laboratory, Agricultural University of Athens, Greece.

The structure of the complex of beta/​cyclodextrin (cyclomaltoheptaose) with
beta/​naphthyloxyacetic acid was studied in solid state by X/​ray diffraction and
in aqueous solution by 1H NMR spectroscopy. The complex crystallizes in the
channel mode, space group C2, with a stoichiometry of 2:1; two beta/​cyclodextrin
molecules related by a twofold crystal axis form dimers, in the cavity of which
one guest molecule is found on average. The above stoichiometry indicates one
guest per beta/​CD dimer statistically oriented over two positions or two guest
molecules in pi/​pi interactions in half of the beta/​CD dimers and the rest of
the beta/​CD dimers empty. In addition, occupancy of 0.5 for the guest per every
beta/​CD dimer is in accord with the occupancy of the two disordered primary
hydroxyls. These two hydroxyl groups, to which the carboxylic oxygen atoms of
the guest are hydrogen bonded, point towards the interior of the beta/​CD cavity.
In aqueous solution, the 1H NMR spectroscopic study indicated that there is a
mixture of complexes with host/​guest stoichiometries both 1:1 and 2:1.

PMID: 11403091 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

77: J Agric Food Chem. 2001 Jan;49(1):142/​5.

Mosquitocidal, nematicidal, and antifungal compounds from Apium graveolens L.
seeds.

Momin RA, Nair MG.

Bioactive Natural Products and Phytoceuticals, Department of Horticulture and
National Food Safety and Toxicology Center, Michigan State University, East
Lansing 48824, USA.

The methanolic extract of Apium graveolens seeds was investigated for bioactive
compounds and resulted in the isolation and characterization of mosquitocidal,
nematicidal, and antifungal compounds sedanolide (1), senkyunolide/​N (2), and
senkyunolide/​J (3). Their structures were determined by 1H and 13C NMR spectral
methods. Compounds 1/​3 gave 100% mortality at 25, 100, and 100 microg mL(/​1),
respectively, on the nematode, Panagrellus redivivus. Compound 1 showed 100%
mortality at 50 microg mL(/​1) on nematode, Caenorhabditis elegans, and
fourth/​instar mosquito larvae, Aedes aegyptii. Also, it inhibited the growth of
Candida albicans and Candida parapsilasis at 100 microg mL(/​1). Compounds 2 and
3 were isolated for the first time from A. graveolens. This is the first report
of the mosquitocidal, nematicidal, and antifungal activities of compounds 1/​3.

Publication Types:
Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non/​P.H.S.
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

PMID: 11305251 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

78: Plant Cell. 2001 Mar;13(3):695/​705.

Identification of a mannitol transporter, AgMaT1, in celery phloem.

Noiraud N, Maurousset L, Lemoine R.

Laboratoire de Physiologie et Biochimie Vegetales, Centre National de la
Recherche Scientifique Unite Mixte de Recherches 6161, 40 Avenue du Recteur
Pineau, F/​86022 Poitiers Cedex, France.

A celery petiole phloem cDNA library was constructed and used to identify a cDNA
that gives Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells the ability to grow on mannitol and
transport radiolabeled mannitol in a manner consistent with a proton symport
mechanism. This cDNA was named AgMaT1 (Apium graveolens mannitol transporter 1).
The expression profile in source leaves and phloem was in agreement with a role
for mannitol in phloem loading in celery. The identification in eukaryotes of a
mannitol transporter is important because mannitol is not only a primary
photosynthetic product in species such as celery but is also considered a
compatible solute and antioxidant implicated in resistance to biotic and abiotic
stress.

Publication Types:
Comparative Study
Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

PMID: 11251106 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

79: Planta. 2000 Dec;212(1):25/​32.

Celery (Apium graveolens L.) parenchyma cell walls examined by atomic force
microscopy: effect of dehydration on cellulose microfibrils.

Thimm JC, Burritt DJ, Ducker WA, Melton LD.

Department of Botany, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used to image celery (Apium graveolens L.)
parenchyma cell walls in situ. Cellulose microfibrils could clearly be
distinguished in topographic images of the cell wall. The microfibrils of the
hydrated walls appeared smaller, more uniformly distributed, and less enmeshed
than those of dried peels. In material that was kept hydrated at all times and
imaged under water, the microfibril diameter was mainly in the range 6/​25 nm.
The cellulose microfibril diameters were highly dependent on the water content
of the specimen. As the water content was decreased, by mixing ethanol with the
bathing solution, the microfibril diameters increased. Upon complete dehydration
of the specimen we observed a significant increase in microfibril diameter. The
procedure used to dehydrate the parenchyma cells also influenced the size of
cellulose microfibrils with freeze/​dried material having larger diameters than
air/​dried material.

Publication Types:
Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

PMID: 11219580 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

80: J Agric Food Chem. 2000 Sep;48(9):3785/​8.

Bioactive compounds and 1,3/​Di[(cis)/​9/​octadecenoyl]/​2/​[(cis,cis)/​9,
12/​octadecadienoyl]glycerol from Apium graveolens L. seeds.

Momin RA, Ramsewak RS, Nair MG.

Bioactive Natural Products Laboratory, Department of Horticulture and National
Food Safety and Toxicology Center, Michigan State University, East Lansing,
Michigan 48824/​1325, USA.

Bioassay/​directed isolation and purification of the hexane extract of Apium
graveolens L. seeds led to the characterization of three compounds:
beta/​selinene (1), 3/​n/​butyl/​4,5/​dihydrophthalide (2) and
5/​allyl/​2/​methoxyphenol (3). The structures of these compounds were established
by using (1)H and (13)C NMR spectral methods. Compounds, 1/​3 demonstrated 100%
mortality on fourth/​instar Aedes aegyptii larvae at 50, 25, and 200 microg
mL(/​)(1), respectively, in 24 h. Also, 2 inhibited the growth of Candida
albicans and Candida kruseii at 100 microg mL(/​)(1). It inhibited both
topoisomerase/​I and /​II enzyme activities at 100 microg mL(/​)(1). Compound 2
displayed 100% mortality at 12.5 and 50 microg mL(/​)(1), respectively, when
tested on nematodes, Panagrellus redivivus and Caenorhabditis elegans. The
triglyceride, 1,3/​di[(cis)/​9/​octadecenoyl]/​2/​[(cis,cis)/​9,
12/​octadecadienoyl]glycerol (4) and 3 were isolated for the first time from A.
graveolens seeds, although 4 was not biologically active.

Publication Types:
Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

PMID: 10995271 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

81: Plant Physiol. 2000 Sep;124(1):321/​30.

NADPH supply and mannitol biosynthesis. Characterization, cloning, and
regulation of the non/​reversible glyceraldehyde/​3/​phosphate dehydrogenase in
celery leaves.

Gao Z, Loescher WH.

Department of Horticulture, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
48824/​1325, USA.

Mannitol, a sugar alcohol, is a major primary photosynthetic product in celery
(Apium graveolens L. cv Giant Pascal). We report here on purification,
characterization, and cDNA cloning of cytosolic non/​reversible
glyceraldehyde/​3/​P dehydrogenase (nr/​G3PDH, EC 1.2.1. 9), the apparent key
contributor of the NADPH required for mannitol biosynthesis in celery leaves. As
determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate/​polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis,
purified nr/​G3PDH showed a molecular mass of 53 kD. A 1,734/​bp full/​length cDNA
clone (accession no. AF196292) encoding nr/​G3PDH was identified using polymerase
chain reaction and rapid amplification of cDNA ends techniques. The cDNA clone
has an open reading frame of 1,491 bp encoding 496 amino acid residues with a
calculated molecular weight of 53,172. K(m) values for the celery nr/​G3PDH were
low (6.8 microM for NADP(+) and 29 microM for D/​glyceraldehyde/​3/​P). NADPH,
3/​phosphoglycerate, and ATP were competitive inhibitors, and cytosolic levels of
these three metabolites (as determined by nonaqueous fractionation) were all
above the concentrations necessary to inhibit activity in vitro, suggesting that
nr/​G3PDH may be regulated through feedback inhibition by one or more
metabolites. We also determined a tight association between activities of
nr/​G3PDH and mannose/​6/​P reductase and mRNA expression levels in response to
both leaf development and salt treatment. Collectively, our data clearly show
metabolic, developmental, and environmental regulation of nr/​G3PDH, and also
suggest that the supply of NADPH necessary for mannitol biosynthesis is under
tight metabolic control.

Publication Types:
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non/​P.H.S.

PMID: 10982446 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

82: J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2000 Aug;106(2):390/​9.

Celery allergens in patients with positive double/​blind placebo/​controlled food
challenge.

Luttkopf D, Ballmer/​Weber BK, Wuthrich B, Vieths S.

Department of Allergology, Paul/​Ehrlich/​Institut, Langen, Germany.

BACKGROUND: Recently, for the first time, allergy to celery was confirmed by
double/​blind placebo/​controlled food challenge (DBPCFC). Api g 1, Api g 4,
cross/​reactive carbohydrate determinants (CCD), and a 60 kDa allergen have been
described as celery allergens. OBJECTIVE: To get insights in IgE responses of
patients with a positive DBPCFC to celery tuber (celeriac) compared with
patients with a negative challenge test. METHODS: Specific IgE to native and
heated celery tuber and to recombinant Api g 1, the major celery allergen, were
determined by enzyme allergosorbent test and immunoblotting. IgE binding to Api
g 1, Api g 4, and CCD was confirmed by inhibition experiments that used
recombinant Api g 1, recombinant Api g 4, pure N/​glycans, and extracts of
celeriac, lychee fruit, and pollens of birch, mugwort, and timothy grass as
inhibitors. RESULTS: Immunoblotting with sera from 22 patients with a positive
DBPCFC to celeriac confirmed the presence of known allergenic structures: The
major allergen Api g 1 (16 kDa) was recognized by IgE from 13 of 22 patients
(59%). Another major allergen was CCD, determined by IgE reactivity in 12 of 22
patients (55%). Celery profilin, Api g 4, was recognized by IgE from 5 of 22
patients (23%). CONCLUSION: Our DBPCFC/​positive patients exclusively presented
IgE to known celery allergens, although the prevalences were slightly different
than were previously reported. No obvious differences were found in patients
with positive IgE antibody but negative challenge test. IgE binding to all 3
structures in celeriac extract was inhibited by birch pollen extract, whereas
mugwort pollen extract could only inhibit IgE reactivity to Api g 4 and CCD.
Inhibition experiments with a purified carbohydrate moiety clearly showed that
the IgE epitope mannose/​xylose/​fucose/​glycan
(Manalpha1/​6[Xylbeta1/​2]Manbeta1/​4GlcNAcbeta1/​4[ Fucalpha1/​3]GlcNAc) or a
closely related structure is present in celeriac extract and is important in
patients with clinical allergy to celery.

Publication Types:
Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

PMID: 10932086 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

83: J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2000 Aug;106(2):373/​8.

Celery allergy confirmed by double/​blind, placebo/​controlled food challenge: a
clinical study in 32 subjects with a history of adverse reactions to celery
root.

Ballmer/​Weber BK, Vieths S, Luttkopf D, Heuschmann P, Wuthrich B.

Allergy Unit, Department of Dermatology, University Hospital, Zurich,
Switzerland.

BACKGROUND: Celery root is a frequent cause of food allergy in pollen/​sensitized
patients. Because of problems in blinding challenges with fresh vegetables and
the risk of anaphylactic reactions, no double/​blind, placebo/​controlled, food
challenges (DBPCFCs) with celery have been published so far. OBJECTIVE: The aim
of the study was to confirm the clinical relevance of celery as a food allergen
by DBPCFCs and to evaluate current diagnostic procedures in patients with true
allergy. METHODS: DBPCFCs were performed in 32 patients with a history of an
allergic reaction to celery. The patients underwent skin prick tests (SPTs) with
celery extracts, crude celery, and different pollen extracts. Specific IgE for
celery was determined by using the CAP method. RESULTS: Twenty/​two of 32
patients had a positive DBPCFC result. Two patients reacted to placebo, and 8
patients did not respond to the challenge. Of the nonresponders, 4 reacted to an
open provocation with celery. The sensitivity of CAP determination for specific
IgE (> or =0.7 kU/L) to celery in patients with a positive DBPCFC result was
73%, 48% to 86% for SPTs (> or =3 mm) with commercial extracts, and 96% for
prick/​to/​prick tests with crude celery. The positive predictive value of the SPT
and CAP tests was between 87% and 96%, whereas the specificity and negative
predictive values were poor. CONCLUSION: This study confirms the importance of
celery as a food allergen for use in DBPCFCs. The SPT and CAP methods proved to
be reliable for the diagnosis of a relevant allergy to celery in regard to
sensitivity and positive predictive value but not to specificity and negative
predictive value.

Publication Types:
Clinical Trial
Controlled Clinical Trial
Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

PMID: 10932083 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

84: Int Arch Allergy Immunol. 2000 Jun;122(2):115/​23.

Characterization of api g 1.0201, a new member of the Api g 1 family of celery
allergens.

Hoffmann/​Sommergruber K, Ferris R, Pec M, Radauer C, O'Riordain G, Laimer Da
Camara Machado M, Scheiner O, Breiteneder H.

Department of Pathophysiology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
Karin.Hoffmann@akh/​wien.ac.at

BACKGROUND: The association of pollinosis with allergy to plant foods occurs in
up to 70% of tree pollen/​allergic patients. In recent years, some of the
relevant cross/​reacting proteins have been characterized at the molecular and
immunological level. Api g 1 has been identified as the celery homologue of the
major birch pollen allergen, Bet v 1. Although a number of Bet v 1 isoforms have
been characterized from birch pollen, little is known about isoforms of food
allergens and their allergenic features. METHODS: Api g 1.0201, an isoform of
Api g 1, was isolated from a cDNA library, cloned and sequenced. The cDNA was
expressed in Escherichia coli and the purified recombinant protein was tested in
immunoblots. RESULTS: Api g 1.0201 displays 72% sequence similarity to the
previously identified Api g 1.0101 and consists of 159 amino acid residues. The
sequence of Api g 1.0201 has five additional amino acid residues at the
carboxy/​terminus as compared to Api g 1.0101. Purified recombinant Api g 1.0201
is recognized by IgE from the sera of celery/​allergic patients, as well as by
the murine monoclonal anti/​Bet v 1 antibody. In general, this isoform displays a
weaker IgE/​binding capacity than Api g 1.0101, as concluded from immunoblotting
experiments. Results from inhibition assays revealed that IgE/​binding to Api g
1.0201 is only slightly reduced by preincubation with either purified
recombinant Api g 1.0101 or purified recombinant Bet v 1a. Total inhibition was
only achieved when using purified natural Bet v 1. CONCLUSIONS: At present,
little is known about the IgE/​binding capacity of isoforms of Bet v 1 homologues
of food allergens. Identification and characterization of such isoforms may help
to contribute to a better understanding of food allergy and the observed
cross/​reactivity to pollen allergy. Copyright 2000 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Publication Types:
Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

PMID: 10878490 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

85: Clin Exp Allergy. 2000 Jul;30(7):962/​71.

Comment in:
Clin Exp Allergy. 2000 Jul;30(7):905/​7.

Cloning of the minor allergen Api g 4 profilin from celery (Apium graveolens)
and its cross/​reactivity with birch pollen profilin Bet v 2.

Scheurer S, Wangorsch A, Haustein D, Vieths S.

Paul Ehrlich Institute, Department of Allergology, Paul Ehrlich Street 51/​59,
D/​63225 Langen, Germany.

BACKGROUND: Profilin is a panallergen that is recognized by IgE from about 20%
of birch pollen/​ and plant food/​allergic patients. A subgroup of celery/​allergic
patients shows IgE/​reactivity with this minor allergen. To investigate the
IgE/​binding potential and cross/​reactivity of celery profilin at the molecular
level, this study was aimed at the cloning and immunological characterization of
this allergen. OBJECTIVES: Cloning, expression and purification of profilin from
celery tuber to characterize its immunological properties and its
cross/​reactivity with birch pollen profilin. METHODS: Cloning of celery profilin
was performed by polymerase chain reaction using degenerated primers and a
5'RACE method for the identification of the unknown 5'/​end of the cDNA.
Expression was carried out in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) using a modified
vector pET/​30a. The recombinant profilin was purified by affinity chromatography
on poly L/​proline coupled to sepharose. Immunological characterization was
performed by immunoblotting, EAST and IgE/​inhibition experiments. RESULTS: The
coding region of the cDNA of celery profilin was identified as a 399/​bp open
reading frame, coding for a protein of 133 amino acids with a calculated
molecular weight of 14.3 kDa. The deduced amino acid sequence of the
corresponding protein showed high identity with other plant profilins (71/​82%)
recently described as allergens. Celery profilin was isolated as highly pure
nonfusion protein. The IgE/​reactivity of celery profilin was similar to that of
natural protein. Seven of 17 celery/​allergic patients tested presented specific
IgE/​antibodies to the recombinant protein tested by immunoblotting. Inhibition
experiments showed high cross/​reactivity of IgE with both profilins from celery
and birch pollen. Moreover, the biological activity of recombinant celery
profilin was demonstrated by a histamine release assay. CONCLUSIONS: Celery
profilin is an important allergenic compound in celery and shows high homology
to birch pollen profilin, Bet v 2. According to the revised IUIS allergen
nomenclature, we suggest naming the celery profilin Api g 4. In addition to the
cross/​reacting major allergens Api g 1 and Bet v 1, birch pollinosis and
associated allergies to celery can therefore additionally be explained by the
cross/​reactivity between homologous profilins. Moreover, recombinant Api g 4 may
be used for target/​specific diagnosis and structural analyses.

Publication Types:
Clinical Trial
Controlled Clinical Trial

PMID: 10848918 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

86: Plant Physiol. 2000 Apr;122(4):1447/​55.

The sucrose transporter of celery. Identification and expression during salt
stress.

Noiraud N, Delrot S, Lemoine R.

Laboratoire de Physiologie et Biochimie Vegetales, Centre National de la
Recherche Scientifique Equipe Superieure Associee 6161, 40, Avenue du Recteur
Pineau, F/​86022 Poitiers cedex, France.

In celery (Apium graveolens L.), long/​distance transport of reduced carbon
occurs both in the form of sucrose (Suc) and mannitol. The presence of mannitol
has been related to the resistance of celery to salt stress. To investigate the
transport events occurring during salt stress, we have cloned the H(+)/Suc
transporter of celery AgSUT1 (A. graveolens Suc uptake transport 1) from a
mature leaf cDNA library. The function of the encoded protein was confirmed by
expression in yeast. AgSUT1 is a H(+)/Suc transporter with a high affinity for
Suc (K(m) of 139 microM). Another closely related cDNA (AgSUT2) was also
identified. AgSUT1 is mainly expressed in mature leaves and phloem of petioles,
but also in sink organs such as roots. When celery plants were subjected to salt
stress conditions (30 d watering with 300 mM NaCl) favoring mannitol
accumulation (J.D. Everard, R. Gucci, S.C. Kann, J.A. Flore, W.H. Loescher
[1994] Plant Physiol 106: 281/​292), AgSUT1 expression was decreased in all
organs, but markedly in roots. The results are discussed in relation to the
physiology of celery.

Publication Types:
Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

PMID: 10759540 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

87: Planta. 1999 Nov;210(1):165/​7.

Assembly and disassembly of the peripheral architecture of the plant cell
nucleus during mitosis

Masuda K, Haruyama S, Fujino K.

Horticultural Sciences, Graduate School of Agriculture, Hokkaido University,
Sapporo 060/​8589, Japan.

The architecture of the nuclei of higher plants includes a structure similar to
the nuclear lamina of vertebrates. Changes in this structure were monitored
during mitosis in carrot (Daucus carota L.) and celery (Apium graveolens L.)
cells by immunofluorescence microscopy using an antibody that recognized the
nuclear/​matrix protein NMCP1. This protein has been shown to be localized
exclusively at the periphery of the nucleus (K. Masuda et al. 1997, Exp Cell Res
232: 173/​187). Immunofluorescence was recognized throughout cells in mitotic
metaphase, although it was distributed predominantly in the mitotic spindle
zone. At late anaphase or telophase, the immunofluorescence was localized around
each set of daughter chromosomes. Immunofluorescence in newly formed daughter
nuclei was restricted to the periphery of nuclei. This behavior was very similar
to that of the nuclear lamina of vertebrates, suggesting that the structure
located between the nuclear envelope and the chromosomes in plants disassembles
and assembles in parallel with the disintegration and re/​formation of the
nuclear envelope.

PMID: 10592045 [PubMed /​ as supplied by publisher]

88: J Allergy Clin Immunol. 1999 Aug;104(2 Pt 1):478/​84.

IgE reactivity to Api g 1, a major celery allergen, in a Central European
population is based on primary sensitization by Bet v 1.

Hoffmann/​Sommergruber K, Demoly P, Crameri R, Breiteneder H, Ebner C, Laimer Da
Camara Machado M, Blaser K, Ismail C, Scheiner O, Bousquet J, Menz G.

Department of General and Experimental Pathology, University of Vienna, Vienna,
Italy.

BACKGROUND: Up to 70% of patients with tree pollen allergy display allergic
symptoms when eating certain fruits and vegetables. Homologous proteins with
allergenic features are present in a wide range of plant species and can cause
allergic reactions. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate recombinant
Api g 1, a major celery allergen, for in vivo and in vitro diagnosis of celery
allergy in populations from Davos, Switzerland, and Montpellier, France.
METHODS: A group of patients with celery and birch pollen allergy from Davos was
tested, and the results from those tests were compared with results from a group
of patients allergic to celery from Montpellier. Skin prick tests were performed
with a commercial celery extract, crude celery, and purified recombinant Api g
1. Quantitative and qualitative serology was done with natural and recombinant
allergens by means of RASTs and immunoblotting. RESULTS: Recombinant Api g 1
allowed accurate in vivo diagnosis of celery allergy in all patients from the
Swiss group. RAST results with celery extract were negative in 8 of 24 patients;
results of immunoblotting with celery extract were negative in 4 of 24 patients,
and results of immunoblotting with recombinant (r)Api g 1 were negative in 8 of
24 patients. In the French group 11 of 12 patients had a positive skin reaction
with crude celery extract, but only 2 patients reacted with rApi g 1. RAST
results for celery were positive in 8 of 12 patients. In immunoblotting
experiments 8 patient sera displayed IgE directed against various celery
allergens, whereas no patients sera had rApi g 1/​specific IgE. CONCLUSION: Our
results document that rApi g 1 allows accurate in vivo diagnosis only in areas
where birch trees are common. In areas where no birch trees grow, primary
sensitization takes place through different pollen allergens (eg, mugwort
pollen). Moreover, it became evident that birch pollen and celery allergy are
highly related in Central Europe, whereas in Southern Europe the mugwort/​celery
type is predominant.

Publication Types:
Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

PMID: 10452775 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

89: Clin Exp Allergy. 1999 Jun;29(6):840/​7.

Molecular characterization of Dau c 1, the Bet v 1 homologous protein from
carrot and its cross/​reactivity with Bet v 1 and Api g 1.

Hoffmann/​Sommergruber K, O'Riordain G, Ahorn H, Ebner C, Laimer Da Camara
Machado M, Puhringer H, Scheiner O, Breiteneder H.

Department of General and Experimental Pathology, University of Vienna, Austria.

BACKGROUND: Up to 70% of patients with birch pollen allergy exhibit the
so/​called oral allergy syndrome, an IgE/​mediated food allergy. The most frequent
and therefore best characterized pollen/​fruit syndrome is apple allergy in
patients suffering from tree pollen/​induced pollinosis. The occurrence of
adverse reactions to proteins present in vegetables such as celery and carrots
in patients suffering from pollen allergy has also been reported. cDNAs for Bet
v 1 homologous proteins have been cloned from celery, apple and cherry.
Objective The aim of the study was to identify Bet v 1 homologues from carrot
(Daucus carota), to isolate the respective cDNA, to compare the IgE/​binding
capacity of the natural protein to the recombinant allergen and determine the
cross/​reactivity to Api g 1 and Bet v 1. METHODS: Molecular characterization of
the carrot allergen was performed using IgE/​immunoblotting, cross/​inhibition
assays, N/​terminal sequencing, PCR/​based cDNA cloning and expression of the
recombinant protein in Escherichia coli. RESULTS: A 16/​kDa protein from carrot
was identified as a major IgE/​binding component and designated Dau c 1.
Sequencing corresponding cDNAs revealed three extremely similar sequences (Dau c
1.1, 1.2 and 1.3) with an open reading frame of 462 bp coding for 154 amino acid
residues. CONCLUSIONS: Purified recombinant Dau c 1.2 was tested in immunoblots
displaying IgE/​binding capacity comparable to its natural counterpart.
Cross/​inhibition assays verified the existence of common B/​cell epitopes present
on Dau c 1, Api g 1 as well as on Bet v 1.

Publication Types:
Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

PMID: 10336602 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

90: Phytochemistry. 1999 Jan;50(1):47/​51.

Modulation of phosphatidylcholine biosynthesis in celery by exogenous fatty
acids.

Parkin ET, Rolph CE.

Department of Applied Biology, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, UK.

The effects of C16 and C18 fatty acids on the synthesis of phosphatidylcholine
were studied in Apium graveolens cell suspension cultures and postmitochondrial
supernatants. When cells were exposed to exogenous oleic acid, the rate of
phosphatidylcholine biosynthesis increased 1.4/​fold within 5 min of the addition
of the fatty acid to the culture medium. The sensitivity of microsomal
CTP:cholinephosphate cytidylyltransferase (EC 2.7.7.15) to saturated and
unsaturated fatty acids was monitored through the addition of unesterified fatty
acids to postmitochondrial supernatants. The saturated fatty acids, palmitic and
stearic, appeared to have little effect on CTP:cholinephosphate
cytidylyltransferase activity, whereas exposure to oleic, linoleic and
cis/​vaccenic acids resulted in significant increases in enzyme activity. Optimal
microsomal CTP:cholinephosphate cytidylyltransferase activities were achieved by
the incubation of postmitochondrial supernatants with 500 microM oleate. The
exogenous fatty acids were found to be incorporated into microsomal membranes in
their unesterified form. Removal of unesterified fatty acids by incubation of
microsomal membranes with defatted bovine serum albumin resulted in the
reduction of microsomal CTP:cholinephosphate cytidylyltransferase activity;
demonstrating that the enzyme requires unesterified unsaturated fatty acids.

PMID: 9891932 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

91: Appl Radiat Isot. 1998 Dec;49(12):1695/​700.

Assessment of the transfer of 137Cs in three types of vegetables consumed in
Hong Kong.

Yu KN, Mao SY, Young EC.

Department of Physics and Materials Science, City University of Hong Kong,
Kowloon, Hong Kong.

A dynamic food chain model has been built for the modeling of the transfer of
137Cs in three types of vegetables consumed in Hong Kong, namely, white
flowering cabbage (Brassica chinensis), head lettuce (Lactuca sativa) and celery
(Apium graveolens). Some parameters have been estimated from the experimental
data obtained in this work. The experimental data include the transfer factors
of 137Cs from soil to the different vegetable species which are determined
through high resolution gamma spectrometry, maximum crop biomasses for the
vegetable species, the dry/​to/​fresh ratios for the vegetable species, the bulk
density of soil layers and the average concentration of 137Cs in air. The
derived parameters include the deposition rate and the root uptake rate,
information for tillage, the logistic growth model and radionuclide
concentrations in vegetables. The dynamic food chain model is solved by the
Birchall/​James algorithm to give the 137Cs concentration in subsurface soil,
from the 0.1/​25 cm soil layer, and the 137Cs concentration in harvested and
unwashed vegetables. As validation of the model and parameters, the
concentrations obtained experimentally and from the model are compared and are
found to be in good agreement.

PMID: 9745700 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

92: J Ethnopharmacol. 1998 Mar;60(2):117/​24.

Anti/​nociceptive and anti/​inflammatory effects of some Jordanian medicinal plant
extracts.

Atta AH, Alkofahi A.

Department of Veterinary Basic Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Jordan
University of Science and Technology, Irbid.

The anti/​nociceptive effect of ethanolic extract of 11 traditionally used
Jordanian plants was studied by using the acetic acid/​induced writhing and
hot/​plate test in mice. The anti/​inflammatory effect of these plants was
determined by xylene/​induced ear oedema in mice and cotton pellet granuloma test
in rats. Mentha piperita, Cinnamomum zeylanicum, Apium graveolens, Eucalyptus
camaldulentis, and Ruta graveolens possess an anti/​nociceptive effect against
both acetic acid/​induced writhing and hot plate/​induced thermal stimulation. M.
piperita, Jasminum officinale, Commiphora molmol, and Beta vulgaris possess an
anti/​inflammatory effect against acute (xylene/​induced ear oedema) and chronic
(cotton/​pellet granuloma) inflammation. The anti/​nociceptive and
anti/​inflammatory effects were dose dependent. These data affirm the traditional
use of some of these plants for painful and inflammatory conditions.

Publication Types:
Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

PMID: 9582001 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

93: Plant Physiol. 1997 Dec;115(4):1397/​403.

Subcellular localization of celery mannitol dehydrogenase. A cytosolic metabolic
enzyme in nuclei.

Yamamoto YT, Zamski E, Williamson JD, Conkling MA, Pharr DM.

Department of Genetics, North Carolina State University, Raleigh 27695/​7614,
USA.

Mannitol dehydrogenase (MTD) is the first enzyme in mannitol catabolism in
celery (Apium graveolens L. var dulce [Mill] Pers. cv Florida 638). Mannitol is
an important photoassimilate, as well as providing plants with resistance to
salt and osmotic stress. Previous work has shown that expression of the celery
Mtd gene is regulated by many factors, such as hexose sugars, salt and osmotic
stress, and salicylic acid. Furthermore, MTD is present in cells of sink organs,
phloem cells, and mannitol/​grown suspension cultures. Immunogold localization
and biochemical analyses presented here demonstrate that celery MTD is localized
in the cytosol and nuclei. Although the cellular density of MTD varies among
different cell types, densities of nuclear and cytosolic MTD in a given cell are
approximately equal. Biochemical analyses of nuclear extracts from
mannitol/​grown cultured cells confirmed that the nuclear/​localized MTD is
enzymatically active. The function(s) of nuclear/​localized MTD is unknown.

Publication Types:
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non/​P.H.S.

PMID: 9414553 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

94: Plant Cell Physiol. 1997 Sep;38(9):1080/​6.

A major root protein of carrots with high homology to intracellular
pathogenesis/​related (PR) proteins and pollen allergens.

Yamamoto M, Torikai S, Oeda K.

Biotechnology Laboratory, Sumitomo Chemical Co. Ltd., Hyogo, Japan.

We isolated the cDNA clone coding for a major root specific protein (CR16) of
carrots. The CR16 protein (154a.a.) has a high homology to intracellular
pathogenesis/​related (PR) proteins, stress/​induced proteins and also the major
allergen protein of celery (Api g1). The CR16 protein gene formed a super gene
family and transcripts of this CR16 protein gene are predominant in root tissue,
not in leaves or flowers.

PMID: 9360325 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

95: Plant Physiol. 1997 May;114(1):307/​314.

Sugar Repression of Mannitol Dehydrogenase Activity in Celery Cells.

Prata R, Williamson JD, Conkling MA, Pharr DM.

Department of Horticultural Science (R.T.N.P., J.D.W., D.M.P.) and Department of
Genetics (M.A.C.), North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina
27695/​7609.

We present evidence that the activity of the mannitol/​catabolizing enzyme
mannitol dehydrogenase (MTD) is repressed by sugars in cultured celery (Apium
graveolens L.) cells. Furthermore, this sugar repression appears to be mediated
by hexokinases (HKs) in a manner comparable to the reported sugar repression of
photosynthetic genes. Glucose (Glc)/​grown cell cultures expressed little MTD
activity during active growth, but underwent a marked increase in MTD activity,
protein, and RNA upon Glc starvation. Replenishment of Glc in the medium
resulted in decreased MTD activity, protein, and RNA within 12 h. Addition of
mannoheptulose, a competitive inhibitor of HK, derepressed MTD activity in
Glc/​grown cultures. In contrast, the addition of the sugar analog
2/​deoxyglucose, which is phosphorylated by HK but not further metabolized,
repressed MTD activity in mannitol/​grown cultures. Collectively, these data
suggest that HK and sugar phosphorylation are involved in signaling MTD
repression. In vivo repression of MTD activity by galactose (Gal), which is not
a substrate of HK, appeared to be an exception to this hypothesis. Further
analyses, however, showed that the products of Gal catabolism, Glc and fructose,
rather than Gal itself, were correlated with MTD repression.

PMID: 12223706 [PubMed /​ as supplied by publisher]

96: Plant Physiol. 1997 Apr;113(4):1427/​35.

Molecular cloning of mannose/​6/​phosphate reductase and its developmental
expression in celery.

Everard JD, Cantini C, Grumet R, Plummer J, Loescher WH.

Department of Horticulture, Michigan State University, East Lansing 48824/​1325,
USA.

Compared with other primary photosynthetic products (e.g. sucrose and starch),
little is known about sugar alcohol metabolism, its regulation, and the manner
in which it is integrated with other pathways. Mannose/​6/​phosphate reductase
(M6PR) is a key enzyme that is involved in mannitol biosynthesis in celery
(Apium graveolens L.). The M6PR gene was cloned from a leaf cDNA library, and
clonal authenticity was established by assays of M6PR activity, western blots,
and comparisons of the deduced amino acid sequence with a celery M6PR tryptic
digestion product. Recombinant M6PR, purified from Escherichia coli, had
specific activity, molecular mass, and kinetic characteristics indistinguishable
from those of authentic celery M6PR. Sequence analyses showed M6PR to be a
member of the aldo/​keto reductase superfamily, which includes both animal and
plant enzymes. The greatest sequence similarity was with aldose/​6/​phosphate
reductase (EC 1.1.1.200), a key enzyme in sorbitol synthesis in Rosaceae.
Developmental studies showed M6PR to be limited to green tissues and to be under
tight transcriptional regulation during leaf initiation, expansion, and
maturation. These data confirmed a close relationship between the development of
photosynthetic capacity, mannitol synthesis, and M6PR activity.

Publication Types:
Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non/​P.H.S.

PMID: 9112783 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

97: Plant Physiol. 1997 Feb;113(2):649/​55.

Isolation and characterization of soluble boron complexes in higher plants. The
mechanism of phloem mobility of boron.

Hu H, Penn SG, Lebrilla CB, Brown PH.

Department of Pomology, University of California, Davis 95616, USA.

Boron (B) polyol complexes have been isolated and characterized from the phloem
sap of celery (Apium graveolens L.) and the extrafloral nectar of peach (Prunus
persica L.). In celery the direct analysis of untreated phloem sap by
matrix/​assisted laser desorption/​Fourier transform mass spectrometry, with
verification by high/​performance liquid chromagraphy and gas chromatography/​mass
spectrometry, revealed that B is present in the phloem as the
mannitol/​B/​mannitol complex. Molecular modeling further predicted that this
complex is present in the 3,4 3',4' bis/​mannitol configuration. In the
extrafloral nectar of peach, B was present as a mixture of sorbitol/​B/​sorbitol,
fructose/​B/​fructose, or sorbitol/​B/​fructose. To our knowledge, these findings
represent the first successful isolation and characterization of soluble B
complexes from higher plants and provide a mechanistic explanation for the
observed phloem B mobility in these species.

Publication Types:
Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non/​P.H.S.
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

PMID: 9046600 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

98: Plant Physiol. 1996 Nov;112(3):931/​8.

Immunolocalization of mannitol dehydrogenase in celery plants and cells.

Zamski E, Yamamoto YT, Williamson JD, Conkling MA, Pharr DM.

Department of Horticultural Science, North Carolina State University, Raleigh
27695, USA.

Immunolocalization of mannitol dehydrogenase (MTD) in celery (Apium graveolens
L.) suspension cells and plants showed that MTD is a cytoplasmic enzyme. MTD was
found in the meristems of celery root apices, in young expanding leaves, in the
vascular cambium, and in the phloem, including sieve/​element/companion cell
complexes, parenchyma, and in the exuding phloem sap of cut petioles. Suspension
cells that were grown in medium with mannitol as the sole carbon source showed a
high anti/​MTD cross/​reaction in the cytoplasm, whereas cells that were grown in
sucrose/​containing medium showed little or no cross/​reaction. Gel/​blot analysis
of proteins from vascular and nonvascular tissues of mature celery petioles
showed a strong anti/​MTD sera cross/​reactive band, corresponding to the 40/​kD
molecular mass of MTD in vascular extracts, but no cross/​reactive bands in
nonvascular extracts. The distribution pattern of MTD within celery plants and
in cell cultures that were grown on different carbon sources is consistent with
the hypothesis that the Mtd gene may be regulated by sugar repression.
Additionally, a developmental component may regulate the distribution of MTD
within celery plants.

Publication Types:
Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non/​P.H.S.

PMID: 8938403 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

99: Adv Exp Med Biol. 1996;409:219/​24.

Isolation and cloning of Bet v 1/​homologous food allergens from celeriac (Api
g1) and apple (Mal d1).

Hoffmann/​Sommergruber K, Vanek/​Krebitz M, Ferris R, O'Riordain G, Susani M,
Hirschwehr R, Ebner C, Ahorn H, Kraft D, Scheiner O, Breiteneder H.

Inst. of General and Experimental Pathology, University of Vienna, Austria.

Publication Types:
Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

PMID: 9095245 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

100: J Ethnopharmacol. 1995 Dec 15;49(3):119/​26.

Hepatoprotective activity of Apium graveolens and Hygrophila auriculata against
paracetamol and thioacetamide intoxication in rats.

Singh A, Handa SS.

University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Panjab University, Chandigarh,
India.

Seeds of Apium graveolens L. (Apiaceae) and Hygrophila auriculata (K. Schum.)
Heine (Syn. Astercantha auriculata Nees, Acanthaceae) are used in Indian systems
of medicine for the treatment of liver ailments. The antihepatotoxic effect of
methanolic extracts of the seeds of these two plants was studied on rat liver
damage induced by a single dose of paracetamol (3 g/kg p.o.) or thioacetamide
(100 mg/kg, s.c.) by monitoring several liver function tests, viz. serum
transaminases (SGOT and SGPT), alkaline phosphatase, sorbitol dehydrogenase,
glutamate dehydrogenase and bilirubin in serum. Furthermore, hepatic tissues
were processed for assay of triglycerides and histopathological alterations
simultaneously. A significant hepatoprotective activity of the methanolic
extract of the seeds of both the plants was reported.

Publication Types:
Comparative Study
Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

PMID: 8824736 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

101: Eur J Biochem. 1995 Oct 15;233(2):484/​9.

Molecular characterization of Api g 1, the major allergen of celery (Apium
graveolens), and its immunological and structural relationships to a group of
17/​kDa tree pollen allergens.

Breiteneder H, Hoffmann/​Sommergruber K, O'Riordain G, Susani M, Ahorn H, Ebner
C, Kraft D, Scheiner O.

Institute of General and Experimental Pathology, University of Vienna, Austria.

Individuals suffering from immediate hypersensitivity (type/​I allergy) to a
particular pollen frequently display intolerance to several foods of plant
origin. In this respect, individuals sensitized to birch pollen and/or mugwort
pollen frequently display type/​I allergic symptoms after ingestion of celery. In
this study, we expressed the major allergenic protein of celery, Api g 1, which
is responsible for the birch/​celery syndrome, in the form of a non/​fusion
protein. The open reading frame of the cDNA of Api g 1 codes for a protein of
153 amino acids with a molecular mass of 16.2 kDa and 40% identity (60%
similarity) to the major allergen of birch pollen, Bet v 1. Furthermore, Api g 1
exhibited similar characteristics to (a) two proteins in parsley induced by
fungal infection, (b) the major tree pollen allergens and (c)
pathogenesis/​related and stress/​induced proteins in other plant species. The
reactivity of recombinant Api g 1 with IgE antibodies present in sera from
celery intolerant patients was comparable to that of the natural celery
allergen. Cross/​reactivity with Bet v 1 was proven by cross/​inhibition
experiments, which provides further support for the existence of the
birch/​celery syndrome and for the suggestion that allergies to some vegetable
foods are epiphenomena to allergies caused by inhalation of tree pollen.

Publication Types:
Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

PMID: 7588792 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

102: Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1995 Aug 1;92(16):7148/​52.

Sequence analysis of a mannitol dehydrogenase cDNA from plants reveals a
function for the pathogenesis/​related protein ELI3.

Williamson JD, Stoop JM, Massel MO, Conkling MA, Pharr DM.

Department of Horticultural Science, North Carolina State University, Raleigh
27695/​7609, USA.

Mannitol is the most abundant sugar alcohol in nature, occurring in bacteria,
fungi, lichens, and many species of vascular plants. Celery (Apium graveolens
L.), a plant that forms mannitol photosynthetically, has high photosynthetic
rates thought to results from intrinsic differences in the biosynthesis of
hexitols vs. sugars. Celery also exhibits high salt tolerance due to the
function of mannitol as an osmoprotectant. A mannitol catabolic enzyme that
oxidizes mannitol to mannose (mannitol dehydrogenase, MTD) has been identified.
In celery plants, MTD activity and tissue mannitol concentration are inversely
related. MTD provides the initial step by which translocated mannitol is
committed to central metabolism and, by regulating mannitol pool size, is
important in regulating salt tolerance at the cellular level. We have now
isolated, sequenced, and characterized a Mtd cDNA from celery. Analyses showed
that Mtd RNA was more abundant in cells grown on mannitol and less abundant in
salt/​stressed cells. A protein database search revealed that the previously
described ELI3 pathogenesis/​related proteins from parsley and Arabidopsis are
MTDs. Treatment of celery cells with salicylic acid resulted in increased MTD
activity and RNA. Increased MTD activity results in an increased ability to
utilize mannitol. Among other effects, this may provide an additional source of
carbon and energy for response to pathogen attack. These responses of the
primary enzyme controlling mannitol pool size reflect the importance of mannitol
metabolism in plant responses to divergent types of environmental stress.

Publication Types:
Comparative Study
Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non/​P.H.S.

PMID: 7638158 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

103: Plant Physiol. 1995 Jul;108(3):1219/​25.

Purification of NAD/​dependent mannitol dehydrogenase from celery suspension
cultures.

Stoop JM, Williamson JD, Conkling MA, Pharr DM.

Department of Horticultural Science, North Carolina State University, Raleigh
27695/​7609, USA.

Mannitol dehydrogenase, a mannitol:mannose 1/​oxidoreductase, constitutes the
first enzymatic step in the catabolism of mannitol in nonphotosynthetic tissues
of celery (Apium graveolens L.). Endogenous regulation on the enzyme activity in
response to environmental cues is critical in modulating tissue concentration of
mannitol, which, importantly, contribute to stress tolerance of celery. The
enzyme was purified to homogeneity from celery suspension cultures grown on
D/​mannitol as the carbon source. Mannitol dehydrogenase was purified 589/​fold to
a specific activity of 365 mumol h/​1 mg/​1 protein with a 37% yield of enzyme
activity present in the crude extract. A highly efficient and simple
purification protocol was developed involving polyethylene glycol fractionation,
diethylaminoethyl/​anion/​exchange chromatography, and NAD/​agarose affinity
chromatography using NAD gradient elution. Sodium dodecylsulfate gel
electrophoresis of the final preparation revealed a single 40/​kD protein. The
molecular mass of the native protein was determined to be approximately 43 kD,
indicating that the enzyme is a monomer. Polyclonal antibodies raised against
the enzyme inhibited enzymatic activity of purified mannitol dehydrogenase.
Immunoblots of crude protein extracts from mannitol/​grown celery cells and sink
tissues of celery, celeriac, and parsley subjected to sodium dodecyl sulfate gel
electrophoresis showed a single major immuno/​reactive 40/​kD protein.

Publication Types:
Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non/​P.H.S.

PMID: 7630943 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

104: Anal Biochem. 1995 Jun 10;228(1):109/​14.

Effect of cations on the elution of pectic polysaccharides from anion/​exchange
resins.

Cheng L, Kindel PK.

Department of Biochemistry, Michigan State University, East Lansing 48824/​1319,
USA.

Conditions for quantitatively eluting six plant pectic polysaccharides from
diethylaminoethyl (DEAE)/​columns were established. Cations, surprisingly,
greatly affected the elution of pectic polysaccharides from these anion/​exchange
columns. Quantitative elution of apple pectic acid was achieved when columns of
DEAE/​Sephadex A/​25 and DEAE/​Trisacryl Plus/​M were developed with 0.5 M NH4Cl,
0.5 M LiCl, or 0.5 M CsCl in buffer. In contrast, up to 1 M NaCl and KCl in
buffer only eluted 6.3 to 54% of the apple pectic acid from the two types of
columns. In each case the retained apple pectic acid was eluted basically
quantitatively by 0.5 M NH4Cl in buffer. The elution of a pectic polysaccharide
fraction from Apium graveolens (celery), commercial citrus polygalacturonic
acid, and two polysaccharides isolated from purified cell walls of Lemna minor
(duckweed) from columns of DEAE/​Trisacryl was incomplete when the columns were
developed wit 0.5 M NaCl or 0.5 M KCl in buffer, ranging from 0 to 89%; however,
again, the retained portion of each sample was eluted quantitatively or almost
so from the columns with 0.5 M NH4Cl in buffer. One pectic polysaccharide,
commercial citrus pectin, was eluted equally well and almost quantitatively by
0.5 M NaCl, KCl and NH4Cl in buffer. When a pectic polysaccharide fraction from
purified cell walls of L. minor was applied to a preparative column of
DEAE/​Trisacryl Plus/​M, 99% of the sample was eluted by a gradient of 0 to 0.5 M
NH4Cl in buffer.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

PMID: 8572266 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

105: Planta Med. 1995 Feb;61(1):18/​21.

Effects of aqueous celery (Apium graveolens) extract on lipid parameters of rats
fed a high fat diet.

Tsi D, Das NP, Tan BK.

Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, National University of
Singapore.

The antihyperlipidemic property of aqueous celery extract was studied in rats.
Two groups of Wistar rats were fed a high fat diet for eight weeks to induce
hyperlipidemia. One group was supplemented with aqueous celery extract in the
diet while the other group served as control. At the end of the experiment, a
significant reduction was found in the serum total cholesterol (TC), low density
lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL/​C), and triglyceride (TG) concentrations in the
celery/​treated rats. However, the concentration of hepatic TG was significantly
higher in the celery/​treated group than in the control group. Hepatic
triacylglycerol lipase (HL) activity was found to be significantly lower in the
celery/​treated rats while the reverse was observed for the hepatic microsomal
P450 content. Analysis of an ethereal extract of the aqueous extract of celery
by thin layer chromatography (TLC) with two different solvent systems showed
that the extract did not contain 3/​n/​butylphthalide (BuPh), a unique compound in
celery that has previously been reported to have lipid/​lowering action. Our
study indicates that other active principle(s) could be responsible for the
observed effects of aqueous celery extract on serum and hepatic lipid levels.

Publication Types:
Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

PMID: 7700983 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

106: Biochem Soc Trans. 1994 Nov;22(4):432S.

Effects of sterol biosynthesis inhibitors on phosphatidylcholine biosynthesis in
Apium graveolens.

Parkin ET, Goad LJ, Rolph CE.

Department of Applied Biology, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, UK.

Publication Types:
Comparative Study

PMID: 7698450 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

107: Plant Physiol. 1994 Oct;106(2):503/​511.

Mannitol Metabolism in Celery Stressed by Excess Macronutrients.

Stoop J, Pharr DM.

Department of Horticultural Science and Plant Physiology Program, North Carolina
State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695/​7609.

The effect of excess macronutrients in the root environment on mannitol and
sucrose metabolism was investigated in celery (Apium graveolens L. var dulce
[Mill.] Pers.). Plant growth was inhibited progressively as macronutrient
concentration in the media, as measured by electrical conductivity (E.C.),
increased from 1.0 to 11.9 decisiemens m/​1. Plants grown for 35 d at higher E.C.
had a lower water content but similar dry weight in their roots, leaves, and
petioles compared to plants grown at lower E.C. Macronutrient concentrations of
leaves, roots, and petioles were not affected by the imposed stress, indicating
that the macronutrient stress resulted in a water/​deficit stress response rather
than a salt/​specific response. Mannitol accumulated in sink tissues and was
accompanied by a drastic decrease in activity of mannitol/​1/​oxidoreductase.
Sucrose concentration and activities of sucrose/​metabolizing enzymes in sink
tissues were not affected by the macronutrient stress. Mature leaves exhibited
increased concentrations of both mannitol and sucrose, together with increased
activity of mannose/​6/​phosphate reductase and sucrose phosphate synthase, in
response to macronutrient stress. Thus, mannitol accumulation in osmotically
stressed celery is regulated by diminished catabolism in sink tissues and
increased capacity for mannitol biosynthesis in source leaves.

PMID: 12232345 [PubMed /​ as supplied by publisher]

108: Plant Physiol. 1994 Sep;106(1):281/​292.

Gas Exchange and Carbon Partitioning in the Leaves of Celery (Apium graveolens
L.) at Various Levels of Root Zone Salinity.

Everard JD, Gucci R, Kann SC, Flore JA, Loescher WH.

Department of Horticulture, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
48824/​1325 (J.D.E., S.C.K.,J.A.F., W.H.L.).

Both mannitol and sucrose (Suc) are primary photosynthetic products in celery
(Apium graveolens L.). In other biological systems mannitol has been shown to
serve as a compatible solute or osmoprotectant involved in stress tolerance.
Although mannitol, like Suc, is translocated and serves as a reserve
carbohydrate in celery, its role in stress tolerance has yet to be resolved.
Mature celery plants exposed to low (25 mM NaCl), intermediate (100 mM NaCl),
and high (300 mM NaCl) salinities displayed substantial salt tolerance. Shoot
fresh weight was increased at low NaCl concentrations when compared with
controls, and growth continued, although at slower rates, even after prolonged
exposure to high salinities. Gas/​exchange analyses showed that low NaCl levels
had little or no effect on photosynthetic carbon assimilation (A), but at
intermediate levels decreases in stomatal conductance limited A, and at the
highest NaCl levels carboxylation capacity (as measured by analyses of the CO2
assimilation response to changing internal CO2 partial pressures) and electron
transport (as indicated by fluorescence measurements) were the apparent
prevailing limits to A. Increasing salinities up to 300 mM, however, increased
mannitol accumulation and decreased Suc and starch pools in leaf tissues, e.g.
the ratio of mannitol to Suc increased almost 10/​fold. These changes were due in
part to shifts in photosynthetic carbon partitioning (as measured by 14C
labeling) from Suc into mannitol. Salt treatments increased the activity of
mannose/​6/​phosphate reductase (M6PR), a key enzyme in mannitol biosynthesis,
6/​fold in young leaves and 2/​fold in fully expanded, mature leaves, but
increases in M6PR protein were not apparent in the older leaves. Mannitol
biosynthetic capacity (as measured by labeling rates) was maintained despite
salt treatment, and relative partitioning into mannitol consequently increased
despite decreased photosynthetic capacity. The results support a suggested role
for mannitol accumulation in adaptation to and tolerance of salinity stress.

PMID: 12232328 [PubMed /​ as supplied by publisher]

109: Plant Physiol. 1993 Nov;103(3):1001/​1008.

Effect of Different Carbon Sources on Relative Growth Rate, Internal
Carbohydrates, and Mannitol 1/​Oxidoreductase Activity in Celery Suspension
Cultures.

Stoop J, Pharr DM.

Department of Horticultural Science and Plant Physiology Program, North Carolina
State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695/​7609.

Little information exists concerning the biochemical route of mannitol
catabolism in higher plant cells. In this study, the role of a recently
discovered mannitol 1/​oxidoreductase (MDH) in mannitol catabolism was
investigated. Suspension cultures of celery (Apium graveolens L. var dulce
[Mill.] Pers.) were successfully grown on nutrient media with either mannitol,
mannose, or sucrose as the sole carbon source. Cell cultures grown on any of the
three carbon sources did not differ in relative growth rate, as measured by
packed cell volume, but differed drastically in internal carbohydrate
concentration. Mannitol/​grown cells contained high concentrations of mannitol
and extremely low concentrations of sucrose, fructose, glucose, and mannose.
Sucrose/​grown cells had high concentrations of sucrose early in the growth cycle
and contained a substantial hexose pool. Mannose/​grown cells had a high mannose
concentration early in the cycle, which decreased during the growth cycle,
whereas their internal sucrose concentrations remained relatively constant
during the entire growth cycle. Celery suspension cultures on all three carbon
substrates contained an NAD/​dependent MDH. Throughout the growth cycle, MDH
activity was 2/​ to 4/​fold higher in mannitol/​grown cells compared with sucrose/​
or mannose/​grown cells, which did not contain detectable levels of mannitol,
indicating that MDH functions pre/​dominantly in an oxidative capacity in situ.
The MDH activity observed in celery cells was 3/​fold higher than the minimum
amount required to account for the observed rate of mannitol utilization from
the media. Cultures transferred from mannitol to mannose underwent a decrease in
MDH activity over a period of days, and transfer from mannose to mannitol
resulted in an increase in MDH activity. These data provide strong evidence that
MDH plays an important role in mannitol utilization in celery suspension
cultures.

PMID: 12231996 [PubMed /​ as supplied by publisher]

110: Biochim Biophys Acta. 1993 Oct 10;1152(1):61/​8.

The alpha/​D/​glucosyl C/​2 hydroxyl is required for binding to the H(+)/​sucrose
transporter in phloem.

Griffin SD, Buxton KD, Donaldson IA.

Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, UK.

The specificity of uptake of sucrose into isolated phloem tissue from Apium
graveolens has been investigated using a number of analogues of sucrose. The
presence of a single saturable transport system for sucrose was confirmed using
the double isotope method of Inui and Christensen (J. Gen. Physiol. 50 (1966)
203/​224). 4/​Hydroxyphenyl beta/​D/​fructofuranoside showed no inhibition of
sucrose uptake, whereas 4/​hydroxyphenyl alpha/​D/​glucopyranoside showed
competitive inhibition with a Ki of 6.7 mM. 4/​Methoxyphenyl
alpha/​D/​glucopyranoside also inhibited sucrose uptake competitively (Ki = 6.0
mM). This compound was also synthesised radioactively labelled with 14C and its
uptake into phloem tissue was conclusively demonstrated to occur by active
transport on the same carrier as sucrose. Contrastingly, 4/​methoxyphenyl
alpha/​D/​2/​deoxyglucopyranoside displayed non/​competitive inhibition of sucrose
influx (Ki = 2.5 mM) and uptake of the 14C/​labelled compound was insensitive to
FCCP, PCMBS and sucrose. We conclude that the hydroxyl group at the C/​2 position
on the glucopyranosyl moiety is essential for binding to the sucrose carrier in
this tissue.

Publication Types:
Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

PMID: 8399306 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

111: Plant Physiol. 1993 Jul;102(3):1027/​1031.

Tissue Printing as a Tool for Observing Immunological and Protein Profiles in
Young and Mature Celery Petioles.

Taylor R, Inamine G, Anderson JD.

Weed Science Laboratory, Beltsville Agriculture Research Center West,
Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture,
Beltsville, Maryland 20705.

Tissue printing onto membranes such as nitrocellulose is a technique employed to
study the localization of proteins, nucleic acids, and soluble metabolites from
freshly cut tissue slices. We probed tissue prints of young and mature celery
(Apium graveolens) petioles with antibodies raised against two proteins, spinach
ribulose/​1,5/​bisphosphate carboxylase and tomato fruit catalase. The purposes of
this study were to determine if these proteins are developmentally regulated and
to determine if the patterns and intensities of cross/​reactivity of antibodies
on tissue blots corresponded only to the presence of specific epitopes or was
related to the amount of protein present in any given area on the tissue prints.
Different and distinct cross/​reactivity patterns were observed with each of the
two antibodies used. Tissue prints from young and mature tissues also showed
differences in antibody cross/​reactivity. Comparison of Coomassie blue staining
patterns with antibody reactivity patterns showed that there is little
relationship between tissue protein concentration and antibody reactivity.

PMID: 12231884 [PubMed /​ as supplied by publisher]

112: Plant Physiol. 1993 Jun;102(2):345/​356.

Mannose/​6/​Phosphate Reductase, a Key Enzyme in Photoassimilate Partitioning, Is
Abundant and Located in the Cytosol of Photosynthetically Active Cells of Celery
(Apium graveolens L.) Source Leaves.

Everard JD, Franceschi VR, Loescher WH.

Department of Horticulture, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
48824/​1325 (J.D.E., W.H.L.).

Mannitol, a major photosynthetic product and transport carbohydrate in many
plants, accounts for approximately 50% of the carbon fixed by celery (Apium
graveolens L.) leaves. Previous subfractionation studies of celery leaves
indicated that the enzymes for mannitol synthesis were located in the cytosol,
but these data are inconsistent with that published for the sites of sugar
alcohol synthesis in other families and taxa, including apple (Malus) and a
brown alga (Fucus). Using antibodies to a key synthetic enzyme, NADPH/​dependent
mannose/​6/​phosphate reductase (M6PR), and immunocytochemical techniques, we have
resolved both the inter/​cellular and intracellular sites of mannitol synthesis.
In leaves, M6PR was found only in cells containing ribulose/​1,5/​bisphosphate
carboxylase/oxygenase. M6PR was almost exclusively cytosolic in these cells,
with the nucleus being the only organelle to show labeling. The key step in
transport carbohydrate biosynthesis that is catalyzed by M6PR displays no
apparent preferential association with vascular tissues or with the bundle
sheath. These results show that M6PR and, thus, mannitol synthesis are closely
associated with the distribution of photosynthetic carbon metabolism in celery
leaves. The principal role of M6PR is, therefore, in the assimilation of carbon
being exported from the chloroplast, and it seems unlikely that this enzyme
plays even an indirect role in phloem loading of mannitol.

PMID: 12231825 [PubMed /​ as supplied by publisher]

113: Biochem Soc Trans. 1993 May;21(2):77S.

Studies on CTP:cholinephosphate cytidylyltransferase in Apium graveolens.

Parkin ET, Goad JL, Rolph CE.

Department of Applied Biology, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, U.K.

PMID: 8395428 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

114: Nutr Cancer. 1993;19(1):77/​86.

Chemoprevention of benzo[a]pyrene/​induced forestomach cancer in mice by natural
phthalides from celery seed oil.

Zheng GQ, Kenney PM, Zhang J, Lam LK.

LKT Laboratories, Minneapolis, MN 55413.

Bioassay/​directed fractionation of celery seed oil from the plant Apium
graveolens (Umbelliferae) led to the isolation of five natural products,
including d/​limonene, p/​mentha/​2,8/​dien/​1/​ol, p/​mentha/​8(9)/​en/​1,2/​diol,
3/​n/​butyl phthalide, and sedanolide. Of these compounds
p/​mentha/​2,8/​dien/​1/​ol,3/​n/​butyl phthalide, and sedanolide exhibited high
activities to induce the detoxifying enzyme glutathione S/​transferase (GST) in
the target tissues of female A/J mice. 3/​n/​Butyl phthalide and sedanolide (20
mg/dose every two days for a total of 3 doses) increased GST activity 4.5/​5.9
and 3.2/​5.2 times over the controls in the mouse liver and small intestinal
mucosa, respectively. At the same dose, p/​mentha/​2,8/​dien/​1/​ol induced GST
activity about 3.7/​fold above that of the controls. Thus, these compounds were
further tested for their ability to inhibit benzo[a]pyrene/​ (BP) induced
tumorigenesis in mice. After treatment with 3/​n/​butyl phthalide and sedanolide,
the tumor incidence was reduced from 68% to 30% and 11%, respectively. About 67%
and 83% reduction in tumor multiplicity was also observed with 3/​n/​butyl
phthalide and sedanolide. p/​Mentha/​2,8/​dien/​1/​ol produced only a small or no
significant reduction of forestomach tumor formation. The data indicating that
3/​n/​butyl phthalide and sedanolide were both active in tumor inhibition and GST
assays suggested a correlation between the inhibitory activity and the
GST/​inducing ability. The phthalides are known to determine the characteristic
odor of celery. The results suggest that phthalides, as a class of bioactive
natural products occurring in edible umbelliferous plants, may be effective
chemopreventive agents.

Publication Types:
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

PMID: 8446516 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

115: Ann Dermatol Venereol. 1993;120(9):599/​603.

[Plasma levels of psoralens after celery ingestion]

[Article in French]

Gral N, Beani JC, Bonnot D, Mariotte AM, Reymond JL, Amblard P.

Clinique de Dermatologie, CHUR, Grenoble.

Psoralens are photosensitizing substances present in many vegetables, some of
which are routinely consumed. These vegetables are responsible for contact
phytophotodermatitis, but it was agreed that they did not produce
photodermatitis when taken orally. Ljunggren has recently questioned this
concept by reporting a case of phototoxic accident which occurred after
ingestion of 450 grams of celery roots (Apium graveolens). In a study in healthy
volunteers we looked for psoralens in blood and analyzed the cutaneous
photosensitivity by the minimal phototoxic doses (MPD) method, after ingestion
of celery in large amounts (500 grams and more). Plasma concentrations of
psoralens were inexistant in all subjects and at all sampling times, and no
phototoxic reaction was detected by MPD. Celery roots, therefore, do not seem to
be photosensitizing, even after ingestion in large amounts, but they might
increase the risk of phototoxicity in PUVA/​therapy. The same applies to fennel
and parsnip.

Publication Types:
English Abstract

PMID: 8161113 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

116: Arch Biochem Biophys. 1992 Nov 1;298(2):612/​9.

Partial purification and characterization of mannitol: mannose 1/​oxidoreductase
from celeriac (Apium graveolens var. rapaceum) roots.

Stoop JM, Pharr DM.

Department of Horticultural Science, North Carolina State University, Raleigh
27695/​7609.

A mannitol:mannose 1/​oxidoreductase was isolated from celeriac (Apium graveolens
var. rapaceum) root tips by fractionation with (NH4)2SO4, followed by
chromatography on a Fractogel DEAE column and then concentration with (NH4)2SO4.
This newly discovered mannitol dehydrogenase catalyzes the NAD/​dependent
oxidation of mannitol to mannose, not mannitol to fructose. The sugar product of
the enzyme reaction was identified by three independent HPLC systems and by an
enzymatically linked system as being mannose and not fructose or glucose. Normal
Michaelis/​/​Menten kinetics were exhibited for both mannitol and NAD with Km
values of 72 and 0.26 mM, respectively, at pH 9.0. The Vmax was 40.14 mumol/h/mg
protein for mannitol synthesis and 0.8 mumol/h/mg protein for mannose synthesis
at pH 9.0. In the polyol oxidizing reaction, the enzyme was very specific for
mannitol with a low rate of oxidation of sorbitol. In the reverse reaction, the
enzyme was specific for mannose. The enzyme was strongly inhibited by NADH and
sensitive to alterations of NAD/NADH ratio. The enzyme is of physiological
importance in that it is mainly localized in root tips (sink tissue) where it
functions to convert mannitol into hexoses which are utilized to support root
growth. Product determination and kinetic characterization were carried out on
an enzyme preparation with a specific activity (SA) of 30.44 mumol/h/mg protein.
Subsequently, the enzyme was further purified to a SA of 201 mumol/h/mg protein
using an NAD affinity column. This paper apparently represents the first
evidence of the existence of a mannitol:mannose 1/​oxidoreductase and also the
first evidence of the presence of a mannitol dehydrogenase in vascular plants.

PMID: 1416989 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

117: Plant Physiol. 1992 May;99(1):111/​118.

Induction of Somatic Embryogenesis Using Side Chain and Ring Modified Forms of
Phenoxy Acid Growth Regulators.

Stuart DA, McCall CM.

Plant Genetics, Inc., 1920 Fifth Street, Davis, California 95616.

The induction of somatic embryo development in cell cultures of alfalfa
(Medicago sativa), celery (Apium graveolens), and lettuce (Lactuca sativa) was
compared for 2,4/​dichlorophenoxy/​acetic acid (2,4/​D) and various phenoxy acid
growth regulators. Tests using a series of straight chain extensions to the
phenoxy acid side chain indicate that phenoxybutanoic acid is active, whereas
the phenoxypropanoic and phenoxypentanoic analogs are inactive for the induction
of alfalfa embryogenesis. Side branching on the carbon adjacent to the phenoxy
group results in optically active compounds. Racemic mixtures and the (+)
enantiomers of the compounds are active for alfalfa embryo induction, whereas
the (/​) enantiomers are inactive and apparently do not inhibit embryogenesis in
any way. Development of alfalfa embryos, as measured by plantlet formation from
individual embryos, is improved by 4/​(2,4/​dichlorophenoxy)butanoic acid and with
side branching at the carbon adjacent to the phenoxy group compared with
induction with 2,4/​D. Similarly, substituted phenoxy acids also enhance somatic
embryo development in celery and lettuce when compared with 2,4/​D. These results
are discussed with reference to earlier studies on the structure activity of
various synthetic auxins during cell elongation and with reference to the
possible importance of auxin metabolism on subsequent somatic embryo
development.

PMID: 16668836 [PubMed /​ as supplied by publisher]

118: Plant Physiol. 1992 Apr;98(4):1396/​1402.

Mannitol Synthesis in Higher Plants : Evidence for the Role and Characterization
of a NADPH/​Dependent Mannose 6/​Phosphate Reductase.

Loescher WH, Tyson RH, Everard JD, Redgwell RJ, Bieleski RL.

Department of Horticulture, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
48824/​1325.

Mannitol is a major photosynthetic product in many algae and higher plants.
Photosynthetic pulse and pulse/​chase (14)C/​radiolabeling studies with the
mannitol/​synthesizing species, celery (Apium graveolens L.) and privet
(Ligustrum vulgare L.), showed that mannose 6/​phosphate (M6P) and mannitol
1/​phosphate were among the early photosynthetic products. A NADPH/​dependent M6P
reductase was detected in these species (representing two different higher plant
families), and the enzyme was purified to apparent homogeneity (68/​fold with a
22% yield) and characterized from celery leaf extracts. The celery enzyme had a
monomeric molecular mass, estimated from mobilities on sodium dodecyl
sulfate/​polyacrylamide gels, of 35 kilodaltons. The isoelectric point was pH
4.9; the apparent K(m) (M6P) was 15.8 millimolar, but the apparent K(m)
(mannitol 1/​phosphate) averaged threefold higher; pH optima were 7.5 with
M6P/NADPH and 8.5 with mannitol 1/​phosphate/NADP as substrates. Substrate and
cofactor requirements were quite specific. NADH did not substitute for NADPH,
and there was no detectable activity with fructose 6/​phosphate, glucose
6/​phosphate, fructose 1/​phosphate, mannose 1/​phosphate, mannose, or mannitol.
NAD only partially substituted for NADP. Mg(2+), Ca(2+), Zn(2+), and
fructose/​2,6/​bisphosphate had no apparent effects on the purified enzyme's
activity. In vivo radiolabeling results and the enzyme's kinetics, specificity,
and distribution (in two/​plant families) all suggest that NADPH/​dependent M6P
reductase plays an important role in mannitol biosynthesis in higher plants.

PMID: 16668806 [PubMed /​ as supplied by publisher]

119: Plant Physiol. 1991 Dec;97(4):1348/​1353.

Xylulose 1,5/​Bisphosphate Synthesized by Ribulose 1,5/​Bisphosphate
Carboxylase/Oxygenase during Catalysis Binds to Decarbamylated Enzyme.

Zhu G, Jensen RG.

Department of Biochemistry, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721.

Xylulose 1,5/​bisphosphate (XuBP) is synthesized from ribulose 1,5/​bisphosphate
(RuBP) at carbamylated catalytic sites on ribulose 1,5/​bisphosphate carboxylase
(Rubisco) with significant amounts of XuBP being formed at pH less than 8.0.
XuBP has been separated by high performance liquid chromatography and identified
by pulsed amperometry from compounds bound to Rubisco during catalysis with the
purified enzyme and from celery (Apium graveolens var Utah) leaf extracts. XuBP
does not bind tightly to carbamylated sites, but does bind tightly to
decarbamylated sites. Upon incubation of fully activated Rubisco with 5
micromolar XuBP, loss of activator CO(2) occurred before XuBP bound to the
enzyme catalytic sites, even in the presence of excess CO(2) and Mg(2+). Binding
of XuBP to decarbamylated Rubisco sites was highly pH dependent. At pH 7.0 and
7.5 with 10 millimolar MgCl(2) and 10 millimolar KHCO(3), the apparent
dissociation constant for XuBP, K(d), was 0.03 micromolar, whereas at pH 8.0 and
8.5, the apparent K(d) was 0.35 and 2.0 micromolar, respectively. This increase
in K(d) with pH was a result of a decrease in the association rate constant and
an increase in the dissociation rate constant of XuBP bound to decarbamylated
sites on Rubisco. The K(d) of 2/​carboxyarabinitol 1/​phosphate binding to
carbamylated sites was only slightly pH dependent.

PMID: 16668555 [PubMed /​ as supplied by publisher]

120: Biochim Biophys Acta. 1991 Nov 14;1115(1):69/​74.

Vasodilatory action mechanisms of apigenin isolated from Apium graveolens in rat
thoracic aorta.

Ko FN, Huang TF, Teng CM.

Pharmacological Institute, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University,
Taipei.

The effect of apigenin, isolated from Apium graveolens, on the contraction of
rat thoracic aorta was studied. Apigenin inhibited the contraction of aortic
rings caused by cumulative concentrations of calcium (0.03/​3 mM) in high
potassium (60 mM) medium, with an IC50 of about 48 microM. After pretreatment it
also inhibited norepinephrine (NE, 3 microM)/​induced phasic and tonic
contraction in a concentration (35/​140 microM)/​dependent manner with an IC50 of
63 microM. At the plateau of NE/​induced tonic contraction, addition of apigenin
caused relaxation. This relaxing effect of apigenin was not antagonized by
indomethacin (20 microM) or methylene blue (50 microM), and still existed in
endothelial denuded rat aorta or in the presence of nifedipine (2/​100 microM).
Neither cAMP nor cGMP levels were changed by apigenin. Both the formation of
inositol monophosphate caused by NE and the phasic contraction induced by
caffeine in the Ca(2+)/​free solution were unaffected by apigenin. 45Ca2+ influx
caused by either NE or K+ was inhibited by apigenin concentration/​dependently.
It is concluded that apigenin relaxes rat thoracic aorta mainly by suppressing
the Ca2+ influx through both voltage/​ and receptor/​operated calcium channels.

Publication Types:
Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

PMID: 1659912 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

121: Magn Reson Med. 1991 Sep;21(1):138/​43.

A simple method for obtaining cross/​term/​free images for diffusion anisotropy
studies in NMR microimaging.

Neeman M, Freyer JP, Sillerud LO.

Cellular and Molecular Biology Group, University of California, Los Alamos, New
Mexico 87545.

The geometric average of two spin/​echo images obtained with opposite polarity
diffusion gradients yields cross/​term/​free images that can be directly compared
for diffusion anisotropy. This approach is demonstrated here for free water
isotropic diffusion and anisotropic diffusion of water in the phloem system of
celery (Apium graveolens).

PMID: 1943671 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

122: Pharmazie. 1991 Aug;46(8):599/​601.

[The production of furocumarin in Apium graveolens L. and Pastinaca sativa L.
after infection with Sclerotinia slcerotiorum]

[Article in German]

Uecker S, Jira T, Beyrich T.

Fachrichtung Pharmazie, Ernst/​Moritz/​Arndt/​Universitat Greifswald.

Roots of celery (Apium graveolens) and parsnip (Pastinaca sativa) were
inoculated with Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. At the beginning of the infection it
is recognized that the level of furocoumarins rises but decreasing in the
further time. Trimethylpsoralene was detected neither dc nor hplc. Sclerotinia
grows poorly in parsnip. In this the high level of furocoumarins prevents the
growth of the fungus because the furocoumarins are fungistatic. Obvious
Sclerotinia is able to stimulate the origin of furocumarins in genetic
predestinated plants first at time which can explained as reaction against the
infection. The infection cannot avail to arise the technical useful yield.

Publication Types:
English Abstract

PMID: 1798717 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

123: Arch Dermatol. 1990 Oct;126(10):1334/​6.

Comment in:
Arch Dermatol. 1992 Sep;128(9):1277.

Severe phototoxic burn following celery ingestion.

Ljunggren B.

Department of Dermatology, Lund University, Malmo General Hospital, Sweden.

A 65/​year/​old woman developed a severe, generalized phototoxic reaction
following a visit to a suntan parlor. History taking revealed that she had
consumed a large quantity of celery root (Apium graveolens) 1 hour earlier. With
the use of thin/​layer chromatography, methoxsalen (8/​methoxypsoralen) and
5/​methoxypsoralen were identified in the extract from a similar celery root. The
biologic activity of this extract, as evaluated with the semiquantitative
Candida albicans inhibition technique, indicated a total psoralen dose of
approximately 45 mg. Substantial amounts of psoralen may be absorbed from
vegetables, such as celery, and under unusual circumstances, this may constitute
a health hazard.

Publication Types:
Case Reports

PMID: 2221939 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

124: J Econ Entomol. 1990 Apr;83(2):519/​25.

Host plant resistance and linear furanocoumarin content of Apium accessions.

Trumble JT, Dercks W, Quiros CF, Beier RC.

Department of Entomology, University of California, Riverside 92521.

Linear furanocoumarin contents and antibiotic resistance to Liriomyza trifolii
(Burgess) were documented for Apium species being investigated in a celery
breeding program. In no/​choice tests, L. trifolii fed more, produced more
offspring, and had the highest pupal and adult productivity on the widely
planted cultivar 'Tall Utah' 52/​70R (Apium graveolens L.). Antibiotic effects of
the commercial cultivar 'Tall Utah' 52/​70 HK and University of California
families 87A/​147 and 87A/​338, derived from A. chilense Hook and Arn., were
intermediate. Only A. nodiflorum (L.) Lag (accession 87A/​236) did not allow
survival beyond the larval stage. Concentrations of the carcinogenic and
mutagenic linear furanocoumarins varied by location within plants (leaves
usually greater than petioles), by specific compound (trend: psoralen less than
xanthotoxin less than bergapten or isopimpinellin), and between accessions. A.
nodiflorum had the lowest foliar levels of phototoxic furanocoumarins (11.8
micrograms/g fresh weight) and the best potential for use in the breeding
program. Foliar levels of phototoxic furanocoumarins (psoralen, bergapten, and
xanthotoxin) in plants 87A/​147/​3 (406 micrograms/g), 87A/​147/​2 (292.9
micrograms/g), and the family 87A/​338 (265.9 micrograms/g) were 22.6, 16.3, and
14.8 times higher, respectively, than the concentration known to produce contact
dermatitis (18 micrograms/g). Even with such variability in concentration, the
foliar content of linear furanocoumarins (individually or total) and L. trifolii
adult production were not correlated.

Publication Types:
Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

PMID: 2345223 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

125: Plant Physiol. 1990 Jan;92(1):61/​65.

Direct Observation of Cell Wall Structure in Living Plant Tissues by Solid/​State
C NMR Spectroscopy.

Jarvis MC, Apperley DC.

Agricultural Chemistry, Glasgow University, Glasgow G12 8QQ, Scotland.

Solid/​state (13)C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra of the following
intact plant tissues were recorded by the crosspolarization magic/​angle spinning
technique: celery (Apium graveolens L.) collenchyma; carob bean (Ceratonia
siliqua L.), fenugreek (Trigonella foenum/​graecum L.), and nasturtium
(Tropaeolum majus L.) endosperm; and lupin (Lupinus polyphyllus Lindl.) seed
cotyledons. All these tissues had thickened cell walls which allowed them to
withstand the centrifugal forces of magic angle spinning and which, except in
the case of lupin seeds, dominated the NMR spectra. The celery collenchyma cell
walls gave spectra typical of dicot primary cell walls. The carob bean and
fenugreek seed spectra were dominated by resonances from galactomannans, which
showed little sign of crystalline order. Resonances from beta(1,4')/​d galactan
were visible in the lupin seed spectrum, but there was much interference from
protein. The nasturtium seed spectrum was largely derived from a xyloglucan, in
which the conformation of the glucan core chain appeared to be intermediate
between the solution form and solid forms of cellulose.

PMID: 16667266 [PubMed /​ as supplied by publisher]

126: J Ethnopharmacol. 1989 Sep;26(2):163/​8.

Anti/​inflammatory activity of some Iraqi plants using intact rats.

Al/​Hindawi MK, Al/​Deen IH, Nabi MH, Ismail MA.

Biological Research Centre, Scientific Research Council, Jadiriyah, Baghdad,
Iraqu.

Five plants (Myrtus communis, Apium graveolens, Matricaria chamomilla, Withania
somnifera and Achillea santolina) grown in Iraq were assessed for their
anti/​inflammatory activity on intact rats by measuring the suppression of
carrageenan/​induced paw edema produced by 1/10 of the intraperitoneal LD50 doses
for the respective 80% ethanol extracts. Acetylsalicylic acid was used as the
standard drug. Results showed that the plants possessed varying degrees of
anti/​inflammatory activity and were classified in the following descending order
of activity: W. somnifera greater than A. graveolens greater than A. santolina
greater than M. chamomilla greater than M. communis.

PMID: 2601356 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

127: Clin Allergy. 1988 Sep;18(5):491/​500.

A study of allergens in celery with cross/​sensitivity to mugwort and birch
pollens.

Vallier P, Dechamp C, Vial O, Deviller P.

Laboratoire de Chimie Biologique et Medicale, UFR Alexis Carrel, Lyon, France.

Sixty/​one sera with positive RAST to mugwort pollen (Artemisiae vulgaris) were
submitted to RASTs for birch pollen (Betula verrucosa) and celery (Apium
graveolens). In 36 cases RAST results were positive for celery. In addition, 23
sera presented specific IgE to birch pollen. The binding of specific IgE to
individual allergens in celery, mugwort pollen and birch pollen was studied by
the immunoblotting technique. This involved electrophoretic separation of
allergenic extracts, electrotransfer of proteins onto nitrocellulose sheets and
sensitive immunoenzymatic detection. Eighteen sera had specific IgE binding to
two celery components of molecular weight around 15 kD. All these sera also
detected a 15 kD allergen in mugwort and two allergens in birch of 14 kD and 16
kD molecular weight. The sera that did not detect the 15 kD bands in celery
failed to react with both the 15 kD mugwort component and the 14 and 16 kD birch
components. Specific cross/​inhibitions of the detection of these allergens on
immunoblots were obtained by pre/​incubation of the sera with crude extract of
the three species. These results strongly suggest that such allergens display
some structural identity and that they could be at the origin of some cases of
crossed hypersensitivity to celery, mugwort pollen and birch pollen.

Publication Types:
Comparative Study

PMID: 3233726 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

128: Plant Physiol. 1988 Jan;86(1):129/​133.

Biosynthesis of Sucrose and Mannitol as a Function of Leaf Age in Celery (Apium
graveolens L.).

Davis JM, Fellman JK, Loescher WH.

Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Washington State
University, Pullman, Washington 99164/​6414.

In celery (Apium graveolens L.), the two major translocated carbohydrates are
sucrose and the acyclic polyol mannitol. Their metabolism, however, is different
and their specific functions are uncertain. To compare their roles in carbon
partitioning and sink/​source transitions, developmental changes in (14)CO(2)
labeling, pool sizes, and key enzyme activities in leaf tissues were examined.
The proportion of label in mannitol increased dramatically with leaf maturation
whereas that in sucrose remained fairly constant. Mannitol content, however, was
high in all leaves and sucrose content increased as leaves developed. Activities
of mannose/​6/​P reductase, cytoplasmic and chloroplastic
fructose/​1,6/​bisphosphatases, sucrose phosphate synthase, and sucrose synthase
increased with leaf maturation and decreased as leaves senesced. Ribulose
bisphosphate carboxylase and nonreversible glyceraldehyde/​3/​P dehydrogenase
activities rose as leaves developed but did not decrease. Thus, sucrose is
produced in all photosynthetically active leaves whereas mannitol is synthesized
primarily in mature leaves and stored in all leaves. Onset of sucrose export in
celery may result from sucrose accumulation in expanding leaves, but mannitol
export is clearly unrelated to mannitol concentration. Mannitol export, however,
appears to coincide with increased mannitol biosynthesis. Although mannitol and
sucrose arise from a common precursor in celery, subsequent metabolism and
transport must be regulated separately.

PMID: 16665852 [PubMed /​ as supplied by publisher]

129: Plant Physiol. 1987 Nov;85(3):711/​715.

Facilitated Transport of Glucose in Isolated Phloem Segments of Celery.

Daie J, Wilusz EJ.

Department of Soils and Crops, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey
08903.

In isolated phloem segments of celery (Apium graveolens L.), a tissue highly
specific for sucrose and mannitol uptake, glucose uptake occurs at very low
rates and exhibits biphasic kinetics. Nonpenetrating inhibitors such as
parachloromercuribenzene sulfonic acid did not inhibit glucose uptake. However,
uptake was greatly inhibited by penetrating inhibitors such as N/​ethylmaleimide
and carbonylcyanide/​m/​chlorophenyl hydrazone. Carbonylcyanide/​m/​chlorophenyl
hydrazone inhibition of uptake was reversed by washing and addition of thiol
reagents to uptake solutions. Phlorizin, a competitive inhibitor of glucose
caused moderate inhibition of uptake only after 3 hours of tissue exposure. Low
pH, fusicoccin, and low turgor which enhance H(+)/​sugar cotransport did not
alter uptake rates. Furthermore, glucose did not induce alkalinization of the
uptake media. Efflux analysis indicated that the presence of 50 millimolar
unlabeled glucose in the wash media enhanced exchange of the labeled glucose
across the tonoplast. Results indicate that the glucose carrier is not located
at the plasmalemma but appears to be present at the membrane of an intracellular
compartment, most likely the tonoplast. Carrier/​mediated glucose transport in
this tissue is proposed to be a facilitated diffusion.

PMID: 16665765 [PubMed /​ as supplied by publisher]

130: Plant Physiol. 1987 Aug;84(4):1033/​1037.

Interaction of Cell Turgor and Hormones on Sucrose Uptake in Isolated Phloem of
Celery.

Daie J.

Department of Soils and Crops, Cook College/​Rutgers University, New Brunswick,
New Jersey 08903.

Phloem tissue isolated from celery (Apium graveolens L.) was used to investigate
the regulation of sucrose uptake by turgor (manipulated by 50/​400 milliosomolal
solutions of polyethylene glycol) and hormones indoleacetic acid (IAA) and
gibberillic acid (GA(3)). Sucrose uptake was enhanced under low cellular turgor
(increase in the V(max)). Furthermore, enhancement of sucrose uptake was due to
a net increase in influx rates since sucrose efflux was not affected by cell
turgor. Manipulations of cell turgor had no effect on 3/​O/​methyl glucose uptake.
When 20 millimolar buffer was present in uptake solutions, low turgor/​induced
effects were observed only at low pH range (4.5/​5.5). However, the effect was
extended to higher external pH (up to 7.5) when buffer was omitted from uptake
solutions. A novel interaction between cellular turgor and hormone treatments
was observed, in that GA(3) (10 micromolar) and IAA (0.1/​100 micromolar)
enhanced sucrose uptake only at moderate turgor levels. The hormones elicited
little or no response on sucrose uptake under conditions of low or high cell
turgor. Low cell turgor, IAA, GA(3), and fusicoccin caused acidification by
isolated phloem segments in a buffer/​free solution. It is suggested that
enhanced sucrose uptake in response to low turgor and/or hormones was mediated
through the plasmalemma H(+)/​ATPase and most likely occurred at the site of
loading.

PMID: 16665557 [PubMed /​ as supplied by publisher]

131: N Z Vet J. 1987 Mar;35(3):27/​30.

A vesiculo/​bullous disease in pigs resembling foot and mouth disease. II.
Experimental reproduction of the lesion.

Montgomery JF, Oliver RE, Poole WS, Julian AF.

Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Levin Horticultural Research Centre, PO
Box 241, Levin, New Zealand.

Vesiculo/​bullous dermatitis of pigs characterised by presence of vesicles and
bullae on the snout and feet of white skinned pigs was reproduced
experimentally. Leaves of parsnips (Pastinaca sativa), or celery (Apium
graveolens) infected with the fungus Sclerotinia sclerotiorum were fed or rubbed
on the snouts and feet of white skinned pigs. Pigs were then exposed to sunlight
or to UV light of intensity approximately 212 m W/M2 at a wavelength 340/​360 nm
for eight hours per day until vesicles developed. All treated pigs developed
lesions on the snouts, and less frequently on the feet. Lesions were
characterised by the appearance of erythema at 24 hours after treatment.
Vesicles developed at 48 hours and became maximal by 72 hours. Pigs treated with
plant material without exposure to UV light or exposed to UV light without
contact with plant material did not develop lesions. The experimental lesions
closely resemble those observed in several field cases in 1984 and 1985 in New
Zealand and to lesions present in three well publicized foot and mouth disease
scares at Warkworth, and Temuka in New Zealand and Legana in Tasmania.

PMID: 16031363 [PubMed]

132: N Z Vet J. 1987 Mar;35(3):21/​6.

A vesiculo/​bullous disease in pigs resembling foot and mouth disease. I. Field
cases.

Montgomery JF, Oliver RE, Poole WS.

Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Levin Horticultural Research Centre, PO
Box 241, Levin, New Zealand.

Eleven incidents of bullae and vesicles on the snouts and less frequently the
feet of white/​skinned pigs on seven farms are described. Bullous and vesicular
lesions up to 5 cm in diameter and containing clotted gelatinous fluid were
located on the dorsal aspect of the snout, behind the flange. Lesions ruptured,
became ulcerated, developed scabs and healed within three weeks. There was no
transmission to other pigs or ruminants. The condition was associated with
contact with green vegetable material containing parsnips (Pastinaca sativa) or
celery (Apium graveolens), followed by exposure to periods of extended sunshine.
Parsnips and celery are known to contain furocoumarins, potent phototoxic
compounds. It is suggested that absorption of furocoumarins on the skin of the
snout and feet after contact with parsnips and celery and exposure to
ultraviolet light caused the lesions in the cases reported. It is postulated
that a similar condition may have been responsible for national foot and mouth
disease scares in pigs at Warkworth and Temuka in New Zealand and at Legana in
Tasmania.

PMID: 16031362 [PubMed]

133: Planta Med. 1987 Feb;53(1):77/​80.

cis/​ and trans/​Neocnidilide; 1H/​ and 13C/​NMR Data of Some Phthalides.

Fischer FC, Gijbels MJ.

Department of Pharmacognosy, University of Utrecht, Catharijnesingel 60, NL/​3511
GH Utrecht, Netherlands.

The (1)H/​ and (13)C/​NMR spectra of several naturally occurring phthalides are
reported; among others, the new natural compound 3,3alpha/​ CIS/​neocnidilide
isolated from APIUM GRAVEOLENS L. (and also found to be present in ANETHUM
GRAVEOLENS L.). For some compounds, data are compared with previously published
data.

PMID: 17268969 [PubMed /​ in process]

134: Plant Physiol. 1986 Sep;82(1):307/​311.

Developmental Changes in Photosynthetic Gas Exchange in the Polyol/​Synthesizing
Species, Apium graveolens L. (Celery).

Fox TC, Kennedy RA, Loescher WH.

Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Washington State
University, Pullman, Washington 99164/​6414.

Developmental changes in photosynthetic gas exchange were investigated in the
mannitol synthesizing plant celery (Apium graveolens L. ;Giant Pascal').
Greenhouse/​grown plants had unusually high photosynthetic rates for a C(3)
plant, but consistent with field productivity data reported elsewhere for this
plant. In most respects, celery exhibited typical C(3) photosynthetic
characteristics; light saturation occurred at 600 micromoles photons per square
meter per second, with a broad temperature optimum, peaking at 26 degrees C. At
2% O(2), photosynthesis was enhanced 15 to 25% compared to rates at 21% O(2).
However, celery had low CO(2) compensation points, averaging 7 to 20 microliters
per liter throughout the canopy. Conventional mechanisms for concentrating CO(2)
were not detectable.

PMID: 16665012 [PubMed /​ as supplied by publisher]

135: Pharm Weekbl Sci. 1985 Dec 13;7(6):277/​9.

The essential oil of Apium graveolens var. secalinum and its cercaricidal
activity.

Saleh MM, Zwaving JH, Malingre TM, Bos R.

The composition of the essential oil of the fresh aerial parts of Apium
graveolens var. secalinum at its flowering stage, obtained from three different
locations in Egypt, was investigated. The identification of the components of
this oil was carried out by means of analytical GC and GC/​MS. The main
components in the oil are: alpha/​ and beta/​pinene, myrcene, limonene,
cis/​beta/​ocimene, gamma/​terpinene, cis/​allo/​ocimene, trans/​farnesene, humulene,
apiol, beta/​selinene, senkyunolide and neocnidilide. Data concerning the
relative concentrations of the main components of the different celery oil
samples are given. The cercaricidal effect of the essential oil has been
examined on cercariae, being one of the stages in the life cycles of Schistosoma
mansoni, which causes schistosomiasis. The essential oil showed in addition to a
cercaricidal effect also a chemotactic effect.

PMID: 4080514 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

136: Science. 1985 Feb 1;227(4686):517/​9.

Magnetic resonance imaging of biological specimens by electron paramagnetic
resonance of nitroxide spin labels.

Berliner JL, Fujii H.

Electron paramagnetic resonance imaging was demonstrated on two plant species,
Apium graveolens and Coleus blumei. This was accomplished by soaking stems of
these plants in the paramagnetic nitroxide imaging agent
4/​hydroxy/​2,2,6,6/​tetramethylpiperidine/​1/​oxyl. The experiments were
accomplished at L/​band frequency (1.4 to 1.9 gigahertz) with single/​turn,
flat/​loop surface coils. One/​dimensional imaging spectra were diagnostic of
capillary structure and long/​term stability.

Publication Types:
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

PMID: 2981437 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

137: J Cell Sci Suppl. 1985;2:1/​11.

In vitro glucan synthesis by membranes of celery petioles: the role of the
membrane in determining the type of linkage formed.

Jacob SR, Northcote DH.

Glucan synthesis was achieved with an in vitro membrane fraction from the
petioles of celery (Apium graveolens). The optimum conditions for maximum
synthesis were established. The Km and Vmax for the enzymic system were 1.0 mM
and 0.19 microM min/​1 mg protein/​1, respectively. Mechanical damage to the
membrane fraction altered the proportion of beta/​(1/​/​/​/​3) to beta/​(1/​/​/​/​4)
glucosyl linkages that were synthesized. We suggest that cellulose synthesis
(beta/​(1/​/​/​/​4)/​linked glucan chains) is controlled by the availability of
UDP/​glucose at the plasma membrane surface in conjunction with an organized
relationship between the synthase system and a specifically oriented glucosyl
radical acting as an acceptor held on the membrane surface. An intact membrane
is therefore necessary to direct synthesis for the beta/​(1/​/​/​/​4) bond by an
enzyme that is capable of transglucosylation to the secondary alcoholic groups
on C/​2, C/​3 or C/​4 of the acceptor radical. The specificity of the system is
controlled by the whole enzyme complex held on the membrane.

Publication Types:
In Vitro

PMID: 2936754 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

138: Plant Physiol. 1984 Feb;74(2):340/​347.

Plant Triose Phosphate Isomerase Isozymes : Purification, Immunological and
Structural Characterization, and Partial Amino Acid Sequences.

Pichersky E, Gottlieb LD.

Department of Genetics, University of California, Davis, California 95616.

We report the first complete purifications of the cytosolic and plastid isozymes
of triose phosphate isomerase (TPI; EC 5.3.1.1) from higher plants including
spinach (Spinacia oleracea), lettuce (Lactuca sativa), and celery (Apium
graveolens). Both isozymes are composed of two isosubunits with approximate
molecular weight of 27,000; in spinach and lettuce the plastid isozyme is 200 to
400 larger than the cytosolic isozyme. The two isozymes, purified from lettuce,
had closely similar amino acid compositions with the exception of methionine
which was four times more prevalent in the cytosolic isozyme. Partial amino acid
sequences from the N/​terminus were also obtained for both lettuce TPIs. Nine of
the 13 positions sequenced in the two proteins had identical amino acid
residues. The partial sequences of the plant proteins showed high similarity to
previously sequenced animal TPIs. Immunological studies, using antisera prepared
independently against the purified plastid and cytosolic isozymes from spinach,
revealed that the cytosolic isozymes from a variety of species formed an
immunologically distinct group as did the plastid isozymes. However, both
plastid and cytosolic TPIs shared some antigenic determinants. The overall
similarity of the two isozymes and the high similarity of their partial amino
acid sequences to those of several animals indicate that TPI is a very highly
conserved protein.

PMID: 16663420 [PubMed /​ as supplied by publisher]

139: Plant Physiol. 1983 Dec;73(4):869/​873.

A Pathway for Photosynthetic Carbon Flow to Mannitol in Celery Leaves : Activity
and Localization of Key Enzymes.

Rumpho ME, Edwards GE, Loescher WH.

Department of Botany, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington
99164/​4230.

In the polyol producing plant, celery (Apium graveolens L.), mannitol is a major
photosynthetic product and a form in which carbohydrate is translocated.
Measurements of whole leaf extracts of celery indicated substantial activity of
the following enzymes: mannose/​6/​P reductase, mannose/​6/​P isomerase,
mannitol/​1/​P phosphatase, and nonreversible glyceraldehyde/​3/​P dehydrogenase.
The activities of these enzymes were either undetectable or very low in the
nonpolyol producing plants, Secale cereale L. (rye) and Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper
(black gram).Mesophyll protoplasts were enzymically isolated from celery leaves,
broken with a Yeda press and the intracellular localization of the above enzymes
for mannitol synthesis studied following differential and/or sucrose density
gradient centrifugation of the protoplast extract. These data suggested the
enzymes involved in mannitol synthesis are exclusively localized in the
cytoplasm. Ninety/​five to 100% of the activity of these enzymes, along with the
cytoplasmic marker enzyme phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase, was found in the
cytosolic fraction.We propose the pathway of photosynthetic carbon flow from
triose/​P to mannitol in celery occurs via fructose/​6/​P, mannose/​6/​P, and
mannitol/​1/​P; these final reactions being catalyzed by the cytoplasmic enzymes,
mannose/​6/​P isomerase, NADPH/​dependent mannose/​6/​P reductase, and mannitol/​1/​P
phosphatase, respectively. The requirement for NADPH may be met via the
cytoplasmically located NADP/​linked nonreversible glyceraldehyde/​3/​P
dehydrogenase.

PMID: 16663332 [PubMed /​ as supplied by publisher]

140: Food Chem Toxicol. 1983 Apr;21(2):163/​5.

HPLC analysis of linear furocoumarins (psoralens) in healthy celery (Apium
graveolens).

Beier RC, Ivie GW, Oertli EH, Holt DL.

Four linear furocoumarins (psoralen, bergapten, xanthotoxin, and isopimpinellin)
were isolated from three varieties of healthy, commercially grown celery (Apium
graveolens). Psoralen has not previously been reported to occur in celery.
Combined levels of these photomutagenic and photocarcinogenic furocoumarins
measured by normal/​phase HPLC did not exceed 1.3 ppm in any of the celery
varieties studied.

PMID: 6682079 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

141: Biochem J. 1980 Oct 15;192(1):279/​83.

Phosphatidylinositol phosphodiesterase in higher plants.

Irvine RF, Letcher AJ, Dawson RM.

1. The lower regions of the stem of celery (Apium graveolens L.) contain a
soluble enzyme that hydrolyses phosphatidylinositol. 2. The lipoidal product of
hydrolysis is diacylglycerol, and the water/​soluble products are 1:2/​cyclic
phosphoinositol and phosphoinositol in the approximate proportions of 60% and
40% respectively: this indicates that a phosphodiesterase (phospholipase C/​like)
activity is cleaving the phosphatidylinositol. 3. The enzyme requires a bivalent
cation, Ca2+ being the most effective activator. 4. The enzyme has a pH optimum,
depending on conditions of assay, of pH 5.9/​6.6 and in this pH range shows no
detectable activity against phosphatidylcholine or phosphatidylethanolamine. 5.
The activity is stimulated by phosphatidic acid and slightly inhibited (30% at
concentrations equimolar with phosphatidylinositol) by phosphatidylcholine. 6.
The phosphodiesterase was also detected (but not quantified) in the tips of the
flowers in cauliflowers, in outer leaves of onion and in the elongating stem of
daffodils. 7. The enzyme's properties are compared with equivalent mammalian
enzymes, and its possible role in the catabolism of phosphatidylinositol in
higher plants is discussed.

PMID: 6272700 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

142: Experientia. 1979 Dec 15;35(12):1674/​5.

The boar/​pheromone steroid identified in vegetables.

Claus R, Hoppen HO.

The steroid 5 a/​androst/​16/​en/​3/​one, known as a boar pheromone, was identified
in parsnip (Pastinaca sativa) and celery (Apium graveolens). Concentrations are
in the range of 8 ng/g plant.

PMID: 520500 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

143: J Med Assoc Thai. 1979 Apr;62(4):164/​73.

Effect of Koen/​/​Chai or Chinese celery (Apium graveolens) on spermatogenesis.

Visutakul P, Morakotpand P, Watanawanapongs R, Chungcharoen D.

PMID: 221607 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

144: Cytobios. 1978;22(85):7/​15.

A freeze/​etching and replication study of wall deposition in elongating plant
cells.

Vian B, Mueller S, Brown RM Jr.

The architecture of the expanding wall of mung bean hypocotyl (Phaseolus aureus)
and collenchyma of celery (Apium graveolens) was examined using freeze/​etching
without any cryoprotectant, and surface/​replication of frozen/​ground and
air/​dried specimens. The polylamellated organization of the wall was seen.
Freeze/​etching clearly visualized, within one single fracture plans, the
intermediate strata in which the microfibril orientation gradually changes
between the main transverse and longitudinal directions. They corresponded to
the bow/​shaped arcs seen with surface replication and conventional microtomy.
The organization of newly/​formed microfibrils (periplasmic microfibrils) was
seen by their imprints on the plasmalemma. When they were being deposited the
microfibrils were loose and sinuous though tightly packed, rigid and parallel on
the further layers. Therefore it seems that the fibrillogenesis and the spatial
orientation of the microfibrils are two subsequent steps. The role of the
periplasm in controlling the three/​dimensional arrangement of the wall is
emphasized.

PMID: 753595 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

145: Planta Med. 1976 Mar;29(2):165/​70.

Investigations of the content of furocoumarins in Apium graveolens and in
Petroselinum sativum.

Innocenti G, Dall'Acqua F, Caporale G.

PMID: 948516 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

146: J Cell Sci. 1975 Nov;19(2):239/​59.

Observations with cytochemistry and ultracryotomy on the fine structure of the
expanding walls in actively elongating plant cells.

Roland JC, Vian B, Reis D.

Ultracryotomy with negative staining and cytochemistry (periodic acid /​
thiocarbohydrazide /​ silver proteinate test for polysaccharides, in conjunction
with mild extractions) were used to study the architecture of the cell wall and
its modifications during expansion. Those techniques were applied to the study
in situ of the walls of actively elongating parenchyma of mung bean (Phaseolus
aureus), and pea (Pisum sativum) root and of collenchyma of celery (Apium
graveolens) petioles. These complementary techniques provide information on the
3/​dimensional disposition and fine structure of the subunits of the wall. In all
the examples examined, the bulk of growing primary wall appears well/​ordered and
no progressive evolution from a transverse texture near the plasmalemma to a
scattered texture near the middle lamella was observed. It seems unlikely that
the development of the wall structure in relation to growth could be explained
mechanically by a passive shift of the fibrillar elements in response to
cellular stress. There is no evidence for an inert change in fibrillar
orientation in the major part of the wall. If such occurs the process is limited
to the outermost and senescent part of the wall. Thus, the texture observed does
not agree with the classical multinet growth hypothesis but rather with the idea
of an ordered structure of the primary wall. With the latter, the components
should be able to respond in different ways to specific growth regulators and
other environmental signals and thus exert a more positive control over the
processes of oriented cell growth.

PMID: 1202041 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

147: C R Acad Sci Hebd Seances Acad Sci D. 1975 Oct 6;281(14):1015/​8.

[The effect of the larva's host plant (Apium graveolens L.) on the egg/​laying
and the ovarian production of Philophylla heraclei L. (Dipters, Terphritidae)]

[Article in French]

Leroi B.

Celery leaves/​/​hostplant for larvae/​/​have no trophic importance for adults and
are not a site of rendez/​vous. But their presence, even for four hours a day,
strongly stimulates ovarian production, independently from egg/​laying which
varies with leaves age.

Publication Types:
English Abstract

PMID: 813867 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

148: Pharmazie. 1974 May;29(5):349.

[Volatile oil from celery leaves (Apium graveolens L.)]

[Article in German]

Fehr D.

PMID: 4850124 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

149: Indian J Med Res. 1970 Sep;58(9):1285/​9.

Antifertility screening of plants. VI. Effect of five indigenous plants on early
pregnancy in albino rats.

Garg SK, Saksena SK, Chaudhury RR.

PIP: The petroleum ether, alcoholic and aqueous extracts of Apium graveolens
Linn., Butea monosperma Lam. Kuntz., and Gossypium herbaceum Linn., the aqueous
extract of Aloe Barbadensis Mill.Syn., and the juice of unripe fruits of Ananas
comosus were tested on albino rats by a method which detects any antizygotic,
blastocystotoxic, antiimplantation, and early abortifacient activity. The
extracts were administered for 1/​7 days. The dosages for A. graveolens, B.
monosperma, and G. herbaceum were 100 mg/kg. 50 ml of A. comosus juice was
administered daily. Dosages of 100, 200, and 500 mg/kg of A. barbadensis were
given. With the exception of A. comosus, none of the plants showed any
antiimplantation activity. The juice of the unripe fruits of A. comosus
demonstrated encouraging antiimplantation activity showing 40% of implants only.

PMID: 5505214 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

150: Res Reprod. 1970;2:2/​4.

Some ideas for further research in reproduction.

Hill RT.

PIP: Comments are made on reproductive research problems in the hope that they
may serve as a stimulus for effective research in the areas concerned. In
studying the effects of drugs on the nerve elements involved in reproductive
processes, no one has attempted to delineate the neural part of endometrial
function, or to show if, or how it relates to the hormonal effect on the same
tissues. Hysterectomy, removal of about 75% of the uterus, and the denervation
of the guinea pig uterus greatly extend the life of the corpus luteum. If a
luteolysin exists, the question of whether it relates to the parasympathetic
control of uterine glandular epthelium, to the hormonal balance, or to both of
these 2 functional entities remains to be answered. Clinicians indicate that
women of reproductive age, who have been diagnosed as having a traumatic lumbar
cord section, apparently have normal menstrual cycles, conceive, carry to full
term, and have normal delivery. Further studies and statistics are needed to
learn why this is true. The effect of vagotomy on gonadal function and
morphology in the primate has not received careful consideration. Study of the
effect of diet on the content of uterine luminal fluids has been neglected as
has been the possibility that the contact of an IUD will change the secretion of
the irritated glandular epithelium. Whether zygote implantation results from
physical stimulation or a physiological process is unknown. No research data
appear to exist that were taken directly from North American Indian women who
are or have been habitual drinkers of an extract of Lithosperm ruderale which is
said to reduce fertility. The effect of the celery plant, Apium graveolens, on
the reproductive process is another area of study that might be undertaken.

PMID: 12254863 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

151: Indian J Med Res. 1970 Jan;58(1):99/​102.

A study of central pharmacological activity of alkaloid fraction of Apium
graveolens Linn.

Kulshrestha VK, Singh N, Saxena RC, Kohli RP.

PMID: 5439955 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

152: Indian J Med Res. 1967 Oct;55(10):1099/​102.

Some central effects of an essential oil of Apium graveolens (Linn.).

Kohli RP, Dua PR, Shanker K, Saxena RC.

PMID: 5594384 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]