Isolation of the Endophytic Fungi of Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis and Their Effects on the Embryo Development of P. polyphylla var. yunnanensis Seeds

[Objective] This study aimed to isolate the endophytic fungi of Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis and investigate their effects on the embryo development of P. polyphylla var. yunnanensis seeds. [Method] The endophytic fungi of P. polyphylla were isolated and identified morphologically, and their effects on the embryo development of P. polyphylla var. yunnanensis seeds were studied by using paraffin sectioning and microphotography. [Result] Nine endophytic fungi, i.e. P. polyphylla var. yunnanensis endophytic fungi PPYEF-1, PPYEF-2, PPYEF-3, PPYEF-4, PPYEF-5, PPYEF-6, PPYEF-7, PPYEF-8 and PPYEF-9 belonging to seven genera in five families, three orders were isolated from the rhizomes. Except PPYEF-4 (Cladosporium sp.), other fungi could promote the embryo development of the P. polyphylla var. yunnanensis seeds, mostly reaching the extremely significant or significant level. PPYEF-9 (Trichoderma sp.) resulted in the highest embryo length and embryo-emerging ratio. [Conclusion] This paper could provide a reference for the application of the endophytic fungi of P. polyphylla var. yunnanensis in the dormancy-breaking of P. polyphylla var. yunnanensis seeds.

A novel phenylpropanoid glycosides and a new derivation of phenolic glycoside from Paris Polyphylla var. yunnanensis

A novel phenylpropanoid glycosides 1, named parispolyside E and a novel derivation of phenolic glycoside 2, named parispolyside G, as well as two known flavonoid glycosides were isolated from the rhizome of Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis. Their structures were elucidaed by spectroscopic methods.

Levels of rhizome endophytic fungi fluctuate in Paris polyphylla var.yunnanensis as plants age

Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis is an important medicinal plant with abundant saponins that are widely used in the pharmaceuticals industry. It is unclear why the levels of active ingredients increase as these plants age. We speculated that the concentrations of those components in the rhizomes are mediated by fungal endophytes. To test this hypothesis, we took both culture-dependent and-independent(metagenomics) approaches to analyze the communities of endophytic fungi that inhabit those rhizomes in plants of different age classes(four, six, and eight years old). In all, 147 isolates representing 18 fungal taxa were obtained from 270 segments(90 per age class). Based on morphological and genetic characteristics, Fusarium oxysporum(46.55% frequency of occurrence) was the predominant endophyte,followed by Leptodontidium sp.(8.66%) and Trichoderma viride(6.81%). Colonization of endophytic fungi was maximized in the eight-year-old rhizomes(33.33%) when compared with four-year-old(21.21%) and six-year-old(15.15%) rhizomes. Certain fungal species were present only at particular ages. For example,Alternaria sp., Cylindrocarpon sp., Chaetomium sp., Paraphaeosphaeria sporulosa, Pyrenochaeta sp., Penicillium swiecickii, T. viride, and Truncatella angustata were found only in the oldest plants. Analysis of(metagenomics) community DNA extracted from different-aged samples revealed that, at the class level,the majority of fungi had the highest sequence similarity to members of Sordariomycetes, followed by Eurotiomycetes and Saccharomycetes. These results were mostly in accord with those we obtained using culture methods. Fungal diversity and richness also changed over time. Our investigation is the first to show that the diversity of fungi in rhizomes of P. polyphylla var. yunnanensis is altered as plants age, and our findings provide a foundation for future examinations of useful compounds.

Mycorrhizas Affect Polyphyllin Accumulation of Paris polyphylla var.yunnanensis through Promoting PpSE Expression

Paris polyphylla var.yunnanensis is a traditional Chinese medicinal plant,in which polyphyllin as the main medicinal component is an important secondary metabolite with bioactivity.Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi(AMF)have multiple positive effects on plants,while it is not clear whether AMF increase the content of medicinal components in medicinal plants.In this study,a total of nine AMF treatments were laid to analyze the mycorrhizal effect on polyphyllin accumulation and PpHMGR and PpSE expression of P.polyphylla var.yunnanensis.AMF increased the content of polyphyllin in the cultivated variety with low relation to the increase of inoculation intensity.Polyphyllin I,II,and VII were identified and partly improved by AMF inoculation,dependent on AMF treatments and culture environments.Similarly,the PpHMGR and PpSE expression was induced by mycorrhization,dependent on AMF species,whilst the induction was more obvious in PpSE than in PpHMGR after mycorrhization.It concluded that the symbiotic relationship between P.polyphylla var.yunnanensis and AMF increased polyphyllin content level in the plant,which was associated with the up-regulation of PpSE transcripts.

Mycorrhizal Fungal Effects on Growth,Antioxidant Capacity,and Medicine Quality of Paris polyphylla var.yunnanensis

A field experiment was conducted to determine the effects of two commercial strains composed of mulple arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi(AMF)species on plant growth,antioxidant capacity,and medicine quality of Paris polyphylla var.yunnanensis in three subtropical soils from Wanzhou,Anshun and Baoshan in fields.The results showed that AMF inoculation enhanced the fungal colonization rate and activities of both succinate dehydrogenase and alkaline phosphatase,thereby,enhancing the mycorrhizal viability of P.polyphylla var.yunnanensis.The concentrations of photosynthetic pigments(chlorophyll a,b,a+b and carotenoids),soluble sugar,soluble protein and photosynthetic capacity were higher in AMF-inoculated plants than in non-AMF-treated plants in field.AMFtreated plants recorded higher activities of catalase,peroxidase and superoxide dismutase,and caused the reduction in malondialdehyde content,indicating lower oxidative damage,compared with non-AMF plants.Polyphyllin I,Polyphyllin II,Polyphyllin III,Polyphyllin IV and total polyphyllin contents were increased by AMF treatment.In conclusion,AMF improved the plant growth,antioxidant capacity and medicinal quality of P.polyphylla var.yunnanensis seedlings.Hereinto,AMF effects on the soil from Wanzhou was relatively greater than on other soils.

Determination of 10 Kinds of Inorganic Elements in Paris polyphylla Smith var. yunnanensis(Franch.) Hand.-Mazz.(and Polygerm Varieties)

[Objectives] To determine the content of 10 kinds of inorganic elements(Pb,Cu,As,Cd,Hg,Zn,Fe,Mn,Sr and Cr) in samples of Paris polyphylla Smith var. yunnanensis( Franch.) Hand.-Mazz.( and polygerm varieties) produced in different areas. [Methods] The wet digestion and technique of inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry( ICP-OES) were used. [Results] Under the experimental conditions,elements were not related to each other,and several kinds of elements could be measured at the same time. The content of Pb exceeding the standard only in sample S4 of P. polyphylla Smith var. yunnanensis( and polygerm varieties),Hg was not detected in all samples,and the rest heavy metals did not exceed the limit. [Conclusions] This study was expected to provide a certain reference for the development and utilization of P. polyphylla Smith var. yunnanensis( and polygerm varieties).

Investigation on the Resources of Paris Polyphylla var.yunnanensis

In this study,the resource distribution,morphological characteristics,artificial cultivation and market circulation of Paris Polyphylla var.yunnanensis and its polygerm varieties in Yunnan were investigated by referring to the research literature,field investigation and our planting experience.It is found that P.polyphylla var.yunnanensis is widely distributed in Yunnan Province,realizing large-scale artificial cultivation,while the wild resources of polygerm varieties are almost on the verge of extinction and are in urgent need of protection.

Identification of Paris polyphylla Smith var. yunnanensis(Franch.) Hand.-Mazz.(Polygerm Varieties) Produced in Gaoligong Mountain Areas

[Objectives] To make original plant and microscopic identification and study the traits of Paris polyphylla Smith var. yunnanensis( Franch.) Hand.-Mazz.( polygerm varieties) produced in Gaoligong Mountain areas,and provide experimental data for their identification and application. [Methods] The original plant powder was used,and paraffin sections and physicochemical properties were identified. [Results]P. polyphylla Smith var. yunnanensis( polygerm varieties) produced in Gaoligong Mountain areas showed obvious microscopic features and physicochemical properties. [Conclusions] This study was expected to provide certain reference for identification of original plant and medicine and formulation of quality standard for P. polyphylla Smith var. yunnanensis( polygerm varieties) produced in Gaoligong Mountain areas,and provided basis for their further research and development.

滇重楼辣椒轻斑驳病毒分离物的鉴定及全基因组序列分析

滇重楼(Paris polyphylla var.yunnanensis)是多年生草本植物,其药用部位为地下根茎,是一种重要的中药材。为明确侵染滇重楼的病毒病原,对采自云南省曲靖市的滇重楼进行透射电镜观察、DASELISA和RT-PCR技术检测。在透射电镜下观察到杆状病毒粒子,大小为(200~300)nm×(20~36)nm。对采集到的7份病样进行DAS-ELISA检测,结果表明,其中5份病样呈阳性。通过RT-PCR技术扩增、克隆获得1个全长为6357 bp的曲靖分离物PMMoV-QJ的全基因组序列。将PMMoV-QJ的全基因组序列与国内外已经报道的10个PMMoV分离物进行同源性分析比对,其同源性为99.42%~99.81%。基于全基因序列的系统发育分析表明,PMMoV-QJ与韩国分离物亲缘关系密切。本研究明确了该分离物的亲缘关系,从分子水平鉴定该分离物,为后续滇重楼病毒病的预防提供理论依据。

滇重楼新病毒ParV1的分子变异分析及致病性测定

为明确云南省引起滇重楼(Paris polyphylla var.yunnanensis)病毒病的病原,以昆明市发现的花叶、斑驳症状的滇重楼叶片为样品,进行透射电镜观察、高通量测序和反转录(RT-PCR)检测。结果表明,观察到大小约(700~1000)nm×13 nm的线状病毒粒子;基于高通量测序结果设计特异性引物进行RTPCR扩增并克隆,得到1条全长为10066个核苷酸(nt)的病毒序列,将该病毒暂命名为Paris virus 1(ParV1);BLAST比对分析表明,ParV1与马铃薯Y病毒属(Potyvirus)中的浙贝母花叶病毒(Thunberg fritillary mosaic virus,TFMV)具有最高为65.1%、68.9%的核苷酸及氨基酸(aa)序列同源性;多序列比对分析显示,ParV1多聚蛋白与potyviruses具有49.6%~65.1%的nt序列同源性及47.1%~68.9%的aa序列同源性;基于多聚蛋白氨基酸序列构建的系统发育树表明,该病毒与TFMV亲缘关系较近且聚为一个单独的分支。综上所述,确定ParV1属于Potyvirus的一种新病毒。将含ParV1的病毒汁液以机械摩擦的方法接种到心叶烟、本氏烟上对ParV1进行致病性初步测定。接种后的心叶烟植株叶片表现出明显病毒病症状,经RT-PCR及分子克隆在接种的心叶烟中检测到ParV1的存在,表明心叶烟植株受到ParV1的侵染,而接种的本氏烟上暂未检测到该病毒的存在。

Unraveling the serial glycosylation in the biosynthesis of steroidal saponins in the medicinal plant Paris polyphylla and their antifungal action

Sugar-sugar glycosyltransferases play important roles in constructing complex and bioactive saponins.Here,we characterized a series of UDP-glycosyltransferases responsible for biosynthesizing the branched sugar chain of bioactive steroidal saponins from a widely known medicinal plant Paris polyphylla var.yunnanensis.Among them,a 2'-O-rhamnosyltransferase and three 6'-O-glucosyltrasferases catalyzed a cascade of glycosylation to produce steroidal diglycosides and triglycosides,respectively.These UDP-glycosyltransferases showed astonishing substrate promiscuity,resulting in the generation of a panel of 24 terpenoid glycosides including 15 previously undescribed compounds.A mutant library containing 44 variants was constructed based on the identification of critical residues by molecular docking simulations and protein model alignments,and a mutant UGT91AH1^(Y187A)with increased catalytic efficiency was obtained.The steroidal saponins exhibited remarkable antifungal activity against four widespread strains of human pathogenic fungi attributed to ergosterol-dependent damage of fungal cell membranes,and 2'-O-rhamnosylation appeared to correlate with strong antifungal effects.The findings elucidated the biosynthetic machinery for their production of steroidal saponins and revealed their potential as new antifungal agents.

Arbuscular mycorrhiza and plant growth promoting endophytes facilitates accumulation of saponin under moderate drought stress

Objective: Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis, one of the important medicinal plant resources in Yunnan,China, usually takes 6–8 years to be harvested. Therefore, it is urgent to find a method that can not only shorten its growth years, but also improve its quality. In this study, we examined the effects of a combination treatment of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi(AMF) and plant growth-promoting endophytes(PGPE)and drought stress on the accumulation of saponins in it.Methods: P. polyphylla var. yunnanensis was infected with a mixture of AMF and PGPE under drought stress. The content of saponins, as well as morphological, physiological, and biochemical indicators, were all measured. The UGTs gene related to saponin synthesis was obtained from transcriptome data by homologous comparison, which were used for RT-PCR and phylogenetic analysis.Results: Regardless of water, AMF treatment could infect the roots of P. polyphylla var. yunnanensis, however double inoculation with AMF and PGPE(AMF + PGPE) would reduce the infection rate of AMF. Plant height, aboveground and underground fresh weight did not differ significantly between the single inoculation AMF and the double inoculation treatment under different water conditions, but the inoculation treatment significantly increased the plant height of P. polyphylla var. yunnanensis compared to the noninoculation treatment. Single inoculation with AMF considerably increased the net photosynthetic rate,stomatal conductance, and transpiration rate of P. polyphylla var. yunnanensis leaves under various water conditions, but double inoculation with AMF + PGPE greatly increased the intercellular CO2concentration and chlorophyll fluorescence parameter(Fv/Fm). Under diverse water treatments, single inoculation AMF had the highest proline content, whereas double inoculation AMF + PGPE may greatly improve the amount of abscisic acid(ABA) and indoleacetic acid(IAA) compared to normal water under moderate drought. Double inoculation AMF + PGPE treatment improved the proportion of N, P, and K in the rhizome of P. polyphylla var. yunnanensis under various water conditions. Under moderate drought stress,AMF + PGPE significantly enhanced the contents of P. polyphylla var. yunnanensis saponins I, II, VII, and total saponins as compared to normal water circumstances. Farnesyl diphosphate synthase(FPPS),Geranyl pyrophosphate synthase(GPPS), Cycloartenol synthase(CAS), and Squalene epoxidase(SE1) were the genes that were significantly up-regulated at the same time. The amount of saponins was favorably linked with the expression of CAS, GPPS, and SE1. Saponin VI content and glycosyl transferase(UGT)010922 gene expression were found to be substantially associated, as was saponin II content and UGT010935 gene expression.Conclusion: Under moderate drought, AMF + PGPE was more conducive to the increase of hormone content, nutrient absorption, and total saponin content in P. polyphylla var. yunnanensis, and AMF + PGPE could up regulate the expression of key genes and UGTs genes in one or more steroidal saponin synthesis pathways to varying degrees, thereby stimulating the synthesis and accumulation of steroidal saponins in the rhizome of P. polyphylla var. yunnanensis. The combination of AMF and PGPE inoculation, as well as adequate soil drought, reduced the buildup of saponins in P. polyphylla var. yunnanensis and increased its quality.