Farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase (FPPS, EC 2.5.1.10) catalyzes the consecutive head-to-tail condensations of isopentenyl diphosphate (IPP) with dimethylallyl diphosphate (DMAPP) to form farnesyl pyrophosphate (FPP), a key precursor of sesquiterpenoids, triterpenoids, sterols, and farnesylated proteins. Here we report the molecular cloning and functional identification of a new full-length cDNA e...

Lipotubuloids, structures containing lipid bodies and microtubules, are described in ovary epidermal cells of Ornithogalum umbellatum. Microtubules of lipotubuloids can be fixed in electron microscope fixative containing only buffered OsO(4) or in glutaraldehyde with OsO(4) post-fixation, or in a mixture of OsO(4) and glutaraldehyde. None of these substances fixes cortical microtubules of ovary...

Synadenium umbellatum Pax, popularly known as "cola-nota", is a medicinal plant that grows in tropical regions. Latex of this plant is used to treat various diseases such as diabetes mellitus, Hansen ́s disease, tripanosomiases, leukemia and several malignant tumors. In the present study, the angiogenic activity of S. umbellatum latex was evaluated using the chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane...

PURPOSE The present study, was aimed to assess the cytotoxic effects of Ornithogalum cuspidatum methanolic fractions on PC-3, prostate cancer cells and WEHI-164, Fibrosarcoma cells. METHODS Methanolic fractions of O. cuspidatum were prepared using solid phase extraction and the cells were treated with different concentrations for 12 and 24 hours. Cytotoxicity and cell viability were measured ...

Purpose: Ornithogalum sintenisii is an Iranian species with little known about its pharmacological effects. The purpose of the present study was to investigate some antioxidant properties of the plant. Methods: The antioxidant potency of the freeze-dried methanol extract of O. sintenisii bulbs and aerial parts were investigated by evaluating the following parameters: linoleic acid peroxidation,...

Microtubules present in the epidermis of Ornithogalum umbellatum ovary in the area of lipotubuloids (i.e. aggregates of lipid bodies surrounded by microtubules) are 25-51 nm in diameter. They consist mainly of 10 and 11, sometimes 9 and 12 protofilaments. An average diameter of microtubule consisting of 9 subunits is about 32 nm, of 10-35 nm, of 11-38 nm and of 12-43 nm, however, individual mic...