PAL (L-phenylalanine ammonia-lyase), the first enzyme of phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, is often encoded by multigene families in plants. A PCR-based approach was used to isolate cDNA clones corresponding to the four PAL genes of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum). By careful comparison of cDNA and genomic clones, a new PAL gene (PAL4) was defined. PCR amplification of PAL sequences from cDNA led to th...

The content of active compounds differ in buds and flowers of Lonicera japonica (FLJ) and L. japonica var. chinensis (rFLJ). Chlorogenic acid (CGAs) were major active compounds of L. japonica and regarded as measurements for quality evaluation. However, little is known concerning the formation of active compounds at the molecular level. We quantified the major CGAs in FLJ and rFLJ, and found th...

N-Acylethanolamines (NAEs) are fatty acid derivatives found as minor constituents of animal and plant tissues, and their levels increase 10- to 50-fold in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) leaves treated with fungal elicitors. Infiltration of tobacco leaves with submicromolar to micromolar concentrations of N-myristoylethanolamine (NAE 14:0) resulted in an increase in relative phenylalanine ammonia-l...

Lignins, along with condensed tannins (CTs) and salicylate-derived phenolic glycosides, constitute potentially large phenylpropanoid carbon sinks in tissues of quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.). Metabolic commitment to each of these sinks varies during development and adaptation, and depends on L-phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), an enzyme catalyzing the deamination of L-phenylalanine...

Using DNA probes specific for the three members of the bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) gene family, we have studied the effects of the product of the PAL reaction, trans-cinnamic acid (CA), on the appearance of individual PAL transcripts in suspension cultured bean cells. Concentrations of CA in excess of 10(-4) molar inhibited appearance of elicitor-induced trans...

There is evidence for health benefits from 'Palaeolithic' diets; however, there are a few data on the acute effects of rationally designed Palaeolithic-type meals. In the present study, we used Palaeolithic diet principles to construct meals comprising readily available ingredients: fish and a variety of plants, selected to be rich in fibre and phyto-nutrients. We investigated the acute effects...