July 2018 jungle

Welcome to my jungle! 

The fireworks of lilies are lit in it even in daytime. At night, fireflies zoom in and out.

The Rose Genome

The rose genome; abstract

Roses have high cultural and economic importance as ornamental plants and in the perfume industry. We report the rose whole-genome sequencing and assembly and resequencing of major genotypes that contributed to rose domestication. We generated a homozygous genotype from a heterozygous diploid modern rose progenitor, Rosa chinensis 'Old Blush'. Using single-molecule real-time sequencing and a meta-assembly approach, we obtained one of the most comprehensive plant genomes to date. Diversity analyses highlighted the mosaic origin of 'La France', one of the first hybrids combining the growth vigor of European species and the recurrent blooming of Chinese species. Genomic segments of Chinese ancestry identified new candidate genes for recurrent blooming. Reconstructing regulatory and secondary metabolism pathways allowed us to propose a model of interconnected regulation of scent and flower color. This genome provides a foundation for understanding the mechanisms governing rose traits and should accelerate improvement in roses, Rosaceae and ornamentals.

Orchid Derivative Against Breast Cancer Cells

An orchid derivative exhibits activity against breast cancer cells by inhibiting Wnt signling; abstract:

BACKGROUND:

Gigantol is a bibenzyl compound derived from several medicinal orchids. This biologically active compound has been shown to have promising therapeutic potential against cancer cells, but its mechanism of action remains unclear.

METHODS:

The inhibitory effect of gigantol on Wnt/β-catenin signaling was evaluated with the SuperTOPFlash reporter system. The levels of phosphorylated low-density lipoprotein receptor related protein 6 (LRP6), total LRP6 and cytosolic β-catenin were determined by Western blot analysis. The expression of Wnt target genes was analyzed using real-time PCR. Cell viability was measured with a MTT assay. The effect of gigantol on cell migration was examined using scratch wound-healing and transwell migration assays.

RESULTS:

Gigantol decreased the level of phosphorylated LRP6 and cytosolic β-catenin in HEK293 cells. In breast cancer MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468 cells, treatment with gigantol reduced the level of phosphorylated LRP6, total LRP6 and cytosolic β-catenin in a dose-dependent manner, resulting in a decrease in the expression of Wnt target genes Axin2 and Survivin. We further demonstrated that gigantol suppressed the viability and migratory capacity of breast cancer cells.

CONCLUSION:

Gigantol is a novel inhibitor of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. It inhibits Wnt/β-catenin signaling through downregulation of phosphorylated LRP6 and cytosolic β-catenin in breast cancer cells.

Where do the flowers come from

I love flowers. If anything puts a smile on my face is the image of flowers and lush gardens. This is why I enjoyed watching The World's Biggest Flower Market - BBC Documentary.

The smile was on my face throughout the documentary - watching how the flowers are grown, harvested, and carefully shipped. The esthetics of the documentary is impeccable.

Fall garden 2016 - October 8