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Abstract Taiwania (Taiwania cryptomerioides Hayata) has long been regarded as a living fossil from the Tertiary period of Mesozoic Era for its distinguished yellowish-red color with purplish-pink streaks presented in its heartwood. With this elegant appearance that matches the color “red” for good fortune in the Taiwanese culture, Taiwania is supposed to be a popular wood in Taiwan where it is a native species of. Extractives contribute to the properties of wood. It is a fascinating subject to investigate extractives biosynthesis in the process of heartwood formation. Up to date, there is no phytochemistry study of Taiwania sapwood. In this study, three new sesquiterpenoids, Taiwania A (1), Taiwania B (2), and Taiwania C (3), together with 75 known compounds in the Taiwania sapwood. The structures of extractives were determined by analysis of spectroscopic data and comparison with the literatures. This study supported secondary reaction lignans could be found in sapwood that confirmed our previous research on the Taiwania-type of heartwood formation.

Taiwania cryptomerioides Hayata is an endangered relict tree species which is endemic to mainland China, Taiwan, Myanmar, and northern Vietnam. It is an economically important tree species and has been used for reforestation in mountain areas of mainland China and Taiwan. In order to investigate its genetic diversity for conservation and restoration, we developed and characterized 15 nuclear microsatellite markers based on next-generation sequencing data. A total of 100 microsatellite primer pairs were initially designed and tested based on the restriction-site associated DNA sequencing data. 60 of 100 loci (60%) were successfully amplified, of which 42 loci exhibited polymorphism. Fifteen polymorphic microsatellite loci with clear peaks were selected for further analyses in four T. cryptomerioides populations sampled from China (Hubei, Fujian, Guizhou, and Yunnan). The number of alleles per locus ranged from 2 to 24, and the levels of observed and expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.000 to 0.950 and from 0.000 to 0.860, respectively. This set of microsatellite markers will be useful for future population genetic studies of T. cryptomerioides in East Asia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Taiwania (Taiwania cryptomerioides Hayata) has long been regarded as a living fossil from the Tertiary period of Mesozoic Era for its distinguished yellowish-red color with purplish-pink streaks presented in its heartwood. With this elegant appearance that matches the color "red" for good fortune in the Taiwanese culture, Taiwania is supposed to be a popular wood in Taiwan where it is a native species of. Extractives contribute to the properties of wood. It is a fascinating subject to investigate extractives biosynthesis in the process of heartwood formation. Up to date, there is no phytochemistry study of Taiwania sapwood. In this study, three new sesquiterpenoids, Taiwania A (1), Taiwania B (2), and Taiwania C (3), together with 75 known compounds in the Taiwania sapwood. The structures of extractives were determined by analysis of spectroscopic data and comparison with the literatures. This study supported secondary reaction lignans could be found in sapwood that confirmed our previous research on the Taiwania-type of heartwood formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Changes in future climate will have an important impact on biodiversity. Taiwania cryptomerioides has important scientific value for the study of paleogeography, paleoclimate and paleobotany. Based on the environmental data and future scenarios provided by previous studies, the present and future suitable habitat for Taiwania cryptomerioides was modeled, and the significance of environmental factors that shape its distribution were evaluated in this study. Furthermore, a maximum entropy model (MaxEnt) and geographical information system (ArcGIS) were used to identify suitable regions under climate change scenarios in China. The 112 occurrence records and nine environmental factors were further analyzed in this work. Our results show that Taiwania cryptomerioides has a suitable habitat of 211.21 × 104 km2 across most of northeast China. Moreover, the altitude, annual mean temperature, precipitation of the driest month and precipitation of the wettest quarter were identified as the essential factors shaping habitat availability for Taiwania cryptomerioides. Furthermore, the area under the curve (AUC) of the train was 0.944, placing the model in the “excellent” category. As predicted by concentrations of four greenhouse gases from increasing emissions, ranges of species may decrease as global warming intensifies. Overall, the range shift to higher latitudes would gradually become significant. Our research offers suggestions for conservation both in theory and in application, as well as long-term management strategies for the species.

The objective of the present study is to evaluate the cytotoxicity of Taiwania cryptomerioides essential oil and its phytochemical on the Hep G2 cell line (human hepatocellular carcinoma). Bark essential oil has significant cytotoxicity to Hep G2 cells, and S3 fraction is the most active fraction in cytotoxicity to Hep G2 cells among the six fractions. The diterpenoid quinone, 6,7-dehydroroyleanone, was isolated from the active S3 fraction by bioassay-guided isolation. 6,7-Dehydroroyleanone exhibited significant cytotoxicity in Hep G2 cells, and the efficacy of 6,7-dehydroroyleanone was better than the positive control, etoposide. Apoptosis analysis of Hep G2 cells with different treatments was characterized via flow cytometry to confirm the cell death situation. Etoposide and 6,7-dehydroroyleanone could induce the apoptosis in Hep G2 cells using flow cytometric assay. Results revealed 6,7-dehydroroyleanone from T. cryptomerioides bark essential oil can be a potential phytochemical to develop the anticancer chemotherapeutic agent for the treatment of the human hepatocellular carcinoma.

Five new dimer compounds, namely Taiwaniacryptodimers A–E (1–5), were isolated from the methanol extract of the roots of Taiwania cryptomerioides. Their structures were established by mean of spectroscopic analysis and comparison of NMR data with those of known analogues. Their antifungal activities were also evaluated. Our results indicated that metabolites 1, 2, 4, and 5 displayed moderate antifungal activities against Aspergillus niger, Penicillium italicum, Candida albicans, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Taiwania cryptomerioides is a monotypic species, and its terpenoid-rich property has been reported in recent years. To uncover monoterpene biosynthesis in T. cryptomerioides, this study used transcriptome mining to identify candidates with tentative monoterpene synthase activity. Along with the phylogenetic analysis and in vitro assay, two geraniol synthases (TcTPS13 and TcTPS14), a linalool synthase (TcTPS15), and a β-pinene synthase (TcTPS16), were functionally characterized. Via the comparison of catalytic residues, the Cys/Ser at region 1 might be crucial in determining the formation of α-pinene or β-pinene. In addition, the Cupressaceae monoterpene synthases were phylogenetically clustered together; they are unique and different from those of published conifer species. In summary, this study aimed to uncover the ambiguous monoterpenoid network in T. cryptomerioide, which would expand the landscape of monoterpene biosynthesis in Cupressaceae species.

Summary: Taiwania cryptomerioides is a monotypic gymnosperm species, valued for the high decay resistance of its wood. This durability has been attributed to the abundance of terpenoids, especially the major diterpenoid metabolite ferruginol, with antifungal and antitermite activity. Specialized diterpenoid metabolism in gymnosperms primarily recruits bifunctional class‐I/II diterpene synthases (diTPSs), whereas monofunctional class‐II and class‐I enzymes operate in angiosperms. In this study, we identified a previously unrecognized group of monofunctional diTPSs in T. cryptomerioides, which suggests a distinct evolutionary divergence of the diTPS family in this species. Specifically, five monofunctional diTPS functions not previously observed in gymnosperms were characterized, including monofunctional class‐II enzymes forming labda‐13‐en‐8‐ol diphosphate (LPP, TcCPS2) and (+)‐copalyl diphosphate (CPP, TcCPS4), and three class‐I diTPSs producing biformene (TcKSL1), levopimaradiene (TcKSL3) and phyllocladanol (TcKSL5), respectively. Methyl jasmonate (MeJA) elicited the accumulation of levopimaradiene and the corresponding biosynthetic diTPS genes, TcCPS4 and TcKSL3, is consistent with a possible role in plant defense. Furthermore, TcCPS4 and TcKSL3 are likely to contribute to abietatriene biosynthesis via levopimaradiene as an intermediate in ferruginol biosynthesis in Taiwania. In conclusion, this study provides deeper insight into the functional landscape and molecular evolution of specialized diterpenoid metabolism in gymnosperms as a basis to better understand the role of these metabolites in tree chemical defense. Significance Statement: Taiwania cryptomerioides TcCPS2 and TcCPS4 were characterized as monofunctional class‐II diTPSs that have not previously been reported in gymnosperms. Phylogenetic analysis indicates that these TcdiTPSs evolved from bifunctional (TPS‐d group) and monofunctional (TPS‐e/f group) ancestors. The (+)‐CPS (TcCPS4) and levopimaradiene synthase (TcKSL3) are likely to be involved in abietatriene biosynthesis in Taiwania, which is a possible precursor of ferruginol and taiwaniaquinonoids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSSC) is a major life‐threatening disease with high incidence in the Southeast Asian countries. Chronic exposure to arecoline causes genetic changes in the epithelial cells of the oral mucosa, induces proliferation through activation of the EGF receptor and promotes downstream COX‐2 expression. Taiwanin C, a podophyllotoxin derived from Taiwania cryptomerioides Hayata is known to inhibit COX activity and to hinder PGE2 production in macrophages. In this study a tumor cell line T28 and a non‐tumor cell line N28 derived from mice OSCC models were used to study the effect of Taiwanin C on PGE2 associated COX‐2 expression and cell cycle regulators. Taiwanin C activated p21 protein expression, down‐regulated cell cycle regulatory proteins, elevated apoptosis and down‐regulated p‐PI3K/p‐Akt survival mechanism in T28 oral cancer cells. Our results therefore emphasize the therapeutic potential of Taiwanin C against arecoline‐induced oral cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lignans are major bioactive secondary metabolites, which are also formed in the heartwood (hW) of Taiwania (Taiwania cryptomerioides). Their biosynthesis pathways are complex and involve many enzymes and intermediates. To evaluate the extent of the genetic components leading to the variety of lignans in Taiwania hW, 35 Taiwania genotypes of four provenances were surveyed using the proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR) and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analyses. The metabolite profiles were statistically evaluated by principal component analysis (PCA) and the general linear model (GLM). The broad-sense heritability (H2) was further evaluated by linear mixed model (LMM) analysis. It was demonstrated that the genetic factor is the major contributor to the abundance of lignans, though the environmental factor also has some effect on it. Among the metabolites detected by 1H-NMR, lignans were the major compounds that exhibited high a H2 (0.52–0.82), which was further verified by LC-MS. The conclusion is that 1H-NMR spectroscopy is suitable for quick screenings, predictions and semi-quantitation of lignans. The high H2 is also indicative of the lignan abundances as traits that can be genetically modified to achieve a significant wood quality improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Taiwania (Taiwania cryptomerioides Hayata) is an indigenous conifer species of Taiwan. Various secondary metabolites of Taiwania with diverse bioactivities have been identified, and lignans are especially abundant in the heartwood (hW). In the present study, the wood of this species was separated to cambium (Cam), sapwood (sW), transition zone (TZ) and hW and their transcriptomes were sequenced. Three pinoresinol-lariciresinol reductases (PLRs; designated TcPLR1, TcPLR2.2 and TcPLR3), which are responsible for lignan biosynthesis, were cloned and their expressions in wood tissues were detected. TcPLRs had higher expression levels in Cam and sW in RNA-seq and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) results. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis of the reaction products of TcPLRs revealed that TcPLR1 can reduce (+)-pinoresinol to lariciresinol, and both TcPLR2.2 and TcPLR3 could reduce (+)-pinoresinol to lariciresinol and secoisolariciresinol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The question of what determines divergence both between and within species has been the central topic in evolutionary biology. Neutral drift and environmentally dependent divergence are predicted to play roles in driving population and lineage divergence. However, neutral drift may preclude adaptation if the rate of gene flow between populations is high. Here, we sampled populations of three Taiwania (Taiwania cryptomerioides) lineages occurring in Taiwan, the mainland of China (Yunnan-Myanmar border), and northern Vietnam, and tested the relative strength of neutral drift and divergent selection in shaping divergence of those populations and lineages. We quantified genetic and epigenetic variation, respectively, using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) and methylation-sensitive amplification polymorphism (MSAP). Analysis of 1413 AFLP and 462 MSAP loci using frequency-based genome scan methods and generalized linear models (GLMs) found no potential selective outliers when only Taiwanese populations were examined, suggesting that neutral drift was the predominant evolutionary process driving differentiation between those populations. However, environmentally associated divergence was found when lineages were compared. Thirty-two potential selective outliers were identified based on genome scans and their associations with environmental variables were tested with GLMs, generalized linear mixed effect models (GLMMs), and model selection with a model averaging approach. Ten loci (six AFLP and four MSAP) were found to be strongly associated with environmental variables, particularly monthly temperature variation and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) using model selection and a model averaging approach. Because only a small portion of genetic and epigenetic loci were found to be potential selective outliers, neutral evolutionary process might also have played crucial roles in driving lineage divergence, particularly between geographically and genetically isolated island and mainland Asia lineages. Nevertheless, the vast amount of neutral drift causing genetic and epigenetic variations might have the potential for adaptation to future climate changes. These could be important for the survival of Taiwania in different geographic areas.

The question of what determines divergence both between and within species has been the central topic in evolutionary biology. Neutral drift and environmentally dependent divergence are predicted to play roles in driving population and lineage divergence. However, neutral drift may preclude adaptation if the rate of gene flow between populations is high. Here, we sampled populations of three Taiwania (Taiwania cryptomerioides) lineages occurring in Taiwan, the mainland of China (Yunnan-Myanmar border), and northern Vietnam, and tested the relative strength of neutral drift and divergent selection in shaping divergence of those populations and lineages. We quantified genetic and epigenetic variation, respectively, using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) and methylation-sensitive amplification polymorphism (MSAP). Analysis of 1413 AFLP and 462 MSAP loci using frequency-based genome scan methods and generalized linear models (GLMs) found no potential selective outliers when only Taiwanese populations were examined, suggesting that neutral drift was the predominant evolutionary process driving differentiation between those populations. However, environmentally associated divergence was found when lineages were compared. Thirty-two potential selective outliers were identified based on genome scans and their associations with environmental variables were tested with GLMs, generalized linear mixed effect models (GLMMs), and model selection with a model averaging approach. Ten loci (six AFLP and four MSAP) were found to be strongly associated with environmental variables, particularly monthly temperature variation and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) using model selection and a model averaging approach. Because only a small portion of genetic and epigenetic loci were found to be potential selective outliers, neutral evolutionary process might also have played crucial roles in driving lineage divergence, particularly between geographically and genetically isolated island and mainland Asia lineages. Nevertheless, the vast amount of neutral drift causing genetic and epigenetic variations might have the potential for adaptation to future climate changes. These could be important for the survival of Taiwania in different geographic areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The heartwood of Taiwania (Taiwania cryptomerioides Hayata) has the excellent decay resistance and fascinating color qualities due to the accumulation of bioactive compounds. However, limited information was addressed to the heartwood formation of this species. In this study, we established the distribution of the living ray parenchyma cells and profiled the major bioactive compounds across and along the Taiwania stem. The ray parenchyma cells would die within 1-2 annual rings of the transition zone, which occurs around 8-13 annual rings counted from the cambium. The gradual loss of the starch grains accompanied with the deposition of the colored materials into the cell lumens started from the outer transition zone. The radial distribution of the extractive contents and its signature bioactive compounds across Taiwania stems gradually increased from the transition zone toward the heartwood tissues. The aforementioned properties did not show specific trends along the vertical direction of the Taiwania stems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Arecoline, the most abundant alkaloid in betel nut is known to promote abnormal proliferation of epithelial cells by enhancing epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) activation and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX2) expression. Taiwanin C, a naturally occurring lignan extracted from Taiwania cryptomerioides, has been found to be a potential inhibitor of COX2 expression. Based on the MTT assay results, taiwanin C was found to be effective in inhibiting the tumorous T28 cell than the non-tumorous N28 cells. The modulations in the expression of relevant proteins were determined to understand the mechanism induced by taiwanin C to inhibit T28 cell proliferation. The levels of activated EGFR and COX2 were found to be abnormally high in the T28 oral cancer cells. However, taiwanin C was found to inhibit the activation of EGFR and regulated other related downstream proteins and thereby inhibited the T28 cell proliferation. In conclusion the results indicate that taiwanin C suppresses COX2-EGFR and enhances P27 pathways to suppress arecoline induced oral cancer cell proliferation via ERK1/2 inactivation. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 32: 62-69, 2017. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Helioxanthin, an active compound from Taiwania cryptomerioides Hayata, has been shown to have various biological activities. However, their anticancer effect in oral squamous cell carcinoma has not been well established yet. Helioxanthin inhibited the proliferation of oral squamous cell carcinoma cells in a dose-dependent manner by inducing G2/M phase arrest. Similarly, helioxanthin inhibited cyclooxygenase-2, (COX-2), phosphorylated EGFR, and extracellular-signal-regulated kinases (ERK) protein level and further reduced the nuclear accumulation of phosphorylated epidermal growth factor receptor (pEGFR) and activator protein-1(AP-1) family protein, c-fos. Moreover, helioxanthin at the dose of 20 and 30 mg kg−1 for 15 days reduced the tumor growth in animal model. This study demonstrated that Helioxanthin exerts its anticancer activity against oral cancer cells by downregulating EGFR/ERK/c-fos signaling pathway to inhibit COX-2 level and by activating cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor (p27) to further induce G2/M cell cycle arrest. This helioxanthin may serve as a novel candidate for oral cancer prevention. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 31: 2045-2056, 2016. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Taiwania cryptomerioides is an endangered relict conifer species native to East Asia with a variety of practical applications. To contribute to its conservation and sustainable utilization, its complete chloroplast genome was assembled from Illumina sequencing reads. The circular genome is 131,427 bp in size with a biased nucleotide composition (33.5% A, 17.5% C, 17.2% G & 31.8% T). It encodes a panel of 114 gene species, including 83 protein-coding genes (PCGs) and 31 tRNAs. Gene duplication was detected for three tRNA gene species (trnI-CAU, trnQ-UUG & trnV-GAC). Besides, 15 gene species (atpF, ndhA, ndhB, petB, petD, rpl16, rpl2, rpoC1, rps16, trnA-UGC, trnG-UCC, trnI-GAU, trnK-UUU, trnL-UAA & trnV-UAC) possess a single intron, and another one (ycf3) has a couple of introns. Phylogenetic analysis suggests that T. cryptomerioides and T. flousiana are closely related to each other within the family Cupressaceae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Taiwania cryptomerioides Hayata is an endangered relict plant belonging to Taxodiaceae, and it is also an endemic plant to China. The decay-resistant of Taiwania timber can provide highly quality wood for building and furniture. Plenty of regenerative of leaves of T. cryptomerioides also has been used as a resource for the discovery of new dimeric diterpenoids. In a search for structurally diverse dimeric diterpenoids and potent bioactive isolates, ten new heterodimeric diterpenoids, taiwaniadducts K-T (1-4, 6, 8-11, and 14), along with five known ones (5, 7, 12, 13, and 15), were isolated from the leaves of T. cryptomerioides. These new compounds were defined by comprehensive spectroscopic analyses, putative biosynthetic pathways, and the values of optical. Biologically, anti-multidrug resistance (MDR) activities of compounds were evaluated. Compounds 4 and 10 exerted a 9.18-fold potentiation effect on bortezmib (BTZ) susceptibility at a tested concentration (20 μM) better than the positive control verapamil. The research of the leaves of T. cryptomerioides not only added the new data to the structural diversity and activities of dimeric diterpenoids but also could provide support for the medical and industrial application of the leaves of this endangered relict plant., (© 2023 Wiley-VHCA AG, Zurich, Switzerland.)

Taiwania (Taiwania cryptomerioides Hayata) is one of the economically important tree species indigenous to Taiwan. Hundreds of secondary metabolites have been identified from its wood, bark, root, and needles with lignans as the dominant ones. This substance group contributes a lot to the color, durability, and bioactivities of Taiwaniana. The present paper is dedicated to the quantification of radial and longitudinal lignan distribution. The extractives begin to accumulate largely in the transition zone (TZ), and reach a maximum after finishing the heartwood (hW) formation. Both dibenzyl-γ-butyrolactone type and arylnaphthalide type lignans were found in sapwood (sW) except for the compound taiwanin A. Clearly, the heartwood formation of Taiwania differs from the hitherto known hW formation types and it is suggested to be denominated as Taiwania-type hW formation, where the biosynthesis of extractives begins in the sW and where their accumulation is clearly elevated in the TZ. A generalized biosynthesis scheme of Taiwanin is presented showing the putative relationships among the most important dimeric lignans that lead to the formation of taiwanin type lignans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Taiwania (Taiwania cryptomerioides Hayata) is a conifer species native to Taiwan, which is known for several bioactive secondary metabolites extracted from it. In this study, a sesquiterpene synthase (TPS) gene isolated from Taiwania was in focus. First, a pair of degenerate primers was designed for reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction based on the total RNA extracted from the leaves of a mature tree. A DNA fragment with the conserved region of TPS gene was obtained. After 5'- and 3'-end amplification, the full-length gene was obtained, which contains an open reading frame of 1791 bp and encodes a predicted molecular mass of 70.2-kDa protein. The gene was highly expressed in young leaves, female flowers, and cones. The expression in leaves was enhanced by salicylic acid. To identify the function of TPS, the recombinant protein from Escherichia coli (Migula) Castellani & Chalmers was incubated with farnesyl diphosphate. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis and retention time as well as mass spectrum matching with authentic standards revealed that the major product of TPS is sesquiterpene a-gurjunene. The gene was, therefore, designated as Tc-Gur. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first total syntheses of taiwaniadducts B, C, and D have been accomplished. Two diterpenoid segments were prepared with high enantiopurity, both through Ir-catalyzed asymmetric polyene cyclization. A sterically demanding intermolecular Diels-Alder reaction promoted by Er(fod)3 assembled the scaffold of taiwaniadducts B and C. A carbonyl-ene cyclization forged the cage motif of taiwaniadduct D at a late stage, providing over 200 mg of this compound. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND Repellents are a common method for preventing flea bites, making an effective system for flea repellent screening advantageous. We describe an improved technique to facilitate repellent activity screening of numerous plant-based Ctenocephalides felis (cat flea) repellents. RESULTS Two long strips of filter paper were impregnated with test compounds (dissolved in ethanol) and ethanol only, respectively. After drying, the two filter papers were glued together along the long side and inserted into a glass tube containing non-fed cat fleas. The distribution of cat fleas in each half of the filter paper was recorded after 30 min to calculate repellency. Results showed that the essential oil of Cinnamomum osmophloeum (from leaf), Taiwania cryptomerioides (from heartwood) and Plectranthus amboinicus (from leaf) exhibits repellent activity against cat fleas in a dose dependent manner. Moreover, the repellent activities against cat fleas of 2% trans-cinnamaldehyde (the main constituent of Ci. osmophloeum essential oil) and 0.5% thymol (the main constituent of P. amboinicus essential oil) are 97.6% and 90.6%, and can persist for up to 4 and 8 h, respectively. These results are comparable to those of 15% DEET. CONCLUSION The proposed screening technique can facilitate the pre-screening of numerous flea repellents for further evaluation on animal or human subjects. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of the present study is to evaluate the cytotoxicity of Taiwania cryptomerioides essential oil and its phytochemical on the Hep G2 cell line (human hepatocellular carcinoma). Bark essential oil has significant cytotoxicity to Hep G2 cells, and S3 fraction is the most active fraction in cytotoxicity to Hep G2 cells among the six fractions. The diterpenoid quinone, 6,7-dehydroroyleanone, was isolated from the active S3 fraction by bioassay-guided isolation. 6,7-Dehydroroyleanone exhibited significant cytotoxicity in Hep G2 cells, and the efficacy of 6,7-dehydroroyleanone was better than the positive control, etoposide. Apoptosis analysis of Hep G2 cells with different treatments was characterized via flow cytometry to confirm the cell death situation. Etoposide and 6,7-dehydroroyleanone could induce the apoptosis in Hep G2 cells using flow cytometric assay. Results revealed 6,7-dehydroroyleanone from T. cryptomerioides bark essential oil can be a potential phytochemical to develop the anticancer chemotherapeutic agent for the treatment of the human hepatocellular carcinoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Five new dimer compounds, namely Taiwaniacryptodimers A–E (1–5), were isolated from the methanol extract of the roots of Taiwania cryptomerioides. Their structures were established by mean of spectroscopic analysis and comparison of NMR data with those of known analogues. Their antifungal activities were also evaluated. Our results indicated that metabolites 1, 2, 4, and 5 displayed moderate antifungal activities against Aspergillus niger, Penicillium italicum, Candida albicans, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A recently discovered unpublished manuscript on Taiwania cryptomerioides (Cupressaceae) written by John Theodore Buchholz (1888-1951), probably in 1941, is published with 25 added notes, plus a recently discovered unpublished diagram entitled "Phylogeny of conifers. J. T. Buchholz -- 1941." The manuscript and diagram are important in expanding our understanding of the research and interpretations of this renowned worker on the anatomy, morphology (especially embryology), and systematics of gymnosperms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim The East Asia endemic Taiwania cryptomerioides Hayata is an iconic and relictual monotypic conifer whose main extant populations are now restricted to the Yunnan-Myanmar border, northern Vietnam and Taiwan. It has also been reported from several localities in Guizhou, Hubei and Fujian Provinces, China. Its fossil record indicates that, while it was more widely distributed in the Northern Hemisphere and grew under a range of different ecological conditions, it has remained almost unchanged in its morphology for over 100 Myr. We investigate whether these remaining extant, disjunct populations have diverged genetically; when such a divergence may have occurred; and which, if any, of the extant populations exhibit refugial characteristics. Location East Asia. Methods Sequences of five chloroplast DNA markers ( petG- trnP, trnH- psbA, trnV- trnM, trnC -ycf6 and trnL- trnF) from all extant populations of T. cryptomerioides were analysed to reveal their phylogeography. Molecular clock models with fossil calibrations were used to estimate divergence times between extant populations. Results Extremely low nucleotide diversity was found in the overall population (π = 0.00077) with only nine haplotypes distinguished. The mainland Asia populations share one major ancestral haplotype. The insular populations in Taiwan all possess a unique haplotype with at least an eight-mutational-step difference to the mainland Asia haplotype. Molecular clock estimations demonstrated that the mean divergence time between the predominant insular population haplotype and the mainland Asia haplotype occurred at c. 3.23-3.41 Ma, followed by a split into Vietnamese and Yunnan-Myanmar populations ( c. 1.0-1.39 Ma). Main conclusions Strong genetic differentiation exists between insular (Taiwan) and mainland Asia populations. The split between insular and mainland haplotypes can be dated back to the end of the Pliocene. The Yunnan-Myanmar border area, northern Vietnam and Taiwan are identified here as potential refugia for T. cryptomerioides. Other populations in mainland China are unlikely to be the result of historical fragmentation and their origins require further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Taiwania ( Taiwania cryptomerioides Hayata), a conifer native to Taiwan, is an economically important tree species due to its high resistance to insect infection and high wood utilization properties; however, when it was grown in clonal orchards, no filled seeds or fertile pollen were obtained. To address this reproductive dilemma, a suppressive subtractive hybridization (SSH) library was constructed from male cones, female cones and leaves. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis confirmed that two bark storage proteins, a beta-phellandrene synthase, an endochitinase A2 precursor and two male-cone protein 1 precursors were specifically expressed in the reproductive organs of Taiwania. Comparisons of these two male-cone protein 1 precursors with those of Pinus radiata suggest that these genes may have different functions during different stages of male cone development and that different specific genes may be obtained from male cones collected at different stages of development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This study investigates the anti-MCF-7 breast cancer cell effects and the underlying pharmacological activity and mechanism of taiwanin A, a major lignan isolated from Taiwania cryptomerioides. Our results show that taiwanin A time-dependently induced reactive oxygen species level and DNA damage in MCF-7 cells, which were likely activated kinases ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) and checkpoint kinase (Chk). Taiwanin A could also up-regulate p53, phosphorylated p53, p21Cip1, and p27Kip1 and down-regulate the G2/M checkpoint cyclin-dependent kinase1 (Cdk1)-cyclin A/B, leading to induction of G2/M cell-cycle arrest in MCF-7 cells. Blockade of p53 gene expression by siRNA further demonstrated that the cell-cycle arrest induced by taiwanin A was p53-dependent. The FasL/Fas-mediated apoptotic signaling cascade was involved in taiwanin A-induced apoptosis via activation of caspases-10 and -7 (but not caspase-8), and proteolytic cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). In contrast, mitochondria-initiated apoptotic pathway was not involved. This is the first report to delineate novel mechanism of the action of taiwanin A against MCF-7 cells, suggesting this lignan may have value for development as an anti-breast cancer agent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Taiwania cryptomerioides is a monotypic species, and its terpenoid-rich property has been reported in recent years. To uncover monoterpene biosynthesis in T. cryptomerioides, this study used transcriptome mining to identify candidates with tentative monoterpene synthase activity. Along with the phylogenetic analysis and in vitro assay, two geraniol synthases (TcTPS13 and TcTPS14), a linalool synthase (TcTPS15), and a β-pinene synthase (TcTPS16), were functionally characterized. Via the comparison of catalytic residues, the Cys/Ser at region 1 might be crucial in determining the formation of α-pinene or β-pinene. In addition, the Cupressaceae monoterpene synthases were phylogenetically clustered together; they are unique and different from those of published conifer species. In summary, this study aimed to uncover the ambiguous monoterpenoid network in T. cryptomerioide, which would expand the landscape of monoterpene biosynthesis in Cupressaceae species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Seven nor- and podocarpane-type diterpenes were isolated from the bark of Taiwania cryptomerioides Hayata, including three 18-nor-podocarpanes: 18-nor-1β,4α,14-trihydroxy-13-methoxy-8,11,13-podocarpatriene (1), 18-nor-1β,4α,13,14-tetrahydroxy-8,11,13-podocarpatrien-7-one (2), 18-nor-1β,4α,14-trihydroxy-13-methoxy-8,11,13-podocarpatrien-7-one (3), 1β,14,19-trihydroxy-13-methoxy-8,11,13-podocarpatrien-7-one (4), 1β,13,14,18-tetrahydroxy-8,11,13-podocarpatrien-7-one (5), 18-acetoxy-1β,13,14-trihydroxy-8,11,13-podocarpatrien-7-one (6), and 1β,14,18-trihydroxy-13-methoxy-8,11,13-podocarpatrien-7-one (7). Their structures were determined by application of 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy and other techniques. Podocarpane-type diterpenes do not occur extensively in nature, and the presumed oxidative enzyme in this plant will be of interest to identify. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The Mago–Y14 heterodimer, which is highly conserved among eukaryotes, is the core component of the exon–exon junction complex (EJC) and regulates oogenesis, embryogenesis and germ-line sex determination in Drosophila and the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. To further survey these proteins in plants and to identify plant developmental processes with which the Mago–Y14 heterodimer is associated, we used the TcMago–TcY14 heterodimer as the bait protein in a yeast two-hybrid screen and searched for its binding partners in a cDNA library from a 3-year-old Taiwania (Taiwania cryptomerioides Hayata) seedling. We found three clones, an unknown protein (Tc61), a pectin methylesterase-like protein (Tc62) and a TPR (tetratricopeptide repeat)-like protein (Tc72). The Tc61 protein interacted strongly with the TcMago–TcY14 heterodimer, and its transcript was expressed in stems and leaves of 3-year-old Taiwania seedlings and in microsporangiate and ovulate cones. The pectin methylesterase-like protein was expressed abundantly in the roots of 3-year-old Taiwania seedlings and in pollinated ovulate cones, indicating that binding with the TcMago–TcY14 heterodimer may be involved in root development and growth of pollen tubes during pollination. The Tc72 protein encoded a complete TPR-like protein that is highly conserved among plants, with 10 α-helices and three conserved TPR motifs containing five consensus residues necessary for stable inter-helix packing. A tissue expression assay and light/dark treatments showed that the Tc72 gene was expressed abundantly in the leaves of seedlings and was sensitive to light and dark, as are the Tcmago and TcY14 genes, implying that the TcMago–TcY14 heterodimer interaction with Tc72 may be related to chloroplast protein transport. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary.  A study of male sterility over a period of three consecutive years on a conifer species endemic to Taiwan, Taiwania cryptomerioides Hayata (Taxodiaceae), was done for this article. With the aids of fluorescence and electron microscopic observations, the ontogenic processes in the fertile and sterile microsporangia are compared, using samples collected from Chitou Experimental Forest and Yeou-Shoei-Keng Clonal Orchard of the National Taiwan University, Nantou, Taiwan. The development of male strobili occurred from August to the end of March. Microsporogenesis starts with the formation of the archesporium and ends with the maturation of 2-celled pollen grains within the dehiscing microsporangium. Before meiosis, there was no significant difference in ultrastructure between the fertile and sterile microsporangia. Asynchronous pollen development with various tetrad forms may occur in the same microsporangium of either fertile or sterile strobili. However, a callose wall was observable in the fertile dyad and tetrad, but not in the sterile one. After dissolution of the callose wall, the fertile microspores were released into the locule, while some sterile microspores still retained as tetrads or dyads with intertwining of exine walls in the proximal faces. As a result, there was no well developed lamellated endexine and no granulate ectexine or intine in the sterile microspores. Eventually, the intracellular structures in sterile microspores were dramatically collapsed before anthesis. The present study shows that the abortion in pollen development is possibly attributed to the absence of the callose wall. The importance of this structure to the male sterility of T. cryptomerioides is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Tc TPSs is phylogenetically distant with other conifer TPSs. • Eight Tc TPSs were involved in diverse sesquiterpene accumulcation in Taiwania. • An unidentified intron-loss genome structure was observed among Tc TPSs. • Unusual existence of cadinene and cedrane-type sesquiterpene in Taiwania is contributed by Tc TPS3 and Tc TPS6. Along with the species evolution, plants have evolved ways to produce a different collection of terpenoids to accommodate its biotic and abiotic environment, and terpene synthase (TPS) is one of the major contributors to various terpene compounds. The timber of a monotypic and relictual conifer species of Cupressace, Taiwania cryptomerioides, has excellent durability, and one of the essential factors for Taiwania to resist decay and insect pests is sesquiterpene. Compared to other conifers, Taiwania has much higher abundance of cadinene-type sesquiterpenes, and the presence of cedrene-type sesquiterpenes. To understand sesquiterpene biosynthesis in Taiwania , we functionally characterized 10 T. cryptomerioides TPSs (Tc TPSs) in vivo or in planta, which could catalyze sesquiterpene formation and potentially are involved in biosynthesis of diverse sesquiterpenoids in Taiwania. The distant phylogenetic relationship and the intron loss event of Tc TPSs correlate to the differentiation of chemical profile Taiwania compared to other conifers. Furthermore, we identified Tc TPS3 and Tc TPS12 as δ-cadinene synthase, and Tc TPS6 as cedrol synthase, which demonstrates the important contributions of dynamic evolution in TPSs to the chemical diversity in plants. Combining with functional characterization and comparison of catalytic residues, we conclude at least three catalytic routes for sesquiterpene biosynthesis in this species, and the skeleton diversity has been expended in T. cryptomeriodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two novel 9,11-seco-11-norabietanes, namely taiwanlactones A () and B (), together with 3β-hydroxysugiol () and 6α-hydroxysugiol (), were isolated from the roots of Taiwania cryptomerioides. Their structures were elucidated through spectral studies. The absolute configuration of was elucidated by a modified Mosher’s method. The biotransformation mechanisms of and were proposed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]