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  • About
  • The Global ETD Search service is a free service for researchers to find electronic theses and dissertations. This service is provided by the Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations.
    Our metadata is collected from universities around the world. If you manage a university/consortium/country archive and want to be added, details can be found on the NDLTD website.
81

Purification et caractérisation des métabolites secondaires extraits de plantes de la famille des Asparagaceae et Caprifoliaceae, et évaluation de leurs activités biologiques / Purification and characterization of secondary metabolites extracted from plants of the Asparagaceae and Caprifoliaceae families, and evaluation of their biological activities

Andriamisaina Andriamasinoro, Nampoina 09 November 2018 (has links)
Cette thèse s’inscrit dans le cadre de la thématique du Laboratoire de Pharmacognosie de l’UFR Pharmacie, au sein de l’Université de Bourgogne. Elle vise essentiellement la recherche de molécules d’origine végétale issues de la biodiversité tropicale dont principalement des saponines. Ces composés suscitent un grand intérêt de par leur large éventail d’applications pharmacologiques. Dans ce contexte l’étude de trois espèces végétales appartenant à deux familles, à savoir Chlorophytum blepharophyllum Schweinf. ex Baker, Ornithogalum dubium Houtt (Asparagaceae) et Weigela × « kosteriana variegata » (Caprifoliaceae), a conduit à l’isolement de 16 glycosides naturels par les techniques chromatographiques (Chromatographie liquide sous vide, Chromatographie d’exclusion moléculaire, Chromatographie liquide moyenne pression). Les structures de ces derniers ont été élucidées principalement par les techniques spectroscopiques de RMN1D et -2D, et de spectrométrie de masse. Il s’agit de 4 glycosides phénoliques de structure connue, 8 saponines stéroïdiques parmi lesquelles 6 sont de structure nouvelle, ainsi que 4 saponines triterpéniques dont une nouvelle. 5 saponines stéroïdiques ont été testées en vue d’évaluer leur activité cytotoxique sur deux lignées cellulaires cancéreuses (A549 et HL 60). Les résultats ont montré une faible sensibilité de ces deux lignées cellulaires à ces saponines. Les effets toxiques et tératogènes des 3 saponines triterpéniques ont été également déterminés à l’aide d'un test in vivo de poisson-zèbre (zebrafish). Les résultats ont montré un effet létal à de faibles concentrations des 3 saponines. Des relations structure/activité ont été ainsi proposées. / This thesis was carried out in the Laboratory of Pharmacognosy, in health department of the University of Burgundy. The principal theme of this Laboratory is the research of natural compounds from tropical biodiversity, mainly saponins. These molecules are known for their various pharmacological activities. The study of 3 species belonging to 2 different families: Chlorophytum blepharophyllum Schweinf. ex Baker, Ornithogalum dubium Houtt (Asparagaceae) and Weigela × « kosteriana variegata » (Caprifoliaceae), led to the isolation and characterization of 16 natural glycosides by column chromatography, medium pressure liquid chromatography, and vacuum liquid chromatography. The spectral analysis was achieved using mainly 2D NMR and mass spectrometry. Among them, 4 were phenolic glucosides, 8 were steroidic saponins with 6 new structures and 4 were triterpenic saponins with one new structure. The cytotoxic activities of 5 isolated steroidic saponins were evaluated on 2 strains cancer cells (A549 and HL 60). The results showed a low sensitivity of these two cell lines to these saponins. The toxic and teratogenic effects of 3 triterpenic saponins were also determined in by using an in vivo zebrafish assay. The results showed a lethal effect at low concentrations of these 3 saponins. Structure / activity relationships have been proposed.
82

A Rapid Spectrophotometric Assay for Quantifying Seed Coat Saponins in Quinoa

Szabo, Sydney Diver 09 December 2020 (has links)
Background and objectives: The commonly used afrosimetric foam-height method for quantifying saponins in quinoa is rapid but imprecise. A rapid UV/Vis method, utilizing the Liebermann-Burchard (LB) color reaction, was compared to the foam method across a range of saponin levels in washed and unwashed seed. Findings: A 6 min UV/Vis method provided greater precision and accuracy than the afrosimetric method at the lower saponin levels found in washed quinoa. The afrosimetric method did not differentiate saponin levels below 0.6 mg/mL but allows for useful relative comparisons of saponin content in unwashed quinoa where the foam height is large. Conclusions: The UV/Vis method is superior for analyzing saponins present on washed quinoa seed, while the foam method is adequate for saponin measurements in unwashed seed. Significance and novelty: The UV/Vis assay provides a new tool that can be used for in-process quality control in large-scale processing facilities, allowing for rapid, accurate determination of completion of the desaponization step.
83

Understanding Plant Secondary Metabolites; Above and Below Ground

Clemensen, Andrea K. 01 August 2018 (has links)
Plants naturally produce primary and secondary metabolites. Primary metabolites are directly involved with plant growth and metabolic function. Plant secondary metabolites (PSM) were once thought of as metabolic waste products, and more recently viewed as toxins to herbivores. However, ongoing research shows that PSM are beneficial to herbivores at low doses, and PSM aid plants by attracting pollinators, recovering from injury, protecting from ultraviolet radiation, increasing drought tolerance, and aid in defense against pathogens, diseases, and herbivores. Plant secondary metabolites also influence soil nutrient cycling, and can increase the sustainability of agroecosystems. Endophyte-infected tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) , which contains ergovaline, and reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea L.), containing gramine, were studied along with the legumes alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) which contains saponins, and tannin-containing sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia Scop.) and birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.). This dissertation researches (i) how planting configuration (monocultures vs. two-way mixtures) influences PSM and total N in plants, (ii) how cattle grazing forages containing PSM affects soil quality, nutrient cycling, and PSM, and (iii) how cattle manure from different diets, containing different PSM, influences soil nutrient cycling.
84

Genetic Dissection of Triterpenoid Saponin Production in Chenopodium quinoa Using Microarray Analysis

Reynolds, Derrick James 02 December 2009 (has links) (PDF)
Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) is an important food crop for subsistence farmers in the Altiplano (high plains) of Peru, Bolivia, and Argentina. Saponins are part of a diverse family of secondary metabolites that are found in high concentrations in the pericarp of many varieties of quinoa. Due to their bitter taste and anti-nutritive properties, saponins must be removed before the quinoa grain is consumed. There are ‘sweet’ varieties of quinoa that have significantly reduced levels of saponin. Previous research suggests saponin production is controlled by a single locus. The major objective of this research was to elucidate the genetic components in the saponin biosynthesis pathway. Thus, we report the development and annotation of the first large scale expressed sequence tag (EST) collection for quinoa based on Sanger and 454 pyrosequencing of maturing seed tissue expressing saponins. Sanger sequencing produced 18,325 reads with an average read length of 693 nucleotides, while 454 GS-FLX pyrosequencing generated 295,048 reads with an average read length of 202 nucleotides. A hybrid assembly of all sequences generated 39,366 unigenes, consisting of 16,728 contigs and 22,638 singletons. Repeat sequence analysis of the unigene set identified 291 new microsatellite markers. From the unigene set, a custom microarray was developed and used to assay transcriptional changes in developing seeds of saponin-containing and saponin-free quinoa lines. The microarray consisted of 102,834 oligonucleotide probes representing 37,716 sequences of the unigenes set. Three different statistical comparisons, based on comparisons of ‘sweet’ vs. ‘bitter’ seed tissue at two developmental stages, were assayed on the custom array. Using a p-value cutoff threshold of 0.01, we identified a list of 198 significantly differentially expressed candidate genes common to all three comparisons. We also identified a list of candidate genes (p-value ≤ 0.05) that are known to be associated with identified triterpenoid (saponin) biosynthetic pathways that were differentially expressed in all three comparisons. Included in this list are candidate genes that share homology to cytochrome P450s (20), cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (10), and glycosyltransferases (49) suggesting that transcriptional differences in the saponin biosynthesis pathway possibly responsible for the absence or presence of saponin in quinoa are determined after the formation of the β-amyrin skeleton. These candidate genes are suggested for use in future studies in the production of saponin in quinoa.
85

Saponins: bioactivity and potential impact on intestinal health

Carlson, Emily M. 09 September 2009 (has links)
No description available.
86

Isolement et caractérisation des saponosides de trois plantes de la famille des araliaceae et dracaenaceae et évaluation de leurs activités cytotoxiques sur cellules tumorales / Isolation and caracterisation of saponins from three plants of Araliaceae and Dracaenaceae families and evaluation of their cytotoxic activities on tumoral cells

Kougan Nkwokap, Guy Beddos 20 September 2010 (has links)
L’intérêt des substances d’origine naturelle, potentiellement anti-tumorales nous a amené à nous intéresser aux saponines triterpéniques et stéroïdiques de plantes issues de la biodiversité africaine de la famille des Araliaceae et des Dracaenaceae. En effet, des études antérieures menées sur quelques plantes de ces deux familles ont conduit à l’obtention de molécules complexes et originales possédant d’excellentes propriétés cytotoxiques, immuno-modulatrices, anti-inflammatoires. Au vu de ces résultats nous avons entrepris des investigations pharmaco-chimiques sur Cussonia arborea (Araliaceae), Dracaena deisteliana et Dracaena arborea (Dracaenaceae), plantes médicinales couramment utilisées en pharmacopée traditionnelle africaine pour traiter différentes maladies. Les travaux menés ont conduit à l’isolement de 31 composés purs en utilisant les différentes techniques analytiques du laboratoire notamment les diverses techniques de chromatographie liquide successive à pression atmosphérique, moyenne pression et flash chromatographie sur silice en phase normale et en phase inverse. Les structures ont été déterminées par les méthodes de spectrométrie de masse en source FAB et de spectroscopie de RMN 1D et 2D (COSY, TOCSY, NOESY, HMBC et HSQC). Parmi les 07 composés purs obtenus des écorces de Cussonia arborea, 5 sont des nouvelles saponines triterpéniques dont un dérivé de l’acide ursolique, un dérivé de l’hédéragénine et trois dérivés de l’acide oléanolique, tous disubstitués en position 3 et 28 par des chaînes oligosaccharidiques. 13 composés purs sont obtenus à partir des feuilles de Cussonia arborea, dont 7 nouvelles saponines triterpéniques dérivés de l’acide ursolique, de l’acide 23-hydroxyursolique, de l’hédéragénine et de l’acide oléanolique dont 04 d’entre elles sont obtenues sous forme de mélanges inséparables d’isomères acide oléanolique/acide ursolique et hédéragénine/acide 23-hydroxyursolique. A partir des écorces de Dracaena arborea et des tiges de Dracaena deisteliana, nous avons isolé et caractérisé 10 saponines stéroïdiques dont 4 nouvelles et une sapogénine. Les activités de certains de ces produits purs ont été évaluées sur deux lignées de cellules cancéreuses coliques humaines HCT 116 et HT-29. / The interest of the substances from natural origin, potentially antitumor led us to interest in triterpenoid and steroidal saponins of plants from the African biodiversity belonging to the Araliaceae and Dracaenaceae families of plants. Indeed, of the former studies undertaken on some plants of these two families led to obtaining complex and original molecules having excellent cytotoxic, immuno-modulating, anti-inflammatory properties. Within sight of these results we undertook pharmaco-chemical investigations on Cussonia arborea (Araliaceae), Dracaena deisteliana, and Dracaena arborea (Dracaenaceae), medicinal plants usually used in african traditional pharmacopeia to treat various diseases. The work led to the isolation of 31 pure compounds by using the various analytical techniques in particular the various chromatography techniques (CC, MPLC, TLC, flash) on silica gel, normal and reversed phases. The structures were determined by the methods of mass spectrometry (FAB, ESI, IE) and 1D (1H and 13C) and 2D (COSY, TOCSY, NOESY, HMBC and HSQC) NMR spectroscopy. Among the 07 pure compounds obtained of the barks of Cussonia arborea, 5 are new triterpenoid saponins derivatives of ursolic acid, hederagenin and three derived from the acid oleanolic, all disubstituted in position 3 and 28 by oligosaccharidic chains. 13 pure compounds were obtained from leaves of Cussonia arborea, seven of which are new triterpenoid saponins derivatives of oleanolic acid, ursolic acid, hederagenin and 23-hydroxyursolic acid of which four were obtained as mixtures of isomers oleanolic acid/ursolic acid and hederagenin/23-hydroxyursolic acid. From the bark of Dracaena arborea and stem of Dracaena deisteliana, we isolated and characterized ten steroidal saponins including 4 new and sapogenin. The activities of some of these pure products were evaluated on two cancerous lines human colic cells HCT 116 and HT-29.
87

Toward the Synthesis of CAY-1, an Antifungal Steroidal Saponin

Bowdy, Katharine 18 May 2007 (has links)
Invasive fungal infections are prevalent and often deadly in immunocompromised patients. There continues to be a pressing need for the development of novel antifungal compounds since there are currently only 13 compounds licensed for the treatment of invasive fungal infections and antibiotic-resistant strains have been emerging. CAY-1 is an antifungal steroidal saponin which was isolated from the fruit of the cayenne pepper plant in 0.1% yield. In Vitro studies of CAY-1 have shown it to be an effective antifungal agent against sixteen pathogenic fungal strains and it showed no cytotoxicity toward mammalian cells up to 100 ìg/mL. The development of a practical synthesis of CAY-1 will potentially allow for further exploration of its medicinal utility and provide the opportunity to synthesize derivatives of CAY-1 which could be investigated in structure-activity relationship studies. To this end, methods for the preparation of they CAY-1 aglycone and pentasaccharide moieties have been investigated. Through this work, several partially protected stereoisomers of the CAY-1 aglycone have been prepared which can be used for the synthesis of saponin derivatives of CAY-1 for structure-activity relationship studies. Definitive characterization of one of these isomers, 3á-hydroxy-(22S, 25R)-5á-spirostan-2â-yl acetate, was achieved by X-ray crystallography. Furthermore, a quantitative inversion of the C-3 stereochemical configuration of this compound was achieved via an acetate group migration of the corresponding mesylate. The possibility of competition between the acetate migration and substitution mechanisms with various nucleophiles was explored. The results, however, indicate that this inversion only occurs via the acetate migration. Additionally, the CAY-1 pentasaccharide synthesis poses two significant challenges. First, these results demonstrate that the central 2, 3-branched portion can be synthesized efficiently from a partially protected glucopyranosyl acceptor since the C-2 and C-3 alcohols differ in their reactivity in glycosylation reactions. The second challenge is the ƒÀ-(1¨4) linkage to the galactosyl acceptor which significantly increases the complexity of the synthesis as compared to literature reported syntheses of other branched oligosaccharides. Nonetheless, this ƒÀ-(1¨4) linkage was achieved using a disarmed trichloroacetimidate glucosyl donor.
88

Estudo de técnicas de extração de saponinas do fruto de erva mate (Ilex paraguariensis St. Hill)

Silva, Caroline Garcia Finkler da January 2016 (has links)
O grande acúmulo de saponinas nos frutos imaturos de erva mate permite considerá-los uma fonte de matéria prima abundante e ainda não explorada para obtenção de saponinas. As saponinas são conhecidas como tensoativos naturais, sendo utilizadas pelas suas propriedades emulsificantes e farmacológicas. O presente estudo teve como principal objetivo avaliar o uso de técnicas de extração emergentes, como Extração assistida por Ultrassom (US), Campo Elétrico Moderado (CEM) e Extração por Fluido Supercrítico (EFS) para a extração seletiva de saponinas a partir de frutos imaturos de erva mate. Foram investigadas três condições de intensidade de ultrassom (565, 423 e 282 W cm-²) e de intensidade de campo elétrico (50, 37,5 e 25 V cm-1) associadas a diferentes temperaturas de operação. A interação das intensidades de ultrassom e de campo elétrico com diferentes temperaturas foi avaliada através do método de superfície de resposta. Para as extrações por fluido super e sub crítico foram utilizadas três condições de pressão (10, 20 e 30 MPa) e posteriormente sua correlação com diferentes vazões de solvente (1,62; 2,22 e 2,78 x10-4 kg s-1) e temperatura (30, 40 e 50 °C) foi investigada através do métodos de superfície de resposta. Curvas de rendimento das extrações em função do tempo foram levantadas para as condições ótimas de campo elétrico e intensidade de ultrassom (37,5 V cm-1 e 565 W cm-², respectivamente) a 40°C. As curvas foram modeladas matematicamente, com ajuste satisfatório, por modelos cinéticos de 1ª e 2ª ordem e também por um modelo difusivo baseado na 2ª Lei de Fick. Para extração supercrítica, foi construída a curva de extração para a condição de 10 MPa e 40 °C e esta curva foi modelada matematicamente. Assim, foram estimados parâmetros relacionados à transferência de massa, importantes para a compreensão fenomenológica dos processos extrativos. Nesse estudo, a extração com CO2 supercrítico mostrou-se tecnicamente viável para a obtenção de saponinas, sendo mais seletiva em relação aos processos por campo elétrico e ultrassom. Os ensaios com ultrassom e campo elétrico conseguiram gerar extratos brutos com até 68,30 e 64,26 μgilexmg-1extrato em massa de equivalente de saponina por massa de extrato, respectivamente. Os extratos obtidos com fluido supercrítico apresentaram elevada seletividade para saponinas, gerando extratos brutos com até 100,9 μgilex mg-1 extrato de saponina por massa de extrato. A pressão de operação não apresentou efeito tanto no rendimento global de extrato quanto no de saponina. / Considering the substantial amount of saponins in unripe yerba mate fruits, they are an abundant source of raw material not exploited yet. Saponins are known as natural surfactants, being used by their emulsifier and pharmacological properties. This study aimed to evaluate emergent extraction techniques such as Ultrasound (US), Moderate Electric Field (MEF) and Supercritical Fluid Extraction (SFE) for the selective extraction of saponins from unripe fruits of yerba mate. Three power conditions (565, 423 and 282W cm-2), electric field intensities (50, 37.5 and 25 V cm-1) and pressure conditions (10, 20 and 30 MPa) were initially assayed for US, MEF and SFE respectively at 40 °C. Power and electric field intensity were found to affect the saponins yields, thus, their correlation with different temperatures were evaluated with a factorial design. At the optimal condition, US and MEF saponins yields were 6.42% and 6.83% (%gilex gextract-1). Extraction yield curves were raised for optimum conditions of electric field and ultrasound power (37.5 V cm-1 and 565 W cm-², respectively). Three different kinetic models were used to model mathematically the overall extraction curves, namely a first-order, second-order, and a mass transfer model based on Fick’s Law. The operating pressure had no effect on either the overall brute extract or saponins yield for SFE. Although the extracts obtained with supercritical fluid showed low brute extracts yields, it was highly selective for saponins yielding up to 10.09%. For supercritical extraction, the extraction curve for 10 MPa and 40 °C was assayed and the experimental data fitted by a mathematical model. Parameters related to mass transfer, important for understanding of the extractive processes, were successfully estimated. In this study, the extraction with ultrasounds, electric field and supercritical CO2 were shown to be technically viable to obtain saponins from unripe yerba mate fruits, being EFS more selective than the other technics studied.
89

Avaliação de adjuvantes obtidos a partir de extratos de plantas bioativas / Evaluation of adjuvants derived from bioactive plant extracts

Müller, Lillian Espindola 12 August 2017 (has links)
Submitted by Gabriela Lopes (gmachadolopesufpel@gmail.com) on 2017-07-05T15:59:33Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Dissertação Lillian Espindola Müller.pdf: 1571545 bytes, checksum: 45f2e65629e91e4df8579311ccb3058b (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Aline Batista (alinehb.ufpel@gmail.com) on 2017-07-11T21:13:16Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação Lillian Espindola Müller.pdf: 1571545 bytes, checksum: 45f2e65629e91e4df8579311ccb3058b (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-07-11T21:13:16Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação Lillian Espindola Müller.pdf: 1571545 bytes, checksum: 45f2e65629e91e4df8579311ccb3058b (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-08-12 / Conselho Nacional de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico - CNPq / A necessidade de alternativas que tornem as aplicações mais eficientes no manejo fitossanitário é uma constante e para isto o uso de adjuvantes junto às caldas fitoprotetoras trazem grandes benefícios como o aumento na molhabilidade, na aderência, no espalhamento, a redução da tensão superficial e o ângulo de contato da gota e na dispersão da calda de pulverização, além de aumentar a penetração cuticular promovendo assim a eficácia contra espécies de difícil controle melhorando a atividade química e as características de aplicação. Com isso, este trabalho teve por objetivo investigar fontes de adjuvantes obtidas a partir de extratos de plantas bioativas. Foram avaliadas a presença de saponinas na composição fitoquímica, a qualidade saponosídica, o potencial tensoativo e adesivo e a melhor forma de preparo e concentração para cada espécie. As médias dos resultados obtidos pelos tratamentos foram comparadas estatisticamente pelo teste de Tukey, em nível de 5% de probabilidade. A presença de saponinas foi constatada na maioria das espécies analisadas com qualidades distintas, obtendo-se maior capacidade tensoativa para o fator de comparação utilizado (sabão neutro) enquanto a maior capacidade adesiva foi observada na espécie Aloe vera. A melhor forma de preparo e concentração se deu de acordo com as análises realizadas, sendo que para os tensoativos os melhores resultados foram através da massa seca e triturada enquanto que para os adesivos a forma verde processada em suco obteve maior destaque. No entanto ainda são necessários maiores estudos quanto às concentrações e associações passíveis de serem utilizadas no manejo fitossanitário para a agricultura familiar. / The need for alternatives which make the most efficient applications in plant management is constant and that the use of adjuvants together with the grout fitoprotetoras bring great benefits as increased wettability in adhering, the spreading, to reduce the surface tension and the angle contact drop and dispersion of the spray solution, in addition to increasing cuticular penetration thereby promoting effective against species unwieldy improving the chemical activity and application characteristics. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate sources of adjuvants derived from bioactive plant extracts. We evaluated the presence of saponins in phytochemical composition, saponosídica quality, surfactant and adhesive potential and the best way of preparation and concentration for each species. The average results for the treatments were compared statistically by the Tukey test at the level of 5% probability. The presence of saponins was observed in most of the species analyzed with distinct qualities, obtaining higher surface-active capacity for comparison factor used (neutral soap) while the higher adhesive strength was observed in the Aloe vera species. The best form of preparation and concentration was in accordance with the analysis carried out, and for the surfactants the best results were dried and crushed through mass while for the adhesives processed green form in juice obtained greater prominence. However further studies are still needed as the concentrations and associations that can be used in pest management for family farming.
90

Functional identification and initial characterization of a fish co-receptor involved in aversive signaling

Cohen, Staci Padove 18 May 2009 (has links)
Chemoreception plays an important role in predator-prey interactions and feeding dynamics. While the chemoreception of attractant or pleasant tasting compounds has been well studied, aversive chemoreceptive signaling has been difficult to investigate behaviorally in an ecological context because these interactions are species- and context- specific and deterrent compounds vary among prey. Using the coral reef system, this thesis explores on a molecular level the deterrent mechanism underlying detection by fish predators of an aversive compound, in order to gain a greater understanding of predator-prey interactions in this community. Like other organisms that are sessile or slow-moving, marine sponges have special mechanisms for defense from predation, commonly containing aversive-tasting compounds that defend these organisms from predation. To this end, we sought to identify and characterize a fish chemoreceptor that detects one or more of these compounds. We isolated a single cDNA clone encoding RAMP-like triterpene glycoside receptor (RL-TGR), a novel co-receptor involved in the signaling of triterpene glycosides. This co-receptor appears to be structurally and functionally related to receptor activity-modifying proteins (RAMPs), a family of co-receptors that physically associate with and modify the activity of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Expression in Xenopus oocytes showed that it responds to triterpene glycosides in a receptor-mediated manner and requires co-expression of a GPCR to enable signaling in oocytes; both of these receptors may be components of a larger signaling complex. A 40 bp portion of the gene is conserved across multiple fish species, but is not found in any other organism with a sequenced genome, suggesting that the expression of this receptor is limited to fish species. RL-TGR is the first identified gene encoding a co-receptor that responds to a chemical defense. This finding may lead the way for the identification of many other receptors that mediate chemical defense signaling in both marine and terrestrial environments, as this protein has the potential to represent the first of an entire family of co-receptors that respond to aversive compounds.

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