Unit of Secondary metabolism
Lab of Lab of Plant Biotechnology
tel. +051-2091280
fax +051-242576
Group Leader: Prof. Nello Bagni
E-mail : bagninel@alma.unibo.it
Research in progress :
- Plant phytochemicals: metabolomics, proteomics and biotechnological applications The laboratory is mainly involved in the study of human health related plant phytochemicals such as polyphenols, alkaloids and biogenic amines. Metabolomics, proteomics and gene expression techniques are currently used to study the regulation of the synthesis of these metabolites in several plant systems (es. Arabidopsis thaliana and Vitis vinifera). 1). Analysis of polyphenolic content (in particular flavonoids and stilbenes such as resveratrol) in different grapevine plants, berries. Grape liquid cell cultures are used as model system to study the activity and gene expression of biosynthetic enzymes (northern blot, RT-PCR and Real-Time PCR), and to determine the protein expression profile (proteomics and mass spectrometry techniques). The regulation of biosynthetic enzymes is also studied by heterologous expression of plant proteins in E. coli, S. cerevisiae and P. pastoris. 2). Biogenic amines in plants and plant-derived foods. The presence of detrimental compounds in plant-derived foods (es. biogenic amines, alkaloids), is investigated. Particular attention is given to biogenic amines and related compounds present in significant amounts in human diet either naturally or as a result of food processing, microorganisms contamination, storage and spoilage. 3). Polyamine metabolism: transport, translocation, binding, gene expression and activity of biosynthetic and catabolic enzymes in in vivo and in vitro plants models.
- Other research lines deal with the regulation of polyamine metabolism using different plant systems among which genetically modified plants.
Funding :
- GUABER 2000-2001 (Funo di Argelato, Bologna)
- PRIN 2001-2002 (MIUR)
- FIRB 2003-2005 (MIUR)
- SPINNER 2004 Regione Emilia-Romagna
- CIB Consorzio Interuniversitario per le Biotecnologie 2005
- University of Bologna 2000 "Fondi Giovani Ricercatori"
- Fondi Rientro dei Cervelli 2004-2007
Patents :
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Selected Publications :
- Ohe M., Scoccianti V., Bagni N., Tassoni A., Matsuzaki S. 2008 Putative occurrence of lysine decarboxylase isoforms in soybean (Glycine max) seedlings. Amino Acids in press. DOI 10.1007/s00726-008-0029-6
- Tassoni A., Franceschetti M., Bagni N. 2008 Polyamines and salt stress response and tolerance in Arabidopsis thaliana flowers. Plant Physiol. Biochem. 46: 607-613.
- Righetti L., Tassoni A., Bagni N. 2008 Polyamine content in plant-derived foods: a comparison between soybean and Jerusalem artichoke. , Food Chemistry in press. DOI:10.1016/j.foodchem.2008.04.061
- Ferri M., Tassoni A., Franceschetti M., Righetti L., Naldrett M., Bagni N. 2008 Chitosan treatment induces changes of protein expression profile and stilbene distribution in Vitis vinifera cell suspensions. PROTEOMICS, in press.
- Ruiz-Carrasco K., Baroni Fornasiero R., Tassoni A., Bagni N. 2007 Identification of two phenotypes of Arabidopsis thaliana L. under in vitro salt stress conditions. Biol. Plant. 51: 436-442.
- Tassoni A., Franceschetti M., Tasco G., Casadio R., Bagni N. 2007 Gene expression of Vitis vinifera S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase shows strong regulation by upstream open reading frames. J. Plant Physiol. 164: 1208-1219.
- Tassoni A., Watkins C.B., Davies P.J. 2006 Inhibition of the ethylene response by 1-MCP in tomato suggests that polyamines are not involved in delaying ripening, but may moderate the rate of ripening or over-ripening. J. Exp. Bot. 57: 3313-3325.
- Chiancone B., Tassoni A., Bagni N., Germanà M.A. 2006 Effect of polyamines on in vitro anther culture of Citrus clementina Hort. ex Tan. Plant Cell Tiss. Org. Cul. 87: 145-153.
- Bagni N., Ruiz-Carrasco K., Fornalè S., Franceschetti M., Baroni Fornasiero R., Tassoni A. 2006 Polyamine metabolism and biosynthetic gene expression in Arabidopsis thaliana under salt stress. Plant Physiol. Biochem. 44: 776-786.
- Tassoni A., Fornalè S., Musiani F. and Bagni N. (2005) Jasmonates and Na orthovanadate promote resveratrol production in Vitis vinifera L. cv. Barbera cell cultures. New Phytologist (I.F. 3.355) 166: 895-905.
- Ohe M., Kobayashi M., Niitsu M., Bagni N. Matsuzaki S. (2005) Analysis of polyamine metabolism in soybean seedlings using 15N-labelled putrescine. Phytochemistry (I.F. 2.101) 66: 523-528
- Franceschetti M, Fornalè S, Tassoni A, Zuccherelli K, Mayer MJ, Bagni N. (2004) Effects of spermidine synthase overexpression on polyamine biosynthetic pathway in tobacco plants. J Plant Physiol. 161: 989-1001
- Bertoldi D, Tassoni A, Martinelli L, Bagni N. (2004) Polyamines and somatic embryogenesis in two Vitis vinifera cultivars. Physiol Plant. 120: 657-666
- Tassoni A, Fornalè S, Bagni N. (2003) Putative ornithine decarboxylase activity in Arabidospis thaliana: inhibition and intracellular localization. Plant Physiol Biochem. 41: 871-875
Postgraduate training :
- Ph.D. Program in Cellular, Molecular and Industrial Biology (Progect n. 1: Physiology and Cellular Biology)
Collaborations :
- : Prof. Attilio Scienza and Prof. Osvaldo Failla, Dip. di Colture Arboree, University of Milan
- : Dr. Leonardo Setti, Facoltà di Chimica Industriale, Dip. di Chimica dei Materiali, University of Bologna
- : Prof. Maria Antonietta Germanà, Dip. di Colture Arboree, University of Palermo
- : Dr. Anthony J. Michael, Institute of Food Research, Norwich, UK
- : Prof. Peter J Davies, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
- : Prof. Rosa Cusidò, University of Barcelona, Spain
Links :
Postgraduate training
http://www.dipartimentobiologia.it/doctoraltraining/bagni.asp
Research group :
Dr. Maura Ferri post-doc
Dr. Tassoni Annalisa (Research Associate)
Prof. Nello Bagni (Full professor)
