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DOI: 10.1055/s-0034-1395023
Phylogenetic studies of Piper and Peperomia: Reconstruction of secondary metabolites evolution
Piper and Peperomia are the largest genera of Piperaceae and have wide geographical distribution. Several reports have been published describing a number of compounds isolated from Piper and Peperomia, showing pronounced biological activities, such as antitumor, antifungal, antimicrobial, anti-trypanocidal, molluscicide, insecticide and larvicide. Studies on molecular phylogeny involving Piper and Peperomia have also been published [1 – 2]. However, so far studies concerning evolution of secondary metabolites in these genera with support on molecular phylogeny are scarce. The aim of this study is to combine the phylogenetic inference of Piper and Peperomia, using ITS sequences and parsimony, with evolutionary trend of classes of secondary metabolites, based on literature data. The phylogenetic analysis included 186 species of Piperaceae, comprising 146 species of Piper and 40 of Peperomia. The distribution of amides, chromenes, phenylpropanoids, poliketides, lignans, neoligans, alkaloids, flavonoids, meroterpenes, styrene dimers and arylpropanoids [3] was superimposed on the phylogeny obtained. The distribution of some classes of metabolites was shown to be coherent with the phylogenetic affinity among some Piper clades. However, no coherence was observed between metabolite distribution and Peperomia phylogeny. It is planned to take the study further, with the inclusion of additional Peperomia species and the combination of ITS with other DNA regions.
Acknowledgements: FAPESP (Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do estado de São Paulo) for financial support (09/51850 – 9) and posdoctoral felow of Anary P.M. Egydio (2013/19398 – 4).
Keywords: Piper, Peperomia, ITS sequences, molecular phylogeny, secondary metabolites evolution
References:
[1] Jaramillo M A, Callejas R, Davidson C, Smith JF, Stevens AC, Tepe EJ. A Phylogeny of the Tropical Genus Piper Using ITS and the Chloroplast Intron psbJ-petA. Syst Bot 2008; 33: 647 – 660.
[2] Samain MS, Vanderschaeve L, Chaerle P, Goetghebeur P, Neinhuis C, Wan S. Is morphology telling the truth about the evolution of the species rich genus Peperomia (Piperaceae)? Pl Syst Evol 2009; 278: 1 – 21.
[3] Kato MJ, Furlan M. Chemistry and evolution of the Piperaceae. Pure Appl Chem 2007; 79: 529 – 538.