Taxomomic variation in amino acid compositions of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylases from grasses

Ribulose-1,5-biphosphate (RuBP) carboxylases from 38 grass species (26 genera), isolated via affinity chromatography, compare well in amino acid compositions with the enzyme extracted and purified from the same and other species (46 species, 38 genera) by an alternative procedure. Taxonomic differences in the amino acid composition of the enzyme exist between the major grass groups. Those of pooids are distinguishable from those of chloridoids, eu-panicoids and andropogonoids, while those of a bamboo, Oryza, Microlaena and Stipeae bear closer resemblance to those of pooids. The amino acid composition of RuBP carboxylases does not resemble that of total leaf proteins of the grasses. Variations detected in the amino acid compositions of RuBP, carboxylases are independent of observed differences in kinetics between C₃ and C₄ versions of the enzyme.     

Systematic variation in amino acid compositions of grass caryopses

Variation in amino acid patterns of 121 species (72 genera) of grass caryopses is extensively consistent with taxonomic groupings. The patterns of pooids and chloridoids are distinguishable from one another and from those of eu-panicoids and andropogonoids; the bamboos, Oryza, Stipeae, Ehrharta and Microlaena, which share certain morphological and anatomical features, also share a characteristic amino acid profile, while profiles of danthonoioids, Triodia and Aristida are clearly non-pooid. Caryopsis amino acid patterns vary independently of photosynthetic pathway. Embryos from taxonomically diverse genera all show very similar amino acid profiles, which differ strikingly from those of the endosperms, and the amino acid patterns of whole caryopses are dominated by their endosperms, which are responsible for the taxonomic variation. ‘Chemical scores’ of the caryopsis proteins, but not total protein contents, correlate to some extent with taxonomic groupings.     

Protein content and amino acid composition of cassava leaf

On the basis of leaf dry wt, the protein content of six varieties of cassava varied from 29.3 to 38.6% and the estimated leaf protein production ranged from 242 to 953 kg per ha. On the basis of fr. wt of leaf, the total amino acids ranged from 8.42 to 9.4% while the essential amino acids averaged 4.21% and the sulphur-containing amino acids only 0.25%. The amino acid composition profiles for the six varieties was similar.     

4种小檗科植物叶片的蛋白质及氨基酸组成分析

蛋白质和氨基酸是植物体内重要的营养物质,研究药用植物的蛋白质和氨基酸组成对药用植物资源的合理开发和综合利用具有重要意义,但目前对药用植物次生代谢物的研究较为广泛（如黄酮类化合物[1-2],而对其初生代谢物的研究相对较少[3-4]。     

Free amino Acid contents of stem and phylloxera gall tissue cultures of grape

Free amino acid constituents were determined of grape stem and Phylloxera leaf gall callus in tissue culture. Fast, medium and slow growing single cell clones of, respectively, stem and gall origins were grown on a mineral salt-sucrose medium supplemented with coconut milk and α-naphthaleneacetic acid. Stem and gall clones showed qualitative similarities and quantitative variations in the amino acids and nitrogenous constituents. Nineteen amino acids, glucosamine, ethanolamine, sarcosine, methionine sulfoxides and ammonia were identified. Two free polypeptides accounted for over 30% of the amino compounds in the stem and gall callus tissues which were not found in the intact plant parts. Stem clones of different growth rates grown on agar showed generally an excess of amino acid constituents over gall tissues of similar growth rates, except for the free polypeptides. Fast growing stem clones grown on agar medium contained lower amounts of certain amino acids than the fast growing gall clones, but when grown in liquid medium they contained higher amounts of these acids than the gall clones. The total and nonsoluble nitrogen of stem clones were higher than in the gall clones. Tissue cultures differed from the original plant parts with respect to their free polypeptides and high amino acid contents.     

30种植物叶蛋白中氨基酸组成及含量的测定与营养价值评价

评价植物叶蛋白的营养价值,既要考虑“量”,看植物叶蛋白含量的高低,也要考虑“质”,看必需氨基酸的含量及配比[1]。作者取叶蛋白含量50%以上的30种植物进行氨基酸含量测定[2],并进行营养价值评价。1　方　　法应用日立83550型氨基酸自动分析仪进行氨基酸含量的测定,并与?..     

Influence of Protein Source on Growth-depressing Effect of Excess Amino Acids in Young Rats

The influence of protein quality on the growth-depressing effect of excessive amount of 12 individual essential and semiessential amino acids was examined. Growing rats were fed for 3 weeks diets containing either 10.5% egg albumin or 11.6% wheat gluten (equivalent to the protein content of a 10% casein diet) supplemented with 5% of each of the l-amino acids. In general, the pattern of growth depression produced by the addition of excess amino acids to the egg albumin or the wheat gluten diet was similar to that of the case of casein diet obtained previously under the same experimental conditions. However, the extent of these effects was dependent not only upon the kind of amino acid supplemented with but also upon the source of protein used, and the depressing effect of each of excess amino acids added to the wheat gluten diet was usually severer than those added to casein and egg albumin diets. No evidence was noted of any striking changes in the liver protein and nucleic acid concentrations by either diets, but total liver protein, RNA and DNA contents were decreased in some amino acid groups of the egg albumin diet and in all amino acid groups of the wheat gluten diet except the lysine addition. The free amino acid level in plasma generally showed extreme elevation for the amino acid supplemented in excess in the diet, and in most cases the extent of the elevation was correlated with the growth depression.     

Free amino acids in some sponges

Most invertebrates, particularly those of marine origin, have relatively high concentrations of free amino acids which are considered an important constituent of their osmoregulatory mechanisms [1]. Very little information is available on the free amino acid distribution in Porifera [2,3]. Common amino acids in some sponges were recognised by paper chromatography by Inskip and Cassidy [4] and Ackermann et al. [5,6] included a few sponges in their survey of the occurence of nitrogen compounds in marine invertebrates. More recently Bergquist and Hartman [7] surveyed semiquantitatively the distribution of free amino acids in several sponges. In the present paper we report on the amino acid composition of 12 species of sponges belonging to the class Demospongiae as a part of a study on the metabolites of Porifera [8]. Fresh sponges were extracted with aqueous ethanol. The organic solvent was removed and the aqueous solution, after removal of the ether soluble compounds, was separated into cationic, anionic and neutral fractions by ion-exchange chromatography. The cation fraction was analysed for amino acids using an automatic amino acid analyser. The results, which are presented in Table 1, show that all species of sponges examined have a similar composition in common amino acids. Glycine almost always appears as the dominant protein amino acid, followed by high concentrations of alanine and glutamic acid, whereas relatively lower concentrations of basic amino acids are present. In Axinella cannabina, Chondrosia reniformis, Chondrilla nucula, Cliona viridis and Hymeniacidon sanguinea, glycine represents more than 77% of the total amino acids. The high percentage of free glycine (90.4%) in Chondrosia reniformis is noteworthy. The anionic and the neutral fractions were examined for sulfur-containing amino acids using PC. Taurine (Table 2) was detected in all the Porifera examined; this is in agreement with previous observations [5–7]. N-Methyltaurine was identified in some of the species examined, whereas neither N,N-dimethyltaurine nor N,N,N-trimethyltaurine were found.     

Amino acid and protein changes in the haemolymph of developing fourth instar Chironomus tentans

The concentration of free amino acids, total soluble protein, and haemoglobin in the haemolymph of fourth instar Chironomus tentans was investigated.The concentration of the free amino acid pool increases between the early (15.7 mM/l) and mid-(33.9 mM/l) fourth larval stages followed by a decline during the late (16.9 mM/l) fourth larval period. Alanine, serine, and the amides of aspartic acid and glutamic acid are the predominant free amino acids at all stages. Physiological fluid analysis of late fourth instar haemolymph detected 32 ninhydrin positive components including 18 common amino acids plus homoarginine, ornithine, citrulline, β-alanine, α-aminoadipic acid, α-aminoisobutyric acid, and sarcosine.The concentration of total soluble protein steadily increases during fourth instar larval development to a maximum of $\text{9.3}\text{g}\text{100}\text{ml}$ followed by a decline during the pharate pupal period. A similar pattern of variation occurs in haemoglobin content which comprises from 51 to 66% of Chironomus tentans haemolymph protein.The mM percentage of individual amino acids of total haemolymph protein varies little during the fourth instar. At all stages alanine and aspartic acid are the predominant amino acids.     

甘蔗组织中游离氨基酸组分和含量研究

在甘蔗幼苗中,各个器官的丙氨酸含量都比较高,但在完全展开叶的叶片和叶鞘中丝氨酸含量更高;游离氨基酸总量的分布为完全展开叶叶片》完全展开叶叶鞘,苗根>心叶、幼茎,在伸长盛期和工艺成熟前期9个甘蔗基因型+1叶均以丙氨酸占优势。不同基因型的各种游离氨基酸含量都有明显的差异。在工艺成熟前期,早熟基因型的游离氨基酸总量比较低。伸长盛期与工艺成熟前期游离氨基酸总量之比值也与不同基因型的熟性密切相关,中晚熟品种的明显较低.早熟品种的较高,三个细茎早熟原种材料的更高。     

Developmental Changes in the Free Amino Acid Pool and Total Protein Amino Acids of Pea Cotyledons (Pisum sativum L.)

Changes in the levels of twenty-two free amino acids and in the amino acid composition of the total protein were measured throughout the development of cotyledons of a dwarf garden pea, Pisum sativum cv Greenfeast, grown in a constant environment. A sensitive double-isotope dansylation technique was used. Fresh weight, dry weight, and protein content were also followed. Twenty of the amino acids showed synchronous changes in levels, giving a developmental pattern containing four peaks; major peaks occurred very early and very late in development. The amino acid composition of the total protein, which was always very different from that of the free amino acid pool, showed early changes to one consistent with the final storage protein composition of the seed. These changes included a 50% drop in methionine content and a 70% rise in cysteine. While the maximum free methionine level occurred early in development, that of cysteine was late.     

Amino Acid composition of germinating cotton seeds

Total and free amino acid composition of germinating cotton seeds (Gossypium hirsutum L.) was determined. The germinating seeds were separated into cotyledon and developing axis fractions daily and the composition of each tissue was summed to get the whole seed composition. By separating the developing seeds into these two tissue fractions, and determining total and free amino acids, a balance sheet was developed for each amino acid. This technique allowed changes in distribution with time of each amino acid to be followed in each tissue. Data for total content and amount in protein of each amino acid are presented. Asparagine increased in the whole seed, and most of this increase was found in the free pool of the developing axis. Other amino acids (e.g. arginine, glutamic acid) increased in the free pool but showed an over-all decrease, indicating that they were being metabolized. Amino acid contents of storage and nonstorage protein isolates were determined.     

黄皮种子蛋白质营养价值的评价研究

在对黄皮种子氨基酸的组成及蛋白质的含量进行分析的基础上,应用模糊识别法和氨基酸比值系数法,对其营养价值进行了全面评价,并与8种植物种子蛋白质进行对照比较。结果表明:黄皮种子(干品)蛋白质含量为8.625%,含有17种氨基酸,种类齐全,其含量为762.2 mg.g-1蛋白质,必需氨基酸(EAA)占总氨基酸量的35.5%,第一限制性氨基酸为含硫氨基酸(M et+Cys),贴近度为0.8536,营养价值与高粱米、西瓜子等接近。     

Alleviation of Changes in Protein Metabolism in NaCl-Stressed Wheat Seedlings by Thiamine

NaCl-stress induced a pronounced suppression in growth of wheat seedlings. The most abundant amino acids (cysteine, arginine, methionine) constituting about 55 % of total free amino acid content in control wheat were reduced in 100 mM NaCl-treated plants. However, valine, isoleucine, aspartic acid and proline accumulated in response to NaCl stress and NaCl-treated wheat seedlings showed 1.6 fold increase in total free amino acids compared to the control. Addition of 2 [micro ]M thiamine alleviated the effects of NaCl on the amino acid composition and the amount of total free amino acids decreased to that in the control. Content of 26 kDa protein increased in NaCl-treated plants, stimulation was more pronounced in roots than in shoots. In contrast, the contents of 13 and 20 kDa proteins decreased. After addition of thiamine, the 24 kDa protein, which disappeared with NaCl treatment, has been initiated again. Moreover, thiamine treatment stimulated the accumulation of the 20 kDa protein.     

Estimating the number of protein molecules in a plant cell: protein and amino acid homeostasis during drought

During drought stress, cellular proteostasis on the one hand and amino acid homeostasis on the other hand are severely challenged, because the decrease in photosynthesis induces massive proteolysis, leading to drastic changes in both the proteome and the free amino acid pool. Thus, we selected progressive drought stress in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) as a model to investigate on a quantitative level the balance between protein and free amino acid homeostasis. We analyzed the mass composition of the leaf proteome based on proteomics datasets, and estimated how many protein molecules are present in a plant cell and its subcellular compartments. In addition, we calculated stress-induced changes in the distribution of individual amino acids between the free and protein-bound pools. Under control conditions, an average Arabidopsis mesophyll cell contains about 25 billion protein molecules, of which 80% are localized in chloroplasts. Severe water deficiency leads to degradation of more than 40% of the leaf protein mass, and thus causes a drastic shift in distribution toward the free amino acid pool. Stress-induced proteolysis of just half of the 340 million RubisCO hexadecamers present in the chloroplasts of a single mesophyll cell doubles the cellular content of free amino acids. A major fraction of the amino acids released from proteins is channeled into synthesis of proline, which is a compatible osmolyte. Complete oxidation of the remaining fraction as an alternative respiratory substrate can fully compensate for the lack of photosynthesis-derived carbohydrates for several hours.

A quantitative perspective on the protein and amino acid composition of a leaf cell illustrates the dimension and specific consequences of massive proteolysis induced by severe water deficit.     

细叶小羽藓营养成分的测定分析

该研究以细叶小羽藓为材料,测定了基本营养成分总糖、粗脂肪、粗蛋白、灰分的含量,采用气相色谱、氨基酸自动分析仪分别检测了脂肪酸和氨基酸的组分含量,并通过化学分析法和扫描电镜明确了细叶小羽藓矿质元素含量及分布情况。结果表明:细叶小羽藓中主要成分是糖类,占16.11%,粗蛋白质、灰分含量分别为11.20%、23.34%。氨基酸组成均衡,必需氨基酸(EAA)占氨基酸总量(TAA)的27.70%,必需氨基酸与非必需氨基酸的比值(EAA/NEAA)为0.38;限制性氨基酸为组氨酸,比值系数分(SRC)为12.96;药用氨基酸占总氨基酸的62.12%;天冬氨酸、谷氨酸、精氨酸、亮氨酸等含量相对较高。不饱和脂肪酸与饱和脂肪酸的比值为0.74,不饱和脂肪酸花生四烯酸(AA)和二十二碳六烯酸(DHA)相对含量较高。富含矿物质,茎叶元素均匀分布,其中Al、Ca、Fe、K、Mg等元素含量很高。综上认为,细叶小羽藓是一种含糖量较多、矿质丰富、低脂、低蛋白的苔藓,作为生物资源具有开发潜力。     

Etude chimiotaxonomique dans les genres Macrotyloma, Dolichos et Pseudovigna

The variations of free, protein and total amino acid contents have been studied in seeds of Macrotyloma, Dolichos and Pseudovigna. The concentrations of free amino acids and of γ-glutamylphenylalanine seem to be characteristic of some species and also of some genera.     

Effect of sound and Lenzites-decayed wood on the amino acid composition of Reticulitermes flavipes

In hydrolysates of the eastern subterranean termite, Reticulitermes flavipes, the most abundant protein amino acids (μmoles) were glycine, alanine, and glutamic acid; the least abundant were methionine and histidine. Sawdust from both sound and Lenzites trabea-decayed sapwood blocks of sugar maple, loblolly pine, and slash pine was force-fed to termites. A diet of decayed rather than sound wood had little effect on protein amino acid composition of the termites; glycine content varied the most. In contrast, diet affected the free amino acid composition. Except for glutamic acid, the major protein amino acids of the termites were not the predominant free amino acids. Tyrosine and histidine were relatively more abundant as free than as protein amino acids. Greatest differences in protein amino acid compositions of sound and decayed wood were in contents of glycine, leucine, lysine, and arginine.     

Effect of various kinds of dietary protein and supplementation with limiting amino acids on growth,haemolymph components and uric acid excretion in the silkworm, Bombyx mori

Effects of various kinds of dietary protein on growth of the silkworm, Bombyx mori, were determined using semi-synthetic diets. Also, the ingestion, digestion and utilization of dry matter and of nitrogen were measured. Nutritive effects of dietary proteins and supplementation of limiting amino acids on haemolymph protein and amino acids pattern were also investigated. Larval growth was largely dependent on the dietary proteins. When the larvae were reared on a diet containing weakly nutritive proteins such as gluten and zein, haemolymph protein was decreased and uric acid excretion was markedly accelerated. The free amino acid composition of the haemolymph manifested characteristic patterns according to the kinds of dietary protein.The supplementation of gluten and zein with their limiting amino acids resulted in a rise of haemolymph protein and a drop in uric acid excretion. The amino acid patterns in the haemolymph were greatly changed according to supplementation.     

Changes in Pool Sizes of Free Amino Acids and Amides in Leaves and Plastids of Zea mays during Leaf Development

The concentrations of free amino acids and amides within isolated maize (Zea mays L.) plastids were determined and compared with concentrations in the leaf tissue. The concentrations were different for each individual amino acid and varied between 1 and 10 millimolar. At five different developmental stages concentrations in the plastids were greater than those in the intact leaf tissue. During development, from the proplastid stage to the mature chloroplast, the amount of each amino acid per plastid remained relatively constant, but there were decreases in concentrations of plastid amino acids resulting from the developmental increase in plastid volume. In proplastids, the free amino acids were present in greater concentrations than those previously found to inhibit partially amino acid-synthesizing enzymes located in chloroplasts. In the chloroplasts, the molarities of the free amino acids were within the range known to inhibit amino acid-synthesizing enzymes.