Photosynthetic Unit Size during the Synchronous Life Cycle of Scenedesmus

Apparent size of the photosynthetic unit (chlorophyll/O₂ per flash) was estimated by O₂ yield of repetitive short flashes on cell samples taken at various times from a synchronized culture (14-hour light, 10-hour dark) of Scenedesmus obliquus. Unit size was essentially invariant (< 10% variation) with a mean value of 1750 chlorophyll/O₂ per flash. In contrast, the light-saturated photosynthetic rate per unit chlorophyll, or turnover rate of the photosynthetic unit, varied with the life cycle, rising 40% in the first three hours of the light period and decaying slowly thereafter. The results are taken as evidence that the metabolic machinery is subject to far greater control and adjustment than is the photochemical machinery.     

Photosynthetic Activity during the Division Cycle in Synchronized Euglena gracilis

Axenic populations of the photosynthetic protozoan Euglena gracilis, grown with autotrophic nutrition, were synchronized with respect to cell division by culture on an alternating light-dark cycle. No cell divisions occurred in the light periods; approximately 100% of the cells divided in the dark periods. In such cultures, the synthesis of photosynthetic pigments and accumulation of polysaccharide were confined to the light periods. The capacity for photosynthesis, however, increased continuously over the entire light-dark cycle, and is thus not directly correlated with pigment content. A correlation was seen between photosynthetic capacity and protein content, suggesting that enzymatic mechanisms of the photosynthetic apparatus might be the limiting factor. Estimates of total photosynthetic activity indicate that about 5 x 10(-6) calories are required for the synthesis of a new cell.     

Changes in the Carotenoid Pattern During the Synchronous Life Cycle of Scenedesmus

The wild type (WT) of Scenedesmus obliquus and a mutant lacking chlorophyll b and the light-harvesting complexes (WT-LHC₁) were synchronized by a light-dark regime. Both cultures contained the same type of carotenoids. However, concentrations and patterns of carotenoids were different during their synchronous life cycles. The concentration of total carotenoids followed more or less that of chlorophyll. The WT contained more carotenoids per cell mass, but slightly less per chlorophyll. It is discussed that part of the carotenoids of the mutant, lacking the peripheral antenna of PSII, might be located in the chlorophyll b-less apoprotein or in an enlarged core antenna of PSII. During the life cycle of Scenedesmus the carotenes are initially synthesized and most of the α-carotene is immediately oxidized to lutein which is inserted in the antennae systems of PSII and PSI. The further oxidation of lutein to loroxanthin seems to depend on both the change from dark to light, and on stages of the life cycle itself. Although the major part of β-carotene appears to be inserted in the reaction centers, a fraction of the total pool is rapidly converted to violaxanthin, following the onset of illumination. The conversion may serve to protect against photooxidation. Further conversion of violaxanthin to neoxanthin occurs to a greater extent in the mutant, WT-LHC₁. The results demonstrate (1) the close connection between the carotenoid pattern and the modulation of the photosynthetic apparatus during the life cycle of Scenedesmus and (2) the flexibility of the organism in compensating for the absence of the light-harvesting complexes of photosystems II by adjusting the carotenoid distribution.     

Studies of the Plant Cell Cycle in Synchronous Cultures of Catharanthus roseus Cells

Catharanthus roseus cells can be induced to divide with a highdegree of synchrony by two different methods, namely, the phosphatestarvation method and the auxin starvation method. In such synchronizedcultures, cell-cycle-dependent events characteristic of plantcells, for example, synthesis of the cell wall and related morphologicalchanges, have been the focus of fruitful investigations. Itappears that polyamines and phosphatidylinositol are involvedin the regulation of the progression of the cell cycle. Genesfor proliferating-cell nuclear antigen and mitotic cyclins,as well as several genes identified as cell-cycle-dependentgenes by screening of a library prepared from synchronized cells,have been characterized and the results indicate that featurescommon to both plant cells and animal cells are involved inthe regulation of the progression of the cell cycle. ²Present address: Department of Plant Science, Graduate Schoolof Science, The University of Tokyo, Hongo, Tokyo, 113 Japan.     

Phase-Specific Polypeptides and Poly(A) RNAs during the Cell Cycle in Synchronous Cultures of Catharanthus roseus Cells

This study shows an overall analysis of gene expression during the cell cycle in synchronous suspension cultures of Catharanthus roseus cells. First, the cellular cytoplasmic proteins were fractionated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and visualized by staining with silver. Seventeen polypeptides showed qualitative or quantitative changes during the cell cycle. Second, the rates of synthesis of cytoplasmic proteins were also investigated by autoradiography by labeling cells with [³⁵S]methionine at each phase of the cell cycle. The rates of synthesis of 13 polypeptides were found to vary during the cell cycle. The silverstained electrophoretic pattern of proteins in the G₂ phase in particular showed characteristic changes in levels of polypeptides, while the rates of synthesis of polypeptides synthesized during the G₂ phase did not show such phase-specific changes. This result suggests that posttranslational processing of polypeptides occurs during or prior to the G₂ phase. In the G₁ and S phases and during cytokinesis, several other polypeptides were specifically synthesized. Finally, the variation of mRNAs was analyzed from the autoradiograms of in vitro translation products of poly(A)⁺ RNA isolated at each phase. Three poly(A)⁺ RNAs increased in amount from the G₁ to the S phase and one poly (A)⁺ RNA increased preferentially from the G₂ phase to cytokinesis.     

Poliovirus Replication during HeLa Cell Life Cycle

VIRAL replication in infected animal cells is commonly investigated in asynchronized cultures. Since several synthetic processes of macromolecules occur at definite periods in the cell cycle^1,2, the possibility existed that viral infection and replication might be also phase-linked. We have chosen to investigate this problem in HeLa S₃ cells infected with type 1 Mahoney poliovirus³, since the system is well known⁴ and these cells can be easily synchronized. In addition, the replication of poliovirus RNA in asynchronized HeLa cells has been well characterized^4,5.     

Changes in the Carbonic Anhydrase Activity and the Rate of Photosynthetic O2 Evolution during the Cell Cycle of Chlorella ellipsoidea C-27

Rhythmical changes in carbonic anhydrase activity(CA) and inphotosynthesis were observed during the cell cycle of Chlorellaellipsoidea C-27 synchronized at various concentrations of dissolvedCO₂ (dCO₂ with a regime of 16 h of light and 8 h of darkness.At a constant low concentration of dCO₂ (11 {diaeresis}M), intracellularCA activity showed obvious fluctuations with a peak at 8 h afterthe initiation of illumination, while extracellular CA activity,located on the cell surface, showed only minor fluctuationsalthough the activity was as high as the maximum activity ofintracellular CA. In contrast, obvious changes in the activitiesof intra- and extracellular CA activities were not observedat a high concentration of dCO₂ (520 {diaeresis}M). The ratioof photosynthetic activity at limiting versus saturating concentrationsof dCO₂, which is indicative of the affinity of cells for CO₂,showed clear rhythmical changes during the cell cycle and theratio was higher in low-CO₂ cells than in high-CO₂ cells. Thechanges in the ratio seemed to reflect the changes in CA activity. When the cells that had been synchronized under high CO₂ conditionswere transferred to low CO₂ conditions at any given stage inthe cell cycle, CA activity was induced in every case but thecapacity for induction of CA was greater in young cells thanin mature cells. This result suggests that the capacity of cellsto induce CA over the course of the cell cycle is closely relatedto endogenous aging of the cell. (Received August 29, 1988; Accepted December 28, 1988)     

Photosynthetic Genes of Petunia (Mitchell) Are Differentially Expressed during the Diurnal Cycle

The petunia (Petunia [Mitchell]) chloroplast proteins, the chlorophyll a/b-binding (Cab) proteins, and the small subunit of ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase (RbcS) are encoded by nuclear genes that are expressed in a light-dependent manner. The steady-state concentrations of five cab mRNAs vary with a dramatic circadian rhythm in plants grown under a constant diurnal cycle (10 hours light, 14 hours dark). cab mRNA levels reach their maximum during the light period, but begin to drop prior to the dark period. These RNAs fall to their minimum concentration during the dark period and then begin to increase again in anticipation of the light. Within this general pattern, there are variations in expression among specific classes of cab genes. The light harvesting complex of photosystem II LHCII-type 1 cab mRNAs rise to a well-defined maximum at 2 hours prior to the dark period. All but one of these genes are expressed in anticipation of the light period. The LHCII type 2 cab mRNA and the LHC of photosystem I cab mRNA are expressed at more constant levels throughout the light period. The expression of these genes anticipates the light more than does the expression of the LHCII type 1 genes. The steady state mRNA levels for the petunia rbcS genes show no significant diurnal fluctuation.     

Changes of Endocytotic Activities during the Cell Cycle of Dictyostelium Cells

Changes of endocytotic activities during the cell cycle of the cellular slime mould Dictyostelium discoideum Ax-2 were examined using the temperature-shift method for inducing synchronous growth. The activity of fluid-phase pinocytosis (FPP) was altered Ca²⁺-dependently and stimulated by EGTA. On the other hand, pinocytosis was greatly enhanced by addition of Bacteriological-peptone(BP) to the growth medium for Ax-2 cells, irrespective of the extracellular Ca²⁺-concentration. The maximal pinocytotic activity was attained in the presence of EGTA plus BP, the effects of the two substances being additive. The FPP activity was found to be high in cells in and just after the S phase, when the BP-induced fraction of pinocytosis was rather low. Thus the total activity for pinocytosis in the growth medium remained almost constant throughout the cell cycle, indicating that the rate of nutrient uptake through pinocytosis was not a limiting factor for cell cycle regulation. The change of phagocytotic activity during the cell cycle was somewhat similar to that of the FPP activity. Possible mechanisms of such cell-cycle related changes are discussed in relation to cytoskeletal proteins in the cell cortex. Some properties of BP-induced pinocytosis are also described.     

Stage-Dependent Protein Composition in the Life Cycle of Synchronous Ichthyophthirius multifiliis,a Ciliate Fish Parasite1

The sequential development of Ichthyophthirius multifiliis Fouquet, 1876 at 22°C was monitored from detachment from the fish through to infective tomites using one-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Methods are described for synchronizing I. multifiliis cells to permit the collection of large numbers of cells at stages during mitotic division. The electrophoretic protein patterns of the encysted stage differ from those of the tomite stage as well as from those of the other measured intervals.     

Changes in Chloroplast Lipids during the Development of Photosynthetic Activity in Barley Etio-Chloroplasts

The content of monogalactosyl diglyceride, digalactosyl diglyceride, sulfoquinovosyl diglyceride and phosphatidyl glycerol of gel-filtrated etio-chloroplasts isolated from greening barley seedlings was determined. The development of photosynthetic electron transport, measured as anthraquinone autooxidation, was simultaneously determined with an oxygen electrode. During the first hour of irradiation of the etiolated seedlings the lipid content of the plastids decreased rapidly. The decrease is interpreted as a chlorophyll sensitized photooxidation of the fatty acids of the diglycerides. With artificial electron donors an oxygen uptake was detected after 10 min of greening. With no donors added, a DCMU sensitive oxygen uptake was detected after 2 h. The level of DCMU inhibition increased as the plastid developed and total inhibition was obtained after 5 h. Between 2 and 6 h of greening the lipid content of the plastids stayed constant. During this greening period there was a correlation between the appearance of a DCMU sensitive electron transport and the accumulation of the trans-3-hexadecenoic acid of phosphatidyl glycerol. The trans-3-hexadecenoic acid was present already in the dark-grown seedlings but an increase in content did not occur until after 3 h. The lipid content increased after 6 h of greening. This increase coincided well in time with the formation of grana. The fatty acid composition of the individual lipids, with the exception of phosphatidyl glycerol, and the monogalactosyl diglyceride to digalactosyl diglyceride ratios did not change fundamentally during the greening.     

Photosynthetic Characteristics and Carbonic Anhydrase Activity in Cells Cultured Photoautotrophically and Mixotrophically and Cells Isolated from Leaves

Cultured green cells of Nicotiana tabacum var. Samsun, Cytisusscoparius Link and Hyoscyamus niger which were grown photoautotrophicallyunder a stream of air enriched with 1% CO₂ or mixotrophicallyin the presence of 3% sucrose and ordinary air showed very lowcarbonic anhydrase activity, which was only 0–9% of thatin the respective intact leaves. The CO₂ compensation pointfor photosynthesis of autotrophically and mixotrophically culturedgreen cells of tobacco was higher than 0.3 mM NaHCO₃ at pH 7.8,but that of the cells isolated from tobacco leaves was lowerthan 0.1 mM NaHCO₃ at pH 7.8. The fact that the cultured cellscannot grow photoautotrophically under ordinary air is due toa high CO₂ compensation point in photosynthesis. The dark respiratoryactivity in both photoautotrophically and mixotrophically culturedtobacco cells was more than 7-fold that in the cells isolatedfrom tobacco leaves. We therefore could not conclude whetherthe high CO₂ compensation point in the cultured cells is dueto the low carbonic anhydrase activity or simply reflects thehigh respiratory activity. (Received July 10, 1980; Accepted November 25, 1980)     

The Photosynthetic Activity of the Wheat Ear

The contribution made by ear photosynthesis to grain yield wasfound to vary from 10 per cent to 44 per cent depending on thetechnique used, and on environmental conditions. A modifiedear-shading technique is described which overcomes some of theundesirable features of previous ear-shading methods. It wasalso found that ear photosynthesis comprises two processes,(a) the assimilation of atmospheric CO₂ and (b) the photosyntheticrefixation of the ear's respiratory CO₂. Dry-weight data andmeasurements of CO₂ exchange both indicated that this lattercomponent can make a significant contribution to grain yield.     

Changes in the Lipid Composition of Thalassiosira pseudonana during Its Life Cycle

The lipid and fatty acid (FA) compositions of a marine diatom alga Thalassiosira pseudonana grown in culture were investigated. The relative content of separate lipid classes and their FA composition varied during of the life cycle. During the periods of active cell division and resting cell production, the proportion of polar lipids, as the structural components of cell membranes, increased. Changes in the proportion of lipid classes resulted in shifts in the FA composition of total lipids. It is suggested that the structural components of photosynthetic and cells membranes accumulate in the resting cells. Thereby, a rapid cell growth and an extensive development of the species under favorable environmental conditions is provided.     

遮荫对南方红豆杉光合特性及生活史型影响

对浙江省富阳市种植的5年生南方红豆杉,89%遮荫的条件下生长的南方红豆杉与46.4%遮荫及自然光条件诱导50天的南方红豆杉的光合特性、光合色素及其生活史型的研究。结果表明:89%遮荫、46.4%遮荫和自然光的光补偿点分别为18.88,30.52和65.34 μmol·m^-2·s^-1,光饱和点分别为287.01,258.25和358.92 μmol·m^-2·s^-1,遮荫可以降低南方红豆杉的光补偿点和光饱和点,从而能够更好地利用弱光,同时提高光合速率,增强了南方红豆杉的光合能力,其中以89%遮荫的变化最明显。随着遮荫程度的增大,南方红豆杉叶片的叶绿素a、叶绿素b及类胡萝卜素等光合色素的含量均增大,叶绿素a与叶绿素b含量的比值减小,说明遮荫可以增加植物对光能的利用,尤其是增加了对蓝紫光的利用,提高了光合效能。研究还发现遮荫对南方红豆杉的生活史型有一定的影响,89%遮荫、46.4%和自然光的生活史型分别为V_0.836C_0.164,V_0.625C_0.375和V_0.772C_0.228,以89%遮荫的营养生长最为旺盛。因此,89%遮荫是这三种光照条件中南方红豆杉营养生长的最适条件。