我国尖音库蚊复合组蚊虫的杂交及其与Wolbachia感染的关系

为了了解我国尖音库蚊复合组蚊虫间杂交卵的不孵化现象和明确该现象与共生微生物Wolbachia感染的关系,对该复合组实验室种群4个亚种进行了笼内杂交和抗生素处理后的杂交。试验表明: 在复合组蚊虫中骚扰库蚊Culex pipiens molestus与淡色库蚊Cx. Pipiens pallens、致倦库蚊Cx. Ipiens quinquefasciatus与尖音库蚊Cx. Pipiens pipiens之间存在有单向胞质不融合现象,骚扰库蚊的雄虫与尖音库蚊、致倦库蚊和淡色库蚊的雌虫杂交卵的孵化率分别为0.06%、0.46%和0.19%;该胞质不融合现象可以通过抗生素处理而消除,处理后骚扰库蚊雄虫与其余3个亚种雌虫F₃杂交卵的孵化率均有提高,分别为89.49%（t=3.90×10^-28＜t_0.01=2.704）、23.39%（t=9.15×10^-7＜t_0.01=2.660_）和22.27%（t=5.08×10^-4＜t_0.01=2.750）,并可因抗生素处理而产生新的不融合类型。     

淡色斧瓢虫对烟粉虱的捕食作用

研究了淡色斧瓢虫对烟粉虱的捕食作用.结果表明,淡色斧瓢虫对烟粉虱的功能反应呈Holling Ⅱ型.随着猎物龄期的增加,淡色斧瓢虫成虫的寻找效率(a)逐渐降低,处置时间(T_h)依次延长;随着淡色斧瓢虫幼虫龄期的增加,其对烟粉虱卵的寻找效率逐渐提高,处置时间依次缩短.淡色斧瓢虫成虫对烟粉虱卵的捕食效应随捕食者间干扰作用的增加而下降,捕食作用率(E)与淡色斧瓢虫数量（P）之间呈幂函数关系,即E=0.5205P^-0.6631.温度对淡色斧瓢虫的捕食效应影响显著,寻找效率和处置时间与温度间的函数关系为:a=- 0.0002T³+0.0166T²-0.3492T+3.2329,T_h=4×10^-7T³-3×10^-5T²+0.0006T-0.0009.     

盐、碱胁迫下小冰麦体内的pH及离子平衡

通过混合两种中性盐（NaCl和Na₂SO₄）和两种碱性盐（NaHCO₃和Na₂CO₃）分别模拟出不同强度的盐、碱胁迫条件,对小冰麦苗进行12 d胁迫处理,测定茎叶组织液的pH值及Na⁺、K⁺、Ca²⁺、Cl^-、SO₄^2-、NO₃^-、H₂PO₄-和有机酸等溶质的浓度,以探讨盐、碱两种胁迫下小冰麦体内的pH及离子平衡特点.结果表明：盐、碱胁迫下小冰麦茎叶内的pH值均稳定不变;随胁迫强度的增加,盐胁迫下小冰麦茎叶内有机酸浓度没有明显变化,Cl^-浓度大幅度增加,而碱胁迫下有机酸浓度大幅度增加,Cl^-浓度没有明显变化.盐、碱胁迫下小冰麦茎叶中的阳离子均以Na⁺和K⁺为主,但阴离子的来源明显不同.盐胁迫下无机阴离子对负电荷的贡献起主导作用,其贡献率达61.3%～66.7%;而碱胁迫下,随胁迫强度的增大,有机酸对负离子的贡献率从38.35%上升到61.60%,逐渐成为主导成分.实验结果表明,有机酸积累是小冰麦在碱胁迫下保持体内离子平衡和pH稳定的关键生理响应.     

黑翅土白蚁乙酰胆碱酯酶最佳反应体系的建立及药剂敏感度比较

用正交试验方法研究了酶浓度、底物浓度、反应体系pH值、反应温度、反应时间5个因素对黑翅土白蚁Odontotermes formosanus (Shiraki)乙酰胆碱酯酶(AChE)活性测定的影响。通过对正交试验结果进行极差和方差分析,明确了测定黑翅土白蚁AChE活性的最适反应条件是酶浓度为12.5 g/L,底物浓度为8 mmol/L,pH值8.0,反应温度40℃,反应时间5 min。此外,研究了6种药剂对黑翅土白蚁体内AChE活性的影响。结果表明：灭多威、辛硫磷、三唑磷、丙溴磷、马拉硫磷和氧化乐果6种药剂对黑翅土白蚁AChE抑制中浓度(IC₅₀)分别为3.52×10^-4,1.86×10^-3,5.13×10^-3,9.55×10^-4,8.81×10^-3,和1.39×10^-2 mol/L。在3.3×10^-7～5×10^-3 mol/L的浓度范围内,上述6种药剂对黑翅土白蚁体内AChE活性的抑制作用都具有明显的剂量效应关系。     

CdSe量子点荧光猝灭法测定尿嘧啶

以CdSe量子点为荧光探针,基于荧光猝灭法对碱基尿嘧啶进行了定量检测,考察了缓冲液体系、反应时间、量子点浓度等多种因素的影响. 实验结果表明,在pH 7.4的0.2 mol/L Na₂HPO₄-NaH₂PO₄缓冲液中,反应时间为60 min,尿嘧啶浓度为10^-6～10^-4mol/L范围时,其线性回归方程为F₀/F =0.992+3.35×10⁴Q (mol/L),检测限为3.23×10^-6 mol/L(即0.36μg/ml). 该方法检测范围宽,灵敏度高,为尿嘧啶的测定提供了新的方法.     

星天牛幼虫肠道木聚糖酶的纯化和性质

星天牛Anoplophora chinensis (Frster)幼虫肠道匀浆液经80%丙酮沉淀、Q-Sepharose阴离子交换柱层析、PAGE制备电泳等方法纯化后,获得在SDS-PAGE上呈现单一区带的木聚糖酶。该酶的分子量约25 kD,等电点约4.0,最适温度50℃,最适pH 5.4,pH 3.0～7.8对酶活性的恢复无大的影响, 50℃保温2 h仍有60%酶活性。Hg²⁺、M_nO^-4、变性剂SDS完全抑制该酶活性, Cu²⁺、Mn²⁺、Ag⁺、Zn²⁺、Pb⁺、脲对酶活性有强烈的抑制作用。该酶具有水解纤维素的交叉活性,其K_m值为2.47 mg/mL,V_max为0.6 IU/mL。     

秃病蚤蒙冀亚种与长爪沙鼠密度的状态空间模型

给出了一个描述秃病蚤蒙冀亚种Nosopsyllus laeviceps kuzenkovi与长爪沙鼠M eriones unguiculatus密度的状态空间模型,模型为x_t+1=-0.336x_t+0.057y_t+0.107z_t, _t+1=0.586x_t-0.369y_t-0.274z_t, z_t+1=0.189x_t-0.247y_t-0.309z_t, 其中x_t,y_t和z_t分别为t月份的沙鼠密度, 巢秃病蚤和体秃病蚤指数。结果表明,模型能够较好地描述野外秃病蚤蒙冀亚种与长爪沙鼠间的关系,并发现沙鼠密度显著地影响巢秃病蚤指数。     

几种杀虫剂对棉铃虫头部酯酶的联合抑制作用

测定了几种药剂及其组合对棉铃虫Helicoverpa armigera头部酯酶活性的独立与联合抑制作用。结果显示：久效磷、敌百虫、呋喃丹对酯酶活性抑制中浓度分别为:2.4443×10^-6、3.4562×10^-7、2.6302×10^-5mol/L。药代动力学分析结果显示:久效磷与呋喃丹对酯酶抑制方式为竞争性抑制,敌百虫为非竞争性抑制。久效磷+敌百虫与敌百虫+呋喃丹两种药剂组合处理后,对酯酶抑制均增强,抑制中浓度分别为:1.0846×10^-6、5.1786×10^-6mol/L,对酯酶的抑制作用属非竞争性抑制作用。而久效磷+呋喃丹组合对酯酶抑制活性相加,为竞争性抑制作用。结果说明杀虫剂与酯酶的药代动力学互作对混剂的酯酶的抑制作用方式和活性具有重要影响。     

粘虫中肠α-淀粉酶活性测定方法的参数优化

针对粘虫Mythimna separata中肠α-淀粉酶筛选了11种不同参数组合的3，5－二硝基水杨酸活性测定方法，并对其中最适组合的各个参数进行了优化。结果表明：在离体测定条件下，粘虫中肠α-淀粉酶活性的最优化测定参数为0.03 mol/L 磷酸盐缓冲液（pH 8.0，含有55 mmol/L NaCl）、温度45℃、吸收波长480 nm。Ca²⁺对α-淀粉酶活性具有抑制作用。该优化法能够显著降低粘虫、德国小蠊Blattella germanica、黄粉虫Tenebrio molitor、淡色库蚊Culex pipiens pallens和家蝇Musca domestica等昆虫α-淀粉酶的米氏常数K_m值，且粘虫和德国小蠊α-淀粉酶的V_max值增大，但黄粉虫、淡色库蚊和家蝇α-淀粉酶的V_max值均明显减小。结果说明，在该优化体系下，粘虫α-淀粉酶与底物的亲和力增强，最大反应速度增大，测定酶活性的准确性和灵敏度显著提高；同时该优化体系也可作为测定德国小蠊α-淀粉酶活性的优化方法，但不适合作为黄粉虫、淡色库蚊和家蝇α-淀粉酶的最优化测定方法。     

Avermectin类农药对美洲斑潜蝇的生物活性

Avermectin类农药对美洲斑潜蝇Liriomyzasattvae Blanchard生物活性的室内研究结果表明： 揭阳霉素对美洲斑潜蝇1、2、3龄幼虫的LC₅₀分别是1.54×10^-4 g/L、3.73×10^-4 g/L、1.99×10^-3g/L;害极灭对上述幼虫的LC₅₀分别是1.48×10^-4g/L、3.68x10^-4 g/L和1.97×10^-3 g/L。美洲斑潜蝇幼虫对Avermectln类农药以1龄最敏感,其中揭阳霉素对3龄幼虫的LC₅₀是1龄的12.9倍。揭阳霉素对雌成虫24 h、48 h的LC₅₀分别是3.12×10^-3 g/L和2.08×10^-3 g/L,其对美 洲斑潜蝇取食、产卵拒避持效期分别是4-8天和10天。使用浓度0.005 g/L揭阳霉素处理6天、8天和10天后接虫,幼虫的存活率分别是0、16.13%和28.07%。田间使用浓度0.005 g/L的揭 阳霉素和0.0045 g/L几的害极灭分别处理,6天后的校正虫口减退率分别为91.0%和90.9%,两者差异不显著,而使用浓度0.0067 g/L揭阳霉素处理,6天后校正虫口减退率为93.6%。     

Proton Transport and pH Control in Sinapis alba Root Hairs: A Study carried out with Double-Barrelled pH Micro-electrodes

Continuous measurements of cytoplasmic pH (pH_c) in Sinapis roothairs have been carried out with double-barrelled pH-micro-electrodesin order to gain information on translocation of protons acrossthe plasmalemma and cytoplasmic pH control. (i) The cytoplasmicpH of Sinapis (7–33 ? 0–12, standard conditions)changes no more than 0.1 pH_c, per pH_o-unit, regardless of whethercyanide is present or not. (ii) Weak acids rapidly acidify pH_cand hyperpolarize, while weak bases alkalize pH_c and depolarizethe cells, (iii) 1.0 mol M,³ NaCN acidifies the cytoplasm by0.4 to 0.7 pH-units, but alkalizes the vacuole. (iv) 20 mmolm^–3 CCCP has no significant effect on pH_c, if added atpH 9.6 or 7.2, but acidifies pH_c by 1.3 units at pH 4.3. Inthe presence of CCCP, cyanide acidifies the cytoplasm, (v) Chloridetransiently acidifies pH_c, while K⁺, Na⁺, and have no significant effects, (vi) Cytoplasmic buffer capacityforms a bell-shaped curve versus pH_c with an optimum of about50 mol m^–3 H⁺pH_c-unit. The modes of proton re-entry and the effects of active and passiveproton transport on cellular pH control are critically discussed.It is suggested that the proton leak, consisting of H⁺-cotransport(e.g. H⁺/Cl^–) rather than H⁺-uniport, is no threat topH_c. The proton export pump, although itself reacting to changesin pH_c, influences pH_c only to a minor extent. It is concludedthat buffer capacity and membrane transport play moderate rolesin pH_c control in Sinapis, while the interlocked H⁺-producingand -consuming reactions of cellular metabolism are the mainregulating factors. This makes pH control in Sinapis quite differentfrom bacterial and animal cells. Key words: Cytoplasmic pH, double-barrelled pH micro-electrode, pH control, proton transport, Sinapis     

环境因子对角倍蚜秋迁蚜生殖和雌性蚜发育的影响

研究了环境因子对角倍蚜Schlechtendalia chinensis (Bell) 秋迁蚜生殖和雌性蚜发育的影响。温、湿度单因子试验表明,秋迁蚜在26℃和80%RH条件下有最大生殖量;温、湿度对秋迁蚜生殖量的影响均符合开口向下的二次抛物线变化趋势,极端温、湿度会导致生殖量的下降。采用三元一次正交组合设计,研究了环境温度（X₁）、湿度（X₂）和光照强度（X₃）三因子不同水平组合对雌性蚜发育的影响,表明温度是影响发育历期的主要因子,其次是光照强度,最后是湿度。因此,适当高温、强光照条件可以加快雌性蚜发育;而适当高湿条件可以降低雌性蚜的发育速率而延长其发育历期。在人工培育角倍蚜生产中,创造有利于秋迁蚜生殖的温、湿度条件可以使秋迁蚜产下较多的越冬侨蚜;在适当降低温度、增加湿度的阴暗条件下贮留雌性蚜可以适当延长其发育,以使角倍蚜与盐肤木在物候上达到最佳吻合。     

Nutrient Solution pH Control using Dipolar Buffers in Studies of Trifolium repens L. Nitrogen Nutrition

In studies of Trifolium repens nitrogen nutrition, the controlof nutrient solution pH using dipolar buffers, was evaluatedin tube culture under sterile conditions. Five buffers; MES,ADA, ACES, BES and MOPS with pK₂s (20 °C) of 6.15, 6.60,6.90, 7.15 and 7.20 respectively, at a concentration of 2.0mol m^–3, were provided to inoculated Trifolium repensgrowing in nutrient solution containing 7.13 mol m^–3 nitrogenas (NH₄)₂SO₄. Initial pH of each solution was adjusted to theappropriate buffer pK₂ Two buffers, ADA and ACES completelyinhibited plant growth. The remaining buffers had little effectin limiting pH change, although plant dry matter was higherand nodule numbers lower in the presence of these buffers. MESand MOPS were supplied to nutrient solutions with and without7.13 mol m^–3 (NH₄)₂SO₄, at concentrations ranging from0–12 mol m^–3. MES at 9 mol m^–3 and 12 molm^–3 reduced growth of plants reliant on the symbiosisfor providing nitrogen. The provision of MES to plants providedwith NH₄⁺ significantly increased plant yield and reduced nodulenumber at all concentrations. MOPS did not affect plant yieldor nodule number. The use of dipolar buffers in legume nitrogennutrition studies is considered in terms of buffering capacity,and the side effects on plant growth and symbiotic development. Key words: Ammonium, Dipolar buffer, Nitrogen nutrition, pH control, Symbiosis, Trifolium repens     

Effects of Nitrogen Nutrition on Photosynthesis in Cd-treated Sunflower Plants

Increased nitrogen supply stimulates plant growth and photosynthesis.Since it was shown that heavy metals may cause deficienciesof essential nutrients in plants the potential reversal of cadmiumtoxicity by increased N nutrition was investigated. The effectson photosynthesis of low Cd (0, 0.5, 2 or 5 mmol m^-3) combinedwith three N treatments (2, 7.5 or 10 mol m^-3) were examinedin young sunflower plants. Chlorophyll fluorescence quenchingparameters were determined at ambient CO₂and at 100 or 800 µmolquanta m^-2 s^-1. The vitality index (R_fd) decreased approx. three-timesin response to 5 mmol m^-3Cd, at 2 and 10 mol m^-3N. The maximumphotochemical efficiency of PSII reaction centres (F_v/ F_m) wasnot influenced by Cd or N treatment. The highest Cd concentrationdecreased quantum efficiency of PSII electron transport (_II)by 30%, at 2 and 10 mol m^-3N, mostly due to increased closureof PSII reaction centres (q_P). Photosynthetic oxygen evolutionrates at saturating CO₂were decreased in plants treated with5 mmol m^-3Cd, at all N concentrations. The results indicatethat Cd treatment affected the ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate (RuBP)regeneration capacity of the Calvin cycle more than other processes.At the same time, the amounts of soluble and ribulose-1,5-bisphosphatecarboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) protein increased with Cd treatment.Decreased photosynthesis, but substantially increased Rubiscocontent, in sunflower leaves under Cd stress indicate that asignificant amount of Rubisco protein is not active in photosynthesisand could have another function. It is shown that optimal nitrogennutrition decreases the inhibitory effects of Cd in young sunflowerplants. Copyright 2000 Annals of Botany Company Helianthus annuus L., cadmium, nitrogen, photosynthesis, Rubisco, sunflower     

Flexible Coupling of Phosphate Uptake in Dunaliella acidophila at Extremely Low pH Values

The acidophilic alga Dunaliella acidophila exhibits optimalgrowth at pH 1. We have investigated the regulation of phosphateuptake by this alga using tracer techniques and by performingintracellular phosphate measurements under different growthconditions including phosphate limitation. In batch culturewith 2·2 mol m^–3 phosphate in the medium the uptakeof phosphate at micromolar phosphate concentrations followeda linear time dependence in the range of minutes and rates werein the range of 1 µmol phosphate mg^–1 chl h^–1,only. However, under discontinuous phosphate-limited growthconditions, tracer influx revealed a biphasic pattern at micromolarphosphate concentrations: An initial burst phase resulted ina 10⁴-fold internal phosphate accumulation and levelled offafter about 10 s. A double reciprocal plot of the initial influxrates obtained for phosphate-limited and unlimited algae exhibitedMichaelis-Menten kinetics. Phosphate limitation caused a significantactivation of the maximum velocity of uptake, yielding V_maxup to 1 mmol mg^–1 chl h^–1 as compared to valuesin the order of 50 µmol phosphate mg^–1 chl h^–1for the second phase (this magnitude is also representativefor non-limited batch cultures). Concomitantly the Michaelisconstant was altered from 4 mmol m^–3 to 0·7 mmolm^–3. The rapid uptake of phosphate was inhibited by arsenateand FCCP and was not stimulated by Na⁺. The pH dependence oftracer accumulation and measurements of the intracellular phosphatepool under different growth conditions indicate that at lowpH and low external phosphate concentrations the high protongradient present under these conditions is utilized for a H₃PO₄uptake or a H⁺/H₂PO^–4 cotransport. However, when the externalphosphate concentration was increased to levels sufficientlyhigh for transport to be driven by the positive membrane potential(10 mol m^–3 phosphate), the pH dependence of phosphateuptake was more complex, but could be explained by the uptakeof H₃PO₄ or a H⁺/H₂PO^–₄-cotransport at low pH and a differenttype H₂PO^–4-transport (with unknown type of ion coupling)at high pH-values. It is suggested that this flexible couplingof phosphate transport is of essential importance for the acidresistance of Dunaliella acidophila. Key words: Acid resistance, Dunaliella acidophila, phosphate cotransport, phosphate limitation, plasma membrane, sodium     

Measurement of Yield Threshold and Cell Wal Extensibility of Intact Wheat Roots under Different Ionic, Osmotic and Temperature Treatments

Yield stress threshold (Y) and volumetric extensibility () arethe rheological properties that appear to control root growth.In this study they were measured in wheat roots by means ofparallel measurement of the growth rate (r) of intact wheatroots and of the turgor pressures (P) of individual cells withinthe expansion zone. Growth and turgor pressure were manipulatedby immersion in graded osmoticum (mannitol) solutions. Turgorwas measured with a pressure probe and growth rate by visualobservation. The influence of various growth conditions on Yand was investigated; (a) At 27 °C.In 0.5 mol m^–3 CaCl₂ r, P, Y and were20.7±4.6 µm min^–1, 0.77±0.05 MPa,0.07±0.03 MPa and 26±1.9 µm min^–1MPa^–1 (expressed as increase in length), respectively.Following 24 h growth in 10 mol m^–3 KC1 these parametersbecame 12.3±3.5 µm min^–1, 0.72±0.04MPa, 0.13±0.01 MPa and 21±0.7 µm min^–1MPa^–1. After 24 h osmotic adjustment in 150 mol m^–3mannitol/0.5 mol m^–3 CaCl₂ r= 19.6±4.2 µmmin^–1, P = 0.68±0.05 MPa and Y and were 0.07±0.04MPa and 30±0.2 µm min^–1 MPa^–01, respectively.After 24 h growth in 350 mol m^–3 mannitol/0.5 mol m^–3CaCl₂ r= 13.3±4.1 µm min^–1, P= 0.58±0.07MPa, Y=0.12±0.01 MPa and ø 32±0.2 tim min^–1MPa^–1. During osmotic adjustment in 200 mol m^–3mannitol/0.5 mol m^–3 CaCl₂, with or without KCl, the recoveryof growth rate corresponded to turgor pressure recovery (t1/2approximately 3 h). (b) At 15 °C. Lowered temperature dramatically influencedthe growth parameters which became r= 8.3±2.8 um min^–1,P=0.78 MPa, r=<0.2 MPa and =15±0.1 µm min^–1MPa^–1. Therefore, Y and are influenced by 10 mol m^–3 K⁺ ionsand low temperature. In each case the effective pressure forgrowth (P-Y) was large indicating that small fluctuations ofsoil water potential will not stop root elongation. Key words: Yield threshold, cell wall extensibility, wheat root growth, temperature, turgor pressur     

Regulation of the Cytoplasmic pH of Chara corallina in the Absence of External Ca2+: Its Significance in Relation to the Activity and Control of the H+ Pump

Effects of removal of external Ca²⁺ on the cytoplasmic pH (pH_c)of Chara corallina have been measured with the weak acid 5,5-dimethyl-oxazolidine-2,4-dione(DMO) as a function of external pH (pH₀) and of the externalconcentration of K⁺. Removal of Ca²⁺ always decreased pH_c whenpH₀ was below about 6.0; the decrease was about 0.2–0.4units at pH₀ 5.0, increasing to about 0.5 units at pH₀ 4.3.When pH₀ was 6.0 or higher the removal of Ca²⁺ had little orno effect on pH_c. This situation was not altered by changingthe concentration of K⁺, though in some experiments at pH₀ 5.0–5.2there was a slight decrease in pH₀ (about 0.2 units) when K⁺was increased from 0.2 to 2.0 mol m^–3, an effect apparentlyreversed when K⁺ was higher (5.0 or 10.0 mol m^–3). Theresults suggest that H⁺ transport continues in the absence ofexternal Ca²⁺, despite previous suggestions to the contrary,and that the H⁺ pump does not necessarily run near thermodynamicequilibrium with its chemical driving reaction. They indicate,rather, that the H⁺ pump is under kinetic control and providefurther evidence for the inadequacy of present models for theoperation of the H⁺ pump in charophyte cells, especially inrelation to its proposed role in regulating pH_c. Key words: Chara corallina, Cytoplasmic pH, Calcium     

Ion Effects on the H+-Translocating Adenosine Triphosphatase and Pyrophosphatase Associated with the Tonoplast of Chora corallina

H⁺-translocating ATPase and pyrophosphatase (PPase) associatedwith the tonoplast of Chara corallina were isolated with theaid of a perfusion technique, and the effects of ions on theiractivities were studied. All the alkali metal cations testedstimulated the ATPase and ATPdependent H⁺ pumping activitiesonly by 10 to 40%. Anions, on the other hand, strongly affectedthe activities. Potassium salts of Cl^- and Br^- stimulated them,while F^- and NO₃^- inhibited them. By contrast, the H⁺-translocatingPPase was insensitive to anions but sensitive to cations. Theorder of cation stimulation was Rb⁺=K⁺>Cs⁺>Na⁺=Li⁺>choline⁺.NO₃^- (50 mil), thought to be a specific inhibitor of the tonoplast-typeH⁺-ATPase, inhibited the ATPdependent H⁺ pumping almost completelybut the ATPase activity by only about 50%. Na⁺ inhibited thePP₁-dependent H⁺ pumping (I_5O=5OmM) in the presence of 50 mMKCl but not the ATP-dependent one. The PPase was more sensitiveto F^- (I₅₀=400µM) than the ATPase. Both the H⁺-ATPaseand the H⁺-PPase required Mg²⁺ for their activities, althoughan excess was inhibitory to both. The different sensitivitiesof the PP₁-dependent and the ATP-dependent H⁺- pumping enzymesto ions correspond to the tonoplast enzymes of higher plantsand may be used as "markers" to distinguish between these enzymesin characean cells (Received October 2, 1987; Accepted May 18, 1988)     

Effects of Cations on the Cytoplasmic pH of Chara corallina

Smith, F. A. and Gibson, J.–L. 1985. Effects of cationson the cytoplasmic pH of Chara corallina.—J.exp. Bot.36: 1331–1340 Removal of external Ca²⁺ from cells of Chara corallina lowersthe cytoplasmic pH, as determined by the intracellular distributionof the weak acid 5,5–dimethyloxazolidine2–,4–dione(DM0), when the external pH is below about 60. This effect isreversed, at least partially, by addition of the following cationsto Ca²⁺-free solutions: tetraethylammonium (TEA⁺) and Na⁺ at5 or 10 mol m^-3, Li⁺ and Cs⁺ (10 mol m^-3), or Mg²⁺, Mn²⁺ andLa³⁺ (02 or 05 mol m^-3). Under the same conditions, increasesin pH sometimes, but not always, occur in the presence of 10mol m^-3 K⁺ or Rb⁺ The results are discussed in relation to the major transportprocesses that determine pH and the electric potential differenceacross the plasma membrane, namely fluxes of H⁺ and of K⁺. Thesimplest explanation of the effects of the various cations testedin this study is that they primarily affect pHi_c via changesin influx of H⁺ but direct effects on the H⁺ pump or on K⁺ fluxesmay also be involved Key words: Chara corallina, cytoplasmic pH, cations, H⁺transport     

A carrier-mediated mechanism for pyridoxine uptake by human intestinal epithelial Caco-2 cells: regulation by a PKA-mediated pathway

Vitamin B₆ is essential for cellular functions and growth due to its involvement in important metabolic reactions. Humans and other mammals cannot synthesize vitamin B₆ and thus must obtain this micronutrient from exogenous sources via intestinal absorption. The intestine, therefore, plays a central role in maintaining and regulating normal vitamin B₆ homeostasis. Due to the water-soluble nature of vitamin B₆ and the demonstration that transport of other water-soluble vitamins in intestinal epithelial cells involves specialized carrier-mediated mechanisms, we hypothesized that transport of vitamin B₆ in these cells is also carrier mediated in nature. To test this hypothesis, we examined pyridoxine transport in a model system for human enterocytes, the human-derived intestinal epithelial Caco-2 cells. The results showed pyridoxine uptake to be 1) linear with time for up to 10 min of incubation and to occur with minimal metabolic alteration in the transported substrate, 2) temperature and energy dependent but Na⁺ independent, 3) pH dependent with higher uptake at acidic compared with alkaline pHs, 4) saturable as a function of concentration (at buffer pH 5.5 but not 7.4) with an apparent Michaelis-Menten constant (K_m) of 11.99 ± 1.41 µM and a maximal velocity (V_max) of 67.63 ± 3.87 pmol · mg protein^-1 · 3 min^-1, 5) inhibited by pyridoxine structural analogs (at buffer pH 5.5 but not 7.4) but not by unrelated compounds, and 6) inhibited in a competitive manner by amiloride with an apparent inhibitor constant (K_i) of 0.39 mM. We also examined the possible regulation of pyridoxine uptake by specific intracellular regulatory pathways. The results showed that whereas modulators of PKC, Ca⁺²/calmodulin (CaM), and nitric oxide (NO)-mediated pathways had no effect on pyridoxine uptake, modulators of PKA-mediated pathway were found to cause significant reduction in pyridoxine uptake. This reduction was mediated via a significant inhibition in the V_max, but not the apparent K_m, of the pyridoxine uptake process. These results demonstrate, for the first time, the involvement of a specialized carrier-mediated mechanism for pyridoxine uptake by intestinal epithelial cells. This system is pH dependent and amiloride sensitive and appears to be under the regulation of an intracellular PKA-mediated pathway. vitamin B₆; intestinal transport; transport regulation; Caco-2 cell