沙地樟子松幼苗干旱致死过程中非结构性碳水化合物的变化

以2年生沙地樟子松幼苗为对象,通过持续自然干旱处理,研究当土壤含水量下降到田间持水量的60%、40%、30%、20%和15%时幼苗叶片水势及不同器官(一年生叶、当年生叶、茎、粗根和细根)的可溶性糖、淀粉和非结构性碳水化合物(NSC)的含量,分析沙地樟子松幼苗在干旱致死过程中各器官NSC的分配规律及其适应机制.结果表明: 土壤含水量从田间持水量的40%下降到15%,幼苗叶片凌晨及正午水势无显著变化.当土壤含水量从田间持水量的60%下降到30%,各器官可溶性糖、淀粉、NSC含量和可溶性糖/淀粉先下降后上升.从30%下降到20%,当年生叶、一年生叶、茎和细根可溶性糖、淀粉和NSC含量降低,而粗根可溶性糖含量增加,淀粉和NSC含量减少.从20%下降到15%,当年生叶、一年生叶和茎可溶性糖、淀粉和NSC含量降低,粗根可溶性糖和NSC含量下降,淀粉含量上升,细根可溶性糖含量减少,淀粉和NSC含量增加.沙地樟子松幼苗通过不断调整各器官NSC及其组分含量变化以适应不同干旱环境,土壤含水量下降到田间持水量的30%后,幼苗可溶性糖和NSC含量总体呈下降趋势,淀粉在粗根和细根中积累,幼苗可能因碳耗竭而死亡.     

蒙古莸幼苗干旱致死过程中非结构性碳水化合物的变化

以一年生蒙古莸幼苗为对象,设置适宜水分、慢速干旱致死和快速干旱致死3个处理,研究不同干旱强度致死下蒙古莸幼苗各器官中非结构性碳水化合物(NSC,包括可溶性糖和淀粉)的含量变化及其分配规律.结果表明:慢速干旱致死胁迫下各器官可溶性糖含量与适宜水分组无显著差异.随时间的推移,茎可溶性糖含量先增加后减少,淀粉和NSC含量增加;粗根可溶性糖含量减少,淀粉和NSC含量增加;叶可溶性糖含量增加,淀粉和NSC含量减少.致死时(80 d),叶、茎、粗根和细根的NSC含量分别为6.2%、7.8%、8.3%和7.4%.快速干旱致死胁迫下,各器官可溶性糖含量均高于适宜水分处理组,而淀粉和NSC含量均低于适宜水分组.随时间的推移,根可溶性糖含量下降,淀粉和NSC含量上升;茎可溶性糖、淀粉和NSC含量均上升;叶可溶性糖含量上升,淀粉和NSC含量下降.致死时(30 d),叶、茎、粗根和细根的NSC含量分别为5.9%、6.6%、8.9%和7.7%.应对不同的干旱致死情况,蒙古莸幼苗各器官间非结构性碳水化合物呈现出不同的动态变化.在慢速干旱致死胁迫下,NSC优先为维持各器官生理代谢活动提供能量;而在快速干旱致死下,NSC主要以可溶性糖形式维持植物代谢,调节渗透势,促进吸水,应对急剧的干旱胁迫.     

小叶锦鸡儿幼苗非结构性碳水化合物积累及分配对干旱胁迫的响应

以2年生小叶锦鸡儿幼苗为研究对象,采用盆栽控水法,设置适宜水分、轻度、中度和重度胁迫处理(即田间持水量的80%、60%、40%和20%),探讨小叶锦鸡儿幼苗在干旱胁迫历时15、30、45和60 d各器官非结构性碳水化合物(NSC)的响应规律。结果表明:不同干旱胁迫处理程度与时间对小叶锦鸡儿幼苗叶片、茎、粗根和细根可溶性糖、淀粉及总NSC含量均具有显著交互作用。轻度胁迫下,各器官可溶性糖、淀粉及总NSC含量在胁迫30 d时均显著低于适宜水分处理,细根可溶性糖和粗根淀粉含量在胁迫60 d时显著高于适宜水分处理。中度胁迫下,随着胁迫时间延长,茎和粗根可溶性糖含量先低于适宜水分处理,而后逐渐增加;与轻度胁迫处理相比,叶片、茎和细根可溶性糖含量增加,茎和粗根淀粉含量降低。重度胁迫下,各器官淀粉含量在胁迫15 d时显著低于适宜水分处理;在胁迫60d时显著高于适宜水分处理。以上结果说明,小叶锦鸡儿幼苗通过调整各器官NSC积累及分配应对不同干旱环境。     

祁连山优势树木碳水化合物资源分配的海拔和树种效应

海拔梯度造成的温度、水分和土壤肥力等环境异质性会影响树木的生长, 但是不同树木的生理差异也决定了树木资源分配权衡还存在很多不确定性。为探明祁连山地区青海云杉(Picea crassifolia)和祁连圆柏(Juniperus przewalskii)非结构碳水化合物(NSC)含量的海拔和树种效应差异, 该研究以祁连山两个优势针叶树种青海云杉和祁连圆柏为研究对象, 分别设置了高海拔(3 300 m)和低海拔(2 850 m)两个采样高度, 采用t检验和多因素方差分析比较了不同海拔两个树种NSC及其组分(可溶性糖、淀粉)含量的差异, 分析叶、树干、粗根和细根间的NSC及其组分含量的资源分配权衡特征, 明晰不同海拔青海云杉和祁连圆柏生长限制因素和生理生态适应机理。结果表明: (1)低海拔青海云杉整株和各器官NSC及其组分含量均显著高于高海拔青海云杉; 而低海拔祁连圆柏整株和各器官NSC及其组分含量均显著低于高海拔祁连圆柏; (2)不同海拔两个优势针叶树种可溶性糖主要投资在叶, 而淀粉主要投资在粗根和树干; (3)高海拔青海云杉的可溶性糖与淀粉的比值显著高于低海拔青海云杉, 说明高海拔青海云杉将更多的碳用于生长, 而低海拔青海云杉将更多的碳用于储存; (4)海拔、树种、器官以及它们的交互作用显著地影响NSC及其组分含量及可溶性糖:淀粉, 其中树种分别解释了NSC、淀粉总变异的38%和37%; 器官分别解释了可溶性糖、可溶性糖:淀粉总变异的68%和42%。该研究结果阐明了不同海拔青海云杉和祁连圆柏的生长限制因素及其资源分配权衡, 为理解不同海拔和不同树种的生态适应机理以及祁连山森林生态系统的保护提供了科学参考。     

云南普洱季风常绿阔叶林非结构性碳水化合物及其组分随环境的变化

为探索植物非结构性碳水化合物(NSC)组分随环境的变化特征,在云南普洱季风常绿阔叶林原始林选取6块60m×60m样地进行野外调查,各样地分别选择重要值前10位的物种进行取样,通过测定不同样地主要物种的NSC及其组分和样地环境因素,分析其非结构性碳水化合物与环境的关系。结果显示:(1)云南普洱季风常绿阔叶林植物中总体淀粉、可溶性糖、NSC含量分别为13.91%、3.31%、17.21%,淀粉和NSC含量在各器官中排序依次为根干枝叶,而可溶性糖含量排序依次为叶根枝干;淀粉、可溶性糖、NSC含量变异最大值分别为叶片19.09%、干15.32%和根16.30%。(2)云南普洱季风常绿阔叶林植物不同器官中淀粉含量仅与凋落物厚度、土壤pH及速效钾、全钾存在显著正或负相关关系,可溶性糖含量与海拔高度及土壤理化性质存在显著正或负相关关系;但茶梨与红椎中淀粉含量与土壤有效磷或全磷存在显著正相关关系,茶梨各器官中可溶性糖含量与所有环境因子均无显著相关性,红椎根中可溶性糖含量与pH值、枝中可溶性糖含量与全钾分别呈显著负相关关系;短刺椎各器官中淀粉含量与所有环境因子均无显著相关性,可溶性糖含量则与水解性氮、有效磷含量呈显著负相关关系,与坡度、全钾含量、凋落物厚度呈显著正相关关系。(3)单因素回归分析显示,海拔高度、有机质、水解性氮、全氮影响季风常绿阔叶林的总体可溶性糖含量,而其淀粉含量则主要受pH值影响。研究发现,季风常绿阔叶林NSC受环境因子影响,但不同NSC组分的环境影响因子不同。     

杨树幼苗非结构性碳水化合物对增加降水和氮添加的响应

设置3个水分梯度,即自然降水(W₁)、自然降水增加50%(W₂)和增加100%(W₃)以及4个施氮梯度,即模拟氮沉降添加0(N₁)、5(N₂)、10(N₃)和15(N₄) g N·m^-2·a^-1,研究增加降水和氮添加对杨树幼苗非结构性碳水化合物(NSC)的影响.结果表明: 增加降水和氮添加对杨树幼苗NSC含量具有显著的交互作用.随着降水的增加,N₁水平叶片和枝条可溶性糖含量不变,叶片、枝条、主干、粗根和细根淀粉含量下降;N₂和N₃水平各器官可溶性糖含量下降或保持不变,淀粉含量降低或先升高后降低;N₄水平各器官可溶性糖和淀粉含量升高或先降低后升高.随着氮沉降的增加,W₁处理叶片可溶性糖含量不变,淀粉含量增加,细根可溶性糖含量增加,淀粉含量不变;W₂处理各器官可溶性糖含量不变或先增加后减少,淀粉含量降低或先增加后降低;W₃处理各器官可溶性糖、淀粉和NSC含量均增加.各水分和施氮梯度处理下,杨树幼苗可溶性糖含量为39.1～88.3 mg·g^-1,叶片中最高,细根中最低,淀粉含量为23.3～46.8 mg·g^-1,粗根中最高,细根中最低.     

岳桦幼苗光合特性和非结构性碳水化合物积累对干旱胁迫的响应

以长白山林线树种岳桦为对象,利用生长控制试验进行干旱处理,研究干旱对岳桦幼苗光合特性及非结构性碳水化合物(NSC)积累的影响。结果表明:干旱显著降低了岳桦幼苗的净光合速率和气孔导度,提高了其水分利用效率;干旱显著增加了岳桦幼苗叶、皮、干和根中的可溶性糖和总NSC的含量,但显著降低了淀粉含量;随着干旱的持续,叶片的气孔导度、光合速率和瞬时水分利用效率迅速降低,而可溶性糖、淀粉和NSC则是先增后减;在试验末期,叶片90%发黄,岳桦幼苗干、皮和根中可溶性糖与淀粉含量的比值均显著高于对照。这表明岳桦在受到干旱胁迫时,迅速降低气孔导度以减少水分散失,提高水分利用效率,它属于避旱型植物;岳桦通过优先储存策略来提高组织器官中可溶性糖含量、增加淀粉与糖之间的转化率来应对水分亏缺的不利环境;在遭受持续干旱,幼苗面临死亡的时候,干旱胁迫可能超过了植物自我调节的阈值,但此时其组织器官中NSC含量并未降低,这说明岳桦最终的死亡可能不是碳饥饿导致的。     

干旱胁迫下接种丛枝菌根真菌对七子花非结构性碳水化合物积累及C、N、P化学计量特征的影响

以濒危植物七子花二年生幼苗为研究材料,采用盆栽试验方法,研究干旱胁迫和接种丛枝菌根真菌(AMF)处理对幼苗不同器官C、N、P化学计量关系和非结构性碳水化合物(NSC)含量的影响。试验共设计4个处理:对照(CK)、干旱胁迫(D)、接种AMF(AMF)、干旱胁迫和接种AMF(D+AMF)。结果表明: 在干旱胁迫下七子花根系AMF的侵染率显著下降,但接种AMF处理植株的株高、叶片数显著高于未接种处理。接种AMF显著提高了干旱胁迫下植株根、叶可溶性糖和NSC含量及茎、叶淀粉含量,且茎和叶可溶性糖与淀粉比显著下降。干旱胁迫导致植株C含量在根和叶中显著增加,P含量在茎中显著减少;与干旱胁迫相比,胁迫下接种AMF植株根、茎、叶P含量及叶C含量显著提高,而根C、N含量及茎C含量显著降低。胁迫下接种AMF植株根、茎C∶N、C∶P、N∶P和叶N∶P均显著低于单一胁迫处理。NSC与C∶N∶P计量比的相关性分析表明,根、叶P含量与可溶性糖和NSC含量呈显著正相关,茎P含量与淀粉和NSC含量呈显著正相关,各器官N∶P与NSC含量呈显著负相关。综上,干旱胁迫显著抑制了七子花幼苗的生长,接种AMF通过提高植株根和叶的可溶性糖含量、根的可溶性糖/淀粉,增加地上部分淀粉含量,促进P元素吸收和降低各器官N∶P来增强植株耐旱性,从而提高七子花幼苗在干旱环境中的存活率。     

秦岭东段不同海拔栓皮栎粗根非结构性碳水化合物含量的季节动态

掌握树木根部碳存储规律对于准确估算碳在地上器官与地下器官间的分配非常必要。本研究以栓皮栎(Quercus variabilis Blume)为对象,在2016年5月—2017年6月,通过周期性采样方法(共计采样14次),测定了高、低海拔(970和650 m)栓皮栎粗根非结构性碳水化合物(non-structural carbohydrates,NSC)及其组分(可溶性糖和淀粉)含量的年内动态变化。结果表明:除高海拔淀粉外,栓皮栎粗根NSC及其组分含量均随季节变化差异显著(P<0.05)。粗根NSC含量呈现生长季初期(3月)下降,非生长季(2月)达到最高值的变化趋势;栓皮栎粗根NSC组成以淀粉为主,高、低海拔淀粉含量占比分别为61%和71%,这可能与栓皮栎适应区域环境特征有关。不同海拔间,栓皮栎粗根NSC及其组分含量的差异出现在生长季初期(3月,P<0.05)。高海拔(10.26%)栓皮栎粗根NSC含量小于低海拔(13.96%)。栓皮栎粗根NSC含量存在明显的季节波动,粗根在生长季末及非生长季积累的NSC对下一年树木生长启动非常重要,研究结果有助于理解树木地下器官对树木生长的碳供应机制。     

三种温带树种非结构性碳水化合物的分配

树体中的非结构性碳水化合物(NSC)浓度、含量及其分配反映了树木整体的碳供应状况, 是决定树木生长和存活的关键因子, 也是构建树木碳平衡模型的关键参数。温带树种的NSC尚缺乏系统研究。该文测定了特性各异的3种温带树种在生长盛期的NSC及其组分的浓度和含量以及分配格局的种间种内变异。结果表明, NSC及其组分的浓度在树种和组织之间差异显著, 可溶性糖、淀粉和总NSC浓度分别在0.65-8.45、1.96-5.95和3.00-13.90 g·100 g^-1 DM之间波动。NSC及其组分含量的大小依次为: 兴安落叶松(Larix gmelinii) >蒙古栎( Quercus mongolica) >红松( Pinus koraiensis), 其中叶和根中的浓度较高。树干中的NSC及其组分浓度的纵向变化不显著, 但其心材与边材之间的浓度差异却随树种和NSC组分而异, 表现为心边材的可溶性糖浓度差异不显著, 但其淀粉和总NSC浓度差异显著。不同直径根系的NSC及其组分浓度在2种针叶树种中差异不显著, 但在蒙古栎中差异显著。蒙古栎将可溶性糖主要投资到地上生长, 而2种针叶树将更多的可溶性糖投资到根系生长。淀粉的主要储存库为树干, 其在树体内的分布格局与可溶性糖正相反, 因而使总NSC在树根和树枝中的分配趋于较平衡状态。在树干中, 除了2种针叶树的可溶性糖库以边材为主外, 心材是淀粉和总NSC的主要储存库。在树根中, 粗根是NSC及其组分的优势储存库。该研究中3种温带树种的NSC及其组分的浓度和含量的种间和种内变化, 反映了这些树种的生长对策和体内碳源汇强度的差异。     

Taxonomic status of the species of the green algal genusNeochloris

Komárek has recently reviewed the various species assigned to the green algal genusNeochloris Starr (Chlorococcales, Chlorococcaceae) and removed those with uninucleate vegetative cells to a new genus,Ettlia. Watanabe & Floyd, unaware ofKomárek's work, also reviewed the species ofNeochloris and distributed them among three genera—Neochloris, Chlorococcopsis gen. nov., andParietochloris gen. nov.—on the basis of details of the covering of the zoospore and the arrangement of the basal bodies of the flagellar apparatus. This paper reconciles these two treatments and makes additional recommendations at the ranks of genus, family, order, and class.     

Hectorella: A member of the betalain-suborderChenopodiineae of the orderCentrospermae

Roots ofHectorella caespitosa Hook. f. were induced to produce a red pigment which was shown to be a betalain and not an anthocyanin. These data indicate thatHectorella belongs to theChenopodiineae, the betalain suborder of theCentrospermae, and excludes alignment with the anthocyanin family theCaryophyllaceae.     

Succession in the southern part of the Canadian boreal forest

Forest succession following fire in a forest mosaic of northwestern Quebec has been studied in order to: (1) describe the successional pathways using communities of different ages and (2) evaluate convergence of successional pathways and possible effect of fire suppression on the establishment of steady-state communities. As a first step, ordination and classification techniques were used in order to remove changes in forest composition which are related to abiotic conditions. Then, ordinations based on tree diameter distributions were used to study shifts in species composition in relation to time since the last fire.Even under similar abiotic conditions, successional pathways are numerous. However, regardless of forest composition after fire, most stands show convergence toward dominance of Thuja occidentalis and Picea mariana on xeric sites and dominance of Abies balsamea and Thuja occidentalis on more mesic sites. Stable communities of >300 yr occur on xeric sites while on mesic sites directional succession still occurs after 224 yr. Nearly all species involved in succession are present in the first 50 yr following fire. Only Abies balsamea and Thuja occidentalis increase significantly in frequency during succession. Following initial establishment, successional processes can generally be explained by species longevity and shade tolerance. Early successional species may be abundant in the canopy for more than 200 yr while the rapid decrease of Picea glauca, a late successional species could be related to spruce budworm outbreaks. Considering the short fire rotation observed (about 150 yr), a steady-state forest is unlikely to occur under natural conditions, though it may be possible if fire is controlled.     

Analysis of the genes of the OEE1 and OEE3 proteins of the photosystem II complex from Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

The sequences of the nuclear genes of the 33 kDa (OEE1) and the 16 kDa (OEE3) polypeptides of the oxygen evolving complex of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii have been established. Comparison between the OEE1 protein sequences of C. reinhardtii and higher plants and cyanobacteria reveals 67 and 47% homology. In contrast, C. reinhardtii and higher plants have only 28% overall homology for OEE3 which is mostly limited to the central portion of the protein. The transit peptides of the C. reinhardtii proteins consist of 52 (OEE1) and, most likely, 51 (OEE1) amino acids. They have a basic amino terminal region and, at least in the case of OEE1, a hydrophobic segment at their carboxy terminal end typical of thylakoid lumen proteins. Comparison of the genomic and cDNA clones indicates that the OEE1 and OEE3 genes contain five and four introns, respectively, some of which are located within the coding sequences of the transit peptides.     

Comparative analysis of the Kekkon molecules,related members of the LIG superfamily

Leucine-rich repeats (LRRs) and immunoglobulin (Ig) domains represent two of the most abundant sequence elements in metazoan proteomes. Despite this prevalence, comparatively few molecules containing both LRR and Ig (LIG) modules exist, and fewer still have been functionally defined. One LIG whose function has been investigated is the Drosophila protein Kekkon1 (Kek1). In vivo studies have demonstrated a role for Kek1 in Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) signaling and have suggested a role in neuronal pathfinding. Kek1 is the founding member of the Kek family, a group of six Drosophila transmembrane proteins that contain seven LRRs and a single Ig in their extracellular domains. While this arrangement of domains predicts a possible role as cell adhesion molecules (CAMs), to date little is known about the function or evolutionary relationship of these additional Kek molecules. Here we report that orthologs of Kek1, Kek2, Kek5, and Kek6 exist in the mosquito, Anopheles gambiae, and the honeybee, Apis mellifera, indicating that this family has been conserved for ~300 million years of evolutionary time. Comparative sequence analyses reveal remarkable identity among these orthologs, primarily in their extracellular regions. In contrast, the intracellular regions are more divergent, exhibiting only small pockets of conservation. In addition, we provide support for the general notion that these molecules may share common functions as CAMs, by demonstrating that Kek family members can form homotypic and heterotypic complexes.Edited by D. TautzChristina M. MacLaren, Timothy A. Evans and Diego Alvarado contributed equally to this work     

The purification of the three trimannosyl-N-acetylchitobiose pentasaccharides from the urine of swainsonine-intoxicated sheep

A simple method for the preparative resolution of three Man₃GlcNAc₂ isomers called Ia, Ib and II has been designed. It consists mainly of the use of concanavalin A-Sepharose which allowed the total purification of Man₃GlcNAc₂-Ia, and then of anion-exchange resin in borate buffer-gradient to separate the Ib and II isomers. The purity of each oligosaccharide was checked by two HPLC methods. The use of these oligosaccharides for different analytical and biosynthetic purposes is discussed, and the unexpected resistance of one of the Man₃GlcNAc₂ alditols to the action of endo--N-acetylglucosaminidase H is noted.     

The history of the genusHomo

The genusHomo was established by Carolus Linnaeus in 1758. During the course of the past 150 years, the addition of fossil species to the genusHomo has resulted in a genus that, according to the taxonomic interpretation, could span as much time as 2.5 Myr, and include as many as ten species. This paper reviews the fossil evidence for each of the species involved, and sets out the case for their inclusion inHomo. It suggests that while the case for the inclusion of some species in the genus (e.g.Homo erectus) is well-supported, in the case of two of the species,Homo habilis andHomo rudolfensis, the case for their inclusion is much weaker. Neither the cladistic evidence, nor evidence about adaptation suggest a particularly close relationship with laterHomo.     

Evaluation of antiprotozoal and antimycobacterial activities of the resin glycosides and the other metabolites of Scrophularia cryptophila

Resin glycosides are secondary metabolites exclusive to the convolvulaceous plants. In this study, crypthophilic acids A–C (1–3), the first resin glycosides occurring in another family (Scrophulariaceae), and the other constituents of Scrophularia cryptophila were examined for in vitro antiprotozoal and antimycobacterial potentials. Except for crypthophilic acid B (2), all tested compounds exhibited growth-inhibitory effect against Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense, with l-tryptophan (6) and buddlejasaponin III (7) being the most potent ones (IC₅₀'s 4.1 and 9.7 μg/ml). In contrast, the activity towards Trypanosoma cruzi was poor, and only crypthophilic acid C (3), 6 and 7 were trypanocidal at concentrations above 40 μg/ml. With the exception of 2 and 6, all compounds were active against Leishmania donovani. Harpagide (4) and 3 emerged as the best leishmanicidal agents (IC₅₀'s 2.0 and 5.8 μg/ml). Only compounds 3, 6 and 7 showed antimalarial activity against Plasmodium falciparum with IC₅₀ values of 4.2, 16.6 and 22.4 μg/ml. Overall the best and broadest spectrum activity was presented by compounds 3 and 7, as they inhibited all four parasitic protozoa. None of the isolates had significant activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MICs >100 μg/ml) or were toxic towards mammalian (L6) cells. This is the first report of antiprotozoal activity for natural resin glycosides, as well as for harpagide (4), acetylharpagide (5), tryptophan (6) and buddlejasaponin III (7).     

Evaluation of the Pro-Lab ID ring system for the identification of medically important yeasts

We evaluated 151 coded isolates of medically important yeast species belonging to the genera Candida, Cryptococcus, Geotrichum, Rhodoturula, Saccharomyces and Torulopsis using the newly developed rapid Pro-Lab Identification Ring, PL 960 system (PLID-Ring). All isolates were concurrently identified by the API 20C and conventional procedures comprising macro- and micromorphology, assimilation and fermentation of various carbon and nitrogen compounds. The PLID-Ring system identified isolates of Candida albicans, C. kefyr, C. krusei, C. lusitaniae, C. parapsilosis, Rhodotorula rubra, and Torulopsis glabrata with 100% accuracy in 24 h. This system identified C guilliermondii and S. cerevisiae isolates with an accuracy of 90% and 86%, respectively, while those belonging to Cr. neoformans, T. candida (= C. famata), C. rugosa and C. tropicalis were identified with 38.4%, 50%, 12.5% and 50% accuracy, respectively. Three isolates of Cr. laurentii were not identified by the PLID-Ring system. The overall accuracy of the PLID-Ring system was 81.45% (123 of 151 isolates). However, the system does not include species such as Cr. laurentii in its data base. When these three Cr. laurentii isolates were excluded from the evaluation, the accuracy of the PLID-Ring system increased from 81.45% to 83.1%.     

Comparison of the Influence of Carbon Substrates on the Fibrolytic Activities of Anaerobic Rumen Fungi

Cellulolytic and xylanolytic activities among genera of anaerobic fungi when grown on glucose, xylan and the cellulosic substrates, filter paper and Avicel were compared. All the fungi had basal extracellular fibrolytic activities that could be enhanced by growth on xylan or the cellulosic substrates. However,Piromyces communisstrain 22 andNeocallimastix patriciarumstrain 27 had substantially greater levels of fibrolytic activity thanOrpinomyces joyoniistrain 19-2 orNeocallimastix frontalisstrain RE1. Zymogram analysis suggested both structural and regulatory differences amongst the enzyme systems of the fungi. Numerous and varied enzyme bands were evidenced for all the fungi, with substantial substrate influences seen in the xylanase activities. Most commonly the smaller molecular weight bands, found exclusively extracellularly, appeared under the greatest regulatory control. Endoglucanase activities ofP. communisandO. joyoniidemonstrated similar regulatory control, while those of the twoNeocallimastixstrains did not appear to exert such control. These results suggest that while the enzymatic activities are functionally similar, there are likely significant variations in the enzyme systems of the anaerobic fungi.