p53、bax和bcl-2基因在SO 2染毒大鼠肝中的表达

为了进一步探讨SO₂的毒理学作用机制,运用荧光实时定量RT-PCR和免疫组化技术研究SO2吸入对大鼠肝细胞中p53、bax和bcl-2三种细胞凋亡相关基因mRNA和蛋白表达的影响.结果显示,肝中p53和bax mRNA水平呈剂量依赖性增加,在SO ₂浓度为28.00和56.00 mg/m3时显著增加（p53 mRNA在28 mg/m ³为1.30倍,在56 mg/m^3为3.43倍;bax mRNA在28 mg/m3为1.63倍,在56 mg/m ³为2.17倍）;而bcl-2 mRNA水平显著降低（在28 mg/m3为0.63倍,在56 mg/m ³为0.45倍）.免疫组化实验结果表明,吸入SO ₂后,大鼠肝中p53和bax蛋白表达水平呈剂量依赖性增加,而bcl-2蛋白表达水平呈剂量依赖性降低.结果表明,SO2可以改变凋亡相关基因的表达,诱导大鼠肝组织细胞凋亡,这可能与一些凋亡相关疾病的发生有关.     

Sim2基因对PC12细胞周期的影响

观察Sim2基因对PC12细胞周期及细胞周期调控蛋白表达水平影响,初步阐明Sim2基因在Down综合征发病机制中的作用.以脂质体法将pcDNA3-mSim2真核表达载体瞬时转染PC12细胞;以RT-PCR方法检测mSim2基因在PC12细胞的表达;流式细胞仪观察细胞周期分布的变化;RT-PCR和免疫组织化学方法分别检测细胞周期调节蛋白Ｅ（cyclin E）和p27 mRNA和蛋白水平的表达变化.RT-PCR结果显示,瞬时转染pcDNA3-mSim2的PC12细胞中有明显的mSim2 mRNA表达;流式细胞仪检测发现,与对照组和空载体组相比,转染mSim2后,处于G₀/G₁期的PC12细胞百分比明显升高（Ｐ<0.01）,而G₂/M期的细胞百分比明显降低 (Ｐ<0.01);在mRNA和蛋白水平上,转染mSim2的细胞细胞周期蛋白E表达较对照组明显降低;而p27的表达明显升高(Ｐ<0.01).以上结果表明,mSim2基因可能通过影响神经元前体细胞的增殖在Down综合征发病机制中发挥了重要作用.     

敲减单纯疱疹病毒Ⅱ型（HSV-2）UL30蛋白表达可抑制HSV-2复制

按照shRNA（small hairpin RNA）设计要求,选择编码单纯疱疹病毒Ⅱ型DNA多聚酶催化亚单位的U_L30（unique long 30,U_L30）基因序列保守区域,设计、合成并构建表达U_L30序列特异性siRNA（short interfering RNA）的质粒载体pUL30．通过磷酸钙转染法将其转染入HEK（human embryonic kidney）293细胞中,用蛋白印迹法检测对HSV-2 UL30蛋白表达的影响,观察受染细胞病变效应（cytopathic effect,CPE）,终点滴定法测定细胞上清液中病毒感染滴度（50% tissue culture infective dose,TCID₅₀）．结果表明,针对U_L30基因的siRNA能有效抑制UL30蛋白表达,同时显著抑制受染细胞的CPE,降低上清液中病毒感染滴度．提示本研究建立的针对U_L30基因特异性siRNA能有效阻断HSV-2在HEK293细胞内的复制,U_L30基因是一个潜在的抗HSV-2复制的药物靶标．     

Bach1与Nrf2调控γ-谷氨酰半胱氨酸合成酶对大鼠慢性阻塞性肺疾病的作用

为了探讨Bach1 (BTB and CNC homology 1)与红系衍生的核因子相关因子2（Nrf2）和γ-谷氨酰半胱氨酸合成酶（γ-GCS）的表达变化在慢性阻塞性肺疾病（COPD）中的作用和意义,用气管内注入脂多糖及熏香烟的复合刺激法建立大鼠COPD 模型．观察两组大鼠的肺组织病理学改变,测两组大鼠的肺功能指标;应用免疫组化、Western印迹、原位杂交和逆转录 聚合酶链反应（RT-PCR）等方法检测Bach1与Nrf2及γ GCS 在两组大鼠的肺组织中的表达．结果显示,COPD组的肺功能指标（FEV_0.3、FEV_0.3/FVC%、PEF）明显恶化;光镜下肺组织病理改变符合COPD的特征性改变;γ GCS与Nrf2 的mRNA及蛋白质表达在COPD组大鼠肺组织中明显增强;而Bach1 mRNA及蛋白质在COPD组和对照组的表达无明显差别．且核/胞浆分离技术表明,Nrf2蛋白在对照组主要表达于胞浆,胞核中表达水平较弱,在COPD组胞浆、胞核均有表达,但是在胞核中的水平明显升高;Bach1蛋白在对照组主要表达于胞核中,胞浆中无明显表达,在COPD组主要表达于胞浆,胞核中无明显表达．相关性分析表明,γ-GCS mRNA与FEV_0.3、FEV_0.3/FVC%、PEF均呈负相关;Nrf2蛋白表达与γ GCS mRNA呈正相关;Bach1蛋白与γ GCS mRNA呈负相关．上述结果提示,Bach1与Nrf2和γ-GCS可能均在大鼠COPD的发病中发挥作用,且Bach1和Nrf2可能通过竞争性机制调控γ-GCS的表达,影响COPD的发生和发展．     

小鼠胚胎干细胞分化心肌细胞毒蕈碱受体的表达特征

为了探讨胚胎干细胞分化心肌细胞（ESCM）毒蕈碱受体的表达规律及β肾上腺素能系统对M2受体表达的影响,采用10^－4 mol/L维生素C体外诱导小鼠M13胚胎干细胞分化为心肌细胞,用RT-PCR检测到分化后的细胞表达心肌细胞特异性基因Nkx2.5和β肌球蛋白重链;用免疫荧光法检测到分化后的细胞表达心肌细胞特异性标志物α辅肌动蛋白.小鼠胚胎干细胞分化前表达M₁和M₂毒蕈碱受体,在分化过程中,M₁受体表达逐渐下降, M₂受体表达在第3 d显著下降,此后表达逐渐增加,在第14 d达到高峰;Western印迹结果显示,异丙肾上腺素明显抑制M₂受体的表达,选择性β₁肾上腺素受体拮抗剂CGP20712A明显上调其表达,而选择性β₂肾上腺素受体拮抗剂 ICI118551对其表达无影响.本实验表明,小鼠胚胎干细胞分化心肌细胞表达毒蕈碱受体, β肾上腺素能系统对M₂受体表达有调控作用.     

LOX-1特异性小发夹RNA 表达载体的构建及其对巨噬细胞源性泡沫细胞形成的影响

[摘　要]　目的：靶向血凝素样氧化型低密度脂蛋白受体-1基因的发卡样siRNA(shRNA)表达载体及其对巨噬细胞源性泡沫细胞形成的影响。方法：(1)采用DNA重组技术,将LOX-1 shRNA双链与线性化pGenesil-1质粒表达载体连接,脂质体法转染小鼠单核巨噬细胞（RAW264.7）,半定量逆转录聚合酶链反应法检测LOX-1 mRNA的表达,Western blot法检测LOX-1蛋白的表达。(2) Ox-LDL诱导巨噬细胞建立泡沫细胞模型, LOX-1-shRNA进行干预,干预组使用脂质体法进行细胞转染,转染24小时后,再加入Ox-LDL作用24小时,用油红O染色法及细胞内游离胆固醇及总胆固醇测定法观察对泡沫细胞形成的影响,倒置荧光显微镜观察转染LOX-1 shRNA后RAW264.7细胞对Dil-ox-LDL的摄取率。结果：测序鉴定发现插入的发卡样序列正确,成功合成了发卡样LOX-1基因RNA干扰表达载体;靶向LOX-1基因的发卡样shRNA表达载体转染RAW264.7细胞后,其LOX-1基因和蛋白表达显著下调, 同时可抑制巨噬细胞源性泡沫细胞形成及对Dil-ox-LDL的摄取。结论：成功构建了能有效抑制LOX-1 mRNA表达的发卡样LOX-1基因RNA干扰表达载体,并在一定程度上能抑制巨噬细胞源性泡沫细胞的形成,为进一步利用RNA干扰技术防治动脉粥样硬化提供理论基础。     

意大利蜜蜂蜂毒磷脂酶A2基因在杆状病毒-昆虫细胞系统中的表达

利用Bac to Bac系统将意大利蜜蜂蜂毒磷脂酶A₂（AmPLA₂）基因cDNA克隆至转移载体pFastBacHTa中,得到pBacHT-AmPLA₂,再将其转化入含穿梭载体Bacmid的受体大肠杆菌DH10Bac中,通过转座作用,得到含AmPLA₂基因的重组病毒rBacmid-AmPLA₂的DNA。提取其基因组DNA,用脂质体介导转染粉纹夜蛾细胞Tn-5B1-4,得到重组病毒rACV-Bac-AmPLA₂。用此重组病毒感染Tn-5B1-4细胞, 在细胞中表达AmPLA₂。SDS-PAGE电泳结果显示,与6×His Tag融合表达的产物蛋白分子量约为18 kD左右,表达量约占细胞总蛋白的5.35%。Western blot印迹显示,融合表达产物能与意大利蜜蜂蜂毒AmPLA₂抗血清发生免疫反应。生物活性测定显示,含表达产物的细胞蛋白粗提物对底物蛋黄的酶活力约为6.13 μmol·min^-1·mg^-1。     

糖调节蛋白78抗四氯化碳诱导的人HepG2细胞脂肪合成

为研究糖调节蛋白78（glucose regulated protein 78, GRP78）对肝细胞脂肪变性的影响,采用四氯化碳（carbon tetrachloride, CCl₄）刺激人肝癌HepG₂细胞,油红O染色证实,CCl₄作用HepG₂细胞后,细胞浆中脂肪颗粒明显增加,同时固醇调节元件结合蛋白1(sterol regulatory element binding protein 1, SREBP-1)蛋白水平和3羟3甲基戊二酸单酰CoA还原酶（HMGCoA还原酶）mRNA水平分别为对照组的1.55倍和1.70倍.构建人GRP78启动子荧光素酶报告基因载体pGL3/hGRP78P转染人肝癌HepG₂细胞后,结果发现,CCl₄促进GRP78基因转录,转录活性为诱导前的1.92倍. 构建人GRP78 RNAi沉默质粒pSuper/GRP78转染人肝癌HepG₂细胞后,该质粒能特异性沉默内源性GRP78;内源性GRP78沉默后的人肝癌HepG₂细胞经CCl₄诱导, HMGCoA还原酶mRNA和SREBP-1蛋白的表达较对照组进一步升高,分别为对照组的1.48倍和2.38倍;人肝癌HepG₂细胞GRP78的体外过表达能降低CCl₄介导的HMGCoA还原酶mRNA和SREBP-1蛋白诱导表达,分别为对照组的78.5％和51.5％;油红O染色进一步证实,GRP78过表达可明显减少脂肪颗粒在HepG2细胞浆中的集聚.综上表明,GRP78可抑制CCl₄的SREBP-1和HMGCoA还原酶的诱导表达以及HepG₂细胞脂肪变性,提示GRP78的表达增加在肝细胞脂肪变性损伤过程中具有潜在的保护作用.     

小分子G蛋白Rapl shRNA表达载体的构建和鉴定

应用RNA干扰(RNA interference,RNAi)技术抑制Rapl基因的表达,构建Rap1 shRNA(small hairpin RNA,shRNA)表达载体,观察其对小鼠肝脏细胞中Rap1 mRNA和蛋白表达的干扰作用.根据小鼠Rap1 mRNA的全序列.设计了3种Rap1 siRNA序列(Rap1 siRNA1、Rap1 siRNA2、Rap1 siRNA3)和阴性对照序列(HK);采用克隆技术,将其插入带有报告基因绿色荧光(ECFP)的pGenesil-3栽体,构建Rap1 shRNA表达载体:经双酶切和测序证实Rap1 siRNA表达载体克隆构建成功,插入片段测序结果与合成的siRNA结果一致;昆明小鼠40只,体重18～20 g,随机分成4组: Ⅰ组(转染HK组)、Ⅱ组(转染Rapl shRNAl组)、Ⅲ组(转染Rap1 shRNA2组)、Ⅳ组(转染Rapl shRNA3组).于0、16、24 h腹腔内注射Rapl shRNA 2.0～2.5 mg/kg(用PBS稀释至1 mL);48 h后收集小鼠肝脏.用显微荧光、定量RT-PCT、免疫组化检测小鼠肝细胞中Rap1shRNA的转染率、Rap1基因表达以及蛋白质表达水平.Ⅰ组、Ⅱ组、Ⅲ组、Ⅳ组小鼠肝脏细胞体内转染率均大于60%,Ⅱ组、Ⅲ组、Ⅳ组的Rap1 mRNA表达、Rap1蛋白表达均降低,其中Rap1 shRNA1干扰效果最佳.     

shRNA慢病毒表达载体对肝癌细胞HepG2中CXCR7表达的影响

目的:探讨趋化因子受体7(Chemokine receptor7,CXCR7)的短发夹RNA(a small hairpin Ribonucleic acid,shRNA)慢病毒表达载体对人肝癌细胞HepG2中CXCR7表达的影响.方法:合成4个针对CXCR7靶基因序列的shRNA,分别与Age Ⅰ和EcoRl酶切后的pGCSIL-RFP载体连接,构建CXCR7的shRNA慢病毒表达载体pGCSIL-RFP-CXCR7-shRNA;构建含有CXCR7互补DNA(complementary DNA,cDNA)的真核过表达载体pEGFP-N1-3FLAG-CXCR7,与pGCSIL-RFP-CXCR7-shRNA共转染HEK293T细胞,筛选具有显著敲减作用的CXCR7-shRNA;将具有显著敲减作用的pGCSIL-RFP-CXCR7-shRNA与慢病毒包装质粒共转染人胚肾细胞(Human embryonic kidney cells,HEK293T)产生慢病毒颗粒LV-CXCR7-shRNA,并将纯化的慢病毒颗粒感染人肝癌HepG2细胞,以逆转录聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)和免疫印迹(Western blot)分别检测CXCR7信使核糖核酸(mRNA)和蛋白的沉默效果.结果:聚合酶链反应(Polymerasechain reaction,PCR)鉴定及测序结果表明成功构建4个CXCR7的shRNA慢病毒表达载体,并筛选出具有显著敲减作用的pGCSIL-RFP-CXCR7-shRNA2;包装含有CXCR7一shRNA2的慢病毒颗粒LV-CXCR7-shRNA2(病毒滴度为3x 109TU/ml),感染HepG2细胞,CXCR7mRNA和蛋白的表达水平下调.结论:成功构建靶向CXCR7基因的shRNA慢病毒表达载体,可有效抑制人肝癌HepG2细胞CXCR7 mRNA和蛋白的表达.     

表皮穿透和GABAA受体不敏感性在小菜蛾对阿维菌素抗性中的作用

用氚标记阿维菌素点滴处理阿维菌素敏感（ABM-S）和抗性（ABM-R）种群小菜蛾幼虫,结果显示,在5～360 min内的7个不同处理时间,ABM-R种群的平均表皮穿透量比ABM-S种群少1.5倍,处理24 h后,ABM-R种群仍有45.9%的3H-阿维菌素滞留于体表,而ABM-S种群却有98.4%的药剂穿透表皮。放射配体结合分析表明,GABAA受体结合性质的改变是小菜蛾对阿维菌素的另一抗性机制,ABM-S种群（K_d=10.9368±0.4374 nmol/L）和ABM-R种群（K_d=9.8328±0.3933　nmol/L）的受体亲和力无显著差异,但抗性种群的最大结合量（B_max=71.2842±4.9910　fmol/mg 蛋白）比敏感种群（B_max=112.0255±7.8418　fmol/mg 蛋白）降低63.6%,即抗性是受体数目的减少而非结构上的改变。     

Efficiency of K+ Utilization by Barley Varieties: Activation of Pyruvate Kinase

Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) varieties differed in their raponseto [K⁺]₀, in terms of their utilization efficiencies (UE = freshweight. concentration of [K⁺]₁^–1). At low [K⁺]₀, Compana,an efficient-non-responder demonstrated superior utilizationof absorbed K⁺. On the other hand, at high [K⁺]₀, Fergus (anefficient responder) and BT 334 (an inefficient responder) hadhigher UE values for K⁺ than Compana which performed poorlyat this [K⁺]₀. Kinetic parameters for K⁺ activation of the enzyme pyruvatekinase from 12 barley varieties, representing a range of UEvalues, were determined. Varieties showed substantial differencesin their V_max values (P<0·01). Compana, an efficientvariety, had the highest V_max (31 µmol g^–1 freshwt. h^–1) which was about 50% higher than that of Mingo,an inefficient variety. By contrast, K_m values for the enzymeswere not significantly different among varieties The mean valuesfor all varieties (3·9±0·15 mol m^–3K⁺) is far below the estimated cytoplasmic [K⁺] (100-200 molm^–3). It is, therefore, unlikely that differences in theutilization of K⁺ by these varieties can be explained on thebasis of differential requirements for (K⁺) activation of theseenzymes. Alternative possibilities for differences in the utilizationof K⁺ are discussed. Key words: K⁺ utilization efficiency, Pyruvate kinase, Barley varieties     

Hypoxia- and normoxia-induced reversibility of autonomic control in Andean guinea pig heart

León-Velarde, Fabiola, Jean-Paul Richalet, Juan-CarlosChavez, Rachid Kacimi, Maria Rivera-Chira, José-Antonio Palacios, and Daniel Clark. Hypoxia- and normoxia-induced reversibility ofautonomic control in Andean guinea pig heart. J. Appl.Physiol. 81(5): 2229-2234, 1996.We hereindescribe the regulation of cardiac receptors in a typical high-altitudenative animal. Heart rate response to isoproterenol(HR_Iso)(beats ^· min^{1 ·} mgIso ^· kg¹)and atropine, the density of -adrenergic(_AR) and muscarinic (M₂) receptors, and theventricular content of norepinephrine (NE) and dopamine (DA) werestudied in guinea pigs (Caviaporcellus). Animals native to Lima, Peru (150 m) werestudied at sea level (SL) and after 5 wk at 4,300-m altitude (SL-HA).Animals native to Rancas [Pasco, Peru (4,300 m)] werestudied at high altitude (HA) and after 5 wk at SL (HA-SL). HA animalshad a lower HR_Iso, maximum numberof _AR binding sites(B_max),_AR dissociation constant (K_d), NE, andDA (P < 0.05) and a higherM₂B_max(P < 0.001) when compared with theSL group. HA-SL showed an increase of theHR_Iso, _ARK_d, and NE(P < 0.05) and a decrease of theM₂B_max andK_d (P < 0.0001) when compared with theHA group. The present study demonstrates the differential regulationand reversibility of the autonomic control in the guinea pig heart.

     

Binding Affinities of Oxidized and Reduced Forms of Tetrahalogenated Benzoquinones to the QB Site in Oxygen-Evolving Photosystem II Particles from Synechococcus elongatus

Binding affinities of the Q_B site for four tetrahalogenatedbenzoquinones (THBQs) were investigated by measuring their abilityto serve as electron acceptors or act as inhibitors of oxygenevolution in Synechococcus photosystem II particles. Iodanil,bromanil and chloranil but not fluoranil induced a rapid oxidationof Q_A^– and doubled the area over the fluorescence inductioncurve, indicating dark oxidation of Q₄₀₀. Analyses of thesetwo THBQ-induced reactions and inhibition of the acceleratedQ_A^– oxidation by DCMU yielded binding constants of thequinones comparable to those determined from measurements ofoxygen evolution. Generally, THBQs bound tightly to the Q_B site.However, the binding affinity varied in a wide range with THBQs.The Q_B site bound iodanil with an extremely high affinity butfluoranil relatively weakly. The hydroquinone forms of the THBQsalso bound to the Q_B site and inhibited Q_A^– oxidationby Q_B. The concentrations of the hydroquinones required for50% inhibition of Q_A^– oxidation suggest that the Q_B sitebinds the hydroquinones more weakly than the corresponding quinonesexcept for fluoranil, which binds to the Q_B site more tightlyin its reduced form than in oxidized one. The abilities of THBQsto function as electron acceptors or inhibitors of oxygen evolution,and as oxidants of Q₄₀₀ in the dark, are discussed in relationto the binding affinities of the quinones to the Q_B site. ⁴Present address: Department of Biology, Faculty of Science,Toho University. Miyama 2-2-1, Funabashi, 274 Japan     

Mechanisms of Electron Flow through the QB Site in Photosystem II. 3. Effects of the Presence of Membrane Structure on the Redox Reactions at the QB Site

Reduction kinetics of chloro- or methyl-substituted benzoquinones(BQs) in spinach PSII membrane fragments or n-heptyl-rß-D-thioglucoside-extractedPSII core complexes (HTG-PSII) was studied and compared to thatin cyanobacterial PSII core complexes [Satoh et al. (1995) PlantCell Physiol. 36: 597]. It was found that the BQs accept electronsat two sites (the Q_B and PQ sites) in the both spinach preparationsas in the cyanobacterial preparation. Maximum turnover rates(V_max) and binding affinities (K_m) of the two sites were estimated.Comparison of the values in PSII membrane fragments with thosein HTG-PSII showed that removal of the membrane structure orlight-harvesting chlorophyll a/b protein complexes from thePSII core complexes had little effect on the characteristicsof the Q_B site, indicating that the HTG-PSII have the intactQ_B site and are good materials to study the site. The K_m andV_max values were comparable to those in the cyanobacterial preparation. Low affinity (high K_m values) and high V_max values of methyl-substitutedBQs to the Q_B site and almost the same rate of intrinsic electronflow through the Q_B site in the both spinach preparations furthersupport the hypothesis that the plastoquinone (PQ) moleculeat the Q_B site is not replaced by another PQ molecule but, afterreduction, only its head group goes out of the Q_B pocket, andcomes back after transferring the electrons and protons to afree PQ molecule [Satoh et al. (1993) Z. Naturforsch. 48c: 174]. (Received May 2, 1996; Accepted July 26, 1996)     

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     

Growth Stage Modulates Salinity Tolerance of New Zealand Spinach (Tetragonia tetragonioides, Pall.) and Red Orach (Atriplex hortensis L.)

The response of two speciality vegetable crops, New Zealandspinach (Tetragonia tetragonioides Pall.) and red orach (Atriplexhortensis L.), to salt application at three growth stages wasinvestigated. Plants were grown with a base nutrient solutionin outdoor sand cultures and salinized at 13 (early), 26 (mid),and 42 (late) d after planting (DAP). For the treatment saltconcentrations, we used a salinity composition that would occurin a typical soil in the San Joaquin Valley of California usingdrainage waters for irrigation. Salinity treatments measuringelectrical conductivities (EC_i) of 3, 7, 11, 15, 19 and 23 dSm^-1were achieved by adding MgSO₄, Na₂SO₄, NaCl and CaCl₂to thebase nutrient solution. These salts were added to the base nutrientsolution incrementally over a 5-d period to avoid osmotic shockto the seedlings. The base nutrient solution without added saltsserved as the non-saline control (3 dS m^-1). Solution pH wasuncontrolled and ranged from 7.7 to 8.0. Both species were saltsensitive at the early seedling stage and became more salt tolerantas time to salinization increased. For New Zealand spinach,the salinity levels that gave maximal yields (C_max) were 0,0 and 3.1 dS m^-1and those resulting in a 50% reduction of biomassproduction (C₅₀) were 9.1, 11.1 and 17.4 dS m^-1for early, midand late salinization dates, respectively. Maximal yield ofred orach increased from 4.2 to 10.9 to 13.7 dS m^-1as the timeof salinization increased from 13, to 26, to 42 DAP, respectively.The C₅₀value for red orach was unaffected by time of salt imposition(25 dS m^-1). Both species exhibited high Na⁺accumulation evenat low salinity levels. Examination of K-Na selectivity dataindicated that K⁺selectivity increased in both species withincreasing salinity. However, increased K-Na selectivity didnot explain the increased salt tolerance observed by later salinization.Higher Na-Ca selectivity was determined at 3 dS m^-1in New Zealandspinach plants treated with early- and mid-salinization plantsrelative to those exposed to late salinization. This correspondedwith lower C_maxand C₅₀values for those plants. Lower Ca uptakeselectivity or lower Ca levels may have inhibited growth inyoung seedlings. This conclusion is supported by similar resultswith red orach. High Na-Ca selectivity found only in the early-salinizationplants of red orach corresponded to the lower C_maxvalues measuredfor those plants. Copyright 2000 Annals of Botany Company New Zealand spinach, Tetragonia tetragonioides Pall., red orach, Atriplex hortensis L., salinity, stage of growth, ion accumulation, selectivity, plant nutrition     

Pacemaker potentials generated by interstitial cells of Cajal in the murine intestine

Pacemaker potentials were recorded in situ from myenteric interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC-MY) in the murine small intestine. The nature of the two components of pacemaker potentials (upstroke and plateau) were investigated and compared with slow waves recorded from circular muscle cells. Pacemaker potentials and slow waves were not blocked by nifedipine (3 µM). In the presence of nifedipine, mibefradil, a voltage-dependent Ca²⁺ channel blocker, reduced the amplitude, frequency, and rate of rise of upstroke depolarization (dV/dt_max) of pacemaker potentials and slow waves in a dose-dependent manner (1–30 µM). Mibefradil (30 µM) changed the pattern of pacemaker potentials from rapidly rising, high-frequency events to slowly depolarizing, low-frequency events with considerable membrane noise (unitary potentials) between pacemaker potentials. Caffeine (3 mM) abolished pacemaker potentials in the presence of mibefradil. Pinacidil (10 µM), an ATP-sensitive K⁺ channel opener, hyperpolarized ICC-MY and increased the amplitude and dV/dt_max without affecting frequency. Pinacidil hyperpolarized smooth muscle cells and attenuated the amplitude and dV/dt_max of slow waves without affecting frequency. The effects of pinacidil were blocked by glibenclamide (10 µM). These data suggest that slow waves are electrotonic potentials driven by pacemaker potentials. The upstroke component of pacemaker potentials is due to activation of dihydropyridine-resistant Ca²⁺ channels, and this depolarization entrains pacemaker activity to create the plateau potential. The plateau potential may be due to summation of unitary potentials generated by individual or small groups of pacemaker units in ICC-MY. Entrainment of unitary potentials appears to depend on Ca²⁺ entry during upstroke depolarization. pacemaker activity; slow waves; gastrointestinal motility; calcium channel     

Variations in the Contents and Kinetic Properties of Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate Carboxylases among Rice Species

The K_m(CO₂) ancl V_max of ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate (RuBP) carboxylaseand its protein ratio to total soluble protein from Oryza speciesincluding cultivars (25 varieties) and wild types (11 species,21 strains) were surveyed. Their variabilities among cultivarsof O. sativa were very small. The averages of the K_m(CO₂) andV_max values and the ratio of carboxylase to soluble protein,and their standard errors were 10.2?1.0µM, 1.72?0.13units.mg^–1(pH 8.0 and 25?C) and 52?2%, respectively. However, some differencesseemed to exist based on genome constitution in the Oryza genus.RuBP carboxylases from the species with the A^gA^g genome, O.graberrima and O. breviligulate, exhibited low K_m(CO₂) values(8.0?0.8 µM). High V_max was associated with the CC genome,O. eichingeri and O. officinalis (2.08?0.15 units.mg^–1).A higher ratio of RuBP carboxylase protein to soluble proteinwas found for the AA genome, O. sativa and O. perennis. (Received September 24, 1986; Accepted April 15, 1987)     

Modelling steady-state growth and photosynthesis rates of Oscillatoria rubescens continuous cultures in relation to temperature and irradiance

The lacustrine blue-green alga (= Cyanobacterium) Oscillatoriarubescens D.C. was cultured in chemostats with temperature andlight intensity as the only limiting factors. The experimentswere carried out under combinations of three temperatures 10,20 and 30°C and three irradiances 6, 18 and 30 µEm^–2 s^–1. Dilution rate, photosynthesis rate anda large number of abiotic and cellular factors were regularlymeasured to determine steady-state periods and the level ofthe associated variables. Various mathematical models were fittedwith series of data by a non-linear regression method derivedfrom Marquardt's method. Four models for calculation of specificgrowth rate and photosynthesis rate are presented. The lastone computes growth rate from calculated photosynthesis: µ= µ_max p_maxI/[K_pK_i + I(K_p + P_max)], with P_max =100 + 257Tand K₁ = 300/chl a. Values of adjusted parameters are discussed.One conclusion confirms that values of maximal growth ratesand half-saturation constants frequently considered in the literatureas absolute species characteristics should always be consideredas relative to associated prevalent growth conditions.