水稻叶片对镉胁迫响应的蛋白质差异表达

为揭示水稻镉抗性的分子机理,以抗镉水稻品种P1312777和镉敏感水稻品种IR24为材料,在镉离子浓度为0(对照)、50和100 μmol·L-1条件下水培处理7 d,应用蛋白质组学方法分析了2种水稻叶片对镉胁迫响应的蛋白质差异表达.结果表明:镉胁迫下水稻PI312777叶片中共检测到差异表达蛋白质点31个,通过MALDI-TOF/MS分析,鉴定了其中的24个蛋白质(包括20个不同蛋白质,4个重复检出蛋白质);IR24叶片中共检测到差异表达蛋白质点19个,其中15个蛋白质得到鉴定.PI312777叶片鉴定出的20个蛋白质覆盖了IR24叶片鉴定的15个蛋白质,前者有4个与光合作用相关,11个与细胞防御代谢相关,3个与其他代谢相关,2个为功能未知蛋白.与对照相比,不同浓度镉胁迫下,抗镉水稻PI312777叶片中热激蛋白、谷胱甘肽还原酶、蛋白酶体α亚基6型、果糖1,6-二磷酸醛缩酶、硫氧还蛋白和DNA重组修复蛋白均上调表达;镉敏感水稻IR24叶片中热激蛋白、谷胱甘肽还原酶、蛋白酶体α亚基6型的表达无显著差异,果糖1,6-二磷酸醛缩酶和硫氧还蛋白则下调表达.此外,DNA重组修复蛋白仅在镉胁迫的PI312777叶片中表达.水稻PI312777比IR24具有更强的镉抗性与这些差异表达的蛋白质密切相关.     

不同胁迫条件下化感与非化感水稻PAL多基因家族的差异表达

水稻苯丙氨酸解氨酶(PAL)调控酚酸类化感物质的合成代谢。编码PAL的基因是一个基因家族,包含至少11个基因成员,并受不同环境条件的调控。为了明确PAL基因家族中调控水稻化感作用的特定基因成员,本研究运用实时荧光定量PCR技术分析了低氮及稗草胁迫条件下强化感水稻PI312777与非化感水稻Lemont中根系的11个PAL成员基因的表达差异。结果表明,低氮和稗草胁迫条件下,PI312777和Lemont中的 PAL4和PAL10均不表达,其余9个PAL基因成员发生了不同程度的表达变化。其中,PAL11均上调表达,其分别在低氮处理和稗草胁迫的PI312777中上调3.29倍和1.07倍,而在相同处理下的Lemont中上调3.92倍和1.08倍;PAL3和PAL9则仅在低氮和稗草胁迫条件下的PI312777中上调表达,低氮胁迫分别为1.83倍和2.66倍,稗草胁迫为1.46倍和2.65倍;而这两个基因在相同处理下的Lemont中表达下调,低氮胁迫下调1.05和1.24倍,稗草胁迫下调1.14和1.16倍,推测PAL3和PAL9可能与胁迫初期调控水稻化感作用有关。     

不同化感潜力水稻(Oryza sativa L.)苗期的氮素养分效率及相关基因的表达

为了阐明养分水平引起水稻(Oryza sativa L.)化感抑草潜力变化的生理生态机制,研究了不同N素营养处理下,不同化感潜力水稻苗期对N素营养逆境的响应特性及N素养分效率的差异,并运用实时荧光定量RT-PCR技术(FQ-PCR)检测与N素代谢和次生代谢关键酶的基因表达.结果表明:弱化感水稻品种Lemont对N素营养胁迫较敏感,强化感水稻品种PI312777对资源波动的适应性较强,N素养分效率较高.FQ-PCR分析结果显示,在低N条件下Lemont中的亚硝酸还原酶基因(nir),谷氨酰胺合成酶基因(gs)相对表达量均有不同幅度的下调, PI312777分别下调了1.2倍和1.4倍,而Lemont分别下调了3.0倍和1.8倍, Lemont下调的幅度分别是PI312777的2.5倍和1.3倍,但对于苯丙氨酸解氨酶基因(pal)与3-羟基-3甲基戊二酰辅酶A还原酶基因(hmgr)而言, PI312777叶组织中的pal和hmgr均上调表达,与对照相比上调了6.0倍和1.6倍,而Lemont中对应的基因均下调表达,分别下调了1.3倍和6.8倍,佐证了上述差异的分子生态学特性.     

壳聚糖对镉胁迫下玉米幼苗根系生长及叶片光合的影响

本试验采用营养液水培法,以玉米品种"郑单958"(镉不敏感型)和"东农253"(镉敏感型)为试验材料,研究在80 mg·L~(-1)Cd~(2+)胁迫下100 mg·L~(-1)壳聚糖对玉米幼苗干鲜重、根系特征(根长、根表面积、根体积、平均直径、总根尖数)、根系细胞膜透性、根系抗氧化酶(SOD、POD)活性、叶片叶绿素含量、光合参数(P_n、G_s、T_r、C_i)及最大光能转化效率(F_v/F_m)的影响,探究壳聚糖提高玉米幼苗抗镉胁迫能力的生理生化机制。结果表明:80mg·L~(-1)Cd~(2+)抑制了玉米幼苗的生长,破坏了根系细胞膜的稳定性和抗氧化酶活性,抑制了叶片光合作用;壳聚糖缓解了镉胁迫对玉米根系生长的抑制,增加了幼苗的根长、根表面积、根体积;增强了根系的渗透调节能力,降低了根系的MDA含量和相对电导率;抑制了根系活性氧的产生,增加了SOD和POD活性;提高了叶片的光合作用,增加了叶片的叶绿素a(Chla)、叶绿素b(Chlb)含量、净光合速率(P_n)和F_v/F_m,从而缓解了镉胁迫对幼苗生长的抑制作用,且对"东农253"(镉敏感型)的缓解效果更好,为壳聚糖应用到玉米抗镉胁迫生产上提供了依据。     

外源水杨酸调控水稻化感抑草作用及其分子生理特性

为了探讨外源水杨酸（SA）调控水稻化感抑草效应的可行性,研究了不同浓度的外源SA对强化感水稻PI312777抑草效应的影响及其生理生化特性,并运用实时定量RT-PCR(FQ-PCR)技术检测SA介导的关键酶苯丙氨酸解氨酶基因（ZB8）的相对表达量.结果表明：外源SA能够诱导水稻化感抑草效应增强,而且这种诱导效应与SA的浓度和处理时间相关.叶面喷施SA后,PI312777对稗草的抑制率显著提高,其根系活力、超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）和过氧化物酶（POD）活性增强,过氧化氢酶（CAT）活性降低;而伴生杂草稗草的相应生理指标的变化趋势则相反.PI312777植株中的苯丙氨酸解氨酶（PAL）活性增强,总酚含量升高.0.2 mmol·L^-1的SA诱导水稻化感抑草效应最显著,该浓度下目的基因ZB8的相对表达丰度随处理时间先上调后下调,在24 h达到表达高峰.     

S-腺苷甲硫氨酸代谢途径相关基因在小麦水分胁迫中的表达

以小麦品种‘晋麦47’为材料,利用半定量RT-PCR方法,对S-腺苷甲硫氨酸代谢途径中的S-腺苷甲硫氨酸合成酶(SAMS)基因、S-腺苷甲硫氨酸脱羧酶(SAMDC)基因和γ-谷氨酰半胱氨酸合成酶(-γECS)基因在正常供水、PEG-6000模拟水分胁迫和复水过程中小麦叶片的表达模式进行了分析。结果表明,3个基因在正常生长情况下有一定量的表达,SAMS和SAMDC基因在水分胁迫早期(PEG-6000胁迫6、12、244、8 h)上调表达,水分胁迫后期(PEG-6000胁迫75 h)表达量下降;复水后3~6 h上调表达,复水9 h后表达量下调至对照水平。-γECS基因在水分胁迫阶段呈上调表达,复水后表达量下调至对照水平。可见,小麦SAMS、SAMDC和-γECS基因的表达都受水分胁迫诱导,同时,SAMS与SAMDC基因还参与水分胁迫后的复水调节,说明S-腺苷甲硫氨酸代谢途径在小麦抗旱节水中具有重要作用。     

ZmOPR5参与玉米耐镉性生理机制的初步研究

植物在重金属镉(Cd)胁迫环境下通过体内生理生化水平的改变来做出响应,其中一个重要的环节就是清除由重金属胁迫诱导的活性氧过程。本研究利用玉米Cd耐性自交系B73与敏感自交系Mo17为材料,分析了玉米Zm OPR5基因在Cd胁迫处理后根系和茎叶中的表达差异,结合相对干物质产量、丙二醛(MDA)含量、超氧自由基O_2~-、H_2O_2、Cd~(2+)含量和Cd~(2+)转移系数进行分析,以期揭示玉米Cd耐性差异的生理机制。结果表明:Zm OPR5受Cd胁迫诱导,存在明显的基因型和组织部位差异。Zm OPR5相对表达量与H_2O_2含量、MDA含量、Cd~(2+)转移系数和Cd~(2+)含量均呈高度正相关关系,在Cd耐性自交系B73根系中与上述性状的相关系数分别为0.778、0.879、0.893和0.822,已达显著或极显著水平,由此表明Zm OPR5可能参与了玉米由Cd胁迫引发的抗氧化胁迫反应过程。此外,其他性状也存在基因型和组织部位差异的特征,性状间的相关系数在不同的材料和组织中表现不同。在B73根系中,Zm OPR5相对表达量,MDA含量,Cd~(2+)转移系数和Cd~(2+)含量均保持较高水平,因此推测,B73根系能吸收较多的Cd~(2+),并引发活性氧爆发,但高表达的Zm OPR5参与了活性氧自由基的清除过程,同时,B73根系中较高的Cd~(2+)转移系数能够迅速将Cd~(2+)转移至茎叶,并贮存于液泡中。以上研究结果对揭示自交系B73和Mo17具有Cd积累和耐性差异特征的生理机制具有一定的意义,同时也为进一步解析Zm OPR5参与玉米根系应答Cd胁迫响应的生理机制提供了一定的参考。     

香根草对镉毒害的生理响应——采用傅里叶变换红外光谱法(FTIR)

为阐明香根草(Vetiveria zizanioides)对镉(Cd~(2+))胁迫的耐性机理及其对重金属Cd~(2+)的积累特征,通过水培试验,采用傅里叶变换红外光谱法(FTIR)研究在不同Cd~(2+)浓度处理时香根草根、茎、叶化学组分的变化,同时测定香根草叶Cd~(2+)的亚细胞分布和其重金属Cd~(2+)含量。结果表明,其根组织在2927 cm~(-1)处峰高先下降后上升,表明在低Cd~(2+)(Cd~(2+)3 mg/L)处理条件下香根草分泌的有机酸不断螯合Cd~(2+),造成羧酸O—H的减少,但随着Cd~(2+)含量的升高,其羧酸螯合力变弱,有机酸含量渐渐升高;茎组织在1631 cm~(-1)峰高处先上升后下降,表明在低Cd~(2+)(Cd~(2+)3 mg/L)处理条件下香根草产生氨基酸、多肽和蛋白质等物质,通过渗透调节来增强抗逆性,但随着Cd~(2+)含量的升高,蛋白质二级结构中肽键间氢键的结合力受影响较大。当Cd~(2+)处理浓度为7 mg/L时,香根草生长10 d后,地上部分及根组织富集Cd~(2+)量分别高达212.49 mg/kg和290.59 mg/kg。香根草地上部分的Cd~(2+)含量随Cd~(2+)处理浓度的增加而增加。香根草叶片富集的Cd~(2+)主要分布于细胞质中,其次为细胞壁,而在线粒体和叶绿体中含量最低。     

Cd~(2+)胁迫对小桐子幼苗叶片抗氧化系统的影响

以小桐子幼苗为材料,设置不同浓度CdCl_2处理,测定Cd~(2+)胁迫对小桐子幼苗叶片中可溶性蛋白、丙二醛(MDA)含量,以及5种抗氧化酶活性和2种抗氧化剂含量的变化,探讨镉胁迫对小桐子幼苗抗氧化系统的影响。结果表明:(1)Cd~(2+)胁迫导致小桐子幼苗叶片中可溶性蛋白含量降低、MDA含量增加;(2)随着镉胁迫时间的延长,幼苗叶片中愈创木酚过氧化物酶(POD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、抗坏血酸专一性过氧化酶(APX)、谷胱甘肽还原酶(GR)等抗氧化酶活性表现出先升高然后降低的变化趋势;(3)幼苗叶片中还原型抗坏血酸(ASA)和还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)含量随着胁迫时间延长而降低,但其中氧化型抗坏血酸(DHA)和氧化型谷胱甘肽(GSSG)含量则升高。研究表明,镉胁迫初期能诱导小桐子幼苗抗氧化系统活性显著增强,提高其抗氧化能力,但随着胁迫时间的延长,致使其抗氧化酶的活性和抗氧物质含量下降,植株遭受明显氧化胁迫,幼苗生长受到镉的严重毒害。     

重金属镉(Cd)在植物体内的转运途径及其调控机制

重金属镉(Cd)的毒害效应与其由土壤向植物地上部分运输有关,揭示Cd~(2+)转运途径及其调控机制可为提高植物抗镉性以及镉污染的植物修复提供依据。对Cd~(2+)在植物体内的转运途径,特别是限制Cd~(2+)移动的细胞结构和分子调控机制研究进展进行了回顾。Cd~(2+)通过共质体和质外体途径穿过根部皮层进入木质部的过程中,大部分在皮层细胞间沉积,少部分抵达中柱后转移到地上部分。为了免受Cd~(2+)的危害,植物体产生了多种限制Cd~(2+)吸收和转移的生理生化机制:1)环绕在内皮层径向壁和横向壁上的凯氏带阻止Cd~(2+)以质外体途径进入木质部;2)螯合剂与进入根的Cd~(2+)螯合形成稳定化合物并区隔在液泡中;3)通过H+/Cd~(2+)离子通道等将Cd~(2+)逆向转运出根部。植物共质体和质外体途径转运重金属镉的能力以及两条途径的串扰尚待进一步明晰和阐明。     

Vermicomposting in the management of pig-waste in Hong Kong

The treatment and disposal of pig-waste in Hong Kong has received much attention in recent years but, following any of the presently used treatment processes, solids remain to be further stabilized. Vermicomposting is a waste stabilization technique which converts waste into potentially recyclable materials such as worm protein and worm casts. The earthworm, Pheretima asiatica, can stabilize most of the solids arising from the treatment of pig-waste, including raw pig manure, suggesting that vermicomposting has a high potential as a unit process in the management of pig-waste in Hong Kong.S.H. Wong is with the Environmental Protection Department, Hong Kong; and D.A. Griffiths is with the Department of Botany, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.     

Removal of wastewater pathogen indicators in a constructed wetland in Leon, Spain

This paper studies the seasonal presence and removal of the pathogenous micro-organisms Escherichia coli, total coliforms (TC), Clostridium perfringens (Cp), faecal streptococci (FS), Giardia cysts, Cryptosporidium oocysts and helminth eggs, in a constructed wetland treatment system. The removal efficiency of this system with respect to the indicator micro-organisms achieved maximum values in spring and autumn at 99.9% for E. coli and TC, respectively, in winter at 97.0% for FS, in summer at 100% for Clostridium and throughout the year, also at 100%, in the case of Giardia cysts, Cryptosporidium oocysts and helminth eggs. In general, very low protozoan and helminth egg counts were found, and the system demonstrated efficient reduction of the wastewater indicator pathogens.     

Inbreeding in a french peasant population

Genealogical pedigrees were collected from 976 farming couples who lived in a canton of central France in the XIXth and XXth century. Several methods (genealogical, isonymic and probability of origin of genes) were used to appraise the evolution of the biological structure of this population, which has gone through two phases. The first phase from 1800 to the World War I, shows gene flows between the farming population of the canton and those of neighbouring rural districts which are linked to an increase in consanguineous marriages. The second phase, from 1920 onwards, shows important gene flow from distant areas. This trend implies a decrease in consanguineous marriages.     

Lactic acid bacteria in fermented foods in Thailand

Traditional fermented foods (fish, meat and vegetable products), produced by many different processes, are eaten in many parts of Thailand. Lactic acid bacteria are responsible for the souring and ripening of these foods. Homofermentative strains of Lactobacillus pentosus, L. plantarum and Pediococcus pentosaceus are dominant in foods with low salt concentrations whereas P. halophilus strains are present in foods containing high salt. Strains of Lactobacillus sake, other Lactobacillus spp., P. acidilactici and P. urinaeequi are frequently found. Heterofermentative strains of L. brevis, L. confusus, L. fermentum, L. vaccinostercus, other Lactobacillus spp., and of Leuconostoc spp. are distributed as minor bacteria and strains of Staphylococcus, Enterococcus and Halobacterium are occasionally isolated.S. Tanasupawat is with the Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences. Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand; K. Komagata is with the Department of Agricultural Chemistry, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Sakuragaoka 1-1-1, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 156, Japan.     

New species and new combinations in Peruvian Orchidaceae

seventeen new species and combinations are proposed in the generaChondrorhyncha, Cischweinfia, Cochlioda, Eloyella, Encyclia, Kefersteinia, Koellensteinia, Macroclinium, Rodriguezia, Solenidiopsis, andStenia. All new species are illustrated. A key is provided for 2-flowered species ofMacroclinium, PeruvianSigmatostalix, and PeruvianStenia. Solenidium (Solenidiopsis) peruvianum Schltr. is lectotypified.     

Nectary structure and nectar characteristics in someBignoniaceae

The nectary structure and chemical nectar composition of 15 species belonging to 12 genera ofBignoniaceae are analyzed. All taxa bear a conspicuous nuptial nectary surrounding the ovary base. The secretory tissue is mostly supplied by phloem branches. The stomata are located in the middle and upper part of the nectary epidermis with an homogeneous distribution. The nuptial nectary is proportionally large in relation to the ovary (15–30%), disregarding the nectary volume. Most species have extranuptial nectaries in both inner and outer surfaces of the calyx. Both kinds of nectaries lack a vascular tissue that straightly supplies them. Nuptial nectar concentration (wt/wt) ranges from 19 to 68%. Sugars and amino acids are found in all species. Half of the species have hexose predominant nectars, the remaining sucrose predominant. Phenols are detected in only three species, whereas reducing acids exclusively inTecoma stans. Alkaloids and lipids were never detected. Extranuptial nectar chemical composition is analyzed in two species:Dolichandra cynanchoides andPodranea ricasoliana. Bees constitute the main flower visitors of the species studied whereas hummingbirds were seen visiting three species. A correlation analysis is performed with the data obtained. There are a few significant correlations which indicate a parallel increase of three parameters: the longer the flower length, the more voluminous the nectary and the higher stomata number, independently of the floral biotype. Phenograms are obtained using 24 floral characters including nectary and nectar data. The clusters obtained do not reflect taxonomic relationships but are useful in the understanding of animal-plant interactions when the flower biotype is considered.This paper is based on a chapter of a doctoral thesis presented at the University of Córdoba (Argentina).     

Synthetic oligonucleotide probes for detection of mercury-resistance genes in environmental freshwater microbial communities in response to pollutants

Mercury-resistance genes were detected byin situ hybridization using new synthetic oligonucleotide probes specific formerA andmerB genes according to the published sequences of the corresponding enzymes. These DNA probes were used for the detection of specific mercury-resistant microorganisms isolated from the Rhine River which had been polluted 3 years previously in 1986. Mercuric reductase and organomercurial lyase genes persist in the bacterial genome even after the disappearance of the pollutant but are absent in axenic amoebae. A total of 49 bacterial isolates showed DNA homologies with the³²P-labelled DNA probes and 15 free-living amoebae were selected due to their harboured symbiotic mercury-resistant bacteria.     

Phylogenetic relationships in theCampanulales based onrbcL sequences

Phylogenetic relationships within the angiosperm orderCampanulales were investigated by comparative sequencing of the chloroplast generbcL. CompleterbcL sequences were obtained for ten species in six families within the order. These data were analyzed along with previously publishedrbcL sequences from other taxa (for a total of 117 species) within the subclassAsteridae and outgroups, producing 32 equally parsimonious trees. A subset consisting of 44 of these taxa was then chosen and more rigorous analyses performed, resulting in four equally parsimonious trees. Results indicate that two major clades roughly corresponding to traditionally circumscribedAsterales andCampanulales exist as sister taxa. In particular, therbcL trees indicate thatSphenoclea is not a member ofCampanulales orAsterales, thatPentaphragma is more closely allied toAsterales thanCampanulales, that theCyphiaceae are not monophyletic, thatCampanulaceae andLobeliaceae are not sister taxa, and thatStylidiaceae are correctly placed withinCampanulales.     

Mycoflora of Argentinian corn harvested in the main production area in 1990

Corn (Zea mays) is the main cereal produced in and exported from Argentina. The risk of contamination by mycotoxins is related to the mycoflora associated with the corn kernels. This paper reports on the identification of internal and external mycoflora of corn kernels harvested in the main production area in Argentina in 1990. A mycological survey was carried out on 178 corn samples, from five locations in that area and the isolation frequency and relative density of the prevalent fungal genera compared. GenusFusarium was the most prevalent component of the internal seedborne mycoflora in the five locations.Penicillium was prevalent in all locations, taking into account the frequency. However, this genus was predominant only in two locations, when the relative density was considered. The predominantFusarium wasF. moniliforme and the most frequently isolated species ofAlternaria, Aspergillus andPenicillium wereA. alternata, A. flavus andP. decumbens, respectively.Diplodia species were not isolated from any of the samples.     

The role of natural enemies in controllingIcerya purchasi in South Australia

The obscure occurrence of the cottony-cushion scaleIcerya purchasi Maskell in its native country Australia is generally attributed to its natural enemies. Twelve natural-enemy-exclusion experiments were conducted at monthly intervals to confirm the role of natural enemies. Each experiment had uncaged, open-caged, and caged treatments. The natural enemies were active throughout the year. The percentage of scales surviving to adults in the cages was significantly higher than in the open-caged treatments, except the April (first) cohort. In both open-caged and uncaged treatments, the percentage of scales surviving to adults was similar and matched the changes in the numbers of natural enemies, thus confirming their importance in controllingI. purchasi in South Australia.