内蒙古草原常见植物叶片δ13C和δ15N对环境因子的响应

在中国东北样带沿线的内蒙古草原地区采集了一些常见植物的叶片样品,并测定其δ¹³C和δ¹⁵N值,分析了其统计学特征以及对环境因子(年平均降雨量和温度)的响应模式。发现东北样带草原区同时存在C₃和C₄两种不同光合途径的植物,但是C₃植物占主导地位,C₄植物数量有限。C₃植物叶片δ¹³C随着年平均降雨量和年平均温度的升高而显著降低,反映了此区域C₃植物δ¹³C受控于降水量和温度。C₄植物的叶片δ¹³C值随着降雨量的增多而有轻微升高的趋势,但是C₄植物的叶片δ¹³C值对年平均温度的响应不敏感。不论对C₃植物还是C₄植物而言,叶片δ¹⁵N都随降雨量增加而显著降低,即干旱区的植物叶片δ¹⁵N大于湿润地区,这说明降水是影响植物叶片δ¹⁵N的一个重要因素。然而两者叶片δ¹⁵N对温度的响应不敏感。     

修剪节位及修剪时期对四季蜜芒枝条生长及反季节开花的综合效应

五种模型分别运用于紫茉莉的光合—光响应及CO₂响应曲线的拟合,研究其光合效率参数的变化,探讨紫茉莉光合—光响应及CO₂响应的最适模型。结果表明:(1)紫茉莉的光合—光响应及CO₂响应改进指数模型拟合R²均为0.999,拟合效果优于非直角双曲线、直角双曲线和直角双曲线修正模型。其饱和光强和最大净光合速率分别为797.299和7.879 μmolCO₂·m^-2·s^-1,饱和CO₂浓度和最大光合能力分别为1 264.447和16.783 μmol CO₂·m^-2·s^-1,均与实测值最接近;(2)五个模型拟合和预测的均方误差(MSE)、平均绝对误差(MAE),都是改进指数模型小于其他模型。改进指数模型为紫茉莉光合—光响应及CO₂响应曲线的最佳模型,实验结果可为紫茉莉的生理生态应用研究提供参考。     

不同CO2浓度升高和氮肥水平对水稻叶绿素荧光特性的影响

为研究不同CO₂浓度升高和氮肥水平对水稻叶绿素荧光特性的影响,利用由开顶式气室（OTC）组成的CO₂浓度自动调控平台开展田间试验。以粳稻9108为试验材料,CO₂浓度设置CK（对照,环境大气CO₂浓度）、C₁（CO₂浓度比CK增加160 μmol/mol）和C₂（CO₂浓度比CK增加200 μmol/mol）3个水平;氮肥设置低氮（N₁：10 g/m²）、中氮（N₂：20 g/m²）和高氮（N₃：30 g/m²）3个水平。结果表明,在低氮条件下,与CK相比,C₁处理使拔节期的F_o上升4.8%（P=0.031）;C₂处理使拔节期的F_o上升6.3%（P=0.015）,F_v/F_m下降4.8%（P=0.003）,使孕穗期的F_o上升12.7%（P=0.039）,F_v/F_o下降18.2%（P=0.039）。在高氮条件下,与CK相比,C₂处理使灌浆期的F_m、F_v和F_v/F_m分别下降3.6%（P=0.039）、4.9%（P=0.013）和1.3%（P=0.039）。在中氮条件下,与CK相比,C₁和C₂处理的影响不明显。在整个生育期内,CO₂浓度升高与施氮处理交互作用对水稻叶绿素荧光特性的影响未到达显著水平。研究表明,大气CO₂浓度升高使水稻叶片光系统Ⅱ受损,抑制其电子传递能力、电子受体Q_A氧化还原情况、最大光化学效率和潜在活性,通过适量施氮可以有效地缓解其负面效应。     

NaHCO3胁迫对紫根水葫芦形态学指标和光合参数的影响

为研究NaHCO₃胁迫对紫根水葫芦的形态学指标及光合参数的影响,该文以紫根水葫芦为材料,采用不同浓度碱性盐NaHCO₃溶液处理成株紫根水葫芦,测定在NaHCO₃胁迫下紫根水葫芦的植株株高、根长、根冠比、生物量、含水量和光合参数[净光合速率(P_n)、胞间CO₂浓度(C_i)、蒸腾速率(T_r)、气孔导度(G_s)]。结果表明:紫根水葫芦在20 mmol·L^-1 NaHCO₃浓度下的水溶液pH值最为平缓; 在低浓度NaHCO₃溶液中(≤40 mmol·L^-1),相比CK,紫根水葫芦的形态学指标呈现增长或无显著影响情况,而在高浓度NaHCO₃溶液中(≥60 mmol·L^-1),随着NaHCO₃浓度的升高,紫根水葫芦形态学指标显著降低,且与NaHCO₃浓度呈负相关; NaHCO₃胁迫对紫根水葫芦的光合参数影响显著,随着NaHCO₃浓度的增加及试验处理时间的延长,紫根水葫芦的P_n呈持续下降的趋势,C_i、T_r和G_s整体呈上升趋势,其光合作用受到的主要是非气孔限制。综合分析显示,紫根水葫芦具有一定的耐NaHCO₃能力,能正常生存在不超过40 mmol·L^-1 NaHCO₃浓度的水体中,且能改善低NaHCO₃浓度下的水体pH值。     

改进指数模型对紫茉莉光合-光响应及CO2响应适用性研究

五种模型分别运用于紫茉莉的光合—光响应及CO₂响应曲线的拟合,研究其光合效率参数的变化,探讨紫茉莉光合—光响应及CO₂响应的最适模型。结果表明:(1)紫茉莉的光合—光响应及CO₂响应改进指数模型拟合R²均为0.999,拟合效果优于非直角双曲线、直角双曲线和直角双曲线修正模型。其饱和光强和最大净光合速率分别为797.299和7.879 μmolCO₂·m^-2·s^-1,饱和CO₂浓度和最大光合能力分别为1 264.447和16.783 μmol CO₂·m^-2·s^-1,均与实测值最接近;(2)五个模型拟合和预测的均方误差(MSE)、平均绝对误差(MAE),都是改进指数模型小于其他模型。改进指数模型为紫茉莉光合—光响应及CO₂响应曲线的最佳模型,实验结果可为紫茉莉的生理生态应用研究提供参考。     

基于光合参数探讨四种藓类作水族箱植物的应用潜力

水生藓类植物适宜作为水簇箱植物,许多半水生藓类植物同样能够生长于水体环境中。中国东部地区的水生藓类植物种类不多,陆生藓类植物能否应用于水族箱中?为了回答这一问题,需要阐明陆生藓类植物对水体环境的适应能力。该研究测定了匐枝青藓(Brachythecium procumbens),弯叶灰藓(Hypnum hamulosum)、 白发藓(Leucobryum glaucum)和虎尾藓(Hedwigia ciliata)在与它们的自然生境相似条件下以及沉水环境下的光合参数,并应用直角双曲线模型拟合了它们的光-光合响应曲线。结果表明:这四种藓类植物在最大净光合速率(Pn)、光饱和点(LSP)和光补偿点(LCP)上存在很大差异。它们的最大净光合速率、光饱和点和光补偿点的变异范围分别为122.575～19.099 μmol CO₂·kg^-1 DW·s^-1、1 166.00～670.030 μmol·m^-2·s^-1和85.000～5.3 μmol·m^-2·s^-1。在沉水环境中生长30 d后,匐枝青藓、弯叶灰藓和白发藓的最大净光合速率分别是对照的110.78%、80.84%和109.63%,说明在实验周期里这三种藓类植物能够在水体环境中生存,而虎尾藓在水体中浸泡20 d后,其最大净光合速率仅为对照的5.25%,反映出该种植物并不适应水体环境。综上可知,四种藓类植物的光合速率与其形态结构和原生境条件有很大的关系,虽然匐枝青藓、弯叶灰藓和白发藓主要分布于陆生环境,但作为水族箱植物也具有一定的应用潜力。     

高大气CO2浓度下小麦旗叶光合能量利用对氮素和光强的响应

采用开顶式气室盆栽培养小麦,设计2个大气CO₂浓度、2个光照强度和2个氮水平的组合处理,通过测定小麦叶片光合速率-胞间CO₂浓度响应曲线和叶绿素荧光参数,来测算小麦叶片光化学速率、光合电子传递速率以及叶绿体磷酸丙糖利用效率(TPU)等参数,研究施氮量和光强对高大气CO₂浓度下小麦旗叶光合能量传递与分配的影响,以阐明全球气候变化下植物光合能量分配对光合作用适应性下调的作用机制及其氮素调控。结果表明,大气CO₂浓度升高后小麦叶片的光呼吸电子传递速率(J₀)和Rubisco氧化速率(V₀)显著下降;光合电子流的光化学传递速率(J_C)、Rubisco羧化速率(V_C)和TPU则明显升高,而且施氮后变化幅度加大;小麦叶片J_C/J_F(PSⅡ反应中心总电子流速率)和TPU/V_C显著增加,经过PSⅡ反应中心的电子流更多地进入碳同化过程,表现较高的光合速率(P_n)。遮荫提高了叶片光化学速率和PSⅡ反应中心总电子流速率(J_F),这一作用在低氮叶片尤为突出,但使得J₀和V₀明显升高,并显著降低J_C/J_F,所以P_n明显下降。正常光照条件下,增施氮素可提高小麦叶片的J_F、J_C、V_C和TPU,并使高大气CO₂浓度下J₀和V₀较正常大气CO₂浓度处理显著降低,有效地提高了植物叶片对光能的利用效率;遮荫后高大气CO₂浓度下小麦叶片J_C、V_C、TPU、J_C/J_F和TPU/V_C显著高于正常大气CO₂浓度处理,而且这一变化不受氮素水平的显著调节。因此,氮素在高大气CO₂浓度下对小麦叶片光合能量利用的调节因光强而异,正常光照下可显著改善小麦叶片对光合能量的利用状况,而遮荫后这一作用减弱。     

Compensatory effects of elevated CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> concentration on the inhibitory effects of high temperature and irradiance on photosynthetic gas exchange in carrots

We determined the interactive effects of irradiance, elevated CO₂ concentration (EC), and temperature in carrot (Daucus carota var. sativus). Plants of the cv. Red Core Chantenay (RCC) were grown in a controlled environmental plant growth room and exposed to 3 levels of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) (400, 800, 1 200 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹), 3 leaf chamber temperatures (15, 20, 30 °C), and 2 external CO₂ concentrations (C _a), AC and EC (350 and 750 μmol mol⁻¹, respectively). Rates of net photosynthesis (P _N) and transpiration (E) and stomatal conductance (g _s ) were measured, along with water use efficiency (WUE) and ratio of internal and external CO₂ concentrations (C _i/C _a). P _N revealed an interactive effect between PAR and C _a. As PAR increased so did P _N under both C _a regimes. The g _s showed no interactive effects between the three parameters but had singular effects of temperature and PAR. E was strongly influenced by the combination of PAR and temperature. WUE was interactively affected by all three parameters. Maximum WUE occurred at 15 °C and 1 200 μmol m⁻² s^{− 1} PAR under EC. The C _i /C _a was influenced independently by temperature and C _a. Hence photosynthetic responses are interactively affected by changes in irradiance, external CO₂ concentration, and temperature. EC significantly compensates the inhibitory effects of high temperature and irradiance on P _N and WUE.     

若尔盖高原沼泽湿地CO2排放时空变化特征

为了更好理解若尔盖高原不同微生境下沼泽湿地生态系统CO₂排放通量的变化特征,以若尔盖高原湿地自然保护区为研究对象,2013和2014年生长季期间,采用了静态箱和快速温室气体法原位观测了3种湿地5种微生境下沼泽湿地CO₂排放通量时空变化规律。结果表明：长期淹水微地貌草丘区湿地（PHK）和洼地区湿地（PHW） CO₂排放通量变化范围分别为38.99-1731.74 mg m^-2 h^-1和46.69-335.22 mg m^-2 h^-1,季节性淹水区微地貌草丘区湿地（SHK）和洼地区湿地（SHW） CO₂排放通量变化范围分别为193.90-2575.60 mg m^-2 h^-1和49.93-1467.45 mg m^-2 h^-1,而两者过渡区的无淹水区沼泽湿地（Lawn） CO₂排放通量变化范围194.20-898.75 mg m^-2 h^-1。相关性分析表明5种微地貌区沼泽湿地CO₂排放通量季节性变化与不同深度土壤温度均存在显著正相关,与水位存在显著负相关（PHW、SHW、SHK、Lawn）或不相关（PHK）,并且水位和温度（5 cm）共同解释了CO₂排放通量季节性变化的87%。3种湿地5种微生境下沼泽湿地CO₂排放通量存在空间变化规律,主要受水位影响,但植物也影响沼泽湿地CO₂排放通量空间变化规律,并且表明沼泽湿地CO₂排放通量与水位平均值存在显著负相关。     

中国亚热带-暖温带过渡区锐齿栎林净生态系统碳交换特征

在2017年1月1日-2017年12月31日期间,采用涡度相关法对位于亚热带-暖温带气候过渡区的河南宝天曼国家级自然保护区的65年生锐齿栎（Quercus aliena）天然次生林的碳通量进行了连续观测。结果表明：在观测期间,该森林生态系统在生长季5-10月份为碳汇,非生长季各月为碳源,净碳吸收量与释放量分别在7月和4月达到最大。净生态系统生产力为569.4 g C m^-2a^-1,生态系统呼吸为529.9 g C m^-2a^-1,总生态系统生产力为1099.3 g C m^-2a^-1。30min尺度上夜间净生态系统碳交换量与5cm深度土壤温度的关系可用指数方程表示（R²=0.21,P < 0.001）,其温度敏感性系数（Temperature sensitivity coefficient,Q₁₀）为2.2。如果排除夜间通量观测的误差,处在海拔较高地区的夜间低温和非生长季的低温抑制了生态系统呼吸排放,可能导致全年生态系统呼吸量较低。在生长季5-10月份,各月的白天净生态系统碳交换量对光合有效辐射的响应符合直角双曲线模型,初始光能利用效率、平均最大光合速率和白天平均生态系统呼吸强度呈明显的季节变化,范围分别是0.06-0.12 μmol CO₂ μmol^-1 photon、0.44-1.47 mg CO₂ m^-2s^-1和0.07-0.19 mg CO₂ m^-2s^-1。夏季7、8月份,较高的饱和水汽压差对白天锐齿栎林的碳吸收有明显的抑制作用;生长季末期9月份较高的土壤含水量对白天锐齿栎林的碳吸收也产生了抑制作用,表明生长末期降水过多影响森林的碳吸收。     

微嗜酸寡养单胞菌中磷酸吡哆胺氧化酶基因pnpox生物学功能研究北大核心

【目的】研究微嗜酸寡养单胞菌(Stenotrophomonas acidaminiphila)CW117中磷酸吡哆胺氧化酶基因pnpox(phosphopyridoxamine oxidase,pnpox)在维生素B6(VB6)合成中的贡献及对黄曲霉毒素B1(aflatoxin B1,AFB1)的降解活性。【方法】采用基因插入突变方式,对菌株CW117中磷酸吡哆胺氧化酶基因pnpox进行突变,得到突变菌株。通过高效液相色谱法(high performance liquid chromatography,HPLC)检测突变株对AFB1的降解活性,以及突变株中吡哆醇和吡哆醛的合成情况,确定基因pnpox在寡养单胞菌体内VB6合成中的贡献和黄曲霉毒素降解代谢作用。【结果】成功构建了磷酸吡哆胺氧化酶基因突变子pnpox::pK19mobΩ2HMB,突变子吡哆醛的合成量较野生型菌株显著减少,吡哆醇合成量与野生型菌株无显著性差异;同时,突变子与野生型株CW117对AFB1的降解活性未发现显著性差异。【结论】菌株CW117中磷酸吡哆胺氧化酶在吡哆醛合成的过程中起着重要作用,该基因突变会导致VB6的严重缺乏,影响寡养单胞菌正常生长,但该基因对CW117降解黄曲霉毒素无显著性贡献。     

H2O2对蛇足石杉离体培养物诱变效应的研究

为了获得高产石杉碱甲(Huperzine A,Hup A)的蛇足石杉[Huperzia serrata(Thunb.)Trev.]叶状体,对H_2O_2诱变后的叶状体进行了研究。结果表明,诱变后叶状体株系的Hup A含量显著提高,并获得高产株系SH42,其相对生长率和Hup A含量分别达到4499.28%和261.17μg g~(–1) DW,比起始叶状体分别提高了2.35倍和2.43倍;且株系间可溶性蛋白质谱带和SOD同工酶谱均存在差异,经过连续9代培养,变异叶状体可以稳定遗传。因此,H_2O_2对叶状体细胞具有良好的诱变效应,可以用于筛选高产Hup A株系。     

产氢菌Enterobacter sp.和Clostridium sp.的分离鉴定及产氢特性

在高温水体中分离得到2株具有较高产氢活性的微生物菌株Z-16和C-32。根据两菌株的16S rDNA序列分析,初步鉴定菌株Z-16为Enterobacter sp.,菌株C-32为Clostridium sp.。研究了起始pH值、反应温度、碳源等对菌株放氢活性的影响。菌株Z-16的最适产氢条件为：反应系统起始pH7.0,反应温度35℃,以蔗糖为产氢底物。在最适条件下,菌株Z-16的氢转化率为2.68mol H₂/mol蔗糖。菌株C-32的最适产氢条件为：反应系统起始pH 8.0,反应温度35℃,以麦芽糖为产氢底物。在最适条件下,菌株C-32的氢转化率为2.71mol H₂/mol 麦芽糖。以葡萄糖为碳源时,菌株Z-16和菌株C-32的氢转化率分别为2.35和2.48mol H₂/mol葡萄糖。     

产氢菌Enterobacter sp.和Clostridium sp.的分离鉴定及产氢特性

在高温水体中分离得到2株具有较高产氢活性的微生物菌株Z-16和C-32。根据两菌株的16S rDNA序列分析,初步鉴定菌株Z-16为Enterobacter sp.,菌株C-32为Clostridium sp.。研究了起始pH值、反应温度、碳源等对菌株放氢活性的影响。菌株Z-16的最适产氢条件为：反应系统起始pH7.0,反应温度35℃,以蔗糖为产氢底物。在最适条件下,菌株Z-16的氢转化率为2.68mol H₂/mol蔗糖。菌株C-32的最适产氢条件为：反应系统起始pH 8.0,反应温度35℃,以麦芽糖为产氢底物。在最适条件下,菌株C-32的氢转化率为2.71mol H₂/mol 麦芽糖。以葡萄糖为碳源时,菌株Z-16和菌株C-32的氢转化率分别为2.35和2.48mol H₂/mol葡萄糖。     

松叶猪毛菜NADP-苹果酸酶基因家族及启动子克隆分析北大核心CSCD

NADP-苹果酸酶(NADP-ME)是C_(4)植物的关键光合酶,在生物和非生物胁迫中发挥了重要的作用。为了进一步研究该酶编码基因的功能,该研究以典型荒漠C_(3)-C_(4)中间型植物松叶猪毛菜为研究对象,在克隆得到NADP-ME家族基因序列的基础上,研究其表达部位及在非生物胁迫下的表达模式,并克隆其启动子序列分析响应非生物胁迫的元件差异。结果表明:(1)成功获得松叶猪毛菜3个NADP-MEs,命名为SaNADP-ME1、SaNADP-ME2和SaNADP-ME4,CDS序列长度分别为1755、1758和1941 bp。(2)SaNADP-ME1主要在根中表达,SaNADP-ME2和SaNADP-ME4主要在叶中表达;在ABA、NaCl、NAHCO_(3)和PEG_(6000)胁迫下松叶猪毛菜幼苗中3个NADP-MEs均可被诱导表达,且SaNADP-ME2和SaNADP-ME4的响应表达模式相似。(3)成功克隆得到SaNADP-ME1、SaNADP-ME2和SaNADP-ME4启动子区域2351、1655和2887 bp。生物信息学分析发现它们都含有基本启动子元件以及响应外界刺激的元件。     

Studies on the status of tyrosyl residues in phospholipases A2 fromNaja naja atra andNaja nigricollis snake venoms

Two phospholipases A₂ (PLA₂) fromNaja naja atra andNaja nigricollis snake venoms were subjected to tyrosine modification withp-nitrobenzenesulfonyl fluoride (NBSF) atpH 8.0. Three major NBS derivatives from each PLA₂ were separated by high-performance liquid chromatography. The results of amino acid analysis showed that only two Tyr residues out of nine were modified, and the modified residues were identified to be Tyr-3 and Tyr-63 (or Tyr-62) in the sequence. Spectrophotometric titration indicated that the phenolic group of Tyr-3 and Tyr-63 (or Tyr-62) had apK of 10.1 and 11.0, respectively. The reactivity of Tyr-3 toward NBSF was not affected in the presence or absence of Ca ²⁺; however, the reactivity of Tyr-63 (or Tyr-62) toward NBSF was greatly enhanced by Ca²⁺. Modification of Tyr-63 (or Tyr-62) resulted in a marked decrease in both lethality and enzymatic activity. Conversely, modification of Tyr-3 inN. naja atra PLA₂ could cause more than a sixfold increase in lethal potency, in sharp contrast to the loss of enzymatic activity.Tyrosine-63-modifiedN. naja atra PLA₂ exhibited the same Ca²⁺-induced difference spectra as that of native PLA₂, indicating that the Ca²⁺-binding ability of Tyr-63-modifiedN. naja atra PLA₂ was not impaired. However, Tyr-3-modified PLA₂ and all Tyr-modifiedN. nigricollis CMS-9 were not perturbed by Ca²⁺, revealing that the Ca²⁺-binding ability have been lost after tyrosine modification. These results suggest that Tyr-62 inN. nigricollis CMS-9 and Tyr-3 in both enzymes are involved in Ca²⁺ binding. AtpH 8.0, both native PLA₂ enzymes enhance the emission intensity of 8-anilinonaphthalene sulfonate (ANS) dramatically, while all of the Tyr-modified derivatives did not enhance the emission intensity at all either in the presence or absence of Ca²⁺, suggesting that the hydrophobic pocket that interacts with ANS might be the substrate binding site, in which Tyr-3 and Tyr-63 (or Tyr-62) are involved.     

Phenotypic analysis of the ccp1Δ and ccp1Δ-ccp1 mutant strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae indicates that cytochrome c peroxidase functions in oxidative-stress signaling

Yeast cytochrome c peroxidase (CCP) efficiently catalyzes the reduction of H₂O₂ to H₂O by ferrocytochrome c in vitro. The physiological function of CCP, a heme peroxidase that is targeted to the mitochondrial intermembrane space of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, is not known. CCP1-null-mutant cells in the W303-1B genetic background (ccp1Δ) grew as well as wild-type cells with glucose, ethanol, glycerol or lactate as carbon sources but with a shorter initial doubling time. Monitoring growth over 10 days demonstrated that CCP1 does not enhance mitochondrial function in unstressed cells. No role for CCP1 was apparent in cells exposed to heat stress under aerobic or anaerobic conditions. However, the detoxification function of CCP protected respiring mitochondria when cells were challenged with H₂O₂. Transformation of ccp1Δ with ccp1^W191F, which encodes the CCP^W191F mutant enzyme lacking CCP activity, significantly increased the sensitivity to H₂O₂ of exponential-phase fermenting cells. In contrast, stationary-phase (7-day) ccp1Δ-ccp1^W191F exhibited wild-type tolerance to H₂O₂, which exceeded that of ccp1Δ. Challenge with H₂O₂ caused increased CCP, superoxide dismutase and catalase antioxidant enzyme activities (but not glutathione reductase activity) in exponentially growing cells and decreased antioxidant activities in stationary-phase cells. Although unstressed stationary-phase ccp1Δ exhibited the highest catalase and glutathione reductase activities, a greater loss of these antioxidant activities was observed on H₂O₂ exposure in ccp1Δ than in ccp1Δ-ccp1^W191F and wild-type cells. The phenotypic differences reported here between the ccp1Δ and ccp1Δ-ccp1^W191F strains lacking CCP activity provide strong evidence that CCP has separate antioxidant and signaling functions in yeast.     

Influence of in vitro growth conditions on in vitro and ex vitro photosynthetic rates of easy- and difficult-to-acclimatize sea oats (Uniola paniculata L.) genotypes

Net photosynthetic rates (P _n) of easy (EK 16-3) and difficult-to-acclimatize (EK 11-1) sea oats genotypes were examined under the following culture conditions: (1) photoautotrophic [sugar-free medium, high photosynthetic photon flux (PPF), high vessel ventilation rates and CO₂ enrichment, (PA)]; (2) modified photomixotrophic [sugar-containing medium diluted with sugar-free medium over time, high PPF, and high vessel ventilation rates (PM)]; (3) modified photomixotrophic enriched [same as PM with CO₂ enrichment, (PME)]; or (4) conventional photomixotrophic [sugar-containing medium, low PPF, and low vessel ventilation rates (control)]. Regardless of genotype, plantlets cultured under PA conditions died within 2 wk, whereas under PM and PME conditions, plantlets increased their P _n. After 6 wk, P _n per gram dry weight was 1.7 times greater in EK 16-3 than EK 11-1 plantlets cultured under PME conditions. In vitro-produced leaves of EK 16-3 plantlets were elongated with expanded blades, whereas EK 11-1 produced short leaves without expanded blades, especially under control conditions. After in vitro culture, EK 16-3 PME plantlets exhibited the highest dry weights among treatments. EK 16-3 PME and EK 16-3 PM had similarly high survivability, shoot and root dry weights and leaf lengths ex vitro compared to EK 16-3 control and EK 11-1 PM and PME plantlets. Ex vitro growth, survivability and P _n per leaf area of either genotype were not affected by CO₂ enrichment under modified photomixotrophic conditions. These results suggest that growth and survivability of sea oats genotypes with different acclimatization capacities can be enhanced by optimizing culture conditions.     

Using reverse micelles as microreactor for hydrogen production by coupled systems of Nostoc / R. palustris and Anabaena / R. palustris

Uptake hydrogenase negative mutants of bloom forming cyanobacteria (Nostoc and Anabaena) and the fermentative bacteria Rhodopseudomonas palustris P₄ were used together for producing hydrogen within the reverse micelles fabricated by N-ethyl hexyl sodium sulfosuccinate (AOT) in isooctane and cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) in benzene. The rate of H₂ production in AOT/isooctane reverse micellar system was found to be more promising in comparison to the CTAB/Benzene reverse micellar entrapment. After mutagenesis in 2.0% (v/v) ethyl methane sulphonate (EMS) mutants of Nostoc and Anabaena were selected on BG-11 plates (containing 2% agar) and then used for analysis of produced hydrogen. In comparison to the unmutated Nostoc with R. palustris (within AOT/isooctane) the coupled system of mutated Nostoc and R. palustris produced H₂ by 3.9-fold higher rate, which is 8.6 mmol H₂/h/mg protein. Whereas, mutated Anabaena coupled with R. palustris produced 4.8 times higher hydrogen production within (AOT)/isooctane reverse micelles in comparison to the unmutated Anabaena with R. palustris. Effect of nitrogen to carbon ratio (N/C) on hydrogen production was studied and Anabaena/R. palustris and Nostoc/R. palustris systems were, respectively, found to generate 11.2 and 9.8 mmol H₂/h/mg protein continuously for 3 days. Effects of temperature and light intensity were also investigated and we found that 32°C temperature and 1,000 Lux light intensity are the optimum values in these systems. Addition of sodium dithionite also resulted in further enhancement of the rate and duration of hydrogen production in both (mutated Nostoc/R. palustris and mutated Anabaena/R.␣palustris) systems.     

Expression in Escherichia coli and Simple Purification of Human Fhit Protein

The fragile histidine triad (Fhit) protein is a homodimeric protein with diadenosine 5′,5-P¹,P³-triphosphate (Ap₃A) asymmetrical hydrolase activity. We have cloned the human cDNA Fhit in the pPROEX-1 vector and expressed with high yield in Escherichia coli with the sequence Met-Gly-His₆-Asp-Tyr-Asp-Ile-Pro-Thr-Thr followed by a rTEV protease cleavage site, denoted as “H6TV,” fused to the N-terminus of Fhit. Expression of H6TV–Fhit in BL21(DE3) cells for 3 h at 37°C produced 30 mg of H6TV–Fhit from 1 L of cell culture (4 g of cells). The H6TV–Fhit protein was purified to homogeneity in a single step, with a yield of 80%, using nickel-nitrilotriacetate resin and imidazole buffer as eluting agent. Incubation of H6TV–Fhit with rTEV protease at 4°C for 24 h resulted in complete cleavage of the H6TV peptide. There were no unspecific cleavage products. The purified Fhit protein could be stored for 3 weeks at 4°C without loss of activity. The pure protein was stable at −20°C for at least 18 months when stored in buffer containing 25% glycerol. Purified Fhit was highly active, with a K_m value for Ap₃A of 0.9 μM and a k_cat(monomer) value of 7.2 ± 1.6 s⁻¹ (n = 5). The catalytic properties of unconjugated Fhit protein and the H6TV–Fhit fusion protein were essentially identical. This indicates that the 24-amino-acid peptide containing the six histidines fused to the N-terminus of Fhit does not interfere in forming the active homodimers or in the binding of Ap₃A.