三种大型绿藻光合能力的差异及其在珊瑚养殖中的应用

利用水下饱和脉冲调制叶绿素荧光仪(Diving-PAM)测定了珊瑚养殖水处理中3种常见大型海藻石莼(Ulva lactuca)、条浒苔(Enteromorpha clathrata)和羽状蕨藻(Caulerpa mexicana)光能转化效率(Fv/Fm),快速光曲线(RLC)相关参数和非光化学淬灭(NPQ)。结果表明:石莼和条浒苔的Fv/Fm分别为0.808±0.004和0.816±0.009,显著高于羽状蕨藻。最大相对电子传递速率rETRmax(17.52±2.92和19.59±4.43μmol e·m-2·s-1)、半饱和光强Ik(53.41±8.18和59.71±13.52μmol photons·m-2·s-1)也明显高于羽状蕨藻(rETRmax和Ik分别为13.72±5.41μmol e·m-2·s-1和32.67±14.06μmol photons·m-2·s-1),表明石莼和条浒苔有着比羽状蕨藻更高的光合能力和对强光的耐受能力,光保护能力更强;羽状蕨藻较高的RLC初始斜率α表明其在弱光下拥有更强的光捕获能力,弱光下光合效率更高;随光照的增强(0~373μmol photons·m-2·s-1),羽状蕨藻NPQ的增幅有限(0~0.2),最大值仅为条浒苔和石莼的38.1%和62.5%,表明这种藻类更容易受到强光的抑制。因此,在珊瑚养殖的水处理中,可以根据不同的光照选择适宜的藻种或藻种组合并根据光梯度进行布局,反之也可以根据藻种来选择合适的光源,以达到最佳的处理效率。     

低平均光强下波动光对铜绿微囊藻生长的影响

为了研究波动光对藻类的影响, 以典型水华藻种铜绿微囊藻Microcystis aeruginos为研究对象, 运用了基于单片机系统的光强控制实验装置, 开展了不同光照条件下铜绿微囊藻的生长研究。共设置了四种光照条件, 分别为不同周期波动光强FL(Fluctuating Light)组(10min FL、1h FL和6h FL)和平均光强AL(Average Light)组。实验结果表明, 在低平均光强下, 6h FL、1h FL和10min FL组铜绿微囊藻藻密度相对于AL组分别增加了28.3%(P<0.05)、18.2%(P<0.05)和7.7(P>0.05)。三组波动光强下铜绿微囊藻的比增长速率、F_v/F_m和rETR均显著大于平均光强组(P<0.05), 且随着波动光周期的增大, 各指标也会显著增加(P<0.05), 而热耗散NPQ平均值、单个细胞类胡萝卜素含量等指标与上述指标呈相反的规律并且差异显著(P<0.05)。结果也表明在低平均光强下, 相比于恒定光照, 铜绿微囊藻在波动光下能更好地调节自身光合作用机制去利用光能, 且波动周期越大, 铜绿微囊藻对光能利用效率越高。这暗示了低强度波动光可以作为提高藻类产量的一种手段。     

磷限制下大型海藻与微藻间资源竞争理论的实验验证

用一次性培养法结合Monod方程测得海洋微藻-亚心型扁藻(Tetraselmis subcordiformis (Wile) Hazen)与大型海藻-孔石莼(Ulva pertusa Kjellm.)磷限制下的生长动力参数.孔石莼具有较低的半饱和生长常数及最大生长率,其分别为0.016 μmol/L和0.16 d-1,而亚心型扁藻的半饱和生长常数和最大生长率分别是0.021 μmol/L 和0.83 d-1. 两种藻类间的营养竞争实验采用半连续培养法在磷限制条件下进行,实验过程中,分别对两者施予相同或不同的去除率,使两者享有相同或不同的资源需求值R*.由Monod方程所作的竞争预测与实验观察结果的比较显示:仅在两种藻类间的资源需求值R*差异显著(t检验,P＜0.01)时,Monod方程才能对竞争结果作出较为准确的预测;在两种藻类享有相同的资源需求值R*时,亚心型扁藻在竞争中取代孔石莼.Monod模型仅能部分预测大型海藻与海洋微藻间的竞争结果.     

藻类的接触致毒——恢复培养及其对化学物质的安全评价

应用接触致毒-恢复培养法,试验共有五个浓度组,即0.10,0.13,0.18,0.24和0.316mg/LCu~(2 ),和对照组。以比增长率作指标,实验结果经回归分析:确定Cu~(2 )对月牙藻逐步加深的三种致毒效应,半数效应浓度、完全抑藻浓度和完全杀藻浓度分别为0.204、0.297和0.316mg/LCu~(2 )。由恢复培养可知在杀藻效应浓度以上,藻类细胞受到不可逆转损害。恢复培养试验结果能客观地反映了毒物对藻类的毒理效应。     

磷限制下大型海藻与微藻间资源竞争理论的实验验证(英文)

用一次性培养法结合Monod方程测得海洋微藻_亚心型扁藻 (Tetraselmissubcordiformis (Wile)Hazen)与大型海藻_孔石莼 (UlvapertusaKjellm .)磷限制下的生长动力参数。孔石莼具有较低的半饱和生长常数及最大生长率 ,其分别为 0 .0 16 μmol/L和 0 .16d-1,而亚心型扁藻的半饱和生长常数和最大生长率分别是 0 .0 2 1μmol/L和 0 .83d-1。两种藻类间的营养竞争实验采用半连续培养法在磷限制条件下进行 ,实验过程中 ,分别对两者施予相同或不同的去除率 ,使两者享有相同或不同的资源需求值R 。由Monod方程所作的竞争预测与实验观察结果的比较显示 :仅在两种藻类间的资源需求值R 差异显著 (t检验 ,P <0 .0 1)时 ,Monod方程才能对竞争结果作出较为准确的预测 ;在两种藻类享有相同的资源需求值R 时 ,亚心型扁藻在竞争中取代孔石莼。Monod模型仅能部分预测大型海藻与海洋微藻间的竞争结果。     

PhytoPAM浮游植物分析仪用于微藻光合作用研究中几种参数设定的优化

PhytoPAM浮游植物分析仪是一种用于藻类生长、光合作用、叶绿素荧光动力学研究的仪器。文章以蛋白核小球藻为材料探讨PhytoPAM浮游植物分析仪用于量子产量测定和快速光响应曲线分析中最佳参数设定。结果表明,饱和脉冲档位的选取对测定最大量子产量(Fmax)影响不大,但脉冲时长对其影响显著,脉冲时长以0.2s为宜。稳态光照时长对有效量子产量(FPSII)有影响,测定中设定的稳态光照时长以120s为宜。在快速光响应曲线(RLC)分析中,步长(即照光时间)以30s为宜,适宜的最大测量光照强度(MML)应为藻培养光照强度的3倍左右。     

臭氧胁迫对冬小麦光响应能力及PSⅡ光能吸收与利用的影响

为准确评价O3胁迫对冬小麦光响应能力和PSⅡ光能吸收、分配与利用的影响,通过OTC设置了活性碳过滤空气(CF,4—28 nL/L)、不通风(5H,15—68 nL/L)、环境空气(NF,7—78 nL/L)、100nL/L O3 (CF100,96—108 nL/L)和150nL/L O3 (CF150,145—160nL/L) 等5种O3熏蒸处理,用IMAGING-PAM测量了冬小麦（丰抗13）扬花期的Fo、Fm及自然光下的快速光曲线。结果表明,O3胁迫显著降低了冬小麦PSⅡ的最大量子效率(Fv/Fm)、最大光合速率(Pm)、半饱和光强(Pm/α)、吸光系数(IA)、调节性热耗散的量子产额(Y(NPQ))和非光化学淬灭系数(NPQ),显著提高了冬小麦的初始光能利用效率(α)、非调节性热耗散的量子产额(Y(NO))和PSⅡ吸收光能的日累计损失（Daily ∑Y(NO)+ Daily ∑Y(NPQ)）;CF处理显著提高了冬小麦的Pm、α、Y(NPQ)、NPQ及PSⅡ日累计利用的光能（Daily ∑Y(Ⅱ)）;当其余4组的Y(NPQ)和NPQ趋于饱和时,NF仍在以较快的速率上升。O3胁迫显著降低了冬小麦吸收、利用光能的能力和光保护能力,改变了PSⅡ吸收光能的分配结构,提高了冬小麦对光强变化的敏感性,加剧了光抑制,致使冬小麦受到O3和过剩光能的双重伤害;CF处理下冬小麦的光合能力和光保护能力显著提高,但对强光的潜在耐受能力低于NF;固城的空气质量已对冬小麦造成一定影响,极可能导致产量损失。     

几种固沙荒漠藻的温度适应性

蓝藻结皮在干旱和半干旱区广泛分布,它们在环境状态的维持和改良过程中发挥着重要的作用。在荒漠藻固沙技术的应用过程中,温度不仅影响藻类在培养池中的培养,还影响接种后藻类的生长。因此,摸清优势固沙藻类的温度生长特征及对不同温度的生长适应性,对于接种蓝藻固沙技术的应用具有积极的意义。实验分3部分:研究了室温培养条件下3种荒漠优势蓝藻-具鞘微鞘藻(Microcoleus vaginatus)、爪哇伪枝藻(Scytonema javanicum)、纤细席藻(Phormidium tenue)的生长曲线,在不同温度(2、5、10、15、25、35℃)、开放式载体培养状态下3种蓝藻的生长状况及形态观察,以及爪哇伪枝藻在不同温度(10、15、20、25、30℃)培养条件下的光合活性、光合色素含量和伪枝藻素含量的变化。实验结果表明:(1)在液体培养基中,纤细席藻生长速率最快,高于具鞘微鞘藻和爪哇伪枝藻;(2)开放式载体培养条件下,藻株的生长速率低于液体培养,因此荒漠优势藻类的培养优先选择液体培养,具鞘微鞘藻和爪哇伪枝藻不易被细菌污染,纤细席藻容易受到细菌污染,在培养该藻株时要考虑添加抗生素类药物抑制细菌过度繁殖;(3)爪哇伪枝藻短期培养(18d)宜选择相对较高的培养温度(25-30℃),而长期培养(30d)宜选择相对较低的培养温度(15-20℃)。       

磷浓度对小环藻、大型溞和金鱼藻三者相互作用的影响

为了解磷浓度对水生植被恢复和生物操纵效果的影响, 分别用小环藻(Cyclotella sp.)、大型溞(Daphnia magna)和金鱼藻(Ceratophyllum demersum)代表浮游植物、浮游动物和大型沉水植物建立水生微宇宙模型, 在25℃、2600 lx光强和11 mg/L氮浓度条件下, 分别研究小环藻与大型溞、小环藻与金鱼藻、小环藻-大型溞-金鱼藻共培养时4种磷浓度(0.05、0.1、0.5和2 mg/L)下小环藻、大型溞、金鱼藻的增长率以及培养液中氮磷去除率的变化。结果表明: 小环藻与大型溞、小环藻与金鱼藻两两共培养时, 磷浓度为0.05-2 mg/L时, 金鱼藻和大型溞均生长良好, 小环藻受到明显抑制, 其密度保持较小幅度的正增长。在小环藻-大型溞-金鱼藻三者共培养时, 在0.05-2 mg/L的磷浓度范围内大型溞和金鱼藻生长良好, 与两两共培养相比, 小环藻则受到了更大程度的抑制, 在磷浓度为0.05-0.1 mg/L时藻密度呈现负增长. 这说明在水生态系统中, 大型浮游动物和沉水植物对浮游藻类的联合控制效果远好于各自单独的控制效果, 该控制效果随磷浓度的提高而减弱, 以0.1 mg/L的磷浓度为最佳。在实验结束后测定氮磷去除率发现, 在最低磷浓度(0.05 mg/L),即磷限制时, 水中磷去除率最高, 在最高磷浓度(2 mg/L), 即氮限制时, 水中氮去除率最高。     

控(微囊)藻鲢、鳙排泄物光能与生长活性

利用叶绿素荧光技术,通过原位培养滤食性鱼类鲢(Hypophthalmichthys molitrix)、鳙(Aristichthys nobilis)摄食微囊藻(Microcysis)后的排泄物,研究鲢、鳙滤食对藻类光能及生长活性的影响。结果表明,微囊藻经鲢、鳙滤食后,排泄当天,其叶绿素荧光参数PSⅡ最大光能转化效率(Fv/Fm)、PSⅡ潜在光合活性(Fv/Fo)、PSⅡ实际光能转化效率(Yield)和光合电子传递速率(ETR)显著低于对照组(P0.05),而光化学猝灭(qP)和非光化学猝灭(NPQ)显著高于对照组(P0.05)。随后,微囊藻的光合活性逐渐恢复,鲢、鳙组的Fv/Fm、Fv/Fo、Yield和qP分别在第3天和第5天开始呈上升趋势,至实验结束时显著高于对照组,其中鲢组高于鳙组。而NPQ呈下降趋势,第13 d极显著低于对照组(P0.01)。原位培养期间,鲢、鳙组藻细胞密度和叶绿素a(Chl a)浓度呈增长趋势,且鲢组明显高于鳙组;鳙组藻类游离胞外多糖含量增长幅度高于鲢组。实验结束时,鲢、鳙组浮游藻类总生物量分别为对照组7.78、6.55倍,绿藻(Chlorophyta)和硅藻(Bacillariophyta)相对生物量增加,但微囊藻贡献率达93%以上。相关性分析显示,鲢组藻细胞密度、Chl a浓度和胞外多糖含量与Fv/Fm、Fv/Fo、Yield、ETR、qP均极显著正相关(P0.01),而与NPQ呈极显著负相关(P0.01)。鳙组藻细胞密度、Chl a浓度和胞外多糖含量仅与ETR呈极显著正相关(P0.01),与NPQ呈极显著负相关(P0.01)。可见,鲢、鳙单次滤食未对微囊藻造成生理上的致命损伤,藻类由于超补偿生长,其光合及生长活性在短期恢复并显著增强,有潜在加速水体富营养化可能,鲢、鳙增殖放流以控制蓝藻水华的措施值得商榷。     

Effects of turn residues in directing the formation of the beta-sheet and in the stability of the beta-sheet

The designed peptide (denoted 20-mer, sequence VFITS(D)PGKTYTEV(D)PGOKILQ) has been shown to form a three-strand antiparallel beta-sheet. It is generally believed that the (D)Pro-Gly segment has the propensity to adopt a type II' beta-turn, thereby promoting the formation of this beta-sheet. Here, we replaced (D)Pro-Gly with Asp-Gly, which should favor a type I' turn, to examine the influence of different type of turns on the stability of the beta-sheet. Contrary to our expectation, the mutant peptide, denoted P6D, forms a five-residue type I turn plus a beta-bulge between the first two strands due to a one amino-acid frameshift in the hydrogen bonding network and side-chain inversion of the first beta-strand. In contrast, the same kind of substitution at (D)Pro-14 in the double mutant, denoted P6DP14D, does not yield the same effect. These observations suggest that the SDGK sequence disfavors the type I' conformation while the VDGO sequence favors a type I' turn, and that the frameshift in the first strand provides a way for the peptide to accommodate a disfavored turn sequence by protruding a bulge in the formation of the beta-hairpin. Thus, different types of turns can affect the stability of a beta-structure.     

Effect of the N3 residue on the stability of the alpha-helix

N3 is the third position from the N terminus in the alpha-helix with helical backbone dihedral angles. All 20 amino acids have been placed in the N3 position of a synthetic helical peptide (CH(3)CO-[AAX AAAAKAAAAKAGY]-NH(2)) and the helix content measured by circular dichroism spectroscopy at 273 K. The dependence of peptide helicity on N3 residue identity has been used to determine a free energy scale by analysis with a modified Lifson-Roig helix coil theory that includes a parameter for the N3 energy (n3). The most stabilizing residues at N3 in rank order are Ala, Glu, Met/Ile, Leu, Lys, Ser, Gln, Thr, Tyr, Phe, Asp, His, and Trp. Free energies for the most destabilizing residues (Cys, Gly, Asn, Arg, and Pro) could not be fitted. The results correlate with N1, N2, and helix interior energies and not at all with N-cap preferences. This completes our work on studying the structural and energetic preferences of the amino acids for the N-terminal positions of the alpha-helix. These results can be used to rationally modify protein stability, help design helices, and improve prediction of helix location and stability.     

红火蚁巢穴土壤中生物碱成分分析

【目的】红火蚁Solenopsis invicta栖息在真菌和细菌较丰富的土壤环境中,容易受多种真菌和细菌性病原体的侵染,因红火蚁的毒液具有很好的防御和抗菌作用,致使红火蚁能生存于此类土壤环境中。为了探索这一奥秘,本研究旨在建立红火蚁巢穴土壤中的毒液生物碱的最佳提取方法,并对毒液生物碱成分进行定量分析。【方法】采集蚁巢周边3 m处的土壤,进行添加、回收红火蚁毒液实验。采用抽滤法提取土壤中的毒液生物碱,利用GC-FID对毒液生物碱成分进行定量分析,筛选最佳的提取溶剂,并且确定添加三乙胺的最佳体积比。然后用最优方法提取蚁巢土壤中的毒液生物碱,并进行定量分析。【结果】正己烷、二氯甲烷、乙酸乙酯、丙酮和甲醇5种提取溶剂中,正己烷处理的生物碱回收率略优。当添加的三乙胺的体积为1 mL及以上时,提取效果最佳。红火蚁巢穴土壤中的毒液生物碱成分中,trans-C15∶1的含量最高,trans-C13∶1的含量次之。巢穴土壤中总生物碱含量约为22μg/g。【结论】三乙胺有助于提取蚂蚁巢穴土壤中的毒液生物碱。红火蚁巢穴土壤中的生物碱浓度较高,有可能对巢穴土壤微生物群落产生重要影响。     

Physiological Recordings and RNA Sequencing of the Gustatory Appendages of the Yellow-fever Mosquito Aedes aegypti

Electrophysiological recording of action potentials from sensory neurons of mosquitoes provides investigators a glimpse into the chemical perception of these disease vectors. We have recently identified a bitter sensing neuron in the labellum of female Aedes aegypti that responds to DEET and other repellents, as well as bitter quinine, through direct electrophysiological investigation. These gustatory receptor neuron responses prompted our sequencing of total mRNA from both male and female labella and tarsi samples to elucidate the putative chemoreception genes expressed in these contact chemoreception tissues. Samples of tarsi were divided into pro-, meso- and metathoracic subtypes for both sexes. We then validated our dataset by conducting qRT-PCR on the same tissue samples and used statistical methods to compare results between the two methods. Studies addressing molecular function may now target specific genes to determine those involved in repellent perception by mosquitoes. These receptor pathways may be used to screen novel repellents towards disruption of host-seeking behavior to curb the spread of harmful viruses.     

An Assay for Measuring the Effects of Ethanol on the Locomotion Speed of Caenorhabditis elegans

Alcohol use disorders are a significant public health concern, for which there are few effective treatment strategies. One difficulty that has delayed the development of more effective treatments is the relative lack of understanding of the molecular underpinnings of the effects of ethanol on behavior. The nematode, Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans), provides a useful model in which to generate and test hypotheses about the molecular effects of ethanol. Here, we describe an assay that has been developed and used to examine the roles of particular genes and environmental factors in behavioral responses to ethanol, in which locomotion is the behavioral output. Ethanol dose-dependently causes an acute depression of crawling on an agar surface. The effects are dynamic; animals exposed to a high concentration demonstrate an initial strong depression of crawling, referred to here as initial sensitivity, and then partially recover locomotion speed despite the continued presence of the drug. This ethanol-induced behavioral plasticity is referred to here as the development of acute functional tolerance. This assay has been used to demonstrate that these two phenotypes are distinct and genetically separable. The straightforward locomotion assay described here is suitable for examining the effects of both genetic and environmental manipulations on these acute behavioral responses to ethanol in C. elegans.     

Early alterations induced by carbon tetrachloride in the lipids of the membranes of the endoplasmic reticulum of the liver cell II. Distribution of the alterations in the various lipid fractions

The distribution of carbon tetrachloride-induced alterations of membrane lipids in various fractions of liver microsomal lipids was studied. The chromatographic spot (referred to as the “D” spot in the previous paper [1]) which has been shown to contain the compounds responsible for the diene conjugation absorption [1], was found in the fatty acid methyl esters prepared from the fraction containing phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) and also in those obtained from the fraction containing phosphatidylserine (PS) and phosphatidylinositol (PI). The absorption of conjugated dienes was very marked in PE and less intense in PS and PI. The fatty acid methyl esters prepared from the fraction containing phosphatidylcholine (PC) showed no presence of the “D” spot and minimal absorption of conjugated dienes.A decrease in arachidonic acid content was found in the fraction containing PE, while no change in content of this fatty acid was found in the fraction containing PC. Results similar to those observed for PC were also found for neutral lipids (NL).Analysis of the fatty acid methyl esters of the various lipid fractions by gas-liquid chromatography (GLC) with an electron capture detector (ECD) gave a qualitative index of the free radical attack by CCl₄ metabolites. Quantitative estimation was attained by study of the irreversible binding of ¹⁴C from ¹⁴CCl₄ to the various lipid fractions. It was found that the fraction containing PS had the highest specific activity, while the fraction containing PC had the lowest specific activity of all the phospholipids. Thin layer chromatography (TLC) of the fraction containing PS revealed that only 11% of the radioactivity was associated with the pure PS moiety, while the remainder was associated with uncharacterized lipids (probably oxidation products).The possible relevance of the alterations induced by carbon tetrachloride in the various phospholipid fractions of liver microsomes to functional changes is discussed.     

β淀粉样蛋白突变体的寡聚及插膜能力鉴定

β-淀粉样蛋白（β-amyloid peptide, Aβ）的插膜与寡聚是导致阿尔茨海默症（Alzheimer disease, AD）发病的重要事件。已有研究证明,Aβ氨基酸序列29～36与1～28依靠“核心疏水簇”（central hydrophobic cluster,CHC）的作用形成一个稳定的β-发夹结构,Aβ1-40/Aβ1-42的插膜与寡聚需要作用于序列37～40/37～42从而解除序列29～36与N-端之间的结合,但各基元序列如何互作从而贡献出Aβ的寡聚及插膜行为仍不清楚。本文主要研究Aβ1-28、Aβ1-36、Aβ1-40、Aβ1-42、Aβ11-42、Aβ17-42等突变体的寡聚和插膜能力,并探讨各基元序列（motif）在突变体插膜与寡聚过程中的相互作用。Western印迹、硫黄素T荧光分析、透射电镜等实验检测寡聚能力,模型膜实验比较插膜能力。结果显示：与Aβ1-28及Aβ1-36相比,Aβ1-42、Aβ11-42及Aβ17-42均具有较强的寡聚及插膜能力,说明C-端序列37～42在Aβ寡聚及插膜过程中具有重要的起始作用;Aβ1-42及Aβ1-40可以形成原纤维及纤维,但Aβ11-42、Aβ17-42却不能,这显示序列1～17可以稳定纤维结构。Aβ1-28及Aβ1-36插膜及寡聚能力弱,暗示这两个突变体可能形成了不容易插膜且不容易寡聚的自身稳定结构。上述结果证明,Aβ蛋白C-端是诱导插膜与寡聚的主因,N-端可以稳定长纤维,但对插膜和寡聚的影响并不大,中间肽段很可能形成一个自身稳定的区域,这在一定程度上解释Aβ基元序列的相互作用,但具体氨基酸互作分子机制及抑制方法还需进一步研究。     

Understanding the development of roots exposed to contaminants and the potential of plant-associated bacteria for optimization of growth

Background and Scope

Plant responses to the toxic effects of soil contaminants, such as excess metals or organic substances, have been studied mainly at physiological, biochemical and molecular levels, but the influence on root system architecture has received little attention. Nevertheless, the precise position, morphology and extent of roots can influence contaminant uptake. Here, data are discussed that aim to increase the molecular and ecological understanding of the influence of contaminants on root system architecture. Furthermore, the potential of plant-associated bacteria to influence root growth by their growth-promoting and stress-relieving capacities is explored.

Methods

Root growth parameters of Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings grown in vertical agar plates are quantified. Mutants are used in a reverse genetics approach to identify molecular components underlying quantitative changes in root architecture after exposure to excess cadmium, copper or zinc. Plant-associated bacteria are isolated from contaminated environments, genotypically and phenotypically characterized, and used to test plant root growth improvement in the presence of contaminants.

Key Results

The molecular determinants of primary root growth inhibition and effects on lateral root density by cadmium were identified. A vertical split-root system revealed local effects of cadmium and copper on root development. However, systemic effects of zinc exposure on root growth reduced both the avoidance of contaminated areas and colonization of non-contaminated areas. The potential for growth promotion and contaminant degradation of plant-associated bacteria was demonstrated by improved root growth of inoculated plants exposed to 2,4-di-nitro-toluene (DNT) or cadmium.

Conclusions

Knowledge concerning the specific influence of different contaminants on root system architecture and the molecular mechanisms by which this is achieved can be combined with the exploitation of plant-associated bacteria to influence root development and increase plant stress tolerance, which should lead to more optimal root systems for application in phytoremediation or safer biomass production.     

Ubiquitination Regulates the Neuroprotective Function of the Deubiquitinase Ataxin-3 in Vivo

Deubiquitinases (DUBs) are proteases that regulate various cellular processes by controlling protein ubiquitination. Cell-based studies indicate that the regulation of the activity of DUBs is important for homeostasis and is achieved by multiple mechanisms, including through their own ubiquitination. However, the physiological significance of the ubiquitination of DUBs to their functions in vivo is unclear. Here, we report that ubiquitination of the DUB ataxin-3 at lysine residue 117, which markedly enhances its protease activity in vitro, is critical for its ability to suppress toxic protein-dependent degeneration in Drosophila melanogaster. Compared with ataxin-3 with only Lys-117 present, ataxin-3 that does not become ubiquitinated performs significantly less efficiently in suppressing or delaying the onset of toxic protein-dependent degeneration in flies. According to further studies, the C terminus of Hsc70-interacting protein (CHIP), an E3 ubiquitin ligase that ubiquitinates ataxin-3 in vitro, is dispensable for its ubiquitination in vivo and is not required for the neuroprotective function of this DUB in Drosophila. Our work also suggests that ataxin-3 suppresses degeneration by regulating toxic protein aggregation rather than stability.