Studies on the energy coupling sites of photophosphorylation IV. The relation of proton fluxes to the electron transport and ATP formation associated with Photosystem II

1. By using dibromothymoquinone as the electron acceptor, it is possible to isolate functionally that segment of the chloroplast electron transport chain which includes only Photosystem II and only one of the two energy conservation sites coupled to the complete chain (Coupling Site II, observed P/e₂ = 0.3–0.4). A light-dependent, reversible proton translocation reaction is associated with the electron transport pathway: H₂O → Photosystem II → dibromothymoquinone. We have studied the characteristics of this proton uptake reaction and its relationship to the electron transport and ATP formation associated with Coupling Site II.

2. The initial phase of H⁺ uptake, analyzed by a flash-yield technique, exhibits linear kinetics (0–3 s) with no sign of transient phenomena such as the very rapid initial uptake (“pH gush”) encountered in the overall Hill reaction with methylviologen. Thus the initial rate of H⁺ uptake obtained by the flash-yield method is in good agreement with the initial rate estimated from a pH change tracing obtained under continuous illumination.

3. Dibromothymoquinone reduction, observed as O₂ evolution by a similar flash-yield technique, is also linear for at least the first 5 s, the rate of O₂ evolution agreeing well with the steady-state rate observed under continuous illumination.

4. Such measurements of the initial rates of O₂ evolution and H⁺ uptake yield an H⁺/e⁻ ratio close to 0.5 for the Photosystem II partial reaction regardless of pH from 6 to 8. (Parallel experiments for the methylviologen Hill reaction yield an H⁺/e⁻ ratio of 1.7 at pH 7.6.)

5. When dibromothymoquinone is being reduced, concurrent phosphorylation (or arsenylation) markedly lowers the extent of H⁺ uptake (by 40–60%). These data, unlike earlier data obtained using the overall Hill reaction, lend themselves to an unequivocal interpretation since phosphorylation does not alter the rate of electron transport in the Photosystem II partial reaction. ADP, P_i and hexokinase, when added individually, have no effect on proton uptake in this system.

6. The involvement of a proton uptake reaction with an H⁺/e⁻ ratio of 0.5 in the Photosystem II partial reaction H₂O → Photosystem II → dibromothymoquinone strongly suggests that at least 50% of the protons produced by the oxidation of water are released to the inside of the thylakoid, thereby leading to an internal acidification. It is pointed out that the observed efficiencies for ATP formation (P/e₂) and proton uptake (H⁺/e⁻) associated with Coupling Site II can be most easily explained by the chemiosmotic hypothesis of energy coupling.     

Evidence that the C-terminus of OprM is involved in the assembly of the VceAB-OprM efflux pump

Although the architecture of tripartite multiple drug resistance (MDR) efflux pumps of Gram-negative bacteria has been well characterized, the means by which the components recognize each other and assemble into a functional pump remains obscure. In this study we present evidence that the C-terminal domain of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa OprM and the α-helical hairpin domain of Vibrio cholerae VceA play an important role in the recognition/specificity/recruitment step in the assembly of a functional, VceAB-OprM chimeric efflux pump. To our knowledge, this is the first evidence directly linking the C-terminal domain of an outer membrane efflux protein to its recruitment during the assembly of a tripartite efflux pump.     

心脑血管疾病大额住院消费统计分析

通过对医院2004-2006年心脑血管疾病大额住院消费(消费大于50000元,以下简称大额消费)病例发病率高的前五种疾病的构成情况、药费、材料费消耗情况进行分析,认为加强大额病例中发病率高的病种的重点管理,是降低医疗费用的有效途径。建议制定常见病大额病种预定额付费方案和审查报销制度;采用适宜技术;控制药费,防止过度医疗,有效地遏制医疗费用的过快增长。     

Partial purification and properties of Galleria mellonella larvae proteolytic inhibitors acting on Metarhizium anisopliae toxic protease

Gel permeation, preparative isoelectric focusing, and affinity chromatography were used to purify three inhibitors of proteolytic activity from perchloric acid extracts of last instar Galleria mellonella larvae. Electrofocusing experiments revealed three isoinhibitors with different isoelectric points: inhibitor I-1 with p1 of pH 5.6, inhibitor I-2, pH 7.7, and inhibitor I-3 (of small inhibitory activity), pH 8.6. By affinity chromatography on trypsin-Sepharose 4B the I-1 was purified 9.7 ×, but 71.1% of inhibitory activity was lost. Molecular mass of the inhibitory complex was 12,600 Da. I-1 and I-2 are relatively stable to heat at several pHs with minor stability at pH 10. I-1 and I-2 inhibit serine proteases about 2.5 times as much as sulfhydryl proteases. In the same ratio protease P-1 and protease P-2 from Metarhizium anisopliae are inhibited.     

THE DEATH OF BIOETHICS (AS WE ONCE KNEW IT)

Fast forward 50 years into the future. A look back at what occurred in the field of bioethics since 2010 reveals that a conference in 2050 commemorated the death of bioethics. In a steady progression over the years, the field became increasingly fragmented and bureaucratized. Disagreement and dissension were rife, and this once flourishing, multidisciplinary field began to splinter in multiple ways. Prominent journals folded, one by one, and were replaced with specialized publications dealing with genethics, reproethics, nanoethics, and necroethics. Mainstream bioethics organizations also collapsed, giving way to new associations along disciplinary and sub‐disciplinary lines. Physicians established their own journals, and specialty groups broke away from more general associations of medical ethics. Lawyers also split into three separate factions, and philosophers rejected all but the most rigorous, analytic articles into their newly established journal. Matters finally came to a head with global warming, the world‐wide spread of malaria and dengue, and the cost of medical treatments out of reach for almost everyone. The result was the need to develop plans for strict rationing of medical care. At the same time, recognition emerged of the importance of the right to health and the need for global justice in health. By 2060, a spark of hope was ignited, opening the door to the resuscitation of bioethics and involvement of the global community.     

Survival and metabolism of the harpacticoid copepod Thompsonula hyaenae (Thompson) fed on different diatoms

Survival times and oxygen consumption rates have been determined for a benthic harpacticoid copepod, Thompsonula hyaenae (Thompson), when fed different algal diets. Nauplii and adults lived slightly longer on a diet of Navicula sp. than did those fed N. pelliculosa or a mixture of both naviculoid species. Mean numbers of harpacticoids hatched were significantly higher in cultures of N. pelliculosa. Metabolic rates of non-gravid females fed for one week on N. sp. were significantly lower than those fed N. pelliculosa or the mixture. There was no significant difference in oxygen uptake between animals fed N. pelliculosa and those fed the mixed culture. The smaller size and lower food energy content of N. pelliculosa are reflected in the higher respiratory rates of animals led this diatom species.Based on a thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the M.S. degree in Marine Science at the University of South Carolina. Belle W. Baruch Institute for Marine Biology and Coastal Research Contribution No. 114. Research supported by the Oceanography Section, National Science Foundation, NSF Grant DES72-01573 A01.     

Strategy for Stabilizing Enzymes Part Two: Increasing Enzyme Stability by Selective Chemical Modification

The molecular mechanisms of change in the thermal stability of proteins modified with low molecular weight reagents are discussed. The choice of stabilization mechanisms to be used as a general strategy for increasing enzyme stability by chemical modification is addressed. Hydrophilization of nonpolar surface areas is the most simple and reliable approach to artificial stabilization of enzymes for use in applied biochemistry and biotechnology.     

Primeval cells: Possible energy-generating and cell-division mechanisms

Summary It is proposed that the first entity capable of adaptive Darwinian evolution consisted of a liposome vesicle formed of (1) abiotically produced phospholipidlike molecules; (2) a very few informational macromolecules; and (3) some abiogenic, lipid-soluble, organic molecule serving as a symporter for phosphate and protons and as a means of high-energy-bond generation. The genetic material had functions that led to the production of phospholipidlike materials (leading to growth and division of the primitive cells) and of the carrier needed for energy transduction. It is suggested that the most primitive exploitable energy source was the donation of 2H⁺+2e^– at the external face of the primitive cell. The electrons were transferred (by metal impurities) to internal sinks of organic material, thus creating, via a deficit, a protonmotive force that could drive both the active transport of phosphate and high-energy-bond formation.This model implies that proton translocation in a closed-membrane system preceded photochemical or electron transport mechanisms and that chemically transferable metabolic energy was needed at a much earlier stage in the development of life than has usually been assumed. It provides a plausible mechanism whereby cell division of the earliest protocells could have been a spontaneous process powered by the internal development of phospholipids. The stimulus for developing this evolutionary sequence was the realization that cellular life was essential if Darwinian survival of the fittest was to direct evolution toward adaptation to the external environment.     

用离散量的方法识别蛋白质的超二级结构

用离散量的方法,对2208个分辨率在2.5I以上的高精度的蛋白质结构中四类超二级结构进行了识别。从蛋白质一级序列出发,以氨基酸(20种氨基酸加一个空位)和其紧邻关联共同为参数,当序列模式固定长取8个氨基酸残基时,对“822”序列模式3交叉检验的平均预测精度达到78.1%,jack-knife检验的平均预测精度达到76.7%;当序列模式固定长取10个氨基酸残基时,对“1041”序列模式3交叉检验的平均预测精度达到83.1%,jack-knife检验的平均预测精度达到79.8%。     

两个猪苓菌株生长速度及酯酶同工酶比较研究

对不同地理分布的猪苓纯培养菌株进行了种性和酯酶同工酶的比较研究,结果表明,鸡爪苓（Z）纯培养菌株和猪屎苓（ZJ）纯培养菌株的种性有很大不同,两个纯培养菌株的酯酶同工酶酶带类型差异较大,亲缘关系较远。     

贵州疣螈繁殖生态的研究

贵州疣螈（Tylototritonkweichowensis）是一年繁殖一次的有尾两栖动物。繁殖期肥满度、肝脏系数、脂肪系数、性腺成熟系数、性腺体积均具一定的生物学意义。繁殖期一般为5月上旬至7月上旬,窝卵数平均121．5±7．81枚,孵化期21．6天,孵化率44．33％。每窝印数与雌体头体长成正相关。幼体不同日龄的形态特征变化明显。其全长的Logistic生长方程为：     

温度对棉蚜繁殖速度的影响

作者于1981—1983年在棉花苗龄一致、棉蚜试验基数一致、隔离天敌动物及有翅蚜条件下,利用4—7月份的棉田不同温、湿度条件,研究了棉田温度对棉蚜繁殖速度的影响。结果证明:棉田五日平均温度(以下简称温度)17.6—24.0℃,棉蚜繁殖速度最快,五日内繁殖21.9—46.0倍;温度低于和高于此范围,达12.7℃和25.0—31.2℃时,棉蚜繁殖速度减慢,同期分别繁殖4.2倍和6.3—19.2倍。同时证明:在伏期7月份当温度在上述适温范围内时,棉蚜繁殖速度快,而当温度高至26.7—30.9℃处于适温范围以外时,其繁殖速度同样减慢,同期繁殖4.5—19.2倍。由此说明,确利于棉蚜繁殖的适温范围大体为17—24℃;棉蚜繁殖在5月份苗期和7月份伏期的适温范围基本一致。     

海南种子植物科属与邻近地区科属关系的初步研究

<正> 一、前言 本文以海南野生种子植物的科属与越南、菲律宾、澳大利亚和我国台湾,广东(雷州半岛)等地的植物科属统计数字和属相似性,试图探讨它们之间的相似关系,对今后引种驯化和研究华南植物区系有一定的参考作用。     

The types of homology and their significance for evolutionary biology and phylogenetics

This paper comments on recently revived discussion about the most adequate definition of homology. Homologues are considered as similarities of complex structures or patterns which are based on a continuity of biological information or instruction. Dependent on the level of comparison four types of homology are defined: (1) Iterative ( = serial = homonomy), (2) ontogenetic, (3) di- or polymorphic, and (4) supraspecific homology. The significance of all four types for evolutionary biology and phylogenetic analysis is outlined.     

Photoinactivation of Photosystem II in leaves

Photoinactivation of Photosystem II (PS II), the light-induced loss of ability to evolve oxygen, inevitably occurs under any light environment in nature, counteracted by repair. Under certain conditions, the extent of photoinactivation of PS II depends on the photon exposure (light dosage, x), rather than the irradiance or duration of illumination per se, thus obeying the law of reciprocity of irradiance and duration of illumination, namely, that equal photon exposure produces an equal effect. If the probability of photoinactivation (p) of PS II is directly proportional to an increment in photon exposure (p = kΔx, where k is the probability per unit photon exposure), it can be deduced that the number of active PS II complexes decreases exponentially as a function of photon exposure: N = N_oexp(−kx). Further, since a photon exposure is usually achieved by varying the illumination time (t) at constant irradiance (I), N = N_oexp(−kI t), i.e., N decreases exponentially with time, with a rate coefficient of photoinactivation kI, where the product kI is obviously directly proportional to I. Given that N = N_oexp(−kx), the quantum yield of photoinactivation of PS II can be defined as −dN/dx = kN, which varies with the number of active PS II complexes remaining. Typically, the quantum yield of photoinactivation of PS II is ca. 0.1μmol PS II per mol photons at low photon exposure when repair is inhibited. That is, when about 10⁷ photons have been received by leaf tissue, one PS II complex is inactivated. Some species such as grapevine have a much lower quantum yield of photoinactivation of PS II, even at a chilling temperature. Examination of the longer-term time course of photoinactivation of PS II in capsicum leaves reveals that the decrease in N deviates from a single-exponential decay when the majority of the PS II complexes are inactivated in the absence of repair. This can be attributed to the formation of strong quenchers in severely-photoinactivated PS II complexes, able to dissipate excitation energy efficiently and to protect the remaining active neighbours against damage by light.     

民勤绿洲边缘地下水位变化对植物种群生态位的影响

在民勤绿洲边缘,利用空间区域不同地下水位(湖区8～12m,泉山区15～17m,坝区20～23m)和时间序列(1984～1992年)民勤沙井子地区地下水位下降(7.45～11.65m)梯度,研究地下水位下降对荒漠植物种群生态位的影响。结果表明:空间区域地下水位下降,植物种群生态位宽度均减小,种群退化;时间序列地下水位下降,白刺种群在扩展,其它植物种群在退化。白刺种群生态位宽度在民勤绿洲边缘荒漠植物群落中最大,是该区的建群种。由于白刺种群在地下水位7.45～11.65m范围内扩展,民勤绿洲生态环境治理中地下水位达到该范围是一个主要目标。     

林带阻力系数与透风系数关系的理论分析

根据冲量定理分析了林带对气流的阻力,首次得到了林带阻力系数的估算模式（Ｃｄ＝（１．８＋０．２α）（１－α）ｓｉｎ２ω,并利用有关文献发表的资料进行了验证．文章还对来流平行林带时林带对气流的阻力进行了讨论,指出来流平行林带时林带对气流的阻力仅为来流垂直林带时林带对气流阻力的０．７—１．１％,可以不予考虑．