UV-B辐射对颠茄氮代谢及次生代谢产物含量的影响

有害的中波紫外线（ultraviolet B,UV-B;280～320 nm）辐射影响植物的生长与发育。但也有研究证明,UV-B辐射可诱导生物碱合成。然而,UV-B辐射能否提高颠茄(Atropa belladonna L.)中托品烷类生物碱（tropane alkaloids,TAs）的含量尚未见报道。本研究以颠茄实生苗为材料,研究UV-B不同照射度强、时间（d数）对颠茄的氮代谢、生物碱含量及TAs代谢途径中的几个关键酶基因表达量的影响。结果表明,随着辐射天数的增加（5～30 d）,低强度（LU,5 μW/cm2）UV-B处理与对照（无辐射）比较,硝态氮、莨菪碱、东莨菪碱含量无显著差异。然而,中等强度（MU,10 μW/cm2）和高强度（HU,15 μW/cm2）UV-B辐射,明显增加硝态氮含量,谷氨酰胺合成酶（glutamine synthetase,GS）、谷氨酸脱氢酶（glutamine dehydrogenase,GDH）活性明显高于对照。重要的是,中、高强度UV-B辐射显著降低了颠茄的叶片与茎中莨菪碱和东莨菪碱含量。荧光定量PCR揭示,莨菪碱合成的关键酶腐胺N 甲基转移酶（putrescine N methyltransferase,PMT）编码基因、莨菪碱-6-β-羟化酶（hyoscyamine-6-β-hydroxylase,H6H）基因表达呈高度组织特异性,主要是在根部表达。与对照比较,低强度照射25 d引起pmt在根部的表达量显著上调,而中、高强度照射导致其下调;h6h在根部的相对表达量随着处理强度的增加逐渐降低;托品酮还原酶Ⅰ（tropinone reductaseⅠ, TRⅠ）编码基因在叶片中的表达量较高,随照射强度的增加而升高。上述结果表明,低强度UV-B辐射促进氮代谢,有利于莨菪碱合成;而长期中、高强度UV-B辐射,尽管促进了谷氨酸代谢,但却使pmt和h6h表达降低,不利于莨菪碱和东莨菪碱的积累。总之,本研究结果显示,不同UV-B辐射强度和时间,对颠茄合成TAs的影响不同,可为大田试验生产莨菪碱提供有益的参考。     

UV-B辐射对颠茄氮代谢及次生代谢产物含量的影响北大核心CSCD

有害的中波紫外线(ultraviolet B,UV-B;280~320 nm)辐射影响植物的生长与发育。但也有研究证明,UV-B辐射可诱导生物碱合成。然而,UV-B辐射能否提高颠茄(Atropa belladonna L.)中托品烷类生物碱(tropane alkaloids,TAs)的含量尚未见报道。本研究以颠茄实生苗为材料,研究UV-B不同照射度强、时间(d数)对颠茄的氮代谢、生物碱含量及TAs代谢途径中的几个关键酶基因表达量的影响。结果表明,随着辐射天数的增加(5~30 d),低强度(LU,5μW/cm^2)UV-B处理与对照(无辐射)比较,硝态氮、莨菪碱、东莨菪碱含量无显著差异。然而,中等强度(MU,10μW/cm^2)和高强度(HU,15μW/cm^2)UV-B辐射,明显增加硝态氮含量,谷氨酰胺合成酶(glutamine synthetase,GS)、谷氨酸脱氢酶(glutamine dehydrogenase,GDH)活性明显高于对照。重要的是,中、高强度UV-B辐射显著降低了颠茄的叶片与茎中莨菪碱和东莨菪碱含量。荧光定量PCR揭示,莨菪碱合成的关键酶腐胺N-甲基转移酶(putrescine N-methyltransferase,PMT)编码基因、莨菪碱-6-β-羟化酶(hyoscyamine-6-β-hydroxylase,H6H)基因表达呈高度组织特异性,主要是在根部表达。与对照比较,低强度照射25 d引起pmt在根部的表达量显著上调,而中、高强度照射导致其下调;h6h在根部的相对表达量随着处理强度的增加逐渐降低;托品酮还原酶Ⅰ(tropinone reductaseⅠ,TRⅠ)编码基因在叶片中的表达量较高,随照射强度的增加而升高。上述结果表明,低强度UV-B辐射促进氮代谢,有利于莨菪碱合成;而长期中、高强度UV-B辐射,尽管促进了谷氨酸代谢,但却使pmt和h6h表达降低,不利于莨菪碱和东莨菪碱的积累。总之,本研究结果显示,不同UV-B辐射强度和时间,对颠茄合成TAs的影响不同,可为大田试验生产莨菪碱提供有益的参考。     

UV-B辐射强对紫露草花粉母细胞的微核效应

臭氧层减薄引起紫外辐射的增强,紫露草三号用来监测辐射增加的潜在危害。在田间太阳光照下,把带有花序的紫露草枝条再给予8h不同UV-B剂量的照射,及用8μW／cm2的UV-B分别照射2、4、6和8h四种不同处理。处理后镜检花粉母细胞的微核发生情况。结果表明,UV-B照射处理花粉母细胞后其微核率显著增加。紫露草花粉母细胞的微核率可用作监测环境UV-B辐射增强的可靠指标。     

增强UV-B辐射对喜树生理指标及喜树碱含量的影响（英文）

喜树(Camptotheca acuminata Decne.)隶属于蓝果树科(Nyssaceae)喜树属(Camptotheca),为抗癌药物喜树碱的主要资源,提高喜树碱的积累以满足临床需求是喜树碱开发的重要途径。该研究运用UV-B辐射对2年生喜树进行每天8h辐射处理,对1年生喜树分别设置每天2h、4h、6h和8h的辐射处理,连续处理12d后分别测定各处理喜树叶的叶绿素、MDA、游离脯氨酸(Fpro)含量和SOD活性,以及幼叶、幼枝和根中喜树碱含量,分析UV-B辐射对喜树生理指标和次生代谢物的影响,以揭示喜树碱为喜树适应UV-B辐射逆境的防御产物。结果显示:(1)2年生喜树经UV-B每天8h辐射处理12d后,叶绿素含量较对照显著降低,而MDA、Fpro和喜树碱含量均增加,说明每天8hUV-B辐射对2年生喜树产生了较强的胁迫伤害。(2)1年生喜树经UV-B辐射处理12d后,随着每天UV-B辐射时间的增加,叶绿素含量不断降低,Fpro含量显著增加;每天2~6h处理的MDA含量与对照无显著差异,但总体随处理时间增加呈上升趋势;每天8hUV-B辐射的MDA含量较对照显著增加;SOD活性随每天处理时间的延长呈先下降、后上升、再下降的变化趋势,说明每天8h的UV-B辐射对一年生喜树也产生了胁迫伤害。(3)1年生喜树幼叶、幼枝和根中喜树碱含量随着每天UV-B辐射时间的延长均呈递增趋势,而且每天8h辐射处理的喜树碱含量均最高,其中幼叶和幼枝中喜树碱含量显著高于根中含量。实验结果表明,增强UV-B辐射对喜树造成了一定的伤害,而喜树通过改变生理以及次生代谢机制,以进一步产生喜树碱来响应增强UV-B的胁迫。     

增强UV B辐射对喜树生理指标及喜树碱含量的影响

喜树(Camptotheca acuminata Decne.)隶属于蓝果树科(Nyssaceae)喜树属(Camptotheca),为抗癌药物喜树碱的主要资源,提高喜树碱的积累以满足临床需求是喜树碱开发的重要途径。该研究运用UV B辐射对2年生喜树进行每天8 h辐射处理,对1年生喜树分别设置每天2 h、4 h、6 h和8 h的辐射处理,连续处理12 d后分别测定各处理喜树叶的叶绿素、MDA、游离脯氨酸 (Fpro)含量和SOD活性,以及幼叶、幼枝和根中喜树碱含量,分析UV B辐射对喜树生理指标和次生代谢物的影响,以揭示喜树碱为喜树适应UV B辐射逆境的防御产物。结果显示：（1）2年生喜树经UV B每天8 h辐射处理12 d后,叶绿素含量较对照显著降低,而MDA、Fpro和喜树碱含量均增加,说明每天8 h UV B辐射对2年生喜树产生了较强的胁迫伤害。（2）1年生喜树经UV B辐射处理12 d后,随着每天UV B辐射时间的增加,叶绿素含量不断降低,Fpro含量显著增加;每天2~6 h处理的MDA含量与对照无显著差异,但总体随处理时间增加呈上升趋势;每天8 h UV B辐射的MDA含量较对照显著增加;SOD活性随每天处理时间的延长呈先下降、后上升、再下降的变化趋势,说明每天8 h的UV B辐射对一年生喜树也产生了胁迫伤害。（3）1年生喜树幼叶、幼枝和根中喜树碱含量随着每天UV B辐射时间的延长均呈递增趋势,而且每天8 h辐射处理的喜树碱含量均最高,其中幼叶和幼枝中喜树碱含量显著高于根中含量。实验结果表明,增强UV B辐射对喜树造成了一定的伤害,而喜树通过改变生理以及次生代谢机制,以进一步产生喜树碱来响应增强UV B的胁迫。     

丙线照射后小鼠小肠ACh含量ChE活性变化及其原因的初步探讨

本文观察了电离辐射后小鼠小肠组织中ACh含量,ChE活性变化,并对其机制进行探讨,结果如下; 1.丙线照射后小鼠小肠ACh含量增加,ChE活性降低。其变化程度与照射剂量和照后时间有关。一定剂量范围内,照射剂量愈大,ChE活性愈低,ACh含量愈高。 2.照射后小肠粘膜脱落是ChE活性降低的主要原因,ACh含量增加除因ChE活性降低外,ChAT活性增高也许是ACh含量增高的主要原因。     

核辐射对大深度快速上浮脱险致减压病大鼠相关指标的影响*

目的: 探讨不同剂量核暴露后不同时间对大深度快速上浮脱险致减压病大鼠模型的发病率、死亡率及损伤指标的影响。方法: 80只SD雄性大鼠,随机分成空白对照组、脱险对照组和6个干预组(4 Gy辐射后4 h脱险、6 Gy辐射后4 h脱险、12 Gy辐射后4 h脱险、4 Gy辐射后8 h脱险、6 Gy辐射后8 h脱险、12 Gy辐射8 h后脱险),每组10只。干预组动物先采用不同剂量γ射线外照射(4、6、12 Gy),再进行大深度快速上浮脱险实验(最大加压深度150 m),分析大鼠肺W/D、脾指数及血浆IL-1β的变化。结果: 与脱险对照组比较,核辐射后脱险大鼠的减压病发病率及死亡率明显上升。4 Gy、6 Gy照射4 h后上浮脱险的大鼠发病率和死亡率较照射8 h后高。12 Gy辐射后4 h及8 h脱险大鼠的减压病的发病率及死亡率均比低剂量照射组明显增高,死亡率尤其明显。和发病率及死亡率的变化相一致,肺组织湿/干比、肺组织病理损伤程度、脾指数下降也表现同样的变化趋势:较低剂量(4 Gy、6 Gy)辐射后4 h改变明显,8 h改变不明显,而高剂量(12 Gy)辐射后4、8 h均变化明显。和空白对照组及脱险对照组相比较,各辐射后脱险组的血浆IL-1β浓度均显著上升。结论: 核辐射引起放射性肺损伤、免疫功能下降及血浆炎症因子浓度升高,会增加大鼠快速上浮脱险致减压病的风险。     

长波紫外线照射对花背蟾蜍肾脏结构损伤

为研究长波紫外线对花背蟾蜍(Buforaddei)肾脏的损伤,用波长为365nm的长波紫外线(UVA)以352μW.cm-2的辐射量对花背蟾蜍亚成体进行150、300和450min的连续照射,分别在照射后立即、3、6、9、12和15d取材,常规石蜡切片。结果表明:UVA照射后,3组不同照射时间的花背蟾蜍肾脏整体结构基本完整,但均出现肾小管管壁破裂,管径显著缩小,肾小囊消失,而300min照射组的损伤则极为明显,其后依次为450min照射组与150min照射组,300与450min照射组的肾小体塌陷程度较150min照射组更为严重;经15d的恢复,虽出现明显好转,但大多指标仍与对照组间存在极显著性差异;UVA对花背蟾蜍肾脏有着不可忽视的损伤,虽然具有一定的自我修复的能力,但在野外,紫外辐射的增强和植被的减少可导致两栖类遭受过度的紫外辐射,进而引起两栖类种群的衰减。     

紫外线-B照射对小白菜生长、产量及品质的影响

在温室条件下,采用辐照度为0.4、0．5和0．6W·m^-2的紫外线-B（UV—B）对小白菜（Brassi cacampestrisssp．chinensis Makino）照射2、3和4h·d^-1,连续照射7d后,研究了UV—B照射对小白菜生长、产量及品质的影响。结果表明,停止照射后35d,各处理组小白菜的鲜质量、株高、叶片数、干物质含量、叶绿素含量、可溶性糖含量及硝酸盐含量均与对照无显著差异,但Vc含量增加,可溶性蛋白质含量降低。经UV—B照射后,下胚轴长度大于2cm的小白菜植株所占的百分率显著低于对照,说明UV—B照射可有效控制小白菜植株徒长。从子叶充分展开时用0,4—0．6W·m^-2 UV—B照射2h·d^-1,连续照射7d,既能有效控制小白菜植株徒长、提高Vc含量,又不会造成产量和品质的下降,为最佳的补充UV—B处理条件。     

水体N/P对塔玛亚历山大藻响应紫外辐射的影响

本文探讨了塔玛亚历山大藻(Alexandrium tamarense)在5种N/P(1∶1、16∶1、50∶1、100∶1和200∶1)条件下适应培养14 d后藻细胞生长和色素的差异。然后将适应培养14 d的藻细胞分为3种辐射处理[可见光(P)、可见光+紫外辐射A(PA)和可见光+紫外辐射A+B(PAB)],探讨藻细胞对紫外辐射响应机制的差异。采用人工紫外灯作为光源,检测3种辐射处理60 min有效光化学效率的变化和快速荧光曲线。结果表明:当N/P为16∶1时,塔玛亚历山大藻的生长最快,叶绿素a(Chl-a)和类胡萝卜素(Caro)的含量可达3.06×10-5和2.10×10-5μg·cell-1;提高或降低N/P都会抑制生长,生长速率与N/P之间符合一元二次方程(R20.98),而色素含量与N/P之间无此规律;经不同N/P培养14 d后,藻细胞接受3种辐射处理60 min,其光化学效率的变化符合一元指数方程(R20.97);与P处理相比,PA处理和PAB处理的光化学效率都显著下降,且光化学效率的降低程度与藻细胞光系统II D1蛋白的修复与损伤速率比值(r/k)存在显著的负线性关系(R20.98);紫外辐射对塔玛亚历山大藻的抑制率受到水体中N/P的影响,其规律符合一元二次方程(R20.95);N/P=16∶1时,r/k最大,光化学效率下降程度和紫外辐射抑制率都最小;因此,N/P=16∶1是藻细胞耐受紫外线辐射的最佳营养盐比例,N/P可通过改变塔玛亚历山大藻细胞D1蛋白的r/k来影响藻细胞对紫外线辐射的响应。     

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。     

The effects of short-term exposures to ultraviolet radiation in the Hawaiian Coral Montipora verrucosa

Exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR, 290–400 nm) is an important abiotic factor that tropical marine organisms have been exposed to over evolutionary time. Additionally, UVR is known to cause coral bleaching independently and is an important synergistic factor in bleaching caused by thermal stress. Corals can avoid some of the damage associated with exposure to UVR by producing UVR-absorbing compounds such as mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs). To examine the role of MAAs in the UVR photobiology of corals we conducted experiments on the Hawaiian coral Montipora verrucosa. M. verrucosa colonies were collected from 1, 5 and 10 m and exposed to three different UVR treatments for 3 days under constant visible irradiances equivalent to a depth of 0.15 m depth in Kane'ohe Bay. In addition to quantifying the MAA concentration of these corals several types of UVR-induced damage were measured to assess whether MAAs were providing protection. Quantum yields of photosystem II (PSII) fluorescence and excitation pressure on PSII were measured for each coral, and the formation of direct UVR damage to DNA was measured as cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) and (6-4) pyrimidine–pyrimidone photoproducts for the holobiont. All corals exhibited midday depressions in quantum yields, developed DNA photoproducts, and increased their MAA concentrations significantly as a result of UVR exposures. CPD accumulation in M. verrucosa was highest in corals from 1 m, which had the lowest MAA concentrations at the end of the experiment. Corals originally from 10 m showed the highest MAA concentration and lowest DNA damage in response to exposure to UVR. While corals from all collection depths displayed some sensitivity to increased irradiances of UVR, their respective levels of tolerance were clearly dependant on their previous light history.     

Isolate-specific effects of ultraviolet radiation on photosynthesis,growth and mycosporine-like amino acids in the microbial mat-forming cyanobacterium <Emphasis Type="Italic">Microcoleus </Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">chthonoplastes</Emphasis>

Microcoleus chthonoplastes constitutes one of the dominant microorganisms in intertidal microbial mat communities. In the laboratory, the effects of repeated daily exposure to ultraviolet radiation (16:8 light:dark cycle) was investigated in unicyanobacterial cultures isolated from three different localities (Baltic Sea = WW6; North Sea = STO and Brittany = BRE). Photosynthesis and growth were measured in time series (12–15 days) while UV-absorbing mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs) and cellular integrity were determined after 12 and 3 days exposure to three radiation treatments [PAR (22 μmol photon m⁻² s⁻¹) = P; PAR + UV-A (8 W m⁻²) = PA; PAR + UV-A + UV-B (0.4 W m⁻²) = PAB]. Isolate-specific responses to UVR were observed. The proximate response to radiation stress after 1-day treatment showed that isolate WW6 was the most sensitive to UVR. However, repeated exposure to radiation stress indicated that photosynthetic efficiency (F _v/F _m) of WW6 acclimated to UVR. Conversely, although photosynthesis in STO exhibited lower reduction in F _v/F _m during the first day, the values declined over time. The BRE isolate was the most tolerant to radiation stress with the lowest reduction in F _v/F _m sustained over time. While photosynthetic efficiencies of different isolates were able to acclimate to UVR, growth did not. The discrepancy seems to be due to the higher cell density used for photosynthesis compared to the growth measurement. Apparently, the cell density used for photosynthesis was not high enough to offer self-shading protection because cellular damage was also observed in those filaments under UVR. Most likely, the UVR acclimation of photosynthesis reflects predominantly the performance of the surviving cells within the filaments. Different strategies were observed in MAAs synthesis. Total MAAs content in WW6 was not significantly different between all the radiation treatments. In contrast, the additional fluence of UV-A and UV-B significantly increased MAAs synthesis and accumulation in STO while only UV-B fluence significantly increased MAAs content in BRE. Regardless of the dynamic photosynthetic recovery process and potential UV-protective functions of MAAs, cellular investigation showed that UV-B significantly contributed to an increased cell mortality in single filaments. In their natural mat habitat, M. chthonoplastes benefits from closely associated cyanobacteria which are highly UVR-tolerant due to the production of the extracellular UV-sunscreen scytonemin.     

Natural ultraviolet radiation and photosynthetically active radiation induce formation of mycosporine-like amino acids in the marine macroalga Chondrus crispus (Rhodophyta)

The UV-absorbing mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs) are hypothesized to protect organisms against harmful UV radiation (UVR). Since the physiology and metabolism of these compounds are unknown, the induction and kinetics of MAA biosynthesis by various natural radiation conditions were investigated in the marine red alga Chondrus crispus collected from Helgoland, Germany. Three photosynthetically active radiation (PAR, 400–700 nm) treatments without UVR and three UV-A/B (290–400 nm) treatments without PAR were given. Chondrus crispus collected from 4–6 m depth contained only traces of the MAA palythine. After 24 h exposure to 100% ambient PAR, traces of three additional MAAs, shinorine, palythinol and palythene, were detected, and their concentrations increased strongly during a one-week exposure to all PAR treatments. The concentration of all MAAs varied directly with PAR dose, with palythine and shinorine being four- to sevenfold higher than palythinol and palythene. Likewise, naturally high doses of both UV-A and UV-B resulted in a strong accumulation of all MAAs, in particular shinorine. While shinorine accumulation was much more stimulated by UVR, the content of all other MAAs was more affected by high PAR, indicating an MAA-specific induction triggered by UVR or PAR. Received: 24 September 1997 / Accepted: 17 December 1997     

Mycosporine-like amino acids protect the copepod Boeckella titicacae (Harding) against high levels of solar UVR

Studies were conducted in Lake Titicaca, Bolivia (16°S,69°W, 3810 m a.s.l.) to determine the effects of solar ultravioletradiation (UVR; 280–400 nm) and the protective role ofmycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs) in the calanoid copepodBoeckella titicacae (Harding). Zooplankton samples were takenfrom two different radiation environments: Lake Titicaca anda tank with running lake water, which was covered with layersof neutral-density screen for over a year, receiving ~10% ofincident radiation. Samples collected from the lake had significantlyhigher amounts of MAAs compared with those from the tank. Duringshort-term experiments (6–8 h incubations; six radiationtreatments using sharp cut-off Schott filters), significantlyhigher mortality was observed in B. titicacae from the tankthan from the lake. The higher sensitivity of B. titicacae containinglow amounts of MAAs (compared with specimens collected fromthe lake) was assessed through the determination of biologicalweighting functions (BWFs). A 3-day-long experiment performedwith specimens collected from the lake indicated an increasein mortality as a function of UVR exposure, reaching valuesas high as 70% at the end of day 3 for those individuals thatreceived full radiation compared with <10% for those thatreceived only photosynthetically active radiation (PAR; 400–700nm). Concomitantly, a reduction in the concentration of UV-absorbingcompounds as a function of UVR dose and decreasing wavelengthwas determined. The relatively high UVR dose threshold for mortality(~300 kJ m^–2), as well as a comparison with related species,demonstrated the high resistance of B. titicacae to UVR. Ourresults indicate that this resistance is provided by the presenceof protective compounds, i.e. MAAs, which were efficiently bioaccumulatedthrough the diet.     

Response of oxidative stress parameters and sunscreening compounds in Arctic amphipods during experimental exposure to maximal natural UVB radiation

The paper investigates tolerance to UV radiation (UVR) in 3 amphipod species from the Arctic Kongsfjord, Spitsbergen: the herbivore Gammarellus homari (0- to 5-m water depth), the strictly carnivore scavenger Anonyx nugax (2- to 5-m water depth) and the detritivore/carnivore Onisimus edwardsi (2- to 5-m water depth). In previous radiation exposure experiments, both carnivore species displayed elevated mortality rates already at moderate UVR levels. Therefore, the concentrations of sunscreening compounds (mycosporine-like amino acids, MAAs, and carotenoids) and two antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase) were studied in the animals under control conditions and following moderate as well as high UVR exposure.In both carnivore amphipods elevated sensitivity to experimental UVR exposure went along with a degradation of the tissue carotenoid and MAAs and a decrease of the enzymatic antioxidant defence, which resulted in increased lipid peroxidation in exposed animals. In contrast, the herbivore G. homari seems well protected by high concentrations of MAAs absorbed from its algal diet, and no oxidative stress occurred under experimental UVR. The species-specific degree of UV tolerance correlates well with the animals' typical vertical distribution in the water column.     

Mycosporine-like amino acid (MAAs) production by Heterocapasa sp. (Dinophyceae) in indoor cultures

The possibility of using mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs), with an apparent sunscreen function in nature, as ultraviolet radiation (UVR) blockers to prevent skin injury has been raised by diverse authors. Production of MAAs by the dinoflagellate Heterocapsa sp. (Dinophyceae) is shown here. Three major peaks with absorption maxima at 330.8, 332.0 and 333.2 nm were detected by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis of methanolic extracts in all tested conditions. Analysis of crude extract by mass spectroscopy with electrospray ionization (MS-EI) showed a set of molecular ions ([M+H](+)) with main peaks being at m/z 242.4, 288.4, 303.3 and 333.3 u.m.a. According to these data, along with retention times, the MAA profile of Heterocapsa sp. is assumed to be composed of shinorine (lambda(max)=334 nm), mycosporine-2-glycine (lambda(max)=331 nm) and palythinol (lambda(max)=332 nm). A constitutive MAA content of about 4 microg (10(6) cells)(-1) was measured under exposure to PAR only. A maximal accumulation of MAA per culture volume of 1.1 mg l(-1) was obtained after 72 h of exposure to PAR+UVA, while the highest production rate (0.025 mg l(-1) h(-1)) was computed after 24 h of exposure to PAR+UVA+UVB.     

Potassium Salts Inhibit Growth of the Cyanobacteria Microcystis spp. in Pond Water and Defined Media: Implications for Control of Microcystin-Producing Aquatic Blooms

Ten metals were assayed in 21 Indian ponds which comprised three groups: (i) eutrophic alkaline ponds containing <2.5 mM potassium and thick growths of Microcystis aeruginosa or Microcystis flos-aquae during most of the year, (ii) equally eutrophic alkaline ponds containing >2.8 mM potassium and no detectable Microcystis growth, and (iii) oligo- or mesotrophic ponds with various potassium and hydrogen ion concentrations and no persistent Microcystis blooms. The effects of potassium on Microcystis growth were examined in filter-sterilized pond water and in defined culture media. A 50% reduction in the 10-day yield of cultured M. aeruginosa was observed in DP medium and pond water supplemented with 1 and 3 mM KCl, respectively. In contrast, the addition of 2 to 30 mM NaCl did not suppress the growth of M. aeruginosa in either DP medium or pond water. Both 5 mM KCl and 20 mM KHCO(inf3) in J medium strongly inhibited the growth of M. flos-aquae C3-9, whereas 5 to 30 mM NaCl had no effect and 20 mM NaHCO(inf3) was stimulatory. For pond water cultured with a mixture of M. aeruginosa and the duckweed Wolffia arrhiza, M. aeruginosa dominated in unsupplemented water and W. arrhiza dominated in water supplemented with 4.8 mM KCl. Implications for the ecology and control of Microcystis blooms are discussed.     

Temporal and spatial distribution of planktic cyanobacteria in Lake Kastoria, Greece, a shallow, urban lake

The temporal and spatial distribution of planktic cyanobacteria and some environmental parameters were studied in the shallow, urban Lake Kastoria, Greece from June 1996 to June 1997. Water temperature varied from 6–27 °C, pH from 7.5–8.9 and dissolved O₂ concentration from 0.7–12 mg m^-3 10^-3. The mean annual Chl a concentration was 83 mg Chl a m^-3 indicative of the eutrophic-hypertrophic state of the lake. Cyanobacterial biomass ranged from 11–238 g FW m^-3, constituting about 90% of the total phytoplankton biomass throughout the year. Cyanobacterial biomass was non-uniformly distributed both vertically and horizontally from August to November 1996 and resulted mainly from the distribution of Microcystis. Seven cyanobacterial taxa were reported for the first time in Lake Kastoria. Six taxa were dominant: Microcystis aeruginosa, M. flos-aquae, M. novacekii. Limnothrix redekei, Anabaena sp. and Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii. The dominant cyanobacterial taxa can be grouped on the basis of their distribution patterns (1) Microcystis species: maximum biomass occurring at pH > 8, temperature 12–17 °C, depth < 0.2 m; (2) Anabaena sp. and Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii : maximum biomass at temperatures 23–26 °C; (3) Limnothrix redekei : maximum biomass at temperatures 6–27 °C. Usually, non-uniform, vertical distributions of cyanobacterial biomass were associated with the formation of temperature, pH and O₂ gradients. L. redekei was considered to be a key lake organism since it contributed up to 59% of the cyanobacterial biomass. Interestingly, three of the dominant cyanobacteria Microcystis aeruginosa, Anabaena sp. and Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii belong to genera that include toxin-producing species.     

Variation of microcystin content of microcystis aeruginosa relative to medium N:P ratio and growth stage

Changes in the microcystin content of Microcystis aeruginosa UTEX 2388 were investigated at several N:P ratios of the medium and various growth stages. Under the P-fixed condition, the microcystin content of the cells changed with different medium N:P ratios, with the highest at 2748 microg g-1 at a N:P ratio of 16 after incubation for 7 d. The microcystin content of M. aeruginosa exhibited a high correlation with the total N content regardless of an N-fixed or P-fixed culture. When the N:P ratio of the medium was fixed to 16 : 1, the microcystin content of M. aeruginosa at various growth stages was highest at 2191 microg g-1 after an incubation of 4 d and the chlorophyll-a content showed a similar tendency. There was a highly significant relationship between the microcystin content of M. aeruginosa and the chlorophyll-a concentration in the culture during the incubation. Accordingly, the microcystin content of M. aeruginosa during incubation can be easily estimated and monitored by measuring the in vivo fluorescence changes in the culture.