辣椒疫霉RXLR型效应子PcAvh2的序列多态性、基因转录特征及功能

【目的】分析辣椒疫霉中RXLR型效应子PcAvh2的序列多态性,研究该效应子在辣椒疫霉生长发育和侵染阶段的转录特征及其生物学功能。【方法】本研究通过高保真扩增,分析2个烟草疫霉、1个恶疫霉和31个辣椒疫霉菌株的PcAvh2序列;提取辣椒疫霉菌丝、游动孢子囊、游动孢子、萌发休止孢和7个侵染时间点(1.5、3、6、12、24、36、72 h)的本氏烟根部总RNA,利用RT-qPCR分析PcAvh2的转录表达水平;利用PVX瞬时表达系统,分析PcAvh2是否抑制6种效应子(BAX、INF1、PsojNIP、PsCRN63、PsAvh241、R3a/Avr3a)激发的植物免疫反应;利用CaCl_2-PEG介导的原生质体稳定转化技术,沉默PcAvh2基因,分析辣椒疫霉致病力的变化。【结果】PcAvh2为典型的RXLR效应子,在辣椒疫霉群体中该效应子具有10个等位基因,而且烟草疫霉和恶疫霉中也存在该效应子。该基因在辣椒疫霉的侵染阶段上调表达,它能够抑制6种效应子激发的植物免疫反应,进一步研究发现基因沉默导致辣椒疫霉的致病力显著下降。【结论】RXLR型效应子PcAvh2是辣椒疫霉中一个重要的侵染致病因子。     

本氏烟PP2A亚基基因的表达模式和克隆

蛋白磷酸酶2A(protein phosphatase 2A,PP2A)由结构亚基A、催化亚基C和调节亚基B组成,控制生物体内多种生命代谢过程,但目前尚不清楚其在植物抗病中的作用。本研究利用拟南芥、普通烟草、番茄和水稻PP2A的亚基序列,比对分析获得本氏烟(Nicotiana benthamiana)中对应的亚基序列。利用实时定量RT-PCR技术,分析了6个亚基基因在辣椒疫霉侵染本氏烟阶段(灌根后8、24、72 h)以及2个结构亚基基因在本氏烟不同组织部位(根、茎、叶、花和种子)中的转录水平。结果发现,在病原物侵染时,多数基因均显著上调表达,Nb PP2Ac-4在侵染阶段的表达量显著高于其他基因;2个结构亚基基因(Nb PP2Aa-1和Nb PP2Aa-2)在茎、叶、花和种子中的表达量均显著高于在根部中的表达量。克隆获得本氏烟和辣椒中2个结构亚基基因的全长c DNA序列,它们的二级结构主要为α和η螺旋,含有保守的功能域,与其他植物和人的结构亚基具有很高的同源性。     

致病疫霉PiSAK1的生物学功能分析

【背景】致病疫霉是引起世界范围内马铃薯晚疫病的重要病原菌。Stress-activated protein kinases (SAPKs)是一类胁迫激活的mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs)，研究表明真菌SAPKs在调控细胞应答外界胁迫等方面有重要作用。致病疫霉中存在一个SAPK，即PiSAK1，其生物学功能并不明确。【目的】探究PiSAK1在致病疫霉生长发育、抵抗外界胁迫及侵染马铃薯过程中发挥的生物学功能。【方法】利用生物信息学手段分析PiSAK1的特性，通过RT-qPCR分析明确致病疫霉PiSAK1在不同发育阶段及侵染马铃薯不同时期的表达量，最后构建PiSAK1沉默、过表达菌株并测定其各项生物学表型。【结果】PiSAK1具有丝裂原活化蛋白激酶典型的Ser/Thr蛋白激酶催化结构域，并且与其他卵菌的SAPKs同属一个进化分支。致病疫霉PiSAK1分别在休止孢阶段、侵染马铃薯48 h时表达量最高，且0.3 mol/L NaCl及3 mmol/L H2O2胁迫刺激0.5 h后PiSAK1的表达量均显著升高。构建PiSAK1沉默、过表达菌株并测...     

小麦条锈菌钙调素依赖蛋白激酶基因Pscamk的功能

【目的】克隆小麦条锈菌钙调素依赖蛋白激酶基因Pscamk,并分析其在条锈菌侵染小麦过程中的表达特征及初步功能。【方法】基于本实验室已测序的小麦条锈菌基因组序列,利用RT-PCR方法,从小麦条锈菌生理小种CYR32中克隆Pscamk基因的cDNA序列,并利用网络数据库和生物信息学工具预测该基因编码蛋白的基本特征和保守结构;运用qRT-PCR技术分析Pscamk在不同发育及侵染阶段的表达水平,进一步通过钙调素依赖蛋白激酶(CaMK)的免疫抑制剂KN-93处理小麦条锈菌夏孢子,观察其萌发状况。【结果】获得1个1620 bp的小麦条锈菌CaMK基因Pscamk;序列分析发现,Pscamk编码蛋白包含CaMK蛋白的保守结构域,并与小麦杆锈菌该类蛋白序列相似性最高。qRT-PCR分析表明,Pscamk在条锈菌侵染初期过程中的芽管发育、初生菌丝侵染及吸器形成时期呈显著上调表达,且在条锈菌接种6 h时表达量最高,为对照夏孢子的20.74倍。在专一性免疫抑制剂KN-93处理后,随着KN-93施加浓度的增加,条锈菌夏孢子萌发率逐渐降低,当浓度为1.4μmol/L时夏孢子萌发率为8.02%,仅为对照的12%。【讨论】推测Pscamk基因参与了小麦条锈菌夏孢子萌发、芽管发育以及初期侵染结构的形成。本研究为进一步探索条锈菌细胞钙信号传导机理和致病机制奠定了基础。     

疫霉侵染下辣椒幼苗消减文库的构建与初步分析

为了分离和鉴定辣椒中疫霉诱导基因,以高抗疫霉病辣椒品种L11为材料,以接种辣椒疫霉菌的幼嫩叶片为处理（tester）,以未接种自然生长的幼嫩叶片为对照(driver),利用抑制性消减杂交技术(suppression subtractive hybridization,SSH)构建了疫霉侵染下辣椒幼苗的消减文库。从消减文库中随机挑取30个阳性克隆,提取质粒进行PCR鉴定,显示插入片段大小大部分集中在200～1 000 bp之间,文库质量良好。随机挑取40个克隆进行测序,共获得35个有效EST序列。经Blastx分析表明：有30个EST与GenBank中其他序列有同源性,5个EST为未知功能序列。已知功能的EST序列分别编码NAC转录因子、丝氨酸/苏氨酸蛋白激酶、P450单加氧酶、叶绿素a/b结合蛋白、谷胱甘肽转移酶、几丁质酶等,这些蛋白涉及抗病信号传递、抗氧化作用、转录调控及光合作用等多种生理过程。本研究为抗病基因克隆和系统研究疫霉侵染下辣椒基因的表达奠定了重要的理论基础。     

三七根腐病原菌毁坏柱孢霉分子定量检测方法及其应用

【目的】建立一种快速准确的三七根腐病病原真菌毁坏柱孢霉(Cylindrocarpon destructans)的分子定量检测方法,探讨毁坏柱孢霉与植株生长和AM真菌侵染之间的数量效应关系。【方法】根据GenBank登录的毁坏柱孢霉rDNA基因IGS序列片段,设计特异性引物对CDU2和CDL2b,利用含有SYBR Green I的实时荧光定量PCR建立毁坏柱孢霉定量检测方法,检测三七根际土壤毁坏柱孢霉rDNA基因IGS片段拷贝数,并分析其与植株生物量和AM真菌侵染之间的关系。【结果】发病植株根际土壤毁坏柱孢霉rDNA基因IGS片段拷贝数显著高于健康植株。三七根际土壤中毁坏柱孢霉数量与植株地上部生物量以及菌根侵染强度呈显著负相关(P＜0.05),与根系生物量以及根内丛枝丰度相关性不显著。【结论】基于实时定量PCR技术建立的毁坏柱孢霉的分子定量方法能够有效反映三七根际土壤中毁坏柱孢霉的数量及其与植株生长和AM真菌侵染的关系。     

丛枝菌根真菌响应桉树茄科雷尔氏菌侵染进程基因的筛选与鉴定

【背景】桉树(Eucalyptus)青枯病危害严重,丛枝菌根真菌(arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi,AMF)与桉树共生影响桉树对青枯病的抗性,而AMF响应桉树青枯菌侵染的机制仍不清楚。【目的】探索AMF响应桉树茄科雷尔氏菌(Ralstonia solanacearum)的侵染机制。【方法】以非菌根化和异形根孢囊霉(Rhizophagus irregularis)菌根化巨桉(Eucalyptus grandis)分别受茄科雷尔氏菌侵染0、24、48和96 h接种后(hour post-inoculated, hpi)的根系组织为研究对象,基于转录组测序筛选和鉴定菌根化巨桉根系中异形根孢囊霉响应茄科雷尔氏菌侵染的基因信息。【结果】与对应非菌根化桉树受茄科雷尔氏菌侵染的时间点相比,菌根化桉树中异形根孢囊霉响应青枯菌侵染显著差异表达基因为3 382–5 989个,随青枯侵染时间进程的增加,异形根孢囊霉特异性响应茄科雷尔氏菌侵染差异表达基因数量逐渐增多。茄科雷尔氏菌侵染24 hpi时,异形根孢囊霉显著富集共生体生长、孢子形成和凋亡信号通路、铁载体等相关基因;茄科雷尔氏菌侵...     

贵州地区木霉菌分离鉴定及对辣椒疫霉的拮抗作用

【背景】辣椒疫霉是一种毁灭性的土传病害,当前主要使用化学合成杀菌剂防治,但容易导致环境污染和食品安全等问题。【目的】筛选可拮抗辣椒疫霉的候选菌株,探究分离菌株拮抗辣椒疫霉的生理生化作用机制。【方法】综合应用形态学、核糖体RNA (rRNA)基因非转录区ITS序列相似性方法鉴定分离菌株,通过对峙实验筛选抑菌效果较高的拮抗菌株,基于比色法测定分离菌株发酵液粗提物对辣椒疫霉菌丝脂质过氧化、纤维素酶、β-葡萄糖苷酶(β-GC)和多聚半乳糖醛酸酶(PG)活性的影响。【结果】从腐木和土壤样品中分离得到11株木霉,分属于绿色木霉(Trichodermavirens)、哈茨木霉(Trichoderma harzianum)、钩状木霉(Trichoderma hamatum)和棘孢木霉(Trichoderma asperellum) 4个种。11株木霉对辣椒疫霉均有一定的抑制作用,抑制率达到90%以上的菌株包括:绿色木霉Tv-1(92.68%)、Tv-2 (95.12%),哈茨木霉Thz-2 (92.68%),钩状木霉Tha-1 (90.24%)。以4株高效木霉的发酵液粗提物处理辣椒疫霉菌丝5 d后,因脂质过氧化产生的丙二醛含量显著增加,分别达到1.20、1.48、2.69和3.16 nmol/g,显著高于对照处理的0.77 nmol/g;与对照组相比,β-GC、PG酶活性显著下降,分别降低了12.28%-64.91%、7.2%-15.5%;同时纤维素酶活性呈上升趋势,最显著组为2.647 U/mL,相对于对照组增加了0.831U/mL。【结论】分离得到4株明显抑制辣椒疫霉菌生长的高效木霉菌,主要通过破坏细胞壁结构、降低致病因子酶活力和增强脂质过氧化等方式起拮抗作用,可为辣椒疫病的生物防治提供理论依据和技术支持。     

斯氏按蚊中Toll受体参与抵抗微生物感染和调控肠道菌群稳态

【目的】Toll信号通路是昆虫天然免疫系统的重要组分,其中Toll受体在激活昆虫病原菌侵染免疫应答方面发挥了关键作用。本研究旨在探究斯氏按蚊Anopheles stephensi Toll受体基因在抵抗微生物侵染和维持肠道菌群稳态过程中的功能。【方法】根据冈比亚按蚊Anopheles gambiae Toll受体家族的蛋白氨基酸序列,通过序列同源比对鉴定斯氏按蚊中相应的Toll受体基因;运用荧光定量PCR检测Toll受体基因在未感染病原菌的斯氏按蚊脂肪体中的相对表达量,以及在真菌球孢白僵菌Beauveria bassiana和革兰氏阴性细菌胡萝卜软腐欧文氏菌Erwinia carotovora subsp. carotovora侵染斯氏按蚊过程中的表达变化;最后,在斯氏按蚊雌成蚊胸部显微注射AsToll1A和AsToll5A的双链RNA进行RNA干扰后,检测RNAi处理的斯氏按蚊受真菌侵染后的存活率、肠道细菌含量变化以及抗菌肽基因表达变化。【结果】在斯氏按蚊中共鉴定到8个Toll受体基因,即AsToll1A, AsToll5A, AsToll6, AsToll7, AsToll8, AsToll9, AsToll10和AsToll11。通过荧光定量PCR检测发现,未感染病原菌的斯氏按蚊雌成蚊脂肪体中AsToll5A表达量最高,AsToll1A表达量次之,其余Toll受体基因表达量极低。在球孢白僵菌和胡萝卜软腐欧文氏菌侵染过程中,与对照(注射PBS)比较,AsToll1A和AsToll5A在斯氏按蚊中的表达量显著升高,其余Toll受体基因表达变化不显著或降低。RNA干扰结果表明,AsToll1A或AsToll5A的表达受到抑制后,斯氏按蚊对球孢白僵菌的抵抗能力显著降低,肠道细菌总量与对照(dsGFP)比较显著增多。而且,抑制AsToll1A后抗菌肽基因DEF1和GAM1的表达受到显著抑制;抑制AsToll5A后仅有GAM1表达量下调。【结论】斯氏按蚊Toll受体在结构和功能上具有高度的保守性,其中AsToll1A和AsToll5A能响应病原真菌和革兰氏阴性细菌侵染并且影响肠道菌稳态。     

尖孢镰孢菌果胶裂解酶基因家族鉴定及侵染表达模式分析

【背景】番茄枯萎病是番茄生产中常见的土传真菌病害。【目的】为鉴定番茄枯萎病基因组果胶裂解酶基因家族,明确该基因家族在侵染过程表达模式。【方法】采用生物信息学方法鉴定了番茄枯萎病尖孢镰孢菌(Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. Lycopersici)基因组内PEL基因家族,并分析了基因结构、染色体定位及三级结构,同时利用荧光定量PCR分析了FoPEL1-16基因在接种番茄根系的表达情况。【结果】番茄尖孢镰孢菌基因组内PEL基因家族成员有16个。氨基酸序列长度在163-548个氨基酸,信号肽长度在16-21个氨基酸。染色体定位分析表明16个基因在染色体上分布不均,分别定位在7条染色体上。根据基因结构和保守基序分析结果 16个基因可分为4类。进化分析表明该基因家族成员可聚成4支。三级结构预测结果显示同一家族存在相似结构域。荧光定量PCR分析结果表明Fo PEL基因在侵染过程表达水平明显上升。【结论】番茄尖孢镰孢菌基因组内果胶裂解酶以基因家族形式存在,其基因结构存在差异暗示了其功能多样性;FoPEL基因在侵染过程表达明显增强,说明其参与病原菌的致病性。本研究为解析尖孢镰孢菌致病基因功能分析及寄主病原互作提供了重要理论基础。     

Novel phenylanthraquinones,isofuranonaphthoquinones, homoisoflavonoids,and biflavonoids from African plants in the genera Bulbine,Scilla, Ledebouria,and Rhus

The sale of non-cultivated plants poses a real threat to the survival of a large number of plant species. On the other hand, the fact that a given plant has become a traded item is an important lead in the effort to investigate plants for the purpose of discovering novel secondary metabolites that may have marketable properties. This report is largely based on the investigations of plants collected from vendors of medicinal plants. The identification is based on botanical specimens derived from the purchased plant parts either by growing them in a garden or through micropropagation using tissue culture techniques. Bulbine species yielded novel phenyl anthraquinones and isofuranonaphthoquinones, which were found to exhibit antiparasitic and antioxidant properties. Scilla nervosa subsp. rigidifolia and Ledebouria graminifolia yielded twenty homoisoflavonoids and two xanthones. Bulbs derived from tissue culture based specimens of L. graminifolia contained all the compounds isolated from the marketed samples. Some of the homoisoflavonoids were found to possess activity against colon and breast cancer cell lines. Rhus pyroides furnished six novel bichalcones some of which exhibited insect antifeedant, cytotoxic and antiproliferative activities. Structures of the compounds described in this report were elucidated by spectroscopic means including HRMS and 1D-, and 2D-NMR experiments. Interconversion of some of the phenyl anthraquinones was accomplished as part of their structure proof. The total synthesis of three of the biflavonoids was achieved using a synthetic route which involves a microwave irradiation promoted Ulmann synthesis. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans, and device-related nosocomial infections: implications, trends, and potential approaches for control

For many years, device-associated infections and particularly device-associated nosocomial infections have been of considerable concern. Recently, this concern was heightened as a result of increased antibiotic resistance among the common causal agents of nosocomial infections, the appearance of new strains which are intrinsically resistant to the antibiotics of choice, and the emerging understanding of the role biofilms may play in device-associated infections and the development of increased antibiotic resistance. Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans are consistently identified as some of the more important agents of nosocomial infections. In light of the recent information regarding device-associated nosocomial infections, understanding the nature of P. aeruginosa and C. albicans infections is increasingly important. These two microorganisms demonstrate: (1) an ability to form biofilms on the majority of devices employed currently, (2) increased resistance/tolerance to antibiotics when associated with biofilms, (3) documented infections noted for virtually all indwelling devices, (4) opportunistic pathogenicity, and (5) persistence in the hospital environment. To these five demonstrated characteristics, two additional areas of interest are emerging: (a) the as yet unclear relationship of these two microorganisms to those species of highly resistant Pseudomonas spp and Candida spp that are of increasing concern with device-related infections, and (b) the recent research showing the dynamic interaction of P. aeruginosa and C. albicans in patients with cystic fibrosis. An understanding of these two opportunistic pathogens in the context of their ecosystems/biofilms also has significant potential for the development of novel and effective approaches for the control and treatment of device-associated infections.     

Taxonomic,evolutionary, and functional considerations ofCompositae pollen ultrastructure and sculpture

Two basic patterns of exine ultrastructure are found in theCompositae, the caveate Helianthoid pattern and the non-caveate Anthemoid pattern. TheHeliantheae, Astereae, Inuleae, Sececioneae, Calenduleae andEupatorieae all have pollen with caveate exines. TheMutisiseae, Vernonieae andCardueae have predominately Anthemoid pollen. TheAnthemideae, Arctoteae andLactuceae have pollen with exines of both patterns. Recent investigations of pollen in theVernonieae suggest that these exine ultrastructures in the family have evolved in response to mechanical stresses on the wall which are caused by changes in volume of the grain as it loses or gains water from its environment.     

Gametogenesis,endosperm development,and embryogeny inMicrocarpaea muscosa (Scrophulariaceae,Gratioleae)

InMicrocarpaea muscosa gametogenesis, embryo sac development (Polygonum type), endosperm development (cellular), embryogeny (Onagrad type), and seed structure are described. The different modes of endosperm development withinGratioleae are compared.     

Synopsis of the tribe Bocageeae (Annonaceae), with revisions of Cardiopetalum,Froesiodendron, Trigynaea,Bocagea, and Hornschuchia

The tribal name Bocageeae Endlicher is reestablished and the tribe is circumscribed on the basis of solitary internodal ebracteate pedicels that are articulated at the base, and pollen shed in polyads of eight or more grains. Septate anther locules, large pollen size, and seed appendages are prevalent in the tribe. Intectate pollen with free-standing columellae, rare in Annonaceae, occurs not only in the genusTrigynaea but also in some species ofBocagea andHornschuchia. As defined here, the Bocageeae include seven neotropical genera:Cymbopetalum, Porcelia, Bocagea, Cardiopetalum, Froesiodendron, Hornschuchia, andTrigynaea. The latter five genera are revised and the treatments include ten new species:Cardiopetalum plicatum, Froesiodendron urceocalyx, Hornschuchia lianarum, H. santosii, H. leptandra, Trigynaea cinnamomea, T. lanceipetala, T. triplinervis, T. lagaropoda, andT. axilliflora, all from tropical South America. A new combination,Froesiodendron longicuspe, changes the rank of that taxon from subspecies to species.Cardiopetalum surinamense is removed fromFroesiodendron and reassigned toCardiopetalum on the basis of its connate petals, dehiscent monocarps, and seeds with bilobed arils. A cladogram provides an explicit hypothesis of intergeneric relationships in the tribe. The new combinationOnychopetalum periquino, based onTrigynaea periquino, is made.     

Location,expression and orientation of the putative chlororespiratory enzymes,Ndh and IMMUTANS,in higher-plant plastids

The chloroplasts of many plants contain not only the photosynthetic electron transport chain, but also two enzymes, Ndh and IMMUTANS, which might participate in a chloroplast respiratory chain. IMMUTANS encodes a protein with strong similarities to the mitochondrial alternative oxidase and hence is likely to be a plastoquinol oxidase. The Ndh complex is a homologue of complex I of mitochondria and eubacteria and is considered to be a plastoquinone reductase. As yet these components have not been purified to homogeneity and their expression and orientation within the thylakoid remain ill-defined. Here we show that the IMMUTANS protein, like the Ndh complex, is a minor component of the thylakoid membrane and is localised to the stromal lamellae. Protease digestion of intact and broken thylakoids indicates that both Ndh and IMMUTANS are orientated towards the stromal phase of the membrane in Spinacia oleracea L. Such an orientation is consistent with a role for the Ndh complex in the energisation of the plastid membrane. In expression studies we show that IMMUTANS and the Ndh complex are present throughout the development of both Pisum sativum L. cv Progress No. 9 and Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. leaves, from early expansion to early senescence. Interestingly, both the Ndh complex and the IMMUTANS protein accumulate within etiolated leaf tissue, lacking the photosystem II complex, consistent with roles outside photosynthetic electron transport.Abbreviations PQ plastoquinone - PSI, PSII photosystem I, II     

Bacteriochlorophyll c monomers,dimers, and higher aggregates in dichloromethane,chloroform, and carbon tetrachloride

Bacteriochlorophyll c in vivo is a mixture of at least 5 homologs, all of which form aggregates in CH₂Cl₂, CHCl₃ and CCl₄. Three homologs exist mainly in the 2-R-(1-hydroxyethyl) configuration, whereas the other two homologs, 4-isobutyl-5-ethyl and 4-isobutyl-5-methyl farnesyl bacteriochlorophyll c, exist mainly in the 2-S-(1-hydroxyethyl) configuration (Smith KM, Craig GW, Kehres LA and Pfennig N (1983) J. Chromatograph. 281: 209–223). In CCl₄ the S-homologs form an aggregate of 2–3 molecules whose absorption (747 nm maximum) and circular dichroism spectra resemble those of the chlorosome. In CH₂Cl₂, CHCl₃ and CCl₄ the 4-n-propyl homolog (R-configuration) forms dimers absorbing at ca. 680 nm and higher aggregates absorbing at 705–710 nm. In CCl₄ the dimerization constant is approx. 10 µM^–1 (1000 times that for chlorophyll a). The difference between the types of aggregates formed by the 4-n-propyl and 4-isobutyl homologs is attributed to the difference between the R- and S-configurations of the 2-(1-hydroxyethyl) groups in each chlorophyll.Abbreviations BChl bacteriochlorophyll - CD circular dichroism - Chl chlorophyll - DNS data not shown - EEF 4-ethyl-5-ethyl farnesyl - iBM/EF 4-isobutyl-5-methyl/ethyl farnesyl - MEF 4-methyl-5-ethyl farnesyl - PEP 4-n-propyl-5-ethyl farnesyl     

Novel glycopeptides,containing desmosine and isodesmosine,isolated from porcine aorta

Intima-media of porcine thoracic aorta were digested with pronase, after extraction of the saline-soluble matters and fat. A glycopeptide fraction was precipitated with 90% (vol/vol) ethanol from the 80% ethanol-soluble fraction of the trichloroacetic acid (7%)-soluble fraction of the pronase digest. The glycopeptide fraction was fractionated by affinity chromatography on concanavalin A (Con A)-Sepharose 4B, yielding 4 fractions (FA, FB, FC and FD). The most carbohydrate-rich fraction (FB) was further purified to a homogeneous state. The purified FB (FB-0.1) and all other fractions contained desmosine and isodesmosine. The major sugars in the fractions without or with low affinity for Con A (FA, FB, and FB-0.1) were glucosamine, galactose, mannose and sialic acid, while those in the fractions with high affinity for this lectin (FC and FD) were glucosamine, glucose and mannose. All the fractions contained glycine, aspartic acid (and/or asparagine), serine, proline, threonine, glutamic acid (and/or glutamine) and alanine as the major amino acids, amounting to approximately 80% of the total.     

Triads Synthesized from Deuteroporphyrin IX,Naphthoquinone, and Aromatic Amino Acids

Two triad systems were synthesized from deuteroporphyrin IX by tethering 1,4-naphthoquinone derivative and aromatic amino acids to its propionic groups using the method of mixed anhydrides. Physicochemical characteristics of the triads were studied, and the -electron systems of their chromophores were shown to interact.     

Ethylene-binding characteristics in Phaseolus,Citrus, and Ligustrum plants

A number of plants were tested for their ability to bind ethylene and the number of binding sites present in each was calculated. Primary leaves of laboratory-grown beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) bound 140 dpm/g fwt (1794 dpm/g dry wt) when exposed to 1.0 Ci/1 of [¹⁴C]ethylene (110 ci/mol). Phytotron-grown leaves were less succulent but only bound 90 dpm/g fwt (1046 dpm/g dry wt). Bean roots bound 30 dpm/g fwt. Citrus and Ligustrum bound 207 and 240 dpm/g fwt, respectively. The time required to achieve equilibrium of leaves with the gas phase was 15 min for bean, 30 min for Citrus, and 30–60 min for Ligustrum. The time for 1/2 of the bound ethylene to diffuse out of the leaves was 20 min for bean, 10 min for Citrus, and 30 min for Ligustrum. The amount of ethylene needed to occupy 1/2 of the binding sites was obtained from Scatchard plots. This value (K_d) was 0.2 l/1 for bean, 0.15 for Citrus, and 0.31 for Ligustrum. The quantity of binding sites in the tissues was 2.0×10^-9 mol of binding sites/kg tissue for bean leaves, 5.7×10^-9 for Citrus leaves, and 6.8×10^-9 for Ligustrum. Pretreatment with indoleacetic acid (IAA), ehtylene, and cycloheximide (1 mg/1) had little effect on the level of ethylene-binding sites in Citrus.Contribution from the Department of Biochemistry, School of Agriculture and Life Sciences and School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, North Carolina State University. Paper No. 8445 of the Journal Series of the North Carolina Agricultural Research Service, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695-7601.North Carolina-Israel exchange Scholar for 1981 at the Department of Biochemistry, North Carolina State University Raleigh, North Carolina, USA