The N-terminal region of the starch-branching enzyme from Phaseolus vulgaris L. is essential for optimal catalysis and structural stability

Starch-branching enzymes (SBEs) play a pivotal role in determining the fine structure of starch by catalyzing the syntheses of alpha-1,6-branch points. They are the members of the alpha-amylase family and have four conserved regions in a central (beta/alpha)8 barrel, including the catalytic sites. Although the role of the catalytic barrel domain of an SBE is known, that of its N- and C-terminal regions remain unclear. We have previously shown that the C-terminal regions of the two SBE isozymes (designated as PvSBE1 and PvSBE2) from kidney bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) have different roles in branching enzyme activity. To understand the contribution of the N-terminal region to catalysis, six chimeric enzymes were constructed between PvSBE1 and PvSBE2. Only one enzyme (1Na/2Nb)-II, in which a portion of the N-terminal region of PvSBE2 was substituted by the corresponding region of PvSBE1, retained 6% of the PvSBE2 activity. The N-terminal truncated form (DeltaN46-PvSBE2), lacking 46 N-terminal residues of PvSBE2, lost enzyme activity and stability to proteolysis. To investigate the possible function of this region, three residues (Asp-15, His-24, and Arg-28) among these 46 residues were subjected to site-directed mutagenesis. The purified mutant enzymes showed nearly the same K(m) values as PvSBE2 but had lower V(max) values and heat stabilities than PvSBE2. These results suggest that the N-terminal region of the kidney bean SBE is essential for maximum enzyme activity and thermostability.     

有机磷农药对滇池微囊藻生长和摄磷效应的影响

采集滇池水体作为铜绿微囊藻培养基,研究了两种有机磷农药(甲胺磷和辛硫磷)对微囊藻生长和摄磷效应的动力学规律。结果表明,在滇池水体中添加较低浓度的甲胺磷(0.8、1.6、3.2mg/L)和辛硫磷(0.02、0.06、0.1mg/L)均能不同程度地促进微囊藻的生长,且在HGZ培养基中抑制微囊藻生长的浓度在滇池水体中却能促进微囊藻的生长。微囊藻的生长取决于细胞内磷的浓度且对磷的吸收利用存在积累性,在微囊藻生长初期,摄取各形态磷的速率较快;随后微囊藻摄取各形态磷的速率较慢。总溶解磷(TSP)和溶解反应磷(SRP)是微囊藻优先摄取的磷形态,在生长过程中微囊藻利用了大量的溶解有机磷(DOP)作为磷源加速生长。这一特点对于微囊藻成为淡水湖泊富营养化发展过程中的一种重要优势种具有极为重要的作用。     

Insertion polymorphism of transposable elements and population structure of Anopheles gambiae M and S molecular forms in Cameroon

The insertion polymorphism of five transposable element (TE) families was studied by Southern blots in several populations of the M and S molecular forms of the mosquito Anopheles gambiae sensu stricto from southern Cameroon. We showed that the mean TE insertion site number and the within-population insertion site polymorphism globally differed between the M and S molecular forms. The comparison of the TE insertion profiles of the populations revealed a significant differentiation between these two molecular forms (0.163 < Phi(ST) < 0.371). We cloned several insertions of a non-LTR retrotransposon (Aara8) that were fixed in one form and absent in the other one. The only insertion that could be clearly located on a chromosome arm mapped to cytological division 6 of chromosome X, confirming the importance of this region in the ongoing speciation between the M and S molecular forms.     

Pleistocene refugia in an arid landscape: analysis of a widely distributed Australian passerine

While many studies have documented the effect that glacial cycles have had on northern hemisphere species, few have attempted to study the associated effect of aridification at low latitudes in the southern hemisphere. We investigated the past effects that cyclic aridification may have had on the population structure and history of a widespread endemic Australian bird species, the Australian magpie (Gymnorhina tibicen). One thousand one hundred and sixty-six samples from across its native range were analysed for mitochondrial control region sequence variation and variation at six microsatellite loci. Analysis of mitochondrial control region sequence data indicated monophyletic clades that were geographically congruent with an eastern and western region. The contemporary distribution of east and west clades is nonoverlapping but in close proximity. Populations were estimated to have diverged in the Pleistocene around 36,000 years ago. The putative Carpentarian and Nullarbor arid barriers appear to be associated with the divergence between east and west mainland populations. Nested clade analysis indicated a signature of range expansion in the eastern region suggesting movement possibly inland and northward subsequent to the last period of aridity. The island population of Tasmania was of very recent origin, possibly since sea levels rose 16,000 years ago. Given the east-west structure, there was no congruence between morphology and recent history of this species indicating a lack of support for morphological taxa. Overall mitochondrial DNA and microsatellite variation suggest that increasing aridity and Pleistocene refugia played a role in structuring populations of the Australian magpie; however, the dispersal ability and generalist habitat requirements may have facilitated the movement of magpies into an almost contiguous modern distribution across the continent. This study supports the idea that Pleistocene aridification played an important role in structuring intraspecific variation in low latitudinal southern hemisphere avian species.     

Diversity in forms and functions of carbonic anhydrase in terrestrial higher plants

The review summarizes current data on the existence in terrestrial higher plants of several carbonic anhydrase forms differing in their properties, molecular structure, and intracellular localization. Possible functions of these carbonic anhydrases are discussed as well as specific features of carbon-concentrating mechanisms in phototrophic tissues of plants with C₃ and C₄ pathways of photosynthesis.     

General relations of stomatal responses to xylem sap abscisic acid under stress in the rooting zone – A global perspective

A sensitivity factor that quantifies the responsiveness of stomata to xylem sap abscisic acid concentration ([ABA]_xyl) is described, using the relation between [ABA]_xyl and maximum leaf conductance (g_max). Plotting g_max against this factor results in a common linear relationship for woody and herbaceous species from boreal to (semi-) arid climates. The global distribution of the sensitivity factor reveals an unexpected pattern which is inverse to rainfall, i.e., plants in humid climates respond more sensitively to ABA than plants in arid areas. The implications for the response of natural vegetation and consequences for agriculture are discussed.     

采用高效液相色谱技术分析烟草体内的维生素B6化合物

维生素B6 (VB6)是一类化合物的总称.近年来研究发现VB6在植物体内发挥抗逆作用.烟草作为模式植物其体内VB6的存在形态还未见报道.本研究采用高效液相色谱结合荧光检测技术对烟草体内VB6的存在形态进行了分析.结果表明:土壤栽培烟草叶、茎和根中VB6的含量依次为2.9、1.7、3.0 μg/g鲜重;组培烟草叶片的VB...     

川鄂獐耳细辛一新变型

描述了产于湖北神农架的川鄂獐耳细辛1个新变型―――重瓣川鄂獐耳细辛( Hepatica henryi Steward f. pleniflora X.D.Li et J.Q. Li),与原变型的主要区别为花冠重瓣。     

Studies on Fractionation of Arsenic in Soil in Relation to Crop Uptake

Widespread arsenic (As) contamination in West Bengal and Bangladesh is of great concern as it affects millions of people due to its toxicity. Groundwater, when used for irrigation, helps entry of arsenic into the food chain via a soil-plant-animal continuum. In this study the extent of geo accumulation is measured in order to assess the degree of As contamination in soil. A sequential fractionation study of As revealed the concentration of different arsenic fractions in the order: As held at the internal surfaces of soil aggregates (20.7%) > freely exchangeable As (20.3%) > calcium associated As (18.7%) > chemisorbed As (17%) > residual As (15.7%) > labile As (3.29%). The variation in fractions may be attributed to the mineralogical make-up of soils along with some physicochemical factors. Statistical correlations and path analyses revealed that total and Olsen extractable arsenic (plant available arsenic) are dependent upon the As held at the internal surfaces of soil aggregates and chemisorbed arsenic fraction, which are directly influenced by the mineralogy of these experimental soils. The crop uptake by Kharif rice and mustard grown in these areas also corroborates the above fact. The poor reflection of exchangeable forms of soil arsenic in crop availability revealed that arsenic has undergone transformation via minerals through the continuous use of arsenic-laden water for irrigation.