Light-induced Activation of Electrogenic H+ Extrusion and K+ Uptake in Elodea densa Depends on Photosynthesis and is Mediated by the Plasma membrane H+ ATPase

In Elodea densa leaves light strongly stimulates electrogenic,K ⁺-dependent, vanadate- and erythrosin B-sensitive H⁺ extrusionand hyperpolarizes the transmembrane electrical potential. Theseeffects of light are suppressed by treatment with DCMU, an inhibitorof photosynthesis, which has no effect on H⁺ extrusion in thedark. Light-induced H⁺ extrusion requires the presence of K⁺in the medium and is associated with increased K⁺ uptake andalkalinization of the cell sap. Light-induced H⁺ extrusion increaseswith increased CO₂ concentration. At constant CO₂ concentration(10⁴ parts 10^–6) the rate of H⁺ extrusion is stronglyenhanced by an increased light intensity up to 30 W m^–2.Different wavelengths, between 400 and 730 nm, induce a significantstimulation of both proton secretion and transmembrane potentialhyperpolarization. The stimulating effects of light on H⁺ extrusion, K⁺ uptakeand cell sap pH are very similar to those induced in the darkby fusicoccin, a toxin known to stimulate strongly ATP-driven,vanadate- and erythrosin B-sensitive H⁺ transport. In the light,the effects of fusicoccin are only partially additive to thoseof light, thus suggesting that the two factors influence thesame system. The identification of this system with the plasmamembrane H⁺-ATPase is indicated by the observed inhibition ofthe effects of either light or fusicoccin by the H⁺-ATPase inhibitorsvanadate and erythrosin B. These data indicate that the activation of electrogenic H⁺ extrusionand of K⁺ uptake by light is mediated by some products of photosynthesis.The mechanism and the possible physiological implications ofthis phenomenon are discussed. Key words: Photosynthesis, H⁺ pump, K⁺ uptake, Elodea densa     

Dietary salt intake and its relevance to ionic regulation in freshwater salmonids

Dietary sodium intake for freshwater salmonids feeding in the wild (invertebrate diet) or in captivity (pellet diet) was calculated and compared with published branchial sodium influx values. Dietary sodium intake (mmol kg⁻¹ per month) increases from winter minimum values of 5 and 30-40 to reach maximum values in summer of 175 and 240 for invertebrate and pellet diet, respectively. In summer, dietary sodium intake for fish feeding in the wild was of the same magnitude as branchial sodium influx. The implications of dietary sodium intake for sodium balance in freshwater fish are discussed.     

Chemotropism and branching as alternative responses of Achlya bisexualis to amino acids

Hyphae of Achlya bisexualis growing on lean media orient their extension towards a source of amino acids, and also put forth branches. Micropipettes were used to generate gradients of amino acids in the vicinity of individual hyphae. Phenylalanine and methionine were the most powerful attractants: 0.04 mM amino acid in the pipette produced reorientation, and higher concentrations made the hyphae curl around the pipette and grow into its tip. Hyphae detected gradients as low as 5% across their width. Methionine and phenylalanine appeared to bind to different receptors. Local application of these amino acids also elicited the emergence of single branches, next to the pipette and on the high side of the gradient; comparison of diverse amino acids and their analogues suggested that branching and chemotropism share common receptors. By contrast, cytochalasin A and various ionophores induced branches at random sites, without receptor involvement. We propose that binding of amino acids to their receptors determines the site of precursor vesicle exocytosis, and consider possible mechanisms.     

The use of ethidium bromide to assess a novel injury/recovery phenomenon in Listeria monocytogenes in inhibitory NaCl conditions

An injury and recovery phenomenon was observed in Listeria monocytogenes inoculated into a medium containing 2·2 mmol l⁻¹ NaCl, a concentration that was inhibitory to growth. The apparent loss then recovery of viability, as determined by plate counts, was compared with the uptake of ethidium bromide by the cells and found to be inversely related. Injury was caused not only by the initial osmotic up-shock but also by the subsequent down-shock involved in the spread plate protocol.     

Mitotic chromosome length scales in response to both cell and nuclear size

Multicellular development requires that cells reduce in size as a result of consecutive cell divisions without increase in embryo volume. To maintain cellular integrity, organelle size adapts to cell size throughout development. During mitosis, the longest chromosome arm must be shorter than half of the mitotic spindle for proper chromosome segregation. Using high-resolution time-lapse microscopy of living Caenorhabditis elegans embryos, we have quantified the relation between cell size and chromosome length. In control embryos, chromosome length scaled to cell size. Artificial reduction of cell size resulted in a shortening of chromosome length, following a trend predicted by measurements from control embryos. Disturbing the RAN (Ras-related nuclear protein)-GTP gradient decoupled nuclear size from cell size and resulted in chromosome scaling to nuclear size rather than cell size; smaller nuclei contained shorter chromosomes independent of cell size. In sum, quantitative analysis relating cell, nuclear, and chromosome size predicts two levels of chromosome length regulation: one through cell size and a second in response to nuclear size.     

Alterations in the Colonic Microbiota of Pigs Associated with Feeding Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles

In an effort to reduce feed costs, many pork producers have increased their use of coproducts of biofuel production in commercial pig diets, including increased feeding of distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS). The inclusion of DDGS increases the insoluble fiber content in the ration, which has the potential to impact the colonic microbiota considerably as the large intestine contains a dynamic microenvironment with tremendous interplay between microorganisms. Any alteration to the physical or chemical properties of the colonic contents has the potential to impact the resident bacterial population and potentially favor or inhibit the establishment of pathogenic species. In the present study, colonic contents collected at necropsy from pigs fed either 30% or no DDGS were analyzed to examine the relative abundance of bacterial taxa associated with feeding this ingredient. No difference in alpha diversity (richness) was detected between diet groups. However, the beta diversity was significantly different between groups with feeding of DDGS being associated with a decreased Firmicutes:Bacteriodetes ratio (P = .004) and a significantly lower abundance of Lactobacillus spp. (P = .016). Predictive functional profiling of the microbiota revealed more predicted genes associated with carbohydrate metabolism, protein digestion, and degradation of glycans in the microbiota of pigs fed DDGS. Taken together, these findings confirm that alterations in dietary insoluble fiber significantly alter the colonic microbial profile of pigs and suggest the resultant microbiome may predispose to the development of colitis.