Luminometric measurement of population activity of genetically modified Pseudomonas fluorescens in the soil

Genetically modified cells of Pseudomonas fluorescens, chromosomally marked with genes for bioluminescence, were inoculated into sterile soil microcosms. During incubation for 90 days, viable cell concentration did not change significantly but light output, measured by luminometry, decreased, indicating reduced metabolic activity due to lack of substrates. Amendment with nutrients resulted in parallel increases in both luminescence and dehydrogenase activity. Luminometry therefore enables rapid monitoring of the activity of populations of luminescence-marked microbial inocula in the soil, with greater sensitivity and selectivity than traditional techniques.     

Interpretation of inverse acclimation to temperature

Summary In kidney of goldfish acclimated to 5, 15 and 25° C the peroxisomal enzyme peroxidase and the peroxisomal and cytoplasmic matrix enzyme catalase showed inverse (Precht type 5) acclimation. Peroxisomal D-amino acid oxidase and lysosomal acid phosphatase were unchanged in activity (Precht type 4).A review of literature data on enzyme acclimation patterns shows that generally enzymes concerned with energy liberation — enzymes of glycolysis, hexose monophosphate shunt, TCA cycle and electron transport, also Na, K-ATPase and the synthetic amino acyl transferase — show compensatory acclimation to temperature (Precht type 3). Enzymes for degradation of metabolic intermediates and products such as peroxisomal and lysosomal enzymes, Mg-ATPase, acetylcholine esterase, show no or inverse acclimation to temperature. Changes in digestive enzymes depend on state of nutrition.Support from Research Grant GB 4005 from National Science Foundation is acknowledged.