银合欢根瘤细胞的光学显微镜和电子显微镜研究

银合欢接种根瘤菌形成根瘤后,应用光镜和电镜技术观察。银合欢根瘤由分生组织细胞、皮层组织细胞、维管束系统和侵染细胞区域四个不同部分组成。根瘤菌借助于侵染线侵染细胞,释放进入宿主细胞质中,转变成固氮类菌体。最初每个包被膜内只含单独的类菌体,随后较老的侵染细胞中,每个包被膜内含有一个以上的类菌体。因此,成熟根瘤的侵染细胞可见有2~5个类菌体群集包被膜里,并且明显地累积PHB物质,显示电子染色透明颗粒。本文还讨论了上述变化的意义与银合欢根瘤细胞结构和功能的关系。     

氧对固氮螺菌(Azospirillum brasilense)Yu 62固氮酶活性的调节作用

本文研究了在好气条件下,在以谷氨酸为氮源的液体培养基中,固氮螺菌(Azospirllumbrasilense)Yu62固氮酶形成的条件及溶氧压对固氮酶活性的影响。厌氧使整体细胞固氮酶迅速失活;而见氧后固氮酶又重新恢复活性。Western blotting实验证实,这种可逆失活的分子基础,是由于固氮酶铁蛋白-亚基被修饰和去修饰。呼吸抑制剂KCN对固氮酶活性的抑制,亦是由于固氮酶铁蛋白被修饰。因此推论细胞内的能量状态可能是启动固氮酶活化酶系统的重要信号。谷氨酰胺合成酶的抑制剂MSX不能去除厌氧和KCN引起的抑制作用。结果表明：固氮酶活性的NH+4和厌氧关闭可能通过不同的机制起作用。     

轻度水分胁迫的小麦幼苗中与呼吸有关的几种酶活性变化

轻度水分胁迫使小麦幼苗叶片呼吸升高时,叶中琥珀酸去氢酶和细胞色素氧化酶活性均明显升高;而同样胁迫使根呼吸下降时,根中这两种酶活性均明显下降。叶和根中ATP酶分解活性在胁迫下都明显升高。轻度水分胁迫使叶片过氧化氢酶活性升高。叶中有明显的乙醇酸氧化酶活性,抗旱品种的酶活性较高,胁迫使此酶活性降低。     

固氮螺菌(Azospirillum.brasilenseYu-62)中固氮酶活性的氨关闭现象

固氮螺菌(A.brasilense)Yu-62在以谷氨酸为氮源好气液体培养条件下,氨离子使固氮酶迅速失活,Western blotting实验证明这种失活的分子基础是固氮酶铁蛋白一亚基被修饰.测定加NH_4~ 后细胞内α-ketoglutarte和glutamine的含量.α-ketoglutarate/glutamine比值在加NH_4~ 后瞬间下降然后上升,而细胞内ATP/ADP的比值没有明显变化.谷氨酸合成酶的抑制剂azaserine使固氮酶失活.Western blotting实验表明这种失活的分子基础也是固氮酶铁蛋白一亚基被修饰.测定加azaserine后细胞内α-ketoglutarate及glutamine比值的变化以及外源α-ketoglutarate及glutamine对细胞固氮活性的影响,表明细胞内一些小分子化合物的变化可能是作用于固氮酶活性氨关闭的重要因素.     

固氮螺菌(Azospirillum.brasilenseYu-62)中固氮酶活性的氨关闭现象

固氮螺菌(A.brasilense)Yu-62在以谷氨酸为氮源好气液体培养条件下,氨离子使固氮酶迅速失活,Western blotting实验证明这种失活的分子基础是固氮酶铁蛋白一亚基被修饰.测定加NH_4~+后细胞内α-ketoglutarte和glutamine的含量.α-ketoglutarate/glutamine比值在加NH_4~+后瞬间下降然后上升,而细胞内ATP/ADP的比值没有明显变化.谷氨酸合成酶的抑制剂azaserine使固氮酶失活.Western blotting实验表明这种失活的分子基础也是固氮酶铁蛋白一亚基被修饰.测定加azaserine后细胞内α-ketoglutarate及glutamine比值的变化以及外源α-ketoglutarate及glutamine对细胞固氮活性的影响,表明细胞内一些小分子化合物的变化可能是作用于固氮酶活性氨关闭的重要因素.     

光与氨对Rhodopseudomonas capsulata固氮活性的调节

光强是调节氨瞬间抑制Rps.capsulata光合固氮活性的一个因子。与弱光(500 lx)比较,强光(30000 lx)对固氮活性氨抑的启动推迟。被氨抑制了的固氮活性在强光下较在弱光下提前解抑。经光合作用解联剂处理的菌体,强光拮抗固氮活性氨抑的现象消失。菌体ATP库水平分析表明:在氨关闭固氮活性时,库量升高。氨的同化被阻抑时,氨对光合固氮的瞬间抑制消失,菌体ATP库保持恒定。对光强与氨抑制固氮活性之间可能涉及的机制进行了探讨。     

外源脯氨酸对受NaCl胁迫的蓝藻固氮活性的影响

营养液中NaCl浓度提高后,蓝藻的固氮活性下降,NaCl浓度越高,下降越大。在正常的光强条件下,外源脯氨酸可在一定程度上削弱NaCl对固氮活性的胁迫,NaCl浓度大者受到脯氨酸的良好效应大一些。加入光合抑制剂,光强减弱,添加外源蔗糖、厌氧环境、氮(N_2)的供给、H_2和O_2以及CO_2和N_2的加合时,脯氨酸的效用减弱或消失。     

固氮螺菌(Azospirillum.brasilenseYu-62)中固氮酶活性的氨关闭现象

固氮螺菌(A.brasilense)Yu-62在以谷氨酸为氮源好气液体培养条件下,氨离子使固氮酶迅速失活,Western blotting实验证明这种失活的分子基础是固氮酶铁蛋白一亚基被修饰.测定加NH_4^+后细胞内α-ketoglutarte和glutamine的含量.α-ketoglutarate/glutamine比值在加NH_4^+后瞬间下降然后上升,而细胞内ATP/ADP的比值没有明显变化.谷氨酸合成酶的抑制剂azaserine使固氮酶失活.Western blotting实验表明这种失活的分子基础也是固氮酶铁蛋白一亚基被修饰.测定加azaserine后细胞内α-ketoglutarate及glutamine比值的变化以及外源α-ketoglutarate及glutamine对细胞固氮活性的影响,表明细胞内一些小分子化合物的变化可能是作用于固氮酶活性氨关闭的重要因素.     

甘露醇对渗透胁迫下的鱼腥藻(Anabaena)固氮活性的增效作用

外源甘露醇可在一定程度上增强鱼腥藻Anabaenasp．7120固氮的抗渗透胁迫能力．厌氧（Ar中）、能量供应受阻（暗处理、添加ATP形成的抑制剂）、合成固氮酶蛋白所需物质供应不足（单加N2不加CO2）以及分子氧下,甘露醇的有益作用减小或消失,反之（正常光照、通气环境、提高CO2浓度,同时供应H2和O2或CO2和N2）则这一作用增大。渗透胁迫下,外源蔗糖对甘露醇支持蓝藻固氮的作用不明显。     

四棱豆(Psophocarpus tetragonolobus)酰脲相对丰度与固氮酶活力的关系

四棱豆根瘤固氮酶活力日变化呈双峰曲线,两个峰分别出现在14:30和20:00;其固氮酶活力日变化与叶片酰脲含量变化的相关系数为0.67,且与根、茎、叶的酰脲相对丰度(URA)相关系数分别为0.59,0.61,0.76。在个体发育过程中,根瘤固氮酶活力与叶片酰脲含量以及酰脲相对丰度之间呈极显著相关。贮存在30℃条件下5 h不影响植物材料的酰脲相对丰度。四棱豆叶片酰脲相对丰度可作为估价根瘤固氮酶活力的一个指标。     

Calcium Status of Yellow Lupin Symbiosomes as a Potential Regulator of Their Nitrogenase Activity: The Role of the Peribacteroid Membrane

The capacity of symbiosomes from yellow lupin root nodules for active Ca²⁺uptake and the sensitivity of their nitrogenase activity to a disturbance of the symbiotic Ca partition were investigated. The experiments carried out on the isolated symbiosomes and the peribacteroid membrane (PBM) vesicles, using Ca²⁺indicators arsenazo III and chlorotetracycline, and the cytochemical Ca visualization with potassium pyroantimonate (PA) provided evidence that an Mg-ATP-energized pump, most likely Mg²⁺-dependent Ca²⁺-ATPase catalyzing the active transport of Ca²⁺from the cytosol of the plant cell into the symbiosomes across the PBM, functions on this membrane. Depleting the symbiosomes of Ca both in vivoandin vitroby treating the intact nodules of yellow lupin root or the purified symbiosomes isolated from the latter with EGTA and Ca²⁺-ionophore A23187 substantially decreased their nitrogenase activity. The inhibitory effect of calcium deficit in the symbiosomes was not reversed by the addition of calcium to the incubation medium containing the plant tissues under study and was even enhanced under these conditions. The nitrogenase activity of the isolated symbiosomes not experiencing calcium deficit was also inhibited by the addition of relatively high concentrations of exogenous calcium to the incubation medium. These results seem to give evidence that the calcium status of nodule symbiosomes from yellow lupin roots controls their nitrogenase activity. The data obtained suggest that both Ca²⁺transport on PBM and the low passive permeability of this membrane for the given cation play the key role in such a control.     

短期高温伤害蓝藻Anabaena7120的固氮活性恢复与生理条件的关系

蓝藻经短期高温处理后,其固氮活性显著下降,但在合宜条件下,这种受伤害的固氮活性可以有一定程度的恢复。光下不仅比暗中恢复快,而且活性也高得多。光合抑制剂和外源碳水化合物分别减缓和促进受高温伤害的蓝藻固氮活性恢复。在光、暗和供给外源碳水化合物的条件下,厌氧(氩和氮中)对受高温伤害的蓝藻固氮活性恢复不利。与正常蓝藻有异的是,H_2,CO_2及H_2与O_2,CO_2与N_2的加合都阻碍受高温伤害的蓝藻固氮活性的恢复。     

Nitrogenase Inhibition in Nodules from Pea Plants Grown Under Salt Stress Occurs at the Physiological Level and can be Alleviated by B and Ca

In order to shed new light on the mechanisms of salt-mediated symbiotic N₂-fixation inhibition, the effect of salt stress (75 mM) on N₂-fixation in pea root nodules induced by R. leguminosarum was studied at the gene expression, protein production and enzymatic activity levels. Acetylene reduction assays for nitrogenase activity showed no activity in salt-stressed plants. To know whether salt inhibits N₂-fixing activity at a molecular or at a physiological level, expression of the nifH gene, encoding the nitrogenase reductase component of the nitrogenase enzyme was analyzed by RT-PCR analysis of total RNA extracted from nodulated roots. The nifH messenger RNA was present both in plants grown in the presence and absence of salt, although a reduction was observed in salt-stressed plants. Similar results were obtained for the immunodetection of the nitrogenase reductase protein in Western-blot assays, indicating that nitrogen fixation failed mainly at physiological level. Given that nutrient imbalance is a typical effect of salt stress in plants and that Fe is a prosthetic component of nitrogenase reductase and other proteins required by symbiotic N₂-fixation, as leghemoglobin, plants were analyzed for Fe contents by atomic absorption and the results confirmed that Fe levels were severely reduced in nodules developed in salt-stressed plants. In a previous papers (El-Hamdaoui et al., 2003b), we have shown that supplementing inoculated legumes with boron (B) and calcium (Ca) prevents nitrogen fixation decline under saline conditions stress. Analysis of salt-stressed nodules fed with extra B and Ca indicated that Fe content and nitrogenase activity was similar to that of non-stressed plants. These results indicate a linkage between Fe deprivation and salt-mediated failure of nitrogen fixation, which is prevented by B and Ca leading to increase of salt tolerance.     

Internal recycling of respired CO2 may be important for plant functioning under changing climate regimes

Recent studies have provided evidence of a large flux of root-respired CO₂ in the transpiration stream of trees. In our study, we investigated the potential impact of this internal CO₂ transport on aboveground carbon assimilation and CO₂ efflux. To trace the transport of root-respired CO₂, we infused a ¹³C label at the stem base of field-grown Populus deltoides Bartr. ex. Marsh trees. The ¹³C label was transported to the top of the stem and throughout the crown via the transpiration stream. Up to 17% of the ¹³C label was assimilated by chlorophyll-containing tissues. Our results provide evidence of a mechanism for recycling respired CO₂ within trees. Such a mechanism may have important implications for how plants cope with predicted increases in intensity and frequency of droughts. Here, we speculate on the potential significance of this recycling mechanism within the context of plant responses to climate change and plants currently inhabiting arid environments.     

Salt stress induces a decrease in the oxygen uptake of soybean nodules and in their permeability to oxygen diffusion

The effects of short-term NaCl-salinity on nodules of soybean ( Glycine max L. cv. Kingsoy) were studied on hydroponically-grown plants. Both acetylene reducing activity (ARA) and nodule respiration (O₂ uptake and CO₂ evolution) were immediately inhibited, and the stimulation of them by rising the external partial pressure of O₂ (pO₂) was diminished by the application of 0.1 M NaCl in the nutrient solution. The permeability of the nodule to O₂ diffusion, estimated by O₂ consumption or CO₂ evolution, was significantly lower in the stressed nodules than in the cootrol ones. The respiratory quotient of intact nodules and the ethanol production of excised nodules were increased by low pO₂ and by salt stress. These data confirm that in salt-stressed soybean nodules, O₂ availability is reduced and fermentative pathways are stimulated.     

Limitation to Photosynthesis in Water-stressed Leaves: Stomata vs. Metabolism and the Role of ATP

Decreasing relative water content (RWC) of leaves progressivelydecreases stomatal conductance (g_s), slowing CO₂ assimilation(A) which eventually stops, after which CO₂ is evolved. In somestudies, photosynthetic potential (A_pot), measured under saturatingCO₂, is unaffected by a small loss of RWC but becomes progressivelymore inhibited, and less stimulated by elevated CO₂, below athreshold RWC (Type 1 response). In other studies, A_pot andthe stimulation of A by elevated CO₂ decreases progressivelyas RWC falls (Type 2 response). Decreased A_pot is caused byimpaired metabolism. Consequently, as RWC declines, the relativelimitation of A by g_s decreases, and metabolic limitation increases.Causes of decreased A_pot are considered. Limitation of ribulosebisphosphate (RuBP) synthesis is the likely cause of decreasedA_pot at low RWC, not inhibition or loss of photosynthetic carbonreduction cycle enzymes, including RuBP carboxylase/oxygenase(Rubisco). Limitation of RuBP synthesis is probably caused byinhibition of ATP synthesis, due to progressive inactivationor loss of Coupling Factor resulting from increasing ionic (Mg²⁺)concentration, not to reduced capacity for electron or protontransport, or inadequate trans-thylakoid proton gradient (pH).Inhibition of A_pot by accumulation of assimilates or inadequateinorganic phosphate is not considered significant. DecreasedATP content and imbalance with reductant status affect cellmetabolism substantially: possible consequences are discussedwith reference to accumulation of amino acids and alterationsin protein complement under water stress.     

The length of discontinuous gas exchange cycles in lepidopteran pupae may serve as a mechanism for natural selection

Gas exchange is studied in diapausing pupae of Mamestra brassicae L., whose larvae are reared under identical conditions. The release of CO₂ gas is recorded with infrared gaseous analyzers. Oxygen convective uptake into the tracheae and oxygen consumption rates are recorded by means of a constant‐volume coulometric respirometer. Outputs from both of these respirometry systems are combined with infrared actographs. All 3‐month‐old pupae of M. brassicae display a pattern of discontinuous gas exchange (DGE) cycles of CO₂ gas release by bursts, although the lengths of these cycles varies between individuals. Some pupae exhibit long DGE cycles of at least 20 h in duration, with negligible CO₂ gas release during interburst periods, and there is presumed to be a convective gas exchange at this time. As a result of a partial vacuum inside the tracheae, a large oxygen convective uptake always occurs at the start of the spiracular opening phase. Other pupae have short DGE cycles of less than 3 h in duration, with elevated CO₂ gas release during the interburst period, when gas exchange is predominantly diffusive. The spiracular open phase in these pupae consists of frequent separate convective bursts of CO₂ gas release, with the opening–closing rhythms of the spiracles, which are considered as O phase fluttering. The pupae with long DGE cycles exhibit extremely low metabolic rates and very low total water loss rates, whereas those with short DGE cycles have higher metabolic and total water loss rates. The pupae with long DGE cycles live approximately twice as long as those with short cycles; thus, the present study demonstrates that long DGE cycles confer a fitness benefit on pupae as a result of a lower metabolic rate associated with water economy, conferring on them a longer life.     

Respiratory energy costs for the maintenance of biomass, for growth and for ion uptake in roots of Carex diandra and Carex acudformis

van der Werf, A., Kooijman, A., Welschen, R. and Lambers, H. 1988. Respiratory energy costs for the maintenance of biomass, for growth and for ion uptake in roots of Carex diandra and Carex acutiformis. - Physiol. Plant. 72: 483–491. The respiratory characteristics of the roots of Carex diandra Schrank and Carex acutiformis Ehrh. were investigated. The aims were, firstly to determine the respiratory energy costs for the maintenance of root biomass, for root growth and for ion uptake, and secondly to explain the higher rate of root respiration and ATP production in C. diandra. The three respiratory energy components were derived from a multiple regression analysis, using the relative growth rate and the net rate of nitrate uptake as independent variables and the rate of ATP production as a dependent variable. Although the rate of root respiration and ATP production was significantly higher in C. diandra than in C. acutiformis, the two species showed no significant difference in their rate of ATP production for the maintenance of biomass, in the respiratory energy coefficient for growth (the amount of ATP production per unit of biomass produced) and the respiratory energy coefficient for ion uptake (amount of ATP production per unit of ions absorbed). It is concluded that the higher rate of root respiration of C. diandra is caused by a higher rate of nitrate uptake. At relatively high rates of growth and nitrate uptake, the contribution of the rate of ATP production for ion uptake to the total rate of ATP production amounted to 38 and 25% for C. diandra and C. acutiformis, respectively. At this growth rate, the respiratory energy production for growth contributed 37 and 50%, respectively, to the total rate of ATP production. The relative contribution of the rate of ATP production for the maintenance of biomass increased from 25 to 70% with increasing plant age for both species. The results suggest that ion uptake is one of the major sinks for respiratory energy in roots. These experimentally derived values for the rate of ATP production for the maintenance of biomass, the respiratory energy coefficient for growth and the respiratory energy coefficient for ion uptake are discussed in relation to other experimentally and theoretically derived values.     

Dithiothreitol and PEG Induced Combined Stress May Affect the Expressions of ABA Aldehyde Oxidase,Sucrose Synthase and Proline Metabolic Genes in Maize Seedlings

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is an organelle in the cell where proteins are created and folded. Folding is a very elaborate process that is often interrupted by various biotic and abiotic stresses, leading to the formation of unfolded and misfolded proteins called ER stress. Dithiothreitol (DTT)-induced unfolded protein response (UPR) in endoplasmic reticulum (ER) has been recently reported in plants. Also, previous studies demonstrated that treatment with polyethylene glycol (PEG₆₀₀₀) could stimulate water deficit in crops. However, further researches should be conducted to elucidate the molecular mechanism of ER stress response and the relationship between water deficiency and ER. In this study, we examined the expressions of sucrose synthase (SuS) gene, proline metabolic genes and abscisic aldehyde oxidase (AAO3) gene in maize seedlings that were subjected to DTT and PEG induced combined stresses by using quantitative real-time RT-PCR. Three weeks old detached maize seedlings were treated with or without DTT and PEG₆₀₀₀ for 12 h. The treatment with DTT increased about 2-fold the expression of gene encoding proline synthesis enzyme, pyrroline-5-carboxylate synthetase (P5CS) but no statistically affected the proline catabolism enzyme, proline dehydrogenase (ProDH) in comparison with un-treated seedlings. PEG treatment was also up-regulated P5CS while it was down-regulated ProDH. The relative expression levels of SuS and AAO3 genes statistically enhanced about 2.5 fold under the DTT-induced ER stress. Likewise, the expression levels of SuS and AAO3 genes were up-regulated in the detached seedlings exposed to PEG-induced water deficit. Conversely, the induced gene expressions were down-regulated under the combined stress, the DTT-induced ER stress and PEG-induced water deficit in comparison with the singular stress responses (DTT or PEG). The results indicated that the expressions of genes, related to the synthesis of some signal osmolyte compounds such as proline and sucrose can be suppressed when ER stress occurred under water deficiency in maize seedlings. The changes in the expressions of genes involved in osmolyte and ABA metabolism can be related to ER stress response as well as variations in water status.