Stress responses and metal exchange kinetics following transplant of the aquatic moss Fontinalis antipyretica

1. We studied stress responses and metal exchange (uptake and loss) kinetics in the aquatic moss Fontinalis antipyretica Hedw. following transplant (in plastic mesh bags) to clean and metal-contaminated river sites and under laboratory conditions. 2. The stress response (estimated on the basis of chlorophyll:phaeophytin ratio) was more pronounced, and the moss took longer to recover, following transplant to heavily contaminated sites. 3. Metal uptake over the 28 day exposure period was predicted well by a two-compartment kinetic model: uptake velocity was initially high and gradually declined, with metal concentration in the moss showing a tendency to reach an equilibrium with metal concentration in the water. Mean uptake rate, time to reach equilibrium and metal concentration in moss at equilibrium all increased with increasing metal concentration in the water. 4. Bioconcentration constants calculated on the basis of our data rank the metals studied in the order Zn < Ni < Co < Cu < Pb < Cd. 5. Following retransplant of mosses to a clean site, metal loss was not predicted well by a passive exchange mode of the above type; instead, two phases (rapid and slow) were apparent. Loss rates during both phases, and proportion of metal load lost during the rapid phase, were proportional to the concentration of metal in the moss at the start of the recuperation trial. 6. We present nomograms to allow estimation of severity of contamination on the basis of metal concentration in moss and duration of transplant.     

Biomonitoring urban fluvial contamination on the basis of physiological stress induced in transplants of the aquatic moss Fontinalis antipyretica Hedw.

We examined the effects of urban-derived fluvial contamination on aquatic bryophytes with the aim of improving use of these organisms for active biomonitoring of this type of contamination. Samples of the aquatic moss Fontinalis antipyretica were transplanted to five sites of a river affected by different levels of urban contamination. The aquatic contamination was characterized by a series of physical and chemical parameters, which were then related to the physiological responses determined in transplants of the bryophyte. Comparison of the data revealed the physiological parameters that best differentiated between levels of contamination. The active biomonitoring technique proved to be a clear and rapid method of determining the existence of a contamination gradient on the basis of the degree of pigmentary and photosynthetic stress in the moss transplants. Of the parameters considered, the concentration of phaeopigments and the net photosynthetic rate provided the clearest responses.     

Biochemical responses of the aquatic moss Fontinalis antipyretica to Cd,Cu, Pb and Zn determined by chlorophyll fluorescence and protein levels

Biochemical reactions to Cu, Cd, Zn and Pb in the aquatic moss Fontinalis antipyretica were studied in order to characterize the physiological background of the metal response. Chlorophyll fluorescence and intracellular metal localization and stress protein levels were measured. Exposure to 25 or 100 μM Cu over a 7-day period resulted in a decline of chlorophyll fluorescence to about 70% and 52%, respectively. Up to 100 μM Cd caused a decrease in chlorophyll fluorescence to 75%. With all metals used at 25–100 μM concentrations, the intracellular uptake increased. For all metals investigated at 25–100 μM, the intracellular uptake increased. Maximum values were reached at 100 μM Cu, Pb, Zn or Cd exposure. As shown by analytical electron microscopy (EDX, EELS) moss material treated with 50 μM Cu exhibited reduced sulphur levels in the cytoplasm and an increase in phosphate in vacuolar dense particles. EEL-spectra indicated that Cu is chelated in the cytoplasm by SH-groups and coprecipitated with orthophosphate in vacuoles. To monitor the stress response at the protein level, heavy metal induced heat shock protein 70 (hsp70) was measured. An antibody was raised against conserved plant metallothionein p2 motifs derived from Brassica juncea. In all metal-treated samples the antibody bound to proteins of about 8 kDa. However, sequencing failed to reveal significant homologies to known proteins. These experiments provide for the first time results on protein level after heavy metal stress in the aquatic bioindicator moss.     

两个不同葡萄种对高湿弱光气候的表现

在高湿弱光条件下 ,对欧亚种葡萄无核白鸡心、京玉、汤姆逊无核、火红无核、深红无核、红地球、里查马特和美人指与欧美杂交种葡萄巨峰、藤稔、醉金香和金星无核进行了研究。与欧美杂交种比较 ,欧亚种葡萄普遍表现徒长 ,花芽形成困难 ,产量低下。高湿弱光使大部分欧亚种葡萄 PS 光化学效率 Fv/ Fm、光化学猝灭系数 q P、最大荧光 Fm和 PS 非环式电子流的量子效率 PS 下降 ,而初始荧光 Fo与非光化学猝灭系数 q N上升 ,净光合作用与初始荧光 Fo、最大荧光 Fm、PS 光化学效率 Fv/Fm、PS 非环式电子流的量子效率 PS 、光化学猝灭系数 q P和荧光非化学猝灭系数 q N之间存在着显著或极显著的相关性(r=- 0 .782 1* ,r=0 .9384 * * ,r=0 .8176 * ,r=0 .90 11* * ,r=0 .880 1* * ,r=- 0 .86 2 5 * * ) ,表明光合结构受到一定的破坏。大部分欧亚种葡萄叶片叶绿素 a与叶绿素 b显著或极显著低于欧美杂交种葡萄 ,表明吸收光的能力较差 ;部分欧亚种葡萄叶片叶绿素 a/ b与欧美杂交种无明显差异 ,表明利用散射光的能力较强 ;叶绿素 a/ b与乙醇酸氧化酶活性存在着显著的负相关 (r=- 0 .780 0 * ) ,叶绿素 a/ b高的品种光呼吸也高。大部分欧亚种葡萄乙醇酸氧化酶活性低于欧美杂交种 ,乙醇酸氧化酶活性与产量和净光合速     

Sexual adaptations to high density in hermaphrodites

Summary

Hermaphrodites are generally seen as species adapted to conditions of low mate availability. This is primarily because hermaphrodites can adjust allocation of resources to each sex function in response to current conditions, making reproduction more efficient. Adaptation to low density is further enhanced because many have the ability to self-fertilize and because the encounter rate of potential mates is twice as high for a hermaphroditic than for a gonochoric species. Yet, many hermaphrodites often occur at consistently high densities. Herein I review the consequences of high density on hermaphrodite sexual behaviour and show that this approach can explain the presence of a number of obvious adaptations known from hermaphrodites. These adaptations cannot be explained by assuming that low density has been the rule in their evolutionary past.     

Anatomical adaptations and ionic homeostasis in aquatic halophyte Cyperus laevigatus L. Under high salinities

Salinity is extremely hazardous to agriculture worldwide and its expanding constantly. Soil of almost 100 countries facing salinity problem including Pakistan. Cyperus laevigatus also act as salinity indicator species is a naturally adapted halophyte dispersed in subtropical regions of world. Six populations of C. laevigatus were collected from different saline habitats to evaluate adaptations regarding anatomical and physiological characteristics. C. laevigatus is perfectly adapted to harsh environmental conditions like dry barren soils, saline lakes, hyper-saline wetlands and salt marshes. Ecological success of this species is due to plasticity in physiological and anatomical characteristics to adapt variable environmental conditions. C. laevigatus is a halophyte, exhibited increased biomass production in moderately saline habitat. Higher uptake of K⁺ occurs to compensate the uptake of Na⁺ ion contents, a striking feature of salt-tolerant and halophytic species. Accumulation of osmoprotectants like proline, free amino acids, soluble sugar and protein contribute significantly to osmotic adjustment. Stem thickness enhanced as salinity level of habitat increased to store water in parenchymatous tissues under physiological drought. Intensive sclerification in root cortex provide mechanical strength to plant as well as prevent the radial leakage of water. Well-developed aerenchyma, increased vascular bundle area, broader vessels, small and dense stomata are critical to cope with environmental hazards. Population of Jahlar lake showing maximum biomass production indicate that this species grows better in moderate salinities. Therefore, this species will prove very useful for revegetation of salt affected rangeland and prairies by direct growth of such halophytic ecotypes.     

Chlororespiration is involved in the adaptation of Brassica plants to heat and high light intensity

Two species of Brassica were used to study their acclimation to heat and high illumination during the first stages of development. One, Brassica fruticulosa, is a wild species from south-east Spain and is adapted to both heat and high light intensity in its natural habitat, while the other, Brassica oleracea, is an agricultural species that is widely cultivated throughout the world. Growing Brassica plants under high irradiance and moderate heat was seen to affect the growth parameters and the functioning of the photosynthetic apparatus. The photosystem II (PSII) quantum yields and the capacity of photosynthetic electron transport, which were lower in B. fruticulosa than in B. oleracea, decreased in B. oleracea plants when grown under stress conditions, indicating inhibition of PSII. However, in B. fruticulosa, the values of these parameters were similar to the values of control plants. Photosystem I (PSI) activity was higher in B. fruticulosa than in B. oleracea, and in both species this activity increased in plants exposed to heat and high illumination. Immunoblot analysis of thylakoid membranes using specific antibodies raised against the NDH-K subunit of the thylakoidal NADH dehydrogenase complex (NADH DH) and against plastid terminal oxidase (PTOX) revealed a higher amount of both proteins in B. fruticulosa than in B. oleracea. In addition, PTOX activity in plastoquinone oxidation, and NADH DH activity in thylakoid membranes were higher in the wild species (B. fruticulosa) than in the agricultural species (B. oleracea). The results indicate that tolerance to high illumination and heat of the photosynthetic activity was higher in the wild species than in the agricultural species, suggesting that plant adaptation to these stresses in natural conditions favours subsequent acclimation, and that the chlororespiration process is involved in adaptation to heat and high illumination in Brassica.     

Growth rate of the aquatic moss Rhynchostegium riparioidesin Northern England

SUMMARY 1. The rale of shoot growth in Rhynchostegium riparioides was measured at monthly intervals over a 12-month period at four upland sites in the Northern Pennines. Changes were recorded by observations attached pieces of cotton. Detectable growth was found in each month, with the maximum in spring (up to 2.31 mm week⁻¹) and minimum in winter (1.12 mm week⁻¹); there was a second smaller peak in the autumn.
2. Growth rate was related strongly to several environmental variables, including spot measurements of water temperature (positive) and mean monthly precipitation (negative). A regression equation based on these two variables accounted for 5% of the variation recorded.
3. Total shoot growth over the 12-month period ranged from 33.4 to 73.3 mm, corresponding to an increase in mass of 22.9 and 120.8 mg, respectively.     

Training at high exercise intensity promotes qualitative adaptations of mitochondrial function in human skeletal muscle

This study explored mitochondrial capacities to oxidize carbohydrate and fatty acids and functional optimization of mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes in athletes who regularly train at high exercise intensity (ATH, n = 7) compared with sedentary (SED, n = 7). Peak O(2) uptake (Vo(2max)) was measured, and muscle biopsies of vastus lateralis were collected. Maximal O(2) uptake of saponin-skinned myofibers was evaluated with several metabolic substrates [glutamate-malate (V(GM)), pyruvate (V(Pyr)), palmitoyl carnitine (V(PC))], and the activity of the mitochondrial respiratory complexes II and IV were assessed using succinate (V(s)) and N,N,N',N'-tetramethyl-p-phenylenediamine dihydrochloride (V(TMPD)), respectively. Vo(2max) was higher in ATH than in SED (57.8 +/- 2.2 vs. 31.4 +/- 1.3 ml.min(-1).kg(-1), P < 0.001). V(GM) was higher in ATH than in SED (8.6 +/- 0.5 vs. 3.3 +/- 0.3 micromol O(2).min(-1).g dry wt(-1), P < 0.001). V(Pyr) was higher in ATH than in SED (8.7 +/- 1.0 vs. 5.5 +/- 0.2 micromol O(2).min(-1).g dry wt(-1), P < 0.05), whereas V(PC) was not significantly different (5.3 +/- 0.9 vs. 4.4 +/- 0.5 micromol O(2).min(-1).g dry wt(-1)). V(S) was higher in ATH than in SED (11.0 +/- 0.6 vs. 6.0 +/- 0.3 micromol O(2).min(-1).g dry wt(-1), P < 0.001), as well as V(TMPD) (20.1 +/- 1.0 vs. 16.2 +/- 3.4 micromol O(2).min(-1).g dry wt(-1), P < 0.05). The ratios V(S)/V(GM) (1.3 +/- 0.1 vs. 2.0 +/- 0.1, P < 0.001) and V(TMPD)/V(GM) (2.4 +/- 1.0 vs. 5.2 +/- 1.8, P < 0.01) were lower in ATH than in SED. In conclusion, comparison of ATH vs. SED subjects suggests that regular endurance training at high intensity promotes the enhancement of maximal mitochondrial capacities to oxidize carbohydrate rather than fatty acid and induce specific adaptations of the mitochondrial respiratory chain at the level of complex I.     

Mechanical and anatomical adaptations in terrestrial and aquatic buttercups to their respective environments

The mechanical adaptations of the stems of four species of Ranunculusto their respective environments were studied by combining tensile,bending and flow-tunnel tests, with anatomical observation. Stems of the two terrestrial species, R. acris and R. repens,had high values for rigidity, EI, because they were stiffenedby large quantities of peripherally placed lignified material.This trend is less evident in R. repens, which had a lower rigidity,though it with stood a higher breaking strain than R. acris.This may adapt R. repens to its creeping habit and help it withstandtrampling. The aquatic R. peltatus and R. fluitans, which live in stilland fast-flowing water, respectively, are both more flexibleand have higher breaking strains, of 0.1–0.15, than terrestrialplants, which may allow them to withstand sudden tugs due toflow. R. peltatus maintains the central lumen, places structuralelements away from the centre, and has a higher rigidity thanR. fluitans, which may allow it to avoid self-shading, and supportitself when the water level falls. The stem of R. fluitans shows adaptations for withstanding dragfrom fast-flowing water. The stem has a low rigidity which allowsit to minimize inertial drag forces by aligning itself parallelto the direction of the local flow. However, the rigidity (andthe second moment of area, I) does not appear to be minimized.This may allow the plant to avoid drag due to flag-like fluttering.A weak region of the stem near the base may act as a ‘mechanicalfuse’ which protects the root system by allowing seasonalgrowth to be lost. Key words: Ranunculus, mechanics, flow, anatomy     

The effect of transfer from low to high light intensity on electron transport in Rhodospirillum rubrum membranes

The effects of transfer from low to high ligh intensity on membrane bound electrontransport reactions of Rhodospirillum rubrum were investigated. The experiments were performed with cultures which did not form bacteriochlorophyll (Bchl) for about two cell mass doublings during the initial phase of adaptation to high light intensity. Lack of Bchl synthesis causes a decrease of Bchl contents of cells and membranes. Also, the cellular amounts of photosynthetically active intracytoplasmic membranes decrease.In crude membrane fractions containing both cytoplasmic and intracytoplasmic membranes the initial activities of NADH oxidizing reactions increase only slightly (about 1.2 times) per protein, but the initial activities of succinate oxidizing reactions decrease (multiplied by a factor of 0.7). On a Bchl basis activities of NADH oxidizing reactions increase 3.4 times while activities of succinate dependent reactions increase 1.9 times. With isolated intracytoplasmic membranes activities of NADH as well as succinate dependent reactions increase to a comparable extent on a Bchl basis (about 1.8 times) and stay nearly constant on a protein basis. Cytochrome c oxidase responds like succinate dependent reactions. The data indicate that in cells growing under the conditions applied NADH oxidizing electron transport systems are incorporated into both, cytoplasmic and intracytoplasmic membranes, while incorporation of succinate oxidizing systems is confined to intracytoplasmic membranes only.Activities of photophosphorylation and succinate dependent NAD⁺ reduction in the light increase per Bchl about 1.8 times. On a Bchl basis increases of the fast light induced on reactions at 422 nm and increases of soluble cytochrome c ₂ levels are comparable to increases of photophosphorylations and succinate dependent activities. But increases of slow light off reactions at 428 nm and of b-type cytochrome levels become three times greater then increases of cytochrome c ₂ reactions and levels. These results infer that although electrontransport reactions of intracytoplasmic membranes change correlated to each other, Bchl, cytochrome c ₂ and b-type cytochromes cellular levels are independent of each other. Furthermore, the data indicate that cytochrome c ₂ rather than b-type cytochrome is involved with steps rate limiting for photophosphorylation.Abbreviations Bchl bacteriochlorophyll - DCIP 2,6-dichlorophenolindophenol     

Effect of adaptation to high light intensity on the kinetics of energy transfer from phycobilisomes to photosystem II in Anabaena cylindrica

Transfer efficiencies between phycobilisomes and photosystem II antenna chlorophylls were determined on membrane fragments isolated from low and high light adapted Anabaena cells. The observed increase in energy transfer in high light adapted cells is a consequence of shorter interchromophore distances and a decrease in the number of jumps of the exciting photons. Calculation of the rates of energy transfer and the coupling energies indicate that the weak interaction inferred for energy transfer between phycobilisome and photosystem II in low light adapted cells is replaced by an intermediate interaction in high light adapted cells.Abbreviations LLA low light adapted - HLA high light adapted - PBS phycobilisome - PS photosystem     

Enhancement of thermal injury to photosynthesis in wheat plants and thylakoids by high light intensity

Thermal inhibition and photoinhibition of plants, which may occur simultaneously in nature, were investigated to determine whether the two causal stresses interact and to characterize any interactions that occurred. Photosynthetic rates of wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv Len) seedlings declined gradually after temperature treatment increased from 22 to 42°C or after photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) treatment increased from 450 to 2000 micromoles per square meter per second and fell rapidly after the stresses were simultaneously imposed. Stomatal conductance and internal CO₂ were affected little, indicating the interaction occurred in chloroplasts. Thylakoid whole chain electron transport, quantum yield, and saturating PAR intensity were decreased by high temperature and an additional amount by high PAR treatments. Photosystem reactions involving water oxidation were inhibited more than other reactions, and chlorophyll fluorescence transients indicated most inhibition was on the photooxidizing side of photosystem II. Injury was influenced little by the order in which the stresses were imposed and was always most severe when they were combined. Release of proteins from thylakoid membranes was not detected. Lability to the stresses was lowest in thylakoids from vegetative stage plants and increased as plants matured. We concluded that thermal injury is accentuated by high PAR, the two stresses may act at a common site near the water oxidizing complex, and their interaction may be involved in photosynthetic decline during adverse conditions.     

Physiological adaptations to head-out aquatic exercises with different levels of body immersion

The purpose of this study was to compare the physiological adaptations to basic head-out aquatic exercises with different levels of body immersion. Sixteen young and clinically healthy subjects (9 women and 7 men) volunteered to participate in this study. Each subject performed 3 repetitions (on land, immersed to the hip, and immersed to the breast) of the aquatic exercise "rocking horse" for 6 minutes. The rating of perceived effort (RPE), the maximal heart rate achieved during the exercitation (HRmax), the percentage of the maximal theoretical heart rate estimated (%HRmax), the peak of oxygen uptake during the exercise (V(.-)O2peak), and the energy expenditure (EE) were evaluated. The RPE was significantly higher when exercising immersed to the hip than on land (p < 0.01) and immersed to the breast (p = 0.03). The HRmax and %HRmax were significantly lower when exercising with immersion to the breast than on land (p < 0.01) and with immersion to the hip (p < 0.01). The V(.-)O2peak was significantly different between all conditions. The lower mean value was verified when exercising immersed to the breast, followed by immersion to the hip and on land. The EE was significantly higher when performing aquatic exercises on land than when immersed to the hip (p = 0.02) and the breast (p < 0.01). So, physiological responses when exercising immersed to the hip are higher than when immersed to the breast. The physiological responses when exercising on land are higher than when exercising with immersion to the hip and to the breast.     

Cryptochrome light signals control development to suppress auxin sensitivity in the moss Physcomitrella patens

The blue light receptors termed cryptochromes mediate photomorphological responses in seed plants. However, the mechanisms by which cryptochrome signals regulate plant development remain obscure. In this study, cryptochrome functions were analyzed using the moss Physcomitrella patens. This moss has recently become known as the only plant species in which gene replacement occurs at a high frequency by homologous recombination. Two cryptochrome genes were identified in Physcomitrella, and single and double disruptants of these genes were generated. Using these disruptants, it was revealed that cryptochrome signals regulate many steps in moss development, including induction of side branching on protonema and gametophore induction and development. In addition, the disruption of cryptochromes altered auxin responses, including the expression of auxin-inducible genes. Cryptochrome disruptants were more sensitive to external auxin than wild type in a blue light-specific manner, suggesting that cryptochrome light signals repress auxin signals to control plant development.     

螺旋藻在光胁迫时的抗逆性研究

螺旋藻对于环境的变化有很强的适应性.以钝顶螺旋藻为实验材料,测定螺旋藻在受到较强光照胁迫时藻体的电导率以及脯氨酸、丙二醛和过氧化氢酶系的含量.在3000 lx光照下,螺旋藻6个藻株的电导率以及脯氨酸、丙二醛和过氧化氢酶系的含量比在1000 lx光照下明显升高,螺旋藻的电导率最高上升了2～6倍;细胞内的脯氨酸含量最多增加5倍,最少增加13%;丙二醛的含量增加40%～100%;过氧化氢酶的含量上升范围在19%～80%,过氧化物酶的含量上升范围在20%～100%.说明螺旋藻在受到光胁迫时自身会启动相关保护机制,产生一定的抗逆性,以适应环境的变化.