Photosynthetic characteristics of C4 trait in chlorina mutant of rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Biao 810S is a chlorina mutant of the thermosensitive genic male sterile (TGMS) rice. We compared photosynthetic characteristics of these two lines. The contents of chlorophylls and carotenoids in Biao 810S were approximately half of those in 810S. However, the net photosynthetic rate (P _N) of Biao 810S was higher than that of 810S under high irradiance or low concentration of carbon dioxide, and the photon quantum efficiency was higher than that of 810S. The activity of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase in Biao 810S was only 69.80 % of that in 810S, but the activities of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase and NADP-malic enzyme were 79.50 and 69.06 % higher than those of 810S, respectively, suggesting that the efficiency of photon energy utilization in Biao 810S was enhanced by reduction of thermal dissipation and increase of electron transfer rate to generate sufficient assimilation power for the dark reactions. Consequently, the increased activities of C₄ photosynthetic enzymes lead to more effective fixation of CO₂ and the synergistic effect of light and dark reactions contributed to the higher P _N of Biao 810S.     

Comparative analysis of ultrastructure,antioxidant enzyme activities,and photosynthetic performance in rice mutant 812HS prone to photooxidation

Under optimal conditions, most of the light energy is used to drive electron transport. However, when the light energy exceeds the capacity of photosynthesis, the overall photosynthetic efficiency drops down. The present study investigated the effects of high light on rice photooxidation-prone mutant 812HS, characterized by a mutation of leaf photooxidation 1 gene, and its wild type 812S under field conditions. Our results showed no significant difference between 812HS and 812S before exposure to high sunlight. However, during exposure to high light, shoot tips of 812HS turned yellow and their chlorophyll (Chl) content decreased. Transmission electron microscopy showed that photooxidation resulted in significant damage of chloroplast ultrastructure. It was confirmed also by inhibited photophosphorylation and reduced ATP content. The decreased coupling factor of ATP, Ca²⁺-ATPase and Mg²⁺-ATPase activities also verified these results. Further, significantly enhanced activities of antioxidative enzymes were observed during photooxidation. Malondialdehyde, hydrogen peroxide, and the superoxide generation rates also increased. Chl a fluorescence analysis found that the performance index and maximum quantum yield of PSII declined on August 4, 20 days after high-light treatment. Net photosynthetic rate also decreased and substomatal CO₂ concentration increased in 812HS at the same time. In conclusion, our findings indicated that excessive energy triggered the production of toxic reactive oxygen species and promoted lipid peroxidation in 812HS plants, causing severe damage to cell membranes, degradation of photosynthetic pigments and proteins, and ultimately inhibition of photosynthesis.     

中国北方杂草稻光合与水分生理特性

杂草稻是一类重要的稻属种质资源,具有耐寒、耐旱、耐瘠薄等优良特性.本文以88份中国北方杂草稻资源和4份栽培稻为材料,研究了中国北方杂草稻的光合速率、蒸腾速率、气孔导度等光合与水分生理特性及其相互关系.结果表明: 北方杂草稻资源的光合和水分生理特性存在较大差异,具有丰富的多样性.杂草稻的光合速率变化范围在12.47～28.67 μmol CO₂·m^-2·s^-1,瞬时水分利用效率的变化范围在1.39～3.40 mg·g^-1.光合参数中,胞间CO₂浓度的变异系数最小,气孔导度的变异系数最大.光合速率与蒸腾速率、气孔导度呈极显著的二次曲线关系,光合速率与胞间CO₂浓度呈显著的直线关系,瞬时水分利用效率与蒸腾速率、气孔导度呈极显著的二次曲线关系.可用杂草稻材料的优越性能对栽培稻进行品种改良.     

Queuine promotes antioxidant defence system by activating cellular antioxidant enzyme activities in cancer

Constant generation of Reactive oxygen species (ROS) during normal cellular metabolism of an organism is generally balanced by similar rate of consumption by antioxidants. Imbalance between ROS production and antioxidant defense results in increased level of ROS causing oxidative stress which leads to promotion of malignancy. Queuine is a hyper modified base analogue of guanine, found at first anti-codon position of Q- family of tRNAs. These tRNAs are completely modified with respect to queuosine in terminally differentiated somatic cells, however hypomodification of Q-tRNAs is close association with cell proliferation. Q-tRNA modification is essential for normal development, differentiation and cellular functions. Queuine is a nutrient factor to eukaryotes. It is found to promote cellular antioxidant defense system and inhibit tumorigenesis. The activities of antioxidant enzymes like catalase, SOD, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase are found to be low in Dalton's lymphoma ascites transplanted (DLAT) mouse liver compared to normal. However, exogenous administration of queuine to DLAT mouse improves the activities of antioxidant enzymes. The results suggest that queuine promotes antioxidant defense system by increasing antioxidant enzyme activities and in turn inhibits oxidative stress and tumorigenesis.     

Differential responses of antioxidant system and photosynthetic characteristics in four rice cultivars differing in sensitivity to sodium chloride stress

To keep pace with ever growing global population, progressive and sustained increase in rice production is necessary, especially in areas with extremely variable climatic conditions, where rice crop suffers from numerous abiotic stresses including salinity. Designing an effective phenotyping strategy requires thorough understanding of plant survival under stress. The investigation was carried out with four rice cultivars namely FR13A, IR42, Rashpanjor, and Pokkali that differed in salinity tolerance. The study showed that a genotype with initial vigour had some advantage in preserving shoot biomass under salt stress. Though both FR13A and IR42 showed sensitivity to salinity, FR13A with higher initial biomass maintained greater dry weight under saline condition. Increase of Na⁺:K⁺ ratio under salinity, due to accelerated absorption of Na⁺ and lesser absorption of K⁺ compared to control, was considerably higher in susceptible (118–200 %) than in tolerant (33–48 %) genotypes. While Na⁺ concentration in shoot increased significantly in both tolerant and susceptible genotypes, decrease in shoot K⁺ content was noticed only in susceptible genotypes. The imbalance of Na⁺ and K⁺ contents led to increased H₂O₂ production, causing greater peroxidation of membrane lipids and reduction in chlorophyll content and CO₂ photosynthetic rate. Certain chlorophyll fluorescence parameters could distinguish between salinity tolerant and sensitive genotypes. To protect the plant from oxidative damage, several enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidants such as ascorbate were involved. The genotypes with capacity to assemble antioxidant enzymes in time could detoxify the reactive oxygen species more efficiently, leading to greater protection and reduced impact of salt stress.     

Serum Gc system in liver cirrhosis and hepatoma

Summary Serum Gc polymorphism was studied in 85 patients with liver cirrhosis, in 65 with cirrhosis plus hepatoma, and in 40 with hepatoma without cirrhosis. Six hundred unrelated healthy Greeks served as controls. The Gc 1-1 phenotype was found more frequently in patients who had cirrhosis with or without hepatoma but the incidence of the Gc¹ gene was significantly higher in patients with cryptogenic-HBsAg negative cirrhosis. On the other hand, the Gc 2-2 phenotype was found about three times more frequently in patients who had hepatoma without cirrhosis, and the incidence of the Gc² gene was significantly higher in the same group than in the controls. Consequently, it could be surmised that the Gc¹ and the Gc² genes predispose, under the influence of various factors, the development of cryptogenic cirrhosis and hepatoma without cirrhosis, respectively.     

镉处理对油菜生长和抗氧化酶系统的影响

通过盆栽实验研究了Cd处理对油菜生长和抗氧化酶系统的影响.结果表明,油菜整株鲜重、叶鲜重随Cd胁迫呈显著降低趋势.逐步回归表明,叶鲜重下降导致油菜整株鲜重下降.油菜叶细胞膜渗透性和MDA随Cd胁迫增大而增加.Cd处理浓度为20 mg·kg^-1时,叶细胞膜渗透性和MDA分别增加29.68％和15.19％,叶细胞膜渗透性和 MDA呈显著正相关,相关系数为0.823^*.Cd处理浓度为5 mg·kg^-1时,叶绿素a、b和a+b含量达到峰值,分别比对照高23.97%、33.63%和26.45%;Cd胁迫对类胡萝卜素含量无显著影响.几种色素对Cd敏感顺序为：叶绿素b>叶绿素a>叶绿素a+b>类胡萝卜素;3种抗氧化酶对Cd敏感顺序为：POD>CAT>SOD.各生理指标IC50表明,油菜只适宜种植在Cd含量小于5 mg·kg^-1的土壤中.     

Enhancement of antioxidant enzyme activities in rice callus by ascorbic acid under salinity stress

Ascorbic acid (AsA) is naturally occurring compound with antioxidant activity and plays a pivotal role in plant cell adaptation to salinity stress. The objective of this work was to assess the influence of exogenous AsA on the embryogenic callus of indica rice (Oryza sativa L.) cv. MRQ74 cultivated under saline conditions. NaCl (200 mM) decreased callus fresh and dry masses, relative growth rate, and K⁺ and Ca⁺² content, and increased Na⁺ content and Na⁺/K⁺ ratio. Application of AsA (0.5 or 1 mM) alleviated these effects of salinity. Activities of peroxidase, catalase, superoxide dismutase, as well as content of proline increased due to the NaCl treatment, and these parameters were mostly further increased by 0.5 mM AsA. Thus, AsA can increase callus tolerance to NaCl stress.     

Photosynthetic characteristics and enzymatic antioxidant capacity of leaves from wheat cultivars exposed to drought

Two durum (Triticum durum L.), Barakatli-95 and Garagylchyg-2; and two bread (Triticum aestivum L.) wheat cultivars, Azamatli-95 and Giymatli-2/17 with different sensitivities to drought were grown in the field on a wide area under normal irrigation and severe water deficit. Drought caused a more pronounced inhibition in photosynthetic parameters in the more sensitive cvs Garagylchyg-2 and Giymatli-2/17 compared with the tolerant cvs Barakatli-95 and Azamatli-95. Upon dehydration, a decline in total chlorophyll and relative water content was evident in all cultivars, especially in later periods of ontogenesis. Potential quantum yield of PS II (F(v)/F(m) ratio) in cv Azamatli-95 was maximal during stalk emergency stage at the beginning of drought. This parameter increased in cv Garagylchyg-2, while in tolerant cultivar Barakatli-95 significant changes were not observed. Contrary to other wheat genotypes in Giymatli-2/17 drought caused a decrease in PS II quantum yield. Drought-tolerant cultivars showed a significant increase in CAT activity as compared to control plants. In durum wheat cultivars maximal activity of CAT was observed at the milk ripeness and in bread wheat cultivars at the end of flowering. APX activity also increased in drought-treated leaves: in tolerant wheat genotypes maximal activity occurred at the end of flowering, in sensitive ones at the end of ear formation. GR activity increased in the tolerant cultivars under drought stress at all stages of ontogenesis. SOD activity significantly decreased in sensitive cultivars and remained at the control level or increased in resistant ones. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Photosynthesis Research for Sustainability: from Natural to Artificial.     

Photosynthetic characteristics of five rice cultivars grown under increased solar UV-B radiation

The impact of increased solar UV-B radiation on photosynthetic characteristics of rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivars ADT36, IR20, IR50, J13 and MDU4 has been studied. In all the cultivars concentrations of photosynthetic pigments decreased under increased UV-B radiation. Even low enhancement of UV-B reduced the photochemical activities in all the cultivars except MDU4 and changed chlorophyll a fluorescence. Enhanced UV-B radiation caused a dose-dependent changes in chloroplast proteins in most of the cultivars. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Effect of diallyldisulphide on an antioxidant enzyme system in Candida species

This study was carried out to show the effect of diallyldisulphide (DADS), an important organosulphur compound found in garlic (Allium sativum), on antioxidant systems in Candida species. Changes in antioxidant metabolites and antioxidant activity in the presence of DADS were found in Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis. Candida cells were treated with sublethal concentrations of DADS. DADS caused a decrease in the activity of all antioxidant enzymes except catalase, resulting in oxidative stress and damaged cells. The amount of oxidative stress generated by DADS was found to be a function of its concentration. A significant decrease in superoxide dismutase, glutathione-S-transferase, and glutathione peroxidase activities but an increase in catalase activity were observed. Increased levels of lipid peroxidation and decreased levels of glutathione were observed in treated cells. Activity of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase decreased significantly following DADS treatment and could be correlated with a decrease in glutathione concentration in both Candida species. These results indicate that diallyl disulphide acts as a pro-oxidant to Candida species and hence may act as a potent antifungal in the management of candidiasis.     

Photosynthetic characteristics and tolerance to photo-oxidation of transgenic rice expressing C4 photosynthesis enzymes

The photosynthetic characteristics of four transgenic rice lines over-expressing rice NADP-malic enzyme (ME), and maize phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PC), pyruvate,orthophosphate dikinase (PK), and PC+PK (CK) were investigated using outdoor-grown plants. Relative to untransformed wild-type (WT) rice, PC transgenic rice exhibited high PC activity (25-fold increase) and enhanced activity of carbonic anhydrase (more than two-fold increase), while the activity of ribulose-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) and its kinetic property were not significantly altered. The PC transgenic plants also showed a higher light intensity for saturation of photosynthesis, higher photosynthetic CO₂ uptake rate and carboxylation efficiency, and slightly reduced CO₂ compensation point. In addition, chlorophyll a fluorescence analysis indicates that PC transgenic plants are more tolerant to photo-oxidative stress, due to a higher capacity to quench excess light energy via photochemical and non-photochemical means. Furthermore, PC and CK transgenic rice produced 22–24% more grains than WT plants. Taken together, these results suggest that expression of maize C₄ photosynthesis enzymes in rice, a C₃ plant, can improve its photosynthetic capacity with enhanced tolerance to photo-oxidation. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Morphological and physiological characteristics of a root-hairless mutant in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

This paper reports morphological and physiological characteristics of a first root-hairless mutant (RH2) of rice (Oryza sativa L.), which can be useful in advancing knowledge on the role of root hairs in water and nutrient uptake, and genetics of root hairs. The mutant was selected among NaN₃ mutagenized progeny of the rice cultivar Oochikara. Microscopic observations showed absence of root hairs in RH2. At the seedling stage, RH2 showed shorter seedling height and shorter roots compared to the wild type variety Oochikara. Because of the differences in seedling growth, all comparisons between Oochikara and RH2 in uptake-related characters were made on the basis of values adjusted by the dry weight of either the shoot or the root. When grown at low water potential in soil, Oochikara and RH2 were similar in shoot water content and transpiration per unit shoot dry weight, and similarly, at low water potential in solution culture, there was no significant difference between Oochikara and RH2 in transpiration per unit shoot dry weight. These results suggest that at the seedling stage, root hairs do not significantly contribute to uptake of water. In solution culture, Oochikara and RH2 did not significantly differ in phosphate uptake per unit root dry weight. This result supports the previous work that root hairs do not contribute to phosphate uptake in solution culture. Regarding to response to plant hormones, RH2 showed a higher level of resistance to two synthetic auxins, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) than Oochikara. NAA treatment induced very short root hairs in RH2, suggesting that the absence of root hairs in RH2 may be due to a shortage of endogenous auxin. Genetic analysis showed that the root hairless character in RH2 is inherited as a single recessive gene.     

不同水稻品种在不同光照条件下的光合特性及干物质积累

对12个杂交水稻品种在两类生态条件下的光合特性及干物质积累进行了研究.结果表明:水稻适应环境的能力主要由其自身因素决定,品种之间存在较大差异.品种间的净光合速率和叶绿素含量差异均比生态区域间的差异更显著.产量与总干物质量和净光合速率呈显著正相关,决定系数R²分别为0.584和0.590,与茎鞘物质输出率和茎鞘物质转换率相关不显著.与低光强地区相比,高光强地区叶片厚度和干物质积累量增加,茎鞘物质输出率和茎鞘物质转换率降低.在光照充足的条件下,产量中来自于后期光合积累物质的比例较大;在光照不足的条件下,产量中来自于前期干物质积累及其转运的比例较大.     

Temperature shift-induced changes in the antioxidant enzyme system of cyanobacteriumSynechocystis PCC 6803

The 24 h effect of low (20°C) and high (43°C) temperature on the antioxidant enzyme activities and lipid peroxidation was investigated in intact cells of the cyanobacteriumSynechocystis PCC 6803 grown at 36°C. At low temperature treated cells, the superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities were significantly higher and the protein content lower than in high temperature treated cells. The increase of hydroxyl free radical level and malonyldialdehyde formation, when algal cells were exposed to low temperature, were due to the stimulated production of superoxide radicals O₂ ⁻ and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂).     

Characterization of a rice chlorophyll-deficient mutant using the T-DNA gene-trap system

We have previously generated a large pool of T-DNA insertional lines in rice. In this study, we screened those T-DNA pools for rice mutants that had defective chlorophylls. Among the 1,995 lines examined in the T2 generation, 189 showed a chlorophyll-deficient phenotype that segregated as a single recessive locus. Among the mutants, 10 lines were beta-glucuronidase (GUS)-positive in the leaves. Line 9-07117 has a T-DNA insertion into the gene that is highly homologous to XANTHA-F in barley and CHLH in ARABIDOPSIS: This OsCHLH gene encodes the largest subunit of the rice Mg-chelatase, a key enzyme in the chlorophyll branch of the tetrapyrrole biosynthetic pathway. In the T2 and T3 generations, the chlorina mutant phenotypes are co-segregated with the T-DNA. We have identified two additional chlorina mutants that have a Tos17 insertion in the OsCHLH gene. Those phenotypes were co-segregated with Tos17 in the progeny. GUS assays and RNA blot analysis showed that expression of the OsCHLH gene is light inducible, while TEM analysis revealed that the thylakoid membrane of the mutant chloroplasts is underdeveloped. The chlorophyll content was very low in the OschlH mutants. This is the first report that T-DNA insertional mutagenesis can be used for functional analysis of rice genes.     

The influence of hypomagnesemia on erythrocyte antioxidant enzyme defence system in mice

The effect of magnesium deficiency on antioxidant defence system was studied in RBC of mice suffering from hypomagnesemia. The animals were kept for 8, 15 and 22 days on magnesium-deficient diet with consequent reduction of magnesium level in plasma by 38% at the first 8 days and by 64% after 22 days of experiment. The activities of the most important antioxidant enzymes, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione reductase, glutahione S-transferase were assayed in hemolysates. The level of reduced glutathione in erythrocytes was measured as well. Apart from catalase, the activities of antioxidant enzymes were decreasing. The activity of superoxide dismutase decreased gradually during the experiment and on the 15th and 22nd day of experiment was significantly (P<0,05) lowered by 30 and 32% respectively. The catalase activity was increased on each point of the experiment with the peak value up to 149% on 15th day, and by 32% on 22nd day. Glutathione peroxidase activity was insignificantly reduced. The reduction of Glutatione reductase and Glutathione S-transferase activities by 24 and 21%, respectively, were observed after 8 days of the experiment with a further downward tendency. The reduced glutathione was significantly depleted after 8 days by 33% and was kept on that level in the course of the study. These findings support previous reports on the hypomagnesemia – induced alteration in endogenous enzyme antioxidant defences and glutathione redox cycle of mice.     

Responses of the ecological characteristics and antioxidant enzyme activities in Rotaria rotatoria to UV-B radiation

Hydrobiologia - UV-B radiation is an increasing threat to aquatic organisms and also a potential driving force for zooplankton population dynamics. To explore the ecological effects of UVR on...