The effect of iron plaque on lead translocation in soil-Carex cinerascens kukenth. system

A pot experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of iron plaque on Pb uptake by and translocation in Carex cinerascens Kukenth. grown under open-air conditions. Using Scanning Electron Microscopy and Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectrometry, iron plaque was present as an amorphous coating on root surfaces with uneven distribution. The amount of iron plaque increased significantly with increasing Fe additions regardless of Pb additions. The presence of iron plaque on the root surface of Carex cinerascens Kukenth. increased the concentrations of Pb adsorbed by iron plaque. The Pb percentage in whole roots increased by 14.52% at 500 mg kg^?1 Fe treatment than at 0 mg kg^?1 Fe, and the distribution coefficient (DC) of Pb and translocation factor (TF) root increased with Fe additions, but translocation factor (TF) shoot decreased with Fe additions. The results suggested that iron plaque could promote the translocation of Pb from soil to roots to some extent, and it played a role to reduce heavy metals pollution of Poyang Lake wetland.     

Roles of root and shoot tissues in transport and accumulation of cadmium, lead, nickel, and strontium

The review considers the roles of root and shoot tissues in transport and accumulation of heavy metals in plants of two contrast groups, i.e., excluders and hyperaccumulators. The regularities in distribution of cadmium, lead, nickel, and strontium are summarized. Effects of other cations, calcium in particular, on accumulation and distribution of heavy metals are analyzed. Specific patterns of metal distribution in hyperaccumulator plants are discussed together with morphological and functional features underlying the ability of plants to accumulate heavy metals in the aboveground organs. Based on the data available, the root and shoot tissues are classified according to their roles in transport and distribution of the metals examined.     

Selective transport of zinc, manganese, nickel, cobalt and cadmium in the root system and transfer to the leaves in young wheat plants

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The uptake, translocation and redistribution of the heavy metals zinc, manganese, nickel, cobalt and cadmium are relevant for plant nutrition as well as for the quality of harvested plant products. The long-distance transport of these heavy metals within the root system and the release to the shoot in young wheat (Triticum aestivum 'Arina') plants were investigated. METHODS: After the application of 65Zn, 54Mn, 63Ni, 57Co and 109Cd for 24 h to one seminal root (the other seminal roots being excised) of 54-h-old wheat seedlings, the labelled plants were incubated for several days in hydroponic culture on a medium without radionuclides. KEY RESULTS: The content of 65Zn decreased quickly in the labelled part of the root. After the transfer of 65Zn from the roots to the shoot, a further redistribution in the phloem from older to younger leaves was observed. In contrast to 65Zn, 109Cd was released more slowly from the roots to the leaves and was subsequently redistributed in the phloem to the youngest leaves only at trace levels. The content of 63Ni decreased quickly in the labelled part of the root, moving to the newly formed parts of the root system and also accumulating transiently in the expanding leaves. The 54Mn content decreased quickly in the labelled part of the root and increased simultaneously in leaf 1. A strong retention in the labelled part of the root was observed after supplying 57Co. CONCLUSIONS: The dynamics of redistribution of 65Zn, 54Mn, 63Ni, 57Co and 109Cd differed considerably. The rapid redistribution of 63Ni from older to younger leaves throughout the experiment indicated a high mobility in the phloem, while 54Mn was mobile only in the xylem and 57Co was retained in the labelled root without being loaded into the xylem.     

Iron-dependent changes of heavy metals,nicotianamine, and citrate in different plant organs and in the xylem exudate of two tomato genotypes. Nicotianamine as possible copper translocator

The influence of Fe nutrition on the distribution of the heavy metals Fe, Mn, Zn, and Cu and of the heavy metal chelators nicotianamine (NA) and citrate in 6 different shoot and 3 different root parts and in xylem exudate of a NA-containing tomato wild type and its NA-less mutant was investigated. Under the same Fe supply the mutant showed higher Fe, Mn, and Zn concentrations in all organs investigated, with exception of the shoot apex. The Cu concentration in the mutant was only in root parts higher than in the wild type but much lower in leaves. Analyses of xylem exudate showed that Fe, Mn, and Zn were readily translocated by both genotypes from the roots to the shoot at all levels of Fe supply, whereas in the absence of NA, Cu was only poorly transported. Citrate as main Fe chelator in the xylem was present in high concentrations in xylem exudate of the wild type under low Fe supply but in the mutant also at 10 M FeEDTA. NA occurred in xylem exudate of the wild type in concentrations high enough to chelate heavy metal ions.Generally, high Fe supply induced a decrease of Mn, Cu, and Zn concentrations in all organs of the wild type whereas high concentrations were observed in most cases under Fe deficiency. A positive correlation between Fe supply and NA concentration existed only in the shoot apex and in the xylem exudate of wild type plants. From the correlation between Cu and NA translocation and from the high stability constant of the NA-Cu-complex (log K=18.6) it is concluded that NA is a chelator for Cu in the xylem, whereas the translocation of Fe, Mn, and Zn is independent of NA.     

Turnover and transport of quinolizidine alkaloids. Diurnal fluctuations of lupanine in the phloem sap,leaves and fruits of Lupinus albus L.

Quinolizidine alkaloids formed in the leaves of Lupinus albus L. are translocated via the phloem to the other plant organs, especially the maturing fruits. Compared with amino-acid transport in the phloem, the alkaloids contribute about 8% to the overall nitrogen being exported from the leaf. Since it is likely that the alkaloids are subsequently degraded in the target tissues a minor role of quinolizidine alkaloids might be nitrogen transport. A marked diurnal fluctuation of alkaloids was observed in the leaves, the phloem sap, the roots and the fruits with an increase during the day and an amplitude of several hundred percent thus providing evidence for a rapid turnover of endogenous alkaloids.Abbreviations QA quinolizidine alkaloids - GLC gas-liquid chromatography     

New evidence for a role of vessel-associated cells and phloem in the rapid xylem refilling of cavitated stems of Laurus nobilis L.

Xylem recovery from embolism was studied in Laurus nobilis L. stems that were induced to cavitate by combining negative xylem pressure potentials (P_X = ?1.1 MPa) with positive air pressures (P_C) applied using a pressure collar. Xylem refilling was measured by recording the percentage loss of hydraulic conductance (PLC) with respect to the maximum 2 min, 20 min and 15 h after pressure release. Sodium orthovanadate (an inhibitor of many ATP‐ases) strongly inhibited xylem refilling while fusicoccin (a stimulator of the plasma membrane H⁺‐ATPase) promoted complete embolism reversal. So, the refilling process was interpreted to result from energy‐dependent mechanisms. Stem girdling induced progressively larger inhibition to refilling the nearer to the embolized stem segment phloem was removed. The starch content of wood parenchyma was estimated as percentages of ray and vasicentric cells with high starch content with respect to the total, before and after stem embolism was induced. A closely linear positive relationship was found to exist between recovery from PLC and starch hydrolysis. This, was especially evident in vasicentric cells. A mechanism for xylem refilling based upon starch to sugar conversion and transport into embolized conduits, assisted by phloem pressure‐driven radial mass flow is proposed.     

Structure and role of the linker domain of the iron surface-determinant protein IsdH in heme transportation in Staphylococcus aureus

Staphylococcus aureus is a major cause of deadly nosocomial infections, a severe problem fueled by the steady increase of resistant bacteria. The iron surface determinant (Isd) system is a family of proteins that acquire nutritional iron from the host organism, helping the bacterium to proliferate during infection, and therefore represents a promising antibacterial target. In particular, the surface protein IsdH captures hemoglobin (Hb) and acquires the heme moiety containing the iron atom. Structurally, IsdH comprises three distinctive NEAr-iron Transporter (NEAT) domains connected by linker domains. The objective of this study was to characterize the linker region between NEAT2 and NEAT3 from various biophysical viewpoints and thereby advance our understanding of its role in the molecular mechanism of heme extraction. We demonstrate the linker region contributes to the stability of the bound protein, likely influencing the flexibility and orientation of the NEAT3 domain in its interaction with Hb, but only exerts a modest contribution to the affinity of IsdH for heme. Based on these data, we suggest that the flexible nature of the linker facilitates the precise positioning of NEAT3 to acquire heme. In addition, we also found that residues His45 and His89 of Hb located in the heme transfer route toward IsdH do not play a critical role in the transfer rate-determining step. In conclusion, this study clarifies key elements of the mechanism of heme extraction of human Hb by IsdH, providing key insights into the Isd system and other protein systems containing NEAT domains.     

Analysis of QTLs for erucic acid and oil content in seeds on A8 chromosome and the linkage drag between the alleles for the two traits in Brassica napus

The history of canola breeding began with the discovery of germplasm with low erucic acid content in seeds of spring forage cultivar in the 1950's.FAE1 mutations led to a dramatic decrease of the seed erucic acid content in Arabidopsis thaliana.The products of the two FAE1 loci,BnA8.FAE1 and BnC3.FAE1,showed additive effects to the level of erucic acid content in oilseed rape.Previous research believed that the pleiotropy of FAE1 was responsible for the decrease in seed oil content along with the reduction ...     

Blood levels of copper, iron, zinc, and lead in adults in India and Pakistan and the effect of oral zinc supplementation for six weeks

Deficiency in the intake of trace elements, such as copper (Cu), iron (Fe), selenium (Se), and zinc (Zn), is very common in the general population of most developing countries. A preliminary study in India and Pakistan showing the plasma levels of Zn and Fe indicates that approx 50% of the subjects who participated have low levels of both Fe and Zn, suggesting a marginal deficiency. The low plasma levels of these elements are more pronounced in females. The mean levels of Ze, Cu, and Fe in the plasma of 83 subjects were 0.71 ± 0.11, 0.96 ± 0.10, and 0.80 ± 0.12 mg/L, respectively. The Cu:Zn ratio in the plasma was 1.43 ± 0.16. Three groups of 15 subjects each were given three different levels of oral supplements of Zn (15, 30, and 45 mg of Zn as Zn gluconate) for 6 wk, and blood samples were analyzed during various intervals. Plasma concentration of Zn increased significantly (p < 0.001) in all the groups after 4 wk of supplementation and reached almost normal levels after 6 wk. Along with the increase in Zn, there was a significant decrease(p < 0.001) in plasma Cu levels. There were no changes in the concentration of Fe during the supplementation period. The supplementation was well tolerated by most subjects. The results of this pilot study indicate that Zn supplementation is a practical possibility comparable to that of Fe supplementation in order to prevent marginal Zn deficiency in vulnerable groups in the general population of developing countries.     

The effect of CuSO4 for establishing in vitro culture,and the role nitrogen and iron sources in in vitro multiplication of Corylus avellana L. cv. Tonda Gentile Romana

Abstract

In the present work, we have used copper sulphate (CuSO₄·5H₂O) enriched medium for effective control of visible and latent contamination. Among the different concentrations used, 1.25–2.5?mg/L resulted the most appropriate. In addition, the role of different nitrogen source and concentrations (NH₄NO₃ and KNO₃), as different iron source (FeEDTA and FeEDDHA) has been investigated in the proliferation and rooting phases of European hazelnut (cv. Tonda Gentile Romana). The normal concentration of nitrogen present in Murashige and Skoog medium is too high for hazelnut micropropagation cv. Tonda Gentile Romana. A reduction of total nitrogen, accompanied by a reduction of ammonium forms, resulted in a better quality of the shoots. Similar results have been obtained when the common iron source FeEDTA has been replaced by the same concentration of FeEDDHA. An increase in rooting occurs when the amount of nitrogen was reduced in the rooting medium, particularly when the NH₄NO₃ was not present.     

Non-covalent associations of cyclomaltooligosaccharides (cyclodextrins) with carotenoids in water. A study on the alpha- and beta-cyclodextrin/psi,psi-carotene (lycopene) systems by light scattering,ionspray ionization and tandem mass spectrometry

Water-soluble complexes of the dietary carotenoid psi,psi-carotene (lycopene 1) with cyclomaltohexaose (alpha-cyclodextrin, alphaCD) and cyclomaltoheptaose (beta-cyclodextrin, betaCD) have been prepared and characterized via multiangle light scattering (MALS), ionspray/electrospray ionization (IS/ESI) mass spectrometry (MS) and tandem MS. MALS experiments point out that large aggregates of particles, on the nanometer-size scale, are present in water, with meaningful differences in the shape of the alphaCD/1 aggregates with respect to betaCD/1 analogues. The true 1:1 alphaCD/1 inclusion complex has been observed by IS/ESIMS and confirmed by tandem MS. The structure of CD/1 aggregations in water is proposed which are consistent with the combined MALS and MS experimental results.     

Differences in epithelial morphology correlate to Na+‐transport: A study of the proximal,mid, and distal regions of the coprodeum from hens on high and low NaCl diet

A study was performed to correlate regional morphology and amiloride inhibitable Na⁺‐transport in the coprodeal epithelium in hens, Gallus domesticus, on low‐NaCl diet and in controls. Proximal (close to colon), mid and distal (close to urodeum) regions were examined using light microscopy, transmission‐ and scanning electron microscopy. Na⁺‐transport was measured electrophysiologically in Ussing‐chambers in the proximal and distal regions. The epithelium, simple and columnar, is composed of absorptive intestinal epithelial cells, goblet cells, brush cells, migrating lymphoid cells, and entero‐endocrine cells. Brush cells, identified in avians for the first time, occur in highest number in the proximal part of the coprodeum in low‐NaCl hens. Na⁺‐transport is high in the low‐NaCl hens, ranging from 347μA/cm² (proximal) to 187μA/cm² (distal). In control hens, which correspond to hens on high‐NaCl diet, it is low in all regions (0–4 μA/cm²). Absorptive intestinal epithelial cells as well as brush cells adapt to variations in transepithelial Na⁺‐transport by regulating height and packing density of their microvilli, number, size, and localization of apical vesicles, and the width of the intercellular space. Regional differences in the epithelial cell composition and ultrastructure are closely correlated to transepithelial Na⁺‐transport but only in low‐NaCl hens, as controls do not show these variations. J. Morphol. 239:75–86, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

A defined medium for and the effect of insulin on the growth,amino acid transport,and morphology of chinese hamster ovary cells,CHO-K1 (CCL 61) and the isolation of insulin “independent” mutants

Summary Insulin, FeSO₄, or transferrin are major requirements together with HEPES buffer and selenium for the growth of CHO-K1 (CCL 61) in a modified F12 medium (M-F12). Insulin stimulates growth at 1 ng/ml to 10 μg/ml. In the defined medium minus insulin, CHO-K1 grows slowly as elongated, elliptical cells in parallel arrays typical of normal diploid fibroblasts in contrast to round-to-cuboid cells in loosely overlapping arrays in the presence of serum or insulin. During prolonged incubation in the absence of insulin the cells gather up into a large spherical cluster of viable cells. Insulin “independent” mutants have been isolated whose growth rate during exponential phase in the absence of insulin (48 h to 84 or 96 hrs) is 2.7 to 3.6 times that of the parental culture. Insulin stimulates the growth of these variants only during the first 48 h and is inhibitory at 50 to 500 ng/ml during the exponential phase. Insulin induction of the A system of amino acid transport occurs in about 8 h and requires both protein and RNA synthesis. This work was supported in part by National Science Foundation Grant PCM 7903242 and by the University of California.     

Suitability of Solanum lycopersicum L. ‘Microtom’ for growth in Bioregenerative Life Support Systems: exploring the effect of high‐LET ionising radiation on photosynthesis,leaf structure and fruit traits

• The realisation of manned space exploration requires the development of Bioregenerative Life Support Systems (BLSS). In such self‐sufficient closed habitats, higher plants have a fundamental role in air regeneration, water recovery, food production and waste recycling. In the space environment, ionising radiation represents one of the main constraints to plant growth.
• In this study, we explore whether low doses of heavy ions, namely Ca 25 Gy, delivered at the seed stage, may induce positive outcomes on growth and functional traits in plants of Solanum lycopersicum L. ‘Microtom’. After irradiation of seed, plant growth was monitored during the whole plant life cycle, from germination to fruit ripening. Morphological parameters, photosynthetic efficiency, leaf anatomical functional traits and antioxidant production in leaves and fruits were analysed.
• Our data demonstrate that irradiation of seeds with 25 Gy Ca ions does not prevent achievement of the seed‐to‐seed cycle in ‘Microtom’, and induces a more compact plant size compared to the control. Plants germinated from irradiated seeds show better photochemical efficiency than controls, likely due to the higher amount of D1 protein and photosynthetic pigment content. Leaves of these plants also had smaller cells with a lower number of chloroplasts. The dose of 25 Gy Ca ions is also responsible for positive outcomes in fruits: although developing a lower number of berries, plants germinated from irradiated seeds produce larger berries, richer in carotenoids, ascorbic acid and anthocyanins than controls.
• These specific traits may be useful for ‘Microtom’ cultivation in BLSS in space, in so far as the crew members could benefit from fresh food richer in functional compounds that can be directly produced on board.

     

Effects of various inhibitors of oxidative phosphorylation on energy metabolism, macromolecular synthesis and cyclic AMP production in isolated rat thymocytes. A regulating role for the cellular energy state in macromolecular synthesis and cyclic AMP production

Inhibitors of oxidative phosphorylation such as several triorganotin compounds, oligomycin, 2,4-dinitrophenol and carbonylcyanide p-trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone suppress energy metabolism of isolated rat thymocytes as indicated by a reduction of ATP levels, an increase in glucose consumption and by a marked accumulation of lactate. Also these compounds effectively inhibit the incorporation of DNA, RNA and protein precursors into acid-precipitable material of thymocytes. Moreover, the prostaglandin E₁-induced elevation of cAMP is markedly reduced by these inhibitors. A correlation is observed between the effects on energy metabolism, macromolecular synthesis and cAMP production, since (i) from a series of trialkyltin chlorides, tri-n-propyltin, tri-n-butyltin and tri-n-hexyltin are very effective inhibitors of these functions, while trimethyltin and tri-n-octyltin affect neither of them; (ii) other inhibitors of oxidative phosphorylation, each of them with quite different mechanisms of action, also inhibit macromolecular synthesis and cAMP production. The finding that a rise in intracellular ATP concentrations leads to a reversion of the tri-n-butyltin-induced inhibition of cAMP production and uridine incorporation, indicates a regulating role for the cellular energy state in these aspects of cellular function.