Predicting efficiency of different chemical extraction methods in risk assessment of trace metals in sediment of the Persian Gulf

Different chemical methods have been developed to evaluate the bioavailable fraction of the trace metals. Due to the lack of a universal method for analysis of the bioavailable metal fractions, due to the differences in sediment characteristics, it is necessary to validate an appropriate chemical method for assessing the available fraction of trace metals. For this propose, in this study, different chemical extraction methods including extraction with HCl and desorption test as a single reagent leaching test as well as geochemical fractions method have been evaluated. Bushehr coastal sediments in the Persian Gulf coasts have been selected for this purpose. To validate the efficacy of these methods, a gastropod species (Trochus erithreus), as a bioindicator, has been selected and monitored for trace metals of Fe²⁺, Pb²⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Mn²⁺, and Ni²⁺. According to the one-way ANOVA results, all partial extraction methods for all the trace metals (except for Mn²⁺) showed no significant variation, but linear correlation coefficients were between the results of the selective chemical extraction methods and concentrations of trace metals in organism tissues. It offered that selective extraction with HCl can be used as a simple method for measuring the bioavailable fraction of the metals in the sediments.     

The effect of short-term low-temperature treatments on gene expression in Arabidopsis correlates with changes in intracellular Ca2+ levels

The role of changes in intracellular calcium ion concentration ([Ca²⁺]_i) in low‐temperature signal transduction in plants has lately been supported by several studies. An analysis to determine whether the low‐temperature‐induced increase in cytosolic Ca²⁺ concentration ([Ca²⁺]_cyt) could be correlated with a downstream response such as gene expression was carried out. The induction of the low‐temperature‐regulated gene LTI78 was used as an end point marker of the signal transduction pathway. It was found that this gene is induced by very brief low‐temperature exposures and that the induction does not depend on a continuous exposure to low temperature. By altering the cooling rate, different patterns of the Ca²⁺ response were obtained which could be correlated with different patterns of LTI78 induction. Furthermore, reducing the Ca²⁺ transients by pre‐treatment with the Ca²⁺ channel blocker La³⁺ also led to a reduced level of gene induction. The results show that brief exposures to low temperature results in the onset of a signalling pathway that leads to the induction of gene expression. This indicates the involvement of changes in [Ca²⁺]_cyt in low‐temperature signalling leading to LTI78 expression but the presence of multiple signalling pathways is suggested.     

Combined effect of chemical fertilisers and rhizosphere-competent Bacillus subtilis BSK17 on yield of Cicer arietinum

A chemical fertiliser-adaptive variant, Bacillus subtilis BSK17, showed induction in growth at 0.32?M of Urea, 0.05?M of DAP, 0.04?M of MoP and 0.08 of gypsum. In addition, B. subtilis BSK17 produced various plant growth-promoting substances and showed higher colony growth inhibition of Fusarium oxysporum that increased with increase in incubation time and reached the maximum by 78% at 120?h. In field, antibiotic-resistant marker strains of B. subtilis BSK17^ery+ and B. subtilis BSK17^tet+ showed more improvement in seed yield (90% than the control and 24% than full dose of chemical fertilisers) of Cicer arietinum when applied with half dose of chemical fertilisers (N₅₊₅P₁₅₊₁₅K₁₅S_10+10+10). Root length, shoot length, fresh and dry weight of root and shoot of plants were enhanced after 120?days in comparison to control; all values were significant at 1% CD. The strain significantly colonised the rhizosphere of C. arietinum by 6.64 log cfu after 120?days.     

Identification of possible signal transduction components mediating light induction of the Gsa gene for an early chlorophyll biosynthetic step in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

 Light-induced expression of the Gsa gene encoding the heme and chlorophyll biosynthetic enzyme glutamate 1-semialdehyde aminotransferase in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii was previously shown to involve Ca²⁺ and calmodulin (CaM) (C. lm et al. 1996, Plant Cell 8: 2245–2253). To further analyze the signal transduction pathway for light-induced Gsa expression, the effects of several pharmacological agents were examined. Treatment of light-dark synchronized cells with the heterotrimeric G-protein agonist Mas-7 caused partial induction of Gsa in the dark. The phospholipase C inhibitor U73122 inhibited light induction of Gsa. Exposure of cells to light caused a sustained 3-fold increase in cellular d-inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP₃) concentration. KN-93, a specific inhibitor of Ca²⁺/CaM-dependent protein kinase II, inhibited light induction of Gsa. In contrast, cyclosporin A, a specific inhibitor of the Ca²⁺/CaM-dependent phosphoprotein phosphatase calcineurin, did not affect light induction of Gsa. These results, together with the earlier results, suggest the involvement of a canonical signal transduction pathway for light-regulated Gsa expression that involves a heterotrimeric G-protein activation, phospholipase C-catalyzed InsP₃ formation, InsP₃-dependent Ca²⁺ release, and activation of a downstream signaling pathway through a Ca²⁺/CaM-dependent protein kinase. Received: 21 October 1999 / Accepted: 3 December 1999     

Osmolability of Escherichia coli and modification of [125I]ampicillin-binding by competence induction for uptake of transforming DNA

The regimen conferring competence for uptake of transforming DNA is shown to render Escherichia coli osmolabile. Three different K-12 strains were exposed to the standard procedure of competence induction, i.e. incubation in the presence of 0.1 M Ca²⁺ or Mg²⁺ for 50 min at 0°C, interrupted by a heat shock for 5 min at 37°C. Upon osmotic challenge of competent cells formation of protoplasts was observed in approximately 2% of the treated cells. Incubation of competent cells of strain W1485 in phosphate-buffered saline for 1, 2, and 3 h reduced the viable counts to 67, 58, and 41%, respectively. Competence induction with divalent cations altered the affinity of penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) for [¹²⁵I]ampicillin. In isolated cell envelopes the presence of Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ stimulated the binding of [¹²⁵I]ampicillin to PBPs 1, 3, 4, 5, and 6, whereas the binding to PBP 2 remained unchanged. The binding to PBP 1 C was inhibited by 0.23 M Ca²⁺. In living cells the binding to PBPs 1, 3, and 4 was enhanced, while the binding to PBP 8 was inhibited. Newly [¹²⁵I]ampicillin-labelled proteins of M _r 55,000 and 45,000 were apparent, especially after competence induction with Ca²⁺. Interaction of divalent cations with PBPs is suggested to contribute to osmolability of competent cells. Disintegration of the cell wall may be necessary for uptake of transforming DNA.Abbreviations PBP(s) penicillin-binding protein(s) - PBS phosphate-buffered saline - k kilodaltons - SDS sodium dodecyl sulfate     

Ca(2+)-dependent in vivo protein phosphorylation and encystment induction in the ciliated protozoan Colpoda cucullus

Encystment induction of Colpoda cucullus is promoted by an increase in external Ca²⁺ and overpopulation of Colpoda vegetative cells. Using phos-tag detection assays, the present study revealed that the in vivo phosphorylation level in several proteins [33 kDa, 37 kDa, 37.5 kDa, 43 kDa, 47 kDa, 49 kDa, etc.] was raised when the vegetative cells were stimulated by overpopulation to encyst in a medium containing 0.1 mM Ca²⁺ or without the addition of Ca²⁺. Both overpopulation-mediated encystment induction and protein phosphorylation were suppressed by the addition of EGTA. Ca²⁺/overpopulation-stimulated encystment induction and protein phosphorylation were also suppressed by the addition of BAPTA-AM. These results suggest that the Ca²⁺ inflow promoted by cell-to-cell stimulation due to overpopulation may activate signaling pathways involving protein phosphorylation and encystment induction. In the presence of cAMP-AM, the phosphorylation levels of 33 kDa, 37 kDa, 37.5 kDa, 43 kDa, 47 kDa and 49 kDa proteins were enhanced, and encystment induction was promoted. Enzyme immunoassays (EIAs) showed that intracellular cAMP concentration was raised prior to encystment when the cells were stimulated by overpopulation. These results suggest that cAMP/PKA-dependent protein phosphorylation, which is an event on Ca²⁺-triggered signaling pathways, may be involved in encystment induction.     

Calcium and pH patterning at the apical meristem are specifically altered by photoperiodic flower induction in Chenopodium spp.

The apical meristem of the short‐day plant Chenopodium rubrum responds to photoperiodic flower induction with specific changes of pH and Ca²⁺ patterning immediately after the inductive dark span. The red–far‐red reversibility of the pH and Ca²⁺ patterning in response to night break treatments was measured in order to distinguish between the effect of the prolonged dark span per se and the specific effect of photoperiodic flower induction. In addition, the pH and Ca²⁺ patterning in C. rubrum was compared with the long‐day plant Chenopodium murale. The pH was visualized using the fluorescent probe carboxy SNARF‐1. Calcium ion concentrations were studied using a combination of Ca²⁺‐probes Fluo‐3 and Fura Red. It was observed that the specific changes in pH and Ca²⁺ patterning at the apical meristem of C. rubrum were abolished by the red‐light break. This effect was fully reversed with a subsequent single far‐red treatment. These observations infer the influence of phytochrome on both pH and Ca²⁺ patterning. Changes in pH and Ca²⁺ patterning upon flower induction were observed in both long‐day and short‐day plants. These results support the hypothesis that changes of pH and [Ca²⁺] in cells of the apical meristem are part of the pathway in signal transduction triggering flower initiation.     

Cytosolic calcium is involved in the regulation of barley hemoglobin gene expression

Hemoglobin gene expression is upregulated during hypoxia. To determine whether the induction occurs via similar mechanisms that have been proposed for other hypoxically induced proteins, barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) aleurone layers were treated with various agents that interfere with known components of signal transduction. Ruthenium red, an organelle calcium channel blocker, inhibited anoxia-induced hemoglobin (Hb) and alcohol dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.1) (Adh) gene expression in a dose-dependent manner. The divalent ionophore, A23187, combined with EGTA also dramatically reduced anoxia-induced Hb and Adh expression. Normal induction of Hb by anoxia in EGTA-treated cells was restored by adding exogenous Ca²⁺ but not Mg²⁺, suggesting that cytosolic calcium is involved in Hb and Adh regulation. W-7, a calmodulin antagonist, did not affect anaerobically induced Hb and Adh expression even though it induced Hb under aerobiosis. A3, a protein kinase inhibitor, did not significantly affect anaerobically induced Hb, but did significantly upregulate the gene under aerobic conditions. The results indicate that calmodulin-independent anaerobic alteration in cytosolic Ca²⁺ and protein dephosphorylation are factors in Hb induction.     

Involvement of calcium in the in vitro sensitivity change of the plasma membrane H+ ATPase to indole-3-acetic acid

The proton pumping activity of phase-partitioning purified plasma membrane fraction from spinach leaves was tested in vitro in the presence of exogenous indole-3-acetic acid. The sensitivity of the H+ pumping activity to the auxin was changed after flowering induction. We investigated the effect of whole spinach leaf treatments with substances affecting the phosphatidylinositol diphosphate transduction pathway on the in vitro sensitivity modification by photoperiodic induction. A role of calcium ions was supported by studies on leaves treated with a specific Ca²⁺ chelator (EGTA), a synthetic Ca²⁺ ionophore (A23187) or with calcium channel blokers (verapamil, lanthan chloride). An experiment using the transduction pathway inhibitor, lithium chloride, indicated that the intracellular concentration of Ca²⁺ was increased by inositol triphosphate.     

Calcium is essential for fructan synthesis induction mediated by sucrose in wheat

The role of Ca²⁺ in the induction of enzymes involved in fructan synthesis (FSS) mediated by sucrose was studied in wheat (Triticum aestivum). Increase of FSS enzyme activity and induction of the expression of their coding genes by sucrose were inhibited in leaf blades treated with chelating agents (EDTA, EGTA and BAPTA). Ca²⁺ channel blockers (lanthanum chloride and ruthenium red) also inhibited the FSS response to sucrose, suggesting the participation of Ca²⁺ from both extra- and intra- cellular stores. Sucrose induced a rapid Ca²⁺ influx into the cytosol in wheat leaf and root tissues, shown with the Ca²⁺ sensitive fluorescent probe Fluo-3/AM ester. Our results support the hypothesis that calcium is a component of the sucrose signaling pathway that leads to the induction of fructan synthesis.     

Calcium-induced patterns of calcium-oxalate crystals in isolated leaflets of Gleditsia triacanthos L. and Albizia julibrissin Durazz

For experimental induction of crystal cells (=crystal idioblasts) containing calcium-oxalate crystals, the lower epidermis was peeled from seedling leaflets of Gleditsia triacanthos L., exposing the crystal-free mesophyll and minor veins to the experimental solutions on which leaflets were floated for up to 10 d under continous light. On 0.3–2.0 mM Ca-acetate, increasing numbers of crystals, appearing 96 h after peeling, were induced. The pattern of crystal distribution changed with Ca²⁺-concentration ([Ca²⁺]): at low [Ca²⁺], crystals formed only in the non-green bundlesheath cells surrounding the veins, believed to have a relatively low Ca²⁺-extrusion capacity; at higher [Ca²⁺], crystals developed in up to 90% of the mesophyll cells, and at supraoptimal [Ca²⁺], large extracellular crystals formed on the tissue surface. By sequential treatments with solutions of different [Ca²⁺], the following three phases were identified in the induction of crystal cells: (1) during the initial 24-h period (adaptive aging), Ca²⁺ is not required and crystal induction is not possible; (2) during the following 48 h (induction period), exposure to 1–2 mM Ca-acetate induces the differentiation of mesophyll cells into crystal cells; (3) crystal growth begins 72 h after the start of induction. In intact leaflets of Albizia julibrissin Durazz., calcium-oxalate crystals are found exclusively in the bundle-sheath cells of the veins, but crystals were induced in the mesophyll of peeled leaflets floating on 1 mM Ca-acetate. Exposure to inductive [Ca²⁺] will thus trigger the differentiation of mature leaf cells into crystal cells; the spatial distribution of crystals is determined by the external [Ca²⁺] and by the structural and functional properties of the cells in the tissue.     

Determination of the intracellular targets and in vitro activity of a new class of chemical nuclease complexes derived from antibiotics of the quinolone family

 Alteration of bacterial DNA structure and/or associated functions in vivo by [Cu(phen)(nal)]⁺, a metal complex of the type [Cu(phen)(antib)]⁺ (where antib is a quinolone or a fluoroquinolone), was demonstrated by the induction of a recA-lacZ fusion integrated at the amyE locus of a recombinant Bacillus subtilis strain. Using the same approach, nalidixic acid alone was shown to induce 14% of the β-galactosidase levels induced by [Cu(phen)(nal)]⁺; on the other hand none of the other components, i.e. copper, phenanthroline or the complex [Cu(phen)₂]²⁺ activated significantly the recA-directed β-galactosidase activity, suggesting that the intact structure of the complex is required to reach maximum levels of induction. Results of in vitro experiments demonstrated that under reductive conditions [Cu(phen)(nal)]⁺ behaves as a powerful nuclease capable of degrading plasmid DNA; this activity was stronger than that of the chemical nuclease copper phenanthroline [Cu(phen)₂]²⁺. The nuclease activity putatively occurred by a mechanism involving hydroxyl radicals since the reaction was partially inhibited by catalase. These results support the hypothesis that the mechanism of action of quinolones could be mediated by a transition metal ion such as copper. Received: 30 September 1997 / Accepted: 30 January 1998     

青海野生黑果枸杞再生体系的建立及遗传稳定性分析

以野生黑果枸杞(Lycium ruthenicum Murr.)的无菌苗叶片作为外植体,建立了两条再生体系:一条是经愈伤组织再分化的间接再生体系,一条是不经愈伤组织再分化的直接再生体系。并采用流式细胞术(FCM)及ISSR分子标记技术对两种途径再生苗进行了遗传稳定性分析。结果表明:(1)最佳愈伤组织诱导培养基为MS+1.5 mg·L-12,4-二氯苯氧乙酸(2,4-D),诱导率达100%;最佳分化培养基为MS+1.5 mg·L-16-苄氨基腺嘌呤(6-BA)+0.1 mg·L-1吲哚-3-丁酸(IBA),1 g愈伤组织上的平均不定芽数为39.4个。(2)叶片直接诱导不定芽的最佳培养基为MS+0.5 mg·L-16-BA+0.3 mg·L-1α-萘乙酸(NAA),不定芽诱导率为92.9%,每个外植体上平均不定芽数为18.1个。(3)两条途径再生的不定芽在不含植物生长调节剂的MS培养基上,2周内均可正常生根。(4)FCM结果显示亲本苗及2种再生苗均为二倍体。(5)ISSR分析表明,间接再生苗的平均遗传相似性系数为0.84,直接再生苗的平均遗传相似性系数为0.91,直接再生体系是一种更加快速高效的繁殖方法。     

催吐萝芙木离体培养和植株再生体系的建立

为建立催吐萝芙木(Rauvolfia vomitoria Afzel.)的快繁再生体系,以茎段为外植体,比较了植物生长调节剂对其愈伤组织诱导、分化及生根的影响。结果表明,诱导愈伤组织的适宜培养基为MS+2,4-D 1.0 mg L~(–1)+TDZ 0.5 mg L~(–1)或MS+2,4-D2.0 mg L~(–1)+TDZ 0.5 mg L~(–1),出愈率达100%且生长状况良好;诱导丛生芽的最佳培养基为MS+6-BA 3.0 mg L~(–1)+NAA 0.1 mg L~(–1),出芽率为46.6%,平均出芽数为3.04。这为催吐萝芙木的快速繁殖和遗传转化研究奠定了基础。     

The Involvement of Cyclic ADPR in Photoperiodic Flower Induction of Pharbitis nil

Cyclic adenosine diphosphate ribose (cADPR) is a potent endogenous calcium-mobilizing agent synthesized from NAD⁺ by ADP-ribosyl cyclases described for several animal cells. Pharmacological studies suggest that cADPR is an endogenous modulator of Ca²⁺-induced Ca²⁺ release channels. There is also information about the sub-micromolar concentration of cADPR in plant cells. Whether cADPR can act as a Ca²⁺-mobilizing intracellular messenger in plant tissue is an unresolved question. Despite the obvious importance of monitoring cADPR cellular levels under various physiological conditions in plants, its measurement has been technically difficult and requires specialized reagents. In the present study a widely applicable sensitivity assay for cADPR is described. We show that Pharbitis nil tissue from cotyledons contains a certain cADPR level. To explain the possible roles of this second messenger in photoperiodic flower induction, some physiological experiments were also performed. The exogenous applications of cADPR to Pharbitis nil plants, which were exposed to a 12-h-long subinductive night, significantly increased flowering response. Nevertheless 8-Br-cADPR inhibited flowering when these compounds were applied during a 16-h-long inductive night. The effect of ruthenium red, a calcium channel blocker and ryanodine, a calcium channel stimulator, on the photoperiodic induction of flowering was also studied. Ruthenium red, when applied before and during an inductive 16-h dark period, slightly inhibited flowering, whereas ryanodine, when applied before and during a 12-h long subinductive night, stimulated flower bud formation. We also confirmed evidence that Ca²⁺ ions are involved in the photoperiodic induction of flowering. Thus, the obtained results may suggest the involvement of cyclic ADPR-activated Ca²⁺ mobilization in the photoperiodic flower induction process in Pharbitis nil.     

Inhibition by cupric ions of the hydration of CO2 catalyzed by carbonic anhydrase II

The inhibition by cupric ions of the hydration of CO₂ catalyzed by carbonic anhydrase II is interesting because of the results of Tuet al. obtained at chemical equilibrium, indicating that Cu²⁺ inhibits specifically a proton transfer in the catalytic pathway. We have measured this inhibition at steady state, using stopped-flow methods. The inhibition by Cu²⁺ of the hydration of CO₂ catalyzed by carbonic anhydrase II had aK _I near 1×10^–6 M atpH 7.0 and gave inhibition that is noncompetitive atpH 6.0 and mixed, but close to uncompetitive, atpH 6.8. ThepH dependence of this binding is consistent with a binding site for Cu²⁺ on the enzyme with apK _a near 7. The binding interaction between Cu²⁺ and the fluorescent inhibitor 5-dimethylaminonaphthalene-l-sulfonamide on carbonic anhydrase II was noncompetitive, indicating that the binding site for Cu²⁺ is distinct from the coordination sphere of zinc in which the actual interconversion of CO₂ and HCO ₃ ^– and the binding of sulfonamides takes place.     

An ER-targeted calcium-binding peptide confers salt and drought tolerance mediated by CIPK6 in Arabidopsis

Different plant organelles have high internal stores of Ca²⁺ compared to the cytoplasm and could play independent roles in stress responses or signal transduction. We used a GFP fusion with the C-domain of calreticulin, which shows low-affinity, high capacity Ca²⁺ binding in the ER, as a calcium-binding peptide (CBP) to specifically increase stores in the ER and nucleus. Despite the presence of a signal sequence and KDEL retention sequence, our work and previous studies (Brandizzi et al. Plant Journal 34:269–281, 2003) demonstrated both ER and nuclear localization of GFP-CBP. Under normal conditions, GFP-CBP-expressing lines had ~25% more total Ca²⁺ and higher levels of chlorophyll and seed yield than wild type and GFP controls. CBP-expressing plants also had better survival under intermittent drought or high salt treatments and increased root growth. One member of the CIPK (calcineurin B-like interacting protein kinase) gene family, CIPK6, was up-regulated in CBP-expressing plants, even under non-stress conditions. A null mutation in cipk6 abolished the increased stress tolerance of CBP-transgenic plants, as well as the CBP-mediated induction of two stress-associated genes, DREB1A and RD29A, under non-stress conditions. Although this suggested that it was the induction of CIPK6, rather than localized changes in Ca²⁺, that resulted in increased survival under adverse conditions, CIPK6 induction still required Ca²⁺. This work demonstrates that ER (or nuclear) Ca²⁺ can directly participate in signal transduction to alter gene expression. The discovery of a method for increasing Ca²⁺ levels without deleterious effects on plant growth may have practical applications.     

Binding of calcium is sensed structurally and dynamically throughout the second calcium‐binding domain of the sodium/calcium exchanger

We report the effects of Ca²⁺ binding on the backbone relaxation rates and chemical shifts of the AD and BD splice variants of the second Ca²⁺‐binding domain (CBD2) of the sodium–calcium exchanger. Analysis of the Ca²⁺‐induced chemical shifts perturbations yields similar K_D values of 16–24 μM for the two CBD2‐AD Ca²⁺‐binding sites, and significant effects are observed up to 20 Å away. To quantify the Ca²⁺‐induced chemical shift changes, we performed a comparative analysis of eight Ca²⁺‐binding proteins that revealed large differences between different protein folds. The CBD2 ¹⁵N relaxation data show the CBD2‐AD Ca²⁺ coordinating loops to be more rigid in the Ca²⁺‐bound state as well as to affect the FG‐loop located at the opposite site of the domain. The equivalent loops of the CBD2‐BD splice variant do not bind Ca²⁺ and are much more dynamic relative to both the Ca²⁺‐bound and apo forms of CBD2‐AD. A more structured FG‐loop in CBD2‐BD is suggested by increased S² order parameter values relative to both forms of CBD2‐AD. The chemical shift and relaxation data together indicate that, in spite of the small structural changes, the Ca²⁺‐binding event is felt throughout the molecule. The data suggest that the FG‐loop plays an important role in connecting the Ca²⁺‐binding event with the other cytosolic domains of the NCX, in line with in vivo and in vitro biochemical data as well as modeling results that connect the CBD2 FG‐loop with the first Ca²⁺‐binding domain of NCX. Proteins 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.