Effects of Eu3+ on the metabolism of amino acid and protein in xerophytic Lathyrus sativus L.

The contents of amino acids and proteins and the activity of Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase were determined in roots, stems, and leaves of Eu³⁺-treated Lathyrus sativus L. The results showed that the treatment of Eu³⁺ made the contents of amino acid and protein and the activity of Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase change. The first possible mechanism was that Eu³⁺ directly made the electric potential of −NH₂ or −COOH of amino acid change. The second possible mechanism was that Eu³⁺ played a role in metallic-activated factors of certain enzymes, which catalyze the catabolism and anabolism of protein. Then, the contents of amino acids and proteins were relatively changed. The third possible mechanism was that Eu³⁺ regulated the activity of ATPase through changing the Na⁺/K⁺ ratio. The energy released by ATPase was the driving force for the translocation of amino acids and proteins in the plant cell. Because of the changeability of its valence, Eu played an, important role in regulating certain physiological reactions to increase the adaptability of L. sativus in arid environment. These authors contributed equally to this work.     

Effects of europium ions (Eu3+) on the distribution and related biological activities of elements in Lathyrus sativus L roots

Scanning electron microscopic and energy-dispersive X-ray analyses were used to study the distributions of different types of elements in the epidermis, exodermis, endodermis, and vascular cylinder of the fracture face in the Lathyrus sativus L. roots in the presence or absence of Eu3+. Some index of the biological activity related to the elements binding with protein were determined also. The results showed that the tissular distributions of elements in the fracture face are different in the presence and absence of Eu3+. The atomic percentages of P, S, Ca, and Mn were influenced more than those of other elements. Eu3+ promoted the biological activities of various kinds of element. The one possible mechanism changing the biological activities was that the reaction of Eu3+ +e--> Eu2+ would influence the electron capture or transport in elements of binding protein. Another mechanism was that CaM-Ca2+ becoming CaM-Eu3+ through Eu3+ instead of Ca2+ would affect the biological activity of elements by regulating the Ca2+ level in the plant cell.     

山黧豆根适应铕环境生理代谢的表达

对培植在砂基中的山黧豆 LathyrussativusL. 幼苗经0.5mmol·L-1Eu3+和水 对照 根灌处理后,用扫描电镜和X-射线能量色散谱仪顺序定位检测根横断面表皮、外皮层、内皮层、维管柱各元素的百分含量;同时测定了与检测元素相关的根内活性氧、多胺产生生理活性指标.由于Eu3+的影响,使其根内响应产生生理代谢机制的变化,分布在根横断面不同组织中的各元素的百分含量不一样,主要是对生物活性中起作用的P、S、Ca、Mn4种元素影响较大,与测定的其它元素相比较,代谢利用率高;元素由低活性部位向高活性部位流动,表现出各元素由外向内,由表皮吸收运送到维管柱韧皮部、筛管运至植物各器官被利用的规律性.同时,由于Eu3+价态变化引起二者相关酶中离子的价态变化,致使植物体内自由基和多胺产生机制的响应变化,二者之间存在着一定的互补性,二者比值始终维持在一定的比例水平上,是Eu3+影响二者之间存在着的共同活性位点起作用的结果.     

Eu3+对山黧豆中的氨基酸及蛋白质代谢作用的研究

对山黧豆(Lathyrus sativus L.)幼苗整株,喷施一定浓度的Eu3+溶液吸收后,对其相关的生理指标进行测试,结果表明与水喷比较,根中丝氨酸、甘氨酸、丙氨酸、蛋氨酸、亮氨酸、脯氨酸、胱氨酸与对照持平,缬氨酸、酪氨酸、苯丙氨酸、组氨酸略有升高外,其余均低于对照;茎中除精氨酸、脯氨酸、色氨酸略高于对照外,其余均低于对照;叶中除蛋氨酸、色氨酸略高于对照外,其余均低于对照.游离氨基酸总量增加时,茎＞根＞叶,减少时,根＜茎＜叶.蛋白质含量经Eu3+ 处理茎中减少,根和叶中增加;水解酶比活性根＞茎＞叶;Na+、K+-ATPase活力却表现根＞茎＞叶的趋势.表明Eu3+ 对山黧豆生理活性代谢起到一定的调节作用.     

Transgenic grasspea (Lathyrus sativus L.): Factors influencing Agrobacterium-mediated transformation and regeneration

A reproducible procedure was developed for genetic transformation of grasspea using epicotyl segment co-cultivation with Agrobacterium. Two disarmed Agrobacterium tumefaciens strains, EHA 105 and LBA 4404, both carrying the binary plasmid p35SGUSINT with the neomycin phosphotransferase II (nptII) gene and the -glucuronidase (gus)-intron, were studied as vector systems. The latter was found to have a higher transforming ability. Several key factors modifying the transformation rate were optimized. The highest transformation rate was achieved using hand-pricked explants for infection with an Agrobacterium culture corresponding to OD₆₀₀0.6 and diluted to a cell density of 10⁹ cells ml^–1 for 10 min, followed by co-cultivation for 4 days in a medium maintained at pH 5.6. Putative transformed explants capable of forming shoots were selected on regeneration medium containing kanamycin (100 g ml^–1). We achieved up to 36% transient expression based on the GUS histochemical assay. Southern hybridization of genomic DNA of the kanamycin-resistant GUS-expressive shoots to a gus-intron probe substantiated the integration of the transgene. Transformed shoots were rooted on half-strength MS containing 0.5 mg l^–1 indole-3-acetic acid, acclimated in vermi-compost and established in the experimental field. Germ-line transformation was evident through progeny analysis. Among T₁ seedlings of most transgenic plant lines, kanamycin-resistant and -sensitive plants segregated in a ratio close to 3:1.     

Plant regeneration from stem-derived callus of the seed legume Lathyrus sativus L.

Callus cultures from stem explants of six Lathyrus sativus L. cultivars were tested for their morphogenic capacity. Shoot-buds were formed in calli of only one cultivar. Maximum response was observed in the medium containing 10^-8 M picloram and 10^-6 M benzylaminopurin. Supplementation with adenine sulphate was required for shoot-bud formation. The greatest frequency of shoot-bud formation was detected at the second passage and complete lack of regeneration capacity was observed after the 8th passage. Cell regenerates were diploid.     

History and traditional cultivation ofLathyrus sativus L. andLathyrus citera L. in the Iberian peninsula

Recent ethnographic research carried out in Spain has allowed the cultivation ofLathyrus sativus L. andL. cicera L. to be documented. Both species already appear in the Spanish archaeological record. Grown under traditional farming systems,L. sativus L. andL. cicera L. are still used for human consumption (onlyL. sativus L.) and both are used for fodder. Data on cultivation history, fanning practices, crop processing sequence and uses are here presented, which will enable a better understanding of their possible roles in prehistoric times.     

Research of the entry of rare earth elements Eu3+ and La3+ into plant cell

Whether rare earth elements can enter into plant cells remains controversial. This article discusses the ultracellular structural localization of lanthanum (La³⁺) and europium (Eu³⁺) in the intact plant cells fed by rare earth elements Eu³⁺ and La³⁺. Eu-TTA fluorescence analysis of the plasmalemma, cytoplast, and mitochondria showed that Eu³⁺ fluorescence intensities in such structures significantly increased. Eu³⁺ can directly enter or be carried by the artificial ion carrier A23187 into plant cells through the calcium ion (Ca²⁺) channel and then partially resume the synthesis of amaranthin in the Amaranthus caudatus growing in the dark. Locations of rare earth elements La³⁺ and Eu³⁺ in all kinds of components of cytoplasmatic organelles were determined with transmission electron microscope, scanning electron microscope, and energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis. The results of energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis indicated that Eu³⁺ and La³⁺ can be absorbed into plant cells and bind to the membranes of protoplasm, chloroplast, mitochondrion, cytoplast, and karyon. These results provide experimental evidence that rare earth elements can be absorbed into plant cells, which would be the basis for interpreting physiological and biochemical effects of rare earth elements on plant cells.     

Flowering and branching in Lathyrus odoratus L.: loci sp and b

Summary A second flowering gene, Sp, which influences sensitivity to photoperiod, is identified in the sweet pea, Lathyrus odoratus L. Genes Sp and Dn ^h act in a complementary manner to confer the summer-flowering phenotype and a near obligate long day requirement for flowering in the unvernalized state. Mutations sp and Dn ⁱ each diminish the response to photoperiod, and genotypes sp Dn ^h and Sp Dn ⁱ confer a spring-flowering phenotype. Response to photoperiod is further reduced in genotype sp Dn ⁱ, which flowers only marginally later than the day-neutral or winter-flowering phenotype characterized by genotypes Sp dn and sp dn (gene dn is epistatic to the gene pair Sp/sp). Like Dn ⁱ, gene sp reduces basal branching, while a branching gene, here resymbolized b, is shown to delay flowering in certain circumstances. Gene dn largely prevents basal branching in either b or B plants, but dn b plants do produce lateral shoots from the upper nodes, leading to a novel phenotype. The implications of the interactions between genes sp, Dn ⁱ, dn and b are discussed with respect to the control of flowering and branching.     

C~(6+)重离子对山黧豆种子的诱变效应

本实验探讨了C~(6+)重离子对山黧豆种子的诱变效应,结果发现,C~(6+)重离子对山黧豆种子的萌发率、成苗率、幼根及幼苗生长速度有着显著的影响,而且辐照剂量与效应呈明显正相关,此外,与~(60)Co-γ射线相比,C~(6+)重离子不仅诱导形成了较高的有丝分裂畸变率,而且还能在所用剂量的低中级剂量范围内(10~2—10~5P/cm~2)产生较宽广的畸变谱,表明C~(6+)重离子照射有可能在辐射损伤较小的情况下产生有用突变。文章还推论了C~(6+)重离子在山黧豆无毒或低毒品系的诱变育种中可能采用的剂量范围。     

Complete sequence and organization of the cucumber (Cucumis sativus L. cv. Baekmibaekdadagi) chloroplast genome

The nucleotide sequence of the cucumber (Cucumis sativus L. cv. Baekmibaekdadagi) chloroplast genome was completed (DQ119058). The circular double-stranded DNA, consisting of 155,527 bp, contained a pair of inverted repeat regions (IRa and IRb) of 25,187 bp each, which were separated by small and large single copy regions of 86,879 and 18,274 bp, respectively. The presence and relative positions of 113 genes (76 peptide-encoding genes, 30 tRNA genes, four rRNA genes, and three conserved open reading frames) were identified. The major portion (55.76%) of the C. sativus chloroplast genome consisted of gene-coding regions (49.13% protein coding and 6.63% RNA regions; 27.81% LSC, 9.46% SSC and 18.49% IR regions), while intergenic spacers (including 20 introns) made up 44.24%. The overall G-C content of C. sativus chloroplast genome was 36.95%. Sixteen genes contained one intron, while two genes had two introns. The expansion/contraction manner of IR at IRb/LSC and IR/SSC border in Cucumis was similar to that of Lotus and Arabidopsis, and the manner at IRa/LSC was similar to Lotus and Nicotiana. In total, 56 simple sequence repeats (more than 10 bases) were identified in the C. sativus chloroplast genome.     

Effect of lanthanum ions (La3+) on the reactive oxygen species scavenging enzymes in wheat leaves

Physiological effects of lanthanum ions on the activities of the enzymes in the reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging system in leaves of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) seedlings were studied. Wheat leaves treated in Hogland solution with 0.1 mM LaCl₃ for 48 h showed increased levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), ascorbate-specific peroxidase (AsA-POD), and dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR). However, a minor effect was observed on the levels of monodehydroascorbate reductase (MDAR) and glutathione reductase (GR), which regulate the release of energy required by the ROS scavenging system. The whole system was linked up by H⁺ transmission. Our results indicated that the activities of the enzymes that function directly to remove ROS were elevated by La³⁺ treatment, which is consistent with the observations that La³⁺-treated plants had increased tolerance to environmental stresses. The remaining levels of MDAR and GR suggested that these two enzymes might be regulated differently from that of the other four enzymes studied.     

Calcium and calmodulin inhibitor effects on the growth of carrot (Daucus carota L.) and radish (Raphanus sativus L.) in nutrient culture

Growth of carrot and radish seedlings in nutrient culture was inhibited by pretreatment with three calmodulin inhibitors. There was little selective effect on specific organs, shoots, tap root and fibrous roots over a range of concentrations. Although pretreatment with CaCl₂ (0.5 mM) did not affect growth of untreated seedlings, it partially reduced the inhibitory effects of trifluoperazine over the concentration range 0.01–0.05 mM. Trifluoperazine reduced the growth of GA₃-treated seedlings but did not overcome the modifying effect of GA₃ in favouring shoot/root ratio; ABA exacerbated its inhibitory effect on overall seedling growth and particularly on tap root development.Abbreviations GA₃ gibberellic acid - ABA abscisic acid - CaCl₂ calcium chloride - GAs gibberellins - Tfp trifluoperazine     

Effect of rare earth element europium on amaranthin synthesis in Amarathus caudatus seedlings

Considering the resemblances between Eu³⁺ and Ca²⁺ in their atomic radius and structures of the valence electron, the effects of Eu³⁺ on amaramthin synthesis in Amarathus caudatus seedling were studied. Eu³⁺ had both promoting and inhibiting effects on amaramthin synthesis. The optimum promoting concentration and half inhibiting concentration of Eu³⁺ to synthesis of amaranthin were 0.4 mmol/L and 2.5 mmol/L, respectively. In the dark, A₂₃₁₈₇ (ions carrier) could carry Eu³⁺ into cells through the Ca²⁺ channel. When Ca²⁺ was chelated with EGTA, the synthesis of amaranthin could be partly retrieved by Eu³⁺. Eu³⁺ treatment could also activate Ca²⁺-ATPase on plasma membrane. Moreover, the sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis patterns of total proteins from the plants treated by Eu³⁺ and Ca²⁺ were similar but slightly different in the contents. It suggested that the effects of Eu³⁺ and Ca²⁺ on amaranthin synthesis were similar. After being treated by Eu³⁺ or Ca²⁺, the outside Ca²⁺ could enter into cells to promote synthesis of amaranthin. The results above indicated that Eu³⁺ might replace Ca²⁺ in the calcium/calmidulin-dependent phytochrome signal transduction system and play important roles in plant development by promoting calcium transportation across plasma membrane.     

High-frequency plant regeneration by <Emphasis Type="Italic">in vitro</Emphasis> shoot proliferation in cotyledonary node explants of grasspea (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Lathyrus sativus</Emphasis> L.)

Summary Multiple shoots were induced from cotyledonary nodes of grasspea (Lathyrus sativus L.) derived from 7-d-old in vitro seedlings on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing N⁶-benzyladenine (BA), kinetin, or thidiazuron, BA being the most effective. Among the five genotypes tested, shoot proliferation frequency was the highest (93.3%) for IC-120487, giving the maximum number of shoots (11.3 shoots per explant) on MS medium augmented with 2.0 mgl⁻¹ (8.87 μM) BA. Shoot cultures were established by repeatedly subculturing the original cotyledonary nodes on fresh medium after each harvest of the newly formed shoots. Thus 30–40 shoots were obtained in 2 mo. from a single cotyledonary node. Up to 81.8% of the shoots developed roots following transfer to half-strength MS medium containing 0.5 mgl⁻¹ (2.85 μM) indole-3-acetic acid. Plantlets were successfully acclimatized and established in soil.     

Effects of cadmium on antioxidant enzyme and photosynthetic activities in leaves of two maize cultivars

Effects of cadmium (Cd(2+)) on photosynthetic and antioxidant activities of maize (Zea mays L.) cultivars (3223 and 32D99) were investigated. Fourteen-day-old cultivar seedlings were exposed to different Cd concentrations [0, 0.3, 0.6 and 0.9mM Cd(NO(3))(2).4H(2)O] for 8 days. The results of chlorophyll fluorescence indicated that different levels of Cd affected photochemical efficiency in 3223 much more than that in 32D99. In parallel, the level of Cd at 0.9mM caused oxidative damage but did not indicate cessation of PSII activity of the cultivars; plant death was not observed at highly toxic Cd levels. Additionally, the increase in Cd concentration caused loss of chlorophylls and carotenoid and membrane damage in both cultivars, but greater membrane damage was observed in 3223 than in 32D99. Depending on Cd accumulation, a significant reduction in dry biomass was observed in both cultivars at all Cd concentrations. The accumulation of Cd was higher in roots than in leaves for both cultivars. Nevertheless, cultivar 3223 transferred more Cd from roots to leaves than did 32D99. On the other hand, our results suggest that there were similar responses in SOD, APX and GR activities with increasing Cd concentrations for both cultivars. However, POD activity significantly increased at highly toxic Cd levels in 32D99. This result may be regarded as an indication of better tolerance of the Z. mays L. cultivar 32D99 to Cd contamination.     

Inheritance of seed weight in Cucumis sativus (L.) var. sativus and var. hardwickii (Royle) Kitamura

Summary A series of experiments was conducted to determine the inheritance of seed weight in cucumber. Matings between a Cucumis sativus var. sativus (Cs) L. inbred line (USDA WI 1606; P₁) and a C. sativus var. hardwickii (Royle) Kitamura (Ch) collection (PI 215589; P₂) were made to produce seed of reciprocal F₁, F₂, and BC₁ families. Families were grown under field and greenhouse conditions, and seeds were extracted from fruit 55 to 60 days post-pollination. Seed of F₁ and F₂ families was obtained using the Cs inbred WI2808 (P₁₂) and the Ch collection LJ 90430 (P₁₀), and seed of F₁ families were produced using a North Carolina Design II mating scheme in which three Cs (P₃= GY-14; P₄=WI 1379; P₅=WI 1909) inbreds were used as maternal parents and seven Ch collections (P₂; P₆= PI462369; P₇=486336; P₈=LJ91176; P₉=273469; P₁₀= 2590430; P₁₁=PI187367) were used as paternal parents. Mean seed weights of F₁ progeny reflected the dominance of genes of the C. sativus var. sativus parent. Transformation to number of seeds per unit weight resulted in increased variance homogeneity within generations and a broad-sense heritability ranging between 26% to 56%. Additive and dominance effects were important in the expression of seed weight in P₁×P₂ progeny produced in the greenhouse and additive effects were important in field grown progeny resulting from P₁×P₂ and P₁₀×P₁₂ matings. The estimated number of factors or loci involved ranged between 10 to 13, depending on the method of calculation.     

Assay for erythrocyte superoxide dismutase activity in patients with lung cancer and effects on pollution and smoke trace elements

The antioxidative effect of CuZnSOD, which catalyzes the dismutation of Superoxide anion (O₂-), provides a defense against the oxygen toxicity. The object of the study is to evaluate the erythrocytes Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in two groups of persons (Group I, healthy blood donors; Group II, lung cancer patients), using the spectrophotometric assay of NADH oxidation and the indirect method (2–27). The effect of trace elements, such as A1^3-, Cr³⁺, Fe³⁺, Hg²⁺, NI²⁺, and Pb²⁺ (producing free radicals oxygen and present in pollution and smoke) is also evaluated. The results show the decrease of SOD activity in lung cancer patients with respect to healthy individuals. Likewise, in those patients the enzymatic activity is bigger in early stage (I,II) with respect to advanced one (III) (p < 0.05). The lesser activity when the samples are incubated with Ni or Pb point out that these metals play a role in neoplasm development. In short, the oxidant-antioxidant balance is altered in lung cancer patients.     

Al(3+) interaction sites of calmodulin and the Al(3+) effect on target binding of calmodulin

The interaction between calmodulin (CaM) and Al(3+) was studied by spectroscopic methods. Heteronuclear two-dimensional NMR data indicated that peaks related to the both lobes and middle of the central helix of CaM are largely affected by Al(3+). But chemical shift perturbation suggested that overall conformation of Ca(2+)-loaded CaM is not changed by Al(3+) binding. It is thought that Al(3+) interaction to the middle of the central helix is a key for the property of CaM's target recognition. If the structure and/or flexibility of the central helix are/is changed by Al(3+), target affinity to CaM must be influenced by Al(3+). Thus, we performed surface plasmon resonance experiments to observe the effect of Al(3+) on the target recognition by CaM. The data clearly indicated that target affinity to CaM is reduced by addition of Al(3+). All the results presented here support a hypothesis that Al(3+) may affect on the Ca(2+) signaling pathway in cells.     

Comparative phytotoxicity of nitrophenolic soil pollutants and their microbial metabolites to the growth of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) seedlings

Summary 2,4-Dinitrophenol and paranitrophenol are two major soil pollutants which are known to be metabolized by different soil microbes. Relative phytotoxicities of these parent compounds and their metabolic transformation products to the growth of cucumber seedlings were assessed. It was evident that such microbial transformations widely occurring in the soil are effective detoxification reactions and are beneficial for the plants.