Salt Adaptation of K+ Channels in the Plasma Membrane of Tobacco Cells in Suspension Culture

The patch-clamp technique was used to study and compare thecharacteristics of cation channels in the plasma membrane ofcultured lines of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L. cv. Bright Yellow-2)cells that were unadapted (NaCl-unadapted cells) and adaptedto 50 and 100 mM NaCl (Na50-adapted and Na100-adapted cells).In these three types of tobacco cell, the outward whole-cellcurrent activated by depolarization was dominated mainly bythe activity of the outward rectifying K⁺ channels with a single-channelconductance of 20 pS. The steady-state amplitude of the outwardwhole-cell currents at all the positive potentials examineddecreased in the following order: NaCl-unadapted cells>Na50-adaptedcells>Na100-adapted cells. There were no significant differencesbetween the NaCl-unadapted and the Na50-adapted cells in termsof the ratio of permeabilities of these channels to K⁺ and Na⁺ions. Furthermore, no significant differences in terms of thesingle-channel conductance of these channels were observed amongthe NaCl-unadapted, the Na50-adapted and the Na100-adapted cells.These observations suggest that adaptation to salinity of tobaccocells in suspension results in reduced permeability of the K⁺channels to both K⁺ and Na⁺ ions, without any change in theK⁺/Na⁺ selectivity and single-channel conductance of these channels. ¹Present address: Research Laboratory of Applied Biochemistry,Tanabe Seiyaku Co., Ltd.16-89 Kashima 3-chome, Yodogawaku, Osaka,532 Japan     

Salt Tolerance in Cell Suspension Cultures of the Halophyte Kosteletzkya virginica

Tolerance to NaCl was studied in cell suspension cultures ofKosteletzkya virginica (L.) Presl. (Malvaceae), a dicotyledonoushalophyte that grows in tidal marshes of the eastern UnitedStates. Growth of salinized cultures was significantly inhibitedat high (255 mol m^–3 NaCl), but not at lower externalsalinities. Adjustment of cell suspensions to Nacl was rapid,with the duration of the normal growth cycle unaffected by salinity.Maximum biomass was attained when cultures were exposed to NaClduring early log growth. Patterns of inorganic ion accumulationreflected the utilization of both Na⁺ and K⁺ as osmotica, withNa⁺ content substantially increasing when cells were grown atan external salinity sufficient to reduce growth. K⁺ uptakeselectivity was high and Na⁺/K⁺ ratios were low in salt-treatedcultures even though K⁺ content was somewhat lower comparedto unsalinized cultures. Free proline and microsomal lipid contentincreased in salt-treated cell cultures. Key words: Kosteletzkya virginica, halophyte, salt tolerance, cell suspension culture     

New sequence-tagged site molecular markers for identification of sex in Distichlis spicata

Sex-linked molecular markers have become valuable tools for understanding sex ratio evolution and sex-specific physiology in pre-reproductive plants. To develop new accurate methods for sexing Distichlis spicata juveniles and nonflowering individuals, we converted a random amplified polymorphic DNA-polymerase chain reaction marker that co-segregated with the female phenotype into a set of sequence-tagged site markers. We tested the marker pair on known males and females from populations in Oregon and California. A single band was obtained for all female samples but never for males.     

细胞外钙调素诱导番茄悬浮细胞rbcS-3A基因表达

细胞外钙调素诱导番茄悬浮细胞rbcS-3A 基因表达 张素巧 马力耕 孙大业*     

榆钱菠菜脯氨酸转运蛋白基因的克隆及转基因拟南芥的耐盐性

脯氨酸是自然界中分布最广泛 ,作用最重要的渗透保护剂之一 ,同时又是高等植物中一类重要的碳源和氮源物质。为了解环境胁迫下脯氨酸的转运调节 ,从一个典型的盐生植物榆钱菠菜 (AtriplexhortensisL .)中通过cDNA文库筛选和 5′_RACE的方法获得了一个全长的cDNA (AhProT1) ,其编码蛋白与脯氨酸转运蛋白有 6 0 %～ 6 9%的同源性 ,含有 11个跨膜结构域。聚类分析表明 ,微生物和高等植物的脯氨酸转运蛋白同源程度相对高于哺乳动物。为进一步分析脯氨酸转运蛋白在植物中的功能 ,将AhProT1置于 35S启动子下转入拟南芥 (Arabidopsisthaliana)。通过同位素示踪法发现 ,与对照植物相比 ,转基因植物在根中积累更多的脯氨酸 ;在一系列不同浓度的盐胁迫试验中 ,转基因植株最高可耐受 2 0 0mmol/LNaCl,并可持续生长 ,而对照植株在 15 0mmol/LNaCl下即已死亡。     

榆钱菠菜脯氨酸转运蛋白基因的克隆及转基因拟南芥的耐盐性

脯氨酸是自然界中分布最广泛,作用最重要的渗透保护剂之一,同时又是高等植物中一类重要的碳源和氮源物质.为了解环境胁迫下脯氨酸的转运调节,从一个典型的盐生植物榆钱菠菜( Atriplex hortensis L.)中通过cDNA文库筛选和5′-RACE的方法获得了一个全长的cDNA (AhProT1),其编码蛋白与脯氨酸转运蛋白有60%～69%的同源性,含有11个跨膜结构域.聚类分析表明,微生物和高等植物的脯氨酸转运蛋白同源程度相对高于哺乳动物.为进一步分析脯氨酸转运蛋白在植物中的功能,将AhProT1置于35S启动子下转入拟南芥(Arabidopsis thaliana).通过同位素示踪法发现, 与对照植物相比, 转基因植物在根中积累更多的脯氨酸;在一系列不同浓度的盐胁迫试验中,转基因植株最高可耐受200 mmol/L NaCl,并可持续生长,而对照植株在150 mmol/L NaCl下即已死亡.     

Physiological Changes of Carrot Cells in Suspension Culture during Growth and Senescence

Changes in the synthetic activities of nucleic acids and protein and in the amount of adenine nucleotides in Daucus carota cells have been examined during a period of rapid cell division and during the stationary phase. Cell growth and the syntheses of those macromolecules in the logarithmic phase were significantly enhanced by increasing the concentration of phosphate in the medium. In a phosphate-rich medium, RNA and protein rapidly degraded and the number of cells with denatured cytoplasm increased when the culture entered into a stationary phase because of exhaustion of glucose. On the other hand, when the growth ceased by exhaustions of phosphate and nitrogen, the cells slowly underwent physiological changes leading to cellular senescence. The value of adenylate energy charge during the growth period was about 0.8–0.9 irrespective of the growth rate. After cessation of growth the value declined to about 0.5.     

Effects of nitrous oxide on mitochondrial and cell respiration and growth in Distichlis spicata suspension cultures

The reversible inhibition of respiratory activity could provide a novel approach to the preservation of traditionally hard to store plant germplasm such as clonal materials and recalcitrant seed. The gaseous anesthetic nitrous oxide caused a reversible, dose-dependent, partial inhibition of dioxygen utilization in mitochondrial particles isolated from cell suspension cultures of the salt-tolerant marsh grass Distichlis spicata, with maximal inhibition of 33% after 30 minutes exposure to an atmosphere of 80% nitrous oxide plus 20% oxygen. Respiration of whole cells required longer time to be affected by the anesthetic, and was reversibly inhibited an average of 19% when measured using a differential respirometer. Exposure to 80% nitrous oxide plus 20% oxygen for up to 10 days caused no measurable effect on cell growth.Abbreviations PCV packed cell volume - EDTA sodium ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid - BSA bovine serum albumin - MOPS 3(N-morpholino) propanesulfonic acid - TMPD N,N,N',N'-tetramethyl-p-phenylene diamine - STP standard temperature and pressure     

Expression of NADH-Dependent Glutamate Synthase in Response to the Supply of Nitrogen in Rice Cells in Suspension Culture

The effects of inorganic and organic nitrogen on the levelsof mRNA for NADH-dependent glutamate synthase (GOGAT) and theprotein were examined in rice cells in suspension culture. Asupply of NH⁺₄, NO^-₃, glutamine, or asparagine induced the accumulationof the protein and mRNA, but levels of mRNA for ferredoxin-GOGATwere hardly affected. ¹Present address: P.C. Center Wakuya-cho, Toda-gun, Miyagi,Japan.     

Effect of Follicular Cells on Calcitonin Gene Expression in Thyroid Parafollicular Cells in Cell Culture

Expression of calcitonin (CT) gene in thyroid parafollicular cells involves alternate formation of CT mRNA or CGRP mRNA. High amounts of CT mRNA are formed only in thyroid gland and formation of CGRP mRNA dominates in the remaining organs. Apart from paracrine and endocrine factors, mRNA formation on the CT gene seems to be affected also by direct contacts with other cells present in the thyroid gland, in which parafollicular cells are located next to follicular cells.The present study aimed at examining whether thyroid follicular cells affect formation of mRNAs for CT and CGRP in parafollicular cells. The studies were performed in cell cultures. A parafollicular cell line (TT cells) and a follicular cell line (F6BTY cells) served as the experimental model. For comparison, co-cultures with fibroblasts, 3T3 cells, and malignant melanoma, MM cells, were also examined. CT gene expression was examined at the level of mRNAs (in situ hybridization and morphometric studies) and at the level of hormones (immunocytochemistry, morphometric studies and radioimmunological estimation of hormone levels in the medium).The immunocytochemical and hybridocytochemical studies, in line with morphometry studies, demonstrated that F6BTY and 3T3 cells were capable of affecting mRNA production for CT and CGRP and that they changed the ratio of CGRP/CT secretion by TT cells, as a sequel of contact between the two cell types and due to mediation of secreted substances. On the other hand, the malignant melanoma MM cells showed no effect on the secretion ratio.Our study seems to indicate that control of mRNA formation from CT gene may involve not only humoral factors but also direct contacts with other cells, which may explain differences in expression of the gene between cells localized in different organs.     

中国仓鼠卵巢细胞的悬浮适应及代谢特征

目的：通过悬浮适应,使中国仓鼠卵巢细胞（CHO细胞）获得悬浮生长的特性,并可在悬浮培养条件下较快地生长。方法：将CHO细胞以3×10^5／mL接种于100mL的三角瓶内,培养时加入1％小牛血清、1g/LPIuronic F-68、25μg／mL硫酸葡聚糖,培养体积35mL,摇床转速90r／min,每24h离心换液,当细胞增殖为2×10^6／mL时传代。结果：经过悬浮适应,细胞的平均比生长速率由适应最初的0．27／d提高为适应后的0．48／d,最大总细胞密度由适应初期的2．5×10^6／mL提高为适应后的6．3×10^6／mL,目的蛋白活性也由适应前的2781U／mL提高为适应后的8878U／mL,适应后细胞的葡萄糖平均比消耗率为1．42μmol／（10^6细胞·d）,低于适应前的2．16μmol／（10^6细胞·d）。结论：贴壁生长的CHO细胞经过悬浮适应,不仅可以在悬浮培养条件下快速生长,而且细胞对葡萄糖的利用率也得到提高。     

Freeze-Preservation of Rice Cells Grown in Suspension Culture

A simple procedure has been worked out for the freeze-preservation of rice (Oryza sativa L.) cells grown in suspension culture. The protocol differs in some interesting aspects from those established for other organisms. A peculiar feature of this procedure is that growth of freeze-recovered rice cells resumes after an extremely short lag period of 2–8 days and proceeds with a growth rate identical to that of untreated cells. This, together with data obtained with viability tests, rules out the possibility that selection of freeze-resistant mutant cells may occur, as postulated with other plant cells where growth resumption was considerably delayed in time. The viability of freeze-recovered rice cells, when assessed at time zero after thawing by measuring the mitochondrial respiratory efficiency, was 60–65% of that of untreated cells. However, the limits of this and other viability tests in determining the efficiency of the freeze preservation methods and the percentage of surviving cells were shown by experiments in which cell viability and cell growth were followed in cultures initiated with freeze-recovered rice cells.     

The Effect of Salt and Water Stress on Membrane Lipid Peroxidation in leaf Cells of Halophyte and Non-halophyte

Different concentrations of NaC1 and isoosmotic polyethylene glycol(PEG)were used to treat the seedlings of halophyte Suaede salsa and non-halophyte Prosopis chilensis. Membrane lipid peroxidation malondialdehyde(MDA)content,SOD activity and plasmalemma permeability were determined at different time of treatment. The seedlings of Suaeda salsa showed no or a little response to 0--1. 488 MPa NaCl,but marked response to 1. 984 MPa NaC1. However,there was a greater response to isoosmotic PEG in plasmalemma permeability, SOD activity and MDA content. Prosopis chilensis showed an contrary trend to Suaeda salsa. The MDA content decreased unanimously as three kinds of free-radical scavengers were sprayed on the seedlings of the above plants before NaCl or PEG treatment, but increased with pretreatment of SOD inhibitor. Obviously, the decrease of SOD activity and the increase of MDA content were related to plasma injury, and free-radical did participate the course of salt and/or water stress injury. Their effects of both salt and water stress shared common features in response to the integrity of the cell membrane.     

Distinct Phenotypes of Human Prostate Cancer Cells Associate with Different Adaptation to Hypoxia and Pro-Inflammatory Gene Expression

Hypoxia and inflammation are strictly interconnected both concurring to prostate cancer progression. Numerous reports highlight the role of tumor cells in the synthesis of pro-inflammatory molecules and show that hypoxia can modulate a number of these genes contributing substantially to the increase of cancer aggressiveness. However, little is known about the importance of the tumor phenotype in this process. The present study explores how different features, including differentiation and aggressiveness, of prostate tumor cell lines impact on the hypoxic remodeling of pro-inflammatory gene expression and malignancy. We performed our studies on three cell lines with increasing metastatic potential: the well differentiated androgen-dependent LNCaP and the less differentiated and androgen-independent DU145 and PC3. We analyzed the effect that hypoxic treatment has on modulating pro-inflammatory gene expression and evaluated the role HIF isoforms and NF-kB play in sustaining this process. DU145 and PC3 cells evidenced a higher normoxic expression and a more complete hypoxic induction of pro-inflammatory molecules compared to the well differentiated LNCaP cell line. The role of HIF1α and NF-kB, the master regulators of hypoxia and inflammation respectively, in sustaining the hypoxic pro-inflammatory phenotype was different according to cell type. NF-kB was observed to play a main role in DU145 and PC3 cells in which treatment with the NF-kB inhibitor parthenolide was able to counteract both the hypoxic pro-inflammatory shift and HIF1α activation but not in LNCaP cells. Our data highlight that tumor prostate cell phenotype contributes at a different degree and with different mechanisms to the hypoxic pro-inflammatory gene expression related to tumor progression.     

雷公藤悬浮细胞原生质体的制备及瞬时转化体系的建立

为探索药用植物雷公藤(Tripterygium wilfordii)悬浮细胞原生质体提取的最优条件,并建立雷公藤原生质体瞬时转化体系,以雷公藤悬浮细胞为材料,对酶解液配比、酶解时间、甘露醇浓度及处理转速进行考察。用PEG介导的瞬时转化法将外源基因转化到雷公藤原生质体中。结果表明,以雷公藤悬浮细胞为材料提取原生质体的最佳条件是酶液配比为2.0%纤维素酶+0.5%果胶酶+0.5%离析酶,甘露醇浓度为0.6 mol·L–1,酶解10小时,处理转速为67×g;用PEG介导法将含有编码GFP的植物表达载体转化雷公藤悬浮细胞原生质体,激光共聚焦扫描显微镜下细胞显示绿色荧光。通过实验筛选得到雷公藤悬浮细胞原生质体的最佳提取条件,建立了雷公藤悬浮细胞原生质体的瞬时转化体系,为进一步开展雷公藤功能基因及合成生物学研究奠定了基础。