Occurrence and expression of acid phosphatase of Hymenoscyphus ericae (Read) Korf & Kernan,in isolation or associated with plant roots

Summary The activity of acid phosphatase produced in pure culture by the endomycorrhizal fungus Hymenoscyphus ericae (Read) Korf & Kernan (H. ericae LPA 2) was inhibited by high phosphorus levels, alkaline pH, fluoride, molybdate and mannosidase, and activated by concanavalin A. Over 80% of the enzyme activity was due to two wall-bound acid phosphatase isozymes with the characteristics of mannose-rich glycoproteins. Antiserum was raised against the major, low-molecular-weight wall isozyme and its activity tested by immunoblotting and ELISA. The antiserum cross reacted 100% with exocellular (excreted) and 28% with cytoplasmic cellular fractions of H. ericae (LPA 2) cultures, and showed high reactivity with other strains of H. ericae but not with fungal isolates from Erica hispidula L. or E. mauritanica L. Ultrastructural localization of acid phosphatase by cytoenzymology and indirect immunogold labelling confirmed its association with the fungal wall in pure culture and showed that the influence of a high phosphorus level, fluoride and molybdate is through inactivation of the enzyme. Intense acid phosphatase activity, sensitive to the latter inhibitors, was also present on external hyphae growing over a host or non-host root but it was weak or absent from intracellular hyphae where these developed within a host root. Indirect immunolabelling confirmed that this acid phosphatase was of fungal origin and that the specific inhibitory effect of host cells is due to inactivation of the enzyme rather than repression of its synthesis. Possible implications of fungal acid phosphatase in ericoid endomycorrhizal infection processes are discussed together with mechanisms that may be regulating the enzyme activity.     

蜜环菌侵染天麻皮层过程中酸性磷酸酶的细胞化学研究

被蜜环菌(Armillaria mellea)侵染的天麻(Gastrodia elata B1.)皮层中,由外至内形成三种类型的染菌细胞:菌丝结细胞、空腔细胞和消化细胞。外部两类细胞中的酸性磷酸酶定位显示,一些位于空腔细胞或衰老的菌丝结细胞中的菌丝内部逐渐产生大量酸性磷酸酶,随后菌丝发生自溶。这两类细胞中未发现明显的释放水解酶消化菌丝的现象。当菌丝进入消化细胞以后,情况与此不同,大量包含酸性磷酸酶的微小颗粒出现在菌丝周围,随后这些酶颗粒相互融合,形成包围菌丝的消化泡,菌丝被溶酶体水解酶所消化。最后消化泡变为包含代谢废物的残体。     

墨兰菌根的结构及酸性磷酸酶定位研究

利用光学显微镜、电子显微镜及细胞化学方法,对墨兰菌根的结构和酸性磷酸酶定位进行了初步研究。结果表明墨兰具有典型的兰科植物根结构,发现该兰花的根的外皮层不具薄壁通道细胞,菌根真菌通过破坏部分根被和外皮层细胞而侵入根的皮层细胞并在细胞内形成菌丝结,侵入的菌丝被染菌皮层细胞质膜和电子透明物质包围,进一步被消化并聚集成衰败菌丝团块。酸性磷酸酶在染菌皮层细胞及包围菌丝的皮层细胞质膜和衰败菌丝细胞壁上有强烈的酶反应,衰败菌丝周围分布有许多单层膜的含酶小泡,它们可相互愈合形成大的含酶泡或与包围菌丝的质膜融合,类似于兰科植物共生原球茎中观察到的现象。说明皮层细胞可主动释放水解酶参与对菌丝的消化     

Study on Structure and Localization of Acid Phosphatase of Mycorrhizal Root of Cymbidium sinense (Orchidaceae)

The microstructure and ultrastructure of mycorrhizal root of Cymbidum sinenese (Andr.) Wild were studied. The results showed that this species possesses the typical root structure of orchids. There is no passage cells in the exodermis of root. Mycorrhizal fungi invade into the cortex by destroying the velamen and exodermal cells, and form pelotons in cortical cells. The hyphae colonizing cortical cells were separated from the cortical cells by electron- lucent material and cortical cell plasma membrane and digested. They often gathered to form clumps. Localization of acid phosphatase revealed that this enzyme possessed higher activity in the cortical cells containing hyphae. Many products of it also occurred on cortical cell plasma membrane surrounding hyphae and degenerated hyphae cell wall. Higher acid phosphatase activity was observed in many vesicles in the cortical cells infected by fimgi. These enzyme vesicles gathered around the invaded hy-phae and often fused with each other, or with cortical cell plasma membrane surrounding hyphae to digest these hyphae. It means cortical cells were able to release hydrolytic enzyme to digest the invaded hyphae.     

A Cytochenfical Study of Acid Phosphatas in the Mycorrhizal Cells of Gastrodia elata Seedling

A cytochemical study has been made to examine the activity of acid β-glycerophosphatase in the mycorrhizal cells of the seedling of Gastrodia elata BI. using thin sectioning technique in which sections were embedded in glycol mathacrylate (GMA). After the seedling was invaded by the hyphae of Mycena osmundicola Lange, two different kinds of infected cells were formed in its root cortex.the outer 1–2 cell layers namely the hyphae-containing cells (or host cells) contained many coiled hyphae pelotons; the inner comparativly large cell layer or fungus-digesting cells contained a few straight hyphae. Localization of acid phosphatase in hyphae-containing cells showed that only a few senescent hyphae retained the enzyme activity and the plant cells did not release hydrolytic enzyme. So it is considered that the hyphal lysis in hyphae-containing cell may be due to autolysis. In contrast, higher acid phosphatase activity was visualized in many vesicles and small vacuoles of the fungus-digesting cells. When a hypha entered a fungus-digesting cell through a hyphae-containing cell, a number of enzyme granules (i. e, enzymecontaining vesicles) gathered around it. Later on the enzyme granules expanded gradually and became small enzyme vacuoles of 1.6–2.0 μm in diameter. Still later the small enzyme vacuoles fused with each other to form a large vacuole in which a part of an invading hypha was enclosed and gradually digested by hydrolytic enzymes. Finally,the digesting vacuole changed into a residual body containing some metabolic waste. The above results suggest that fungus-digesting cells can actively release hydrolytic enzymes by lysosomal vesicles to digest the invading hyphae, but such function is not present in the hyphae-containing cells,the role of which may be attributed to attracting and controling the invading hyphae.     

Redox modulation of a phosphatase from Anacystis nidulans

Ascorbic acid (AA) increased the phosphatase activity (pH 6.8) in 10,000 g supernatants from Anacystis nidulans. The enzyme activated by AA was deactivated by dehydroascorbic acid (DHAA). The modulation by AA/DHAA of phosphatase activity in Anacystis appears to be specific; a number of other redox compounds, known to modulate other enzymes, had no effect on the Anacystis phosphatase. A purified phosphatase preparation from Anacystis was also deactivated by DHAA. In contrast, the purified enzyme was not activated by AA, suggesting that a factor mediating the effect of AA was lost during purification. Another factor was found to protect the purified phosphatase against deactivation by DHAA. The enzyme was characterized as a phosphatase with a broad substrate specificity, an apparent molecular weight of 19,000, and a pH optimum of 6.0–7.0. Dialysis of the enzyme preparation against EDTA abolished the phosphatase activity which could be restored by Zn²⁺ ions and partially restored by Co²⁺ ions. Crude extracts also contained a latent enzyme, the phosphatase activity of which could be detected in the presence of Co²⁺ ions only. Zn²⁺ ions did not activate this enzymatically inactive protein. The Co²⁺-dependent phosphatase had an apparent mol. wt. of 40,000, a broad substrate specificity, and an alkaline pH-optimum. Infection of Anacystis cultures by cyanophage AS-1 resulted in a decrease in phosphatase activity. The enzyme present in 10,000 g supernatants from infected cells could not be modulated by the AA/DHAA system.Abbreviations AA ascorbic acid - DEAE diethylamino ethyl - DHAA dehydroascorbic acid - EDTA ethylene-diaminetetra-acetate - G6PDH glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase - GSH reduced glutathione - GSSG oxidized glutathione - HMP hexose monophosphate - P _i inorganic phosphorus - pNPP p-nitrophenylphosphate - pNP p-nitrophenol - Tris Tris(hydroxymethyl)-aminomethane     

A Toxoplasma type 2C serine-threonine phosphatase is involved in parasite growth in the mammalian host cell

Toxoplasma gondii is a human protozoan parasite that belongs to the phylum of Apicomplexa and causes toxoplasmosis. As the other members of this phylum, T. gondii obligatory multiplies within a host cell by a peculiar type of mitosis that leads to daughter cell assembly within a mother cell. Although parasite growth and virulence have been linked for years, few molecules controlling mitosis have been yet identified and they include a couple of kinases but not the counteracting phosphatases. Here, we report that in contrast to other animal cells, type 2C is by far the major type of serine threonine phosphatase activity both in extracellular and in intracellular dividing parasites. Using wild type and transgenic parasites, we characterized the 37 kDa TgPP2C molecule as an abundant cytoplasmic and nuclear enzyme with activity being under tight regulation. In addition, we showed that the increase in TgPP2C activity significantly affected parasite growth by impairing cytokinesis while nuclear division still occurred. This study supports for the first time that type 2C protein phosphatase is an important regulator of cell growth in T. gondii.     

An electron-microscopical analysis of capture and initial stages of penetration of nematodes byArthrobotrys oligospora

A detailed analysis was made of the capture and subsequent penetration of nematodes by the nematophagous fungusArthrobotrys oligospora using different electron-microscopical techniques. Capture of nematodes by this fungus occurred on complex hyphal structures (traps) and was effectuated by an adhesive coating, present on these trap cells. The adhesive layer was largely fibrillar in nature and was absent on cells of normal hyphae. Following capture, penetration hyphae were formed at those sites where the trap cell wall was anchored to the nematode cuticle by the adhesive. New walls of these hyphae were formed underneath the original trap cell walls, which were partly hydrolysed to allow growth and development of the penetration tubes through the adhesive coating towards the cuticle. Our observations indicated that the cuticle of the nematode was subsequently penetrated by the penetration tubes by mechanical means. After penetration a large infection bulb was formed from which trophic hyphae arose. Cytochemical experiments indicated that the sites of penetration of the cuticle were intensely stained for acid phosphatase activity. At later stages of infection activity of this enzyme was present throughout the nematode contents; the enzyme was most probably secreted by complex membranous structures associated with the cytoplasmic membrane of the infection bulb and the trophic hyphae.     

Localization of alkaline phosphatase inBacillus intermedius cells

Alkaline phosphatase, an enzyme secreted byBacillus intermedius S3-19 cells to the medium, was also detected in the cell wall, membrane, and cytoplasm. The relative content of alkaline phosphatase in these cell compartments depended on the culture age and cultivation medium. The vegetative growth ofB. intermedius on 0.3% lactate was characterized by increased activity of extracellular and membrane-bound phosphatases. The increase in lactate concentration to 3% did not affect the activity of membrane-bound phosphatase but led to a decrease in the activity of the extracellular enzyme. Na₂HPO₄ at a concentration of 0.01 % diminished the activity of membrane-bound and extracellular phosphatases. CoCl₂ at a concentration of 0.1 mM released membrane-bound phosphatase into the medium. By the onset of sporulation, phosphatase was predominantly localized in the medium and in the cell wall. As is evident from zymograms, the multiple molecular forms of phosphatase varied depending on its cellular localization and growth phase.     

镉污染条件下水稻对假单胞菌TCd-1微生物修复的生理响应

微生物在修复重金属污染土壤中发挥重要作用。为阐明假单胞菌TCd-1降低水稻镉吸收的机理,通过加镉土培盆栽试验,在10 mg/kg镉处理下,对比研究了接种菌株对2种镉耐性不同水稻品种(特优671、百香139)镉含量、根系活力、光合作用、抗氧化酶活性及抗氧化物质含量的影响。结果表明：与10 mg/kg镉处理相比,接种假单胞菌TCd-1后水稻“特优671”和“百香139”的根、茎、叶、糙米的镉含量分别依次降低了30.4%、39.1%、40.7%、29.2%和52.2%、51.7%、18.4%、38.8%;提高了2种水稻的根系活力、光合作用,促进了水稻的生长;“特优671”、“百香139”叶片的超氧化物歧化酶(Superoxide dismutase, SOD)活性分别提高了7.3%、138.5%,过氧化物酶(Peroxidase, POD)活性提高了82.0%、106.2%,过氧化氢酶(Catalase, CAT)活性提高了58.8%、172.7%;叶片的类黄酮含量提高了139.4%、73.6%,总酚含量提高了27.2%、23.1%;超氧阴离子含量降低了44.2%、29.0%,丙二醛(Mal...     

Changes in phosphatase activity in phosphorus-deficient Spirodela

Summary Onset of phosphorus deficiency in Spirodela oligorrhiza was accompanied by a 50-fold increase in phosphatase activity of cell extracts. The enzyme behaved like other plant acid phosphatase, and was both inhibited and repressed by inorganic phosphate. The phosphatase activity comprised at least three isozymes. Two, of low molecular weight, were present only in P-deficient Spirodela; one of high molecular weight was also present, though in smaller amounts, in normal Spirodela. Presence of 2-thiouracil during onset of P-deficiency partly inhibited the development of phosphatase activity. The nature and role of the increased phosphatase activity in P-deficient plants are discussed.     

Acid phosphatase and esterase activity in orchid mycorrhiza

Summary A cytochemical study was made to examine the possibility that acid phosphatase may be specifically involved in the digestion of endophytic hyphae in orchid mycorrhiza. Esterase activity was studied for comparison. Frozen sections of unfixed or glutaraldehyde-fixed protocorms of Dactylorhiza purpurella infected by Thanatephorus cucumeris (Rhizoctonia solani) were reacted for acid naphthol AS BI phosphatase, acid -glycerophosphatase or naphthol AS D esterase.A marked increase in particulate acid naphthol AS BI phosphatase activity was observed during infection of host, central, parenchyma cells shortly before hyphae lysed; a diffuse reaction of high activity was localised on lysed fungus. Acid -glycerophosphatase was present at particulate sites only in fungal cytoplasm and as a diffuse reaction on lysed fungus.Naphthol AS D esterase showed highest activity at hyphal apices. Esterase seems to be associated with growth and differentiation of hyphae in orchid cells, rather than lysis of the fungus.     

Observations on the ultrastructure ofFrankia sp. in root nodules ofDatisca cannabina L.

Summary The fine structures of the microsymbiont inside the root nodules ofDatisca cannabina have been studied by light, by transmission- and by scanning-electron microscopy. The endophyte is prokaryotic and actinomycetal in nature. The hyphae are septate and branched, diameter 0.3–0.5 m. The tips of hyphae are swollen to form electron-dense, clubshaped to filamentous vesicles, ranging in diameter: 0.4–1.4 m. The endophyte penetrates through walls of the cortial cells. The infected zone is kidney shaped and confined to one side of the acentric stele. The orientation of infection is reversed from other actinorhizae exceptCoriaria. The hyphae are near the host cell wall and vesicles are directed towards the central vacuole. Vesicles are aseptate and no collapsing of the vesicle cell wall (void area) has been observed. Vesicle clusters structures are globular with an opening at one side of the cluster. The host cell is multinucleate or contains a lobed nucleus. Groups of mitochondria are located in between the hyphae, suggesting a strong association between the host and the endophyte for energy supply and amino acid production. The consequences of the inability to separate the mitochondria from the vesicle clusters in nodule homogenates in physiological studies have been discussed.Isolated vesicles clusters showed dehydrogenase activity, indicated by the presence of formazan crystals, after incubation with NADH and NBT. Strongest reducing activity was found within the vesicles. The possible role of filamentous vesicles in nitrogen fixation has been discussed.     

有机碳和无机碳对3种真菌胞外酸性磷酸酶和蛋白酶活性的影响

多数研究表明外生菌根真菌能够促进植物养分吸收并提高植物生长,但是对其发生的原因研究较少。本文在室内控制条件下,研究了真菌菌丝分泌N、P相关胞外酶及其受土壤有机碳（胡敏酸）和无机碳（碳酸钙）添加的影响,结果表明：1）3种真菌——松乳菇(Lactarius deliciosus)、变色红菇（Russula integra）、铆钉菇（Gomphidius viscidus）菌丝均能够分泌酸性磷酸酶和蛋白酶,而且多数情况下,MMN培养基培养14 d时,各个酶活性较高,而不同菌的胞外酶活性存在较大的差异,平均值来看铆钉菇酸性磷酸酶活性最低而蛋白酶活性最高,其它2个真菌菌丝的胞外酶活性差异不大;2）添加胡敏酸后,3种菌丝的酸性磷酸酶活性都是随着胡敏酸添加量的增加而逐渐增加;但蛋白酶活性存在差异：松乳菇的蛋白酶活性随着胡敏酸添加量的增加而逐渐增加;变色红菇的蛋白酶活性对胡敏酸不敏感,受其影响不大;铆钉菇的蛋白酶活力在少量的胡敏酸作用下最强,但浓度过高反而抑制其蛋白酶的活性。3）添加碳酸钙后,总体来看,3种菌丝胞外酸性磷酸酶和蛋白酶活性都是添加少量碳酸钙时酶活性最强,随着浓度的增加(如0.1 g),其酶活性开始受到抑制。综上所述,真菌菌丝能够分泌酸性磷酸酶和蛋白酶,这可能是因为这些外生菌根真菌能够促进植物养分吸收和快速生长的原因;有机碳和无机碳的加入可以直接影响真菌菌丝胞外酶的分泌,进而影响土壤内有机磷和有机氮化合物的分解,显示其在土壤碳循环中的作用。     

Secretory granule formation and membrane recycling by the trans-Golgi network in adipokinetic cells of Locusta migratoria in relation to flight and rest

The influence of flight activity on the formation of secretory granules and the concomitant membrane recycling by the rans-Golgi network in the peptidergic neurosecretory adipokinetic cells of Locusta migratoria was investigated by means of ultrastructural morphometric methods. The patterns of labelling of the trans-Golgi network by the exogenous adsorptive endocytotic tracer wheat-germ agglutinin-conjugated horseradish peroxidase and by the endogenous marker enzyme acid phosphatase were used as parameters and were measured by an automatic image analysis system. The results show that endocytosed fragments of plasma membrane with bound peroxidase label were transported to the trans-Golgi network and used to build new secretory granules. The amounts of peroxidase and especially of acid phosphatase within the trans-Golgi network showed a strong tendency to be smaller in flight-stimulated cells than in non-stimulated cells. The amounts of acid phosphatase in the immature secretory granules originating from the trans-Golgi network were significantly smaller in stimulated cells. The number of immature secretory granules positive for acid phosphatase tended to be higher in stimulated cells. Thus, flight stimulation of adipokinetic cells for 1 h influences the functioning of the trans-Golgi network; this most probably results in a slight enhancement of the production of secretory granules by the trans-Golgi network.     

Cloning of an alkaline phosphatase gene from the moderately thermophilic bacterium<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Meiothermus ruber</Emphasis> and characterization of the recombinant enzyme

A gene that codes for an alkaline phosphatase was cloned from the thermophilic bacterium Meiothermus ruber, and its nucleotide sequence was determined. The deduced amino acid sequence indicates that the enzyme precursor including the putative signal sequence is composed of 503 amino acid residues and has an estimated molecular mass of 54,229 Da. Comparison of the peptide sequence with that of the prototype alkaline phosphatase from Escherichia coli revealed conservation of the regions in the vicinity of the corresponding phosphorylation site and metal binding sites. The protein was expressed in E. coli and its enzymatic properties were characterized. In the absence of exogenously added metal ions, activity was negligible; to obtain maximal activity, addition of free Mg²⁺ ions was required. Zn²⁺ ions had an inhibitory effect on the activity of the M. ruber enzyme. The pH and temperature optima for activity were found to be 11.0 and 62°C, respectively. The enzyme was moderately thermostable: it retained about 50% activity after incubation for 6 h at 60°C, whereas at 80°C it was completely inactivated within 2 h. The Michaelis constant for cleavage of 4-nitrophenylphosphate was 0.055 mM. While having much in common with other alkaline phosphatases, the M. ruber enzyme presents some unique features, such as a very narrow pH range for activity and an absolute requirement for magnesium for activity.Communicated by G. P. Georgiev     

Phosphatase activity in the heterotrophic dinoflagellate Pfiesteria shumwayae

The ELF-97 phosphatase substrate was used to examine phosphatase activity in four strains of the estuarine heterotrophic dinoflagellate, Pfiesteria shumwayae. Acid and alkaline phosphatase activities also were evaluated at different pH values using bulk colorimetric methods. Intracellular phosphatase activity was demonstrated in P. shumwayae cells that were actively feeding on a fish cell line and in food limited cells that had not fed on fish cells for 3 days. All strains, whether actively feeding or food limited showed similar phosphatase activities. P. shumwayae cells feeding on fish cells showed ELF-97 activity near, or surrounding, the food vacuole. Relatively small, spherical ELF-97 deposits were also observed in the cytoplasm and sometimes near the plasma membrane. ELF-97 fluorescence was highly variable among cells, likely reflecting different stages in digestion and related metabolic processes. The location of enzyme activity and supporting colorimetric measurements suggest that, as in other heterotrophic protists, acid phosphatases predominate in P. shumwayae and have a general catabolic function.     

Activity and distribution of lysosomal enzymes during collagenous matrix-induced cartilage,bone, and bone marrow development

The appearance of the lysosomal enzymes acid phosphatase, arylsulfatase, and β-glucuronidase was studied during endochondral bone and bone marrow formation induced by implantation of demineralized bone matrix. The activities of acid phosphatase and β-glucuronidase gradually increased from the stage of mesenchymal cell proliferation on Day 3 onward to reach a peak on Day 13, during maximal bone remodeling. However, arysulfatase activity exhibited a sharp increase on Day 9, associated with the onset of cartilage hypertrophy and chondrolysis. The peak of arylsulfatase activity was also attained on Day 13. The activities of all three enzymes declined on Day 15 but acid phosphatase again exhibited an increase during hematopoietic bone marrow differentiation on Days 19–21. Histochemical and ultrastructural studies revealed intense lysosomal enzyme activity in macrophage-like cells on Day 7 and thereafter. During chondrolysis and bone remodeling, these cells were present in a perivascular location. Osteoclasts also exhibited strong reactivity for the lysosomal enzymes. Due to its characteristic temporal appearance during development of endochondral bone, arysulfatase may be used as a marker enzyme for chondrolysis and bone resorption.     

Increase in acid phosphatase activity in the fat body during larval and pharate pupal development in Calliphora erythrocephala

Biochemical evidence was obtained for an increase in acid phosphatase activity in the larval fat body of Calliphora erythrocephala during larval and pharate pupal instars. This observation is in conflict with published data indicating a decreasing enzyme activity in late third stage larvae. Centrifugation and filtration studies showed that the pH of the homogenisation medium has a strong influence on the solubilisation of acid phosphatase and its distribution in homogenate components. Differences in biochemical techniques including the pH value may explain the discrepancy between the published results and the present findings.The observed increase in acid phosphatase activity is related to the activity of the lysosomal system in the period immediately preceding pupal-adult apolysis.     

Sodium butyrate induced alterations in lysosomal enzyme activity

Summary Treatment of cultured HeLa cells with 5 mM sodium butyrate causes an inhibition of growth as well as extensive chemical and morphological differentiation. Lysosomal enzyme activity changes have been associated with both normal and neoplastic growth as well as many aspects of the neoplastic process. The comparative ultrastructural results show that the butyrate-treated cells have a more extensive internal membraneous system than the untreated cells, whereas other organelles seem unaffected by the butyrate treatment. Methods for the histochemical localization of lysosomal acid phosphatase show a twofold increase in particulate reaction product in the butyrate-treated HeLa cells. Isolation of lysosomes followed by a comparative enzyme analysis shows a two to three fold increase in acid phosphatase activity per cell after 24 h of butyrate treatment, as well as three to four fold increase in β-glucuronidase activity. These increases reverse within 24 h of removal of the butyrate from the culture medium. These results as interpreted suggest that butyrate treatment may be preventing sublethal autolysis by arresting the leakage of the lysosomal enzymes from the lysosome into the cytosol and thus allowing the cell to chemically and morphologically differentiate. This work was supported by National Institute of Health Grant HD 14085-03.