Occurrence of mycosporine-like amino acids in the red-tide dinoflagellate Alexandrium excavatum: UV-photoprotective compounds?

Water extracts of the red-tide dinoflagellate Alexandrium excavatumgrown at ‘high’ light intensity (200 µE m^–2s^–1) show a broad absorbance maximum in the UV regionof the spectrum (310–360 nm). Using TLC and reverse-phaseHPLC a series of mycosporine-like amino acids have been characterized:mycosporine-glycine (_max = 310 nm), palythine (_max = 320 nm),asterina-330 (_max = 330 nm), shinorine (_max = 334 nm), porphyra-334(_max= 334 nm), palythenic acid (_max = 337 nm) and the isomericmixture of usujirene and palythene (_max = 359 nm). From theobserved spectral changes during transference from ‘low’(20 µE m^–2 s^–1) to ‘high’ (200µE m^–2 s^–1) light intensities and vice versa,the series of compounds are supposed to be biogenically relatedto one another. The presence of these compounds in A.excavatumis discussed in relation to their possible role in the photoprotectionto deleterious UV radiation.     

Carbon isotopic composition of Trichodesmium spp. colonies off Bermuda: effects of colony mass and season

Colonies of Trichodesmium spp. are conspicuous, macroscopiccomponents of the life in tropical and subtropical oceans. Thelarge size and the morphology of the colony raise questionsregarding the mechanism of carbon supply for photosynthesis.Constraints on these mechanisms may be indicated by the stablecarbon isotopic composition (¹³C) that reflects the balancebetween carbon supply and speciation, as well as the growthrate and colony size. The ¹³C of Trichodesmium off Bermuda measuredhere revealed a strong correlation between size of individualcolonies and season. The smallest colonies, 2–7 µgC colony^–1, showed the lightest ¹³C composition (–19),increasing to asymptotic values of –12 above 7 µgC colony^–1. The average ¹³C of the colonies was lightestimmediately after the onset of stratification in the SargassoSea, gradually increasing by 4 to heavier values during thesummer. We propose that the mass effect is due to increaseduse of HCO₃^– by the larger colonies, whereas the seasonalinfluence may be related to changes in irradiance and pCO₂ affectingthe internal carbon cycling.     

Alterations in the Components of Peanut Leaf Water Potential during Desiccation

Changes in components of leaf water potential during soil waterdeficits influence many physiological processes. Research resultsfocusing on these changes during desiccation of peanut (Arachishypogeae L.) leaves are apparently not available. The presentstudy was conducted to examine the relationships of leaf water_l, solute _s and turgor _p potentials, and percent relative watercontent (RWC) of peanut leaves during desiccation of detachedleaves and also during naturally occurring soil moisture deficitsin the field. The relationship of _p to _l and RWC was evaluated by calculating_p from differences in _l and _s determined by thermocouple psychrometryand by constructing pressure-volume (P-V) curves from the _land RWC measurements. Turgor potentials of ‘Early Bunch’and ‘Florunner’ leaves decreased to zero at _l of–1.2 to –1.3 MPa and RWC of 87%. There were no cultivardifferences in the _l at which _p became zero. P-V curves indicatedthat the error of measuring _s after freezing due to dilutionof the cellular constituents was small but resulted in artefactualnegative _p values. Random measurements on two dates of _l, _s, and calculation of_p from well-watered and water-stressed field plots consistingof several genotypes indicated that zero _p occurred at _l of–1.6 MPa. It was concluded that the relationships of _p,_l, _s, and RWC of peanut leaves were similar to leaves of othercrops and that these relationships conferred no unique droughtresistance mechanism to peanut.     

Buoyancy of Atlantic cod larvae in relation to developmental stage and maternal influences

In this experimental study on Atlantic cod, Gadus morhua, buoyancywas found to vary significantly with season, developmental stage,egg size and maternal condition. Before the start of the experiments,wild fish were caught in the Barents Sea and acclimatized tolaboratory conditions. Pairs (n = 8), one female (recruit spawner)and one male, spawned naturally in large, indoor compartmentsof a circular tank and every third egg batch (out of up to 19batches collected per female) was incubated in aquaria. Followingsedation (50 mg l^-1metomidate hydrochloride, 30 min), individuallarval specific gravity was precisely reported (30 min) usinga density-graduated column. Larval specific gravity (mean_t)increased steadily during the first early stages of development(0–25 day-degrees), remained nearly constant during thefollowing stages (25–35 day-degrees), but then decreasedgradually (35–55 day-degrees). In general, late-seasonlarvae were significantly less buoyant, i.e. showed higher mean_t,than early-season larvae. Mean_twas negatively correlated withfemale condition and egg size and dry weight. Possible implicationsof these findings for drift and survival are discussed.     

Effects of Priming and Endosperm Integrity on Seed Germination Rates of Tomato Genotypes: II. GERMINATION AT REDUCED WATER POTENTIAL

Seed germination rates (GR =inverse of time to germination)are sensitive to genetic, environmental, and physiological factors.We have compared the GR of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.)seeds of cultivar T5 to those of rapidly germinating L. esculentumgenotypes PI 341988 and PI 120256 over a range of water potential(). The influence of seed priming treatments and removal ofthe endosperm/testa cap enclosing the radicle tip on germinationat reduced were also assessed. Germination time-courses atdifferent 's were analysed according to a model that identifieda base, or minimum, allowing germination of a specific percentage(g) of the seed population (_b(g)), and a ‘hydrotime constant’(_H) indicating the rate of progress toward germination per MPa.h.The distribution of _b(g) determined by probit analysis was characterizedby a mean base (_b) and the standard deviation in _b among seeds(_b). The three derived parameters, _b, _b) and _H, were sufficientto predict the time-courses of germination of intact seeds atany . A normalized time-scale for comparing germination responsesto reduced is introduced. The time to germination at any (t_g())can be normalized to be equivalent to that observed in water(t_g(0)) according to the equation t_g(0)=[l–(/_b(g))]t_g().PI 341988 seeds were more tolerant of reduced and had a morerapid GR than T5 seeds due to both a lower _b and a smaller _H.The rapid germination of PI 120256, on the other hand, couldbe attributed entirely to a smaller _H. Seed priming (6 d in–1.2 MPa polyethylene glycol 8000 solution at 20 ?C followedby drying) increased GR at all >_b(g), but did not lower theminimum allowing germination; i.e. priming reduced _H withoutlowering _b. Removing the endosperm/testa cap (cut seeds) markedlyincreased GR and lowered the mean required to inhibit germinationby 0.7 to 0.9 MPa. However, this resulted primarily from downwardadjustment in _b during the incubation of cut seeds at low inthe test solutions. The difference in _b between intact and cutseeds incubated at high was much less (0.l MPa), indicatingthat at the time of radicle protrusion, the endosperm had weakenedto the point where it constituted only a small mechanical barrier.In the intact seed, endosperm weakening and the downward adjustmentin embryo _b ceased at < –0.6 MPa, while the reductionin _H associated with priming proceeded down to at least –1.2MPa. Based on these data and on the pressure required to pushthe embryos from the seeds at various times after imbibition,it appears that the primary effect of priming was to shortenthe time required for final endosperm weakening to occur. However,as priming increased GR even in cut seeds, priming effects onthe embryo may control the rate of endosperm weakening. Key words: tomato, Lycopersicon esculentum Mill., water potential, germination rate, seed priming, genetic variation     

On filament width in oceanic plankton distributions

A plankton patch deformed by diffusion, straining flow and biologicalgrowth is demonstrated to have a minimum width, /, which ispurely a function of the effective diffusivity, , and the strainrate, .     

Genotypic Differences in Leaf Water Relations between Brassica juncea and B. napus

Various kinds of measurement of tissue water status were madeseveral times during water stress and recovery in Brassica juncea(cv Canadian Black) and B napus (cv Drakkar) Unstressed plantsof the two species had similar leaf water potentials (_w), solute(_s) and turgor potentials (_p) Values of relative water content(RWC) and the slope of the linear relationship between _p andRWC (_p/RWC) were greater in B napus than in B juncea Statistical correlations of pooled data for the watered andstressed treatments differentiated the relationships among RWC,_w and its components in the two species The major statisticaldifference was that _p/RWC was related to RWC in B napus andto _w and _s in B juncea A decline in _p/RWC with decreasing _sin B juncea may be a mechanism for maintaining _p at low soilwater potentials through maintenance of more elastic cell walls. Brassica juncea, Brassica napus, osmotic adjustment, tissue elasticity, water relations     

Stomatal Behaviour and Water Relations of Chilled Phaseolus vulgaris L. and Pisum sativum L.

Leaf diffusion resistance interpreted as stomatal resistance,leaf water potential (_w), solute potential (_s) and leaf turgorpotential (_p) of the chilling sensitive species Phaseolus vulgariswere determined during chilling at 4 °C in the light. Bothchill-hardened and non-hardened plants were used. For comparison,the chilling resistant species Pisum sativum was also used. The results for chilled P. sativum were similar to those obtainedfor chill-hardened P. vulgaris plants receiving a chilling treatment.In both cases a reduction in stomatal aperture and the maintenanceof a positive leaf turgor were the responses to chilling. Leavesof chilled but non-hardened P. vulgaris plants were found tomaintain open stomata throughout the chilling treatment despitea severe wilt developing after 7 h at 4 °C. This was incontrast to the chill-resistant P. sativum. which showed a rapidclosing and subsequent re-opening of the stomata to a new reducedaperture. During the first 12 h of chilling _wof P. vulgaris leaves changedfrom –0.47 MPa to –1.24 MPa. On more prolonged chilling_w tended to return to pre-chilling values. In addition. _p decreasedfrom 0.42 MPa to zero after only 9 h of chilling, and remainedat this value for the remainder of the chilling period, _s, changedrapidly from –0.89 MPa to –1.35 MPa in the first7.5 h, and after 9 h. _w and _s, were equal, i.e. zero _p. In contrast,the chilling resistant plant P. sativum maintained a positive_p throughout the chilling period, and there was little differencebetween values of _w, and _s in control and chilled leaves. Key words: Chilling, Stomata, ater relations, Phaseolus vulgaris, Pisum sativum     

Physiological Responses to Drought of Lolium perenne L.: Measurement of, and Genetic Variation in, Water Potential, Solute Potential, Elasticity and Cell Hydration

Thomas, H. 1987. Physiological responses to drought of Loliumperenne L.: Measurement of, and genetic variation in, waterpotential, solute potential, elasticity and cell hydration.—J.exp. Bot. 38: 115–125. Clonally-replicated genotypes of Loiium perenne L. were grownin a controlled environment. Leaf water potential (_w) osmoticpotential (_s), turgor potential (_p = _w – _s), elasticity(E), leaf hydration (g water per g dry matter, H) and numberof green leaves per tiller (N_GL) were measured before and duringa 42 d drought treatment. A simplified method of estimating E (at _w < 1?0 MPa) usingonly six measurements was developed to permit a measurementrate of 8 leaves per hour. Measurement errors in all characterswere 3% or less. During drought, _w and _s (at _w = 0?5 MPa) decreased significantly,_p and E increased significantly, and H decreased slightly. Plantsize during drought was negatively correlated with _s, and ^Hand positively correlated with _p, osmotic adjustment, E andN_GL. Measurements made on the genotypes before draughting didnot give a reliable indication of their physiological conditionafter adaptation to drought. Genetically controlled variation (‘broad sense heritability’)of drought-adapted plants for E was 15%, _w 23%, _s, 34%, _p, 35%,H 34% and N_GL 64%. The possibilities for, and effectivenessof, divergent selection of genotypes with high and low expressionof the characters are discussed. Key words: Water relations, Lolium, genetic variation     

{delta}15N signatures of marine mesozooplankton and seston size fractions in Kiel Fjord, Baltic Sea

The ¹⁵N of marine mesozooplankton species was measured on fouroccasions. Significant differences were found between copepodsand meroplanktonic larvae, yet not between holoplanktonic species.On average, mesozooplankton was enriched by 3.4 ± 0.9relative to selected seston size fractions. Despite suggestingsmall differences (0.5 to 1) in the ¹⁵N of different phytoplanktontaxa on one occasion, the size fractionation procedure generallyproved inadequate in separating major taxonomic groups composingseston. This circumstance, and phase-shifts in the transmissionof rapid changes (>2) in seston ¹⁵N to mesozooplankton complicatethe calculation of mesozooplankton trophic levels.     

Isolation of Subunits of Coupling Factor 1 from Maize and Spinach Chloroplasts and Properties of Combinations of Subunits with ATPase Activity

Subunits (, ß, ) and mixtures of subunits ( ß, , ß , ß ) were isolated without denaturationfrom a chloroform extract of chloroplast coupling factor 1 (CF₁)from maize (Zea mays var. Ushiku 5-4) and from spinach by fastprotein liquid chromatography (FPLC), on an anion-exchange columnof Mono-Q in the presence of n-octylglucoside (OG) and on achromatofocusing column of Mono-P. The ß -subunitcomplex (CF¹ ß ) was the minimum unit required forATPase activity, as was confirmed by the reconstituted complexof ß and subunits. An subunit isolated from maizeinhibited the ATPase activity of CF₁ ß from bothmaize and spinach. CF₁ ß was found to contain anOG-dependent Mg²⁺-ATPase. The ATPase activity of CF₁ ß required divalent cations, such as Mg²⁺ or Mn²⁺, for its expressionin the presence of OG; its optimum pH was 8.0 and it was markedlyinhibited by NaN₃. The enzyme hydrolyzed ATP in prefernece toGTP but not CTP, UTP, ADP, AMP or pNPP. Lineweaver-Burk plotsof its activity were curvilinear in the range of 0.6–0.7mM ATP.Mg²⁺. ¹Present address: Department of Biology, School of Education,Waseda University, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160 Japan. (Received February 15, 1989; Accepted April 20, 1989)     

Temporal and spatial variations in phytoplankton carbon isotopes in a polymictic subtropical lake

Stable carbon isotopes (¹³C) were determined for phytoplanktonand dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) from Lake Apopka, a shallow,polymictic and hypereutrophic lake in Florida, USA. Bulk planktondominated by pico- and nanqanobacteria were enriched in ¹³(–13.1± 1.1%) as a result of assimilation of extremely ¹³C-richDIC (¹³C = 9.6 ± 3.0%). Diatoms (Aulacoseira spp.) hada ¹³C of –14.3 ± 0.6% that was slightly more negativethan that of small cyanobacteria. Meroplanktonic diatoms hada ¹³C (–13.6 ± 1.8%), similar to their planktoniccounterparts. The ¹³C of a colonial cyanobacterium (Microcystisincerta) was exceptionally heavy (–3.0 ± 1.0%)and attributed to localized carbon limitation. Seasonal variationin ¹³C of bulk plankton was small (4%) relative to reports forother lacustrine systems No difference in the ¹³C of bulk planktonhorn surface water between stratified and non-stratified periodswas found. No measurable changes in ¹³C of bulk plankton wereindicated in light and dark incubation experiments Frequentwind mixing of the water column, high DIC concentration, andconsistently high lake productivity were used to explain thetemporal and spatial isotope consistency of phytoplankton inthis lake.     

Molecular dynamics simulations of oligosaccharides and their conformation in the crystal structure of lectin-carbohydrate complex: importance of the torsion angle {psi} for the orientation of {alpha}1,6-arm

The conformation of the heptasaccharide Man-1,6-(Man-1,3)(Xyl-ß1,2)-Man-ß,4-GlcNAc₂-ß1,4-(L-Fuc-1,3)-GlcNAc₁,the carbohydrate moiety of Erythrina corallodendron lectin (EcorL),the hexasaccharide Man-1,6-(Man-1,3) (GlcNAc-ß1,4)-Man-ß1,4-GlcNAc-ß1,4-GlcNAcand their disaccharide fragments have been studied by moleculardynamics (MD) simulations for 1000 ps with different initialconformations. In the isolated heptasaccharide, the most frequentlyaccessed conformation during MD has a value of 180° aroundMan-1,6-Man linkage. This conformation is stabilized by theformation of a hydrogen bond between the carbonyl oxygen ofGlcNAc₂ with the O3/O4 hydroxyls of the 1,6-linked mannose residue.The conformation of the heptasaccharide found in the crystalstructure of the EcorL-lactose complex (Shaanan et al., Science,254, 862, 1991), that has a value of 76° around Man-1,6-Manlinkage, is accessed, although less frequently, during MD ofthe isolated oligosaccharide. The ,, = 58°,–134°,–60°conformation around Man-₁,6-Man fragment observed in the crystalstructure of the Lathyrus ochnrs lectin complexed with a biantennaryoctasaccharide (Table I in Homans,S.W., Glycobiology, 3, 551,1993) has also been accessed in the present MD simulations.These values for the 1,6-linkage, which are observed in theprotein-carbohydrate crystal structures and are accessed inthe MD simulations, though occasionally, have not been predictedfrom NMR studies. Furthermore, these different values of leadto significantly different orientations of the 1,6-arm for thesame value of . This contrasts with the earlier predictionsthat only different values of can bring about significant changesin the orientation of the ₁,6-arm. The MD simulations also showthat the effects of bisecting GlcNAc or ß1,2-xyloseare very similar on the ₁,3-arm and slightly different on the₁,6-arm. bisecting GlcNAc carbohydrates glycoprotein lectinsaccharide complex     

Influence of salinity and temperature on growth and survival of the planktonic larvae of Marenzelleria viridis (Polychaeta, Spionidae)

In a series of experiments, the planktonic larvae of Marenzelleriaviridis (Verrill, 1873) were exposed to various combinationsof salinity (S = 0.6, 2.5, 5.0, 10 and 20) and temperature (T= 5, 10 and 20C) from the 1-setiger stage to the onset of metamorphosis(16- to 17-setiger stage). One-setiger larvae were unable tocomplete their development to metamorphosis at salinities below5. Metamorphosis was successful at salinities of 10 and 20,when the animals adopted a benthic life mode. Larval developmentwas more rapid at 10 than at 20, and was positively affectedby higher temperatures. Larvae exposed to a salinity of 3.5at the 4- to 5-setiger stage developed and completed metamorphosisto benthic juveniles despite the low salinity. These larvaedeveloped most rapidly at a temperature of 10C. The salinitytolerances (LC₅₀) of M. viridis larvae (t = 48 h), juvenilesand adults (t = 72 h in each case) were determined at 10C.The results showed that all development stages can toleratesalmities <1 The importance of constraints on developmentand tolerance to low salinities for the successful colonizationof oligohaline regions is shown and discussed in connectionwith other brackish-water organisms.     

Water Relations of Chromium VI Treated Bush Bean Plants (Phaseolus vulgaris L. cv. Contender) under both Normal and Water Stress Conditions

The effect of Chromium VI on leaf water potential (^w), solutepotential (^a), turgor potential (^p) and relative water content(RWC) of primary and first trifoliatc leaves of Phaseolus vulgarisL. was studied under normal growth conditions and during anartificially induced water stress period in order to establishthe possible influence of this heavy metal on the water stressresistance of plants. Plants were grown on perlite with nutrientsolution containing 0, 1•0, 2•5, 5•0 or 10•0µg cm^–3 Cr as Na₂Cr₂O₇.2H₂O. The effect of Cr onwater relations was highly concentration dependent, and primaryand first trifoliate leaves were affected differently. The growthreducing concentrations of Cr (2•5, 5•0 and 10•0µg cm^–3) generally decreased _s and _w and increased_p in primary leaves. The 1•0 µg cm^–3 Cr treatmentdid not affect growth, but altered water relations substantially:in primary leaves _w and _p were increased and _s decreased, whilein trifoliate leaves the effect was the opposite. All Cr treatedplants resisted water stress for longer than control plants.The higher water stress resistance may be due to the lower _sand to the increased cell wall elasticity observed in Cr VItreated plants. Key words: Phaseolus vulgaris, Chromium VI, water stress, Richter plot     

Water-Relations Parameters of the Phloem. Determinations of Volumetric Elastic Modulus and Membrane Conductivity using an Applied Force Method and Shrinkage and Swelling of Tissues in Solutions at Differing Osmotic Pressure

Water-relations parameters were measured on sections of secondaryphloem from red oak (Quercus borealis michx. f.) and white ash(Fraxinus americana var. biltmoreana [Beadle] J. Wright) usinga linear displacement transducer. Changes in tissue thicknessin response to changes in the osmotic pressure of the bathingsolution were used to calculate the volumetric elastic modulusplus osmotic pressure (_v + ) of the tissue, and an applied forcemethod was used to estimate the time constant for water equilibration(T). The hydraulic conductivity of the cell membranes (L_p) wascalculated utilizing _v + and r values. The time-dependent behaviour of the tissue was much more complexthan originally expected. A correction for a time-dependentprocess that we call ‘drift’ was required to obtainnumbers for _v + . Furthermore, _v + was calculated on two assumptionsin order to relate changes in tissue dimensions to sieve elementparameters. In the first case, a lower limit for _v + of thesieve elements was determined by attributing all changes intissue dimensions to these cells. For red oak the average _v+ on this assumption is 72 bars. Assuming that all cell typeswere equally responsible for the changes in tissue dimensionsresulted in an _v + value of 192 bars for oak. If _v + and rare the same for all cells in the tissue, L_p for the sieve elementsof oak is 9.6 x 10^–8 cm s^–1 bar^–1. Exudationfrom the sieve elements of white ash during excision of thephloem led to artificially high values of _v + for that species. Quercus borealis michx. f., Fraxinus americana var, biltmoreana (Beadle) J. Wright, red oak, white ash, water relations, phloem, volumetric elastic modulus, membrane hydraulic conductivity     

Sialylation of n-alkyllactosides, galactosides and glucosides by sialyltransferases from rat liver Golgi vesicles

nAlkyl - and -lactosides, galactosides and glucosides with differentalkyl chain lengths (C₂, C₈, C₁₄, and C₂₀) were synthesizedand used as acceptors for sialyltransferases from rat liverGolgi vesicles. The -galactosides, -glucosides, and both - and-lactosides, were sialylated. Keeping the acceptor concentrationconstant, sialylation rates reached a maximum for the n-octyl- and -lactosides, n-Octyl -galactoside and noctyl -glucoside,respectively. noctyl -glucoside, respectivwly. n-Octyl -galactosideand n-octyl -glucoside were not sialylated. The reaction productswere characterized by TLC. With n-octyl lactoside and galactosideas acceptors, two major sialylation products were formed. Thjeycould be separated by preparative TLC, and their structureswere identified as 2–3 and 2–6 sialylated acceptors,respectively, by a combination of periodated oxidation, NaBD₄reduction,permethylation and subsequent analysis by fast atombombardment mass spectrometry (FAB-MS). The structure of thesingle product obtained from n-ictyl -glucoside was determinedto be the 2–6 sialylated glucoside. Competition experimentswith n-octyl lactoside and lactosylceramide and gangliosideGal1-3GalNAc1-4(NeuAc2–3)Gal1–4Glcbeeta1–1Cer(GM1) as acceptors for sialyltransferases suggested that SAT-I[NeuAc2–3Gal1–4Glc1-1Cer (GM3) synthase] was atleast in least in part responsible for the 2–3 sialylationof n-octyl lactoside. alkylgalactosides alkylglucosides alkyllactosides neoglycolipids sialytransferases     

Derivation of Pressure-Volume Curves by a Non-Linear Regression Procedure and Determination of Apoplastic Water

Data from pressure-volume (PV) analysis may be submitted totransformation I [i.e. leaf water potential (₁) versus inverserelative water content (1/R)] or to transformation II (i.e.1/₁ versus R). This may cause an essential distortion of theerror structure especially in transformation II due to the relativelylarge range which is to be covered by the 1/₁ ratio. Similarly,logarithmic transformation of leaf turgor potential (_P) whenderiving the sensitivity factor of elasticity (ß)by linear regression from values of In _p and 1/R may distortthe error structure. In order to investigate the magnitude ofthe distortion effect on parameters derived from PV analysisby regression a non-linear regression procedure was comparedwith the common linear procedure when calculating _p from ßin the turgid region and leaf osmotic potential (_P) in boththe turgid and non-turgid region. As test plants we used fieldgrown species of spring barley (Hordeum distichum L., cvs Gunnarand Alis). The results show that transformations and applicationof linear regression procedures distort the error structureof _p more than the error structure of _', which was only slightlyaffected. However, we recommend the use of the non-linear procedurein both cases. Furthermore, from PV analysis, obtained by thermocouple hygrometryon living and killed leaf tissue, respectively, we derived themathematical basis for calculating the apoplastic water fraction(R_a). R_a was 0.15 at R= 1 and decreased with dehydration. The equations describing the relation between and R and between_p and R were extended to take into account the apoplastic waterfraction. Key words: Apoplastic water, distortion errors, non-linear regression, pressure-volume curves     

Pumpkin (Cucurbita sp.) seed globulin III. Comparison of subunit structures among seed globulins of various Cucurbita species and characterization of peptide components

Various Cucurbita seed globulins showed patterns similar toone another on SDS-gel electrophoresis, and ß bandsfor unreduced globulins and , ', and ' bands for reduced ones.On gel electrophoresis in 6 M urea, reduced globulin gave twoacidic and two basic bands. These corresponded to and ' chainsand ₁ and ₂ chains, respectively, identified by two-dimensionalurea-SDS gel electrophoresis. The compositions of the and ßsubunits were proposed. (Received September 8, 1977; )     

Wilting of Leaves in Vicia faba L.

Wilting of leaves of Vicia faba L., which occurs when the pressurepotential (_p) is zero, and the leaf-water potential () at wiltingboth depend entirely upon the solute potential at incipientplasmolysis (_so) and not on soil-water status. Wilting in V.faba is acropetal; this is consistent with the hypothesis thatthere is a gradient of decreasing _so up the plant and that wateris transferred from the lower to the upper leaves, hasteningthe overall water loss from the lower leaves to the point when_p is zero. The gradient in _so up the plant is of the order of3–8 bar. It is proposed that wilting when _p>0 (i.e. > _so) shouldbe ‘apparent wilting’ and that when _p0 (i.e. _so),‘true wilting’.