Comparison of cytokinin- and auxin-like activity in some commercially used seaweed extracts

Six commercially used seaweed extracts were tested for cytokinin- and auxin-like activity using the soybean callus bioassay and the mung bean rooting bioassay respectively. All the seaweed extracts tested showed cytokinin-like activity. Seamac caused the most callus growth with activity being concentrated at R _f 0.9 which co-chromatographed withiso-pentenyladenine and its riboside. The other five seaweed extracts yielded activity at R _f 0.7–0.8. This co-chromatographed with zeatin and zeatin riboside. All the seaweed extracts tested improved rooting of mung beans. Kelpak made fromEcklonia maxima (Osbeck) Papenf. gave the best rooting response.     

Pathogenesis of barley leaves by Helminthosporium teres I: Green island formation and the possible involvement of cytokinins

Infection sites/green islands were formed in host leaf tissue infected with drops of H. teres. They exhibited higher cytokinin-like activity, sugar and starch than their surrounding tissue and tissue under water drops. The cytokinin-like activity at the infection sites increased from 24 to 72 h of incubation. However, the cytokinin-like activity of the tissue surrounding the infection drops and the tissue under water drops fell from 24 to 72 h incubation. The culture filtrate extracts of the fungus also produced cytokinin-like activity which increased from 1 to 10 days incubation. Application of this culture filtrate extract evoked green island formation. Application of kinetin to host leaves duplicated the green island effect. Thin-layer chromatographic fractions of the tissue extracts and the culture filtrate extracts revealed that a major portion of cytokinin-like activity corresponded to zeatin and zeatin riboside. The presence of zeatin and zeatin riboside (both in tissue and culture filtrate extracts) was confirmed by high performance liquid chromatography. Increases in the amounts of cytokinin-like substances, particularly zeatin and zeatin riboside, attributed to pathogen influence are suggested to be involved in infection and pathogenicity of H. teres.     

Cytokinins in cut carnation flowers. II. Relationship between endogenous ethylene and cytokinin levels in the petals

Tentative identification using HPLC and RIA techniques indicated the presence of zeatin-O-glucoside, zeatin, ribosylzeatin, dihydrozeatin, iso-pentenyladenine and iso-pentenyladenosine in the petals of carnation flowers. Dihydrozeatin is apparently responsible for most of the biological activity. Within the petals most activity was detected in the basal parts which also senesced much slower than the upper parts of the petals. Treatment with AOA extended petal longevity and reduced ethylene production. This was associated with higher cytokinin-like activity in the basal parts of the petals.These higher levels of cytokinins were not observed in the petals of ACC treated flowers or in the detached control flowers. It is suggested that cytokinin transport and/or metabolism may play an important role in regulating ethylene production in cut carnations.     

Changes in Gene Expression from Diploid to Autotetraploid Status of Lycopersicon esculentum

The cytokinin activity of the root exudate, the leaves, and the apices of vegetative and flowering white lupin plants (Lupinus albus L.) was investigated. The level of cytokinin activity in the root exudate decreased over the 11-week experimental period. Four peaks of cytokinin activity were recorded in the root exudate of 8-week-old plants after fractionation on Sephadex LH-20. Two of these peaks co-eluted with zeatin and zeatin riboside. It is suggested that the remaining peaks represent nucleotide and glucoside cytokinins. The cytokinin levels in extracts of the mature leaves fluctuated slightly over the experimental period. Three peaks of activity co-eluting with zeatin, zeatin riboside and the glucoside cytokinins were recorded in extracts of mature leaves of 8-week-old plants. In the apices cytokinin activity could only be detected in the inflorescences of flowering plants. It would appear that cytokinins produced by the roots accumulate in the fully expanded mature leaves, but are utilized in the rapidly growing apical region and in young expanding leaves.     

Screening microalgae for some potentially useful agricultural and pharmaceutical secondary metabolites

Nearly two hundred microalgal strains (174 Chlorophyta and 23 Cyanobacteria) were screened against some bacteria, filamentous fungi and yeasts using a disc-diffusion type bioassay. From this initial screening, 10 Chlorophyta strains from three genera (Desmococcus, Chlorella and Scenedesmus) were selected because of their high antimicrobial activity. These 10 strains were partially purified and tested using MIC antimicrobial and microtiter IC₅₀ anticancer assays. These preselected algal strains showed a high incidence of antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive (9 out of 10 species) and Gram-negative (7 out of 10 species) bacteria. The extracts were also effective against some tumour cell lines.     

The biological activity of cytokinin derivatives in the soybean callus bioassay

The effect of 28 natural and synthetic cytokinins, including cytokinin nucleotides, the growth of soybean cotyledonary callus was investigated. Generally the nucleosides and nucleotides gave a slightly better response than their respective free bases. The differences in response were, however, not significant and there is a distinct possibility that rapid interconversions between these three types of cytokinin occur within the tissue. The O-glucosides of Z and ZR were the most active. Glucosylation in the 3, 7 and 9 positions reduced activity. In the case of BA-derivatives the order of activity of the N-glucosides was 3G > 9G > 7G. Since iso-pentenyl derivatives had little activity they may be very difficult to detect using the soybean callus bioassay.Abbreviations Z zeatin - DHZ dihydrozeatin - IP iso-pentenyladenine - BA benzyladenine - K Kinetin - R riboside - MP monophosphate - OG 0-glucoside - 3G 3-glucoside - 7G 7-glucoside - 9G 9-glucoside - GC-MS gas chromatography—mass spectrometry     

Production of Cytokinin-like Substances by Cylindrocarpon destructans (Zins.) Scholt. Isolates Pathogenic and Nonpathogenic to Fir (Abies alba Mill.) seedlings

The production of cytokinin-like substances by different strains of Cylindrocarpon destructans either pathogenic or non pathogenic to fir (Abies alba Mill.) was studied. The cytokinins were extracted from the fungal culture media and separated by means of column chromatography. The biological activities in different fractions were assayed by callus growth of soybean (Glycine max Merill var. Acme). The amount of these substances was calculated on the basis of fresh weight of callus obtained from cultures containing authentic cytokinin. Cytokinin-like substances were detected in 5 of 6 pathogenic isolates tested and in 2 of 5 non-pathogenic isolates. On the basis of their occurrence in particular column fractions, most of the substances seem to be identical or similar to zeatin and zeatin riboside. In addition the fungi studied produced other, not identified cytokinin-like substances. The synthesis of Ri P can not be excluded. However the method applied did not allow to separate Ri P from zeatin and zeatin riboside.     

Cytokinin Activity in Lupinus albus

The cytokinin content of the root exudate and leaves of fruiting white lupin plants (Lupinus albus L.) was investigated at 2 weekly intervals after anthesis of the lowest flower on the primary inflorescence. Up to 8 weeks after anthesis the level of cytokinins in the root exudate increased. However, at 10 weeks after anthesis insufficient sap was produced for analysis. Cytokinins co-eluting with zeatin and zeatin riboside were detected in the root exudate after fractionation on Sephadex LH-20. The cytokinin levels in the mature leaves steadily increased up to 8 weeks after anthesis and thereafter remained relatively constant. Three peaks of activity, co-eluting with zeatin, zeatin riboside and the glucoside cytokinins were recorded in the leaf extracts. The level of glucoside cytokinins in the leaves was high at 8 and 10 weeks after anthesis. Paper chromatography of extracts of fruits collected at 2 weeks after anthesis indicated that as fruit development proceeded there was a build up of cytokinin in this region of the plant. It is suggested that, in the white lupin, the cytokinins translocated to the shoot are accumulated in the leaves and in the fruits and that it is only later when there is a considerable decrease in sap (10 weeks after anthesis) production that a decreasing supply of cytokinins leads to shoot senescence.     

亚热带水库浮游植物季节动态及其与环境因子的关系

以亚热带黄村水库流域为研究对象,探讨了浮游植物群落的季节变化及其与环境因子的关系。共鉴定出浮游植物51种,种类最多的是绿藻门（18种）（35.29%）,其次是硅藻门（15种）（29.41%）和蓝藻门（11种）（21.57%）。从浮游植物群落季节组成差异来看,春季（62.96%）和夏季（71.03%）蓝藻门丰度最高,秋季（56.11%）和冬季（80.74%）硅藻门丰度最高。黄村水库流域优势种尖尾蓝隐藻（Chroomonas acuta）和曲丝藻（Achnanthidium sp.）在春夏秋冬季节均存在。多样性指数表明该流域水体处于中营养状况。温度、电导率和营养盐是影响浮游植物群落组成最主要的环境因素。     

太湖梅梁湾湖岸带浮游植物群落演替及其与水华形成的关系

利用2009～2010年周年观测数据,结合江苏太湖湖泊生态系统研究站15年监测数据,分析了太湖梅梁湾湖岸带浮游植物群落演替及其与蓝藻水华形成的关系.50次周监测结果表明:蓝藻门(Cyanophyta)、绿藻门(Chlorophyta)、硅藻门(Bacillariophyta)分别占浮游植物总生物量的60%、16%和22%.冬春季绿藻、硅藻为主要优势种,夏秋季蓝藻门的微囊藻占绝对优势.4月下旬～6月初,平均温度低于20℃,蓝藻没有大规模生长,硅藻门、绿藻门生物量急剧降低,总生物量小于1mg·L^-1;随后温度超过25℃,蓝藻迅速增长并很快成为绝对优势,蓝藻增加滞后于绿藻、硅藻的减少.在营养盐充足、物理因素合适的条件下,浮游植物群落结构自然演替是蓝藻水华形成的主要原因之一.     

ENDOGENOUS CYTOKININS IN THREE GENERA OF MICROALGAE FROM THE CHLOROPHYTA1

Nine axenic microalgal (Chlorophyta) strains from three genera (Protococcus, Chlorella, and Scenedesmus) were analyzed for endogenous cytokinins. Cytokinin‐like activity was detected using the excised cucumber cotyledon bioassay. Five strains showed no cytokinin‐like activity and four strains, low cytokinin‐like activity. Ethanolic extracts of the microalgae containing a mixture of deuterium‐labeled standards were purified using a combined DEAE‐Sephadex octadecysilica column and immunoaffinity column based on wide‐range specific mon‐oclonal antibodies and analyzed by HPLC linked to a micromass single quadrupole mass spectrometer with an electrospray interface and a photodiode array detector. There were similar trends in cytokinin profiles for the nine microalgal strains investigated, although concentrations did vary. Both isopentenyladenine and isopentenyladenosine were detected in all nine strains. cis‐Zeatin and cis‐zeatin riboside occurred at higher concentrations than the trans isomers, whereas trans‐zeatin‐O‐glucoside and trans‐zeatin riboside‐O‐glucoside were dominant over the cis isomers. Dihydrozeatin and its conjugates were not detected in any significant amounts. The aromatic benzyladenine always occurred at higher concentrations than benzyladenosine. The topolins were well represented with all three isomers (ortho, meta, and para) being detected, with ortho‐topolin and ortho‐topolin riboside occurring at higher concentrations than the other isomers. However, for the O‐glucosides, the meta isomers (meta‐topolin‐O‐glucoside and meta‐topolin riboside‐O‐glucoside) occurred at higher concentrations than the other isomers. No N‐glucosides were detected (isopentenyladenine‐9‐glucoside, zeatin‐9‐glucoside, dihydrozeatin‐9‐glucoside, benzyladenine‐9‐glucoside, ortho‐topolin‐9‐glucoside, and meta‐topolin‐9‐glucoside). Generally, zeatin and topolin conjugates were the dominant forms of isoprenoid and aromatic cytokinins, respectively. There was no distinct trend in the proportions of isoprenoid to aromatic cytokinins.     

Benzyladenine and derivatives-their significance and interconversion in plants

Recently benzyladenine has been isolated as a natural cytokinin from a number of plants. The natural occurrence of this cytokinin will change the attitude with which physiologists view this hormone. This review attempts to put into context what is known about this cytokinin and its derivatives and to compare and contrast its metabolism and the function and physiological action of its various metabolites. Nothing is known about the biosynthesis of benzyladenine. Its structure would suggest that its biosynthetic pathway may differ considerably from that of zeatin and iso-pentenyladenine.Abbreviations Ade adenine - Ado adenosine - BA benzyladenine - [9R]BA BA ribonucleoside - [9R-MP]BA BA nucleotide - [9R-DP]BA BA dinucleotide - [9R-TP]BA BA trinucleotide - [3G]BA BA 3 glucoside - [7G]BA BA 7 glucoside - [9G]BA BA 9 glucoside - [9R-G]BA BA 9-ribosylglucoside - [9Ala]BA BA alanine-conjugate - (2OH)BA BA ortho-OH - (2OH)[9R]BA BA ortho-Oh-riboside - KN kinetin - [9R]KN KN ribonucleoside - DHZ dihydrozeatin - Z trans-zeatin - [9R]Z zeatin ribonucleoside - [7G]Z zeatin-7-glucoside - [9G]Z zeatin-9-glucoside - [9Ala]Z zeatin alanine-conjugate - (OG)[9R]Z O-glucoside of zeatin ribonucleoside - [9R-MP]Z zeatin nucleotide - iP iso-pentenyladenine - [9R]iP iP ribonucleoside     

Photosynthetic responses to temperature in tropical lotic macroalgae

A comparative analysis of the photosynthetic responses to temperature (10–30°C) was carried out under short‐term laboratory conditions by chlorophyll fluorescence and oxygen (0₂) evolution. Ten lotic macroalgal species from southeastern Brazil (20°11–20°48′S, 49°18–49°41′W) were tested, including Bacillariophyta, Chlorophyta, Cyanophyta, Rhodophyta and Xanthophyta. Temperature had significant effects on electron transport rate (ETR) only for three species (Terpsinoe musica, Bacillariophyta; Cladophora glomerata, Chlorophyta; and C. coeruleus, Rhodophyta), with highest values at 25–30°C, whereas the remaining species had no significant responses. It also had similar effects on non‐photochemical quenching and ETR. Differences in net photosynthesisldark respiration ratios at distinct temperatures were found, with an increasing trend of respiration with higher temperatures. This implies in a decreasing balance between net primary production and temperature, representing more critical conditions toward higher temperatures for most species. In contrast, high net photosynthesis and photosynthesisldark respiration ratios at high and wide ranges of temperature were found in three species of green algae, suggesting that these algae can be important primary producers in lotic ecosystems, particularly in tropical regions. Optimal photosynthetic rates were observed under similar environmental temperatures for five species (two rhodophytes, two chlorophytes and one diatom) considering both techniques, suggesting acclimation to their respective ambient temperatures. C. coeruleus was the only species with peaks of ETR and 0₂ evolution under similar field‐measured temperatures. All species kept values of ETR and net photosynthesis close to the optimum under a broad range of temperatures. Increased non‐photochemical quenching, as a measure of thermal dissipation of excess energy, toward higher temperatures was observed in some species, as well as positive correlation of non‐photochemical quenching with ETR, and were interpreted as two mechanisms of adaptation of the photosynthetic apparatus to temperature changes. Different optimal temperatures were found for individual species by each technique, generally under lower temperatures by 0₂ evolution, indicating dependence on distinct factors: increases in temperature generally induced higher ETR due to increased enzymatic activity, whereas increments of enzymatic activity were compensated by increased respiration and photorespiration leading to decreases in net photosynthesis.     

长江口碎波带浮游植物群落结构特征

2009年5月至2010年4月,按月对长江口碎波带浮游植物群落结构和环境因子进行调查。采集到浮游植物64属123种,主要由硅藻、绿藻和蓝藻组成。主要优势种为小环藻,常见种为硅藻门的直链藻（Melosira sp.）、中肋骨条藻（Skeletonema costatum）、膜状舟形藻（Navicula membranacea）,蓝藻门的小颤藻（Oscillatoria tenuis）、小席藻（Phormidium tenue）以及绿藻门的小球藻（Chlorella vulgaris）。浮游植物丰度在8.07×10^4cells/L～1.39×10^6cells/L之间,2009年8月最高,12月最低。浮游植物群落在7—8月份主要由蓝藻组成,其他月份主要由硅藻组成。统计分析细胞丰度与环境因子相关性显示：pH值与绿藻门和蓝藻门的细胞丰度显著负相关（P〈0.05,r〈0）,透明度与绿藻门和蓝藻门的细胞丰度显著正相关（P〈0.05,r〉0）;温度与硅藻门的细胞丰度显著负相关（P〈0.05,r〈0）。     

A cytokinin complex from the developing fruits of Aegle marmelos

Following ion-exchange, Sephadex LH-20 and paper chromatography of the methanolic extracts of young, developing fruits of Aegle marmelos Correa, cytokinin-like activity in the soybean callus assay was detected in six fractions. Of the four butanol-soluble compounds, two were tentatively identified as zeatin and zeatin riboside, and the others as zeatin glucoside and zeatin riboside glucoside. The major cytokinino of the butanol-insoluble fraction is probably zeatin nucleotide. The levels of compounds with cytokinin-like activity were high during the early phase, and low in the subsequent period of fruit growth. The activity resembling that of cytokinin glucoside increased with maturation of the fruit. The content of free cytokinins in the fruits was more than that released from the tRNA.     

Involvement of carbohydrates and cytokinins in pathogenicity ofHelminthosporium carbonum

Significant stimulation of the number of appressoria, penetration and colonization by conidia ofHelminthosporium carbonum occurred on decolorized maize leaves when exogenous carbohydrates and leaf leachates were added. Germination and germ tube length, however, did not exhibit appreciable differences on decolorized or non-decolorized maize leaves. Lower germination was recorded by leached conidia on decolorized leaves; while appressoria, penetration and colonization were absent. Addition of exogenous nutrients (sucrose>leaf leachates>yeast extract>glucose) enabled conidia to accomplish appressoria, penetration and colonization. Optimum levels for various nutrients observed were 2% (w/v) sucrose/glucose or 0.1% (w/v) yeast extract. Higher concentrations inhibited the infection stages of the pathogen. Depletion of host carbohydrates from green islands/infection sites adversely affect appressoria formation, penetration and colonization; and the loss of carbohydrates from the spore affects germination. Cytokinin-like activity at the infection site/green islands increased with the period of incubation of the host as compared to the surrounding tissue or tissue under water drops. The culture filtrate extracts ofH. carbonum recorded cytokinin-like activity which increased with growth of the fungus. TLC (thin layer chromatography) of cytokinin-like substances (tissue extract and culture filtrate) revealed major activity was confined to Rf zones 0.6 to 0.8 which co-chromatographed with zeatin and zeatin riboside. These substances increase at infection sites by virtue of which carbohydrates accumulate at these sites ensuring a continuous supply to the growing pathogen.     

淮南矿区小型煤矿塌陷湖泊浮游植物群落结构特征

在淮南潘谢矿区内设置3个水文生态环境条件差异较大的小型煤矿塌陷湖泊研究站点, 即潘谢潘集站(PXPJ)、潘谢顾桥站 (PXGQ)和潘谢谢桥站(PXXQ), 于20132014年4个季度分别对塌陷湖泊的浮游植物结构组成特征及其水生态环境因子的关系进行了分析。3个小型塌陷湖泊共鉴定出浮游植物7门9纲18目34科70属131种, 浮游植物种类主要由蓝藻、绿藻和硅藻组成。其中绿藻门种类最多, 共59种, 占浮游植物总种数45.0%; 其次是蓝藻, 总共24种, 占浮游植物总种数18.3%; 硅藻22种, 占浮游植物总种数16.8%。从各门类藻细胞密度的百分比看, PXPJ站点以绿藻、硅藻和隐藻为主, 范围77.5%90.5%; PXGQ站点蓝藻在夏秋季数量上均占据绝对优势, 分别占藻类总细胞密度的61.5%和46.2%; PXXQ站点隐藻在春季为绝对优势类群, 在总细胞密度中占的比率为94.6%, 夏秋以蓝藻为主, 分别为74.7%和81.8%。3个湖泊由于水文生态环境条件的不同, 浮游植物丰度、多样性和均匀度体现出了一定的差异。典范对应分析(CCA)表明, 光照、水温和营养盐含量与比率(TN/TP)是影响塌陷湖泊浮游植物群落结构的重要环境因子。       

The effect of zeatin and iso-pentenyladenine on IAA transport from the shoot to the root of Pinus pinea seedlings

The tips of the tap roots of Pinus pinea seedlings were dipped in zeatin or iso-pentenyladenine solutions. Immediately after cytokinin application to the root tip or after a 24 h lag phase, [2-¹⁴C]IAA was applied to the shoot apex. Treating with zeatin resulted in an increase in [2-¹⁴C]IAA transport from the shoot to the root. Iso-pentenyladenine also caused a slight increase in transport of radioactivity to the root but this was less pronounced compared to the results obtained with zeatin. With zeatin treatment increasing amounts of radioactivity accumulated in the lateral root emerging zone of the tap root (Section III). This was in sharp contrast to the treatment with iso-pentenyladenine where little radioactivity accumulated in this section of the root. Recovery of radioactivity 48 h after applying [2-¹⁴C]IAA showed that 33% of the recovered radioactivity co-chromatographed with authentic IAA. The implications of the effect of different cytokinins on the distribution of radioactivity along the tap root of Pinus pinea following [2-¹⁴C]IAA application to the shoot are discussed.Abbreviations Z zeatin - iP iso-pentenyladenine - TCL thin-layer chromatography     

Do some plant responses to cytokinins involve the cyanide-resistant respiratory pathway?

A disengagement of the cyanide-resistant, alternative respiratory pathway in soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) callus tissue was observed prior to the start of deoxyisoflavone production stimulated by addition of the cytokinin benzyladenine. To test whether this loss of alternativepathway activity was part of the response to cytokinin, inhibitors of the alternative pathway were assayed for their ability to elicit cytokinin-like responses. Salicylhydroxamic acid (SHAM) was found to produce a deoxyisoflavone difference spectrum similar to that observed following treatment of the callus tissue with benzyladenine, while propyl gallate (PG) was without effect. Both SHAM and PG were further tested for cytokinin-like activity in other bioassays. In two anti-senescence bioassays using leaf tissue (of Avena sativa L. and Xanthium pensylvanicum Wallr.) and in the Cucumis sativus L. bioassay which measures stimulation of weight gain by excised cotyledons, both SHAM and PG were effective cytokinins at 1 mM and 0.1 mM, respectively. In two other bioassays (betacyanin formation in Amaranthus caudatus L. seedlings and the soybean-callus celldivision assay), SHAM appeared to be toxic. These results substantiate the suggestion that effects on the alternative pathway may play a role in some cytokinin responses and further raise the question of what should be considered a true cytokinin response.Abbreviations BA benzyladenine - DMSO dimethyl sulfoxide - PG n-propylgallate - SHAM salicylhydroxamic acid     

安徽沱湖夏季浮游植物群落结构特征与环境因子关系

为了揭示沱湖浮游植物群落结构特征及其与水环境因子的关系,于2016年7月(夏季),对沱湖流域上游至下游11个采样点浮游植物种类组成、细胞丰度、生物量等进行调查研究。结果显示,沱湖共有浮游植物96种(含变种),隶属8门48属,其中绿藻门(Chlorophyta)和硅藻门(Bacillariophyta)种类最多,绿藻门有23属39种,占总种数的40.63%,硅藻门有7属20种,占总种数的20.83%;其次为裸藻门(Euglenophyta),有5属17种,占总种数的17.71%,蓝藻门(Cyanophyta) 8属14种,占14.58%;甲藻门(Pyrrophyta) 2属2种,隐藻门(Cryptophyta) 1属2种,各占总种数的2.08%,黄藻门(Xanthophyta)与金藻门(Chrysophyta)均有1属1种,均占总种数的1.04%。绿藻和硅藻类物种在沱湖浮游植物群落结构中处于优势地位,沱湖夏季浮游植物种类组成表现为绿藻-硅藻型。沱湖夏季浮游植物细胞丰度与生物量从上游到下游呈逐渐增加趋势,细胞丰度与生物量平均值分别为4.022×106cells/L与3.046 mg/L,蓝藻门和绿藻门类群为沱湖浮游植物细胞丰度主体,硅藻门和裸藻门类群为沱湖浮游植物生物量的主体;上游浮游植物多样性指数与均匀度指数均略高于下游采样点,沱湖水质呈β中污型-无污染型,上游水质优于下游水质。浮游植物群落结构与水环境因子的典型对应分析(CCA)结果表明,电导率、透明度、水深及pH值等环境因子与沱湖夏季浮游植物群落结构有较强的相关性。