Synthesis, salvage, and catabolism of uridine nucleotides in boron-deficient squash roots

Previous work has provided evidence that plants may require boron to maintain adequate levels of pyrimidine nucleotides, suggesting that the state of boron deficiency may actually be one of pyrimidine starvation. Since the availability of pyrimidine nucleotides is influenced by their rates of synthesis, salvage, and catabolism, we compared these activities in the terminal 3 centimeters of roots excised from boron-deficient and -sufficient squash plants (Cucurbita pepo L.). Transferring 5-day-old squash plants to a boron-deficient nutrient solution resulted in cessation of root elongation within 18 hours. However, withholding boron for up to 30 hours did not result in either impaired de novo pyrimidine biosynthesis or a change in the sensitivity of the de novo pathway to regulation by end product inhibition. Boron deprivation had no significant effect on pyrimidine salvage or catabolism. These results provide evidence that boron-deficient plants are not starved for uridine nucleotides collectively. Whether a particular pyrimidine nucleotide or derivative is limiting during boron deprivation remains to be examined.     

Phytochrome-induced Increase of Fluorescein Translocation in Mung Bean Hypocotyls

Moderate doses of red (660 nanometer) irradiation cause a rapid increase in the translocation of fluorescein in dark-grown mung bean hypocotyl (Vigna radiata L.) segments. The increase fails to appear following large doses of red (660 nanometers) irradiation. The red induced increase is prevented by a subsequent far red (730 nanometer) irradiation. Reversibility suggests the participation of phytochrome in the process. The increase in translocation is attributed to the generation of a positive electrostatic charge in the plasma membrane by some action of phytochrome on membrane molecules.     

Boron Deficiency in Unfertilized Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) Ovules Grown in Vitro

Boron deficiency and phytohormone interactions have been studied in unfertilized cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) ovules grown in vitro. Such ovules required exogenous indoleacetic acid and/or gibberellic acid for fiber elongation. Boron also was required for maintenance of fiber elongation and normal morphogenesis throughout 14 days of culture. The amount of exogenous boron necessary for maximum fiber elongation varied among experiments, presumably in relation to endogenous boron levels at anthesis. Some ovular epidermal cells distant from the liquid medium could be induced to elongate into fiber even after 6 days in boron-deficient medium in response to the later addition of boron.     

Effect of far-red and green irradiation on the nyctinastic closure of albizzia leaflets

The nyctinastic closing of Albizzia julibrissin pinnules is delayed by exposure to far-red radiation at 710 and 730 nanometers, with the former more effective than the latter. Far-red radiation at 750 and 770 nanometers has no effect on the process. Red light at 660 nanometers, which by itself has no effect, delayed closure when given before or simultaneously with far-red radiation at 750 or 770 nanometers. Low doses of green light, on the other hand, prevented all far-red radiations from delaying closure when given together with one of them. Effectiveness peaks at 550 nanometers. Green light by itself has no effect on the closing process.

From these and previous results, it is concluded that phytochrome is one of two photoreceptors in the process, that the other photoreceptor is an unknown pigment, and that the unknown photoreceptor requires some prior effect of the far-red-absorbing form of phytochrome before its action. Predictions are made of some of the properties of the unidentified pigment.

     

Effect of boron on microspore embryogenesis and direct embryo to plant conversion in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Brassica napus</Emphasis> (L.)

The NLN-medium has been successfully used, since 1982, for microspore culture in Brassica napus and other Brassica species. Changes to the media composition were restricted to carbohydrate and nitrogen sources and growth regulators while micro-nutrients have not been optimized. The NLN-medium contains boron at a concentration of 162 µM. Boron is required for diverse physiological and metabolic processes in the cell. This study investigated the effect of seven- and 13-fold increased boron concentration on the induction of embryos in microspore cultures of four genotypes of B. napus. A significant improvement of microspore embryogenesis was achieved by both enhanced boron concentrations in the NLN medium. No effect on the regeneration of embryo to plant conversion was observed.     

Pollen DNA repair after treatment with the mutagens 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide, ultraviolet and near-ultraviolet irradiation, and boron dependence of rapair

Summary Irradiation of dry, mature pollen from Petunia hybrida with near-ultraviolet light from an erythemal-sunlamp gave rise to a repair-like, unscheduled DNA synthesis during the early stages of in vitro germination. Like that brought about by farultraviolet light from a germicidal lamp, this DNA synthesis is enhanced by hydroxyurea added to the germination medium, and reduced by photoreactivating light given after ultraviolet irradiation and before germination begins. It is concluded that pollen, often receiving considerable exposure to sunlight, has, in addition to the protection afforded by the ultraviolet filtering effect of yellow pigments, also the capacity to repair ultraviolet produced changes in DNA, by both photoreactivation and dark repair processes.Because mature Petunia pollen is arrested at the G₂ stage of the cell cycle, germinating pollen provides us with a highly synchronous plant tissue with a very low background of DNA replicative synthesis suitable for sensitive measurement of DNA repair synthesis. Thus we have shown that 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide, at concentrations greater than 0.001 mM, gives rise to an unscheduled DNA synthesis which is enhanced by hydroxyurea. Like that induced by ultraviolet radiation, the chemical mutagen brings about DNA repair only during the early stages of pollen germination, and further it has been possible to show that repair ceases at about the time that generative cell division and pollen tube elongation begins.Boron addition enhances both ultraviolet and 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide induced repair synthesis. By delaying the chemical mutagen initiation of repair until after germination has begun, we have been able to show that boron is most beneficial during the first hour of germination. It is postulated that this is achieved through an as yet unknown effect of boron on the supply of precursors before pollen cell metabolism is fully committed to pollen tube synthesis later in the germination period.     

Biodistribution of sodium borocaptate (BSH) for boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) in an oral cancer model

Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) is based on selective accumulation of ¹⁰B carriers in tumor followed by neutron irradiation. We previously proved the therapeutic success of BNCT mediated by the boron compounds boronophenylalanine and sodium decahydrodecaborate (GB-10) in the hamster cheek pouch oral cancer model. Based on the clinical relevance of the boron carrier sodium borocaptate (BSH) and the knowledge that the most effective way to optimize BNCT is to improve tumor boron targeting, the specific aim of this study was to perform biodistribution studies of BSH in the hamster cheek pouch oral cancer model and evaluate the feasibility of BNCT mediated by BSH at nuclear reactor RA-3. The general aim of these studies is to contribute to the knowledge of BNCT radiobiology and optimize BNCT for head and neck cancer. Sodium borocaptate (50 mg ¹⁰B/kg) was administered to tumor-bearing hamsters. Groups of 3–5 animals were killed humanely at nine time-points, 3–12 h post-administration. Samples of blood, tumor, precancerous pouch tissue, normal pouch tissue and other clinically relevant normal tissues were processed for boron measurement by optic emission spectroscopy. Tumor boron concentration peaked to therapeutically useful boron concentration values of 24–35 ppm. The boron concentration ratio tumor/normal pouch tissue ranged from 1.1 to 1.8. Pharmacokinetic curves showed that the optimum interval between BSH administration and neutron irradiation was 7–11 h. It is concluded that BNCT mediated by BSH at nuclear reactor RA-3 would be feasible.     

油菜幼苗对硼的吸收与运转及钙的影响

硼促进油菜幼苗生长和对N、P、K、Ca 营养元素的吸收.当油菜生长介质中钙浓度增大时,植株吸硼量和硼在新叶中的积累减少,老叶中积累增加。硼在油菜体内的运转系数在低硼条件下较大,并随钙处理水平的增加而下降.结果表明,在硼素供应有限的条件下,油菜体内硼仍具一定的移动性,钙则使硼的吸收和移动性下降.     

UV-B Inhibition of Phytochrome-Mediated Anthocyanin Formation in Sinapis alba L. Cotyledons : Action Spectrum and the Role of Photoreactivation

An action spectrum was measured for ultraviolet (UV) radiation-induced damage to (inhibition of) phytochrome-induced anthocyanin formation in cotyledons of 40-hour-old Sinapis alba L. seedlings. The action spectrum showed maximum effectiveness in the 260 to 280 nanometer waveband with little effect above 295 nanometers. The damaging effect of UV could be photorepaired by subsequent exposure to sunlight or to long wavelength (360 nanometers) UV radiation. Because this form of damage is subject to photorepair (photoreactivation), it is probably due to the formation of pyrimidine dimers, and the results suggest that it would not be ecologically relevant even if there was an increase in solar UV due to a decrease in stratospheric ozone levels of about 30%. If a dark period of more than 1 hour is interspersed between the phytochrome induction and the UV irradiation, the inhibition of the phytochrome induction gradually decreases with increasing dark period.     

The Boron Efflux Transporter ROTTEN EAR Is Required for Maize Inflorescence Development and Fertility

Although boron has a relatively low natural abundance, it is an essential plant micronutrient. Boron deficiencies cause major crop losses in several areas of the world, affecting reproduction and yield in diverse plant species. Despite the importance of boron in crop productivity, surprisingly little is known about its effects on developing reproductive organs. We isolated a maize (Zea mays) mutant, called rotten ear (rte), that shows distinct defects in vegetative and reproductive development, eventually causing widespread sterility in its inflorescences, the tassel and the ear. Positional cloning revealed that rte encodes a membrane-localized boron efflux transporter, co-orthologous to the Arabidopsis thaliana BOR1 protein. Depending on the availability of boron in the soil, rte plants show a wide range of phenotypic defects that can be fully rescued by supplementing the soil with exogenous boric acid, indicating that rte is crucial for boron transport into aerial tissues. rte is expressed in cells surrounding the xylem in both vegetative and reproductive tissues and is required for meristem activity and organ development. We show that low boron supply to the inflorescences results in widespread defects in cell and cell wall integrity, highlighting the structural importance of boron in the formation of fully fertile reproductive organs.     

Mechanisms implicated in the effects of boron on wound healing

Recently, we demonstrated that boron modulates the turnover of the extracellular matrix and increases TNFalpha release. In the present study, we used an in vitro test to investigate the direct effect of boron on specific enzymes (elastase, trypsin-like enzymes, collagenase and alkaline phosphatase) implicated in extracellular matrix turnover. Boron decreased the elastase and alkaline phosphatase activity, but had no effect on trypsin and collagenase activities. The effect of boron on the enzyme activities was also tested in fibroblasts considered as an in vivo test. In contrast to the results obtained in vitro, boron enhanced the trypsin-like, collagenase, and cathepsin D activities in fibroblasts. Boron did not modify the generation of free radicals compared to the control and did not seem to act on the intracellular alkaline phosphatase activity, However, as it did enhance phosphorylation, it can be hypothesized that boron may affect living cells via a mediator, which could be TNFalpha whose transduction signal involves a cascade of phosphorylations.     

油菜幼苗对硼的吸收与运转及钙的影响

硼促进油莱幼苗生长和对N、P、K、Ca营养元素的吸收。当油莱生长介质中钙浓度增大时,植株吸硼量和硼在新叶中的积累减少,老叶中积累增加。硼在油莱体内的运转系数在低硼条件下较大,并随钙处理水平的增加而下降。结果表明,在硼素供应有限的条件下,油菜体内硼仍具-定的移动性,钙则使硼的吸收和移动性下降。     

The effects of boron on some biochemical parameters: A review

BackgroundBoron; It is used mainly in glass and ceramics, in the defense industry, in jet and rocket fuel, as a disinfectant, and even in the agricultural sector to increase or prevent vegetation development. Its use in the health field has become more widespread when studies in recent years are reviewed. Although it has been reported that boron has essential biological effects on minerals, some enzymes, and hormones, the mechanism of these biological effects has yet to be fully elucidated. This review aims to bring a new perspective to researchers by combining the results of experimental studies in the literature on the effects of boron on some biochemical parameters.MethodsWorks of literature on boron were brought together using more than one database (WOS, PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar). The animal, boron type and dose used in the experimental study, and biochemical parameters (glucose, urea, BUN (blood urea nitrogen), uric acid, creatinine, creatine kinase, blood lipid profile, minerals, liver function tests) were systematically compiled.ResultsIt was observed that the studies mainly focused on glucose and lipid profiles and had a lowering effect on these parameters. From a mineral point of view, the studies are mostly related to the bone matrix.ConclusionAlthough the mechanism of action of boron on biochemical parameters has not yet been clarified, it would be beneficial to examine its relationship with hormones in more depth. A good understanding and analysis of the effect of boron, which is widely used, on biochemical parameters will be beneficial in taking necessary precautions for human and environmental health.     

Dodecaborate lipid liposomes as new vehicles for boron delivery system of neutron capture therapy

closo-Dodecaborate lipid liposomes were developed as new vehicles for boron delivery system (BDS) of neutron capture therapy. The current approach is unique because the liposome shell itself possesses cytocidal potential in combination with neutron irradiation. The liposomes composed of closo-dodecaborate lipids DSBL and DPBL displayed high cytotoxicity with thermal neutron irradiation. The closo-dodecaborate lipid liposomes were taken up into the cytoplasm by endocytosis without degradation of the liposomes. Boron concentration of 22.7 ppm in tumor was achieved by injection with DSBL-25% PEG liposomes at 20 mg B/kg. Promising BNCT effects were observed in the mice injected with DSBL-25% PEG liposomes: the tumor growth was significantly suppressed after thermal neutron irradiation (1.8 × 10¹² neutrons/cm²).     

植物对硼元素的吸收转运机制

硼是植物生长发育所必需的微量元素,但是在世界范围内,土壤中硼含量过高或者过低都会对植物生长产生影响,是农业生产上的主要问题.近来人们对硼的吸收转运机制的研究取得了突破性进展,鉴定了一些硼的转运通道和转运蛋白,例如：NIP5;1、NIP6;1、BOR1和BOR4,并对它们的转运机制有了一些了解.植物在硼缺少的情况下首先通过转运通道NIP5;1把硼吸收到共质体,然后通过转运蛋白BOR1运入中柱;在高硼毒害时,通过转运蛋白BOR4把过多的硼转出植物体,同时在植物中增加糖醇的含量,过表达BOR1或BOR4都能改变植物对硼含量变化的耐受性.因此,对植物中硼吸收转运机制的研究将有利于人们通过生物学手段提高作物对土壤中硼过高或过低的抗性.     

In vitro and in vivo studies of boron neutron capture therapy: boron uptake/washout and cell death

Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) is a binary radiotherapy based on thermal-neutron irradiation of cells enriched with (10)B, which produces α particles and (7)Li ions of short range and high biological effectiveness. The selective uptake of boron by tumor cells is a crucial issue for BNCT, and studies of boron uptake and washout associated with cell survival studies can be of great help in developing clinical applications. In this work, boron uptake and washout were characterized both in vitro for the DHDK12TRb (DHD) rat colon carcinoma cell line and in vivo using rats bearing liver metastases from DHD cells. Despite a remarkable uptake, a large boron release was observed after removal of the boron-enriched medium from in vitro cell cultures. However, analysis of boron washout after rat liver perfusion in vivo did not show a significant boron release, suggesting that organ perfusion does not limit the therapeutic effectiveness of the treatment. The survival of boron-loaded cells exposed to thermal neutrons was also assessed; the results indicated that the removal of extracellular boron does not limit treatment effectiveness if adequate amounts of boron are delivered and if the cells are kept at low temperature. Cell survival was also investigated theoretically using a mechanistic model/Monte Carlo code originally developed for radiation-induced chromosome aberrations and extended here to cell death; good agreement between simulation outcomes and experimental data was obtained.     

Mapping and validation of chromosome regions conferring boron toxicity tolerance in wheat (Triticum aestivum)

Boron is an essential plant micro-nutrient which can be phytotoxic to plants if present in soils in high concentration. Boron toxicity has been recognised as an important problem limiting production in the low rainfall areas of southern Australia, West Asia and North Africa. Genetic variation for boron toxicity tolerance in wheat has been well-characterised. The efficiency of breeding for boron toxicity tolerance could be greatly enhanced by the development of molecular markers associated with QTLs for tolerance in wheat. A population of 161 doubled haploids from a cross between the tolerant cultivar Halberd and the moderately sensitive cultivar Cranbrook was used to identify chromosomal regions involved in boron tolerance. A combined RFLP and AFLP linkage map of the Cranbrook x Halberd population was used to identify chromosomal regions involved in the boron tolerance traits measured. Regions on chromosome 7B and 7D were associated with leaf symptom expression. The region on chromosome 7B was also associated with the control of boron uptake and with a reduction in the effect of boron toxicity on root-growth suppression. RFLP markers at the chromosome 7B and 7D loci were shown to be effective in selecting for improved boron tolerance in an alternative genetic background. Halberd alleles at the chromosome 7B locus were associated with the concentration of boron in whole shoots and grain. The concentration of boron in whole shoots and in grain were both related to grain yield in a field trial conducted on soil containing toxic levels of boron. Implications relating to marker-assisted selection for boron toxicity tolerance in wheat are discussed. Received: 3 September 1999 / Accepted: 12 February 2000     

Interaction of phytohormones and far-red irradiation on the nyctinastic closing of Albizzia julibrissin pinnules

In order for far-red radiation at 760 nm to delay dark closing of Albizzia julibrissin pinnules, red light must be given simultaneously with or just prior to it. Studies have been made to determine whether a phytohormone can replace this red light requirement. Abscisic acid, gibberellin, kinetin, and indole-3-acetic acid have been found to replace the red light. Indole-3-carboxylic acid and a cytokinin antagonist are ineffective. In this hormone and far-red interaction, all hormones are effective at μ M or lower concentrations. The hormones show no interaction with red light at 660 nm. Simultaneous irradiation at 550 nm negates the effect of hormone and far-red interaction in delaying leaflet closing. These results are additional evidence that an unidentified far-red absorbing pigment could be involved with phytochrome in some far-red-mediated processes.     

硼、锌对平欧杂交榛光合生理、结实和果仁品质的影响

通过对黑龙江省东宁地区的4年生平欧杂交榛（Corylus heterophylla×Corylus avellana）联合施用不同浓度的硼（0.2%、0.3%、0.4%）、锌（0.3%、0.4%、0.5%）肥处理,研究两种微量元素对平欧杂交榛光合生理、结实、果仁和叶片营养状态的影响。研究结果表明：（1）硼、锌对净光合速率影响显著,其交互作用对净光合速率影响极显著。（2）硼对出仁率影响极显著,对果仁重影响显著,对单果重和座果率影响不显著。锌对单果重和果仁重影响极显著,对出仁率影响显著,对座果率影响不显著。硼、锌交互作用对出仁率影响显著,对单果重、果仁重和座果率影响不显著。（3）硼、锌和其交互作用对果仁脂肪酸含量、果仁蛋白质含量影响不显著。硼、锌和其交互作用对4年生平欧杂交榛的生理和结实影响明显,提高了平欧杂交榛叶片的净光合速率,同时对果仁重、出仁率和单果重有不同程度的促进作用。本地区4年生平欧杂交榛硼、锌叶面施肥的浓度分别以0.3%和0.4%为宜。     

Effect of dietary boron on mineral, estrogen, and testosterone metabolism in postmenopausal women

A study was done to examine the effects of aluminum, magnesium, and boron on major mineral metabolism in postmenopausal women. This communication describes some of the effects of dietary boron on 12 women between the ages of 48 and 82 housed in a metabolic unit. A boron supplement of 3 mg/day markedly affected several indices of mineral metabolism of seven women consuming a low-magnesium diet and five women consuming a diet adequate in magnesium; the women had consumed a conventional diet supplying about 0.25 mg boron/day for 119 days. Boron supplementation markedly reduced the urinary excretion of calcium and magnesium; the depression seemed more marked when dietary magnesium was low. Boron supplementation depressed the urinary excretion of phosphorus by the low-magnesium, but not by the adequate-magnesium, women. Boron supplementation markedly elevated the serum concentrations of 17 beta-estradiol and testosterone; the elevation seemed more marked when dietary magnesium was low. Neither high dietary aluminum (1000 mg/day) nor an interaction between boron and aluminum affected the variables presented. The findings suggest that supplementation of a low-boron diet with an amount of boron commonly found in diets high in fruits and vegetables induces changes in postmenopausal women consistent with the prevention of calcium loss and bone demineralization.