人线粒体tRNALeu(UUR)基因A3243G点突变对其亮氨酰化活性的影响

化学法合成人线粒体野生型与A3243G点突变型tRNALeu(UUR)基因,体外转录生成相应的tRNALeu(UUR),表达并纯化人线粒体亮氨酰tRNA合成酶(mtLeuRS),用mtLeuRS催化野生型与突变型tRNALeu(UUR)与亮氨酸结合,分别检测两种类型tRNALeu(UUR)的氨酰化动力学常数。结果表明,野生型tRNALeu(UUR)的Km/Kcat仅为突变型tRNALeu(UUR)的63.9%,A3243G点突变使tRNALeu(UUR)接受亮氨酸的能力明显下降,提示此为A3243G点突变致病机制之一。 Abstract:The wild-type and mutant-type human mitochondrial tRNALeu(UUR) genes were synthesized and transcribed in vitro with T7 RNA polymerase.The kinetic parameters of human mitochondrial leucyl-tRNA synthetase(mtLeuRS) were determined with wild-type and mutant-type human mitochondrial tRNALeu(UUR) respectively.The results show that the value of Km/Kcat of mtLeuRS for the mutant-type tRNALeu(UUR) is 63.9% as compared with the wild-type.Human mitochondrial tRNALeu(UUR) gene A3243G point mutant can remarkably reduce it′s aminoacylation activity,suggesting it would be one of the mechanisms that the mutation could produce such clinical phenotypes.     

人癌细胞线粒体DNA控制区序列特征分析

为了探讨癌细胞mtDNA控制区序列的变化特征, 采用PCR产物限制性片段长度多态性(PCR-RFLP)分析与直接测序相结合的方法,对比分析6株人癌细胞系、 6例癌患者及4例健康成人白细胞mtDNA控制区序列。发现第16519位T→C、16 534位A→G、46位T→G和49位A→C突变, 在癌细胞系和癌患者白细胞mtDNA中分别占50%(3/6)和33.3%(2/6), 健康成人白细胞mtDNA中未见此类型突变;第16 278位C→T突变,在癌细胞系mtDNA中占50%(3/6),显著高于正常人群mtDNA中此位点的多态性变异。表明癌细胞和癌患者白细胞mtDNA重链复制起点及其 相邻D环区的特征性突变可能与细胞癌变/或癌的易感性有关。 Abstract：　To explore the sequence feature of mitochondrial DNA(mtDNA) control region in human carcinoma cells, polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism(PCR-RFLP) and direct sequence techniques were used to analyze the sequence of mtDNA control region of 6 human carcinoma cell lines versus white blood cells which from 6 tumor patients and 4 normal adults. The T to C mutation at np 16 519, A to G mutation at np 16 534, T to G mutation at np 46, and A to C mutation at np 49 was found in 50% (3/6 cases) of carcinoma cell lines and in 33.3%(2/6 cases) of tumor patients, but it was not found in normal adults. The C to T mutation at np 16 278 was found in 50%(3/6 cases) of carcinoma cell lines, it was significantly higher than that of the polymorphism of normal population. These findings suggest that the typical mutation in the starting area of heavy-strand replication and the first half of D-loop region might probably be associated with carcinogenesis or susceptibility of carcinoma.     

Leber遗传性视神经病变家系的线粒体基因突变分析

为探讨Leber遗传性视神经病变（Leber′s hereditary optic neuropathy,LHON）家系线粒体DNA（mtDNA）常见致病原发突变的频谱,用聚合酶链反应（polymerase chain reaction,PCR）和单链构象多态性（single-stranded conformational polymorphism,SSCP）以及DNA测序的方法,对13个家系22位临床诊断为LHON的患者及其母系亲属21人的线粒体DNA进行检测,同时检测71例正常人作为对照。临床拟诊为LHON的13个家系中,11个家系存在mtDNA位点11778 G→A突变,另2个家系存在14484位点T→C突变。说明中国LHON病人存在线粒体DNA 11778或14484位点突变,其中14484位点突变在国内尚未见报道。 Abstract:The purpose of the study is to investigate the frequency of common pathogenic primary mitochondrial DNA mutations in pedigrees of Leber′s hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON).Mutations were determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR),single-stranded conformational polymorphism (SSCP) and DNA sequencing.Twenty-two patients with suspicion of LHON and twenty-one their maternal relatives underwent molecular genetic evaluation.Seventy-one normal individuals underwent molecular genetic evaluation as control at the same time.Members from 13 families with suspicion of LHON,11 families had nucleotide position nt11778 G→A mutations.Another 2 families had nt14484 T→C mutations.It is concluded that the point mutations at nucleotides 11778 and 14484 are primary LHON mutations,but the point mutation of nt14484 is rare in Chinese.     

一个母系遗传非综合征耳聋大家系mtDNA序列分析

通过分析本家系mtDNA序列,探讨淮阴一非综合征耳聋大家系患病的分子遗传学机制.采用聚合酶链反应(PCR)扩增mtDNA与非综合征耳聋相关位点nt1555、nt7445的区域和人类种群研究的D-loop区、PCR-异源双链分析、PCR-RFLP、PCR产物克隆序列测定等技术对该家系进行了系统的研究.发现该家系中全部母系亲属有mtDNAA1555G突变,而家系中非母系个体、对照组(100例正常个体)的mtDNA1555位点均为A.该家系mtDNA7445位点无突变;该家系属于II型线粒体;发现家系D-loop区存在未见报道的碱基插入.提示mtDNAA1555G位点突变可能是导致该家系患者致聋的主要因素之一.遗传背景可能对家系疾病的表型存在一定程度的影响。 Abstract:We find an extensive nonsyndromic sensorineural deafness family in Huaiyin,and investigate the possible molecular genetic mechanism of matrilineal nonsyndromic sensorineural deafness.We use PCR,combined with PCR-heteroduplex analysis,PCR-RFLP and sequencing techniques to examine part of 12S rRNA,tRNAser(UCN),and D-loop region of this pedigree.1)We found an A to G transition at position 1555(A1555G) of the mitochondrial 12S rRNA from all the patients and four matrilineal.2)An new nucleotide insertion was indentified in D-Loop region.3)According to the polymorphism of D-loop,this pedigree belong to mitochondrial type II.The study showed that the A1555G mutation may be one of major factors in progressive inherited deafness of this family and genetic background should be investigated in the future.     

线粒体基因突变与糖尿病的相关性研究进展

线粒体DNA(mtDNA)突变可引起多种遗传性疾病,其中包括糖尿病.与mtDNA突变相关的糖尿病中最常见的变异是tRNALeu(UUR)] 3243 A→G.文章描述了mtDNA线粒体突变与糖尿病的相关性,介绍了线粒体糖尿病的临床特点和发病机制,概括了线粒体糖尿病相关变异基因位点,重点介绍了m.3243A→G、3310C→T、16189T→C基因突变与线粒体糖尿病病理生理的联系.文章认为mtDNA突变位点的研究为糖尿病的发生机制提供新的视角,也为糖尿病的治疗提供了新方向.     

人癌细胞线粒体DNA控制区序列特征分析

为了探讨癌细胞mtDNA控制区序列的变化特征, 采用PCR产物限制性片段长度多态性(PCR-RFLP)分析与直接测序相结合的方法,对比分析6株人癌细胞系、 6例癌患者及4例健康成人白细胞mtDNA控制区序列。发现第16519位T→C、16 534位A→G、46位T→G和49位A→C突变, 在癌细胞系和癌患者白细胞mtDNA中分别占50%(3/6)和33.3%(2/6), 健康成人白细胞mtDNA中未见此类型突变;第16 278位C→T突变,在癌细胞系mtDNA中占50%(3/6),显著高于正常人群mtDNA中此位点的多态性变异。表明癌细胞和癌患者白细胞mtDNA重链复制起点及其 相邻D环区的特征性突变可能与细胞癌变/或癌的易感性有关。 Abstract：　To explore the sequence feature of mitochondrial DNA(mtDNA) control region in human carcinoma cells, polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism(PCR-RFLP) and direct sequence techniques were used to analyze the sequence of mtDNA control region of 6 human carcinoma cell lines versus white blood cells which from 6 tumor patients and 4 normal adults. The T to C mutation at np 16 519, A to G mutation at np 16 534, T to G mutation at np 46, and A to C mutation at np 49 was found in 50% (3/6 cases) of carcinoma cell lines and in 33.3%(2/6 cases) of tumor patients, but it was not found in normal adults. The C to T mutation at np 16 278 was found in 50%(3/6 cases) of carcinoma cell lines, it was significantly higher than that of the polymorphism of normal population. These findings suggest that the typical mutation in the starting area of heavy-strand replication and the first half of D-loop region might probably be associated with carcinogenesis or susceptibility of carcinoma.     

一个氨基糖苷类抗生素致聋家系线粒体DNA突变研究

应用PCR、PCR－SSCP和DNA序列分析等分子生物学技术,对一个有明确氨基糖苷类抗生素应用史的母系遗传耳聋家系共8人(包括聋人和听力正常者) 的线粒体DNA进行研究,结果显示,家系中有4份样品存在线粒体DNA 12S rRNA 1 555位点A→G的突变。提示线粒体DNA点突变是导致该家系致聋的主要因素之一。 Abstract:Blood samples were obtained from a pedigree with aminoglycoside antibiotic induced deafness.DNA was extracted from the isolated leukocytes.The mitochondrial DNA fragments were detected by PCR－SSCP and DNA sequencing.It was found that four individuals from the pedigree carried 1 555 A→G mutation.From our results,mitochondrial DNA mutation may be one of major factors in aminoglycoside antibiotic induced deafness.     

Mitochondrial tRNA^Glu A14693G variant may modulate the phenotypic manifestation of deafness-associated 12S rRNA A1555G mutation in a Han Chinese family

Mutations in mitochondrial 12S rRNA gene are one of the most important causes of aminoglycoside-induced and nonsyndromic hearing loss. Here we report the characterization of one Han Chinese pedigree with aminoglycoside-induced and nonsyndromic hearing loss. This Chinese family carrying the 12S rRNA A1555G mutation exhibited high penetrance and expressivity of heating impairment. In particular, penetrances of hearing loss in this family pedigree were 43.8% and 25%, respectively, when aminoglycoside-induced heating loss was included or excluded. Mutational analysis of entire mitochondrial genomes in this family showed the homoplasmic A1555G mutation and a set of variants belonging to haplogroup Y2. Of these, the A14693G variant occurred at the extremely conserved nucleotide （conventional position 54） of the TψC-loop of tRNA^Clu and was absent in 156 Chinese controls. Nucleotides at position 54 of tRNAs are often modified, thereby contributing to the structural formation and stabilization of functional tRNAs. Thus, the structural alteration of tRNA by the A14693G variant may lead to a failure in tRNA metabolism and impair mitochondrial protein synthesis, thereby worsening mitochondrial dysfunctions altered by the A1555G mutation. Therefore, the tRNA^Glu A14693G variant may have a potential modifier role in increasing the penetrance and expressivity of the deafness-associated A1555G mutation in this Chinese pedigree.     

线粒体tRNALeu(UUR)基因A3243G突变型糖尿病患者的家系分析及随访

目的:探讨线粒体糖尿病家系中的基因突变位点及临床转归。方法:收集1例线粒体糖尿病患者家系的临床资料,采用PCR、DNA直接测序法对家系成员进行线粒体基因突变高发区域t RNA~(Leu(UUR))检测,以了解mtDNA3243位点突变情况,并随访8年进一步了解研究对象的临床转归情况及胰岛功能变化。结果:6例家系成员中有5例携带mtDNA3243A→G位点的突变,其中4例为糖尿病患者且伴发不同程度的双侧听力受损(神经性耳聋),1例父系患者后代未检测出突变位点。随访过程中,先证者死亡,余3例糖尿病患者除常规治疗外,长期口服辅酶Q10,血糖控制较为稳定、尚未出现严重并发症但双侧听力严重下降,胰岛分泌功能明显下降,1例携带者已出现糖耐量受损。结论:线粒体tRNA~(Leu(UUR))点突变与糖尿病具有显著相关性。     

温州地区2型糖尿病患者线粒体DNA 3243、3316位点的突变筛查

为了解浙江省温州地区2型糖尿病病人中线粒体DNA tRNALeu (UUR)基因A3243G及NADH 脱氢酶亚单位1 (ND1)基因G3316A位点突变的发生频率, 并探讨突变与2型糖尿病主要临床指标出现的相关性。对随机收集的无血缘关系的244例温州地区2型糖尿病患者进行研究, 同时选择156例无 DM 家族史的糖耐量正常者作为对照组, 用聚合酶链反应及限制性片段长度多态性分析技术进行点突变筛选, 筛选到的异质性突变样本经T-A克隆后再作测序和变性高效液相色谱(DHPLC)确证。结果在244例的2型糖尿病患者中检出A3243G突变1例(0.410%), 156例对照者中未检出该突变, 突变发生率在两组间差异无统计学意义(P>0.05); 2型糖尿病患者中检出G3316A突变4例(1.639%), 156例对照者中检出突变2例(1. 282%), 突变发生率在两组间差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结果表明线粒 体tRNALeu (UUR) 基因A3243G突变在浙江温州2型糖尿病人群中发生频率低, 不是温州人群中2型糖尿病的常见病因。线粒体ND1基因G3316A突变在糖尿病人群中的发生频率也较低, 且在正常人群中也有出现, 可能仅为人群中线粒体DNA的基因多态性。     

Tuning of electronic properties of one-dimensional cyano-bridged Cu-Ni, Cu-Pd, and Cu-Pt bimetallic assemblies by stereochemistry of ligands

Preparations, XPS and electronic spectroscopy, and magnetism of seven new one-dimensional cyano-bridged coordination polymers, chiral [Cu(RR-chxn)₂][Pd(CN)₄] · 2H₂O (1), [Cu(trans-chxn)₂][M(CN)₄] · 2H₂O (2, 4, and 6 for M = Pd, Ni, and Pt), and [Cu(cis-chxn)₂][M(CN)₄] · 2H₂O (3, 5, and 7 for M = Pd, Ni, and Pt) (RR-chxn = cyclohexane-(1R,2R)-diamine, trans-chxn = racemic trans-cyclohexane-(1,2)-diamine, and cis-chxn = racemic cis-cyclohexane-(1,2)-diamine) have been reported in view of tuning of their electronic properties by stereochemistry of chxn ligands and metal-substitution. Comparison of Cu 2p_1/2 and 2p_3/2 peaks of XPS and broad d-d bands around 18 000 cm⁻¹ of electronic spectra are described systematically for 1-7. Variable-temperature magnetic measurement shows that complexes 1-7 indicate weak antiferromagnetic interactions via cyano-bridges. Because of semi-coordination coupled with pseudo Jahn-Teller elongation and electrostatic interaction for 1, the axial Cu-N coordination bond distances of 2.330(7) and 3.092(8) Å are considerably longer than those of equatorial ones in the range from 2.016(6) to 2.030(6) Å. The former bond distances of 1 are intermediate values among the related Ni (2.324(6) and 3.120(8) Å) and Pt (2.34(1) and 3.09(1) Å) complexes.     

Land,livestock, and livelihoods: Changing dynamics of gender,caste, and ethnicity in a Nepalese Village

Over the past 10 years, Ghusel VDC, Lalitpur District has moved from primarily subsistence agriculture into the wider cash economy aided by the Small Farmers' Development Program (SFDP), which provides credit to farmers mainly for the purchase of buffalo for milk production, and by the National Dairy Corporation, which supports local dairy cooperatives. Analysis reveals that buffalo-keeping and milk sales are increasing the well-being of many households, while at the same time creating new inequalities in gender roles and responsibilities, greater inequities between Brahmin and Tamang residents in Ghusel, and placing pressures on the ecosystem for increased supplies of fodder and fuelwood. Evidence suggests that there is critical, need for attention to the social, and particularly gender-based, implications of maintaining livestock for milk sales and to the ecological underpinnings of this livelihood system.     

Structure and function of S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase

In mammals, S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase (AdoHcyase) is the only known enzyme to catalyze the breakdown of S-adenosylhomocysteine (AdoHcy) to homocysteine and adenosine. AdoHcy is the product of all adenosylmethionine (AdoMet)-dependent biological transmethylations. These reactions have a wide range of products, and are common in all facets of biometabolism. As a product inhibitor, elevated levels of AdoHcy suppress AdoMet-dependent transmethylations. Thus, AdoHcyase is a regulator of biological transmethylation in general. The three-dimensional structure of AdoHcyase complexed with reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADH) and the inhibitor (1′R, 2′S, 3′R)-9-(2′,3′-dihyroxycyclopenten-1-yl)adenine (DHCeA) was solved by a combination of the crystallographic direct methods program, SnB, to determine the selenium atom substructure and by treating the multiwavelength anomalous diffraction data as a special case of multiple isomorphous replacement. The enzyme architecture resembles that observed for NAD-dependent dehydrogenases, with the catalytic domain and the cofactor binding domain each containing a modified Rossmann fold. The two domains form a deep active site cleft containing the cofactor and bound inhibitor molecule. A comparison of the inhibitor complex of the human enzyme and the structure of the rat enzyme, solved without inhibitor, suggests that a 17° rigid body movement of the catalytic domain occurs upon inhibitor/substrate binding.     

Chiral Separation of G‐type Chemical Warfare Nerve Agents via Analytical Supercritical Fluid Chromatography

Chemical warfare nerve agents (CWNAs) are extremely toxic organophosphorus compounds that contain a chiral phosphorus center. Undirected synthesis of G‐type CWNAs produces stereoisomers of tabun, sarin, soman, and cyclosarin (GA, GB, GD, and GF, respectively). Analytical‐scale methods were developed using a supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) system in tandem with a mass spectrometer for the separation, quantitation, and isolation of individual stereoisomers of GA, GB, GD, and GF. Screening various chiral stationary phases (CSPs) for the capacity to provide full baseline separation of the CWNAs revealed that a Regis WhelkO1 (SS) column was capable of separating the enantiomers of GA, GB, and GF, with elution of the P(+) enantiomer preceding elution of the corresponding P(–) enantiomer; two WhelkO1 (SS) columns had to be connected in series to achieve complete baseline resolution. The four diastereomers of GD were also resolved using two tandem WhelkO1 (SS) columns, with complete baseline separation of the two P(+) epimers. A single WhelkO1 (RR) column with inverse stereochemistry resulted in baseline separation of the GD P(–) epimers. The analytical methods described can be scaled to allow isolation of individual stereoisomers to assist in screening and development of countermeasures to organophosphorus nerve agents. Chirality 26:817–824, 2014. © 2014 The Authors. Chirality published by John Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Influence of Fluoride on Rat Kidney Antioxidant System: Effects of Methionine and Vitamin E

The aim of the study has been to determine and compare the influence upon the kidney antioxidative system, exercised by administration of vitamin E, and vitamin E in combination with methionine, under conditions of oxidative stress induced by sodium fluoride. The experiment was carried out on Wistar FL rats (adult males) that, for 35 days, were administered water, NaF, NaF with vitamin E, or vitamin E with methionine (doses: 10 mg NaF/kg of body mass/24 h, 3 mg vitamin E per 10 μl per rat for 24 h, 2 mg methionine per rat for 24 h). The influence of administered sodium fluoride and antioxidants upon the antioxidative system in kidney was examined by analyzing the concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) and the activity of the most important antioxidative enzymes (SOD, total and both its isoenzymes, GPX, GST, GR, and CAT). The studies carried out confirmed the disadvantageous effect of the administered dose of NaF upon the antixodiative system in rats (increase in the concentration MDA, decrease activity of all antioxidative enzymes). The administration of vitamin E increased the activity of studied enzymes with the exception of glutathione reductase GR; it also reduced the procesess of lipid peroxidation. It has been found that combined doses of vitamin E and methionine were most effective in inhibiting lipid peroxidation processes. The results confirmed the antioxidative properties of methionine.     

Reorientation of Microfibrils and Microtubules at the Outer Epidermal Wall of Maize Coleoptiles During Auxin-Mediated Growth

Auxin-mediated elongation growth of isolated subapical coleoptile segments of maize (Zea mays L.) is controlled by the extensibility of the outer cell wall of the outer epidermis (Kutschera et al., 1987). Here we investigate the hypothesis that auxin controls the extensibility of this wall by changing the orientation of newly deposited microfibrils through a corresponding change in the orientation of cortical microtubules. On the basis of electron micrographs it is shown that cessation of growth after removal of the endogenous source of auxin is correlated with a relative increase of longitudinally orientated microfibrils and microtubules at the inner wall surface. Conversely, reinduction of growth by exogenous auxin is correlated with a relative increase of transversely orientated microfibrils and microtubules at the inner wall surface. These changes can be detected 30–60 min after the removal and addition of auxin, respectively. The functional significance of directional changes of newly desposited wall microfibrils for the control of elongation growth is discussed.     

In vitro studies of the rabbit immune system. IV. Differential mitogen responses of isolated T and B cells.

The mitogenic responses of separated rabbit lymphocyte populations functionally analogous to mouse T and B cells have been tested in vitro. Purified T cells were prepared by passage over nylon wool (NW) and purified B cells prepared by treatment with antithymocyte serum and complement (ATS + C). ATS + C kills 70% of peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL's) and 50% of the spleen cells while passage over NW yields 40% of the applied PBL's and 5–23% of the applied spleen cells. NW-purified T cells from the spleen or PBL's respond fully to concanavalin A (Con A) but have a reduced response to phytohemaglutinin (PHA) and little or no response to goat anti-rabbit immunoglobulin (anti-Ig). PBL's that survive ATS + C (B cells) are stimulated by anti-Ig but not by Con A or PHA. B cells purified from spleen do not respond to Con A or PHA but will respond to anti-Ig under appropriate conditions. A full spleen B-cell response to anti-Ig required removal of Ig produced by the cultures that blocked anti-Ig stimulation. It is concluded that, for rabbit lymphocytes, Con A and PHA are primarily T-cell mitogens and that anti-Ig is primarily a B-cell mitogen. However, the mitogen response of unfractionated PBL or spleen cell populations indicates an overlap in reactivity. This could be due to cells sharing T and B properties, alteration of cell populations by the fractionation procedures used, or recruitment of one population in the presence of a mitogenic response of the other population.     

Gamma-glutamylcysteine protects ergothioneine-deficient Mycobacterium tuberculosis mutants against oxidative and nitrosative stress

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb.), the causative agent of tuberculosis (TB), cannot synthesize GSH, but synthesizes two major low molecular weight thiols namely mycothiol (MSH) and ergothioneine (ERG). Gamma-glutamylcysteine (GGC), an intermediate in GSH synthesis, has been implicated in the protection of lactic acid bacteria from oxidative stress in the absence of GSH. In mycobacteria, GGC is an intermediate in ERG biosynthesis, and its formation is catalysed by EgtA (GshA). GGC is subsequently used by EgtB in the formation of hercynine-sulphoxide-GGC. In this study, M.tb. mutants harbouring unmarked, in-frame deletions in each of the fives genes involved in ERG biosynthesis (egtA, egtB, egtC, egtD and egtE) or a marked deletion of the mshA gene (required for MSH biosynthesis) were generated. Liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry analyses (LC-MS) revealed that the production of GGC was elevated in the MSH-deficient and the ERG-deficient mutants. The ERG-deficient ΔegtB mutant which accumulated GGC was more resistant to oxidative and nitrosative stress than the ERG-deficient, GGC-deficient ΔegtA mutant. This implicates GGC in the detoxification of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species in M.tb.     

八种脑-肠肽侧脑室内注射对大鼠基础胃酸分泌的影响

用乌拉坦麻醉大鼠作急性实验,采用连续灌流胃并收集流出液的方法,观察向侧脑室内注射微量脑-肠肽对大鼠基础胃酸分泌的影响。实验结果如下:(1)雨蛙肽、八肽胆囊收缩素、促甲状腺素释放激素及四肽胃泌素均使总酸排出量增加;(2)生长抑素、胰多肽、P 物质、胰高血糖素则使总酸排出量减少;(3)上述肽类用侧脑室注射的剂量作肌肉注射,除四肽胃泌素也产生明显的刺激胃酸分泌作用外,对胃酸分泌均无明显影响。以上结果提示,脑内的一些肽类可能以神经递质或调制物的方式,参与中枢对胃酸分泌的调节。     

A chromium-tolerant plant growing in Cr-contaminated land

In this paper, a kind of Typhaceae plant species, Typha angustifolia L, with a high tolerance to Cr is described. Experiments were carried out to examine its ability to tolerant Cr and its physiological response. The results showed that there was no difference in growth, plant height, and biomass response to external Cr (VI) between the plants exposed to 100 microM Cr (VI) and control (0 microM), while increasing Cr levels to 200-800 microM induced a significant decrease in plant height and biomass, but no significant injury was detected, even for the plants exposed to 800 microM Cr. Chromium induced significant increases in superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) activities. Meanwhile, a significantly positive correlation was found between Cr and Mn or Cu in leaves and roots, respectively. The Cr tolerance of the plant appeared to be associated with the enhancement of SOD and POD activities and the improvement in uptake and translocation of the essential microelements.