STUDIES ON THE PATHWAY OF SULFIDE PRODUCTION IN A COPPER-ADAPTED YEAST

Metabolism of some sulfur-containing substances was studiedin a copper-resistant strain of yeast (R), its parent strain(P) and respiratory-deficient(RD) mutants from them. The resultsobtained are as follows:

1. Using sulfate, sulfite and thiosulfate as sulfur sources, Rproducedmore H₂S than P, and both of these had the activityhigher than their RD mutants. All of them produced a large amountof H₂S from cysteine, but only little from methionine, cysteinesulfinic acid and S-sulfocysteine.
2. From sulfite and thiosulfate,P and R produced more H₂S inaerobicthan in anaerobic condition.With sulfate and cysteine, however,H₂S production did not differunder those conditions.
3. In both P and R, the sulfate-to-sulfiteand sulfite-to-sulfidereactions were remarkably lowered byiron and zinc deficiencies.But the cysteine-to-sulfide reactionwas not affected by themetal-deficiencies.
4. H₂S productionfrom sulfate was remarkably depressed by highconcentrationsof pantothenate.
5. Rates of reaction steps on a plausible pathway from sulfatetosulfide and to organic sulfur compounds areestimated forthe strainsused. R is characterized by its largecapacity ofthe reaction step from sulfate to sulfite, and excessivesulfitethus formed is liberatedas sulfide not by the way ofcysteine.

¹Present address: Research Reactor Institute, Kyoto University,Kumatori-cho, Sennan-gun, Osaka     

SOME PROPERTIES OF SULFITE REDUCTASE FROM YEAST

The MVH- and NADPH-linked sulfite reducing activities were assayedin extracts obtained from a wild strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiaeand various auxotrophic mutants derived from it. All the extractspossessing the NADPH-linked activity also showed the MVH linkedactivity, and all those lacking the latter also lacked the former.However, extracts from several mutants had the MVH-linked activitywithout having the other. NADPH-sulfite reductase was purified nearly 200-fold from extractsof the wild strain. Throughout the purification steps, the MVH-linkedactivity was also purified in association with the NADPH-linkedactivity, and the ratio between the two remained essentiallyconstant. However, on exposure to heat, low ionic strengthsand PCMB, only the NADPH-linked activity was lost, leaving theMVH-linked activity almost unaffected. Both activities weresensitive to cyanide. The sulfite reductase could also reduce nitrite and hydroxylamine, and the nitrite- and hydroxylamine-reducing activitywas sensitive to the treatments which inhibited the NADPH-sulfitereducing activity. Addition of nitrite or hydroxylamine competitivelyinhibits the NADPH linked sulfite reduction. The enzyme alsoshowed diaphorase activity, reducing DPIP or MV. This activitywas inhibited by the treatments to which the NADPH-linked sulfitereduction was sensitive, but it was not sensitive to cyanide. A tentative schematic model for yeast sulfite reductase is presented. ( Accepted October 8, 1964)     

HYDROGEN SULFIDE PRODUCTION BY SYNECHOCOCCUS LIVIDUS Y52-s1

Under anaerobic conditions and in the absence of CO₂, the thermophilic blue-green alga Synechococcus lividus Y52-s, evolved hydrogen sulfide in both darkness and light. The mechanism of this process was investigated and compared with photo- and dark reductions in organisms representing several phyla. The photoproduction of H₂S from either sulfate or thiosulfate was inhibited by 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1, 1-dimethyl urea (DCMU) and carbonyl m-chlorophenyl-hydrazone (m-Cl-CCP). The inhibitory effect of DCMU showed the requirement for photosystem II as electron donor. Inhibition by m-Cl-CCP also implicated ATP as an energy source. Monofluoroacetate partially inhibited photoproduction of H₂S. This indicated that oxidative metabolism may act us a source of electrons to reduce the photooxidant under certain conditions. Thiosulfate acts only as electron acceptor and is reductively cleaved to S⁼ and SO₃⁼. Thiosulfate and sulfate appeared to replace CO₂ in the light and O₂ in darkness as electron acceptors. The phosphorylation uncouplers dinitrophenol and m-Cl-CCP stimulated dark H₂S production.     

THE OXIDATION OF HYDROGEN SULFIDE BY BEGGIATOA

Knowledge of the conditions in which Beggiatoa is capable of autotrophic nutrition is incomplete. It is not known whether sulfur-free trichomes from heterotrophic cultures are able to return to the utilization of H₂S-oxidation. Devices were developed which permitted the supply of pure cultures of Beggiatoa, previously cultivated heterotrophically, with H₂S, O₂, and CO₂. Development in media devoid of organic nutrients was achieved, and subculturing under autotrophic conditions could be repeated indefinitely. The strains used behaved differently with respect to their tendency to grow autotrophically. The ability to dispense with organic substrates corresponds to the place in the groups to which they had previously been assigned. All the strains multiplied better when, under otherwise equal conditions, the inorganic medium was supplemented with acetate, very low concentrations of which were effective. This result may, however, be due to the selection of varieties by the isolation procedure. The mixotrophic tendency of our strains may not be a general feature of the genus. There are indications that the wider forms of Beggiatoa tend more toward autotrophic growth than the narrower ones.     

THE PRODUCTION OF HYDROGEN PEROXIDE BY BLUE-GREEN ALGAE: A SURVEY1

A survey of 38 axenic isolates of blue-green algae indicated that over half the isolates produced hydrogen peroxide under defined growth conditions. Three kinetic profiles for the formation of hydrogen peroxide, were observed; these are described. The possible site or sites of hydrogen peroxide formation remain unknown.     

亚硫酸对PSII的伤害

从菠菜叶中提取 PSII 颗粒和叶绿体、经亚硫酸处理后发现:由 PSII 颗粒催化的 DCIP光还原速率依 SO_3~(2-)浓度增高而降低、伤害部位发生于 PSII 的氧化侧,接近水的部位。在黑暗条件下 H_2O→DCIP 和 DPC→DCIP 的电子传递均不受影响。在特定 SO_3~(2-)浓度下,PSII 颗粒的伤害随处理时间的延长而加重,其伤害机理与33kD 多肽的解离和 Mn 的流失有关。SO_3~(2-)对新鲜叶绿体并不伤害;对老化的叶绿体则伤害明显,DCIP 光还原速率依老化时间的延长而降低。Mn 含量的减少与 DCIP 光还原速率的降低呈正相关,试样中添加 EGTA后电子传递速率受害更为严重。     

血链球菌产生过氧化氢机理研究

作者在国内首次建立两种确定细菌产生过氧化氦的方法,可以定性和定量分析。本文探讨了血链球菌产生过氧化氢的条件,研究其在牙周微生态环境中的作用。     

大蒜植物络合素合酶基因转化对酵母重金属抗性的提高

重金属污染是全球面临的亟待解决的生态问题。利用植物对重金属的富集作用来清除环境重金属污染即植物修复已成为重要的环境生物技术之一。这一技术的长远发展有赖于在重金属富集或耐受中起关键作用的基因的克隆和应用。植物络合素是植物体内一类重要的对重金属起螯合作用的多肽, 其合成受植物络合素合酶的催化。该文取得了如下研究结果:1)通过原子吸收测定表明,在大蒜(Allium sativum)的根部可以积累3 000 mg·kg^-1的重金属镉;2)将克隆的大蒜植物络合素合酶基因(AsPCS)置于酵母表达启动子之下,构建酵母表达载体,并将其分别转入了因CUP1和acr3基因缺失而对重金属镉和砷敏感的酵母突变体菌株后,发现来自大蒜的AsPCS基因的表达使酵母CUP1缺失菌株对镉的耐受性提高了4倍, acr3缺失菌株对砷的耐受性提高了两倍;3)表达AsPCS基因酵母的生长模式证实了AsPCS基因的表达是酵母对重金属耐受性提高的原因。这些结果暗示, 大蒜植物络合素合酶基因在大蒜对重金属的抗性及大蒜根部对镉的积累中起关键作用,可作为重要的基因元件应用到修复污染的植物基因工程中。     

ISOLATION OF NUCLEI FROM YEAST

A method for isolation of nuclei from Saccharomyces cervisiae in high yield is described. The DNA/protein ratio of the isolated nuclei is 10 times higher than that of whole cells. Examination of these nuclei in phase and electron microscopes has shown them to be round bodies having a double membrane, microtubules, and a dark crescent at one end. The optimum conditions for extraction and resolution of histones of these nuclei on acrylamide gels have been investigated. The nuclei have an active RNA polymerase (E.C. 2.7.7.6) and are able to synthesize RNA in vitro. They are also readily stainable with Giemsa's, Feulgen's, and acridine orange methods.     

PRODUCTION OF YEAST VARIANTS BY AUXIN AND EFFECTS OF PLANT GROWTH REGULATORS ON THESE VARIANTS

Using diploid strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and S. ellipsoideus,the following facts were found:

1. Indole-3-acetic acid, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and -naphthaleneaceticacid produced stable variants differing in the cell form andin the response to the actions of auxin to elongate cells, toinduce respiration- deficient mutation and to promote sporulation.
2. The auxins also produced stable variants differing in theabilityto form spores.
3. Acetic acid had no above-menthionedactions of auxin.
4. Spore-formation and cell elongation of someof auxin-inducedvariants were controlled by auxin.

Biological significance of the auxin-induced variation is discussedand the usefulness of some of these variants as experimentalmaterial for auxin physiology in general is pointed out. (Received November 1, 1966; )     

THE KINETICS OF PENETRATION : XII. HYDROGEN SULFIDE

The rate of entrance of H₂S into cells of Valonia macrophysa has been studied and it has been shown that at any given time up to 5 minutes the rate of entrance of total sulfide (H₂S + S^-) into the sap is proportional to the concentration of molecular H₂S in the external solution. This is in marked contrast with the entrance of ammonia, where Osterhout has shown that the rate of entrance of total ammonia (NH₃ + NR₄ ⁺) does not increase in a linear way with the increase in the external concentration of NH₃, but falls off. The strong base guanidine also acts thus. It has been shown that the rate of entrance of H₂S is best explained by assuming that it enters by diffusion of molecular H₂S through the non-aqueous protoplasmic surface. It has been pointed out that the simple diffusion requires that the rate of entrance might be expected to be monomolecular. Possible causes of the failure of H₂S to follow this relationship have been discussed.     

发酵五碳糖和六碳糖产乙醇的细菌研究进展*

农作物废弃物中含有大量木质纤维素,经预处理或水解后能得到各种糖类的混合物,这些糖包括五碳糖和六碳糖(混合糖)。中报道了国内外近20年来在利用细菌发酵混合糖产乙醇方面的研究进展。重点介绍了几种重组大肠杆菌Escherichia coli和运动发酵单胞菌Zymomonas mobilis利用混合糖产乙醇的特性。