Genotoxic effects of potassium dichromate, sodium arsenite, cobalt chloride and lead nitrate in diploid yeast

4 metal salts, potassium dichromate, sodium arsenite, cobalt chloride and lead nitrate were tested for their genotoxic effects in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Potassium dichromate was the most potent agent for induction of gene conversion and reverse mutation. Sodium arsenite was virtually ineffective as a convertogen but gave a positive result for reversion. Cobalt chloride was the least toxic, exhibited a convertogenic activity but was only marginally active for reverse mutation. Lead nitrate was the most toxic salt but was genetically inactive.     

Viscosity effects on eukaryotic nitrate reductase activity

Rate-limiting processes of catalysis by eukaryotic molybdenum-containing nitrate reductase (NaR, EC 1.7.1.1-3) were investigated using two viscosogens (glycerol and sucrose) and observing their impact on NAD(P)H:NaR activity of corn leaf NaR and recombinant Arabidopsis and yeast NaR. Holo-NaR has two "hinge" sequences between stably folded regions housing its internal electron carriers: 1) Hinge 1 between the molybdenum-containing nitrate reducing module and cytochrome b domain containing heme and 2) Hinge 2 between cytochrome b and cytochrome b reductase (CbR) module containing FAD. Solution viscosity negatively impacted the activity of these holo-NaR forms, which suggests that the rate-limiting events in catalysis were likely to involve large conformational changes that restrict or "gate" internal electron-proton transfers (IET). Little effect of viscosity was observed on recombinant CbR module and methyl viologen nitrate reduction by holo-NaR, suggesting that these activities involved no large conformational changes. To determine whether Hinge 2 is involved in gating the first step in IET, the effects of viscosogen on cytochrome c and ferricyanide reductase activities of holo-NaR and ferricyanide reductase activity of the recombinant molybdenum reductase module (CbR, Hinge 2, and cytochrome b) were analyzed. Solution viscosity negatively impacted these partial activities, as if Hinge 2 were involved in gating IET in both enzyme forms. We concluded that both Hinges 1 and 2 appear to be involved in gating IET steps by restricting the movement of the cytochrome b domain relative to the larger nitrate-reducing and electron-donating modules of NaR.     

Light control of extractable nitrate reductase activity in higher plants

Light regulation of extractable nitrate reductase (NR) activity of higher plants is complicated by: 1) involvement of several photoreceptors, 2) differences in the relative importance of the several photoreceptors among species and among developmental stages of the same species, 3) two types of effects – alteration of activity of existing NR and influences on de novo synthesis of NR, and 4) differing forms of NR within the same species. The interrelationships of all of these factors are not clear. It may be that each system will have to be understood separately before a general model can be developed. Immunochemical quantification of NR from systems exposed to varied light regimes may enhance our understanding of this area. Currently few general conclusions can be made; however, we think that the following statements are true or are usually true: (1) Phytochrome influences extractable NR activity by the low irradiance response and high irradiance response in etiolated tissues. (2) In de-etiolated tissues phytochrome can influence NR activity decay at the end of a light period by the low irradiance response. (3) The phytochrome equilibrium or the absolute level of P_fr influences extractable NR activity in green tissues under white light. (4) Blue light influences extractable NR activity through phytochrome and another, unknown, blue light-absorbing pigment. Flavins may be involved in vitro in reactivation of inactivated NR. (5) Photosynthesis does not directly influence the induction of the forms of NR that require substrate and light for induction. (6) In some tissues there appears to be a close link between nitrite-reducing and nitrate-reducing capabilities. (7) Much circumstantial evidence from kinetic and protein-synthesis-inhibitor studies and the only available immunochemical data indicate that light induces de novo synthesis of NR, resulting in increased extractable activity.     

Movement of nitrate,chloride, and potassium in a sandy loam soll

Summary This study was conducted to measure the movement of nitrogen, chloride, and potassium in a sandy loam soil under field conditions and with controlled sprinkle irrigation. After 62.5 mm of water was applied, soil nitrate measurements indicated 67 per cent of the applied N fertilizer was lost from the upper 105 cm of the soil profile. Following a cumulative irrigation of 112.5 mm of water, 82 per cent of the applied N was lost. Since the chloride movement and redistribution was almost identical to the nitrate movement pattern, it would seem plausible that most of the nitrates were lost from the upper part of the soil by leaching. The potassium movement involved the redistribution of exchangeable K from the 0–8 cm soil zone into the 8–15 cm zone and with some buildup of K occurring in the 15–30 cm soil layer. re]19741126 rv]19751111     

Stimulation of nitrate reductase activity of the salt-tolerant yeast Rhodotorula glutinis by tungsten in the presence of molybdenum

Tungsten in the presence of molybdenum stimulates nitrate reductase activity and growth of the salt-tolerant yeast Rhodotorula glutinis on medium with nitrates. Tungsten is not incorporated in proteins possessing nitrate reductase activity. A significant increase in molybdenum cofactor in cells grown on medium with equimolar amounts of molybdenum and tungsten may relate to the stimulatory action of tungsten.     

Effects of nitrite, chlorate, and chlorite on nitrate uptake and nitrate reductase activity

Effects of NO₂⁻, ClO₃⁻, and ClO₂⁻ on the induction of nitrate transport and nitrate reductase activity (NRA) as well as their effects on NO₃⁻ influx into roots of intact barley (Hordeum vulgare cv Klondike) seedlings were investigated. A 24-h pretreatment with 0.1 mol m⁻³ NO₂⁻ fully induced NO₃⁻ transport but failed to induce NRA. Similar pretreatments with ClO₃⁻ and ClO₂⁻ induced neither NO₃⁻ transport nor NRA. Net ClO₃⁻ uptake was induced by NO₃⁻ but not by ClO₃⁻ itself, indicating that NO₃⁻ and ClO₃⁻ transport occur via the NO₃⁻ carrier. At the uptake step, NO₂⁻ and ClO₂⁻ strongly inhibited NO₃⁻ influx; the former exhibited classical competitive kinetics, whereas the latter exhibited complex mixed-type kinetics. ClO₃⁻ proved to be a weak inhibitor of NO₃⁻ influx (K_i = 16 mol m⁻³) in a noncompetitive manner. The implications of these findings are discussed in the context of the suitability of these NO₃⁻ analogs as screening agents for the isolation of mutants defective in NO₃⁻ transport.     

The effects of irradiance on growth, respiration and nitrate reductase activity of Terminalia ivorensis and Terminalia superba

Controlled-environment experiments were conducted to determine the effect of three irradiance levels obtained by artificial shading (40%, 65% and 100% light) on the growth, distribution of photosynthate, relative growth rate, net assimilation rate, respiration and nitrate reductase activities in the leaves of seedlings of Terminalia ivorensis and Terminalis superba, two important tropical tree species. Total dry weights of both species increased with increasing irradiance level during growth. Shading affected the percentage dry matter in the roots and number of leaves of both species. Relative growth rate, net assimilation rate, respiration and nitrate reductase in the leaves of both species increased with increases in irradiance level during growth. Significant differences between the species were observed in most of the parameters studied.     

Nitrate effects on nitrate reductase activity and nitrite reductase mRNA levels in maize suspension cultures

Nitrate reductase (NR) activity and nitrite reductase (NiR) mRNA levels were monitored in Black Mexican Sweet maize (Zea mays L.) suspension cultures after the addition of nitrate. Maximal induction occurred with 20 millimolar nitrate and within 2 hours. Both NR and NiR mRNA were transiently induced with levels decreasing after the 2 hours despite the continued presence of nitrate in the medium. Neither ammonia nor chlorate prevented the induction of NR. Furthermore, removal of nitrate, followed by its readdition 22 to 48 hours later, did not result in reinduction of activity or message. NR was synthesized de novo, since cycloheximide completely blocked its induction. Cycloheximide had no effect on the induction of NiR mRNA or on the transient nature of its induction. These results are similar to those reported previously for maize seedlings.     

Comparative effects of sodium nitrate and calcium nitrate on the potato

Summary Comparative trials with sodium nitrate and calcium nitrate on the potato indicate a certain superiority of the former, probably due to a greater utilization of potassium and hence improved carbohydrate metabolism.     

Effect of sodium chloride on the nitrate reductase of Suaeda maritima var. macrocarpa

The nitrate reductase (NR) activity extracted from Suaeda maritima is reduced by half in the presence of 0.1 M sodium chloride. This effect of sodi     

Fluctuations in nitrate reductase activity,and nitrate and organic nitrogen concentrations of succulent plants under different nitrogen and water regimes

The CAM (Crassulacean acid metabolism) succulent species Kalanchoe daigremontiana, K. tubiflora and Crassula argentea, and the succulent C₃ species Peperomia obtusifolia, were cultivated in pure culture in open-air conditions under two different regimes of nitrogen and water supply. At specified intervals during the course of vegetative growth, biomass, nitrate reductase activity (NRA), nitrate concentration, and organic nitrogen concentration of whole plants were measured. After 100 days of cultivation the leaf conductance of Crassula and Peperomia was measured at intervals for the duration of a day. Behaviour of all four species was strongly influenced by the cultivation regime. This was apparent in terms of productivity and variable flucturations in NRA, nitrate concentration, and organic nitrogen concentration during the vegetative period. Increase in biomass was mostly connected with a decrease in all other investigated parameters, especially under conditions of water and/or nitrogen deficiency. The typical reaction of the CAM species Crassula to limited netrogen but adequate soil water was to reduce leaf conductance during light, whereas the C₃ plant Peperomia increased conductance in comparison with plants having a nitrogen suppy. The NRA of all plant species was reduced by both soil nitrate deficiency and drought. The succulent plant species, which are specially adapted to drought, neither took up nor used nitrate when water was limited. This was particularly the case for the CAM species, but less so for the C₃ Peperomia, which showed very high concentrations of nitrate and organic nitrogen, but low NRA and biomass gain. A formula was derived to express the nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) of the species, i.e. the ability of a plant to use nitrogen over a specific period of growth. NUE was shown to increase with age for the crassulacean species but to decrease for the C₃ Peperomia. Furthermore, NUE varied with the different nutrient levels in a species-specific manner, with high values for NUE not necessarily coupled to high productivity, and with NUE of the C₃ species generally higher than that of CAM species.     

Effects of a nitrate reductase inactivating enzyme and NAD(P)H on the nitrate reductase from higher plants and Neurospora.

Evidence is presented which suggests that the NAD(P)H-cytochrome c reductase component of nitrate reductase is the main site of action of the inactivating enzyme. When tested on the nitrate reductase (NADH) from the maize root and scutella, the NADH-cytochrome c reductase was inactivated at a greater rate than was the FADH2-nitrate reductase component. With the Neurospora nitrate reductase (NADPH) only the NADPH-cytochrome c reductase was inactivated. p-Chloromercuribenzoate at 50 muM, which gave almost complete inhibition of the NADH-cytochrome c reductase fraction of the maize nitrate reductase, had no marked effect on the action of the inactivating enzyme. A reversible inactivation of the maize nitrate reductase has been shown to occur during incubation with NAD(P)H. In contrast to the action of the inactivating enzyme, it is the FADH2-nitrate reductase alone which is inactivated. No inactivation of the Neurospora nitrate reductase was produced by NAD(P)H alone and also in the presence of FAD. The lack of effect of the inactivating enzyme and NAD(P)H on the FADH2-nitrate reductase of Neurospora suggests some differences in its structure or conformation from that of the maize enzyme. A low level of cyanide (0.4 mu M) markedly enhanced the action of NAD(P)H on the maize enzyme; Cyanide at a higher level (6 mu M) did give inactivation of the Neurospora nitrate reductase in the presence of NADPH and FAD. The maize nitrate reductase, when partially inactivated by NADH and cyanide, was not altered as a substrate for the inactivating enzyme. The maize root inactivating enzyme was also shown to inactivate the nitrate reductase (NADH) in the pea leaf. It had no effect on the nitrate reductase from either Pseudomonas denitrificans or Nitrobacter agilis.     

Effects of sodium chloride on tobacco plants

Abstract The effect of salinity on the growth and ion concentrations in a number of tobacco cultivars is described. Sodium chloride, at a concentration of 200 mol m^?3, hardly affected the fresh weight, but significantly reduced the dry weight. The difference in the response of fresh and dry weights to salt was due to a change in succulence (water per unit leaf area); the latter increased with increasing leaf Na⁺ and Cl^? concentration. Under saline conditions, increasing the external Na⁺: Ca^? ratio by decreasing the Ca²⁺ concentration increased the accumulation of Na⁺ and Cl^? into the leaf tissue.