Eco-physiological responses of Polytrichum commune to soil contamination by polychlorinated biphenyls

 通过微体繁殖技术在多氯联苯(PCBs)污染土壤基质上进行大金发藓(Polytrichum commune)的室内培养, 研究了不同浓度(5、10和20 mg·kg^–1)低氯PCBs (Aroclor 1242)和高氯PCBs (Aroclor 1254)对大金发藓生理生态指标的影响。经6个月的培养, 大金发藓的密度和盖度分别达93%和50株·cm^–2以上, PCBs处理组与对照组相比无显著差异, 表明PCBs对大金发藓茎叶碎片再生成新植株体的能力没有产生不利影响。大金发藓鲜质量和株高随低氯PCBs (Aroclor 1242)浓度增加而增加、随高氯PCBs (Aroclor 1254)浓度增加而减小, 但均高于对照, 表明PCBs处理对大金发藓的生长具有一定的促进作用。PCBs处理组大金发藓叶绿素a、b以及叶绿素a + b含量较对照组有所增加, 叶绿素a/b值与对照组相比基本没有变化。PCBs处理组大金发藓膜脂过氧化产物丙二醛含量和超氧化物歧化酶活性与对照组相比无显著差异, 谷胱甘肽含量较对照组显著增加, 表明谷胱甘肽在大金发藓体内活性氧清除过程中起重要作用。总体来看, 大金发藓能在所设浓度的PCBs范围内正常生长, 对PCBs有较强的耐性。     

绿狐尾藻光合色素组成及氮磷化学计量学特征对外源铵的响应

绿狐尾藻(Myriophyllum aquaticum)对高浓度铵(NH⁺₄)具有较高的耐受性, 是处理养殖废水的优选植物。探究外源铵对绿狐尾藻光合色素组成及氮(N)、磷(P)化学计量学特征的影响, 对提高绿狐尾藻人工湿地系统的处理效率具有重要意义。该研究设置0、0.1、1、5、15、30 mmol·L^-1 6个NH₄⁺浓度, 室内培养21天, 测定分析不同铵浓度下绿狐尾藻叶绿素含量、N含量、P含量和N:P的变化特征。结果表明, 随外源铵浓度增加, 绿狐尾藻的相对茎高和相对生物量先升高后降低, 且通过拟合曲线方程发现, 外源铵在16.22和12.58 mmol·L^-1时, 其相对茎高和相对生物量达到最大值。随外源铵浓度的增加, 绿狐尾藻叶片叶绿素含量显著降低, 而茎中叶绿素含量增加, 且叶绿素a含量变化的幅度比叶绿素b大, 但对叶绿素a/b影响不显著, 仅在5 mmol·L^-1处理时茎叶绿素a/b显著下降。随外源铵浓度增加, 与CK相比, 叶片和茎的N含量分别显著增加了85%-235%和127%-373%, 叶片P含量增幅为49%-51%。当外源铵浓度不大于15 mmol·L^-1时, 叶片和茎的N含量、N:P增加速度较快, 且相对茎高和相对生物量增长较快。相关分析表明, 叶片N、P含量和N:P与总叶绿素含量呈极显著负相关关系, 而在茎中呈显著或极显著正相关关系。综上所述, 外源铵浓度在12-16 mmol·L^-1范围内时, 绿狐尾藻生长良好, 生物量更大, N和P的吸收量更高, 从而利用其构建的人工湿地可以有效去除污染废水的N、P, 达到高效净化水体的目的。     

多氯联苯对桐花树幼苗生长及膜保护酶系统的影响

通过盆栽实验,研究了不同浓度(180、900、1 800和2 700 μg·kg^-1)多氯联苯(PCBs)对红树植物桐花树幼苗生长、叶绿素含量、膜质过氧化产物丙二醛（MDA）以及膜保护酶系统的影响.结果表明：PCBs对桐花树幼苗的生长有一定的促进作用,随着PCBs浓度的提高,桐花树幼苗的茎高、茎径和茎体积均呈升高趋势;在试验PCBs浓度范围内,桐花树幼苗叶片能保持相对正常的叶绿素水平和相对稳定的叶绿素a/b值,叶绿素a、叶绿素b和叶绿素a+b含量虽然有所降低,但均未低于对照的75%;叶绿素a/b值有所升高,但均未超过对照的10％.随着PCBs浓度的提高,桐花树幼苗叶片SOD活性呈单峰曲线变化,而POD活性和MDA含量呈单谷曲线变化.红树植物桐花树可通过生理生化机制适应一定浓度的PCBs污染,对PCBs有较强的耐受性和适应性,可用于PCBs污染的植物修复.     

3种苔藓植物对模拟大气氮沉降的生理响应

苔藓植物是地表生态系统的重要组分，研究苔藓植物对氮沉降的生理响应可以在机理机制上探讨如何科学合理利用苔藓指示大气氮沉降。以西北地区3种苔藓植物——齿肋赤藓(Syntrichia caninervis)，真藓(Bryum argenteum)和尖叶匐灯藓(Plagiomnium acutum)为研究对象，设置0、2、4、6 g·m^-2 4个不同氮素处理梯度(分别计为N₀、N₂、N₄、N₆)，研究氮素增加对不同苔藓植物叶绿素、渗透调节物质含量和抗氧化酶活性的影响。结果表明(：1)4个氮素处理水平均能促进尖叶匐灯藓的叶绿素a和叶绿素b合成，尤以N₄处理的促进作用最佳，而N₂处理对齿肋赤藓和真藓的叶绿素a和叶绿素b具有明显的抑制作用(对齿肋赤藓的抑制作用更强)。(2)苔藓体内可以产生脯氨酸(Pro)，可溶性糖(SS)和可溶性蛋白(SP)来调节细胞渗透平衡。不同氮素处理均促进了真藓和尖叶匐灯藓Pro,SS和SP的含量，但N₂     

三种苔藓植物对模拟N沉降的生理响应

该文研究了华南地区常见的3种苔藓植物大灰藓(Hypnum plumaeforme)、刺边小金发藓拟刺亚种(Pogonatum cirratum subsp. fuscatum)和石地钱(Reboulia hemisphaerica)在模拟N沉降条件下碳氮代谢的响应特征, 探讨了N沉降对这3种苔藓植物生长的影响。结果表明: 3种植物对N沉降的响应存在差异。大灰藓在加氮浓度为0 ~ 60 kg N·hm^-2的范围内, 光合速率、淀粉、可溶性糖、总氮及可溶性蛋白的含量均随加氮浓度的升高而上升; 对照条件下NR(硝酸还原酶)可诱导活性很高, 表明其对氮的需求强烈; 膜K⁺渗漏在加氮浓度为20 kg N·hm^-2时高于对照, 但更高的加氮浓度下并未使其进一步上升。刺边小金发藓拟刺亚种在加氮浓度为0~40 kg N·hm^-2的范围内, 碳氮代谢的多数指标的变化趋势与大灰藓相似, 但当N沉降高于40 kg N·hm^-2时, 呈现相反的变化趋势; 在对照条件下具一定的NR可诱导活性, 但人工加氮使其可诱导活性急剧下降。石地钱的可溶性糖及可溶性蛋白含量在不同处理条件下变化不明显, 但光合速率和淀粉含量在加氮浓度为20和40 kg N·hm^-2时低于对照及加氮浓度为60 kg N·hm^-2时, 而植物总氮含量的变化趋势刚好相反; NR固有活性及可诱导活性在各种N处理条件下均极低, 显示其对NO₃^-利用率低。刺边小金发藓拟刺亚种和石地钱的膜K⁺渗漏仅在60 kg N·hm^-2处理时显著上升。     

稀土元素对短叶对齿藓生理生化的研究

通过测定分析3个主要生理指标过氧化物酶（POD）活性、丙二醛（MDA）含量和叶绿素含量的变化,研究了短叶对齿藓组培苗在6个不同浓度梯度的轻稀土La³⁺,Ce⁴⁺和重稀土Y³⁺单一元素胁迫下的生理响应和变化。结果如下：（1）短叶对齿藓体内的过氧化物酶（POD）活性和丙二醛（MDA）含量各处理组均低于对照组;Ce⁴⁺元素在3.55×10^-2 mmol·L^-1时显著提高了POD活性,在7.1×10^-2 mmol·L^-1时显著增加了膜脂过氧化产物丙二醛（MDA）含量。表明短叶对齿藓对Ce⁴⁺元素胁迫响应较强;而La³⁺元素各处理浓度间POD的变化较为平缓,胁迫响应较弱;Y³⁺处理居中。（2）较低浓度的La³⁺（1.8×10^-2 mmol·L^-1）和Ce⁴⁺（3.55×10^-2 mmol·L^-1）时显著提高叶绿素a、叶绿素b和总叶绿素含量;3种稀土元素在较高浓度时叶绿素的含量均有明显下降。本研究为进一步探明白云鄂博稀土矿区的苔藓植物生长发育受稀土元素的影响奠定了基础。     

镉胁迫下三种藓类植物的细胞伤害及光合色素含量的变化

采用水培试验研究了不同浓度Cd 胁迫下3种藓类植物的细胞伤害、光合色素含量和Cd 含量的变化,以探讨其对Cd 胁迫的反应敏感性和耐性.结果表明：低浓度Cd （1 mg·L^-1）胁迫显著损伤尖叶拟船叶藓和匍枝青藓叶细胞,3种藓的叶细胞伤害率随Cd 浓度的升高而显著增加,高浓度Cd （100 mg·L^-1）胁迫下的细胞伤害率大小为匍枝青藓>湿地匍灯藓>尖叶拟船叶藓.低浓度Cd 胁迫（1 mg·L^-1）对3种藓类植物的总叶绿素含量无显著影响,随着Cd 胁迫浓度的增加（≥ 10 mg·L^-1）,3种藓类植物总叶绿素含量显著下降,降幅顺序为匍枝青藓>湿地匍灯藓>尖叶拟船叶藓;1和10 mg·L^-1 Cd胁迫对3种藓类植物叶绿素a/b值无显著影响,100 mg·L^-1 Cd胁迫下湿地匍灯藓和匍枝青藓叶绿素a/b值显著下降;Cd胁迫对匍枝青藓类胡萝卜素含量的影响最大,1 mg·L^-1 Cd下其类胡萝卜素含量显著降低.3种藓类植物均能显著地富集Cd,其体内Cd累积量以尖叶拟船叶藓最高,湿地匍灯藓次之,匍枝青藓最少.细胞伤害率、叶绿素和类胡萝卜素含量的变化可用来指示3种藓类植物对Cd胁迫的敏感性差异.尖叶拟船叶藓对Cd胁迫的耐受性最强,湿地葡灯藓和匍枝青藓相对较弱.3种藓类植物对Cd胁迫的耐受性与其体内Cd累积量呈明显的正相关关系.     

秋茄(Kandelia candel)幼苗对多氯联苯污染的生理生态响应

通过盆栽实验,研究了4种不同浓度(180 、900 、1800 和2700μg kg^-1)的多氯联苯（PCBs）对红树植物秋茄幼苗的茎高、茎径、生物量、相对生长速率以及叶片的叶绿素含量、水势、丙二醛含量和游离脯氨酸含量等生理生态指标的影响,结果表明:（1）在所设PCBs浓度范围内,PCBs对秋茄幼苗的茎高、茎径、生物量和相对生长速率等生长指标的生长没有产生不利的影响,相反具有促进作用,红树植物秋茄在PCBs污染情况下能旺盛生长;（2）在所设PCBs浓度范围内,秋茄幼苗叶片能保持相对正常的叶绿素水平和相对稳定的叶绿素a/b值,叶绿素a、叶绿素b和叶绿素a+b的含量虽然有所降低,但均为对照的70%以上;叶绿素a/b值有所升高,但均未超过对照的15％。（3）随着PCBs浓度的升高,秋茄幼苗叶片水势呈上升趋势,而游离脯氨酸含量和膜质过氧化产物MDA含量均有一定的增加,说明PCBs对秋茄幼苗产生了一定的影响。总体来看,秋茄幼苗能在所设浓度的PCBs范围内正常生长,对PCBs有较强的耐受性和适应性,对PCBs污染的沉积物进行修复是可行的。     

铅胁迫对3种藓类植物细胞伤害及光合色素含量的影响

采用水培实验研究了重金属Pb2+胁迫下3种藓类植物[尖叶拟船叶藓(Dolichomitriopsis diversiformis)、湿地匍灯藓(Plagiomnium acutum)和匍枝青藓(Brachythecium procumbens)]的细胞伤害、光合色素含量和Pb2+累积量的变化,以探讨藓类植物对Pb2+胁迫的反应敏感性和耐性强弱.结果表明:(1)Pb2+胁迫导致尖叶拟船叶藓、湿地葡灯藓和匍枝青藓叶细胞显著损伤的最低浓度分别为100、1和10 mg·L-1,叶细胞伤害随Pb2+浓度的升高而显著增加,它们对高浓度Pb2+的耐受性顺序为尖叶拟船叶藓>湿地匍灯藓>匍枝青藓;(2)低浓度Pb2+胁迫(小于100 mg·L-1)对3种藓类植物的总叶绿素含量均没有影响,高浓度Pb2+胁迫则导致总叶绿素含量显著下降,降幅依次为匍枝青藓>湿地匍灯藓>尖叶拟船叶藓;叶绿素a/b值显示,高浓度Pb2+胁迫对尖叶拟船叶藓叶绿素b的抑制远大于叶绿素a,而对匍枝青藓和湿地葡灯藓使叶绿素a的抑制大于叶绿素b;当Pb2+胁迫浓度达到200 mg·L-1时3种藓类植物的类胡萝卜素含量显著降低;(3)3种藓类植物均能显著地富集Pb2+,高浓度Pb2+胁迫下,其富集能力急剧增加,而且与其耐受性呈正相关.     

秋茄(Kandelia candel)幼苗对多氯联苯污染的生理生态响应

通过盆栽实验,研究了4种不同浓度（180、900、1800和2700μg kg^-1）的多氯联苯（PCBs）对红树植物秋茄幼苗的茎高、茎径、生物量、相对生长速率以及叶片的叶绿素含量、水势、丙二醛含量和游离脯氨酸含量等生理生态指标的影响,结果表明：（1）在所设PCBs浓度范围内,PCBs对秋茄幼苗的茎高、茎径、生物量和相对生长速率等生长指标的生长没有产生不利的影响,相反具有促进作用,红树植物秋茄在PCBs污染情况下能旺盛生长;（2）在所设PCBs浓度范围内,秋茄幼苗叶片能保持相对正常的叶绿素水平和相对稳定的叶绿素a／b值,叶绿素a、叶绿素b和叶绿素a＋b的含量虽然有所降低,但均为对照的70％以上;叶绿素a／b值有所升高,但均未超过对照的15％。（3）随着PCBs浓度的升高,秋茄幼苗叶片水势呈上升趋势,而游离脯氨酸含量和膜质过氧化产物MDA含量均有一定的增加,说明PCBs对秋茄幼苗产生了一定的影响。总体来看,秋茄幼苗能在所设浓度的PCBs范围内正常生长,对PCBs有较强的耐受性和适应性,对PCBs污染的沉积物进行修复是可行的。     

Effects of rapid changes in oxygen concentration on the respiration of carrot roots

Rates of CO₂ production and O₂ consumption from aged disks of carrot ( Daucus carota L.) root tissues were measured for 4 h after they were transferred from 21% to 0, 1, 2, 4 or 8% O₂ in gas mixtures. A transient peak in the rate of CO₂ production started 5 to 7 min after transfer to 2% or lower O₂ mixtures and peaked at 50 min. After the peaks in CO₂ production from the 0, 1 and 2% O₂ treatments and after the stable production from the 4 and 8% O₂ treatments, the rate of CO₂ production from all low O₂ treatments started to decline at 50 min, reaching stable rates by 160 to 240 min. Concentrations of lactate and ethanol that were significantly higher than the 21% O₂ controls had started to accumulate in disks between 10 and 50 min after exposure to atmospheres containing 2% or less O₂. Production of CO₂ started to increase 5 to 7 min after transfer to 0, 1 and 2% O₂, while the initial decline and then rise in pH and the accumulation of ethanol did not occur until 30 min after the change in atmosphere. Ethanol accumulation paralleled the increase in pH; first at 0.4 μmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹ from 30 to 60 min as the pH shifted from 5.97 to 6.11, and then at 0.08 μmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹ from 60 to 100 min as the pH stablized around 6.12. The peak at 50 min in CO₂ production roughly coincided with the shift from the rapid to the slow change in pH and ethanol accumulation.     

Temporal change of gas metabolism by hydrogen-syntrophic methanogenic bacterial associations in anoxic paddy soil

Abstract Interspecies H₂ transfer within methanogenic bacterial associations (MBA) accounted for 95–97% of the conversion of ¹⁴CO₂ to ¹⁴CH₄ in anoxic paddy soil. Only 3–5% of the ¹⁴CH₄ were produced from the turnover of dissolved H₂. The H₂-syntrophic MBA developed within 5 days after the paddy soil had been submerged and placed under anoxic atmosphere. Afterwards, both the contribution of MBA to H₂-dependent methanogenesis and the turnover of dissolved H₂ did not change significantly for up to 7 months of incubation. However, while the rates of H₂-dependent methanogenesis stayed relatively constant, the rates of total methanogenesis decreased. The contribution of MBA to H₂-dependent methanogenesis was further enhanced to 99% when the temperature was shifted from 30°C to 17°C, or when the soil had been planted with rice. This enhancement was partially due to an increased utilization of dissolved H₂ by chloroform-insensitive non-methanogenic bacteria, most probably homoacetogens, so that CH₄ production was almost completely restricted to H₂-syntrophic MBA. The activity of MBA, as measured by the conversion of ¹⁴CO₂ to ¹⁴CH₄, was stimulated by glucose, lactate, and ethanol to a similar or greater extent than by exogenous H₂. Propionate and acetate had no effect.     

巴郎山糙皮桦叶片光合氮利用效率的海拔响应

为深入认识植物对环境变化的响应和适应,以分布在川西巴郎山的糙皮桦为研究对象,选择海拔2200、2500、3100和3400 m 4个分布点,测定计算了各分布点叶片光合氮利用效率(PNUE)、CO₂扩散导度(叶肉细胞导度g_m与气孔导度g_s)和氮分配比例(Rubisco氮分配比例P_R、生物力能学组分氮分配比例P_B、捕光组分氮分配比例P_L与细胞壁氮分配比例P_CW)等参数,分析了其沿海拔的变化趋势以及叶片PNUE与其他参数的相关关系.结果表明: 糙皮桦叶片PNUE、P_R和P_B在海拔2500和3100 m相对较高;叶片g_s和g_m则随海拔升高而增加,P_L随海拔升高而降低.糙皮桦叶片P_R和P_B与PNUE呈显著正相关关系,说明P_R和P_B是PNUE随海拔变异的重要内部因素.糙皮桦叶片光合系统氮分配比例P_P在海拔2500和3100 m相对较高,叶片P_CW随海拔升高而降低,叶片其他组分氮分配比例P_other随海拔升高而增加,说明随海拔的升高,糙皮桦叶片趋向将更大比例的氮分配于除光合系统和细胞壁外的其他组分中.     

Biosystematics and evolutionary relationships of perennial Triticeae species revealed by genomic analyses

Understanding the classification and biosystematics of species in Triticeae Dumort., an economically important tribe in the grass family (Poaceae), is not an easy task, particularly for some perennial species. Does genomic analysis facilitate the understanding of evolutionary relationships of these Triticeae species? We reviewed literature published after 1984 to address questions concerning: (1) genome relationships among the monogenomic diploid species; (2) progenitors of the unknown Y genome in Elymus polyploids, X genome in Thinopyrum intermedium, and Xm genome in Leymus; and (3) genome constitutions of some perennial Triticeae species that were unknown or misidentified. A majority of publications have substantiated the close affinity of the E^b and E^e genomes in Th. bessarabicumand Th. elongatum, supporting the use of a common basic genome symbol. The E genome is close to the St genome of Pseudoroegneria and ABD genomes ofTriticum/Aegilops complex, providing an explanation for transferring genes from the E to ABD genomes with relative ease. Although the solid proof is still lacking, theW, P, and especially Xp genomes are possible origins for the Y genome of polyploid Elymus. The absence of the E genome and the allopolyploidy nature of tetraploidLeymus species have been unequivocally confirmed by both cytogenetic and molecular studies. However, the donor of the Xm genomes of Leymus was only speculated to be related to the P genome of Agropyron and F genome of Eremopyrum. Intermediate wheatgrass (Th. intermedium) has been extensively studied. The presence of the St (as the previously designated X) genome in Th. intermedium is now unequivocal. Its two more closely related E₁ and E₂ genomes are shown to be older versions of the E genome rather than the current E^b and E^e genomes. Speciation of Th. intermedium was similar to that of Triticum aestivum, in which the J^s/E^s(like B) genomes had the greatest differentiation from the current J (E^b) genome owning to repetitive sequences of the V genome, whereas its St (like D) had the least differentiation from the current St genome. Species with unknown or misidentified genomes have been correctly designated, including those with the ESt, StP, StPY,StWY, EStP, HW, StYHW, and NsXm genomes. Some of those species have been transferred to and renamed in appropriate genera.     

Apparent phytotoxicity of mononuclear hydroxy-aluminum to four dicotyledonous species

It has long been assumed that Al³⁺ is an important rhizotoxic ion in acid soils around the world, but the toxicity of Al³⁺ relative to mononuclear hydroxy-Al [AlOH²⁺ and Al(OH)⁺₂] has been examined in detail only for an Al-sensitive wheat variety ( Triticum aestivum L. cv. Tyler). That plant appears to be sensitive to Al³⁺ but not to AlOH²⁺ and Al(OH)⁺₂. New experiments, and reanalyses of previously published experiments, provide evidence that dicotyledonous species may be sensitive to mononuclear hydroxy-Al and that Al³⁺ may be nontoxic, or less toxic, to those plants. Despite these consistently measured differences between wheat and the dicotyledons, the determination of relative toxicities (Al³⁺ vs mononuclear hydroxy-Al) may be an intractable problem. Because of hydrolysis equilibria, (AlOH²⁺) and (Al(OH)⁺₂) are equivalent to (Al³⁺)k₁(H⁺)⁻¹ and (l³⁺)k₂(H⁺)⁻², respectively, in which k₁ and k₂ are the first and second hydrolysis constants (braces denote activities). Thus, any expression of root elongation as a function of mononuclear hydroxy-Al can be alternatively expressed as a function of (Al³⁺) and (H⁺). Toxicity attributed to mononuclear hydroxy-Al may actually be Al³⁺ toxicity that increases as pH rises (i.e. Al³⁺ toxicity ameliorated by H⁺).     

Effects of Surfactant Protein-A on the Interaction of Pneumocystis murina with its Host at Different Stages of the Infection in Mice

ABSTRACT. We examined the effects of surfactant protein A (SP-A), a collectin, on the interaction of Pneumocystis murina with its host at the beginning, early to middle, and late stages of infection. Pneumocystis murina from SP-A wild-type (WT) mice inoculated intractracheally into WT mice (WT_S-WT_R) adhered well to alveolar macrophages, whereas organisms from SP-A knockout (KO) mice inoculated into KO mice (KO_S-KO_R) did not. Substitution of WT mice as the source of organisms (WT_S-KO_R) or recipient host macrophages (KO_S-WT_R) restored adherence to that found with WT_S-WT_R mice. In contrast, when immunosuppressed KO and WT mice were inoculated with P. murina from a homologous source (KO_S-KO_R, WT_S-WT_R) or heterologous source (WT_S-KO_R, KO_S-WT_R) and followed sequentially, WT_S-KO_R mice had the highest levels of infection at weeks 3 and 4; these mice also had the highest levels of the chemokine macrophage inflammatory protein-2 and neutrophils in lavage fluid at week 3. Surfactant protein-A administered to immunosuppressed KO_S-KO_R mice with Pneumocystis pneumonia for 8 wk as a therapeutic agent failed to lower the organism burden. We conclude that SP-A can correct the host immune defect in the beginning of P. murina infection, but not in the middle or late stages of the infection.     

K/Na selectivity at the plasmalemma of cortical root cells and preferential release of sodium to the xylem vessels in roots of Atriplex hortensis

Using excised roots of Atriplex hortensis L., cv. Gelbe Gartenmelde, the uptake, accumulation and xylem transport of K⁺ and Na⁺ have been measured. Influx as well as xylem transport proved to discriminate little between K⁺ and Na⁺, when considered in relation to the external solution. Both K⁺ and Na⁺ inhibited the uptake and xylem transport of each other to about the same degree. Measurements of intracel-lular Na⁺ fluxes by means of compartment analysis indicated that the low degree of K/Na discrimination during uptake was due to low influx selectivity. Moreover, K⁺/Na⁺ exchange at the plasmalemma was not very efficient in Atriplex roots. In order to establish the basis of the low K/Na discrimination in xylem transport, the rates of K⁺ and Na⁺ transport were related to the cytoplasmic K⁺ and Na⁺ concentrations to yield the selectivity ratio of transport, S(transport) = (φ_cx(K) × [Na⁺]_c)/(φ_cx(Na) × [K⁺]_c). Under all conditions this ratio was far below one indicating that Na⁺ was favoured during xylem release in excised roots of Atriplex at low external concentrations. The implications of this discrimination in favour of Na+ are discussed with respect to salt tolerance of A. hortensis .     

Different structural stability and toxicity of PrP(ARR) and PrP(ARQ) sheep prion protein variants

The polymorphisms at amino acid residues 136, 154, and 171 in ovine prion protein (PrP) have been associated with different susceptibility to scrapie: animals expressing PrP^ARQ [PrP(Ala136/Arg154/Gln171)] show vulnerability, whereas those that express PrP^ARR [PrP(Ala136/Arg154/Arg171)] are resistant to scrapie. The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro toxic effects of PrP^ARR and PrP^ARQ variants in relation with their structural characteristics. We show that both peptides cause cell death inducing apoptosis but, unexpectedly, the scrapie resistant PrP^ARR form was more toxic than the scrapie susceptible PrP^ARQ variant. Moreover, the α-helical conformation of PrP^ARR was less stable than that of PrP^ARQ and the structural determinants responsible of these different conformational stabilities were characterized by spectroscopic analysis. We observed that PrP toxicity was inversely related to protein structural stability, being the unfolded conformation more toxic than the native one. However, the PrP^ARQ variant displays a higher propensity to form large aggregates than PrP^ARR. Interestingly, in the presence of small amounts of PrP^ARR, PrP^ARQ aggregability was reduced to levels similar to that of PrP^ARR. Thus, in contrast to PrP^ARR toxicity, scrapie transmissibility seems to reside in the more stable conformation of PrP^ARQ that allows the formation of large amyloid fibrils.     

Metabolism of C19- and C20-gibberellins by cell-free preparations from immature Phaseolus coccineus seed

Gibberellin biosynthesis pathways were investigated using isotopically-labelled C₁₉- and C₂₀-gibberellins and cell-free preparations from immature seed of Phaseous coccineus cv. Prizewinner. The initial steps in an early 13-hydroxylation pathway involved the conversion gibberellin A₁₂-aldehyde (GA₁₂-aldehyde) to GA₁₂ which was 13-hydroxylated to yield GA₅₃, Metabolism of GA₅₃ yielded GA₄₄. In contrast to other cell-free systems, GA₄₄ was not further converted, either as a δ-lactone or an open-lactone structure, to the C-20 aldehyde GA₁₉. GA₁₉ was, however, metabolised to GA₂₀, GA₅ and GA₁. GA₂₀ represented a branch point in the pathway as it was converted both to GA₁, which was an end product, and GA₅ which was further converted to GA₆. Like GA₁, GA₆ was also an end-product of the early 13-hydroxylation pathway.
A non-13-hydroxylation pathway involving GA₄, GA₁₅, GA₂₄ GA₃₇ and GA₃₆ also originated from GA₁₂. The terminal product of this pathway was the 3β-hydroxy C₁₉-gibberellin, GA₄.     

A reaction diffusion model of C-N-S-O species in some arctic sediments

Abstract A reaction diffusion model was used to simulate the mineralization processes in an Arctic sediment. The simulation and the actual sediment were compared in relation to profiles of O₂, NO₃ and NH₄⁺. The site of particulate organic matter (POM) degradation was the single most important factor in fitting the simulation profiles to those of the sediment. It was deduced that most POM degradation occurred close to the sediment surface. When a reasonably good simulation had been obtained, the sensitivity of the model to changes in other parameters was investigated. Increases in POM degradation in the upper sediment resulted in increases in concentration of NH₄⁺ and NO₃⁻, but further increases in POM degradation created anoxic conditions below 3 mm, resulting in decreases in NO₃⁻ concentrations. The model was relatively intensive to changes in POM degradation in the lower sediment layers; increases led to more anoxic conditions and to less NO₃⁻. Increases in the C/N ratio of the POM in the lower sediment layers had little effect; increases in C/N in the upper layers led to a decrease in NH₄⁺ and NO₃⁻. The model was sensitive to changes in the first order rate constant for nitrification, but not for denitrification. Decreases in the K _m for O₂ of the nitrifying bacteria had no effect on the profiles.