Spectral Studies of Iron Coordination in Hemeprotein Complexes: Difference Spectroscopy below 250 mμ

In order to evaluate the feasibility of observing the spectral behavior of protein groups in the coordination sphere of the iron in hemeproteins, criteria are developed to determine whether or not the application of difference absorption spectroscopy to the study of complex formation will be successful. Absolute absorption spectra, 300-1100 mmu, from bacterial catalase complexes are displayed, and the infrared bands correlated with magnetic susceptibility values of similar complexes of other hemeproteins. Dissociation constants for the formation of cyanide and azide complexes of metmyoglobin, methemoglobin, bacterial catalase, and horseradish peroxidase are given. Difference spectra, 210-280 mmu, are displayed for cyanide and azide complexes of these hemeproteins. A band at 235-241 mmu is found in the difference spectra of all low-spin vs. high-spin complexes. The factors which favor the assignment of this band to a transition involving a histidine residue are presented.     

Fluorescence Decay Studies of Chlorophyll a in Vivo

The study of the fluorescence of chlorophyll a offers a useful approach toward better understanding of the primary act of photosynthesis. This paper describes new measurements of the decay of chlorophyll a fluorescence in vivo, made with a considerably improved oscilloscopic-display technique. The main result is the identification of two decay periods both of the order of a few nanoseconds. Possible interpretations of this phenomenon are discussed.     

Action Spectrum for the Appearance of the 520 mμ Difference Band in Illuminated Chlorella Cells

An action spectrum of the 520 mμ difference band in Chlorella is determined using dim illumination. Pigment (or pigments) absorbing most strongly at and above 680 mμ, probably the so-called “long-wave forms” of chlorophyll a appear to be the primary sensitizer of the 520 mμ effect.     

Dynamic Interaction of PTPμ with Multiple Cadherins In Vivo

There is a growing body of evidence to implicate reversible tyrosine phosphorylation as an important mechanism in the control of the adhesive function of cadherins. We previously demonstrated that the receptor protein tyrosine phosphatase PTPμ associates with the cadherin–catenin complex in various tissues and cells and, therefore, may be a component of such a regulatory mechanism (Brady-Kalnay, S.M., D.L. Rimm, and N.K. Tonks. 1995. J. Cell Biol. 130:977– 986). In this study, we present further characterization of this interaction using a variety of systems. We observed that PTPμ interacted with N-cadherin, E-cadherin, and cadherin-4 (also called R-cadherin) in extracts of rat lung. We observed a direct interaction between PTPμ and E-cadherin after coexpression in Sf9 cells. In WC5 cells, which express a temperature-sensitive mutant form of v-Src, the complex between PTPμ and E-cadherin was dynamic, and conditions that resulted in tyrosine phosphorylation of E-cadherin were associated with dissociation of PTPμ from the complex. Furthermore, we have demonstrated that the COOH-terminal 38 residues of the cytoplasmic segment of E-cadherin was required for association with PTPμ in WC5 cells. Zondag et al. (Zondag, G., W. Moolenaar, and M. Gebbink. 1996. J. Cell Biol. 134: 1513–1517) have asserted that the association we observed between PTPμ and the cadherin–catenin complex in immunoprecipitates of the phosphatase arises from nonspecific cross-reactivity between BK2, our antibody to PTPμ, and cadherins. In this study we have confirmed our initial observation and demonstrated the presence of cadherin in immunoprecipitates of PTPμ obtained with three antibodies that recognize distinct epitopes in the phosphatase. In addition, we have demonstrated directly that the anti-PTPμ antibody BK2 that we used initially did not cross-react with cadherin. Our data reinforce the observation of an interaction between PTPμ and E-cadherin in vitro and in vivo, further emphasizing the potential importance of reversible tyrosine phosphorylation in regulating cadherin function.     

Studies on the Characteristics of Chlorophyll Fluorescence of Winter Wheat Flag Leaves at Different Developing Stages

The parameters of fluorescence induction kinetics and the maximal light-saturated net CO2 assimilation rate ( P sat ) of the flag leaves of four cultivars of winter wheat （Triticum aestivum L.） were compared at three different developing stages for the first time. From the blooming stage to the milky stage, the quantum efficiency of PSⅡ photochemistry ( Fv/Fm ) declined slightly only at the milk stage. The photochemical quenching co-efficient ( qP ), actual quantum yield of photosystem Ⅱ（PSⅡ）electron transport ( Φ PSⅡ) and P sat decreased substantially (>15%), while the non-photochemical quenching co-efficient ( qN ) increased significantly (>100%). There existed a linear correlation between the Φ PSⅡ and the P sat ( r =0.918). The results indicate that with the senescence of the flag leaves of winter wheat the photosynthetic efficiency including that of the energy transport and the CO2 assimilation significantly decreased.     

不同发育时期冬小麦旗叶的荧光特性研究

首次对4种不同品种冬小麦（Triticum aestivumL.)的旗叶的诱导荧光动力学参数和最大净光合速率（Psat)进行了不同时期的比较,随着小麦从所花期到乳熟期的生长,旗叶的光系统II最大光量子效率（Fv/Fm)变化不大,在乳熟期略有下降,光化学淬灭（qP),光系统II量子产率（φPSII与）和Psat有较大的降低（＞15％）,非光化光学淬灭（qN)均有明显的增大（＞100％）,旗叶的φPSII与Psat的存线性关系（r=0.918),说明了在不同小麦品种中生长的衰老使得旗叶光合作用从能量转化到二氧化碳同化速率都降低。     

Photochemical and Thermal Phases of Chlorophyll a Fluorescence

The measurement of variable chlorophyll (Chl) a fluorescence is widely used as a convenient and versatile tool in photosynthesis research. In many applications empirical correlations and simplified models of Chl a fluorescence are used with success. Nevertheless, variable Chl a fluorescence provides only indirect and complex image of processes occurring within photosynthetic membranes and such simplifications have only limited validity. In this review we elucidate some controversial and still unresolved questions about the origin and interpretation of the variable Chl a fluorescence induction and the proper use of variable Chl a fluorescence for studies of photochemical events in photosystem 2 (PS2). Although the major part of variable Chl a fluorescence reflects the photochemical closure of the PS2 reaction centers (RCs) and can be considered as a function of the redox state of the primary acceptor Q_A, up to 50 % of the change in the Chl a fluorescence yield can be of secondary, nonphotochemical origin. We review the possible sources of the inherent heterogeneity in the origin of variable Chl a fluorescence. We also comment on the practical implications this bears for the use of variable Chl a fluorescence. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Identification Mutants of Plant Pigment with Spectral Technology

Differences in the pigment and thylakoid membranes levels among the mutant barley 1832C, Chlorina-f2 was compared with a normal one by means of their absorption spectra and the 4th derivative spectra. Results showed that there was no absorption peaks for Chl b at 651 nm in red and 470 nm in blue regions in the absorption and the 4th derivative spectra in the mutant thylakoid membranes. At the same time there was no absorption peaks of Chl b at 645 nm and 455 nm in the absorption and the 4th derivative spectra in its acetone (80%) extract. Therefore, mutant barley 1832C was proved to be a new type of chlorophyll b-less mutant that could survive independently in nature.     

Pigment Composition of a Novel Oxygenic Photosynthetic Prokaryote Containing Chlorophyll d as the Major Chlorophyll

The principal pigment found in the majority of oxygenic photosyntheticorganisms is known to be chlorophyll a. However, we isolateda new oxygenic photosynthetic prokaryote that contained chlorophylld as a predominant pigment with chlorophyll a being a minorpigment. Chlorophyll d had previously been noted but its naturaloccurrence and function remained unclear. Cells of the new prokaryotehad an absorption maximum at red region of 714–718 nmdue to chlorophyll d absorption, but no characteristic absorptionpeak of chlorophyll a around 680 nm was observed. Chlorophylld of the new organism was identified spectrophotometricallyin several solvents and its chemical structure was confirmedby NMR and FABMS analysis. The cell also contained a chlorophyllc-like pigment, zeaxanthin and a-carotene but not chlorophyllb and ß-carotene. The content of chlorophyll d accountedfor more than 2% of the cell dry weight, while the content ofchlorophyll a was less than 0.1%. The chlorophyll a/d ratioremained between 0.03 and 0.09 under different culture conditions.The light absorption characteristics and the high content ofchlorophyll d along with the small content of chlorophyll aindicated the existence of a new light utilization mechanisminvolving chlorophyll d. (Received October 7, 1996; Accepted December 16, 1996)     

Biological Studies with α-Dehydrobiotin

A growing culture of Streptomyces lydicus converted biotin-¹⁴C to α-dehydrobiotin-¹⁴C. The conversion was demonstrated by isolating crystalline α-dehydrobiotin-¹⁴C from fermentation liquors supplemented with biotin-¹⁴C. The addition of pimelic acid-¹⁴C to the growing culture did not produce any radioactive α-dehydrobiotin. α-Dehydrobiotin did not substitute for biotin in Lactobacillus plantarum or in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Antimicrobial activity of α-dehydrobiotin was abolished by avidin. α-Dehydrobiotin appears to be different from several biotin vitamers described in the literature. It is concluded that α-dehydrobiotin is a product of biotin catabolism in S. lydicus.     

Changes in Chlorophyll Fluorescence in Maize Plants with Imposed Rapid Dehydration at Different Leaf Ages

A comparison of the effects of a rapidly imposed water deficit with different leaf ages on chlorophyll a fluorescence and gas exchange was performed in maize (Zea mays L.) plants. The relationships between photosynthesis and leaf relative turgidity (RT) and ion leakage were further investigated. Leaf dehydration substantially decreased net photosynthetic rate (A) and stomatal conductance (G _s), particularly for older leaves. With dehydration time, F _v /F _m maintained a relatively stable level for youngest leaves but significantly decreased for the older leaves. The electron transport rate (ETR) sharply decreased with intensifying dehydration and remained at lower levels during continuous dehydration. The photochemical quenching of variable chlorophyll fluorescence (q _P) gradually decreased with dehydration intensity for the older leaves but increased for the youngest leaves, whereas dehydration did not affect the nonphotochemical chlorophyll fluorescence quenching (NPQ) for the youngest leaves but remarkably decreased it for the older leaves. The leaf RT was significantly and positively correlated with its F _v /F _m, ETR, and q _P, and the leaf ion leakage was significantly and negatively correlated with F _v /F _m and NPQ. Our results suggest that the photosynthetic systems of young and old leaves decline at different rates when exposed to rapid dehydration.     

水稻光合日变化及光抑制的叶绿素荧光

研究了光敏核不育水稻(OryzasativaL.)农垦58S(NK58S)的光合日变化和光抑制。06:00~09:00,NK58S的光抑制不明显,此时的光合功能下调以叶黄素循环为主;10:00~12:00,耗散比能流(DIo/RC)及光反应中心关闭净速率(dV/dto)增加,受体侧电子传递受阻(yO下降),活性反应中心密度(Do)降低,NK58S光抑制加剧,PSⅡ反应中心发生失活。荧光暗弛豫分析与抑制剂处理结果表明,状态转换、叶黄素循环和PSⅡ反应中心失活均能有效保护NK58S免遭强光损伤。叶黄素循环相对于反应中心失活,前者是NK58S对强光胁迫的快速反应,在光强相对较弱时发挥主要作用,而后者在叶黄素循环达到饱和时对保护剩余活性反应中心起主要作用。     

水稻光合日变化及光抑制的叶绿素荧光

研究了光敏核不育水稻(Oryza sativa L.)农垦58S(NK58S)的光合日变化和光抑制.06:00～09:00,NK58S的光抑制不明显,此时的光合功能下调以叶黄素循环为主;10:00～12:00,耗散比能流(DIo/RC)及光反应中心关闭净速率(dV/dto)增加,受体侧电子传递受阻(ψo下降),活性反应中心密度(Do)降低,NK58S光抑制加剧,PSⅡ反应中心发生失活.荧光暗弛豫分析与抑制剂处理结果表明,状态转换、叶黄素循环和PSⅡ反应中心失活均能有效保护NK58S免遭强光损伤.叶黄素循环相对于反应中心失活,前者是NK58S对强光胁迫的快速反应,在光强相对较弱时发挥主要作用,而后者在叶黄素循环达到饱和时对保护剩余活性反应中心起主要作用.     

白刺叶不同水分状况下光合速率及其叶绿素荧光特性的研究

采用L I-COR 6400便携式光合测定系统测定并研究了乌兰布和沙漠白刺叶不同水分状况下光合速率及其叶绿素荧光参数的变化特征.结果表明,随着白刺水势降低其净光合速率和气孔导度快速下降,当水势降低到一定值时,净光合速率、气孔导度几乎不变;而叶绿素荧光指标与叶水势关系在高水势时随着叶水势下降叶绿素荧光指标值近似不变,当水势下降到一定值时近似呈直线下降.白刺水饱和状况下的光补偿点为(43.1±4.8)μm o l.m-2.-s 1,光饱和点为(676±150)μm o l.m-2.-s 1;叶生长初期和叶成熟期净光合速率水势补偿点(净光合速率为0时的水势)分别为-3.65 M Pa和-5.76 M Pa,NPQ初始水分胁迫水势分别为-2.20 M Pa和-6.63 M Pa.研究指出运用净光合速率水势补偿点和非光化学猝灭初始水分胁迫水势可评价白刺对干旱环境的适应性.