Nitrogen assimilation in opaque and normal sorghum during grain development

Activity of key nitrogen assimilating enzymes was studied in developing grains of high-lysine opaque sorghum P-721 and normal sorghum CSV-5. The higher percentage of protein in opaque sorghum was mainly due to lower starch content since protein per grain was less than in CSV-5. During grain development, albufn and globulin decreased while prolafne and glutelin increased. Prolafne content in CSV-5 was higher than in opaque sorghum. Average nitrate reductase activity in flag and long leaf were similar in both the varieties. The nitrate reductase activity decreased during grain development. Glutamate dehydrogenase activity was higher during early development and lower at later stages in opaque sorghum than in CSV-5. Glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase activity was higher and glutamine synthetase lower in opaque sorghum than in CSV-5 grains during development. Glutamate synthase activity was higher in opaque sorghum up to day 20 and lower thereafter than in CSV-5. It is suggested that reduced activities of glutamine synthetase as well as glutamate synthase in opaque sorghum as compared to CSV-5 during later stages of development may restrict protein accumulation in the former.     

Protein synthesis and changes in nucleic acids during grain development of Sorghum

Changes in DNA, RNA, nitrogen, nucleotide composition and in vitro incorporation of leucine/lysine by polysomes have been studied during sorghum grain development. Both DNA, RNA and protein content increased substantially during grain development. Although RNase activity increased, it did not affect RNA accumulation. Minor changes in the nucleotide composition of rRNA and sRNA were observed during grain development. In vitro incorporation of leucine and lysine by polysomes indicate qualitative change in the mRNA during later stages of grain development and the substantial accumulation of proteins during this period ultimately results in accumulation of proteins rich in leucine and poor in lysine.     

Protein and enzyme levels during development in a high lysine barley mutant

Dry weight, protein, total free amino acids, levels of nitrogen assimilation, enzymes GDH, GOT and glutamate synthase, hydrolytic enzymes protease and amylase, peroxidase and nitrate reductase have been studied in high lysine barley mutant Notch-2 and its parents, NP 113 grains, during development. Dry weight and protein per grain was higher in NP 113 throughout development. The decrease in protein in Notch-2 mutant is neither due to limitation of amino acids nor to any of the key nitrogen assimilating enzymes as evident from the higher level of free amino acids, nitrate reductase and comparable levels of GDH, GOT and glutamate synthase in it as compared to its parent NP 113. During later stages of development, protease level between NP 113 and Notch-2 was nearly the same. Notch-2 had a lower level of amylase activity per grain. Peroxidase activity was higher in Notch-2 than NP 113 at and after the 17 day stage.     

Analysis of randomly isolated cDNAs from developing endosperm of rice (Oryza sativa L.): evaluation of expressed sequence tags,and expression levels of mRNAs

Using a cDNA library prepared from poly(A)⁺ RNA from 10-day-old rice endosperm, partial nucleotide sequences of randomly isolated clones were analyzed. A total of 153 (30.6%) out of 500 cDNA clones showed high amino acid identity to previously identified genes. There was significant redundancy in cDNAs encoding prolamine and glutelin. About 21.0% of the cDNA clones were found to code for seed storage protein genes. Consequently, 37 independent genes were identified. Using cDNA clones encoding glutelin, prolamine, seed allergen, -1,4-glucan branching enzyme, glycine-rich RNA binding protein, metallothionein, non-specific lipid-transfer protein and ubiquitin conjugating enzyme the accumulation of mRNA during rice seed development was compared. Genes associated with seed storage protein and starch biosynthesis were expressed according to expected developmental stages. Glycinerich RNA binding protein genes as well as metallothionein-like protein genes were highly expressed in developing seeds, but low in leaves of whole plants.     

Fatty acid composition of oil during maize kernel development

Dry wt, total oil and fatty acid composition of the oil was determined during kernel development of three maize inbreds. There was significant variability among these inbreds for duration and rate of dry wt, oil and fatty acid accumulation. Relative quantities of the component fatty acids changed as the kernels developed. Palmitic and linolenic decreased while oleic and stearic increased with maturity. Inbred C103, the higher oil inbred, appeared to accumulate oil over a longer period of time while inbred Hy2, the lower oil inbred, accumulated oil over a shorter period of time. However, the latter had higher daily rates of synthesis for some of the unsaturated fatty acids.     

NS2 is required for efficient translation of viral mRNA in minute virus of mice-infected murine cells.

Detailed analysis of five NS2 mutants of the autonomous parvovirus minute virus of mice (MVMp) has revealed the following. At low multiplicities of infection, NS2 mutants killed NB324K cells as well as wild-type (wt) MVM did and grew to high titers, while in contrast they grew poorly and did not readily kill murine A9 cells. Following CaPO4 transfection of murine fibroblasts, NS2 mutant infectious clones generated approximately 10-fold less monomer replicative-form DNA than wt and no detectable progeny single-stranded DNA. On nonmurine semipermissive NB324K cells, however, these mutant plasmid clones generated near wt levels of all replicative DNA forms. After infection of highly synchronized murine fibroblasts by NS2 mutant virus at inputs equivalent to those of the wt, mutant monomer replicative-form DNA was decreased 5- to 10-fold compared with that of the wt, and progeny single-stranded DNA accumulation was decreased to an even greater extent. Both total and cytoplasmic NS2 mutant RNA was decreased, but the amount of total viral mRNA generated, relative to accumulated viral DNA in the same experiments, was similar to that seen in wt infection. The accumulation of virus-generated proteins was also decreased in NS2 mutant infection; however, the magnitude of this decrease, compared with that of wt infections, was significantly greater than the concomitant decrease in mutant-generated levels of accumulated cytoplasmic RNA, and this effect was most dramatic for VP2. There was no such disparity between the relative accumulation of mutant-generated RNA and protein in cells permissive for the growth of these mutants. These results suggest that translation of MVM viral RNA is specifically reduced in NS2 mutant infection of restrictive cells. Because the affected viral proteins are required for the efficient production of viral replicative DNA forms, these results reveal a fundamental, although perhaps not the only, role for NS2 in parvovirus infection.     

Levels of protein, RNA, DNA, glycogen and lipid during growth and development of Daphnia magna Straus (Crustacea: Cladocera)

1. Protein, RNA, DNA, glycogen and lipid content were determined in Daphnia magna on days 0, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 21 of growth and development. The composition of D. magna as percentage of reconstituted dry weight was similar to other zooplankton with the exception of DNA content, which was lower than values previously reported.
2. The relative content of protein, RNA, DNA and reconstituted dry weight changed during the 21-day growth period, and these changes were related to growth rate and total growth of D. magna . RNA:protein, RNA: reconstituted dry weight, and protein:RNA : DNA ratios were highly correlated to relative growth rate and total growth as measured by protein content or reconstituted dry weight.
3. Addition of progeny biomass to adult biomass increased correlations between biochemical ratios and absolute growth rate, but had little effect on relationships involving relative growth rate or total growth.
4. The relationship between biomolecule ratios and growth established for D. magna grown under optimal conditions was not successful in predicting growth of D. magna reared under crowded conditions.
5. These data indicate that variation in biochemical ratios among life, stages of D. magna may be used to predict growth of organisms grown under similar conditions, but may not be extended to other situations. It is suggested, however, that variation in biochemical ratios in a particular life stage of a zooplankton species may be related to the productivity for that species.     

灌溉对干旱区冬小麦干物质积累、分配和产量的影响

为探明灌溉对干旱区冬小麦(Triticum aestivum)产量、水分利用效率(WUE)、干物质积累及分配等的影响, 以甘肃河西走廊冬小麦适宜种植品种‘临抗2号’为材料进行了研究。在冬季灌水180 mm的条件下, 生育期以灌水量和灌水次数等共设置5个处理, 分别为: 拔节期灌水量165 mm (W1)、拔节期灌水量120 mm +抽穗期灌水量105 mm (W2)、拔节期灌水量105 mm +抽穗期灌水量105 mm +灌浆期灌水量105 mm (W3)、拔节期灌水量75 mm +抽穗期灌水量75 mm +灌浆期灌水量75 mm (W4)、拔节期灌水量105 mm +抽穗期灌水量75 mm +灌浆期灌水量45 mm (W5)。结果表明: 随着生育期的推进, 土壤有效含水量(AWC)受灌水次数及灌水量影响更加明显; W3、W4处理的土壤各层AWC在灌浆期均较高; 叶面积指数(LAI)下降慢, 延缓了生育后期的衰老; 生育后期干物质积累增加, 提高了穗粒数、千粒重和籽粒产量。籽粒产量以W3处理最高, 但W4具有最高的WUE, 且籽粒产量与W3无显著差异, 但W4较灌溉总量相同的W2和W5以及灌水量最少的W1具有明显的指标优势。W1、W2、W5处理灌浆期各层土壤AWC均较低, 花后LAI下降快, 干物质积累减少, 灌浆持续期缩短, 穗粒数和千粒重减少, 最终表现为籽粒产量和WUE下降。灌浆期水分胁迫可促进花前储存碳库向籽粒的再转运, 并随着干旱胁迫的加重而提高, 对籽粒产量起补偿作用; 水分胁迫提高了灌浆速率, 但缩短了灌浆持续期。相关性分析表明, 灌浆持续期、有效灌浆持续期、有效灌浆期粒重增加值和最大籽粒灌浆速率出现时间与千粒重和籽粒产量均呈正相关。综合考虑, 拔节、抽穗及灌浆期各灌溉75 mm是高产高WUE的最佳灌水方案。     

水分胁迫对水稻籽粒蛋白质积累及营养品质的影响

以生产上广泛使用的水稻(Oryza sativa)品种‘汕优63’、‘扬稻6号’和‘武育粳3号’为材料,研究了水分胁迫对结实期水稻籽粒蛋白质积累及营养品质的影响。结果表明:正常施氮水平下,花后10~20 d的水分胁迫提高了谷氨酰胺合成酶(Glutamine synthetase,GS)和谷氨酸合酶(Glutamate synthase,GOGAT)活性,提高了籽粒自身利用无机氮合成氨基酸的能力,从而利于籽粒内蛋白质的积累,而高氮水平下,水分胁迫降低了籽粒自身合成氨基酸的能力。以重量为基数的蛋白质含有率在整个灌浆过程中呈“V”型消长,正常施氮水平下,水分胁迫明显提高了花后15 d至成熟期蛋白质含有率,而高氮水平下,水分胁迫处理的蛋白质含有率明显低于水层灌溉。与水层灌溉相比,水分胁迫提高了正常施氮水平下精米中醇溶蛋白和谷蛋白含量,但却明显降低了高氮水平下精米中醇溶蛋白和谷蛋白含量。水分胁迫对稻米中赖氨酸含量的影响因品种、植株的氮营养水平的不同而不同,水分胁迫显著降低了两种氮肥水平下‘汕优63’中赖氨酸含量,但却明显提高‘扬稻6号’中赖氨酸含量;而‘武育粳3号’于两种氮肥水平下表现恰好相反,正常施氮水平下赖氨酸含量略有升高;而高氮水平下赖氨酸含量明显降低。     

Biochemical changes during embryogeny in Hordeum distichum

Changes in fr. and dry wt, soluble reducing sugars, protein. total carbohydrate, DNA, RNA, sucrose synthetase activity and invertase activity were recorded for the developing embryo of Hordeum distichum var Julia over the period 18–60 days after anthesis. Fresh wt increased until 45 days whereupon rapid dehydration commenced. Reducing sugar concentration remained low throughout development but total carbohydrate and protein accumulated rapidly over the initial period to reach maximum values at around 50 days. DNA concentration remained relatively constant throughout the middle and later stages of development, but RNA, on the other hand, increased rapidly to reach a maximum value at maturity. Sucrose synthetase (assayed in the direction of sucrose cleavage) was considerably more active with UDP than ADP and reached a maximum value around 35 days after anthesis. When assayed in the direction of sucrose synthesis the peak of activity was slightly later in development and doubled in value. Invertase activity was appreciable and was still present at maturity.     

Interactions between panicle size, insect density, and environment for genotypic resistance in sorghum to head bug,Calocoris angustatus

Studies were undertaken on interactions between panicle size, insect density, host plant, and the environment for sorghum head bug,Calocoris angustatus Lethiery on five sorghum genotypes in terms of bug population increase, grain damage and loss in grain mass across four panicle sizes (5, 10 or 20 branches/panicle and whole panicle), and three infestation levels (5, 10 and 15 pairs of bugs/panicle). Head bug numbers increased and grain damage decreased with an increase in panicle size in the head bug susceptible cultivars, CSH 1 and CSH 5. However, the increase in bug numbers or decrease in grain damage was not significant in head bug resistant genotypes, IS 17610 and IS 17645. Head bug numbers increased with an increase in infestation level in CSH 1 and CSH 5, however, such an increase was not substantial in IS 17610 and IS 17645. Grain damage was significantly lower in IS 17610 and IS 17645 compared with CSH 1 and CSH 5 across infestation levels. Head bug population increased at a greater rate during the rainy season compared with the dry season. Panicle size and infestation levels accounted for greater variation in grain damage and percentage loss in grain mass during the rainy season than in the dry season. To identify reliable sources of resistance to insects, it is important to study insect host plant-interactions across panicle sizes (levels of food availability), infestation levels and seasons.     

Stress studies in lentil (Lens esculenta Moench)

The response of soil exchangeable sodium percentage levels to nitrate reductase activity, nitrite reductase activity, free proline, DNA, RNA, chlorophyll a and b contents and yield components in lentil (Lens esculenta Moench)cv. PL 406 was studied in a replicated pot experiment. All the biochemical observations were recorded at four growth stages i.e. 30, 60, 90 and 120 days after sowing (DAS). Germination occurred up to exhangeable sodium percentage of 30, but plants survived only up to 25. With increasing exchangeable sodium percentage, there was a continuous decrease in chlorophyll a and b content, nitrate and nitrite reductase enzyme activities and DNA and RNA content. Increasing level of sodicity enhanced the free proline content up to 60 DAS, after which values fell.Number of pods per plant, 1000 grain weight and grain yield were significantly reduced with increasing level of sodicity, but the number of grains per pod was not affected.     

氮高效利用基因型大麦的物质生产与氮素积累特性

通过土培盆栽试验,研究了22份大麦材料在低氮(125 mg·kg^-1)和正常氮(250 mg·kg^-1)处理下氮素吸收利用效率的基因型差异,探讨氮高效大麦干物质生产与氮素积累特性.结果表明： 大麦氮素吸收利用效率基因型差异显著.低氮处理下籽粒产量、氮素籽粒生产效率及氮素收获指数的最高值分别是最低值的2.87、2.92、2.47倍;氮高效基因型大麦籽粒产量、氮素籽粒生产效率和氮素收获指数均显著大于低效基因型,低氮处理下高效基因型3个参数较低效基因型分别高82.1%、61.5%和50.5%.氮高效基因型大麦各生育期干物质和氮素积累优势明显,干物质积累高峰出现在拔节-抽穗阶段,氮素积累高峰出现在拔节前;低氮处理下高效基因型典型材料DH61、DH121+的干物质量较低效基因型典型材料DH80分别高34.4%、38.3%,氮素积累量较DH80分别高54.8%、58.0%.供试大麦干物质和氮素的阶段性积累量对籽粒产量的影响为拔节前最大,且低氮处理下贡献率最高,分别为47.9%和54.7%;而干物质和氮素的阶段性积累量对氮素籽粒生产效率的影响在抽穗 成熟阶段最大,其次是播种-拔节阶段,低氮处理下这两个阶段的贡献率分别为29.5%、48.7%和29.0%、15.8%.氮高效基因型大麦在各生育期的物质生产和氮素积累能力强,低氮处理下优势较为明显,能够提高拔节前干物质生产和氮素积累能力,并协同提高大麦产量和氮素利用效率.     

光周期对三带喙库蚊发育期间体内核酸动态的影响

作者测试了长短光周期处理的三带喙库蚊Culex tritaeniornynchus(Giles)各虫态与滞育及解滞蚊体内RNA与DNA的变化.结果表明:幼虫与蛹核酸含量最高,成虫期变化比较稳定.短光周期可以降低该蚊发育期间核酸的合成作用.雌蚊卵形成期间DNA相对稳定,吸血后卵巢开始发育,RNA含量明显增加,36—48小时达到高峰,然后逐渐下降.10—15日龄的滞育蚊体内DNA比发育蚊低,解滞蚊RNA与DNA含量均比发育蚊为高.新蚊、发育、滞育与解滞蚊间DNA、RNA含量不同,DNA、RNA减少与增加可用作判断滞育发生与解除的一个生化指标.     

Effects of Benzyladenine on Chlorophyll, DNA, RNA and Protein Content of Attached Young Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Leaves

N⁶-Benzyladenine (BA) was applied to intact bean (Phaseolusvulgaris L.) primary leaves at 2 and 6 days after imbibition,when they were in the cell division and post-cell division stages,respectively. BA treatment at day 2 temporarily inhibited an increase in chlorophyllcontent in the following day, but stimulated it in later days.No such inhibition by BA was observed for changes with timein DNA, RNA, and protein content and f. wt. On the other hand,BA treatment at day 6 enhanced RNA and protein content, withoutsignificant influence on DNA and chlorophyll content and f.wt. The mode of cytokinin action on greening in leaves during cell-divisiongrowth seems to be different from that in etiolated cotyledons. Phaseolus vulgaris L., bean, greening, benzyladenine, DNA, RNA, protein     

A rice (Oryza sativa L.) mutant having a low content of glutelin and a high content of prolamine

Among the mutant lines of rice that have been selected for morphological characters, one line, NM67, was found to have a low content of glutelin and a higher content of prolamine in its seed protein than other Japanese cultivars. This mutant is a semi-dwarf and partially sterile line, and its leaves turn yellow before heading. Genetic analysis after backcross to the original cultivar, Nihonmasari, revealed the following: (1) the character of low glutelin content was always accompanied by the character of high prolamine content; (2) the low glutelin (and high prolamine) character seemed to be manifested by a single dominant gene; and (3) semi-dwarfness, low fertility and early yellowing leaf of the mutant, which might also be pleiotropy, were controlled by a single recessive gene independent of the gene for protein content. The protein character of NM67 was genetically separated from semi-dwarfness and low fertility, and a new line having low glutelin content and high prolamine content with normal morphological characters comparable to those of the original cultivar was obtained from the progenies of the cross. The possible use of this line as a low protein rice cultivar is discussed.     

Grain Protein Accumulation and the Relationship between Leaf Nitrate Reductase and Protease Activities during Grain Development in Maize (Zea mays L.): I. VARIATION BETWEEN GENOTYPES

Four maize hybrids, two with high and two with low levels of postanthesis nitrate reductase activity were grown under field conditions. The characteristic enzyme patterns had been established in previous work. Nitrate reductase and proteases were measured in three representative leaves (ear leaf, fourth leaf above and fourth leaf below the ear) at intervals throughout the period of grain development. Concurrent with enzyme sampling, other plants were harvested and subdivided into top, middle and lower leaves, husks, stalks, and ear. Dry weights, nitrate, and reduced N were determined on all plant parts for each sampling. These data established the rate of N accumulation by the grain and depletion from the vegetative material and provide some insight into the relation between newly reduced and remobilized N and accumulation of grain N. Other plants were harvested at maturity for yield and harvest indices for dry weight and N.