CYTOCHROME c548 IN NOSTOC SP. (CYANOPHYCEAE): AN ELECTRON ACCEPTOR FROM REDUCED NADP IN THE DARK1

A c-type, carbon monoxide-binding cytochrome was isolated and studied from an endophytic Nostoc sp. Enzymatic transfer of electrons from NADPH to this cytochrome was demonstrated in cell-free preparations under dark, anaerobic conditions, probably mediated by NADPH-cytochrome reductase or ferredoxin-NADP reductase present in the extracts. This cytochrome, with an α-peak at 548 nm, had physicochemical properties similar to the low potential c-type cytochrome, cytochrome c₅₄₉, previously described by other workers from Anacystis nidulans. The participation of such c-cytochromes in dark electron transport, possibly respiratory, of bluegreen algae is strongly indicated.     

IRON STIMULATION OF PHOTOSYNTHESIS AND NITROGEN FIXATION IN ANABAENA 7120 AND TRICHODESMIUM (CYANOPHYCEAE)1

Iron availability may limit carbon and nitrogen fixation in the oceans. The freshwater cyanobacterium, Anabaena, was used as a laboratory model for the biochemical and physiological effects of iron. Increased iron nutrition, in the range of 10^?8 M to 10^?6 M resulted in increases of approximately four fold in carbon and nitrogen fixation rates. Chlorophyll concentration increased, and the relative amount of in vivo fluorescence was reduced with more iron. Natural samples of Trichodesmium, collected off Barbados and incubated with increased iron for two days, showed similar effects. Trichodesmium responded to iron additions indicating that it may be Fe limited in its natural environment. These responses to iron are consistent with the biochemical roles of iron in photosynthesis and nitrogen fixation. The results are discussed in the geochemical context of the sporadic total iron input to tropical oceans and possible implications to spatial and temporal patterns of productivity.     

SPECTROPHOTOMETRICALLY ASSAYED INHIBITORY EFFECTS OF MERCURIC COMPOUNDS ON ANABAENA FLOS-AQUAE AND ANACYSTIS NIDULANS (CYANOPHYCEAE)1

The growth-related inhibitory effects of mercuric chloride (MC), methylmercuric chloride (MMC) and phenylmercuric acetate (PMA) (each at 1, 10, 10,² 10³ ppb) were measured in Anabaena flos-aquae (Lyng.) Bréb. and Anacystis nidulans (Richt.) Drouet & Daily. Optical density changes of control cultures compared against those of experimental cultures showed that MC was the least inhibitory of the compounds. MMC. was the most inhibitory, producing statistically significant inhibition at a concentration as low as I ppb in Anabaena. PMA was more inhibitory than MC but less than MMC. Effects caused by the mercury compounds included bleaching of individual cells, cell size changes and destruction of whole cells; the degree and extent of these effects depended on the compound and its concentration in the nutrient medium. The high sensitivities of the algae tested suggested the possibility of using them as test organisms in bioassays for mercury.     

蓝藻Anabaena sp.PCC7120 羧体碳酸酐酶的鉴定

在丝状蓝藻Anabaena sp.PCC7120细胞粗提液的碳酸酐酶(CA)分析中,发现了两种形式的CA活性.高CO_2下生长的细胞,在35μmol/L EZ(Ethoxyzolamide,碳酸酐酶的抑制剂)存在的情况下,CA总活性的85％左右被抑制,其半抑制浓度I_(50)为7.4μmol/L;随着EZ浓度的继续增加,CA活性在EZ浓度达到约150μmol/L处出现了第二个抑制峰,在250μmol/L处抑制程度达到最大,使CA总活性的15％被抑制,其半抑制浓度I_(50)为190μmol/L。在空气条件下生长的细胞中也出现了CA的两个抑制峰:低I_(50)为6μmol/L,高I_(50)为120μmol/L,对羧体的分离及体外测试表明,在羧体制备物中的CA活性只有一个EZ的抑制峰,而且在EZ浓度达到35μmol/L,正如所期望的那样,该CA活性全部被抑制。其半抑制浓度I_(50)为5.2μmol/L左右。这个值跟空气或高CO_2条件下生长的细胞粗提物中的低I_(50)(6μmol/L或7.4μmol/L)十分相似。说明低浓度的EZ可以特异性地抑制定位于羧体的CA活性。另外一种形式的CA,具有高I_50(120—190μmol/L),约占CA总活性的15—20％,则有可能定位于细胞质膜。     

OCCURRENCE OF TRI-LAMELLAR BODIES IN ISOLATES OF NOSTOC (CYANOPHYCEAE)1

Tri-lamellar bodies were observed in eight of 29 isolates of Nostoc examined. They appeared identical to the previously described bodies in various species of Anabaena. The bodies consist of three discoid lamellae each ca. 0.3 μm diam and 8 nm thick. The outer lamella (closest to the plasma membrane) is separated from the middle lamella by a 12 nm space whereas the middle and inner lamellae are ca. 8 nm apart. Osmiophilic striations 3 nm wide were generally observed running between the lamellae. Osmiophilic β granules were usually associated with the inner lamella. The bodies were most always located close to the plasma membrane along the longitudinal wall near the junction of the cross and longitudinal walls. In three isolates the bodies located near the cross walls were associated with gas vesicles and possessed a slightly different morphology. These tri-lamellar bodies consisted of three discoid lamellae, each ca. 2 nm thick, ca. 25 nm apart with electron dense material between the inner and middle lamellae. Pores 20 nm diam and ca. 60 nm apart were observed in layer 2 of the cell wall adjacent to the tri-lamellar bodies. These wall pores were also observed in isolates lacking tri-lamellar bodies.     

EFFECT OF WATER POTENTIAL ON A MICROCOLEUS (CYANOPHYCEAE) FROM A DESERT CRUST1

The effect of water potential, on the growth and photosynthesis of a species of Microcoleus forming a desert crust was determined, using both osmotic and matric variations in water potential. The alga was quite sensitive to moisture stress, partial inhibition of growth being observed at -7 bars, and complete inhibition at -18 bars. Photosynthesis was markedly inhibited at -18 bars, and virtually completely at, -28 bars (water potential of seawater) and lower. The alga was more sensitive to matric reduction in water potential than osmotic. By comparisons of these results with those obtained with other algae, it is concluded that this desert crust alga is not especially adapted to grow and photosynthesize at low water potentials, although it shows considerable ability to survive severe drought conditions.     

INTERACTION OF PLECTONEMA BORYANUM (CYANOPHYCEAE) AND THE LPP-CYANOPHAGES IN CONTINUOUS CULTURE1

Continuous culture techniques are used to study long-term population interactions between Plectonema boryanum Gomont, a filamentous bluegreen alga, and the LPP-viruses which infect it. After LPP-I (virulent cyanophage) infection of sensitive algae, 3 oscillations occur in cell density with concomitant oscillations in virus titer before final stabilization of both algal and viral concentrations. After LPP-ID and LPP-2 (temperate viruses) infection, oscillation in cell density occurred with burst of virus particles. Resistant algae always repopulated the chemostat; lysogeny was not established. The interaction between Plectonema that was resistant to virus infection and the 3 LPP-cyanophages resulted in rapid elimination of the viruses from the chemostat in the effluent. When lysogenic P. boryanum was tested, a law population of virus was present in the chemostat throughout the incubation period indicative of spontancous induction. Clones of lysogenic algae were isolated.     

STORAGE OF PHOSPHORUS IN NITROGEN-FIXING ANABAENA FLOS-AQUAE (CYANOPHYCEAE)1

P accumulation and metabolic pathway in N₂-fixing Anabaena flos-aquae (Lyngb.) Bréb were investigated in P-sufficient (20 μMP) and P-limited (2 μMP) turbidostats in combined N-free medium. The cyanobacterium grew at its maximum rate (μ_max, 1.13 d^?1) at the high P concentration and at 65% of μ_max under P limitation, with total cell P concentrations (Q_P) at steady states of 12.0 and 5.2 fmol·cell^?1, respectively. At steady state, polyphosphates (PP_i) accounted for only 3% of Q_P (0.4 fmol·cell^?1) in P-rich cells. Its concentration in P-limited cells was 5.8% (0.3 fmol·cell^?1). On the other hand, sugar P was very high at 22% of Q_P in P-rich cells and was undetectable in P-limited cells. Pulse chase experiments with ³²P showed that P-rich cells initially incorporated the labeled P into the acid-soluble PP_i fraction within the first few minutes and to a lesser extent into nucleotide P. Radioactivity in the PP_i then declined rapidly with concomitant increases in sugar P and nucleotide P fractions. In contrast, in P-limited cells, no radiolabel was detected in acid-soluble PP_i, and ³²P was initially incorporated into nucleotide P, sugar P, and ortho P fractions. The latter two fractions then subsequently declined. Therefore, under N₂-fixing conditions the cyanobacteria appeared to store P as sugar P and also utilize P through different pathways under P-rich and -limited conditions. When nitrate was supplied as the N source under P-sufficient conditions, PP_i accounted for about 15% of steady-state Q_P, but no sugar P was detected. Therefore, the same organism stored P in different cell P fractions depending on its N sources.     

THE MECHANISMS OF FLUORIDE TOXICITY AND FLUORIDE RESISTANCE IN SYNECHOCOCCUS LEOPOLIENSIS (CYANOPHYCEAE)1

Fluoride was supplied as dissolved NaF at concentrations ranging from 0.26 to 7.9 mM (5–150 ppm) to three freshwater microalgae: Synechococcus leopoliensis (Racib.) Komarek (Cyanophyta), Oscillatoria limnetica Lemmermann (Cyanophyta) and Chlorella pyrenoidosa Chick (Chlorophyta). Growth of C. pyrenoidosa was unaffected by fluoride, and uptake of fluoride by this organism was not detectable. Growth of the cyanophytes was temporarily inhibited by NaF. The duration of this growth lag increased markedly as the pH was lowered at constant external fluoride concentration. In S. leopoliensis, fluoride uptake and inhibition of photosynthesis by NaF increased in the same way as did the growth lag in response to pH. Growth-inhibitory NaF treatments decreased the ATP level in cells of S. leopoliensis by 75% and also abolished phosphate uptake. Cells of S. leopoliensis in which fluoride-resistance was induced by prior growth in non-growth-inhibitory levels of NaF accumulated much less fluoride than did normal (“sensitive”) cells, and also did not respond to fluride by reduction of the ATP pool. It is suggested (1) that fluoride enters sensitive cells of S. leopoliensis principally as undissociated HF; (2) that its major inhibitory effect in these cells is the reduction in cellular ATP; (3)that fluoride-resistant cells accumulate less fluoride by developing incresed permeability to the fluoride anion.     

CELLULAR DIFFERENTIATION OF TERMINAL REGIONS OF TRICHOMES OF OSCILLATORIA PRINCEPS (CYANOPHYCEAE)1

The terminal regions of Oscillatoria princeps Vaucher display cells which differ from intercalary cells of the same trichome. These end cells have an extensively thickened calyptra replacing normal crosswalls. The thylakoids are extensively disrupted in terminal cells and the cytoplasm displays general disorganization characteristic of necrotic cells. The development of terminal regions occurs within a 5 day period following breakage of the trichome and appears characteristic of O. princeps. The ecological implications of terminal region differentiation are also considered including reaction to variations in current, temperature and light intensities.     

POLYSACCHARIDES FROM THE ENVELOPES OF HETEROCYSTS AND SPORES OF THE BLUE-GREEN ALGAE ANABAENA VARIABILIS AND CYLINDROSPERMUM LICHENIFORME1

The polysaccharides from the envelopes of heterocysts of Cylindrospermum licheniforme Kütz., and of heterocysts and spores of Anabaena variabilis Kütz., like those from the differentiated cells of Anabaena cylindrica Lemm., have a 1,3-linked backbone consisting of glucosyl and mannosyl residues in a molar ratio of approximately 3:1. As is the case with A. cylindrica the polysaccharides from A. variabilis and from the heterocysts of C. licheniforme have terminal xylosyl and galactosyl residues as side branches. In addition, the polysaccharide from C. licheniforme resembles that from A. cylindrica in having terminal mannosyl residues as side branches (absent from A. variabilis). The polysaccharides from A. variabilis resemble that from A. cylindrica in having glucose-containing side branches (absent from the heterocyst polysaccharide from C. licheniforme), but in contrast to the polysaccharides from the other two species they also have terminal arabinosyl residues as side branches. All of the polysaccharides mentioned appear to be structurally related; we present tentative structures for those not previously investigated. In contrast, the envelope of spores of C. licheniforme contains only a largely 4-linked galactan. The bulk of this envelope is not polysaccharide in nature, and contains aromatic groups.     

ISOLATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF GOLGI APPARATUS FROM EGGS OF FUCUS (PHAEOPHYCEAE)1

A golgi-rich cell-free fraction has been obtained from eggs of Fucus serratus L. and characterized by enzyme markers (IDP-ase and TPP-ase) and electron microscopy. The results are correlated with cytochemical localization of IDP-ase and TPP-ase in situ.     

SIGNIFICANCE OF BACTERIAL-ANABAENA (CYANOPHYCEAE) ASSOCIATIONS WITH RESPECT TO N2 FIXATION IN FRESHWATER1, 2

The functional aspects of specific associations between bluegreen algae and bacteria were investigated using both naturally occurring and cultured species of Anabaena. In take waters where bacteria were associated with Anabaena heterocysls, the bacteria exhibited a chemotactic response to a variety of amino acids and glucose. Earlier autoradiographic evidence that bacteria associated with heterocysts incorporate identical substrates indicates that associated bacteria probably benefit by utilizing algal excretion products. In return, the bacteria stimulate algal N₂fixation. The most likely mechanism explaining such stimulation appeared to be bacterial oxygen removal in microzones (< 3 μm diam) bordering heterocysts during periods of high ambient oxygen concentrations. In the presence of bacteria, Anabaena rapidly overcame nitrogenase- inhibiting concentrations of oxygen. Axenic cullures had more extensive nitrogenase inhibition, and took longer to recover in response to oxygenation. Algal-bacterial mutualism aids Anabaena in maintaining concurrent optimal N2 fixation and high photosynthetic rates in highly oxygenated surface waters.     

A NUMERICAL TAXONOMIC STUDY OF NOSTOC AND ANABAENA1

Thirty characteristics of 14 Nostoc and 10 Anabaena species were analyzed from previously published data. Using standard numerical taxonomic methods, simple matching coefficients were calculated and a phenogram drawn. The analysis revealed that some of the central characteristics of Nostoc are: a punctiforme stage; motile reproductive stage; plant mass with a dull to shiny luster, non-veined surface, and nonfimbriate margin; some spherical vegetative cells; no cylindrical heterocysts; and some spherical, but no cylindrical akinetes. Some of the central characteristics of Anabaena that were revealed are: no punctiforme stage; a motile vegetative stage; plant mass with a shiny luster, veined surface, and fimbriate margin; no spherical vegetative cells; some cylindrical heterocysts; and some cylindrical, but no spherical, akinetes. In general, Anabaena has larger akinetes and vegetative cells than Nostoc. Based on 30 morphological characteristics and the clustering data of the phenogram, keys were constructed for the Nostoc and Anabaena species studied. The data clearly support two separate and distinct, though similar genera and, less sharply, the separation of the 24 species. The more useful characteristics for separation of the species are size and shape of akinetes, vegetative cells, and heterocysts; color and luster of plant mass; veined plant mass surface; margin fimbriate; and shape of plant mass in nature.     

鱼腥藻PCC7120基因组中一个影响异形胞发育和图式形成的新区域

以Tn5 10 87b诱变鱼腥藻PCC712 0 ,筛选不能利用氮气生长、异形胞图式发生变化的突变株。突变株 # 180 1经缺氮诱导 2 4h后无异形胞形成 ,48h后沿藻丝形成少量成熟异形胞 ,占藻细胞总数比例为 2 .8% ,其异形胞发育速度和形成频率均与野生型有显著区别。以ClaⅠ酶切该突变株总DNA、自环化后以电泳冲法转化大肠杆菌 ,回收带有插入位点两侧DNA片段的转座子Tn5 10 87b。经测序确定转座子位于未知功能基因alr0 0 99第 14 8和 14 9碱基之间。为证明突变性状确由alr0 0 99内的插入突变引起而不是由于其他二次突变 ,通过同源双交换将含新霉素抗性基因的C .K2片段定向插入基因组中alr0 0 99的EcoRV位点 ,获得重构的鱼腥藻突变株DR2 14 ,其表型与原突变株 # 180 1相同。以上结果表明alr0 0 99或其下游基因是鱼腥藻PCC712 0基因组中与异形胞发育和图式形成相关的一个新区域。     

鱼腥藻SP.595液泡化原生质球诱导条件的研究

用浓度为0．15mol／L的KNO3、KCl、K2SO4、KH2PO4、K2HPO4、NaNO3、NaCl、Na2SO4、NaH2PO4、Na2HPO4、(NH4)2SO4、MgSO4、CaC12等单盐分别配合0．1％的溶菌酶处理鱼腥藻sp．595(Anabaenasp．595)。经4h,KH2PO4、K2SO4、Na2SO4、NaH2PO4、(NH4)2SO4、MgSO4、CaC12能诱导形成原生质球,但液泡化原生质球极少,而KNO3、NaNO3、NaC1诱导形成少量液泡化原生质球。用相近浓度的双盐,即KNO3和NaC1、KNO3和(NH4)2SO4、NaC1和(NH4)2SO4分别配合0．1％的溶菌酶处理,诱导效果亦不佳。用相近浓度的三盐NaC1、KNO3和(NH4)2SO4及五种盐NaC1、KNO3、(NH4)2SO4、Na2HPO4和KH2PO4分别配合0．1％的溶菌酶处理,诱导原生质球和液泡化原生质球的效果明显提高,液泡化原生质球比例达到66．90％—79．97％。     

一个分解纤维素的瘤胃梭菌新种

报道了一个厌氧中温分解纤维素的瘤胃梭菌新种。在RGCA培养基中,细胞杆状、0.6～1.0×4.0～6.0lm,单生或成对,革兰氏阳性,能运动。芽孢卵～球形,端生或次端生,使细胞膨大。菌落圆形、黄色、边缘不整齐。在纤维素琼脂滚管中培养24～48h,菌落周围产生溶纤维透明圈。生长的最适条件是37～40t和pH6.5～7.0。所需要的生长因子为多种挥发脂肪酸(VFAs)、生物素、对氨基苯甲酸和盐酸吡哆醇。纤维素、纤维二糖、糖原、淀粉和麦芽糖等可作为生长底物。不能发酵葡萄糖、果糖、七叶灵、苦杏仁苷、阿拉伯糖、乳糖、甘露糖、核糖、蔗糖,木糖、鼠李糖、甘露醇、肌醇和山梨醇等。不能水解明胶。发酵纤维二糖产生乙酸和丁酸。DNA的G+c含量为35.9mol％(Tm)。该分离菌株与已知梭菌均有不同,故命名为瘤胃梭菌新种(Clostridlum rurnenum sp. nov. Zhang, Tan & Liu)。保藏号为AS 1.1862。     

PROTEIN TURNOVER AND HETEROCYST DIFFERENTIATION IN THE CYANOBACTERIUM ANABAENA VARIABILIS1

Under conditions of starvation for fixed nitrogen, cells of the filamentous cyanobacterium Anabaena variabilis Kütz, degrade much of their protein prior to heterocyst differentiation. Cells starved for a source of fixed nitrogen initially degraded about 2% of their protein per hour; by 24 h after nitrogen stepdown about 40% of the protein was degraded. Most of the acid-soluble radiolabeled material was excreted into the medium. Proteolysis was completely inhibited by chloramphenicol, by cyanide, or in the dark, hut was only partially inhibited in the presence of dichlorophenyl dimethylurea. Methionine sulfoximine (MSX) (an inhibitor of glutamine synthetase) in the presence of ammonia caused heterocysts to form. MSX treated cells degraded protein; however, the amount of protein degraded was much less than in cells starved for ammonia. Glutamine, which can serve as a nitrogen source for this strain, did not prevent starvation-induced proteolysis and did not prevent the differentiation of heterocysts.     

CHARACTERIZATION OF PIGMENT MUTANTS IN A BLUEGREEN ALGA,ANACYSTIS NIDULANS1

Characteristics of 2 types of pigment mutants of the bluegreen alga, Anacystis nidulans, are described. “Yellow-green” mutants (YG) which have normal chlorophyll but only half the phycocyanin of the parent are similar to the parent in number of reaction centers/cell, number of chlorophylls/reaction center, maximum turnover rate of the reaction centers, quantum yields at 620 and 686 nm and specific growth rate; they have a reduced action at 620 nm. “Blue” mutants (BL) with somewhat higher phycocyanin but only one-third the chlorophyll of the parent are dissimilar to the parent. BL's have fewer reaction centers/cell, a smaller number of chlorophylls/reaction center, a higher maximum turnover rate of reaction centers, and a lower specific growth rate. BL's show ca. half the quantum yield of the parent at 620 nm and at 686 nm show a “red rise” rather than a “red drop.” The consequences attending low chlorphyll in the BL's are more drastic than those attending the low phycocyanin of the YG's.     

ANTIMICROBIAL AND ANTIHYPERLIPIDEMIC ACTIVITIES OF ISOLATED QUERCETIN FROM ANABAENA AEQUALIS1

This study aimed to isolate quercetin (for the first time) from Anabaena aequalis Borge, which inhabits soil surface of Wadi El‐Alaqui Protectorate located in Aswan city, Egypt. The isolated compound showed significant antibacterial activity against the gram‐positive bacteria Sarcina maxima and Micrococcus kristinae, the gram‐negative bacterium Klebsiella pneumoniae, as well as against the filamentous fungus Aspergillus flavus. The isolated compound was identified as quercetin using the structure elucidation based on UV, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESIMS), ¹H and ¹³C NMR, proton–proton correlation spectroscopy (¹H‐¹H COSY), distortionless enhancement by polarization transfer (DEPT), heteronuclear single quantum coherence (HSQC), and heteronuclear multiple bond correlations spectrum (HMBC). Medium lethal dose (LD₅₀) of the isolated compound and its side effects against hyperlipidemia induced by ethanol intake in albino rats were carried out. No deaths were reported in rats within 72 h, which suggests that the isolated compound plays a beneficial role as an antihyperlipidemic agent in the treatment of alcohol‐induced hepatic tissue damage, which can be described as one of the therapeutic values.