Enhanced Activity of Pyruvic Kinase in the Potassium-Deficient Wheat Leaves

Isolation and screening tests were carried out to obtain microorganisms capable of producing amino acids from pentoses and hexoses directly in the presence of nitrogen sources and inorganic sails.

Three strains having exceedingly high amino acids producing ability were obtained. One of them produces remarkably l-glutamic acid and alanine and the other two have high productivity of alanine.

As a result of the taxonomical studies, all of these strains were found to belong to the Genus Brevibacterium. Moreover, there are no species which conform to these strains described in Bergey’s Manual of Determinative Bacteriology 7th Ed., so the authors decided them to be new species.     

水分胁迫对冬小麦叶片CO_2/H_2O交换参数的影响

水资源严重匮乏已成为华北平原农业可持续发展的主要障碍因素 [1] ,提高有限水资源的利用效率显得十分重要。以前的研究主要注重农田水平作物与水分的关系 [2 ,4 ] ,利用作物生物学进行节水研究不够 [3,4 ] 。Roa等人认为作物适度的水分亏缺可获得高产 [15] ;Jensen等人认为适度水分胁迫甚至能使作物水分利用效率显著提高 [5,6] ,依此发展了调亏灌溉思想 ,对有限水量在作物生育期内时空最优分配制度进行研究 ,目前已为世界各国广泛关注 [6] 。作物 CO2 /H2 O交换参数包括光合速率、蒸腾速率、水分利用效率等 ,这些是确定作物水分高效利用…     

A cdc2-Like Kinase Associated with Commitment to Division in Paramecium tetraurelia

ABSTRACT. Cell division in higher eukaryotes is mainly controlled by p34 ^cdc2 or related kinases and by other components of these kinase complexes. We present evidence that cdc2 -like kinases also occur in Paramecium. Two polypeptides reacted with an antibody directed against the perfectly conserved PSTAIR region found in cdc2 kinases in other eukaryotes. Only the less abundant peptide bound to p13 ^suc1 from Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Using centrifugal elutriation to select cells on the basis of size, we isolated highly synchronous Paramecium G1 cells. With this procedure, we demonstrated that the p13^suc1-associated cdc2 -like histone H1 kinase was activated before cell division at the point of commitment to division in Paramecium. Further, we show that Paramecium cdc2 -like proteins occurred principally as monomers and that these monomers were active as histone H1 kinases in vitro.     

Novel Fission Yeast Cdc7-Dbf4-Like Kinase Complex Required for the Initiation and Progression of Meiotic Second Division

Cdc7, a conserved serine/threonine protein kinase, controls initiation of DNA replication. A regulatory subunit, Dbf4, stimulates the kinase activity of Cdc7 and recruits it to the replication origins. Schizosaccharomyces pombe has a homologous kinase complex, composed of Hsk1 and Dfp1/Him1. Here, we report a novel protein kinase of S. pombe, Spo4, which shares common structural features with the Cdc7 kinases. In spite of the structural similarities, Spo4 is dispensable for mitotic growth and premeiotic DNA replication. Intriguingly, spo4 null mutants are defective in initiation and progression of the second meiotic division. Spindles for meiosis II are often fragmented. Spo4 kinase activity is markedly enhanced when the enzyme is associated with its regulatory subunit, Spo6, a Dbf4-like protein. Expression of Spo4 is specifically induced during meiosis. Spo4 is preferentially present in nuclei, but this nuclear localization does not require Spo6. These results suggest that Spo4 is a Cdc7 kinase whose primary role is in meiosis, not in DNA replication. This is the first report of an organism which has two Cdc7-related kinase complexes with different biological functions.     

渗透胁迫诱导的小麦叶片细胞程序性死亡

用20%PEG6000（-0.63MPa）溶液对小麦（Triticumaestivum）根系进行渗透胁迫,在DNA琼脂糖凝胶电泳图谱上观察到明显的梯状DNA条带,表明PEG处理诱发了DNA核小体间的断裂,从而表现出典型的细胞程序性死亡的生化特征;末端脱氧核糖核酸转移酶介导的3′-OH末端标记法（terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase(TdT)-mediated dUTP nick end     

高温胁迫下葡萄叶片蛋白激酶的诱导形成与活性变化

以"京秀"葡萄(Vitis vinifera L.cv.Jingxiu)幼苗为试材,研究了高温胁迫激活的蛋白激酶的类型和活性.结果表明,高温胁迫10～60min明显地激活了一个分子量约为52 kD的蛋白激酶,该蛋白激酶能将凝胶中所嵌入的髓鞘碱性蛋白(MBP)磷酸化,在放射自显影中表现出很高的放射活性,而对凝胶中的组蛋白-Ⅲ(histone-Ⅲ)则没有这样的作用.在溶液反应体系中该蛋白激酶对MBP也表现出很高的磷酸化活性,而对histone-Ⅲ却无作用.Ca2 对其活性变化无显著影响.酪氨酸特异性蛋白磷酸酶(YOP)对该激酶的活性有显著的钝化作用.结果表明该52 kD蛋白激酶是MAPK家族中的一种.     

土壤缓慢脱水对开花期小麦根系及叶片渗透调节及渗透调节物质的影响

以抗旱性不同的小麦品种为材料,在小麦的水分临界期开花期进行缓慢脱水处理,分别在脱水的不同阶段取样测定叶片及根系的渗透调节能力及渗透调节物质。结果表明：随着土壤含水量的降低,叶片与根系的饱和渗透势同步下降,表现出叶片与根系对水分胁迫反应的一到场生,但根系的渗透调节能力低于叶片。根系与叶片的渗透调节物质,一方面在物质总含量方面,表现出与渗透调节能力的一致性,另一方面各种物质的相对含量又有一定差异,叶片中可溶性糖与K＋含量及增加量都高于根系,而根系中的游离氨基酸与Ca^2 的相对增加量则大于叶片。     

水分胁迫对冬小麦叶片CO2／H2O交换参数的影响

Changes of CO2/H2O exchange parameters were continually measuredin winter wheat under different water stress stages.The results showed that photosynthesis rate and transpiration rate of winter wheat in water stress conditions were obviously lower than that in non-stress conditions.After water stress,both of them slowly increased and even overtook that on sufficient irrigation treatment. Responses of winter wheat to water stress in different growth stages were different.To some extent, water stress can improve crop water use efficiency,speed up the process of milking.Under water stress condition,stomatal conductance limited diurnal changes of photosynthesis and transpiration in the morning but not in the afternoon.Transpiration is more sensitive to water stress than photosynthesis.     

水分胁迫及复水过程中小麦幼苗叶片内Ca2+的定位

展现了冬小麦幼苗在干旱胁迫及干旱后复水过程中叶肉细胞内Ca2 的动态分布 :在正常水分条件下生长的小麦幼苗 ,其细胞中的Ca2 主要位于液泡内 ,同时 ,细胞间隙中有大量的Ca2 分布。在水分胁迫下 ,随着胁迫时间的加长 ,液泡和细胞间隙的Ca2 逐渐进入细胞质 ,导致细胞质中自由Ca2 浓度过高 ,并对细胞造成伤害。复水后 ,细胞质中高浓度Ca2 迅速排入液泡和细胞间隙 ,细胞质中Ca2 浓度又基本恢复正常水平 ,形象地展示了细胞内Ca2 的稳态调控机制     

Changes in Ribonuclease Activity of Wheat Plants during Water Stress

RNases from control and water-stressed wheat seedlings were purified by ion exchange chromatography, gel filtration and gel electrophoresis. The enzyme appeared to be identical from both treatments and only one species was found. Subcellular distribution between soluble and particulate fractions was not changed by water stress treatment. Total quantity of RNase per plant was similar in control and water-stressed plants, although since the dry weight of treated plants was less, the activity per gram was significantly higher. Crude homogenates of leaf extracts contained an RNase inhibitor with a greater amount being present in control leaves. No evidence was found to indicate that new types of RNases are synthesized during water stress.     

Effect of the Min System on Timing of Cell Division in Escherichia coli

In Escherichia coli the Min protein system plays an important role in positioning the division site. We show that this system also has an effect on timing of cell division. We do this in a quantitative way by measuring the cell division waiting time (defined as time difference between appearance of a division site and the division event) and the Z-ring existence time. Both quantities are found to be different in WT and cells without functional Min system. We develop a series of theoretical models whose predictions are compared with the experimental findings. Continuous improvement leads to a final model that is able to explain all relevant experimental observations. In particular, it shows that the chromosome segregation defect caused by the absence of Min proteins has an important influence on timing of cell division. Our results indicate that the Min system affects the septum formation rate. In the absence of the Min proteins this rate is reduced, leading to the observed strongly randomized cell division events and the longer division waiting times.     

Chloroplast Division and DNA Synthesis in Light-grown Wheat Leaves

Light-grown 7-day-old wheat seedlings (Triticum aestivum, var. Maris Dove) showed an increase of 200% in plastids per cell between 1.7 and 4.5 centimeters from the leaf base. This increase was the result of divisions of young chloroplasts at various stages of development, and was well separated in distance, and therefore in time from the region of cell division in the basal meristem. [³H]Thymidine was incorporated into plastid DNA throughout the zone of plastid division, but not above it.     

C02倍增对渗透胁迫下小麦叶片抗氧化酶类及细胞程序性死亡的影响

经渗透胁迫后 ,CO2 倍增条件下小麦叶片的SOD、POX和CAT的活性均显著高于对照 ,上升或稳定时期较长 ;在渗透胁迫后期MDA含量和电解质泄露率增加较慢 ,显著低于对照 ;H2 O2 含量一直高于对照但进行PEG胁迫后增长较慢。CO2 倍增条件下 ,小麦细胞出现DNA梯的时间较晚而且持续的时间较长 ,DNA梯出现时抗氧化酶和H2 O2 处于相对稳定状态。结果表明在渗透胁迫下CO2 倍增使小麦的抗氧化能力增强从而减轻了对细胞膜和DNA的损伤 ,并且干旱条件下小麦的细胞程序性死亡可能是由于细胞内氧化过强所致     

Effect of Post-anthesis Drought on Cell Division and Starch Accumulation in Developing Wheat Grains

Wheat plants (Triticum aestivum L., cv. Warigal) were subjectedto 20 d of water deficit during the period of endosperm celldivision. Drought accentuated the differences in final grainweight between spikelets and between grains within spikelets.The distal grains of top spikelets were most affected by drought.The maximum number of endosperm cells was, respectively, 30and 40 per cent lower in basal grains and distal grains of draughtedplants. In basal grains of middle spikelets, the number of largestarch granules per cell was unaffected but the number of smallstarch granules per cell was 45 per cent lower in grains ofdraughted plants. The initiation of small starch granules wasmore affected than cell division because severe water deficitoccurred earlier during the former process than the latter.Final dry weight appeared to correlate well with the maximumnumber of endosperm cells, but depended also on the number ofstarch granules per cell. Consequently, the amount of dry matterper cell was not constant in both treatments. The concentration of sucrose per endosperm cell was lower onlyin the droughted distal grains of top spikelets. The supplyof sucrose to endosperm cells did not regulate the initiationof small starch granules. Triticum aestivum L., wheat, drought, grain growth, cell division, starch     

Carbonic Anhydrase Activity and CO2-Transfer Resistance in Zn-Deficient Rice Leaves

It has been reported that carbonic anhydrase (CA) activity in plant leaves is decreased by Zn deficiency. We examined the effects of Zn deficiency on the activity of CA and on photosynthesis by leaves in rice plants (Oryza sativa L.). Zn deficiency increased the transfer resistance from the stomatal cavity to the site of CO₂ fixation 2.3-fold and, consequently, the value of the transfer resistance relative to the total resistance in the CO₂-assimilation process increased from 10% to 21%. This change led to a reduced CO₂ concentration at the site of CO₂ fixation, resulting in an increased gradient of CO₂ between the stomatal cavity and this site. The present findings support the hypothesis that CA functions to facilitate the supply of CO₂ from the stomatal cavity to the site of CO₂ fixation. We also showed that the level of mRNA for CA decreased to 13% of the control level during Zn deficiency. This decrease resembled the decrease in CA activity, suggesting the possible involvement of the CA mRNA level in the regulation of CA activity.     

Cell Cycle Control of Cdc7p Kinase Activity through Regulation of Dbf4p Stability

In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the heteromeric kinase complex Cdc7p-Dbf4p plays a pivotal role at replication origins in triggering the initiation of DNA replication during the S phase. We have assayed the kinase activity of endogenous levels of Cdc7p kinase by using a likely physiological target, Mcm2p, as a substrate. Using this assay, we have confirmed that Cdc7p kinase activity fluctuates during the cell cycle; it is low in the G1 phase, rises as cells enter the S phase, and remains high until cells complete mitosis. These changes in kinase activity cannot be accounted for by changes in the levels of the catalytic subunit Cdc7p, as these levels are constant during the cell cycle. However, the fluctuations in kinase activity do correlate with levels of the regulatory subunit Dbf4p. The regulation of Dbf4p levels can be attributed in part to increased degradation of the protein in G1 cells. This G1-phase instability is cdc16 dependent, suggesting a role of the anaphase-promoting complex in the turnover of Dbf4p. Overexpression of Dbf4p in the G1 phase can partially overcome this elevated turnover and lead to an increase in Cdc7p kinase activity. Thus, the regulation of Dbf4p levels through the control of Dbf4p degradation has an important role in the regulation of Cdc7p kinase activity during the cell cycle.     

Effect of Water Stress on Cortical Cell Division Rates within the Apical Meristem of Primary Roots of Maize

We characterized the effect of water stress on cell division rates within the meristem of the primary root of maize (Zea mays L.) seedlings. As usual in growth kinematics, cell number density is found by counting the number of cells per small unit length of the root; growth velocity is the rate of displacement of a cellular particle found at a given distance from the apex; and the cell flux, representing the rate at which cells are moving past a spatial point, is defined as the product of velocity and cell number density. The local cell division rate is estimated by summing the derivative of cell density with respect to time, and the derivative of the cell flux with respect to distance. Relatively long (2-h) intervals were required for time-lapse photography to resolve growth velocity within the meristem. Water stress caused meristematic cells to be longer and reduced the rates of cell division, per unit length of tissue and per cell, throughout most of the meristem. Peak cell division rate was 8.2 cells mm-1 h-1 (0.10 cells cell-1 h-1) at 0.8 mm from the apex for cells under water stress, compared with 13 cells mm-1 h-1 (0.14 cells cell-1 h-1) at 1.0 mm for controls.     

Periplasmic Acid Stress Increases Cell Division Asymmetry (Polar Aging) of Escherichia coli

Under certain kinds of cytoplasmic stress, Escherichia coli selectively reproduce by distributing the newer cytoplasmic components to new-pole cells while sequestering older, damaged components in cells inheriting the old pole. This phenomenon is termed polar aging or cell division asymmetry. It is unknown whether cell division asymmetry can arise from a periplasmic stress, such as the stress of extracellular acid, which is mediated by the periplasm. We tested the effect of periplasmic acid stress on growth and division of adherent single cells. We tracked individual cell lineages over five or more generations, using fluorescence microscopy with ratiometric pHluorin to measure cytoplasmic pH. Adherent colonies were perfused continually with LBK medium buffered at pH 6.00 or at pH 7.50; the external pH determines periplasmic pH. In each experiment, cell lineages were mapped to correlate division time, pole age and cell generation number. In colonies perfused at pH 6.0, the cells inheriting the oldest pole divided significantly more slowly than the cells inheriting the newest pole. In colonies perfused at pH 7.50 (near or above cytoplasmic pH), no significant cell division asymmetry was observed. Under both conditions (periplasmic pH 6.0 or pH 7.5) the cells maintained cytoplasmic pH values at 7.2–7.3. No evidence of cytoplasmic protein aggregation was seen. Thus, periplasmic acid stress leads to cell division asymmetry with minimal cytoplasmic stress.     

光敏胞质雄性不育小麦育性转换期叶片中NAD激酶和NADP磷酸酶的变化

由光敏感胞质雄性不育小麦育性转换敏感期叶片中NAD激酶和NAD磷酸酶的活性变化表明：在长光照（LD）处理下,光敏胞质雄性不育小麦（牡山羊草）白皮224在光敏感期,叶片中的NAD激酶总活性和钙调素非依赖性NAD激酶活性高于短日照处理。钙调素依赖NAD激酶则相反,在短日照（SD）条件下,其活性明显地高于LD处理。不育系在长日条件下钙调素依赖性和非依赖性NAD激酶活性的比例也发生了变化,其钙调素依赖性活性逐渐被钙调素非依赖性活性所取代。而可育系核供体白皮224在不同光照条件下,这类酶活性无明显的差异。至于NAD磷酸酶的活性变化,无论是光敏小麦成核供体白皮224在LD和SD下均呈下降趋势。     

Nitrate and Nitrite Reduction in Wheat Leaves as Affected by Different Types of Water Stress

The effect of different types of water stress on nitrate and nitrite reductases of wheat (Triticum vulgare L. cv. Mivhor) leaves was investigated. Water stress was applied either to leaf tissue by its incubation in mannitol or various salt solutions, or to intact plants by exposure of the root system to low temperatures or to salinity. Nitrite reductase was much less sensitive to water stress than nitrate reductase, and was not sensitive to salinity up to osmotic potentials of about — 13 bars. The decrease in nitrite reductase activity by water stress was attributed to a direct inhibition of the enzyme rather than to a repression of enzyme synthesis. This was based on the fast response of the enzyme after exposure of leaf tissue to reduced osmotic potential, on the lack of a continuous decrease in enzyme activity during a prolonged stress, and on the fact that light activation of reductase was unaffected by water stress. The inhibition of nitrate reductase under water stress was attributed to both a direct inhibition and a reduced rate in enzyme synthesis. This is concluded from the fact that a decrease in its activity was obtained already within 1 h after stress application and from the fact that light induction of the enzyme was inhibited by stress.