光强对微囊藻群体形态的影响及其生理机制研究简

为了探讨光照对微囊藻形态的影响,研究了6株不同种的群体微囊藻在不同光强下群体形态的变化及其响应机制。研究发现,随着光强的增加,6株群体微囊藻的群体尺寸变大。当光强为80—200μmol/(m2·s)时,群体微囊藻DH-M1和DC-M2的比生长速率显著增大,而另4株在高光强下比生长速率无显著性差异;对多糖含量分析发现,高光强对群体微囊藻TH-M2、DC-M1、FACHB1174和FACHB1027胞外及胶被多糖的分泌与释放有显著的促进效果,而DH-M1和DC-M2多糖含量增加不明显。对于不同的微囊藻株,高光强促进群体形态变化的作用机理不同:光饱和点低的微囊藻是通过分泌大量的胞外及胶被多糖使群体尺寸变大,而光饱和点高的微囊藻是通过生长来促进群体尺寸的增大。此外,对产毒藻株在不同光强下的毒素基因表达及胞内毒素测定发现,高光强组的群体微囊藻mcyB和mcyD表达量升高,且胞内微囊藻毒素含量增加显著,推测微囊藻毒素也可能是影响微囊藻群体形态及大小的作用因子之一。     

群体和单细胞微囊藻对短期高光胁迫的生理响应

为了探讨不同形态的微囊藻（Microcystis）对光的耐受能力及其应对机制,研究比较了短期高光强条件下群体微囊藻和单细胞微囊藻的生理响应,结果表明,在高光强胁迫下,群体和单细胞微囊藻的叶绿素含量、最大电子传递速率（ETR_max）均降低,但与单细胞微囊藻相比,群体微囊藻的下降幅度较小;在高光强胁迫下,群体微囊藻的过氧化氢酶（CAT）与超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）的活性均显著增加,而单细胞微囊藻只有CAT活性增加;在短期高光胁迫下,群体微囊藻的死亡率没有显著变化。这些结果表明群体微囊藻比单细胞微囊藻能耐受更高的光强,也暗示了群体微囊藻在野外高光强条件下更具竞争优势。     

铜锈微囊藻两种表型的生长生理特性及毒素组成比较分析

从滇池蓝藻水华中分离得到的铜锈微囊藻群体在实验室无机营养中解聚成单细胞,结果表明,群体微囊藻的生长速度明显低于单细胞微囊藻;前者具明显可见的胞外酸性多糖胶鞘,而单细胞则几乎没有;按常规方法分析比较两种细胞形态的毒性大小和毒素组成,发现群体微囊藻主要含有三种微囊藻毒素的异构体,而单细胞以MCLR为主;且单细胞微囊藻的毒性约为群体的10倍.二者的LDH和PGM同工酶酶谱也有差异.本研究为解释毒素的合成和调控机理提供了新的证据.       

微囊藻群体形成影响因子及机理

富营养化导致的湖泊、水库蓝藻水华带来了一系列环境和生态问题。微囊藻群体形成,在水体表面的聚集是形成水华的重要策略之一。微囊藻群体形成有效抵御了草食性动物摄食、病毒、细菌的侵害,耐受不良环境因子(紫外辐射、高光强、重金属等)能力显著增强。文章探讨了野外微囊藻群体占优势的机制并综述了影响微囊藻群体形成的外源因子及作用机理,包括非生物因子(营养、温度、光照、重金属、微囊藻毒素、乙醛酸)、生物因子(草食性动物、细菌、鱼类、藻类)。基于现有研究,本综述还对未来研究进行展望:(1)非生物因子与生物因子协同效应对藻类形态影响研究; (2)人类活动对浮游藻类形态及动态的影响研究;(3)藻类形态对沉水植物的响应在未来淡水生态系统修复中的应用; (4)促进藻类群体形成的胞外多糖分泌在未来工业生产中的作用。     

铜绿微囊藻对紫外辐射的生理代谢响应

采用紫外(UV)滤膜过滤日光UV以及紫外灯添加UV的方法,研究了UV辐射对铜绿微囊藻Microcystis aeruginosa单细胞藻株PCC7806和群体藻XW01生长及生理代谢的影响。结果显示,在室内条件下低剂量UV辐射可促进群体微囊藻XW01生长;室外条件下与滤除了UV的光照相比,含有UV的完全日光更有利于微囊藻生长;而相同的UV辐射强度均导致单细胞株死亡,群体株显示了较强的UV抗性;日光中的UV可促进XW01合成抗氧化相关的超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和过氧化氢酶(CAT)、促进胞外多糖的产生并形成较大的群体、促进UV屏障物质类菌孢素氨基酸(MAAs)和伪枝藻素(Scy)积累。这些生理代谢的改变,消除了阳光辐射中UV对微囊藻的伤害。研究的结果提示,自然条件下阳光中的UV有助于群体微囊藻生长。     

阴离子表面活性剂LAS对产毒和无毒微囊藻生长及产毒特性的影响

文章研究了低浓度范围内不同浓度梯度的阴离子表面活性剂直链烷基苯磺酸盐(LAS)对产毒微囊藻(Microcystis aeruginosa, FACHB905)和无毒微囊藻(Microcystis wesenbergii, FACHB908)生长、光合特性、种间竞争及毒素合成的影响。结果表明,在0.05—5.0 mg/L LAS浓度梯度处理下,产毒微囊藻的生物量、产毒基因mcyD表达量和每细胞MCs含量均在培养12d后显著增加。产毒微囊藻胞内和胞外MCs含量在各LAS浓度处理后分别为0.069、0.052、0.061、0.038和0.037 fg/fg Chl.a及107.1、103.7、127.1、99.6和113.7 ng/L。即使在0.5 mg/L低浓度LAS处理条件下,上述3个参数也分别比对照组显著增加了24.2%、12.4倍和10.4%。浓度为0—0.2 mg/L LAS对无毒微囊藻的生物量无明显影响,而较高浓度的LAS(0.5—5.0 mg/L)明显抑制了无毒微囊藻的生长。在两株微囊藻混合培养时, 0.2—1.0 mg/L LAS处理组的产毒铜绿微囊藻mcy D的表达对LAS...     

环境因子对金藻生长和噬藻速率的影响

在微囊藻的大量培养过程中分离到一株能够快速吞噬微囊藻的鞭毛虫-金藻Poterioochromonas sp.,其具有混和营养的特点。研究以人工培养的铜绿微囊藻(Microcystis aeruginosa FACHB469)为饵料,研究了起始饵料浓度、光强、温度和pH等环境因子对Poterioochromonas sp.生长和吞噬饵料速率的影响。结果显示:当无饵料时,金藻的自养生长与光强和温度相关,而与pH无相关性。喂食饵料能显著促进金藻的生长,其吞噬速率和生长速率与起始饵料浓度相关性强,可分别用Michaelis-Menten方程和Monod方程拟合。提供相同量的饵料时,金藻的生长与光强相关性显著,而与温度和pH的相关性不显著;其吞噬速率与pH呈现负相关关系,而与光强和温度相关性不显著。除了在不同pH下的生长外,混合营养时金藻的生长速率与吞噬速率之间存在显著的正相关关系。实验表明适于Poterioochromonas sp.生存并吞噬微囊藻的环境条件较广,这也是进一步探索利用Poterioochromonas sp.控制微囊藻水华的前提。       

蓝藻胞外多聚物生物合成、群体形成与微囊藻水华

有毒微囊藻水华在太湖、巢湖和滇池等饮用水源地频繁暴发, 对居民健康和水产养殖等构成严重威胁, 亟需开发新技术加以有效控制和利用。在水华暴发时, 蓝藻大量分泌胞外多聚物而形成细胞群体, 是蓝藻水华发生的关键和前提。蓝藻群体中胶质状胞外多聚物由胞外多糖、蛋白质和其他生物大分子组成, 对其结构、功能和生物合成途径研究了解仍然有限。生物信息学和比较基因组学分析发现微囊藻和其他多种蓝藻中编码大量的具有称之为PEP-CTERM结构域的潜在胞外蛋白质, 这些潜在的蛋白质可能通过特殊的分选系统分泌到细胞表面, 与胞外多糖相互作用形成结构更复杂的胞外多聚物, 介导细胞群体的形成和水华发生。亟需建立微囊藻遗传操作技术, 深入揭示胞外多聚物生物合成和群体形成的分子机制, 寻找控制蓝藻胞外多聚物的组装和分泌及群体形成的关键靶点, 将有助于揭示蓝藻水华形成机理及开发新型控藻技术。     

滇池水华蓝藻铜锈微囊藻和绿色微囊藻的生长生理特性及毒素分析

从滇池分离纯化了两种常见水华微囊藻即铜锈微囊藻和绿色微囊藻。在常规培养条件下,两种藻类在对数生长期的生长速率μ值分别为0.61和0.63;早期生长的抑制光强不大于100μmol m~(-2)s~(-1)。铜锈微囊藻主要产生3种微囊藻毒素:MYCST-RR,MYCST-YR和MYCST-LR,绿色微囊藻产生的主要微囊藻毒素为[Dha~7]-MYCST-RR,和[Dha~7]-MYCST-LR,另含有少量的[Dha~7]-MYCST-YR。在低光强15μE m~(-2)s~(-1)时,毒素含量每毫克干重细胞达到3.127μg微囊藻毒素,当光强达到100μE m~(-2)s~(-1)时,毒素含量降低到每毫克干重细胞1.971μg;光强对毒素形成的影响受到温度的调节,而温度对毒素形成的影响不大。探讨了两种微囊藻细胞在不同光照强度下叶绿素荧光比值Fv/Fm的变化,此比值的变化可以间接反映细胞受外界光照强度抑制程度。     

铜绿微囊藻在不同供磷水平下对砷胁迫的响应

采用磷饥饿培养后的微囊藻细胞进行不同供磷水平的五价砷(As(V))暴露实验,考察单一胞外磷变化的情况下As(V)对滇池分离出的铜绿微囊藻FACHB905生长及产毒的影响.结果表明胞外磷浓度变化不会影响铜绿微囊藻对As(V)的耐受阈值(-10-7 mol/L).少磷条件下的半数抑制浓度(IC50)为10-2.79 mol/L,比无磷条件下的IC50(10-5.81 mol/L)高3个数量级,并且少磷条件下As(V)与细胞活性位点的结合常数要远低于无磷条件,因此胞外磷在As(V)对微囊藻的毒性效应上具有关键的作用.As(V)对微囊藻单细胞的叶绿素含量没有显著影响,但是对毒素产量具有剂量效应.在少磷条件下,As(V)浓度大于10-7 mol/L可促进微囊藻FACHB905的胞内产毒量;而在无磷条件下,所有As(V)处理组的胞内产毒量均上升78%左右.由上可知,微囊藻在产毒方面与As(V)具有协同效应,这对于全面了解滇池水华暴发期间毒素的变化规律具有一定的参考价值.     

The role of microcystins in maintaining colonies of bloom-forming Microcystis spp

Microcystis is a cosmopolitan genus of cyanobacteria and occurs in many different forms. Large surface blooms of the cyanobacterium are well known in eutrophic lakes throughout the globe. We evaluated the role of microcystins (MCs) in promoting and maintaining bloom-forming cell aggregates at environmentally relevant MC concentrations (0.25-10 μg l(-1)). MCs significantly enhanced Microcystis colony sizes. Colonial diameters in microcystin-RR (MC-RR)-treated cultures (at 1 μg l(-1)) were significantly larger than control colonies, by factors of 1.5, 2.6 and 2.7 in Microcystis wesenbergii DC-M1, M. ichthyoblabe TH-M1 and Microcystis sp. FACHB1027 respectively. Depletion of extracellular MC concentrations caused Microcystis colony size to decrease, suggesting that released MCs are intimately involved in the maintenance of Microcystis colonial size. MC-RR exposure did not influence Microcystis growth rate, but did significantly increase the production of extracellular polysaccharides (EPS). In addition, MC-RR exposure appeared to trigger upregulation of certain parts of four polysaccharide biosynthesis-related genes: capD, csaB, tagH and epsL. These results strongly indicate that induction of polysaccharides by MC-RR was the major mechanism through which MCs enhanced colony formation in Microcystis spp. Cellular release of MCs, therefore, may play a key role in the persistence of algal colonies and the dominance of Microcystis.     

Changes in extracellular polysaccharide content and morphology of Microcystis aeruginosa at different specific growth rates

The cyanobacterium Microcystis mainly exists in colonies under natural conditions but as single cells in typical laboratory cultures. Understanding the mechanism by which single cells form small and large colonies can provide a deeper insight into the life history of Microcystis and the mechanisms of Microcystis bloom formation. In this paper, Microcystis aeruginosa cultured under varying light intensities and temperatures exhibited different specific growth rates. Correlations were found between the specific growth rate, extracellular polysaccharide (EPS) content, and morphology of M. aeruginosa. Under low light intensities and temperatures, M. aeruginosa formed small colonies (maximum colony size approximately 100 μm) and exhibited low specific growth rates. By contrast, standard culture conditions yielded single or paired cells with high specific growth rates. Moreover, the EPS content decreased dramatically with increasing specific growth rate. A significant positive linear relationship was observed between the EPS content per cell and colony size. High EPS content and colony formation were associated with low specific growth rates. The specific growth rate in laboratory cultures was higher than the in situ growth rate under natural conditions. This result may explain why Microcystis normally exists as single cells or (more rarely) as paired cells in axenic laboratory cultures after long-term cultivation, but forms colonies under natural conditions.     

The abundance of microcystin-producing genotypes correlates positively with colony size in Microcystis sp. and determines its microcystin net production in Lake Wannsee

The working hypotheses tested on a natural population of Microcystis sp. in Lake Wannsee (Berlin, Germany) were that (i) the varying abundance of microcystin-producing genotypes versus non-microcystin-producing genotypes is a key factor for microcystin net production and (ii) the occurrence of a gene for microcystin net production is related to colony morphology, particularly colony size. To test these hypotheses, samples were fractionated by colony size with a sieving procedure during the summer of 2000. Each colony size class was analyzed for cell numbers, the proportion of microcystin-producing genotypes, and microcystin concentrations. The smallest size class of Microcystis colonies (<50 microm) showed the lowest proportion of microcystin-producing genotypes, the highest proportion of non-microcystin-producing cells, and the lowest microcystin cell quotas (sum of microcystins RR, YR, LR, and WR). In contrast, the larger size classes of Microcystis colonies (>100 microm) showed the highest proportion of microcystin-producing genotypes, the lowest proportion of non-microcystin-producing cells, and the highest microcystin cell quotas. The microcystin net production rate was nearly one to one positively related to the population growth rate for the larger colony size classes (>100 microm); however, no relationship could be found for the smaller size classes. It was concluded that the variations found in microcystin net production between colony size classes are chiefly due to differences in genotype composition and that the microcystin net production in the lake is mainly influenced by the abundance of the larger (>100- microm) microcystin-producing colonies.     

Simple method for a cell count of the colonial Cyanobacterium, Microcystis sp

The cell counting of colonial Microcystis spp. is a rather difficult and error-prone proposition, as this genus forms irregularly-shaped and irregularly-sized colonies, which are packed with cells. Thus, in order to facilitate a cell count, four methods of dividing the colonies into single cells were compared, including vortexing, sonication, TiO2 treatment, and boiling. As a result, the boiling method was determined to generate the greatest number of single cells from a colony, and all colonies were found to have divided completely after only 6 min of treatment. Furthermore, no significant cell destruction, which might alter the actual cell density, was detected in conjunction with the boiling method (P = 0.158). In order to compute the cell number more simply, the relationship between the colony size and the cell number was determined, via the boiling method. The colony volume, rather than the area or diameter was correlated more closely with the cell number (r2 = 0.727), thereby suggesting that the cell numbers of colonial Microcystis sp. can also be estimated effectively from their volumes.     

Determination of oligopeptide diversity within a natural population of Microcystis spp. (cyanobacteria) by typing single colonies by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry.

Besides the most prominent peptide toxin, microcystin, the cyanobacteria Microcystis spp. have been shown to produce a large variety of other bioactive oligopeptides. We investigated for the first time the oligopeptide diversity within a natural Microcystis population by analyzing single colonies directly with matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). The results demonstrate a high diversity of known cyanobacterial peptides such as microcystins, anabaenopeptins, microginins, aeruginosins, and cyanopeptolins, but also many unknown substances in the Microcystis colonies. Oligopeptide patterns were mostly related to specific Microcystis taxa. Microcystis aeruginosa (Kütz.) Kütz. colonies contained mainly microcystins, occasionally accompanied by aeruginosins. In contrast, microcystins were not detected in Microcystis ichthyoblabe Kütz.; instead, colonies of this species contained anabaenopeptins and/or microginins or unknown peptides. Within a third group, Microcystis wesenbergii (Kom.) Kom. in Kondr., chiefly a cyanopeptolin and an unknown peptide were found. Similar patterns, however, were also found in colonies which could not be identified to species level. The significance of oligopeptides as a chemotaxonomic tool within the genus Microcystis is discussed. It could be demonstrated that the typing of single colonies by MALDI-TOF MS may be a valuable tool for ecological studies of the genus Microcystis as well as in early warning of toxic cyanobacterial blooms.     

Distribution of microcystin-producing and non-microcystin-producing Microcystis sp. in European freshwater bodies: detection of microcystins and microcystin genes in individual colonies

Microcystis is a well-known cyanobacterial genus frequently producing hepatotoxins named microcystins. Toxin production is encoded by microcystin genes (mcy). This study aims (i) to relate the mcy occurrence in individual colonies to the presence of microcystin, (ii) to assess whether morphological characteristics (morphospecies) are related to the occurrence of mcy genes, and (iii) to test whether there are geographical variations in morphospecies specificity and abundance of mcy genes. Individual colonies of nine different European countries were analysed by (1) morphological characteristics, (2) PCR to amplify a gene region within mcyA and mcyB indicative for microcystin biosynthesis, (3) matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) to detect microcystins. Almost one hundred percent of the colonies predicted to produce microcystins by PCR analysis were found to contain microcystins. A high similarity in microcystin variants in the different colonies selected from lakes across Europe was demonstrated. The different morphospecies varied in the frequency with which they contained mcy genes. Most colonies (>75%) of M. aeruginosa and M. botrys contained the mcy genes, whereas < or = 20% of the colonies identified as M. ichthyoblabe and M. viridis gave a PCR product of the mcy genes. No colonies of M. wesenbergii gave a PCR product of either mcy gene. In addition, a positive relationship was found between the size of the colony and the frequency of those containing the mcy genes. It is concluded that the analysis of morphospecies is indicative for microcystin production, although the quantitative analysis of microcystin concentrations in water remains indispensable for hazard control.     

Insights into the relationship between colony formation and extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) composition of the cyanobacterium Microcystis spp

Extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) were considered as fundamental substances in colony formation; however, the understanding of EPS composition remains limited. This study analyzed the content and composition of EPS fractions (soluble EPS, loosely bound EPS, and tightly bound EPS) of four Microcystis species from laboratory cultures in both unicellular and colonial morphologies, as well as colonies collected during Microcystis blooms, using fluorescence excitation - emission matrix spectroscopy combined with parallel factor analysis (EEM-PARAFAC). This method enables to make insight into protein-like and humic acid-like components but cannot detect polysaccharides. The EPS was successfully categorized into three humic acid-like components (C1 – C3) and a protein-like component (C4). Component C1 was discovered to be involved in colony formation and colony size growth of Microcystis. EPS content varied among Microcystis morphospecies, such as M. aeruginosa, M. wesenbergii and M. ichthyoblabe, and this was significantly affected by the environmental constraints rather than the morphospecies. The proportion of C1 relating to larger colony size was negatively correlated to temperature and concentrations of TN and TP. The tightly bound EPS directly promoted colony formation, but the soluble EPS or loosely bound EPS alone did not induce colony formation in Microcystis. These results advanced the current knowledge on the chemical materials involved in the colony formation of Microcystis and provided new clues in unicellular-multicellular transformation as well as colonial morphology changes in Microcystis.     

Toxic and nontoxic microcystis colonies in natural populations can be differentiated on the basis of rRNA gene internal transcribed spacer diversity

Assessing and predicting bloom dynamics and toxin production by Microcystis requires analysis of toxic and nontoxic Microcystis genotypes in natural communities. We show that genetic differentiation of Microcystis colonies based on rRNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences provides an adequate basis for recognition of microcystin producers. Consequently, ecological studies of toxic and nontoxic cyanobacteria are now possible through studies of rRNA ITS genotypic diversity in isolated cultures or colonies and in natural communities. A total of 107 Microcystis colonies were isolated from 15 lakes in Europe and Morocco, the presence of microcystins in each colony was examined by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS), and they were grouped by rRNA ITS denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) typing. Based on DGGE analysis of amplified ITSa and ITSc fragments, yielding supplementary resolution (I. Janse et al., Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 69:6634-6643, 2003), the colonies could be differentiated into 59 classes. Microcystin-producing and non-microcystin-producing colonies ended up in different classes. Sequences from the rRNA ITS of representative strains were congruent with the classification based on DGGE and confirmed the recognition of microcystin producers on the basis of rRNA ITS. The rRNA ITS sequences also confirmed inconsistencies reported for Microcystis identification based on morphology. There was no indication for geographical restriction of strains, since identical sequences originated from geographically distant lakes. About 28% of the analyzed colonies gave rise to multiple bands in DGGE profiles, indicating either aggregation of different colonies, or the occurrence of sequence differences between multiple operons. Cyanobacterial community profiles from two Dutch lakes from which colonies had been isolated showed different relative abundances of genotypes between bloom stages and between the water column and surface scum. Although not all bands in the community profiles could be matched with isolated colonies, the profiles suggest a dominance of nontoxic colonies, mainly later in the season and in scums.     

COMPARISON OF RESISTANCE TO LIGHT STRESS IN TOXIC AND NON‐TOXIC STRAINS OF MICROCYSTIS AERUGINOSA (CYANOPHYTA)1

Blooms of Microcystis aeruginosa (Kützing) Kützing occur frequently in many freshwater ecosystems around the world, but the role of environmental factors in promoting the growth and determining the proportion of toxic and non‐toxic strains still requires more investigation. In this study, four strains (toxic CPCC299 & FACHB905 and non‐toxic CPCC632 & FACHB315) were exposed to high light (HL) condition, similar to light intensity found at the surface of a bloom, to evaluate their sensitivity to photoinhibition. We also estimated their capacity to recover from this HL stress. For all strains, our results showed an increased inhibition of the photosynthetic activity with HL treatment time. When comparing the extent of photoinhibition between strains, both toxic strains were more resistant to the treatment and recovered completely their photosynthetic capacity after 3 h, while non‐toxic strains needed more time to recover. For toxic strains, the rETR under HL was higher compared to the rETR under low light (LL) control condition despite 50% photoinhibition. This suggests that the detrimental effect of high light (HL; up to 2 h) is outweighed by their higher photosynthetic potential. This conclusion did not stand for non‐toxic strains, and indicates their preference for LL environment. We also demonstrated that a LL/HL cycle induced a 259% increase in cell yield for a toxic strain and a decrease by 22% for a non‐toxic strain. This also indicates that toxic strains have higher tolerance to HL in a fluctuating light environment. Our data demonstrated that difference of sensitivity to HL between strains can modify the competitive outcome between toxic and non‐toxic strains and may affect bloom toxicity.