Light-induced changes in frog pineal gland N-acetyltransferase activity

N-Acetyltransferase (NAT) activity was determined in the pineal gland of frogs (Rana tigrina) of different ages using 2-aminofluorene and p-aminobenzoic acid as substrates, and assayed by high-pressure liquid chromatography. Frogs of different ages were either killed during the light phase or exposed to darkness or light for 1 min during the dark phase of the lighting cycle, then returned to their cages in darkness for 30 min before being killed. The pineal gland NAT activity of 1-month-old frogs was inhibited when the animal was nocturnally exposed to 1 min of light. Nocturnal light exposure did not inhibit NAT activity in 1-month-old frogs, even though these animal displayed clear light-dark differences in pineal gland NAT activity. Nocturnal light exposure did not inhibit night-time levels of NAT activity in 1-month-old animals which had been bilaterally enucleated, thus suggesting that this effect is retinally mediated. Pretreatment of 1-month-old and 6-month-old animals with isoproterenol (a beta-adrenoceptor agonist drug) prevented the nocturnal light-induced inhibition of NAT activity. From the different sensitivity of 1-month-old and 6-month-old animals to different intensities or durations of nocturnal light exposure it was found that the duration or intensity of light exposure was not able to inhibit nocturnal NAT activity. The NAT activity was at least 4–5-fold greater in 1-month-old frogs than in 6-month-old frogs. This is the first demonstration of the retino-pineal gland pathway that appears to produce light-induced changes in pineal glands of frogs 1-month-old or older, but this pathway only functions in 1-month-old frogs, and does not appear to function in 6-month-old frogs.     

爪哇棒束孢侵染美国白蛾过程及抗氧化酶活性变化

[目的]爪哇棒束孢Isaria javanica是一种重要的虫生真菌,已广泛应用于多种害虫的防治.本研究从美国白蛾Hyphantria cunea僵虫尸体中分离出对美国白蛾具有致病作用的爪哇棒束孢BE01菌株,为了解该菌株对美国白蛾的侵染过程,并通过研究宿主体内抗氧化酶系对爪哇棒束孢BE01菌株入侵的响应,评价该菌的杀虫作用,为爪哇棒束孢BE01防治美国白蛾提供依据.[方法]采用扫描电镜技术,观察爪哇棒束孢BE01分生孢子侵染的美国白蛾3龄幼虫,并测定美国白蛾接菌后体内超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)和过氧化氢酶(CAT)含量的变化.[结果]爪哇棒束孢对美国白蛾侵染过程包括:分生孢子粘附在美国白蛾的角质层上,接种后6h孢子开始萌发,24h产生附着胞,48 h菌丝在体表继续生长,96h菌丝从虫体内长出并产分身孢子,120 h菌丝覆盖整个虫体.在受到爪哇棒束孢BE01侵染后,美国白蛾幼虫体内的3种抗氧化酶SOD、POD、CAT酶活性明显升高,并在侵染48 h时达到峰值.随着侵染时间的增加,48 h后3种酶的活性开始下降, 60 h后酶活性均低于对照组.[结论]爪哇棒束孢BE01孢子活力高、萌发速率快,导致美国白蛾体内的保护酶系难以发挥保护作用.爪哇棒束孢BE01菌株能够快速侵染美国白蛾幼虫,具有开发成新的高效生物防治菌株的潜能.     

Light-induced reduction in specific activity of malate enzyme in Euglena gracilis Z

When dark grown Euglena are exposed to more than about 400 foot candles of white light, there is an exponential reduction in the specific activity of malate enzyme. The original activity is reduced by more than 90%. This reduction in malate enzyme is not inversely co-ordinate, in an Ames-Garry plot, which the production of chlorophyll.     

Light-induced increase in the number and activity of ribosomes bound to pea chloroplast thylakoids in vivo

Within 8 to 10 minutes of illumination, chloroplast thylakoids of pea (Pisum sativum) became enriched 30 to 100% in ribosomes bound by nascent chains. Following (or, in some experiments, coincident with) this apprarent redistribution was a 25 to 65% increase in the total bound ribosome population, which was then maintained at this higher level during the normal light period. On transfer of plants to darkness, the bound ribosome population decreased to the lower dark level. White, blue (400 to 520 nanometers), and orange (545 to 690 nanometers) light were all effective in producing an increase in the bound ribosome population. The level of bound ribosomes in the oldest leaves of 16-day-old plants was 15-fold less than in the still-maturing leaf but was still increased by illumination.     

Light-induced changes of photosystem II activity in dark-grown Scots pine seedlings

Both chlorophyll a and b and polypeptides of the photosynthetic apparatus are found in gymnosperm seedlings. germinated and grown in absolute darkness. The photosystem II (PSII) activity is, however, limited, probably due to an inactive oxygen evolving system. In the present study dark-grown seedlings of Scots pine ( Pinus sylvestris L.) were transferred to light and changes in antenna size and the activation process of PSII were investigated using fluorescence measurements and quantitative western blotting. It was found that the activation process is rapid, requires very little light and that strong light inhibits the process. It takes place without any changes in the primary reactions of PSII. Furthermore, all polypeptides except the major light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b -binding protein complex of PSII (LHCII) were present in dark-grown seedlings in amounts comparable to the light treated control. The dark-grown seedlings had the same LHCII polypeptide composition as light treated seedlings, and the LHCII present seemed to be fully connected to the reaction centre. The results indicate that activation of PSII in dark-grown conifer seedlings resembles the photoactivation process of angiosperms. This implies that the fundamental processes in the assembly of the photosystem II complex is the same in all plants, but that the regulation differs between different taxa.     

Identification of glyoxalase 1 polymorphisms associated with enzyme activity

The glyoxalase system and its main enzyme, glyoxalase 1 (GLO1), protect cells from advanced glycation end products (AGEs), such as methylglyoxal (MG) and other reactive dicarbonyls, the formation of which is increased in diabetes patients as a result of excessive glycolysis. MG is partly responsible for harmful protein alterations in living cells, notably in neurons, leading to their dysfunction, and recent studies have shown a negative correlation between GLO1 expression and tissue damage. Neuronal dysfunction is a common diabetes complication due to elevated blood sugar levels, leading to high levels of AGEs. The aim of our study was to determine whether single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the GLO1 gene influence activity of the enzyme. In total, 125 healthy controls, 101 type 1 diabetes, and 100 type 2 diabetes patients were genotyped for three common SNPs, rs2736654 (A111E), rs1130534 (G124G), and rs1049346 (5′-UTR), in GLO1. GLO1 activity was determined in whole blood lysates for all participants of the study.     

Enzyme changes associated with mitochondrial malic enzyme deficiency in mice

A genetically determined absence of mitochondrial malic enzyme (EC 1.1.1.40) in c^3H/c^6H mice is accompanied by a four-fold increase in liver glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and a two-fold increase for 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase activity. Smaller increases in the activity of serine dehydratase and glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase are observed while the level of glutamic pyruvate transaminase activity is reduced in the liver of deficient mice. Unexpectedly, the level of activity of total malic enzyme in the livers of mitochondrial malic enzyme-deficient mice is increased approximately 50% compared to littermate controls. No similar increase in soluble malic enzyme activity is observed in heart of kidney tissue of mutant mice and the levels of total malic enzyme in these tissues are in accord with expected levels of activity in mitochondrial malic enzyme-deficient mice. The divergence in levels of enzyme activity between mutant and wild-type mice begins at 19–21 days of age. Immunoinactivation experiments with monospecific antisera to the soluble malic enzyme and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase demonstrate that the activity increases represent increases in the amount of enzyme protein. The alterations are not consistent with a single hormonal response.     

Enzyme changes associated with mitoichondrial malic enzyme deficiency in mice

A genetically determined absence of mitochondrial malic enzyme (EC 1.1.1.40) in c3H/c6H mice is accompanied by a four-fold increase in liver glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and a two-fold increase for 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase activity. Smaller increases in the activity of serine dehydratase and glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase are observed while the level of glutamic pyruvate transaminase activity is reduced in the liver of deficient mice. Unexpectedly, the level of activity of total malic enzyme in the livers of mitochondrial malic enzyme-deficient mice is increased approximately 50% compared to littermate controls. No similar increase in soluble malic enzyme activity is observed in heart of kidney tissue of mutant mice and the levels of total malic enzyme in these tissues are in accord with expected levels of activity in mitochondrial malic enzyme-deficient mice. The divergence in levels of enzyme activity between mutant and wild-type mice begins at 19--21 days of age. Immunoinactivation experiments with monospecific antisera to the soluble malic enzyme and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase demonstrate that the activity increases represent increases in the amount of enzyme protein. The alterations are not consistent with a single hormonal response.     

Extracellular enzyme activity associated with suspended matter in the River Rhine

SUMMARY. 1. Spatial and temporal variations in exoenzymatic proteolysis and alkaline phosphatase activity in the River Rhine were measured fluorometrically using L-leucyi (ß-naphthylamide and methylumbelliferyl phosphate (MUFP), respectively, as test substances.
2. Extracellular proteolytic activity measured in the lower 150-km reach of the river during 1988 followed the changes in the concentration of particulate nitrogen associated with the occurrence of phytoplankton blooms. Alkaline phosphatase activity was not related to the concentration of particulate phosphate and correlated weakly with particulate nitrogen and phytoplankton concentrations.
3. Seasonal observations (1989) in the lower River Rhine and transport studies in a 660-km-long reach of the river (1990) indicated that the variations in the exoenzyme activities were unrelated (or not closely related) to fluctuating bacterial numbers. Exoproteolytic activity correlated well with thymidine incorporation and algal density, confirming indications in the literature that the exoenzyme activity is related to the overall metabolic rate of the bacterial populations.
4. The exoproteolytic activities in the Rhine are similar to the highest observed in eutrophic freshwaters, indicating a rapid turnover of proteins in the river. Bacterial phosphatase activities, measured with MUFP, were similar to those in the few marine and inland waters studied so far. However, phosphate-limited algal blooms, such as reported for the plume of the Rhine in the North Sea, are likely to contribute substantially to hydrolysis of natural organic phosphates.     

Membrane bound and cellular cationic changes associated with insulin stimulation of cultured cells

Insulin was employed as a stimulant in our continuing investigations of the molecular mechanisms involved in the coordinate control of cellular metabolism and growth. Incubation of chicken embryo fibroblasts for 16 hours in media containing 0-0.1 U insulin/ml resulted in a 17-fold increase in the rate of 3H-thymidine incorporation into DNA. Concomitantly, there were graded increases in intracellular K+ (14%) AND Mg2+ (22%) and no significant change in Ca2+. These changes in cation content occurred within 10 to 30 minutes and preceded the changes in 3H-thymidine incorporation. Insulin produced a consistent graded decrease in externally bound Mg2+ and Ca2+ and a concomitant increase in bound Na+ and K+ with no significant change in the rates of K+ and Mg2+ efflux. The results are consistent with the concept of Mg2+ as a second messenger for insulin action, as well as with the more general hypothesis that Mg2+ is the centtral agent in the coordinate control of metabolism and growth in animal cells.     

Light-induced absorbance changes in the fungus Verticillium agaricinum

Light-induced absorbance changes were investigated in vivo in the fungus Verticillium agaricinum (Link) Corda. There was a broad light-induced absorbance decrease in the blue and near UV with a maximum at 384 nm. An action spectrum indicated that the absorbance changes were due to photo-bleaching of a pigment with an absorption spectrum that was similar to the action spectrum. Neither redox reactions nor energy metabolism were involved in the photo-bleaching process. A direct comparison of action spectra for light-induced absorbance changes and photo-induction of carotenogenesis suggests that the photo-bleaching may not be related to photo-induction of carotenogenesis.     

Time-dependent enzyme activity dominated by dissociation of J-aggregates bound to protein surface

J-Aggregates of diprotonated 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-sulfonatopheny)porphyrin (H?TPPS2?) were stabilized even in a neutral aqueous solution (pH 7.0) containing per-O-methylated β-cyclodextrin by binding to the surface of α-chymotrypsin (ChT). The large J-aggregates covered the active site of ChT and completely inhibited the hydrolysis of the peptides. However, enzyme activity was gradually restored with the dissociation of the J-aggregates attached to the protein surface to monomers. After the completion of dissociation of the aggregates, the enzyme activity was almost completely restored, though the structure of ChT significantly changed. Circular dichroism spectroscopy suggested that the microscopic structure at the active site of ChT was scarcely affected by the J-aggregates, but the binding of J-aggregates to ChT increased the content of the random coils in the enzyme. The present study showed a new type of effector for controlling the function of ChT.     

Light-induced redox changes of cytochrome b-559

Dark incubation of spinach or pea chloroplasts with 10 μm carbonylcyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP) had a negligible effect either on the redox state or the redox potential of the high potential form of cytochrome b-559 (cytochrome b-559_hp). A similar result was obtained with spinach chloroplasts on incubation with 3.3 μm carbonylcyanide p-trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone (FCCP), but pea chloroplasts showed a decrease of 10–20% in the amount of reduced cytochrome b-559.Light-induced redox changes of cytochrome b-559 were not observed in untreated spinach chloroplasts. In the presence of CCP or FCCP, cytochrome b-559 was photooxidized both in 655 nm actinic light and in far-red light. Addition of the plastoquinone antagonist, 2,5-dibromo-3-methyl-6-isopropyl-p-benzoquinone (DBMIB) to CCCP- or FCCP-treated chloroplasts had only a small effect on the photooxidation of cytochrome b-559 in 655 light, but it completely inhibited the oxidation in far-red light.Electron flow from water to 2,3′,6-trichlorophenolindophenol was partly inhibited by CCCP or FCCP, but the degree of inhibition does not appear to be sufficient to account for the photooxidation of cytochrome b-559.The photooxidation of cytochrome b-559 by 655 nm light at liquid nitrogen temperature was not influenced by prior treatment of the chloroplasts at room temperature with CCCP, DBMIB, or CCCP + DBMIB.The results cannot be explained by the presence of two independent pools of cytochrome b-559 in CCCP-treated chloroplasts, one photooxidized by Photosystem II and the other photooxidized by Photosystem I and photoreduced by Photosystem II.     

Light-induced changes of bioelectric potential in Chara

Experiments were performed on light-induced changes of the restingpotential in Chara under various conditions. In the dark-adaptedcells, a slow increase in resting potential, by about 60 mv,appeared in a solution containing 0.5 mM KCl, 0.2 mM NaCl and0.5 mM CaCl₂. On the contrary, a rapid decrease preceded bya small, sharp rise in potential was produced when the cellsbecame adapted to light. On the first illumination, the cellmembrane resistance decreased in dark-adapted cells, but a slightincrease was observed every time on subsequent illuminations.No parallel relation was found between the time course of thechanges of resistance and the potential difference. During severalilluminations, as well as during the short dark periods betweenthem, cells lost their sensitivity to change in a potassiumconcentration. The time courses of photosynthetic oxygen evolutionwere not in accordance with those of changes in the potential.However, 10µM 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-l, l-dimethylureareversibly abolished both the oxygen evolution and the changesin potential. An enhancement of the photoelectric response wasobserved when bicarbonate ions were added in the external solution.On the other hand, the oxygen evolution was not affected bythe bicarbonate ions. On the basis of these observations itwas assumed that some assimilation products of photosynthesiswere responsible for the photoelectric response. (Received February 13, 1968; )     

Photocontrol of urease activity in spiropyran collagen membrane.

1. Collagen fibrils were modified with beta-1-[3,3-dimethyl-6'-nitrospiro-(indoline-2,2'-2H-benzopyran)] propionic anhydride. 2. Urease (urea amidohydrolase, EC 3.5.1.5) was immobilized in spiropyran collagen membrane. The activity of the urease-spiropyran collagen membrane was found to increase in the dark and then decrease with visible light irradiation. 3. The optimum pH of the urease-spiropyran collagen membrane under visible light was lowered in the dark. 4. The apparent Michaelis constant (K'm) of the urease-spiropyran collagen membrane in the dark was almost the same as that under visible light. The apparent maximum velocity was increased in the dark. 5. The diffusion coefficient of urea through the spiropyran collagen membrane in the dark was 1.4 times that under visible light. However, the increase of the diffusion rate was not responsible for the activity increase of the urease-spiropyran collagen membrane.     

Light-induced changes in activity of Na, K-ATPase from the retinal photoreceptors of vertebrates: possible mechanism

The mechanism of light-induced changes in the activity of Na,K-ATPase from plasma membranes (PM) of photoreceptor cells was studied in vitro. Illumination resulted in inhibition of the ATPase activity and an increase of 18O exchange between water and Pi. The maximum light effect was revealed when the PM contained both the inner segments of the rods (RIS) and rod outer segments (ROS) of the photoreceptor cells. Lipid peroxidation stimulated by the FeSO4+ascorbate system induced a decrease of the ATPase activity. Antioxidants (ionol, Na2SeO3, vitamin E) prevented the effect of the lipid peroxidation products on NA,K-ATPase and the photoinduced changes of the enzyme activity. It is supposed that the photoinduced changes of the Na,K-ATPase activity in vitro are due to lipid peroxidation of photoreceptor PM.