Thermostability of Light Meromyosin

Thermostability of lightmeromyosin fraction 1 in 0.6 m KCl was studied at pH7.0 and 65°C. The results observed in this study are as follows: (1) At the fixed condition, lightmeromyosin fraction 1 has been found to depolymerize into relatively low molecular weight proteins and peptides with length of incubation time. (2) A gradual decrease in helical content as well as intrinsic viscosity was also observed with thermal treatment. (3) Besides the slowly progressive changes in those physical parameters, a rapid loss in paracrystal forming ability of this highly helical subfragment of myosin at low ionic strengh occured in the early stages of denaturation.     

蓝光、紫外光的受体及其对CHS表达诱导的研究

植物在进化过程中形成了对环境信号反应的能力,光是植物生长发育中的一个重要的环境信号,综述了蓝光,紫外光的受体及蓝光,紫外光对编码植物类黄酮合成中的一个重要的限速酶－苯基苯乙烯酮合酶基因CHS的诱导作用,并介绍该反应信号转导的可能组分。     

蓝光、紫外光的受体及其对CHS表达诱导的研究

植物在进化过程中形成了对环境信号反应的能力,光是植物生长发育中的一个重要的环境信号。综述了蓝光、紫外光的受体及蓝光、紫外光对编码植物类黄酮合成中的一个重要的限速酶——苯基苯乙烯酮合酶基因CHS的诱导作用,并介绍该反应信号转导的可能组分。     

Experiments with Light

This article describes an unlikely collaboration between a high school chemistry teacher and a high school English teacher who attempted to teach scientific concepts through poetry. Inspired by poet John Updike's (1960) "Cosmic Gall," these two teachers crafted writing tasks aimed at teaching science content through literary devices. The result was an inspiring account and unlikely marriage of academic disciplines.     

Light reflections III

Photosynthesis Research -     

Light inside sponges

Sponges are the most basal metazoan organisms. As sessile filter feeders in marine or freshwater habitats, they often live in close association with phototrophic microorganisms. Active photosynthesis by the associated microorganisms has been believed to be restricted to the outer tissue portion of the sponge hosts. However, phototrophic microorganisms have also been detected in deeper tissue regions. In many cases they are found around spicules, siliceous skelettal elements of demosponges and hexactinellids. The finding of phototrophic organisms seemingly assembled around spicules led to the hypothesis of a siliceous light transmission system in sponges. The principle ability to conduct light was already shown for sponge derived, explanted spicules. However it was not shown until now, that in deed sponges have a light transmission system, and can harbour photosynthetically active microorganisms in deeper tissue regions.Here we show for the first time, that, as hypothesized 13 year ago, sponge spicules in living specimens transmit light into deeper tissue regions. Our results demonstrate that in opposite to the actual opinion, photosynthetically active microorganisms can also live in deeper tissue regions, and not only directly beneath the surface, when a light transmission system (spicules) is present.Our results show the possibility of massive or globular sponges being supplied with photosynthetic products or pathways throughout their whole body, implying not only a more important role of these endobioses. Our findings also elucidate the in-situ function of a recently more and more interesting biomaterial, which is unique not only for its mechanical, electrical and optical properties. Biosilica is of special interest for the possibility to produce it enzymatically under environmental conditions.     

Light responses ofBeggiatoa

Studies on nativeBeggiatoa demonstrated diel vertical migration into, and out of, sediments at the bottom of warm spring pools. Laboratory experiments withBeggiatoa in natural sediments suggested that high light was the cause of the downward movement. The nature of this presumed photomotion was clarified by microscopic observation of individual filaments of nativeBeggiatoa at light/dark boundaries where the light was varied in intensity and quality. Using white light, a negative photo-response was demonstrated, and a dose-response curve was constructed which indicates an increasing response to light over three orders of magnitude of intensity. A coarse action spectrum implicated a pigment with a peak in the blue region as the receptor. Pure culture studies showed the negative response to be a step-up phobic one. The light intensity increase necessary to invoke reversals was a smaller percentage of the initial intensity for higher initial intensities. The light intensity levels and gradient strengths necessary to evoke reversals in single filaments were consistent with the hypothesis that the step-up response accounts for the disappearance in the field. This response has adaptive significance since full sunlight was completely inhibitory toBeggiatoa growth, even when filaments were aggregated in tufts. Dilute suspensions were also inhibited by as little as 5000 lux (fluorescent lamps).