H2S介导ABA诱导蚕豆气孔运动的生理机制研究

以蚕豆为实验材料,利用药理学实验和分光光度法,研究了ABA处理及ABA与H2S合成抑制剂共处理对蚕豆气孔运动的影响,以及体内H2S水平、H2S合成酶L-/D-半胱氨酸脱巯基酶(磷酸吡哆盐依赖性酶)活性变化.结果表明:(1)光下H2S的合成抑制剂羧甲氧基胺半盐酸盐(AOA)、羟氨(NH2OH)、L-/D-半胱氨酸脱巯基酶分解产物C3H3KO3+NH3均明显抑制ABA诱导的蚕豆气孔关闭;(2)外源ABA能够明显提高叶片的H2S水平及L-/D-半胱氨酸脱巯基酶活性;(3)AOA、NH2OH、C3H3KO3和NH3均可以逆转ABA所引起的H2S水平及L-/D-半胱氨酸脱巯基酶活性的升高.研究发现,ABA可通过增强L-/D-半胱氨酸脱巯基酶活性,促进L-/D-半胱氨酸分解生成H2S,进而诱导蚕豆气孔关闭.     

Reduction of Uroporphyrinogen Decarboxylase by Antisense RNA Expression Affects Activities of Other Enzymes Involved in Tetrapyrrole Biosynthesis and Leads to Light-Dependent Necrosis

We introduced a full-length cDNA sequence encoding tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) uroporphyrinogen III decarboxylase (UROD; EC 4.1.1.37) in reverse orientation under the control of a cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter derivative into the tobacco genome to study the effects of deregulated UROD expression on tetrapyrrole biosynthesis. Transformants with reduced UROD activity were characterized by stunted plant growth and necrotic leaf lesions. Antisense RNA expression caused reduced UROD protein levels and reduced activity to 45% of wild type, which was correlated with the accumulation of uroporphyrin(ogen) and with the intensity of necrotic damage. Chlorophyll levels were only slightly reduced (up to 15%), indicating that the plants sustained cellular damage from accumulating photosensitive porphyrins rather than from chlorophyll deficiency. A 16-h light/8-h dark regime at high-light intensity stimulates the formation of leaf necrosis compared with a low-light or a 6-h high-light treatment. Transgenic plants grown at high light also showed inactivation of 5-aminolevulinate dehydratase and porphobilinogen deaminase, whereas the activity of coproporphyrinogen oxidase and the 5-aminolevulinate synthesizing capacity were not altered. We conclude that photooxidation of accumulating uroporphyrin(ogen) leads to the generation of oxygen species, which destabilizes other enzymes in the porphyrin metabolic pathway. This porphyrin-induced necrosis resembles the induction of cell death observed during pathogenesis and air pollution.     

Influence of light intensity during growth on photosynthesis and activity of several key photosynthetic enzymes in a C4 plant (Zea mays)

Maize ( Zea mays L. Hybrid Sweet Corn, Royal Crest), a C₄ plant, was grown under different light regimes, after which the rate of photosynthesis and activities of several photosynthetic enzymes (per unit leaf chlorophyll) were measured at different light intensities. Plants were grown outdoors under direct sunlight or 23% of direct sunlight, and in growth chambers at photosynthetic photon flux densities of about 20% and 8% of direct sunlight. The plants grown under direct sunlight had a higher light compensation point than plants grown under lower light. At a light intensity about 25% of direct sunlight, plants from all growth regimes had a similar rate of photosynthesis. Under saturating levels of light the plants grown under direct sunlight had a substantially higher rate of photosynthesis than plants grown under the lower light regimes. The higher photosynthetic capacity in the plants grown under direct sunlight was accompanied by an increased activity of several photosynthetic enzymes and in the amount of the soluble protein in the leaf. Among five photosynthetic enzymes examined, RuBP carboxylase (EC 4.1.1.39) and pyruvate, Pi dikinase (EC 2.7.9.1) were generally just sufficient to account for rates of photosynthesis under saturating light; thus, these may be rate limiting enzymes in C₄ photosynthesis. Pyruvate, Pi dikinase and NADP-malate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.82) were the only enzymes examined which were light activated and increased in activity with increasing light intensity. In the low light grown plants the activity of pyruvate, Pi dikinase closely paralleled the photosynthetic rate measured under different light levels. With the plants grown under direct sunlight, as light intensity was increased the activation of pyruvate, Pi dikinase and NADP⁺-malate dehydrogenase proceeded more rapidly than photosynthesis.     

H2S位于SOS上游参与盐胁迫诱导的拟南芥气孔关闭

以拟南芥野生型、SOS突变体印tsosl、Atsos2和Atsos3）、H2S合成相关酶L-／D-半胱氨酸脱巯基酶（L-／D-CDes）基因缺失突变体（Atl-cdes和Atd-cdes）和过表达株系（OEL—CDes和OED-CDes）为材料研究了H,s和SOS信号转导途径在盐胁迫诱导拟南芥气孔关闭中的作用及其相互关系。结果表明,盐胁迫能够引起拟南芥叶片H,S含量、L-／D-CDes活性及其基因表达量显著升高,诱导野生型拟南芥和OEL—CDes和OED．CDes叶片气孔关闭,但对Atl-cdes和Atd-cdes气孔开度无显著影响;而H2S清除剂次牛磺酸（hypotaurine,HT）可减弱盐胁迫诱导的拟南芥气孔关闭的作用,表明H2S参与盐胁迫诱导的拟南芥气孔关闭过程。外源H2S诱导野生型拟南芥气孔关闭,但对SOS突变体气孔开度无显著影响;同时盐胁迫下Atsosl、Atsos2和Atsos3亦表现出H2S含量及L-／D-CDes活性显著升高,且与野生型相比,盐胁迫对Atl-cdes和Atd-cdes叶片AtSOS基因表达量无显著影响。表明盐胁迫诱导气孔关闭过程中H2S位于SOS上游。     

Aspartate aminotransferase from wheat germ: purification and kinetic properties.

A convenient method for the purification of aspartate aminotransferase [L-aspartate-2-oxoglutarate aminotransferase (EC 2.6.1.1)] from wheat germ is described. An overall purification of 150 fold was achieved. On polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis at pH 8.9 the purified enzyme revealed two protein bands both provided with enzymatic activity. The holoenzyme is readily resolved on conversion to the aminic form and gel-filtration. The apoenzyme is reactivated by pyridoxal-5-phosphate. Kinetic data indicate that a Ping-Pong mechanism is operative similar to that found for the tyrosine aminotransferase by Litwack and Cleland (1968). Phosphate ion behaves as a competitive inhibitor towards the coenzyme. The relatively low affinity between coenzyme and apoenzyme from wheat germ allowed the determination of the dissociation constants for coenzymes (pyridoxal-5'-phosphate and pyridoxamine-5'-phosphate) and of the inhibition constant for phosphate.     

Enzymes of nitrogen mobilization in detached leaves of Lolium temulentum during senescence

During the senescence of Lolium temulentum leaf sections in the dark, asparagine and glutamine accumulated as the level of soluble protein declined. During the first 3–4 days after detachment, when the rate of protein loss was maximal, a four-fold increase in acid protease activity (EC 3.4.4.?) occurred. Subsequently this activity was replaced by proteases with a higher pH optimum. There was also a pronounced and continued activation of glutamate dehydrogenase (EC 1.4.1.2) during senescence. Glutamate pyruvate transaminase (EC 2.6.1.2), benzoylarginine-p-nitroanilide hydrolase (EC 3.4.?.?) and leucyl-p-nitroanilide hydrolase (EC 3.4.1.1) declined from high initial activities after 3–4 days. Glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT, EC 2.6.1.1) was fairly stable although a marked increase occurred in the activity of one of two major GOT isoenzymes over the first two days. Glutamine synthetase (EC 6.3.1.2) was highly active in non-senescent leaves but fell sharply during the first three days of senescence. Little asparagine synthetase (EC 6.3.1.1) was detected. The role of these enzymes in the nitrogen metabolism of senescent detached leaves is discussed.     

Modulation of Retinal Aromatic l-Amino Acid Decarboxylase via α2 Adrenoceptors

Aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase (AAAD) activity of the rat retina increases when animals are placed in a lighted environment from the dark. The rise of activity can be inhibited by administering alpha 2 adrenoceptor agonists. In the dark, the enzyme activity can be made to increase by administering alpha 2 adrenoceptor antagonist drugs. Kinetic analysis indicates that the maximum velocity of the enzyme increases with little change of the Km for the substrate L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine or the cofactor pyridoxal-5'-phosphate. The rise of activity in the light and in the dark after alpha 2 antagonists can be blocked by administering cycloheximide, suggesting that protein synthesis is needed for the response. We speculate that epinephrine released in the dark from a subpopulation of retinal amacrine cells onto alpha 2 receptors suppresses AAAD activity that is associated with dopaminergic amacrines.     

Aromatic l-Amino Acid Decarboxylase Activity of the Rat Retina Is Modulated In Vivo by Environmental Light Maria Hadjiconstantinou

Aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase (AAAD) activity of rat retina is low in animals placed in the dark. When the room lights are turned on, activity rises for almost 3 h and reaches values that are about twice the values found in the dark. A study of the kinetics of the enzyme revealed that the apparent Km values for L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine and pyridoxal-5'-phosphate were unchanged in light- and dark-exposed animals, whereas the Vmax increased in the light. Treating the animals with cycloheximide before exposure to light prevented the increase of enzyme activity. Immunotitration with antibodies to AAAD suggested that more enzyme molecules are present in the light than in the dark. When the room lights are turned off AAAD activity drops rapidly at first and then more slowly, suggesting that at least two processes are responsible for the fall of enzyme activity. Exposure to short periods of dark followed by light results in a rapid increase of AAAD activity. Mixing homogenates from light- and dark-exposed rats results in activity values that are less than expected, suggesting the presence of an endogenous inhibitor(s). These studies demonstrate that AAAD activity is modulated in vivo.     

Cysteine desulphydrase activity in higher plants: Evidence for the action of L- and D-cysteine specific enzymes

Emission of hydrogen sulphide in response to D-cysteine by leaf discs of cucurbit plants or cultured tobacco cells was considerably smaller than in response to L-cysteine. Whereas hydrogen sulphide emission from L-cysteine was inhibited by 100 μM aminooxyacetic acid (AOA), emission from D-cysteine was unaffected. These results from in vivo studies were found to be inconsistant with the L- and D-cysteine desulphydrase activities measured in crude homogenates. In vitro, D-cysteine desulphydrase activity was more than one order of magnitude higher than L-cysteine desulphydrase activity; L-cysteine desulphydrase was inhibited by 100 μM AOA to a smaller, D-cysteine desulphydrase to a higher extent than in vivo. Cystine lyase activity, which may interfere in the cysteine desulphydrase assay, was not found. In cucurbit leaves, the differences between in vivo and in vitro experiments can partially be explained by differences in the influx of L- and D-cysteine into the leaf discs. Influx of L-cysteine proceeded at a rate about four times higher than the influx of D-cysteine; it was inhibited by 100 μM AOA, whereas influx of D-cysteine was unaffected. Subcellular distribution of L- and D-cysteine desulphydrase was analysed in cultured tobacco cells. Both enzyme activities were found to be soluble. The D-cysteine activity was predominantly localized in the cytoplasm whereas L-cysteine activities were also found in chloroplasts and mitochondria. The L-cysteine desulphydrase in the cytoplasmic fraction may entirely be due to broken chloroplasts and mitochondria. Inhibitor studies with ammonium, pyruvate, AOA and O-acetylserine revealed considerable differences between L- and D-cysteine desulphydrase activity and between L-cysteine desulphydrase activity in chloroplasts and mitochondria. Therefore, the present data suggest that degradation of L- and D-cysteine are catalysed by different enzymes in different compartments of the cell.     

Circadian and diurnal calcium oscillations encode photoperiodic information in Arabidopsis

We have tested the hypothesis that circadian oscillations in the concentration of cytosolic free calcium ([Ca2+]cyt) can encode information. We imaged oscillations of [Ca2+]cyt in the cotyledons and leaves of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) that have a 24-h period in light/dark cycles and also constant light. The amplitude, phase, and shape of the oscillations of [Ca2+]cyt and [Ca2+]cyt at critical daily time points were controlled by the light/dark regimes in which the plants were grown. These data provide evidence that 24-h oscillations in [Ca2+]cyt encode information concerning daylength and light intensity, which are two major regulators of plant growth and development.     

A mammalian steroid action inhibitor spironolactone retards plant growth by inhibition of brassinosteroid action and induces light-induced gene expression in the dark

We screened steroid derivatives and found that spironolactone, an inhibitor of both 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17beta-HSD) and aldosterone receptor, is an inhibitor of phytohormone brassinosteroid (BR) action in plants. Under both dark and light growing conditions, spironolactone induced morphological changes in Arabidopsis, characteristic of brassinosteroid-deficient mutants. Spironolactone-treated plants were also nearly restored to the wild-type phenotype by treatment with additional BRs. In the spironolactone-treated Arabidopsis, the CPD gene in the BR biosynthesis pathway was up-regulated, probably due to feedback regulation caused by BR-deficiency. Spironolactone-treated tobacco plants grown in the dark showed expression of light-regulated genes as was observed in the deficient mutant. These data suggest that spironolactone inhibits brassinosteroid action probably due to the blockage of biosynthesis and exerts its activity against plants. Thus, spironolactone, in conjunction with brassinosteroid-deficient mutants, can be used to clarify the function of BRs in plants and characterize mutants. The spironolactone action site was also investigated by feeding BR biosynthesis intermediates to Arabidopsis grown in the dark, and the results are discussed.     

Differential effects of chilling on the activity of C4 enzymes in two ecotypes of Echinochloa crus-galli from sites of contrasting climates

Five-week-old plants of Echinochloa crusgalli (L.) Beauv. from Mississippi and from Québec grown under controlled conditions were subjected to dark chilling for 10 h at 5°C or light chilling treatments for 14 h at 7°C under hight light (1 000 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹). The activities of four C₄ enzymes of Québec plants, measured 4 h after the completion of the cold treatment, were not affected by the chilling treatment in the dark. The activities of pyruvate, P_i dikinase (PPDK; EC 2.7.9.1) and NADP⁺-malic enzyme (NADP⁺-ME; EC 1.1.1.40), were significantly reduced in dark-chilled Mississippi plants. Chilling under high light conditions elicited significant levels of reduction in the activities of the four enzymes from both ecotypes but the reductions were significantly less severe for Québec plants. The recovery of activities of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC; EC 4.1.1.31) and PPDK for both ecotypes was completed within 36 to 60 hours following the chilling treatment, but NADP⁺-malate dehydro-genase (NADP⁺-MDH; EC 1.1.1.82) and NADP⁺-ME activities of chilled Mississippi plants remained below that of control plants at the end of the 5-day monitoring period. PPDK was inactivated in vitro at 0 and 10°C and the rates of cold inactivation were significantly higher for PPDK extracted from Mississippi plants. The activity of PEPC of Mississippi extracts was slightly, but significantly reduced by a 60 min treatment at 0°C.     

Light Induction and the Effect of Nitrogen Status upon the Activity of Carbonic Anhydrase in Maize Leaves

The regulation of carbonic anhydrase (CA) activity in maize (Zea mays L.) leaves by light and nitrogen nutrition was determined. CA activity increased by more than 100-fold in illuminated leaves and decreased in leaves placed in the dark; low levels of CA activity were observed in leaves illuminated with low light intensities. CA activity was reduced in plants grown under nitrogen deficiency and recovered only slowly when supplemented with nitrate. Parallel studies were conducted to follow the levels of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase. Experiments indicate that the level of CA and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase present in leaves may be controlled by similar mechanisms.     

Role of D-cysteine desulfhydrase in the adaptation of Escherichia coli to D-cysteine

D-cysteine, a powerful inhibitor of Escherichia coli growth, is decomposed in vitro into pyruvate, H2S, and NH3 by D-cysteine desulfhydrase. To assess the role of this reaction in the adaptation of the bacterium to growth on D-cysteine, the gene of the desulfhydrase was cloned. It corresponds to the open reading frame yedO at 43.03 min on the genetic map of E. coli. The amino acid sequence deduced from this gene is homologous to those of several 1-aminocyclopropane-carboxylate deaminases. However, the E. coli desulfhydrase does not use 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate as substrate. Various mutants in which the yedO gene was inactivated or overexpressed were constructed. They exhibited hypersensitivity or resistance, respectively, to the presence of d-cysteine in the culture medium. Growth protection against D-cysteine in minimal medium was conferred by the simultaneous addition of isoleucine, leucine, and valine. In agreement with this behavior, D-cysteine inhibited the activity of threonine deaminase, a key enzyme of the isoleucine, leucine, and valine pathway. Finally, in the presence of the intact yedO gene, E. coli growth was improved by addition of D-cysteine as the sole sulfur source. In agreement with a role of the desulfhydrase in sulfur metabolism, yedO expression was induced under conditions of sulfate limitation.     

The C-S lyases of higher plants: homogeneous beta-cystathionase of spinach leaves

S-Substituted cysteines and their derivatives are prominent secondary amino acids in a number of plant families. The substituents are often specific and unique to each family. Cystathionine, however, is an ubiquitous S-substituted cysteine found in all autotrophic plants since it is an intermediate in the biosynthesis of methionine. beta-Cystathionase will produce homocysteine and pyruvate from cystathionine by a beta-elimination reaction. The present report describes the purification of this enzyme to homogeneity from spinach leaves and some of its properties. The enzyme has a molecular weight of 210,000 and consists of four identical subunits of Mr 53,000. It has a pH optimum for activity of 8.6-8.7 and utilizes pyridoxal-5'-phosphate as a cofactor. Its specificity is limited to L-cystathionine, L-djenkolate, and L-cystine as substrates with a relative activity of 100:126:17, respectively. It is not a glycoprotein unlike a number of previously described plant C-S lyases.