水分胁迫下自由基清除剂对番木瓜的生理保护效应

用维他命C(Vc)、维他命E(VE)和苯甲酸钠等作为外源自由基清除剂在水分胁迫前1d预处理番木瓜幼苗,研究其对番木瓜的生理保护效应。结果表明,3种外源自由基清除剂预处理有效地降低了水分胁迫下番木瓜叶片细胞质膜透性、POD活性、MDA和H2O2含量的上升程度,并能延缓叶片叶绿素和可溶性蛋白质含量和SOD活性的降低。外源自由基清除剂通过有效清除H2O2降低膜脂过氧化程度,从而减轻水分胁迫对番木瓜引起的自由基伤害和提高番木瓜的抗旱能力。不同自由基清除剂预处理对番木瓜的抗旱保护效果存在差异,其中以Vc预处理的保护效果最好。     

褪黑素对高温胁迫下黄瓜幼苗抗坏血酸代谢系统的影响

以‘津春4号’黄瓜幼苗为试材,采用叶面喷施的方法,研究了外源褪黑素对高温胁迫下黄瓜幼苗叶片抗坏血酸代谢系统的影响.结果表明:高温胁迫后,黄瓜幼苗叶片过氧化氢(H2O2)和丙二醛(MDA)含量明显增加;还原型抗坏血酸(AsA)和还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)含量持续下降,脱氢抗坏血酸(DHA)和氧化型谷胱甘肽(GSSG)含量逐渐升高,AsA/DHA和GSH/GSSG大幅下降;抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APx)、单脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶(MDHAR)、脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶(DHAR)和谷胱甘肽还原酶(GR)活性明显升高,并在12 h达到最大.外施褪黑素能有效抑制高温胁迫下黄瓜幼苗叶片H2O2和MDA的积累,提高抗氧化物质AsA和GSH含量及抗坏血酸代谢相关酶APx、MDHAR、DHAR和GR活性,从而增强对H2O2的清除能力,抑制活性氧的产生,维持细胞膜的稳定性,减轻高温对植株造成的伤害,提高黄瓜幼苗抵御高温胁迫的能力.     

热锻炼对高羊茅(Festuca arundinacea)和多年生黑麦草(Lolium perenne)抗高温能力的影响

夏季高温胁迫已成为限制冷季型草坪草生长和发育的一个主要问题.以两种耐热性不同的冷季型草坪草高羊茅和多年生黑麦草(前者较耐热)为材料,经过3d 30℃的热锻炼预处理后,分别在38、42、46℃的高温下处理14h.在这些高温条件下,研究了经过热锻炼预处理的高羊茅和多年生黑麦草叶片膜脂过氧化、抗氧化剂含量以及叶绿体超微结构的变化.结果表明:(1)热锻炼提高了高羊茅和多年生黑麦草的耐热性,显著缓减了高温条件下两种草坪草叶片膜脂过氧化程度的加剧,降低了叶片过氧化氢(H2O2)和超氧阴离子(O2)的产生速率.(2)高温条件下,热锻炼使高羊茅和多年生黑麦草叶片中抗氧化剂抗坏血酸(AsA)和谷胱甘肽(GSH)的含量下降程度有所缓减.(3)热锻炼减轻了高温胁迫对高羊茅和多年生黑麦草叶片叶绿体超微结构的损伤.这些结果说明热锻炼能够减轻高温对草坪草叶绿体的伤害可能与其在高温胁迫下和对照相比具有较高的抗氧化剂含量有关,这也可能是冷季型草坪草对高温的适应机制之一.     

NaCl胁迫对茄子嫁接幼苗叶片抗坏血酸和谷胱甘肽代谢的影响

以Torvum Vigor为砧木,栽培品种苏崎茄为接穗,研究NaCl胁迫对茄子嫁接苗和自根苗抗氧化物质含量和H2O2产生及清除酶活性的影响.结果表明;(1)NaCl胁迫可诱导叶片中H2O2的产生,导致膜脂过氧化产物丙二醛(MDA)的积累,嫁接苗叶片中H2O2和MDA的含量显著低于自根苗.(2)在NaCl胁迫下,嫁接苗叶片中谷胱甘肽还原酶(GR)和抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)活性上升,自根苗则下降;NaCl胁迫促进了嫁接苗还原型抗坏血酸(AsA)和还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)的合成,嫁接苗叶片中AsA和GSH的含量显著高于自根苗.由此认为,茄子嫁接苗耐盐性优于自根苗的原因之一在于嫁接苗保持较快的AsA-GSH循环,从而保证GSH和AsA的再生以减轻氧化损伤.     

外源Spd对高温胁迫下黄瓜幼苗叶片膜脂过氧化及质子泵活性的影响

以较为耐热的黄瓜品种‘津春4号’为试材,在人工气候箱中,采用石英砂培养加营养液浇灌的栽培方式,研究了叶面喷施外源亚精胺(Spd)对高温胁迫下黄瓜幼苗叶片膜脂过氧化程度、质子泵活性及其基因表达的影响.结果表明:高温胁迫下,外源Spd促进黄瓜幼苗株高、茎粗、干、鲜质量和叶面积显著增加,有效抑制叶片相对电导率、丙二醛(MDA)含量和脂氧合酶(LOX)活性的升高,有助于提高叶片细胞质膜和液泡膜H+ -ATPase活性,但在基因表达水平上无显著差异.外源Spd可显著降低黄瓜幼苗叶片膜脂过氧化程度,提高质子泵活性,从而稳定膜的结构和功能,缓解高温胁迫对黄瓜幼苗造成的伤害,提高幼苗对高温胁迫的耐性.     

外源脯氨酸对高温胁迫下黄瓜幼苗叶片AsA-GSH循环和光合荧光特性的影响

以抗热性较弱的黄瓜品种‘新泰密刺'为试材,在人工气候箱内采用营养液栽培法,研究了外源脯氨酸(Pro)预处理对高温胁迫下黄瓜幼苗叶片抗坏血酸-谷胱甘肽循环和光合荧光特性的影响.结果显示:(1)与清水处理相比,高温胁迫4 h和8 h时,Pro预处理黄瓜幼苗叶片单脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶(MDAR)活性、GSH(还原型谷胱甘肽)/GSSG(氧化型谷胱甘肽)比值及GSH含量显著升高;(2)在高温胁迫8 h时,Pro预处理幼苗的净光合速率(P_n)、气孔导度(G_s)及PSⅡ的最大光化学效率(F_v/F_m)、光化学淬灭系数(q_P)均显著升高,而蒸腾速率(T_r)和非光化学淬灭系数(NPQ)降低.研究表明,外源Pro预处理可显著提高高温胁迫下黄瓜幼苗叶片抗坏血酸-谷胱甘肽循环清除H_2O_2能力和叶片光合能力,有效缓解高温胁迫对黄瓜叶片抗氧化系统和光合系统的伤害,从而增强植株的耐热性.     

一氧化氮对强光胁迫下高羊茅叶片抗氧化系统的调节效应

在强光胁迫下,采用水培法,使用外源NO和去除内源NO措施,研究了NO对2个高羊茅(Arid3和Houndog5)品种的抗氧化系统的调节作用.结果表明,Arid3的内源NO比对照增加201.5%,而Houndog5仅增加21.1%.Houndog5发生严重氧化损伤,电解质渗出率和丙二醛(MDA)含量分别比对照增加72.6%和85.1%,而Arid3受到的伤害较轻,分别比对照增加36.1%和30.1%.使用O.2 mmol·L~(-1)的NO专一清除剂2,4-羧基苯-4,4,5,5-四甲基咪唑-1-氧-3-氧化物(PTIO)清除内源NO,加剧强光胁迫对Arid3与Houndog5氧化伤害.应用0.1 mmol·L~(-1)的外源NO供体硝普钠(SNP)能降低强光胁迫造成的Arid3和Houndog5 叶片脂氧合酶(LOX)活性,降低超氧自由基(O_2)产生速率和质膜相对透性的增加以及MDA和H_2O_2的累积;同时,O.1 mmol·L~(-1)的SNP还能够诱导过氧化物酶(POD)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、抗坏血酸氧化物酶(APX)和谷胱甘肽还原酶(GR)活性.而外源NO的保护作用被PTIO逆转.上述结果暗示,NO可能作为一个活性分子诱导抗氧化物酶的活性,减轻强光胁迫下2个高羊茅品种氧化损伤.     

NO对盐胁迫下苜蓿根系生长抑制及氧化损伤的缓解效应

以"甘农4号"苜蓿品种为材料,采用水培法,用NO供体硝普钠(SNP)、硝普钠类似物亚铁氰化钠(不产生NO)、NO特异清除剂c-PTIO、一氧化氮合酶(NOS)活性抑制剂N-硝基-L-精氨酸甲脂(L-NAME)、硝酸还原酶(NR)活性抑制剂钨酸盐处理苜蓿植株,研究NO对盐胁迫下苜蓿幼苗根系生长、根系活力、根系中渗透调节物质、膜脂过氧化、活性氧含量及抗氧化酶活性等的影响,探讨NO调控苜蓿幼苗根系耐盐性的生理机制。结果表明:盐胁迫下SNP处理提高了根系活力,促进了苜蓿幼苗根系生长,降低游离脯氨酸含量,促进可溶性蛋白含量增加;增强超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、愈创木酚过氧化物酶(GPX)、抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)和谷胱甘肽还原酶(GR)活性,提高还原型抗坏血酸(As A)和还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)含量,降低过氧化氢(H2O2)、羟自由基(OH·)含量、超氧阴离子(O·-2)产生速率和膜脂过氧化产物丙二醛(MDA)含量;同时,SNP处理显著促进了苜蓿幼苗根系内源NO的积累。NO供体SNP的类似物亚铁氰化钠对盐胁迫下苜蓿根系各项生理生化指标无明显影响;盐胁迫下添加c-PTIO、L-NAME和钨酸盐进一步降低了苜蓿幼苗根系活力和根系生长,抑制了根系抗氧化系统活性,加剧了根系膜脂过氧化作用,降低了内源NO积累,添加SNP则能缓解该抑制效应;表明外源SNP处理能明显缓解盐胁迫对苜蓿幼苗根系生长的抑制和氧化损伤,且通过NOS和NR途径产生的内源NO也可能在苜蓿根系适应盐胁迫的调节中起关键作用;该研究结果为苜蓿耐盐机制及NO在苜蓿耐盐育种、化学调控和盐碱地栽培利用等提供了理论依据。     

黄土高原冰草叶片抗坏血酸和谷胱甘肽合成及循环代谢对干旱胁迫的生理响应

通过盆栽实验, 对干旱胁迫下黄土高原地区冰草(Agropyron cristatum)叶片的抗坏血酸和谷胱甘肽合成及循环代谢相关酶及物质含量进行了研究。结果表明: 冰草可以通过增强叶片的抗坏血酸和谷胱甘肽合成及循环代谢酶: 抗坏血酸过氧化物酶、谷胱甘肽还原酶、脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶、单脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶、L-半乳糖酸-1, 4-内酯脱氢酶和γ-谷氨酰半胱氨酸合成酶活性, 维持植物体内抗坏血酸和谷胱甘肽水平及氧化还原状态, 从而抵御干旱造成的氧化胁迫。但叶片抗坏血酸和谷胱甘肽合成及循环代谢对不同水平干旱胁迫的响应, 随胁迫时间的延长而不同。在胁迫24天以前, 严重干旱下叶片的抗坏血酸和谷胱甘肽合成及循环代谢增强较显著; 在胁迫24天后, 由于该胁迫下植物所遭受的氧化胁迫较为严重, 叶片中上述6种酶的活性均呈降低趋势。而在中度干旱下叶片抗坏血酸和谷胱甘肽合成及循环代谢相关的6种酶在整个胁迫过程中均保持较高的活性。这说明, 冰草能够长时间有效地抵御中度干旱所造成的氧化胁迫, 但只能在一定时间范围内有效地抵御严重干旱所造成的氧化胁迫, 胁迫时间延长则会降低其抵御严重干旱的能力。     

外源亚精胺对高温下黄瓜幼苗叶片抗氧化系统的影响

以黄瓜热敏感品种‘长春密刺'和耐热品种‘津春4号'为试材,在人工气候箱内采用营养液栽培法研究了外源亚精胺(Spd)预处理对短期高温胁迫(42℃)下黄瓜幼苗叶片抗氧化系统的影响.结果显示:(1)随高温胁迫时间的延长,2个黄瓜品种幼苗叶片相对电导率升高、MDA含量增加,热敏感品种的膜脂过氧化程度大于耐热品种;高温胁迫4h,SOD活性降低,POD、CAT、APX活性升高,抗坏血酸(AsA)含量升高,类胡萝卜素(Car)含量降低,且随胁迫时间反映出耐热品种抗氧化系统的自我调节能力大于热敏感品种.(2)外源Spd预处理能有效抑制高温胁迫引起的膜脂过氧化伤害,增强SOD、POD、APX活性以及AsA和Car含量,增强植株抗氧化能力,且在热敏感品种上的应用效果优于耐热品种.研究表明,外源Spd预处理能有效提高黄瓜幼苗叶片处于高温胁迫时的抗氧化能力,对缓解高温胁迫有重要作用.     

Membrane Tethering of SepF,a Membrane Anchor for the Mycobacterium tuberculosis Z-ring

Bacterial cell division begins with the formation of the Z-ring via polymerization of FtsZ and the localization of Z-ring beneath the inner membrane through membrane anchors. In Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), SepF is one such membrane anchor, but our understanding of the underlying mechanism is very limited. Here we used molecular dynamics simulations to characterize how SepF itself, a water-soluble protein, tethers to acidic membranes that mimic the Mtb inner membrane. In addition to an amphipathic helix (residues 1–12) at the N-terminus, membrane binding also occurs through two stretches of positively charged residues (Arg27-Arg37 and Arg95-Arg107) in the long linker preceding the FtsZ-binding core domain (residues 128–218). The additional interactions via the disordered linker stabilize the membrane tethering of SepF, and keep the core domain of SepF and hence the attached Z-ring close to the membrane. The resulting membrane proximity of the Z-ring in turn enables its interactions with and thus recruitment of two membrane proteins, FtsW and CrgA, at the late stage of cell division.     

Virus Entry, Assembly, Budding, and Membrane Rafts

As intracellular parasites, viruses rely heavily on the use of numerous cellular machineries for completion of their replication cycle. The recent discovery of the heterogeneous distribution of the various lipids within cell membranes has led to the proposal that sphingolipids and cholesterol tend to segregate in microdomains called membrane rafts. The involvement of membrane rafts in biosynthetic traffic, signal transduction, and endocytosis has suggested that viruses may also take advantage of rafts for completion of some steps of their replication cycle, such as entry into their cell host, assembly, and budding. In this review, we have attempted to delineate all the reliable data sustaining this hypothesis and to build some models of how rafts are used as platforms for assembly of some viruses. Indeed, if in many cases a formal proof of raft involvement in a virus replication cycle is still lacking, one can reasonably suggest that, owing to their ability to specifically attract some proteins, lipid microdomains provide a particular milieu suitable for increasing the efficiency of many protein-protein interactions which are crucial for virus infection and growth.     

Membrane dynamics,cholesterol homeostasis,and Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by the deposition of beta-amyloid (A beta) plaques derived from the amyloidogenic processing; of a transmembrane protein called beta-amyloid precursor protein (APP). In addition to the known genetic/sporadic factors that promote the formation of A beta, the composition and structural dynamics of the membrane are also thought to play a significant role in the amyloidogenic processing of APP that promotes seeding of A beta. This minireview reinforces the roles played by membrane dynamics, membrane microdomains, and cholesterol homeostasis in relation to amyloidogenesis, and reviews current strategies of lowering cholesterol in treating AD.     

Membrane trafficking, organelle transport, and the cytoskeleton

Cytoskeleton-associated motor proteins typically drive organelle movements in eukaryotic cells in a manner that is tightly regulated, both spatially and temporally. In the past year, a novel organelle transport mechanism utilizing actin polymerization was described. Important advances were also made in the assignment of functions to several new motors and in our understanding of how motor proteins are regulated during organelle transport. In addition, insights were gained into how and why organelles are transported cooperatively along the microtubule and actin cytoskeletons, and into the importance of motor-mediated transport in the organization of the cytoskeleton itself.