Mutagenesis of the blue-green alga,Anabaena doliolum Bharadwaja

Mutagenesis in the blue-green alga, Anabaena doliolum Bharadwaja has been investigated with particular reference to N₂ fixation. Several types of mutant have been isolated after induction with UV, NG, acridine orange and acriflavine. From a comparative characterization it is concluded that the heterocyst is not the sole site of N₂ fixation. There does not appear to be a linkage between N₂ fixation and heterocyst or spore differentiation: they seem to be independent processes probably regulated either by different genes or by a single regulatory gene with independent operons. A common genetic determinant has also been suggested for nitrogenase and nitrate and nitrite reductases.     

Pigment variations in ultraviolet-treated strains of the blue-green alga Anabaena doliolum

Summary Two kinds of cultures were raised from clones of Anabaena doliolum surviving on selective medium following exposure of spores to ultraviolet radiation. The pigments of these cultures have been characterized with respect to those of controls.     

Genetic control of sporulation in the blue-green alga Anabaena doliolum Bharadwaja

Summary Two genetically distinct, non-sporulating mutant strains of Anabaena doliolum were isolated following exposure of the alga to ultraviolet radiation. Among the progeny of a cross between the two non-sporulating strains, some filaments were able to sporulate. The spores of such filaments were of two types. Type 1 upon germination produced the parental phenotype, type 2 gave rise to wild phenotype. This suggests the involvement of heterozygosity in genetic recombination in A. doliolum. The results further indicate that the formation of spores in this alga is under the control of more than one genetic determinant, and that nuclear segregation occurs during sporulation.     

感染丝状蓝藻的噬藻体的裂解周期和释放量的测定

近年来,随着浮游病毒的认识的深入,人们认识到浮游病毒对水体中初级生产力的影响是巨大的[1],其主要证据就是发现噬藻体在海洋蓝藻的种群控制上发挥着重要作用[2]. 噬藻体的释放量和裂解周期是衡量噬藻体感染力的重要指标,很多重要的生态指标如病毒在生态系统中对宿主的致死率、病毒种群得以维持的阈浓度等都需要使用病毒的释放量和裂解周期来加以推算[3,4], 因此准确地测定这两个基本参数是十分重要的.在自然界,很多丝状蓝藻,如颤藻、鱼腥藻、螺旋藻、席藻等是能够形成水华的,其中有些还具有产毒的功能[5].丝状蓝藻的形态特征有别于单细胞蓝藻, 在被噬藻体感染时,丝状蓝藻的感染周期和光合生理也与单细胞蓝藻有较大的差异[6],因此研究裂解丝状蓝藻的噬藻体的方法可能不同于感染单细胞的噬藻体.本次试验以一种感染丝状宿主的噬藻体为材料,探讨了确定其裂解周期和释放量的研究方法.     

感染丝状蓝藻的噬藻体的裂解周期和释放量的测定

近年来 ,随着浮游病毒的认识的深入 ,人们认识到浮游病毒对水体中初级生产力的影响是巨大的[1] ,其主要证据就是发现噬藻体在海洋蓝藻的种群控制上发挥着重要作用[2 ] 。噬藻体的释放量和裂解周期是衡量噬藻体感染力的重要指标 ,很多重要的生态指标如病毒在生态系统中对宿主的致死率、病毒种群得以维持的阈浓度等都需要使用病毒的释放量和裂解周期来加以推算[3,4 ] ,因此准确地测定这两个基本参数是十分重要的。在自然界 ,很多丝状蓝藻 ,如颤藻、鱼腥藻、螺旋藻、席藻等是能够形成水华的 ,其中有些还具有产毒的功能[5] 。丝状蓝藻的形态特征…     

Growth interactions among blue-green (Anabaena Oscillarioides,Microcystis aeruginosa) and green (Chlorella sp.) algae

The growth interactions amongst the blue-green algal species Anabaena oscillarioides, Microcystis aeruginosa and the green alga, Chlorella sp. were studied both in mixed cultures and in filter cultures separated by a membrane filter in the two arms of an interaction U-tube. The role of nutrients especially phosphate upon the interaction has also been studied. Anabaena and Microcystis both inhibited the growth of Chlorella while Microcystis also inhibited the growth of Anabaena. The inhibitory effect of Microcystis was found to be dependent on high concentrations of the initial algal inocula and independent of the initial concentration of nutrients such as inorganic phosphate, indicating that the nature of the inhibition is probably due to the production of inhibitory extracellular products by Microcystis. On the other hand, the inhibitory effect of Anabaena on Chlorella is the consequence of nutrient competition with Anabaena competing more effectively for the available phosphate.     

Effect of growth temperature on lipid and fatty acid compositions in the blue-green algae, Anabaena variabilis and Anacystis nidulans.

The lipid composition was affected by growth temperature in Anacystis nidulans, but was not in Anabaena variabilis. A. variabilis contained fatty acids of 18 and 16 carbon atoms, which were localized at 1- and 2-positions, respectively, of the glycerol moiety of lipids. Desaturation of C18 acids was affected by the growth temperature. A. nidulans contained fatty acids of 14, 16 and 18 carbon atoms. Monounsaturated and saturated acids were esterified mainly to 1- and 2-position, respectively. Desaturation and chain length of fatty acids were influenced by the growth temperature. The variations in lipid and fatty acid compositions with the growth temperature are discussed in relation to the growth temperature-dependent shift of thermotropic phase transition temperature of the membrane lipids in the blue-green algae.     

Fluorescence characteristics of cyanobacteria (blue-green algae)

The fluorescence characteristics of the cyanobacteria Synechocystisaquatilis Sauv., Microcystis firma (Breb. et Lenorm.) Schmidleand Synechococcus leopoliensis (Racib.) Kom. and the green algaScenedesmus quadricauda (Turp.) Breb. were examined. In thethree cyanobacteria, phycocyanin is the main accessory pigment.Phycoerythrin is not present in our investigated strains ofcyanobacteria. The highest excitation of the chlorophyll a (Chla) fluorescence of cyanobacteria resulted from light with wavelengthsof 620–630 nm. A definite ‘Kautsky’ effectis also evident at this wavelength. However, excitation withblue light (420–520 nm) produced only very slight fluorescence.The Kautsky effect is not evident at these wavelengths, evenat high photon flux densities. For Scenedesmus, fluorescencecharacteristics typical of green algae were found. The fluorescenceexcitation of cyanobacteria at 620 nm corresponds to a photosynthesispeak in the action spectrum measured in terms of O₂ production.The results underline the necessity of fluorescence measurementsat several wavelengths whenever mixed populations are involved.Such measurements also present possibilities for more accurateestimation of biomass and potential photosynthetic productionin mixed populations.     

The effect of caffeine and light on killing of the blue-green alga Anabaena doliolum by ultraviolet radiation

Summary Pretreatment of spores of the blue-green alga Anabaena doliolum with caffeine is antagonistic to UV lethality and posttreatment with caffeine is synergistic to UV lethality and mutagenicity. The results of photoreactivation experiments suggest that photoreactivation is independent of photosynthesis in blue-green algae.     

Pesticide (hexachlorocyclohexane) inhibition of growth and nitrogen fixation in blue-green algae Anabaenopsis raciborskii and Anabaena aphanizomenoides.

The effects of the pesticide hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) on the nitrogen fixing blue-green algae Anabaenopsis raciborskii and Anabaena aphanizomenoides commonly found as blooms in fish ponds were studied. These algae were very sensitive to HCH, and a distinct decrease in growth rate was observed on prolonged incubation. Lower concentrations (10 microgram/ml) were algistatic and higher concentrations (60 microgram/ml) were algicidal. The inhibition of nitrogen fixation indicated that the presence of HCH might affect overall nitrogen economy of inland waters.     

The respiratory chain of blue-green algae (cyanobacteria)

Electron transport components on the way from reduced substrates to the terminal respiratory oxidase(s) are discussed in relation to analogous and/or homologous enzymes and electron carriers in the generally much better known bacteria, mitochondria and chloroplasts. The kinetic behaviour of the components, their localization within the cell and their evolutionary position are given special attention. Pertinent results from molecular genetics are also mentioned. The unprecedented role of cyanobacteria for our biosphere and our whole planet earth appears to deserve a more extended introductory chapter.     

Effect of certain herbicides on survival, growth, and nitrogen fixation of blue-green alga Anabaena doliolum Bharadwaja

Growth and fixation of nitrogen were retarded in Anabaena doliolum when grown on elemental nitrogen in presence of four different herbicides. The alga was found to be intolerant to these chemicals under nitrogen fixing conditions even in low concentrations. An inhibition of photosynthesis has been regarded as the main basis of herbicidal activity besides other interactions.