The concentration of xylem sap constituents in root exudate, and in sap from intact, transpiring castor bean plants (Ricinus communis L.)

Root exudates were sampled from detopped root systems of castor bean (Ricinus communis). Different volume flux rates were imposed by changing the pneumatic pressure around the root system using a Passioura-type pressure chamber. The concentrations of cations, anions, amino acids, organic acids and abscisic acid decreased hyperbolically when flux rates increased from pure root exudation up to values typical for transpiring plants. Concentrations at low and high fluxes differed by up to 40 times (phosphate) and the ratio of substances changed by factors of up to 10. During the subsequent reduction of flux produced by lowering the pneumatic pressure in the root pressure chamber, the concentrations and ratios of substances deviated (at a given flux rate) from those found when flux was increased. The flux dependence of exudate composition cannot therefore be explained by a simple dilution mechanism. Xylem sap samples from intact, transpiring plants were collected using a Passioura-type root pressure chamber. The concentrations of the xylem sap changed diurnally. Substances could be separated into three groups: (1) calcium, magnesium and amino acid concentrations correlated well with the values expected from their concentration-flux relationships, whereas (2) the concentrations of sulphate and phosphate deviated from the expected relationships during the light phase, and (3) nitrate and potassium concentrations in intact plants varied in completely the opposite manner from those in isolated root systems. Abscisic acid concentrations in the root exudate were dependent on the extent of water use and showed strong diurnal variations in the xylem sap of intact plants even in droughtstressed plants. Calculations using root exudates overestimated export from the root system in intact plants, with the largest deviation found for proton flux (a factor of 10). We conclude that root exudate studies cannot be used as the sole basis for estimating fluxes of substances in the xylem of intact plants. Consequences for studying and modelling xylem transport in whole plants are discussed.     

Transfer of amino acids and nitrate from the roots into the xylem of Ricinus communis seedlings

The loading of amino acids and nitrate into the xylem was investigated by collection and analysis of root-pressure exudate from the cut hypocotyl stumps of seedlings of Ricinus communis L. Glutamine was found to be the dominant amino acid in the exudate and also to be the amino acid which is transferred to the xylem most rapidly and accumulated to the greatest extent. The comparison between uptake and xylem loading showed significant differences in specificity between these two transport reactions, indicating a different set of transport systems. Nitrate is transferred to the xylem at a higher relative rate than any amino acid despite the great nitrate-storage capacity of the root system. Thus the supply of nitrate to Ricinus plants leads to enhanced nitrogen allocation to the shoots.     

土壤pH对玉米与微生物竞争吸收氨基酸的影响

化学合成肥料的大量使用导致土壤pH发生显著变化,但其对植物与根际微生物竞争吸收氨基酸的影响机制尚不明确.本试验通过电解法调节杭州红壤和铁岭棕壤两种土壤pH, 采用外源添加¹⁵N标记甘氨酸短期吸收4 h的方法,研究了pH对玉米及根际微生物竞争吸收氨基酸的影响.结果表明:土壤pH对玉米根和地上部生物量有显著影响,对于红壤,pH为6.48最适宜玉米生长,且玉米地上部¹⁵N丰度和¹⁵N-甘氨酸吸收量也显著高于其他处理;对于棕壤,pH为7.65最适宜玉米生长,其玉米地上部和根系¹⁵N丰度显著低于pH为5.78处理,但¹⁵N-甘氨酸吸收量显著高于其他处理.红壤pH为6.48条件下,其微生物生物量碳相对较高,而棕壤pH为7.65条件下,其微生物生物量碳相对较低.综合根系吸收、转运及微生物竞争吸收的结果,推断红壤在pH为6.48条件下虽然面临着微生物的竞争吸收,但生长于其上的玉米通过提高吸收速率和转移比率提高了氨基酸的吸收量;在pH为7.65的棕壤中,微生物活性较低,降低了与玉米竞争吸收氨基酸的能力,从而增加了玉米对氨基酸的吸收量.     

Influx and efflux of amino acids from Zea mays L. roots and their implications for N nutrition and the rhizosphere

The aim of the study was to investigate the ability of Zea mays L. roots to regulate the amount of free amino acids present in the rhizosphere. The active uptake of amino acids was shown to conform to Michaelis-Menten kinetics. Comparison of amino acid-N and NO₃-N kinetic parameters and soil solution concentrations showed that root uptake of free amino acids from soil may contribute significantly to a plant's N budget. The influx of amino acids also helps to minimize net C/N losses to the soil, and is therefore important in regulating the size of the rhizosphere microbial population. Experimental data and a computer simulation model of amino acid influx/efflux in a sterile solution culture, showed that roots were capable of re-sorping over 90% of the amino acids previously lost into solution as a result of passive diffusion.     

Lipids, carbohydrates and amino acids exuded from the axenic roots of rape seedlings exposed to water-deficit stress

Abstract. Rape ( Brassica napus [L.]) plants were cultivated for 25 d with axenic roots in a growth system with quartz sand and circulating nutrient solution. After a water stress period of 24h. fresh nutrient solution was added and root exudates were collected 3d later. The stress did not cause significant differences in the weights between the stressed and the control plants. The stressed plants tended to exude more soluble organic carbon than the control plants. This was not reflected in the amounts of low molecular weight carbohydrates exuded. A significantly lower proportion of the soluble organic carbon exuded by the stressed plants was made up of amino acids in comparison with the control plants, 7% and 28% respectively. Exuded hydrophobic substances could be recovered from the sand particles. The stressed plants exuded more sterols than the control plants, and an increased number of polar lipid types. The exudates of the stressed and control plants also differed regarding their fatty acid composition.     

Root xylem transport of amino acids in the root hemiparasitic shrub Olax phyllanthi (Labill) R.Br. (Olacaceaea) and its multiple hosts

The amino acid compositions of the root xylem saps of Olax phyllanthi and a range of its common hosts were examined in native coastal heath in Western Australia and in pot cultures of Olax reliant on single hosts. When hosts specializing in the xylem transport of one major solute (asparagine, glutamine, histidine, arginine or proline) were exploited, the endophytic tissue of haustoria and the xylem sap of Olax showed much lower proportions of this than of other solutes, suggesting pronounced metabolic transformation prior to xylem loading by the parasite. However, the xylem sap of Olax did partly reflect the compositions of its hosts; for example, djenkolic acid and pipecolic acid were present when Olax was parasitic on species of Acacia, and levels of citrulline and aspartic acid were higher than normal when it exploited hosts transporting large amounts of these compounds. Back-flow of S-ethenyl cysteine, a novel amino acid specific to Olax, was observed to another root hemiparasite (Exocarpos sparteus) in native habitat and to certain non-parasitic hosts in water-stressed pot cultures. Haustoria exhibited high levels of glutamine synthetase but showed appreciable in vivo nitrate reductase activity only when on hosts with high xylem levels of nitrate.     

A comparative study of the effects of natural and synthetic ligands on iron uptake by plants

Summary The uptake of iron by wheat seedlings was investigated using half-strength Hoagland's nutrient solution containing 2.0 M ferric chloride labelled with⁵⁹Fe. The iron content of root tissue, which includes adsorbed iron, was depressed by the presence in the solution of the synthetic ligands EDTA and polymaleic acid (PMA) and by the natural ligands, humate, fulvate and a water-extractable soil polycarboxylate. The patterns of change in iron content of the shoots were in all cases different from those of the roots and were of two types. EDTA and humate increased the iron content of the shoots to maximum values, at ligand concentrations of 5.0 M and 2.5 mg l^–1 respectively, and decreased it at higher concentrations. Fulvate, water-extractable soil polycarboxylate and PMA increased the iron content of the shoots up to the maximum ligand concentrations tested (25 mg l^–1). These results are discussed in the light of the likely solution chemistry of iron and the various ligands.     

Metabolism of amino acids, organic acids and sugars extracted from the xylem fluid of four host plants by adult Homalodisca coagulata

The efficiency of amino acid, organic acid and sugar metabolism was quantified for adult Homalodisca coagulata (Say) (Homoptera: Cicadellidae) by comparing chemical profiles of xylem fluid (food source) and insect exudate. Leafhoppers were confined in Parafilm^® sachets to stems of 4 host plants: [Baccharis halimifolia (L.), Lagerstroemia indica (L.), Prunus salicina (Lindl.), Prunus persica (L.), Batsch]. Insect feeding rates (0.09–0.27 ml h^–1), exudate osmolarity (7.8–12.8 mM) and exudate composition (mainly inorganic entities) were characteristic of a xylem feeder. Total organic solute concentration in the xylem fluid of B. halimifolia, L. indica, P. salicina and P. persica was ca. 9.4, 13.8, 5.5 and 1.8 mM, respectively. Nineteen protein amino acids, 7 organic acids and 3 or 4 sugars were identifid in the xylem fluid. Total amino acids, organic acids and sugars were metabolized with ca. 99% efficiency. Glutamine, asparagine, arginine and citric, malic and succinic acids, the predominant organic compounds in the xylem fluid of all four plant species, were metabolized with greater than 99% efficiency. Cysteine (51%), methionine (74%) and oxalic acid (77%) were metabolized with the lowest efficiency. The primary nitrogenous waste was NH _inf4 ^sup+ ; uric acid or urea were not detected. Nitrogen retention was generally less than 60% of dietary nitrogen. High feeding rates, ammonotelism and an extremely high metabolic efficiency of organic compounds permit H. coagulata to subsist on the dilute and skewed chemical profile of xylem fluid.

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Résumé L'efficacité du métabolisme des amino-acides, des acides organiques et des sucres a été quantifiée chez des H. coagulata Say (Hom. Cicadellidae) adultes, en comparant la composition chimique de la sève du xylème et du miellat des insectes. Les cicadelles ont été maintenues dans des sachets de parafilm avec des tiges de 4 plantes hôtes: Baccharis halimifolia L., Lagerstroemia indica L., Prunus salicina Lindl. et Prunus persica Batsch. Le taux de consommation (0,09 à 0,27 ml hr^–1), l'osmolarité du miellat (7,8 à 12,8 mM) et la composition du miellat (principalement des éléments inorganiques) sont caractéristiques des consommateurs de xylème. Les concentrations organiques totales en soluté de la sève du xylème étaient respectivement: 9,4; 13,8; 5,5; et 1,8 mM chez B. halimifolia, L. indica, P. salicina et P. persica. 19 amino acides protéiques, 7 acides organiques et 3 ou 4 sucres ont été identifiés dans la sève du xylème. Les acides aminés, les acides organiques et les sucres ont été métabolisés dans leur ensemble avec une efficacité de 99%. La glutamine, l'asparagine, l'arginine et les acides citrique, malique et succinique,-les principaux composés organiques de la sève du xylème de ces 4 plantes,-ont été métabolisés avec plus de 99% d'efficacité. La cystéine (51%), la méthionine (74%) et l'acide oxalique (77%) ont été métabolisés avec une plus faible efficacité. Le déchet azoté primarie était NH _inf4 ^sup+ ; l'acide urique et lurée n'ont pas été décelés. La fixation d'azote a été généralement inférieure à 60% de l'azote consommé. Des taux de consommation élevés, l'ammonotélisme et une efficacité extrêmement élevée du métabolisme des composés organiques permettent à H. coagulata de survivre malgré la composition chimique biaisée et la dilution de la sève du xylème.

     

X-ray studies on crystalline complexes involving amino acids and peptides: Part XVIII. Crystal structure of a new form of L-arginine D-glutamate and a comparative study of amino acid crystal structures containing molecules of the same and mixed chirality

The new form of L-arginine D-glutamate is monoclinic, P2₁, witha = 9.941(1),b = 4.668(2),c = 17.307(1) Å,β = 95.27(1)°, and Z = 2. In terms of composition, the new form differs from the old form in that the former is a monohydrate whereas the latter is a trihydrate. The structure has been solved by the direct methods and refined to R = 0.085 for 1012 observed reflections. The conformation of the arginine molecule is the same in both the forms whereas that of the glutamate ion is different. The change in the conformation of the glutamate ion is such that it facilitates extensive pseudosymmetry in the crystals. The molecules arrange themselves in double-layers stabilised by head-to-tail sequences involving main chains, in both the forms. However, considerable differences exist between the two forms in the interface, consisting of side chains and water molecules, between double-layers. A comparative study of the relationship between the crystal structures of L and DL amino acids on the one hand and that between the structures of LL and LD amino acid-amino acid complexes on the other, provides interesting insights into amino acid aggregation and the effect of chirality on it. The crystal structures of most hydrophobic amino acids are made up of double-layers and those of most hydrophilic amino acids contain single layers, irrespective of the chiralities of the amino acids involved. In most cases, the molecules tend to appropriately rearrange themselves to preserve the broad features of aggregation patterns when the chirality of half the molecules is reversed as in the structures of DL amino acids. The basic elements of aggregation in the LL and the LD complexes, are similar to those found in the crystals of L and DL amino acids. However, the differences between the LL and the LD complexes in the distribution of these elements are more pronounced than those between the distributions in the structures of L and DL amino acids.     

Stomatal response to drying soil in relation to changes in the xylem sap composition of Helianthus annuus. I. The concentration of cations, anions, amino acids in, and pH of, the xylem sap

Sunflower plants (Helianthus annuus L.) were subjected to soil drying with their shoots either kept fully turgid using a Passioura-type pressure chamber or allowed to decrease in water potential. Whether the shoots were kept turgid or not, leaf conductance decreased below a certain soil water content. During the soil drying, xylem sap samples were taken from individual intact and transpiring plants. Xylem sap concentrations of nitrate and phosphate decreased with soil water content, whereas the concentrations of the other anions (SO₄² and Cl^?) remained unaltered. Calcium concentrations also decreased. Potassium, magnesium, manganese and sodium concentrations stayed constant during soil drying. In contrast, the pH, the buffering capacity at a pH below 5 and the cation/anion ratio increased after soil water content was lowered below a certain threshold. Amino acid concentration of the xylem sap increased with decreasing soil water content. The effect of changes in ion concentrations in the xylem sap on leaf conductance is discussed.     

Changes in diversity, protein content, and amino acid composition of earthworms from a paddy soil under different long-term fertilizations in the Tai Lake Region, China

Influence of the agricultural management practices on soil quality and the ecosystem functioning has been an increasing concern in soil science and ecology with sustainable agriculture. This study deals with the changes of soil earthworm communityfrom a paddy soil under different long-term fertilizations. The soil earthworms were collected and counted from different fertilizer treated plots in the field after the rape harvest in May 2004, and their taxonomic groups were determined under a binocular stereoscope at the laboratory. The body of the earthworm (Metaphire californica) was crushed by a cell crusher to collect protein, and the protein molecules with different sizes were analyzed by electrophoresis. Furthermore, the Metaphire californica collected was hydrolyzed and the aliquots were subject to an amino acid auto-analyzer. The results showed that totally seven species of earthworms were recognized in the paddy field with the number varying with different fertilization treatments. The structure of earthworm communities was dramatically affected by the fertilization practice. Under chemical fertilization only, both the number of earthworm species and the quantity of individuals were significantly smaller than those under other treatments, or even than those under no fertilization. Furthermore, there was an obvious decrease in the total amino acid and the contents of most individual amino acids of Metaphire californica under chemical fertilization only, compared with those under the combined fertilization of chemical and organic fertilizers. Although chemical fertilizers in combination with rice straw return increased earthworm amino acid content, long-term pig manure application tended to increase earthworm protein content. As a molecular footprint, long-term chemical fertilization caused a reduction in the content of protein with MW less than 25 kd, but a significant increase in that of protein with molecule size around 33 kd. Our study demonstrated that different fertilizations affected not only earthworm population but also diversity and richness in the paddy soil after 16 years of treatment, and that long-term chemical fertilization may impact the soil animal community and, thus, influence the paddy ecosystem functioning for yield stability. This study implicated that not only the community structure but also the amino acid metabolism for life functioning of earthworms in cropland soils may pose significant responses to the agricultural management practices.     

Changes in diversity, protein content, and amino acid composition of earthworms from a paddy soil under different long-term fertilizations in the Tai Lake Region, China

Influence of the agricultural management practices on soil quality and the ecosystem functioning has been an increasing concern in soil science and ecology with sustainable agriculture. This study deals with the changes of soil earthworm communityfrom a paddy soil under different long-term fertilizations. The soil earthworms were collected and counted from different fertilizer treated plots in the field after the rape harvest in May 2004, and their taxonomic groups were determined under a binocular stereoscope at the laboratory. The body of the earthworm (Metaphire californica) was crushed by a cell crusher to collect protein, and the protein molecules with different sizes were analyzed by electrophoresis. Furthermore, the Metaphire californica collected was hydrolyzed and the aliquots were subject to an amino acid auto-analyzer. The results showed that totally seven species of earthworms were recognized in the paddy field with the number varying with different fertilization treatments. The structure of earthworm communities was dramatically affected by the fertilization practice. Under chemical fertilization only, both the number of earthworm species and the quantity of individuals were significantly smaller than those under other treatments, or even than those under no fertilization. Furthermore, there was an obvious decrease in the total amino acid and the contents of most individual amino acids of Metaphire californica under chemical fertilization only, compared with those under the combined fertilization of chemical and organic fertilizers. Although chemical fertilizers in combination with rice straw return increased earthworm amino acid content, long-term pig manure application tended to increase earthworm protein content. As a molecular footprint, long-term chemical fertilization caused a reduction in the content of protein with MW less than 25 kd, but a significant increase in that of protein with molecule size around 33 kd. Our study demonstrated that different fertilizations affected not only earthworm population but also diversity and richness in the paddy soil after 16 years of treatment, and that long-term chemical fertilization may impact the soil animal community and, thus, influence the paddy ecosystem functioning for yield stability. This study implicated that not only the community structure but also the amino acid metabolism for life functioning of earthworms in cropland soils may pose significant responses to the agricultural management practices.     

长期不同施肥下太湖地区黄泥土蚯蚓的多样性、蛋白质含量与氨基酸组成的变化

水稻土在不同施肥管理下的土壤质量及其生态系统功能的变化是当前土壤学和农业生态学的关注领域。对太湖地区一个15a的长期不同施肥处理下稻田进行了蚯蚓群落的调查采样,并测定了蚯蚓蛋白质含量和氨基酸组成。供试水稻土中共检出7种蚯蚓。长期不同施肥措施影响了蚯蚓的群落结构,单施化肥下农田蚯蚓的种类和数量明显减少,多样性指数和丰富度明显降低,且蚯蚓总氨基酸的含量和大部分种类氨基酸含量降低,同时蚯蚓中分子量小于25kd的蛋白质含量降低,而分子量33kd附近的蛋白质含量明显增加;相反,长期化肥配合秸杆还田和配施猪粪趋向于提高蚯蚓蛋白质含量或氨基酸含量。看来．农田中蚯蚓不但在种群变化上,而且在体内生命活性物质组成上均响应稻田不同施肥措施下的土壤环境变化。     

Kinetics of dissociation of zinc ion from carboxypeptidase A: Catalysis and inhibition by amino acids

Rate constants for the interaction of a number of ligands with the active site zinc ion of carboxypeptidase A have been measured at pH 7.0, 25 degrees, 1.0 M NaCl. Polydentate ligands such as EDTA, NTA or CyDta do not accelerate the rate at which the zinc ion dissociates from the protein. Bidentate or tridentate ligands on the other hand are able to attack the zinc ion directly; the rates are first order in enzyme and first order in ligand. A mechanism for the reaction is proposed, in which a ternary complex LZnCPA is formed which rapidly dissociates into ZnL and apo CPA. Comparison of results for a variety of ligands leads to the conclusion that in the ternary complex tridentate ligands bind to the zinc ion through only two donor groups. The reaction of 1.10-phenanthroline with ZnCPA has been studied from pH 6 to 9, and a mechanism proposed which accounts for the pH profile of the reaction.     

Free amino compounds and cell volume regulation in erythrocytes from different marine fish species under hypoosmotic conditions: the role of a taurine channel

Erythrocytes from the marine fish species ballan wrasse (Labrus berggylta Ascanius), bullhead (Myoxocephalus scorpius L.), cod (Gadus morhua L.), dab (Limanda limanda L.), eelpout (Zoarces viviparus L.), flounder (Platichthys flesus L.), lumpfish (Cyclopterus lumpus L.), plaice (Pleuronectes platessa L.), sole (Solea solea L.) and turbot (Scophthalmus maxima L.) possess the capacity for regulatory volume decrease. This property was demonstrated in vitro by reduction of the osmolality of the incubation medium from 330 to 255 mosmol·kg^-1. During the 4-h incubation period only the lumpfish cells completely regained the original volume. Twenty-seven free amino compounds were present in detectable amounts in the erythrocytes. At normal osmolality the taurine content was between 14.0 mol·g dry weight^-1 (lumpfish) and 147.4 mol·g dry weight^-1 (sole). Except in the bullhead, taurine was the quantitatively dominating amino compound in the erythrocytes from all species, and accounted for betwee 23% (lumpfish) and 88% (sole) of the total content of free amino compounds. In each species the regulatory volume decrease was associated with a reduction in the cellular content of taurine. Taurine contributed to between 6% (lumpfish) and 36% (flounder) of the cell shrinkage. There was a significant negative correlation, however, between the cellular concentration of taurine at normal osmolality and the capacity of the cells for regulatory volume decrease. Gamma-aminobutyric acid and/or glycine also contributed to the process of volume regulation, but to a lesser extent than taurine. The volume regulatory efflux of taurine and -aminobutyric acid were mediated by taurine channels. It is suggested that these channels also mediated the reduction in the cellular contents of glycine.Abbreviations cmp counts per minute - dw dry weight - GABA -amino-n-butyric acid - MW molecular weight - SD standard deviation - ww wet weight     

A comparative study of the polypeptides of three iridescent viruses by N-terminal analysis,amino acid analysis,and surface labeling

Polyacrylamide gel analysis of the structural proteins of three types of iridescent viruses (2, 6, and 9) demonstrated that the purified virions had one major and more than 20 minor polypeptides. Surface labeling procedures performed on pure intact virions, using ¹²⁵I in the presence of lactoperoxidase and chloramine T (at low iodine concentrations), demonstrated that the major and two or three minor polypeptides were located on the outside. The major structural polypeptide was isolated from each virus type by preparative polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Amino acid analysis indicated that this protein was very similar in the three iridescent viruses. The three polypeptides had an identical N terminal (proline). While the major polypeptide of each virus has a slightly different molecular weight as determined by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, the similarities in iodine labeling, N terminals, and amino acids suggests a common function for this protein.     

Leucine biosynthesis: effect of branched-chain amino acids and threonine on a-isopropylmalate synthase activity from aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms

$\text{a-}\text{Isopropylmalate}$ synthase activity was demonstrated in the Sephadex G 25 gel filtrated crude extracts of one yeast and 43 bacterial strains belonging to 14 families. The enzyme was inhibited by leucine from all strains Bacteroides fragilis, Clostridia and several phototropic bacteria. The enzyme was inhibited by leucine from all strains investigated. In crude extracts of 17 species (8 genera) the leucine-mediated inhibition could be relieved by the addition of valine or isoleucine , but not by the addition of threonine or alanine. The enzymes from 11 species (7 genera) were inhibited by 1 mM valine and isoleucine, whereas the enzyme activity from 5 bacteria (4genera) were not so affected. These results suggest that valine and isoleucine are specifically involved in the regulation of leucine biosynthesis in several bacteria. The affect of valine and isoleucine on the IPM-synthase activity from mycobacteria and Corynebacterium autotrophicum lends support to the reclassification of Mycobacterium flavum 301 to C. autotrophicum. The antagonism between 5′,5′,5′-trifluoroleucine and amino acids and $\text{a-}\text{ketoisovalerate}$ was $\text{a-}\text{isopropylmalate}$ synthase in the presence or abssence of leucine and the reversal of the 5′,5′,5′-trifluoroleucine-mediated growth inhibition by these amino acids.