轮藻假根中的平衡石在回转器水平回转时的运动

利用回转器重现了在ＴＥＸＵＳ火箭抛物线飞行的微重力实验中轮藻假根内平衡石和假根基部方向的运动。在快速回转器上回转１５ｍｉｎ时,假根中的平衡石复合体中心离假根顶端的距离比在原来沿重力方向生长的假根中的距离增加了６０％。细胞松弛素Ｄ的实验证实平衡石的这种运动是和肌动蛋白丝相关,而且在重力场中作用于平衡石的向基力也是肌动蛋白丝产生的。因此回转器和细胞松弛素Ｄ的实验证实了在地球上,平衡石的位置取决于作用方     

重力钝感的水稻突变体在重力和微重力条件下淀粉体的观察分析

植物向重性的研究一直受到关注,主要的研究集中在双子叶模式生物拟南芥中,而对单子叶植物的研究却很少。植物对重力感受的方式存在多种解释,但目前大量证据表明淀粉体—平衡石理论较为合理,它认为淀粉体作为平衡石在植物向重性反应中发挥了重要的作用。经过100多年的研究,现已从生理学与遗传学的角度证实了含有淀粉体的根冠中柱细胞和茎的内皮层细胞是植物重力感受的部位,淀粉体作为重力感受器被越来越多的实验证据证明。地球上重力无处不在,要研究微重力对植物体极性生长的影响只能借助于能模拟失重环境的回转器。近年来,人们对植物向重性机制的了解主要来自缺失或缺少     

苔藓植物的新属

叶状体小,背面褐绿色,腹面褐紫色,带状或广椭圆形,基部较狭窄,顶端深裂或微凹,2个新生叶状体从叶状体尖部凹处的腹面伸出。中肋平或凸起,假根密集。气室大,不分隔,有营养丝。气孔复式,烟突型,孔边细胞4个,6列,薄壁。腹鳞片半月形,两列,淡紫色,附器小。托柄细,从深裂狭窄的裂角处长出,假根沟两条。雌托小,不整齐。无性芽杯钟形,边波状,具小齿,平卧着生在中肋上。     

大型绿藻浒苔藻段及组织块的生长和发育特征

通过将浒苔叶状体分为基部、中部和顶端三部分分别进行切段和切碎处理,在实验室条件下,用液体浅层培养的方法,系统地研究了其组织和细胞的生长和发育特性。显微观察的结果显示：切段培养条件下,基部和中部的藻段均可在其形态学下端形成假根,在形态学上端产生类似叶状体的突起。藻段的发育具极性,但是其极性并不绝对的,在1.0 mm的基部藻段两端都观察到了假根的形成。虽然顶端的藻段和组织块全都形成和释放了孢子,未见明显的营养生长,但是在培养早期,其下端仍然具有形成假根的能力。浒苔各部位藻段和组织块释放的和滞留于孢子囊内的孢子都可以立即萌发成苗。快速生长的中基部藻段形成了气囊,致使其漂浮于培养基上。有很多藻段和组织块形成和释放了生殖细胞,释放到外界以及滞留于孢子囊内的孢子均可立即附着萌发。数据分析表明：藻段的生长具有极性,不同部位相同长度的藻段生长率差异明显,基部藻段的生长率高于中部藻段,顶部藻段无明显的营养生长。藻段的生长与其原始长度和在藻体中所处的位置有密切关系;藻段和组织块的再生与藻体的完整性及其在藻体中所处的位置有关。     

回转器旋转对体外培养的鸡胚神经元的影响

用回转器旋转研究重力改变对体外培养的鸡胚神经元的影响。结果发现在回转器里经过７－９小时的处理后,神经元的形态和行为发生明显改变。只有６．３％的神经元呈现两极型的运动形态,而对照组正常培养的细胞运动形态的神经元占３４．２％。某些细胞的突起出现异常,呈现扭曲的形状。在培养基质上的神经元伸出许多丝状突起,丝状突起的末端锚定在周围的细胞上或锚定在培养基质上。经过重力改变处理的细胞重新放在相差显微镜下观察,结果显示神经元的运动活性降低,许多细胞没有观察到明显运动的迹象。     

回转模拟失重对心肌成纤维细胞Ⅰ型胶原代谢的影响

为探讨模拟失重对心肌成纤维细胞Ⅰ型胶原代谢的影响 ,本研究采用回转器模拟失重效应 ,通过免疫细胞化学和反转录聚合酶链式反应 (RT PCR)研究了回转模拟失重对原代培养的新生大鼠心肌成纤维细胞Ⅰ型胶原蛋白及mRNA表达 ,以及胶原降解抑制物———金属蛋白酶组织抑制因子 (Tissueinhibitorofmetallopro teinase ,TIMP)mRNA表达的影响。免疫细胞化学染色显示回转组Ⅰ型胶原蛋白沉积增加 ;RT PCR分析显示Ⅰ型胶原α1链 (TypeⅠcollagenα1chain ,ColⅠA1)mRNA表达没有明显变化 ,TIMP 1、TIMP 2及TIMP 3的mRNA表达均增强。提示在回转模拟失重条件下 ,心肌成纤维细胞Ⅰ型胶原蛋白沉积增加 ,作为胶原降解抑制物的TIMP可能是造成胶原沉积的原因     

模拟失重对人成骨样细胞凋亡的影响

为了探讨失重对人成骨样细胞凋亡情况的影响及对相关分子的作用,采用双向多样本回转器模拟失重效应,将培养的人成骨样细胞MG-63随机分为静止对照组、水平旋转对照组和失重实验组(用回转器模拟失重条件),在实验的12 h取细胞用流式细胞仪检测早期凋亡情况,同时检测bcf-2、NF-κB(p65)mRNA和P53的表达.结果显示,在模拟失重12 h时,MG-63细胞表现出一定的早期凋亡趋势,且bcl-2、NF-κB(p65)的表达明显降低,P53表达增加,提示失重可能通过影响这几种凋亡相关因子的表达,启动成骨细胞凋亡,从而破坏骨形成和骨吸收之间的平衡.成骨细胞凋亡的启动可能是航天员骨丢失的原因之一.     

三维回转骨细胞条件培养基对成骨细胞功能的调节作用

骨细胞是骨组织中主要的力学感受器.研究失重条件下骨细胞对效应细胞的调控作用对于揭示失重引起的骨丢失机制具有重要意义.本研究拟采用三维回转器模拟失重,探讨模拟失重骨细胞条件培养基(RCM)对成骨功能的调节作用.小鼠骨细胞系MLO-Y4三维回转培养72h后,收集回转条件培养基(RCM)和未回转对照组的条件培养基(CCM),用四甲基偶氮唑盐比色(MTT)法、对硝基苯磷酸(pNPP)法和流式细胞术(FCM)分别检测RCM对小鼠成骨样细胞系MC3T3-E1增殖、周期及细胞分泌碱性磷酸酶(ALP)活性的影响.采用RT-PCR方法检测RCM对MC3T3-E1成骨相关基因表达的影响.结果显示,三维随机回转72h后的MLO-Y4RCM可促进MC3T3-E1增殖:条件培养基培养MC3T3-E124h和48h后,50%RCM组比CCM组分别增加了1.62和1.60倍,差异显著(*P0.05),培养72h后,100%RCM组比CCM组增加了1.69倍,差异显著(*P0.05);细胞周期检测结果表明,条件培养基培养24、48和72h后,RCM组部分恢复CCM引起的MC3T3-E1细胞周期阻滞;MC3T3-E1的ALP活性在RCM组和CCM组之间无差异;RT-PCR检测结果表明,100%MLO-Y4条件培养基培养MC3T3-E148h后,降低了成骨相关基因ALP、Runx2、OPN、OC的表达.差异显著(*P0.05,**P0.01,***P0.001).实验结果表明,三维随机回转模拟失重培养骨细胞72h后的条件培养基促进了成骨细胞增殖,抑制了成骨相关基因表达.     

模拟微重力环境因子对人参细胞生长和人参皂苷含量的影响

与在正常重力条件培养下的对照相比,经回转器水平回转处理的人参细胞鲜重和干重均增加,人参皂苷含量提高10％左右。在去Ca2 培养基上生长的人参愈伤组织细胞,经回转器水平回转3周后,人参皂苷含量约为正常重力条件下培养细胞的2倍。另外,在试验范围内,如果培养基中起始钙离子浓度越高,则其培养的人参细胞中人参皂苷含量越低。     

回转器旋转对不同发育阶段的鸡胚脑细胞周期时相分布的影响

利用回转器旋转模拟微重力生物效应是一常见的在地面研究失重对生物体影响的方法。本文应用流式细胞光度计测量８～１６天的鸡胚经回转器旋转,不同时间后鸡胚脑细胞内的ＤＮＡ含量,研究旋转对不同发育阶段鸡胚脑细胞周期时相分布的影响。结果表明Ｓ期细胞数明显减少,Ｇ１期细胞数明显增多（ｐ＜０．０５）,说明旋转后的鸡胚脑细胞被阻留在Ｇ１期     

Micromanipulation of statoliths in gravity-sensing Chara rhizoids by optical tweezers

Infrared laser traps (optical tweezers) were used to micromanipulate statoliths in gravity-sensing rhizoids of the green alga Chara vulgaris Vail. We were able to hold and move statoliths with high accuracy and to observe directly the effects of statolith position on cell growth in horizontally positioned rhizoids. The first step in gravitropism, namely the physical action of gravity on statoliths, can be simulated by optical tweezers. The direct laser microirradiation of the rhizoid apex did not cause any visible damage to the cells. Through lateral positioning of statoliths a differential growth of the opposite flank of the cell wall could be induced, corresponding to bending growth in gravitropism. The acropetal displacement of the statolith complex into the extreme apex of the rhizoid caused a temporary decrease in cell growth rate. The rhizoids regained normal growth after remigration of the statoliths to their initial position 10–30 m basal to the rhizoid apex. During basipetal displacement of statoliths, cell growth continued and the statoliths remigrated towards the rhizoid tip after release from the optical trap. The resistance to statolith displacement increased towards the nucleus. The basipetal displacement of the whole complex of statoliths for a long distance (>100 m) caused an increase in cell diameter and a subsequent regaining of normal growth after the statoliths reappeared in the rhizoid apex. We conclude that the statolith displacement interferes with the mechanism of tip growth, i.e. with the transport of Golgi vesicles, either directly by mechanically blocking their flow and/or, indirectly, by disturbing the actomyosin system. In the presence of the actin inhibitor cytochalasin B the optical forces required for acropetal and basipetal displacement of statoliths were significantly reduced to a similar level. The lateral displacement of statoliths was not changed by cytochalasin B. The results indicate: (i) the viscous resistance to optical displacement of statoliths depends mainly on actin, (ii) the lateral displacement of statoliths is not impeded by actin filaments, (iii) the axially directed actin-mediated forces against optical displacement of statoliths (for a distance of 10 m) are stronger in the basipetal than in the acropetal direction, (iv) the forces acting on single statoliths by axially oriented actin filaments are estimated to be in the range of 11–110 pN for acropetal and of 18–180 pN for basipetal statolith displacements.Abbreviation CB cytochalasin B This work was supported by the Bundesminister für Forschung und Technologie, and by Fonds der Chemischen Industrie. We thank Professor Dr. A. Sievers (Botanisches Institut, Universität Bonn, Germany) for helpful discussions.     

Actomyosin-mediated statolith positioning in gravisensing plant cells studied in microgravity

The positioning and gravity-induced sedimentation of statoliths is crucial for gravisensing in most higher and lower plants. In positively gravitropic rhizoids and, for the first time, in negatively gravitropic protonemata of characean green algae, statolith positioning by actomyosin forces was investigated in microgravity (<10(-4) g) during parabolic flights of rockets (TEXUS/MAXUS) and during the Space-Shuttle flight STS 65. In both cell types, the natural position of statoliths is the result of actomyosin forces which compensate the statoliths' weight in this position. When this balance of forces was disturbed in microgravity or on the fast-rotating clinostat (FRC), a basipetal displacement of the statoliths was observed in rhizoids. After several hours in microgravity, the statoliths were loosely arranged over an area whose apical border was in the same range as in 1 g, whereas the basal border had increased its distance from the tip. In protonemata, the actomyosin forces act net-acropetally. Thus, statoliths were transported towards the tip when protonemata were exposed to microgravity or rotated on the FRC. In preinverted protonemata, statoliths were transported away from the tip to a dynamically stable resting position. Experiments in microgravity and on the FRC gave similar results and allowed us to distinguish between active and passive forces acting on statoliths. The results indicate that actomyosin forces act differently on statoliths in the different regions of both cell types in order to keep the statoliths in a position where they function as susceptors and initiate gravitropic reorientation, even in cells that had never experienced gravity during their growth and development.     

Oriented movement of statoliths studied in a reduced gravitational field during parabolic flights of rockets

During five rocket flights (TEXUS 18, 19, 21, 23 and 25), experiments were performed to investigate the behaviour of statoliths in rhizoids of the green alga Chara globularia Thuill. and in statocytes of cress (Lepidium sativum L.) roots, when the gravitational field changed to approx. 10^–4 · g (i.e. microgravity) during the parabolic flight (lasting for 301–390 s) of the rockets. The position of statoliths was only slightly influenced by the conditions during launch, e.g. vibration, acceleration and rotation of the rocket. Within approx. 6 min of microgravity conditions the shape of the statolith complex in the rhizoids changed from a transversely oriented lens into a longitudinally oriented spindle. The center of the statolith complex moved approx. 14 m and 3.6 m in rhizoids and root statocytes, respectively, in the opposite direction to the originally acting gravity vector. The kinetics of statolith displacement in rhizoids demonstrate that the velocity was nearly constant under microgravity whereas it decreased remarkably after inversion of rhizoids on Earth. It can be concluded that on Earth the position of statoliths in both rhizoids and root statocytes depends on the balance of two forces, i.e. the gravitational force and the counteracting force mediated by microfilaments.Abbreviations ER endoplasmic reticulum - g 9.806 m · s^–2 - MF microfilament - TEXUS Technologische Experimente unter Schwerelosigkeit (technological experiments under reduced gravity) Dedicated to Professor Wolfgang Haupt on the occasion of his 70th birthday     

The Polar Organization of the Growing Chara Rhizoid and the Transport of Statoliths are Actin-Dependent*

Horizontally positioned Chara rhizoids continue growth without gravitropic bending when the statoliths are removed from the apex by basipetal centrifugation. The transport of statoliths in centrifuged rhizoids is bidirectional: 50–60 % of the statoliths are re-transported on a straight course to the apex at velocities from 1 to 14 μm . min^?1 increasing towards the rhizoid tip. The centrifuged statoliths which are located closest to the nucleus are basipetally transported and caught up in the cytoplasmic streaming of the cell. Those statoliths which are located near the apical side of the nucleus are transported either apically or basally. A de-novo-formation of statoliths was not observed. After retransport to the apex some statoliths transiently sediment, a process which can induce a local inhibition of cell wall growth. The rhizoid bends again gravitropically only if a few statoliths finally sediment in the apex; the more statoliths that sediment in the apex the shorter the radius of bending becomes. The transport of statoliths is mediated by actin filaments which form a network of thin filaments in the apical and subapical zone of the rhizoid, and thicker parallel bundles in the basal zone where cytoplasmic streaming occurs. Both subpopulations of actin filaments overlap in the nucleus zone.     

Plant cells on earth and in space

Two quite different types of plant cells are analysed with regard to transduction of the gravity stimulus: (i) Unicellular rhizoids and protonemata of characean green algae; these are tube-like, tip-growing cells which respond to the direction of gravity. (ii) Columella cells located in the center of the root cap of higher plants; these cells (statocytes) perceive gravity. The two cell types contain heavy particles or organelles (statoliths) which sediment in the field of gravity, thereby inducing the graviresponse. Both cell types were studied under microgravity conditions (10(-4) g) in sounding rockets or spacelabs. From video microscopy of living Chara cells and different experiments with both cell types it was concluded that the position of statoliths depends on the balance of two forces, i.e. the gravitational force and the counteracting force mediated by actin microfilaments. The actomyosin system may be the missing link between the gravity-dependent movement of statoliths and the gravity receptor(s); it may also function as an amplifier.     

Regulation of the position of statoliths inChara rhizoids

Summary The behavior of statoliths in rhizoids differently oriented with respect to the gravity vector indicates that there are cytoskeleton elements which exert forces on the statoliths, mostly in the longitudinal directions. Compared to the sum of the forces acting on a statolith, the gravitational force is a relatively small component,i.e., less than 1/5 of the cytoskeleton force. The balance is disturbed by displacing the rhizoid from the normal vertical orientation. It is also reversibly disturbed by cytochalasin B such that some statoliths move against the gravity force. Phalloidin stabilizes the position of the statoliths against cytochalasin B. We infer that microfilaments are involved in controlling the position of statoliths, and that there is a considerable tension on these microfilaments. The vibration frequency of the microfilaments corresponding to this tension is in the ultrasonic range.Visiting Professor on a grant from Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft.     

Gravity perception requires statoliths settled on specific plasma membrane areas in characean rhizoids and protonemata

Summary. The noninvasive infrared laser micromanipulation technique (optical tweezers, optical trapping) and centrifugation were used to study susception and perception, the early events in the gravitropic pathway of tip-growing characean rhizoids and protonemata. Reorientation of the growth direction in both cell types was only initiated when at least 2–3 statoliths settled on specific areas of the plasma membrane. This statolith-sensitive plasma membrane area is confined to the statolith region (10–35 μm behind the tip) in positively gravitropic rhizoids, whereas in negatively gravitropic protonemata, this area is limited to the apical plasma membrane (0–10 μm). Statolith sedimentation towards the sensitive plasma membrane areas is mediated by the concerted action of actin and gravity. The process of sedimentation, the pure physical movement, of statoliths is not sufficient to initiate graviresponses in both cell types. It is concluded that specific statolith-sensitive plasma membrane areas play a crucial role in the signal transduction pathway of gravitropism. These areas may represent the primary sites for gravity perception and may transform the information derived from the gravity-induced statolith sedimentation into physiological signals which trigger the molecular mechanisms of the opposite graviresponses in characean rhizoids and protonemata. Received September 10, 2001 Accepted November 16, 2001     

Contributions of space experiments to the study of gravitropism

The study of gravitropism in space has permitted the discovery that statoliths are not completely free to sediment in the gravisensing cells of roots. These organelles are attached to actin filaments via motor proteins (myosin) which are responsible for their displacement from the distal pole of the cell toward the proximal pole when the seedlings are transferred from a 1g centrifuge in space to microgravity. On the ground, the existence of the link between the statoliths and the actin network could not be established because the gravity force is much greater than the force exerted by the motor proteins. This finding led to a new hypothesis on gravisensing. It has been proposed that statoliths can exert tensions in the actin network which become asymmetrical when the root is stimulated in the horizontal position on the ground. The space experiments have confirmed to some extent the results obtained on gravisensitivity with clinostats, although these devices do not simulate microgravity correctly. Reexamination of the means of estimating gravisensitivity has led to the conclusion that the perception and the transduction phases could be very short (that is, within a second). This data is consistent with the fact that the statoliths are attached to the actin filament and do not have to move a long distance to exert forces on the actin network. It has also been demonstrated that gravity regulates the gravitropic bending in order to avoid the overshooting of the vertical direction on the ground. The roots, which are stimulated and placed in microgravity, are not subjected to this regulation and curve more than roots stimulated continuously. However, the curvature of roots or of coleoptiles that takes place in microgravity can be greatly reduced by straightening the extremity of the organs.     

Actomyosin-mediated statolith positioning and sedimentation in gravisensing plant cells studied in microgravity

Graviresponding and tip-growing characean rhizoids and protonemata possess a highly efficient actin-based system to control and correct the position of their statoliths, a prerequisite for gravisensing. Acropetally and basipetally acting actomyosin forces and gravity are the components of the statolith positioning system that also directs sedimenting statoliths to cell-type specific ,oraviperception sites at the plasma membrane where the graviresponse is initiated. These results encourage to propose that similar cytoskeleton-mediated mechanisms for gravity sensing may exist in higher plant statocytes.