宽叶吊兰叶绿素生物合成的昼夜节律变化

在被子植物中,从谷氨酰-tRNA到叶绿素的生物合成是由许多酶催化的级联反应,其中间代谢产物具有较强的光反应活性和细胞毒性,因此这一过程在细胞内受到严格的调控。本研究通过检测宽叶吊兰叶片叶绿素生物合成途径的14种中间产物含量随昼夜节律的变化,探讨昼夜节律对宽叶吊兰叶绿素生物合成的影响。结果表明,中间产物ALA(δ-氨基乙酰丙酸)、PBG(胆色素原)、ProtoⅨ(原卟啉Ⅸ)、Heme(血红素)、Mg-ProtoⅨ(镁原卟啉Ⅸ)、Chlide a(叶绿素酸酯a)、Chlide b(叶绿素酸酯b)、Chl a(叶绿素a)、Chl b(叶绿素b)受光诱导,而UrogenⅢ(尿卟啉Ⅲ)、CoprogenⅢ(粪卟啉Ⅲ)和Pchlide(原叶绿素酸脂)受黑暗诱导,尤其是Pchlide在黑暗中的积累量显著增加;Mpe(镁原卟啉Ⅸ单甲酯)和Mpde(镁原卟啉Ⅸ二酯)具有2个积累峰值,分别出现在中午12∶00和夜间24∶00。说明叶绿素生物合成受昼夜节律的调控,但其中间代谢产物含量的变化规律与昼夜节律并不完全一致。     

金属叶绿素a配位结构的研究

在丙酮溶液中合成得到镧-叶绿素a、钐-叶绿素a和铜-叶绿素a复合物,并研究了它们的紫外可见光谱（UV-Vis）、Fourier红外光谱（FT-IR）和EXAFS结构.镧-叶绿素a、钐-叶绿素a和铜-叶绿素a的UV-Vis谱、FT-IR谱与叶绿素a（含镁）的光谱性质相似,但与脱镁叶绿素a的光谱性质差异很大.证明了La³⁺、Sm³⁺、Cu²⁺已配位到脱镁叶绿素的卟啉环上,形成了镧-叶绿素a、钐-叶绿素a和铜-叶绿素a复合物.通过扩展X射线吸收精细结构谱(EXAFS)研究表明：合成镧-叶绿素a、钐-叶绿素a具有双层夹心结构.La(Ⅲ)、Sm(Ⅲ)夹于两个卟啉环之间, 与上下卟啉环上共八个N原子配位, La-N平均键长0.261 nm,Sm-N平均键长0.243 nm, 而铜-叶绿素a的EXAFS表明为一单层结构,Cu(Ⅱ)与卟啉环中的四个N原子配位,Cu-N平均键长0.197 nm.元素分析也证明镧-叶绿素a、钐-叶绿素a为双层结构,铜-叶绿素a为单层结构.     

葡萄糖和δ-氨基酮戊酸促进水稻在黑暗中合成叶绿素

本研究检测单子叶被子植物水稻(Oryza sativa L.)在完全黑暗中是否能合成叶绿素.以5 cm高的水稻黄化幼苗为研究材料,在黑暗中用不同浓度的葡萄糖和δ-氨基酮戊酸(δ-aminolevulinic acid, ALA)处理之.定时采收叶片检测其叶绿素、原卟啉Ⅸ (Proto)、 Mg-原卟啉Ⅸ (Mg-Proto)及原叶绿酸酯(Pchlide)的含量,并计算它们的卟啉的摩尔百分比.在黑暗中12 d,水稻幼苗的叶绿素从2.5 μg/g增加到7.5 μg/g,但叶绿素总量从0.36 μg/g增至3.6 μg/g.在黑暗中未经处理的幼苗Proto、Mg-Proto及Pchlide的摩尔百分比分别为65%、27.5%和7.5%; 而光照下幼苗相应的摩尔百分比分别为42.5%、35.0%和22.5%.在黑暗中用葡萄糖处理水稻黄化幼苗2 d,其卟啉的摩尔百分比即可恢复到正常值(如光照下之相同比例).在黑暗中以3%和6%的葡萄糖处理水稻黄化幼苗2 d,其叶绿素含量分别增加2.5和4.0倍;若同时辅以1 mmol/L δ-氨基酮戊酸,其叶绿素含量分别增加22和24倍.因此,被子植物在黑暗中可以合成叶绿素;葡萄糖或δ-氨基酮戊酸可以促进被子植物在黑暗中合成叶绿素;葡萄糖和δ-氨基酮戊酸并用有加成作用.葡萄糖或δ-氨基酮戊酸促进水稻在黑暗中合成叶绿素的生理机制有待研究.     

海水胁迫对菠菜叶绿素代谢的影响

以耐海水品种‘荷兰3号’和海水敏感品种‘圆叶菠菜’为试验材料,采用营养液栽培,研究海水胁迫对菠菜叶绿素代谢的影响。结果表明,海水胁迫下,2个菠菜品种叶片的叶绿素a(Chl a)、叶绿素b(Chl b)和总叶绿素含量以及叶绿素合成前体———原叶绿素酸(Pchl)、镁原卟啉IX(Mg-proto IX)、原卟啉IX(Proto IX)和尿卟啉原III(UroIII)含量均明显降低,而胆色素原(PBG)和δ-氨基酮戊酸(ALA)积累,‘圆叶菠菜’的变化幅度大于‘荷兰3号’。海水胁迫下,‘荷兰3号’叶片的叶绿素酶(Chlase)活性无显著变化,胆色素原脱氨酶(PBGD)和尿卟啉原III合酶(UROS)活性在胁迫第3天显著下降,而‘圆叶菠菜’Chlase活性显著上升,PBGD和UROS活性显著下降。研究发现,在海水胁迫条件下,菠菜叶片的叶绿素合成代谢受阻,受阻位点位于PBG→UroIII的转化过程,其中‘圆叶菠菜’的受阻程度大于‘荷兰3号’;耐海水品种‘荷兰3号’叶片叶绿素含量降低主要由叶绿素合成代谢受阻引起,而海水敏感品种‘圆叶菠菜’叶绿素含量的降低则是由叶绿素合成受阻和叶绿素降解共同作用的结果。     

通过分子的修饰进行Chla分子功能基团的研究

众所周知,叶绿素A（Chla）是植物的最重要的光合作用色素.Chla的分子结构主要是由卟啉环和叶绿醇组成的,在卟啉环的中心络合了镁离子.在光合作用过程中Chla的哪个基团起到光合功能的作用？为此我们从海带里提取Chla,然后采用分子修饰的方法对Chla分子进行一步步修饰分别生成脱镁叶绿素A和脱镁叶绿素甲酯一酸A（Pha）.通过对新鲜菜叶和在实验室制备的相关样品溶液包括Chla、脱镁叶绿素A和脱镁叶绿素甲酯一酸A（Pha）的激发谱和荧光谱进行探测分析,并与原卟啉水溶液中卟啉的光谱进行比较.结果发现这些样品的光谱均与卟啉的光谱相似,在红光波段有较强的发射带,从而表明光合作用过程中Chla的功能团是卟啉环.     

毛竹快速生长期茎秆不同节间光合色素和光合酶活性的差异

为揭示毛竹(Phyllostachysedulis)快速生长期茎秆中的光合碳同化特征及其在不同节间的变化规律,以毛竹笋竹茎秆为材料,测定不同节间光合色素含量、核酮糖-1,5-二磷酸羧化酶/加氧酶(Rubisco)、磷酸烯醇式丙酮酸羧化酶(PEPC)、苹果酸脱氢酶(NADP-MDH)、NADP-苹果酸酶(NADP-ME)、磷酸烯醇式丙酮酸羧激酶(PEPCK)以及丙酮酸磷酸双激酶(PPDK)活性。结果显示,茎秆中叶绿素a、叶绿素b以及类胡萝卜素含量随节间升高均呈下降趋势,叶绿素a/b比值呈逐渐上升趋势;随着节间的升高,茎秆中Rubisco、PEPC和PPDK活性在第1–10节间显著下降,之后酶活性降幅逐渐减缓;NADP-ME活性在第1–13节间呈显著下降趋势,之后酶活性趋于平稳;NADP-MDH活性在第1–25节间显著下降。PEPC/Rubisco活性比值随节间升高而不断增加,其范围介于18.37–65.09之间,明显大于典型C3植物中的活性比值。上述结果表明,茎秆不同节间的光合碳同化能力存在明显差异,中、下部节间生长相对较快;茎秆中存在多种C4酶且活性较高,这为此时期茎秆中存在C4光合途径提供了有力证据。     

高等植物叶绿素生物合成的联乙烯还原酶及编码基因研究进展

联乙烯还原酶(DVR)将各种叶绿素中间物质的8-乙烯基转化为乙基,是叶绿素生物合成必不可少的一个关键酶。迄今已在高等植物中检测到5种DVR活性。水稻和玉米的重组DVR蛋白能将联乙烯叶绿素a、叶绿素酸酯a、原叶绿素酸酯a、镁原卟啉Ⅸ单甲酯和镁原卟啉Ⅸ分别转化为相应的单乙烯物质,从而证实了这5种DVR活性。在高等植物中各种DVR活性是由一个基因编码的具有广谱底物专化性的DVR蛋白所催化,但来源于不同物种的DVR蛋白的催化活性可能具有极显著的差异,并且即使是同一个DVR蛋白,对不同的联乙烯底物也可能具有显著不同的催化活性。在此基础上,提出了"源于一个联乙烯还原酶的叶绿素生物合成多分支路径"假说。该文对近年来国内外有关高等植物叶绿素生物合成途径中联乙烯中间物质与联乙烯还原酶活性、联乙烯还原酶基因的克隆及重组酶活性检测、联乙烯还原酶的数目与叶绿素生物合成的多分支路径等方面的研究进展进行综述,并讨论了有待进一步探讨的若干问题。     

葡萄糖和δ—氨基酮戊酸促进水稻在黑暗中合成叶绿素

本研究检测单子叶被子植物水稻（Oryza sativaL.)在完全黑暗中是否能合成叶绿素。以5cm高的水稻黄化幼苗为研究材料,在黑暗中用不同浓度的葡萄糖和δ-氨基酮戊酸（δ-aminolevulinic acid,ALA)处理之,定时采收叶片检测其叶绿素,原卟啉Ⅸ（Proto),Mg-原卟啉Ⅸg-Proto)及原叶绿酸酯（Pchlide)的含量,并计算它们的卟啉的摩尔百分比。在黑暗中12d,水稻幼苗的叶绿素从2.5μg/g增加到7.5μg/g,但叶绿素总量从0.36μg/g增至3.6μg/g。在黑暗中未经处理的幼苗Proto,Mg-Proto及Pchlide的摩尔百分比分别为65%,27.5%和7.5%;而光照下幼苗相应的摩尔百分比分别为42.5%,35.0%和22.5%。在黑暗中用葡萄糖处理水稻黄化幼苗2d。其卟啉的摩尔百分比即可恢复到正常值（如光照下之相同比例）。在黑暗中以3%和6%的葡萄糖处理水稻黄化幼苗2d,其叶绿素含量分别增加2.5和4.0倍;若同时辅以1mmool/Lδ-氨基酮戊酸,其叶绿素含量分别增加22和24倍,因此,被子植物在黑暗中可以合成叶绿素;葡萄糖或δ-氨基酮戊酸可以促进被子植物在黯部合成叶绿素;葡萄糖和δ-氨基酮戊酸并用有加成作用。葡萄糖或δ-氨基酮戊酸促进水稻在黑暗中合成叶绿素在生理机制有待研究。     

PSⅡ核心复合物能量传递的飞秒时间分辨荧光光谱学研究

运用稳态、瞬态荧光光谱技术对光系统Ⅱ核心复合物的能量传递动力学进行研究.分别用436 nm光脉冲激发叶绿素a分子、45l nm光激发叶绿素a和β-胡萝卜素分子、473和481 nm光激发β-胡萝卜素分子,得到5组反应能量传递、电荷重组等过程的寿命组分:8～40 ps为核心天线中β-胡萝卜素分子通过相邻β-胡萝卜素分子或中间叶绿素a向叶绿素a分子传递能量的时间;85～152 ps为核心天线色素分子激发能传递时间;201～925 ps反映部分电荷重组过程;1.03l～1.2l ns为参与能量传递的色素分子从激发态衰退回到基态的时间;6.17～18.13 ns的长寿命时间组分归因于P680+Pheo-的重组过程.将荧光发射谱进行高斯解析,发现在核心复合物中还至少存在Chla 685 683、Chla 682 680、Chla679 673,677三种特征叶绿素a分子.     

噻吩并嘧啶酮类PDE7/PDE4双重抑制剂的特征结构北大核心CSCD

磷酸二酯酶7和4(phosphodiesterase 7 and 4,PDE7 and PDE4)作为特异性水解第二信使3',5'-环腺苷酸的蛋白酶,是治疗炎症等相关疾病的重要靶点。本文以37个噻吩并嘧啶酮类PDE7和PDE4双重抑制剂为研究对象,采用比较分子相似性指数分析(Co MSIA),研究其影响化合物抑制活性的特征结构信息。结果表明,这两类抑制剂的Co MSIA的预测能力较强(Rpre2≥0.80)。其影响分子生物活性的共同特征结构主要是:(1)噻吩环上的R_2取代基为疏水场的敏感区域;(2)嘧啶酮环和R_3取代基的链接基益于采用含氢键供体的亲水性基团;(3)噻吩环所在区域益于引入包含氢键供体的基团。研究还发现,PDE7抑制剂的R_1和R_2取代基,分别适宜结合小体积的亲水性基团和大体积的基团。PDE4抑制剂的嘧啶酮环和R3取代基的链接基益于结合正电基团。本研究所得的模型和信息,可为后续新型抑制剂的设计开发提供理论指导。     

Isolation, purification and partial characterization of a 30-kDa chlorophyll-a/b-binding protein from spinach

A 30-kDa chlorophyll-a/b-binding protein was purified from photosystem II membrane fragments using Ca(2+)-chelating Sepharose 6B chromatography. The protein binds approximately four chlorophyll a molecules, one chlorophyll b molecule and carotenoids. Its 77-K fluorescence-emission spectrum exhibits a maximum at 680 +/- 1 nm. The protein has a high tendency to form a dimer in the presence of Ca2+.Ca2+ binding affects the low-temperature fluorescence-emission maximum, leading to a decrease in its intensity and a blue shift of 1 nm. Similar spectral changes were obtained in the presence of Mg2+, possibly indicating a common binding domain for both cations. We interpret these observations as cation-induced conformational changes of the protein, which were reversible upon subsequent incubation in EDTA. Evidence is presented for the involvement of carboxyl groups in the coordination sphere of the bivalent cations. The possible structural and functional role of the protein is discussed.     

Self-aggregation of zinc chlorophylls possessing perfluoroalkyl chains in fluorous solvents: Selective extraction of the self-aggregates with fluorous phase and accelerated formation of the ordered supramolecules in this phase

Zinc 3(1)-hydroxy-13(1)-oxo-chlorins possessing various perfluorooctyl groups in the 17-propionate were prepared by modifying naturally occurring chlorophyll-a. The synthetic compound having four perfluorooctyl groups readily self-assembled to form large J-aggregates, which were dissolved in fluorous phases with more ordered supramolecular structures than in a hydrocarbon solvent.     

Biodiversity in eutrophicated shallow lakes: determination of tipping points and tools for monitoring

Nutrient-rich freshwater ecosystems are generally considered as having low ecological quality and low associated biodiversity. In such systems we analysed the effects of water quality on biodiversity of several species groups, to determine tipping points and tools for monitoring. We investigated the water quality of 99 eutrophic and hypertrophic shallow lakes with extensive fish culture during a 3-year study, through the measures of physico-chemical parameters, phytoplankton biomass and structure. In a second step, we related the water quality with richness of aquatic plants, macroinvertebrates and dragonflies. With concentrations of chlorophyll-a above 30 or 70 μg l^?1, shallow lakes are normally classified, respectively, in a poor or bad ecological state. However, our results show that chlorophyll-a concentrations up to 78 μg l^?1 could be found together with relatively high species or family richness of aquatic plants, invertebrates and dragonflies. We identified most tipping points with 50–60 μg l^?1 of chlorophyll-a, values above which a significant decrease of species diversity was found. For monitoring of these shallow lakes we propose to use chlorophyll-a concentrations in combination with water transparency during spring. These parameters are easily applicable and cheap and they yield a good forecast of the biodiversity for the species groups studied.     

Distribution patterns of bacterioplankton and chlorophyll-a in the German Wadden Sea

 In a first synoptic evaluation, the temporal and spatial distribution of bacterioplankton and chlorophyll-a were determined in the German Wadden Sea. Three surveys were undertaken in winter, spring, and summer of 1994 using up to eight ships simultaneously between the river Ems and Sylt island. Despite intensive hydrodynamic mixing of the Wadden Sea water, spatial gradients were obvious. The abundance of bacterioplankton ranged from 0.4 to 26×10⁵ ml^–1 and chlorophyll-a varied between <0.1 and 79 μg l^–1. In winter, relatively homogeneous distribution patterns of both parameters with small gradients were found. Highest chlorophyll-a values connected with a highly patchy structure were observed in spring, while in summer both total chlorophyll-a values and the complexity of the distribution pattern had decreased. In contrast, bacterial numbers increased steadily from January to July with the highest bacterial densities and greatest patchiness observed in summer. Moreover, in some regions of the Wadden Sea, a trophic succession of algae as carbon producers and bacteria as consumers was evident. Correlation analysis verified the relationship between bacteria and chlorophyll a, indicating bottom-up control of bacterial abundance in the northern part of the German Wadden Sea. Since the observed regression slope is remarkably low (0.12–0.46) compared to literature values (0.5–0.8), we suggest that the link between phytoplankton and bacteria found here is a special characteristic of the Wadden Sea as a transition zone between the coastal region and the outer North Sea. Received: 26 May 1998 / Accepted:12 November 1998     

风场对太湖叶绿素a空间分布的影响

叶绿素a的浓度是水环境评价的重要参数。根据2005—2009年太湖全湖32个采样点的20次太湖采样数据,结合气象要素资料模拟的太湖风场,探求了风场对太湖叶绿素a空间分布的影响。结果表明:叶绿素a浓度的高值中心位于太湖西北侧、竺山湾以及梅梁湾流域,而太湖东南部的叶绿素a浓度较低;全太湖全年以东南风为主,南部风速较大,北部风速较弱;风场对叶绿素a的输移作用明显,在风场作用下,叶绿素向太湖西北部和北部输移,造成了该地区太湖流域叶绿素浓度普遍偏高。     

A micellar model system for the role of zeaxanthin in the non-photochemical quenching process of photosynthesis--chlorophyll fluorescence quenching by the xanthophylls

To get an insight to the mechanism of the zeaxanthin-dependent non-photochemical quenching in photosystem II of photosynthesis, we probed the interaction of some xanthophylls with excited chlorophyll-a by trapping both pigments in micelles of triton X-100. Optimal distribution of pigments among micelles was obtained by proper control of the micelle concentration, using formamide in the reaction mixture, which varies the micellar aggregation number over three orders of magnitude. The optimal reaction mixture was obtained around 40% (v/v) formamide in 0.2-0.4% (v/v) triton X-100 in water. Zeaxanthin in the micellar solution exhibited initially absorption and circular dichroism spectral features corresponding to a J-type aggregate. The spectrum was transformed over time (half-time values vary-an average characteristic figure is roughly 20 min) to give features representing an H-type aggregate. The isosbestic point in the series of spectral curves favors the supposition of a rather simple reaction between two pure J and H-types dimeric species. Violaxanthin exhibited immediately stable spectral features corresponding to a mixture of J-type and more predominately H-type dimers. Lutein, neoxanthin and beta-carotene did not show any aggregated spectral forms in micelles. The spectral features in micelles were compared to spectra in aqueous acetone, where the assignment to various aggregated types was established previously. The specific tendency of zeaxanthin to form the J-type dimer (or aggregate) could be important for its function in photosynthesis. The abilities of five carotenoids (zeaxanthin, violaxanthin, lutein, neoxanthin and beta-carotene) to quench chlorophyll-a fluorescence were compared. Zeaxanthin, in its two micellar dimeric forms, and beta-carotene were comparable good quenchers of chlorophyll-a fluorescence. Violaxanthin was a much weaker quencher, if at all. Lutein and neoxanthin rather enhanced the fluorescence. The implications to non-photochemical quenching process in photosynthesis are discussed.     

光胁迫对南方红豆杉叶片中叶绿体色素和紫杉醇含量的影响

研究了在光胁迫下南方红豆杉叶片中叶绿体色素含量和紫杉醇含量的动态变化。结果表明,与对照相比,叶绿素a、叶绿素b和总叶绿素的含量以及叶绿素a/叶绿素b比值在光胁迫下均减少,随胁迫时间的延长,叶绿素a、叶绿素b和总叶绿素的含量逐渐上升,叶绿素a与叶绿素b的比值先上升后下降;类胡萝卜素含量在前两周与对照相比降低,2周后高于对照;类胡萝卜素与叶绿素的比值高于对照,随胁迫时间的延长,其趋势先降低后上升。光胁迫处理后,南方红豆杉叶片中紫杉醇含量与对照相比,在第1周时略有下降,而后随胁迫时间的延长,紫杉醇含量在第2周开始迅速大量积累,而在处理3周时达到较高值,已增加到1.5倍,这对提高人工种植的南方红豆杉中紫杉醇含量具有非常重要的意义。     

A micellar model system for the role of zeaxanthin in the non-photochemical quenching process of photosynthesis—chlorophyll fluorescence quenching by the xanthophylls

To get an insight to the mechanism of the zeaxanthin-dependent non-photochemical quenching in photosystem II of photosynthesis, we probed the interaction of some xanthophylls with excited chlorophyll-a by trapping both pigments in micelles of triton X-100. Optimal distribution of pigments among micelles was obtained by proper control of the micelle concentration, using formamide in the reaction mixture, which varies the micellar aggregation number over three orders of magnitude. The optimal reaction mixture was obtained around 40% (v/v) formamide in 0.2-0.4% (v/v) triton X-100 in water. Zeaxanthin in the micellar solution exhibited initially absorption and circular dichroism spectral features corresponding to a J-type aggregate. The spectrum was transformed over time (half-time values vary—an average characteristic figure is roughly 20 min) to give features representing an H-type aggregate. The isosbestic point in the series of spectral curves favors the supposition of a rather simple reaction between two pure J and H-types dimeric species. Violaxanthin exhibited immediately stable spectral features corresponding to a mixture of J-type and more predominately H-type dimers. Lutein, neoxanthin and β-carotene did not show any aggregated spectral forms in micelles. The spectral features in micelles were compared to spectra in aqueous acetone, where the assignment to various aggregated types was established previously. The specific tendency of zeaxanthin to form the J-type dimer (or aggregate) could be important for its function in photosynthesis. The abilities of five carotenoids (zeaxanthin, violaxanthin, lutein, neoxanthin and β-carotene) to quench chlorophyll-a fluorescence were compared. Zeaxanthin, in its two micellar dimeric forms, and β-carotene were comparable good quenchers of chlorophyll-a fluorescence. Violaxanthin was a much weaker quencher, if at all. Lutein and neoxanthin rather enhanced the fluorescence. The implications to non-photochemical quenching process in photosynthesis are discussed.     

一氧化氮对增强的UV_B胁迫下螺旋藻生物损伤的减缓作用

为了探讨一氧化氮对增强的UV-B胁迫下螺旋藻生物学特性的影响,通过色素含量、蛋白质含量和生物量3个方面的变化证实了0.5mmol/L的一氧化氮(Nitric oxide,NO)供体硝普钠(Sodium nitroprusside,SNP)对增强UV-B胁迫下的螺旋藻(Spirulina platensis)794细胞生物损伤有明显的减缓作用。实验结果显示,NO能够显著诱导增强的UV-B胁迫下螺旋藻细胞内蛋白质含量、脯氨酸含量的提高,促进正常生长条件下螺旋藻(Spirulina platensis)794细胞内抗氧化物质GSH含量的增多,但外源NO又可以降低增强UV-B胁迫下螺旋藻细胞中GSH含量的增加。说明NO对增强UV-B胁迫下的螺旋藻794细胞有保护作用,可以减轻UV-B胁迫对螺旋藻(S.platensis)细胞引起的生物损伤。首次研究报道了增强UV-B胁迫下NO信号分子对蓝细菌———螺旋藻细胞生物损伤调节能力的影响,为进一步探讨NO信号及其与其它信号分子之间相互作用、相互关联来调节细胞的生理生化过程,以减缓UV-B胁迫下的生物损伤机理奠定了基础。     

Nitrogen chlorosis in blue-green algae

Summary Nitrogen deficient Anacystis nidulans contained normal levels of chlorophyll-a and carotenoids but did not contain any phycocyanin. These organisms also contained large amounts of polysaccharide. The addition of nitrate to a deficient culture resulted in the recovery of normal pigmentation over a period of several hours.The relation between these changes and growth was established by a kinetic study of the changes in cell composition during pigment loss and recovery. Loss of phycocyanin commenced with the cessation of growth due to nitrogen limitation and was complete after 15 hours. In contrast there were only minor changes in chlorophyll-a and carotenoid. After growth had ceased polysaccharide continued to increase and viability dropped sharply although total cell counts did not change. These trends were reversed by the addition of nitrate to deficient cultures. Phycocyanin was detected after a short lag and normal levels of phycobiliprotein were present within 8 hours. Cell division did not begin until normal levels of phycocyanin had been restored. During the recovery of normal pigmentation there was a decrease in reducing sugar content and a sharp rise in viability. Qualitative studies with 9 additional blue-green algae suggest that loss of phycocyanin is a characteristic feature of nitrogen deficiency in blue-green algae.