重金属递进胁迫对黑麦草初期生长的影响

通过研究Cu²⁺、Zn²⁺、Cd²⁺与Pb²⁺胁迫对黑麦草初期生长的影响,结果表明：4种重金属对种子发芽率抑制效应相对较小,尤其Cu²⁺与Zn²⁺的抑制作用最小。高浓度Cu²⁺、Cd²⁺胁迫对株高、根系长度、地上生物量的抑制作用相对较大,尤其Cu²⁺对根系生长的抑制效应最大,在300 mg·L^-1下,与对照相比,根长最高下降了 85.48%。高浓度Cd²⁺胁迫显著降低了叶绿素含量,在300 mg·L^-1时比对照降低了45.51%;与对照相比,Cu²⁺与Zn²⁺所有处理都增加了叶绿素含量。从递进胁迫进程看,一些重金属对某一生长指标的影响往往表现在低浓度具有促进作用,而高浓度又存在明显的抑制效应。     

Effects of Ca2+ and Cd2+ on the Carbohydrate Metabolism in Sugar Beet (Beta vulgaris)

Sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L. cv. Monohill) were cultivated ina nutrient solution with different combinations of Ca²⁺ (36,180, 720 or 3560µM) and Cd²⁺ (0, 1, 5 or 20µM).The dry and fresh weights, the content of Ca²⁺ and Cd²⁺ , sucrose,fructose, glucose and starch in 5-week-old plants was analysedas well as the rate of [¹⁴C]-sucrose uptake in discs from 3-month-oldstorage roots. The carbohydrate metabolism was indirectly affectedby the presence of calcium or cadmium. Cadmium caused a diminisheddry weight and carbohydrate concentration. The dry weight wasunaffected by the Ca²⁺ level but the carbohydrate distributionbetween storage and growth processes was affected; at low Ca²⁺in the tissue, the growth was retarded and the level of storagecarbohydrate increased, while at high Ca²⁺ the opposite wasfound. The [¹⁴C]-sucrose uptake decreased in tap roots cultivatedat low Ca²⁺ . Long term exposure to Cd²⁺ also decreased thesucrose uptake in tap roots. Direct Cd²⁺ addition to the assaymedium, however, increased the sucrose uptake, probably at thetonoplast, while Ca²⁺ had no transient effect on the uptake.Cadmium increased the Ca²⁺ concentration in the plant, but Ca²⁺did not affect the net-uptake of Cd²⁺. Key words: Sugar beet, cadmium uptake, calcium uptake, carbohydrate formation, growth     

Probing the extracellular release site of the plasma membrane calcium pump

Theplasma membrane Ca²⁺ pump is known to mediateCa²⁺/H⁺ exchange. Extracellular protonsactivated ⁴⁵Ca²⁺ efflux from human red bloodcells with a half-maximal inhibition constant of 2 nM when theintracellular pH was fixed. An increase in pH from 7.2 to 8.2 decreasedthe IC₅₀ for extracellular Ca²⁺ from ~33 to~6 mM. Changing the membrane potential by >54 mV had no effect onthe IC₅₀ for extracellular Ca²⁺. This arguesagainst Ca²⁺ release through a high-field access channel.Extracellular Ni²⁺ inhibited Ca²⁺ efflux withan IC₅₀ of 11 mM. Extracellular Cd²⁺ inhibitedwith an IC₅₀ of 1.5 mM, >10 times better thanCa²⁺. The Cd²⁺ IC₅₀ also decreasedwhen the pH was raised from 7.1 to 8.2, consistent withCa²⁺, Cd²⁺, and H⁺ competing forthe same site. The higher affinity for inhibition by Ni²⁺and Cd²⁺ is consistent with a histidine or cysteine as partof the release site. The cysteine reagent 2-(trimethylammonium)ethylmethanethiosulfonate did not inhibit Ca²⁺ efflux. Ourresults are consistent with the notion that the release site contains a histidine.

     

Heavy metal interference with growth hormone signalling in trout hepatoma cells RTH-149

We have studied the effects of heavy metals (Hg²⁺, Cu²⁺, Cd²⁺) on growth hormone (GH) activation of tyrosine kinase and Ca²⁺ signaling in the trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) hepatoma cell line RTH-149. Molecular cloning techniques using primer designed on Oncorhynchus spp. growth hormone receptor (GHR) genes allowed to isolate a highly homologous cDNA fragment from RTH-149 mRNA. Thereafter, cells were analysed by Western blotting or, alternatively, with Ca²⁺ imaging using fura-2/AM. Exposure of cells to ovine GH alone produced a stimulation of the JAK2/STAT5 pathway and intracellular free Ca²⁺ variations similar to what has been observed in mammalian models. Cell pre-exposure to Cu²⁺, Hg²⁺ or Cd²⁺ affected cell response to GH by enhancing (Cu²⁺) or inhibiting (Cd²⁺) the phosphorylation of JAK2 and STAT5. Heavy metals induced the activation of the MAP kinase p38, and pre-exposure to Hg²⁺ or Cu²⁺ followed by GH enhanced the effect of metal alone. Image analysis of fura2-loaded cells indicated that pre-treatment with Hg²⁺ prior to GH produced a considerable increase of the [Ca²⁺]_i variation produced by either element, while using Cu²⁺ or Cd²⁺ the result was similar but much weaker. Data suggest that heavy metals interfere with GH as follows: Hg²⁺ is nearly ineffective on JAK/STAT and strongly synergistic on Ca²⁺ signaling; Cu²⁺ is activatory on JAK/STAT and slightly activatory on Ca²⁺; Cd²⁺ is strongly inhibitory on JAK/STAT and slightly activatory on Ca²⁺; heavy metals could partially activate STAT via p38 independently from GH interaction.Published online: March 2005     

Compartments for the Management of Municipal Solid Waste

Despite technological developments and improved liner-material applications, heavy metals in landfill leachate still penetrate the soil profile, polluting the soil and ground-water. An alternative approach therefore must be explored to reduce heavy-metal migration in soil-bentonite landfill liners. By considering the interaction of different heavy metals and their synergetic and antagonistics behaviors, such an approach could be developed. Low mobility metals such as Cu²⁺, and Pb²⁺ inhibit the adsorption of Cd²⁺ which is a moderate-mobility metal and Cu²⁺ sorption is decreased by the presence of Zn²⁺ and Cd²⁺. Therefore, Zn²⁺, a low-mobility metal, cannot be grouped with Cu²⁺. This way, four compatible metal groups have been identified: (1) low mobility: Pb²⁺, Cu²⁺, and Ag, (2) low mobility: Zn²⁺ and Cr³⁺; (3) moderate mobility: As²⁺, Fe²⁺, and Ni²⁺; (4) high mobility: Cd²⁺ and Hg²⁺. Cd²⁺ with a moderate mobility pattern is synergetic to Fe²⁺ and is more mobile with Ni²⁺. Therefore, Cd²⁺ is separated from the moderate-mobility group and is consigned with Hg, a high-mobility metal. The liner materials suitable for Hg²⁺ are assumed to be suitable for Cd²⁺ as well. Based on this concept, and to reduce heavy metal mobility, wastes should be segregated on compatibility basis according to their heavy metal contents before being disposed in different individual compartments. For wastes containing several incompatible heavy metals, sorting should be based on the heavy-metal with the highest concentration. Another solution is the manufacturing of products using compatible heavy metal combinations and then labeling them accordingly. Such waste segregation and landfill compartmentalization lowers risks of groundwater contamination and liner cost.     

Sustained membrane depolarization and pulmonary artery smooth muscle cell proliferation

Pulmonary vasoconstriction and vascularmedial hypertrophy greatly contribute to the elevated pulmonaryvascular resistance in patients with pulmonary hypertension. A rise incytosolic free Ca²⁺ ([Ca²⁺]_cyt)in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMC) triggers vasoconstriction and stimulates cell growth. Membrane potential (E_m) regulates[Ca²⁺]_cyt by governing Ca²⁺influx through voltage-dependent Ca²⁺ channels. Thusintracellular Ca²⁺ may serve as a shared signaltransduction element that leads to pulmonary vasoconstriction andvascular remodeling. In PASMC, activity of voltage-gated K⁺(Kv) channels regulates resting E_m. In thisstudy, we investigated whether changes of Kv currents[I_K(V)], E_m, and[Ca²⁺]_cyt affect cell growth by comparingthese parameters in proliferating and growth-arrested PASMC. Serumdeprivation induced growth arrest of PASMC, whereas chelation ofextracellular Ca²⁺ abolished PASMC growth. Resting[Ca²⁺]_cyt was significantly higher, andresting E_m was more depolarized, inproliferating PASMC than in growth-arrested cells. Consistently, wholecell I_K(V) was significantly attenuated in PASMCduring proliferation. Furthermore, E_mdepolarization significantly increased resting[Ca²⁺]_cyt and augmented agonist-mediatedrises in [Ca²⁺]_cyt in the absence ofextracellular Ca²⁺. These results demonstrate that reducedI_K(V), depolarized E_m, and elevated [Ca²⁺]_cyt may play a criticalrole in stimulating PASMC proliferation. Pulmonary vascular medialhypertrophy in patients with pulmonary hypertension may be partlycaused by a membrane depolarization-mediated increase in[Ca²⁺]_cyt in PASMC.

     

The Correlation between Cd2+ Sensitivity and Cd2+ Uptake in the Strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The sensitivity of twelve strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiaeto Cd²⁺ was examined in correlation with the uptake of Cd²⁺.Strains of S. cerevisiae were grouped into three categoriesdepending on the sensitivity of cells grown on agar-plates containingvarious concentrations of Cd²⁺. 1) The sensitive group did notgrow in 0.1 mM Cd²⁺. 2) The sub-tolerant group was capable ofgrowth at 0.3 min Cd²⁺, but not at 0.4 mM Cd²⁺. 3) The tolerantgroup was capable of growth at 0.4 mM Cd²⁺ or higher. In thesestrain groups the increase in sensitivity to Cd²⁺ was associatedwith an increase in the activity of Cd²⁺ absorption. ¹ This study is dedicated to the late president J. Ashida ofEhime University. (Received November 25, 1982; Accepted February 14, 1983)     

Ultrastructural Responses of the LichenBryoria fuscescensto Simulated Acid Rain and Heavy Metal Deposition

Effects of simulated acid rain and heavy metal deposition onthe ultrastructure of the lichenBryoria fuscescens(Gyeln.) Brodoand Hawksw. were examined in a field study conducted in northernFinland. Lichens were exposed to simulated rain containing twolevels of a mixture of copper (Cu²⁺) and nickel (Ni²⁺) ionsalone or in combination with acid rain (H₂SO₄) at pH 3 over2 months in addition to ambient rainfall. The algal and fungalcomponents responded differently to pH and there was an interactionwith metal toxicity. The algal partner was the most sensitiveto acid rain and heavy metal combinations and had more degeneratecells than the fungal partner. Damage was apparent in chloroplastsand mitochondria, where thylakoid and mitochondrial cristaewere swollen. The fungal partner was the more sensitive to highconcentrations of metal ions in the absence of acidity, suggestingan ameliorating interaction between the metals and acidity.For algae, critical metal concentrations in the thallus were>50 µg g^-1for Cu and >7 µg g^-1for Ni in thepresence of acidity, and >20 µ g g^-1for Ni in the absenceof acidity. Detrimental effects of heavy metals on fungal ultrastructurewere seen when thallus metal concentrations exceeded 400 µgg^-1for Cu and 100 µg g^-1d. wt for Ni. The results suggestthat acid wet deposition containing metal ions may reduce survivalof lichens in northern environments.Copyright 1998 Annals ofBotany Company. Copper, nickel, sulphuric acid, ultrastructure,Bryoria fuscescens(Gyeln.) Brodo and Hawksw., epiphytic lichen, air pollution.     

Uptake of heavy metals by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Stylonychia mytilus</Emphasis> and its possible use in decontamination of industrial wastewater

The heavy metal resistant ciliate, Stylonychia mytilus, isolated from industrial wastewater has been shown to be potential bioremediator of contaminated wastewater. The ciliate showed tolerance against Zn²⁺ (30 μg/mL), Hg²⁺ (16 μg/mL) and Ni²⁺ (16 μg/mL). The metal ions slowed down the growth of the ciliate as compared with the culture grown without metal stress. The reduction in cell population was 46% for Cd²⁺, 38% for Hg²⁺, 23% for Zn²⁺, 39% for Cu²⁺ and 51% for Ni²⁺ after 8 days of metal stress. S. mytilus reduced 91% of Cd²⁺, 90% of Hg²⁺ and 98% of Zn²⁺ from the medium after 96 h of incubation in a culture medium containing 10 μg/mL of the respective metal ions. Besides this, the ciliate could also remove 88% of Cu²⁺ and 73% Ni²⁺ from the medium containing 5 μg/mL of each metal after 96 h. The ability of Stylonychia to take up variety of heavy metals from the medium could be exploited for metal detoxification and environmental clean-up operations.     

Effects of cations on the sugar receptor-site of the blowfly, Phormia

1) Ca^{+ +} (1 to 10 mM) lowered the binding affinity of sugarreceptor-site for sucrose in the labellar sugar receptor ofthe blowfly, Phormia regina, without changing the maximum-responseamplitude. It also elevated the values of the Hill coefficient(n_H) in some degrees. 2) Other divalent cations such as Mg^{+ +}, Ba^{+ +} or Cd^{+ +} alsoshowed almost the same property as above. The sequence of theeffect is as follows: Ba^{+ +}, Mg^{+ +} x Ca^{+ +} x Cd^{+ +}. Trivalentcation, La^{+ + +} (1 mM), changed the value of n_H from 1 (La^{++ +}-free) to 2. 3) On the contrary, the action of monovalent cations such asK⁺ or Na⁺, of which ionic strength was made the same as thatof the divalents hardly suppressed the response. 4) The results obtained do not support the hypothesis, at leaston the sugar receptor of the fly, that the receptor potentialis attributable to a change of the surface potential (zeta potential)as is proposed for the frog sugar receptor.     

Multi-metal biosorption and bioaccumulation by Exiguobacterium sp. ZM-2

The present work deals with the biosorption performance of dried and non-growing biomasses of Exiguobacterium sp. ZM-2, isolated from soil contaminated with tannery effluents, for the removal of Cd²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺, and Zn²⁺ from aqueous solution. The metal concentrations studied were 25 mg/l, 50 mg/l, 100 mg/l, 150 mg/l and 200 mg/l. The effect of solution pH and contact time was also studied. The biosorption capacity was significantly altered by pH of the solution. The removal of metal ions was conspicuously rapid; most of the total sorption occurred within 30 min. The sorption data have been analyzed and fitted to the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models. The highest Q_max value was found for the biosorption of Cd²⁺ at 43.5 mg/g in the presence of the non-growing biomass. Recovery of metals (Cd²⁺, Zn²⁺, Cu²⁺ and Ni²⁺) was found to be better when dried biomass was used in comparison to non-growing biomass. Metal removal through bioaccumulation was determined by growing the bacterial strain in nutrient broth amended with different concentrations of metal ions. This multi-metal resistant isolate could be employed for the removal of heavy metals from spent industrial effluents before discharging them into the environment.     

Beta-adrenergic stimulation does not activate Na+/Ca2+ exchange current in guinea pig, mouse, and rat ventricular myocytes

The effect of -adrenergic stimulation on cardiac Na⁺/Ca²⁺ exchange has been controversial. To clarify the effect, we measured Na⁺/Ca²⁺ exchange current (I_NCX) in voltage-clamped guinea pig, mouse, and rat ventricular cells. When I_NCX was defined as a 5 mM Ni²⁺-sensitive current in guinea pig ventricular myocytes, 1 µM isoproterenol apparently augmented I_NCX by 32%. However, this increase was probably due to contamination of the cAMP-dependent Cl^– current (CFTR-Cl^– current, I_CFTR-Cl), because Ni²⁺ inhibited the activation of I_CFTR-Cl by 1 µM isoproterenol with a half-maximum concentration of 0.5 mM under conditions where I_NCX was suppressed. Five or ten millimolar Ni²⁺ did not inhibit I_CFTR-Cl activated by 10 µM forskolin, an activator of adenylate cyclase, suggesting that Ni²⁺ acted upstream of adenylate cyclase in the -adrenergic signaling pathway. Furthermore, in a low-extracellular Cl^– bath solution, 1 µM isoproterenol did not significantly alter the amplitude of Ni²⁺-sensitive I_NCX at +50 mV, which is close to the reversal potential of I_CFTR-Cl. No change in I_NCX amplitude was induced by 10 µM forskolin. When I_NCX was activated by extracellular Ca²⁺, it was not significantly affected by 1 µM isoproterenol in guinea pig, mouse, or rat ventricular cells. We concluded that -adrenergic stimulation does not have significant effects on I_NCX in guinea pig, mouse, or rat ventricular myocytes. cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator; nickel ion     

Native Cadmium-Metallothionein from the Yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae: Its Primary Structure and Function in Heavy-Metal Resistance

A Cd-resistant strain of yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae, strain30IN) accumulated Cd with the concomitant synthesis of a Cd-bindingprotein of low molecular weight when grown in Cd²⁺-containingmedium. Analysis of the amino acid composition, N-terminal sequenceand immunological properties of the protein revealed its structuralhomology to Cu-metallothionein (Cu-MT) in S. cerevisiae 2186,a Cu-resistant strain of yeast (Winge et al. 1985). The synthesisof MT in Cu-resistant strains of yeast is known to be underthe strict control of Cu²⁺ ions, while that in 301N was inducedboth by Cd²⁺ and Cu²⁺ ions. When 301N was precultured for 48h in the presence of 1 mM CuSO₄, its resistance to Cu²⁺ andthe synthesis of MT in response to Cu²⁺ were enhanced whileanalogous responses to Cd²⁺ were conversely reduced. These resultssuggest that the synthesis of MT is controlled by Cd²⁺ and Cu²⁺in a counteractive manner in strain 301N and, therefore, theregulation of the synthesis of MT plays a role in the adaptationof this strain to conditions when either metal is present. (Received November 1, 1990; Accepted February 22, 1991)     

Opposite effects of Ni2+ on Xenopus and rat ENaCs expressed in Xenopus oocytes

Opposite effects of Ni²⁺ on Xenopus and rat ENaCs expressed in Xenopus oocytes. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 289: C946–C958, 2005. First published June 8, 2005; .—The epithelial Na⁺ channel (ENaC) is modulated by various extracellular factors, including Na⁺, organic or inorganic cations, and serine proteases. To identify the effect of the divalent Ni²⁺ cation on ENaCs, we compared the Na⁺ permeability and amiloride kinetics of Xenopus ENaCs (xENaCs) and rat ENaCs (rENaCs) heterologously expressed in Xenopus oocytes. We found that the channel cloned from the kidney of the clawed toad Xenopus laevis [wild-type (WT) xENaC] was stimulated by external Ni²⁺, whereas the divalent cation inhibited the channel cloned from the rat colon (WT rENaC). The kinetics of amiloride binding were determined using noise analysis of blocker-induced fluctuation in current adapted for the transoocyte voltage-clamp method, and Na⁺ conductance was assessed using the dual electrode voltage-clamp (TEVC) technique. The inhibitory effect of Ni²⁺ on amiloride binding is not species dependent, because Ni²⁺ decreased the affinity (mainly reducing the association rate constant) of the blocker in both species in competition with Na⁺. Importantly, using the TEVC method, we found a prominent difference in channel conductance at hyperpolarizing voltage pulses. In WT xENaCs, the initial ohmic current response was stimulated by Ni²⁺, whereas the secondary voltage-activated current component remained unaffected. In WT rENaCs, only a voltage-dependent block by Ni²⁺ was obtained. To further study the origin of the xENaC stimulation by Ni²⁺, and based on the rationale of the well-known high affinity of Ni²⁺ for histidine residues, we designed -subunit mutants of xENaCs by substituting histidines that were expressed in oocytes, together with WT - and -subunits. Changing His²¹⁵ to Asp in one putative amiloride-binding domain (WYRFHY) in the extracellular loop between Na⁺ channel membrane segments M1 and M2 had no influence on the stimulatory effect of Ni²⁺, and neither did complete deletion of this segment. Next, we mutated His⁴¹⁶ flanked by His⁴¹¹ and Cys⁴¹⁷, a unique site for possible heavy metal ion chelation, and, with this quality, most proximal (100 amino acids upstream of the second putative amiloride binding site at the pore entrance), was found localized at M2. Replacing His⁴¹⁶ with arginine, aspartate, tyrosine, and alanine clearly affected amiloride binding in all cases, as well as Na⁺ conductance, as expressed in the xENaC current-voltage relationship, especially with regard to aspartate and tyrosine. However, similarly to those obtained with the WYRFHY stretch, none of these mutations could either abolish the stimulating effect of Ni²⁺ or reverse it to an inhibitory type. epithelia; divalent cations; amiloride; Na⁺; voltage clamp     

重金属Cd2+对棕尾别麻蝇血细胞数量、包囊作用和形态结构的影响

为了揭示重金属对昆虫细胞免疫的影响及其机理,本文采用血细胞计数、台盼蓝染色、延展与包囊率测定, 以及显微与超微结构观察等方法,以经重金属Cd²⁺（浓度为150 μg/g）处理的棕尾别麻蝇Boettcherisca peregrina及其对照为研究对象,分别测定了处理组与对照组血细胞的数量与存活率、延展与包囊率,观察其形态结构,并比较了两组间的差异。结果表明： 棕尾别麻蝇初产幼虫经连续喂饲含Cd²⁺的饲料24,48,72和96 h后,与对照相比其血细胞总数和存活率显著下降,而血细胞的延展率和包囊作用的显著下降则分别出现于取食72和48 h之内,此后则下降不显著;由Cd²⁺处理幼虫发育形成蛹的血细胞包囊作用也显著低于对照。形态结构观察结果表明,Cd²⁺处理对幼虫的原血细胞、浆血细胞、颗粒血细胞和类绛色血细胞的显微形态影响不大,但可导致部分浆血细胞不能产生伪足;但均能导致各类血细胞的超微结构发生不同程度的变化,其中主要变化包括：细胞膜受损或破裂,染色质呈现凝聚, 线粒体和内质网等细胞器明显减少,以及胞质内出现空囊泡。结果说明重金属Cd²⁺对棕尾别麻蝇的血细胞可具有毒害作用。     

沉水植物菹草在低温条件下对重金属Cu、Pb、Zn的吸附和富集

在10℃的较低温度条件下,研究了冬春季节生长旺盛的沉水植物菹草(Potamogeton crispus L.)对重金属离子Cu²⁺,Pb²⁺,Zn²⁺的生物吸附特征及解吸情况,对不同初始浓度重金属水体中的重金属离子去除率情况,以及在此过程中菹草各器官(叶、茎、根茎、根)对重金属离子的富集情况。结果表明,菹草对Cu²⁺,Zn²⁺的吸附在20 min内达到平衡,对Pb²⁺的吸附在50 min内达到平衡,吸附动力学结果符合伪二级动力学方程,决定系数分别达1,1,0.997 8。Freundlich等温线可较好地拟合菹草吸附Cu²⁺,Pb²⁺,Zn²⁺的过程,Cu²⁺,Pb²⁺,Zn²⁺的吸附容量分别达到66.900 6,26.543 0,30.371 8 mg·L^-1。以去离子水作洗脱剂,解吸液中3种重金属离子浓度均低于仪器检出限(0.01 mg·L^-1),解吸程度微弱。投放菹草后,随着初始处理浓度的升高,水体Cu²⁺的去除率先降低后升高,Pb²⁺的去除率的变化趋势与Cu²⁺类似。Zn²⁺去除率则随水体Zn²⁺初始浓度的升高而逐渐升高。菹草各器官对水体3种重金属离子的富集能力不同,排序为Cu²⁺＞Zn²⁺＞Pb²⁺。不同器官对同一种重金属离子的富集量差异显著,叶是富集重金属离子的主要器官。水体重金属离子的初始浓度会影响菹草各器官富集重金属离子的能力,一般随水体重金属初始浓度升高,菹草各器官的重金属离子富集量虽有不同程度的增加但富集系数持续减小。     

Enhancing effects of transition metals on the salt taste responses of single fibers of the frog glossopharyngeal nerve: specificity of and similarities among Ca2+, Mg2+ and Na+ taste responses

Fibers of the frog glossopharyngeal nerve (water fibers) thatare sensitive to water also respond to CaCl₂, MgCl₂ and NaCl.In the present study, interaction among cations (Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺and Na⁺) on taste cell membrane in frogs was studied using transitionmetals (NiCl₂, CoCl₂ and MnCl₂), which themselves are barelyeffective in producing neural response at concentrations below5 mM. Unitary discharges from single water fibers were recordedfrom fungiform papillae with suction electrode. Transition metalions (0.05–5.0 mM) had exclusively enhancing effects onthe responses to 50 mM Ca²⁺, 100 mM Mg²⁺ and 500 mM Na⁺. Theeffects of transition metal ions were always reversible. Therank order of effectiveness of transition metals at 1 mM inthe enhancement of the responses to 50 mM CaCl₂, 100 mM MgCl₂and 500 mM NaCl was NiCl₂ > CoCl² > MnCl₂. The concentrationof transition metal ions effective to enhance salt responsewas almost the same among Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺ and Na⁺ responses. Theresults suggest that a common mechanism is involved in the enhancementof Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺ and Na⁺ taste responses. The enhanced Mg²⁺ responseand the enhanced Na⁺ response were greatly inhibited by theaddition of Ca²⁺ ions, and the enhanced Ca²⁺ response was inhibitedby the addition of Mg²⁺ or Na⁺ ions, suggesting that competitiveantagonism occurs between Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ ions and between Ca²⁺and Na⁺ ions in the presence of Ni²⁺ ions. Ni²⁺ ions had a dualeffect on the Ca²⁺ response induced by low concentration (0.1mM) of CaCl₂: enhancement at lower concentrations (0.02–0.1mM) of NiCl₂ and inhibition at higher concentrations (0.5–5mM)of NiCl₂. The present results suggest that transition metalions do not affect the receptor-antagonist complex, but affectonly the receptor-agonist complex.     

A quantitative study of dual action of nickel ions on the taste response to calcium ions of single fibers of the frog glossopharyngeal nerve: inhibition and enhancement by nickel ions

Unitary discharges from single water fibers of the frog glossopharyngealnerve, caused by stimulation with 0.02–5 mM CaSO₄, wererecorded from fungiform papillae with a suction electrode. NiSO₄at concentrations of 0.2–2 mM, namely, at concentrationsthat are barely effective in producing impulses, had a dualaction on the Ca²⁺ response: NiSO₄ caused both inhibition andenhancement of the Ca²⁺ response. In the present study, thisdual action of Ni²⁺ ions on the Ca²⁺ response was investigatedin detail. Single water fibers yielded a saturation type ofconcentration-response curve for CaSO₄, which suggested thatsulfateions do not affect the Ca²⁺ response. Thus, sulfateswere used as test salts in the present study. At low concentrationsof Ca²⁺ ions, Ni²⁺ ions inhibited the Ca²⁺ response, but athigher concentrations of Co²⁺ ions they enhanced it. The resultscan be explained quantitatively by the hypothesis that Ni²⁺ions inhibit the Ca²⁺ response by competing with Ca²⁺ ions forthe Ca²⁺ receptor (X_ca) that is responsible for the Ca²⁺ responseand that Ni²⁺ ions enhance the Ca²⁺ response by acting on amembrane element that interacts with X_ca. Double-reciprocalplots of the data indicate that the enhancing action of Ni²⁺ions is saturated at 1–2 mM Ni²⁺ ions and that Ni²⁺ ionsat these concentrations increase the maximal response of theCa²⁺ response by 182%. Dissociation constants for the Ca-X_cacomplex and the Ni-X_ca, complex were 4.2 x 10^–5 M and7.6 x 10^–5 M, respectively. The analysis suggests thatNi²⁺ ions enhance the Ca²⁺ response by affecting the Ca-X_cacomplex without altering the affinity of X_ca, for Ca²⁺ ions.     

Influence of Complexation on the Uptake by Plants of Iron, Manganese, Copper and Zinc: I. EFFECT OF EDTA IN A MULTI-METAL AND COMPUTER SIMULATION STUDY

After growing barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) in nutrient solutionscontaining EDTA, uptake of the nutrient metals was determinedat three harvests and concentrations of the various chemicalspecies of each metal in the growth solutions was modelled bycomputer simulation. Complexation with EDTA had different effectson the uptake of the ions Fe³⁺, Mn²⁺, Cu²⁺, and Zn²⁺. At thehighest EDTA level (EDTA/Fe=2/l) the plants were chlorotic andgrowth was inhibited. This is attributed to a deficiency inZn rather than in Fe. The critical level of free Zn²⁺ requiredin nutrient solutions for healthy growth was found to be approximately10^–1010^–10 mol dm^–3, which is consistent withthat found by earlier workers for other plant species. Barleytolerated much lower levels of the free ions of copper and ironwithout exhibiting any obvious adverse effects. Key words: EDTA, micronutrients, trace metals, computer simulation, deficiencies, absorption, iron, manganese, copper, zinc