PNUTS (phosphatase nuclear targeting subunit) inhibits retinoblastoma-directed PP1 activity

Protein phosphatase type 1 catalytic subunit (PP1c) is a serine/threonine phosphatase involved in the dephosphorylation of many proteins in eukaryotic cells. It associates with several known targeting or regulatory subunits that directly regulate PP1c activity toward specific substrates. The recently identified Phosphatase Nuclear Targeting Subunit (PNUTS) binds to PP1c and inhibits PP1 activity toward phosphorylase a. One of the substrates of PP1c has been shown to be the cell cycle regulatory protein, Retinoblastoma (pRb). In this study, we show that PNUTS dissociates from PP1c under mildly hypoxic cell growth conditions that lead to an increase of PP1c activity toward pRb. We developed an assay that measures pRb-directed PP1c activity and show that a GST-PNUTS fusion protein inhibits phosphatase activity toward pRb when using PP1c from cell lysates, GST-PP1c, or purified PP1c. These studies suggest that PNUTS is involved in the regulation of PP1c activity toward pRb.     

WATER USE AND SALT BALANCE IN THREE SALT MARSH SUCCULENTS

Water-use characteristics and potential salt accumulation rates were studied in three halophytes, Salicornia virginica, Balis marítima and Borrichia frutescens, inhabiting a salinity gradient in the high marsh. Xylem pressure potential (ψ_ρ), leaf osmotic potential (ψ_π) and leaf relative water content were measured seasonally in the three species. Species growing on the high end of the salinity gradient developed more negative xylem pressure potentials compared to species growing at lower soil salinities. This trend was also observed for leaf osmotic potentials. Low mean leaf ψ_π (below –15 to –36 bars) and high ash contents (0.27–0.48 g NaCl/g DW) indicated salt accumulation in transpiring tissues. However, calculations of potential salt accumulation, based on rates of transpiration and substrate salinity, suggest that some mechanism of salt exclusion at the roots may be operating.     

盐胁迫诱导的植物细胞凋亡--植物抗盐的可能生理机制

近来的研究表明,一定条件的盐胁迫可导致植物细胞程序性死亡。本文利用DNALaddering、石蜡切片原位检测以及染色体涂片原位检测,从组织、细胞以及DNA等多个方面对盐胁迫下的玉米、水稻和烟草根尖细胞死亡作了研究,形态特别是生化方面的证据表明盐胁迫诱导的植物细胞凋亡可能在植物界具有一定的普遍性。但各个物种之间有一定差异。本实验结果对盐胁迫下的植物生理机制提供了新的研究思路。同时,我们还对基于染色体制片和石蜡切片的原位检测方法进行了比较和讨论。我们认为,基于染色体制片的原位标记技术适合于定性和定量检测单个细胞的凋亡,具有一些石蜡切片所不可及的优点。     

The protein phosphatase 1 regulator PNUTS is a new component of the DNA damage response

The function of protein phosphatase 1 nuclear-targeting subunit (PNUTS)--one of the most abundant nuclear-targeting subunits of protein phosphatase 1 (PP1c)--remains largely uncharacterized. We show that PNUTS depletion by small interfering RNA activates a G2 checkpoint in unperturbed cells and prolongs G2 checkpoint and Chk1 activation after ionizing-radiation-induced DNA damage. Overexpression of PNUTS-enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP)--which is rapidly and transiently recruited at DNA damage sites--inhibits G2 arrest. Finally, γH2AX, p53-binding protein 1, replication protein A and Rad51 foci are present for a prolonged period and clonogenic survival is decreased in PNUTS-depleted cells after ionizing radiation treatment. We identify the PP1c regulatory subunit PNUTS as a new and integral component of the DNA damage response involved in DNA repair.     

盐胁迫下外源ABA对玉米幼苗耐盐性的影响

利用不同浓度外源ＡＢＡ 可以提高生长在盐渍条件下玉米（Ｚｅａ ｍ ａｙｓ Ｌ．）幼苗的耐盐能力,增加幼苗的干重。其原因是由于幼苗渗透势的降低和渗透调节能力的增大,地上部分拒盐能力的提高,摄取的大量Ｎａ＋ 积累在根部。同时发现外源ＡＢＡ 增大幼苗渗透势和渗透调节能力是幼苗有机渗透物质增加的结果。讨论了玉米地上部分拒盐的机理     

FREEZING POINTS OF ANTI-COAGULANT SALT SOLUTIONS

By a method involving equilibration of ice and solution, and analysis of the solution, freezing point depressions of solutions of sodium citrate, oxalate, and fluoride have been determined over the range Δ = 0.45 to 0.65°C. Determinations with sodium chloride solutions have confirmed the accuracy of the method. In each case the freezing point depression is given, within 0.002°C., as a linear function of the concentration. By the use of these linear equations it is possible to prepare a solution of any of these four salts isotonic with a given biological fluid of known freezing point, provided the latter falls within the range studied.     

SALT TOLERANCE WITHIN A TYPHA POPULATION

Mc Millan , Calvin . (U. Texas, Austin.) Salt tolerance within a Typha population. Amer. Jour. Bot. 46(7): 521–526. Illus. 1959.—Typha in a disturbed salt flat near Lincoln, Nebraska, provided material for an examination of population dynamics. Within the population, clones of T. angustifolia L. tended to occupy the drier sites and those of T. latifolia L. occupied the sites of greater moisture probability. Clones of intermediate morphological characteristics were distributed with both T. angustifolia and T. latifolia. Rhizomes taken from the clones were grown in various NaCl solutions in the greenhouse. Results indicated greatest salt tolerance by T. angustifolia and least salt tolerance by T. latifolia. The intermediate, probably hybrid, clones were intermediate in salt tolerance. Seeds of the 3 clone-types germinated over the same range of salt concentration. The seeds of all 3 types withstood 4 months submergence in a 2% salt solution and germinated upon being returned to tap water. In the salt flat habitat, the clones of T. latifolia were not vigorous during the years 1956–1957 and many died or were reduced considerably in area of occupancy. The clones of T. angustifolia remained vigorous and flowered over the same period. The intermediate clones were vigorous and increased their coverage, primarily in areas that were occupied prior to 1956 by T. latifolia. The spatial adjustments within the population probably resulted from the selective action of increased salt concentration accompanying the drier conditions of 1956 and 1957.     

四倍体刺槐的抗盐性

 以四倍体刺槐(Robinia pseudoacacia)为主要试验材料,以二倍体刺槐为对照材料,在两种盐胁迫下,对苗木的形态、生理生化、光合特性和解剖结构等指标的变化规律进行了研究。利用NaCl和Na₂SO₄盐溶液对两种刺槐进行盐处理,在30 d后每7 d处理1次,共处理4次,并在处理前和处理后每7 d进行各项指标的测定。结果发现：1)在盐胁迫下二倍体刺槐的植株生长受到强烈抑制,叶片含水量和叶绿素含量显著低于对照,有明显的盐害症状;对四倍体刺槐植株的生长影响较小,叶片含水量和叶绿素含量也与对照差异不显著,无盐害症状。2)四倍体刺槐经过盐处理后相对电导率和脯氨酸(Proline, Pro)含量虽然也稍有上升,但与对照相比未达到显著水平,而二倍体刺槐显著高于对照;同时作为保护酶系统的过氧化物酶(Peroxidase, POD)、超氧化物歧化酶(Superoxide dismutase, SOD)、过氧化氢酶(Catalase, CAT)在四倍体刺槐经盐胁迫后期也保持了较高的活性,从而提高了其抗盐性,而对盐敏感的二倍体刺槐3个保护酶活性均较低。 3)经盐胁迫后对四倍体刺槐光合特性影响不大,净光合速率（Net photosynthetic rate, P_n）和胞间CO₂浓度（Intercellular CO₂ concentration, C_i）均无显著变化,而二倍体刺槐P_n和C_i显著下降。4)经盐胁迫后四倍体刺槐在解剖结构上做出了积极的反应：叶肉栅栏组织拉长、排列更为紧密、 海绵组织变小、排列紧密。而二倍体刺槐出现了相反的现象。综合以上分析认为：四倍体刺槐具有较强的抗盐性。     

盐胁迫对不同抗盐性小麦叶片荧光诱导动力学的影响

以不同抗盐性小麦为材料,研究了ＮａＣｌ胁迫对叶片叶绿素ａ荧光诱导动力学的影响。指出１５０ｍｍｏｌ／ＬＮａＣｌ使小麦幼苗生长降低,叶绿素含量下降,同时使光系统Ⅱ的潜在光化学活性和原初光能转化率降低,使光反应受到抑制。     

柳苗对盐激的快速反应

采用电子称重法检测了柳(Salix babylonica L.)苗蒸腾对盐激(NaCl)的快速反应。结果表明,100～500mmol/L的NaCl处理柳苗根系时,均能引起根系中产生一个负水压信号,并以极快的速度传递至冠部叶片,引起植物体液向下流动,在1～2s内使柳苗蒸腾速率增加至原来的8～15倍,然后逐渐下降,8～12min后,蒸腾速率保持在原来的水平(或略低)。另外,在蒸腾速率变化约2min后,在叶片区柳茎表面记录到电波的快速传递(速度变化范围在28～120mm·s~(-1)),这可能是主动调节冠部水分消耗的一个信号。     

CO2／盐冲击对小麦幼苗呼吸酶活性的影响

以不同抗盐小麦 (Triticum aestivum L.)为材料 ,研究了 CO2 /盐冲击对幼苗生长状况、叶绿素含量、光呼吸和三羧酸循环 (TCAC)关键酶活性的影响。结果表明 :Na Cl抑制小麦生长 ,而 CO2 促进生长 ,这种效应盐处理植株比非盐处理植株明显 ;Na Cl降低叶绿素含量 ,CO2 可使其轻微提高 ;盐对普通小麦TCAC中的异柠檬酸脱氢酶 (IDH)、琥珀酸脱氢酶 (SDH)、苹果酸脱氢酶 (MDH)和光呼吸中的乙醇酸氧化酶 (GO)、羟基丙酮酸还原酶 (HPR)有刺激作用 ,CO2 则抑制它们的活性。抗盐小麦对 CO2 /盐冲击的反应与普通小麦有差别。结果可以说明 ,CO2 能够减轻 Na Cl对植物的毒害效应