Growth Stage Modulates Salinity Tolerance of New Zealand Spinach (Tetragonia tetragonioides, Pall.) and Red Orach (Atriplex hortensis L.)

The response of two speciality vegetable crops, New Zealandspinach (Tetragonia tetragonioides Pall.) and red orach (Atriplexhortensis L.), to salt application at three growth stages wasinvestigated. Plants were grown with a base nutrient solutionin outdoor sand cultures and salinized at 13 (early), 26 (mid),and 42 (late) d after planting (DAP). For the treatment saltconcentrations, we used a salinity composition that would occurin a typical soil in the San Joaquin Valley of California usingdrainage waters for irrigation. Salinity treatments measuringelectrical conductivities (EC_i) of 3, 7, 11, 15, 19 and 23 dSm^-1were achieved by adding MgSO₄, Na₂SO₄, NaCl and CaCl₂to thebase nutrient solution. These salts were added to the base nutrientsolution incrementally over a 5-d period to avoid osmotic shockto the seedlings. The base nutrient solution without added saltsserved as the non-saline control (3 dS m^-1). Solution pH wasuncontrolled and ranged from 7.7 to 8.0. Both species were saltsensitive at the early seedling stage and became more salt tolerantas time to salinization increased. For New Zealand spinach,the salinity levels that gave maximal yields (C_max) were 0,0 and 3.1 dS m^-1and those resulting in a 50% reduction of biomassproduction (C₅₀) were 9.1, 11.1 and 17.4 dS m^-1for early, midand late salinization dates, respectively. Maximal yield ofred orach increased from 4.2 to 10.9 to 13.7 dS m^-1as the timeof salinization increased from 13, to 26, to 42 DAP, respectively.The C₅₀value for red orach was unaffected by time of salt imposition(25 dS m^-1). Both species exhibited high Na⁺accumulation evenat low salinity levels. Examination of K-Na selectivity dataindicated that K⁺selectivity increased in both species withincreasing salinity. However, increased K-Na selectivity didnot explain the increased salt tolerance observed by later salinization.Higher Na-Ca selectivity was determined at 3 dS m^-1in New Zealandspinach plants treated with early- and mid-salinization plantsrelative to those exposed to late salinization. This correspondedwith lower C_maxand C₅₀values for those plants. Lower Ca uptakeselectivity or lower Ca levels may have inhibited growth inyoung seedlings. This conclusion is supported by similar resultswith red orach. High Na-Ca selectivity found only in the early-salinizationplants of red orach corresponded to the lower C_maxvalues measuredfor those plants. Copyright 2000 Annals of Botany Company New Zealand spinach, Tetragonia tetragonioides Pall., red orach, Atriplex hortensis L., salinity, stage of growth, ion accumulation, selectivity, plant nutrition     

The Role of Carbonic Anhydrase in Blood Ion and Acid-Base Regulation

The role of carbonic anhydrase (CA) in ion transport processesof aquatic and terrestrial arthropod species is reviewed. Inboth insects and crustaceans CA is found in a variety of iontransporting tissues. The bulk of CA activity in crustaceansis concentrated in the posterior gills, which are morphologicallyand biochemically adapted for ion transport. The enzyme canbe specifically localized to gill lamellae which contain largepopulations of salt transporting chloride cells. Enzyme activityin the posterior gills of species having the ability to regulateblood ion concentrations increases when these organisms areacclimated to environmental salinities in which they ion regulate.In stenohaline, ion conforming species branchial CA activityis uniformly low, being only 5–10% that in regulatingspecies. Studies on the blue crab, Callinectes sapidus, usingthe specific CA inhibitor acetazolamide have shown that theenzyme is indeed important in blood ion regulation. Blood Na^$and Cl^– concentrations are both severely lowered in drug-treatedanimals acclimated to low salinity, while they remain virtuallyunaffected in animals acclimated to high salinity, in whichthe animal is an ion conformer. High salinity acclimated crabstreated with acetazolamide do not survive transfer to low salinity,and mortality is related to a breakdown in the ion regulatorymechanism. Branchial CA most likely functions in the hydrationof respiratory CO₂ to H^$ and HCO₃^–, which serve as counterionsfor the active uptake of Na^$ and Cl^–, respectively. Interrestrial species the role of CA is unclear and merits furtherinvestigation.     

Salinity Reduces Water Use and Nitrate-N-use Efficiency of Citrus

Five-month-old Cleopatra mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco)(CM) and Volkamer lemon (Citrus volkameriana Ten. and Pasq.)(VL) seedlings were grown in a glasshouse in 2·3-1 potsof Candler fine sand. Plants were irrigated with either non-saline(EC_e = 0·23 dS m^-1) or saline (6·13 dS m^-1) waterusing 3:1 NaCl:CaCl₂ solution over a 4-week period. A singleapplication of K¹⁵NO₃ (19·64 atom % excess ¹⁵N) at 212mg N1^-1, was substituted for a normal weekly fertilization after3 weeks and plants were harvested 7 d later. The transpirationrate, uptake of nitrogen, growth and nitrogen-use efficiency(NUE) on a dry weight basis (mg d. wt mg^-1 N) of both specieswas reduced by salinity. Based on growth, water-use and chloride(Cl) accumulation in leaves, VL was more salt-sensitive thanCM, but ¹⁵N uptake was equally reduced by salinity in both species.Salinity reduced ¹⁵N uptake relatively more than shoot growthover the 7-d period, such that the ¹⁵NUE (mg d. wt µg^-115N) of new shoot growth of both species increased. There wasno evidence of Cl antagonism of nitrate (NO₃) uptake but totalplant ¹⁵NO₃ uptake was positively correlated with whole planttranspiration in both species. Thus, it appears that reductionsin NO₃ uptake are more strongly related to reduced water usethan to Cl antagonism from salt stress.Copyright 1993, 1999Academic Press Sodium, chloride, salinity, calcium, nitrate, ¹⁵NO₃ uptake, nitrogen allocation, nitrogen-use efficiency, water use, Citrus reticulata, Citrus volkameriana     

Interaction of Respiration, Ion Regulation, and Acid-Base Balance in the Everyday Life of Aquatic Crustaceans

Extracellular and intracellular acid-base balance is necessaryfor the maintenance of normal metabolic processes. The primarysource of acid is metabolically produced CO₂, and the CO₂/HCO₃^–system is the most significant buffer. The regulation of acid-basebalance is complex, involving the interaction between respiratorygas exchange and ion transport. In aquatic crustaceans respirationis governed by the need to extract oxygen from water, an O₂-poormedium; thus, acid-base balance is maintained primarily throughion transport mechanisms. These mechanisms include Na⁺/H⁺ andCl^–/HCO₃^– exchange processes that are sensitiveto the extracellular acid-base status of the animal. In marinecrabs, ion regulation and acid-base balance are accomplishedby the posterior gills, while in freshwater species all gillsand the antennal gland perform these functions. Intracellularacid-base balance appears to be maintained primarily by iontransport across the cell membrane. Hemolymph pH varies inverselywith acclimation temperature and salinity. In both cases Pco₂remains nearly constant, and the pH change is a result of changesin hemolymph HCO₃^– concentrations brought about by ionexchange mechanisms. Environmental hypercapnia or hyperoxiainduces a repiratory acidosis characterized by increased Pco₂,low pH, and elevated HCO₃^–; this is partially compensatedfor by ion exchange processes that bring about a further increasein hemolymph HCO₃^–. Exercise causes a mixed respiratoryand metabolic acidosis with compensation via H⁺ ion excretionand hyperventilation.     

Effect of drought on leaf gland secretion of the mangrove Avicennia germinans L.

This study assessed the effects of salinity changes over space and time upon leaf gland secretion in Avicennia germinans trees growing naturally in an area featuring markedly seasonal rainfall. Soil ? (, soil N MPa) during the wet season was -0.95ǂ.05 and -2.12ǂ.08 at low and high salinity sites, respectively. During the dry season, these values decreased to -3.24ǂ.09 at low salinity and to -5.75ǂ.06 at high salinity. Consequently, predawn and midday plant water potential were lowered during drought at both sites. The rates of secretion (mmol m^-2 h^-1 ) increased during drought from 0.91ǂ.12 during the wet season to 1.93ǂ.12 at low salinity, and from 1.69ǂ.12 during the wet season to 2.81ǂ.15 at high salinity. Conversely, stomatal conductance (g_s) was lowered by both salinity and drought. As xylem osmolality increased during drought, secretion tended to rise exponentially, and g_s decayed hyperbolically. Thus, a trade-off is obtained between enhancement in salt secretion and control of water loss suggested by g_s.     

The Effects of Temperature and Form of Nitrogen Supply on the Relative Contribution of Root Uptake and Remobilization in Supplying Nitrogen for Laminae Regrowth of Lolium perenne L.

Plants of Lolium perenne L. cv. S23 were grown in sand culturesupplied with either ammonium (NH₄⁺) or nitrate (NO₃^–)in an otherwise complete nutrient solution at 12°C or 20°C.Three weeks after germination, plants were clipped weekly tosimulate grazing. After 10 weeks growth all nitrogen (N) wassupplied enriched with ¹⁵N to quantify the effects of form ofN supply and temperature on the relative ability of currentroot uptake and remobilization to supply N for laminae regrowth. The form of N supply had no effect on the dry matter partitioning,while at 20°C more dry weight was allocated to laminae regrowthand less to the remaining plant material. The current root uptakeof N, which subsequently appeared in the laminae regrowth, wassimilar for plants supplied with NH₄⁺ or NO₃^–, and bothwere equally reduced at the lower temperature of growth. Remobilizationof N to laminae regrowth was greater for plants receiving NH₄⁺than NO₃^–; remobilization with either form of N supplywas reduced at the lower temperature of growth. Remobilizationwas reduced to a lesser extent at 12°C than current rootuptake. It was concluded that remobilization became relativelymore important in supplying N for regrowth of laminae at lowertemperatures. Key words: Lolium perenne, ammonium, nitrate, temperature, remobilization     

空间诱变长春花代际生物碱含量变异研究

以经“实践八号”返回式卫星搭载进行空间诱变的长春花种子为材料,研究诱变后代（SP₁）及筛选后代（SP₂、SP₃）长春花叶片文多灵、长春质碱、长春碱等3种吲哚类生物碱的含量变异。结果显示,与留地对照组相比,空间诱变的长春花SP₁代形态、生殖等变异增强,叶片生物碱含量变幅加大,变异系数达到留地对照组的2.06倍;经过3轮以长春碱含量为目标的筛选,获得的SP₃代4个株系叶片长春碱含量达到300 μg·g^-1以上,并为留地对照组的3倍以上,株系内变异系数低于15%。上述结果表明,空间环境导致了长春花种子的遗传变异,经过多代筛选,可培育出目的活性物质含量高的优质品种。     

Characteristic Changes in Relaxation Times of Water Protons in Vigna radiata Seedlings Exposed to Temperature Stress

Water protons in hypocotyl tissues from etiolated seedlingsof Vigna radiata that were exposed to temperature stress showedcharacteristic relaxation behaviors for ¹H-NMR. Cold stresstreatment (0C) caused gradual prolongation of NMR relaxationtimes (T₁). After exposure of tissues to cold stress for 24h, T₁ returned to the initial value as a result of subsequentincubation at normal temperature (20C). By contrast, heat stresstreatment (40C) induced a time-dependent decrease in T₁, whichdid not return completely to the initial value upon subsequentincubation at 20C after exposure to heat stress for 4 h. Weexamined changes in various physical factors that influencethe response of T₁ to temperature stress, namely, water contentand the concentrations of protein, diamagnetic (K⁺, Na⁺, Ca²⁺and Mg²⁺) and paramagnetic (Mn²⁺ and Fe²⁺) ions in the tissues.From the relationships between T₁ and these factors in vitro,we could not interpret the responses of T₁ to the temperaturestress only in terms of a change in water content. A synergisticeffect of an Mn²⁺ -protein complex and pH might be essentialfor the mechanism of changes in T₁ that are due to cold stress.The influence of heat stress on structural water in tissuesis discussed in terms of water-protein interactions. (Received December 28, 1992; Accepted May 6, 1993)     

Effect of Root Zone Temperature on the Mineral Composition of Xylem Sap and Plasma Membrane K+-Mg++-ATPase Activity of Grafted-Cucumber and -Figleaf Gourd Root Systems

Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) seedlings were grafted onto cucumber-(CG) or figleaf gourd- (FG, Cucurbita ficifolia Bouché)seedlings in order to determine the effect of solution temperature(12, 22, and 32°C) on the mineral composition of xylem sapand the plasma membrane K⁺-Mg⁺⁺-ATPase activities of the roots.Low solution temperature (12°C) lowered the concentrationof NO^–₃ and H₂PO^–₄ in xylem sap of CG plants butnot of FG plants. Concentrations of K⁺, Ca⁺⁺ and Mg⁺⁺ in xylemsap were less affected than anions by solution temperature.The plasma membrane of FG plants grown in 12°C solutiontemperature showed the highest K⁺- Mg⁺⁺-ATPase activity at allATP concentrations up to 3 mM and at low reaction temperatureup to 12°C, indicating resistance of figleaf gourd to lowroot temperature. (Received December 27, 1994; Accepted March 10, 1995)     

Regulation of K+ current in human airway epithelial cells by exogenous and autocrine adenosine

The regulatory actions ofadenosine on ion channel function are mediated by four distinctmembrane receptors. The concentration of adenosine in the vicinity ofthese receptors is controlled, in part, by inwardly directed nucleosidetransport. The purpose of this study was to characterize the effects ofadenosine on ion channels in A549 cells and the role of nucleosidetransporters in this regulation. Ion replacement and pharmacologicalstudies showed that adenosine and an inhibitor of human equilibrative nucleoside transporter (hENT)-1, nitrobenzylthioinosine, activated K⁺ channels, most likely Ca²⁺-dependentintermediate-conductance K⁺ (I_K)channels. A₁ but not A₂ receptor antagonistsblocked the effects of adenosine. RT-PCR studies showed that A549 cellsexpressed mRNA for I_K-1 channels as well asA₁, A_2A, and A_2B but notA₃ receptors. Similarly, mRNA for equilibrative (hENT1 andhENT2) but not concentrative (hCNT1, hCNT2, and hCNT3) nucleosidetransporters was detected, a result confirmed in functional uptakestudies. These studies showed that adenosine controls the function ofK⁺ channels in A549 cells and that hENTs play a crucialrole in this process.

     

The effect of salinity on glucose absorption and incorporation by pea roots

Osmotic adaptation was observed in pea plants grown in Na₂SO₄salinized media but no complete adaptation was observed in plantsgrown in NaCl salinized media. The absorption of externally supplied glucose was depressedin pea root tips from plants grown in media salinized with eitherNaCl or Na₂SO₄. Under NaCl salinity this depression increasedwith increasing salinity. Under Na₂SO₄ salinity, no significantinhibition of absorption was observed in roots exposed to waterpotentials higher than –5 atmosphere. The amount of ¹⁴Creleased as CO₂, expressed as the percent of absorbed ¹⁴C, increasedwith increasing salinity of both types. In roots grown underNaCl salinity, the incorporation of ¹⁴C into ethanol non-soluble,acid hydrolyzable substances was markedly inhibited. This inhibitionwas increased by increasing the external salinity. The effectof Na₂SO₄ salinity was similar but not so pronounced. The incorporation of ¹⁴C from externally supplied glucose intothe alkali-soluble fraction was practically uneffected by salinity.Non-extractable ¹⁴C was decreased in roots exposed to NaCl butwas not, apparently, effected by Na₂SO₄). Because of the smallnessof this fraction no clear cut conclusion can be made. Possiblemechanisms for the events are discussed. (Received October 26, 1972; )     

Further Characteristics of Salt-Dependent Bicarbonate Use by the Seagrass Zostera muelleri

Millhouse, J. and Strother, S. 1987. Further characteristicsof salt-dependent bicarbonate use by the seagrass Zostera muelleri.—J.exp. Bot. 38: 1055–1068. The contribution of HCO^–₃to photosynthetic O₂ evolutionin the seagrass Zostera muelleri Irmisch ex Aschers. increasedwith increasing salinity of the bathing seawater when the inorganiccarbon concentration was kept constant. K_1/2 (seawater salts)for HCO^–₃ -dependent photosynthesis was 66% of seawatersalinity. Both short- and long-term pretreatment at low salinitiesstimulated photosynthesis in full strength seawater. Twentyfour hours pre-incubation of seagrass plants in 3·0 molm^–3 NaHCO₃ resulted in increased photosynthesis at allsalinities, apparently due to stimulation of HCO^–₃ use(K_1/2 (seawater salts) = 26%). V_max (HCO^–₃) was not affectedby low salinity pretreatment. The kinetics of HCO^–₃ stimulationby the major seawater cations was investigated. Ca²⁺ was themost effective cation with the highest V_max (HCO^–₃) andwith K_1/2(Ca²⁺) = 14 mol m^–3. Mg²⁺ was also very effectiveat less than 50 mol m^–3 but higher concentrations wereinhibitory. This inhibition cannot be accounted for solely byprecipitation of MgCO₃. Na⁺ and K⁺ were both capable of stimulatingHCO^–₃ use. Stimulation was in two distinct parts. Up to500 mol m^–3, both citrate and chloride salts gave similarresults (K_1/2(Na⁺) 81 mol m^–3, V_max(HCO^–₃) 0·26µmol O₂ mg^–1 chl min^–1), but use of citratesalts above 500 mol m^–2 caused a second stimulation ofHCO^–₃ use (K_1/2(Na⁺) 830 mol m^–3, V_max(HCO^–₃)0·68 µmol O₂ mg^–1 chl min^–1). V_max(HCO^–₃)for the second-phase Na⁺ or K⁺ stimulation was of the same orderas for Ca²⁺-stimulated HCO^–₃ use. To further characterizesalt-dependent HCO^–₃ use, the sensitivity of photosynthesisto Tris and TES buffers was investigated. The effects of Trisappear to be due to the action of Tris⁺ causing stimulationof HCO^–₃ -dependent photosynthesis in the absence of salt,but inhibition of HCO^–₃ use in saline media. TES has noeffect on photosynthesis. External carbonic anhydrase, althoughimplicated in salt-dependent HCO^–₃ use in Z. muelleri,could not be detected in whole leaves. Key words: Zostera muelleri, HCO^–₃ use, salinity     

Microbial ammonium cycling in the Mississippi River plume during the drought spring of 2000

Microbial potential uptake and regeneration rates of ammonium(NH₄⁺) were studied along a salinity gradient (salinities 0.2–34.4)in the Mississippi River plume during an extreme drought inspring 2000. Chlorophyll concentrations up to 30 µg L^–1were highest in the low- and mid-salinity regions (salinities8.5–28.2) and comparable to records of other years butextended over smaller areas than during periods of normal riverflow. Bacterial biomass (5.1–28.3 µg C L^–1)was at the low end of the range observed in normal flow years,decreased with distance from the river mouth and did not peakwith chlorophyll. Heterotrophic nanoflagellate abundance (1.4–4.0µg C L^–1) did not reflect phytoplankton and bacterialspatial distribution but peaked at 9.2 µg C L^–1at salinity 8.5. Microbial NH₄⁺ regeneration rates were estimatedby ¹⁵NH₄⁺ isotope dilution experiments for the whole microbialcommunity, under light and dark conditions, and for the <2µm bacterium-dominated size fraction. Microbial NH₄⁺ regenerationrates (0.018–0.124 µmol N L^–1 h^–1) werelow relative to previous reports and peaked at salinity 28.Total NH₄⁺ regeneration rates were higher than those in the<2 µm size fraction at only four stations, suggestingthat bacterial mineralization was a significant component ofNH₄⁺ recycling in some parts of the river plume. Higher NH₄⁺regeneration in whole-water samples versus <2 µm fractionsprovided evidence for microbial grazing in regions where chlorophylland regeneration rates peaked and at two full-salinity stations.     

Inhibition of Nitrate Assimilation in Roots in the Presence of Ammonium: The Moderating Influence of Potassium

Experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of concentrationof NH₄⁺ in nutrient solution on root assimilation of NO₃^–and to determine whether the NH₄⁺NO₃^– interaction wasmodified in the presence of K⁺. Dark-grown, detopped corn seedlings(cv. Pioneer 3369A) were exposed for 8 h to 0.15 mM Ca(NO₃)₂and varying concentrations of (NH₄)₂SO₄ in the absence or presenceof 0.15 mM K₂SO₄. The accelerated phase of NO₃^– uptakeappeared most sensitive to restriction by additions of 0.15mM (NH₄)₂SO₄. In the absence of K⁺, the restriction increasedonly slightly even when solution (NH₄)₂SO₄, was increased from0.15 mM to 12.5 mM which was accompanied by an increase of NH₄⁺in the tissue from about 7.0 to 35 µmol g^–1 fr.wt. of root. Increasing concentrations of solution NH₄⁺ progressivelyinhibited net K+ uptake. At the highest solution NH₄⁺ concentrations,there was an initial net efflux of K⁺ and no net influx occurredduring the treatment period. The severity of the NH₄)SO₄ restrictionof NO₃^– uptake was moderated considerably in the presenceof K⁺ as long as a net influx of K⁺ occurred. However, net influxof K⁺ was not associated with alteration of NH₄⁺ uptake, assimilation,or accumulation in the root tissue. The lack of correlationbetween the severity of restriction of NO₃^– uptake andendogenous NHJ suggested the restriction resulted from an effectexerted by exogenous NH₄⁺ which tended to saturate at lowersolution NHJ concentrations or by inhibitory factors generatedduring assimilation of NH₄⁺. Several mechanisms were postulatedto account for the moderating influence of K⁺. In all experiments,root NO₃^– reduction was restricted by the presence ofambient NH₄⁺. The quantitative decreases in reduction tendedto be less than decreases in NO₃^– uptake and therefore,could result from inhibition solely of uptake with subsequentlimitation in availability of substrate for the reduction process,but the possibility of a direct effect on reduction could notbe excluded.     

The Effect of Root Temperature on Growth and Uptake of Ammonium and Nitrate by Brassica napus L. cv. Bien venu in Flowing Solution Culture: II. UPTAKE FROM SOLUTIONS CONTAINING NH4NO3

Macduff, J. H., Hopper, M. J. and Wild, A. 1987. The effectof root temperature on growth and uptake of ammonium and nitrateby Brassica napus L. CV. Bien venu in flowing solution culture.II. Uptake from solutions containing NH₄NO₃.—J. exp. Bot.38: 53–66 The effects of root temperature on uptake and assimilation ofNH₄⁺ and NO₃^– by oilseed rape (Brassica napus L. CV. Bienvenu) were examined. Plants were grown for 49 d in flowing nutrientsolution at pH 6?0 with root temperature decrementally reducedfrom 20?C to 5?C; and then exposed to different root temperatures(3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 17 or 25?C) held constant for 14 d. Theair temperature was 20/15?C day/night and nitrogen was suppliedautomatically to maintain 10 mmol m^–3 NH₄NO₃ in solution.Total uptake of nitrogen over 14 d increased threefold between3–13?C but was constant above 13?C. Net uptake of NH₄⁺exceeded that of NO₃^– at all temperatures except 17?C,and represented 47–65% of the total uptake of nitrogen.Unit absorption rates of NH₄⁺ and of 1?5–2?7 for NO₃^–suggested that NO₃^– absorption was more sensitive thanNH₄⁺ absorption to temperature. Rates of absorption were relativelystable at 3?C and 5?C compared with those at 17?C and 25?C whichincreased sharply after 10 d. Tissue concentration of N in theshoot, expressed on a fresh weight basis, was independent ofroot temperature throughout, but doubled between 3–25?Cwhen expressed on a dry weight basis. The apparent proportionof net uptake of NO₃^– that was assimilated was inverselyrelated to root temperature. The results are used to examinethe relation between unit absorption rate adn shoot:root ratioin the context of short and long term responses to change ofroot temperature Key words: Brassica napus, oilseed rape, root temperature, nitrogen uptake     

The influence of salinity on the utilization of root anaplerotic carbon and nitrogen metabolism in tomato seedlings

In hydroponically grown Lycopersicon esculentum (L.) Mill. cv.F144 the site of NO₃^– reduction and assimilation withinthe plant was shifted from the shoot to the root by salinity.Uptake of NO₃^– from the root solution was strongly inhibitedby salinization. Consequently, NO₃^– concentrations inthe leaf, stem and root tissues as well as the nitrate reductaseactivities of the leaves were lower in salinized than in controlplants. Lower NO₃^–, but higher reduced-N, concentrationswere observed in the xylem sap as a result of the enhanced participationof the root in NO₃^– reduction in salinized plants. Lowerstem K⁺ concentrations and leaf malate concentrations were foundin salinized compared to control plants which indicates reducedfunctioning of the K⁺–shuttle in the salinized plants. Incorporation of inorganic carbon by the root was determinedby supplying a pulse of NaH¹⁴CO₃ followed by extraction andseparation of the labelled products on ion exchange resins.The rate of H¹⁴CO₃^– incorporation was c. 2-fold higherin control than in salinized plants. In salinized plants theproducts of H¹⁴CO₃^– incorporation within the roots werediverted into amino acids, while the control plants divertedrelatively more ¹⁴C into organic acids. Products of inorganiccarbon incorporation in the roots of salinized plants providean anaplerotic source of carbon for assimilation of reducedNO₃^– into amino acids, while in control plants the productswere predominantly organic acids as part of mechanisms to maintainionic balance in the cells and in the xylem sap. Key words: Tomato, nitrate, PEPc, respiration, salinity     

Differential effects of volatile and intravenous anesthetics on the activity of human TASK-1

Volatile anesthetics have been shown to activate various two-pore (2P) domain K⁺ (K_2P) channels such as TASK-1 and TREK-1 (TWIK-related acid-sensitive K⁺ channel), and mice deficient in these channels are resistant to halothane-induced anesthesia. Here, we investigated whether K_2P channels were also potentially important targets of intravenous anesthetics. Whole cell patch-clamp techniques were used to determine the effects of the commonly used intravenous anesthetics etomidate and propofol on the acid-sensitive K⁺ current in rat ventricular myocytes (which strongly express TASK-1) and selected human K_2P channels expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes. In myocytes, etomidate decreased both inward rectifier K⁺ (K_ir) current (I_K1) and acid-sensitive outward K⁺ current at positive potentials, suggesting that this drug may inhibit TASK channels. Indeed, in addition to inhibiting guinea pig Kir2.1 expressed in oocytes, etomidate inhibited human TASK-1 (and TASK-3) in a concentration-dependent fashion. Propofol had no effect on human TASK-1 (or TASK-3) expressed in oocytes. Moreover, we showed that, similar to the known effect of halothane, sevoflurane and the purified R-(–)- and S-(+)-enantiomers of isoflurane, without stereoselectivity, activated human TASK-1. We conclude that intravenous and volatile anesthetics have dissimilar effects on K_2P channels. Human TASK-1 (and TASK-3) are insensitive to propofol but are inhibited by supraclinical concentrations of etomidate. In contrast, stimulatory effects of sevoflurane and enantiomeric isoflurane on human TASK-1 can be observed at clinically relevant concentrations. volatile anesthetics; etomidate; propofol; ion channels     

水杨酸对高温强光胁迫下小麦叶绿体D1蛋白磷酸化及光系统Ⅱ功能的影响

为了研究水杨酸（SA）对高温强光胁迫下小麦叶片类囊体膜D₁蛋白磷酸化和PSⅡ功能的影响,用0.5 mmol·L^-1 SA溶液预处理灌浆期小麦叶片,以水预处理为对照,然后将预处理植株进行高温强光（35 ℃,1 600 μmol·m^-2·s^-1）处理,测定胁迫处理过程中小麦旗叶光合电子传递速率、净光合速率、叶绿素荧光参数及D₁蛋白的变化.结果表明：SA预处理有效抑制了高温强光下D₁蛋白的净降解,保持了较高的D₁蛋白磷酸化水平、全链电子传递速率和PSⅡ电子传递速率,维持了较高的PSⅡ原初光化学效率（F_v/F_m）、实际光化学效率(Ф_PSⅡ)、光化学淬灭系数（q_P）和净光合速率（P_n）.表明外源SA通过调节小麦叶绿体D₁蛋白的周转,减轻了高温强光胁迫对叶片光合机构的损伤,有利于PSⅡ的正常运转.     

Regulation of CO2-fixation in Chlorella by light of varied wavelengths and intensities

1) The wavelength effects on ¹⁴CO₂-fixation by Chlorella cellswere studied, using monochromatic light of different light intensities. 2) Blue light (453 mµ) stimulated the incorporation of¹⁴C into aspartate, glutamate and malate. Red light (679 mµ),on the other hand, stimulated its incorporation into P-esters,free sugars and insoluble material. 3) The blue light effect was observed in the presence of CMUat concentrations completely suppressing ordinary photosyntheticCO₂-fixation. 4) The blue light effect in the presence of CMU was inducedat very low intensities. At 453 mµ, 300 erg cm^–2sec^–1 was sufficient for complete saturation. 5) Time courses of ¹⁴C-incorporation into individual compoundswere investigated. Irrespective of the wavelength of the illuminatinglight, the first stable CO₂-fixation product formed under weaklight (400–500 erg cm^–2 sec^–1) was citrulline.At higher light intensities (4,000–7,000 erg cm^–2sec^–1), PGA was the first stable CO₂-fixation product.The incorporation of ¹⁴C into citrulline was not inhibited byCMU. 6) Experimental results indicate that both blue light-inducedincorporation of ¹⁴C into amino and organic acids and the incorporationof ¹⁴C into citrulline induced by low intensity light are operatedby a mechanism(s) independent of ordinary photosynthetic CO₂-fixation.Possible effects of light regulating the carbon metabolism inalgal cells are discussed. (Received July 24, 1969; )     

Regulation of cytoplasmic calcium levels by two nitric oxide receptors

We examined the effects of dissolved nitric oxide (NO) gas oncytoplasmic calcium levels ([Ca²⁺]_i) in C6glioma cells under anoxic conditions. The maximum elevation (27 ± 3 nM) of [Ca²⁺]_i was reached at 10 µM NO. Asecond application of NO was ineffective if the first was >0.5 µM.The NO donor diethylamine/NO mimicked the effects of NO. Acute exposureof the cells to low calcium levels was without effect on the NO-evokedresponse. Thapsigargin (TG) increased [Ca²⁺]_iand was less effective if cells were pretreated with NO. Hemoglobin inhibited the effects of NO at a molar ratio of 10:1. 8-Bromo-cGMP waswithout effect on the NO-evoked response. If cells were pretreated withTG or exposed chronically to nominal amounts of calcium, NO decreased[Ca²⁺]_i. The results suggest that C6 gliomacells have two receptors for NO. One receptor (NO_A)elevates [Ca²⁺]_i and resides on theendoplasmic reticulum (ER). The other receptor (NO_B)decreases [Ca²⁺]_i and resides on theplasmalemma or the ER. The latter receptor dominates when the level ofcalcium within intracellular stores is diminished.