Sulphur and phosphorus requirements of Curvularia pallescens Boed

The effect of different sulphur and phosphorus compounds on the growth and sporulation ofCurvularia pallescens Boed. has been studied. Nine different sulphur sources were tried but among them only magnesium sulphate yielded the best dry weight of the fungus. Zinc sulphate, sodium sulphate, sodium thiosulphate, potassium sulphate and calcium sulphate supported good growth. Poor growth was recorded on sodium bisulphite, ammonium sulphate, sodium sulphide and control. Sporulation was excellent on magnesium sulphate. It was good on zinc sulphate, sodium sulphate and potassium sulphate. On sodium thiosulphate, calcium sulphate, sodium bisulphite and control it was fair. Sodium sulphide and ammonium sulphate had inhibitory effect as sporulation was poor and nil on these two compounds respectively.Six phosphorus compounds were studied. Tripotassium phosphate gave best growth and excellent sporulation. Good growth and excellent sporulation was recorded on monobasic potassium phosphate and magnesium phosphate. Growth and sporulation were good on dibasic potassium phosphate and sodium dihydrogen phosphate. Ammonium phosphate was poorly utilized.     

UDP-N-acetylmuramoyl-L-alanyl-D-glutamyl-L-lysine synthetase from Bacillus sphaericus: activation by potassium phosphate

During the course of purification of UDP-N-acetylmuramoyl-L-alanyl-D-glutamyl-L-lysine synthetase, we observed a marked stimulation of the enzymatic activity in the presence of phosphate ions. This activation effect was studied with enzyme purified 979-fold from Bacillus sphaericus. Each salt tested stimulated the activity of the synthetase. The order of activation by different anions was HPO4(2-) greater than Cl- greater than SO4(2-). In every case, the potassium salt gave higher activity than the corresponding sodium salt. The activation in the presence of phosphate was quite pronounced (almost sevenfold with K2HPO4) and occurred at a relatively low concentration. The Ka for K2HPO4 was found to be 3.4 mM and the Hill coefficient was calculated to be 1.0. This would suggest that there is one phosphate-binding site per active centre. The presence of phosphate did not affect either the pH optimum of this enzyme or the optimum concentration of Mg2+ required. The presence of phosphate has little or no effect on the Km of any of the substrates. Thus, it appears that the presence of phosphate changes the enzyme conformation to a catalytically more active form. The activation of this enzyme in the presence of phosphate anion is all the more interesting because phosphate is a product of the reaction catalyzed by this enzyme.     

Nutritional factors affecting nisin production by Lactococcus lactis subsp. actis NIZO 22186 in a synthetic medium

L. DE VUYST. 1995 A minimal synthetic medium (SM8) for nisin-producing Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis strains has been designed; it consists of eight growth-stimulating amino acids (glutamic acid, methionine, valine, leucine, threonine, arginine, isoleucine and histidine), five vitamins (biotin, calcium pantothenate, nicotinic acid, pyridoxine and riboflavin) and the mineral salts dihydrogen phosphate, disodium hydrogen phosphate, sodium chloride, magnesium sulphate and trisodium citrate. Nisin biosynthesis is strongly dependent on the presence of a sulphur source, either an inorganic salt (magnesium sulphate or sodium thiosulphate) or the amino acids methionine, cysteine or cystathionine. The amino acids serine, threonine and cysteine highly stimulate nisin production without affecting the final cell yield, indicating their precursor role during nisin biosynthesis.     

Soluble and slow-release PK-fertilizers for seedlings and transplants ofPicea sitchensis andPicea abies in two English nurseries

Summary In a heathland nursery on an acid sandy podsol and in a nursery on moderately acid agricultural land, four PK fertilizers were compared with superphosphate alone, using seedlings and transplants of Sitka sprucePicea sitchensis and Norway sprucePicea abies as test crops. The four fertilizers were: 1) a compound prepared from KCl and superphosphate (KCl/superphosphate), 2) the same compound supplemented by three summer topdressings of potassium nitrate, 3) potassium dihydrogen phosphate, 4) potassium metaphosphate. Except for potassium nitrate all fertilizers were applied in the spring before sowing or transplanting.Mid-season analyses (confined to Sitka spruce seedlings) showed that the effectiveness of different fertilizers depended on the rainfall pattern during growth. Phosphorus and potassium were leached less and nutrients used more efficiently with potassium metaphosphate than with KCl/superphosphate. Potassium nitrate applied on three occasions during the summer to plots with KCl/superphosphate maintained the best growth and largest K-concentrations in the seedlings. Differences between fertilizers were small for transplants at the heathland nursery and for all crops at the nursery on an agricultural-type soil. Losses of P and K by leaching on the sandy podsol both decreased in the order KCl/superphosphate > or=potassium dihydrogen phosphate > potassium metaphosphate.     

响应面法优化褐藻胶降解菌Cobetia sp.20发酵培养基

为了提高褐藻胶降解菌株Cobetia sp.20产褐藻胶裂解酶的能力,利用响应面法优化其发酵产褐藻胶裂解酶的培养基。首先利用单因素法分别对发酵培养基中的不同碳源、碳源添加量、不同氮源、氮源添加量以及氯化钠添加量、磷酸二氢钾添加量、硫酸镁添加量和pH进行探究,研究各因素对产酶的影响。在单因素实验的基础上,通过Plackett-Burman试验确定Cobetia sp.20发酵培养基中影响产酶的主要因素。通过响应面试验建立回归方程。研究结果表明,Cobetia sp.20最优发酵培养基配方为褐藻胶15.00 g/L、硫酸铵7.50 g/L、氯化钠15.00 g/L、硫酸镁0.50 g/L、磷酸二氢钾5.30 g/L、硫酸亚铁0.01 g/L、pH值7.58。优化后酶活为142.79 U/mL,比优化前提高了26.36%。褐藻胶裂解酶活的提高,为褐藻胶裂解酶的工业化生产提供了参考。     

Effect of deicing chloride salts on ion accumulation in spruce (Picea abies (L.) sp.)

Among the inorganic chloride salts, NaCl, CaCl₂ and in a minor proportion KCl and MgCl₂ are used as deicing agents. Mixturs of these salts were merely applied with respect to their physico-chemical properties, but their effect on roadside vegetation has never been studied so far. From a screening of different salt mixtures on ion accumulation in needles and twigs of spruce tress (Picea abies sp.) it was shown that the presence of a small amount of calcium in the salt treatments had some beneficial effects on ion regulation. In the presence of calcium, sodium accumulation could be reduced. But more straightforward was its effect on the selectivity between sodium and potasium in favour of the latter. Chloride concentrations did not alter very much; their role in the presence of monovalent cations is nevertheless obvious and is discussed. The study also confirms the presence of potassium retranslocation in conifer trees. The ion characteristics are briefly discussed with respect to the ecological effects of chloride salts on tress.     

Enhanced uridine diphosphate <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-acetylglucosamine production using whole-cell catalysis

Uridine diphosphate N-acetylglucosamine (UDPAG) can be produced by chemical, enzymatic, chemoenzymatic, and fermentative methods. In this study, we used whole-cell catalysis method to produce UDPAG for the first time by Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In order to increase the ATP utilization efficiency and UDPAG conversion yield, the response surface methodology was applied to optimize the whole-cell catalytic conditions for UDPAG production. Firstly, effects of uridine 5′-monophosphate (5′-UMP), glucosamine, vitamin B1, glycerol, magnesium chloride, potassium chloride, temperature, sodium dihydrogen phosphate, sodium acetate, fructose, and pH on UDPAG production were evaluated by a fractional factorial design. Results showed that UDPAG production was mainly affected by sodium dihydrogen phosphate, temperature, and vitamin B1. Then, the concentrations of sodium dihydrogen phosphate and vitamin B1 and temperature were further investigated with a central composite design and response surface analysis. The cultivation conditions to obtain the optimal UDPAG production were determined: sodium dihydrogen phosphate, 31.2 g/L; temperature, 29°C, and vitamin B1, 0.026 g/L. This optimization strategy led to an enhancement of UDPAG production from 2.51 to 4.25 g/L, yield from 44.6% to 75.6% based on the initial 5′-UMP concentration, and ATP utilization efficiency from 7.43% to 12.6%.     

Effect of different cultural conditions for phytase production by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aspergillus niger</Emphasis> CFR 335 in submerged and solid-state fermentations

The present article deals with the studies on the effect of media ingredients, such as carbon, nitrogen, inorganic phosphates, surfactants, and metal salts, on phytase enzyme production by Aspergillus niger CFR 335 in submerged (SmF) and solid-state fermentations (SSF). The results obtained showed a 1.5-fold higher enzyme yield in the presence of sucrose in both SmF and SSF, while peptone was found to be a favorable nitrogen source for SmF. Sodium dihydrogen phosphate (NaH₂PO₄) favored 34% higher enzyme yield than the control, which was followed by 19% higher activity in potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KH₂PO₄) in SSF at 0.015% w/v. The addition of Tween-20 in SmF showed a maximum yield of 12.6 U/mL while, SDS suppressed the growth of the fungus. None of the surfactants favored the enzyme yield in SSF. Calcium chloride (CaCl₂) was extensively efficient in stimulating more than 55% higher phytase production in SmF at 0.01% v/v. In SSF, none of the metal salts stimulated phytase production.     

Statistical optimization of culture media for growth and lipid production of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Botryococcus braunii</Emphasis> LB572

Botryococcus braunii has an outstanding ability to produce lipid; however, it is a slow-growing green microalgae. Statistical optimization of growth media was performed to faster growth and to increase lipid concentration. The effect of media composition on the growth of B. braunii LB572 was examined using fractional factorial design and central composite design. The media components examined include sodium carbonate, potassium phosphate, calcium chloride, magnesium sulfate, ferric citrate, and sodium nitrate. The results indicated that potassium phosphate and magnesium sulfate were major impact factors. The optimum concentrations of potassium phosphate and magnesium sulphate were found to be 0.058 and 0.09 g/L, respectively, for growth and 0.083 and 0.1 g/L, respectively, for lipid production. These values were validated using bubble column photobioreactors. Lipid productivity increased to 0.19 g/L/day in lipid-optimized media, with an average biomass productivity of 0.296 g/L/day and 64.96% w/w. In growth-optimized media, lipid productivity was 0.18 g/L/day, with an average biomass productivity of 0.304 g/L/day and 59.56% w/w.     

ATP Splitting and Calcium Binding by Brain Microsomes Measured with a Rapid Perfusion Method

Rat brain microsomes, immobilized on a filter, were perfused with ATP-containing solutions in a device which made possible rapid change of perfusion media and frequent sampling of effluent. Inorganic phosphate production could be measured 10 times per sec. When ATP, sodium, or potassium was absent from the first perfusion medium and present in a second, and introduced without interrupting flow, phosphate output rose within a few tenths of a second. Inhibition by ouabain began within 0.3 sec but did not become maximal for at least 10 sec. Rapid binding of ouabain was minimal or absent, as was rapid release of ouabain on introducing potassium abruptly. Although the preparation bound some calcium reversibly, no measurable uptake of calcium occurred coincident with activation by ATP or by potassium, and no measurable release of calcium occurred coincident with the onset of ouabain inhibition. However, activation by sodium was consistently associated with simultaneous release (within < 1 sec) of calcium, averaging 46 pmole per mg of protein. Calcium release in response to sodium also occurred in the absence of ATP or in the presence of ouabain. At 0°C sodium produced neither activation nor calcium release. The results are consistent with the possibility that sodium and calcium are competitively bound, even in the absence of ATP, to an active site on the enzyme distinct from the sites of potassium activation or glycoside inhibition.     

不同盐胁迫下小麦叶片渗透性调节和叶绿素荧光特性

盐胁迫对植物伤害机理受到普遍关注。本试验以‘西旱3号’小麦幼苗为材料,通过比较钠盐(150 mmol·L^-1)、钙盐(5、30 mmol·L^-1)单独及其复合胁迫对叶片渗透调节和光合特性的影响,揭示不同盐胁迫对小麦的伤害机理。结果表明: 钠盐或钙盐单独胁迫显著抑制了小麦幼苗根、茎的生长,使叶片可溶性糖和脯氨酸含量、调节性能量耗散电子产量、非光化学猝灭及玉米黄质相对含量均显著增加,而叶绿素a和叶绿素b含量、最大光化学效率、PSⅡ实际光化学效率、光化学猝灭及光合电子传递效率均显著下降。此外,钙盐对小麦幼苗生长的抑制作用更强,钠盐处理下叶片叶绿素含量减少和叶绿素荧光参数降低更显著。除了可溶性蛋白、叶黄素和玉米黄质相对含量以外,低浓度钙盐有效缓解了钠盐诱导其他各指标的变化,而高浓度钙盐进一步增大了钠盐处理小麦幼苗各参数的变化幅度。总之,钠盐和钙盐显著抑制了小麦幼苗的生长,低浓度钙盐能有效缓解钠盐对小麦幼苗的伤害,而高浓度钙盐加剧了钠盐的毒害作用。这均与叶片光合色素含量、光能捕获及光合电子传递的改变有关。此外,渗透调节物质在增强钠盐或钙盐环境中小麦幼苗的抗性方面发挥着重要作用。     

The Effect of Cations on the Amidase Activity of Human Tissue Kallikrein: 1-Linear Competitive Inhibition by Sodium,Potassium, Calcium and Magnesium. 2-Linear Mixed Inhibition by Aluminium

Hydrolysis of D-valyl-L-leucyl-L-arginine p-nitroanilide by human tissue kallikrein (hK1) was studied in the absence and in the presence of increasing concentrations of the following chloride salts: sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium and aluminium. The data indicate that the inhibition of hK1 by sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium is linear competitive and that divalent cations are more potent inhibitors of hK1 than univalent cations. However the inhibition of hK1 by aluminium cation is linear mixed, with the cation being able to bind to both the free enzyme and the ES complex. This cation was the best hK1 inhibitor. Aluminium is not a physiological cation, but is a known neurotoxicant for animals and humans. The neurotoxic actions of aluminium may relate to neuro-degenerative diseases.     

Some electrical properties of the membrane of the barnacle muscle fibers under internal perfusion

Summary Intracellular perfusion technique has been applied to the muscle fibers of the barnacle species,Balanus nubilus. In these fibers, generation and the form of the calcium spike was governed by the frequency of stimulation and intra- and extracellular calcium concentrations. Voltage-clamp experiments showed that the magnitude of the potassium outward current was controlled by the intracellular calcium concentration whose increase, nearly 10³-fold, raised the resting membrane conductance and the outward potassium current. On the other hand, application of 10mm zinc ions inside the muscle fiber had no effect on either the resting potential or the outward potassium current but suppressed the early inward calcium current. Similarly, the inward calcium current was decreased by low concentration of sodium ions in the extracellular fluid only when its ionic strength was made low by substituting sucrose for the sodium salt. Measurement of outward current with the muscle fiber in calcium-free ASW solution and intracellularly perfused with several cationic solutions established the selectivity sequence TEA相似文献   

The minerals of milk

The salt of milk constitutes a small part of milk (8-9 g.L(-1)); this fraction contains calcium, magnesium, sodium and potassium for the main cations and inorganic phosphate, citrate and chloride for the main anions. In milk, these ions are more or less associated between themselves and with proteins. Depending on the type of ion, they are diffusible (cases of sodium, potassium and chloride) or partially associated with casein molecules (cases of calcium, magnesium, phosphate and citrate), to form large colloidal particles called casein micelles. Today, our knowledge and understanding concerning this fraction is relatively complete. In this review, the different models explaining (i) the nature and distribution of these minerals (especially calcium phosphate) in both fractions of milk and (ii) their behaviour in different physico-chemical conditions, are discussed.     

Effect of elevated potassium on phospholipid and inositol metabolism of isolated nerve endings

Synaptosomes were isolated from rat cerebra, and incubated in the presence of labelled phosphate and inositol. When the potassium concentration of the medium was increased by replacing NaCl with KCl, there was a marked increase in phosphate labeling of phosphatidic acid (PA) and phosphatidylinositol (PI). This was evident with [K⁺] above 12 mM and peaked at about 40 mM KCl. In normal calcium buffers, phosphate labeling of PI but not PA declined sharply with [KCl] above 40 mM. In low calcium buffers, the phosphate labeling response was greatly attenuated for both lipids, but PI labeling did not decline at higher [K⁺].The phosphate labeling response was confined to PA and PI, and was specific for the increase in [K⁺]₀. The same response was seen in constant (105 mM) sodium buffers, and atropine had no effect. The specific radioactivity of ATP was increased by elevated potassium, but not enough to account for the increased labeling of PA. Further, this appeared to be a result of the loss of stored ATP rather than an increase in turnover.Increasing [K⁺]₀ produced a decline in [³H]inositol incorporation into PI in parallel with the increase in its labeling by ³³PO₄. This was the same in constant sodium and in low calcium buffers. It could be attributed to an inhibition of synaptosomal uptake of labelled inositol from the medium. Synaptosomal inositol content was unaffected.Elevated potassium had a greater effect on PA labeling than on PI, and it was more effective in increasing phosphate labeling of PA than was acetylcholine (ACh). When ACh and elevated potassium were combined at their maximally effective concentration, they acted synergistically to stimulate phosphate incorporation into PA but elevated potassium blocked the increase in [³H]inositol incorporation into PI normally produced by ACh. These results indicate that elevated potassium and ACh act upon the same population of synaptosomes, but affect different biochemical steps. Elevated potassium probably effects phospholipid labeling by a calcium dependent increase in diglyceride production from lipids other than PA or PI.     

THE GROWTH AND MINERAL COMPOSITION OF THREE SPECIES OF SPERGULARIA AS AFFECTED BY SALINITY AND NUTRIENTS AT HIGH SALINITY

The effects of salinity on the growth of three species of Spergularia and the effects of some levels of different nutrients on the growth and mineral composition of the three species under high salinity were investigated in sand culture. In response to the effects of salinity, S. marina and S. rupicola behaved like true halophytes in terms of survival, mean dry weight and plant part weight ratios. Spergularia rubra also behaved like an ecological halophyte in terms of dry weight but in terms of survival, it behaved like a glycophyte. The poor growth exhibited by the halophytes, S. marina and S. rupicola under high salinity condition was significantly reversed with the addition of most nutrients, while the glycophyte, S. rubra showed no favorable response, rather the combination of some nutrients further reduced its growth. The increased growth in S. marina was as a result of increased root growth while in S. rupicola it was as a result of increased root and stem growth. High salinity conditions resulted in a marked reduction in calcium and potassium content and an increase in sodium and chloride content of leaves of the species. Addition of many of the nutrients to plants under high salinity condition generally resulted in increased sodium, calcium, potassium, and magnesium content of leaves, except that the addition of phosphate resulted in decreased amounts of calcium and magnesium. Results are discussed in relation to the salt tolerance of the species and how the supply of nutrients to these species in their natural habitats might help them overcome high salinity problems.     

Renal handling of phosphate, calcium, sodium, and potassium in intact and parathyroidectomized Rana pipiens

Renal excretion of phosphate, calcium, sodium, and potassium in intact and parathyroidectomized male Rana pipiens was studied by renal clearance techniques using 14C-inulin. In intact frogs, 57% of filtered phosphate, 60% of filtered calcium, 97% of filtered sodium, and 89% of filtered potassium was reabsorbed by the renal tubules. Following parathyroidectomy, the rate of reabsorption of phosphate became significantly higher than that of the intact frog, and the relative phosphate clearance (fractional excretion) decreased. These changes corresponded with a gradual rise in serum phosphate values. There was no major effect on excretion patterns of calcium, sodium, or potassium after parathyroidectomy. These results suggest that in frogs the parathyroid glands strongly influence phosphate excretion patterns but have little effect on the excretion of calcium, sodium, or potassium.     

Calcium oscillations induced by gambierol in cerebellar granule cells

Gambierol is a marine polyether ladder toxin derived from the dinoflagellate Gambierdiscus toxicus. To date, gambierol has been reported to act either as a partial agonist or as an antagonist of sodium channels or as a blocker of voltage‐dependent potassium channels. In this work, we examined the cellular effect of gambierol on cytosolic calcium concentration, membrane potential and sodium and potassium membrane currents in primary cultures of cerebellar granule cells. We found that at concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 30 µM, gambierol‐evoked [Ca²⁺]c oscillations that were dependent on the presence of extracellular calcium, irreversible and highly synchronous. Gambierol‐evoked [Ca²⁺]c oscillations were completely eliminated by the NMDA receptor antagonist APV and by riluzole and delayed by CNQX. In addition, the K⁺ channel blocker 4‐aminopyridine (4‐AP)‐evoked cytosolic calcium oscillations in this neuronal system that were blocked by APV and delayed in the presence of CNQX. Electrophysiological recordings indicated that gambierol caused membrane potential oscillations, decreased inward sodium current amplitude and decreased also outward IA and IK current amplitude. The results presented here point to a common mechanism of action for gambierol and 4‐AP and indicate that gambierol‐induced oscillations in cerebellar neurons are most likely secondary to a blocking action of the toxin on voltage‐dependent potassium channels and hyperpolarization of sodium current activation. J. Cell. Biochem. 110: 497–508, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Nitrogen utilization of highly and weakly virulent isolates of Colletotrichum falcatum Went

Nine inorganic nitrogenous compounds and sixteen amino acids were used to study the growth and sporulation of highly and weakly virulent isolates ofColletotrichum falcatum Went. Potassium nitrate, sodium nitrate and calcium nitrate supported good growth, while ammonium phosphate, potassium nitrate and sodium nitrate supported good sporulation of both isolates. Among the amino acids tested, glycine and DL-alanine were best for growth, and DL-threonine, L-leucine, DL-tyrosine, DL-serine, DL-phenylalanine and L-cystine for sporulation. No correlation existed between virulence and growth but the highly virulent isolate sporulated significantly more than the weakly virulent isolate.This work is a part of the author's Ph. D. Dissertation submitted to the Faculty of the Graduate School of the College of the Agriculture, University of the Philippines (1969).     

Halotolerance is enhanced in carrot callus by sensing hypergravity: influence of calcium modulators and cytochalasin D

Carrot callus was centrifuged at 10 g and compared to callus growing at 1 g on agar in the presence of increasing sodium chloride concentrations. Growth after 14 days was enhanced in the centrifuged samples versus samples kept at 1 g. This effect was not found when the samples were grown on potassium chloride. At 50 mM NaCl, the calcium ionophore ionomycin was applied to centrifuged and noncentrifuged callus samples. In both experiments, the growth of callus increased with increasing ionomycin concentrations but under 10 g this increase was more enhanced. As inhibitors of calcium influx, lanthanum and gadolinium chloride were chosen in the presence of 50 mM NaCl. Both inhibitors inhibited growth at 1 g at low concentrations of around 2 microM, whereas the centrifuged samples were not or much less so inhibited. We tested an involvement of actin by application of cytochalasin D to callus grown in the presence of 50 mM NaCl. In both types of samples, growth at 1 g and growth at 10 g, cytochalasin D enhanced growth but the effect was clearly stronger at 10 g than at 1 g. As increased halotolerance was only observed in the presence of increased sodium ions, not potassium ions, and as halotolerance is known to be induced by an influx of calcium, the data suggest that a calcium influx induced by hypergravity and possibly modulated by actin caused the observed increase in halotolerance at 10 g.