The protein content of tissues in cynipid galls (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae): Similarities between cynipid galls and seeds

Cynipid galls are examples of induced plant development, where the gall inducer is in control of cell differentiation and morphogenesis of a new plant organ. This study concentrates on the tissues of the larval chamber common to all cynipid galls. The protein content of the inner gall tissue was compared to that of non‐gall plant tissues. We investigated three oak and two rose galls and their respective host plants. Total protein signatures of inner gall tissues were different from those of non‐gall plant tissues, and among the five galls. N‐terminal sequences were obtained for two abundant proteins from the inner gall tissues of D. spinosa and A. quercuscalicis, which were common to all galls, at 62 and 43 kDa. Database queries suggest the 62 kDa protein to be homologous to a protein disulphide isomerase (PDI), and the 43 kDa protein to be homologous to NAD‐dependent formate dehydrogenase (FDH). A naturally biotinylated protein was detected at 33 kDa during Western analyses with streptavidin. Western analyses revealed the presence of the biotinylated protein and PDI in the inner gall tissues of all five galls, while FDH was only detected in A. quercuscalicis and A. fecundator. PDI was also common to all non‐gall tissues, while FDH was not detected in non‐gall tissues, and the biotinylated protein was only detected in seeds. The proteins identified in the inner gall tissue suggest that (a) inner gall tissues in some galls are under respiratory stress, and (b) cynipid gall formation might involve the ectopic expression of seed‐specific proteins.     

Age dependent changes in phospholipids and galactolipids in primary bean leaves (Phaseolus vulgaris)

Primary leaves of Phaseolus vulgaris show concomitant changes in phospholipid, galactolipid, chlorophyll and fresh weight during leaf development from 3 to 32 days after planting. Phosphatidyl choline, phosphatidyl ethanolamine, and phosphatidyl inositol show only small changes on a mole per cent lipid phosphate basis during leaf development. The chloroplast lipids, phosphatidyl glycerol, monogalactosyl diglyceride (MGDG) and digalactosyl diglyceride (DGDG) all show marked increases and decreases which are coincident with chloroplast development. The decline in the leaf content of chloroplast polar lipids and chlorophyll become evident upon reaching maximal leaf size. The molar ratio of galactolipids (MGDG/DGDG), reaches a maximum value of 2.3 in expanding leaves, but steadily declines during senescence to a minimum value of 1.5 at abscission. The declining ratio is caused by a preferential loss of MGDG in the senescing leaves.     

Fatty acid composition of phospholipids in mitochondria and microsomes during diethylnitrosamine carcinogenesis in rat liver

Changes in lipid composition and function of subcellular organelles have been described in transplanted and primary tumours. We examine here the fatty acid composition of individual phospholipids (PL) in hyperplastic nodules and primary hepatoma induced by diethylnitrosamine (DEN), compared to that of normal liver and of transplantable Yoshida AH-130 hepatoma. Phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine fatty acid composition in mitochondria and microsomes from primary hepatoma were markedly different from normal liver; C18:0/C18:1 ratio was lower and the ratio between monosaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids was higher. Linoleic acid content of mitochondrial cardiolipin, usually very high in normal rat liver, was notably lower in primary hepatoma. Cholesterol/phospholipid ratio in both microsomes and mitochondria from DEN-induced hepatoma was higher than in normal liver. Hyperplastic nodules showed no changes in cholesterol content whereas modifications in fatty acid composition were already observable. These modifications of membrane structure may be related to the functional changes found in nodular cells. Changes in fatty acid composition of membrane phospholipids, occurring in both primary hepatoma and preneoplastic nodules, might be one of the causes for decreased rate of lipid peroxidation peculiar to these tissues.     

Fatty acid composition in the central and peripheral adipose tissues of the sable (Martes zibellina)

Fatty acid composition was examined in the total lipids of the intraabdominal, subcutaneous and peripheral (paws, tail, nose) adipose tissues of a terrestrial mustelid, the sable Martes zibellina. The species inhabits the Palearctic taiga and is exposed to extreme cold during the winter. Although the paw pads and nose of the sable had higher proportions of total polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) compared to the adipose tissues of the trunk, the location of fat had only a little influence on the total percentages of saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids in the species. In this respect, the sable differs from its relative, the semiaquatic American mink Mustela vison, which has pronounced unsaturation of lipids towards the periphery. As observed previously in the mink, the sable deposits preferentially n-3 PUFAs in the appendages. The gradient of unsaturation is more modest in the sable possibly due to its terrestrial lifestyle. The results of the present study demonstrate that the average unsaturation of adipose tissue fatty acids does not increase towards the periphery in all northern mammals.     

Effects of frost hardening on the composition of galactolipids and phospholipids occurring during isolation of chloroplast thylakoids from needles of scots pine

Frost hardening of seedlings of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) at a non-freezing temperature of 4°C resulted in a 2-fold increase of the acyl lipids of the needles. This was because of increases in phospholipids and triglycerides. The galactolipid content of the needles was almost the same in unhardened and frost-hardened seedlings. In unhardened seedlings the mol ratio of monogalactosyl diacylglycerol (MGDG) to digalactosyl diacylglycerol (DGDG) was 1.7 ± 0.3 and 0.9 ± 0.2 in needles and isolated thylakoids, respectively. Corresponding ratios for frost-hardened seedlings were 1.5 ± 0.2 and 0.3 ± 0.03. The lower ratios found in isolated thylakoids, particularly in thylakoids from frost-hardened seedlings, are suggested to depend on the enzyme galactolipid: galactolipid galactosyltransferase being active during the isolation procedure. This is deduced from the result that the content of MGDG decreased and that of DGDG and 1.2 diglycerides increased. Needles of Scots pine also contain phospholipidase D. This enzyme was active during thylakoid preparation, particularly after frost hardening, as judged from the large amount of phosphatidic acid found the in thylakoid fraction isolated from frost-hardening needles. The fatty acid composition of the acyl lipids showed no major changes due to hardening at non-freezing temperature.     

Fatty acid composition of brown adipose tissue in genetically heat-tolerant FOK rats

The phospholipid fatty acid composition of brown adipose tissue (BAT) was examined in inbred heat-tolerant FOK rats and compared with that in conventional Wistar rats not previously exposed to heat. The FOK rats showed higher unsaturation states, as indicated by higher levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids and a higher unsaturation index and polyunsaturated fatty acids/saturated fatty acids ratio. This higher level of unsaturation was characterized by the higher amount of polyunsaturated fatty acids such as linoleic acid, arachidonic acid and docosahexaenoic acid. It may be concluded that the increased docosahexaenoic acid level in BAT phospholipids brings about the hyperplasia of BAT, causing an enhancement of its in vivo thermogernic activity as well as the systemic non-shivering thermogenesis observed in heat-tolerant FOK rats. Received: 17 May 2000 / Revised: 21 August 2000 / Accepted: 21 September 2000     

Fatty acid analyses of phosphoglycerides from tissues of the clam Chlamys islandica (Muller) and the starfish Ctenodiscus crispatus (Retzius) from Balsfjorden,Northern Norway

Fatty acid analyses of phosphoglycerides from Chlamys islandica (Muller) and Ctenodiscus crispants (Retzius) show several interesting features. Major phospholipids from the ovaries and muscles of Chlamys have high levels of (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). The phosphatidylinositol (PtdIns) from these tissues contains, however, large amounts of arachidonic acid, 20:4(n?6), so that the $\text{(n?3)}\text{(n?6)}$ ratio of PtdIns is considerably lower than that of the other phospholipids. In contrast, the major phospholipids from the ovaries of Ctenodiscus contain approximately equal amounts of (n?6), mostly 20:4(n?6), and (n?3)PUFA. The 20:4(n?6) is mostly in phosphatidylethanolamine (PtdEtn) and PtdIns and the $\text{(n?3)}\text{(n?6)}$ ratio is again lowest in PtdIns. The PtdIns in both species is also rich in 18:0 and consequently resembles PtdIns from elasmobranchs, marine teleosts, and terrestrial mammals. The results are discussed in relation to dietary origins of PUFA in benthic marine animals and to metabolic functions of PtdIns.     

Acyl migration during deacylation of phospholipids rich in docosahexaenoic acid (DHA): an enzymatic approach for evidence and study

Non-enzymatic acyl migration could be counter-productive for the preparation of structured phospholipids with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) at a designated position. Therefore enzymatic approaches have been developed to investigate acyl migration. First, acyl migration from sn-2 to sn-1 position has been set into relief by a three step enzymatic method using a typo-selective lipase, a phospholipase A2 and a non-selective lipase. The effect of reaction temperature on acyl migration from sn-2 to sn-1 was monitored: lowering the reaction temperature from 40 to 30°C allowed a reduction of DHA migration rate of 40%. Secondly, acyl migration from sn-1 to sn-2 position was negligible. This last result was obtained through the study of structured phosphatidylcholine selective deacylation using a phospholipase A2.     

Changes in the composition of fatty acids and sterols of membrane lipids during induction and differentiation of Brassica napus (var. oleifera L.) callus

Changes in the membrane lipid and sterols content and composition were studied during induction and differentiation in callus cultures of Brassica napus var. oleifera. Callus induction was associated with an increase of DGDG content, significant changes in fatty acids composition of all lipid fractions and increased degree of lipid unsaturation. The membrane lipid composition of tissue at different degrees of differentiation was found to vary significantly, particularly two weeks after transfer of callus to regeneration medium. The main differences concerned the content and composition of galactolipids. Curiously in many cases, these differences declined during subsequent culture, in spite of the morphogenesis process which was in progress. Another result of differentiation was the change in free sterol composition: in shoot regenerating calli the content of stigmasterol had rose whereas the accumulation of campesterol decreased. Even though observed changes in membrane properties may not play a role in morphogenesis they are nevertheless useful as developmental markers and can be invaluable in understanding biochemical basis of morphogenesis.     

Fatty acid composition of aquatic insect larvae Stictochironomus pictulus (Diptera: Chironomidae): evidence of feeding upon methanotrophic bacteria

Larvae of the chironomid Stictochironomus pictulus were collected from Lake Biwa, central Japan. Both the fatty acid composition of the total lipid fraction and the carbon stable isotope ratios of whole larvae were determined. Larvae showed δ¹³C values of −57.4‰ to −62.4‰, similar to the values of methane recorded from the lake sediments. A high level of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs; approximately 50% of total fatty acids) and an extremely low level of n-3 series polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in the total lipids of S. pictulus indicated a predominantly bacterial nutrition for this species. Moreover, chironomid tissues contained large amounts of the Type I methanotroph group-specific fatty acid, 16:1(n-8) (approximately 8% of total fatty acids). This is the first time such a fatty acid biomarker has been described from freshwater invertebrates. The data suggest that S. pictulus larvae directly feed upon methanotrophic bacteria.     

Fatty acid composition and dynamics of phospholipids from hake (Merluccius hubbsi) spinal cord and brain and sea bass (Acanthustius brasilianus) brain.

This work studies the phospholipid and fatty acid composition in hake brain and spinal cord and in sea bass brain. Fluorescence anisotropy of phospholipid vesicles labeled with 1,6-diphenyl hexatriene was measured to investigate the associated dynamic properties. In all tissues studied, phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine were the major constituents with minor contributions of phosphatidylserine, phosphatidylinositol and sphingomyelin. Fatty acids belong to the n-9 and n-3 series exclusively. Phosphatidylinositol from hake spinal cord and phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylserine from hake brain contain the greatest percentages of eicosa-5,8,11,14,17-pentaenoic (20:5) and docosa-4,7,10,13,16,19-hexaenoic (22:6), respectively. For all fractions studied the total content of saturated fatty acids increases in the order of hake spinal cord, hake brain, sea bass brain together with a decrease in the sum of monounsaturated fatty acids. The comparison between fluorescence anisotropy values and fatty acid composition clearly demonstrates that saturated acids and 20:5 and 22:6 exert a rigidizing effect.     

Fatty acid composition of canola (Brassica napus L.), as affected by agronomical,genotypic and environmental parameters

Vegetable oils with a high relative amount of unsaturated fatty acids are of great significance for human health. There is not any data on the effects of tillage practices on fatty acid composition of canola (Brassica napus L.). Hence, in a 2-year split plot experiment, the effects of different tillage systems (no (NT), minimum (MT) and conventional tillage (CT)), canola genotypes (Hyola 401 (V1) and PF (V2)) and sowing dates (including Sep. 8, 23 and Oct. 7) on the fatty acid composition of canola were evaluated. Tillage practices and the combination of canola genotypes and sowing dates were randomized to the main and sub-plots, respectively. The highest oleic acid content was the result of combining NT, V1 and Sep. 23, and the lowest was related to the combination of CT, V2 and Oct. 7. While the combination of NT, V1 and D1 resulted in the highest amount of unsaturated fatty acids, this amount was the lowest for the combination of CT, V2 and Sep. 23. For the selection of an appropriate canola producing strategy, all these parameters must be taken into account. The combination of NT, V1 and Sep. 23 may be the most favorable cropping strategy for canola production under a Mediterranean climate.     

Amino acid composition of human liver mitochondrial membranes in normal and pathological conditions

The amino acid composition of proteins from liver mitochondrial membranes has been studied in patients with normal liver, with biliary diseases and fatty liver, with obstructive jaundice or liver cirrhosis. A characteristic pattern of the amino acid composition in patients with normal liver has been found. In the mitochondrial membranes of patients with fatty liver tryptophan and lysine were decreased while [aspartic acid plus asparagine] and [glutamic acid plus glutamine] were increased compared to their counterpart in the normal liver. In patients with obstructive jaundice of short duration (less than two months) only a slight decrease in methionine content was found, while in the case of liver cirrhosis amino acid composition was markedly changed.deceased.     

Changes in polar lipids during ripening and senescence of cherry tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum): Relation to climacteric and ethylene increases

The entire senescence period, including ripening, is characterized in cherry tomato ( Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. var. cerasiforme Alef.) by two successive changes in overall polar lipid content. The rise in respiration of the fruit in the climacteric phase is accompanied by a large increase in lipids, notably phospholipids, such as phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidic acid. This suggests the coexistence of anabolic and catabolic processes in this first period. At the degreening stage of the fruit, decreased levels of monogalactosyldiacylglycerol and the disappearance of trigalactosyldiacylglycerol may indicate some degradation of the chloroplast compartment. Following a respiratory upsurge, a sudden breakdown of total lipids occurs concomitantly with maximal ethylene production. This breakdown is essentially caused by a parallel decrease in the amounts of phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidic acid and also phosphatidylglycerol. However, in the cherry tomato, lipid peroxidation, evaluated by alteration of fatty acid distribution, seems insufficient to account for the ethylene peak.     

Amino acid composition of rat and human liver microsomes in normal and pathological conditions

The amino acid composition of proteins from liver microsomes has been studied in rats and in human subjects with normal liver, with obstructive jaundice or liver cirrhosis. The pattern of the amino acid composition of microsomes appeared to be species-specific. Phenylalanine, threonine, serine, proline, histidine and [aspartic acid plus asparagine] were increased, while alanine, tyrosine, glycine and arginine were decreased in the human compared to the rat microsomes. In patients with obstructive jaundice of short duration (less than two months) only a slight decrease in leucine and phenylalanine could be noticed, while in the case of liver cirrhosis amino acid composition was markedly changed.     

High content of polyunsaturated fatty acids in muscle phospholipids of a fast runner,the European brown hare (Lepus europaeus)

To investigate both seasonal changes and possible intracorporal gradients of phospholipid fatty acid composition, skeletal muscles (n=124), hearts (n=27), and livers (n=34) from free-living brown hares (Lepus europaeus) were analyzed. Phospholipids from both skeletal muscles and heart had a high degree of unsaturation with 66.8±0.63% and 65.7±0.5% polyunsaturated fatty acids, respectively. This is the highest proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids reported in any mammalian tissue. Polyunsaturated fatty acid content in skeletal muscles was 2.3% greater in winter compared to summer (F_1,106=17.7; P=0.0001), which may reflect thermoregulatory adjustments. Arachidonate (C20:4n-6) showed the greatest seasonal increase (+2.5%; F=7.95; P=0.0057). However, there were no pronounced differences in polyunsaturated fatty acid content between skeletal muscles from different locations in the body (m. iliopsoas, m. longissimus dorsi and m. vastus). Total muscle phospholipid polyunsaturated fatty acid content was correlated with polyunsaturated fatty acid content in triacyglycerols from perirenal white adipose tissue depots (r²=0.61; P=0.004). Polyunsaturated fatty acids were enriched in muscle phospholipids (56.8–73.6%), compared to white adipose tissue lipids (20.9–61.2%), and liver phospholipids (25.1–54.2%). We suggest that the high degree of muscle membrane unsaturation is related to hare-specific traits, such as a high maximum running speed.Abbreviations BMR basal metabolic rate - DPA docosapentaenoic acid - DHA docosahexaenoic acid - FA fatty acid - MUFA monounsaturated fatty acid - PC principal component - PUFA polyunsaturated fatty acid - SFA saturated fatty acid - UI unsaturation index - WAT white adipose tissueCommunicated by: G. Heldmaier     

Acyl group composition of membrane phospholipids in mammary tissues and carcinoma induced by dimethylbenz(a)anthracene.

Phospholipids and their acyl group composition in mammary adenocarcinomas and mammary tissue of the same tumor-bearing animals were investigated. Breast adenocarcinoma induced by dimethybenz(a)anthracene exhibited a phospholipid pattern which was different from that of the mammary tissue. Tumor phospholipids had higher proportions of diacyl-GPI, diacyl-GPE, and alkenylacyl-GPE and a lower proportion of diacyl-GPC than the controls. The acyl groups of most phospholipids in tumors showed a marked increase in the proportion of 18:1 and a decrease in the proportion of 18:2. The fatty acid composition of plasmalogen and triglyceride, however, remained unchanged. In spite of the decrease in the proportion of 18:2, there was no apparent difference in the proportion of 20:4 in most of the phosphoglycerides; however, a significant decrease in this fatty acid was noted in diacyl-GPI. Results of this study demonstrated that the membrane phospholipids of mammary adenocarcinoma were altered in respect to acyl group composition. Changes in physical properties of the cell membrane, in turn, could lead to abnormal manifestation of membrane regulated events in tumor cells.     

北京松山国家级自然保护区野生种子植物分布及物种组成分析

采取踏查、样方和样线相结合的方法,调查了北京松山国家级自然保护区内野生种子植物的分布状况,并对其种类组成和分布区类型进行了分析。调查结果显示：该保护区内共有野生种子植物92科382属721种,其中,裸子植物3科4属5种、被子植物89科378属716种;被子植物中包含双子叶植物78科298属569种和单子叶植物11科80属147种。含20种或20种以上的科有7个,包含的属、种数量均占该保护区野生种子植物属、种总数的40%以上,优势科现象明显;含1种和含2-4种的属分别有235和128个,具有绝对优势。该保护区野生种子植物科的分布区类型可分为8个,除世界广布科外,以泛热带分布型科和北温带分布型科为主;属的分布区类型可分为15个,以北温带分布型属为主,热带性质属与温带性质属的数量比为0.20。该保护区内有国家重点保护野生植物2种、北京市重点保护野生植物52种,其中包含兰科（Orchidaceae）植物14属18种以及数量极少的丁香叶忍冬（LoniceraoblataK.S.HaoexP.S.HsuetH.J.Wang）和北京市特有植物北京水毛茛（BatrachiumpekinenseL.Liou）;该保护区内还有7种具有入侵倾向的外来植物。此外,还有北京新记录植物3种,分别为柳叶野豌豆也Viciavenosa（Willd.exLink）Maxim.页、北方红门兰（OrchisroborowskiiMaxim.）和廻旋扁蕾也Gentianopsiscontorta（Royle）Ma页。研究结果表明：该保护区的野生种子植物区系具有典型的温带性质并有一定的过渡性。     

Iron deficiency-induced changes in carbon fixation and leaf elemental composition of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris) plants

In this experiment we (i) tested the hypothesis that, besides decreasing leaf C fixation, lime induced iron (Fe) deficiency increases root C fixation via PEP carboxylase and (ii) assessed the Fe-induced modifications in the elemental composition of plant tissues. Sugar beet plants were grown in nutrient solutions with Fe (45 M Fe-EDTA; +Fe control) or in a similar nutrient solution without Fe (–Fe) and in presence of CaCO₃ (1.0 gL^–1), either labelled with ¹³C (20 at. %) or unlabelled. After 7 and 17 days from treatment imposition, plants were harvested and single organs analysed for total O, C, H, macro and micronutrients. ¹³C abundance was also assessed in control, unlabelled and labelled –Fe plants. Iron deficiency caused significant growth reductions; chlorophyll and net photosynthesis decreased markedly in Fe-deficient plants when compared to the controls, whereas leaf transpiration rates and stomatal conductance were not affected by Fe deficiency. Iron deficient plants had leaf biomass with lower C (2 to 4%) and higher O (3 to 5%) concentrations than +Fe plants. The ¹³C was higher (less negative) in +Fe than in –Fe unlabelled plants. Iron deficient plants grown in the nutrient solution enriched with labelled CaCO₃ absorbed a relatively small amount of labelled C, which was mainly recovered in the fine roots and accounted for less than 2% of total C gain in the 10 d treatment period. Evidences suggest that iron deficient sugar beets grown in the presence of CaCO₃ do not markedly shift their C fixation from leaf RuBP to root PEPC.