Characterization of the primary metabolome during the long-term response to NaHCO<Subscript>3</Subscript>-derived alkalinity in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lotus japonicus</Emphasis> ecotypes Gifu B-129 and Miyakojima MG-20

This study compares the response of two ecotypes of the model species Lotus japonicas, MG-20 and Gifu-B-129, to soil alkalinity, in terms of plant survival and changes in global primary metabolome profiles. After 54 days of treatment with 30 mM NaHCO₃, a higher survival was registered in MG-20, with respect to Gifu-B-129 plants. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis of shoot extracts from both ecotypes yielded 123 different analytes, 62 of which were identified, including organic acids (OA), amino acids (AA), sugars and polyols. Glycolysis, TCA cycle and amino acids metabolism pathways were differently affected by alkalinity according to the ecotype. The lower tolerance of Gifu B-129 plants to 10 mM NaHCO₃, compared with MG-20 ones could be related, at least partially, to the differential accumulation of phosphoric, lactic, threonic, succinic and p-coumaric acids, as well as β-alanine and valine.     

Characterization of a Chlorophyta microalga isolated from a microbial mat in Salar de Atacama (northern Chile) as a potential source of compounds for biotechnological applications

Microalgae are an important source of unsaturated fatty acids, phospholipids, glycolipids, and carotenes, which are useful compounds for the food and pharmaceutical industries. The Atacama Desert of northern Chile is one of the driest deserts on Earth and, as such, it is a great natural laboratory in which to study new microorganisms adapted to extreme environments. A microalgal strain, referred to here as CH03, was isolated from a microbial mat in salt flat water in Salar de Atacama. Genetic analysis of the 18S ribosomal RNA gene showed that the strain had homology with other known sequences of the species Chlorella sorokiniana. Our results revealed the adaptability of this microalga to freshwater medium under laboratory conditions, despite coming from an extremely high‐salinity environment. The fatty acid profile of CH03(A) newly isolated in Bold's basal medium differed from that of CH03(B) cultured in vitro in modified F/2 medium and from another five strains of C. sorokiniana and three strains of Chlorella vulgaris in that it had a high stearic acid content and had no polyunsaturated fatty acids. The major biochemical components observed in this strain were proteins (64.3–73.6%) and lipids (26.6–32.6%). This study suggests that the strain CH03 could be a protein source and that this oleaginous microalga is easy to grow in vitro as a biological model for future studies.     

Desulfovibrio desulfuricans iron hydrogenase: the structure shows unusual coordination to an active site Fe binuclear center.

BACKGROUND: Many microorganisms have the ability to either oxidize molecular hydrogen to generate reducing power or to produce hydrogen in order to remove low-potential electrons. These reactions are catalyzed by two unrelated enzymes: the Ni-Fe hydrogenases and the Fe-only hydrogenases. RESULTS: We report here the structure of the heterodimeric Fe-only hydrogenase from Desulfovibrio desulfuricans - the first for this class of enzymes. With the exception of a ferredoxin-like domain, the structure represents a novel protein fold. The so-called H cluster of the enzyme is composed of a typical [4Fe-4S] cubane bridged to a binuclear active site Fe center containing putative CO and CN ligands and one bridging 1, 3-propanedithiol molecule. The conformation of the subunits can be explained by the evolutionary changes that have transformed monomeric cytoplasmic enzymes into dimeric periplasmic enzymes. Plausible electron- and proton-transfer pathways and a putative channel for the access of hydrogen to the active site have been identified. CONCLUSIONS: The unrelated active sites of Ni-Fe and Fe-only hydrogenases have several common features: coordination of diatomic ligands to an Fe ion; a vacant coordination site on one of the metal ions representing a possible substrate-binding site; a thiolate-bridged binuclear center; and plausible proton- and electron-transfer pathways and substrate channels. The diatomic coordination to Fe ions makes them low spin and favors low redox states, which may be required for catalysis. Complex electron paramagnetic resonance signals typical of Fe-only hydrogenases arise from magnetic interactions between the [4Fe-4S] cluster and the active site binuclear center. The paucity of protein ligands to this center suggests that it was imported from the inorganic world as an already functional unit.     

Chiral separation of some 4a-methyl-1,2,3,4,4a,9a-hexahydro-fluoren-9-one derivatives as a probe for difference in solvation by 2-propanol of carbamate moiety in chiralcel OD-H,chiralpak AD,and chiralpak AS chiral stationary phases

Chromatographic resolution of 12 derivatives in the 4a-methyl-2,3,4,4a-tetrahydro-1H-fluorene and 4a-methyl-1,2,3,4,4a,9a-hexahydrofluoren-9-one series differing by the framework around position 9 and substitution in position 6, are reported on Chiralcel OD, Chiralpak AD, and Chiralpak AS under two elution conditions and according to the two classes of enantiomers. Results from principal component analysis (PCA) as well as hierarchical clustering show a clustering of the actual compounds depending on properties around position 9, the effect of the substituent in position 6 (methyl, chloro or fluoro) not being strong enough to intermesh the data. Carbamate phases show very different properties when they are used in the separation of a series of ketones C and α-chloroketones D , which differ in basicity and the steric requirement around the carbonyl. Analysis of the effect of 2-PrOH content in hexane on the retention is consistent with a large difference in solvation of the carbamate moiety by 2-PrOH, in the order Chiralcel OD > Chiralpak AD > Chiralpak AS. 4a-Methyl-2,3,4,4a-tetrahydro-1H-fluorene derivatives, which lack hydrogen bonding sites, are not discriminated on these CSPs and show identical k′ responses to 2-PrOH content changes on the three CSPs. Chirality 10:770–777, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Plant and habitat use by Black‐breasted Pufflegs (Eriocnemis nigrivestis), a critically endangered hummingbird

Black‐breasted Pufflegs (Eriocnemis nigrivestis) are hummingbirds endemic to Ecuador and are considered critically endangered because of their limited distribution, a population estimated at fewer than 1000 individuals, and ongoing habitat degradation. From November 2013 to June 2016, we examined the foraging preferences of these hummingbirds using a combination of direct observations, time‐lapse cameras, and motion‐detection software. We first identified 21 species of ornithophilous plants distributed among five sites in the northwestern flanks of the Pichincha volcano in northwest Ecuador. We then monitored these plant species using time‐lapse cameras and recorded 144 visits by Black‐breasted Pufflegs to seven of the 21 species. Most visits (128 of 144 visits, 89%) were to just two species of plants, Macleania rupestris and Palicourea fuchsioides, the latter of which is also an endemic and threatened species. In addition, Black‐breasted Pufflegs were only observed in the most pristine habitats. Given the potential negative effects of climate change for species in the tropical Andes plus the possible loss and degradation of habitat resulting from human activities, efforts are needed to conserve habitats currently used by Black‐breasted Pufflegs, recover degraded habitats, and connect isolated patches of suitable habitat. Our results concerning species of flowering plants used most by Black‐breasted Pufflegs (P. fuchsioides and M. rupestris) should help guide any habitat restoration initiatives.