Cyclic Purine Mononucleotides: Induction of Gibberellin Biosynthesis in Barley Endosperm

The de novo synthesis of α-amylase in barley endosperm and isolated aleurone layers is induced by 3′,5′-cyclic purine mononucleotides and gibberellic acid. The induction of α-amylase by cyclic purine mononucleotides is prevented by 2,4-DNP, inhibitors of RNA and protein syntheses, CCC, AMO-1618 and phosfon. The induction of α-amylase formation by 3′,5′-cyclic purine mononucleotides, but not by gibberellic acid, is also blocked by inhibitors of DNA synthesis. Extracts from cyclic AMP-treated endosperm halves exhibit a characteristic gibberellin-like activity which is detectable within 12 hours from the addition of the cyclic AMP. On paper chromatograms this gibberellin-like activity is located at the Rf typical for GA₃. Its formation is prevented by inhibitors of DNA synthesis, CCC and AMO-1618. Glucose inhibits the formation of α-amylase induced by gibberellic acid. Glucose has no effect on the cAMP-induced gibberellin biosynthesis. The evidence shows that the cyclic purine mononucleotides induce DNA synthesis, which results in gibberellin biosynthesis, which in turn activates the synthesis of α-amylase.     

Kinship and Behavior in Primates

Kinship and Behavior in Primates. Bernard Chapais and Carol M. Berman, eds. Oxford University Press, 2004. 507 pp.     

Photoinhibition in Spirulina platensis: Response of Photosynthesis and HCO3- Uptake Capability to CO2 Depleted Conditions

The apparent photosynthetic affinity-for inorganic carbon inSpirulina is severely reduced by exposing the cells to CO₂-depletedconditions in the light. The extent of reduction depends onthe length of exposure, the light intensity, and the O₂ concentration.The photosynthetic dependence on inorganic carbon (C_Inorg) concentration,however, is similar at 3% O₂ and at 25% O₂ but in the presenceof catalase. The amount of O₂ released following the additionof catalase to the cell suspension also depends on the O₂ andCO₂ concentrations. The addition of H₂O₂ either to the cellsuspension or by a treatment with methyl viologen caused a severeinhibition of the capability of the cells to accumulate inorganiccarbon internally. It is suggested that the reduction of thephotosynthetic apparent affinity to C_Inorg upon subjecting thecells to photoinhibitory conditions is caused by an alterationof their ability to accumulate C_Inorg due to the accumulationof H₂O₂.     

Acclimation of stream-bed heterotrophic microflora: metabolic responses to dissolved organic matter

SUMMARY.

• 1 Studies were performed to assess the acclimation of the stream-bed heterotrophic microflora to sources of dissolved organic matter (DOM) typical of its environment and microfloral responses to pulses of DOM.
• 2 Microcosm measurements of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) uptake, dissolved oxygen uptake. ATP concentration and epitluorescence microscopic counts (EMC) were performed using stream-bed sediments and heterogeneous dissolved organic matter (DOM) sources.
• 3 Three study sites included an undisturbed woodlot spring seep, a small stream traversing a cattle pasture and a larger stream draining a catchment used for silage crops, pastures and woodlands.
• 4 The DOM sources were cold water extracts of forest floor leaf litter, bovine manure, the green alga Ulothrix and jewel weed (Impaliens capensis L.) leaves.
• 5 DOC uptake occurring in 2.5–5.0 h incubations indicated an acclimation of the microflora at each site to DOM sources generated by surrounding land use.
• 6 The sediment microflora from the larger stream did not readily metabolize bovine manure DOM and the latter was used in an acclimation experiment.
• 7 A minimum of 48 h of cumulative exposure to bovine manure DOM at 15–20°C were required to yield measurable changes in sediment microbial activity of sediment microbial biomass.
• 8 The same microflora retained an ability to readily metabolize the added DOM source after 72 h of exposure to unamended stream water.
• 9 The time frame of microfloral responses during acclimation indicated that changes leading to the metabolism of a DOM source were initially enzymatic and eventually involved growth and selection for specific decomposers within the microbial community.
• 10 We conclude that in order to utilize naturally occurring pulses of carbon and energy, stream-bed heterotrophs must be already enzymatically prepared, induced, when the pulse occurs.