Nutrient conservation strategies in native Andean‐Patagonian forests

Abstract. Nutrient conservation in vegetation affects rates of litter decomposition and soil nutrient availability. Although resorption has been traditionally considered one of the most important plant strategies to conserve nutrients in temperate forests, long leaf life‐span and low nutrient requirements have been postulated as better indicators. We aimed at identifying nutrient conservation strategies within characteristic functional groups of NW Patagonian forests on Andisols. We analysed C‐, N‐, P‐, K‐ and lignin‐concentrations in mature and senescent leaves of ten native woody species within the functional groups: broad‐leaved deciduous species, broad‐leaved evergreens and conifers. We also examined mycorrhizal associations in all species. Nutrient concentration in mature leaves and N‐ resorption were higher in broad‐leaved deciduous species than in the other two functional groups. Conifers had low mature leaf nutrient concentrations, low N‐resorption and high lignin/N ratios in senescent leaves. P‐ and K‐resorptions did not differ among functional groups. Broad‐leaved evergreens exhibited a species‐dependent response. Nitrogen in mature leaves was positively correlated with both N resorption and soil N‐fertility. Despite the high P‐retention capacity of Andisols, N appeared to be the more limiting nutrient, with most species being proficient in resorbing N but not P. The presence of endomycorrhizae in all conifers and the broad‐leaved evergreen Maytenus boaria, ectomycorrhizae in all Nothofagus species (four deciduous, one evergreen), and cluster roots in the broad‐leaved evergreen Lomatia hirsuta, would be possibly explaining why P is less limiting than N in these forests.     

Demonstration that a chemically synthesized BPV1 oncoprotein and its C-terminal domain function to induce cellular DNA synthesis

Bovine papillomavirus type 1 contains the smallest known oncogene (ORF E5), encoding a hydrophobic 44 amino acid protein. To study the biochemical functions of the E5 oncoprotein, we have chemically synthesized it and several deletion mutant peptides. We demonstrate induction of cellular DNA synthesis in growth-arrested cells by microinjection of E5 oncoprotein. This activity can be broken down into two functionally distinguishable domains. Remarkably, the first domain, which alone is sufficient to induce cellular DNA synthesis, contains only the C-terminal 13 amino acids. This is the smallest known protein fragment that can autonomously activate cellular DNA synthesis. The second domain is the hydrophobic middle region, which by itself fails to induce cellular DNA synthesis but confers a 1000-fold increase in specific activity. The N-terminal one-third of the molecule is dispensable for induction of DNA synthesis.     

Antimicrobial and antiviral activities of an actinomycete (Streptomyces sp.) isolated from a Brazilian tropical forest soil

A promising producer of bioactive compounds isolated from a Brazilian tropical soil was tested for its range of antimicrobial activities. Strain 606, classified as Streptomyces sp., could not be identified up to species level, suggesting a possible new taxon. The supernatant and 10 extracts and fractions, obtained by extraction and chromatographic techniques, presented antimicrobial activity using antibiograms. The methanolic fraction was highly active against pathogenic bacteria, phytopathogenic fungi and the human pathogenic yeast Candida albicans. It also possessed high antiviral activity inhibiting the propagation of an acyclovir-resistant herpes simplex virus type 1 strain on HEp-2 cells at non-cytotoxic concentration. The strong cytotoxic effect suggests an antitumour action. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

The Teorell membrane oscillator as a mechano-electric transducer

Summary The results of a recent quantitative analysis of the Teorell membrane oscillator are utilized to explore its role as an excitability analogue. Special attention is paid to its role as a mechano-electric transducer. A membrane of exceptionally well-defined pore structure has been used in this study. The analogue properties arise from nonlinear coupling between water and salt fluxes. When the membrane is simultaneously subjected to controlled gradients of hydrostatic pressure, electrical potential and concentration, bi-stable stationary states can be produced. These arise from the opposing effects of pressure and electro-osmosis on the volume flow. Transitions between these states show hysteresis. The factors governing such transitions are analogous to certain types of stimuli encountered in the natural excitation process. The membrane system also shows oscillatory behavior when the hydrostatic pressure gradient is allowed to vary under constant current conditions. This property is related to the bi-stable stationary state phenomena and is compared to the regenerative behavior found in biologically excitable tissues. Particular emphasis is placed upon analogies between the membrane oscillator and certain natural tissues. The importance of the nonlinear nature of the force-flux coupling in the analogue is stressed, and its possible relevance to biological excitability indicated. Some consideration is also given to the role of electro-osmotic flux coupling in biological tissues.