Synthesis, characterisation and catalase-like activity of dimanganese(III) complexes of 1,5-bis(5-X-salicylidenamino)pentan-3-ol (X=nitro and chloro)

The dimanganese(III,III) complexes [Mn(2)(III)(5-NO(2)-salpentO)(mu-AcO)(mu-MeO)(methanol)(2)]Y (1: Y=Br, 2a: Y=I, 2b: Y=I(3)), [Mn(2)(III)(5-NO(2)-salpentO)(mu-AcO)(mu-MeO)(methanol)(ClO(4))] (3) and [Mn(2)(III)(5-Cl-salpentO)(mu-AcO)(mu-MeO)(methanol)(2)]Br (4), where salpentOH is the symmetrical Schiff base ligand 1,5-bis(salicylidenamino)pentan-3-ol, were synthesised and structurally characterized. Complex 2b crystallises in the monoclinic system, space group P2(1)/c, and exhibits Mn. . .Mn separation of 2.911 A. This Mn. . .Mn separation is very close to the other characterized (mu-alkoxo)(2)(mu-acetato)Mn(2)(III) complexes of X-salpentOH (X=MeO, Br and H) and reveals that the aromatic substituent has little influence on the geometric parameters of the bimetallic core. A correlation between the electronic character of the different ring substituents, the redox potentials of the dinuclear complexes and their catalase activity was evidenced. Complexes 1-4 show saturation kinetics with [H(2)O(2)] and the H(2)O(2) disproportionation involves redox cycling between the Mn(2)(III)/Mn(2)(IV) levels. The catalytic activity studies show that bound acetate is required for catalase activity and that the acetato and alkoxo bridges serve as internal bases facilitating the proton transfer coupled to oxidation of the metal centre.     

Factors affecting light penetration in shallow lakes

Light conditions were studied in six lakes of the Danube Delta for a period of 2 years and were described as a function of 12 independent variables forming a data matrix with more than 1000 sample units. Light extinction was explained in percentage of 64% by phytoplankton, of 11% by detritus, of 7% by zooplankton, of 1.4% by dissolved organic matter and of 0.15 by bacterioplankton. The influence of mineral particles was insignificant. Equations are produced here for the relationship to water turbulence, wind intensity and lake depth. The threshold for full water turbulence was between 7 and 8% for a fluctuation domain of critical winds of 3.2–5.4 m s^-1 and for a depth domain of 1–3 m.     

Thiamine preserves mitochondrial function in a rat model of traumatic brain injury,preventing inactivation of the 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase complex

Background and purpose

Based on the fact that traumatic brain injury is associated with mitochondrial dysfunction we aimed at localization of mitochondrial defect and attempted to correct it by thiamine.

ABC1K1/PGR6 kinase: a regulatory link between photosynthetic activity and chloroplast metabolism

Arabidopsis proton gradient regulation (pgr) mutants have high chlorophyll fluorescence and reduced non‐photochemical quenching (NPQ) caused by defects in photosynthetic electron transport. Here, we identify PGR6 as the chloroplast lipid droplet (plastoglobule, PG) kinase ABC1K1 (activity of bc1 complex kinase 1). The members of the ABC1/ADCK/UbiB family of atypical kinases regulate ubiquinone synthesis in bacteria and mitochondria, and impact various metabolic pathways in plant chloroplasts. Here, we demonstrate that abc1k1 has a unique photosynthetic and metabolic phenotype that is distinct from that of the abc1k3 homolog. The abc1k1/pgr6 single mutant is specifically deficient in the electron carrier plastoquinone, as well as in β–carotene and the xanthophyll lutein, and is defective in membrane antioxidant tocopherol metabolism. After 2 days of continuous high light stress, abc1k1/pgr6 plants suffer extensive photosynthetic and metabolic perturbations, strongly affecting carbohydrate metabolism. Remarkably, however, the mutant acclimates to high light after 7 days together with a recovery of carotenoid levels and a drastic alteration in the starch‐to‐sucrose ratio. Moreover, ABC1K1 behaves as an active kinase and phosphorylates VTE1, a key enzyme of tocopherol (vitamin E) metabolism in vitro. Our results indicate that the ABC1K1 kinase constitutes a new type of regulatory link between photosynthetic activity and chloroplast metabolism.     

Molecular analysis of phylogeographic subspecies in three Ponto-Caspian sturgeon species

Sturgeons (Order Acipenseriformes) represent an extremely valuable natural resource that is now facing depletion. In the current study we evaluate if the traditional classification in subspecies of Acipenser gueldenstaedtii, Acipenser stellatus and Huso huso, endemic to Ponto-Caspian region is sustained by molecular analysis and if these represent Evolutionary Significant Units (ESUs) that should be managed separately in conservation programs. To examine the classification of taxonomic entities we sequenced a fragment of the mitochondrial control region in case of three sturgeon species that inhabit the North-western of Black Sea and migrate for reproduction in the Lower Danube. Beside these sequences, we used previously published sequences from sturgeon individuals sampled in the Black Sea, Azov Sea and Caspian Sea. We determined the genetic diversity and genetic differentiation, conducted a Population Aggregation Analysis (PAA) and inferred an intraspecific molecular phylogeny and haplotype network. The results indicated a low level of genetic differentiation between the geographically designated subspecies and did not support a significant divergence or reciprocal monophyly between them. Our results confirm previous genetic studies with smaller samples sizes, but additional analyses including nuclear markers should be conducted for proper recommendations aiming at the development of conservation programs.     

Oligomerization and pigmentation dependent excitation energy transfer in fucoxanthin-chlorophyll proteins

The ultrafast caroteonid to chlorophyll a energy transfer dynamics of the isolated fucoxanthin-chlorophyll proteins FCPa and FCPb from the diatom Cyclotella meneghiniana was investigated in a comprehensive study using transient absorption in the visible and near infrared spectral region as well as static fluorescence spectroscopy. The altered oligomerization state of both antenna systems results in a more efficient energy transfer for FCPa, which is also reflected in the different chlorophyll a fluorescence quantum yields. We therefore assume an increased quenching in the higher oligomers of FCPb. The influence of the carotenoid composition was investigated using FCPa and FCPb samples grown under different light conditions and excitation wavelengths at the blue (500 nm) and red (550 nm) wings of the carotenoid absorption. The different light conditions yield in altered amounts of the xanthophyll cycle pigments diadinoxanthin and diatoxanthin. Since no significant dynamic changes are observed for high light and low light samples, the contribution of the xanthophyll cycle pigments to the energy transfer is most likely negligible. On the contrary, the observed dynamics change drastically for the different excitation wavelengths. The analyses of the decay associated spectra of FCPb suggest an altered energy transfer pathway. For FCPa even an additional time constant was found after excitation at 500 nm. It is assigned to the intrinsic lifetime of either the xanthophyll cycle carotenoids or more probable the blue absorbing fucoxanthins. Based on our studies we propose a detailed model explaining the different excitation energy transfer pathways in FCPa.     

New dimanganese(III) complexes of pentadentate (N2O3) Schiff base ligands with the [Mn2(mu-OAc)(mu-OR)2]3+ core: synthesis, characterization and mechanistic studies of H2O2 disproportionation

Two new diMn(III) complexes [Mn(2)(III)L(1)(mu-AcO)(mu-MeO)(methanol)(2)]Br (1) and [Mn(2)(III)L(2)(mu-AcO)(mu-MeO)(methanol)(ClO(4))] (2) (L(1)H(3)=1,5-bis(2-hydroxybenzophenylideneamino)pentan-3-ol; L(2)H(3)=1,5-bis(2-hydroxynaphtylideneamino)pentan-3-ol) were synthesized and structurally characterized. Structural studies evidence that these complexes have a bis(mu-alkoxo)(mu-carboxylato) triply bridged diMn(III) core in the solid state and in solution, with two substitution-labile sites--one on each Mn ion--in cis-position. The two complexes show catalytic activity toward disproportionation of H(2)O(2), with saturation kinetics on [H(2)O(2)], in methanol and dimethyl formamide at 25 degrees C. Spectroscopic monitoring of the H(2)O(2) disproportionation reaction suggests that (i) complexes 1 and 2 dismutate H(2)O(2) by a mechanism involving redox cycling between Mn(2)(III) and Mn(2)(IV), (ii) the complexes retain the dinuclearity during catalysis, (iii) the active form of the catalyst contains bound acetate, and (iv) protons favors the formation of inactive Mn(II) species. Comparison to other dimanganese complexes of the same family shows that the rate of catalase reaction is not critically dependent on the redox potential of the catalyst, that substitution of phenolate by naphtolate in the Schiff base ligand favors formation of the catalyst-substrate adduct, and that, in the non-protic solvent, the bulkier substituent at the imine proton position hampers the binding to the substrate.     

Effect of voluntary wheel running on circadian corticosterone release and on HPA axis responsiveness to restraint stress in Sprague-Dawley rats.

Adaptations of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis to voluntary exercise in rodents are not clear, because most investigations use forced-exercise protocols, which are associated with psychological stress. In the present study, we examined the effects of voluntary wheel running on the circadian corticosterone (Cort) rhythm as well as HPA axis responsiveness to, and recovery from, restraint stress. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into exercise (E) and sedentary (S) groups, with E rats having 24-h access to running wheels for 5 wk. Circadian plasma Cort levels were measured at the end of each week, except for week 5 when rats were exposed to 20 min of restraint stress, followed by 95 min of recovery. Measurements of glucocorticoid receptor content in the hippocampus and anterior pituitary were performed using Western blotting at the termination of the restraint protocol. In week 1, circadian Cort levels were twofold higher in E compared with S animals, but the levels progressively decreased in the E group throughout the training protocol to reach similar values observed in S by week 4. During restraint stress and recovery, Cort values were similar between E and S, as was glucocorticoid receptor content in the hippocampus and pituitary gland after death. Compared with E, S animals had higher plasma ACTH levels during restraint. Taken together, these data indicate that 5 wk of wheel running are associated with normal circadian Cort activity and normal negative-feedback inhibition of the HPA axis, as well as with increased adrenal sensitivity to ACTH after restraint stress.     

Co-Swarming and Local Collapse: Quorum Sensing Conveys Resilience to Bacterial Communities by Localizing Cheater Mutants in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Background

Members of swarming bacterial consortia compete for nutrients but also use a co-operation mechanism called quorum sensing (QS) that relies on chemical signals as well as other secreted products (“public goods”) necessary for swarming. Deleting various genes of this machinery leads to cheater mutants impaired in various aspects of swarming cooperation.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Pairwise consortia made of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, its QS mutants as well as B. cepacia cells show that a interspecies consortium can “combine the skills” of its participants so that the strains can cross together barriers that they could not cross alone. In contrast, deleterious mutants are excluded from consortia either by competition or by local population collapse. According to modeling, both scenarios are the consequence of the QS signalling mechanism itself.

Conclusion/Significance

The results indirectly explain why it is an advantage for bacteria to maintain QS systems that can cross-talk among different species, and conversely, why certain QS mutants which can be abundant in isolated niches, cannot spread and hence remain localized.