Desiccation provides photosynthetic protection for crust cyanobacteria Microcoleus vaginatus from high temperature

As the dominant cyanobacterial species in biological soil crusts (BSCs), Microcoleus vaginatus often suffer from many stress conditions, such as desiccation and high temperature. In this study, the activities of light‐harvesting complexes (LHCs) and reaction centers of photosystem II (PS II) in crust cyanobacteria M. vaginatus were monitored under high temperature and desiccation conditions using chlorophyll fluorescence technology. The results showed that all the fluorescence signals were significantly inhibited by high temperature or desiccation treatments. Under high temperature conditions, it was further demonstrated that PS II reaction centers were first destructed within the first hour, then the LHCs gradually dissociated and free phycocyanin formed within 1–5 h, and the activities of all the light harvesting and reaction center pigment proteins were fully suppressed after 24 h of high temperature treatment. Furthermore, the high temperature treated M. vaginatus lost its ability to recover photosynthetic activity. On the contrary, although desiccation also led to the loss of photosynthetic activity in M. vaginatus, after rehydration in the light the fluorescence parameters including Fo, Fv and Fv/Fm could be well recovered within 12 h. It was concluded that desiccation could provide crust cyanobacteria M. vaginatus some protection from other stresses, such as high temperature demonstrated in this experiment. The combine of temperature change and precipitation pattern in the field provide a guarantee for the alternate metabolism and inactivity in crust cyanobacteria. That may be a very important strategy for the survival of crust cyanobacteria in high temperature regions.     

Rapid identification of QTLs underlying resistance to <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cucumber mosaic virus</Emphasis> in pepper (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Capsicum frutescens</Emphasis>)

Key message

Next-generation sequencing enabled a fast discovery of QTLs controlling CMV resistant in pepper. The gene CA02g19570 as a possible candidate gene of qCmr2.1 was identified for resistance to CMV in pepper.

Abstract

Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) is one of the most important viruses infecting pepper, but the genetic basis of CMV resistance in pepper is elusive. In this study, we identified a candidate gene for CMV resistance QTL, qCmr2.1 through SLAF-seq. Segregation analysis in F₂, BC₁ and F_2:3 populations derived from a cross between two inbred lines ‘PBC688’ (CMV-resistant) and ‘G29’ (CMV-susceptible) suggested quantitative inheritance of resistance to CMV in pepper. Genome-wide comparison of SNP profiles between the CMV-resistant and CMV-susceptible bulks constructed from an F₂ population identified two QTLs, designated as qCmr2.1 on chromosome 2 and qCmr11.1 on chromosome 11 for resistance to CMV in PBC688, which were confirmed by InDel marker-based classical QTL mapping in the F₂ population. As a major QTL, joint SLAF-seq and traditional QTL analysis delimited qCmr2.1 to a 330 kb genomic region. Two pepper genes, CA02g19570 and CA02g19600, were identified in this region, which are homologous with the genes LOC104113703, LOC104248995, LOC102603934 and LOC101248357, which were predicted to encode N-like protein associated with TMV-resistant in Solanum crops. Quantitative RT-PCR revealed higher expression levels of CA02g19570 in CMV resistance genotypes. The CA02g19600 did not exhibit obvious regularity in expression patterns. Higher relative expression levels of CA02g19570 in PBC688 and F₁ were compared with those in G29 during days after inoculation. These results provide support for CA02g19570 as a possible candidate gene of qCmr2.1 for resistance to CMV in pepper.

     

Isolation from Spirulina membranes of two photosystem I-type complexes, one of which contains chlorophyll responsible for the 77 K fluorescence band at 760 nm.

Two types of chlorophyll-protein complexes of photosystem I (PSIa, PSIc) have been isolated from the membranes of Spirulina platensis using a Triton X-100 treatment and chromatography on DEAE-Toyopearl. The complexes are equally enriched with P700 (Chl: P700 = 100-110) but show different electrophoretic molecular masses--140 (PSIa) and 320 kDa (PSIc)--and differ in the content of long-wavelength absorbing Chl. PSIa has a typical PSI fluorescence band at 730 nm (F730) as the main band at 77 K, whereas PSIc is responsible for F760, the intensity of which depends on the redox state of P700. PSIc only shows 77 K light-induced variable fluorescence at 760 typical of Spirulina membranes and cells.     

Fluorimetric study of phospholipase A-induced efflux of Ca2+ from liposomes]

Artificial vesicles, liposomes, were prepared from the total fraction of phospholipids of rat liver mitochondria. Electron microscopy showed that the structure of liposomes depended on cation composition of the medium in which they were formed. Fluorescence of chlorotetracycline increased in the suspension of liposomes loaded with Ca+2 due to the formation of Ca+2-chlorotetracycline-phospholipid membrane complex. Incubation of liposome suspension with phospholipase A in the presence of EDTA resulted in a decrease of chlorotetracycline fluorescence indicating a break of the integrity of liposome membranes and Ca+2 efflux.     

Mechanism of paradoxical resistance of the digastric muscle to the action of tetanus toxin

Excitability parameters of m. masseter and m. digastricus fibers (resting minute potential--MP, action potential--AP, critical level of depolarization--CLD and rheobase currents) were determined in anesthetized rats (nembutal, 40 mg/kg) on days 3-4 and 10-15 after local intramuscular tetanus toxin injection (20 and 40 mouse Dlm, respectively). The development of local tetanus in m. masseter was characterized by typical excitability changes--a decrease in MP and AP. Local spasm in m. digastricus under analogous conditions of tetanus toxin injection was absent, while excitability tests demonstrated MP, AP and CLD augmentation. As m. digastricus motoneurons are devoid of inhibitory synaptic regions, these nervous cells are not affected by tetanus toxin.     

Dendrite‐Free Metallic Lithium in Lithiophilic Carbonized Metal–Organic Frameworks

Although metallic lithium is a promising anode material due to its high theoretical capacity, the uncontrollable growth of lithium dendrites and infinite volume change hamper its practical applications. Here, the lithiophilic property of carbonized metal–organic frameworks (cMOFs) is harnessed with zinc species to achieve a uniform lithium‐cMOFs (Li‐cMOFs) hybrid via a molten lithium infusion approach. In the resultant Li‐cMOFs, not only are abundant Zn clusters are uniformly confined and dispersed in the matrix, serving as homogeneous nucleation sites to guide Li deposition, but also the 3D conductive porous structure enables the homogenization of the distributions of electric field and Li ion flux, avoiding the formation of lithium dendrites. Hence, this hybrid exhibits superior electrochemical performance with a very low voltage hysteresis and a good cycle life. This provides a new manner to achieve a series of stable metallic lithium anodes based on the large family of metal–organic frameworks with tunable metal species.     

Age and growth of spiny dogfish <Emphasis Type="Italic">Squalus acanthias</Emphasis> (Squalidae,Chondrichthyes) in pacific waters off the Kuril Islands

On the basis of materials collected from catches of drift salmon nets in Pacific waters off the Kuril Islands from 2005 to 2006, the age and rate of growth of spiny dogfish Squalus acanthias are considered. Individuals with a length of 67–123 cm and weight of 1140–5970 g aged 10–26 years were represented in catches. In almost all age classes, the length of males was greater and the weight smaller than in females. The lifespan of females is slightly higher as compared to males-26 and 25 years, respectively. The values of K coefficient of the Bertallanffi equation of growth in males and females comprised 0.10 and 0.05 and the calculated values of the asymptotic body length comprised 116.3 cm and 147.2 cm. A relationship was found between the age of spiny dogfish and the spine size: its length (r _s = 0.693), base width (r _s = 0.815), and base length (r _s = 0.823).