Re-evaluation of proposed C4 photosynthetic characteristics in the genus Larix

It has been suggested previously that Japanese larch ( Larix kaempferi ) exhibits characteristics of C₄ photosynthesis. To further evaluate this suggestion, stable carbon isotope ratios were determined for leaf and bark tissue of Larix gmelini, L. kaempferi, L. laricina, L. Iyallii, L. occidentalis , and L. sibirica. All δ¹³C values were more negative than –22‰. Short-term labeling with ¹⁴CO₂ showed that phosphoglyceric acid and other phosphorylated compounds were the first products of photosynthesis in L. sibirica. Both of these results strongly suggest that the initial fixation of atmospheric CO₂ in these six Larix species is accomplished solely via the C₃ photosynthetic pathway.     

Volatile components of Artemisia capillaris

Terpenoid and acetylenic components not reported previously in Artemisia capillaris have been identified, including p-cymene, 5-phenyl-1, 3-diyne, dehydrofalcarinone and dehydrofalcarinol. The distribution of volatile components in different parts of the plant is described.     

Non-uniform distribution and seasonal variation of endogenous indol-3yl-acetic acid in the cambial region of Pinus contorta Dougl.

Endogenous, free indol-3yl-acetic acid (IAA) levels were measured in the main stem in the 10-year-old cambial zone, in the adjoining differentiating xylem, and in the adjoining mature xylem of 15–20-year-old Pinus contorta Dougl. by single-ion-current monitoring, combined gas chromatography — mass spectrometry, on several dates from early spring to early winter. Microscopy was used to determine the state of cambial activity on each harvest date. The IAA levels were found to be nearly constant at 1 g g^-1 DW in the cambial zone from March to July, then to increase to near 2 g g^-1 DW during the remainder of the growth season. No clear correlation was evident between number of fusiform cells per radial file and IAA content in the cambial zone. By contrast, the IAA content in differentiating xylem was higher than that in the adjoining meristematic zone on all harvest dates and also exhibited marked seasonal variation, peaking near 16 g g^-1 DW in mid summer, and declining to 1 g g^-1 DW in autumn. In mature xylem, IAA levels were very low and showed negligible variation. The fresh weight to dry weight ratio of differentiating xylem was greater than that of the cambial zone, and greater in the cambial zone than in mature xylem.     

Expression of genes for plastid membrane proteins in barley under intermittent light conditions

Barley plants grown under intermittent light show a plastid membrane composition intermediate between those of etioplasts and chloroplasts. In particular protochlorophyll reductase disappears from the membranes whereas the 32000 protein, coded for by chloroplast DNA, becomes integrated into the membranes. The light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b protein does not accumulate within the membranes even after 11 d of development, while the corresponding mRNA can already be observed after 4 d and is translated under in vivo conditions.Abbreviations LHCP light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b protein - IL intermittent light - LD light-dark (12-h day) - EGTA ethyleneglycol-bis(oxy-ethylenenitrile)tetraacetic acid     

Quantitation and interaction of glycosaminoglycans with Alcian blue in dimethyl sulfoxide solutions.

An improved method is described for the quantitation of glycosaminoglycans separatedon cellulose acetate, stained with Alcian blue, and dissolved in a dimethyl sulfoxide solution. Standard curves are shown for all eight glycosaminoglycans. It is shown that absorption at the Alcian blue orthochromatic E_max is depressed under conditions which favor formation of dye-glycosaminoglycan complexes. The interaction between Alcian blue and the eight glycosaminoglycans was studied in dimethyl sulfoxide solutions of varying composition. It was shown that the extent of complex formation depends both on the glycosaminoglycan and the composition of the dimethyl sulfoxide solution. A dimethyl sulfoxide solution which contains 0.094 m H₂SO₄ is described which maximizes dye-glycosaminoglycan dissociation and thus the absorbance. Also, an improved staining method is described which improves dye uptake by the glycosaminoglycans and consequently increases the sensitivity of glycosaminoglycan quantitation.     

Cytochrome function in the cyclic electron transport pathway of chloroplasts

Flash excitation of isolated intact chloroplasts promoted absorbance transients corresponding to the electrochromic effect (P-518) and the α-bands of cytochrome b₆ and cytochrome f. Under conditions supporting coupled cyclic electron flow, the oxidation of cytochrome b₆ and the reduction of cytochrome f had relaxation half-times of 15 and 17 ms, respectively. Optimal poising of cyclic electron flow, achieved by addition of 0.1 μM 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea, increased phosphorylation of endogenous ADP and prolonged these relaxation times. The presence of NH₄Cl, or monensin plus NaCl, decreased the half-times for cytochrome relaxation to approximately 2 ms. Uncouplers also revealed the presence of a slow rise component in the electrochromic absorption shift, with formation half-time of about 2 ms. The inhibitors of cyclic phosphorylation antimycin and 2,5-dibromo-3-methyl-6-isopropyl-p-benzoquinone abolished the slow rise in the electrochromic shift and prolonged the uncoupled relaxation times of cytochromes b₆ and f by factors of ten or more.These observations indicate that cytochrome b₆, plastoquinone and cytochrome f participate in a coupled electron transport process responsible for cyclic phosphorylation in intact chloroplasts. Estimations of cyclic phosphorylation rates from 40 to 120 μmol ATP/mg chlorophyll per h suggest that this process can provide a substantial fraction of the ATP needed for CO₂ fixation.     

Photoreactions of cytochrome b-559 and cyclic electron flow in Photosystem II of intact chloroplasts

The high potential cytochrome b-559 of intact spinach chloroplasts was photooxidized by red light with a high quantum efficiency and by far-red light with a very low quantum efficiency, when electron flow from water to Photosystem II was inhibited by a carbonyl cyanide phenylhydrazone (FCCP or CCCP). Dithiothreitol, which reacts with FCCP or CCCP, reversed the photooxidation of cytochrome b-559 and restored the capability of the chloroplasts to photoreduce CO₂ showing that the FCCP/CCCP effects were reversible. The quantum efficiency of cytochrome b-559 photooxidation by red or far-red light in the presence of FCCP was increased by 2,5-dibromo-3-methyl-6-isopropyl-p-benzoquinone which blocks oxidation of reduced plastoquinone by Photosystem I. When the inhibition of water oxidation by FCCP or CCCP was decreased by increased light intensities, previously photooxidized cytochrome b-559 was reduced. Red light was much more effective in photoreducing oxidized high potential cytochrome b-559 than far-red light. The red/far-red antagonism in the redox state of cytochrome b-559 is a consequence of the different sensitivity of the cytochrome to red and far-red light and does not indicate that the cytochrome is in the main path of electrons from water to NADP. Rather, cytochrome b-559 acts as a carrier of electrons in a cyclic path around Photosystem II. The redox state of the cytochrome was shifted to the oxidized side when electron transport from water became rate-limiting, while oxidation of water and reduction of plastoquinone resulted in its shifting to the reduced side.     

The fluorescence decay kinetics of in vivo chlorophyll measured using low intensity excitation

We report fluorescence lifetimes for in vivo chlorophyll a using a time-correlated single-photon counting technique with tunable dye laser excitation. The fluorescence decay of dark-adapted chlorella is almost exponential with a lifetime of 490 ps, which is independent of excitation from 570 nm to 640 nm.Chloroplasts show a two-component decay of 410 ps and approximately 1.4 ns, the proportion of long component depending upon the fluorescence state of the chloroplasts. The fluorescence lifetime of Photosystem I was determined to be 110 ps from measurements on fragments enriched in Photosystem I prepared from chloroplasts with digitonin.