Promoter strength and tissue specificity effects on growth of tomato plants transformed with maize sucrose-phosphate synthase

When sucrose-phosphate synthase (SPS; EC 2.4.1.14) is expressed in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) from a ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase-oxygenase (Rubisco) small subunit (rbcS) promoter, yields are often unchanged but when SPS is expressed from a Cauliflower Mosaic Virus 35S promoter, yield is enhanced up to 80%. Two explanations for this phenomenon are (i) that expression of SPS in tissues other than leaves accounts for the increased yield or (ii) that the lower level of expression directed by the 35S promoter is more beneficial than the high level of expression directed by the rbcS promoter. To test the first hypothesis, we conducted a reciprocal graft experiment, which showed that root SPS activity did not substantially affect growth. To test the second hypothesis, we conducted a field trial using a backcrossed, segregating, population of SPS-transformed plants derived from 35S and rbcS lines. The optimal dose of SPS activity for growth was approximately twice that of the wild type regardless of which promoter was used. The effect of SPS on growth was the result of a shift in partitioning of carbon among starch, sucrose, and ionic compounds (primarily amino acids), rather than of an increase in net photosynthesis. Excessive SPS activity resulted in a decreased rate of amino acid synthesis, which could explain the non-linear response of plant growth to the level of SPS expression. Received: 23 May 2000 / Accepted: 24 July 2000     

A C-type lectin from the tunicate, Styela plicata, that modulates cellular activity

Previous studies have identified proteins from tunicates (invertebrate members of the Phylum Chordata) that have physicochemical and functional properties similar to those of the inflammatory cytokine, interleukin 1 (IL-1). Here we characterize one of those proteins from the tunicate, Styela plicata, that can stimulate tunicate and mammalian cell proliferation, activate phagocytosis, increase interleukin 2 (IL-2) secretion by mammalian peripheral blood mononuclear cells and enhance IL-2 receptor (IL-2R) expression by mammalian EL-4.IL-2 cells. Partial amino acid sequence data showed that the S. plicata protein resembles three C-type lectins (TC14, TC14-1 and TC14-2) from a closely related tunicate species, Polyandrocarpa misakiensis. Its similarity to carbohydrate recognition domains (CRDs) from P. misakiensis lectins suggests that the S. plicata protein modulates the activities of mammalian immunocompetent cells by interacting with carbohydrate moieties of glycosylated cell surface receptors.     

Novel 2D and 3D multiple-quantum bi-directional HCNCH experiments for the correlation of ribose and base protons/carbons in 13C/15N labeled RNA

Multiple-quantum 2D and 3D bi-directional HCNCH experiments are presented for the correlation of base and ribose protons/carbons in ¹³C/¹⁵N labeled HIV-1 TAR RNA. In both 2D and 3D experiments, the magnetization of H1 is transferred to H6/H8 and H1 through H1-C1-N1/9-C6/8-H6/8 and H1-C1-N1/9-C1-H1 pathways, and the magnetization of H6/8 is transferred to H1 and H6/8 through H6/8-C6/8-N1/9-C1-H1 and H6/8-C6/8-N1/9-C6/8-H6/8 pathways. Chemical shifts of four different nuclei (H1, C1, C6/8 and H6/8) are sampled in the 2D experiment. The correlation of base and ribose protons/carbons is established by the rectangular arrangement of crossover and out-and-back peaks in the proton/carbon correlated spectrum. The rectangular connections can be further resolved using the nitrogen dimension in a ¹H/¹³C/¹⁵N 3D experiment. Furthermore, by taking advantage of the well separated chemical shifts of N1 (pyrimidine) and N9 (purine), the 2D spectrum can be simplified into two sub-spectra based on their base type. Both experiments were tested on a ¹³C/¹⁵N labeled 27-mer HIV-1 TAR RNA containing a UUCG hairpin loop.     

CCK-8对内毒素休克大鼠肺脏细胞因子的抑制效应

观察八肽胆囊收缩素(cholecystokinin-octapeptide,CCK-8）改善脂多糖(lipopolysaccharide,LPS）引起的大鼠内毒素性休克（endotoxic shock,ES）过程中血清及肺脏细胞因子的变化,探讨p38比裂素活化蛋白激酶（p38 mito-gen-activated protein kinase,p38 MAPK）的信号转导作用。用生理多道记录仪观察尾静脉注入LPS(p38 mito-gen-activated protein kinase,p38 MAPK）的信号转导作用。用生理多道记录仪观察尾静脉注入 LPS（8mg/kg i.v.）复制的SD大鼠ES模型、LPS注入前10min尾静脉注入CCK-8(40ug/kg i.v.）、单独注入CCK-8(40Uug/kg i.v.）或生理盐水（对照）的四组大鼠平均动脉血压（MAP）的改变,应用ELISA试剂盒检测血清和肺脏中炎性细胞因子（TNF-a、IL-1β和IL-6）的变化。用Western blot检测肺脏p38 MAPK的表达。结果显示：CCK-8可改善LPS引起的大鼠MAP的下降。与对照组相比,LPS可显著增加血清和肺脏TNF-a、IL-1β和IL-6含量;CCK-8可显著抑制LPS诱导的血清和肺脏TNF-a、IL-1β和IL-6的增加。CCK-8可增加ES大鼠肺脏磷酸化p38 MAPK的表达。结果提示CCK-8可改善ES大鼠MAP的降低,并对肺脏促炎性细胞因子过量产生有抑制作用,p38MAPK可能参与了其信号转导机制。     

Metabolic behavior of immobilized Candida guilliermondii cells during batch xylitol production from sugarcane bagasse acid hydrolyzate

Candida guilliermondii cells, immobilized in Ca-alginate beads, were used for batch xylitol production from concentrated sugarcane bagasse hydrolyzate. Maximum xylitol concentration (20.6 g/L), volumetric productivity (0.43 g/L. h), and yield (0.47 g/g) obtained after 48 h of fermentation were higher than similar immobilized-cell systems but lower than free-cell cultivation systems. Substrates, products, and biomass concentrations were used in material balances to study the ways in which the different carbon sources were utilized by the yeast cells under microaerobic conditions. The fraction of xylose consumed to produce xylitol reached a maximum value (0.70) after glucose and oxygen depletion while alternative metabolic routes were favored by sub-optimal conditions.     

Effects of resource supplies on the structure and function of microbial communities

The supplies of nutrients, and their elemental stoichiometry, can have significant impacts upon the structure and function of microbial communities. This review focuses on the effects of nutrient supplies on the biodegradation of organic matter, and on the dynamics of host-pathogen interactions. Analyses of data from the literature suggest significant effects of nitrogen:phosphorus supply ratios on the microbial decomposition of organic matter, and it is argued that these stoichiometric effects may have important implications for the fate and fluxes of carbon in natural ecosystems. In addition, it is shown that the supplies of nitrogen and phosphorus to the host can strongly influence the outcome of infections in both terrestrial and aquatic plants, suggesting that resource availability and resource supply ratios potentially may have significant effects on the health of many plant communities. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Formulation of a coupled mechanism between solute diffusion,phosphatase-kinase reactions and membrane potentials for the primary active transport of phosphorylated substrates through biological membranes

Coupled interrelations occurring between a phosphatase/kinase reaction sequence acting in unstirred layers and on both sides of a charged biomembrane pore structure are presented as a plausible kinetic model for the primary active transport of phosphorylated molecules. Simulations conducted at the cell level and with credible numerical values demonstrate that the enzymes positions strongly regulate the membrane permeability for the transported substrate. Depending on both the enzymes positions (more or less far from the membrane) and the membrane charges, the membrane may appear either impervious, either permeable or able to actively transport a phosphorylated substrate. Globally all happens as if, in function of the enzymes positions, a permanent pore may be regulated, changing from a more closed to a more open conformation.     

Plant water relations at elevated CO2 -- implications for water-limited environments

Long-term exposure of plants to elevated [CO2] leads to a number of growth and physiological effects, many of which are interpreted in the context of ameliorating the negative impacts of drought. However, despite considerable study, a clear picture in terms of the influence of elevated [CO2] on plant water relations and the role that these effects play in determining the response of plants to elevated [CO2] under water-limited conditions has been slow to emerge. In this paper, four areas of research are examined that represent critical, yet uncertain, themes related to the response of plants to elevated [CO2] and drought. These include (1) fine-root proliferation and implications for whole-plant water uptake; (2) enhanced water-use efficiency and consequences for drought tolerance; (3) reductions in stomatal conductance and impacts on leaf water potential; and (4) solute accumulation, osmotic adjustment and dehydration tolerance of leaves. A survey of the literature indicates that the growth of plants at elevated [CO2] can lead to conditions whereby plants maintain higher (less negative) leaf water potentials. The mechanisms that contribute to this effect are not fully known, although CO2-induced reductions in stomatal conductance, increases in whole-plant hydraulic conductance and osmotic adjustment may be important. Less understood are the interactive effects of elevated [CO2] and drought on fine-root production and water-use efficiency, and the contribution of these processes to plant growth in water-limited environments. Increases in water-use efficiency and reductions in water use can contribute to enhanced soil water content under elevated [CO2]. Herbaceous crops and grasslands are most responsive in this regard. The conservation of soil water at elevated [CO2] in other systems has been less studied, but in terms of maintaining growth or carbon gain during drought, the benefits of CO2-induced improvements in soil water content appear relatively minor. Nonetheless, because even small effects of elevated [CO2] on plant and soil water relations can have important implications for ecosystems, we conclude that this area of research deserves continued investigation. Future studies that focus on cellular mechanisms of plant response to elevated [CO2] and drought are needed, as are whole-plant investigations that emphasize the integration of processes throughout the soil--plant--atmosphere continuum. We suggest that the hydraulic principles that govern water transport provide an integrating framework that would allow CO2-induced changes in stomatal conductance, leaf water potential, root growth and other processes to be uniquely evaluated within the context of whole-plant hydraulic conductance and water transport efficiency.     

Photosynthetic carbon assimilation and associated metabolism in relation to water deficits in higher plants

Experimental studies on CO2 assimilation of mesophytic C3 plants in relation to relative water content (RWC) are discussed. Decreasing RWC slows the actual rate of photosynthetic CO2 assimilation (A) and decreases the potential rate (Apot). Generally, as RWC falls from c. 100 to c. 75%, the stomatal conductance (gs) decreases, and with it A. However, there are two general types of relation of Apot to RWC, which are called Type 1 and Type 2. Type 1 has two main phases. As RWC decreases from 100 to c. 75%, Apot is unaffected, but decreasing stomatal conductance (gs) results in smaller A, and lower CO2 concentration inside the leaf (Ci) and in the chloroplast (Cc), the latter falling possibly to the compensation point. Down-regulation of electron transport occurs by energy quenching mechanisms, and changes in carbohydrate and nitrogen metabolism are considered acclimatory, caused by low Ci and reversible by elevated CO2. Below 75% RWC, there is metabolic inhibition of Apot, inhibition of A then being partly (but progressively less) reversible by elevated CO2; gs regulates A progressively less, and Ci and CO2 compensation point, Gamma rise. It is suggested that this is the true stress phase, where the decrease in Apot is caused by decreased ATP synthesis and a consequent decreased synthesis of RuBP. In the Type 2 response, Apot decreases progressively at RWC 100 to 75%, with A being progressively less restored to the unstressed value by elevated CO2. Decreased gs leads to a lower Ci and Cc but they probably do not reach compensation point: gs becomes progressively less important and metabolic limitations more important as RWC falls. The primary effect of low RWC on Apot is most probably caused by limited RuBP synthesis, as a result of decreased ATP synthesis, either through inhibition of Coupling Factor activity or amount due to increased ion concentration. Carbohydrate synthesis and accumulation decrease. Type 2 response is considered equivalent to Type 1 at RWC below c. 75%, with Apot inhibited by limited ATP and RuBP synthesis, respiratory metabolism dominates and Ci and Gamma rise. The importance of inhibited ATP synthesis as a primary cause of decreasing Apot is discussed. Factors determining the Type 1 and Type 2 responses are unknown. Electron transport is maintained (but down-regulated) in Types 1 and 2 over a wide range of RWC, and a large reduced/oxidized adenylate ratio results. Metabolic imbalance results in amino acid accumulation and decreased and altered protein synthesis. These conditions profoundly affect cell functions and ultimately cause cell death. Type 1 and 2 responses may reflect differences in gs and in sensitivity of metabolism to decreasing RWC.