Book review

Fucoid macroalgae are important primary producers and habitat modifiers on North Atlantic intertidal rocky shores. With decreasing latitude, western European fucoid populations display reduced levels of abundance, biomass and recruitment, while experiencing higher levels of physical environmental stress during summer months. We hypothesized that such reduction in the south is accompanied by a detectable decline in fucoid reproductive capacity. To test this hypothesis, morphological and reproductive traits of core (Welsh) and marginal (Portuguese) populations of two common fucoid species, Fucus vesiculosus and F. spiralis (Ochrophyta, Fucales), were examined. Morphological measurements showed that for a given thallus length, both fucoid species had smaller thallus volume and lower biomass in the southerly marginal part of the range. Significantly lower biomass of reproductive tissue of F. vesiculosus and a smaller number of receptacles per individual on specimens of both species indicate that levels of reproductive output are probably lower in southern populations. Despite the differences in reproductive traits observed between regions, reproductive effort (measured as the percentage of total dry biomass represented by reproductive tissue) of both species remained similar, as algae from both regions made similar investments in reproduction. The results indicate that stressful conditions reduced growth and number of receptacles of both species and amount of reproductive biomass of F. vesiculosus in the south but do not seem to change the way these algal species invest their energy. The decline in mass and reproductive biomass of specimens from southern shores found in this study, when combined with the lower abundance of adults and lower recruitment levels previously observed, is a strong indication of fucoid populations with lower levels of propagule output. This is an important factor when considering responses of these populations to a changing environment.     

Effects of light and hydrogen peroxide on gene expression of newly identified antioxidant enzymes in the harmful algal bloom species Chattonella marina

ABSTRACT

Antioxidant enzymes are essential proteins that maintain cell proliferation potential by protecting against oxidative stress. They are present in many organisms including harmful algal bloom (HAB) species. We previously identified the antioxidant enzyme 2-Cys peroxiredoxin (PRX) in the raphidophyte Chattonella marina. This enzyme specifically decomposes a hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). PRX is the only antioxidant enzyme so far identified in C. marina. This study used mRNA-seq, using Trinity assemble and blastx for annotation, to identify a further five antioxidant enzymes from C. marina: Cu Zn superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn-SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and thioredoxin (TRX). In the gene expression analysis of six enzymes (Cu/Zn-SOD, GPX, CAT, APX, TRX and PRX) using light-acclimated (100 μmol photons m^?2 s^?1) C. marina cells, only PRX gene expression levels were significantly increased by strong light irradiation (1000 μmol photons m^?2 s^?1). H₂O₂ concentration and scavenging activity were also increased and significantly positively correlated with PRX gene expression levels. In dark-acclimated cells, expression levels of all antioxidant enzymes except APX were significantly increased by light irradiation (100 μmol photons m^?2 s^?1). Expression decreased the following day, with the exception of PRX expression. With the exception of CAT, gene expression of antioxidant enzymes was not significantly induced by artificial H₂O₂ treatment, although average gene expression levels were slightly increased in some enzymes. Thus, we suggest that light is the main trigger of gene expression, but the resultant oxidative stress is also a possible factor affecting the gene expression of antioxidant enzymes in C. marina.     

Synthesis,antiproliferative and mitochondrial impairment activities of bis-alkyl-amino transplatinum complexes

A convenient synthetic route and the characterization of complexes trans-[PtCl₂(L)(PPh₃)] (L = Et₂NH (2), (PhCH₂)₂NH (3), (HOCH₂CH₂)₂NH) (4) are reported. The antiproliferative activity was evaluated on three human tumor cell lines. The investigation on the mechanism of action highlighted for the most active complex 4 the capacity to affect mitochondrial functions. In particular, both the induction of the mitochondrial permeability transition phenomenon and an aspecific membrane damage occurred, depending on concentration.     

Plant proteomics in India and Nepal: current status and challenges ahead

Plant proteomics has made tremendous contributions in understanding the complex processes of plant biology. Here, its current status in India and Nepal is discussed. Gel-based proteomics is predominantly utilized on crops and non-crops to analyze majorly abiotic (49 %) and biotic (18 %) stress, development (11 %) and post-translational modifications (7 %). Rice is the most explored system (36 %) with major focus on abiotic mainly dehydration (36 %) stress. In spite of expensive proteomics setup and scarcity of trained workforce, output in form of publications is encouraging. To boost plant proteomics in India and Nepal, researchers have discussed ground level issues among themselves and with the International Plant Proteomics Organization (INPPO) to act in priority on concerns like food security. Active collaboration may help in translating this knowledge to fruitful applications.     

外源NO对2+胁迫下小桐子幼苗抗氧化能力的影响

为探讨外源一氧化氮(NO)供体硝普钠(SNP)对铜(Cu2+)胁迫的缓解效应,该试验以小桐子幼苗为材料,先通过小桐子幼苗根茎生长指标的变化筛选出后续实验适宜的SNP(0.2mmol/L)和Cu2+浓度(90mmol/L),再进一步考察SNP预处理对Cu2+胁迫下幼苗脯氨酸(Pro)和丙二醛(MDA)的含量及抗氧化酶活性的影响。结果显示:(1)Cu2+处理能诱导小桐子幼苗叶片中Pro和MDA含量显著升高,且过氧化氢酶(CAT)、超氧物歧化酶(SOD)、愈创木酚过氧化物酶(POD)及抗坏血酸专一性过氧化物酶(APX)的活性增强。(2)用SNP预处理能显著提高Cu2+胁迫下幼苗叶片Pro的含量,进一步增强叶片中CAT、SOD、POD和APX活性,降低MDA的含量。研究表明,0.2mmol/L的SNP能够通过提高小桐子幼苗的抗氧化酶活性和游离脯氨酸含量来增强其抗氧化胁迫能力,从而显著缓解Cu2+胁迫对幼苗造成的氧化伤害,维持其正常生长发育。     

瑞典能源柳4个无性系对土壤Hg2+胁迫的生理响应

以一年生瑞典能源柳4个无性系(N2、N4、NC、NE)幼苗为材料,通过盆栽试验,在对照、轻度、中度、重度Hg2+胁迫条件下,测定了4个能源柳无性系幼苗生长过程中生理生化指标,分析其对Hg2+胁迫的生理响应及其耐受性.结果表明:(1)随着土壤中Hg2+浓度的上升,4个能源柳无性系叶片保护酶POD、SOD和CAT活性均呈先上升后下降的趋势,且各无性系之间存在差异,其中NC的POD和CAT活性在重度胁迫下仍高于对照.(2)各无性系叶片中渗透性调节物质可溶性蛋白和脯氨酸(Pro)含量均呈先上升后下降的趋势,并均在轻度或中度胁迫下达到峰值,以可溶性蛋白含量变化幅度更大,在NC和NE无性系中表现得更明显.(3)随着土壤中Hg2+胁迫强度的加剧,N2、N4和NE无性系根系活力都呈现连续下降趋势,而NC无性系根系活力在轻度胁迫条件下则略微上升,然后持续下降,并均在中度和重度胁迫下达到显著水平,而且4个能源柳无性系叶片MDA含量均表现为先下降后上升趋势.(4)在轻度Hg2+胁迫下,N4和NE叶绿素含量和Chl a/Chl b值呈下降趋势,而N2和NC则稍微上升;在中度和重度胁迫下,4个能源柳无性系叶绿素含量和Chl a/Chl b值迅速下降,但能源柳各无性系的下降速度存在差异,其中N4下降幅度最大,NC最小.(5)运用隶属函数模糊评判法综合评价表明,各能源柳无性系对Hg2+的耐受性表现为:NC＞ NE＞ N4＞N2.研究认为,在不同程度Hg2+胁迫条件下,4个瑞典能源柳无性系通过提高自身保护酶活性、抗氧化物质GSH含量以及有机渗透物质含量来有效缓解胁迫伤害,从而对Hg2+表现出一定的耐性,并以无性系NC的耐受性较好.     

干旱胁迫对欧洲鹅耳枥幼苗生理生化特征的影响

以一年生欧洲鹅耳枥幼苗为材料,通过盆栽控水试验,设置5个土壤含水量梯度,研究不同梯度干旱胁迫对其幼苗生理生化指标的影响,以明确欧洲鹅耳枥的耐旱特性。结果显示:（1）随着干旱胁迫的加剧,欧洲鹅耳枥幼苗受到损害程度逐渐加重,形态表现出明显的缺水特征,叶片相对含水量和叶绿素总量随着干旱胁迫程度的增加而下降,且胁迫强度越强、时间越久其变化幅度越大。（2）幼苗叶片SOD活性、POD活性、可溶性糖含量和可溶性蛋白含量均随着干旱程度的增加表现出先升高后降低的趋势。（3）随着干旱胁迫程度的增加和干旱时间持续,幼苗叶片MDA含量和相对电导率总体上呈增大趋势,并在干旱末期达到最大值。研究表明,欧洲鹅耳枥幼苗在短期和轻度（田间最大持水量的60%）、中度（田间最大持水量的45%）干旱胁迫下能通过调节自身保护酶活性和渗透调节物质含量来减轻干旱造成的危害;而在重度（田间最大持水量的30%）干旱胁迫下,幼苗自我调节能力受影响,极度（田间最大持水量的15%）干旱胁迫对其造成一定的损害。研究认为,欧洲鹅耳枥具有一定的抗干旱特性,可在园林中推广运用。     

He-Ne激光预处理对镉胁迫下小麦幼苗生理特性的影响

用He-Ne激光（波长632.8 nm,辐射剂量5.43 mW/mm²）对萌动小麦种子辐照5 min,待幼苗长至一叶一心时,用150 μmol/L CdCl₂溶液进行胁迫处理,研究He-Ne激光预处理对镉（Cd²⁺）胁迫下小麦幼苗生长发育和生理特性的影响。结果显示:He-Ne激光预处理能显著降低Cd²⁺胁迫下小麦幼苗中丙二醛（MDA）、过氧化氢（H₂O₂）含量及超氧自由基（O^-·₂）产生速率,显著提高幼苗叶片超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、抗坏血酸氧化酶（APX）活性,并使叶片抗氧化物质谷胱甘肽(GSH)和抗坏血酸(AsA)含量以及幼苗株高、根长和干重增加。研究表明,He-Ne激光预处理可有效缓解镉胁迫对小麦幼苗生长的抑制作用,并通过促进其幼苗中酶类和非酶类抗氧化剂的产生,有效减少镉胁迫产生的脂质过氧化物含量,从而提高其耐镉性。     

菘蓝铁型超氧化物歧化酶基因IiFeSOD的克隆与胁迫表达分析

超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)是生物体内超氧阴离子自由基的清除剂,可有效地防止它们对生物体的损害。从菘蓝中经RT-PCR方法扩增得到SOD基因,命名为IiFeSOD,其全长882 bp,包含一个834 bp的ORF,编码277个氨基酸,分析其编码的蛋白质序列显示其属于铁型超氧化物歧化酶,具有线粒体导肽,定位于线粒体中。实时荧光定量PCR技术分析结果表明,IiFeSOD在菘蓝各个组织中均有表达,但表达量高低不同,在叶中表达最高、茎次之、根中最低; 该基因受盐胁迫的诱导,随着盐胁迫强度的加强基因表达量迅速升高而后下降。同时SOD酶活性在盐胁迫处理下表现出类似的变化规律。说明SOD的大量积累与植物的耐逆性密切相关。     

不同品种万寿菊对镉胁迫的生长和生理响应

以6个万寿菊品种为研究对象,研究了不同浓度的重金属镉（Cd）胁迫（0、200、400、600 mg/L）对万寿菊基径、株高以及百叶重、茎叶重和单花质量等生长指标及其质膜透性（丙二醛、相对电导率）、保护酶活性（SOD、POD、CAT、APX）以及光合特性(叶绿素含量、净光合速率、气孔导度、蒸腾速率、水分利用效率)等生理指标的影响。结果显示:(1)低于400 mg/L的Cd胁迫对6个万寿菊品种的基径、株高无明显影响,而百叶重、茎叶重和单花质量却随着Cd浓度的增加显著降低,尤其是‘大英雄’和‘迪阿哥’2个品种表现的抗性较差。(2)随着Cd胁迫浓度的增加,各品种丙二醛（MDA）含量和相对电导率（REC）显著增加,而其保护酶活性不同程度降低。(3)Cd胁迫降低了万寿菊的叶绿素Chl a+b含量和Chl a/b,且抗性差的品种降低的幅度更大;叶片净光合速率（Pⁿ）明显降低,但蒸腾速率(T^r)和气孔导度(G^s)相对降幅较小,对水分利用效率（WUE）影响较小。研究表明,不同品种万寿菊对Cd毒害响应存在明显的差异,且Cd胁迫下生理响应的差异是品种间耐性差异的重要原因之一;抗性差的品种在高浓度Cd胁迫下,光合作用能力降低,抗氧化系统酶的活性受到显著抑制,膜质过氧化加剧,且品种‘珍妮’和‘金门’的抗性强于其他品种,可选择作为Cd污染区栽植植物。