Preinduction of HSP70 promotes hypoxic tolerance and facilitates acclimatization to acute hypobaric hypoxia in mouse brain

It has been shown that induction of HSP70 by administration of geranylgeranylacetone (GGA) leads to protection against ischemia/reperfusion injury. The present study was performed to determine the effect of GGA on the survival of mice and on brain damage under acute hypobaric hypoxia. The data showed that the mice injected with GGA survived significantly longer than control animals (survival time of 9.55 ± 3.12 min, n = 16 vs. controls at 4.28 ± 4.29 min, n = 15, P < 0.005). Accordingly, the cellular necrosis or degeneration of the hippocampus and the cortex induced by sublethal hypoxia for 6 h could be attenuated by preinjection with GGA, especially in the CA2 and CA3 regions of the hippocampus. In addition, the activity of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) of the hippocampus and the cortex was increased after exposure to sublethal hypoxia for 6 h but could be inhibited by the preinjection of GGA. Furthermore, the expression of HSP70 was significantly increased at 1 h after GGA injection. These results suggest that administration of GGA improved survival rate and prevented acute hypoxic damage to the brain and that the underlying mechanism involved induction of HSP70 and inhibition of NOS activity.     

Synthesis, enzymatic activity, and X-ray crystallography of an unusual class of amino acids

The synthesis of two novel amino acids, nitrogen analogues of the naturally occurring glycosidase inhibitor, salacinol, containing a carboxylate inner salt are described, along with the crystal structure of one of these analogues in the active site of Drosophila melanogaster Golgi mannosidase II (dGMII). Salacinol, a naturally occurring sulfonium ion, is one of the active principals in the aqueous extracts of Salacia reticulata that are traditionally used in Sri Lanka and India for the treatment of diabetes. The synthetic strategy relies on the nucleophilic attack of 2,3,5-tri-O-benzyl-1,4-dideoxy-1,4-imino l- or d-arabinitol at the least hindered carbon of 5,6-anhydro-2,3-di-O-benzyl-l-ascorbic acid to yield coupled adducts. Deprotection, stereoselective catalytic reduction, and hydrolysis of the coupled products give the target compounds. The compound derived from d-arabinitol inhibits dGMII, one of the critical enzymes in the glycoprotein processing pathway, with an IC(50) of 0.3mM. Inhibition of GMII has been identified as a target for control of metastatic cancer. An X-ray crystal structure of the complex of this compound with dGMII provides insight into the requirements for an effective inhibitor. The same compound inhibits recombinant human maltase glucoamylase, one of the key intestinal enzymes involved in the breakdown of glucose oligosaccharides in the small intestine, with a K(i) value of 21microM.     

Control of Molinia caerulea by cutting management on sub-alpine grassland

There has been a considerable expansion of Moliniacaerulea after the cessation of cutting management of Nardus stricta sub-alpine grasslands in the Giant Mts. (Krkonoše/Karkonosze/Riesengebirge, the Czech Republic) in the last 50 years. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the reestablishment of traditional management (one cut per year in late July) could reverse Molinia encroachment and help to restore the original Nardus grassland.     

Biomass and photosynthetic productivity of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) as affected by nutrient supply and mirid (Eccritotarus catarinensis) biocontrol

The biological control of water hyacinth is affected by water nitrogen and phosphorus content and this was investigated experimentally at five levels of nutrient supply by measuring plant photosynthetic and growth responses, and mirid reproduction and herbivory of nutrient treated plants. Low nitrogen (2–0.2 mg L⁻¹) and phosphorus (0.2–0.01 mg L⁻¹) supply decreased hyacinth photosynthesis, growth and biomass accumulation relative to plants supplied 200 mg L⁻¹ N and 20 mg L⁻¹ P. This effect depended more on nitrogen supply than phosphorus supply. Chlorophyll fluorescence showed that the photosynthetic light reactions of low nutrient plants were affected and leaves had decreased chlorophyll content, density of functional photosystems II and dissipated a greater proportion of absorbed energy as heat. Gas exchange parameters showed reduced carboxylation efficiency, rates of RuBP regeneration and light saturated photosynthetic rates, but not quantum yields. Effects on photosynthesis translated into lower plant dry biomass. Mirid herbivory exacerbated the effects of low nutrients noted for chlorophyll fluorescence, gas exchange parameters and biomass accumulation, however, these effects were not always significant and there was no obvious correlation between the level of nutrients supplied and the effect of mirid herbivory. Low nutrient supply did, however, affect mirid performance reducing the number of adult insects, nymphs and herbivory intensity suggesting that in the long-term mirid populations would be significantly affected by water nutrient status.     

The urea transporter DUR3 is differentially regulated by abiotic and biotic stresses in coffee plants

The high costs of N fertilizers in the coffee production emphasizes the need to optimize fertilization practices and improve nitrogen use efficiency. Urea is widespread in nature, characterizing itself as a significant source of nitrogen for the growth and development of several organisms. Thus, the characterization of genes involved in urea transport in coffee plants is an important research topic for the sustainable production of this valuable cash crop. In the current study, we evaluated the expression of the DUR3 gene under abiotic and biotic stresses in coffee plants. Here, we show that the expression of a high-affinity urea transporter gene (CaDUR3) was up-regulated by N starvation in leaves and roots of two out of three C. arabica cultivars examined. Moreover, the CaDUR3 gene was differentially expressed in coffee plants under different abiotic and biotic stresses. In plants of cv. IAPAR59, CaDUR3 showed an increased expression in leaves after exposure to water deficit and heat stress, while it was downregulated in plants under salinity. Upon infection with H. vastatrix (coffee rust), the CaDUR3 was markedly up-regulated at the beginning of the infection process in the disease susceptible Catuaí Vermelho 99 in comparison with the resistant cultivar. These results indicate that besides urea acquisition and N-remobilization, CaDUR3 gene may be closely involved in the response to various stresses.     

Intracellular distribution of enzymes associated with nitrogen assimilation in roots

The cellular distribution of enzymes involved in nitrogen assimilation: nitrate reductase (EC 1.6.6.2), nitrite reductase (EC 1.6.6.4), glutamine synthetase (EC 6.3.1.2), glutamate synthase (EC 2.6.1.53), and glutamate dehydrogenase (EC 1.4.1.3) has been studied in the roots of five plants: maize (Zea mays L. hybrid W 64A x W 182E), rice (Oryza sativa L. cv. Delta), bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L. cv. Contender), pea (Pisum sativum L. cv. Demi-nain), and barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). Initially, cell organelles were separated from soluble proteins by differential centrifugation. Cell organelles were also subjected to sucrose density gradients. The results obtained by these two methods indicate that nitrite reductase and glutamate synthase are localized in plastids, nitrate reductase and glutamine synthetase are present in the cytosol, and glutamate dehydrogenase is a mitochondrial enzyme.     

Effect of infiltration rate on nitrogen dynamics in paddy soil after high-load nitrogen application containing N tracer

Flooded paddy fields perform many ecological and conservation functions and are also reported to facilitate livestock waste disposal. Paddy field infiltration rates are important for nitrogen dynamics. A laboratory study was conducted to compare the effects of infiltration rate on nitrogen dynamics including nitrogen leaching, soil adsorption, microorganism assimilation, plant uptake and denitrification. Two infiltration rates were applied to paddy soil: 18.6 ± 10.3 mm d⁻¹ (High Infiltration Columns: HIC) and 4.49 ± 3.15 mm d⁻¹ (Low Infiltration Columns: LIC). Total nitrogen load was 484 kg-N ha⁻¹, with the ammonium ion form including basal fertilizer and a double supplemental fertilizer application. A (¹⁵NH₄)₂SO₄ tracer was applied in each infiltration rate as supplemental fertilizer.Nitrification and denitrification, plant uptake, soil adsorption, and leaching differed between infiltration rates. Compared with high nitrate concentration in HIC soil water, little nitrate appeared in the LIC, and it maintained relatively higher soil water ammonium concentrations long after application. The ¹⁵N assimilated by rice and contained in the LIC soil was higher than in the HIC, suggesting that low infiltration is beneficial to nitrogen assimilation, adsorption and fixation. Although loss of nitrogen via leaching was higher in the HIC than the LIC, it accounted for only 3.94% of total ¹⁵N input. About 69.4% of total ¹⁵N input was unaccounted for in the HIC, whereas 38.3% of total ¹⁵N input was unaccounted for in the LIC. According to the denitrification rate calculated from changes in ²⁹N₂/²⁸N₂ and ³⁰N₂/²⁸N₂ ratios, the denitrification rate after HIC application was higher than the LIC, reaching a maximum rate of 2.9 g m⁻² d⁻¹. This suggests that high infiltration rate enhances nitrification and denitrification, with most of the unaccounted inputted ¹⁵N in the HIC was probably lost through nitrification and denitrification.     

Nitrogen cycling in an Antarctic ecosystem 2. Estimation of the amount of nitrogen fixation in a moss community on East Ongul Island

Nitrogen fixation by cyanobacteria in a moss community on East Ongul Island (69°00'S 39°35'E), Antarctica was investigated using the acetylene reduction method. The mean acetylene reduction rate at 10°C and 200 μE·m⁻²·s⁻¹ photosynthetically active radiation was 7.12 nmol C₂H₄ per square centimeter of moss community per hour. The effects of temperature, radiation, desiccation and rehydration on the acetylene reduction rates were examined. A simple predictive model was constructed in order to estimate the amount of nitrogen fixed in the field. Using this model, the daily amount of nitrogen fixation was calculated from microclimatic data (temperature and radiation) measured in the experimental field at Syowa Station on East Ongul Island between 1983 and 1984. The cumulative amount of nitrogen fixation in the growing season during this period was estimated to be 329 mg N per square meter of moss community. It is suggested that nitrogen fixation by cyanobacteria in the moss community is important as a nitrogen source for the community growth on East Ongul Island.     

Expanded view of the local–regional richness relationship by incorporating functional richness and time: a large‐scale perspective

Aim We investigate the relationship between local and regional richness in marine fouling assemblages using an expanded and globally replicated approach by incorporating two dimensions of diversity (taxonomic and functional) and different successional stages. Location Global. Methods In eight different biogeographic regions (Australia, Brazil, Chile, England, Italy, Japan, Portugal and Sweden) 68 polyvinylchloride (PVC) panels (15 × 15 × 0.3 cm) were deployed for colonization. Communities colonizing panels were analysed by measuring percentage cover at each of four different successional ages: 2, 4, 6 and 8 months. Local richness was assessed as the average number of species and functional groups (FGs) per panel and regional richness was evaluated as the estimated (Jack2) asymptote of the sample‐accumulation curves for species and FG on experimental panels. Results We found that the shape of the relationship between local and regional richness depended on successional stage and the type of richness considered, i.e. taxonomic or functional richness. Hardly any relationship was detectable between local taxonomic richness and regional taxonomic richness at any successional stage. In contrast, the relation between local functional and regional functional richness shows a unimodal pattern of change during succession, passing through the stages ‘independent’, ‘unsaturated rising’, ‘saturated rising’ and once again ‘independent’. Main conclusions The relationship between local and regional richness, whether taxonomic or functional, frequently displays independence of the two scales, particularly in early and late phases of the successional process.