Protochlorophyllide forms in non-greening epicotyls of dark-grown pea (Pisum sativum)

Low-temperature fluorescence emission spectra of 6.5-day-old dark-grown epicotyls of pea ( Pisum sativum ) revealed the presence of protochlorophyll(ide). The upper part of the epicotyl contained 30% of the protochlorophyll(ide) content per fresh weight found in pea leaves, whereas the lower part contained 3%. Three discrete spectral forms of protochlorophyll(ide) were clearly distinguished after Gaussian deconvolution of fluorescence excitation and emission spectra. Adding the satellite bands of the Qy_(0-0) transitions (the emission vibrational (Emv) bands with correlated amplitudes, gave the following delineation: Ex439–Em629–Emv684, Ex447–Em636–Emv700 and Ex456–Em650–Emv728. Sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) followed by immunodetection of whole tissue extracts of the epicotyl indicated the presence of NADPH-protochlorophyllide oxidoreductase (EC 1.3.1.33). Electron micrographs showed prolamellar bodies in at most 11 % of the plastid profiles of the epicotyl cells. These prolamellar bodies were smaller, and many of them showed less regular structure than those of the leaves. Taken together, the results indicate that the protochlorophyll(ide) in epicotyls is arranged in a different way than in leaves.     

Evidence that the methylation state of the monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) gene predicts brain activity of MAOA enzyme in healthy men

Human brain function is mediated by biochemical processes, many of which can be visualized and quantified by positron emission tomography (PET). PET brain imaging of monoamine oxidase A (MAOA)—an enzyme metabolizing neurotransmitters—revealed that MAOA levels vary widely between healthy men and this variability was not explained by the common MAOA genotype (VNTR genotype), suggesting that environmental factors, through epigenetic modifications, may mediate it. Here, we analyzed MAOA methylation in white blood cells (by bisulphite conversion of genomic DNA and subsequent sequencing of cloned DNA products) and measured brain MAOA levels (using PET and [¹¹C]clorgyline, a radiotracer with specificity for MAOA) in 34 healthy non-smoking male volunteers. We found significant interindividual differences in methylation status and methylation patterns of the core MAOA promoter. The VNTR genotype did not influence the methylation status of the gene or brain MAOA activity. In contrast, we found a robust association of the regional and CpG site-specific methylation of the core MAOA promoter with brain MAOA levels. These results suggest that the methylation status of the MAOA promoter (detected in white blood cells) can reliably predict the brain endophenotype. Therefore, the status of MAOA methylation observed in healthy males merits consideration as a variable contributing to interindividual differences in behavior.     

Delayed herbivory by migratory geese increases summer‐long CO2 uptake in coastal western Alaska

The advancement of spring and the differential ability of organisms to respond to changes in plant phenology may lead to “phenological mismatches” as a result of climate change. One potential for considerable mismatch is between migratory birds and food availability in northern breeding ranges, and these mismatches may have consequences for ecosystem function. We conducted a three‐year experiment to examine the consequences for CO₂ exchange of advanced spring green‐up and altered timing of grazing by migratory Pacific black brant in a coastal wetland in western Alaska. Experimental treatments represent the variation in green‐up and timing of peak grazing intensity that currently exists in the system. Delayed grazing resulted in greater net ecosystem exchange (NEE) and gross primary productivity (GPP), while early grazing reduced CO₂ uptake with the potential of causing net ecosystem carbon (C) loss in late spring and early summer. Conversely, advancing the growing season only influenced ecosystem respiration (ER), resulting in a small increase in ER with no concomitant impact on GPP or NEE. The experimental treatment that represents the most likely future, with green‐up advancing more rapidly than arrival of migratory geese, results in NEE changing by 1.2 µmol m^?2 s^?1 toward a greater CO₂ sink in spring and summer. Increased sink strength, however, may be mitigated by early arrival of migratory geese, which would reduce CO₂ uptake. Importantly, while the direct effect of climate warming on phenology of green‐up has a minimal influence on NEE, the indirect effect of climate warming manifest through changes in the timing of peak grazing can have a significant impact on C balance in northern coastal wetlands. Furthermore, processes influencing the timing of goose migration in the winter range can significantly influence ecosystem function in summer habitats.     

华山松吸收光谱及叶绿素荧光特性的地理变异

利用分离的叶绿体作实验材料,发现华山松(Pinus armandi Franch.)南方种源的4阶导数吸收光谱在680nm处峰值较大,在670nm处峰值较小,而北方种源中出现了在680nm处峰值较在670nm峰值小的类群,推断北方种群反应中心活力有下降趋势。南、北种源之间的低温(77K)荧光发射光谱有明显差异,PSⅠ、PSⅡ发射峰位置出现地理变动。低温荧光激发光谱分析表明,地理变异主要发生在叶绿素a的分子状态上。研究还表明,完整的针叶因为有角质层、松脂等物质干扰,检测不出光谱的差异,不是理想的实验材料。     

森林生态系统土壤CO2释放随海拔梯度的变化及其影响因子

联合国气候框架公约的签署提升了人们对全球变暖、碳循环的关注。土壤CO₂释放作为土壤-大气CO₂交换的主要途径之一,成为了各国生态学家研究的重点内容。通过对1800~2155m海拔梯度上森林生态系统土壤CO₂释放进行研究,揭示了较小空间尺度上土壤CO₂释放的变化规律及其控制机制。在研究区域内,随着海拔梯度的增加,森林土壤CO₂释放由(1.94±006) μmol m^-2 s^-1逐渐增加至(2.22±0.07) μ mol m^-2 s^-1。土壤温度、土壤水分、土壤有机碳（SOC）、全N、全P与土壤CO₂释放呈显著正相关（n=14, P<0.05）;土壤容重与土壤CO₂释放速率呈显著负相关（n=14,P<0.05）;土壤pH对土壤CO₂释放影响不显著。作为一个复杂的生态学过程,环境因子及其交互作用对土壤CO₂释放产生影响,为了减少因子共线性影响,逐步降低因子维数,采用主成分分析（PCA）揭示了土壤温度、土壤水分、SOC、全N、全P、容重6个因子的联合作用,其累积贡献率达到了57％以上;进一步运用逐步回归分析方法,探讨了影响土壤CO₂释放沿海拔梯度分布的主导因子,结果表明土壤水分是研究区域森林生态系统土壤CO₂释放沿海拔梯度变化的主导因子。     

Polarity in higher plant dictyosomes

Summary Dictyosomes in three higher plant cell secretory systems,Zea root cap cells,Tradescantia pollen tubes and digestive glands ofDionaea fly traps, are shown to possess a structural polarity in terms of either the production of secretory vesicles, or the reaction of individual cisternae to the osmium-zinc-iodide impregnation procedure. These observations contradict previous claims that higher plant dictyosomes lack structural polarity. Doubts about the applicability of the endomembrane flow concept to higher plant cell dictyosomes are discussed in relation to the relative balance between carbohydrate and protein in secreted products. The lack of dictyosome-associated endoplasmic reticulum in some of these plant cell systems is confirmed.     

The effect of temperature on pollen germination, pollen tube growth, and stigmatic receptivity in peach

Temperature is a major climatic factor that limits geographical distribution of plant species, and the reproductive phase has proven to be one of the most temperature-vulnerable stages. Here, we have used peach to evaluate the effect of temperature on some processes of the progamic phase, from pollination to the arrival of pollen tubes in the ovary. Within the range of temperatures studied, 20 degrees C in the laboratory and, on average, 5.7 degrees C in the field, the results show an accelerating effect of increasing temperature on pollen germination and pollen tube growth kinetics, as well as an increase in the number of pollen tubes that reach the style base. For the last two parameters, although the range of temperature registered in the field was much lower, the results obtained in the laboratory paralleled those obtained in the field. Increasing temperatures drastically reduced stigmatic receptivity. Reduction was sequential, with stigmas first losing the capacity to sustain pollen tube penetration to the transmitting tissue, then their capacity to offer support for pollen germination and, finally, their capacity to support pollen grain adhesion. Within a species-specific range of temperature, this apparent opposite effect of temperature on the male and female side could provide plants with the plasticity to withstand changing environmental effects, ensuring a good level of fertilization.     

Localization of myosin on sperm-cell-associated membranes of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.)

Summary Actomyosin interactions are reportedly the principal mechanism for the transport of nonmotile sperm cells of flowering plants inside the pollen tube and inside the embryo sac. Myosin has been demonstrated on the generative cell (the predecessor of sperm cells), although it is unclear from previous studies whether myosin is located directly on the plasma membrane of the male germ cells or on the external plasma membrane of the pollen cell that surrounds them. Immunogold scanning electron microscopy was used to localize myosin on isolated tobacco sperm cells, with and without associated membranes. When present, the pollen tube plasma membrane surrounding the sperm cells was labeled by an antimyosin antibody, as were pollen tube cytoplasmic organelles. Negligible labeling was observed directly on the plasma membrane of the sperm cells.     

Studies on Pollen Morphology of Taxaceae of China

The present study deals with pollen morphology of 4 genera and l0 species of Taxaceae in gymnosperms. Pollen grains of the family are spheroidal or subspheroidal, 20.8μm in diameter and with laptoma or papilla in the distal face. Exine is two-layered, with sexine equal to nexine in thickness, but sometimes the stratification is indistinct. The surface is scabrous or slightly granular under LM. Coarse verrucae and fine tuberculae on pollen surface are observed under SEM. From thin section, endexine is shown to have lamellate structure, and ectexine is made of verrucate elements. In Amentotaxus argotaenia, some pollen grains show remnant saccate. According to pollen morphology, this family may be divided into two tribes: 1, Pseudotaxeae (including Pseudotaxus only), and 2, Taxeae (including Taxus and Torreya). Owirg to the special feature of pollen grains in Amentotaxus the present author suggests that the genus be separated from Taxaceae and raised to the level of family, Amentotaxaceae.