Insulin Accelerates Seedling Growth of Canavalia ensiformis (Jack bean)

Insulin is a 6 kDa peptide hormone that activates several metabolic processes and cellular growth. Germination studies showed that insulin, vanadyl sulphate (an insulin mimetic compound), tyrphostin (an inhibitor of insulin receptor kinase activity), pinitol (a chiro inositol analogue) and glucose were able to accelerate Canavalia ensiformis (Jack bean) seedling radicle and epicotyl development. Immunofluorescence microscopy analysis showed that proteins binding to insulin, insulin receptor and phosphoserine antibodies are localized in an internal layer of the C. ensiformis seed coat. These results and others previously reported from our laboratory suggest that insulin, insulin receptor and phosphoserine proteins could be components of signalling pathways akin to those present in animals.     

On the value of seasonal mammals for identifying mechanisms underlying the control of food intake and body weight

This article is part of a Special Issue “Energy Balance”.     

A gene from the Sec2 (Gli-R2) locus of a wheat 2RS.2BL chromosomal translocation line

A genomic DNA clone coding for a rye secalin gene (gSec2A) was isolated from a wheat translocation line carrying the 2RS.2BL chromosome, using a previously identified partial secalin (Sec2) cDNA clone as a probe. The predicted N-terminal amino-acid sequence of the gSec2A gene was identical to the N-terminal sequence obtained for Sec2 polypeptide bands isolated from SDS-PAGE gels. Bacterially expressed gSec2A protein was identical in size to that of the smallest Sec2 polypeptide band observed on SDS PAGE gels and is recognized by a monoclonal antibody specific for Mr 75000 2RS γ-secalins. Overall, the predicted protein sequence of gSec2A was most similar (50%) to the family of γ-gliadins and consists of a short N-terminal region containing one cysteine residue followed by a glutamine/proline-rich repetitive domain and a long C-terminal domain containing eight cysteine residues. The repetitive domain can be divided into two regions. One region coded for 15 units, each consisting of eight amino acids similar in sequence to that found in the ω-secalins and C-hordeins. The second region coded for 17 units each consisting of a sequence of 7–10 amino acids similar to that observed in γ-gliadins. Received: 31 February 2000 / Accepted: 21 May 2000     

Spectroscopic characterization and molecular weight distribution of dissolved organic matter in sediment porewaters from Lake Erhai, Southwest China

Dissolved organic matter (DOM) in sediment porewaters from Lake Erhai, Southwest China was investigated using dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentration, UV absorbance, fluorescence and molecular weight distribution. DOC exhibited a high concentration at the sediment–water interface with a rapid decrease to the oxic–anoxic interface at approximately 7 cm, and then increased with depth. Similar trends were also found for the UV absorption coefficients at 254 and 280 nm in the porewaters. DNA in the sediment was also measured, which confirmed the high abundance of aerobic bacteria in the upper layer of the sediment. Both humic-like (peaks A and C) and protein-like (peaks B and D) fluorescence were observed in the porewater DOM, and their fluorescence intensities exhibited a similar porewater profile as DOC concentration. A strong correlation was found between the peak fluorescence intensity ratio r(A, C) and r(D, B). Both the fluorescence index and UV absorption coefficient at 254 nm suggested a dramatic increase in aromaticity of porewater DOM across the oxic–anoxic interface. Porewater DOM exhibited a multimodal distribution of molecular weight with a relatively low polydispersity. The results of this study offer significant insight into the nature and properties of DOM in freshwater ecosystems.     

Association of specific leaf weight, an estimate of chlorophyll, and chlorophyll concentration with apparent photosynthesis in soybean

Increasing specific leaf weight (SLW) may improve leaf apparent photosynthesis (AP) in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] but screening for SLW and AP is laborious. The Objectives of this study were (i) to determine the time course of SLW and chlorophyll concentration in experimental lines selected for differences in SLW and (ii) to evaluate the potential use of the Minolta 502 SPAD meter as a rapid estimator of SLW, AP and chlorophyll concentration in leaves of soybean. In 1991 and 1992, sixteen experimental lines representing extremes in SLW were grown at Urbana, IL, and West Lafayette, IN, with three replications at each location. SPAD values, SLW and AP were measured at the R2 (full flower), R4 (full pod) and R5 (beginning seed) growth stages. In 1992 SLW, SPAD values and chlorophyll concentration were measured weekly. Seasonal patterns of SPAD values, SLW, and chlorophyll concentration were very similar through R5. After R5, SLW continued to increase but SPAD values and chlorophyll concentration declined. SPAD values and SLW were highly correlated at the R2, R4 and R5 stages at both locations and in both years. Environmental conditions during this research were not suitable for maximum AP expression, which is likely why AP and SPAD values were correlated only at the R4 growth stage at Urbana in 1992. SPAD measurements were consistent across diverse environments and effectively separated the high SLW lines from the low SLW lines. Measuring with the Minolta 502 SPAD meter is rapid, simple and non-destructive and could be an alternative method for direct selection for SLW.Abbreviations AP- leaf apparent photosynthesis - CV- coefficient of variation - Rug- leaf rugosity - SLW- specific leaf weight - SPAD-L- SPAD value of the most recently expanded terminal leaflet - SPAD-P- SPAD value of leaflet used to measure AP - SPAD-S- SPAD value of leaflets used to measure SLW - SPAD-U- SPAD value of the terminal leaflet one node above the most recently expanded terminal leaflet The US Government right to retain a non-exclusive, royalty free licence in and to any copyright is acknowledged     

狼毒种子萌发特性与种群更新机制的研究

研究了采集于植株上的和收集于土壤种子库的狼毒(Stellera chamaejasme)种子在不同温度、光照和5种预处理(即破裂种皮、去除种皮、98％H2SO4浸种5min、0．2％KNO3浸种24h、10℃低温保存1周)条件下的萌发力。结果表明,狼毒种子萌发率较低,25℃恒温、黑暗条件下萌发率为13％,较适宜的萌发温度为30℃恒温或10～30℃变温,破裂种皮和去除种皮萌发率显著提高,25℃恒温、光暗交替条件下萌发率分别为49％和47％,浓硫酸浸种5min处理萌发率可达到32％,KON3浸种和10℃低温保存两个处理对促进狼毒种子萌发效果不明显,狼毒种子萌发对光照条件不敏感,种子硬实性是导致狼毒种子萌发率较低的主要原因,取自土壤种子库内的狼毒种子萌发率高于当年采集的种子,在自然条件下,并非每年都有狼毒种子萌发长成幼苗,种群更新时机是随机的或周期性的。     

Acorn dispersal estimated by radio-tracking

Bird-dispersed seeds are difficult to track, especially in the case of long-distance dispersal events. To estimate the oak dispersal distance and the seed shadow generated by the European jay (Garrulus glandarius), we inserted radio-transmitters in 239 acorns, placed them in bird-feeders and then located them by radio-tracking. Using this methodology we located the exact caching site of 94 Quercus ilex and 54 Q. suber acorns and determined the caching habitat characteristics (vegetation type, distance, spatial distribution). The results show that: (1) there is no differences in the dispersal distance distribution between the different acorn species or sizes, (2) dispersal distances range from approximately 3 m up to approximately 550 m (mean = 68.6 m; median = 49.2 m), (3) recently abandoned fields and forest tracks were the sites preferred by jays to cache acorns, whereas fields and shrublands were avoided and (4) seed shadows showed acorn aggregation zones (i.e. clusters of caches) close to the feeder as well as isolated caches at longer distances. The results also suggest that radio-transmitters are a cheap and reliable way to determine seed shadows and quantify both seed dispersal and post-dispersal seed predation for medium to large seeds.     

种子萌发过程中贮藏油脂的动员

对植物种子萌发过程中贮藏油脂动员的研究进展进行了综述。不同种子的贮藏油脂的降解途径不同。目前提出有3条途径:传统的脂酶直接水解途径;新近发现的酰基-CoA-二酯酰甘油酰基转移酶途径和脂氧合酶(LOX)途径。前两条途径不依赖于LOX。这3条途径可能在贮藏油脂动员过程中是并存的,但目前尚不知道在种子萌发过程中油脂降解是以那一条降解途径为主,以及不同的种之间是否存在差异。此外,3条降解途径目前都缺乏分子生物学的直接证据。     

Seed coat morphology and evolution in Celtidaceae and Ulmaceae (Urticales)

The seed coat surface morphology of Celtidaceae and Ulmaceae (Urticales) indicates a significant evolutionary diversity.Celtis, Chaetachme andPteroceltis (Celtidaceae) have a unique sculpturing with many crateriform holes; such holes occasionally sparsely occur in seeds ofAphananthe, Gironniera (Celtidaceae) andPlanera (Ulmaceae), but not in those of the nine remaining genera of the two families. The perforated seed coat further occurs in at least some genera of all other urticalean families. A pattern of its occurrence in families and genera suggest that the perforation represents a common archaic feature of all Urticales, rather than a feature derived many times independently within the order. The seed coat of Celtidaceae and Ulmaceae seems to have lately lost the holes probably by a neotenic evolution: one or more times within Celtidaceae, and one time in an ancestral line leading to all Ulmaceae. The derived reticulate seed coat surface sculpturing, which is shared byGironniera (Celtidaceae) and some Ulmaceae, is probably the result of parallel evolution. On the basis of evidence from seed coat morphology and other sources, close relationships ofLozanella, Parasponia andTrema within Celtidaceae, as well as variously distinct positions ofAmpelocera, Aphananthe andGironniera, are also discussed.     

Purification, characterisation, and inhibition by monoterpenes of acetylcholinesterase from the waxmoth, Galleria mellonella (L.)

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) was purified from the brain of the waxmoth, Galleria mellonella (L.) by affinity chromatography followed by anion exchange chromatography. It resolved as a single band by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) both non-denaturing and SDS (silver stained), and as a single peak by high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC), in an overall yield of 32% representing 283-fold purification. This was a true acetylcholinesterase, with no activity as a non-specific cholinesterase (butyrylcholinesterase). The molecular weight determined by PAGE in the absence and presence of sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) was ca. 240,000 Da and 60,000 Da respectively, indicating an arrangement of tetrameric subunits. 2-Heptanone, the honeybee alarm pheromone, reversibly and competitively inhibited the purified Galleria AChE with a K_i value of 1.34×10⁻³ M. Furthermore, five monoterpenes associated with plant defence and representing a range of functional groups, also were reversible competitive inhibitors of the purified AChE from Galleria, which is consistent with previous data for electric eel AChE (Ryan, M.F., Byrne, O., 1988. Plant-insect coevolution and inhibition of acetylcholinesterase. Journal of Chemical Ecology 14, 1965-1975).