Ecology,morphology and physiology of Chroothece richteriana (Rhodophyta,Stylonematophyceae) in the highly calcareous Río Chícamo,south-east Spain

The ecology of Chroothece was studied in the highly calcareous Río Chícamo, south-east Spain, in order to explain its success there, but rarity elsewhere. The river, which originates mainly from an underground aquifer, has water with high conductivity, sulphate and nitrate but low phosphate concentrations, the latter mainly organic. Chroothece occurs in mats and in lobed colonies reaching 4 cm in the broadest dimension. The colony surface consists of one layer of cells, each of which is attached to a stalk, which dichotomizes when the cell divides; stalks often extend to the colony base. The central region of many mat cells and almost all colony cells has a yellow to orange-brown colour, associated with the numerous lipid droplets densely covering the surface of the pyrenoid and arms of the star-shaped chloroplast. Field material and laboratory isolates indicate that stalk formation occurs under moderate P limitation and both stalks and cell sheath show high phosphatase activities. This also occurred in a culture collection strain maintained for 30 years in a very P-rich medium, but then transferred to a moderately P-limiting medium (c. 0.9 mg l^?1). We suggest that colony formation is initiated by aggregation of motile cells following P pulses in the water. Comparisons are made with Rivularia, a competitor in this nitrate-rich river, in spite of being a N₂-fixer. One difference is that Chroothece cells lie at the periphery of the colonies and are therefore exposed to maximum sunlight, whereas Rivularia trichomes grow inside colonies with photoprotection by scytonemin. However, the ability to withstand heavy grazing pressure may be an especially important factor favouring Rivularia here.     

Nitrogen metabolism and excretion in Allenbatrachus grunniens(L): effects of variable salinity, confinement, high pH and ammonia loading

The nitrogen metabolism and excretion patterns of the grunting toadfish Allenbatrachus grunniens and the effects of salinity on these processes were examined. Individuals of A. grunniens were subjected to several experimental treatments, including variable salinity (2 to 30), high pH (8·5 compared to 7·0 for controls), high environmental ammonia (10 mM) and confinement to small water volumes, and measurements were made of activities of selected enzymes of nitrogen metabolism, ammonia and urea excretion rates, and tissue and plasma contents of ammonia, urea and amino acids. Activities of key ornithine‐urea cycle enzymes were rather low ( e.g . liver carbamoyl phosphate synthetase III activity was 0·001 μmols min⁻¹ g⁻¹), and A. grunniens consistently demonstrated a low capacity for urea excretion despite significant elevations of plasma and tissue ammonia contents by the high pH and high ammonia treatments. This species could thus be categorized as ammoniotelic. Total free amino acid contents in plasma and tissues were increased by the high pH and high ammonia treatments, but no patterns were discerned in individual amino acids that would indicate any preferential accumulation ( e.g . alanine and glutamine) as has been noted previously in several semi‐terrestrial fish species. Thus, it appeared that A. grunniens was not unusual in its patterns of nitrogen metabolism and excretion in comparison to other 'typical' teleosts. Furthermore, manipulation of salinity had no major effects on nitrogen excretion in either this species or in comparative studies with the ureotelic gulf toadfish Opsanus beta . The results are discussed in the context of the broader pattern of nitrogen metabolism and excretion in the Batrachoididae.     

一次陆源降雨污水引起血红哈卡藻赤潮的成因

以2007年烟台四十里湾海域血红哈卡藻(Akashiwo sanguinea Hirasaka)赤潮为对象,研究赤潮消长与水环境因子的关系。研究发现大量陆源降雨污水输入后,海水盐度急剧下降、营养盐大幅增加,特别是活性磷酸盐浓度明显增加,促进了血红哈卡藻的生长繁殖并最终形成赤潮。赤潮发生前海区第一优势种为尖刺拟菱形藻(Pseudo-nitzschia pungens Halse),优势度0.47(0.42—0.52),多样性指数2.63(2.43—2.89);赤潮发生时血红哈卡藻密度范围1.05×105—4.10×106个/L,优势度0.92(0.83—0.99),多样性指数0.27(0.15—0.64);赤潮消退后中肋骨条藻(Skeletonema costatum Cleve)为第一优势种,优势度0.49(0.43—0.55),多样性指数2.46(2.19—2.84)。赤潮的发生、发展、消亡与化学需氧量(COD)、无机氮(DIN)、活性磷酸盐(DIP)、富营养化指数(E)呈显著正相关(P<0.05),与盐度呈显著负相关(P<0.01)。赤潮前、后该海域为贫营养、P限制、叶绿素a含量中等,赤潮期间该海域为富营养、P限制、叶绿素a含量高。通过影响力评定,活性磷酸盐、COD、盐度是此次赤潮发生的主要诱发因子,当活性磷酸盐含量低于0.3μmol/L时,硅藻逐渐取代甲藻,此次赤潮消散。     

Diclofenac-induced stimulation of SMCT1 (SLC5A8) in a heterologous expression system: A RPE specific phenomenon

SMCT1 is a Na⁺-coupled monocarboxylate transporter expressed in a variety of tissues including kidney, thyroid, small intestine, colon, brain, and retina. We found recently that several non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) inhibit the activity of SMCT1. Here we evaluated the effect of diclofenac, also a NSAID, on SMCT1. SMCT1 cDNA was expressed heterologously in the human retinal pigment epithelial cell lines HRPE and ARPE-19, the human mammary epithelial cell line MCF7, and in Xenopus laevis oocytes. Transport was monitored by substrate uptake and substrate-induced currents. Na⁺-dependent uptake/current was considered as SMCT1 activity. The effect of diclofenac was evaluated for specificity, dose-response, and influence on transport kinetics. To study the specificity of the diclofenac effect, we evaluated the influence of this NSAID on the activity of several other cloned transporters in mammalian cells under identical conditions. In contrast to several NSAIDs that inhibited SMCT1, diclofenac stimulated SMCT1 when expressed in HRPE and ARPE-19 cells. The stimulation was marked, ranging from 2- to 5-fold depending on the concentration of diclofenac. The stimulation was associated with an increase in the maximal velocity of the transport system as well as with an increase in substrate affinity. The observed effect on SMCT1 was selective because the activity of several other cloned transporters, when expressed in HRPE cells and studied under identical conditions, was not affected by diclofenac. Interestingly, the stimulatory effect on SMCT1 observed in HRPE and ARPE-19 cells was not evident in MCF7 cells nor in the X. laevis expression system, indicating that SMCT1 was not the direct target for diclofenac. The RPE-specific effect suggests that the target of diclofenac that mediates the stimulatory effect is expressed in RPE cells but not in MCF7 cells or in X. laevis oocytes. Since SMCT1 is a concentrative transporter for metabolically important compounds such as pyruvate, lactate, β-hydroxybutyrate, and nicotinate, the stimulation of its activity by diclofenac in RPE cells has biological and clinical significance.     

Deposition of condensed phosphate as an effect of varying sulfur deficiency in the cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp. (Anacystis nidulans)

Uptake of orthophosphate and deposition of condensed phosphate were investigated in cells of Synechococcus sp. (Anacystis nidulans) deficient in phosphorus or sulfur. When phosphorus was restored to phosphorus-starved cells, uptake was rapid and immediate, with the greatest accumulation occurring within the first hour. Uptake was optimum in the pH 7.5–8.5 range. Long-term (6-day) studies of uptake and deposition with cells exposed to a wide range of sulfur deficiency showed that both processes were greatest when the level of exogenous sulfur was reduced to zero. The increase in cellular phosphorus as determined chemically was in agreement with the increased number and size of polyphosphate bodies at the ultrastructural level. Possible mechanisms for the control of phosphorus uptake and condensed phosphate formation by exogenous sulfur are discussed.     

‘台农1号’芒果果实发育过程中的糖分积累与相关酶活性研究

以‘台农1号’芒果为材料,测定了果实生长发育过程中淀粉、蔗糖、葡萄糖和果糖含量以及淀粉酶、蔗糖代谢相关酶———酸性转化酶(AI)、中性转化酶(NI)、蔗糖合成酶(SS)和蔗糖磷酸合成酶(SPS)的活性,并对果实中糖组分与酶活性的关系进行了分析.结果显示,(1)台农1号芒果果实属于单S型生长曲线,发育前期主要积累淀粉、葡萄糖和果糖,果实成熟软化时,淀粉酶活性降至最低,淀粉水解,蔗糖快速积累.(2)酸性转化酶活性在果实整个发育过程中维持最高,完熟时略有降低;蔗糖磷酸合成酶在果实发育前期略有降低,完熟时升至最高;蔗糖合成酶和中性转化酶活性在整个发育期一直很低且较稳定.(3)淀粉含量与淀粉酶活性呈显著正相关,与SPS活性呈极显著负相关,蔗糖、葡萄糖含量均与SPS、SS呈显著、极显著的正相关;果糖含量与SS呈极显著的正相关.研究表明,芒果成熟时淀粉分解、酸性转化酶活性的降低,且蔗糖合成酶和蔗糖磷酸合成酶活性的增加是引起果实蔗糖积累的主要因子.     

Technical note phytoremediation of triazophos by Canna indica Linn. in a hydroponic system

The phytoremediation of triazophos (O, O-diethyl-O-(1-phenyl-1, 2, 4-triazole-3-base) sulfur phosphate, TAP) by Canna indica Linn. in a hydroponic system was studied. After 21 d of exposure, the removal kinetic constant (K) of TAP was 0.0229-0.0339 d(-1) and the removal percentage of TAP was 41-55% in the plant system and the K and removal percentage of TAP were about 0.002 d(-1) and 1%, respectively, in darkness and disinfected control. However, the K and removal percentage of TAP were 0.006 d(-1) and approximately 11%, respectively, in the treatment with eluate from the media of constructed wetland. The contribution of plant to the remediation of TAP was 74% and C. indica played the most important role in the hydroponic system. Under the stress of TAP and without inorganic phosphorus nutrient, the activity of phosphatase in the plant system increased and phytodegradation was observed. The production and release of phosphatase is seen as the key mechanism for C. indica to degrade TAP. C. indica, which showed the potential of phytoremediation of TAP, and is commonly used in constructed wetland, so the technique of phytoremediation of TAP from contaminated water can be developed with the combination of constructed wetland.     

Expression of the triose phosphate translocator gene from potato is light dependent and restricted to green tissues

The export of primary photosynthesis products from chloroplasts into the cytoplasm is mediated by the triose phosphate translocator. The transporter is an integral membrane protein localized at the inner envelope of chloroplasts. In order to study the expression of the major chloroplast envelope protein gene E29, which is assumed to function as the translocator, we have isolated corresponding cDNA clones from potato. A full-length clone was sequenced and shown to be highly homologous to the E29 gene from spinach. Expression on the RNA level is restricted to green tissues, is light dependent and cannot be induced by sucrose in darkness. The presence of a single-copy gene argues for the existence of different translocator systems responsible for import and export of carbohydrates in chloroplasts and amyloplasts.