Latitudinal comparison of altitudinal changes in forest structure,leaf-type,and species richness in humid monsoon Asia

A new template for mountain vegetation zonation along latitudinal gradients is proposed for examining geographical pattern of various forest attributes in humid monsoon Asia. The contrasting temperature regime in tropical and temperate mountains, i.e., the former is a non-seasonal, temperature-sum controlled environment, and the latter is a seasonal, low temperature limiting environment, leads to different altitudinal patterns of tree height distribution and species richness. In the tropical mountains, both tree height and species richness decrease steeply, and the tree height often stepwise. The decline of tree height and species diversity in the temperate mountains is far less pronounced except near the forest limit. Both trends are explained by their temperature regime.     

Effect of dibutyryl cyclic AMP and dexamethasone on glutamine synthetase gene expression in rat astrocytes in culture

Astrocytes are the primary site of glutamate conversion to glutamine in the brain. We examined the effects of treatment with either dibutyryl cyclic AMP and/or the synthetic glucocorticoid dexamethasone on glutamine synthetase enzyme activity and steady-state mRNA levels in cultured neonatal rat astrocytes. Treatment of cultures with dibutyryl cyclic AMP alone (0.25 mM–1.0 mM) increased glutamine synthetase activity and steady state mRNA levels in a dose-dependent manner. Similarly, treatment with dexamethasone alone (10^–7–10^–5 M) increased glutamine synthetase mRNA levels and enzyme activity. When astrocytes were treated with both effectors, additive increases in glutamine synthetase activity and mRNA were obtained. However, the additive effects were observed only when the effect of dibutyryl cyclic AMP alone was not maximal. These findings suggest that the actions of these effectors are mediated at the level of mRNA accumulation. The induction of glutamine synthetase mRNA by dibutyryl cyclic AMP was dependent on protein synthesis while the dexamethasone effect was not. Glucocorticoids and cyclic AMP are known to exert their effects on gene expression by different molecular mechanisms. Possible crosstalk between these effector pathways may occur in regulation of astrocyte glutamine synthetase expression.Abbreviations used GS glutamine synthetase - dbcAMP dibutyryl cyclic AMP - MEM minimal essential medium - cyx cycloheximide - GRE glucocorticoid response element - CRE cyclic AMP response element     

Neutral amino acid transport in surface membrane vesicles isolated from mouse fibroblasts: Intrinsic and extrinsic models of regulation

Membrane transport carrier function, its regulation and coupling to metabolism, can be selectively investigated dissociated from metabolism and in the presence of a defined electrochemical ion gradient driving force, using the single internal compartment system provided by vesiculated surface membranes. Vesicles isolated from nontransformed and Simian virus 40-transformed mouse fibroblast cultures catalyzed carrier-mediated transport of several neutral amino acids into an osmotically-sensitive intravesicular space without detectable metabolic conversion of substrate. When a Na⁺ gradient, external Na⁺ > internal Na⁺, was artifically imposed across vesicle membranes, accumulation of several neutral amino acids achieved apparent intravesicular concentrations 6- to 9-fold above their external concentrations. Na⁺-stimulated alanine transport activity accompanied plasma membrane material during subcellular fractionation procedures. Competitive interactions among several neutral amino acids for Na⁺-stimulated transport into vesicles and inactivation studies indicated that at least 3 separate transport systems with specificity properties previously defined for neutral amino acid transport in Ehrlich ascites cells were functional in vesicles from mouse fibroblasts: the A system, the L system and a glycine transport system. The pH profiles and apparent K_m values for alanine and 2-aminoisobutyric acid transport into vesicles were those expected of components of the corresponding cellular uptake system. Several observations indicated that both a Na⁺ chemical concentration gradient and an electrical membrane potential contribute to the total driving force for active amino acid transport via the A system and the glycine system. Both the initial rate and quasi-steady-state of accumulation were stimulated as a function of increasing concentrations of Na⁺ applied as a gradient (external > internal) across the membrane. This stimulation was independent of endogenous Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase activity in vesicles and was diminished by monensin or by preincubation of vesicles with Na⁺. The apparent K_m for transport of alanine and 2-aminoisobutyric acid was decreased as a function of Na⁺ concentration. Similarly, in the presence of a standard initial Na⁺ gradient, quasi-steady-state alanine accumulation in vesicles increased as a function of increasing magnitudes of interior-negative membrane potential imposed across the membrane by means of K⁺ diffusion potentials (internal > external) in the presence of valinomycin; the magnitude of this electrical component was estimated by the apparent distributions of the freely permeant lipophilic cation triphenylme thylphosphonium ion. Alanine transport stimulation by charge asymmetry required Na⁺ and was blocked by the further addition of either nigericin or external K⁺. As a corollary, Na⁺-stimulated alanine transport was associated with an apparent depolarization, detectable as an increased labeled thiocyanate accumulation. Permeant anions stimulated Na⁺-coupled active transport of these amino acids but did not affect Na⁺-independent transport. Translocation of K⁺, H⁺, or anions did not appear to be directly involved in this transport mechanism. These characteristics support an electrogenic mechanism in which amino acid translocation is coupled t o an electrochemical Na⁺ gradient by formation of a positively charged complex, stoichiometry unspecified, of Na⁺, amino acid, and membrane component. Functional changes expressed in isolated membranes were observed t o accompany a change in cellular proliferative state or viral transformation. Vesicles from Simian virus 40-transformed cells exhibited an increased Vmax of Na⁺-stimulated 2-aminoisobutyric acid transport, as well as an increased capacity for steady-state accumulation of amino acids in response t o a standard Na⁺ gradient, relative t o vesicles from nontransformed cells. Density-inhibition of nontransformed cells was associated with a marked decrease in these parameters assayed in vesicles. Several possibilities for regulatory interactions involving gradient-coupled transport systems are discussed.     

植物色氨酸一天冬氨酸重复序列蛋白响应逆境胁迫的调控作用

干旱、盐渍、低温等逆境胁迫会严重影响植物的正常生长发育,导致植物的许多响应基因被诱导表达,其蛋白质产物能够保护植物免受胁迫的伤害。色氨酸一天冬氨酸重复序列蛋白（wD40蛋自）在植物中广泛存在,参与植物体内众多代谢反应的调控,如花的发育、开花、花青素的生物合成、激素响应、渗透胁迫等。WD40蛋白含有40-60个氨基酸的保守的wD重复序列,其c末端为色氨酸．天冬氨酸（Trp-Asp,WD）,形成一个p螺旋桨（p—propeller）结构,通过调节多蛋白复合体的组装而影响蛋白质与蛋白质、蛋白质与DNA间的相互作用。本文综述植物WD40蛋白响应逆境胁迫的调控作用。     

INDUCTION OF OVARIAN DEVELOPMENT IN AUTOGENOUS AEDES ATROPALPUS BY JUVENILE HORMONE AND 20-HYDROXYECDYSONE

Aedes atropalpus is an autogenous mosquito characterized by a first gonadotropic cycle which results in approximately 200 mature oocytes without a bloodmeal. Ovarian development is completely inhibited if these animals are decapitated or ligated between the thorax and abdomen shortly after adult emergence. Injection of 4.8 ng of 20-hydro- xyecdysone into decapitated females 12 h after eclosion restores ovarian development in all females so treated. However, the same amount of 20-hydroxyecdysone injected into isolated abdomens obtained shortly after adult emergence had no discernible effect on vitellogenesis. In contrast, all abdomens which received 0.5 ng of topically applied JH I followed by the injection of 4.8 ng 20-hydroxyecdysone produced mature oocytes. Isolated abdomens were also capable of oocyte maturation when treated with excess amounts of JH alone; JH I was the most effective followed by JH II and then JH III.

Polyacrylamide gel electrophoretic analysis of vitellin extracted from the ovaries of hormonally-treated animals did not reveal any qualitative differences compared to intact normal controls. However, less yolk protein was present in the former. This was verified by counting the number and measuring the size of ovarian follicles in individual females.     

Inflorescences: concepts,function, development and evolution

Background

Inflorescences are complex structures with many functions. At anthesis they present the flowers in ways that allow for the transfer of pollen and optimization of the plant''s reproductive success. During flower and fruit development they provide nutrients to the developing flowers and fruits. At fruit maturity they support the fruits prior to dispersal, and facilitate effective fruit and seed dispersal. From a structural point of view, inflorescences have played important roles in systematic and phylogenetic studies. As functional units they facilitate reproduction, and are largely shaped by natural selection.

Scope

The papers in this Special Issue bridge the gap between structural and functional approaches to inflorescence evolution. They include a literature review of inflorescence function, an experimental study of inflorescences as essential contributors to the display of flowers, and two papers that present new methods and concepts for understanding inflorescence diversity and for dealing with terminological problems. The transient model of inflorescence development is evaluated in an ontogenetic study, and partially supported. Four papers present morphological and ontogenetic studies of inflorescence development in monophyletic groups, and two of these evaluate the usefulness of Hofmeister''s Rule and inhibitory fields to predict inflorescence structure. In the final two papers, Bayesian and Monte-Carlo methods are used to elucidate inflorescence evolution in the Panicoid grasses, and a candidate gene approach is used in an attempt to understand the evolutionary genetics of inflorescence evolution in the genus Cornus (Cornaceae). Taken as a whole, the papers in this issue provide a glimpse of contemporary approaches to the study of the structure, development, and evolution of inflorescences, and suggest fruitful new directions for research.     

昼夜温度波动对麦长管蚜生理生态表型影响及其相关性研究

昼夜温度波动变化是气候变暖的主要特征之一,昼夜变温幅度对生物的影响越来越受到科学家的关注。与恒温研究相比,变温幅度对昆虫生活史特征影响的研究还十分有限。因此,本研究模拟自然界24 h温度变化,并首次全面研究了相同平均温度(22℃)下不同变温幅度(±0℃、±6℃、±12℃)对麦长管蚜Sitobion avenae生理指标(温度耐受性、呼吸)与生态指标(发育、存活、寿命、繁殖、种群参数)的影响。结果表明,与变温幅度±0℃和±12℃相比,变温幅度±6℃显著提高了麦长管蚜整体存活、寿命、繁殖以及净增值率与世代周期。与其它处理相比,较大变温幅度±12℃显著阻碍了麦长管蚜若虫发育,抑制了整体存活,缩短了寿命,降低了繁殖量,且显著降低了种群内禀增长率、净增值率与世代周期。但是,较大变温幅度±12℃,显著提高了成蚜的耐热、耐寒性与CO₂呼吸速率。研究还发现,在不同变温幅度中,麦长管蚜成蚜耐寒性的提高是以寿命为代价的。由此可见,以往以恒温为基础的昆虫种群表型及数量动态预测模型均存在局限,昼夜变温幅度作为必要因素,应考虑纳入种群表型及数量动态预测模型中,从而提高昆虫田间发生情况预测预...     

两种温度下大黄素对团头鲂生长、血液指标及肝脏 HSP70 mRNA表达的影响

实验采用2×2双因子设计, 研究两种温度下在饲料中添加大黄素对团头鲂(Megalobrama amblycephala)生长、血液生理反应及肝脏HSP70 mRNA表达的影响。选取300尾健康的团头鲂初均重(7.29±0.01) g, 两种温度下(25℃、30℃)分别投喂不添加和添加25 mg/kg的大黄素配合饲料, 养殖时间为77d。结果显示: 在长期30℃高温下, 鱼体增重率(WGR)和特定生长率(SGR)、红细胞积压(HCT)、乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)显著升高, 饵料系数(FCR)和脏体比(VSI)、谷草转氨酶(AST)、总胆汁酸(TBA)显著下降(P0.05); 添加25 mg/kg大黄素, SGR和肝体比(HSI)、红细胞积压(HCT)、乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)显著升高, 饵料系数(FCR)和摄食率(FR)显著下降(P0.05)。温度和大黄素对谷丙转氨酶(ALT)和血糖(GLU)无显著影响(P0.05), 对尿素(UREA)、甘油三酯(TG)、总胆固醇(TC)、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)、补体3 (C3)、补体4 (C4)和肝脏HSP70 mRNA的相对含量存在显著交互作用(P0.05)。与常温对照组相比, 高温对照组UREA、TG、TC显著下降; 在高温下, 添加大黄素组UREA、TG、TC有升高趋势(P0.05), C3、C4和肝脏HSP70 mRNA的相对含量显著升高(P0.05)。以上结果表明, 在饲料中添加25 mg/kg大黄素有助于缓解长期高温对团头鲂血液生理的影响, 提高补体水平和肝脏HSP70 mRNA的相对含量, 促进鱼体的生长。