Characterization of Chlorophyll–protein Complexes Isolated from Two Marine Green Algae, Bryopsis maxima and Ulva pertusa, Growing in the Intertidal Zone

Three Chl–protein complexes were isolated from thylakoid membranes of Bryopsis maxima and Ulva pertusa, marine green algae that inhabit the intertidal zone of the Pacific Ocean off the eastern coast of Japan by dodecyl-β-d-maltoside polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The slowest-moving fractions showed low Chl a/b and Chl/P-700 ratios, indicating that this fraction corresponds to complexes in PS I, which is large in both algae. The intermediate and fastest-moving fractions showed the traits of PS II complexes, with some associated Chl a/b–protein complexes and LHC II, respectively. The spectral properties of the separated Chl–proteins were also determined. The absorption spectra showed a shallow shoulder at 540 nm derived from siphonaxanthin in Bryopsis maxima, but not in Ulva pertusa. The 77 K emission spectra showed a single peak in Bryopsis maxima and two peaks in Ulva pertusa. Besides the excitation spectra indicated that the excitation energy transfer to the PS I complexes differed quite a lot higher plants. This suggested that the mechanisms of energy transfer in both of these algae differ from those of higher plants. Considering the light environment of this coastal area, the large size of the antennae of PS I complexes implies that the antennae are arranged so as to balance light absorption between the two photosystems. In addition, we discuss the relationships among the photosystem stoichiometry, the energy transfer, and the distribution between the two photosystems.     

基于全局灵敏度分析的浒苔生长影响参数研究

近年来,以浒苔为主的绿潮灾害频发。构建了浒苔生长模型,以定量分析浒苔生长过程,探索浒苔爆发机理。参数不确定性是模型不确定性的主要来源,以参数灵敏度分析为基础的参数优化有利于提高模型精度,采用Morris方法对模型涉及的主要参数进行了全局灵敏度分析,以研究浒苔生长的主要影响参数。不同于其他有关大型绿藻的模型模拟,模型同时考虑了幼体浒苔和成熟浒苔的生物量变化,并修正了营养盐限制函数以及温度计算函数。全局性的参数灵敏度分析结果表明,最适温度(T_(opt))、光合作用最适光强(Is)、最大发芽率(G_(max))、浒苔生长所需的氮含量的半饱和系数(kqn)、最大氮摄取率(V_(maxn))这5个参数在浒苔生长模型中具有较大灵敏性。其中,T_(opt)影响最大,Is和V_(maxn)其次,说明浒苔生长主要受温度光照和氮含量限制。相较于局部灵敏度分析仅关注单个参数变化、依赖于初值选取等缺陷,全局灵敏度分析同时从各个参数的取值范围上分析参数对模型结果的影响,能揭示参数之间相互作用的影响。此外,灵敏度较大的参数往往和其他参数之间存在较大相关性。     

两种浒苔无机碳利用对温度响应的机制

为了探讨温度对大型海藻无机碳利用机制的影响,选择了潮间带常见的绿藻缘管浒苔 （Ulva linza）和浒苔（Ulva prolifera）为实验材料,研究了碳酸酐酶抑制剂乙酰唑磺胺（AZ）和己氧苯并噻唑磺胺（EZ）在不同的温度下对藻体光合作用的影响。实验设置6个温度梯度（5、10、15、20、25和30℃）。结果表明,缘管浒苔和浒苔都有很强的无机碳利用能力,而温度对此有显著的影响。但他们之间存在明显的种间差异。缘管浒苔对温度的依赖性要强于浒苔,其对温度的适应范围要窄于浒苔,尤其是在高温下（30℃）,缘管浒苔的最大光合作用能力与最适温度相比下降了56%,而浒苔仅为20%,这表明在高温的情况下,浒苔比缘管浒苔具有更强的生存适应能力,这是浒苔能够在绿潮藻占有绝对优势的原因之一。对缘管浒苔来说,在低温（5℃）和高温（30℃）时,无机碳的转运主要是通过胞外碳酸酐酶的催化作用,而在15℃时,加入胞外碳酸酐酶的抑制剂对无机碳的转运没有明显的影响,这表明在此温度下其他无机碳转运形式可以有效补偿胞外碳酸酐酶的作用。在其他的温度下,胞外碳酸酐酶和其他无机碳转运方式各占一定的比例。而对于浒苔来说,在低温5℃时,其他无机碳转运形式占主要作用,而从10℃开始,胞外碳酸酐酶作用比例显著增加,并且保持在相同的水平上。     

Antialgal activity of poly(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) (PDMAEMA) brushes against the marine alga Ulva

Marine biofouling has detrimental effects on the environment and economy, and current antifouling coatings research is aimed at environmentally benign, non-toxic materials. The possibility of using contact-active coatings is explored, by considering the antialgal activity of cationic poly(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) (PDMAEMA) brushes. The antialgal activity was investigated via zoospore settlement and sporeling growth assays of the marine algae Ulva linza and U. lactuca. The assay results for PDMAEMA brushes were compared to those for anionic and neutral surfaces. It was found that only PDMAEMA could disrupt zoospores that come into contact with it, and that it also inhibits the subsequent growth of normally settled spores. Based on the spore membrane properties, and characterization of the PDMAEMA brushes over a wide pH range, it is hypothesized that the algicidal mechanisms are similar to the bactericidal mechanisms of cationic polymers, and that further development could lead to successful contact-active antialgal coatings.     

Copper-induced intracellular calcium release requires extracellular calcium entry and activation of L-type voltage-dependent calcium channels in Ulva compressa

The marine alga Ulva compressa exposed to 10 µM copper showed a triphasic increase of intracellular calcium with maximal levels at 2, 3 and 12 h involving the activation of ryanodine-, Ins(1,4,5)P₃- and NAADP-sensitive calcium channels. In order to analyze the requirement of extracellular calcium entry for intracellular calcium release as well as the activation of voltage-dependent calcium channels (VDCC) and phospholipase C, U. compressa was treated with EGTA, a non-permeable calcium chelating agent, with verapamil, nipfedipine and diltiazem, inhibitors of L-type VDCC, and with neomycin and U731222, inhibitors of phospholipase C. The release of intracellular calcium was partially inhibited with EGTA at 2 and 3 h and completely inhibited at 12 h of copper exposure and decreased with inhibitors of L-type VDCC and phospholipase C. Thus, copper-induced intracellular calcium release depends on calcium entry and activation of L-type VDCC and phospholipase C. An integrative model of copper-induced cellular responses in U. compressa is presented.     

A simple and rapid technique for surveying size and shape variation in desmids and diatoms

Size and shape variation in desmids can be rapidly surveyed by a simple comparative method. Simple microscopical accessories are all that is necessary.     

TRANSIENT AMMONIUM UPTAKE IN THE MACROALGA ULVA LACTUCA (CHLOROPHYTA): NATURE,REGULATION, AND THE CONSEQUENCES FOR CHOICE OF MEASURING TECHNIQUE1

The nature of transient ammonium uptake by the macroalga Ulva lactuca L. was studied from the depletion of ammonium after single additions of ammonium to batch cultures. The experiments were carried out by the application of two different experimental setups: the “multiple flask” and the “perturbation” techniques. Uptake rate was nonlinear with time, and three distinct, succeeding phases of uptake were identified: 1) “surge” uptake, i.e. transiently enhanced uptake that lasted for a few hours only, followed by 2) “internally” controlled uptake, a relatively constant phase occurring at high substrate concentrations, and finally 3) the “externally” controlled uptake phase, which was substrate-dependent and occurred at low substrate concentrations. Surge uptake occurred over a broad range of substrate concentrations but was concentration-dependent and, so, equalled externally controlled uptake rates at substrate concentrations below 3–10 μM. The transient nature of ammonium uptake rate seemed related to rapid changes in small intracellular pools of inorganic nitrogen or amino acids rather than to changes in total N content of the algae. The transient nature of ammonium uptake has important implications for the measurement of uptake rates when either of the two standard methods, the multiple flask and the perturbation technique, are used, and I recommend that a combination of the two methods be used for future uptake experiments.     

cDNA cloning of a lectin-like gene preferentially expressed in freshwater from the macroalga Ulva limnetica (Ulvales, Chlorophyta)

The macroalgal species Ulva limnetica Ichihara et Shimada was investigated to understand the molecular mechanism of its tolerance or adaptation to freshwater. We detected a 19 kDa protein by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, which accumulated in greater amounts in freshwater conditions compared with marine conditions. The band was excised and the partial amino acid sequence was determined by Edoman degradation. Based on the sequences, we isolated the corresponding cDNA by the rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) technique. The constructed, full-length cDNA was 1272 bp in length, consisting of 198 bp 5'-non-coding region, an open reading frame of 840 bp (279 amino acids), 233 bp 3'-non-coding region and poly (A) tail. The protein encoded by the cDNA showed 30% identity and 45% similarity to lectin isolated from Ulva pertusa Kjellman, and we named this gene ULL (encoding Ulva limnetica lectin-like protein). Northern blot analysis demonstrated that the expression level of the ULL in the freshwater-cultured sample was higher than in the seawater-cultured sample.     

GAMETOGENESIS AND GAMETE RELEASE OF ULVA MUTABILIS AND ULVA LACTUCA (CHLOROPHYTA): REGULATORY EFFECTS AND CHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF THE “SWARMING INHIBITOR”1

Gametophytes of Ulva mutabilis Føyn and Ulva lactuca L. were artificially induced to form gametangia by removal of sporulation inhibitors. After this treatment, U. mutabilis gametes were ready for swarming on the third morning after induction, while U. lactuca gametangia needed 1–2 d longer for maturation. Release of gametes of U. lactuca was dependent solely upon exposure to the first light in the morning. Gametangia of U. mutabilis, however, also required sufficient dilution of the swarming inhibitor (SWI). SWI was excreted transiently by both Ulva species early during gametogenesis. While the SWI concentration in U. mutabilis medium remained above the inhibitory concentration until the gametangia were mature, the concentration of U. lactuca‐SWI dropped rapidly below this level. In the presence of sufficient SWI, mature gametes of U. mutabilis remained motionless within the gametangia despite light and open exit pores. However, using SEM, an additional seal was detected within these pores, which probably prevented premature swarming until dilution of SWI and exposure to light. Observations by time lapse microscopy and experiments with the myosin kinase inhibitor BDM suggest that the gametes may be either extruded by the gametangium or leave the exit pore by active gliding motion, driven by a myosin‐like motor protein. The SWIs were purified from both Ulva species, and mass spectral analysis showed their molecular masses (292 Da) were identical.     

Red-light and blue-light photoreceptors controlling chlorophyll a synthesis in the red alga Porphyra umbilicalis and in the green alga Ulva rigida

Chlorophyll synthesis is stimulated by red light in the green alga Ulva rigida C. Ag. and in the red alga Porphyra umbilicalis (L.) Kützing. Because the effect of red light showed some far-red reversibility in successive red and far-red light treatments, the involvement of phytochrome or a phytochrome-like photoreceptor is suggested. The extent of the response is dependent on exposure and photon fluence rate of red-light pulses. In addition to the effect of red light, a strong stimulation of chlorophyll synthesis by blue light was only observed in Ulva rigida. The effect of blue light shows also some far-red reversibility. In the green alga the accumulated chlorophyll is higher after blue light pulses than after red light pulses. In Porphyra umbilicalis , however, the contrary is observed. In Ulva rigida the involvement of a blue light photoreceptor in addition to phytochrome or a phytochrome-like photoreceptor is proposed. The different responses to red and blue light in both algae are explained in terms of their adaptation to the natural light environment.