甘草叶片形态结构和光合作用对干旱胁迫的响应

叶片结构在植物防御生物和非生物胁迫方面起着重要的作用,可通过合成、储存和分泌次生代谢产物提高植物抗性。以甘草幼苗为试材,采用盆栽控水自然干旱法,探讨叶片光合作用、气孔微形态和腺体形态对干旱胁迫的响应。结果表明:①随着干旱胁迫程度的加剧,叶片净光合速率(Pn)、气孔导度(Gs)和蒸腾速率(Tr)均呈先升高后降低的趋势;其中胞间CO2浓度(Ci)在重度干旱胁迫(severe stress,SS)时迅速增高。②随着干旱胁迫程度的加剧,叶片总气孔密度和气孔开张比呈先增大后减小的趋势;而气孔开张宽度呈逐渐减小的趋势。③随着干旱胁迫程度的加剧,叶片上表皮和下表皮腺体密度总数整体上呈增大的趋势,腺体颜色随着干旱胁迫程度的加剧逐渐加深,形状出现不规则褶皱和内陷。总之,甘草叶片表面的腺体特征参与抗旱逆境调节,从而避免干旱胁迫对甘草植株的伤害;在SS下,胁迫程度加速了气孔细胞的程序性死亡(PCD),甘草幼苗失去抗旱能力。     

Dislodgement effect of natural semiochemicals released by disturbed triatomines: a possible alternative monitoring tool

The quick detection of domestic and peridomestic triatomines in their environments becomes difficult without the use of dislodgement substances that flush them out from their shelters. At present, tetramethrin 0.2% is being widely used in control programs. Although it is an efficient dislodging agent, its toxicity might affect the health of captured triatomines, of other insects and, to a lesser extent, of other animals, including humans. Here, we tested if semiochemicals released by disturbed adults of Triatoma infestans and/or Rhodnius prolixus can make larvae of the same species exit from their refuges. In a walking olfactometer we found that: 1) larvae of T. infestans were repelled by the odors released by disturbed adults of their own species and of R. prolixus, 2) larvae of R. prolixus did not change their behavior in the presence of odors released by adults of both species, and 3) activity levels were not modulated by these odors in any of both species. Besides, in pseudo‐natural conditions we found an increased flushing‐out activity of larvae of T. infestans when their shelters were sprayed with isobutyric acid or 3‐pentanol, and of larvae of R. prolixus when sprayed with 3‐methyl1butanol. We succeeded in this work to dislodge larvae of triatomines from artificial shelters using natural volatile compounds, allowing the capture of live bugs for further investigations (e.g., xenodiagnosis or genetic studies) and favoring ecological aspects (e.g., minimizing environmental insecticide‐contamination and non‐targeted mortality).     

Protein production in components of the accessory gland complex of male Melanoplus sanguinipes (Insecta: Orthoptera)

Protein production during sexual maturation or after allatectomy (followed by juvenile hormone replacement therapy) has been examined in the long hyaline glands, short hyaline glands, white glands, and seminal vesicles, which make up the accessory gland complex of male Melanoplus sanguinipes. During maturation, the amount of protein in the long hyaline glands increases about 14-fold, and in each of the other components between 5- and 6-fold. Most protein accumulates between days 3 and 5, and this is reflected in high levels of incorporation of radiolabelled leucine in this period.

The components show differential sensitivity to the effects of allatectomy. After this operation, the protein content of, and incorporation of radiolabel into, the long hyaline glands remain near the day 0 level. In the white glands and short hyaline glands, allatectomy also has a marked, though less severe, effect on protein synthesis and accumulation. The seminal vesicles are least affected by allatectomy and continue to accumulate protein (though more slowly) to about 60% of the normal level by day 10. Juvenile hormone compounds applied topically to allatectomized insects on day 2 restored the ability of the gland components to accumulate proteins, though to differing degrees. JHI is the most effective compound, stimulating synthesis and accumulation of protein to near normal levels by day 10, whereas application of JHIII or Stauffer's synthetic JH led to only partial restoration of protein synthesis in the glands.     

Human palatal saliva: Adsorption behaviour and the role of low-molecular weight proteins

In situ ellipsometry was employed to study adsorption from human palatal saliva (HPalS) in terms of dependence on surface wettability and saliva concentration ( ? 1%). Adsorbed amounts, kinetics, and elutability with buffer and sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) were determined. The low-molecular weight protein content of bulk HPalS was also investigated using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, and this revealed the presence of a large group of proteins < 100 kDa in size. Adsorption to pure (hydrophilic) and methylated (hydrophobized) silica surfaces revealed that the total adsorbed amounts were greater on hydrophobized silica. Below concentrations of 0.5 and 0.25% saliva, adsorption was concentration dependent on hydrophobized and hydrophilic surfaces, respectively. The initial adsorption ( ? 30 min) was faster on hydrophobized surfaces. Addition of SDS removed more material than buffer rinsing on both surfaces. Analysis of the adsorption kinetics indicated that the presence of low-molecular weight proteins plays a role in adsorption from HPalS.     

Ecdysteroid Stimulated Protein Synthesis in the Male Accessory Reproductive Glands of Spodoptera litura

Summary

20-hydroxyecdysone stimulates protein synthesis in the male accessory reproductive glands of pharate adults of Spodoptera litura both in vivo and in vitro. Juvenile hormone-I has no synergistic effect when given in conjunction with ecdysone in vivo but it inhibits ecdysone-stimulated protein synthesis in vitro.     

Neurohormonal control of ecdysone production: Comparison of insects and crustaceans

Summary

Ecdysteroid synthesis is regulated in insects by prothoracicotropic hormone (PTTH) and in crustaceans by molt-inhibiting hormone (MIH). These neurohormones exert opposite effects on their respective target tissues, PTTH stimulating the prothoracic glands and MIH inhibiting the Y-organs. The present work reviews recent progress in the neurohormonal regulation of prothoracic gland and Y-organ function. The steroid products of these glands are briefly discussed, as is current information on the structures of PTTH and MIH. Focus is placed on the mechanism of action of these hormones at the cellular level, as well as developmental changes in cellular sensitivity to PTTH. Though exerting different effects on ecdysteroid secretion, both PTTH and MIH increase cyclic nucleotide second messengers, are influenced by alterations in cellular calcium, and are likely to activate protein kinases. The contrasting steroidogenic effects of PTTH and MIH probably arise from differences in the cellular kinase substrates. In insects, such substrates enhance ecdysteroid secretion, possibly by increasing the translation of glandular proteins. In crustaceans, MIH-stimulated changes lead to the inhibition of both protein synthesis and steroidogenesis.     

A histochemical study of the secretions of reproductive glands and of the egg envelopes of Achatina fulica (Pulmonata: Stylommatophora)

Histochemical investigations of the secretions of reproductive glands—albumen gland, apical uterus, basal uterus and prostate gland—indicate the presence of galactogen in the albumen gland, acid mucopolysaccharide in the apical uterus, and lipoprotein in the basal uterus and prostate gland of A. fulica. The proteinaceous secretions produced by the glands do differ in their terminal reactive sites. Intense alkaline phosphatase reaction is found in albumen gland and apical uterus; carbonic anhydrase activity could be detected mainly in the uterine glands. The cyclical secretory activity of the reproductive glands has been studied preparatory to egg-laying and in the spent phase. Histochemical characteristics of the egg envelopes—albumen, shell membrane and egg-shell—suggest a possible sequential deposition of glandular products during the descent of eggs through the repv. ductive tract. The factors contributing to the stability and resistant nature of the egg envelopes, and the possible role of nutritive materials contained in reproductive gland secretions in the development of the embryo (even while the eggs are inside the uterus), are discussed.