Drought tolerance in faster- and slower-growing black spruce (Picea mariana) progenies: II. Osmotic adjustment and changes of soluble carbohydrates and amino acids under osmotic stress

The possibility was considered that osmotic adjustment, the ability to accumulate solutes in response to water stress, may contribute to growth rate differences among closely-related genotypes of trees. Progeny variation in osmotic adjustment and turgor regulation was investigated by comparing changes in osmotic and pressure potentials, soluble carbohydrates, and amino acids in osmotically stressed seedlings in 4 full-sib progenies of black spruce [ Picea mariana (Mill.) B. S. P.] that differed in growth rate under drought. Osmotic stress was induced by a stepwise increase in the concentration of polyethylene glycol (PEG)-3350 from 10 (w/v) to 18 and 25%, which provided osmotic potentials in solution culture of -0.4, -1.0 and -2.0 MPa each for 3 days. All 4 progenies maintained a positive cell turgor even at 25% PEG, due to a significant decline in osmotic potential. Although total amino acids, principally proline, increased, ca 60% of the decrease in osmotic potential was attributable to soluble carbohydrates and glucose was the major osmoregulating solute. There was little progeny variation in any of measured parameters in unstressed seedlings. Compared to two slower-growing progenies, the two progenies capable of more vigorous growth under drought in the field accumulated more soluble carbohydrates (mainly glucose and fructose), developed lower osmotic potential and maintained higher turgor pressure when osmotically-stressed in solution culture. The ability to adjust osmotically and maintain turgor under drought stress could thus be a useful criterion for the early selection of faster-growing, drought-tolerant genotypes.     

Effects of light (photoperiod,spectral composition) on the population dynamics of Tisbe holothuriae Humes (Copepods,Harpacticoida)

The harpacticoid copepod Tisbe holothuriae Humes was reared for several generations under different photoperiods (white light) and spectral quality (continuous illumination). The main life cycle parameters were measured and demographic variables were determined. Development time was retarded under green wavelengths and at photoperiods different from LD 12:12, especially under continuous white light. Total body length of females and males was shortest under LD 12:12 and longest under constant dark. Photoperiods different from LD 12:12 prolonged the interval between broods of egg sacs. Short photoperiods caused higher abortion rate, while long photoperiods retarded the maturation time of the egg sacs. Red wavelengths stimulated the abortion rate. Photoperiod LD 12:12 and blue wavelengths increased the production of offspring and the life span of females. Highest intrinsic rates of natural increase were estimated under LD 12:12 (rm =0.304) and blue wavelengths (rm = 0.254). These light conditions proved the most favourable for rearing Tisbe holothuriae.     

假单胞菌YL11对扩展青霉的抑制作用及其机理初探

【背景】苹果青霉病是由扩展青霉引起的一种重要的果实采后病害,影响果实品质导致苹果腐烂从而造成经济损失。【目的】研究假单胞菌YL11对扩展青霉的抑制作用和苹果采后青霉病的防治效果,并对抑菌机理进行初步探讨。【方法】以扩展青霉为供试菌株,研究不同浓度的假单胞菌YL11无菌发酵液对扩展青霉菌落直径、孢子萌发率、菌丝体干重、苹果损伤接种病斑直径扩展的影响,利用对电导率、核酸及蛋白释放量、AKP含量、SDH活性、ATP酶活性和ATP含量的影响对抑菌机理进行探究。【结果】假单胞菌YL11无菌发酵液能有效抑制扩展青霉生长,抑菌圈直径为22.33±0.27 mm,抑菌效价为71.67 mm/mL;能有效抑制孢子萌发,100%无菌发酵液对孢子萌发抑制率达到80.2%;对扩展青霉的生物量也有一定抑制作用,体积分数为100%时,菌丝体干重为4.7mg/mL,抑制率达到39.74%;无菌发酵液处理能有效抑制苹果青霉病病斑的扩展,3d时对病斑扩展的抑制率最大,达到47.1%;无菌发酵液处理均能引起电导率升高、胞内核酸和蛋白释放量增大、胞外AKP含量升高、SDH活性降低、ATP酶活性和ATP含量均降低,且随着发酵液浓度的增加效果越明显。【结论】假单胞菌YL11能显著抑制扩展青霉的生长,破坏细胞膜结构、降低能量代谢酶活性,从而扰乱扩展青霉的正常生长,对苹果青霉病有较好的生防效果,具有潜在的开发价值。     

Effects of plant odor on oviposition by the black swallowtail butterfly,Papilio polyxenes (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae)

Black swallowtail females laid more eggs on plant models treated with contact stimulants and volatiles from carrot leaves than on models treated only with contact stimulants. The volatiles enhanced landing rates and females alighted more frequently on artificial leaves treated with host volatiles than on adjacent control leaves. Volatiles from cabbage, a nonhost, inhibited landing rates on artificial leaves treated with carrot contact stimulants. Examination of antennae revealed two major types of sensilla, believed to be olfactory in function. Electroantennogram preparations responded more strongly to carrot volatiles than to cabbage volatiles and several shared responses at particular retention times to carrot volatile components eluting from a gas chromatograph. Our results are consistent with a long-standing hypothesis that behavioral responses to essential oil components characteristic of the larval food plants have facilitated host shifts in the genus Papilio.     

The chalcone synthase multigene family of Petunia hybrida (V30): differential,light-regulated expression during flower development and UV light induction

We have analysed the expression of the 8–10 members of the gene family encoding the flavonoid biosynthetic enzyme chalcone synthase (CHS) from Petunia hybrida. During normal plant development only two members of the gene family (CHS-A and CHS-J) are expressed. Their expression is restricted to floral tissues mainly. About 90% of the total CHS mRNA pool is transcribed from CHS-A, wheares CHS-J delivers about 10% in flower corolla, tube and anthers. Expression of CHS-A and CHS-J during flower development is coordinated and (red) light-dependent. In young seedlings and cell suspension cultures expression of CHS-A and CHS-J can be induced with UV light. In addition to CHS-A and CHS-J, expression of another two CHS genes (CHS-B and CHS-G) is induced in young seedlings by UV light, albeit at a low level. In contrast to CHS genes from Leguminoseae, Petunia CHS genes are not inducible by phytopathogen-derived elicitors. Expression of CHS-A and CHS-J is reduced to a similar extent in a regulatory CHS mutant, Petunia hybrida Red Star, suggesting that both genes are regulated by the same trans-acting factors. Comparison of the promoter sequences of CHS-A and CHS-J reveals some striking homologies, which might represent cis-acting regulatory sequences.     

The tricks plants use to reach appropriate light

The perception of ambient light signals that produce a relevant response to ensure exposure to appropriate levels of light energy is vital for plants. In response to this, intricate molecular mechanisms to mediate light signaling have evolved in plants. Among the responses induced by light, seedling extension is a determining event for plant survival in darkness, especially in the initial stage of plant growth. Here we review previous studies and recent progress towards an understanding of light signaling that regulates seedling elongation. We focus on the three regions of the sunlight spectrum that primarily control seedling elongation, namely red/far-red light, blue/UV-A light and UV-B light, and summarize the four signaling pathways that correspond to the three effective spectra.     

Photo-induced unfolding and inactivation of bovine carbonic anhydrase in the presence of a photoresponsive surfactant

Photoreversible changes in the conformation and enzymatic activity of bovine carbonic anhydrase have been investigated as a function of photoresponsive surfactant concentration and light conditions. The light-responsive surfactant undergoes a photoisomerization from the relatively hydrophobic trans isomer under visible light to the relatively hydrophilic cis isomer upon UV illumination, providing a means to photoreversibly control enzyme–surfactant interactions. Small-angle neutron scattering and dynamic light scattering measurements, along with fluorescence spectroscopy, indicate that carbonic anhydrase unfolds upon addition of the surfactant under visible light, while only a small degree of unfolding is observed under UV light. Therefore, the enzyme is completely inactivated in the presence of the trans surfactant, while 40% of the native activity is preserved under UV light, providing a photoreversible “on/off switch” of enzyme activity. Small-angle neutron scattering data provide details of the in vitro conformational changes of the enzyme in response to the photosurfactant and light, with the enzyme found to aggregate as a result of photosurfactant-induced unfolding. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy further provides information on the secondary structure changes of the protein in the presence of photosurfactant.     

Modulation of in vivo IgG crystallization in the secretory pathway by heavy chain isotype class switching and N-linked glycosylation

Crystalline bodies (CBs) can develop in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) of antibody-producing cells. Although this phenotype is often reported in association with plasma cell dyscrasias and other hematological disorders, the details of CB biogenesis and CB's roles in pathophysiology remain poorly understood. Using an imaging-based screening method, we identified a secretion-competent human IgG2/λ clone that develops spindle-shaped intracellular crystals in transiently-transfected HEK293 cells upon Brefeldin A treatment. When stably overexpressed from CHO cells, the IgG2/λ clone spontaneously produced spindle-shaped CBs in the ER. Some CBs were released to the extracellular space while remaining enclosed by the membranes of secretory pathway origin. Structural modeling on the variable-region did not uncover prominent surface characteristics such as charge clusters. In contrast, alterations to the constant domain-encoded properties revealed their modulatory roles in CB-inducing propensities and CB morphology. For example, deletion of the entire Fc domain changed the morphology of CBs into thin filaments. Elimination of an N-linked glycan by a N297A mutation promoted Russell body biogenesis accompanied by marked reduction in IgG secretion. Isotype class switching from the original IgG2 to IgG1 and IgG4 changed the crystal morphology from spindle-shaped to long needle and acicular shaped, respectively. The IgG3 version, in contrast, suppressed the CB formation. Either the HC or LC alone or the Fc-domain alone did not trigger CB biogenesis. An IgG's in vivo crystal morphology and crystallization propensity can thus be modulated by the properties genetically and biochemically encoded in the HC constant region.