Accumulated effect of elevated ultraviolet-B radiation over multiple generations of the arid-environment annual Dimorphotheca sinuata DC. (Asteraceae)

Two D. sinuata populations, established from the same seed batch, were cultured concurrently under ambient (2.5–8.9 kj m^?2 d^?1) and enhanced (4.7–11.4 kj m^?2 d^?1) ultraviolet-B radiation for two consecutive generations. The two populations, designated low- and high-UV-B cultivars, were each grown for an additional generation under both UV-B fluences at different alignments. Differences in plant performance were examined between UV-B treatments (immediate UV-B effects), cultivars (accumulated UV-B effects), alignments and their interactions. Accumulated UV-B had a greater effect on plant performance than immediate UV-B. The former induced earlier reproductive effort, substantial (up to 35%) reductions in dry mass (stems, leaves and reproductive organs), decreased stem and inflorescence production, and diminished steady-state fluorescence yields, chlorophyll a concentrations, pollen tube growth and germination of seeds set. The latter caused only diminished non-photochemical quenching, reduced chlorophyll a, soluble sugar and starch concentrations, decreased pollen germination, and increased carotenoid contents. Interactions between UV-B fluence level and alignment occurred for all measured dry mass parameters, leaf area, photosynthetic pigment and soluble sugar concentrations, and germination success of seeds set. These results indicate altered DNA integrity rather than an indirect UV-B effect of photomorphogenic origin.     

HCO3− and CO2 leakage from Synechococcus UTEX 625

The leakage of various inorganic carbon species from air-grown cells of Synechococcus UTEX 625 was investigated after a light to dark transition or during a light period using a mass spectrometer under a wide variety of experimental conditions. Total inorganic carbon efflux and CO₂ efflux during the initial period of darkness were measured with or without carbonic anhydrase in the reaction medium respectively. The HCO₃^? efflux after a light to dark transition was estimated by difference. Carbon dioxide efflux in the light was measured by inhibiting CO₂ transport with either Na₂S or COS₃ or quenching the ¹³C inorganic carbon transport by the addition of ¹²C inorganic carbon in excess. In cells in which CO₂ fixation was inhibited, when only the HCO₃^? transport system was fully operative, CO₂ effluxed continuously during the light period at a rate equal to about 25% of that in darkness. When only the CO₂ transport system was operative, HCO₃^? effluxed during the light period. The difference between the light and dark efflux rates was consistent with a 0.6 unit decrease in the intracellular pH upon darkening the cells. The permeabilities of the cell for CO₂ (2.94 ± 0.14 ± 10^?8ms^?1; mean ± SE, n=137) and HCO₃^? (1.4–1.7 ± 10^?9 ms^?1) were calculated.     

Cell wall composition of leaves of an inherently fast- and an inherently slow-growing grass species

Differences in the relative growth rules of the inherently slow-growing Deschampsia flexuosa L. and the inherently fast-growing Holcus lanatus L. were reflected in cell wall synthesis in the elongation zone of the leaves. Leaf elongation rates depended on the size of the plant and ranged from 6 to 14 mm d^?1 in Deschampsia and from 12 to 42 mm d^?1 in Holcus. Anatomical data showed that the epidermis and vascular tissue are the important tissues controlling leaf extension. The cell wall polysaccharides of fully expanded leaves of the two species were identical in sugar composition. Enzymatic hydrolysis of polymeric sugars in the cell walls of the sheath and the lamina gave glucose (85%), arabinose (3.5%), fucose (0.5%), xylose (5.0%), mannose (0.5%), galaclose (0.8%) and galacturonic acid (3–4%). This composition applied throughout the blade and the sheath and did not change with ageing. Polysaccharides in the meristems of the two species showed identical sugar compositions with 51–55% glucose, 13–15% galactoronic acid and 13–14% arabinose as the main components. The extension zone was marked by a gradual increase of driselase-digestable polymers (per mm tissue) and a concurrent shift in sugar composition. The massive increase of glucose in the cell wall polymers of the elongation zone is probably caused by cellulose synthesis. The rate of synthesis of cell wall polysaccharides in Holcus was twice as high as that in Deschampsia. The slower-growing Deschampsia has more ferulic acid esterified with cell walls, which might contribute to the slowing of leaf growth. Lignin is not significantly deposited until growth has essentially ceased and is not responsible for the difference in growth rate.     

Free Air Temperature Increase (FATI): a new tool to study global warming effects on plants in the field

A new technique, called Free Air Temperature Increase (FATI), was developed to artificially induce increased canopy temperature in field conditions without the use of enclosures. This acronym was chosen in analogy with FACE (Free Air CO₂ Enrichment), a technique which produces elevated CO₂ concentrations [CO₂] in open field conditions. The FATI system simulates global warming in small ecosystems of limited height, using infrared heaters from which all radiation below 800 nm is removed by selective cut-off filters to avoid undesirable photomorpho-genetic effects. An electronic control circuit tracks the ambient canopy temperature in an unheated reference plot with thermocouples, and modulates the radiant energy from the lamps to produce a 2.5°C increment in the canopy temperature of an associated heated plot (continuously day and night). This pre-set target differential is relatively-constant over time due to the fast response of the lamps and the use of a proportional action controller (the standard deviation of this increment was <1°C in a 3 week field study with 1007 measurements). Furthermore, the increase in leaf temperature does not depend on the vertical position within the canopy or on the height of the stand. Possible applications and alternative designs are discussed.     

Modulation of the junctional integrity by low or high concentrations of cytochalasin B and dihydrocytochalasin B in associated with distinct changes in F-actin and ZO-1

In a study of Necturus gallbladder epithelium Benzel et al. (Benzel et al., 1980) found that low (0.2–1.2 M) and higher concentrations (1.5 M and more) of cytochalasin B (CB) caused an increase and decrease in the transepithelial electrical resistance (TER), respectively. Moreover, there were slight changes in the height and complexicity of tight junction (TJ) strands, as visualized by freeze-fracture and freeze-etching. To elucidate the mechanisms of these findings, we first demonstrated that the effect is also present in monolayers of Madin-Darby Canine Kidney strain I (MDCK-I) cells. Thus, a low concentration (0.1 ng/ml) cytochalasin B (CB) strengthened the permeability barrier, as evidenced quantitatively by increases in TER on transepithelial electrical measurements. Furthermore, indirect immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy demonstrated that this effect was paralleled with an accumulation of F-actin and the tight junction marker protein, ZO-1, at the level of TJ. Equimolar concentrations of dihydrocytochalasin B (dhCB), on the other hand, did not lead to a tightening of the epithelium. Confirming previous studies, there was a general decrease in epithelial resistance after treatment with high concentrations (1 g/ml) of CB and dhCB, which was accompanied by distinct changes in the F-actin network and distribution of ZO-1. We speculate that the divergent effects of CB and dhCB on the F-actin and ZO-1 organization might be due to specific effects on the transport of monosaccharides across the plasma membrane, or that CB and dhCB in distinct ways involve the turnover of phosphatidylinositols in the membrane, thereby modulating junctional permeability and F-actin structure.     

Effects of different levels of dietary zinc on the gilthead,Sparus aurata during the growing season

Gilthead were fed three diets. Diet A was the control diet, whereas diets B and C were supplemented with 300 and 900 mg Zn/kg, respectively. Fish fed with diet C, at the end of the experiment, showed the lowest weight. Zinc concentrations presented the higher values in gills, liver, and kidney. Muscle and brain had the lower mean values and showed a tight control of zinc levels. These results reinforce the hypothesis that zinc in the CNS should be strictly controlled in order to maintain the functional role of the metal. Significant differences in tissue zinc concentrations were obtained between fish fed different amounts of zinc, the metal concentrations being higher in tissues of fish fed diet C. The tissue decrease of zinc, found at the end of the experiment, may depend on a lower feed consumption or on different zinc requirements during the cold season. These changes, even if not univocal among the three diets, may be associated with the life cycle of fish. Furthermore, copper concentrations were little affected by the different concentrations of zinc in the three diets; liver and kidney presented the highest concentrations; liver showed a significant decrease in copper content at the end of the experiment. We conclude that: zinc concentrations of the diet may affect the gilthead weights and the tissual metal content; and zinc concentrations in the diets, depending on the growth rate, may be varied depending on the season.     

Molecular analysis of a pistil-specific gene expressed in the stigma and stylar cortex of Solanum tuberosum

A gene, sts14, coding for a highly expressed mRNA in pistils of Solanum tuberosum, was isolated. Northern blot and in situ analyses demonstrated that the gene was expressed throughout pistil development in both the stylar cortex and the stigma. The deduced STS14 protein displays similarity to the pathogenesis-related PR-1 proteins. A possible function for protection or guidance of the pollen tubes through the pistil is discussed.