昆虫与植物关系的研究进展和前景

本文综述昆虫与植物之间关系的研究概况，包括历史渊源、昆虫选择寄主植物的生理机制，植物对虫害的反应、用抗虫基因在作物中移植以防治害虫和展望。着重叙述昆虫神经中枢对于植物理化特性所产生的感觉内导的综合作用，植物蒙受虫害后的补偿作用及由此诱导所产生的化学防御作用。讨论了以抗虫基因移植于农林作物来防治害虫是否会引起昆虫对这种新育成的植物产生适应或抗性。昆虫与植物之间的关系是一个重要的科研领域，对其发展前景     

On-line stoichiometry and identification of metabolic state under dynamic process conditions

A method for the on-line calculation of conversion rates and yield coefficients under dynamic process conditions was developed. The method is based on cumulated mass balances using a moving average method. Elemental balances were used to test the measured cumulated quantities for gross errors and inappropriate stoichiometry definition followed by data reconciliation and estimation of non-measured conversion rates, using a bioprocess set-up including multiple on-line analysis techniques. The quantitative potential of the proposed method is demonstrated by executing transient experiments in aerobic cultures of Saccharomyces cerevisiae on glucose. Rates and yield coefficients could be consistently quantified in shift-up, shift-down, and accelerostat experiments. The method shows the capability to describe quantitatively transient changes in metabolism including uncoupling of catabolism and anabolism, also for the case when multiple components of metabolism are not measured. The validity of the experiment can be evaluated on-line. Additionally, the method detects with high sensitivity inappropriate stoichiometry definition, such as a change in state of metabolism. It was shown that concentration values can be misleading for the identification of the metabolic state. In contrast, the proposed method provides a clear picture of the metabolic state and new physiological regulations could be revealed. Hence, the novelty of the proposed method is the on-line availability of consistent stoichiometric coefficients allowing a significant speed up in strain characterization and bioprocess development using minimal knowledge of the metabolism. Additionally, it opens up the use of transient experiments for physiological studies.     

Signalling steps in apoptosis by ether lipids

We have investigated the mechanisms of induction of apoptosis by the antineoplastic ether lipid ET-18-OCH₃ (ALP) in sensitive S49^wt mouse lymphoma cells and ALP-resistant S49^ar variants, both with wild-type p53, and in related L1210 cells with mutated p53. Ether lipid-resistant S49^ar cells were cross-resistant to extracellular stress factors (cold shock, heat shock, H₂O₂, dimethylsulfoxide) and to radiation-induced apoptosis but not to physiological apoptotic signals (dexamethasone, growth factor deprivation, thapsigargin, C₂-ceramide) and expressed similar levels of the apoptosis-regulating proteins Bcl-2, Bcl-X, Bax, Bad and Bak as did the parent S49^wt cells. The uptake of [³H]-ALP was strongly reduced in the stress-resistant cells but this was not associated with significant differences in membrane cholesterol:phospholipid content nor in membrane microviscosity. In S49^ar cells the activity of the antioxidant enzyme glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) was increased 4-fold and depletion of glutathione with the drug L-buthionine-S-R-sulfoximine (L-BSO) lowered the resistance of S49^ar cells to ALP, stress factors and ionising radiation. The results indicate that ether lipids induce apoptosis by imposing a special form of physico-chemical stress, mediated by reactive oxygen species but independent of p53 status. The capacity of glutathione-dependent anti-oxidant defence appeared an important and shared determinant of the sensitivity to ether lipids, several types of extracellular stress and ionising radiation.     

Jasmonic acid induces the production of gerbera volatiles that attract the biological control agent Phytoseiulus persimilis

Jasmonic acid (JA) is a plant hormone that is involved in the induction of plant defence in response to herbivore attack. We studied the effect of exposure of gerbera leaves to JA on indirect plant defence, i.e. attraction of natural enemies of herbivores. Treatment of gerbera leaves with JA or feeding damage by the herbivorous spider mite Tetranychus urticae, both induced the production of a complex odour blend that attracts the predatory mite Phytoseiulus persimilis. This phytoseiid predator is a very effective biological control agent of the spider mite T. urticae. Comparison of headspace composition of gerbera leaves exposed to either JA or T. urticae revealed a large degree of resemblance, but some quantitative and qualitative differences were recorded. The major chemical group in both treatments is formed by the terpenoids which quantitatively comprised up to 80% of the total odour blend. These terpenoids included (E)-4,8-dimethyl-1,3,7-nonatriene, (E)--ocimene and linalool that are known to attract P. persimilis. Aldehydes, alcohols, esters and ketones, together with nitrogenous compounds formed the remaining constituents of the odour blend. The induction of predator attractants in plants by JA may be applied in biological control programs, which is discussed in this paper.     

Interspecific variation of plant traits associated with resistance to herbivory among four species of Ficus (moraceae)

• Background and aims To understand the defensive characteristics of interspecies varieties and their responses to herbivory damage, four species of Ficus plants (Ficus altissima, F. auriculata, F. racemosa and F. hispida) were studied. They were similar in life form, but differed in successional stages. Of these, Ficus altissima is a late successional species, F. hispida is a typical pioneer and F. auriculata and F. racemosa are intermediate successional species. We addressed the following questions: (1) What is the difference in plant traits among the four species and are these traits associated with differences in herbivory damage levels? (2) What is the difference in the damage-induced changes among the four species?• Methods Herbivory damage was measured in the field on randomly planted seedlings of the four species of the same age. Defences to herbivory were also tested by feeding leaves of the four species to larvae of Asota caricae in the laboratory. A total of 14 characters such as water content, thickness, toughness, pubescence density on both sides, leaf expansion time, lifetime and the contents of total carbon (C), nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg) and calcium (Ca) were measured. Leaf calcium oxalate crystal (COC) density, total Ca and N content, leaf toughness and height were measured to investigate induced responses to artificial herbivory among the four species.• Key results and conclusions Herbivory damage in the four studied species varied greatly. The pioneer species, F. hispida, suffered the most severe herbivory damage, while the late successional species, F. altissima, showed the least damage. A combination of several characteristics such as high in content of N, Ca and P and low in leaf toughness, lifetime and C : N ratio were associated with increased herbivore damage. The late successional species, F. altissima, might also incorporate induced defence strategies by means of an increase in leaf COC and toughness.Key words: Calcium oxalate crystals, defensive characteristics, Ficus; herbivory, induced defence     

Phenylpropanoids, phenylalanine ammonia lyase and peroxidases in elicitor-challenged cassava (Manihot esculenta) suspension cells and leaves

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Control of diseases in the key tropical staple, cassava, is dependent on resistant genotypes, but the innate mechanisms are unknown. The aim was to study phenylpropanoids and associated enzymes as possible defence components. METHODS: Phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), phenylpropanoids and peroxidases (POD) were investigated in elicited cassava suspension cells and leaves. Yeast elicitor was the most effective of several microbial and endogenous elicitors. Fungitoxicity was determined against the cassava pathogens Fusarium solani, F. oxysporum and the saprotroph Trichoderma harzianum. KEY RESULTS: A single and rapid (> or =2-3 min) oxidative burst, measured as hydrogen peroxide, occurred in elicited cells. PAL activity was induced maximally at 15 h and was preceded by PAL mRNA accumulation, which peaked at 9 h. Symplasmic POD activity increased four-fold in cells, 48 h post-elicitation. POD isoforms (2-7 isoforms, pI 3.1-8.8) were detected in elicited and unelicited cells, extracellular medium and leaves but two extracellular isoforms were enhanced post-elicitation. Also expression of a cassava peroxidase gene MecPOD1 increased in elicited cells. Only anionic forms oxidized scopoletin, with highest activity by isoform pI 3.6, present in all samples. Unidentified phenolics and possibly scopolin increased post-elicitation, but there was no enhancement of scopoletin, rutin or kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside concentration. Fungal germ tube elongation was inhibited more than germination by esculetin, ferulic acid, quercetin and scopoletin. T. harzianum was generally more sensitive than the pathogens and was inhibited by > or =50 microg mL(-1) of ferulic acid and quercetin and > or =10 microg mL(-1) of scopoletin. CONCLUSIONS: Phenolic levels in cells were not enhanced and were, theoretically, too low to be inhibitory. However, in combination and when oxidized they may contribute to defence, because oxidation of esculetin and scopoletin by peroxidase and of esculetin by tyrosinase enhanced their fungitoxicity up to 20-fold.     

Activation of hypersensitive cell death by pathogen-induced receptor-like protein kinases from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Arabidopsis</Emphasis>

In Arabidopsis, there is a family of receptor-like protein kinases (RLKs) containing novel cysteine-rich repeats in their extracellular domains. Genes encoding many of these cysteine-rich RLKs (CRKs) are induced by pathogen infection, suggesting a possible role in plant defense responses. We have previously generated Arabidopsis plants expressing four pathogen-regulated CRK genes (CRK5, 6, 10 and 11) under control of a steroid-inducible promoter and found that induced expression of CRK5, but not the other three CRK genes, triggered hypersensitive response-like cell death in transgenic plants. In the present study, we have analyzed the structural relationship of the CRK family and identified three CRKs (CRK4, 19 and 20) that are structurally closely related to CRK5. Genes encoding these three CRKs are all induced by salicylic acid and pathogen infection. Furthermore, induced expression of CRK4, 19and 20 all activates rapid cell death in transgenic plants. Thus, the activity of inducing rapid cell death is shared by these structurally closely related CRKs. We have also performed yeast two-hybrid screens and identified proteins that interact with the kinase domains of CRKs. One of the identified CRK-interacting proteins is the kinase-associated type 2C protein phospohatase known to interact with a number of other RLKs through its kinase-interacting FHA domain. Other CRK-interacting proteins include a second protein with a FHA domain and another type 2C protein phosphatase. Interactions of CRKs with these three proteins in vivo were demonstrated through co-immunoprecipitation. These CRK-interacting proteins may play roles in the regulation and signaling of CRKs.