Cadmium accumulation and its effects on intracellular ion pools in a brewing strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The presence of glucose resulted in a two- to three-fold increase in levels of Cd²⁺accumulated by Saccharomyces cerevisiae after 5 h compared with those observed in the absence of glucose. However, time-dependent Cd²⁺ uptake continued in the absence of glucose over 5 h, resulting in an appreciable increase in cellular Cd²⁺levels. Substantial K⁺ efflux but little Mg²⁺ and negligible Ca²⁺release was observed. Cell fractionation revealed that the bulk of intracellular Cd²⁺ was located in the vacuolar (25%) and bound (60%) fractions. Accumulation of Cd²⁺ ions impacted most noticeably on K⁺ rather than Mg²⁺ levels in intracellular compartments. Cytoplasmic and particularly vacuolar K⁺ levels decreased as Cd²⁺ sequestration continued resulting in increased extracellular levels. In contrast, corresponding intracellular Mg²⁺ pools were only modestly affected with a slight increase and decrease observed in the cytoplasmic and vacuolar fractions respectively. However, levels of bound Mg²⁺ decreased in response to continued Cd²⁺ accumulation. Received 07 March 1999/ Accepted in revised form 26 June 1999     

Alteration in cardiomyocyte mechanics by suboptimal levels of extracellular magnesium

The beneficial effects of magnesium supplementation in pathological situations is well known, but the myocardial response to a nominal decrease in the level of magnesium has received relatively little attention. Hypomagnesemia can occur as chronic or acute manifestation of physiological changes, pathological conditions, or pharmacological interventions. Experimental interest was focused on the mechanical changes in adult rat heart myocytes following variation in extracellular Mg²⁺. Isolated cells were exposed to different levels of extracellular Mg²⁺ and the amplitude and rate of contraction were measured as a function of change in cell length using a video-based edge-detection system. Investigations have revealed that variation in the level of Mg²⁺ within physiological limits leads to mechanical changes. A decrease in the level of extracellular Mg²⁺ was accompanied by a significant increase in contractile amplitude and decrease in the velocities of contraction and relaxation. The contractile amplitude measured as percentage shortening were 3.08 ± 0.19%, 4.62 ± 0.19% and 6.9 ± 0.40%, respectively, on exposure to 1.8, 0.8, and 0.48 mM Mg, and the corresponding velocities of contraction and relaxation normalized to amplitude were 0.54 ± 0.02, 0.40 ± 0.03, 0.31 ± 0.03 and 0.47 ± 0.02, 0.35 ± 0.02, 0.24 ± 0.02. The variations in contractile parameters associated with the change in the level of Mg were statistically significant (p < 0.01). Variation in the contractile properties associated with change in extracellular Mg²⁺ may be effected by alteration in Ca²⁺ transients.     

Effects of magnesium and iron on lipid peroxidation in cultured hepatocytes

In primary cultures of rat hepatocytes, the effects of extracellular Mg²⁺ and Fe on lipid peroxidation (LPO) as measured by means of malondialdehyde (MDA) formation were investigated.Incubation of hepatocytes at decreasing extracellular Mg²⁺ concentration enhanced LPO, depending on extracellular Fe. About 96% of MDA accumulated in the culture medium. Addition of desferrioxamine prevented LPO.Additionally, the formation of oxygen free radicals was determined by fluorescence reduction of cis-parinaric acid. With this method, an immediate decay of fluorescence was found after addition of Fe²⁺. Fluorescence reduction was completely prevented by desferrioxamine, indicating the function of extracellular Fe. This mechanism may operate additionally to the increase in intracellular Fe and intracellular formation of oxygen free radicals during Mg deficiencyin vivo.     

Nutrition of winter wheat during the life cycle. I. Yield and accumulation of dry matter and minerals

Mineral uptake by winter wheat (Trilicum aestivum L. cv. Martonvasari 8) was studied throughout the life cycle. Accumulation of macronutrients (i.e. total nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, magnesium and calcium) and the water content of roots and shoots of plants grown in complete nutrient solution were higher than those of plants grown in two types of soils. The supply of macronutrients was in some cases limiting for soil-grown plants as revealed by a comparison of available and accumulated amounts of these nutrients. Their supply was abundant, however, for solution-grown plants. This led to a doubling of grain yield for the latter plants with a three fold increase in accumulation of dry matter and a five-fold increase in fresh weight. The efficiency ratios of solution-grown plants to soil-grown plants were approximately 1 for N and Na, 0.5 for Mg and Ca, and 0.3 for P and K.     

Mechanism of metal ion biosorption by fungal biomass

Alkali extracted mycelial biomass from Aspergillus niger, referred to as Biosorb, was found to sequester metal ions (Cd²⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Ni²⁺ and Co²⁺) efficiently both from dilute and concentrated solutions upto 10% of its weight (w/w). Sequestration of metal ions from a mixture was also efficient but with attendant antagonisms. The kinetics of metal binding by Biosorb indicated that it is a rapid process and about 70–80% of the metal is removed from solution in 5 min followed by a slower rate. The mechanism of metal binding is shown to be due to exchange of calcium and magnesium ions of the Biosorb during which equimolar concentrations of both the ions were released into the medium. Following this an efficient procedure for the regeneration and reuse of Biosorb was standardized by washing the biosorbent with calcium and magnesium solution (0.1 m). Biosorbents prepared from Neurospora, Fusarium and Penicillium also exhibited similar mechanisms for metal ion binding, though they had a lower metal binding capacity when compared with Biosorb. Chemical modification of carboxylic acid functional groups of the Biosorb resulted in loss of 90% of metal binding capacity which could not be restored even on regeneration. The significance of this finding on the metal sequestration mechanisms of microbial biosorbents is discussed.     

Litho‐diagenetic implications of the calcium oxalate‐carbonate biogeochemical cycle in semiarid Calcretes,Nazareth, Israel

Microscopic observations of calcrete soil samples in semiarid environments from Israel reveal a particular vesicular microfabric. The calcrete horizon is indurated but highly porous and all the pores are coated with a gray layer (quasi‐coating) of secondary calcium carbonate. Two kinds of needles are found inside the pores: thin and regular needles (calcite), and filaments with very sharp spikes that are of fungal origin. Analysis of the proportions of C, O, and Ca were made with an E.D.S. microprobe connected with a scanning electron microscope to distinguish calcite (CaCO₃) from calcium oxalate (CaC₂O₄) and to differentiate inorganic from organic influences. Under biological control, calcium oxalate coexists with calcium carbonate; both contribute to rock diagenesis. In the pores, biological activity promotes a complex cycling of calcium leading to recementation of the matrix and further lithification. Thus, this kind of calcrete is due to geological evolution as much as to biochemical control.     

Concentations of copper, Zinc, and magnesium in sera from patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy

Trace elements are known to have a key role in myocardial metabolism. The accumulation (cobalt, arsenic, copper) or deficiency (selenium, zinc) of trace elements may be responsible for idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy. We investigated the trace element concentrations (Cu, Zn, Mg) in sera from patients with dilated cardiomyopathy by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. We observed that patients with dilated cardiomyopathies have higher copper and lower zinc concentrations in serum than healthy controls. The magnesium concentrations of patients did not differ significantly from that of control subjects.     

低镁胁迫对低温下黄瓜幼苗光合特性和抗氧化系统的影响

以‘津优3号’黄瓜幼苗为试材,以Hoagland全营养液处理为对照(CK),研究低镁(30％Mg)胁迫对低温(昼/夜温度12℃/8℃)下黄瓜幼苗光合特性和抗氧化系统的影响.结果表明:低温下30％Mg处理黄瓜幼苗叶片Mg含量显著低于CK,而根中Mg含量与CK差异不显著.随着低温胁迫时间的延长,黄瓜幼苗叶片的叶绿素含量、净光合速率(Pn)、气孔导度(gs)和羧化效率(CE)逐渐降低,胞间CO2浓度(Ci)趋于升高.与CK相比,低温下30％ Mg处理叶片叶绿素含量、Pn、gs和CE显著降低,C-变化不大,叶绿体膜损伤严重,叶绿体数、基粒数和片层数较少,淀粉粒数增加,淀粉粒较长,丙二醛(MDA)含量升高,而超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)和谷胱甘肽还原酶(GR)活性降低.可见,低温下镁运输受阻引起的缺镁是叶片失绿的主要原因;低温引起Pn降低的主要原因是非气孔限制,低镁胁迫会加大低温对黄瓜Pn的影响,而由此引起的Pn降低的主要原因是气孔限制.     

Limitation of seedling growth by potassium and magnesium supply for two ectomycorrhizal tree species of a Central African rain forest and its implication for their recruitment

In the ectomycorrhizal caesalpiniaceous groves of southern Korup National Park, the dominant tree species, Microberlinia bisulcata, displays very poor in situ recruitment compared with its codominant, Tetraberlinia bifoliolata. The reported ex situ experiment tested whether availabilities of soil potassium and magnesium play a role. Seedlings of the two species received applications of K and Mg fertilizer in potted native soil in a local shade house, and their responses in terms of growth and nutrient concentrations were recorded over 2 years. Amended soil concentrations were also determined. Microberlinia responded strongly and positively in its growth to Mg, but less to K; Tetraberlinia responded weakly to both. Added Mg led to strongly increased Mg concentration for Microberlinia while added K changed that concentration only slightly; Tetraberlinia strongly increased its concentration of K with added K, but only somewhat its Mg concentration with added Mg. Additions of Mg and K had small but important antagonistic effects. Microberlinia is Mg‐demanding and apparently Mg‐limited in Korup soil; Tetraberlinia, whilst K‐demanding, appeared not to be K‐limited (for growth). Added K enhanced plant P concentrations of both species. Extra applied Mg may also be alleviating soil aluminum toxicity, and hence improving growth indirectly and especially to the benefit of Microberlinia. Mg appears to be essential for Microberlinia seedling growth and its low soil availability in grove soils at Korup may be an important contributing factor to its poor recruitment. Microberlinia is highly shade‐intolerant and strongly light‐responding, whilst Tetraberlinia is more shade‐tolerant and moderately light‐responding, which affords an interesting contrast with respect to their differing responses to Mg supply. The study revealed novel aspects of functional traits and likely niche‐partitioning among ectomycorrhizal caesalps in African rain forests. Identifying the direct and interacting indirect effects of essential elements on tropical tree seedling growth presents a considerable challenge due the complex nexus of causes involved.     

Differentiation of HL-60 promyelocytic leukemia cells is accompanied by a modification of magnesium homeostasis

Magnesium homeostasis in HL-60 promyelocytic leukemia cells was compared to that in neutrophyl-like HL-60 cells obtained by 1.3% DMSO treatment. Magnesium homeostasis was studied by the characterization of magnesium efflux, the identification of intracellular magnesium pools, and the regulation of intracellular ionized Mg²⁺. In both undifferentiated and neutrophyl-like HL-60 cells, magnesium efflux occurred via the Na-Mg antiporter which was inhibited by imipramine and stimulated by db cAMP and forskolin. Receptor-mediated signals such as ATP, IFN-α, or PGE1, which can trigger cAMP-dependent magnesium efflux, were ineffective in undifferentiated HL-60 cells but induced 60–70% increase of magnesium efflux in neutrophyl-like HL-60 cells. Selective membrane permeabilization by the cation ionophore A23187 induced a large magnesium release when cells were treated with rotenone. In both cell populations, the addition of glucose to rotenone-treated cells restored magnesium release to the control level. Permeabilization by 0.005% digitonin provoked the release of 90% cell total magnesium in both cell types. Intracellular [Mg²⁺]_i was 0.15 and 0.26 mM in undifferentiated and neutrophyl-like HL-60 cells, respectively. Stimuli that triggered magnesium efflux, such as db cAMP in undifferentiated and IFN-α in neutrophyl-like HL-60 cells, induced a slow but consistent increase of [Mg²⁺]_i which was independent from Ca²⁺movements. Overall, these data indicate that magnesium homeostasis is regulated by receptor-mediated magnesium efflux which was modified during differentiation of HL-60 cells. Stimulation of magnesium efflux is paralleled by an increase of [Mg²⁺]_i which reflects a release of magnesium from the bound cation pool. J. Cell. Biochem. 71:441–448, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.