Gene Expression of Enzymes for Starch and Sucrose Metabolism and Transport in Leaf Sheaths of Rice (Oryza sativa L.) during the Heading Period in Relation to the Sink to Source Transition

Abstract

Leaf sheaths of rice plants are known to temporarily accumulate starch prior to heading, which is subsequently remobilized and transported into the panicle after heading. We investigated the time course for both carbohydrate content and steady state mRNA levels of enzymes related to starch and sucrose metabolism in the rice leaf sheath (Oryza sativa L. cv. Nipponbare). Leaf sheaths from the second leaf below the flag leaf accumulated high levels of starch before heading but they rapidly decreased after heading. In contrast, the flag leaf sheath did not accumulate as much starch. In the second leaf sheath, the mRNA levels of enzymes involved in starch synthesis, ADP glucose pyrophosphorylase (EC 2. 7. 7. 27), soluble starch synthase (EC 2. 4. 1.21) and branching enzyme (EC 2. 4. 1. 18) were high before heading, which coincided with rapid accumulation of starch. The mRNA levels of sucrose synthesis enzymes, cytosolic FBPase (EC 3. 1. 3. 11) and sucrose phosphate synthase (EC 2. 4. 1. 14), and the sucrose transporter (OsSUTI) increased at the time of heading, which was largely coincident with a decrease in the mRNA levels of starch synthesis enzymes. In the flag leaf sheaths, changes in mRNA levels of starch synthesis enzymes were not pronounced, however mRNA levels of sucrose synthesis enzymes and the sucrose transporter showed a clear increase throughout the heading period. The different characteristics observed between the two leaf sheaths will be discussed in relation to the sink to source transition.     

河川沙塘鳢胚胎、仔鱼发育过程中蛋白酶活性的变化

采用生物化学方法测定和分析了河川沙塘鳢(Odontobutis potam ophila)胚胎、仔鱼发育过程中胃蛋白酶、胰蛋白酶的活性及其变化。结果显示,在胚胎发育初期,其胃蛋白酶的活性一直很低,在孵化前期,其胃蛋白酶的活性增高,之后继续升高,在孵出后5 d的仔鱼,其胃蛋白酶的活性达到最高。在胚胎发育初期,其胰蛋白酶活性相对较高,在眼黑色素出现期时明显升高,而在孵化前期时再次升高,孵出后5 d的仔鱼,其胰蛋白酶的活性亦达到最高。这也说明在河川沙塘鳢的胚胎、仔鱼发育过程中,其蛋白酶的活性总体呈上升的趋势。     

Dispersal of black sea bass (Centropristis striata) larvae on the southeast U.S. continental shelf: results of a coupled vertical larval behavior – 3D circulation model

In the marine environment, pelagic dispersal is important for determining the distribution and abundance of populations, as well as providing connections among populations. Estimates of larval dispersal from spawning grounds are important to determining temporal and spatial patterns in recruitment that may have significant influences on the dynamics of the population. We present a case study of the dispersal of Centropristis striata (black sea bass) larvae on the southeast U.S. continental shelf. We use a coupled larval behavior – 3D circulation model to compare the effects of the timing and location of spawning against that of larval vertical migration on larval dispersal. Using the results of field data on larval vertical distributions, we compare the dispersal of virtual 'larvae' which have ontogenetic changes in vertical behavior with that of particles fixed near the surface and near the bottom. Larvae were released at potential spawning sites four times throughout the spawning season (February through May) for 3 yr (2002–04) and tracked for the assumed larval duration (from 27 to 37 days including the egg stage). Results indicate that adult behavior, in the form of spawning time and location, may be more important than larval vertical behavior in determining larval dispersal on the inner- and mid- continental shelves of this region.     

Comparison of the response of ion distribution in the tissues and cells of the succulent plants Aloe vera and Salicornia europaea to saline stress

There exists a great variability among plant species regarding their sensitivity and resistance to high salinity in soil, and most often this variability is related with the ability of a particular plant species to regulate ion homeostasis and transport. In this study, we have investigated the effects of NaCl on growth rate, water status, and ion distribution in different cells and tissues of two succulent plants, Aloe vera and Salicornia europaea. Our results showed that the growth of A. vera seedlings was significantly decreased in response to salinity. However, the growth of S. europaea seedlings was greatly stimulated by high concentrations of NaCl. Under saline conditions, S. europaea seedlings maintained K⁺ and Ca²⁺ uptake in roots and showed a higher root‐to‐shoot flux of Na⁺ and Cl^– as compared to A. vera. Despite great accumulation of Na⁺ and Cl^– in photosynthetically active shoot cells in S. europaea, its growth was enhanced, indicating S. europaea is capable of compartmentalizing salt ions in the vacuoles of shoot cells. Aloe vera seedlings, however, showed a low transport rate of Na⁺ and Cl^– to leaves and suppressed uptake of K⁺ and Ca²⁺ in roots during NaCl treatment. Our results also implicate that A. vera may be able to accumulate Na⁺ and Cl^– in the metabolically inactive aqueous cells in leaves and, as a result, the plant can survive and can maintain growth under saline conditions.     

莲草直胸跳甲成虫产卵选择性及叶位与幼虫发育适合度的关系

采用室内自由选择法和发育测定法研究莲草直胸跳甲(Agasicles hygrophila)成虫对喜旱莲子草(Alternanthera philoxeroides)叶位的产卵选择性及后代发育与不同叶位叶片的适合度.结果表明:(1)莲草直胸跳甲成虫嗜好在中部叶片的叶背产卵,以在第2对叶上的选择系数最高,选择率为35.18%,与第1对叶上的28.03%差异不显著,但显著高于对其他叶位的选择系数;(2)相对于在叶表进行取食,初孵幼虫显著趋向在叶背,且这样取食的1龄幼虫存活率高、发育历期显著缩短,这与雌虫选择在叶背产卵的习性相符,说明其选择有一定生物学意义,即有利于后代发育;(3)叶龄对莲草直胸跳甲各龄幼虫发育有显著影响,叶位越低,各龄幼虫的发育历期越长,但存活率上以取食第1叶位的为最高.     

低聚果糖诱导的奶牛急性蹄叶炎肝和骨骼肌中AMPK和GLUT及相关基因的变化

旨在探究奶牛急性蹄叶炎能量代谢的变化,本研究选用12头健康中国荷斯坦奶牛,随机分为两组(n=6): 试验组(OF组)用17 g·kg^-1体重的低聚果糖溶解在2 L·100 kg^-1体重的清水中灌服,对照组(CON组)灌服等量清水,72 h之后对奶牛进行安乐死,采集肝、肌肉组织,进行Western blot试验和实时荧光定量PCR试验,检测肝、肌肉组织的能量变化和葡萄糖转运情况,指标：葡糖糖转运蛋白1和4(GLUT-1、GLUT-4),三磷酸腺苷激酶(AMPK)以及相关因子(PPAR-γ、PGC1-α、PEPCK)。结果表明：在肝组织中,OF组AMPK和蛋白的表达量显著增加,但P-AMPK/AMPK的比值极显著下降,而GLUT-1的蛋白和基因、PPAR-γ、PGC1-α和PEPCK基因的表达量无显著变化;在肌肉组织中,OF组AMPK基因和蛋白表达量无显著的变化,但P-AMPK/AMPK的比值显著下降,GLUT-4基因和蛋白表达量显著下降,同时PPAR-γ、PEPCK基因的表达量极显著升高,但PGC-1-α的基因表达量无显著的变化。综上：奶牛急性蹄叶炎可能会抑制肌肉组织的能量代谢和葡萄糖转运的能力,但对肝的影响不大。     

对云南省输电线路使用林地的探讨

根据《电力设施保护条例》和《森林植被恢复费征收使用管理暂行办法》,正确处理保护生态环境和输变电线路建设的关系,做到森林资源保护与电力线路建设协调发展.文章分析了输变电线路的特殊性以及存在的问题.提出了准确测定输变电线路征占用林地面积的原则、技术要点,并建议分两步实施为好.     

Some developmental differences inEpinotia granitalis (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) between two host tree species

To detect developmental differences inEpinotia granitalis in two host tree speciesCryptomeria japonica andChamaecyparis obtusa, the fourth or fifth instar larvae were collected daily from the two species located on the grounds of the National Forest Tree Breeding Center, from April 19 to May 9 in 1994 and April 18 to May 10 in 1995. Larvae ofE. granitalis collected fromC. obtusa had heavier body weight, developed to larger adults than those collected fromC. japonica, and mortality from the fourth or fifth instar larval stage to adults onC. obtusa was lower than that onC. japonica. All these facts suggest that larval performance onC. obtusa was higher than that onC. japonica.