New Cyclic Cystine Bridged Peptides from the Sponge Suberites waedoensis

Two new peptides, chujamides A (1) and B (2), were isolated from the marine sponge Suberites waedoensis, which was collected from Korean waters. Based upon the results of the combined spectroscopic analyses, the structures of these compounds were determined to be proline-riched and cyclic cystine bridged dodeca- and undecapeptides. The absolute configurations of all amino acid residues were determined to be l by advanced Marfey’s analysis. The new compounds exhibited weak cytotoxicities against A549 and K562 cell-lines, and compound 2 also demonstrated moderate inhibitory activity against Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase.     

盐胁迫下钾吸收途径的抑制对小麦叶片K~+、Na~+含量的影响

为研究盐胁迫下小麦维持钾、钠平衡的生理机制,以耐盐小麦沧麦6005和盐敏感小麦矮抗58为材料,利用TEA、NEM、Ba(NO_3)_2三种药物分别抑制钾离子通道、钾载体及非选择性阳离子通道,测定正常及盐胁迫下小麦叶片K~+、Na~+含量,比较耐盐性不同的小麦品种在K~+、Na~+吸收中的差异。结果显示,盐胁迫下,沧麦6005和矮抗58叶片K~+含量下降,Na~+含量增加;沧麦6005叶片Na~+含量低于矮抗58,K~+/Na~+比值高于矮抗58。正常条件下,NEM、TEA处理均可降低沧麦6005和矮抗58叶片K~+含量,NEM处理较TEA处理效果更为明显;TEA处理显著降低了盐胁迫下矮抗58叶片K~+含量,而NEM处理则明显降低了盐胁迫下沧麦6005的叶片K~+含量;TEA、NEM、Ba(NO_3)_2处理降低了盐胁迫下矮抗58叶片Na~+含量,仅NEM处理降低了沧麦6005叶片Na~+含量。综上所述,正常条件下,钾载体是小麦K~+吸收的主要方式;盐胁迫下,耐盐品种和盐敏感品种K~+吸收途径不同,耐盐品种的NSCCs和钾离子通道具有更强的"拒钠"能力。     

Impact of ocean acidification on energy metabolism of oyster, Crassostrea gigas--changes in metabolic pathways and thermal response

Climate change with increasing temperature and ocean acidification (OA) poses risks for marine ecosystems. According to Pörtner and Farrell [1], synergistic effects of elevated temperature and CO₂-induced OA on energy metabolism will narrow the thermal tolerance window of marine ectothermal animals. To test this hypothesis, we investigated the effect of an acute temperature rise on energy metabolism of the oyster, Crassostrea gigas chronically exposed to elevated CO₂ levels (partial pressure of CO₂ in the seawater ~0.15 kPa, seawater pH ~ 7.7). Within one month of incubation at elevated Pco₂ and 15 °C hemolymph pH fell (pH_e = 7.1 ± 0.2 (CO₂-group) vs. 7.6 ± 0.1 (control)) and P_eco₂ values in hemolymph increased (0.5 ± 0.2 kPa (CO₂-group) vs. 0.2 ± 0.04 kPa (control)). Slightly but significantly elevated bicarbonate concentrations in the hemolymph of CO₂-incubated oysters ([HCO⁻ ₃]_e = 1.8 ± 0.3 mM (CO₂-group) vs. 1.3 ± 0.1 mM (control)) indicate only minimal regulation of extracellular acid-base status. At the acclimation temperature of 15 °C the OA-induced decrease in pH_e did not lead to metabolic depression in oysters as standard metabolism rates (SMR) of CO₂-exposed oysters were similar to controls. Upon acute warming SMR rose in both groups, but displayed a stronger increase in the CO₂-incubated group. Investigation in isolated gill cells revealed a similar temperaturedependence of respiration between groups. Furthermore, the fraction of cellular energy demand for ion regulation via Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase was not affected by chronic hypercapnia or temperature. Metabolic profiling using ¹H-NMR spectroscopy revealed substantial changes in some tissues following OA exposure at 15 °C. In mantle tissue alanine and ATP levels decreased significantly whereas an increase in succinate levels was observed in gill tissue. These findings suggest shifts in metabolic pathways following OA-exposure. Our study confirms that OA affects energy metabolism in oysters and suggests that climate change may affect populations of sessile coastal invertebrates such as mollusks.     

Difference In Tolerance To Potassium Deficiency Between Two Maize Inbred Lines

Abstract

Northeast China Produces An Abundance of Maize (Zea Mays L.), and Improvement of Maize Yield At This Region Correlates Closely With Ensure Food Supply Safely of China. in Recent Years, Deficiency Or Relative Deficiency of Potassium (K) in The Soil Is An Important Limitation To Maize Production. Maize inbred Lines Tolerant To K Deficiency (T) and Sensitive To K Deficiency (C) Were Hydroponically Grown in 1/2 Hoagland Solution To Study The Possible Mechanism of Maize Tolerance To Potassium Deficiency From Physiological Point of View. With The Reduction of K⁺ Concentration, Dw of The Plant Became Apparently Greater in T Than in C, The Symptom of Potassium Deficiency Advanced in C. Under K Deficiency, The Taproot Elongation increased and Root Top Ratio Decreased To A Greater Degree in C Than in T, C Had Fawer Lateral Roots. T Had A Stronger K⁺-Uptake Ability Than C, and The Difference Was More Obvious in Culture Solution With A Lower K⁺ Concentrations of Culture Solution. K⁺ Dependent H⁺ Extrusion From The Root Treated With K⁺ Deficiency Was Larger in T Than in C.     

Amino Alcohols from the Ascidian Pseudodistoma sp

Seven new amino alcohol compounds, pseudoaminols A–G (1–7), were isolated from the ascidian Pseudodistoma sp. collected off the coast of Chuja-do, Korea. Structures of these new compounds were determined by analysis of the spectroscopic data and from chemical conversion. The presence of an N-carboxymethyl group in two of the new compounds (6 and 7) is unprecedented among amino alcohols. Several of these compounds exhibited moderate antimicrobial activity and cytotoxicity, as well as weak inhibitory activity toward Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase.     

Amino Acid-Derived Metabolites from the Ascidian Aplidium sp.

Four new iodobenzene-containing dipeptides (1–4), a related bromotryptophan-containing dipeptide (5), and an iodophenethylamine (6) were isolated from the ascidian Aplidium sp. collected off the coast of Chuja-do, Korea. The structures of these novel compounds, designated as apliamides A–E (1–5) and apliamine A (6) were determined via combined spectroscopic analyses. The absolute configuration of the amino acid residue in 1 was determined by advanced Marfey’s analysis. Several of these compounds exhibited moderate cytotoxicity and significant inhibition against Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase (4).     

Comparative effects of salt and alkali stresses on organic acid accumulation and ionic balance of seabuckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.)

Seabuckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) is uniquely capable of growing well under various extreme environmental conditions, such as water deficit, salt stress, low temperature, and high altitude. It is of economic value and its berries are used in cosmetics and pharmaceutical products. In this study, we compared the effects of salt stresses (9:1 molar ratio of NaCl to Na₂SO₄, pH 6.48–6.65) and alkali stresses (9:1 molar ratio of NaHCO₃ to Na₂CO₃, pH 8.70–8.88) on the levels of inorganic ions and organic acids in H. rhamnoides L. to elucidate the physiological mechanism by which it tolerates salt or alkali stress (high pH). The results showed that, in leaves and stems under alkali stress, the Na⁺ content increased to a much greater extent than under salt stress. Neither salt nor alkali stress decreased the K⁺ content in leaves and stems; however, in roots, the K⁺ content decreased sharply with increasing alkali stress, whereas it remained relatively unchanged with increasing salt stress. This revealed a specific mechanism of absorption or transport for Na⁺ and K⁺ that was affected strongly by alkali stress. The results indicated that accumulation of organic acid (OA) was a central adaptive mechanism by which H. rhamnoides maintained intracellular ionic balance under alkali stress. OA may play different roles in different organs during adaptation to alkali stress, and its percentage contribution to total negative charge was higher in leaf than in stem. H. rhamnoides accumulated mainly malate, oxalate, and citrate in leaves and stems; however, in roots, less malate and citrate was accumulated, and acetate accumulation was enhanced significantly, which indicated that roots and shoots use different mechanisms to modulate OA metabolism.     

Characterization of Palytoxin Binding to HaCaT Cells Using a Monoclonal Anti-Palytoxin Antibody

Palytoxin (PLTX) is the reference compound for a group of potent marine biotoxins, for which the molecular target is Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase. Indeed, ouabain (OUA), a potent blocker of the pump, is used to inhibit some PLTX effects in vitro. However, in an effort to explain incomplete inhibition of PLTX cytotoxicity, some studies suggest the possibility of two different binding sites on Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase. Hence, this study was performed to characterize PLTX binding to intact HaCaT keratinocytes and to investigate the ability of OUA to compete for this binding. PLTX binding to HaCaT cells was demonstrated by immunocytochemical analysis after 10 min exposure. An anti-PLTX monoclonal antibody-based ELISA showed that the binding was saturable and reversible, with a K_d of 3 × 10⁻¹⁰ M. However, kinetic experiments revealed that PLTX binding dissociation was incomplete, suggesting an additional, OUA-insensitive, PLTX binding site. Competitive experiments suggested that OUA acts as a negative allosteric modulator against high PLTX concentrations (0.3–1.0 × 10⁻⁷ M) and possibly as a non-competitive antagonist against low PLTX concentrations (0.1–3.0 × 10⁻⁹ M). Antagonism was supported by PLTX cytotoxicity inhibition at OUA concentrations that displaced PLTX binding (1 × 10⁻⁵ M). However, this inhibition was incomplete, supporting the existence of both OUA-sensitive and -insensitive PLTX binding sites.     

Purification and Characterization of a Fucoidanase (FNase S) from a Marine Bacterium Sphingomonas paucimobilis PF-1

The Search for enzyme activities that efficiently degrade marine polysaccharides is becoming an increasingly important area for both structural analysis and production of lower-molecular weight oligosaccharides. In this study, an endo-acting fucoidanase that degrades Miyeokgui fucoidan (MF), a sulfated galactofucan isolated from the sporophyll (called Miyeokgui in Korean) of Undaria pinnatifida, into smaller-sized galactofuco-oligosaccharides (1000–4000 Da) was purified from a marine bacterium, Sphingomonas paucimobilis PF-1, by ammonium sulfate precipitation, diethylaminoethyl (DEAE)-Sepharose column chromatography, and chromatofocusing. The specific activity of this enzyme was approximately 112-fold higher than that of the crude enzyme, and its molecular weight was approximately 130 kDa (FNase S), as determined by native gel electrophoresis and 130 (S1), 70 (S2) and 60 (S3) kDa by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). The optimum pH and temperature of FNase S were pH 6.0–7.0 and 40–45 °C, respectively. FNase S activity was enhanced by Mn²⁺ and Na⁺ (115.7% and 131.2%), but it was inhibited by Ca²⁺, K⁺, Ba²⁺, Cu²⁺ (96%, 83.7%, 84.3%, and 89.3%, respectively), each at 1 mM. The K_m, V_max and K_cat values of FNase S on MF were 1.7 mM, 0.62 mg·min⁻¹, and 0.38·S⁻¹, respectively. This enzyme could be a valuable tool for the structural analysis of fucoidans and production of bioactive fuco-oligosaccharides.     

不同剂量的低能N+离子束照射对玉米种子当代幼苗期性状的影响

以豫玉32和豫玉33干种子为原始材料，用低能N⁺离子注入，观察并记载低能N⁺离子注入玉米干种子后对当代玉米幼苗期几个性状的影响。发现不同品种的玉米种子对相同剂量的N⁺离子注入的敏感程度不同；低能N⁺离子对种子的发芽率、幼苗的根长、株高都有很大的影响；从玉米防倒伏的角度考虑，发现1.0×10¹⁷ ion/cm²可能是对豫玉33和豫玉32进行诱变的最佳剂量，为下一步大规模地开展玉米低能N⁺离子诱变打下了基础。     

Anti-hyperglycemic Effect of the Aqueous Extract of Banana Infructescence Stalks in Streptozotocin-induced Diabetic Rats

Water extract of banana (Musa sapientum) infructescence stalks has been used in folk medicine in the treatment of diabetes mellitus. This work aims at verifying the claimed effect and elucidating its possible mode of action. The extract was given in replacement of drinking water to diabetic rats, and its mechanism of action was studied by investigating its involvement in glucose transport in Caco-2 monolayers, and in rat jejuna using an in situ perfusion technique. Its effect on the Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase was studied by measuring the amount of inorganic phosphate liberated. The extract reduced significantly blood glucose levels in diabetic rats and glucose transport across rat jejuna and Caco-2 monolayers, and induced a 50 % decrease in their Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase activity. The extract did not induce any further decrease in jejunal glucose uptake in the simultaneous presence of phloridzin and phloretin, respective inhibitors of SGLT1 and GLUT2 transporters nor did it induce a change in the protein expression of SGLT1 and GLUT2. It was concluded that the extract acts by reducing the Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase activity of enterocytes and consequently the sodium gradient required for sugar transport by SGLT1, which leads to down-regulation of GLUT2 and contributes to the observed anti-hyperglycemic effect.     

Effect of Solvent System on Extractability of Lipidic Components of Scenedesmus obliquus (M2-1) and Gloeothece sp. on Antioxidant Scavenging Capacity Thereof

Microalgae are well known for their biotechnological potential, namely with regard to bioactive lipidic components—especially carotenoids and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), well-known for therapeutic applications based on their antioxidant capacity. The aim of this work was to evaluate the influence of four distinct food-grade solvents upon extractability of specific lipidic components, and on the antioxidant capacity exhibited against both synthetic (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH^•) and 2,2′-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS^+•)) and biological reactive species (O₂^•− and ^•NO⁻). A eukaryotic microalga (Scenedesmus obliquus (M2-1)) and a prokaryotic one (Gloeothece sp.) were used as case studies. Concerning total antioxidant capacity, the hexane:isopropanol (3:2) and acetone extracts of Sc. obliquus (M2-1) were the most effective against DPPH^• and ABTS^+•, respectively. Gloeothece sp. ethanol extracts were the most interesting scavengers of O₂^•−, probably due the high content of linolenic acid. On the other hand, acetone and hexane:isopropanol (3:2) extracts were the most interesting ones in ^•NO⁻ assay. Acetone extract exhibited the best results for the ABTS assay, likely associated to its content of carotenoids, in both microalgae. Otherwise, ethanol stood out in PUFA extraction. Therefore, profiles of lipidic components extracted are critical for evaluating the antioxidant performance—which appears to hinge, in particular, on the balance between carotenoids and PUFAs.     

A rapid quantification method for tissue Na+ and K+ concentrations in salt-tolerant and susceptible accessions in Vigna vexillata (L.) A. Rich.

A rapid quantification method for leaf sodium (Na⁺) and potassium (K⁺) concentrations was developed using a compact ion meter. Leaf ion concentrations were evaluated for species of Vigna vexillata (L.) A. Rich. after two weeks of treatment with 0–200 mM of sodium chloride. To compare the ion extraction efficiency, extraction solutions of distilled water and ammonium acetate were tested. The ion concentrations of extracts obtained by both solutions were measured using an ion meter, and the values were validated using ion chromatography. For both extraction solutions, the ion meter values were highly correlated with those of the ion chromatograph. However, correlations between ion meter and chromatograph values were largely different for Na⁺ and K⁺. The rapid quantification of ion concentrations using an ion meter developed in this study was successfully utilized for evaluating differences in leaf Na⁺ concentrations, K⁺ concentrations, and K⁺/Na⁺ ratio in species of V. vexillata.     

玉米耐盐基因ZmHKT1的序列变异分析

HKT(High-affinity potassium transporter,高亲和性钾转运蛋白)基因所编码的蛋白能起到维持植物体内的Na+/K+平衡的作用。在作物中HKT蛋白主要通过排出叶片中的Na+,从而提高植物耐盐性。对54份玉米自交系材料的Zm HKT1基因及上游序列进行多态性分析。结果表明,在3 784 bp的序列中,共有194个SNP和32个In Del。大部分变异集中在基因上游序列和内含子区,编码区的变异相对较少,说明编码区在进化和人工选择中承受了更大的选择压力。根据序列变异情况可将54份玉米自交系材料划分为15个单倍型,上游序列主要存在3种单倍型,而基因序列存在9种单倍型。遗传重组和连锁不平衡分析发现,全长序列只有3次重组事件发生,上游序列存在着非常强的连锁不平衡。     

Design of Chitosan-Grafted Carbon Nanotubes: Evaluation of How the –OH Functional Group Affects Cs+ Adsorption

In order to explore the effect of –OH functional groups in Cs⁺ adsorption, we herein used the low temperature plasma-induced grafting method to graft chitosan onto carbon nanotubes (denoted as CTS-g-CNTs), as raw-CNTs have few functional groups and chitosan has a large number of –OH functional groups. The synthesized CTS-g-CNT composites were characterized using different techniques. The effect of –OH functional groups in the Cs⁺ adsorption process was evaluated by comparison of the adsorption properties of raw-CNTs with and without grafting chitosan. The variation of environmental conditions such as pH and contact time was investigated. A comparison of contaminated seawater and simulated groundwater was also evaluated. The results indicated that: (1) the adsorption of Cs⁺ ions was strongly dependent on pH and the competitive cations; (2) for CNT-based material, the –OH functional groups have a positive effect on Cs⁺ removal; (3) simulated contaminated groundwater can be used to model contaminated seawater to evaluate the adsorption property of CNTs-based material. These results showed direct observational evidence on the effect of –OH functional groups for Cs⁺ adsorption. Our findings are important in providing future directions to design and to choose effective material to remedy the removal of radioactive cesium from contaminated groundwater and seawater, crucial for public health and the human social environment.     

Overexpression and Characterization of a Novel Thermostable β-Agarase YM01-3, from Marine Bacterium Catenovulum agarivorans YM01T

Genome sequencing of Catenovulum agarivorans YM01^T reveals 15 open-reading frames (ORFs) encoding various agarases. In this study, extracellular proteins of YM01^T were precipitated by ammonium sulfate and separated by one-dimensional gel electrophoresis. The results of in-gel agarase activity assay and mass spectrometry analysis revealed that the protein, YM01-3, was an agarase with the most evident agarolytic activity. Agarase YM01-3, encoded by the YM01-3 gene, consisted of 420 amino acids with a calculated molecular mass of 46.9 kDa and contained a glycoside hydrolase family 16 β-agarase module followed by a RICIN superfamily in the C-terminal region. The YM01-3 gene was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. The recombinant agarase, YM01-3, showed optimum activity at pH 6.0 and 60 °C and had a K_m of 3.78 mg mL⁻¹ for agarose and a V_max of 1.14 × 10⁴ U mg⁻¹. YM01-3 hydrolyzed the β-1,4-glycosidic linkages of agarose, yielding neoagarotetraose and neoagarohexaose as the main products. Notably, YM01-3 was stable below 50 °C and retained 13% activity after incubation at 80 °C for 1 h, characteristics much different from other agarases. The present study highlights a thermostable agarase with great potential application value in industrial production.     

7OE+8*亚基对东北强筋小麦品种品质性状影响研究

小麦品质改良是东北春麦区强筋小麦育种的主要目标之一。Glu-B1位点7^OE+8^*亚基为超强筋小麦品种必备基因。为了明确该亚基在东北春麦区强筋小麦遗传背景下的品质遗传效应,本研究利用分子标记和选择回交相结合的手段,将7^OE+8^*亚基定向导入到强筋小麦品种龙麦26和龙麦35（Glu-B1位点均为7+9亚基）的遗传背景之中,对BC₅F₁、BC₆F₁群体和自交BC₆F₂鉴定获得的纯合品系进行7^OE+8^*亚基遗传效应评价。结果表明,在强筋小麦品种龙麦26(7+9)和龙麦35(7+9)遗传背景下转入7^OE+8^*亚基后,其干面筋、面筋指数、形成时间、稳定时间、断裂时间、拉伸面积、延伸性和最大抗延阻力等品质指标3年平均分别提高1.3%(P=0.82)和1.8%(P=0.49)、6.6%(P=0.59)和4.7%(P=0.37)、55.0%(P=0.24)和35.8%(P=0.56)、44.5%(P=0.43)和32.8%(P=0.73)、41.4%(P=0.31)和30.0%(P=0.66)、28.0%(P=0.05)和23.4%(P=0.37)、6.5%(P=0.47)和5.8%(P=0.42)、19.5%(P=0.31)和18.0%(P=0.38);Zeleny沉降值2年平均分别提高6.8%和11.4%。以上结果表明,在2个强筋小麦品种遗传背景下,Glu-B1位点转入7^OE+8^*亚基较7+9亚基对各项品质指标改良均存在正向效应,但提高幅度存在差异,对形成时间、稳定时间、断裂时间、最大抗延阻力、拉伸面积等衡量面筋质量的指标提高幅度更大,表明该亚基对面筋质量改良效应显著。综上所述,7^OE+8^*亚基可作为东北春麦区强筋小麦遗传背景下品质性状进一步改良的优选基因,为超强筋小麦育种的重要基因资源。     

玉米耐盐基因ZmHKT1;5在烟草中的功能验证

HKT类基因是与植物耐盐性密切相关的一类基因。在作物中HKT蛋白可通过排出Na+来维持植物体内的Na~+/K~+平衡,从而影响植物耐盐性。通过在烟草中过表达玉米ZmHKT1;5基因,验证该基因具有提高植物耐盐性的作用。结果表明,过表达ZmHKT1;5基因的T0代材料即显示出叶片耐盐能力的明显提高;T2代转基因株系种子在含盐培养基上的发芽能力明显强于野生型材料,T2代转基因株系幼苗阶段的耐盐能力也得到了明显的提高。通过比较在盐胁迫后2月龄的转基因材料和野生型材料的生理指标,发现野生型材料中MDA和H_2O_2的含量相较转基因材料发生了更为明显的上升,说明转基因材料中过表达ZmHKT1;5基因有效降低了盐胁迫引起的过氧化物积累。综合转基因验证的结果,证明ZmHKT1;5基因具有提高植物耐盐性的作用。     

菌肥与腐熟秸秆对盐碱地燕麦渗透生理特性及产量的影响

为明确菌肥和腐熟秸秆对盐碱地燕麦渗透生理及产量的调节作用,以燕麦品种白燕2号和草莜1号为材料,分析了菌肥(F)、腐熟秸秆(S)及二者配施(FS)对燕麦不同生育时期植株K⁺、Na⁺、可溶性糖、有机酸含量及株高和产量的影响。结果表明,苗期和拔节期燕麦各器官K⁺和Na⁺积累量较高,且茎和叶的K⁺、Na⁺积累量均明显高于根部。与空白对照(CK)相比,S和FS处理均显著提高各时期燕麦根、茎、叶K⁺含量,显著降低Na⁺含量。F、S和FS处理对各时期两个燕麦品种植株可溶性糖含量也有显著影响。F处理显著增加了抽穗期和灌浆期两个品种植株总有机酸含量,尤其是草酸、乙酸、柠檬酸比例提高;S和FS处理下抽穗期燕麦植株总有机酸含量在第一年较CK显著提高,而第二年显著降低,主要是由草酸变化引起。F、S及FS处理在第二年均显著提高两个品种的籽粒、鲜草和干草产量,其中FS处理的增产效果最好。这说明腐熟秸秆配施菌肥有助于增强盐碱地燕麦植株的渗透调...