Taxonomic and Bioactivity Characterizations of Mameliella alba Strain LZ-28 Isolated from Highly Toxic Marine Dinoflagellate Alexandrium catenella LZT09

Microalgae host varied microbial consortium harboring cross-kingdom interactions with fundamental ecological significance in aquatic ecosystems. Revealing the complex biofunctions of the cultivable bacteria of phycosphere microbiota is one vital basis for deeply understanding the mechanisms governing these dynamic associations. In this study, a new light-yellow pigmented bacterial strain LZ-28 was isolated from the highly-toxic and harmful algal bloom-forming dinoflagellate Alexandrium catenella LZT09. Collective phenotypic and genotypic profiles were obtained to confidently identify this strain as a new Mameliella alba member. Comparative genomic analysis showed that strain LZ-28 shared highly similar functional features with other four marine algae-derived M. alba strains in spite of their distinctive isolation sources. Based on the bioactivity assaying, the mutual growth-promoting effects between bacterial strain LZ-28 and algal strain LZT09 were observed. After the culture conditions were optimized, strain LZ-28 demonstrated an extraordinary production ability for its bioflocculanting exopolysaccharides (EPS). Moreover, the portions of two monosaccharides glucose and fucose of the EPS were found to positively contribute to the bioflocculanting capacity. Therefore, the present study sheds light on the similar genomic features among the selected M. alba strains, and it also reveals the potential pharmaceutical, environmental and biotechnological implications of active EPS produced by this new Mameliella alba strain LZ-28 recovered from toxic bloom-forming marine dinoflagellate.     

Perennial O. sativa × O. rufipogon interspecific hybrids: I. Photosynthetic characteristics and their inheritance

A survey of 24 wild Oryza accessions identified Oryza australiensis and Oryza rufipogon as potential sources of enhanced photosynthetic rate for introgression into cultivated rice. Photosynthetic capacity per unit leaf area (CER) was associated with leaf N content but not with leaf chlorophyll concentration, flag leaf area, or specific leaf area. Eight fertile, perennial F₁ hybrids between O. sativa and O. rufipogon were grown in non-flooded soil, and CER was measured at flowering under saturating light. Two F₁ hybrids had greater CER than the average of 26.1 μmol m² s⁻¹. The F₂ progeny from these hybrids were screened for CER in the field, and segregants with even greater rates of photosynthesis were selected. The basis of high photosynthetic rate in the F₂ populations was not leaf thickness or leaf chlorophyll content. One F₂ line had exceptionally high CER and stomatal conductance. Broad-sense heritability on an individual plant basis for CER in two F₂ populations was 0.44 and 0.37. A highly significant offspring-parent regression of 0.89 for CER was observed in a replicated field evaluation (four blocks, five plants per plot) of 20 vegetatively propagated F₂ selections and their F₃ seedling progeny. Broad-sense heritability for CER on a plot-mean basis was estimated as 0.74 for both selected F_2:3 families and for the selected F₂ clones. Genetic resources in the genus Oryza may represent a source of alleles to increase leaf photosynthetic rate in the cultivated species, which we have demonstrated to be a heritable, though environmentally variable, trait in an O. sativa/O. rufipogon population.     

Link between Domoic Acid Production and Cell Physiology after Exchange of Bacterial Communities between Toxic Pseudo-nitzschia multiseries and Non-Toxic Pseudo-nitzschia delicatissima

Bacteria are known to influence domoic acid (DA) production by Pseudo-nitzschia spp., but the link between DA production and physiology of diatoms requires more investigation. We compared a toxic P. multiseries to a non-toxic P. delicatissima, investigating links between DA production, physiological parameters, and co-occurring bacteria. Bacterial communities in cultures of both species were reduced by antibiotic treatment, and each of the diatoms was inoculated with the bacterial community of the other species. The physiology of P. delicatissima was minimally affected by the absence of bacteria or the presence of alien bacteria, and no DA was detected. P. multiseries grew faster without bacteria, did not produce a significant amount of DA, and exhibited physiological characteristics of healthy cells. When grown with alien bacteria, P. multiseries did not grow and produced more DA; the physiology of these cells was affected, with decreases in chlorophyll content and photosynthetic efficiency, an increase in esterase activity, and almost 50% mortality of the cells. The alien bacterial community had morphological and cellular characteristics very different from the original bacteria, and the number of free-living bacteria per algal cell was much higher, suggesting the involvement of bacteria in DA production.     

Algicidal effect of 3-(3-indolyl)butanoic acid, a control agent of the bacterial wilt pathogen, Ralstonia solanacearum

The chemical control agent 3-(3-indolyl)butanoic acid, previously reported as a control agent for the bacterial wilt pathogen Ralstonia solanacearum, was shown to suppress the growth of green algae during hydroponic culture of tomato. The algicidal activity of the compound was effective at 10 μg/ml, completely preventing generation of green algae under non-shaded greenhouse conditions. The algicidal effect was mainly due to suppression of the growth of motile unicellular algal cells tentatively identified as Chlamydomonas spp., which are commonly occurring in the hydroponic solution and vigorously multiply to form an algal mat on the sponge supports. The compound has potential as a non-phytotoxic algicide for hydroponically cultured crop plants.     

Obtaining Spheroplasts of Armored Dinoflagellates and First Single-Channel Recordings of Their Ion Channels Using Patch-Clamping

Ion channels are tightly involved in various aspects of cell physiology, including cell signaling, proliferation, motility, endo- and exo-cytosis. They may be involved in toxin production and release by marine dinoflagellates, as well as harmful algal bloom proliferation. So far, the patch-clamp technique, which is the most powerful method to study the activity of ion channels, has not been applied to dinoflagellate cells, due to their complex cellulose-containing cell coverings. In this paper, we describe a new approach to overcome this problem, based on the preparation of spheroplasts from armored bloom-forming dinoflagellate Prorocentrum minimum. We treated the cells of P. minimum with a cellulose synthesis inhibitor, 2,6-dichlorobenzonitrile (DCB), and found out that it could also induce ecdysis and arrest cell shape maintenance in these microalgae. Treatment with 100–250 µM DCB led to an acceptable 10% yield of P. minimum spheroplasts and was independent of the incubation time in the range of 1–5 days. We show that such spheroplasts are suitable for patch-clamping in the cell-attached mode and can form 1–10 GOhm patch contact with a glass micropipette, allowing recording of ion channel activity. The first single-channel recordings of dinoflagellate ion channels are presented.     

Mechanism of High Photosynthetic Capacity in BC2F4 LinesDerived from a Cross between Oryza sativa and Wild Relatives O. rufipogon

Abstract

We found that several BC₂F₄ lines had high leaf photosynthetic rates under light-saturated and ambient CO₂ conditions. These lines are progenies of BC₂F₁ plants with high photosynthetic capacities which were generated by backcrossing between Oryza rufipogon (W630) and O. sativa cv. Nipponbare, as a recurrent parent. Some photosynthetic characteristics of the BC₂F₄ lines were investigated to identify the factors increasing photosynthetic rates. Photosynthetic rates of these lines under light-saturated conditions at 50 to 700 ppm CO₂ concentrations were higher than those in Nipponbare. The estimated-maximum photosynthetic rates under light-saturated and CO₂-saturated conditions in BC₂F₄ lines were also higher than that in Nipponbare. The photosynthetic rate under light-saturated and ambient CO₂ conditions was positively correlated with the carboxylation efficiency as an indicator of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) activity in vivo rather than stomatal conductance. Initial and total Rubisco activities in vitro tended to be higher in the BC₂F₄ lines than in Nipponbare. The content of active Rubisco calculated from the activation state of Rubisco was also higher in the BC₂F₄ lines than in Nipponbare. These results suggest that high photosynthetic capacities of BC₂F₁ plants can be maintained high in their progenies and high photosynthetic rates under light-saturated and ambient CO₂ conditions in the BC₂F₄ lines are achieved mainly by the high activity of Rubisco due to the high active Rubisco content.     

Characterization of intracellular and extracellular saxitoxin levels in both field and cultured Alexandrium spp. samples from Sequim Bay, Washington

Traditionally, harmful algal bloom studies have primarily focused on quantifying toxin levels contained within the phytoplankton cells of interest. In the case of paralytic shellfish poisoning toxins (PSTs), intracellular toxin levels and the effects of dietary consumption of toxic cells by planktivores have been well documented. However, little information is available regarding the levels of extracellular PSTs that may leak or be released into seawater from toxic cells during blooms. In order to fully evaluate the risks of harmful algal bloom toxins in the marine food web, it is necessary to understand all potential routes of exposure. In the present study, extracellular and intracellular PST levels were measured in field seawater samples (collected weekly from June to October 2004–2007) and in Alexandrium spp. culture samples isolated from Sequim Bay, Washington. Measurable levels of intra- and extra-cellular toxins were detected in both field and culture samples via receptor binding assay (RBA) and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Characterization of the PST toxin profile in the Sequim Bay isolates by pre-column oxidation and HPLC-fluorescence detection revealed that gonyautoxin 1 and 4 made up 65 ± 9.7 % of the total PSTs present. Collectively, these data confirm that extracellular PSTs are present during blooms of Alexandrium spp. in the Sequim Bay region.     

Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Potential of the Bifurcaria bifurcata Epiphytic Bacteria

Surface-associated marine bacteria are an interesting source of new secondary metabolites. The aim of this study was the isolation and identification of epiphytic bacteria from the marine brown alga, Bifurcaria bifurcata, and the evaluation of the antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of bacteria extracts. The identification of epiphytic bacteria was determined by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Bacteria extracts were obtained with methanol and dichloromethane (1:1) extraction. The antioxidant activity of extracts was performed by quantification of total phenolic content (TPC), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC). Antimicrobial activities were evaluated against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus subtilis, Salmonella enteritidis, Staphylococcus aureus, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Candida albicans. A total of 39 Bifurcaria bifurcata-associated bacteria were isolated and 33 were identified as Vibrio sp. (48.72%), Alteromonas sp. (12.82%), Shewanella sp. (12.26%), Serratia sp. (2.56%), Citricoccus sp. (2.56%), Cellulophaga sp. (2.56%), Ruegeria sp. (2.56%) and Staphylococcus sp. (2.56%). Six (15.38%) of the 39 bacteria Bifurcaria bifurcata-associated bacteria presented less than a 90% Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST) match, and some of those could be new. The highest antioxidant activity and antimicrobial activity (against B. subtilis) was exhibited by strain 16 (Shewanella sp.). Several strains also presented high antimicrobial activity against S. aureus, mainly belonging to Alteromonas sp. and Vibrio sp. There were no positive results against fungi and Gram-negative bacteria. Bifurcaria bifurcata epiphytic bacteria were revealed to be excellent sources of natural antioxidant and antimicrobial compounds.     

Physio-morphological Studies of F1 Hybrids in Rice (Oryza sativa L.): Photosynthetic ability and yield

Summary

Photosynthetic ability in terms of CO₂ exchange rate and leaf area, dry matter accumulation (dry weight) and other important growth components along with yield and yield contributing characters in two F₁ hybrids of Akebono × Chiyonishiki (A × C) and Zenith × Akebono (Z × A) were studied. The photosynthetic rate at the flowering stage was lower than that at the panicle initiation stage in all the inbred parent cultivars and F₁ hybrids. Heterosis in photosynthetic rate was higher at the panicle initiation stage than that at the flowering stage. Pre-anthesis leaf area in the F₁ hybrid was significantly larger than that in the parent cultivars. However, the post- anthesis decline in leaf area was more rapid in the F₁ hybrids than in the parent cultivars and its magnitude was the highest in the F₁ hybrid of Z × A which was tall having long and curved panicles. Pre-anthesis dry matter accumulation in both hybrids was significantly higher in the F₁ plants than the parental cultivars, but post-anthesis dry matter accumulation in the F₁ hybrid was lower than the mid-parental value in Z × A. The degree of heterosis in grain yield varied with the hybrid combination, an average heterosis being 1.03. Heterosis in grain yield was closely associated with heterosis in harvest index.     

Post-anthesis changes in photosynthetic traits of maize hybrids released in different years

Changes in post-anthesis physiological attributes related to genetic improvement for grain-yield were studied for six Chinese maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids widely grown in North China during the past 50 years. The characteristics assessed included light-saturated photosynthetic rate (P_sat), chlorophyll content, soluble protein content, maximal efficiency of PS2 photochemistry (F_v/F_m), PS2 efficiency (Φ_PS2), ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase (RuBPCase) activity and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPCase) activity. We found that P_sat of the newer hybrids was not always higher than the older ones. However, P_sat of the 1950s hybrids was the highest among all at flowering stage, which was associated with their high PEPCase activity and soluble protein content. Post-anthesis changes in P_sat of the older hybrids can be divided into two phases. During the first phase, which was the decisive phase of grain filling, P_sat of the older hybrids declined gradually whereas the new hybrids remained relatively constant. P_sat of 1950s hybrids was not the highest among all maize hybrids any longer although their PEPCase activities were also the highest. The reduction in P_sat of the older hybrids during this phase was associated with a reduction in the chlorophyll content and the soluble protein content but was not influenced by the specific activity of RuBPCase and PEPCase. Adapting to the lowered CO₂ assimilation capacity, a down-regulation of Φ_PS2 occurred in the older hybrids to protect the photosynthetic apparatus from photo-damage by strong light, while F_v/F_m only decreased slightly during this phase, suggesting a functional PS2 apparatus in senescent flag leaves. During the second phase, the older hybrids underwent an irreversible leaf senescence that certain photosynthetic traits declined substantially with P_sat, whereas the photosynthetic components of the newer hybrids remained functional. Newer maize hybrids produced higher grain yield compared to the old ones mainly because they could remain photosynthetically active when the older hybrids aged during the grain-filling period. The decline in photosynthetic rate of older hybrids during senescence is generally attributed to the degradation of both structural and functional components of chloroplasts.     

Identification and Genetic Analysis of Gall Midge Resistance in Rice Germplasm 91-1A2

Resistance to rice gall midge in rice germplasm 91-1A2 was identified and genetically analyzed. F1s of rice population were derived from 91-1A2 which crossed with rice materials Jinggui, TN1, W1263 (Gm1), IET2911 (Gm2), BG404-1 (gm3), OB677 (Gm4), ARC5984 (Gm5) and Duokang 1 (Gm6) as a male parent. The resistance of all parental lines and F1, BC1F1 and F2 populations to rice gall midge was identified. The results showed that 91-1A2 and all F1s were resistant to Chinese rice gall midge biotype IV. The segregation ratio of resistant plants to susceptible ones in BC1F1 and F2 were accorded with 1:3 and 9:7 rules by χ2 test, suggesting that the resistance of 91-1A2 to Chinese rice gall midge biotype IV was controlled by two dominant genes which were new resistance genes, non-allelic to the known rice gall midge resistance genes.     

Aspergillus Sydowii Marine Fungal Bloom in Australian Coastal Waters,Its Metabolites and Potential Impact on Symbiodinium Dinoflagellates

Dust has been widely recognised as an important source of nutrients in the marine environment and as a vector for transporting pathogenic microorganisms. Disturbingly, in the wake of a dust storm event along the eastern Australian coast line in 2009, the Continuous Plankton Recorder collected masses of fungal spores and mycelia (~150,000 spores/m³) forming a floating raft that covered a coastal area equivalent to 25 times the surface of England. Cultured A. sydowii strains exhibited varying metabolite profiles, but all produced sydonic acid, a chemotaxonomic marker for A. sydowii. The Australian marine fungal strains share major metabolites and display comparable metabolic diversity to Australian terrestrial strains and to strains pathogenic to Caribbean coral. Secondary colonisation of the rafts by other fungi, including strains of Cladosporium, Penicillium and other Aspergillus species with distinct secondary metabolite profiles, was also encountered. Our bioassays revealed that the dust-derived marine fungal extracts and known A. sydowii metabolites such as sydowic acid, sydowinol and sydowinin A adversely affect photophysiological performance (F_v/F_m) of the coral reef dinoflagellate endosymbiont Symbiodinium. Different Symbiodinium clades exhibited varying sensitivities, mimicking sensitivity to coral bleaching phenomena. The detection of such large amounts of A. sydowii following this dust storm event has potential implications for the health of coral environments such as the Great Barrier Reef.     

Evaluation of the Effects of Fucoidans from Fucus Species and Laminaria hyperborea against Oxidative Stress and Iron-Dependent Cell Death

Fucoidans are algal polysaccharides that exhibit protective properties against oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to investigate different fucoidans from brown seaweeds for their ability to protect against iron-dependent oxidative stress (ferroptosis), a main hallmark of retinal and brain diseases, including hemorrhage. We investigated five new high-molecular weight fucoidan extracts from Fucus vesiculosus, F. serratus, and F. distichus subsp. evanescens, a previously published Laminaria hyperborean extract, and commercially available extracts from F. vesiculosus and Undaria pinnatifida. We induced oxidative stress by glutathione depletion (erastin) and H₂O₂ in four retinal and neuronal cell lines as well as primary cortical neurons. Only extracts from F. serratus, F. distichus subsp. evanescens, and Laminaria hyperborea were partially protective against erastin-induced cell death in ARPE-19 and OMM-1 cells, while none of the extracts showed beneficial effects in neuronal cells. Protective fucoidans also attenuated the decrease in protein levels of the antioxidant enzyme GPX4, a key regulator of ferroptosis. This comprehensive analysis demonstrates that the antioxidant abilities of fucoidans may be cell type-specific, besides depending on the algal species and extraction method. Future studies are needed to further characterize the health-benefiting effects of fucoidans and to determine the exact mechanism underlying their antioxidative abilities.     

Performance of hybrids between transgenic oilseed rape (Brassica napus) and wild Brassica juncea: An evaluation of potential for transgene escape

Understanding the potential for the evolution of herbicide tolerance in weeds following gene flow from transgenic crops is important for their management. The inter-specific hybrids formed between four Brassica juncea populations with different glyphosate-susceptibility and transgenic oilseed rape was studied, emphasizing on the possible population difference. Compared with both parents, the fitness-related components and photosynthetic capacity of hybrids decreased dramatically, but significant differences were observed among different hybrids. All F₁ hybrids exhibited highly enhanced but similar herbicide tolerance level regardless of the wild B. juncea parent, indicating that genetically engineered herbicide tolerance may over-dominate phenotype ones by wild-crop hybridization. The analysis of parental loci transmission revealed a higher transfer ratio of male-specific loci detected in F₁ hybrids, suggesting that oilseed rape genetic markers can be transferred at relatively high frequencies to the next generation. Therefore, higher transfer ratio of oilseed rape-specific loci, coupled with variation of populations in fitness-related parameters in F₁ hybrids, could complicate environmental risk assessment of transgenic oilseed rape, especially in current agroecosystems with increasing application of glyphosate.     

A Stable-Isotope Mass Spectrometry-Based Metabolic Footprinting Approach to Analyze Exudates from Phytoplankton

Phytoplankton exudates play an important role in pelagic ecology and biogeochemical cycles of elements. Exuded compounds fuel the microbial food web and often encompass bioactive secondary metabolites like sex pheromones, allelochemicals, antibiotics, or feeding attractants that mediate biological interactions. Despite this importance, little is known about the bioactive compounds present in phytoplankton exudates. We report a stable-isotope metabolic footprinting method to characterise exudates from aquatic autotrophs. Exudates from ¹³C-enriched alga were concentrated by solid phase extraction and analysed by high-resolution Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry. We used the harmful algal bloom forming dinoflagellate Alexandrium tamarense to prove the method. An algorithm was developed to automatically pinpoint just those metabolites with highly ¹³C-enriched isotope signatures, allowing us to discover algal exudates from the complex seawater background. The stable-isotope pattern (SIP) of the detected metabolites then allowed for more accurate assignment to an empirical formula, a critical first step in their identification. This automated workflow provides an effective way to explore the chemical nature of the solutes exuded from phytoplankton cells and will facilitate the discovery of novel dissolved bioactive compounds.     

A Feedback Mechanism to Control Apoptosis Occurs in the Digestive Gland of the Oyster Crassostrea gigas Exposed to the Paralytic Shellfish Toxins Producer Alexandrium catenella

To better understand the effect of Paralytic Shellfish Toxins (PSTs) accumulation in the digestive gland of the Pacific oyster, Crassostrea gigas, we experimentally exposed individual oysters for 48 h to a PSTs producer, the dinoflagellate Alexandrium catenella. In comparison to the effect of the non-toxic Alexandrium tamarense, on the eight apoptotic related genes tested, Bax and BI.1 were significantly upregulated in oysters exposed 48 h to A. catenella. Among the five detoxification related genes tested, the expression of cytochrome P450 (CYP1A) was shown to be correlated with toxin concentration in the digestive gland of oysters exposed to the toxic dinoflagellate. Beside this, we observed a significant increase in ROS production, a decrease in caspase-3/7 activity and normal percentage of apoptotic cells in this tissue. Taken together, these results suggest a feedback mechanism, which may occur in the digestive gland where BI.1 could play a key role in preventing the induction of apoptosis by PSTs. Moreover, the expression of CYP1A, Bax and BI.1 were found to be significantly correlated to the occurrence of natural toxic events, suggesting that the expression of these genes together could be used as biomarker to assess the biological responses of oysters to stress caused by PSTs.     

Introduction of a xantha mutation for testing and increasing varietal purity in hybrid rice

A xantha mutant (yellow plant) was induced by gamma rays irradiation of a cytoplasmic male sterile (CMS) maintainer line II32 B of rice (Oryza sativa L.). It was identified earlier as a low gelatinization temperature mutant and named as Mgt-1. Through a series of backcrosses of Mgt-1 to CMS line II32 A, a new CMS line was developed and named as Huangyu A (B). Genetic analysis showed that the xantha mutation was controlled by a single recessive locus, and all F₁ plants from crosses of Huangyu A (B) with other normal green varieties showed normal green leaves. The xantha mutation resulted in reduction of photosynthetic pigments content at various levels, e.g., 48% of chlorophyll a (Chl a), 71% of chlorophyll b (Chl b), and 30% of carotenoids (Car), and consequently increased the ratios of Chl a/Chl b and Car/Chl in Huangyu A (B) against II32 A (B). Unexpectedly, Huangyu A (B) had higher photosynthetic rates in comparison with II32 A (B), and so did the F₁ plants of Huangyu A/R3027 as against those of II32 A/R3027. Huangyu A had similar male sterility completeness and stability as II32 A, but the former showed significantly better combining ability than the latter. The yellow color made the seedlings and plants of Huangyu A (B) visually distinguishable from the green ones and thus it was a very distinct marker applicable for rapid testing and efficient increasing varietal purity in seed and paddy production of hybrid rice.     

Utilizing the frost resistance of diploid solanum species

Introductions of 13 frost-resistant diploid (2n=2x=24)Solanum species (2 non-tuberous) were inter-crossed to produce F₁ hybrids involving two frost resistance sources. Successful F₁ combinations were: (i) inter-crossed to produce hybrids involving 3 to 4 frost resistance sources, (F₁×F₁); and (ii) crossed with haploids (2n=24) of frost-susceptible tetraploid (2n=4x=48)S. tuberosum subsp.tuberosum, (F₁×tbr). Thirty-five of the 75 crosses between the 13 species produced viable seed. The F₁ and F₁×F₁ progenies segregated to yield plants more resistant to freezing temperatures than the parental species. All attempts to cross these hybrids with 24-chromosometbr were successful. Although tuber production improved following the first cross totbr, the frequency of resistant plants decreased approximately 50%. Thus far, all first back-cross attempts, (F₁×tbr)×tbr, have succeeded. Utilizing hybrids synthesized from several sources of frost resistance as the donor parents, and clonal selections of 24-chromosometbr as the recurring parents, may provide a high order of resistance throughout the backcrossing program and implement selection of frost-resistant, long-day tuberizing parental stocks acceptable to the potato breeder.     

First Identification of 12β-Deoxygonyautoxin 5 (12α-Gonyautoxinol 5) in the Cyanobacterium Dolichospermum circinale (TA04) and 12β-Deoxysaxitoxin (12α-Saxitoxinol) in D. circinale (TA04) and the Dinoflagellate Alexandrium pacificum (Group IV) (120518KureAC)

Saxitoxin and its analogues, paralytic shellfish toxins (PSTs), are potent and specific voltage-gated sodium channel blockers. These toxins are produced by some species of freshwater cyanobacteria and marine dinoflagellates. We previously identified several biosynthetic intermediates of PSTs, as well as new analogues, from such organisms and proposed the biosynthetic and metabolic pathways of PSTs. In this study, 12β-deoxygonyautoxin 5 (12α-gonyautoxinol 5 = gonyautoxin 5-12(R)-ol) was identified in the freshwater cyanobacterium, Dolichospermum circinale (TA04), and 12β-deoxysaxitoxin (12α-saxitoxinol = saxitoxin-12(R)-ol) was identified in the same cyanobacterium and in the marine dinoflagellate Alexandrium pacificum (Group IV) (120518KureAC) for the first time from natural sources. The authentic standards of these compounds and 12α-deoxygonyautoxin 5 (12β-gonyautoxinol 5 = gonyautoxin 5-12(S)-ol) were prepared by chemical derivatization from the major PSTs, C1/C2, produced in D. circinale (TA04). These standards were used to identify the deoxy analogues by comparing the retention times and MS/MS spectra using high-resolution LC-MS/MS. Biosynthetic or metabolic pathways for these analogues have also been proposed based on their structures. The identification of these compounds supports the α-oriented stereoselective oxidation at C12 in the biosynthetic pathway towards PSTs.     

外源丙三醇对干旱胁迫下玉米幼苗抗逆调控作用

以郑单958幼苗为试验材料,设置空白对照(CK)、正常水分条件下1 mmol/L丙三醇(Gly)处理玉米幼苗叶片、20%聚乙二醇(PEG-6000)模拟干旱胁迫(PEG)、20%聚乙二醇模拟干旱胁迫+1 mmol/L丙三醇(PEG+Gly)处理玉米幼苗叶片4个处理展开试验。结果表明,干旱胁迫下外源施用1 mmol/L丙三醇能显著提高叶片超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)和抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)活性;丙二醛(MDA)和过氧化氢(H₂O₂)积累减少;最大光量子效率(F_v/F_m)和光系统Ⅱ潜在活性(F_v/F_o)显著提高,玉米幼苗叶片的净光合速率(P_n)、气孔导度(G_s)和蒸腾速率(T_r)、相对含水率及生长指标均显著提高,胞间CO₂浓度(C_i)降低。因此,外源施用丙三醇能通过降低叶片的氧化损伤和提高细胞保水能力来改善...