Evolution of the molecular machines for protein import into mitochondria

In creating mitochondria some 2 billion years ago, the first eukaryotes needed to establish protein import machinery in the membranes of what was a bacterial endosymbiont. Some of the preexisting protein translocation apparatus of the endosymbiont appears to have been commandeered, including molecular chaperones, the signal peptidase, and some components of the protein-targeting machinery. However, the protein translocases that drive protein import into mitochondria have no obvious counterparts in bacteria, making it likely that these machines were created de novo. The presence of similar translocase subunits in all eukaryotic genomes sequenced to date suggests that all eukaryotes can be considered descendants of a single ancestor species that carried an ancestral "protomitochondria."     

The biological and chemical variability of yacon

This paper focuses on the biological and chemical variability of four yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius) accessions cultivated under field conditions. Significant variations in tuber shape, weight, content of oligofructans, as well as in leaf isozymes, phenolics, and relative DNA contents were found. Accessions 6 and 88 were the most productive (up to 3.01 and 3.74 kg/plant); accession 48 was the most balanced from the yield aspect in three vegetative periods. A significantly higher content of beta-(2-->1) oligofructans was noted in accessions 48 and 88 as compared to 6 and 60. No difference in sucrose, glucose, and fructose level was observed. Only accession 6 exhibited separate acid phosphatase and esterase isoforms. Accessions 6 and 60 had the highest content of phenolics, and accession 88 had the lowest relative DNA content. Large yacon intraspecific variation may be useful in future detailed research as a good background for breeding, growing, and utilization in industrial processing.     

PIN proteins perform a rate-limiting function in cellular auxin efflux

Intercellular flow of the phytohormone auxin underpins multiple developmental processes in plants. Plant-specific pin-formed (PIN) proteins and several phosphoglycoprotein (PGP) transporters are crucial factors in auxin transport-related development, yet the molecular function of PINs remains unknown. Here, we show that PINs mediate auxin efflux from mammalian and yeast cells without needing additional plant-specific factors. Conditional gain-of-function alleles and quantitative measurements of auxin accumulation in Arabidopsis and tobacco cultured cells revealed that the action of PINs in auxin efflux is distinct from PGP, rate-limiting, specific to auxins, and sensitive to auxin transport inhibitors. This suggests a direct involvement of PINs in catalyzing cellular auxin efflux.     

Determination of total content of phenolic compounds and their antioxidant activity in vegetables--evaluation of spectrophotometric methods

This research studies in detail the contents of phenolic compounds determined by the Folin-Ciocalteu reagent and the antioxidant activities determined by the TEAC (Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity), DPPH (using diphenyl-p-picrylhydrazyl radical), and FRAP (ferric reducing antioxidant power) methods, and their correlations for used standards with these methods (catechine, gallic acid, caffeic acid, ferulic acid, Trolox, ascorbic acid, and ferrous sulfate) and extracts from several species of commonly consumed vegetables were studied in detail. The comparison of absolute values of absorption coefficients for used standards and for individual methods allows one to choose optimal common standards for methods to be compared. The procedures applied for the same sets of the extracts using identical calibration procedures and common standards allowed better comparison of the results obtained by the TEAC, DPPH, and FRAP methods. The values of content of phenolic substances and total antioxidant activity of the sets of samples correlate very well for all used methods. The very high values of antioxidant activity were found in intensely colored vegetables (red cabbage, red onion, etc.), and the values were very low in watery vegetables such as potato, marrow, and cucumber.     

Thermal destruction of soil water repellency and associated changes to soil organic matter as observed by FTIR spectroscopy

The heat generated during wildfires often leads to increases in soil water repellency. Above a critical heating threshold, however, its destruction occurs. Although the temperature thresholds for repellency destruction are relatively well established, little is known about the specific changes in the soil organic matter that are responsible for repellency destruction. Here we report on the analysis of initially water repellent surface soil samples (Dystric Cambisol, 0–5 cm depth) by transmission Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy analysis before and after destruction of its water repellency by heating to 225 °C in order to investigate heating-induced changes in soil organic matter (SOM) composition. Although assignment of absorption bands is made difficult by overlapping of some bands, it was possible to distinguish bands relevant for hydrophobicity of SOM in the soil before heat treatment. The most significant decrease in absorbance following water repellency destruction took place in the frequency area corresponding to stretching vibrations of aliphatic structures within SOM. The results suggest that besides a general decrease of SOM content during heating, the loss of soil water repellence is primarily caused by the selective degradation of aliphatic structures.     

Efficiency of foliar selenium application on oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) as influenced by rainfall and soil characteristics

The Czech Republic is characterized by a low Se soil content, resulting in Se deficiency in crops, humans, and animals. This study investigated the response of oilseed rape to foliar application of selenate solution in a microscale field experiment conducted at two locations differing in soil and climatic conditions but with comparable total Se contents. Sodium selenate (Na₂SeO₄) was applied at two rates (25 and 50 g Se ha^?1). The potential effect of Se application on the uptake of essential elements was also evaluated. The foliar Se application resulted in an effective stepwise increase in the Se contents of all the plant components studied (leaves > stems > roots > siliques ~ seeds), as expected. No significant influence of Se fortification on the other investigated macro- and microelements was observed. However, the soil and climatic conditions influenced the Se uptake, such that a higher Se content was observed in plants grown in the most acidic location (Cambisol soil) that had a higher oxidizable carbon content and higher average annual rainfall compared to the less acidic location (Luvisol soil). These observations indicated the necessity to optimize the Se application for the particular soil and climatic conditions to achieve a maximum biofortification effect.     

Regulation of macro,micro, and toxic element uptake by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Salix</Emphasis> × <Emphasis Type="Italic">smithiana</Emphasis> using liming of heavily contaminated soils

Purpose

Willow cultivation in soils heavily contaminated by risk elements is a challenging issue due to phytotoxic effects that restrict plant growth. Liming reduces the mobility of some risk elements in contaminated soils and therefore can be a suitable measure for contaminated soils but can also affect availability of nutrients for planted willows. We investigate how liming affects concentrations of macro, micro, and toxic elements in the organs of willows planted in contaminated soils.

Materials and methods

We established a 3-year pot experiment with Salix × smithiana planted in weakly acid and alkaline soils anthropogenically seriously contaminated by As, Cd, Pb, and Zn. Soils were both untreated and treated with two doses of lime and dolomite in the first year before planting. We determined biomass production, mortality, and the concentration of macro- and micronutrients and toxic elements in the willows’ aboveground organs.

Results and discussion

Lime application increased biomass production in both soils; dose of lime played an important role for its increase only in alkaline soil. Lime in a higher dose was incompatible with the vitality of just-planted willows in both soils. Doses of dolomite significantly affected the biomass production and mortality of willows, where lower doses caused a permanent decrease of biomass production and mortality in weakly acid soil. The toxicity of Cd and Zn in leaves was recorded in both untreated soils; the latent deficiency of P and deficiency of Fe in leaves was only recorded in weakly acid untreated soil.

Conclusions

Lime application irrespective of dose with foliar Fe application seemed to be the most suitable measure for increasing biomass production and decreasing toxic elements, especially Cd and Zn, without decreasing the macro- and micronutrients in the aboveground organs of willows in weakly acid soil. In alkaline soil, only higher doses of lime had a positive effect on the studied parameters. Dolomite application is not a suitable measure for planting willows in both contaminated soils. Dolomite in a lower dose impairs the growth of willows in weakly acid soil.

     

Influence of Rhizon MOM suction cup and Triticum aestivum L. on the concentration of organic and inorganic anions in soil solution

Journal of Soils and Sediments - Rhizon suction cups are widely used for soil water sampling. However, available literature about the variability and stability of organic and inorganic anions in...     

Testing two Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus acidophilus strains for their suitability as a lipoid probiotic

Two strains of lactobacilli (Lactobacillus acidophilus T-135 and Lactobacillus plantarum 4/97) were selected in order to study their inhibitory properties against frequent udder pathogens (Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus agalactiae, Streptococcus uberis, Salmonella enteritidis and Bacillus pumilus), their production of organic acids as well as their ability to survive on the teat skin, the teat duct mucosa and in a lipoid emulsion. Both strains inhibited the tested pathogenic microbes and survived on the investigated surfaces and in an emulsion for more than 6 hours and 11 days, respectively.