Photosynthetic performance of regenerated protoplasts from disintegrated cells of Bryopsis hypnoides (Chlorophyta)

The photosynthetic performances of regenerated protoplasts of Bryopsis hypnoides, which were incubated in seawater for 1, 6, 12, and 24 h, were studied using chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence and oxygen measurements. Results showed that for the regenerated protoplasts, the pigment content, the ratios of photosynthetic rate to respiration rate, the maximal photosystem II (PSII) quantum yield (F-v/F-m), and the effective PSII quantum yield (I broken vertical bar(PSII)) decreased gradually along with the regeneration progress, indicated that during 24 h of regeneration there was a remarkable reduction in PSII activity of those newly formed protoplasts. We assumed that during the cultivation progress the regenerated protoplasts had different photosynthetic vigor, with only some of them able to germinate and develop into mature thalli. The above results only reflected the photosynthetic features of the regenerated protoplasts at each time point as a whole, rather than the actual photosynthetic activity of individual aggregations. Further investigation suggested a relationship between the size of regenerated protoplasts and their viability. The results showed that the middle-sized group (diameter 20-60 mu m) retained the largest number of protoplasts for 24 h of growth. The changes in F-v/F-m and I broken vertical bar(PSII) of the four groups of differently sized protoplasts (i.e. < 20, 20-60, 60-100, and > 100 mu m) revealed that the protoplasts 20-60 mu m in diameter had the highest potential activity of the photosynthetic light energy absorption and conversion for several hours.

雨生红球藻Rubisco在虾青素积累过程中的表达分析

虾青素因其具有极强的抗氧化性及优越的着色作用，被广泛应用于营养保健和水产养殖中，备受国内外研究者的关注。红球藻是目前虾青素的生物来源中较有优势的一条途径。 我们选取雨生红球藻作为研究材料，收集其生长过程中四个不同的阶段，分别为绿色游动细胞阶段，绿色不动细胞阶段，绿褐色不动细胞阶段（开始积累虾青素），以及红色不动孢子阶段。本研究中提取了核酮糖-1,5-二磷酸羧化/加氧酶（Rubisco）的粗提液，并测定了酶活。其编码基因rbcL的mRNA表达量也被测定。另外，光合速率与呼吸速率的比值（P/R）通过测定与计算得出，各个阶段藻细胞中虾青素的含量由分析得出。本研究还应用了叶绿素荧光测定方法，确定了光系统II潜在最大活性（Fv / Fm），光系统II实际活性（ΦPSII），电子传递速率（ETR）和非光化学淬灭参数（NPQ）。 结果表明，绿色游动细胞的生长状态最佳，其P/R、Fv / Fm、ΦPSII均为最大，NPQ为最小。这说明在此状态的细胞中，光系统II的活性最强；但是其Rubisco活性与rbcL表达量均为最小。相比之下，在绿褐色不动细胞中，P/R和NPQ的值较低，Fv / Fm、ΦPSII和ETR值都最小，但Rubisco活性与rbcL表达量均为最高。 结合工业生产虾青素的方法，我们认为，Rubisco或许参与了虾青素的合成，而非Calvin循环为色素合成提供前体和能量。因此，在生产过程中适当加入碳源，比如CO2，可以有效增大虾青素的产量。

Photosynthesis-irradiance response at physiological level: A mechanistic model

A mechanistic model is developed to present the photosynthetic response of phytoplankton to irradiance at the physiological level. The model is operated on photosynthetic units (PSU), and each PSU is assumed to have two states: reactive and activated. Light absorption that drives a reactive PSU into the activated state results from the effective absorption of the PSU. Transitions between the two states are asymmetrical in rate. A PSU in the reactive state becomes activated much faster than it recovers from the activated state to the reactive one. The turnover time for an activated PSU to transit into the reactive one is defined by the turnover time of the electron transport chain. The present model yields a photosynthesis-irradiance curve (PE-curve) in a hyperbola, which is described by three physiological parameters: effective cross-section (sigma (PSII)), turnover time of electron transport chain (tau) and number of PSUs (N). The PE-curve has an initial slope of sigma (PSII) x N, a half-saturated irradiance of 1/(sigma (PSII)), and a maximal photosynthetic rate of Nlc at the saturated irradiance. The PE-curve from the present model is comparable to the empirical function based on the target theory described by the Poisson distribution. (C) 2001 Academic Press.

Three phases of dark-recovery course from photoinhibition resolved by the chlorophyll fluorescence analysis in soybean leaves under field conditions

The chlorophyll fluorescence in soybean leaves was observed by a portable fluorometer CF-1000 under field conditions. On clear days, F-0 increased while F, and F-v/F-m decreased gradually in the morning. At midday F-O reached its maximum while F-v and F-v/F-m reached their minimum. The reverse changes occurred in the afternoon. At dusk these parameters could return to levels near those at dawn. Following exposure to a strong sunlight for more than 3 h, the dark-recovery process displayed three phases: (1) slow increases in F-0, F-v and F-v/F-m within the first hour; (2) a faster decrease in F-0 and faster increases in F-v and F-v/F-m within subsequent two hours; (3) a slow decrease in F-0 and slow increases in F-v and F-v/F-m within the fourth hour. In comparison with darkness, weak irradiance had no stimulating effect on the recovery from photoinhibition. Hence the photoinhibition in soybean leaves is mainly the reflection of reversible inactivation of some photosystem 2 reaction centres, but not the result of D1 protein loss.

Reactivity of Inorganic Mn and Mn Desferrioxamine B with O2, O2–, and H2O2 in Seawater

Manganese (Mn) is a required element for oceanic phytoplankton as it plays a critical role in photosynthesis, through its unique redox chemistry, as the active site in photosystem II, and in enzymes that act as defenses against reactive oxygen species (ROS), most notably for protection against superoxide (O2?), through the action of superoxide dismutase (SOD), and against hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) via peroxidases and catalases. The distribution and redox speciation of Mn in the ocean is also apparently controlled by reactions with ROS. Here we examine the connections between ROS and dissolved Mn species in the upper ocean using field and laboratory experimental data. Our results suggest it is unlikely that significant concentrations of Mn(III) are produced in the euphotic zone, as in the absence of evidence for the existence of strong Mn(III) ligands, Mn(II) reacts with O2? to form the short-lived transient manganous superoxide, MnO2+, which may react rapidly with other redox species in a manner similar to O2?. Experiments with the strong Mn(III) chelator, desferrioxamine B (DFB), in seawater indicated that the Mn(III) species are unlikely to form, as formation of the precursor Mn(II) complex is hindered due to the stability of the Ca complex with DFB.

Path-selective photoinduced electron transfer (PET) in a membrane-associated system studied by pH-dependent fluorescence

The pH-dependent fluorescence behavior of two regioisomeric 'receptor(1)-spacer(1)-fluorophore-spacer(2)-receptor(2)' systems 1 and 2 in micellar solutions of sodium dodecyl sulfate show that photoinduced electron transfer (PET) only occurs from the amine group connected to the 4-amino position of the aminonaphthalimide fluorophore in both cases. This demonstrates the directing influence of the photogenerated electric field within the aminonaphthalimide excited state on the electron transfer process. Since path-selectivity of PET is also known within the membrane-bound photosynthetic reaction center in bacteria, its origins may be illuminated by the simple experiments described here. (C) 2011 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.

Density functional theory study on the activation of molecular oxygen on a stepped gold surface in an aqueous environment: a new approach for simulating reactions in solution

The activation of oxygen molecules is an important issue in the gold-catalyzed partial oxidation of alcohols in aqueous solution. The complexity of the solution arising from a large number of solvent molecules makes it difficult to study the reaction in the system. In this work, O-2 activation on an Au catalyst is investigated using an effective approach to estimate the reaction barriers in the presence of solvent. Our calculations show that O-2 can be activated, undergoing OOH* in the presence of water molecules. The OOH* can readily be formed on Au(211) via four possible pathways with almost equivalent free energy barriers at the aqueous-solid interface: the direct or indirect activation of O-2 by surface hydrogen or the hydrolysis of O-2 following a Langmuir-Hinshelwood mechanism or an Eley-Rideal mechanism. Among them, the Eley-Rideal mechanism may be slightly more favorable due to the restriction of the low coverage of surface H on Au(211) in the other mechanisms. The results shed light on the importance of water molecules on the activation of oxygen in gold-catalyzed systems. Solvent is found to facilitate the oxygen activation process mainly by offering extra electrons and stabilizing the transition states. A correlation between the energy barrier and the negative charge of the reaction center is found. The activation barrier is substantially reduced by the aqueous environment, in which the first solvation shell plays the most important role in the barrier reduction. Our approach may be useful for estimating the reaction barriers in aqueous systems.

Some Understanding of Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis from Density Functional Theory Calculations

The combination of density functional theory (DFT) calculations and kinetic analyses is a very useful approach to study surface reactions in heterogeneous catalysis. The present paper reviews some recent work applying this approach to Fischer-Tropsch (FT) synthesis. Emphasis is placed on the following fundamental issues in FT synthesis: (i) reactive sites for both hydrogenation and C-C coupling reactions; (ii) reaction mechanisms including carbene mechanism, CO-insertion mechanism and hydroxyl-carbene mechanism; (iii) selectivity with a focus on CH(4) selectivity, alpha-olefin selectivity and chain growth probability; and (iv) activity.

Role of plasmodium translationally repressed gene products in malaria transmission

Tese de doutoramento, Ciências Biomédicas (Microbiologia e Parasitologia), Universidade de Lisboa, Faculdade de Medicina, 2015

Cultivo de Eucalyptus urograndis em atmosfera enriquecida com CO2: mudanças no proteoma cloroplastidial

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Effect of pH on non-photochemical quenching in spinach photsystem 2 particles as measured by picosecond fluorescence decay kinetics

Single photon timing was used to study picosecond chlorophyll a fluorescence decay kinetics of pH induced non-photochemical quenching in spinach photosystem 2 particles. The characteristics of this quenching are a decrease in chlorophyll a fluorescence yield as well as a decrease in photochemistry at low pH. Picosecond kinetics of room temperature fluorescence temporally resolve the individual components of the steady state fluorescence yield into components that are related to primary energy conversion processes in photosystem 2. Four components were resolved for dark adapted (Fo), light saturated (Fm), and chemically reduced (Nadithionite) photosystem 2 reaction centres. The fastest and slowest components, indicative of energy transfer to and energy capture by the photosystem 2 reaction centre and uncoupled ("dead") chlorophyll, respectively, were not affected by changing pH from 6.5 to 4.0. The two intermediate components, indicative of electron transfer processes within the reaction centre of photosystem 2, were affected by the pH change. Results indicate that the decrease in the steady state fluorescence yield at low pH was primarily due to the decrease in lifetime and amplitude of the slower of the intermediate components. These results imply that the decrease in steady state fluorescence yield at low pH is not due to changes in energy transfer to and energy capture by the photosystem 2 reaction centre, but is related to changes in charge stabilization and charge recombination in the photosystem 2 reaction centre.

Vers des assemblages de complexes métalliques oligonucléaires, servant d’antenne solaire au niveau moléculaire

Les fichiers additionnels sont les données cristallographiques en format CIF. Voir le site de la Cambridge Crystallographic Data Centre pour un visualiseur: http://www.ccdc.cam.ac.uk

The influence of powdery mildew infection on photosynthesis, chlorophyll fluorescence, leaf chlorophyll and carotenoid content of three woody plant species

The effect of powdery mildew development on photosynthesis, chlorophyll fluorescence, leaf chlorophyll and carotenoid concentrations on three woody plants frequently planted in urban environments was studied. Rates of photosynthetic CO2 fixation were rapidly reduced in two of the three genotypes tested prior to visible signs of infection. Effects on chlorophyll fluorescence (Fo, Fv/Fo, Fv/Fm), leaf chlorophyll and carotenoid content were not manifest until >25 per cent of the leaf area was observed to be covered by mycelial growth indicating reduced photo-synthetic rates during the early stages of infection were not due to degradation of the leaf chloroplast structure. Observation of the fluorescence transient (OJIP curves) showed powdery mildew infection impairs photosynthetic electron transport system by reducing the size but not heterogeneity of the plastoquninone pool, effecting both the acceptor and donor side of photosystem II. Impairment of the photosynthetic electron transport system was reflected by reduced values of a performance index used in this investigation as a measure of photochemical events within photosystem II electron transport. In addition interpretation of the fluorescence data indicated powdery mildew infection may impair the photo-protective process that facilitates the dissipation of excess energy within leaf tissue.

Deleterious effect of TRIS buffer on growth rates and pigment content of Gracilaria birdiae Plastino & EC Oliveira (Gracilariales, Rhodophyta)

This work evaluated the effects of Tris (hydroxymethyl)-aminomethane (TRIS) buffer and its interaction with nutrient concentration on the development of Gracilaria birdie, a common species on the Brazilian coast that has been exploited for agar production. Responses to different conditions were assessed through growth rates and pigment content (chlorophyll a, phycoerythrin, phycocyanin and allophycocyanin). Provasoli`s nutrient solution with and without TRIS addition was tested at concentrations of 12.5, 25 and 50%. The pH was also monitored. G. birdiae grew better in the absence of TRIS and at low nutrient concentrations, 12.5 and 25% (growth rates of 10.8-11.3%.day(-1)). Higher contents of phycoerythrin and chlorophyll a were observed without TRIS at 12.5 and 25% (Phycoerythrin, 649.6-698.0 mu g g(-1) fresh biomass; Chlorophyll a, 156.0-168.6 mu g g(-1) fresh biomass). These findings highlight the deleterious effect of TRIS on growth and phycoerythrin and chlorophyll a content. They also demonstrate the importance of appropriate nutrient concentration for laboratory cultures, depending on the intrinsic characteristics of each species.

Strong quenching of chlorophyll fluorescence in the desiccated state in three poikilohydric and homoiochlorophyllous moss species indicates photo-oxidative protection on highly light-exposed rocks of a tropical inselberg

The three poikilophydric and homoiochlorophyllous moss species Campylopus savannarum (C. Muell.) Mitt., Racocarpus fontinaloides (C. Muell.) Par. and Ptychomitrium vaginatum Besch. grow on sun-exposed rocks of a tropical inselberg in Brazil subject to regular drying and wetting cycles. Effective photo-oxidative protection in the light-adapted desiccated state in all three species is achieved by a reduction of ground chlorophyll fluorescence, F, to almost zero. Upon rewatering, the kinetics of the recovery of F in air dry cushions to higher values is very fast in the first 5min, but more than 80min are needed until an equilibrium is reached gradually. The kinetics were not different between the three species. The three moss species, have a distinct niche occupation and form a characteristic zonation around soil vegetation islands on the rock outcrops, where C. savannarum and R. fontinaloides form an inner and outer belt, respectively, around vegetation islands and P vaginatum occurs as small isolated cushions on bare rock. However, they were not distinguished by the reduction of F in the dry state and the rewetting recovery kinetics and only slightly different in their photosynthetic capacity. Stable isotope ratios (delta C-13, delta N-15) indicate that liquid films of water limiting diffusion of CO2 are important in determining carbon acquisition and suggest that limitation of CO2 fixation by water films must be more pronounced over time in P vaginatum than in the latter species. This is determined by both the micro site occupied and the form of the moss cushions. (c) 2007 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.