Molecular biology of wound-inducible proteinase inhibitors in plants

Abstract. The techniques of molecular biology are being employed to investigate at the gene level the systemically mediated, wound-induced accumulation of two defensive proteinase inhibitor proteins in plant leaves. These techniques have added a new dimension to biochemical and physiological studies already underway to understand the mechanism of induction by wounding. The acquisition of cDNAs from the RNAs coding for the two inhibitors facilitated studies of mRNA synthesis in leaves in response to wounding, and provided probes to obtain wound-inducible proteinase inhibitor genes from tomato ( Lycopersicon esculentum ) and potato (Solarium tuberosum) genomes. Successful transformations of tobacco plants with fused genes, containing the 5' and 3' regions of the inhibitor genes with the open reading frame of the chloramphenicol acelyltransferase ( cat ) gene, have provided a wound-inducible chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CATase) activity with which to seek cis- and transacting elements that regulate wound-inducibility to help to understand the interaction of cytoplasmic and nuclear components of the intracellular communication systems that activate the proteinase inhibitor genes in response to wounding by insect pests.     

中国钩蛾亚科黄钩蛾属(鳞翅目:钩蛾科)

黄钩蛾属Tridrepana全世界已有32种(Watson,1957),其中包括中国的10种(Watson,1968)。我们手中标本已鉴定10种,其中新增4新种及1新亚种。本文作一全般记录。     

警纹地老虎Euxoa exclamationis(Linnaeus)的初步研究

1.警纹地老虎在新疆各地与黄地老虎同时混合发生,各虫态又与黄地老虎相近似,因而两种地老虎常常混淆不清,给研究和测报工作带来一定的困难。本文对它与黄地老虎的形态做了比较,生物学特性作了叙述。 2.此虫在南疆莎车地区一年发生二代,以滞育的第二代幼虫在土中越冬。越冬深度较黄地老虎为浅。成虫发生期为4月中旬至9月中旬,其间出现两次高峰,第一次为4月下旬至5月上旬,第二次为7月上中旬。 3.警纹地老虎虽是杂食性害虫,但其寄主植物范围较黄地老虎为狭。第一代幼虫一般生活在藜科杂草上,作物地除苜蓿外很少发现它的踪迹:第二代主要集中苜蓿、甜菜和马铃薯等作物为害。 4.各虫态历期长短随温度而异。卵期当温度为20℃及26℃时,分别为8-10天、4-6天;蛹期在17-18℃及25-27℃时,分别为25-28天、12-14天;幼虫期第—代以灰藜、甜菜、玉米饲养者,分别为26-33天、33天、37-38天。 5.成虫取食马蔺花蜜者产卵量较取食白菜花及清水者高1.29、2.26倍。幼虫取食甜菜者其成虫产卵量较取食玉米者高1.74倍,蛹重以取食灰藜和甜菜者较重,取食马铃薯和玉米者较轻。     

Vocal morphology of the Physalaemus pustulosus species group (Leptodactylidae): morphological response to sexual selection for complex calls

Most male frogs in the genus Physalaemus produce a whine-like advertisement call. Male P. pustulosus , however, add chucks to the call. This enhances the attractiveness of the call to females, and has evolved under the influence of sexual selection despite the increased predation risk from the frog-eating bat ( Trachops cirrhosus ). This complex call is unusual, if not unique, among anurans because the two call components overlap in time. Here we investigate the morphological changes responsible for the production of complex calls.
The Physalaemus purtulosus species group consists of four species. Physalaemus pustulosus and P. petersi are sister species, and recently it has been shown that P. petersi produces chucks. Physalaemus coloradorum and P. purtulatus are sister species and neither is known to produce chucks. Two laryngeal characters vary within the species group. Physalaemus pustulosus has a large fibrous mass (FMI), whose vibration is responsible for production of the chuck. This mass is much smaller in the other three species. In P. pustulosus and P. petersi the FMI is anchored dorsally, deep within the bronchial process, the attachment is more extensive in P. pustulosus. Neither P. pustulatus nor P. coloradorum have such a dorsal attachment associated with their FMI. This character is responsible for allowing the FMI to vibrate independently of the vocal cords, that is, for the production of the complex call. Thus the morphological changes responsible for the evolution of this unusual behavioural innovation, the complex call, are gradual, and almost trival, in nature. This study also shows that the primitive condition of the larynx of the P. pustulosus and P. petersi ancestor, was predisposed to the production of complex calls.
We also document ontogenetic and sexually dimorphic patterns in larynx structure.     

Malate Accumulates in the Vacuole of Chara australis During Uptake of Ammonium From Chloride-free Solution

Internodal cells of Chara australis can accumulate ammoniumto high concentrations (10 to 70 mol m^–3) in their vacuoles.When Cl^– is included in the bathing solution, changesin the cellular concentrations of ammonium, K⁺, Cl^– andNa⁺ have been shown to meet the requirements for electroneutralityand to account for the changes in vacuolar osmotic pressureassociated with ammonium uptake. If accumulation occurs in theabsence of external Cl^–, however; changes in the inorganicions do not meet these criteria. Malate is found in the vacuolesof cells accumulating amine in the absence of external Cl^–and its presence (at 0·5 to 8·5 mol m^–3)allows us to account for electroneutrality and for changes inthe osmotic potential. Key words: Malate, Chara, electroneutrality, ammonium     

Aluminium Toxicity in Roots: An Investigation of Spatial Sensitivity and the Role of the Root Cap

The primary symptom of aluminium (Al) toxicity in higher plantsis inhibition of root growth. In this study, we investigatedthe spatial sensitivity of maize (Zea mays L.) roots to Al.A divided-chamber technique indicated that only exposure ofthe terminal 10 to 15 mm of the root to Al resulted in inhibitionof growth. Application of Al to all but this apical region ofthe root had little or no effect on growth for 24 h and causedminimal damage to the root tissue. Small agar blocks infusedwith Al were then applied to discrete areas of the apex of maizeroots to determine which section (root cap, meristem or elongationzone) was more important to Al-induced inhibition of growth.The terminal 20 to 30 mm of root (root cap and meristem) mustbe exposed to Al for inhibition. Application of Al to the 30mm of root proximal to this terminal zone (elongation zone)resulted in damage to the root tissue but no significant inhibitionof growth. Therefore, the visible injuries incurred by rootsduring Al-stress are not associated directly with the inhibitionof root growth. Furthermore, removal of the root cap had noeffect on the Al-induced inhibition of root growth in solutionexperiments and argues against the root cap providing protectionfrom Al stress or serving an essential role in the mechanismof toxicity. We suggest that the meristem is the primary siteof Al-toxicity. Key words: Aluminium, toxicity, root growth, root cap     

中国网蛾科记略

网娥科Thyrididac是小至中形蛾类,其分类地位不很肯定,有人认为介于钩翅蛾科与螟蛾科之间,并认为是蝴蝶类的祖先。从其幼虫与成虫的生活习性,实似螟蛾。绝大部分产于热带和亚热带地区,例如印度有200种以上,南美也与此数相仿,但在欧洲只1种,亚洲北部才3—4种,北美亦如此。个体数往往很少,且生性警惕,往往不易采到,所以标本馆往往储量不多。有些种在白天飞翔,有些种则在夜间趋灯。Thyris属幼虫青绿色,用植物作袋蔽体,有蝽臭味,成虫喜在日光中飞翔,常在伞形花科及山萝卜属花上栖息。 此科曾名窗蛾科,因翅上偶有透明斑,但不普遍,而网状纹则普遍皆是,一望而知,容易认识。     

Rapid calcium exchange for protons and potassium in cell walls of Chara

Net fluxes of Ca²⁺, H⁺ and K⁺ were measured from intact Chara australis cells and from isolated cell walls, using ion-selective microelectrodes. In both systems, a stimulation in Ca²⁺ efflux (up to 100 nmol m^?2 s^?1, from an influx of ～40 nmol m^?2 s^?1) was detected as the H⁺ or K⁺ concentration was progressively increased in the bathing solution (pH 7.0 to 4.6 or K⁺ 0.2 to 10mol m^?3, respectively). A Ca²⁺ influx of similar size occurred following the reverse changes. These fluxes decayed exponentially with a time constant of about 10 min. The threshold pH for Ca²⁺ efflux (pH 5.2) is similar to a reported pH threshold for acid-induced wall extensibility in a closely related characean species. Application of NH₄⁺ to intact cells caused prolonged H⁺ efflux and also transient Ca²⁺ efflux. We attribute all these net Ca²⁺ fluxes to exchange in the wall with H⁺ or K⁺. A theoretical treatment of the cell wall ion exchanges, using the ‘weak acid Donnan Manning’ (WADM) model, is given and it agrees well with the data. The role of Ca²⁺ in the cell wall and the effect of Ca²⁺ exchanges on the measured fluxes of other ions, including bathing medium acidification by H⁺ efflux, are discussed.     

Craniofacial ontogeny in centrosaurine dinosaurs (Ornithischia: Geratopsidae): taxonomic and behavioral implications

Centrosaurine ceratopsians are characterized by well developed nasal horncores or bosses, relatively abbreviated supraorbital horncores or bosses, and adorned parietosquamosal frills. Recent study of several paucispecific (low diversity) bonebed assemblages in Alberta and Montana has contributed greatly to our understanding of ontogenetic and taxonomic variation in the skulls of centrosaurines. Relative age determination of centrosaurines is now possible through examination of ontogenetic change in several characters, including the surface bone morphology of specific skeletal elements. The within-group taxonomy of centrosaurines is based almost entirely on characters of the skull roof, relating particularly to horns and frills. Juvenile and sub-adult centrosaurines are characterized by relatively simple, unadorned skulls compared to their adult counterparts. As in numerous living taxa, the cranial ornaments of centrosaurines developed late in ontogeny, as individuals approached or attained adult size. An important implication arising directly from this study is that juvenile and sub-adult centrosaurines are difficult to distinguish taxonomically at the specific level. Two monospecific genera represented only by immature materials, Brachyceratops montanensis and Monoclonius crassus , cannot be defended and should be considered nomina dubia . The late ontogenetic development and diverse taxonomic variation of horn and frill morphologies support the contention diat these structures are best interpreted as reproductive characters employed in mate competition.