Prevention of La^3＋ on DNA Damage Caused by Hg^2＋ from Fish Intestines

Recent studies have shown that heavy metals havebecome the most important contaminants in the environ-ment.Some heavy metals ,such as Pb, Cd, Hg, As ,Co,and Cr have genetic toxicity. They disturb DNAmetabolismand lead to aberrance of chromosome andDNA[1].…     

Effects of CeCl3 on Energy Transfer and Oxygen Evolution in Spinach Photosystem Ⅱ

Due to 4f electron characteristics and alternation valence, cerium involved in an oxidation-reduction reaction in plant, closely relating to photosynthesis. Our studies proved that cerium could promote photosynthesis and greatly improve spinach growth. However, the mechanism of promoting energy transfer and conversion by cerium remains unclear. Here we reported that the effects of Ce^3＋ on energy transfer and oxygen evolution in photosystem Ⅱ （PS Ⅱ ） isolated from spinach, which was related to 4f electron characteristics and alternation valence in Ce molecule. The methods of absorption spectrum, fluorescence spectrum were used in the research. Results showed that Ce^3＋ treatment at low concentration could suitably change PS Ⅱ mieroenvironment, increase the absorbance of visible light, improve the energy transfer among amino acids within PS Ⅱ protein-pigment complex, and accelerate energy transport from tyrosine residue to chlorophyll a. In summary, the photochemical activity of PS Ⅱ （fluorescence quantum yield） and its oxygen evolving rate were enhanced by Ce^3＋.     

Effects of 4f Electron Characteristics and Alternation Valence of Rare Earths on Photosynthesis： Regulating Distribution of Energy and Activities of Spinach Chloroplast

Chloroplasts were isolated from spinach treated with taCl3, CeCl3, and NdCl3. Because of owning 4f electron characteristics and alternation valence, Ce treatment presented the highest enhancement in light absorption, energy transfer from LHC Ⅱ to PS Ⅱ, excitation energy distribution from PS Ⅰ to PS Ⅱ, and fluorescence quantum yield around 680 nm. Compared with Ce treatment, Nd treatment resulted in relatively lower enhancement in these physiological indices, as Nd did not have alternation valence. La treatment presented the lowest enhancement, as La did not have either 4f electron or alternation valence. The increase in activities of whole chain electron transport, PS ⅡDCPIP photoreduction, and oxygen evolution of chloroplasts was of the following order： Ce〉Nd 〉La〉 control. However, the photoreduction activities of spinach PS I almost did not change with La, Ce, or Nd treatments. The results suggested that 4f electron characteristics and alternation valence of rare earths had a close relationship with photosynthesis improvement.