蕹菜类囊体膜磷酸酯酶的分离纯化和部分性质

使用NaCl抽提、硫酸铵分步沉淀、离子交换和疏水柱层析等方法 ,从蕹菜叶绿体类囊体膜中分离纯化到一种蛋白磷酸酯酶 .SDS -PAGE检测表明 ,这种磷酸酯酶的分子量 (Mr)为 14 .9× 10 3 .该酶具有水解磷酸单酯类物质的活性 ,水解pNPP的Km值为 1.76× 10 -6mol/L ;体外测活时最适pH为 5 ,属于酸性磷酸酯酶 ;该酶耐热 ,在 5 0℃时活力达到最高 ,对NaCl不太敏感 ;但EDTA和NaF可以明显影响该酶的活性 .图 6表 3参 2 4     

氨基酸侧链基团的特异性化学修饰对玉帘凝集素凝血活性和促淋巴细胞有丝分裂活性的影响

石蒜科植物玉帘 (ZephyranthescandidaHerb)的球茎 ,经生理盐水浸取、硫酸铵分级沉淀、DEAE -Sepharose和SephacrylS - 10 0分子筛层析 ,分离纯化出玉帘凝集素 (Z .candidaaggulutination ,ZCA) ,在SDS -PAGE显示单一蛋白带 ,经分子筛层析测得相对分子量 (Mr)约为 4 8× 10 3 .采用不同的化学修饰试剂对玉帘凝集素中的不同氨基酸侧链基团进行修饰 .结果表明 :Arg残基的修饰引起兔红细胞凝集活性下降 73% ,Trp残基的修饰引起兔红细胞凝集活性下降 36 % ;Ser/Thr残基的修饰导致促淋巴细胞有丝分裂活性下降 2 9.3% ,细胞分裂比率下降 7.2 % .图 3表 2参 12     

脆江蓠凝集素的部分性质及细胞凝集作用

脆江蓠藻体的磷酸盐缓冲液浸提液 ,经硫酸铵分级沉淀 ,再经DEAE -Sepharose和SephadexG 10 0层析纯化 ,得到脆江蓠凝集素 (GBL) .经测定该凝集素是一种分子量为 33.1× 10 3 ～ 33.8× 10 3 的糖蛋白 ,分子中含有 11%的中性糖 ,具有很高的耐热性 .GBL的凝血活性可被某些单糖或双糖及卵粘蛋白抑制 ,当浓度为 2 .34 μg/mL时引起兔红细胞凝集 ,浓度为 18.75 μg/mL时凝集绵羊红细胞 ,但对鸡、鸭、鸽子红细胞及人A、O、或B型血细胞没有凝集作用 .GBL能够凝集两种单细胞藻类 ,当浓度为 18.75 μg/mL时能凝集盐生杜氏藻 ,但藻细胞密度减少到 18.3× 10 4 /mL时不能发生凝集作用 ;GBL浓度为 9.37μg/mL时引起蛋白核小球藻凝集 ,但当藻细胞密度减少到 2 8.9× 10 4 /mL也不产生凝集反应 .GBL还能够凝集正常的枯草芽孢杆菌和经过热处理的酿酒酵母细胞 .图 3表 6参 14     

人参皂苷β-葡萄糖苷酶的分离纯化及其酶学特性

通过硫酸铵分级沉淀、透析和高效液相色谱等技术分别从两株黑曲霉Aspergillusniger 4 8g和A .niger 84 8g中分离纯化出了具有水解人参皂苷葡萄糖苷键的 β 葡萄糖苷酶 ,并对其酶学特性进行了研究 .结果表明 :两株黑曲霉A .niger 4 8g和A .niger 84 8g所产的 β 葡萄糖苷酶的表观分子量不同 ,分别为 34× 10 3 和 31× 10 3 kD ;两株菌所产的 β 葡萄糖苷酶的反应特性基本相同 .图 4表 4参 15     

冰川环境耐冷菌的冷适蛋白酶分离纯化及酶学性质

采用离交和凝胶层析对“中国冰川1号”耐冷菌BacilluscereusSYPA23所产的蛋白酶进行分离纯化,并进行酶学性质研究.与中温酶相比,该蛋白酶具有较高的低温催化活力,其最适催化温度为42℃,适宜pH为7.0～8.5,SDSPAGE测定的分子量(Mr)为34.2×103.金属离子Mn2 、Ca2 对该酶有激活作用,Cu2 、Hg2 、Pb2 、Co2 对其活性有一定抑制作用.该酶属金属蛋白酶,其活性受EDTA强烈抑制,不受PMSF抑制.该蛋白酶具有低温酶典型的热不稳定性,0℃下半衰期24h,但Ca2 和一些低分子醇类物质能提高其稳定性.动力学数据分析表明,该蛋白酶在低温下对底物亲和能力高,在较宽温度范围内(25～45℃)均保持着较高的催化效能.图7表3参17     

黑曲霉Aspergillus niger SL2-111所产酸性蛋白酶的分离纯化及酶学特性

采用硫酸铵盐析、Sephadex G-25柱脱盐、DEAE-Sepharose Fast Flow离子交换层析、Sephacryl S-200分子筛层析和高效液相色谱等方法,从黑曲霉菌株Aspergillus niger SL2-111的发酵曲中提取了一种酸性蛋白酶,经SDS-PAGE验证,该酶纯化水平已达到电泳纯.该酶的表观分子量(Mr)约为47×103,最适pH值为3.0,pH稳定性范围为2.5～6.0,最适温度为50℃,温度稳定性范围为30～60℃;Gu2+、Mn2+对其有激活作用,Hg2+、Ag+对其则有轻度的抑制作用;该酶的氨基酸组成为中极性酸性氨基酸占17.29%,极性碱性氨基酸占4.50%,极性中性氨基酸占38.50%,其它为非极性氨基酸;N端氨基酸序列为SKGSAVTTPQ,经序列同源性比对,表明该酶与其它曲霉酸性蛋白酶具有极高的同源性.图4表5参15     

几种化感物质对杉木幼苗生长的影响

采用培养皿滤纸法 ,研究了不同浓度的肉桂酸、苯甲酸、对羟基苯甲酸对杉木 (Cunninghamialanceolata)幼苗生长的影响 .结果表明肉桂酸、苯甲酸、对羟基苯甲酸分别在 1× 10 -5molL-1、1× 10 -3molL-1、1× 10 -4 molL-1浓度时降低了叶绿素含量 (P =0 .0 5 ) ,而在 1× 10 -6molL-1、1× 10 -4 molL-1、1× 10 -5molL-1浓度时抑制了杉木幼苗胚根和胚芽的生长 (P =0 .0 1) .3种酚类物质对胚根生长的抑制作用明显高于对胚芽生长的抑制作用 .在 3种酚类物质中 ,肉桂酸对杉木幼苗生长的抑制作用最强 ,对羟基苯甲酸次之 ,苯甲酸最弱 .这表明酚类物质能在不同程度上抑制杉木幼苗的生长 ,降低其生产力 ,可能是连栽杉木人工林生产力降低的因素之一 .图 2表 1参 14     

维生素C二步发酵中L-山梨糖脱氢酶的性质及作用

从氧化葡萄糖酸杆菌细胞质中分离纯化出L 山梨糖脱氢酶 (SDH) ,其分子量为 46× 10 3 ,表观分子量为 190× 10 3 ;在测试范围内 ,最适pH是 7.4,温度为 5 5℃ ,最稳定的 pH是 7.0 ,温度为 30℃以下 ;FeCl3 促进酶活 ,CoCl2 抑制酶活 .该酶活力与发酵产物 2 酮基 L 古龙酸的合成呈正相关 ;伴生菌促进产酸菌生长和代谢 ,并使该酶比活力增加 ,从而提高发酵系统中该酶的总活力 .图 11表 5参 9     

几种环境因子对塔玛亚历山大藻(大鹏湾株)生长及其藻毒力影响

在室内条件下研究了温度 (θ/℃ )、盐度 (ρ/gL-1)及pH对有毒甲藻塔玛亚历山大藻 (大鹏株 )的生长及其毒力的影响 .实验表明 ,塔玛亚历山大藻θopt为 15～ 2 5℃ ,最大生长率出现在接种后 6～ 8d ;在盐度为 14～32g/L范围内 ,该藻均可生长 ,盐度 2 3～ 2 7g/L时生长最佳 ;在弱酸弱碱下 ,该藻可较好生长 ,pHopt=6～ 7;用小白鼠法测得本藻株c(HCl) =0 .1mol/L提液的麻痹性贝毒毒力为 0 .5 0× 10 -5～ 3.2× 10 -5Mu/cell,在同种藻株中属低毒藻株 .与其他作者对本藻株用不同毒素抽提方法及测定技术所得结果的比较表明 ,其藻毒力测定值最大相差达 30倍 .图 3表 2参 17     

一株白腐菌产生的漆酶对RB亮蓝的脱色作用

W 1是一株能在液体条件下产漆酶的白腐菌 ,纯化的漆酶对RB亮蓝有很好的脱色作用 .漆酶的最适脱色温度为 4 5℃ ,最适脱色pH值为 6 .0 ,脱色pH范围在 4～ 7之间 .当溶液中漆酶活力为 2 .0× 10 3 U/L时 ,在最适脱色条件下、16h内 ,RB亮蓝 (30 0mg/L)的脱色率可以达到 90 % .经酶作用后 ,RB亮蓝在 4 30～ 70 0nm范围内的特征颜色吸收峰基本消失 .实验证明 ,在相同的条件下 ,漆酶粗酶对RB亮蓝有更好的脱色效果 .图 7表 1参 6     

Achieving Open Access to Conservation Science

Conservation science is a crisis discipline in which the results of scientific enquiry must be made available quickly to those implementing management. We assessed the extent to which scientific research published since the year 2000 in 20 conservation science journals is publicly available. Of the 19,207 papers published, 1,667 (8.68%) are freely downloadable from an official repository. Moreover, only 938 papers (4.88%) meet the standard definition of open access in which material can be freely reused providing attribution to the authors is given. This compares poorly with a comparable set of 20 evolutionary biology journals, where 31.93% of papers are freely downloadable and 7.49% are open access. Seventeen of the 20 conservation journals offer an open access option, but fewer than 5% of the papers are available through open access. The cost of accessing the full body of conservation science runs into tens of thousands of dollars per year for institutional subscribers, and many conservation practitioners cannot access pay‐per‐view science through their workplace. However, important initiatives such as Research4Life are making science available to organizations in developing countries. We urge authors of conservation science to pay for open access on a per‐article basis or to choose publication in open access journals, taking care to ensure the license allows reuse for any purpose providing attribution is given. Currently, it would cost $51 million to make all conservation science published since 2000 freely available by paying the open access fees currently levied to authors. Publishers of conservation journals might consider more cost effective models for open access and conservation‐oriented organizations running journals could consider a broader range of options for open access to nonmembers such as sponsorship of open access via membership fees. Obtención de Acceso Abierto a la Ciencia de la Conservación     

Some polyphagous Homoptera gain protection from their natural enemies by feeding on the toxic plantsSpartium junceum andErythrina corallodendrum (Leguminosae)

Summary Interactions were studied among alkaloid-containing legumes (Erythrina corallodendrum andSpartium junceum) and non-toxic plants (Citrus sinensis, Cucurbita moschata andEuphorbia tirucalli), several polyphagous homopterans,Aphis craccivora (Aphididae),Icerya purchasi, I. aegyptiaca (Margarodidae),Lepidosaphes ulmi (Diaspididae) andPlanococcus citri (Pseudococcidae), and some major natural enemies of these homopterans. Significant reductions in survival due to negative effects of alkaloid containing as compared with non-alkaloidal plants were recorded for the predatorsRodolia cardinalis andChilocorus bipustulatus, but not forCryptolaemus montrouzieri (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae),Chrysoperla carnea (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) andSympherobius sanctus (Neuroptera: Sympherobiidae). The development time of the larvae or pupae ofR. cardinalis, C. carnea andS. sanctus was longer on the toxic plants than on the non-toxic ones. The percentage of parasitism ofA. craccivora collected from the non-alkaloidal plantsVicia palaestina andMelilotus albus was much higher than that onS. junceum. The parasitoid complexes ofA. craccivora differed between both plant groups. The nutritive value of honeydew ofI. purchasi andA. craccivora, as expressed by the life span ofEncyrtus infelix (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) adults, was also investigated. Life spans were significantly longer when the wasps fed on honeydew produced on non-alkaloidal plants (C. sinensis andPittosporum tobira) than on alkaloid containing plants whenI. purchasi — but notA. craccivora — was the producer. It is suggested that the chemical defense ofE. corallodendrum andS. junceum is exploited by polyphagous phytophages to reduce predation. In nature, population growth and density of four of the investigated homopterans are conspicuously high when they developed on the alkaloid containing plant species, and very low on non-alkaloid plants. The efficiency of their natural enemies may be reduced by sequestration of alkaloids (or other toxic plant compounds) or their transfer into excreted honeydew. Therefore it is assumed that a generalist phytophagous homopteran may be protected from its natural enemies, although at different rates of efficiency, if it can safely sequester the host allelochemical when it develops on toxic species within its host range.     

Rapid,recurring, structured survey versus bioblitz for generating biodiversity data and analysis with a multispecies abundance model

A bioblitz inexpensively and quickly generates biodiversity data, but bioblitzes are often conducted with haphazard, unreplicated sampling. Results tend to be taxonomically, geographically, or temporally biased, lack metadata, and consist of lists of observed taxa that do not enable further analyses or correction for imperfect detection. A rapid, recurring, structured survey (RRSS) uses a structured sampling design and temporal and spatial replication to survey randomly selected sites on a conservation property. We participated in a loosely structured bioblitz and a subsequent RRSS at Big Canoe Creek Nature Preserve in Springville (St. Clair County), Alabama (USA) to compare observed richness derived from the 2 survey approaches. The RRSS data structure enabled us to fit models that accounted for imperfect detection to estimate abundances, occupancy probabilities, and habitat associations. The loosely structured bioblitz data could not be used in such models. We present a new integrated multispecies abundance model that we applied to avian RRSS data. Our model extension enables estimation for the community, employs data augmentation to estimate the number of undetected species, and incorporates covariates. The RRSS generated a more comprehensive and less biased list of observed taxonomic richness than the loosely structured bioblitz (e.g., 73 vs. 45 bird species and 104 vs. 63 insect families from the RRSS vs. loosely structured bioblitz, respectively). Models fit to the RRSS data identified seasonal patterns in avian community composition and allowed for estimation of habitat–occupancy relationships for insect taxa. The RRSS protocol has potential for broad transferability as a standardized, quick, and inexpensive way to inventory biodiversity and estimate ecological parameters while providing an outreach opportunity.     

Sequestration of cucurbitacin analogs by New and Old World chrysomelid leaf beetles in the tribe Luperini

Summary Two South American polyphagous leaf beetles,Diabrotica speciosa andCerotoma arcuata, selectively accumulated the bitter tasting compound 23,24-dihydrocucurbitacin D in their body after ingesting root tissues of cucurbit plants. Similarly, three Asian Cucurbitaceae-feeding specialists in the genusAulacophora were found to sequester the same compound. Cucurbitacin analogs were shown to deter feeding by a bird predator, indicating an allomonal role for these compounds in cucurbitacin-associated chrysomelid leaf beetles both of New and Old Worlds. The strong affinity to cucurbitacins, selective sequestration of the analogs and consequent protection from predators suggested an ecological adaptation mechanism developed in common among these two geographically isolated subtribes in the Luperini.     

Compliance with and ecosystem function of biodiversity offsets in North American and European freshwaters

Land-use change via human development is a major driver of biodiversity loss. To reduce these impacts, billions of dollars are spent on biodiversity offsets. However, studies evaluating offset project effectiveness that examine components such as the overall compliance and function of projects remain rare. We reviewed 577 offsetting projects in freshwater ecosystems that included the metrics project size, type of aquatic system (e.g., wetland and creek), offsetting measure (e.g., enhancement, restoration, and creation), and an assessment of the projects’ compliance and functional success. Project information was obtained from scientific and government databases and gray literature. Despite considerable investment in offsetting projects, crucial problems persisted. Although compliance and function were related to each other, a high level of compliance did not guarantee a high degree of function. However, large projects relative to area had better function than small projects. Function improved when projects targeted productivity or specific ecosystem features and when multiple complementary management targets were in place. Restorative measures were more likely to achieve targets than creating entirely new ecosystems. Altogether the relationships we found highlight specific ecological processes that may help improve offsetting outcomes.     

Effects of Controlled Fire and Livestock Grazing on Bird Communities in East African Savannas

Abstract: In East Africa fire and grazing by wild and domestic ungulates maintain savannas, and pastoralists historically set fires and herded livestock through the use of temporary corrals called bomas. In recent decades traditional pastoral practices have declined, and this may be affecting biodiversity. We investigated the effects of prescribed fires and bomas on savanna bird communities in East Africa during the first and second dry seasons of the year (respectively before and after the rains that mark the onset of breeding for most birds). We compared abundance, richness, and community composition on 9‐ha burned plots, recently abandoned bomas, and control plots in the undisturbed matrix habitat over a 3‐year period. Generally, recently burned areas and abandoned bomas attracted greater densities of birds and had different community assemblages than the surrounding matrix. The effects of disturbances were influenced by interactions between primary productivity, represented by the normalized difference vegetation index, and time. Bird densities were highest and a greater proportion of species was observed on burned plots in the months following the fires. Drought conditions equalized bird densities across treatments within 1 year, and individuals from a greater proportion of species were more commonly observed on abandoned bomas. Yearly fluctuations in abundance were less pronounced on bomas than on burns, which indicate that although fire may benefit birds in the short term, bomas may have a more‐lasting positive effect and provide resources during droughts. Several Palearctic migrants were attracted to burned plots regardless of rainfall, which indicates continued fire suppression may threaten their already‐declining populations. Most notably, the paucity of birds observed on the controls suggests that the current structure of the matrix developed as a result of fire suppression. Traditional pastoralism appears critical to the maintenance of avian diversity in these savannas.     

A palaeo-hydrogeological model for arsenic contamination in southern and south-east Asia

An argument is presented in which areas of natural arsenic contamination of modern groundwaters throughout Asia have a common origin. Arsenic originally accumulated in oceanic ferro-manganoan sediments of the eastern Palaeo-Tethys. This was further concentrated through oceanic crustal extinction in what later became the south-east Chinese accreted mineralised terrain. Proto-Himalayan uplift of this area created the palaeo-drainage systems of the Ganges – Brahmaputra, Irrawaddy, Mekong, and Red Rivers, with consequent headwater erosion of arsenic-rich sediments. Their downstream deposition as immature and easily redistributed Neogene sandstones, silts, and iron-rich clays has created secondary and tertiary reservoirs of adsorbed and authigenic arsenic, from which the current arsenic-rich groundwaters have evolved. Considering river basins within the above palaeo-hydrogeological framework provides a basis for assessing the risk of arsenic in groundwater basins of south and south-eastern Asia.     

Threats to intact tropical peatlands and opportunities for their conservation

Large, intact areas of tropical peatland are highly threatened at a global scale by the expansion of commercial agriculture and other forms of economic development. Conserving peatlands on a landscape scale, with their hydrology intact, is of international conservation importance to preserve their distinctive biodiversity and ecosystem services and maintain their resilience to future environmental change. We explored threats to and opportunities for conserving remaining intact tropical peatlands; thus, we excluded peatlands of Indonesia and Malaysia, where extensive deforestation, drainage, and conversion to plantations means conservation in this region can protect only small fragments of the original ecosystem. We focused on a case study, the Pastaza‐Marañón Foreland Basin (PMFB) in Peru, which is among the largest known intact tropical peatland landscapes in the world and is representative of peatland vulnerability. Maintenance of the hydrological conditions critical for carbon storage and ecosystem function of peatlands is, in the PMFB, primarily threatened by expansion of commercial agriculture linked to new transport infrastructure that is facilitating access to remote areas. There remain opportunities in the PMFB and elsewhere to develop alternative, more sustainable land‐use practices. Although some of the peatlands in the PMFB fall within existing legally protected areas, this protection does not include the most carbon‐dense (domed pole forest) areas. New carbon‐based conservation instruments (e.g., REDD+, Green Climate Fund), developing markets for sustainable peatland products, transferring land title to local communities, and expanding protected areas offer pathways to increased protection for intact tropical peatlands in Amazonia and elsewhere, such as those in New Guinea and Central Africa which remain, for the moment, broadly beyond the frontier of commercial development.     

What Every Conservation Biologist Should Know about Economic Theory

Abstract: The last century has seen the ascendance of a core economic model, which we will refer to as Walrasian economics. This model is driven by the psychological assumptions that humans act only in a self‐referential and narrowly rational way and that production can be described as a self‐contained circular flow between firms and households. These assumptions have critical implications for the way economics is used to inform conservation biology. Yet the Walrasian model is inconsistent with a large body of empirical evidence about actual human behavior, and it violates a number of basic physical laws. Research in behavioral science and neuroscience shows that humans are uniquely social animals and not self‐centered rational economic beings. Economic production is subject to physical laws including the laws of thermodynamics and mass balance. In addition, some contemporary economic theory, spurred by exciting new research in human behavior and a wealth of data about the negative global impact of the human economy on natural systems, is moving toward a world view that places consumption and production squarely in its behavioral and biophysical context. We argue that abandoning the straightjacket of the Walrasian core is essential to further progress in understanding the complex, coupled interactions between the human economy and the natural world. We call for a new framework for economic theory and policy that is consistent with observed human behavior, recognizes the complex and frequently irreversible interaction between human and natural systems, and directly confronts the cumulative negative effects of the human economy on the Earth's life support systems. Biophysical economics and ecological economics are two emerging economic frameworks in this movement.