Multiple biomarkers response in maize (Zea mays L.) during exposure to copper

Biomarkers in higher plants played an important role to estimate exposure effects of pollutants in soil ecosystem and have received increasing attention in recent years. The qualitative and quantitative modifications arising in amplified fragment length polymorphism （AFLP） profiles as a measure of DNA effects were compared with a number of parameters, namely, the root length, total soluble protein content in root tips, chlorophylls content and shoot size to select the most sensitive biomarker responding to copper stress in the range of 0--600 mg/kg. The changes occurring in AFLP profiles of root tips following Cu treatment included loss of normal bands and appearance of new bands and variation in band intensity in comparison to that of the normal seedlings, A reduction in root length was observed at the 200 mg/kg of copper, which was accompanied with a decrease in total soluble protein content. According to their sensitivity to the copper toxicity, the above indicator rank in the following order： AFLP profiles 〉 total soluble protein content 〉 root length 〉 chlorophylls content 〉 shoot. We concluded that the AFLP offered a useful alternative hiomarker assay for the detection of genotoxic effects of environmental pollutants.     

Biotransformation of nonylphenol ethoxylates during sewage treatment under anaerobic and aerobic conditions

Biotransformation of nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEOs) during continuous anaerobic sewage treatment was compared with the aerobic treatment of sewage spiked with 23 μmol/L technical NPEOs over a period of 90 d. Immediate degradation of NPEOs was observed under both anaerobic and aerobic conditions, indicating that the enzymes and bacteria required for NPEO degradation existed abundantly in both aerobic and anaerobic sludge. Both treatments achieved high removal (＞92%) of the spiked NPEO9 mixture.Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis showed that short-chain NPEOs (NPEO1-NPEO3) accumulated in anaerobic (2.01-2.56 μmol/L) and aerobic (1.62-2.03 μmol/L) effluents, with nonylphenol (NP) (0.24-0.31 μmol/L) as another group of metabolites in the anaerobic effluent, and nonylphenoxy carboxylates (NPECs) (2.79-3.30 μmol/L) in the aerobic effluent. Significant accumulation of NP in the anaerobic sludge and NPEO1-3 in the sludge of two reactors was observed. These results indicated that it was difficult to control these harmful metabolites in the conventional treatment processes. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis profiles of sludge samples support the speculation that the NPEO degradation bacteria might be the dominant indigenous species.     

Mitochondrial electron transport chain is involved in microcystin-RR induced tobacco BY-2 cells apoptosis

Microcystin-RR （MC-RR） has been suggested to induce apoptosis in tobacco BY-2 cells through mitochondrial dysfunction including the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential . TO further elucidate the mechanisms involved in MC-RR induced apoptosis in tobacco BY-2 cells, we have investigated the role of mitochondrial electron transport chain （ETC） as a potential source for reactive oxygen species （ROS）. Tobacco BY-2 cells after exposure to MC-RR （60 mg/L） displayed apoptotic changes in association with an increased production of ROS and loss of Am. All of these adverse effects were significantly attenuated by ETC inhibitors including Rotenone （2 μmol/L, complex I inhibitor） and antimycin A （0.01 μmol/L, complex III inhibitor）, but not by thenoyltrifluoroacetone （S μmol/L, complex Ⅱinhibitor）. These results suggest that rnitochondrial ETC plays a key role in mediating MC-RR induced apoptosis in tobacco BY-2 cells through an increased mitochondrial production of ROS.     

Bisphenol A exposure alters release of immune and developmental modulators and expression of estrogen receptors in human fetal lung fibroblasts

Bisphenol A(BPA) has been shown to exert biological effects through estrogen receptor(ER)-dependent and ER-independent mechanisms. Recent studies suggest that prenatal exposure to BPA may increase the risk of childhood asthma. To investigate the underlying mechanisms in the actions of BPA, human fetal lung fibroblasts(h FLFs) were exposed to varying doses of BPA in culture for 24 hr. Effects of BPA on localization and uptake of BPA,cell viability, release of immune and developmental modulators, cellular localization and expression of ERα, ERβ and G-protein coupled estrogen receptor 30(GPR30), and effects of ERs antagonists on BPA-induced changes in endothelin-1(ET-1) release were examined.BPA at 0.01–100 μmol/L caused no changes in cell viability after 24 hr of exposure. h FLFs expresses all three ERs. BPA had no effects on either cellular distribution or protein expression of ERα, however, at 100 μmol/L(or 23 μmol/L intracellular BPA) increased ERβprotein levels in the cytoplasmic fractions and GPR 30 protein levels in the nuclear fractions.These paralleled with increased release of growth differentiation factor-15, decreased phosphorylation of nuclear factor kappa B p65 at serine 536, and decreased release of ET-1,interleukin-6, and interferon gamma-induced protein 10. ERs antagonists had no effects on BPA-induced decrease in ET-1 release. These data suggest that BPA at 100 μmol/L altered the release of immune and developmental modulators in h FLFs, which may negatively influence fetal lung development, maturation, and susceptibility to environmental stressors, although the role of BPA in childhood asthma remains to be confirmed in in vivo studies.     

Modulation of the DNA repair system and ATR-p53 mediated apoptosis is relevant for tributyltininduced genotoxic effects in human hepatoma G2 cells

The toxic effects of tributyltin (TBT) have been extensively documented in several types of cells, but the molecular mechanisms related to the genotoxic effects of TBT have still not been fully elucidated. Our study showed that exposure of human hepatoma G2 cells to 1-4 μmol/L TBT for 3 hr caused severe DNA damage in a concentration-dependent manner. Moreover, the expression levels of key DNA damage sensor genes such as the replication factor C, proliferating cell nuclear antigen and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 were inhabited in a concentration-dependent manner. We further demonstrated that TBT induced cell apoptosis via the p53-mediated pathway, which was most likely activated by the ataxia telangiectasia mutated and rad-3 related (ATR) protein kinase. The results also showed that cytochrome c, caspase-3, caspase-8, caspase-9, and the B-cell lymphoma 2 were involved in this process. Taken together, we demonstrated for the first time that the inhibition of the DNA repair system might be more responsible for TBT-induced genotoxic effects in cells. Then the generated DNA damage induced by TBT initiated ATR-p53-mediated apoptosis.     

Effects of nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations on the bioaccumulation of polybrominated diphenyl ethers by Prorocentrum donghaiense

The growth, cellular total lipids, bioaccumulation amount, and bioaccumulation factors (BAFs) of 2,4,4 ′ -tribromodiphenyl ether (BDE28), 2,2 ′ ,4,4 ′ -tetrabromodiphenyl ether (BDE47), and 2,2 ′ ,4,4 ′ ,5-pentabromodiphenyl ether (BDE99) in a semi-continuous culture of Prorocentrum donghaiense were studied in relation to nitrate (0, 128, and 512 μmol/L) and phosphate (0, 8, and 32 μmol/L) concentrations. The BDE28, BDE47, and BDE99 content per cell under 0 μmol N/L were 3.77 × 10 6 , 3.95 × 10 6 , and 4.32 × 10 6 ng/cell, respectively, which were significantly higher than those under 128 and 512 μmol N/L. A nearly 5-fold increase in polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) content per algal cell was found between 0 and 8 μmol P/L and between 8 and 32 μmol P/L. With increasing N and P concentrations, the PBDE content per volume of algal culture and the accumulation percentage of available PBDEs declined slightly. The BAFs for the PBDEs based on lipids showed that the logBAF lip under 0 μmol N/L was higher than those under 128 and 512 μmol N/L. The logBAF lip under 0 μmol P/L was higher than that under 8 μmol P/L but lower than that under 32 μmol P/L. Correlation analysis indicated a significant negative correlation between nutrient concentration and cellular total lipids, as well as the PBDE content per cell. The results indicate that different N and P concentrations change the total lipids content of P. donghaiense, thereby resulting in varying PBDE accumulation.     

Investigation of low-molecular weight organic acids and their spatiotemporal variation characteristics in Hongfeng Lake, China

The identities and concentrations of low-molecular-weight organic acids (LMWOAs) were determined by ion chromatography throughout a 20-m water column in Hongfeng Lake, China. The spatiotemporal variations of LMWOAs and their contributions to dissolved organic matter (DOM) in a research period of 24 hr were also investigated. The results demonstrated that five LMWOAs (lactic, acetic, pyruvic, sorbic, oxalic acid) were detected, and their total concentration and proportion in DOC were 6.55 μmol/L and 7.47%. Their average levels were 2.50, 0.65, 2.35, 0.96 and 0.09 μmol/L, respectively. LMWOAs were higher during daytime (10:00-18:00 on Jun 13, 2008) than nighttime (21:00-6:00 the next morning), in particular 4.99 μmol/L high in the epilimnion ( 1 m water depth), reflecting the fact that direct import from terrigenous sources and photochemical production from humic materials were dominant during LMWOAs’ origin and accumulation. The same factors caused LMWOAs to be 0.63 μmol/L in the epilimnion higher than in the hypolimnion. The rapid decrease of total organic acid (TOA) up until 18:00 mainly resulted from bio-uptake and mineralization in the hypolimnion (>1 m water depth). Pyruvic acid increased with time in the epilimnion and decreased in the hypolimnion, largely related to the two contrary processes of continuous degradation and synthesis of macromolecular organic matter during life materials’ cycle mediated by organisms. Simultaneously, plankton behavior and thermal stratification played a pivotal role in LMWOAs’ behavior in the water column, causing decreasing and increasing profiles. The distribution of LMWOAs represents an interesting resource for biogeochemical research of DOM in aquatic ecosystems.     

Surfactant 4-nonylphenyl-polyethylene glycol stimulates reactive oxygen species generation and apoptosis in human neuroblastoma cells

The formulation of most pesticides is proprietary and individual components are therefore not generally known. In a preliminary study, we identified six compounds that are often present in pesticides, of which 4-nonylphenyl-polyethylene glycol(NP-40) was found to be the most toxic. In this study, we investigated the toxicity of NP-40 and underlying mechanism in neuronal SK-N-SH cells. Exposure to NP 40 at concentrations higher than60 μmol/L for 24 hr decreased cell viability. The cytotoxicity of NP-40 was time-and concentration-dependent. Nuclear fragmentation and chromatin condensation were apparent starting at 50 μmol/L NP-40, and increased at higher concentrations. The expression of apoptotic factors including p53 and B-cell lymphoma(Bcl)-2-associated X protein was upregulated, while that of the anti-apoptotic marker Bcl-2 was downregulated at 80 μmol/L NP-40. Cytochrome c release was observed from 80 to 100 μmol/L by confocal microscopy. Caspase-9 and-3/7 activities increased according to concentration, and fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis showed that apoptosis was induced at50 μmol/L and was increased at 80 μmol/L. Our findings indicate that NP-40 stimulates the mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis pathway and reactive oxygen species production in a concentration-dependent manner, and suggest that antioxidant administration may be an effective treatment for patients with acute NP-40 poisoning.     

Development of indirect competitive fluorescence immunoassay for 2,2′,4,4′-tetrabromodiphenyl ether using DNA/dye conjugate as antibody multiple labels

An indirect competitive fluorescence immunoassay using a DNA/dye conjugate as antibody multiple labels was developed on 96-well plates for the identification and quantification of 2,2′,4,4′-tetrabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-47) in aqueous samples. A hapten, 2,4,2′-tribromodiphenyl ether-4′-aldehyde, was synthesized, and was conjugated to bovine serum albumin to form a coating antigen. Specific recognition of the antigen by anti-PBDE antiserum was confirmed by a surface plasmon resonance measurement. In the immunoassay, the coating antigen was adsorbed on a 96-well plate first, and a sample, antiserum and biotinylated goat anti-rabbit secondary antibody were then added and reacted sequentially. A biotinylated, double-stranded DNA with 219 base pairs was attached to the secondary antibody by using streptavidin as a molecular bridge. In situ multiple labeling of the antibody was accomplished after addition of a DNA-binding fluorescent dye, SYBR Green I. The working range of the immunoassay for the BDE-47 standard was 3.1-390 μg/L, with an IC₅₀ value of 15.6 μg/L. The calculated LOD of the immunoassay is 0.73 μg/L. The immunoassay demonstrated relatively high selectivity for BDE-47, showing very low cross-reactivity (< 3%) with BDE-15, BDE-153 and BDE-209. With a spiked river water sample containing 50 μup g/L BDE-47, quantification by the immunoassay was 41.9 μg/L, which compared well with the standard GC-ECD method (45.7 μg/L). The developed immunoassay provides a rapid screening tool for polybrominated diphenyl ethers in environmental samples.     

Characteristics and distribution of low molecular weight organic acids in the sediment porewaters in Bosten Lake, China

The composition and vertical profiles of low molecular-weight organic acids (LMWOAs) and the contribution of them to dissolved organic matter (DOM) in sediment porewaters in Bosten Lake, Xinjiang, China were investigated. The results showed that total concentration of LMWOAs was up to 94.5 μmol/L and their proportion in DOM was 5.6%, suggesting that LMWOAs were important chemical components in DOM in lake sediment porewaters. Among the seven LMWOAs, pyruvic and acetic acid had the highest concentrations with 26.30 and 8.31 μmol/L, accounting for 51.4% and 14.92% of LMWOAs, respectively. Trifluoroacetic and sorbic acid had the lowest concentrations, indicating that the compositions of LMWOAs in relative reducing environments were largely different from those reported in glacier, atmosphere and soils. The concentrations of lactic, acetic, formic, sorbic and oxalic acid decreased with increasing depth, probably relating to stronger microbial activities in the initial stage of early diagenesis. Trifluoroacetic acid was mainly anthropogenic with its concentration, showing a diusive trend from the surface to bottom sediments. The concentrations of lactic acid and nitrate generally showed a consistent profile. The increasing concentration of pyruvic acid in the vertical profile was just opposite to that of sulfate, revealing a significant negative relationship between them. Oxalic acid remained constant except for an obvious peak at 6 cm depth. The results indicated the diversities in sources and behaviors for various LMWOAs during early diagenesis in sediments.     

斑马鱼基因组随机扩增DNA多态性研究

采用随机扩增DNA多态性（RAPD）技术，对毒性试验的模式生物斑马鱼（Danio rerio）基因组进行了分析。结果显示，在Amersham Pharmacia公司随机扩增引物系列中，分别在01号引物的829bp、534bp，02号引物的572bp，及06号引物的495pb，各出现1条稳定条带，而环磷酰胺作用后的斑马鱼基因组DAN随机扩增产物中，缺少了部分稳定条带。这可以明确判定受试斑马鱼的基因发生了改变，为水环境遗传毒性效尖的研究提供了初步的数据基础。     

镉胁迫对菜豆幼苗基因组DNA多态性的影响

采用随机扩增多态性DNA (RAPD)等技术,检测不同浓度镉(Cd)胁迫对菜豆幼苗叶片DNA损伤及相关生理特性的影响.结果表明,随着Cd处理浓度(0,20,40,80mg/L)的增加,菜豆幼苗中的Cd含量及叶片中丙二醛(MDA)含量升高;叶片中可溶性蛋白、脯氨酸、还原型谷胱甘肽在低浓度(20mg/L)Cd处理下含量增加,中、高浓度(40,80mg/L)Cd处理下减少.选取8条寡核苷酸引物(10bp),利用RAPD随机扩增技术,对菜豆幼苗叶片细胞基因组DNA进行扩增,8条引物均产生特异性谱带.正常叶片基因组DNA的RAPD图谱得到46条谱带.与正常组相比,Cd处理下利用不同引物扩增得到的RAPD图谱发生改变,呈现不同程度的谱带强度增强或减弱、谱带缺失或新增,与对照的RAPD图谱存在明显差异.Cd胁迫下基因组模板稳定性下降,并随Cd处理浓度的增加,稳定性下降幅度增大.利用RAPD技术获得的DNA多态性变化,可指示镉毒害生物遗传效应,并为镉污染地区蔬菜品种的选育及镉毒性的评价提供依据.     

铜胁迫对不同基因型谷子幼苗基因组DNA多态性的影响

采用室内盆栽土培法,以4种基因型谷子(D2-8、安06、黄米、朝谷)为供试材料,研究了不同浓度Cu2+胁迫对谷子幼苗体内可溶性糖、脯氨酸、丙二醛(MDA)含量和基因组DNA多态性的影响.结果表明,经50~400 mg·kg-1Cu2+处理30 d后,4种谷子幼苗体内可溶性糖含量与对照相比呈现先上升后下降的趋势,在50 mg·kg-1时达到最大值.当浓度为200mg·kg-1以上时,4种谷子的可溶性糖含量的平均降幅为对照的32.44%~56.5%.脯氨酸则表现为低含量(≤50 mg·kg-1)的促进和高含量(≥100 mg·kg-1)的抑制效应,MDA含量均有增加且与对照差异显著(P<0.05).Cu2+胁迫下不同基因型谷子幼苗基因组DNA的RAPD图谱发生明显变化,表现为单条或多条RAPD谱带的增加和缺失或者荧光强度的改变,细胞中基因组模板DNA的稳定性下降,DNA多态性变化与Cu2+浓度之间存在剂量-效应关系.不同基因型谷子对Cu2+胁迫的生理和遗传损伤响应存在差异.利用RAPD技术获得的DNA多态性变化可作为检测Cu2+遗传毒性效应的生物标记物.     

AFLP法分析染料对黄孢原毛平革菌的损伤效应

利用AFLP对DNA碱基序列分辨率高的特性,研究纯培养条件下染料对黄孢原毛平革菌(P. chrysosporium)菌株DNA的损伤效应.在对黄孢原毛平革菌(P. chrysosporium)AFLP最佳引物筛选的基础上,通过分析最佳引物扩增结果中DNA相似性、染料浓度与DNA相似性关系以及构建UPGMA相似性树状图,评价染料对P. chrysosporium DNA损伤效应.结果表明, AFLP法可较好反映染料对DNA损伤效应,在优选的3种引物组合中, E-AAC/M-CAA引物组合AFLP扩增效果最好,共获得35条DNA扩增条带,其中有12条具有特异性,多态性比率34.3%;在进行DNA相似性分析和UPGMA法聚类分析后发现, AFLP技术较好地表达了DNA相似性与染料浓度的正相关关系,并且显示P. chrysosporium对染料损伤效应敏感,染料浓度不宜高于50mg/L,当染料浓度达到300mg/L即可对P. chrysosporium产生较大损伤作用,使之基本丧失原有的处理功能.     

水环境中铜离子有害性的DNA表征方法

利用琼脂糖凝胶电泳法研究了铜离子对超螺旋X174 RF DNA结构的影响. 铜离子浓度为10^-3 mol/L 和10^-4 mol/L 时,与DNA作用24h后,可直接使质粒DNA的超螺旋结构完全转化为其它结构. 低浓度铜溶液(10^-6 mol/L) 与DNA作用24h后,52%的超螺旋结构发生了转化. 48h时,69%的超螺旋结构转化为其它结构. 在铜离子浓度一定的条件下,随着二者相互作用时间的延长,DNA超螺旋结构逐渐开环,断裂直至完全消失. 作用时间一定的条件下,铜离子浓度越高,越容易开环断裂,形成其它结构. 铜离子浓度、铜离子与DNA作用的时间以及DNA各种结构百分含量之间具有一定的剂量-效应关系. 通过测定DNA超螺旋结构的这种变化有可能发展一种相对于同一标准的比较污染物环境有害性的方法.     

Isolation and characteristics of a novel biphenyl-degrading bacterial strain, Dyella ginsengisoli LA-4

A novel biphenyl-degrading bacterial strain LA-4 was isolated from activated sludge. It was identified as Dyella ginsengisoli according to phylogenetic similarity of 16S rRNA gene sequence. This isolate could utilize biphenyl as sole source of carbon and energy, which degraded over 95 mg/L biphenyl within 36 h. The major metabolites formed from biphenyl, such as 2-hydroxy-6-oxo-6-phenylhexa-2,4-dienoic acid (HOPDA) and benzoic acid, were identified by LC-MS. The crude cell extract of strain LA-4 exhibited the activity of 2,3-dihydroxybiphenyl 1,2-dioxygenase (2,3-DHBD) and the kinetic parameters were Km= 26.48 μmol/L and Vmax= 8.12 μmol/mg protein. A conserved region of the biphenyl dioxygenase gene bphA1 of strain LA-4 was amplified by PCR and confirmed by DNA sequencing.     

脱氮活性污泥总DNA提取研究

文章就提取SBR脱氮反应器中活性污泥总DNA的预处理、细胞破壁、去除蛋白质等方法进行了比较研究。将不同方法提取得到的DNA样品进行琼脂糖凝胶电泳、紫外吸光度和ERIC-PCR检测。结果表明,采取TENP、PBS溶液和玻璃珠震荡对活性污泥进行预处理,SDS和物理冻融结合破碎细胞,一次酚/氯仿和饱和NaCl溶液离心去除蛋白质的DNA提取操作,可以得到腐殖酸、蛋白质含量较少的活性污泥DNA样品。研究发现:从活性污泥提取的DNA样品中含有对PCR反应体系有明显抑制作用的杂质。通过稀释,控制DNA浓度40～13ng/μL,可以减小杂质的影响,实现将活性污泥DNA样品直接用于PCR扩增。ERIC-PCR得到的DNA产物凝胶电泳结果:条带清晰稳定有特异性,为进一步应用分子生态学方法研究活性污泥的性质奠定了基础。     

Involvement of chloride anion in photocatalytic process

The effect of Cl^- on photocatalytic degradation（PCD） of pollutants is an important factor since it is ubiquitous in nature. In general, Cl^- showed an inhibition on photodegradation due to its scavenging HO- radicals. In this paper, experiments were carried out to examine the effects of CI on the PCD of Methylene Blue （MB） and Orange II （OII） in aqueous TiO2 suspensions under UV light illumination. It was found that low concentration of Cl^- （ 〈 0.01 mol/L） showed little influence on both dyes, however, high concentration of Cl^- （ 〉 0.10 mol/L） had a very different influence on the decolorization of dyes： a significant inhibition for MB but a great promotion for Oll. In the presence of 0.50 mol/L Cl^- , the rate decreased by 70% for MB while increased 7.5-fold for Oll. Furthermore, two bands in the ultraviolet region of Oll were rapidly broken down. The proposed mechanism was discussed in detail.     

PCR-DGGE技术解析生物制氢反应器微生物多样性

为了揭示发酵法生物制氢反应器厌氧活性污泥的微生物种群多样性 ,从运行不同时期取厌氧活性污泥 ,通过细胞裂解直接提取活性污泥的基因组DNA .以细菌 16SrRNA基因通用引物F338GC/R5 34进行V3高变异区域PCR扩增 ,长约 200bp的PCR产物经变性梯度凝胶电泳 (DGGE)分离后 ,获得微生物群落的特征DNA指纹图谱 .研究表明 ,不同时期的厌氧活性污泥中存在共同种属和各自的特异种属 ,群落结构和优势种群数量具有时序动态性 ,微生物多样性呈现出协同变化的特征 .微生物多样性由强化到减弱 ,群落结构之间的相似性逐渐升高 ,演替速度由快速到缓慢 .优势种群经历了动态演替过程 ,最终形成特定种群构成的顶级群落 .