The continuing conundrum of the LEA proteins

Research into late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) proteins has been ongoing for more than 20 years but, although there is a strong association of LEA proteins with abiotic stress tolerance particularly dehydration and cold stress, for most of that time, their function has been entirely obscure. After their initial discovery in plant seeds, three major groups (numbered 1, 2 and 3) of LEA proteins have been described in a range of different plants and plant tissues. Homologues of groups 1 and 3 proteins have also been found in bacteria and in certain invertebrates. In this review, we present some new data, survey the biochemistry, biophysics and bioinformatics of the LEA proteins and highlight several possible functions. These include roles as antioxidants and as membrane and protein stabilisers during water stress, either by direct interaction or by acting as molecular shields. Along with other hydrophilic proteins and compatible solutes, LEA proteins might also serve as “space fillers” to prevent cellular collapse at low water activities. This multifunctional capacity of the LEA proteins is probably attributable in part to their structural plasticity, as they are largely lacking in secondary structure in the fully hydrated state, but can become more folded during water stress and/or through association with membrane surfaces. The challenge now facing researchers investigating these enigmatic proteins is to make sense of the various in vitro defined functions in the living cell: Are the LEA proteins truly multi-talented, or are they still just misunderstood?     

Primary neuronal-astrocytic co-culture platform for neurotoxicity assessment of di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate

Plastics such as polyvinyl chlorides （PVC） are widely used in many indoor constructed environments; however, their unbound chemicals, such as di-（2-ethylhexyl） phthalates （DEHP）, can leach into the surrounding environment. This study focused on DEHP＇s effect on the central nervous system by determining the precise DEHP content in mice brain tissue after exposure to the chemical, to evaluate the specific exposure range. Primary neuronal-astrocyte co-culture systems were used as in vitro models for chemical hazard identification of DEHP. Oxidative stress was hypothesized as a probable mechanism involved, and therefore the total reactive oxygen species （ROS） concentration was determined as a biomarker of oxidative stress. In addition, NeuriteTracer, a neurite tracing plugin with ImageJ, was used to develop an assay for neurotoxicity to provide quantitative measurements of neurological parameters, such as neuronal number, neuron count and neurite length, all of which could indicate neurotoxic effects. The results showed that with 1 nmol/L DEHP exposure, there was a significant increase in ROS concentrations, indicating that the neuronal-astrocyte cultures were injured due to exposure to DEHP. In response, astrocyte proliferation （gliosis） was initiated, serving as a mechanism to maintain a homeostatic environment for neurons and protect neurons from toxic chemicals. There is a need to assess the cumulative effects of DEHP in animals to evaluate the possible uotake and effects on the human neuronal system from exoosure to DEHP in the indoor environment.     

再悬浮过程中河流底泥PAHs的迁移与释放

利用再悬浮模拟(particle entrainment simulator,PES)装置模拟了河流底泥在受到上层扰动力后的再悬浮过程.结果表明,沉积物性质如粒径组成及PAHs含量对沉积物再悬浮过程中PAHs的释放影响显著.再悬浮过程中上覆水体总悬浮颗粒物(total suspended solids,TSS)含量与颗粒态PAHs之间存在极显著相关关系.切应力对再悬浮过程中PAHs释放的影响体现在两方面.一方面,单位体积的颗粒态PAHs随切应力增大而增大;另一方面,悬浮颗粒上PAHs的富集效应随切应力增大而减弱,是由于切应力强烈导致吸附作用弱的大颗粒进入水体.上覆水体中的PAHs总量在一段时间上升后于120 min或240min趋于稳定,而颗粒态与溶解态之间具有良好响应.高低环PAHs释放行为差异显著,由于中高环PAHs的疏水性,上覆水体中检测到的多为3~4环个体.     

CdSe/ZnS量子点对稀有鮈鲫胚胎发育的影响及其氧化应激作用

本研究以稀有鮈鲫(Gobiocypris rarus)为对象,研究了不同浓度CdSe/ZnS量子点(QDs)暴露下,稀有鮈鲫胚胎发育过程中自主运动频率、内心率和体长的变化,以及利用体内超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和丙二醛(MDA)作为毒性指标,反映CdSe/ZnS QDs暴露对稀有鮈鲫胚胎发育的氧化应激作用.结果显示:CdSe/ZnS QDs对稀有鮈鲫胚胎72 hpf(hours post fertilization)的半致死浓度(LC50)为319.629 nmol·L-1,96 hpf的半致畸浓度(EC50)为203.312 nmol·L-1.CdSe/ZnS QDs暴露不仅影响稀有鮈鲫胚胎死亡率、畸形率、自主运动频率、孵化时间和孵化率,而且使其内心率减缓、体长缩短,导致胚胎卵凝结,心包囊肿,出现脊椎弯曲等多种毒性现象.同时发现,CdSe/ZnS QDs暴露导致稀有鮈鲫体内MDA含量增加以及SOD活力的降低.这表明CdSe/ZnS QDs对稀有鮈鲫胚胎发育具有致畸、致死作用,而氧化应激可能是引起其胚胎致畸、致死的重要机制之一.     

锌铜胁迫对Bacillus vallismortis EPS组分变化特征及其吸附性能的影响

近年来,微生物胞外聚合物(EPS)在吸附重金属方面的潜能引起了人们的广泛关注,但关于重金属对微生物及其EPS特性的影响鲜有报道.Bacillus vallismortis对锌铜矿捕收剂苯胺黑药具有良好的降解能力.为了解重金属对菌株的胁迫影响,探讨二者之间的相互作用,研究了Zn(Ⅱ)、Cu(Ⅱ)胁迫对菌株EPS产量、组分变化特征及其吸附性能的影响.结果表明,在Zn(Ⅱ)胁迫下,菌株培养至稳定期产生的EPS最多,当Zn(Ⅱ)为12 mg·L~(-1)时EPS产量翻倍,达到100.84 mg·g~(-1)(以VSS计),Zn(Ⅱ)能刺激菌株产生更多富含—COOH和—OH的胞外多糖;菌株在Cu(Ⅱ)胁迫下需培养至对数期产生的EPS最多,在Cu(Ⅱ)为6 mg·L~(-1)情况下EPS产量最高为60.65 mg·g-1(以VSS计),Cu(Ⅱ)的胁迫作用提高了菌株EPS中富含N—H和C—N的蛋白质含量;吸附实验结果表明,2种金属能通过胁迫菌株产生特异性EPS,为金属离子提供大量适用性结合点位,显著提高对重金属的去除能力.研究结果对应用生物法处理同时含有重金属和有机物的复合型选矿废水具有一定的指导意义.     

双层板桁钢梁应力分析

以跨度最大的双层斜拉桥闵浦大桥为背景,研究了双层板桁钢梁桥面板的受力特性,阐述了精细壳单元与梁单元结合的整体有限元模型,并分析了上、下桥面间腹杆的受力特性与桥面板的应力分布特性;采用桥面纵横梁间带U肋精细桥面模型,分析了桥面板和U肋在车辆荷载作用下的应力分布.研究表明,上、下层桥面横桥向应力小于纵桥向应力,并且横桥向应...     

不同构造措施的钢管混凝土边框钢板剪力墙抗震性能试验研究

钢管混凝土边框钢板剪力墙是一种新型抗震剪力墙,为了比较不同构造措施对该新型剪力墙抗震性能的影响,进行了3个剪跨比为1.5的钢管混凝土边框钢板剪力墙低周反复荷载试验.其中,试验模型1为墙体钢板与边框柱钢管焊接,试验模型2为墙体钢板与边框柱钢管螺栓连接,试验模型3为墙体钢板开孔并与边框柱钢管焊接.通过试验研究,比较了各剪力...     

不同瓦斯压力下煤体力学特性试验研究

为研究瓦斯对煤体力学特性的影响,设计不同瓦斯压力条件下煤体单轴压缩试验,研究煤样力学参数及变形特征随瓦斯压力的变化趋势,探讨瓦斯对煤体力学性质的影响机制,得出单轴压缩下煤样力学参数,并记录煤样的破坏形态.研究结果表明:随瓦斯压力增大,应力-应变曲线压实阶段增大,弹性阶段缩小,失稳破坏后曲线缓慢下降,抗压强度和弹性模量单...     

干旱区2种猪毛菜萌发过程对水盐胁迫的生态响应

在实验室内模拟研究的基础上,运用生理生态学的原理,研究了水盐胁迫对钠猪毛菜(salsola nitraria)和散枝猪毛菜(salsola brachiata)种子萌发的影响,结果显示,钠猪毛菜与散枝猪毛菜种子萌发的最适温度分别为25 ℃和15 ℃.在盐溶液和PEG溶液中,2种种子的萌发规律相似,即随着水势的降低,萌发率和萌发速率下降.在盐胁迫下钠猪毛菜和散枝猪毛菜种子萌发的最低水势接近-7.2 MPa;在水分胁迫下2种种子萌发的最低水势均未超过-2.0 MPa,其中,钠猪毛菜种子表现出较强的耐水分胁迫能力.在相同水势条件下,PEG对2种猪毛菜种子萌发的抑制程度显著大于等渗NaCl,说明渗透胁迫是影响2种植物种子萌发的主要因素.     

饱和层状尾砂动力特性研究

为探究动力作用下尾砂液化破坏特性,基于某矿山尾矿库坝体分层尾砂,开展不同固结应力和层状结构条件下动三轴试验,分析层状尾砂动弹性模量、阻尼比及动剪应力比等动力参数与动孔压的变化规律.结果表明:固结应力对层状尾砂力学特性和动孔压变化趋势有较大影响,固结应力越大,动孔压增长越明显,初始增长斜率随固结应力增大而下降;尾粉土厚度...