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?     

五氯酚胁迫对转基因杨树光合光响应特性的影响

以从美国引入的转基因杨树(Populus deltoides×nigra,DN34)为材料,设置0、50、100 mg·kg~(-1)三个五氯酚胁迫质量分数开展温室盆栽试验,利用Li-6400便携式光合作用测量系统研究五氯酚污染胁迫下转基因杨树对光强的生理响应.结果表明:与对照相比,相同光强下50和100 mg·kg~(-1)质量分数的五氯酚胁迫均降低了转基因杨树叶片的净光合速率(P_n)、蒸腾速率(T_r)、胞间CO_2摩尔分数(C_i)和气孔导度(G_s).因此高质量分数五氯酚比低质量分数五氯酚对转基因杨树光合作用产生更大的抑制响应.     

基于生态足迹的中国可持续食物消费模式

随着人们饮食需求的不断多样化,可持续食物消费已成为一个全球关注的重要议题。为了探寻可持续的食物消费模式,重点分析了中国食物消费结构演变趋势及特征,运用生态足迹模型量化中国食物消费结构的环境压力动态变化;基于可持续食物消费的内涵,结合中国均衡膳食和环境的可持续性指标,构建食物生态承载级别衡量标准,并据此建立了符合中国食物消费习惯、满足营养摄入需求、环境压力小的可持续食物消费模式。结果显示：中国食物消费生态环境压力不断增大,1978-2013年中国食物消费人均生态足迹增长了154.49%,2008年出现生态赤字,2013年赤字值为0.0705 ghm²;食物生态承载级别持续恶化,2008年生态承载级别由“较高”下降到“中等”;可持续食物消费模式的构建使得人均生态足迹下降了12.92%,表明转变食物消费模式是解决食物消费生态环境压力这一矛盾问题的最有效途径。     

静态应力降与动态应力降比值方法在东北地区震后趋势判定中的应用

计算静态应力降与动态应力降之比Y值,根据Y值的大小初步判定地震类型,是震后趋势判定的一种新方法,对震后趋势快速判定有一定意义。通过计算我省历年有影响地震的Y值,发现2005年以来黑龙江省及其周边地区中强地震静态应力降与动态应力降之比(Y值)在0.3~0.6之间,总体来说Y值较大,其地震类型以孤立型地震为主,吉林省前郭县地震Y值为0.37,与我省其他中强地震相比,Y值相对较低,初步判定为震群型地震。     

外源硫诱导下的Desulfovibrio desulfuricans sub sp.EPS特性及对Zn(Ⅱ)的吸附

研究了3种外源硫(Na₂SO₄、Na₂SO₃和Na₂S₂O₃·5H₂O)对Desulfovibrio desulfuricans sub sp.(D.desulfuricans sp.)的胞外聚合物(EPS)的胁迫/诱导作用。结果表明,在还原性硫源0.50g/L Na₂SO₃的条件下,EPS产量最高,为2104.39mg/g VSS,蛋白质含量为1888.52mg/g VSS,较胁迫/诱导前均提高了300%以上;其对Zn(Ⅱ)的吸附性能最好,为954.4mg/g EPS,提高了98.17%。三维荧光(3D-EEM)结果表明,胁迫/诱导后EPS中类酪氨酸均大量增加;傅里叶红外光谱(FTIR)结果表明,胁迫后-OH、C=O、C-O-C等官能团均大量增加,在Zn(Ⅱ)的吸附中发挥了重要作用;X光电子能谱(XPS)结果表明,在还原性硫源(Na₂SO₃和Na₂S₂O₃·5H₂O)胁迫/诱导后,EPS中C-O/C-N、C=N和某种含氧基团(X)大量增加,可能是吸附Zn(Ⅱ)的主要基团。     

纳米塑料聚苯乙烯对水中铅离子的吸附行为研究

纳米塑料作为一种新兴污染物在水中可长久稳定存在,其表面吸附的重金属对水环境产生了潜在危害.本文研究了纳米塑料聚苯乙烯微球在吸附时间、溶液pH、氯化钠溶液、锰离子、温度等不同实验条件下对铅离子的吸附行为.结果表明,粒径为400 nm的单分散聚苯乙烯微球可快速吸附铅离子,吸附平衡时间约为30 min,吸附率达到53.30%.聚苯乙烯微球对铅离子的吸附动力学符合伪一级动力学,吸附等温线遵循Freundlich模型,吸附过程主要为非线性吸附.随着溶液pH的增加,铅离子平衡吸附量增加,静电作用是影响铅离子在聚苯乙烯微球上吸附的关键因素.增加溶液盐浓度,微塑料发生聚集,比表面积减小,吸附位点减少,铅离子的吸附量显著降低,在3.5%氯化钠溶液中,纳米塑料对铅离子的吸附率仅为7.5%.与重金属锰离子共存,可促进聚苯乙烯微球对铅离子的吸附.升高温度,纳米塑料对铅离子的平衡吸附量增加.     

焙烧炉筒体结构强度有限元分析

对焙烧炉筒体结构进行有限元建模仿真,考虑热应力、压力和重力对筒体结构受力的影响,计算了焙烧炉关键部位的蠕变疲劳寿命,同时探究进气温度、保温层及对流系数等参数的影响。结果表明:热应力是影响结构强度的关键因素;焙烧炉筒体在许用蠕变变形量为5%的情况下,其使用寿命超过设计寿命;在筒体加热过渡段铺设保温层,降低与外界空气对流和提高进气温度,有利于降低筒体应力。     

Cu(II), Fe(III) and Mn(II) combinations as environmental stress factors have distinguishing effects on Enterococcus hirae

Pollution by various heavy metals as environmental stress factors might affect bacteria. It was established that iron (Fe(III)), manganese (Mn(II)) and copper (Cu(II)) ion combinations caused effects on Enterococcus hirae that differed from the sum of the effects when the metals were added separately. It was shown that the Cu²⁺-Fe³⁺ combination decreased the growth and ATPase activity of membrane vesicles of wild-type E. hirae ATCC9790 and atpD mutant (with defective F_oF₁-ATPase) MS116. Addition of Mn²⁺-Fe³⁺ combinations within the same concentration range had no effects on growth compared to control (without heavy metals). ATPase activity was increased in the presence of Mn²⁺-Fe³⁺, while together with 0.2 mmol/L N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCCD), ATPase activity was decreased compared to control (when only 0.2 mmol/L DCCD was present). These results indicate that heavy metals ion combinations probably affect the FOF1-ATPase, leading to conformational changes. Moreover the action may be direct or be mediated by environment redox potential. The effects observed when Fe³⁺ was added separately disappeared in both cases, which might be a result of competing processes between Fe³⁺ and other heavy metals. These findings are novel and improve the understanding of heavy metals ions effects on bacteria, and could be applied for regulation of stress response patterns in the environment.     

Cu(II), Fe(III) and Mn(II) combinations as environmental stress factors have distinguishing effects on Enterococcus hirae

Pollution by various heavy metals as environmental stress factors might affect bacteria. It was established that iron (Fe(III)), manganese (Mn(II)) and copper (Cu(II)) ion combinations caused effects on Enterococcus hirae that differed from the sum of the effects when the metals were added separately. It was shown that the Cu^2 +–Fe^3 + combination decreased the growth and ATPase activity of membrane vesicles of wild-type E. hirae ATCC9790 and atpD mutant (with defective F_oF₁-ATPase) MS116. Addition of Mn^2 +–Fe^3 + combinations within the same concentration range had no effects on growth compared to control (without heavy metals). ATPase activity was increased in the presence of Mn^2 +–Fe^3 +, while together with 0.2 mmol/L N,N′-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCCD), ATPase activity was decreased compared to control (when only 0.2 mmol/L DCCD was present). These results indicate that heavy metals ion combinations probably affect the F_OF₁-ATPase, leading to conformational changes. Moreover the action may be direct or be mediated by environment redox potential. The effects observed when Fe^3 + was added separately disappeared in both cases, which might be a result of competing processes between Fe^3 + and other heavy metals. These findings are novel and improve the understanding of heavy metals ions effects on bacteria, and could be applied for regulation of stress response patterns in the environment.     

铍青铜弹簧片应力腐蚀断裂研究

目的研究传感器微动开关弹簧片应力腐蚀的机理,找到断裂原因。方法对弹簧片进行断口形貌观察、能谱成分分析,并进行产品模拟腐蚀实验。结果传感器内部意外进入雨水,在工作温度下形成湿热环境,开关盒中的游离氨在此环境下释放出来,在开关盒内部形成潮湿氨气氛,铍青铜弹簧片工作时凹面一侧承受静拉应力作用,从而在潮湿氨和拉应力共同作用下发生应力腐蚀开裂。结论通过采用无氨酚醛塑料制备开关盒,弹簧片的应力腐蚀得到了有效预防。