PHOTOREGULATION OF NITRATE UTILIZATION IN GREEN ALGAE AND HIGHER PLANTS*

Abstract— Nitrate reductase from eukaryotes can be reversibly inactivated, blue light being an effective activating agent both in vitro and in vivo. Hydroxylamine proved to be a powerful inactivating agent of Ankistrodesmus braunii nitrate reductase. Irradiation with blue light of NH₂OH-inactivated nitrate reductase, specially in the presence of μM amounts of FAD, promoted the recovery of the enzyme activity. Similarly, photoexcited methylene blue reactivated spinach nitrate reductase. On the other hand, in vitro nitrate reductase is highly susceptible to photodynamic inactivation caused by singlet O₂. Aerobic incubation of the active spinach enzyme with either FMN or methylene blue under either blue or red light respectively led to its irreversible inactivation. Irradiation of frozen and thawed spinach leaf discs also promoted, in situ, an irreversible inactivation of nitrate reductase, provided that 6₂ was present in the incubation mixture. Thus, either in vitro or in situ, light can cause two quite different responses of nitrate reductase, its blue light-dependent photoactivation in a flavin sensitized reaction and its photodynamic inactivation in a singlet O₂-dependent process.     

NITRATE REDUCTASE—A KEY ENZYME IN BLUE LIGHT-PROMOTED CONIDIATION AND ABSORBANCE CHANGE OF NEUROSPORA

Abstract— Neurospora , when starved for several hours, can be stimulated by blue light to conidiate and also shows a blue light-inducible, flavin-mediated absorbance change near 425 nm due to photoreduc-tion of a h-type cytochrome. Under the same physiological conditions, nitrate reductase activity (NADPH-dependent nitrate reduction) decreases and the activity of its small subunit (methylviologen-to-nitrate reductase activity) increases. The increased activity is membrane associated (plasma membrane and mitochondria). The methylviologen-to-nitrate activity increase can also be brought about by treating mycelium briefly with diluted acetone. It is, therefore, interpreted as change within the nitrate reductase molecule (configuration change or separation of subunits with changed exposure of active sites). After acetone treatment the blue light-induced absorbance change can be observed immediately in the mycelium. Nitrate reductase with its flavin and protoheme prosthetic groups seems to be involved in both events, the induction of conidiation and in the described absorbance change.     

TEMPERATURE AND MYCOCHROME SYSTEM IN NEAR-UV LIGHT INDUCIBLE AND BLUE LIGHT REVERSIBLE PHOTOINDUCTION OF CONIDIATION IN Alternaria tomato*

Abstract— When dark-grown colonies were exposed to near-UV light, conidiophore formation was induced, and conidia developed during a subsequent dark period. Simultaneous exposure to near-UV and blue light inhibited induction of conidiation. The inductive effect of near-UV light irradiation was greatly enhanced by treating colonies with low temperatures for 4 h during the 2nd-6th hour of incubation in the dark following inductive irradiation: the enhancement was greatest at 21^°C. The extent of inhibition by blue light increased with the temperature between 10 and 28^°C. This diminution by low temperature was greatest when colonies previously kept at a low temperature were exposed to inductive irradiation: the longer the duration between inductive irradiation and temperature treatment, the lower the diminution. Higher fluences of blue light were required to suppress conidial induction at lower temperature. Thus, it is evident that the inductive effect of near-UV light irradiation on conidiation and the suppressive effect of blue light irradiation are each responsive to different temperatures applied at different times.     

ACTION SPECTRA FOR HYPHAL AGGREGATION,THE FIRST STAGE OF FRUITING,IN THE BASIDIOMYCETE Pleurotus ostreatus*

Abstract. Action spectra were determined for hyphal aggregation in Pleurotus ostreatus at wavelengths between 360 and 600 nm. The action spectrum for a 50% response had two maxima, one at 370 nm in the near-UV and the other a broad peak at 440–450 nm in the blue. Both were approximately of the same magnitude. A minimum was present at 400 nm and wavelengths greater than 530 nm invoked no response. Action spectra for a range of responses, 10–90%, were also determined which showed gradual changes in the peaks in the blue region. It was concluded that hyphal aggregation in P. ostreatus is under the control of a cryptochrome-like photoreceptor system.     

SIMILARITIES IN THE INDUCTION OF SYNTHESIS OF A CELL-SURFACE POLYPEPTIDE IN Arthrobacter sp. BY NEAR-UV IRRADIATION and PHOTODYNAMIC CONDITIONS

Irradiation of aerobic suspensions of Arthrobacter sp. with near-UV light (310-400 nm) induced synthesis of a 21 000 dalton, cell-surface polypeptide. Synthesis of this polypeptide also was induced by visible light in the presence of photodynamic dyes, as shown previously (Hoober, 1978). Induction of the polypeptide in near-UV light and with visible light plus dyes was inhibited by histidine. Hemin inhibited induction in near-UV light and in visible light with methylene blue, neutral red and acrifiavin, which are cationic dyes, but failed to inhibit induction in visible light with rose bengal, an anionic dye. These results suggested that inhibition by hemin required electrostatically favored interaction between the anionic porphyrin and the sensitizer, and that the near-UV light effect was mediated by a cationic or neutral endogenous sensitizer. The similarities in the responses of the cells to near-UV irradiation and visible light plus dyes suggested that the mechanism of induction under the two conditions was the same.     

INDUCTION OF DNA-PROTEIN CROSSLINKS IN HUMAN CELLS BY ULTRAVIOLET and VISIBLE RADIATIONS: ACTION SPECTRUM

Abstract— DNA-protein crosslinking was induced in cultured human P3 teratocarcinoma cells by irradiation with monochromatic radiation with wavelengths in the range254–434 nm (far-UV, near-UV, and blue light). Wavelength 545 nm green light did not induce these crosslinks, using the method of alkaline elution of the DNA from membrane filters. The action spectrum for the formation of DNA-protein crosslinks revealed two maxima, one in the far-UV spectrum that closely coincided with the relative spectrum of DNA at 254 and 290 nm, and one in the visible light spectrum at 405 nm, which has no counterpart in the DNA spectrum. The primary events for the formation of DNA-protein crosslinks by such long-wavelength radiation probably involve photosensitizers. This dual mechanism for DNA-protein crosslink formation is in strong contrast to the single mechanism for pyrimidine dimer formation in DNA, which apparently has no component in the visible light spectrum.     

BLUE LIGHT RESPONSES IN NITRATE REDUCTASE MUTANTS OF NEUROSPORA CRASSA

Abstract— The role of nitrate reductase in the blue light responses of photosuppression and phase shifting of circadian conidiation was studied in Neurospora crassa. The photoresponses, as assayed in three nitrate reductase mutants (nit-1,nit–2 and nit-3), showed no significant differences as compared to the responses in a strain which could utilize nitrate. In addition, the responses occur on a medium which (i) represses nitrate reductase activity due to the presence of ammonium ion and arginine or (ii) results in the production of an inactive enzyme due to the presence of tungsten. Nitrate reductase appears to be of no or secondary importance as a photoreceptor in the responses studied.     

Li+,Eu3+共掺杂La2MoO6红色荧光粉的Pechini法合成及近紫外/蓝光激发下的发光特征

采用Pechini法合成了白光LED用红色荧光粉La_1.9-xMoO₆:0.10Eu³⁺,xLi⁺(x=0,0.10,0.20,0.25),并对样品分别进行了X射线衍射(XRD)、扫描电子显微镜(SEM)、电子能谱(EDX)以及荧光光谱(PL)等技术手段分析。 PL光谱显示该荧光粉可被近紫外光(395 nm)和蓝光(466 nm)有效激发,产生616和623 nm强的红光发射,归属于Eu³⁺的⁵D₀→⁷F₂电偶极跃迁。该荧光粉与近紫外LED芯片(370~410 nm)和蓝光LED芯片(450~470 nm)均匹配良好,具有潜在的商业应用价值。 共掺Li⁺离子作为敏化剂能显著提高荧光粉的发光强度,且最优掺杂量为x=0.20。     

Blue Light-induced Acidification of the Medium and the Uptake of Nitrate in a Nitrate-starved Chlorella

When cells of nitrate-starved Chlorella kessleri (Fott et Novakova, no. 211-11h) were suspended in phosphate buffer containing nitrate, they could barely take up nitrate in the dark. The addition of glucose resulted in the initiation of nitrate uptake by Chlorella. Irradiation with blue light stimulated the uptake of nitrate about two-fold as compared with those of glucose-treated cells and the acidification of the suspension medium, which, after 60-90 min of blue irradiation, turned to alkalinization. These effects of blue light on the uptake of nitrate and pH changes were also observed in nitrate-starved colorless (Fott et Novakova, no. 9.80) and yellow (Fott et Novakova, no. 211-11h/20) mutants of C. kessleri. Staurosporine and K252a, potent inhibitors of protein kinase C, inhibited the blue light-induced acidification of the medium and nitrate uptake. The data are discussed with regard to transduction of the signal for blue light-induced acidification and nitrate uptake.     

White-Light-Emitting Self-Assembled NanoFibers and Their Evidence by Microspectroscopy of Individual Objects

The self-assembly of a blue-emitting light-harvesting organogelator and specifically designed highly fluorescent tetracenes yields nanofibers with tunable emissive properties. In particular, under near-UV excitation, white light emission is achieved in organogels and dry films of nanofibers. Confocal fluorescence microspectroscopy demonstrates that each individual nanofiber emits white light. A kinetic study shows that an energy transfer (ET) occurs between the blue-emitting anthracene derivative and the green- and red-emitting tetracenes, while inter-tetracene ETs also take place. Moreover, microscopy unravels that the nanofibers emit polarized emission in the blue spectral region, while at wavelengths higher than 500 nm the emission is not significantly polarized.     

ULTRAVIOLET ACTION SPECTRA FOR AEROBIC AND ANAEROBIC INACTIVATION OF Escherichia coli STRAINS SPECIFICALLY SENSITIVE AND RESISTANT TO NEAR ULTRAVIOLET RADIATIONS

Abstract— Action spectra for the lethal effects of ultraviolet light (254–434 nm) irradiation delivered under aerobic or anaerobic conditions to Escherichia coli RT2 (specifically sensitive to near-UV radiation; > 320 nm) and E. coli RT4 (near-UV resistant) were prepared. Negligible oxygen dependence was observed for both strains below about 315 nm. The oxygen enhancement ratio (OER) for RT4 increased above this wavelength to the longest wavelength used, whereas for RT2 there was a greater increase in the OER to a large peak at 365 nm, then a progressive decrease at longer wavelengths. The results are consistent with the possibility that the sensitivity of strain RT2 to near-UV radiation may be due to hyperproduction of photosensitizer, operating via photodynamic type reactions involving excited species of oxygen.     

Photostimulation of conidiation in mutants of Neurospora crassa

Various mutants of Neurospora crassa were screened for light-stimulated conidiation which is a blue light effect and, at least in strain albino-band, is mediated by the flavoprotein nitrate reductase (NR). NR- mutants showed practically no photoconidiation under standard conditions. However, in fusion products of nit-1 (diaphorase activity present, terminal activity missing) plus nit-3 (terminal activity present, diaphorase activity missing), NR activities and photoconidiation were partially restored. Mutants with altered light sensitivities, such as white collar WC-1 and light-insensitive lis-2 and lis-3, had normal NR activities and their conidiation was promoted by light, whereas WC-2 and lis-1 responded only slightly. These two mutants showed low NR activities especially when grown on solid medium which might be the cause of their blindness. Experiments with NR- mutants indicated that nitrite reductase might also act as a blue light photoreceptor.     

Evidence for Signal Transduction in the Stimulation of Nitrate Uptake by Blue Light in Chlorella saccharophila*

Abstract— In Chlorella saccharophila blue light supplementary to red light stimulated the nitrate uptake rate by a factor of two. This stimulation was independent of photosynthesis as it occurred in cells where photosynthesis was totally inhibited by DCMU. The effect of blue light (2 min 25 μE m ^?2 s^?1 are sufficient) led to an event that persisted for 50 min (memory effect) as an enhanced nitrate uptake. However, the addition of ocadaic acid extended the effect of blue light over 90 min. Blue light alone also led to the phosphorylation of distinct proteins (120 kDa and 34 kDa) bound to the plasma membrane with that at 34 kDa being the most prominent. This phosphorylation was inhibited by staurosporine and was stimulated after the plasma membrane vesicles were treated with several freeze-thawing cycles.     

BLUE AND GREEN LIGHT EFFECTS,AND THEIR PHOTOREVERSIBILITY,UPON ZOOSPORE PRODUCTION AND THE SYNCHRONIZED CYCLE IN PROTOSIPHON BOTRYOIDES KLEBS*

Abstract —The synchronized asexual cycle in Protosiphon botryoides Klebs is described. A blue light (430 nm) inhibition of zoospore production can be photoreversed by green light (550 nm). Similarly, a green light (550 nm) stimulation of zoospore production can be photoreversed by blue (430 nm) light. 430 nm light also shortens the period of zoospore motility, and 550 nm light lengthens this period.     

DIFFERENT PHOTOINACTIVATION MECHANISMS IN Propionibacterium acnes FOR NEAR-ULTRAVIOLET and VISIBLE LIGHT

The light sensitivity of Propionibacterium acnes was investigated when the cells were exposed to anoxia, sodium azide, D₂O or superoxide dismutase in combination with visible light (broad band red light and 415 nm) and near-ultraviolet irradiation (360 and 320 nm). During anoxia the cells became less sensitive when the irradiation wavelength increased. Oxygen increased the photodamage to a greater extent in the case of visible light than of near-UV light. The photosensitization effects were, however, more or less oxygen dependent at all wavelengths used. An effect of azide and D₂O on the light sensitivity was observed for visible light, while superoxide dismutase was effective only at 320 nm.
The results support the hypothesis that inactivation of P. acnes with near-UV and visible light is based on different mechanisms. Porphyrin photosensitization, accomplished by singlet oxygen, is the most important mechanism when visible light is used. At shorter wavelengths (320 and 360 nm) singlet oxygen is not involved and for 320 nm the destruction might occur via superoxide anion formation.     

ARE THERE SEVERAL PHOTORECEPTORS INVOLVED IN PHOTOTROPISM OF Phycomyces blakesleeunus? KINETIC STUDIES OF DICHROMATIC IRRADIATION*

Abstract— Photogeotropic equilibrium angles were measured for Phycomyces blakesleeanus wild type firstly by means of dichromatic fluence rate response curves using simultaneous irradiation with near threshold 450 nm reference light (constant at 1.2 × 10^?8 W m^?2) and variable fluence rates of test light (498–630 nm) from the same side. These curves showed minima for test light fluence rates that were close to the photogeotropic threshold for these wavelengths. Secondly, the time course of this inhibitory effect was studied with both the inductive reference 450 nm light (2 × 10^?-⁷ W m^?2) and the test light (606 or 450 nm) given as light pulses of 2 s duration (2 s light/48 s dark periods for 6 h). The dark period between the onset of the inductive reference light and test light pulses was varied between 0 and 48 s. No inhibitory effects were observed for simultaneous pulses; however, inhibitory effects were demonstrated for delay times of 2 s and 20 s for 606 nm as well as 450 nm test light. If the test light pulses were given immediately before the inductive reference light, only 606 nm test light was effective in producing a significant inhibitory effect. The results are discussed with regard to a multichromophoric photoreceptor system and to the wavelength dependence of the effects observed. The data and conclusions favor a photoreceptor system with at least two separate chromophoric absorptions of the blue light receptor type, one acting positively, the other acting inhibitorily, and at least one other photoreceptor of presumably minor influence.     

Photooxidized products of recombinant alpha A-crystallin and W9F mutant

Human lenses contain many photosensitizers that absorb light at wavelengths above 300 nm, most notably UVA light (320-400 nm). Kynurenine (Kyn) and 3-hydroxykynurenine (HK), two of the best-known photosensitizers in the human lens, may play a significant role in photooxidation-related changes in lens proteins, such as conformational change and aggregation. In vitro irradiation experiments with proteins indicate that the Trp residue (with maximal absorption at 295 nm) is more susceptible to photooxidation by UVB light (280-320 nm) than by UVA light, but most UVB light below 300 nm is screened by the cornea and little reaches the lens, especially the nuclear region where nuclear color develops. Therefore, if photooxidation is an important contributor to nuclear color or nuclear cataract, it must arise from a photosensitized reaction. In the present study, we use recombinant alpha A- and its Trp-deficient mutant W9F as models to study the effects of UVA irradiation in the presence of HK or Kyn and of UVB (300 nm) irradiation on alpha-crystallins. alpha A-crystallin showed a large decrease in Trp fluorescence and a large increase in non-Trp (blue) fluorescence after the HK-sensitized or 300 nm photooxidation. For the W9F mutant, a smaller decrease in protein fluorescence (lambda ex at 280 nm) and a smaller increase in blue fluorescence than for the wild-type alpha A-crystallin were observed. A decrease in the near-UV CD was also observed for both photooxidized alpha A and the W9F mutant. The effect of Kyn sensitization is smaller than that of HK sensitization. A study of chaperone-like activity indicated that only 300 nm photooxidized alpha A and the W9F mutant increased the ability to protect insulin from dithiothreitol-induced aggregation. Thus, sensitized photooxidation can occur in amino acids other than Trp by UVA in the presence of HK or Kyn with effects similar to, albeit smaller than, those of direct UVB (300 nm) photooxidation.     

Photodegradation of Polychlorinated Dibenzo-p-dioxins in Liquid Samples by Near UV Light Irradiation

Photodegradation of 1,2,3,4-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (1,2,3,4-TCDD) in hexane solution was studied under controlled near-UV light exposure in the spectral region from 325 to 269 nm. GC-MS was used to detect the amount of unreacted dioxin and to characterize the relevant degradation products. Irradiation experiments carried out at a constant light energy (700 mJ) showed that the percentage of 1,2,3,4-TCDD left in the solution after irradiation changed from about 55 to 75%, with a minimum of 55% at 310 nm. Further irradiation experiments carried out at two wavelengths, namely 310 and 269 nm, and light energy ranging from 0 to 4000 mJ, showed that the photodegradation reaction of the TCDD always followed a pseudo-first-order kinetic, with a rate constant of 8 × 10⁻⁴and 5 × 10⁻⁴mJ⁻¹, respectively. These experiments also showed that trichloro- and dichloro-dibenzo-p-dioxins were produced with less than 15% of the initial quantity of TCDD, leading to the conclusion that the dechlorination process is a minor photolysis pathway.     

Biphasic fluence-response curves and derived action spectra for light-induced absorbance changes in Phycomyces mycelium

The photoresponses of Phycomyces, including phototropism and photocontrol of sporangiophore development, are mediated primarily by blue and UV light. Recent results on these two responses indicated a subsidiary role for green light. We have measured in vivo light-induced absorbance changes (LIAC) in mycelial samples of a caroteneless (carB) strain to compare the effectiveness of UV, blue, and green light. In the dual-wavelength kinetic mode of the spectrophotometer, measuring wavelengths of 445 and 470 nm were chosen, because green light produces substantial absorbance changes between these two wavelengths. Fluence-response curves were measured for 13 wavelengths between 365 and 530 nm, and for variable exposure times between 0.5 and 320 s. With one exception (365 nm), the curves were biphasic. The low fluence component was generally sigmoidal with an abrupt rise. The high fluence component failed to reach saturation for the fluences tested (less than 70 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹). Using the inferred threshold fluences of these two components as criterion effects, we obtained two action spectra. For the low fluence component, the action spectrum showed major peaks at 394, 450, and 530 nm and a minor peak at 416 nm. The high fluence component action spectrum showed very little sensitivity in the blue region. The major sensitivity was in the near UV, and a relatively small peak appeared in the green part of the spectrum at 507 nm. The biphasic character of the fluence-response curves suggests that two photosystems are responsible for the absorbance changes. The low fluence photosystem is sensitive mainly to blue and UV light and may thus represent a physiological blue-light photoreceptor. The high fluence photosystem is clearly not of this type. It (and perhaps the low fluence system as well) may mediate some of the subsidiary physiological effects of green light.     

SEASONAL PHOTOSENSITIVITY OF BLEPHARISMA: THE ROLE OF TEMPERATURE

Red blepharismas (B. japonicum) in Pyrex test tubes exposed near noon to clear summer daylight are killed. If similarly exposed at dawn, they turn blue as the red pigment blepharismin is oxidized to oxyblepharismin. and they resist further exposure to daylight. Red blepharismas similarly exposed to sunlight at dawn in winter are killed. The experiments reported seek the reasons for the seasonal difference in photosensitivity and the way in which blepherismas survive winter. Red blepharismas (B. japonicum) exposed to visible and near ultraviolet (UV) radiation from two 4W coolwhite fluorescent lamps (5 Wm^-2; 2151ux) resist an 8h exposure between 15° and 34°C. turning blue. Blue and colorless blepharismas also resist 8h exposures to the light at 15° and 34°C. At 8°C both red and blue populations are killed, death appearing to result from deranged water regulation; colorless ones are not affected. Red blepharismas are killed by fluorescent light at 8° C even when the near-UV radiation is largely excluded by a Corning glass filter; blue and colorless ones are not. The reds are also killed at all temperatures by sunlight filtered through Pyrex glass if exposed near noon on a sunny day. At temperatures above 8° C they are not killed by direct sunlight passed through glass if exposed at dawn, but they turn blue. Blepharismas in fluorescent light divide at the same rate as controls in the dark, but they get smaller. When exposed to sunlight at dawn, at temperatures above 8°C. blepharismas in Pyrex test tubes containing stones or fruiting spikes of grass, hid in the shade of these objects, apparently by random movements. If exposed under similar conditions near noontime, the majority failed to find cover and were killed. Blepharismas survive in summer by avoiding sunlight, in winter by encystment. Colorless protozoans Paraineciurn multimicronucleatum, Colpidium colpoda and Spirostomum teres resisted killing in summer sunlight and with fluorescent light at all temperatures tested.