ATP-GTP-BINDING PROTEINS AND ENDOGENOUS ADP-RIBOSYL TRANSFERASE IN Lemna paucicostata 441

Abstract— A crude extract containing membrane components of Lemna paucicostata was treated with 1% Lubrol PX and fractionated by gel nitration. Binding activities to non-hydrolyzable analogues of ATP, [³⁵S]ATPγS (adenosine 5'[;γ-thio]triphosphate) and that of GTP, [³⁵S]GTPγS (guanosine 5'[γ-thiojtriphosphate) were detected in some fractions, and these activities were prevented in the presence of 0.1 mM ATP or GTP. ATP and GTP were 2 to 3 orders of magnitude more effective than CTP or UTP in preventing this binding activity. These fractions showed ATPase and GTPase activities with 1 nM [γ-³²P]ATP or [γ–³²P]GTP substrate. Analyses by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of these fractions after binding with [³⁵S]ATPγS or [³⁵S]GTP-γ S revealed that these fractions contained [³⁵S]ATPγS and [³⁵S]GTPγS binding proteins with molecular weights of 53 000 and 60 000, respectively. Both of these proteins were [³²P]ADP-ribosylated by endogenous ADP-ribosyl transferase. Three proteins with molecular weights of 11 000, 12 000 and 13 000 which could bind [³⁵S]ATP7S or [-³⁵S]GTP-γ S were ADP-ribosylated by endogenous ADP-ribosyl transferase. Pertussis toxin stimulated ADP-ribosylation of these proteins. Four proteins with molecular weight of 37 000, 50 000, 80 000 and 115 000 with P^SS]ATP7S and [^,3S]GTP7S binding activities were also detected. The signal transduction of light to underlying clock mechanism in Lemna may be controlled by ATP-GTP-binding proteins and by the ADP-ribosylation of these proteins.     

PURIFICATION AND PARTIAL CHARACTERIZATION OF POLYSACCHARIDES FROM THE POLLEN OF TYPHA ANGUSTIFILIA L

Three polysaccharides TAA, TAB and TAC were purified from the pollen of Typha An-gustifilia L..TAA is mainly composed of α-L-arabinofuranose, β-D-galactose and α-D-galac-turonic acid.TAB and TAC contain the backbone mainly composed of (1→5)-linked-L-arabi-nosyl residue.     

RHYTHMIC OSCILLATION OF CYCLIC 3',5'AMP AND -GMP CONCENTRATION AND STIMULATION OF FLOWERING BY CYCLIC 3',5'-GMP IN Lemna paucicostata 381

Abstract— Rhythmic oscillation of the concentration of cyclic 3',5'-AMP and -GMP in a short day plant, Lemna paucicostata 381 in continuous darkness was detected after 2 cycles of 12 h dark and 12 h light entrainment. Cyclic 3',5'-AMP and -GMP, extracted from whole plant showed parallel oscillations in their concentrations for initial 36 h in continuous darkness and the oscillation in the concentration of cyclic 3',5'-AMP was roughly circadian. Their concentrations decreased during the initial 12 h (subjective night) and increased during 12 to 28 h. Exogenous addition of 2 μ.M of cyclic 3',5'-GMP or the dibutyryl derivative of it stimulated floral induction by 20 to 30%, when the plants were grown under 12 h light and 12 h dark regime. Cyclic 3',5'-AMP or the dibutyryl derivative of it showed little effect on flowering.     

PHOTOREACTIVATION OF ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT-INDUCED SISTER CHROMATID EXCHANGES IN POTOROUS CELLS

Abstract— Exposure to visible light after UV-irradiation showed a remarkable effect on UV-induced sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs). After 6-h exposure to visible light (3 × 10⁵ J/m²), two-thirds of the UV-induced SCEs were prevented, confirming Kato's findings. Exposure to visible light before UV irradiation had no effect. This effect of visible light on UV-induced SCEs was temperature dependent, suggesting the presence of enzymatic photoreactivation.     

LIGHT-INDUCED CAROTENE SYNTHESIS IN MUTANTS OF PHYCOMYCES WITH ABNORMAL PHOTOTROPISM

Mutants of Phycomyces. abnormal in their phototropic responses (the mad mutants), have been tested for their responses in light-induced carotene synthesis (LICS). The amount of carotene synthesized at any given fluence is significantly lower in the madA, madB and madD mutants than in the wild type. The amount of carotene is not lower in other mad mutants ( madC, madE, madF and madG ). The double mutant mad A madB and the triple mutant mad A madB madC show stronger effects. The wild type strain, as well as those carrying a single mad mutation ( madA and madB ) or those carrying two or three mad mutations ( madA madB. madA madB madC ) show closely similar sensitivity to LICS. This contrasts with phototropism and photoinitiation of sporangiophores which are sensitive to extremely small signals in the wild type and in which the madA mutation decreases the sensitivity by nearly a factor of 10⁴ and madB mutation by a factor of 10⁵. It appears that LICS does not share the signal amplification mechanisms characteristic of the other two responses.     

THE NATURE OF ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT-INDUCED STRAND BREAKAGE IN DNA CONTAINING BROMOURACIL

Abstract— Single-strand breaks are produced in the phosphodiester backbone of ultraviolet-light-irradiated 5–bromodeoxyuridine-containing DNA (BU-DNA) after treatment with alkali. No radiation dependent breakage is observed in thymine-containing DNA (thy-DNA). The relative yields of breaks terminated by 5'-hydroxyl and 5'-phosphate groups was determined by measuring the rate of phosphorylation achieved with polynucleotide kinase in BU-DNA single strands before and after treatment with alkaline phosphatase. The ratio of 5'-phosphate to 5' hydroxyl groups ranged from 2.3 to 2.9 in different experiments. When cysteamine was present during irradiation no new end groups were produced.
In order to identify the nucleoside(s) at the 5'-termini, phosphate groups were removed with alkaline phosphatase and the 5'-hydroxyl groups were phosphorylated with polynucleotide kinase. Electrophoresis of enzymatic digests showed a single ³²P-labeled component migrating more rapidly than any of the four usual 5'-mononucleotides. Upon column chromatography this component resolved into a major peak coincident with 5'-dUMP and a lesser unidentified constituent. No 5'-dBUM³²P was observed among these nucleotides.     

PHYTOCHROME IN GREEN-TISSUE: PARTIAL PURIFICATION and CHARACTERIZATION OF THE 118-KILODALTON PHYTOCHROME SPECIES FROM LIGHT-GROWN Avena sativa L.*

The predominant, immunochemically-detectable phytochrome polypeptide rapidly extracted directly into boiling sodium dodecyl sulfate-containing buffer from fresh or freeze-dried green Avena tissue has an apparent molecular mass of 118 kilodaltons (kDa). This result indicates that the 118-kDa phytochrome species obtained from green Avena by extraction and rapid processing under non-denaturing conditions in previous studies was not derived by partial proteolysis of a larger polypeptide present in the cell. Additional data do, however, demonstrate the presence in green tissue homogenates of proteolytic activity that can cause a = 6-kDa reduction in apparent molecular mass and a blue-shift in the P_fr absorbance maximum of phytochrome during handling. This proteolytic activity contrasts with that previously encountered in etiolated tissue in that it is not inhibited by phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride, but is inhibited by iodoacetamide and leupeptin. This result indicates that the activity is associated with a thiol-like protease. A partial purification procedure that incorporates the use of iodacetamide and a novel chromatographic step is described for green-tissue phytochrome. This procedure provides 50% recovery with a 90-fold enrichment of phytochrome relative to the initial extract in which the chromoprotein is 0.003% of the total soluble protein. The final fraction is apparently free of proteolytic activity. Immunoblot analysis of this fraction demonstrates that the predominant immunoreactive band has a monomeric molecular mass of 118 kDa. Comigration of this band with a band exhibiting zinc-induced fluorescence on blots of the partially purified preparations verifies that the 118-kDa species is the principal tetrapyrrole-bearing polypeptide present. Spectral properties of the final fraction are identical to those published for crude green-tissue extracts, indicating the stability of the molecule's spectral properties throughout the procedure. Size exclusion chromatography under nondenaturing conditions shows that the 118-kDa phytochrome species from green tissue comigrates with the dimeric, etiolated-tissue molecule, and is therefore suggestive of similar quaternary structure. Together these data reinforce previous conclusions that the predominant phytochrome molecule present in the living cells of green tissue is resolvable as a 118-kDa species, distinct from the well-characterized 124-kDa molecule from etiolated tissue (Tokuhisa et al., 1985, Planta 164, 321–332), and indicate that the partial purification protocol described here sustains the green-tissue phytochrome in its native state throughout the procedure.     

ISOLATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF PROTEINS FROM THE PUTATIVE PHOTORECEPTOR FOR POSITIVE PHOTOTAXIS IN THE DINOFLAGELLATE, Peridinium gatunense NYGAARD

Abstract –A chromoprotein fraction was isolated from the freshwater dinoflagellate, Peridinium gatunense, which is assumed to contain the photoreceptor chromoproteins for phototaxis, as its absorption and fluorescence spectra correspond to the action spectrum for phototaxis. The chromoproteins of this fraction were separated by anion-exchange column chromatography and further by sodium dodecylsulfate gel electrophoresis.     

VISUALIZATION OF ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT-INDUCED THYMINE DIMERS IN DNA BY IMMUNOELECTRON MICROSCOPY

Abstract— To see the damage of DNA due to ultravoilet-B more distinctly, immunoelectron microscopic studies using a monoclonal antibody against cyclobutane-type thymine dimers were performed. As a result, we could detect the existence of thymine dimers on human genomic DNA and _pUC18 plasmid DNA visually. This technique can be useful to locate the photoproducts formed on DNA.     

LIGHT-INDUCED PERTURBATION OF AROMATIC RESIDUES IN BOVINE RHODOPSIN AND BACTERIORHODOPSIN*

Light-induced changes in the UV absorption spectrum of bovine rod outer segment membranes were measured by conventional difference spectroscopy and by flash photolysis methods. Different thermal intermediates of rhodopsin (lumirhodopsin, metarhodopsin I, metarhodopsin II, and meta-rhodopsin III) have absorption spectra in the ultraviolet which differ from the rhodopsin spectrum and from each other. The spectra associated with metarhodopsin I, metarhodopsin II, and metarhodopsin III are characteristic of perturbation of a small number of tyr. and/or trp residues, most likely one trp residue. These aromatic residues are in the neighborhood of the retinal Schiff base and undergo coordinated changes of interaction with retinal during the bleaching sequence. At the metarhodopsin II stage, the magnitude of the UV spectral changes is consistent with the exposure of a previously shielded trp residue to an aqueous environment. The present results are consistent with previous spectral studies which limit the extent of light-induced conformational changes to regions of the protein in the neighborhood of the retinal Schiff base. An analogous study was made on light-adapted purple membranes of Halobacterium halobium. The UV absorption spectrum associated with the deprotonated Schiff base intermediate of the trans-bacteriorhodopsin cycle is indicative, in part, of aromatic residue perturbation. However, significant changes in the secondary and tertiary structures of the bacterio-rhodopsin protein characteristic of a delocalized conformational change are unlikely at this intermediate stage.     

LIGHT-INDUCED REDOXCYCLES OF FLAVINS IN VARIOUS ALCOHOL/ACETIC ACID MIXTURES

Abstract— By dual wavelength absorption spectroscopy and fluorimetry. a flavin photo-redoxcycle never reported before has been observed in solvents composed of alcohols (methanol, ethanol, benzyl alcohol) and acetic acid. This cycle consists of a fast anaerobic photoreduction with a subsequent rcoxidation of the flavin as a dark reaction. The photoreduction process is not sensitive to the prescnce of water (up to 50 vol%), in contrast to the reoxidizing process, which is completely inhibited by 10 vol% of water. Furthermore. this photocycle is inhibited by esters. Negative activation energies of about 20 kJ/mol for both photoreduction and oxidation indicate complex molecular mechanisms. It is proposed that photoreduction of the flavin produces a highly volatile oxidizing agent responsible for the subsequent reoxidation. Photoreducing and oxidizing species remain to be identified.     

RATE OF INTRAMOLECULAR CONTACT FORMATION IN PROTEINS

In this paper, we estimate the rate of contact formation between two residues in the interior of the proteins using the Szabo, Schulten, and Schulten formula with the probability distribution P(r) based on 375 proteins from PDB (Protein Data Bank). The probability distribution for residue pair in proteins is different from the Gaussian distribution, especially for short distance between two residues in proteins. The rate of contact formation in the interior of protein is discussed as a function of distance n (=|j-i|) between two residues, and it decreases monotonically with n and follows the scaling relationship of k∞n-γwithγ= 1.43 for the contact radius a= 0.40 nm andγ= 1.05 for a = 0.50 nm. The diffusion coefficient for the relative diffusion of two residues in the interior of proteins is estimated as D = 6.4×10-6 cm2/s, which is close to the result that is found for monomer diffusion.     

LIGHT-INDUCED SHIFTS IN THE ABSORPTION SPECTRUM OF CAROTENOIDS IN RED AND BROWN ALGAE

Abstract— Changes in light absorption in the region 450–540 nm were observed upon illumination of the red algae Iridaea splendens, Schizymenia pacifica and Porphyra perforata and the brown alga Pheostrophion irregulare . The difference spectra of these changes in Iridaea and Schizymenia showed maxima and minima at about 465, 480, 495, 515 nm. The spectra were similar to difference spectra earlier observed in photosynthetic bacteria, and the location of the maxima and minima suggested a shift towards longer wavelength of a compound with absorption maxima at about 440, 470, and 500 nm, probably a carotenoid. Similar, but more distorted difference spectra were observed in the other algae. Time courses and size of the signals induced by light of different wavelengths suggest that excitation of both photosynthetic pigment systems causes a shift in carotenoid absorption, with kinetics which appear to be similar to those of the well-known change at 515 nm in green plants.     

REGULATION OF NITRATE REDUCTASE ACTIVITY IN RICE

The properties of NR from rice varieties Yuanfengzao and Jingyin 127 are the same in molecular weight of native enzyme and subunit, optimum pH, K_m value for substrates NO_3~- and NADH, stability in vitro and immunological characteristics. The decay rate in vitro of the activity of the partially purified NR from Yuanfengzao is 20％ lower than that from Jingyin 127. The results from antiserum titration and rocket immunoelectrophoresis indicated that the amount of NR in Yuanfengzao is about 1.5 times more than that in Jingyin 127. Further study on in vivo incorporation of ~3H-labeled amino acids into NR revealed that the rate of NR synthesis in Yuanfengzao is obviously higher than that in Jingyin 127. In vitro translation of mRNA showed that the products of NR-mRNA per unit of total mRNA of Yuanfengzao is much more than that of Jingyin 127. It is concluded that, therefore, NR activity in rice is regulated through NR synthesis and NR-inhibitory protein(s) system, the former is further controlled at the lev     

ENERGETICS OF PROTONATION-DEPROTONATION OF THE CHROMOPHORE IN RETINAL PROTEINS

Abstract— We investigate the energetics of protonation and deprotonation of retinylidene Schiff-base (SB) which is realized in the functioning of retinal proteins. We first calculate the energy difference ΔE between the protonated and unprotonated states of the SB by the ab initio molecular orbital method, using two kinds of molecular model; a counter-ion model where a carboxyl group of Glu or Asp is directly hydrogen-bonded to the SB, and a water-bridge model where a water molecule bridges the carboxyl group and the SB. The calculated results indicate that the protonated SB state is unstable compared with the unprotonated SB state in either model. In addition, we find that coordination of some water molecules to the carboxyl group reduces ΔE significantly. The value of AE for the counterion model with two coordinated water molecules is 0.003 eV. Next, we calculate the electrostatic interaction energy between a tryptophan residue and the SB. We find that the protonated state is more stabilized than the unprotonated state by about 0.1 eV with one tryptophan residue. This fact indicates that if some aromatic amino acid residues work cooperatively, they can contribute to significantly reducing ΔE. We also discuss the possible role of amino acid residues which make hydrogen-bond with the carboxyl group of interest.     

ISOLATION AND PARTIAL CHARACTERIZATION OF THE PHOTOCHEMICAL REACTION CENTER OF CHROMATIUM VINOSUM (STRAIN D)

Abstract— –A preparation of the photochemical reaction center of Chromatiwn has been obtained by chromatography of lauryldimethylamineoxide-solubilized chromatophores on hydroxylapatite and Sepharose columns. The procedure has yielded a reaction center preparation from both carotenoid-containing and carotenoid-deficient Chromatium cells. Preliminary analysis of the isolated component indicates that the photochemical reaction center of the Thiorhodaceae is homologous to that of the Athiorhodaceae. In particular, the near infrared absorption spectrum of the Chromatium reaction center preparation shows the same triple-peaked spectrum observed for reaction center preparations from the Athiorhodaceae. The Chromatium preparation undergoes a rapid light-induced oxidation and dark reduction of the reaction center. The ratio of the reaction center to the two membrane-bound cytochromes (cytochrome c₅₅₂ and c₅₅₅) is greatly increased over the ratio observed in chromatophores or in other previously isolated, reaction center-enriched subchromatophore fractions of this organism.     

INVESTIGATION OF LIGHT-INDUCED CONFORMATION CHANGES IN SPIROPYRAN-MODIFIED SUCCINYLATED POLY(l-LYSINE)

Abstract— To determine the maximum range of coupling between side-chain photochromism and polypeptide conformation change, we modified the carboxylate side chains of succinylated poly(l -lysine) with a spiropyran to form polypeptide I. The extent of modification was determined to be 35.5%. The spacer group length between the polypeptide a-carbon and the dye was 12 atoms, providing minimum polypeptide-dye interaction. Conformation changes were monitored by circular dichroism as a function of light adaptation and solvent composition (hexafluoroisopropanol [HFIP] vs trifluoroethanol [TFE]). Under all solvent compositions, the dark-adapted dye was in the merocyanine form. Light adaptation by visible light converted the dye to the spiropyran form. When dissolved in TFE, I adopted a helical conformation insensitive to light adaptation. With increasing percentage HFIP, a solvent-induced helix-to-coil transition was observed around 80% (vol/vol) HFIP. At 100% HFIP, both light- and dark-adapted forms of I were in the coil state. Near the midpoint of the solvent-induced helix-to-coil transition, light adaptation caused conformation changes. Applying helix-to-coil transition theory, we measured a statistically significant difference in coil segment-HFIP binding constant for light- v.v dark-adapted solutions (6.38 ± 0.03 M^-1vs 6.56 ± 0.03 M^-1), but not for the nucleation parameter σ (1.2 ± 0.4 10^-3 v.v 1.3 ± 0.3 × 10^-3). The small binding constant difference translated to a light-induced binding energy difference of 17 cal/mol/monomer. Near the midpoint of the helix-to-coil transition, collective interactions between monomer units made possible the translation of a small energy difference (less than RT) into large macromolecular conformation changes. This work parallels similar behavior observed in poly(isocyanate) (Green, M. M. et al. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 115 , 4941–4942, 1993). The subtle differences in dye-backbone interaction in I suggested a maximum coupling distance (12 atoms) beyond which polypeptide conformation and dye state are uncoupled.     

LIGHT-INDUCED INFRARED LIGHT SCATTERINGSIGNAL IN THE RETINA: EFFECT OF PHOSPHODIESTERASE INHIBITORS

Visible light changes IR light scatter through a toad retina. This signal presents three components: at low light intensity (100-400 bleached rhodopsins/rod) an early decrease in IR light scatter, of small amplitude, with time to peak of 1-6 s; at intermediate light intensity (1200-16,000 bleached rhodopsins/rod) a slow increase in IR light scatter, with time to peak of 10-30 s; at high light intensity (50,000-160,000 bleached rhodopsins/rod) a last increase in IR light scatter, with time to peak of 1 min. Light sensitivity, amplitude and time to peak of the last two components are increased by inhibitors (3-isobutyl-1-methyl-xanthine and papaverine) of the cyclic 3'5' guanosine monophosphate phosphodiesterase.     

A DIURNAL RHYTHM IN THE RATE OF LIGHT-INDUCED ELECTRON FLOW IN MAIZE BUNDLE SHEATH STRIPS

Abstract— A technique for the rapid mechanical isolation of bundle sheath strips from Zea mays was used to study the rate of light-induced electron flow as a function of time of day. Seedlings were raised for 10 days in light/dark cycles and then exposed to various intensities of light. The rate of light-induced electron flow was measured five times during the 24-h cycle using a whole cell, H₂O to methyl viologen assay in the presence of gramicidin. The uncoupled rate of electron flow reached a maximum at midday and then decreased for the remainder of the cycle.
If at the end of the 14-h dark period plants were either maintained in darkness, or exposed to very low irradiance white light. then no rhythmicity was observed. If continuous light at higher irradiance was used, then only one additional peak of activity was observed. The minimal light irradiance necessary to allow the continued expression of the rhythm in light/dark cycles is in the range between 11 to 54 W m_-2. A 15-min bright-light (54 W m_-2) pulse administered at dawn is not sufficient to stimulate the expression of the rhythm indicating that the light during the light/dark cycle is doing more than just acting as a "light-on" synchronizing signal. An imposed dark period is also necessary if the rhythm is to be expressed for more than one cycle.     

LIGHT-INDUCED SYNTHESIS OF ANTHOCYANIN IN CARROT CELLS IN SUSPENSION—IV. THE ACTION SPECTRUM

Abstract— Using carrot cell suspension in 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D)-depleted culture medium, fluence-response curves for the formation of anthocyanin were determined at various wavelengths from 250 to 800 nm. In the fluence-response curves at wavelengths between 260 and 330 nm, the response showed a sharp fluence-dependent increase after the fluence exceeded threshold level at the respective wavelength. Such a sharp increase in response was not observed by light at 450 nm or longer wavelengths, although the response obtained by higher fluence of such light was always higher than that in the dark control. Action spectra determined at the sharp increasing phase of the response showed the single peak at 280 nm which equals the absorption maximum of UV-B photoreceptor.
Although red (R)-light alone had a minor effect on anthocyanin accumulation, it modulated the action of UV-B light. That is, when carrot cells were irradiated with R-light either before or after UV-B irradiation, anthocyanin formation was greatly enhanced above the level enhanced by UV-B light alone. The most effective wavelength for this enhancement was 660 nm. The effect of R-light on the anthocyanin formation of the UV-B irradiated cells was reversed by immediately following it with far-red light, suggesting the involvement of phytochrome in the R-effect.