PROTON, Mg2+ AND PROTEIN AS COMPETING LIGANDS FOR THE FLUORESCENT PROBE, MAG-INDO-1: A FIRST STEP TO THE QUANTIFICATION OF INTRACELLULAR Mg2+ CONCENTRATION

Abstract Increasing evidence of the role of magnesium in various cellular mechanisms has led to the need to develop an accurate method for the evaluation of magnesium concentration in cells. 1H-indole-6-carboxylic acid, 2–(4- bis- [carboxymethyl]amino-3–[carboxy]ethoxy) (mag-indo-1) is used as a fluorescent indicator for ionized magnesium concentration. A physicochemical study of this probe has pointed out (1) that at concentrations higher than 10 μ M , the presence of dimers can alter the different equilibria and (2) at concentrations, avoiding the dimer (≤ 10 μ M ), three fluorescent forms are in equilibrium with the deprotonated form of mag-indo-1 (L), which are the protonated form LH, the magnesium-bound form LM and the protein-bound form LP. A model is proposed that takes into account the equilibria between the four species. In a solution containing magnesium and protein, a complex fluorescence spectrum can be resolved by a combination of the three fluorescence spectra (L, LM, LP). However, under these conditions, the LH fluorescence spectrum is not taken into account for the spectral resolution. Finally, from the contribution of characteristic fluorescence spectra in the experimental fluorescence spectrum, the magnesium concentration can be estimated with accuracy. Such a method should be further applied to magnesium determination in different cell lines.     

LIGHT-INDUCED FORMATION OF O-2˙ OXYGEN RADICALS IN SYSTEMS CONTAINING CHLOROPHYLL

It has been shown recently that photosystem 1 particles, photosystem 1 lipid vesicles and chlorophyll-a lipid vesicles show identical photochemical reactions in the presence of oxygen e.g. H⁺-and O₂-uptake (Van Ginkel, 1979). Therefore, spin-trapping experiments were done to identify the oxygen radicals formed. The spintrap phenyltertiarybutylnitrone (PBN) failed to yield information about oxygen radicals. With the spintrap 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-1-oxide (DMPO), however, we obtained a mixed spectrum of O^-_2˙ and OH·-adducts generated in chloroplasts, photosystem 1 particles or chlorophyll-a lipid vesicles. These data indicate that chlorophyll-a in an artificial membrane can also catalyze O^-_2˙-formation. Chlorophyll-a lipid vesicles catalyze light-induced formation of the Tiron-semiquinone free radical, which has been proposed as a specific O^-_2˙-probe (Greenstock and Miller, 1975). However, OH· scavengers strongly reduce the formation of this radical, whereas superoxide dismutase does not. Pulse-radiolysis measurements showed that the rate constant for the reaction of Tiron with OH· is 8.2 · 10⁹M^-1 s^-1, which is considerably higher than the published Tiron/O^-_2˙ rate constants. Therefore, Tiron is a better spin probe for OH· than for O^-_2˙. We suggest that light-induced H⁺-and O^-_2˙-uptake in membranes containing chlorophyll-a in the presence of ascorbate is caused mainly by the very rapid reaction of OH· with ascorbate.     

IRRADIATION-ENHANCED PHYTOCHROME PELLETABILITY IN AVENA: IN VIVO DEVELOPMENT OF A POTENTIAL TO PELLET AND THE ROLE OF Mg2+ IN ITS EXPRESSION IN VITRO

The enhanced phytochrome pelletability that results from in vivo irradiation of Avena shoots may be divided into two operationally defined sequential stages: the in vivo development of a “potential to pellet” and the “expression” of this potential in vitro. Kinetic studies confirm previous findings that the generation of this “potential to pellet” is a very rapid (complete in < 10 s, 25°C), genuinely intracellular process, itself photoreversibly induced by P_fr. In addition, it is shown that the sustained development of the “potential to pellet”, that proceeds in the dark at 0°C following a red pulse, requires P_fr continually in the cell over the entire development period. Far red light immediately terminates further development of the red-induced “potential” at any point during the development phase. No immediate reduction is observed, however, in that level of “potential pelletability” already attained at the time of the far red pulse. This indicates that the level of “potential pelletability” established in vivo is insensitive to the form of the pigment at extraction regardless of the level reached. “Expression” of the “potential to pellet” refers to the actual detection in homogenates of an enhanced physical association of phytochrome with pelletable material. Maximum “expression” requires the presence of a divalent cation in the medium during homogenization. Rapid posthomogenization addition of Mg²⁺ to Mg²⁺-free extracts sustains enhanced pelletability but with rapidly declining effectiveness over the fmt 1–2 min after extraction. The rate of decline is faster if the phytochrome is present as P_fr than as P_r in the homogenate. Neither these nor previous data permit a distinction to be made between (a) preservation by the cation of a pre-existing intracellular interaction, and (b) a Mg²⁺-mediated induction of an artifactual, in vitro association predetermined in the cell by a genuine phyto-chrome-controlled process. Various formalistic models are discussed in the context of these and other data.     

EFFECTS OF K+ AND Ca2+ IONS ON MOTILITY AND PHOTOSENSORY RESPONSES OF STENTOR COERULEUS

Extracellular K⁺ ions above a critical concentration induce ciliary reversal in unstimulated Stentor coeruleus and suppress step-up photophobic response. This threshold concentration of K⁺ ions depends on the extracellular Ca²⁺ concentration, and the subsequent backward gyration and light-sensitivity suppression seem to depend on the relative concentrations of K⁺ and Ca²⁺. The concentration of Ca²⁺ necessary to overcome K⁺-mediated inhibition of phobic response and backward swimming increases non-linearly with increasing K⁺ concentration. The Ca²⁺-blocking agent. D-600, selectively inhibits photophobic responses of Stentor , thus further confirming the role of Ca²⁺ ions in photosensory transduction of this ciliate.     

THE QUENCHING OF TYROSINE AND TRYPTOPHAN FLUORESCENCE BY H2O AND D2O*

Abstract— The quantum yields and lifetimes of the fluorescence of tyrosine and tryptophan were determined in D₂O-H₂O and glycerol-H₂O solvent mixtures of varying composition from 10 vol.% to 100% H₂O at 15°C. Forboth amino acids the ratio of the quantum yields in D₂O and H₂O (i.e., q_D/q_H) was smaller than the ratio of the corresponding lifetimes (_D/_H). For tyrosine the ratio of the quantum yields in glycerol and H₂O (q_G/q_H) was also smaller than the corresponding _G/_H ratio, but for tryptophan q_G/g_HG/_H. The proximity of the q vs. plots for tyrosine in the two solvent mixtures indicates that at 15°C neither D₂O nor glycerol, in the pure state or when diluted with H₂O, quench tyrosine significantly. However, H₂O quenches tyrosine by a dynamic process, which increases both the radiative and the nonradiative rate constant. The quenching action is attributed to a tyrosine-H₂O exciplex, whose formation is independent of bulk viscosity and dielectric constant. Unlike tyrosine, tryptophan is quenched weakly by D₂O by a static process at 15°C (i.e., involving no change in), but H₂O quenches tryptophan much more efficiently by a dynamic process, which involves the nonradiative rate constant, but not the radiative constant. These results are explained on the basis of electrostatic complexation of the ammonium group to the carbon atom adjacent to the ring nitrogen with a lifetime which is longer thanin D₂O but shorter thanin H₂O, with solvent reorientation possibly also being an important factor in the quenching. This explanation is consistent with the fact that concentrated (8 M) urea increases q andof aqueous tryptophan ? 15–20%, while guanidine hydrochloride (6.4 M) has the opposite effect, i.e., it decreases q and t of tryptophan ? 15–20%, and with the fact that neither 8 M urea nor 6.4 M guanidine hydrochloride affects any fluorescence parameter of tyrosine at all.     

PHOTOINACTIVATION OF A Chlamydomonas MUTANT(NL–11) IN THE PRESENCE OF METHIONINE: ROLES OF H2O2 and O-2

Abstract— A mutant of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii (NL–11) isolated from a wild type (137c+) was inactivated in the light in the presence of methionine at concentrations where the wild type was not inactivated. The inactivation was suppressed by either catalase or superoxide dismutase (SOD). Light-induced H₂O₂ formation and nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) reduction inNL–11 were greater than those in the wild type. Methionine stimulated both the H₂O₂ formation and the NBT reduction inNL–11 as well as the wild type. The light-induced NBT reduction inNL–11 in the presence of methionine was partially suppressed by externally added SOD suggesting the participation of O^-₂. These results suggest that the hypersensitivity ofNL–11 to methionine in the light is due to stimulated formation of H₂O₂ and O^-₂.     

PHOTOCHEMICALLY INDUCED BINDING OF Rh(phen)2Cl2+ TO DNA†

The photoinduced covalent binding of the title compound to native and heat denatured DNA is described. The level of binding has been measured by UV (for DNA) and atomic absorption (for Rh) analysis. Quantum efficiencies of 6.4 x 10(-4) mol Rh per mol photons and 1.6 x 10(-3) mol Rh per mol photons have been determined for binding to native and denatured calf thymus DNA, respectively. Levels of bound rhodium as high as 1 molecule per five bases have been achieved. There is no binding of the complex in the absence of light, and there is evidence that at least a portion of the binding may be due to the photolytic conversion of the complex into one or more stable intermediates. Studies with polyribonucleotides indicate a strong preference for binding to the purine bases.     

THE STIMULATING EFFECT OF A COLD, DARK PRETREATMENT ON THE ETIOPLAST/CHLOROPLAST TRANSFORMATION OF ANGIOSPERMS–II. SYNERGISM BETWEEN RED-LIGHT and COLD PRETREATMENT ON THE CO2- and O2-GAS-EXCHANGE OF WHEAT LEAVES

Abstract— Recently we reported on the stimulating effect of a cold, dark pretreatment on the processes of greening of dark-grown angiosperms under continuous white light (Schönbohm et al., 1988; Physiol. Plant. 72 ,541–546). These effects could be nullified by a subsequent second dark phase (25°C) which precedes the white light period. Our analysis was now focused on the effect of cold, dark pretreatments (with or without red-preirradiation) on the gas exchange (O₂; CO₂) of etiolated primary leaves of wheat during a subsequent white light period. The following results were obtained: (1) The net-O₂-consumption under continuous white light decreased much more quickly after a cold than after a warm pretreatment. (2) This effect was enhanced by red-preirradiation. (3) The O₂-compensation point was reached more quickly during the de-etiolation period when the leaves had been subjected to a cold instead to a warm pretreatment. (4) The “cold-effect” could be nullified by a subsequent warm, dark pretreatment (in this material the compensation point could not be reached within 8 h). (5) Cold treated material which had also been exposed to red light showed during the first 30 min of de-etiolation an extremely strong ^“out-burst” of CO₂. No correlation was apparent between the O₂-uptake and this high CO₂-release. (6) A cold, dark pretreatment induces a decrease of CO₂-release during the second half of the de-etiolation period. This effect could be nullified by a secondary warm, dark treatment given after the cold, dark pretreatment. Our experiments indicate that red-preirradiation and cold, dark pretreatment stimulate chlorophyll synthesis (Schonbohm et al., 1988) and also photosynthetic O₂-evolution and CO₂-uptake. We also assume that this pretreatment causes CO₂ release that is neither directly related to the respiratory electron transport chain nor to the photorespiration.     

Li2O-Ln2O3-SiO2:Eu3+,Bi3+体系的结构

采用ｓｏｌ－ｇｅｌ法合成了系列发光体Ｌｉ２Ｏ－Ｌｎ２Ｏ３－ＳｉＯ２：Ｅｕ＾３＾＋，Ｂｉ＾３＾＋，并确定了发光体的物相结构。当Ｌｎ＾３＾＋＝Ｙ＾３＾＋和Ｌｎ＾３＾＋＝Ｌａ＾３＾＋时，紫外光激发下Ｅｕ＾３＾＋的发射分别以红光和橙光为主，只存在一种Ｅｕ＾３＾＋发光中心；Ｌｎ＾３＾＋＝Ｇｄ＾３＾＋时，至少存在两种Ｅｕ＾３＾＋发光中心和两种Ｂｉ＾３＾＋发光中心（共掺杂Ｅｕ＾３＾＋，Ｂｉ＾３＾＋的吸收和发射所     

在Y型分子筛中Co2+、Ni2+配合物的合成及其应用研究

用气相法和液相法分别在Y型分子筛的超笼中合成了Co²⁺、Ni²⁺的乙二胺配合物,并用红外(FT-IR)、顺磁共振(ESR)等方法对配合物的组成和稳定性进行了研究。CO²⁺的单核配合物在室温下可与O₂分子形成加合物,这种优先并可逆地吸附氧气的性能在氧气富集、对空气进行氧氮分离和食品保鲜等方面有广泛的用途。     

PHOTOPHYSICS OF THE FLUORESCENT Ca2+ INDICATOR QUIN-2

The photophysics of the complex forming reaction between Quin-2 and Ca²⁺ were investigated using steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence measurements. The fluorescence decay traces were analyzed with global compartmental analysis yielding the following values for the rate constants at room temperature in aqueous solution with EGTA as Ca²⁺ buffer: k₀₁= 8.6 times 10⁸ s^?1, k₂₁= 1 times 10¹¹M^?1 s^?1, k₀₂= 8.8 times 10⁷ s^?1, k₁₂= 4 times 10⁴ s^?1. k₀₁ and k₀₂ denote the respective deactivation rate constants of the Ca²⁺ free and bound forms of Quin-2 in the excited state. The constant k₂₁ represents the second-order rate constant of binding of Ca²⁺ and Quin-2 in the excited state while k₁₂ is the first-order rate constant of dissociation of the excited Ca²⁺:Quin-2 complex. From the estimated values of k₁₂ and k₂₁ the dissociation constant K_d* in the excited state was calculated. It was found that pK_d* (6.4) is slightly smaller than pK_d (7.2). There was no interference of the excited-state complex forming reaction with the determination of K_d. Intracellular Ca²⁺ concentrations can thus accurately be determined from fluorometric measurements using Quin-2 as Ca²⁺ indicator.     

THE EFFECTS OF NEAR-UV RADIATION ON HUMAN LENS β-CRYSTALLINS: PROTEIN STRUCTURAL CHANGES and THE PRODUCTION OF O2_ and H2O2

beta-Crystallins (beta 1-, beta 2- and beta 3-crystallin) comprise nearly half the protein of the human lens. The effect of near-UV radiation, which is one of the possible risk factors in cataract formation, on the beta-crystallins is investigated in this study. Protein intersubunit crosslinking, change in charge of the protein subunits to more acidic species and changes in protein tertiary structure (conformation) by 300 nm irradiation are reported. The fluorescence yield of protein tryptophan residues decreases by 300 nm irradiation. There is an increase in nontryptophan fluorescence (lambda cx 340 nm, lambda cm 400-600 nm), and in protein absorption at 340 nm, due to the formation of tryptophan photooxidation products. Both tryptophan and its oxidation products can be photoexcited by 300 nm irradiation and the latter are known to be good photosensitizers. The results provide evidence for the generation of H2O2 in the irradiated human beta-crystallin solutions by the Type I photosensitizing action of the chromophores absorbing at 300 nm. The H2O2 is generated via the intermediate production of O2 anion; the latter spontaneously dismutates to H2O2, presumably via O2- protein interactions. The amount of H2O2 generated per absorbed photon is compared for various solutions of beta 1-, beta 2- and beta 3-crystallins from human lenses of different age.     

THE ROLE OF O2- IN THE CHEMILUMINESCENCE OF LUMINOL*

Abstract— The chemiluminescence of luminol in buffered aqueous solutions is inhibited by superoxide dismutase. This occurs whether the luminescence is induced by ferricyanide, persulfate, hypochlorite, or by the action of xanthine oxidase on xanthine. Since superoxide dismutase inhibits reactions which involve O₂^-, we conclude that this radical is a constant factor in the chemiluminescence of luminol in aqueous solutions. The kinetics of light production are discussed in terms of hypothetical mechanisms that fit the available data. The strong luminescence of luminol in aprotic solvents or in aqueous systems containing relatively high concentrations of H₂O₂ could not be explored in this way, because superoxide dismutase is inactive under such conditions.     

GENERATION AND PARTICIPATION OF O-2 IN 2-NITROPROPANE DIOXYGENASE REACTION

Abstract— 2-Nitropropane dioxygenase (EC 1. 13. 11) of the yeast Hansenula mrakii catalyzes the oxygenative denitrification of 2-nitropropane as follows:

The enzyme is significantly inhibited by superoxide dismutase and various scavengers for superoxide such as cytochrome c , epinephrine, thiols and polyhydric phenols. The scavengers added to the reaction mixture were oxidized or reduced. The addition of superoxide dismutase and the omission of 2-nitropropane or oxygen prevented the oxidation and the reduction of the scavengers. The enzyme catalyzes the formation of nitrite from 2-nitropropane by KO₂ added anaerobically.
One mole of NADH is bound per mole of the enzyme and predominantly the pro-R hydrogen of bound NADH is transferred to superoxide formed enzymatically or provided externally. The enzyme shows incomplete stereospecificity for hydrogen transfer from NADH.     

n-InP在Fe3+/Fe2+溶液中光脉冲暂态行为研究——Ⅲ. 运用FFT运算测复收集率图

应用光脉冲技术借助计算机由FFT运算测定了n-InP在Fe~(3+)/Fe~(2+)溶液中复收集率图, 结果为一第四象限内半园, 由理论模型从园心位置、园半径及特征频率可算出三个动力学参数; 研究了电极电位及光强对这些参数的影响, 并对结果进行了讨论。     

EFFECTS OF EXTRACELLULAR Ca2+ CONCENTRATION AND PAPAVERINE ON THE VISUAL CELL FUNCTION IN THE ISOLATED FROG RETINA

Abstract— Effects of extracellular Ca²⁺ concentration and papaverine on the PIII response of the electroretinogram and the dark adaptation process of the visual cells were studied in the isolated, aspartate-treated bullfrog retina. The amplitudes of both the fast and slow PIII responses are increased in 0.01 m M Ca²⁺ solution, but decreased in Ca²⁺-free solution containing 1 m M EDTA. The application of 0.1 m M papaverine in the presence of 1 m M Ca²⁺ led to the enhancement of the slow PIII response at lower stimulus intensity and the prolongation of the slow PIII response, but these effects of papaverine on the response were lost when Ca²⁺ was removed from the bathing fluid. The half-time of recovery of the fast PIII response amplitude after switching off the adapting light was a linear function of the amount of bleached rhodopsin. Papaverine in the absence of Ca²⁺ produced about 2-fold increase in the half-time of recovery of the response. These findings suggest that chemical reactions which are sensitive to papaverine in the absence of Ca²⁺ are implicated in the dark adaptation process of the visual cells.     

CYTOPROTECTION AGAINST MEROCYANINE 540-SENSITIZED PHOTOINACTIVATION OF THE Na+,K+-ADENOSINE TRIPHOSPHATASE IN LEUKEMIA CELLS: GLUTATHIONE AND SELENOPEROXIDASE INVOLVEMENT

When irradiated with broad-band visible light in the presence of merocyanine 540 (MC540), murine leukemia L1210 cells grown under selenium-deficient conditions (Se(-) cells) accumulated lipid hydroperoxides and lost viability more rapidly than selenium-satisfied controls (Se(+) cells). These findings suggest that cytoprotection against photoperoxidation and photokilling is mediated at least in part by selenoperoxidase (SePX) action. Similar protection against photoinactivation of an intrinsic membrane enzyme, the Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase, has been observed. Thus, irradiation of MC540-sensitized Se(-) cells resulted in an immediate and progressive inactivation of ouabain-sensitive Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase; by contrast, activity loss in Se(+) cells was preceded by a prominent lag. Enzyme photoinactivation in Se(-) cells was inhibited by ebselen, an SePX mimetic, confirming that SePX(s) is (are) involved in natural protection. Desferrioxamine treatment (iron sequestration/inactivation) resulted in higher hydroperoxide levels and slower Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase inactivation during MC540/light exposure, whereas ferric-8-hydroxyquinoline treatment (iron supplementation) had the opposite effect. Thus, iron appears to play an important role in both of these processes. In contrast, photoinactivation of another intrinsic enzyme in L1210 cells, acetylcholinesterase (AChE), was unaffected by selenium or iron manipulation. On the basis of these findings, we propose that lipid peroxidation plays an important role in the photoinactivation of Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase, but not AChE. This is consistent with the fact that Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase's active site lies within the membrane bilayer, whereas AChE's active site lies outside the bilayer.     

Comparative Study of Ru(bpz)32+Ru(bipy)32+and Ru(bpz)2CI2 as Photosensitizers of DNA Cleavage and Adduct Formation

Abstract— The efficiency of ruthenium complexes for photosensitizing DNA damage depends on the oxidizing character of their ligands. Here we report on the difference in behavior of tris(2.2'-bipyrazyl)ruthenium(II) (Ru[bpz]₃²+), tris(2,2′-bipyridyl)ruthenium(II) (Ru[bipy]₃²+) and cis-dichlorobis(2,2′-bipyrazyl)ruthenium(II) (Ru[bpz]₂Cl₂). Upon irradiation at 436 nm, Ru(bpz)₃²+was far less stable than Ru(bipy)₃²+. Ru(bpz)₃²+in phosphate buffer containing NaCl undergoes a photoanation reaction leading to the formation of Ru(bpz)₂Cl₂, as previously reported also in organic media. In the presence of phage φX174 DNA, Ru(bpz)₃²+photosensitized the formation of single strand breaks with an efficiency that was, at the beginning of irradiation, similar to that of Ru(bipy)₃²+. After 8 min of irradiation, the cleavage efficiency of Ru(bpz)₃²+reached a plateau that may correspond to its photode-composition. For the same conditions, Ru(bpz)₂Cl₂ did not induce DNA breakage. Scavenging experiments showed that, in the presence of oxygen, DNA cleavage induced by Ru(bpz)₃²+partly resulted from the formation of singlet oxygen and hydroxyl radical while in the absence of oxygen an additionnal mechanism involving electron transfer between the excited state of the ruthenium complex and DNA is proposed. The ICP measurement showed that Ru(bpz)₃²+and Ru(bpz)₂Cl₂ gave rise to covalent binding onto DNA in contrast with Ru(bipy)₃²+, which did not bind to DNA under the experimental conditions. The results are discussed with regard to the potential use of these photosensitizers in phototherapy.