Calcium oscillations in plant cell cytoplasm induced by red and far-red light irradiation

Light-mediated oscillations of cytoplasmic Ca²⁺ concentration in oat protoplasts were demonstrated using the fluorescence probe quin2 loaded into the cells. The oscillations are not due to an increase in cytoplasmic Ca²⁺ concentration and have no connection with the mitochondrial Ca⁺ pool. A possible association between the Ca⁺ oscillations and phosphoinositide metabolism in plant cell membranes is analysed.     

Effects of ultraviolet-A exposure on ultraviolet-B-induced accumulation of specific flavonoids in Brassica napus.

Many plant species are able to acclimate to changes in ultraviolet-B radiation (UVB) (290-320 nm) exposure. Due to the wide range of targets of UVB, plants have evolved diverse repair and protection mechanisms. These include increased biosynthesis of UVB screening compounds, elevated antioxidant activity and increased rates of DNA repair. We have shown previously that Brassica napus L. cv Topas plants can acclimate quite effectively to environmentally relevant increases in UVB through the accumulation of specific flavonoids in the leaf epidermis. However, B. napus was found to lose other flavonoids when plants are exposed to ultraviolet-A radiation (UVA) (320-400 nm) and/or UVB (Wilson et al. [1998] Photochem. Photobiol. 67, 547-553). In this study we demonstrate that the levels of all the extractable flavonoids in the leaves of B. napus plants are decreased in a dose-dependent manner in response to UVA exposure. Additionally, the accumulation of the extractable flavonoids was examined following a shift from photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) + UVA to PAR + UVB to assess if preexposure to UVA affected UVB-induced flavonoid accumulation. UVA preexposures were found to impede UVB-induced accumulation of some flavonoids. This down regulation was particularly evident for quercetin-3-O-sophoroside and quercetin-3-O-sophoroside-7-O-glucoside, which is interesting because quercetins have been demonstrated to be induced by UVB and correlated with UVB tolerance in some plant species. The photobiological nature of these UVA-mediated effects on flavonoid accumulation implies complex interactions between UVA and UVB responses.     

UV radiation effects on plant growth and forage quality in a shortgrass steppe ecosystems

Levels of UV were manipulated in a native shortgrass steppe using open-sided structures with tops that either passed or blocked wavelengths shorter than approximately 370 nm. Precipitation was controlled to create a drought or a very wet year. Subplots were either nondefoliated or defoliated to simulate grazing by livestock, which is the primary land use. Plant community productivity and forage quality were assessed in response to the two climate change variables (UV, precipitation) and grazing stress. Productivity and seasonal standing biomass of the dominant grass species were negatively affected by passing versus blocking UV, but only in the dry year. Another species was negatively affected by passing UV in the wet year, indicating the potential for future shifts in species composition. Forage quality for ruminants increased when UV was passed compared with blocked, as determined by in vitro digestible dry matter, depending on species and precipitation. Nitrogen concentrations and soluble and fiber components of vegetation also displayed some UV effects, but they were generally small and depended on species, season or amount of precipitation (or all). Grazing treatment had large positive effects on current-year productivity only in the wet year and some small positive effects on quality in both wet and dry years. Interactions between UV and grazing treatment were not observed.     

Sublethal effects of ultraviolet A radiation on Enterobacter cloacae

We report the sublethal effects of ultraviolet A (UVA) on Enterobacter cloacae in comparison with those produced in Escherichia coli. UVA-induced sublethal effects were investigated in either bacterial membrane and at tRNA level. Limited dependence on oxygen concentration for photoinduced inhibition of biochemical membrane functions and low levels of oxidative damage during the irradiation period were found in En. cloacae. On the other hand, ultraviolet spectroscopy and reversed-phase HPLC analysis of hydrolysed tRNA showed that radio induced damage to tRNA is similar in En. cloacae and E. coli. Nevertheless, growth delay induced by UVA in En. cloacae was shorter than that found in E. coli submitted to the same experimental conditions. A limited post-irradiation ppGpp accumulation and the absence of any influence of the membrane damage on the growth delay extent seem to be responsible for the shortness of this effect in En. cloacae. Most of the differences between En. cloacae and E. coli could be attributed to an increased ability of En. cloacae to overcome oxidative stress during UVA exposure.     

Interactive effects of ultraviolet radiation and nutrient addition on growth and photosynthesis performance of four species of marine phytoplankton

Experiments (6-8 days) were carried out during the austral summer of 2005 in Chubut, Argentina (43 degrees S, 65 degrees W) to determine the interactive effects of solar UVR (280-400 nm) and nutrient addition on growth and chlorophyll fluorescence of four species of marine phytoplankton--the diatoms Thalassiosira fluviatilis Hustedt and Chaetoceros gracilis Schütt, and the dinoflagellates Heterocapsa triquetra (Ehrenberg) Stein and Prorocentrum micans (Ehrenberg). Samples were incubated under three radiation treatments (two sets of each radiation treatment): (a) samples exposed to full solar radiation (PAR+UVR, PAB treatment, 280-700 nm); (b) samples exposed to PAR and UV-A (PA treatment, 320-700 nm) and (c) samples exposed only to PAR (P treatment, 400-700 nm). At the beginning of the experiments, nutrients (i.e., NaPO(4)H(2) and NaNO(3)) were added to one set of samples from each radiation treatment ("N" cultures) whereas in the other, the nutrients concentration was that of the culture medium. At all times, the lowest growth rates (mu) were determined in the PAB treatments, where enriched cultures had significantly higher mu (P<0.05) than non-enriched cultures. Daily cycles of photochemical quantum yield (Y) displayed a pattern of relatively high values early in the morning with a sharp decrease at noon; recovery was observed late in the afternoon. In general, higher Y values were determined in enriched cultures than in non-enriched cultures. As the experiments progressed, acclimation (estimated as the difference between Y at noon and that at time zero) was observed in all species although in variable degree. All species displayed some degree of UVR-induced decrease in the photochemical quantum yield, although it was variable among treatments and species. However, this effect decreased with time, and this pattern was more evident in the dinoflagellates, as the concentration of UV-absorbing compounds increased. Thus, under conditions of nutrient enrichment as may occur by river input or by re-suspension by mixing, dinoflagellates outcompete with diatoms because they may have a higher fitness under UVR stress.     

Exposure to increased ambient ultraviolet B radiation has negative effects on growth, condition and immune function of juvenile Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar)

Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) parr were exposed in two outdoor experiments, ranging in duration from 52 to 137 days, to spectral treatments: (1) natural sunlight (=present ambient UVB level), (2) solar radiation supplemented with enhanced UVB radiation from lamps simulating 20% or 8% stratospheric ozone loss or (3) UVB-depleted sunlight achieved by screening with Mylar-D film. The growth, condition and immune function of the salmon were quantified after treatments. Exposure to enhanced UVB radiation retarded growth, and decreased hematocrit value and plasma protein concentration. Further, enhanced UVB radiation affected plasma immunoglobulin concentration. The results demonstrate that juvenile Atlantic salmon are not able to fully adapt to increased ambient UVB levels in long-term exposures, and the interference with immune system function suggests a negative effect of UVB on disease resistance in Atlantic salmon.     

Vertical mixing and ecological effects of ultraviolet radiation in planktonic communities

We present a mathematical model for a phytoplankton-zooplankton system, based on a predator-prey scheme. The model considers the effects of sinking in the phytoplankton, vertical mixing and attenuation of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) and ultraviolet radiation (UVR) in the water column. In a first approach, the model was studied under conditions of average PAR irradiance and shows fluctuations and stable equilibrium points. Secondly, we introduced the effects of photoperiod and photoinhibition by UVR and vertical mixing. Under these conditions, the phytoplankton biomass oscillates depending on the combined effects of UVR and mixing. Higher inhibition by UVR and longer mixing periods can induce strong fluctuations in the system but can also produce higher plankton peaks.     

Gamma and ultraviolet radiation cause DNA crosslinking in the presence of metal ions at high pH.

M-DNA is a novel duplex conformation in which metal ions such as Co2+, Ni2+ or Zn2+ replace the imino protons of every base pair. An ethidium fluorescence assay was used to estimate lesions in M-DNA induced by gamma- and UV radiation. General damage to DNA was assessed from the loss of ethidium fluorescence after irradiation of calf thymus DNA. Crosslinks were measured from the return of ethidium fluorescence after a heating and cooling step. Strand breaks were estimated from the loss of fluorescence in covalently closed circular plasmid DNA after a heating and cooling step. For the Co2+ form of M-DNA, gamma-radiation caused the very efficient formation of crosslinks which was not observed with B-DNA nor with the Ni2+ or Zn2+ forms of M-DNA. The crosslinks occurred in both A-T and G-C base pairs but did not form in the presence of a free radical scavenger. Crosslinks induced by UV radiation also formed at a faster rate in the Co2+, Ni2+ and Zn2+ forms of M-DNA compared to B-DNA; crosslinking occurred in all DNA but was more prominent in AT-rich sequences and was not inhibited by a free radical scavenger. Therefore, the presence of certain metal ions may lead to large increases in the formation of radiation-induced crosslinks in DNA.     

The effect of ultraviolet radiation on human viral infections

Exposure to UV radiation is recognized to suppress cell-mediated immunity and therefore could adversely affect the course of a viral infection. Rodent models of viral infection confirm this possibility but the situation in human subjects is not so clear, apart from two exceptions. These are herpes simplex, in which sunlight exposure can cause reactivation, and certain papillomavirus types in which sunlight exposure can lead to the development of nonmelanoma skin cancer. In both cases, there are UV response elements in the viral genomes that alter the normal interactions between the viruses and the host following exposure, and UV-induced effects on the immune response occur in addition. These complex mechanisms are discussed, and the situation regarding UV radiation and viral exanthems plus other viruses, including the retroviruses, summarized. Finally viral vaccination is considered in the context of UV exposure and the importance of the host's genetic background emphasized. Further research is required to evaluate whether sunlight can significantly affect the resistance to common viral infections and vaccines.     

The effect of chronic ultraviolet radiation on the human immune system

A single or a limited number of UVR exposures is recognized to suppress cell-mediated immunity in human subjects. The complex pathway leading from the absorption of photons by chromophores in the skin to the generation of T regulatory cells has been, at least partially, elucidated. However, the effect of repeated UV exposures on immune responses and associated mediators is not well studied, particularly to assess whether they lead, first, to the development of photoprotection so that these immune changes are reduced or no longer occur, and, secondly, to the development of photoprotection against the normal downregulation of immunity induced by a high UV dose. For almost all the parameters evaluated in this review--epidermal DNA damage/erythema, urocanic acid, Langerhans and dendritic cells, natural killer cells, macrophages, mast cells, contact and delayed hypersensitivity responses--none, aside from epidermal DNA damage/erythema and macrophage phagocytic activity, show convincing evidence of photoadaptation or, where appropriate, photoprotection. It is concluded that repeatedly irradiating individuals with UVR is likely to continue to result in downregulation of immunity.     

Morphological analysis of the effects of ions and ultraviolet light on colloidal monolayers at the air-water interface

The formation of fractal aggregates under the external influence of ions or ultraviolet light has been observed in colloidal monolayers trapped at the air-water interface. A morphological analysis of this is reported in this paper. These fractals have many characteristics similar to those observed in other experiments where electrolyte was added to the bulk. However, they exhibit behavior, such as restructuring, particular to the external influence. In most cases the aggregating system displayed scaling analogous to spinodal decomposition, but with the measured fractal dimension (which depends slightly on the external influence) entering in place of the usual spatial dimension.     

Combined effects of solar ultraviolet radiation and nutrients addition on growth, biomass and taxonomic composition of coastal marine phytoplankton communities of Patagonia

Experiments (6-8 days) were conducted during late summer, late fall and late winter, 2003 with waters collected off Bahía Nueva, Chubut, Argentina (42.7 degrees S, 65 degrees W) to determine the combined effects of solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR, 280-400 nm) and nutrient addition on phytoplankton communities. Samples were put in UVR-transparent containers and incubated under two radiation treatments: (a) Samples exposed to full solar radiation (PAB treatment, 280-400 nm) and (b) Samples exposed only to PAR (PAR treatment, 400-700 nm). At the beginning of the experiments, nutrients (i.e., NaPO(4)H(2) and NaNO(3)) were added to one set of samples from each radiation treatment (N cultures) whereas in the other set, nutrients remained at the concentration of the seawater. Chlorophyll a, biomass, UV-absorbing compounds and taxonomic composition were recorded throughout the experiments. N cultures always had significantly higher growth rates (P<0.05) than that in non-enriched cultures. At the beginning of experiments, phytoplankton communities were generally dominated by monads and flagellates but by the end, diatoms comprised the bulk of biomass, with only one to four taxa dominating, suggesting a selection towards more tolerant/less sensitive species. Over the experimental time frame, the observed taxonomic changes were mostly due to nutrient availability, and to a lesser extent to solar UVR exposure. Overall, the results indicate that environmental conditions (i.e., light history, nutrient concentration) together with the physiological status of the cells play a very important role at the time to assess the combined effect of nutrient addition and solar radiation on coastal phytoplankton assemblages from Patagonia.     

The effect of ultraviolet radiation upon osmoregulation in Paramecium

Abstract Paramecium multimicronucleatum was irradiated with U.V. in solutions of differing osmotic pressures and ionic content. The rates of contraction and the diameters of the anterior contractile vacuoles were measured and changes in the volumes of solution entering the contractile vacuoles upon U.V. irradiation for paramecia maintained in solutions of differing ionic content were calculated. The volume of fluid entering the contractile vacuoles of paramecia irradiated (1) in standard balanced salt solution (SBSS) was regulated by a compensatory mechanism at lower U.V. doses but increased after relatively large U.V. doses; (2) in distilled water, increased after much smaller U.V. doses; (3) in isotonic balanced salt solution, showed little change upon irradiation. Increased osmotic pressure (with added sucrose) was found to reduce u.v.-induced blistering of the pellicle, but in general U.V. damage was similar to that of paramecia in solutions of identical ionic content but lacking sucrose. Paramecia in SBSS with added sucrose to make it isomotic to the interior of the cell ruptured only after doses larger than for paramecia in SBSS lacking sucrose. Cell rupture of paramecia in solutions containing high CaCl₂ concentrations generally occurred later than for those in SBSS. High KCI concentration (unbalanced salt solution) in the presence of high CaCl₂ concentration provided some protection from U.V. irradiation to the paramecia. High NaCl concentration (unbalanced salt solution) in the presence of high CaCl₂ concentration appeared to increase u.v. damage to paramecia. Paramecia were most resistant to u.v. irradiation, as judged by the above criteria, when present in balanced salt solution enriched with calcium, thus simulating pond water.     

Green light radiation effects on free radicals inhibition in cellular and chemical systems

Free radicals generation is inhibited through green light (GL) irradiation in cellular systems and in chemical reactions. Standard melanocyte cultures were UV-irradiated and the induced cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) were quantified by the fluorescence technique. The same cell cultures, previously protected by a 24h GL exposure, displayed a significantly lower ROS production. A simple chemical reaction is subsequently chosen, in which the production of free radicals is well defined. Paraffin wax and mineral oil were GL irradiated during thermal degradation and the oxidation products checked by chemiluminescence [CL] and Fourier transform infrared spectra [FT-IR]. The same clear inhibition of the radical oxidation of alkanes is recorded. A quantum chemistry modeling of these results is performed and a mechanism involving a new type of Rydberg macromolecular systems with implications for biology and medicine is suggested.     

The effect of environment on cystine disruption by ultraviolet light

When cystine is irradiated at pH 1 by 254-nm u.v. the following yields are observed: 4 cystines → 5.2 cysteines + 2.8NH₃. Thus, SH production accounts for only 0.65 of the cystine destruction; further C-S breakage to give alanine or serine is not efficient. The yields for cystine and glutathione destruction are essentially the same at pH 1. However the presence of the glutamic and glycine residues stabilize the cystine in glutathione so that NH₃ is not lost until the peptide bonds are hydrolyzed. Increasing the pH from 1 to 8.6 increases the yield of cystine destruction in glutathione by 50 per cent. The yield of cystine destruction is greater in both compounds when O₂ is present during irradiation (e. g. the cysteic acid yield in glutathione is increased by 50 times). The overall production of SH varies by a factor of 2 in the four proteins-insulin, RNase, trypsin and lysozyme. The present data further support the earlier observation that radiation damage is quite non-random in RNase: at least two and perhaps three of the four constituent cystines must be disrupted before activity is lost: i.e. the most radiosensitive cystines are not critical for enzymic activity. Similarly, in both trypsin and lysozyme the integrity of the most radiosensitive cystines also does not appear to be critical for the retention of enzymic potential. In insulin, however, all three cystines appear to be crucial for activity and to have approximately equal radiosensitivities. These differences in sensitivity of cystines in different proteins must depend specifically upon energy transfer and/or chemical interactions between the chromophoric groups. If yields are calculated on the basis of those quanta absorbed only in the cystines, values about 5 to 8 times greater than those in the model compounds cystine and oxixized glutathione are obtained. The yields of cystine destruction are much higher in those protiens which contain trypotophan.     

Changes induced by ultraviolet light in fluorescence of collagen in the presence of β-carotene

The influence of UV radiation (253.7 nm) on collagen fluorescence in the absence, and presence, of β-carotene was investigated. It was found that UV radiation of 253.7 nm causes irreversible destruction of tyrosyl and phenylalanyl residues. The fluorescence of collagen (excitation at 275 nm, emission at 305 nm) decreased rapidly during irradiation and a new fluorescence large band at 400–500 nm formed under UV radiation. Smaller changes in the fluorescence of collagen in the presence of β-carotene suggest that it makes collagen less sensitive to the action of UV radiation.     

Impairment of eye lens cell physiology and optics by broadband ultraviolet A-ultraviolet B radiation

The phototoxicity of ultraviolet A (UVA) alone and UVA plus ultraviolet B (UVB) combined on cultured porcine lenses was investigated by analyzing cellular function as measured with a fluorescence bioassay approach and optical integrity, in terms of sharpness of the lens focus as measured with a scanning laser system. The bioassay consisted of carboxyfluorescein diacetate-acetoxymethyl ester and alamarBlue fluorescent dyes. Aseptically dissected porcine lenses were maintained in modified medium 199 without phenol red supplemented with 1% penicillin-streptomycin and 4% porcine serum. At 1 week of preincubation, baseline measurements were obtained. Then the lenses were treated with single exposures of different UVA and UVB energy levels. The lenses treated with 86 J/cm2 UVA alone showed a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in cellular and optical integrity at 48 h after exposure, whereas those treated with 43 J/cm2 UVA alone did not show significant phototoxic effect. Lenses treated with 15.63 J/cm2 UVA plus 0.019 J/cm2 UVB combined showed significant adverse effects beginning from 48 h after exposure. Also, there was no recovery. These findings show that a high UVA dose alone and relatively low UVA in combination with low UVB radiant exposure can impair lens cellular and optical functions, respectively.     

Light histories influence the impacts of solar ultraviolet radiation on photosynthesis and growth in a marine diatom, Skeletonema costatum

Phytoplanktonic species acclimated to high light are known to show less photoinhibition. However, little has been documented on how cells grown under indoor conditions for decades without exposure to UV radiation (UVR, 280-400 nm) would respond differently to solar UVR compared to those in situ grown under natural solar radiation. Here, we have shown the comparative photosynthetic and growth responses to solar UVR in an indoor- (IS) and a naturally grown (WS) Skeletonema costatum type. In short-term experiment (<1 day), Phi(PSII) and photosynthetic carbon fixation rate were more inhibited by UVR in the IS than in the WS cells. The rate of UVR-induced damages of PSII was faster and their repair was significantly slower in IS than in WS. Even under changing solar radiation simulated for vertical mixing, solar UVR-induced higher inhibition of photosynthetic rate in IS than in WS cells. During long-term (10 days) exposures to solar radiation, the specific growth rate was much lower in IS than WS at the beginning, then increased 3 days later to reach an equivalent level as that of WS. UVR-induced inhibition of photosynthetic carbon fixation in the IS was identical with that of WS at the end of the long-term exposure. The photosynthetic acclimation was not accompanied with increased contents of UV-absorbing compounds, indicating that repair processes for UVR-induced damages must have been accelerated or upgraded.     

Sequential effects of ultraviolet radiation on the histomorphology, cell density and antioxidative status of the lens epithelium--an in vivo study

In vivo progressive effects of UV irradiation on the lens epithelium were studied using various histomorphological and biochemical parameters. Fifteen day old rat pups were exposed to 600 mW/m2 of radiation, including UV-A and UV-B, 12 h daily for 90, 120, 150 and 180 days. Biochemical parameters such as protein-bound and non-protein-bound sulfhydryl groups in both soluble and insoluble fractions and enzymes, which play an important role in combating the oxidative stress, were studied. Decreased cell density of lens epithelial cells (LEC) was observed in all three zones along with the decrease in the levels of soluble sulfhydryls (S-SH), glutathione reductase (GR), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and catalase (CAT). On the other hand, an increase in insoluble sulfhydryls was observed. Because of the decrease in S-SH and GR activities, the LEC became vulnerable to oxidative stress. Decreased activities of SOD, GPx and CAT suggest elevated oxidative stress. This effect of UV radiation may lead to cell death that may be responsible for the observed decrease in the cell density in all three zones of the lens epithelium.