Geomagnetic Field (GMF)-Dependent Modulation of Iron-Sulfur Interplay in Arabidopsis thaliana

The geomagnetic field (GMF) is an environmental factor affecting the mineral nutrient uptake of plants and a contributing factor for efficient iron (Fe) uptake in Arabidopsis seedlings. Understanding the mechanisms underlining the impact of the environment on nutrient homeostasis in plants requires disentangling the complex interactions occurring among nutrients. In this study we investigated the effect of GMF on the interplay between iron (Fe) and sulfur (S) by exposing Arabidopsis thaliana plants grown under single or combined Fe and S deficiency, to near-null magnetic field (NNMF) conditions. Mineral analysis was performed by ICP-MS and capillary electrophoresis, whereas the expression of several genes involved in Fe and S metabolism and transport was assayed by qRT-PCR. The results show that NNMF differentially affects (i) the expression of some Fe- and S-responsive genes and (ii) the concentration of metals in plants, when compared with GMF. In particular, we observed that Cu content alteration in plant roots depends on the simultaneous variation of nutrient availability (Fe and S) and MF intensity (GMF and NNMF). Under S deficiency, NNMF-exposed plants displayed variations of Cu uptake, as revealed by the expression of the SPL7 and miR408 genes, indicating that S availability is an important factor in maintaining Cu homeostasis under different MF intensities. Overall, our work suggests that the alteration of metal homeostasis induced by Fe and/or S deficiency in reduced GMF conditions impacts the ability of plants to grow and develop.     

Effects of Fe and Mn Deficiencies on the Root Protein Profiles of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) Using Two-Dimensional Electrophoresis and Label-Free Shotgun Analyses

Iron (Fe) and manganese (Mn) are two essential elements for plants that compete for the same uptake transporters and show conflicting interactions at the regulatory level. In order to understand the differential response to both metal deficiencies in plants, two proteomic techniques (two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and label-free shotgun) were used to study the proteome profiles of roots from tomato plants grown under Fe or Mn deficiency. A total of 119 proteins changing in relative abundance were confidently quantified and identified, including 35 and 91 in the cases of Fe deficiency and Mn deficiency, respectively, with 7 of them changing in both deficiencies. The identified proteins were categorized according to function, and GO-enrichment analysis was performed. Data showed that both deficiencies provoked a common and intense cell wall remodelling. However, the response observed for Fe and Mn deficiencies differed greatly in relation to oxidative stress, coumarin production, protein, nitrogen, and energy metabolism.     

Scanning tip measurement for identification of point defects

Self-assembled iron-silicide nanostructures were prepared by reactive deposition epitaxy of Fe onto silicon. Capacitance-voltage, current-voltage, and deep level transient spectroscopy (DLTS) were used to measure the electrical properties of Au/silicon Schottky junctions. Spreading resistance and scanning probe capacitance microscopy (SCM) were applied to measure local electrical properties. Using a preamplifier the sensitivity of DLTS was increased satisfactorily to measure transients of the scanning tip semiconductor junction. In the Fe-deposited area, Fe-related defects dominate the surface layer in about 0.5 μm depth. These defects deteriorated the Schottky junction characteristic. Outside the Fe-deposited area, Fe-related defect concentration was identified in a thin layer near the surface. The defect transients in this area were measured both in macroscopic Schottky junctions and by scanning tip DLTS and were detected by bias modulation frequency dependence in SCM.     

Reduction of Fe(II)EDTA‐NO using Paracoccus denitrificans and changes of Fe(II)EDTA in the system

BACKGROUND: In the BioDeNO_X technology for NO_X removal from flue gas, bioreduction of Fe(II)EDTA‐NO and Fe(III)EDTA are core processes. In this study, a newly isolated strain, Paracoccus denitrificans, was used to reduce Fe(II)EDTA‐NO with glucose and Fe(II)EDTA as donor electrons. To better understand the change law of Fe(II)EDTA, the process of Fe(II)EDTA‐NO reduction by P. denitrificans with glucose and Fe(II)EDTA as electron donors was investigated, and the factors that might affect Fe(II)EDTA concentration were studied. RESULTS: For the bioreduction process of Fe(II)EDTA‐NO, P. denitrificans could use glucose and Fe(II)EDTA as electron donors. At different stages, primary electron donors were different, thereby affecting the concentration of Fe(II)EDTA in the system. It was also proved that this strain not only reduced Fe(III)EDTA with glucose as the electron donor but also secreted several substances that reacted with Fe(III)EDTA, resulting in increased Fe(II)EDTA concentration in the solution. CONCLUSIONS: This work has shown that P. denitrificans can reduce Fe(II)EDTA‐NO and Fe(III)EDTA simultaneously to regenerate NO_X absorption solution. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Combinatorial design of chemical-dependent protein switches for controlling intracellular electron transfer

One challenge with controlling electron flow in cells is the lack of biomolecules that directly couple environmental sensing to electron transfer efficiency. To overcome this component limitation, we randomly inserted the ligand binding domain (LBD) from the estrogen receptor (ER) into a 2Fe-2S ferredoxin (Fd) and used a bacterial selection to identify protein variants that support electron transfer in cells. Mapping LBD insertion sites onto structure revealed that Fd tolerates domain insertion adjacent to or within the tetracysteine motif that coordinates the 2Fe-2S metallocluster. With both protein designs, cellular electron transfer (ET) was enhanced by the ER antagonist 4-hydroxytamoxifen, albeit to different extents. One variant arising from ER-LBD insertion within the tetracysteine motif acquired an oxygen-tolerant 2Fe-2S cluster, suggesting that ET is regulated through post-translational ligand binding. These metalloprotein switches are expected to be useful for achieving fast regulation of ET in engineered metabolic pathways and between electroactive bacteria and conductive materials.     

Effect of preparation methods on the structure and catalytic performance of Fe–Zn/K catalysts for CO_2 hydrogenation to light olefins

Potassium promoted iron–zinc catalysts prepared by co-precipitation method(C–Fe–Zn/K),solvothermal method(S–Fe–Zn/K)and hydrothermal method(H–Fe–Zn/K)could selectively convert CO_2to light olefins,respectively.The physicochemical properties of the obtained catalysts were determined by SEM,N_2physisorption,XRD,H_2-TPR,CO_2-TPD and XPS measurements.The results demonstrated that preparation methods had great influences on the morphology,phase structures,reduction and adsorption behavior,and hence the catalytic performance of the catalysts.The samples prepared by hydrothermal and co-precipitation method generated small uniform particles and led to lower specific surface area.In contrast,microspheres with larger specific surface area were formed by self-assembly of nanosheets using solvothermal method.ZnFe_2O_4was the only detectable phase in the fresh C–2Fe–1Zn/K,S–3Fe–1Zn/K and S–2Fe–1Zn/K samples.ZnFe_2O_4and ZnO co-existed with increasing Zncontent in S–1Fe–1Zn/K sample,while ZnO and Fe_2O_3could be observed over H–2Fe–1Zn/K sample.All the used samples contained Fe_3O_4,ZnO and Fe_5C_2.The peak intensity of ZnO was strong in the AR-H–2Fe–1Zn/K sample while it was the lowest in the AR-C–2Fe–1Zn/K sample after reaction.The formation of ZnFe_2O_4increased the interaction between iron and zinc for C–2Fe–1Zn/K and S–Fe–Zn/K samples,causing easier reduction of Fe_2O_3to Fe_3O_4.The surface basicity of the sample prepared by co-precipitation method was much more than that of the other two methods.During CO_2hydrogenation,all the catalysts showed good activity and olefin selectivity.The CO selectivity was increased with increasing Zncontent over S–Fe–Zn/K samples.H–2Fe–1Zn/K catalyst preferred to the production of C_5~+hydrocarbons.CO_2conversion of 54.76%and C_2~=–C_4~=contents of 57.38%were obtained on C–2Fe–1Zn/K sample,respectively.     

Soil and crop management technologies for enhancing rice production under micronutrient constraints

Micronutrient deficiency is considered as one of the major causes of the declining productivity trends observed in ricegrowing countries. The submergence created for rice cultivation influences electrochemical and biochemical reactions, and alters pH, pCO2 and the concentration of certain ions. This environment increases the availability of Fe and Mn with concomitant decrease in Zn and Cu. It is well known that Zn deficiency is predominant in lowland ecosystems. Sodic and upland soils and calcareous coarse-textured soils with low organic matter content suffer from Fe deficiency, besides Zn and Cu deficiencies. Rice cultivars do not experience deficiency of B and Mo. The acid soils and the lowlying, poorly drained alluvial and colluvial soils are prone to Fe toxicity. Experiments in different agroecological zones all over India showed that Zn doses to correct Zn deficiency varied from 2.5 to 22 kg ha-1; 5.3 kg Zn ha-1 proved optimum and economical, with a maximum rice yield increase of 4.8 t ha-1. In the lowland ecosystem, amending the soil with the required amount of Zn before transplanting was effective and easy to adopt, compared with repeated foliar sprays of 0.5% ZnSO4 or use of Zn-enriched seedlings through seed soaking in 2–4% ZnSO4 solution, fertilizing the nursery with Zn, or seedling root dipping in 2% ZnO slurry. Hepta as well as monohydrated ZnSO4 were better than other sources of Zn (ZnO, ZnCl2 and Zn frits). The Zn-blended diammonium phosphate (Zn-DAP), superphosphate, and nitrophosphates also proved effective. The Zn-enriched organic manures (farmyard manure, green leaf manure, and coir pith compost) were found advantageous for the direct and residual crops. Zinc fertilization with an optimal dose of 25 kg ZnSO4 ha-1 once a year yielded high economic return. A differential response of rice up to a maximum increase in yield of 4.8 t ha-1 was observed with the foliar spray (1–2% FeSO4 solution) or soil incorporation of Fe (50 kg FeSO4 ha-1) with bulky organic manure (12.5 t ha-1). The application of 12.5 kg CuSO4 ha-1 ameliorated Cu deficiency and significantly enhanced rice production. Management strategies such as liming and additional multinutrient supply (P. K, Mg, Zn, Cu, and B), besides improving drainage, enhanced the rice productivity of soils prone to Fe toxicity by correcting the multinutrient deficiency syndrome.     

Advanced Understanding of the Electron Transfer Pathway of Cytochrome P450s

Cytochrome P450s are heme-thiolate enzymes that participate in carbon source assimilation, natural compound biosynthesis and xenobiotic metabolism in all kingdoms of life. P450s can catalyze various reactions by using a wide range of organic compounds, thus exhibiting great potential in biotechnological applications. The catalytic reactions of P450s are driven by electron equivalents that are sourced from pyridine nucleotides and delivered by cognate or matching redox partners (RPs). The electron transfer (ET) route from RPs to P450s involves one or more redox center-containing domains. As the rate of ET is one of the main determinants of P450 efficacy, an in-depth understanding of the P450 ET pathway should increase our knowledge of these important enzymes and benefit their further applications. Here, the various P450 RP systems along with current understanding of their ET routes will be reviewed. Notably, state-of-the-art structural studies of the two main types of self-sufficient P450 will also be summarized.     

改进型微电解法处理炼焦废水的研究

本实验研究了Fe-Cu微电解法预处理炼焦废水的运行效果,并探讨了Fe-Cu双金属微电解法的反应机理。结果表明最佳运行条件为：HRT为45 min,p H值为4,铁铜质量比为5,曝气量为100 m L/min。此条件下COD的去除率达到35%-40%,酚的去除率达到37-40%。污染物降解动力学过程符合一级反应。共存离子对微电解影响的研究结果表明NO3^-,SO4^2-,NH4^＋离子对铁铜有一定的钝化,导致处理效果降低,而有还原性的S^2-,NO2^-等离子加入则会增加COD。Fe-Cu微电解法预处理炼焦废水是有效的方法。     

Effects of Arbuscular Mycorrhiza on Primary Metabolites in Phloem Exudates of Plantago major and Poa annua and on a Generalist Aphid

Arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM), i.e., the interaction of plants with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), often influences plant growth, physiology, and metabolism. Effects of AM on the metabolic composition of plant phloem sap may affect aphids. We investigated the impacts of AM on primary metabolites in phloem exudates of the plant species Plantago major and Poa annua and on the aphid Myzus persicae. Plants were grown without or with a generalist AMF species, leaf phloem exudates were collected, and primary metabolites were measured. Additionally, the performance of M. persicae on control and mycorrhizal plants of both species was assessed. While the plant species differed largely in the relative proportions of primary metabolites in their phloem exudates, metabolic effects of AM were less pronounced. Slightly higher proportions of sucrose and shifts in proportions of some amino acids in mycorrhizal plants indicated changes in phloem upload and resource allocation patterns within the plants. Aphids showed a higher performance on P. annua than on P. major. AM negatively affected the survival of aphids on P. major, whereas positive effects of AM were found on P. annua in a subsequent generation. Next to other factors, the metabolic composition of the phloem exudates may partly explain these findings.     

Nitric Oxide: From Gastric Motility to Gastric Dysmotility

It is known that nitric oxide (NO) plays a key physiological role in the control of gastrointestinal (GI) motor phenomena. In this respect, NO is considered as the main non-adrenergic, non-cholinergic (NANC) inhibitory neurotransmitter responsible for smooth muscle relaxation. Moreover, many substances (including hormones) have been reported to modulate NO production leading to changes in motor responses, further underlying the importance of this molecule in the control of GI motility. An impaired NO production/release has indeed been reported to be implicated in some GI dysmotility. In this article we wanted to focus on the influence of NO on gastric motility by summarizing knowledge regarding its role in both physiological and pathological conditions. The main role of NO on regulating gastric smooth muscle motor responses, with particular reference to NO synthases expression and signaling pathways, is discussed. A deeper knowledge of nitrergic mechanisms is important for a better understanding of their involvement in gastric pathophysiological conditions of hypo- or hyper-motility states and for future therapeutic approaches. A possible role of substances which, by interfering with NO production, could prove useful in managing such motor disorders has been advanced.     

Fe(Ⅱ)-EDTA吸收一氧化氮动力学研究

本文提出一种用Fe(Ⅱ)-EDTA溶液同时脱除硝酸尾气中NO_x和合成氨原料气中H_2S的方法,并对Fe(Ⅱ)-EDTA溶液吸收一氧化氮动力学进行了研究.根据络合反应:NO+Fe(Ⅱ)-EDTA(?)Fe(Ⅱ)(NO)EDTA属快速(2,1)级可逆反应的特点,建立起适合于一般形式A+B(?)E的快速(2,1)级可逆反应宏观吸收动力学数学模型,并和现有的其它模型进行比较.将所导出的数学模型与所测得的Fe(Ⅱ)-EDTA吸收NO动力学实验数据拟合,采用Marquardt法搜索、选优,求得Fe(Ⅱ)-EDTA吸收NO动力学关系式.文章还提出了测定数学模型中各个物性参数的实验方法.     

Pt–Ce-soot generated from fuel-borne catalysts: soot oxidation mechanism

Soot containing Ce-, Pt-, Pt–Ce-, Fe-, and Cu-fuel-borne catalysts is generated in a diesel engine, is characterised by XRD, and studied in oxidation with O₂ and NO + O₂ under various reaction conditions. Fe-, Pt–Ce- and Ce-soot are oxidised at lower temperature with O₂, compared with Pt-soot, and the opposite trend is observed with NO + O₂. NO is oxidised to NO₂ more efficiently over Pt-soot and decreased the soot oxidation temperature by about 150 °C, compared with Ce-, Fe- or Pt–Ce-soot. On the other hand, NO₂ is most efficiently utilised over the Pt–Ce- and Ce-soot. The soot oxidation under the different feed gas conditions demonstrates that nitrate species are involved in the oxidation of Ce- and Pt–Ce-soot. The oxidation species with the decreasing order of activity are: (1) nitrates, (2) NO₂, (3) lattice oxygen, and (4) gas-phase oxygen. All the above species are involved in the oxidation of Pt–Ce-soot.     

激光熔覆Fe基高Cr涂层组织及抗CO_2腐蚀性能研究

采用激光熔覆方法制备了Fe-20Cr、Fe-30Cr、Fe-40Cr共3种不同Cr含量的Fe基涂层。用扫描电镜(SEM)和X射线衍射(XRD)分析了涂层的微观组织和物相,借助电化学工作站测试了涂层在含CO2饱和地层水中的腐蚀行为,并与P110套管钢进行了对比。结果表明:激光熔覆Fe基含Cr涂层皆为冶金结合,熔覆层质量良好。在地层水中通入CO2后3种涂层腐蚀趋势变大,但由于表面疏松CaCO3和MgCO3产物的形成,抑制了涂层的腐蚀。低Cr含量的Fe-20Cr涂层具有较高的耐蚀性。Cr含量增加时,由于Cr23C6、Cr7C3等碳化物在晶界处析出,产生晶体贫铬区,进而降低了高Cr含量涂层的耐蚀性,但碳化物析出提高了涂层的硬度。     

Genotypic Variation under Fe Deficiency Results in Rapid Changes in Protein Expressions and Genes Involved in Fe Metabolism and Antioxidant Mechanisms in Tomato Seedlings (Solanum lycopersicum L.)

To investigate Fe deficiency tolerance in tomato cultivars, quantification of proteins and genes involved in Fe metabolism and antioxidant mechanisms were performed in “Roggusanmaru” and “Super Doterang”. Fe deficiency (Moderate, low and –Fe) significantly decreased the biomass, total, and apoplastic Fe concentration of “Roggusanmaru”, while a slight variation was observed in “Super Doterang” cultivar. The quantity of important photosynthetic pigments such as total chlorophyll and carotenoid contents significantly decreased in “Roggusanmaru” than “Super Doterang” cultivar. The total protein profile in leaves and roots determines that “Super Doterang” exhibited an optimal tolerance to Fe deficiency compared to “Roggusanmaru” cultivar. A reduction in expression of PSI (photosystem I), PSII (photosystem II) super-complexes and related thylakoid protein contents were detected in “Roggusanmaru” than “Super Doterang” cultivar. Moreover, the relative gene expression of SlPSI and SlPSII were well maintained in “Super Doterang” than “Roggusanmaru” cultivar. The relative expression of genes involved in Fe-transport (SlIRT1 and SlIRT2) and Fe(III) chelates reductase oxidase (SlFRO1) were relatively reduced in “Roggusanmaru”, while increased in “Super Doterang” cultivar under Fe deficient conditions. The H⁺-ATPase relative gene expression (SlAHA1) in roots were maintained in “Super Doterang” compared to “Roggusanmaru”. Furthermore, the gene expressions involved in antioxidant defense mechanisms (SlSOD, SlAPX and SlCAT) in leaves and roots showed that these genes were highly increased in “Super Doterang”, whereas decreased in “Roggusanmaru” cultivar under Fe deficiency. The present study suggested that “Super Doterang” is better tomato cultivar than “Roggusanmaru” for calcareous soils.