Bis(µ-2-carb-oxy-methyl-2-hy-droxy-butane-dioato)bis-[diaqua-manganese(II)]-1,2-bis-(pyridin-4-yl)ethene-water (1/1/2).

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, [Mn2(C6H6O7)2(H2O)4]·C12H10N2·2H2O, contains half of the centrosymmetric Mn complex dimer, half of a 1,2-bis-(pyridin-4-yl)ethene mol-ecule, which lies across an inversion center, and one water mol-ecule. Two citrate ligands bridge two Mn(II) ions, and each Mn(II) atom is coordinated by four O atoms from the citrate ligands (one from hy-droxy and three from carboxyl-ate groups) and two water O atoms, forming a distorted octa-hedral environment. In the crystal, O-H⋯O and O-H⋯N hydrogen bonds link the centrosymmetric dimers and lattice water mol-ecules into a three-dimensional structure which is further stabilized by inter-molecular π-π inter-actions [centroid-centroid distance = 3.959 (2) Å]. Weak C-H⋯O hydrogen bonding interactions are also observed.

Three-dimensional surface topography of the needle stomatal complexes of Pinus rigida and its hybrid species by complementary microscopy.

Three-dimensional surface topography of needle stomatal complexes was investigated in Pinus rigida, Pinus taeda, and their interspecific hybrid Pinus rigitaeda. The stomatal complexes of P. rigida appeared to be sunken and ca. 15 microm deep by white light scanning interferometry. Stomatal grooves were evident in P. taeda along the stomata and amounted to ca. 5 microm deep. The centers of stomata maintained the similar height to the stomatal apertures. Meanwhile, the stomatal complexes of P. rigitaeda (ca. 15 microm deep) were characterized by distinct stomatal grooves and sunken stomatal chambers. In addition, field emission scanning electron microscopy revealed the stomatal complexes of P. rigida partially filled with epicuticular waxes. It was common to observe distinct stomatal grooves and chamber-filled stomata on P. taeda needles. The stomatal complexes of P. rigitaeda had the distinct stomatal grooves and were partially filled with wax tubules and rodlets. Surface roughness measurements of stomatal complexes showed higher levels of roughness from P. rigida and P. rigitaeda than that from P. taeda. These results indicate that the hybrid species P. rigitaeda showed intermediacy in surface characteristics between the parent species, suggesting the genetic control of needle stomatal complexes in the hybrid species.

Differential expression of 10 sweetpotato peroxidases in response to sulfur dioxide, ozone, and ultraviolet radiation.

Secretory class III plant peroxidase (POD, EC 1.11.1.7) is believed to function in diverse physiological processes, including responses to various environmental stresses. To understand the function of each POD in terms of air pollutants and UV radiation, changes in POD activity and expression of 10 POD genes isolated from cell cultures of sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas) were investigated in the leaves of sweetpotato after treatment with sulfur dioxide (SO(2) 500ppb, 8h/day for 5 days), ozone (O(3) 200ppb, 8h/day for 6 days), and ultraviolet radiation (UV-B 0.6mWm(-2) for 24h, UV-C 0.16mWm(-2) for 24h). All treatments significantly reduced the PSII photosynthetic efficiency (F(v)/F(m)). POD-specific activities (units/mg protein) were increased in leaves treated with SO(2) and O(3) by 5.2- and 7.1-fold, respectively, compared to control leaves. UV-B and UV-C also increased POD activities by 3.0- and 2.4-fold, respectively. As determined by RT-PCR analysis, 10 POD genes showed differential expression patterns upon treatment with air pollutants and UV radiation. Among the POD genes, swpa1, swpa2, and swpa4 were strongly induced following each of the treatments. Interestingly, basic POD genes (swpb1, swpb2, and swpb3) were highly expressed following SO(2) treatment only, whereas neutral swpn1 was highly induced following O(3) treatment only. These results indicated that some specific POD isoenzymes might be specifically involved in the defense mechanism against oxidative stress induced by air pollutants and UV radiation in sweetpotato plants.

Alleviation of Cd toxicity by composted sewage sludge in Cd-treated Schmidt birch (Betula schmidtii) seedlings.

We investigated alleviation of Cd toxicity and changes in the physiological characteristics of Betula schmidtii seedlings following application of composted sewage sludge to Cd-treated plants. Plants were grown under four test conditions: control, Cd treatment, sludge amendment, and Cd treatment with sludge amendment. B. schmidtii treated with Cd only accumulated the greatest amount of Cd in the leaves, but absorbed Cd was also highly concentrated in the roots. In contrast, Cd concentrations in the Cd and sludge amendment treated seedlings were the lowest in the roots. Since sludge amendment increased the growth of seedlings, it may have alleviated toxicity by dilution of Cd. Additionally, the absorbed Cd was more widely distributed since it was transported from the roots and accumulated in the stems and leaves of Cd and sludge treated plants. Cd treatment inhibited the growth and physiological functions of B. schmidtii seedlings, but sludge amendment compensated for these effects and improved growth and physiological functions in both Cd-treated and control plants. SOD activity in the leaves of seedlings was increased in the Cd-treated plants, but not in the Cd and sludge amendment treated seedlings. In conclusion, alleviation of Cd toxicity in response to sludge amendment may be related to a dilution effect, in which the Cd concentration in the tissues was effectively lowered by the improved growth performance of the seedlings.

Purification and characterization of a phytase from Pseudomonas syringae MOK1.

A phytase (EC 3.1.3.8) from Pseudomonas syringae MOK1 was purified to apparent homogeneity in two steps employing cation and an anion exchange chromatography. The molecular weight of the purified enzyme was estimated to be 45 kDa by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis. The optimal activity occurred at pH 5.5 and 40 degrees C. The Michaelis constant (Km) and maximum reaction rate (Vmax) for sodium phytate were 0.38 mM and 769 U/mg of protein, respectively. The enzyme was strongly inhibited by Cu2+, Cd2+, Mn2+, and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). It showed a high substrate specificity for sodium phytate with little or no activity on other phosphate conjugates. The enzyme efficiently released orthophosphate from wheat bran and soybean meal.