Excess copper induced proteomic changes in the marine brown algae Sargassum fusiforme.

Copper (Cu) is an essential micronutrient for algal growth and development; however, it is also generally considered to be one of the most toxic metals when present at higher levels. Seaweeds are often exposed to low concentrations of metals, including Cu, for long time periods. In cases of ocean outfall, they may even be abruptly exposed to high levels of metals. The physiological processes that are active under Cu stress are largely unknown. In this study, the brown macroalga Sargassum fusiforme was cultured in fresh seawater at final Cu concentrations of 0, 4, 8, 24 and 47 µM. The Cu(2+) concentration and chlorophyll autofluorescence were measured to establish the toxic effects of Cu on this economically important seaweed. The accumulation of Cu by S. fusiforme was also dependent upon the external Cu concentration. Algal growth displayed a general decline with increasing media Cu concentrations, indicating that S. fusiforme was able to tolerate Cu stress at low concentrations, while it was negatively impacted at high concentrations. The term "acute stress" was employed to indicate exposure to high Cu concentrations for 1 day in this study. On the other hand, "chronic stress" was defined as exposure to lower sub-lethal Cu concentrations for 7 days. Proteins were extracted from control and Cu-treated S. fusiforme samples and separated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Distinct patterns of protein expression in the acute and chronic stress conditions were observed. Proteins related to energy metabolism and photosynthesis were reduced significantly, whereas those related to carbohydrate metabolism, protein destination, RNA degradation and signaling regulation were induced in S. fusiforme in response to acute copper stress. Energy metabolism-related proteins were significantly induced by chronic Cu stress. Proteins from other functional groups, such as those related to membranes and transport, were present in minor quantities. These results suggest that S. fusiforme is sensitive to excess Cu, regardless of the presence of acute or chronic stress. We discuss the possible function of these identified proteins, taking into consideration the information available from other plant models.

Behavior of the edible seaweed Sargassum fusiforme to copper pollution: short-term acclimation and long-term adaptation.

Aquatic agriculture in heavy-metal-polluted coastal areas faces major problems due to heavy metal transfer into aquatic organisms, leading to various unexpected changes in nutrition and primary and/or secondary metabolism. In the present study, the dual role of heavy metal copper (Cu) played in the metabolism of photosynthetic organism, the edible seaweed Sargassum fusiforme, was evaluated by characterization of biochemical and metabolic responses using both 1H NMR and GC-MS techniques under acute (47 µM, 1 day) and chronic stress (8 µM, 7 days). Consequently, photosynthesis may be seriously inhibited by acute Cu exposure, resulting in decreasing levels of carbohydrates, e.g., mannitol, the main products of photosynthesis. Ascorbate may play important roles in the antioxidant system, whose content was much more seriously decreased under acute than that under chronic Cu stress. Overall, these results showed differential toxicological responses on metabolite profiles of S. fusiforme subjected to acute and chronic Cu exposures that allowed assessment of impact of Cu on marine organisms.

A new flavan-3-ol from Artocarpus nitidus subsp. lingnanensis.

Further investigation on the stems of Artocarpus nitidus subsp. lingnanensis led to the isolation and characterization of a new flavan-3-ol, named artoflavanocoumarin, along with three known compounds (+)-catechin, (+)-afzelechin 3-O-α-L-rhamnoside, and (+)-catechin 3-O-α-L-rhamnoside. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data.

Phytoecdysteroids from the roots of Achyranthes bidentata Blume.

Two new phytoecdysteroids, (25S)-20,22-O-(R-ethylidene)inokosterone and 20,22-O-(R-3-methoxycarbonyl)propylidene-20-hydroxyecdysone, together with six known phytoecdysteroids 3-8 were isolated from the roots of Achyranthes bidentata Blume. The new structures were established on the basis of spectroscopic studies and chemical evidences. The absolute configuration at C-25 in the structure of known compound 3 was determined by chemical and spectroscopic means.

Two new piperidine alkaloids from the leaves of Microcos paniculata.

Two new piperidine alkaloids, microcosamines A (1) and B (2), were isolated from the leaves of Microcos paniculata. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis. Both new compounds showed significant larvicidal activity against Culex quinquefasciatus.