Search results
(1 - 3 of 3)
- Title
- Characterization of a cDNA encoding glutamine synthetase from the marine diatom Skeletonema costatum (Bacillariophyceae),
- Description
- A cDNA-encoding glutamime synthetase (GS) was isolated from the marine diatom Skeletonema costatum (Greville) Cleve by PCR amplification. Nucleic acid and deduced amino acid sequences of the diatom GS were greater than 50% identical to GS from green algae and vascular plants, and phylogenetic analysis established the diatom GS as a member of the GSII gene family. The presence of an N-terminus signal sequence, identified on the basis of sequence similarity with other chloroplast-localized proteins from diatoms, suggests that the encoded GS isoenzyme is localized to the chloroplast. The GS mRNA was present in log-phase cells grown with either nitrate or ammonium as the sole added nitrogen source. Results from Southern blot analysis of genomic DNA suggested that the cDNA isolated in this study was either a member of a small, highly conserved gene family or that there was allelic variation within the region examined. Phylogenetic analyses further indicated that genes encoding GS from the diatom and two species of green algae diverged prior to the gene duplication, to the isoenzymes in vascular plants, supporting the hypothesis that GS isoenzymes in diatoms, green algae, and vascular plants arose through independent evolutionary events., Cited By (since 1996):16, Seaweeds, CODEN: JPYLA, ,
- Author
- Robertson, Smith, Alberte
- Date
- 1999-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Title
- Top-down impact through a bottom-up mechanism. In situ effects of limpet grazing on growth, light requirements and survival of the eelgrass Zostera marina,
- Description
- Temporal changes in abundance, size, productivity, resource allocation and light requirements of a subtidal eelgrass (Zostera marina L.) population were followed for 2 yr after the September 1993 appearance of a previously rare oval form of the commensal limpet Tectura depicta (Berry) in Monterey Bay, California, USA. By exclusively targeting the epidermis, limpet grazing impaired photosynthetic performance but left respiratory demand, meristematic growth and more than 90% of the leaf biomass intact. The resulting low P:R ratios of grazed plants raised the light requirements for the maintenance of positive carbon balance almost 2-fold relative to healthy ungrazed plants and prevented the summertime accumulation of internal carbon reserves. Shoot density in this once-continuously vegetated 30 ha meadow declined from more than 50 shoots m-2 (2230 g fresh wt [FW] m-2) to sparse patches supporting an average of 16 shoots m-2 (380 g FW m-2). More than 50% of the continuously vegetated meadow was converted to bare sand despite ambient light availability and water temperatures that were favorable for growth of healthy, ungrazed plants. Plant size declined by 50 % and internal sugar reserves declined more than 4-fold within 6 mo after the appearance of T. depicta. Plant losses were most extensive during winter, when internal carbon reserves were minimal. The dramatic decline in eelgrass vigor and abundance reported here, despite a physical environment that was favorable for healthy eelgrass survival, illustrates the amplification of top-down control by this relatively inconspicuous limpet through a feeding mechanism that specifically impairs photosynthesis, a bottom-up process., Cited By (since 1996):11, Seaweeds, CODEN: MESED, ,
- Author
- Zimmerman, Steller, Kohrs, Alberte
- Date
- 2001-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Title
- Temperature dependence of nitrate reductase activity in marine phytoplankton: Biochemical analysis and ecological implications,
- Description
- The temperature dependence of NADH:NR activity was examined in several marine phytoplankton species and vascular plants. These species inhabit divergent thermal environments, including the chromophytes Skeletonema costatum (12-15°C), Skeletonema tropicum (18-25°C), Thalassiosira antarctica (-2 to 4°C), and Phaeocystis antarctica (-2 to 4°C), the green alga Dunaliella tertiolecta (14-28°C), and the vascular plants Cucurbita maxima (20-35°C) and Zea mays (20-25°C). Despite the difference in growth habitats, similar temperature response curves were observed among the chromophytic phytoplankton, with temperatures optimal for NR activity being between 10-20°C. In contrast, the chlorophyll b-containing alga and vascular plants exhibited optimal temperatures for NR activity above 30°C. Such dramatic differences in NR thermal characteristics from the two taxonomic groups reflect a divergence in NR structure that may be associated with the evolutionary diversification of chromophytes and chlorophytes. Further, it suggests a potential contribution of the thermal performance of NR to the geographic distributions, seasonal abundance patterns, and species composition of phytoplankton communities. NR partial activities, which assess the individual functions of Mo-pterin and FAD domains, were evaluated on NR purified from S. costatum to determine the possible causes for high temperature (>20°C) inactivation of NR from chromophytes. It was found that the FAD domain and electron transport among redox centers were sensitive to elevated temperatures. S. costatum cells grown at 5, 15, and 25°C exhibited an identical optimal temperature (15°C) for NADH:NR activity, whereas the maximal NR activity and NR protein levels differed and were positively correlated with growth temperature and growth rate. These findings demonstrate that thermal acclimation of NO 3 - reduction capacity is largely at the level of NR protein expression. The consequences of these features on NO 3 - utilization are discussed., Cited By (since 1996):26, Seaweeds, Oceanography, CODEN: JPYLA, ,
- Author
- Gao, Smith, Alberte
- Date
- 2000-01-01T00:00:00Z