Variation In Enzyme Activity Research Articles

Repeated treatments of ciprofloxacin and kresoxim-methyl alter their dissipation rates, biological function and increase antibiotic resistance in manured soil

The dissipation of ciprofloxacin (CIP, 1.0 and 10.0mg/kg) and kresoxim-methyl (KM, 1.0 and 2.0mg/kg) in manure-amended soil, the variations in soil enzyme activities and microbial functional diversities, and CIP-induced bacterial community tolerances were studied using a chromatographic analysis, enzyme colorimetric and titration analyses, and the BIOLOG EcoPlate method. Three successive treatments of individual and combined samples of CIP and KM at low and high concentrations were performed at 60d intervals. The dissipation half-life of CIP increased, but that of KM decreased in manured soil with treatment frequency; furthermore, the combined treatment altered the dissipation rates of CIP and KM. A stronger inhibitory effect on the activities of soil neutral phosphatase and urease was observed in the individual KM treatment than in the individual CIP treatment. A similar inhibitory trend was also found in soil neutral phosphatase activity in the combined treatment at high concentration compared to that at low concentration, but the activity of soil catalase was enhanced in the early stages of the KM or CIP treatments. Meanwhile, the inhibitory trend on the overall activity and functional diversity of soil microorganisms was observed in the individual KM or CIP treatment, and the combined treatment exerted a greater suppression effect than that in the individual treatment. Bacterial community resistance to CIP increased significantly with increasing treatment frequency and concentration, and furthermore antibiotic resistance developed faster in the combined treatment than in the individual treatment. It was concluded that the repeated treatments of CIP and KM could alter their dissipation rates and soil enzyme activities, suppress microbial functional diversity, and increase bacterial community resistance to CIP in manured soil.

A multiscale modelling approach to assess the impact of metabolic zonation and microperfusion on the hepatic carbohydrate metabolism.

The capacity of the liver to convert the metabolic input received from the incoming portal and arterial blood into the metabolic output of the outgoing venous blood has three major determinants: The intra-hepatic blood flow, the transport of metabolites between blood vessels (sinusoids) and hepatocytes and the metabolic capacity of hepatocytes. These determinants are not constant across the organ: Even in the normal organ, but much more pronounced in the fibrotic and cirrhotic liver, regional variability of the capillary blood pressure, tissue architecture and the expression level of metabolic enzymes (zonation) have been reported. Understanding how this variability may affect the regional metabolic capacity of the liver is important for the interpretation of functional liver tests and planning of pharmacological and surgical interventions. Here we present a mathematical model of the sinusoidal tissue unit (STU) that is composed of a single sinusoid surrounded by the space of Disse and a monolayer of hepatocytes. The total metabolic output of the liver (arterio-venous glucose difference) is obtained by integration across the metabolic output of a representative number of STUs. Application of the model to the hepatic glucose metabolism provided the following insights: (i) At portal glucose concentrations between 6–8 mM, an intra-sinusoidal glucose cycle may occur which is constituted by glucose producing periportal hepatocytes and glucose consuming pericentral hepatocytes, (ii) Regional variability of hepatic blood flow is higher than the corresponding regional variability of the metabolic output, (iii) a spatially resolved metabolic functiogram of the liver is constructed. Variations of tissue parameters are equally important as variations of enzyme activities for the control of the arterio-venous glucose difference.

Association of paraoxonase-1 gene polymorphisms with insulin resistance in South Indian population

Background and aimInsulin resistance plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Recently, paraoxonase-1(PON1) is reported to have an ability to reduce insulin resistance by promoting glucose transporter-4 (GLUT-4) expression in vitro. Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in PON1 is associated with variability in enzyme activity and concentration. Based on this we aimed to investigate the association of PON1 (Q192R and L55M) polymorphisms with the risk of developing insulin resistance in adult South Indian population. MethodsTwo hundred and eighty seven (287) Type 2 diabetes patients and 293 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. All the study subjects were genotyped for PON1 (Q192R and L55M) missense polymorphisms using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCRRFLP) method. Fasting serum insulin level was measured by ELISA. ResultsThe distribution of QR/RR and LM/MM genotypes were significantly higher in type 2 diabetes patients compared with healthy controls. Moreover, the R and M alleles were significantly associated with type 2 diabetes with an Odds Ratio of 1.68 (P < 0.005) and 2.24 (P < 0.005) respectively. SNP 192 Q > R genotypes were found to be significantly associated with higher BMI, cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL, fasting serum insulin and HOMA-IR. Further, the mutant allele or genotypes of PON1 L55M were associated with higher BMI, triglycerides, VLDL, fasting serum insulin and HOMA-IR among adult type 2 diabetes patients. ConclusionPON1 (Q192R and L55M) polymorphisms may play a crucial role in pathogenesis and susceptibility of insulin resistance thus leads to the development of type 2 diabetes in South Indian population.

Resource availability underlies the plant-fungal diversity relationship in a grassland ecosystem.

It is commonly assumed that microbial communities are structured by "bottom-up" ecological forces, although few experimental manipulations have rigorously tested the mechanisms by which resources structure soil communities. We investigated how plant substrate availability might structure fungal communities and belowground processes along an experimental plant richness gradient in a grassland ecosystem. We hypothesized that variation in total plant-derived substrate inputs, plant functional group diversity, as well as the relative abundance of C4 grasses and legumes would modulate fungal α- and β-diversity and their rates of soil carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) cycling. To test these predictions, we molecularly characterized fungal communities, as well as potential extracellular enzyme activity, net N mineralization, and soil organic matter respiration. We found higher fungal richness was associated with increasing aboveground plant biomass; whereas, fungal β-diversity was explained by contributions from C4 grass and legume relative dominance, plant functional group diversity, as well as plant biomass. Furthermore, aboveground plant biomass consistently shaped the richness and composition of individual fungal trophic modes (i.e., saprotrophs, symbiotrophs, pathotrophs). Finally, variation in extracellular enzyme activity, net N mineralization rates, and soil organic matter respiration was significantly explained by fungal β-diversity when fungi were functionally classified. Via changes in the supply and composition of organic substrates entering soil, our study demonstrates that changes in the plant species richness and functional composition collectively influence fungal communities and rates of soil C and N cycling.

Plant Phylogeny and Life History Shape Rhizosphere Bacterial Microbiome of Summer Annuals in an Agricultural Field.

Rhizosphere microbial communities are critically important for soil nitrogen cycling and plant productivity. There is evidence that plant species and genotypes select distinct rhizosphere communities, however, knowledge of the drivers and extent of this variation remains limited. We grew 11 annual species and 11 maize (Zea mays subsp. mays) inbred lines in a common garden experiment to assess the influence of host phylogeny, growth, and nitrogen metabolism on rhizosphere communities. Growth characteristics, bacterial community composition and potential activity of extracellular enzymes were assayed at time of flowering, when plant nitrogen demand is maximal. Bacterial community composition varied significantly between different plant species and genotypes. Rhizosphere beta-diversity was positively correlated with phylogenetic distance between plant species, but not genetic distance within a plant species. In particular, life history traits associated with plant resource acquisition (e.g., longer lifespan, high nitrogen use efficiency, and larger seed size) were correlated with variation in bacterial community composition and enzyme activity. These results indicate that plant evolutionary history and life history strategy influence rhizosphere bacterial community composition and activity. Thus, incorporating phylogenetic or functional diversity into crop rotations may be a tool to manipulate plant-microbe interactions in agricultural systems.

Will spent mushroom substrate application affect the dissipation and plant uptake of phthalate esters?

The objective of this study was to investigate whether spent mushroom substrate (SMS) amendment was an appropriate way to reduce di(2-ehylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and di-n-butyl phthalate (DnBP) contents in soil and whether SMS could reduce DnBP accumulation in bok choy (Brassica rapa subsp. chinensis). Microcosm and pot experiments were carried out to study the influence of spent Agaricus bisporus substrate application on DnBP and DEHP dissipation in soils and plant uptake of DnBP. Variations in soil pH and enzyme activities were determined. The concentrations of phthalate esters (PAEs) in soils, bok choy, and atmosphere were examined with gas chromatography or gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Adding sterilized or non-sterilized SMS can increase soil pH and urease activity, and non-sterilized SMS can promote soil laccase activity. The results show that the dissipation of DEHP is accelerated after incubation with SMS for 25 days; however, little effect can be found with continuing incubation due to low DEHP bioavailability. In this research, SMS amendment exhibits no effect on DnBP dissipation in soils and DnBP accumulation in bok choy. It was proposed that atmospheric deposition of DnBP might be the main source of DnBP in bok choy in the study, since equivalent amounts of DnBP were detected in the vegetables grown in soils with or without DnBP spiking. This study indicates that the application of SMS as an organic fertilizer is less likely to affect the fate of PAEs in soils, and proper strategies should be conducted to reduce PAE levels in atmosphere to control PAE contamination in vegetables.

Variation in CYP2A6 Activity and Personalized Medicine.

The cytochrome P450 2A6 (CYP2A6) enzyme metabolizes several clinically relevant substrates, including nicotine—the primary psychoactive component in cigarette smoke. The gene that encodes the CYP2A6 enzyme is highly polymorphic, resulting in extensive interindividual variation in CYP2A6 enzyme activity and the rate of metabolism of nicotine and other CYP2A6 substrates including cotinine, tegafur, letrozole, efavirenz, valproic acid, pilocarpine, artemisinin, artesunate, SM-12502, caffeine, and tyrosol. CYP2A6 expression and activity are also impacted by non-genetic factors, including induction or inhibition by pharmacological, endogenous, and dietary substances, as well as age-related changes, or interactions with other hepatic enzymes, co-enzymes, and co-factors. As variation in CYP2A6 activity is associated with smoking behavior, smoking cessation, tobacco-related lung cancer risk, and with altered metabolism and resulting clinical responses for several therapeutics, CYP2A6 expression and enzyme activity is an important clinical consideration. This review will discuss sources of variation in CYP2A6 enzyme activity, with a focus on the impact of CYP2A6 genetic variation on metabolism of the CYP2A6 substrates.

Variation of soil enzyme activity and microbial biomass in poplar plantations of different genotypes and stem spacings

To improve the productivity of poplar plantations, a field experiment of split-plot design with four tree spacings and three poplar clones was established, and four soil enzyme activities and microbial biomass were monitored in the trial. Soil enzyme activities, in most cases, were significantly higher in topsoil (0–10 cm) than in lower horizons (10–20 cm). Soil cellulase, catalase and protease activities during the growing season were higher than during the non-growing season, while invertase activity followed the opposite trend. Soil invertase, cellulase and catalase activities varied by poplar clone but soil protease activity did not. Cellulase and protease activities in the plantation at 5 × 5 m spacing were significantly higher than in the other spacings. The highest catalase activity was recorded at 6 × 6 m spacing. At the same planting density, invertase activity was greater in square spacings than in rectangular spacings. Soil microbial biomass was also significantly affected by seedling spacing and poplar clone. The mean soil MBC was significantly lower in topsoil than in the lower horizon, while MBN showed the opposite pattern. Significantly positive correlations were observed among soil cellulase, protease and catalase activities (p < 0.01), whereas soil invertase activity was negatively and significantly correlated with cellulase, protease and catalase activities (p < 0.01). Soil microbial biomass and enzyme activities were not correlated except for a significantly negative correlation between soil MBC and catalase activities. Variations in soil enzyme activity and microbial biomass in different poplar plantations suggest that genotype and planting spacing should be considered when modeling soil nutrient dynamics and managing for long-term site productivity.

Factors influencing soil enzyme activity in China’s forest ecosystems

Enzyme activity (EA) mediates soil organic matter (SOM) degradation, transformation, and mineralization, thereby maintaining the biogeochemical cycles and energy flow of ecosystems. To determine the main factors explaining EA variations in China’s forest ecosystems, we created a database of soil EAs and relevant variables using data from the literature and analysed relationships between EAs and both climatic and edaphic variables. Catalase, phenol oxidase, acid (alkaline) phosphatase, and protease activities differed significantly among different types of forests. Catalase and urease activities were generally higher in primosols, cambisols, and argosols than in ferrosols. EA largely decreased with soil depth and increased with SOM. Phenol oxidase and urease activities were negatively correlated with mean annual temperature (MAT); in contrast, catalase, invertase, and protease activities first decreased ( 17.5 °C) with increasing MAT. Although protease activity was slightly positively correlated with mean annual precipitation (MAP), catalase, phenol oxidase, and urease activities were all negatively related to MAP. Catalase, invertase, acid (alkaline) phosphatase, urease, and protease activities first increased (< 2000 m.a.s.l.) and then decreased (2000–4100 m.a.s.l.) with increasing elevation. Principal component analysis revealed most EAs to be correlated with climate conditions and soil pH. These findings suggest that climatic and edaphic variables directly and indirectly correlate with forest type and greatly impact soil EA.

A study of genotoxicity and oxidative stress induced by mercuric chloride in the marine polychaete Perinereis aibuhitensis

The marine polychaete worm Perinereis aibuhitensis was used to study the genotoxic effects of mercuric chloride by means of the comet assay and micronucleus (MN) test. P. aibuhitensis was subjected in vivo to two different concentrations of mercuric chloride (0.05mgL−1 and 0.5mgL−1) for 96h. The comet assay of coelomocytes demonstrated that TailDNA% values increased with extended exposure to or increased concentrations of HgCl2 (p<0.01). The frequency of MNs was the highest in the treatment with 96h of exposure at all concentrations (p<0.01). The genotoxic effect of HgCl2 was both dose- and time-dependent in exposed P. aibuhitensis. The activities of the antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidases (GPx) were also estimated. Significant variations in antioxidant enzyme activities depended on the sampling time and the concentrations of mercuric chloride. Compared with the control, the activities of the antioxidant enzymes (SOD and GPx) were elevated at the lower concentration of mercuric chloride (0.05mg L−1) (p<0.05) for shorter exposure periods (24h and 72h). At the higher concentration of mercury (0.5mgL−1), the activities of GPx and SOD were inhibited; no variation was observed. These results proved that the use of the comet assay and MN test in coelomocytes of P. aibuhitensis is appropriate for determining the levels of DNA damage and that P. aibuhitensis is a species that is sensitive to mercury pollutants. This species may be considered a suitable candidate for monitoring marine heavy metal pollution.

Density separation as a strategy to reduce the enzyme load of preharvest sprouted wheat and enhance its bread making quality

As preharvest sprouting of wheat impairs its use in food applications, postharvest solutions for this problem are required. Due to the high kernel to kernel variability in enzyme activity in a batch of sprouted wheat, the potential of eliminating severely sprouted kernels based on density differences in NaCl solutions was evaluated. Compared to higher density kernels, lower density kernels displayed higher α-amylase, endoxylanase, and peptidase activities as well as signs of (incipient) protein, β-glucan and arabinoxylan breakdown. By discarding lower density kernels of mildly and severely sprouted wheat batches (11% and 16%, respectively), density separation increased flour FN of the batch from 280 to 345s and from 135 to 170s and increased RVA viscosity. This in turn improved dough handling, bread crumb texture and crust color. These data indicate that density separation is a powerful technique to increase the quality of a batch of sprouted wheat.

In Vitro Protein Stability of Two Naturally Occurring Thiopurine S-Methyltransferase Variants: Biophysical Characterization of TPMT*6 and TPMT*8.

Thiopurine S-methyltransferase (TPMT) is a polymorphic enzyme involved in the metabolism and inactivation of thiopurine substances administered as immunosuppressants in the treatment of malignancies and autoimmune diseases. In this study, the naturally occurring variants, TPMT*6 (Y180F) and TPMT*8 (R215H), have been biophysically characterized. Despite being classified as low and intermediate in vivo enzyme activity variants, respectively, our results demonstrate a discrepancy because both TPMT*6 and TPMT*8 were found to exhibit normal functionality in vitro. While TPMT*8 exhibited biophysical properties almost indistinguishable from those of TPMTwt, the TPMT*6 variant was found to be destabilized. Furthermore, the contributions of the cofactor S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) to the thermodynamic stability of TPMT were investigated, but only a modest stabilizing effect was observed. Also presented herein is a new method for studies of the biophysical characteristics of TPMT and its variants using the extrinsic fluorescent probe 8-anilinonaphthalene-1-sulfonic acid (ANS). ANS was found to bind strongly to all investigated TPMT variants with a Kd of approximately 0.2 μM and a 1:1 binding ratio as determined by isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC). Circular dichroism and fluorescence measurements showed that ANS binds exclusively to the native state of TPMT, and binding to the active site was confirmed by molecular modeling and simulated docking as well as ITC measurements. The strong binding of the probe to native TPMT and the conformity of the obtained results demonstrate the advantages of using ANS binding characteristics in studies of this protein and its variants.

Oxidative stress induced by glyphosate‐based herbicide on freshwater turtles

Freshwater ecosystems face very strong anthropogenic pressures, among which overexploitation, habitat degradation, flow modification, species invasion, and water pollution lead to growing threats on biodiversity. Urbanization through wastewater treatment, industry through the release of inorganic and organic chemicals, and agriculture through the use of pesticides and herbicides are the main factors involved in water pollution. In France, more precisely in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, the poor quality of the watercourses is attributable overall to the use of glyphosate-based herbicides in agricultural activities. Because these chemicals can impact individuals, populations, and biodiversity, we investigated, under experimental conditions, the physiological response of animals facing abiotic contaminants. We selected as a model, juveniles of the freshwater turtle Trachemys scripta elegans. We measured the gene expression and activity of the catalase and superoxide dismutase enzymes as well as the levels of lipid peroxidation, which are all oxidative stress biomarkers, in turtles challenged with high concentrations of glyphosate-based herbicides, on the one hand, and with degraded waters collected from a local watercourse, on the other. We also measured the acetylcholinesterase activity across the same animals. We showed through variations in gene expression and enzyme activity that a glyphosate commercial formulation induced a stress in turtles. A similar outcome was obtained when turtles faced degraded waters. The results indicated that the poor quality of regional waters could be a real threat for animal health. Because turtles are globally less sensitive to contaminants than amphibians, which are lacking in the degraded waters of the Pyrénées-Orientales department, they could constitute an excellent model to follow the evolution of water quality through the study of oxidative stress biomarkers. Environ Toxicol Chem 2017;36:3343-3350. © 2017 SETAC.

Characterization and molecular modeling of polygalacturonase isoforms from Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Earlier, low-temperature-active polygalacturonase isoforms from Saccharomyces cerevisiae PVK4 were isolated and purified. Substrate specificity of polygalacturonase isoforms indicated high affinity for pectins and very low enzyme activity towards non-pectic polysaccharides. To characterize the polygalacturonase isoforms, biochemical, spectral, and in silico approaches were used. The apparent Km and Vmax values for hydrolysis of pectin and galacturonic acid were 0.31mg/ml and 3.15mmolmin/mg, respectively. Interestingly, the polygalacturonase isoforms were found to be more stable at optimal pH and temperature of 4.5 and 40°C, respectively. These isoforms were reacted with different metal ions; Cd2+ and Ni2+ severely inhibited the enzyme activity, while Mg2+, Zn2+, Cd2+, Fe2+ Cu2+, and Ni2+ inhibited to a lesser extent, which clearly demonstrated that variations in enzyme activity were due to their differential binding affinity of metal ions. Furthermore, decrease in the viscosity of polygalacturonic acid and citrus pectin by these isoforms was approximately four and six times higher than the rate of release of reducing sugars. This indicates that polygalacturonase isoforms have an endo-mode of action. In addition to the above, thermostability of purified polygalacturonase isoforms was studied by circular dichroism and fluorescence spectroscopy. Circular dichroism showed 18% alpha helix and 57% beta sheets at pH 5, while at pH 7, 8, and 9 there was an increase of random coil. Fluorescence studies revealed small conformational changes, which were observed at 30-50°C, while unfolding transition region was noticed between 60 and 70°C. The purified enzyme fractions were analyzed by MALDI-TOF MS. Finally, 3D model structures for isoenzymes of polygalacturonase of S. cerevisiae were generated and validated as good quality models, which are also suitable for molecular interaction studies.

Do differences in the activities of carbohydrate metabolism enzymes between Lake Whitefish ecotypes match predictions from transcriptomic studies?

Transcriptomic studies are facilitating the search for the molecular bases of adaptation in natural populations, but the impact of these differences in mRNA content on animal physiology are often unknown. One way to determine if molecular changes have the potential to influence animal physiology and performance is to test for correlated changes at higher levels of biological organization, including enzyme activity. Here, we measure the activities of carbohydrate metabolism enzymes to test if previously documented genetic and transcriptomic variation between 'dwarf' and 'normal' Lake Whitefish ecotypes are associated with corresponding changes in enzyme activity (measured as maximal rate, Vmax) in liver and skeletal muscle. We use laboratory-reared fish from the same populations as prior transcriptomic studies and find that white muscle mRNA content is a good predictor of glycolytic and glycogen metabolism enzyme activity, and dwarf whitefish have evolved higher activities than normal whitefish. However, the differences in hepatic mRNA content found between ecotypes in prior studies are not associated with comparable changes in enzyme activity. For example, dwarf whitefish have lower enzyme activities, but higher transcript abundances for two glycolytic enzymes compared to normal whitefish. Overall, we find that transcriptomic studies successfully highlight evolutionary variation in enzyme activities, but not always in the direction predicted, indicating that a variety of tissue-specific regulatory mechanisms contributed to the evolution of energy metabolism in Lake Whitefish.

Characterization of starch phosphorylase from the marine green microalga (Chlorophyta) Tetraselmis subcordiformis reveals its potential role in starch biosynthesis

In a marine green starch-producing microalga Tetraselmis subcordiformis, the role of starch phosphorylase (SP) in the starch biosynthesis was disclosed by characterizing the enzyme properties and activity variations during the starch accumulation process. TsSP4, a SP isoform accounting for the major SP activity in T. subcordiformis, was unique to be active in a monomer form with a molecular weight of approximately 110kDa. It resembled one of the chloroplast-located SPs (PhoA) in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii with a similarity of 63.3% in sequence, though it possessed the typical L78/80 domain found in the plastidial SPs (Pho1) of higher plants that was absent in PhoA. TsSP4 exhibited moderate sensitivity to ADP-Glc inhibition and had a high activity for longer-chain linear maltooligosacchride (MOS) and amylopectin against highly branched glycogen as the substrates. TsSP4 had 2-fold higher affinity for Glc-1-P in the synthetic direction than for Pi in the phosphorolytic direction, and the catalytic constant kcat for Glc-1-P was 2-fold of that for Pi. Collectively, TsSP4 preferred synthetic rather than phosphorolytic direction. TsSP4 could elongate MOSs even initially with Pi alone in the absence of Glc-1-P, which further supported its synthetic role in the starch biosynthesis. TsSP4 displayed increased activities in the developing and mature stage of starch biosynthesis under nitrogen-starvation conditions, indicating its possible contribution to the amylopectin amplification.

Response of soil physicochemical properties and enzyme activities to long-term reclamation of coastal saline soil, Eastern China

Soil enzyme activity during different years of reclamation and land use patterns could indicate changes in soil quality. The objective of this research is to explore the dynamics of 5 soil enzyme activities (dehydrogenase, amylase, urease, acid phosphatase and alkaline phosphatase) involved in C, N, and P cycling and their responses to changes in soil physicochemical properties resulting from long-term reclamation of coastal saline soil. Soil samples from a total of 55 sites were collected from a coastal reclamation area with different years of reclamation (0, 7, 32, 40, 63a) in this study. The results showed that both long-term reclamation and land use patterns have significant effects on soil physicochemical properties and enzyme activities. Compared with the bare flat, soil water content, soil bulk density, pH and electrical conductivity showed a decreasing trend after reclamation, whereas soil organic carbon, total nitrogen and total phosphorus tended to increase. Dehydrogenase, amylase and acid phosphatase activities initially increased and then decreased with increasing years of reclamation, whereas urease and alkaline phosphatase activities were characterized by an increase-decrease-increase trend. Moreover, urease, acid phosphatase and alkaline phosphatase activities exhibited significant differences between coastal saline soil with 63years of reclamation and bare flat, whereas dehydrogenase and amylase activities remained unchanged. Aquaculture ponds showed higher soil water content, pH and EC but lower soil organic carbon, total nitrogen and total phosphorus than rapeseed, broad bean and wheat fields. Rapeseed, broad bean and wheat fields displayed higher urease and alkaline phosphatase activities and lower dehydrogenase, amylase and acid phosphatase activities compared with aquaculture ponds. Redundancy analysis revealed that the soil physicochemical properties explained 74.5% of the variation in soil enzyme activities and that an obvious relationship existed between soil nutrients and soil enzyme activities. These results will assist governmental evaluation of the quality of reclaimed coastal soil.

Effects of Topography, Tree Species and Soil Properties on Soil Enzyme Activity in Karst Regions

Soil extracellular enzymes are crucial in biogeochemical cycle and ecosystem functioning. Yet uncertainty exists in terms of major determinants on soil extracellular enzyme activity (EEA), especially at calcareous areas. In this study, soil samples (0-15 cm) were collected from different topographic conditions (different slope positions and aspects) and different tree species (Cryptocarya concinna and Eurycorymbus cavaleriei) in a forest located at Mulun natural reserve, a typical karst area. Six hydrolytic enzymes, related to carbon, nitrogen or phosphorus cycling, and soil physiochemical properties were investigated. The effects of topography, tree species and soil properties on soil enzyme activities were analyzed by multi-response permutation procedures (MRPP), redundancy analysis (RDA) and variation partitioning. The enzyme profiles were significantly (P<0.05) separated among the four slope positions but not significantly separated between the two aspects or two tree species according to multi-response permutation procedure (MRPP) analysis. Variation partitioning indicated that topography, tree species and soil properties together explained 55.3% of EEA variation. Soil property was the key factor influencing EEA variation, which explained 44.2% of EEA variation. The result of redundancy analysis (RDA) showed that soil pH, total nitrogen and inorganic nitrogen were the most important variables among the nine soil properties for EEA variation. This study first quantified the effects of small-scale topographic, tree species, and soil properties on soil enzyme activity variation in karst areas. Our results suggest that EEA variation can be well explained by soil properties at a small scale in the karst area.

Seasonal changes in some physiological and biochemical responses of six groundcover plants

Landscape groundcover plants are a diverse group of trailing or spreading species that naturally form continuous soil coverage.Ground cover plants that were used in this study consisted of vegetative propagules of: Vinca minor L. ٬Variegatum’, Vinca minor L. ٬Green’, Oxalis brasiliensis G. Lodd, Trifolium repens L., Phyla nodiflora L. and Frankenia thymifolia Desf. The aim of this study was to compare some physiological and biochemical responses of each species used under seasonal changes in Shiraz climatic conditions. Several factors including chlorophyll and relative water content (RWC), electrolyte leakage (EL), proline content, soluble sugars and starch levels and antioxidant enzyme activities of these ground covers were investigated. Results showed that chlorophyll and RWC content were decreased in all ground cover plants during summer time. Furthermore, considerable seasonal variations in antioxidant enzyme activities were detected in all of the studied plants. The highest activity of CAT was obtained in summer, while SOD, POD and APX had their highest activities in autumn and winter seasons. Proline concentration in F. thymifolia was higher than the other species, especially in mid-winter. According to the results of this research, it appears that plants show different mechanisms against natural adverse environmental conditions. It can be concluded that F. thymifolia and P. nodiflora are well-matched with warm season and T. repens and V. minor are well-matched with cool season environmental conditions. Therefore, these plants can be recommended for cultivation in Shiraz green space and the same conditions elsewhere.

Subtropical urban turfs: Carbon and nitrogen pools and the role of enzyme activity

Urban grasslands not only provide a recreational venue for urban residents, but also sequester organic carbon in vegetation and soils through photosynthesis, and release carbon dioxide through respiration, which largely contribute to carbon storage and fluxes at regional and global scales. We investigated organic carbon and nitrogen pools in subtropical turfs and found that dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) were regulated by several factors including microbial activity which is indicated by soil enzymatic activity. We observed a vertical variation and different temporal patterns in both soil DOC, DON and enzyme activities, which decreased significantly with increasing soil depths. We further found that concentration of soil DON was linked with turf age. There were correlations between grass biomass and soil properties, and soil enzyme activities. In particular, soil bulk density was significantly correlated with soil moisture and soil organic carbon (SOC). In addition, DOC correlated significantly with DON. Significant negative correlations were also observed between soil total dissolved nitrogen (TDN) and grass biomass of Axonopus compressus and Zoysia matrella. Specifically, grass biomass was significantly correlated with the soil activity of urease and β-glucosidase. Soil NO3-N concentration also showed negative correlations with the activity of both β-glucosidase and protease but there were no significant correlations between cellulase and soil properties or grass biomass. Our study demonstrated a relationship between soil C and N dynamics and soil enzymes that could be modulated to enhance SOC pools through management and maintenance practices.