Akihito Matsushima

Molecular cloning and mRNA expression of geraniol-inducible genes in cultured shoot primordia of Matricaria chamomilla.

Genes for two geraniol-responsive factors, designated McEREBP1 and McWRKY1, from cultured shoot primordia of Matricaria chamomilla were cloned. The deduced amino acid sequences of these genes were highly similar to those of the family of ethylene-responsive element binding proteins and elicitor-induced DNA-binding proteins containing a WRKY domain, respectively. The levels of McEREBP1 and McWRKY1 mRNAs were maximum when measured 1 h after treatment of the cultured cells with geraniol.

Geraniol-inducible Glutathione S-Transferase in Cultured Soybean Cells

When the cultured cells of Glycine max (soybean) were treated with 5 mM geraniol as a chemical stress, an mRNA level was elevated in a rapid but transient increase. The mRNA was cloned and sequenced, and found to correspond to the mRNA encoding glutathione S-transferase (GST). The GST mRNA level and GST activity were elevated to maxima at 4–6 h and 8 h, respectively, after treatment of the cultures with geraniol. These indicate that GST is one of the geraniol-responsive factors in soybean cells.

Environmental radioactivity of water samples collected in Higashi-Hiroshima campus, Hiroshima University, Japan

The relation between concentration of elements and microbial activity in the water samples of Higashi-Hiroshima Campus, Hiroshima University was investigated. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy revealed that microbial mat contains iron, aluminium, silicon and phosphorus. Model experiment revealed that the potassium was adsorbed by living microorganism in the microbial mats, while it was not adsorbed by dead microbial mat. Iron was adsorbed by both living and dead microbial mats. The present results explain the increase in the total β-radioactivity of water sample in summer and the decrease in winter.