The UN predicts that by 2050 there will water shortages throughout the globe. Current sources for safe, clean drinking water are being over mined and exhausted. Seawater provides an alternative water source, but a high salt content makes it unsuitable for the majority of applications. However, reverse osmosis lowers the salt content producing water that is safe for human consumption. Reverse osmosis uses a semi-permeable membrane to prevent the transport of salt but allows for the transport of water. Currently these membranes are susceptible to fouling and contamination, which reduces their efficiency. Graphene-oxide membranes offer a new material for reserves osmosis membranes. Sheets of graphene-oxide are stacked in a layered structure. The separation between the sheets can be controlled using physical confinement, resulting in limited ion permeation of abundant cations in seawater, like Na+ and K+. This is believed to be due to the separation of 0.76 nm between the graphene sheets, forcing the ions to lose its surrounding water molecules, making it unfavourable for the ion to travel through the membrane. Molecular dynamics simulations can give an atomic level insight into the molecular processes within GO membranes. Recent simulations have shown that charged species are attracted to graphene surfaces due to polarisation of the pi-electron system. This work has managed to incorporate these ion-pi interactions into molecular dynamics simulations. Including ion-pi interactions caused some ions, like Na+ and K+, to prefer to lose water molecules and reside at a graphene surface. This work observed the same phenomena when ions were confined to graphene channel ranging from 1.3 nm - 0.7 nm. This observation could have a large impact on whether dehydration is limiting the permeation of these two ions, or if there are additional processes that limit their molecular transport.

Zhu Jinxia. / "July 2004." / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 142-170). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Mode of access: World Wide Web. / Abstracts in English and Chinese.

Die vorliegende Dissertation beschäftigt sich mit der Synthese, den Li+-Transporteigenschaften und der Thermodynamik von Olivin-Typ LiFePO4. Es werden verschiedene Solvothermalsynthesen untersucht. Neben der Einstellung von Partikelgröße und Partikelmorphologie steht die Analyse der Hydrothermalsynthese aus Li3PO4 und Vivianit durch in situ Messung der elektrolytischen Leitfähigkeit im Vordergrund. Die Untersuchung des Li+-Transportes geschieht auf Basis von Redoxreaktionen. Die formalkinetische Auswertung von Lithiierungs- und Delithiierungsreaktionen und eine Nukleationsanalyse wird durch ein Modell zur Auswirkung von antisite-Defekten auf die Kapazität des Elektrodenmaterials ergänzt. Die Ramanspektroskopie wird in Verbindung mit Lösungsenthalpien zur Identifizierung reaktiver Spezies herangezogen. Schwerpunkt der thermodynamischen Charakterisierung ist die experimentelle Ermittlung der Wärmekapazität. Diese wurde unter Berücksichtigung einer magnetischen Phasenumwandlung im Bereich von 2 K bis 773 K ermittelt. Die Daten erlauben die Berechnung wichtiger thermodynamischer Funktionen.

The goal of this thesis was to develop a method for efficiently synthesizing a large suite of asymmetric oligoester ion channel-forming compounds. A solid-phase organic synthesis (SPOS) approach on Wang resin was used to generate the ion channel candidates. A follow-on goal is to survey the compounds produced to uncover structure-related controls on ion transport activity. Two classes of building blocks were used to generate the oligoesters – head groups and cores. The core building blocks were three omega-hydroxy acid derivatives six, eight and twelve carbons in length and the alcohol protected as a tetrahydropyranyl ether. The head group building blocks were either a glutaric acid monoester derivative of varying lipophilicity (12 to 16 carbon long alkyl tail) or a beta-hydroxy acid derivative; these building blocks used a tert-butyldimethylsilyl ether for alcohol protection. Optimized conditions for building block coupling, deprotection, and product cleavage were first established by the generation of dimeric and trimeric products. The building blocks were coupled using diisopropylcarbodiimide/ dimethylaminopyridine conditions. The deprotection of the tetrahydropyranyl ether group from the alcohol used a dilute acid solution in methanol and dichloromethane. A fluoride solution (from tetrabutylammonium fluoride) in tetrahydrofuran was used to deprotect the tert-butyldimethylsilyl ether group. Cleavage of the product synthesized on Wang resin was achieved by treatment with a trifluoroacetic acid/dichloromethane or ethereal hydrogen chloride solution. The products were then isolated by gel filtration. Mass spectrometry was used to identify the minor impurities which were quantified by proton nuclear magnetic resonance integrations. With the nine building blocks, many tetrameric and pentameric structures can be made, but a directed-library approach was used to address structure-activity related questions. Three pentameric oligoester products were the largest products synthesized to determine the scope and limitations of the SPOS methodology. The oligoester ion channel candidates were tested for ion transport activity using a 8-hydroxypyrene-1,3,6-trisulfonic acid trisodium salt fluorescence vesicle assay. For each compound a pseudo-first order rate constant was derived at a particular concentration. A more useful normalized rate constant was calculated for an interpolated transporter concentration which allowed for transport activity comparison between compounds. The results from the fluorescence assay showed that some compounds and some isomers were substantially more active than others. There appeared to be an optimal core length and lipophilicity for relatively high activity. The aggregation of the compounds in buffer solution was probed using a pyrene fluorescence experiment. The solid-phase methodology was extended to include coupling of amino acids. A tryptophan derivative was made from one of the most active SPOS oligoester ion channel-forming compounds. The integrity of the molecules synthesized by SPOS which contain the tryptophan group could then be determined by high performance liquid chromatography. The fluorescence of the indole is quenched by acrylamide. By first equilibrating the vesicles with the tryptophan-containing oligoesters and then adding a fluorescence quencher, the resulting indole fluorescence was monitored as a function of quencher concentration. A Stern-Volmer plot was derived based on the quenching data which reported the possible orientations of the tryptophan-containing oligoester within the vesicle.

Introduction : La mucoviscidose est une maladie génétique autosomale récessive causée par des mutations dans le gène CFTR (cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator). Ce dernier code un canal chlorure AMPc-dépendant localisé dans la membrane apicale des cellules épithéliales, dont l’activité est régulée par de nombreuses interactions protéine-protéine. Dans le cadre de la recherche de nouveaux partenaires du CFTR, une interaction directe entre le canal (sauvage et muté F508del) etl’annexine A5 (AnxA5) a été mise en évidence dans notre laboratoire. Des stratégies de sur et de sousexpression nous ont également permis d’établir un lien fonctionnel entre les deux protéines. En effet, nos travaux montrent que les sécrétions ioniques dépendantes du CFTR sont corrélées au niveau d’expression intracellulaire de l’AnxA5. Par ailleurs, une élévation des courants médiés par le CFTR ainsi qu’une augmentation de la quantité de canaux dans la membrane plasmique sont observées suite à la surexpression de l’AnxA5 dans des cellules exprimant le CFTR muté F508del.But de l’étude : Au vu de ces observations, l’AnxA5 apparaît comme une cible potentielle pour la correction de certains défauts engendrés par la mutation F508del. Une piste thérapeutique pourrait être l’identification de composés capables d’augmenter son expression dans des cellules épithéliales exprimant le mutant F508del de la protéine CFTR. Considérant les informations fournies par la littérature, notre choix s’est porté sur la GnRH (gonadotropin-releasing hormone), molécule utilisée en thérapeutique humaine depuis plus de 25 ans. Ainsi, nous avons évalué l’effet de la GnRH sur la modulation de l’expression de l’AnxA5 et sur le transport ionique dépendant du CFTR dans nos différents modèles d’étude Résultats : Outre la présence du récepteur de la GnRH dans nos modèles cellulaires, nous montrons également que l’expression de l’AnxA5 y est augmentée dès 60 minutes de traitement avec l’hormone (1 nM). De plus, comparativement à des cellules non stimulées, des cellules prétraitées avec la GnRH présentent une hausse significative des sorties actives d’iodure, corrélant avec une augmentation de la quantité de CFTR à la surface cellulaire. Ces observations ont été faites dans les modèles exprimant le CFTR muté F508del ainsi que dans ceux exprimant le CFTR sauvage. Conclusion : Dans nos modèles et selon nos conditions de stimulation, un traitement avec la GnRH augmente l’expression intracellulaire de l’AnxA5 et conduit à une élévation des sécrétions ioniques médiées par le canal CFTR. Néanmoins, au vu de la multitude de voies de signalisation susceptibles d’être activées et de gènes pouvant être régulés suite à la liaison de la GnRH sur son récepteur, l’effet observé sur l’AnxA5 ne représente probablement pas le seul évènement cellulaire à l’origine de l’impact positif enregistré sur l’activité du canal CFTR. / Background: Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene, which encodes a cAMP-stimulated chloride channel. CFTR is primarily located at the apical surface of epithelial cells, where its activity is regulated by some protein-protein interactions. As part of new CFTR’s partners research, we previously showed that annexin A5 (AnxA5) binds directly to both normal and F508del-CFTR. Moreover, under and overexpression strategies led us to establish a functionnal link between these two proteins. In fact, CFTR-dependent ion secretions are correlated to the intracellular level of AnxA5. Otherwise, in transfected epithelial cells, AnxA5 overexpression increases CFTR’s level in plasma membranes and raises CFTR-mediated currents in F508del-CFTR expressing cells. Aim of the study: In the light of these findings, AnxA5 appears as a potential target in order to correct some defects caused by the F508del mutation. A therapeutic approach would be to find some compounds capable of increasing AnxA5 expression in F508del-CFTR expressing epithelial cells. Reviewing the literature, our choice fell on GnRH (gonadotropin-releasing hormone), a commonly used molecule for diverse clinical applications for 25 years. So, the effects of GnRH on the modulation of AnxA5 expression and on CFTR-dependent ion transport were assessed in our different cellular models. Results: Beside the GnRH receptor expression, we show that AnxA5 expression is augmented in all cell lines after one hour incubation with the hormone (1 nM). Moreover, compared to untreated cells, a significant iodide efflux peak is measured in GnRH pretreated, which is correlated with an increased cell surface expression of CFTR. It is of interest to note that these observations have been made in CF and non-CF cells. Conclusion: In our models and according to our stimulation conditions, GnRH treatment enhances AnxA5 intracellular expression and leads to a rise of CFTR-dependent ion secretions. Nevertheless, given the multitude of activated signaling pathways and regulated genes in response to GnRH binding to its receptor, the positive impact on CFTR activity is probably not solely explained by the effect on AnxA5 expression.

No description available.

Insect haemolynph typically contains very high levels of free amino acids 50 1 00 times that which is normal for mammalian plasma. This study examines the modulatory effects of amino acids on fluid secretion and ion transport by isolated MTs of Rhodnius prolixus and Drosophila melanogaster. The results show that the secretion rates of isolated Malpighian tubules of both Rhodnius and Drosophila are modulated by the presence of specific amino acids in the bathing saline. Some amino acids are stimulatory, some are inhibitory and others have little or no effect. Glutamine appears to be particularly important as a stimulant of fluid secretion. As well, secreted fluid pH and Na +concentration increase and K+ concentration decreases in response to glutamine. Amino acids do not appear to be important as metabolite. in Rhodnius tubules, nor do they act to draw significant amounts of water into the lumen by osmosis. Significant stimulation of fluid secretion can be achieved by physiological levels of particular amino acids, whereas those amino acids that inhibit fluid secretion only do so at concentrations much above those at which they occur naturally in the haemolymph. Amino acids are known to be compatible osmolytes and may be acting to maintain cell homeostasis and thus to sustain fluid secretion. The passive movement of amino acids may result in cell volume changes, and some form of osmosensor is may be coupled to activation of specific kinases to produce the observed increases in fluid secretion. The effects of several kinase inhibitors were therefore examined. The glutamine dependent increase in MT fluid secretion is blocked by two inhibitors of the stress activated protein kinase (SAPK) pathway, SP600125 and dicumoral. Inhibitors of other kinases (PKA, PKC, PKG, PI-3, p38, ERK and MEK), did not block glutamine's effects on fluid secretion rate. Alterations in cytoskeletal structure appear not to be required because cytoskeletal disrupting agents did not block the glutamine dependent inc~ease in fluid secretion, nor was the increase dependent upon protein synthesis. Results of this study are the first to suggest a role for the SAPK pathway in the control of fluid secretion rates by insect Malpighian tubules. / Thesis / Master of Science (MS)

This dissertation aims to develop, characterize, and fundamentally understand a new class of materials termed "molecular ionic composites" (MICs). MICs show promise as next-generation solid electrolytes for batteries. MICs form when mixing a rigid polyanion with purely ionic fluids, and they behave mechanically as a solid but contain a high density of ions that move nearly as in a neat liquid. Specifically, prototypical MICs are based on solutions of the rigid-rod polyelectrolyte poly(2,2'-disulfonyl-4,4'-benzideneterephthalamide) (PBDT), which forms a double helix, combined with imidazolium-based ionic liquids (ILs). The IL comprises 75-97 wt% of the final solid, even though the Young's modulus can reach ~ 2 GPa at 80 wt% IL. We propose that these properties are driven by a biphasic internal structure in MICs corresponding to IL-rich "puddles" (an interconnected liquid phase) and PBDT-IL associated "bundles" where IL ions form the collective electrostatic associations that cause the MICs to be a solid. Through this dissertation I will discuss a wide variety of MICs that have been created through the use of two different formation processes, the "ingot" method and the "solvent casting" method, which allow for the use of many different ionic fluid sources to further tune MIC properties. The following chapters build to the fundamental knowledge and our current understanding of the wide variety of materials that can be created from PBDT and IL. / Doctor of Philosophy / Battery electrolytes, biosensors, and hydrogels all depend on new materials for next-generation applications. For these new materials to be used characterization on the interactions, morphological restrictions, and/or what unique internal structures used to generate their properties must be performed. Through This analysis using common polymeric characterization techniques these materials can be further optimized. This dissertation highlights a new class of materials termed "molecular ionic composites" (MICs) which are formed from a rigid double helical polymer, poly(2,2'-disulfonyl-4,4'-benzideneterephthalamide) (PBDT), and fluids composed entirely of ions, including ionic liquids (ILs). These composite systems feature a unique combination of properties including high thermal stability, mechanical stability, and excellent ionic conductivity, all of which are highly tunable through the amount of PBDT incorporated or the fluid ion types. Chapters 3, 4, 5, and 6 present fundamental investigations of MICs to determine how tunable they are, the processes by which they form, and the various ways we can fabricate them. Chapter 7 describes the creation of another impressive material formed from PBDT-low-polymer-content hydrogels. These studies are intended to provide deeper understanding of the behaviors of these unique materials and how they may be used in the future.

[ES] El fósforo es inherente al mantenimiento de la vida y desempeña un papel fundamental en la producción de alimentos. La inminente escasez de rocas fosfóricas, principal materia prima para la producción de fertilizantes a base de fósforo ha impulsado la investigación sobre la recuperación de este nutriente a partir de fuentes alternativas, como las aguas residuales municipales. En un estudio reciente, fue posible concentrar y recuperar fosfatos de una solución que simulaba aguas residuales municipales mediante electrodiálisis, además de promover la separación de fosfatos de los aniones coexistentes. Sin embargo, este proceso de separación comprometió la estructura de la membrana aniónica. Por lo tanto, el objetivo de este trabajo fue establecer las condiciones adecuadas para recuperar fosfatos de una solución con bajo contenido de este nutriente. Se realizaron experimentos de electrodiálisis bajo intenso campo eléctrico utilizando dos membranas aniónicas diferentes, una de origen chino (IONSEP-HC-A) y otra checa (AMHPP, resistente a medios alcalinos), caracterizándolas antes y después de los ensayos. Además, se estudiaron las reacciones químicas que acompañan al transporte de fosfatos a través de membranas aniónicas mediante voltamperometría lineal, cronopotenciometría y espectroscopia de impedancia electroquímica. Los resultados de las pruebas de electrodiálisis indican la posibilidad de separación de iones de fosfato utilizando la membrana IONSEP-HC-A, condición que no se logra con la membrana AMHPP. Mediante espectros FTIR se observó que la aplicación de campos eléctricos intensos provocó la transformación parcial de los grupos funcionales de ambas membranas. Sin embargo, además de esto, se notó la degradación de la malla estructural de la membrana china. Además, las imágenes SEM indicaron la formación de cavidades en la superficie de la membrana IONSEP-HC-A, lo que no se observó en la membrana AMHPP. A través de estas imágenes también se observó que la superficie de la membrana AMHPP tiene una mayor área conductora, lo que puede facilitar la formación de vórtices electroconvectivos, mientras que la distribución de grupos funcionales en la membrana IONSEP-HC-A facilitaría la disociación del agua. Estas suposiciones se confirman mediante espectros de impedancia y curvas cronopotenciométricas. Para la membrana AMHPP, las curvas cronopotenciométricas atestiguan que la electroconvección es el mecanismo predominante de transferencia de masa, a pesar de la presencia de arcos de Gerischer que indican la ocurrencia de reacciones químicas en la capa límite de difusión. En cuanto a la membrana IONSEP-HC-A, los resultados muestran el predominio de la disociación del agua, lo que dificulta el paso de los iones fosfato a través de la membrana y permite su separación. / [CA] El fòsfor és inherent al manteniment de la vida i exerceix un paper fonamental en la producció d'aliments. La imminent escassetat de roques fosfòriques, principal matèria primera per a la producció de fertilitzants a base de fòsfor ha impulsat la investigació sobre la recuperació d'aquest nutrient a partir de fonts alternatives, com les aigües residuals municipals. En un estudi recent, va ser possible concentrar i recuperar fosfats d'una solució que simulava aigües residuals municipals mitjançant electrodiálisis, a més de promoure la separació de fosfats dels anions coexistents. No obstant això, aquest procés de separació va comprometre l'estructura de la membrana aniònica. Per tant, l'objectiu d'aquest treball va ser establir les condicions adequades per a recuperar fosfats d'una solució amb baix contingut d'aquest nutrient. Es van realitzar experiments de electrodiálisis baix intens camp elèctric utilitzant dues membranes aniòniques diferents, una d'origen xinés (IONSEP-HC-A) i una altra txeca (AMHPP, resistent a mitjans alcalins), caracteritzant-les abans i després dels assajos. A més, es van estudiar les reaccions químiques que acompanyen al transport de fosfats a través de membranes aniòniques mitjançant voltamperometria lineal, cronopotenciometría i espectroscòpia d'impedància electroquímica. Els resultats de les proves de electrodiálisis indiquen la possibilitat de separació d'ions de fosfat utilitzant la membrana IONSEP-HC-A, condició que no s'aconsegueix amb la membrana AMHPP. Mitjançant espectres FTIR es va observar que l'aplicació de camps elèctrics intensos va provocar la transformació parcial dels grups funcionals de totes dues membranes. Tanmateix, a més d'això, es va notar la degradació de la malla estructural de la membrana xinesa. A més, les imatges SEM van indicar la formació de cavitats en la superfície de la membrana IONSEP-HC-A, la qual cosa no es va observar en la membrana AMHPP. A través d'aquestes imatges també es va observar que la superfície de la membrana AMHPP té una major àrea conductora, la qual cosa pot facilitar la formació de vòrtexs electroconvectivos, mentre que la distribució de grups funcionals en la membrana IONSEP-HC-A facilitaria la dissociació de l'aigua. Aquestes suposicions es confirmen mitjançant espectres d'impedància i corbes cronopotenciométricas. Per a la membrana AMHPP, les corbes cronopotenciométricas testifiquen que la electroconvección és el mecanisme predominant de transferència de massa, malgrat la presència d'arcs de Gerischer que indiquen l'ocurrència de reaccions químiques en la capa límit de difusió. Quant a la membrana IONSEP-HC-A, els resultats mostren el predomini de la dissociació de l'aigua, la qual cosa dificulta el pas dels ions fosfate a través de la membrana i permet la seua separació. / [EN] Phosphorus is inherent in maintaining life and plays a key role in food production. The imminent scarcity of phosphate rocks, the main raw material for the production of phosphorus-based fertilizers has boosted research on the recovery of this nutrient from alternative sources, such as municipal wastewater. In a recent study, it was possible to concentrate and recover phosphates from a solution simulating municipal wastewater through electrodialysis, as well as promoting the separation of phosphates from existing anions. However, this separation process compromised the structure of the anion-exchange membrane. Therefore, the objective of this work was to establish adequate conditions to recover phosphates from a low phosphate-containing solution. Electrodialysis experiments were carried out under intense electric field using two different anion-exchange membranes, one of Chinese origin (IONSEP-HC-A) and the other Czech (AMHPP, alkali-resistant), characterizing them before and after the tests. Furthermore, chemical reactions that accompany the transport of phosphates through anion-exchange membranes were studied using linear voltammetry, chronopotentiometry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The electrodialysis results indicate the possibility of phosphates separation using the IONSEP-HC-A membrane, a condition not achieved with the AMHPP membrane. Through FTIR spectra, it was observed that the application of intense electric fields caused the partial transformation of the functional groups of both membranes. However, in addition to this, the degradation of the structural mesh of the Chinese membrane was noted. Furthermore, SEM images indicated the formation of cavities on the surface of the IONSEP-HC-A membrane, which was not observed for the AMHPP membrane. Through these images, it was also observed that the surface of the AMHPP membrane has a larger conductive area, which may facilitate the formation of electroconvective vortices, while the distribution of functional groups in the IONSEP-HC-A membrane would facilitate the dissociation of water. These assumptions are confirmed by means of impedance spectra and chronopotentiometric curves. For the AMHPP membrane, chronopotentiometric curves attest to electroconvection as the predominant mass transfer mechanism, despite the presence of Gerischer arcs indicating the occurrence of chemical reactions in the diffusion boundary layer. As for the IONSEP-HC-A membrane, the predominance of water dissociation was noted, making it difficult for phosphate ions to pass through the membrane and allowing their separation. / [PT] O fósforo é inerente à manutenção da vida e exerce um papel fundamental na produção de alimentos. A iminente escassez de rochas fosfatadas, principal matéria-prima para produção de fertilizantes a base de fósforo tem impulsionado pesquisas sobre a recuperação desse nutriente de fontes alternativas, como as águas residuárias municipais. Em estudo recente, foi possível concentrar e recuperar fosfatos de uma solução simulando uma água residuária municipal através da eletrodiálise, bem como promover a separação de fosfatos de ânions coexistentes. Entretanto, esse processo de separação comprometeu a estrutura da membrana aniônica. Assim sendo, o objetivo desse trabalho foi estabelecer condições adequadas para recuperar fosfatos de uma solução com baixo teor desse nutriente. Foram realizados experimentos de eletrodiálise mediante intenso campo elétrico utilizando diferentes duas membranas aniônicas, uma de origem chinesa (IONSEP-HC-A) e outra tcheca (AMHPP, resistente a meios alcalinos), caracterizando-as antes e após os ensaios. Ainda, foram estudadas as reações químicas que acompanham o transporte de fosfatos por membranas aniônicas empregando a voltametria linear, cronopotenciometria e a espectroscopia de impedância eletroquímica. Os resultados dos ensaios de eletrodiálise indicam a possibilidade de separação de íons fosfato usando a membrana IONSEP-HC-A, condição não atingida com a membrana AMHPP. Por meio de espectros de FTIR, observou-se que a aplicação de intensos campos elétricos ocasionou a transformação parcial dos grupos funcionais de ambas as membranas. Porém, adicionalmente a isso, notou-se a degradação da malha estrutural da membrana chinesa. Ainda, imagens de MEV indicaram a formação de cavidades na superfície da membrana IONSEP-HC-A, o que não foi observado para a membrana AMHPP. Por meio dessas imagens, observou-se também que a superfície da membrana AMHPP possui maior área condutora, podendo facilitar a formação de vórtices eletroconvectivos, enquanto a distribuição dos grupos funcionais na membrana IONSEP-HC-A facilitaria a dissociação de água. Essas suposições são confirmadas por meio de espectros de impedância e curvas cronopotenciométricas. Para a membrana AMHPP, curvas cronopotenciométricas atestam a eletroconvecção como mecanismo de transferência de massa predominante, apesar da presença de arcos de Gerischer indicando a ocorrência de reações químicas na camada limite de difusão. Já para a membrana IONSEP-HC- A, os resultados evidenciam a predominância da dissociação de água, dificultando a passagem de íons fosfato através da membrana e permitindo a sua separação. / Rotta, EH. (2023). Caracterização de membranas aniônicas e avaliação do transporte de íons fosfato em um sistema de eletrodiálise [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/191741

Tesis por compendio / [EN] Abstract Introduction Salinity and drought are the most important environmental stress conditions reducing crop yields worldwide and limiting the distribution of wild plants in nature. Soil salinity, especially secondary salinity caused by anthropogenic practices, such as prolonged irrigation, lead to substantial agricultural yield losses, especially in arid and semiarid regions. Drought, caused by reduced water content in the soil, occurs due to disorders in nature's water cycle, chiefly when evapotranspiration exceeds precipitation in a certain area, to the point where soil water reserves can no longer support plant growth. Drought and salt stress trigger the activation of a series of basic stress mechanisms that includes among others, the control of ion transport, exclusion and compartmentalization, as well as the accumulation of compatible solutes ('osmolytes'), and the activation of antioxidant systems. These mechanisms are conserved in all plants, stress tolerant and sensitive alike, and don't necessarily confer tolerance. To decipher those mechanisms and have a better understanding on the contribution of different stress responses to the stress tolerance of a given species, we have carried out comparative studies on the responses to drought and salinity in a number of genetically related taxa with different tolerance potentials. Methodology The experimental approach was mostly based on i) establishing the relative tolerance to water and salt stress in the studied species from their distribution in nature (in the case of wild species) and through the relative inhibition of growth in the presence of stress, and ii) correlating changes in the levels of biochemical 'stress markers' associated to specific response pathways (ion transport, osmolyte accumulation¿) upon stress treatments, with the already established relative tolerance to stress. This strategy proved to be appropriate to distinguish mere general responses to stress from those mechanisms relevant for stress tolerance of the investigated species and cultivars. The work also sheds light on other aspects affected by salt stress, specifically regarding germination and reproductive success or anatomical changes in salt-stressed plants. The expression patterns of the gene NHX1, encoding a vacuolar Na+/H+ antiporter were also studied in the Plantago taxa, as a first step in the full characterisation of this ion transporter, that appears to play an important role in the mechanisms of salt tolerance in this genus. Conclusion The results obtained in this work contribute to a better understanding of general stress tolerance mechanisms in plants, and provides clear insights into the mechanisms conferring tolerance, specifically, to drought and salt stress in some wild species and crops. This work also shed more light on the highly efficient responses to stress in halophytes, plants that could be viewed as nature's answer to the aforementioned adverse environmental conditions via evolution and adaptation. Halophytes can therefore be considered as a suitable source - underutilized at present, in our opinion - of knowledge, genetic resources and biotechnological tools for the needed improvement of stress tolerance in crops. / [ES] Resumen Introducción La salinidad y la sequía son las condiciones de estrés ambiental más importantes, que reducen los rendimientos de los cultivos en todo el mundo y que limitan la distribución de las plantas silvestres en la naturaleza. La salinidad del suelo, especialmente la salinización secundaria causada por prácticas antropogénicas, como la irrigación prolongada, conducen a pérdidas importantes de rendimiento agrícola, especialmente en las regiones áridas y semiáridas. La sequía, provocada por la reducción de contenido de agua en el suelo, se produce debido a alteraciones en el ciclo del agua en la naturaleza, principalmente cuando la evapotranspiración excede la precipitación en un área determinada, hasta el punto que las reservas de agua del suelo ya no pueden soportar el crecimiento de la planta. La sequía y el estrés salino desencadenan la activación de una serie de mecanismos básicos de respuesta, que incluyen entre otros el control del transporte, la exclusión y la compartimentación de iones, así como la acumulación de solutos compatibles ('osmolitos'), y la activación de sistemas antioxidantes. Estos mecanismos están conservados en todas las plantas, tolerantes y sensibles a estrés por igual, y no confieren necesariamente tolerancia. Para descifrar estos mecanismos y conseguir una mejor comprensión de la contribución de diferentes respuestas a estrés a la tolerancia al estrés en una especie dada, hemos llevado a cabo estudios comparativos sobre las respuestas a la sequía y la salinidad, en un número de taxones relacionados genéticamente con diferentes potenciales de tolerancia. Metodología El enfoque experimental se basó principalmente en i) establecer la tolerancia relativa al estrés hídrico y al estrés salino en las especies estudiadas, a partir de su distribución en la naturaleza (en el caso de especies silvestres) y atendiendo a la inhibición relativa de su crecimiento en presencia de estrés, y ii) correlacionar cambios en los niveles de 'marcadores bioquímicos de estrés' asociados a vías específicas de respuesta (transporte de iones, acumulación de osmolitos ...) inducidos por los tratamientos de estrés, con la tolerancia relativa a estrés de las plantas, previamente establecido. Esta estrategia ha resultado ser apropiada para distinguir meras respuestas generales a estrés de los mecanismos relevantes para la tolerancia a estrés de las especies y cultivares investigados. El trabajo también arroja luz sobre otros aspectos afectados por el estrés salino, específicamente en relación con la germinación y el éxito reproductivo, o cambios anatómicos en las plantas tratadas con sal. También se estudiaron los patrones de expresión del gen NHX1, que codifica un antiportador vacuolar Na+/H+, en las especies de Plantago, como un primer paso en la caracterización completa de este transportador de iones, que parece desempeñar un papel importante en los mecanismos de tolerancia a sal en este género. Conclusión Los resultados obtenidos en este trabajo contribuyen a una mejor comprensión de los mecanismos generales de tolerancia al estrés en plantas, y proporcionan ideas claras sobre los mecanismos que confieren tolerancia, en concreto, a la sequía y al estrés salino, en algunas especies silvestres y cultivadas. Este trabajo también arroja más luz sobre las respuestas a estrés altamente eficientes en halófitas, plantas que podrían ser vistas como la respuesta de la naturaleza a las condiciones ambientales adversas antes mencionadas, a través de la evolución y la adaptación. Por lo tanto, las halófitas pueden ser consideradas como una fuente adecuada - infrautilizada en la actualidad, en nuestra opinión - de conocimiento, recursos genéticos y herramientas biotecnológicas para la necesaria mejora de la tolerancia al estrés en plantas cultivadas. / [CA] Resum Introducció La salinitat i la sequera són les condicions d'estrès ambiental més importants, que redueixen els rendiments dels cultius a tot el món i que limiten la distribució de les plantes silvestres en la naturalesa. La salinitat del sòl, especialment la salinització secundària causada per pràctiques antropogèniques, com la irrigació perllongada, condueixen a pèrdues importants de rendiment agrícola, especialment en les regions àrides i semiàrides. La sequera, provocada per la reducció de contingut d'aigua en el sòl, es produeix a causa d'alteracions en el cicle de l'aigua en la naturalesa, principalment quan la evapotranspiració excedeix la precipitació en un àrea determinada, fins al punt que les reserves d'aigua del sòl ja no poden suportar el creixement de la planta. La sequera i l'estrès salí desencadenen l'activació d'una sèrie de mecanismes bàsics de resposta, que inclouen entre uns altres el control del transport, l'exclusió i la compartimentació d'ions, així com l'acumulació de soluts compatibles ('osmolits'), i l'activació de sistemes antioxidants. Aquests mecanismes estan conservats en totes les plantes, tolerants i sensibles a estrès per igual, i no confereixen necessàriament tolerància. Per a desxifrar aquests mecanismes i aconseguir una millor comprensió de la contribució de diferents respostes a estrès a la tolerància a l'estrès en una espècie donada, hem dut a terme estudis comparatius sobre les respostes a la sequera i la salinitat, en un nombre de taxons relacionats genèticament amb diferents potencials de tolerància. Metodologia L'enfocament experimental es va basar principalment en i) establir la tolerància relativa a l'estrès hídric i a l'estrès salí en les espècies estudiades, a partir de la seua distribució en la naturalesa (en el cas d'espècies silvestres) i atenent a la inhibició relativa de el seu creixement en presència d'estrès, i ii) correlacionar canvis en els nivells de 'marcadors bioquímics d'estrès' associats a vies específiques de resposta (transport d'ions, acumulació d'osmolits ...) induïts pels tractaments d'estrès, amb la tolerància relativa a estrès de les plantes, prèviament establert. Aquesta estratègia ha resultat ser apropiada per a distingir meres respostes generals a estrès dels mecanismes rellevants per a la tolerància a estrès de les espècies i conreus investigats. El treball també llança llum sobre altres aspectes afectats per l'estrès salí, específicament en relació amb la germinació i l'èxit reproductiu, o canvis anatòmics en les plantes tractades amb sal. També es van estudiar els patrons d'expressió del gen NHX1, que codifica un anti-portador vacuolar Na+/H+, en les espècies de Plantago, com un primer pas en la caracterització completa d'aquest transportador d'ions, que sembla exercir un paper important en els mecanismes de tolerància a sal en aquest gènere. Conclusió Els resultats obtinguts en aquest treball contribueixen a una millor comprensió dels mecanismes generals de tolerància a l'estrès en plantes, i proporcionen idees clares sobre els mecanismes que confereixen tolerància, en concret, a la sequera i a l'estrès salí, en algunes espècies silvestres i conreades. Aquest treball també llança més llum sobre les respostes a estrès altament eficients en halòfites, plantes que podrien ser vistes com la resposta de la naturalesa a les condicions ambientals adverses abans esmentades, a través de l'evolució i l'adaptació. Per tant, les halòfites poden ser considerades com una font adequada - infrautilitzada en l'actualitat, en la nostra opinió - de coneixement, recursos genètics i eines biotecnològiques per a la necessària millora de la tolerància a l'estrès en plantes conreades. / Al Hassan, M. (2016). Comparative analyses of plant responses to drought and salt stress in related taxa: A useful approach to study stress tolerance mechanisms [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/61985 / Compendio