Path of Carbon in Photosynthesis and Release of Glycerol by Zooxanthellae: A Proposal for a Joint Project with a Russian Colleague

这个项目是加州大学洛杉矶分校的Len Muscatine博士和Karl Va博士的联合研究计划。俄罗斯科学院土壤科学与光合作用研究所光生物技术系主任Bil‘说。这项研究将确定海葵和珊瑚中共生的甲藻(被称为虫黄藻)在光合作用中产生的碳流路径，以及诱导藻细胞释放甘油的宿主因素如何改变这一路径。寄主因子现在在马斯卡廷的实验室中以纯形式获得。利用经典的C-14标记和Calvin和Benson的短期光合作用技术，碳的路径最初将在体外的虫黄藻中确定。在配套实验中，研究人员将同时引入寄主因子，并试图检测其诱导的途径的变化。根据所获得的数据，包括关键酶活性的分析，将制定和检验关于宿主因素对戊糖磷酸还原途径和甘油合成的作用机制的可检验假说。

This project represents a joint research program between the Dr. Len Muscatine of UCLA and Dr. Karl Va. Bil', Head of the Photobiotechnology Department, Institute of Soil Science and Photosynthesis, Russian Academy of Science. The research will determine the path of carbon flow produced in photosynthesis of symbiotic dinoflagellates (known as, zooxanthellae) in sea anemones and corals and how this pathway is altered by a host factor which induces the algal cells to release glycerol. Host factor is now obtained in pure form in Muscatine's laboratory. The path of carbon will initially be determined in zooxanthellae in vitro using classical C-14 labeling and short-term photosynthesis techniques of Calvin and Benson. In companion experiments, the researchers will concurrently introduce cnidarian host factor and attempt to detect changes in the pathway which it induces. From the data obtained, including analysis of key enzyme activities, a testable hypothesis on the mechanism of action of host factor on the reductive pentose phosphate pathway and glycerol synthesis will be formulated and tested.