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Postepy Biochemii Jun 2020The light phase of photosynthesis is a key energy process in higher plants. Its purpose is to convert light energy into chemical one stored in ATP and NADPH molecules,... (Review)
Review
The light phase of photosynthesis is a key energy process in higher plants. Its purpose is to convert light energy into chemical one stored in ATP and NADPH molecules, which are then used to assimilate CO2 and in numerous metabolic processes. Maintaining optimal photosynthesis performance requires strict regulation of thylakoid membranes organization and rapid response to changing environmental conditions. The main factor affecting photosynthesis is light, which, if applied in excessive amounts, leads to a slowdown in the process. Therefore, plants have developed many protective mechanisms regulating the light reactions of photosynthesis and operating at the level of light energy absorption, electron transport, and the distribution and use of reducing power. These include, among others: (i) non-photochemical energy quenching regulating the amount of excitation energy delivered to the photosystems; (ii) ‘state transition’ process redistributing excitation energy between photosystems; (iii) redundant electron transport pathways responsible for maintaining redox balance in chloroplasts. All these mechanisms, in combination with antioxidant systems, are designed to maintain the function of the photosynthetic apparatus in adverse growth conditions.
Topics: Chloroplasts; Electron Transport; Oxidation-Reduction; Photosynthesis; Plants
PubMed: 32700507
DOI: 10.18388/pb.2020_325 -
Photosynthesis Research Jun 2021Here, we present a conceptual and quantitative model to describe the role of the Cytochrome [Formula: see text] complex in controlling steady-state electron transport in...
Here, we present a conceptual and quantitative model to describe the role of the Cytochrome [Formula: see text] complex in controlling steady-state electron transport in [Formula: see text] leaves. The model is based on new experimental methods to diagnose the maximum activity of Cyt [Formula: see text] in vivo, and to identify conditions under which photosynthetic control of Cyt [Formula: see text] is active or relaxed. With these approaches, we demonstrate that Cyt [Formula: see text] controls the trade-off between the speed and efficiency of electron transport under limiting light, and functions as a metabolic switch that transfers control to carbon metabolism under saturating light. We also present evidence that the onset of photosynthetic control of Cyt [Formula: see text] occurs within milliseconds of exposure to saturating light, much more quickly than the induction of non-photochemical quenching. We propose that photosynthetic control is the primary means of photoprotection and functions to manage excitation pressure, whereas non-photochemical quenching functions to manage excitation balance. We use these findings to extend the Farquhar et al. (Planta 149:78-90, 1980) model of [Formula: see text] photosynthesis to include a mechanistic description of the electron transport system. This framework relates the light captured by PS I and PS II to the energy and mass fluxes linking the photoacts with Cyt [Formula: see text], the ATP synthase, and Rubisco. It enables quantitative interpretation of pulse-amplitude modulated fluorometry and gas-exchange measurements, providing a new basis for analyzing how the electron transport system coordinates the supply of Fd, NADPH, and ATP with the dynamic demands of carbon metabolism, how efficient use of light is achieved under limiting light, and how photoprotection is achieved under saturating light. The model is designed to support forward as well as inverse applications. It can either be used in a stand-alone mode at the leaf-level or coupled to other models that resolve finer-scale or coarser-scale phenomena.
Topics: Cytochrome b6f Complex; Electron Transport; Models, Theoretical; Photosynthesis; Photosystem I Protein Complex; Plant Leaves
PubMed: 33999328
DOI: 10.1007/s11120-021-00840-4 -
International Journal of Molecular... Dec 2021Drought is one of the most important abiotic stress factors limiting maize production worldwide. The objective of this study was to investigate whether photoprotection...
Drought is one of the most important abiotic stress factors limiting maize production worldwide. The objective of this study was to investigate whether photoprotection of PSII was associated with the degree of drought tolerance and yield in three maize hybrids (30Y87, 31R88, P3939). To do this, three maize hybrids were subjected to three cycles of drought, and we measured the activities of photosystem II (PSII) and photosystem I (PSI). In a second field experiment, three maize hybrids were subjected to drought by withholding irrigation, and plant water status, yield and yield attributes were measured. Drought stress decreased leaf water potential (Ψ) in three maize hybrids, and this reduction was more pronounced in hybrid P3939 (-40%) compared to that of 30Y87 (-30%). Yield and yield attributes of three maize hybrids were adversely affected by drought. The number of kernels and 100-kernel weight was the highest in maize hybrid 30Y87 (-56%, -6%), whereas these were lowest in hybrid P3939 (-88%, -23%). Drought stress reduced the quantum yield of PSII [Y(II)], photochemical quenching (qP), electron transport rate through PSII [ETR(II)] and NPQ, except in P3939. Among the components of NPQ, drought increased the Y(NPQ) with concomitant decrease in Y(NO) only in P3939, whereas Y(NO) increased in drought-stressed plants of hybrid 30Y87 and 31R88. However, an increase in cyclic electron flow (CEF) around PSI and Y(NPQ) in P3939 might have protected the photosynthetic machinery but it did not translate in yield. However, drought-stressed plants of 30Y87 might have sufficiently downregulated PSII to match the energy consumption in downstream biochemical processes. Thus, changes in PSII and PSI activity and development of NPQ through CEF are physiological mechanisms to protect the photosynthetic apparatus, but an appropriate balance between these physiological processes is required, without which plant productivity may decline.
Topics: Droughts; Electron Transport; Electrons; Light; Photosynthesis; Photosystem I Protein Complex; Photosystem II Protein Complex; Plant Leaves; Stress, Physiological; Water; Zea mays
PubMed: 34948287
DOI: 10.3390/ijms222413490 -
Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta.... Apr 2023Knowledge about the exact abundance and ratio of photosynthetic protein complexes in thylakoid membranes is central to understanding structure-function relationships in...
Knowledge about the exact abundance and ratio of photosynthetic protein complexes in thylakoid membranes is central to understanding structure-function relationships in energy conversion. Recent modeling approaches for studying light harvesting and electron transport reactions rely on quantitative information on the constituent complexes in thylakoid membranes. Over the last decades several quantitative methods have been established and refined, enabling precise stoichiometric information on the five main energy-converting building blocks in the thylakoid membrane: Light-harvesting complex II (LHCII), Photosystem II (PSII), Photosystem I (PSI), cytochrome bf complex (cyt bf complex), and ATPase. This paper summarizes a few quantitative spectroscopic and biochemical methods that are currently available for quantification of plant thylakoid protein complexes. Two new methods are presented for quantification of LHCII and the cyt bf complex, which agree well with established methods. In addition, recent improvements in mass spectrometry (MS) allow deeper compositional information on thylakoid membranes. The comparison between mass spectrometric and more classical protein quantification methods shows similar quantities of complexes, confirming the potential of thylakoid protein complex quantification by MS. The quantitative information on PSII, PSI, and LHCII reveal that about one third of LHCII must be associated with PSI for a balanced light energy absorption by the two photosystems.
Topics: Thylakoids; Cytochrome b6f Complex; Cytochromes b; Light-Harvesting Protein Complexes; Photosystem I Protein Complex; Plant Proteins
PubMed: 36442511
DOI: 10.1016/j.bbabio.2022.148945 -
Progress in Nuclear Magnetic Resonance... 2019In the last decade, photochemical and photocatalytic applications have developed into one of the dominant research fields in chemistry. However, mechanistic... (Review)
Review
In the last decade, photochemical and photocatalytic applications have developed into one of the dominant research fields in chemistry. However, mechanistic investigations to sustain this enormous progress are still relatively sparse and in high demand by the photochemistry community. UV/Vis spectroscopy and EPR spectroscopy have been the main spectroscopic tools to study the mechanisms of photoreactions due to their higher time resolution and sensitivity. On the other hand, application of NMR in photosystems has been mainly restricted to photo-CIDNP, since the initial photoexcitation was thought to be the single key to understand photoinduced reactions. In 2015 the Gschwind group showcased the possibility that different reaction pathways could occur from the same photoexcited state depending on the reaction conditions by using in situ LED illumination NMR. This was the starting point to push the active participation of NMR in photosystems to its full potential, including reaction profiling, structure determination of intermediates, downstream mechanistic studies, dark pathways, intermediate sequencing with CEST etc. Following this, multiple studies using in situ illumination NMR have been reported focusing on mechanistic investigations in photocatalysis, photoswitches, and polymerizations. The recent increased popularity of this technique can be attributed to the simplicity of the experimental setup and the availability of low cost, high power LEDs. Here, we review the development of experimental design, applications and new concepts of illuminated NMR. In the first part, we describe the development of different designs of NMR illumination apparatus, illuminating from the bottom/side/top/inside, and discuss their pros and cons for specific applications. Furthermore, we address LASERs and LEDs as different light sources as well as special cases such as UVNMR(-illumination), FlowNMR, NMR on a Chip etc. To complete the discussion on experimental apparatus, the advantages and disadvantages of in situ LED illumination NMR versus ex situ illumination NMR are described. The second part of this review discusses different facets of applications of inside illumination experiments. It highlights newly revealed mechanistic and structural information and ideas in the fields of photocatalyis, photoswitches and photopolymerization. Finally, we present new concepts and methods based on the combination of NMR and illumination such as sensitivity enhancement, chemical pump probes, experimental access to transition state combinations and NMR actinometry. Overall this review presents NMR spectroscopy as a complementary tool to UV/Vis spectroscopy in mechanistic and structural investigations of photochemical processes. The review is presented in a way that is intended to assist the photochemistry and photocatalysis community in adopting and understanding this astonishingly powerful in situ LED illumination NMR method for their investigations on a daily basis.
PubMed: 31779887
DOI: 10.1016/j.pnmrs.2019.06.001 -
Plants (Basel, Switzerland) Mar 2021A significant increase in atmospheric CO concentration and associated climate aridization and soil salinity are factors affecting the growth, development, productivity,...
A significant increase in atmospheric CO concentration and associated climate aridization and soil salinity are factors affecting the growth, development, productivity, and stress responses of plants. In this study, the effect of ambient (400 ppm) and elevated (800 ppm) CO concentrations were evaluated on the C xero-halophyte treated with moderate salinity (200 mM NaCl) and polyethylene glycol (PEG)-induced osmotic stress. Our results indicated that plants grown at elevated CO concentration had different responses to osmotic stress and salinity. The synergistic effect of elevated CO and osmotic stress increased proline accumulation, but elevated CO did not mitigate the negative effects of osmotic stress on dark respiration intensity and photosystem II (PSII) efficiency. This indicates a stressful state, which is accompanied by a decrease in the efficiency of light reactions of photosynthesis and significant dissipative respiratory losses, thereby resulting in growth inhibition. Plants grown at elevated CO concentration and salinity showed high Na and proline contents, high water-use efficiency and time required to reach the maximum P700 oxidation level (PSI), and low dark respiration. Maintaining stable water balance, the efficient functioning of cyclic transport of PSI, and the reduction of dissipation costs contributed to an increase in dry shoot biomass (2-fold, compared with salinity at 400 ppm CO). The obtained experimental data and PCA showed that elevated CO concentration improved the physiological parameters of under salinity.
PubMed: 33807685
DOI: 10.3390/plants10030491 -
Nature Communications Dec 2023Phycobilisomes (PBS) are antenna megacomplexes that transfer energy to photosystems II and I in thylakoids. PBS likely evolved from a basic, inefficient form into the...
Phycobilisomes (PBS) are antenna megacomplexes that transfer energy to photosystems II and I in thylakoids. PBS likely evolved from a basic, inefficient form into the predominant hemidiscoidal shape with radiating peripheral rods. However, it has been challenging to test this hypothesis because ancestral species are generally inaccessible. Here we use spectroscopy and cryo-electron microscopy to reveal a structure of a "paddle-shaped" PBS from a thylakoid-free cyanobacterium that likely retains ancestral traits. This PBS lacks rods and specialized ApcD and ApcF subunits, indicating relict characteristics. Other features include linkers connecting two chains of five phycocyanin hexamers (CpcN) and two core subdomains (ApcH), resulting in a paddle-shaped configuration. Energy transfer calculations demonstrate that chains are less efficient than rods. These features may nevertheless have increased light absorption by elongating PBS before multilayered thylakoids with hemidiscoidal PBS evolved. Our results provide insights into the evolution and diversification of light-harvesting strategies before the origin of thylakoids.
Topics: Thylakoids; Phycobilisomes; Cryoelectron Microscopy; Photosystem I Protein Complex; Bacterial Proteins; Cyanobacteria
PubMed: 38049400
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43646-9 -
Plant Physiology Jun 2022Photosystem II (PSII) is the multi-subunit light-driven oxidoreductase that drives photosynthetic electron transport using electrons extracted from water. To investigate...
Photosystem II (PSII) is the multi-subunit light-driven oxidoreductase that drives photosynthetic electron transport using electrons extracted from water. To investigate the initial steps of PSII assembly, we used strains of the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 arrested at early stages of PSII biogenesis and expressing affinity-tagged PSII subunits to isolate PSII reaction center assembly (RCII) complexes and their precursor D1 and D2 modules (D1mod and D2mod). RCII preparations isolated using either a His-tagged D2 or a FLAG-tagged PsbI subunit contained the previously described RCIIa and RCII* complexes that differ with respect to the presence of the Ycf39 assembly factor and high light-inducible proteins (Hlips) and a larger complex consisting of RCIIa bound to monomeric PSI. All RCII complexes contained the PSII subunits D1, D2, PsbI, PsbE, and PsbF and the assembly factors rubredoxin A and Ycf48, but we also detected PsbN, Slr1470, and the Slr0575 proteins, which all have plant homologs. The RCII preparations also contained prohibitins/stomatins (Phbs) of unknown function and FtsH protease subunits. RCII complexes were active in light-induced primary charge separation and bound chlorophylls (Chls), pheophytins, beta-carotenes, and heme. The isolated D1mod consisted of D1/PsbI/Ycf48 with some Ycf39 and Phb3, while D2mod contained D2/cytochrome b559 with co-purifying PsbY, Phb1, Phb3, FtsH2/FtsH3, CyanoP, and Slr1470. As stably bound, Chl was detected in D1mod but not D2mod, formation of RCII appears to be important for stable binding of most of the Chls and both pheophytins. We suggest that Chl can be delivered to RCII from either monomeric Photosystem I or Ycf39/Hlips complexes.
Topics: Chlorophyll; Pheophytins; Photosystem I Protein Complex; Photosystem II Protein Complex; Synechocystis
PubMed: 35134246
DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiac045 -
Biphasic effects of typical chlorinated organophosphorus flame retardants on Microcystis aeruginosa.Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety Aug 2022The potential accumulation of chlorinated organophosphorus flame retardants (Cl-OPFRs) in aquatic environments sparked interest in studying the effects of Cl-OPFRs on...
The potential accumulation of chlorinated organophosphorus flame retardants (Cl-OPFRs) in aquatic environments sparked interest in studying the effects of Cl-OPFRs on cyanobacterial blooms. In this work, two common Cl-OPFRs, tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TDCPP) and tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP), induced dose-dependent biphasic effect on bloom-forming M. aeruginosa. The hormetic response to low-dose Cl-OPFRs was associated with the upregulation of the type I NADH dehydrogenase (NDH-1) complex and its mediated cyclic electron transfer (CET) pathway, as reflected by a transient post-illumination increase in chlorophyll fluorescence, the dark reduction of P700 and the change of NDH-1-related gene expression. The increased CET activity and carotenoid content jointly reduced the intracellular ROS production, facilitating cyanobacterial growth. Conversely, a higher concentration of both Cl-OPFRs induced severe inhibition of growth and photosynthetic oxygen-evolving activity through an imbalance between PSII and PSI. Toxic-dose Cl-OPFRs inhibited state transition and fixed cells into the State I with a higher PSII/PSI ratio, as indicated by chlorophyll fluorescence induction, 77 K fluorescence emission spectra and photosystem stoichiometry. The elevated PSII/PSI ratio created an imbalance between the two photosystems and eventually lead to ROS overproduction, which generate adverse effects on cell growth. This work provides important insights into the hormetic mechanism of Cl-OPFRs on Microcystis aeruginosa and their potential roles in harmful cyanobacteria blooms.
Topics: Chlorophyll; Flame Retardants; Microcystis; Organophosphates; Organophosphorus Compounds; Phosphates; Reactive Oxygen Species
PubMed: 36068742
DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2022.113813 -
Frontiers in Plant Science 2020Recruitment of HO as the final donor of electrons for light-governed reactions in photosynthesis has been an utmost breakthrough, bursting the evolution of life and... (Review)
Review
Recruitment of HO as the final donor of electrons for light-governed reactions in photosynthesis has been an utmost breakthrough, bursting the evolution of life and leading to the accumulation of O molecules in the atmosphere. O molecule has a great potential to accept electrons from the components of the photosynthetic electron transfer chain (PETC) (so-called the Mehler reaction). Here we overview the Mehler reaction mechanisms, specifying the changes in the structure of the PETC of oxygenic phototrophs that probably had occurred as the result of evolutionary pressure to minimize the electron flow to O. These changes are warranted by the fact that the efficient electron flow to O would decrease the quantum yield of photosynthesis. Moreover, the reduction of O leads to the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), namely, the superoxide anion radical and hydrogen peroxide, which cause oxidative stress to plant cells if they are accumulated at a significant amount. From another side, hydrogen peroxide acts as a signaling molecule. We particularly zoom in into the role of photosystem I (PSI) and the plastoquinone (PQ) pool in the Mehler reaction.
PubMed: 32231675
DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2020.00211