LHC-like proteins involved in stress responses and biogenesis/repair of the photosynthetic apparatus

2019 ◽  
Vol 476 (3) ◽  
pp. 581-593 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean-David Rochaix ◽  
Roberto Bassi

AbstractLHC (light-harvesting complex) proteins of plants and algae are known to be involved both in collecting light energy for driving the primary photochemical reactions of photosynthesis and in photoprotection when the absorbed light energy exceeds the capacity of the photosynthetic apparatus. These proteins usually contain three transmembrane (TM) helices which span the thylakoid membranes and bind several chlorophyll, carotenoid and lipid molecules. In addition, the LHC protein family includes LHC-like proteins containing one, two, three or even four TM domains. One-helix proteins are not only present in eukaryotic photosynthetic organisms but also in cyanobacteria where they have been named high light-inducible proteins. These small proteins are probably the ancestors of the members of the extant LHC protein family which arouse through gene duplications, deletions and fusions. During evolution, some of these proteins have diverged and acquired novel functions. In most cases, LHC-like proteins are induced in response to various stress conditions including high light, high salinity, elevated temperature and nutrient limitation. Many of these proteins play key roles in photoprotection, notably in non-photochemical quenching of absorbed light energy. Moreover, some of these proteins appear to be involved in the regulation of chlorophyll synthesis and in the assembly and repair of Photosystem II and also of Photosystem I possibly by mediating the insertion of newly synthesized pigments into the photosynthetic reaction centers.


2019 ◽  
Vol 476 (20) ◽  
pp. 2981-3018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Petar H. Lambrev ◽  
Parveen Akhtar

Abstract The light reactions of photosynthesis are hosted and regulated by the chloroplast thylakoid membrane (TM) — the central structural component of the photosynthetic apparatus of plants and algae. The two-dimensional and three-dimensional arrangement of the lipid–protein assemblies, aka macroorganisation, and its dynamic responses to the fluctuating physiological environment, aka flexibility, are the subject of this review. An emphasis is given on the information obtainable by spectroscopic approaches, especially circular dichroism (CD). We briefly summarise the current knowledge of the composition and three-dimensional architecture of the granal TMs in plants and the supramolecular organisation of Photosystem II and light-harvesting complex II therein. We next acquaint the non-specialist reader with the fundamentals of CD spectroscopy, recent advances such as anisotropic CD, and applications for studying the structure and macroorganisation of photosynthetic complexes and membranes. Special attention is given to the structural and functional flexibility of light-harvesting complex II in vitro as revealed by CD and fluorescence spectroscopy. We give an account of the dynamic changes in membrane macroorganisation associated with the light-adaptation of the photosynthetic apparatus and the regulation of the excitation energy flow by state transitions and non-photochemical quenching.



2019 ◽  
Vol 46 (6) ◽  
pp. 555 ◽  
Author(s):  
Milena T. Gerganova ◽  
Aygyun K. Faik ◽  
Maya Y. Velitchkova

The kinetics of photoinhibition in detached leaves from tomato plants (Solanium lycopersicum L. cv. M82) grown for 6 days under different combinations of optimal and moderately high temperature and optimal and high light intensity were studied. The inhibition of PSII was evaluated by changes in maximal quantum yield, the coefficient of photochemical quenching and the quantum yield of PSII. The changes of PSI activity was estimated by the redox state of P700. The involvement of different possible protective processes was checked by determination of nonphotochemical quenching and cyclic electron flow around PSI. To evaluate to what extent the photosynthetic apparatus and its response to high light treatment was affected by growth conditions, the kinetics of photoinhibition in isolated thylakoid membranes were also studied. The photochemical activities of both photosystems and changes in the energy distribution and interactions between them were evaluated by means of a Clark electrode and 77 K fluorescence analysis. The data showed an increased tolerance to photoinhibition in plants grown under a combination of moderately high temperature and light intensity, which was related to the stimulation of cyclic electron flow, PSI activity and rearrangements of pigment–protein complexes, leading to a decrease in the excitation energy delivered to PSII.



2016 ◽  
Vol 43 (5) ◽  
pp. 448 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiao-Ping Yi ◽  
Ya-Li Zhang ◽  
He-Sheng Yao ◽  
Hong-Hai Luo ◽  
Ling Gou ◽  
...  

To better understand the adaptation mechanisms of the photosynthetic apparatus of cotton plants to water deficit conditions, the influence of water deficit on photosynthesis, chlorophyll a fluorescence and the activities of antioxidant systems were determined simultaneously in Gossypium hirsutum L. cv. Xinluzao 45 (upland cotton) and Gossypium barbadense L. cv. Xinhai 21 (pima cotton). Water deficit decreased photosynthesis in both cotton species, but did not decrease chlorophyll content or induce any sustained photoinhibition in either cotton species. Water deficit increased ETR/4 − AG, where ETR/4 estimates the linear photosynthetic electron flux and AG is the gross rate of carbon assimilation. The increase in ETR/4 − AG, which represents an increase in photorespiration and alternative electron fluxes, was particularly pronounced in Xinluzao 45. In Xinluzao 45, water deficit increased the activities of antioxidative enzymes, as well as the contents of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are related to the Mehler reaction. In contrast, moderate water deficit particularly increased non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) in Xinhai 21. Our results suggest that Xinluzao 45 relied on enhanced electron transport such as photorespiration and the Mehler reaction to dissipate excess light energy under mild and moderate water deficit. Xinhai 21 used enhanced photorespiration for light energy utilisation under mild water deficit but, when subjected to moderate water deficit, possessed a high capacity for dissipating excess light energy via heat dissipation.



2020 ◽  
Vol 223 (20) ◽  
pp. jeb223198
Author(s):  
Robert A. B. Mason ◽  
Christopher B. Wall ◽  
Ross Cunning ◽  
Sophie Dove ◽  
Ruth D. Gates

ABSTRACTThe absorbtion of human-emitted CO2 by the oceans (elevated PCO2) is projected to alter the physiological performance of coral reef organisms by perturbing seawater chemistry (i.e. ocean acidification). Simultaneously, greenhouse gas emissions are driving ocean warming and changes in irradiance (through turbidity and cloud cover), which have the potential to influence the effects of ocean acidification on coral reefs. Here, we explored whether physiological impacts of elevated PCO2 on a coral–algal symbiosis (Pocillopora acuta–Symbiodiniaceae) are mediated by light and/or temperature levels. In a 39 day experiment, elevated PCO2 (962 versus 431 µatm PCO2) had an interactive effect with midday light availability (400 versus 800 µmol photons m−2 s−1) and temperature (25 versus 29°C) on areal gross and net photosynthesis, for which a decline at 29°C was ameliorated under simultaneous high-PCO2 and high-light conditions. Light-enhanced dark respiration increased under elevated PCO2 and/or elevated temperature. Symbiont to host cell ratio and chlorophyll a per symbiont increased at elevated temperature, whilst symbiont areal density decreased. The ability of moderately strong light in the presence of elevated PCO2 to alleviate the temperature-induced decrease in photosynthesis suggests that higher substrate availability facilitates a greater ability for photochemical quenching, partially offsetting the impacts of high temperature on the photosynthetic apparatus. Future environmental changes that result in moderate increases in light levels could therefore assist the P. acuta holobiont to cope with the ‘one–two punch’ of rising temperatures in the presence of an acidifying ocean.



2000 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 129 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isabel Fleck ◽  
Xavier Aranda ◽  
Bouchra El Omari ◽  
Jon Permanyer ◽  
Anunciación Abadía ◽  
...  

Holm oak (Quercus ilex) plants that have resprouted after fire have higher photosynthetic capacity than control plants in intact vegetation. In this study, branches detached from forest plants were fed with dithiothreitol (DTT) in the laboratory to inhibit zeaxanthin production and thus reduce the dissipation of light energy as heat. This allowed us to test the hypothesis that plants with greater photosynthetic capacity, and therefore greater photo-chemical sink strength, would suffer a lower reduction in photochemical efficiency under stressful conditions. Greater rates of photochemistry in resprouts, which exhibited increased photosynthesis (A), leaf conductance (g), quantum yield of PSII (ΔF/Fm′) and photochemical quenching (qP), were related to lower non-radiative dissipation of excess energy as indicated by 1 – (Fv′/Fm′). However, the fraction of energy remaining of that used in photo-chemistry or dissipated thermally in the PSII antennae was similar in resprouts and controls and was not affected by DTT, especially under high irradiance conditions. Zeaxanthin involvement in PSII protection operated in resprouts and controls since DTT induced the same kind of response (NPQ decrease) but was lower in resprouts. These chloro-phyll fluorescence results suggest the participation of some additional mechanism for energy dissipation. Light capture characteristics of the photosynthetic apparatus did not differ between resprouts and controls, and leaf age did not play a determining role in the differences observed.



2016 ◽  
Vol 113 (51) ◽  
pp. 14864-14869 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guillaume Allorent ◽  
Linnka Lefebvre-Legendre ◽  
Richard Chappuis ◽  
Marcel Kuntz ◽  
Thuy B. Truong ◽  
...  

Life on earth is dependent on the photosynthetic conversion of light energy into chemical energy. However, absorption of excess sunlight can damage the photosynthetic machinery and limit photosynthetic activity, thereby affecting growth and productivity. Photosynthetic light harvesting can be down-regulated by nonphotochemical quenching (NPQ). A major component of NPQ is qE (energy-dependent nonphotochemical quenching), which allows dissipation of light energy as heat. Photodamage peaks in the UV-B part of the spectrum, but whether and how UV-B induces qE are unknown. Plants are responsive to UV-B via the UVR8 photoreceptor. Here, we report in the green algaChlamydomonas reinhardtiithat UVR8 induces accumulation of specific members of the light-harvesting complex (LHC) superfamily that contribute to qE, in particular LHC Stress-Related 1 (LHCSR1) and Photosystem II Subunit S (PSBS). The capacity for qE is strongly induced by UV-B, although the patterns of qE-related proteins accumulating in response to UV-B or to high light are clearly different. The competence for qE induced by acclimation to UV-B markedly contributes to photoprotection upon subsequent exposure to high light. Our study reveals an anterograde link between photoreceptor-mediated signaling in the nucleocytosolic compartment and the photoprotective regulation of photosynthetic activity in the chloroplast.



2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdallah Oukarroum ◽  
Wassila Zaidi ◽  
Mahshid Samadani ◽  
David Dewez

A freshwater microalga strain ofChlorella vulgariswas used to investigate toxic effects induced by nickel oxide nanoparticles (NiO-NPs) in suspension. Algal cells were exposed during 96 h to 0–100 mg L−1of NiO-NPs and analyzed by flow cytometry. Physicochemical characterization of nanoparticles in tested media showed a soluble fraction (free Ni2+) of only 6.42% for 100 mg L−1of NiO-NPs, indicating the low solubility capacity of these NPs. Toxicity analysis showed cellular alterations which were related to NiO-NPs concentration, such as inhibition in cell division (relative cell size and granularity), deterioration of the photosynthetic apparatus (chlorophyll synthesis and photochemical reactions of photosynthesis), and oxidative stress (ROS production). The change in cellular viability demonstrated to be a very sensitive biomarker of NiO-NPs toxicity with EC50of 13.7 mg L−1. Analysis by TEM and X-ray confirmed that NiO-NPs were able to cross biological membranes and to accumulate inside algal cells. Therefore, this study provides a characterization of both physicochemical and toxicological properties of NiO-NPs suspensions in tested media. The use of the freshwater strain ofC. vulgarisdemonstrated to be a sensitive bioindicator of NiO-NPs toxicity on the viability of green algae.



Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 200
Author(s):  
Anna Rusaczonek ◽  
Weronika Czarnocka ◽  
Patrick Willems ◽  
Marzena Sujkowska-Rybkowska ◽  
Frank Van Breusegem ◽  
...  

Phototropins are plasma membrane-associated photoreceptors of blue light and UV-A/B radiation. The Arabidopsis thaliana genome encodes two phototropins, PHOT1 and PHOT2, that mediate phototropism, chloroplast positioning, and stomatal opening. They are well characterized in terms of photomorphogenetic processes, but so far, little was known about their involvement in photosynthesis, oxidative stress responses, and cell death. By analyzing phot1, phot2 single, and phot1phot2 double mutants, we demonstrated that both phototropins influence the photochemical and non-photochemical reactions, photosynthetic pigments composition, stomata conductance, and water-use efficiency. After oxidative stress caused by UV-C treatment, phot1 and phot2 single and double mutants showed a significantly reduced accumulation of H2O2 and more efficient photosynthetic electron transport compared to the wild type. However, all phot mutants exhibited higher levels of cell death four days after UV-C treatment, as well as deregulated gene expression. Taken together, our results reveal that on the one hand, both phot1 and phot2 contribute to the inhibition of UV-C-induced foliar cell death, but on the other hand, they also contribute to the maintenance of foliar H2O2 levels and optimal intensity of photochemical reactions and non-photochemical quenching after an exposure to UV-C stress. Our data indicate a novel role for phototropins in the condition-dependent optimization of photosynthesis, growth, and water-use efficiency as well as oxidative stress and cell death response after UV-C exposure.



2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Atsuko Kanazawa ◽  
Abhijnan Chattopadhyay ◽  
Sebastian Kuhlgert ◽  
Hainite Tuitupou ◽  
Tapabrata Maiti ◽  
...  

The responses of plant photosynthesis to rapid fluctuations in environmental conditions are critical for efficient conversion of light energy. These responses are not well-seen laboratory conditions and are difficult to probe in field environments. We demonstrate an open science approach to this problem that combines multifaceted measurements of photosynthesis and environmental conditions, and an unsupervised statistical clustering approach. In a selected set of data on mint ( Mentha sp.), we show that ‘light potentials’ for linear electron flow and non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) upon rapid light increases are strongly suppressed in leaves previously exposed to low ambient photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) or low leaf temperatures, factors that can act both independently and cooperatively. Further analyses allowed us to test specific mechanisms. With decreasing leaf temperature or PAR, limitations to photosynthesis during high light fluctuations shifted from rapidly induced NPQ to photosynthetic control of electron flow at the cytochrome b 6 f complex. At low temperatures, high light induced lumen acidification, but did not induce NPQ, leading to accumulation of reduced electron transfer intermediates, probably inducing photodamage, revealing a potential target for improving the efficiency and robustness of photosynthesis. We discuss the implications of the approach for open science efforts to understand and improve crop productivity.



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