An Arabidopsis thaliana mutant, altered in the γ-subunit of ATP synthase, has a different pattern of intensity-dependent changes in non-photochemical quenching and kinetics of the P-to-S fluorescence decay

2002 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 425 ◽  
Author(s):  
Govindjee ◽  
Paul Spilotro

A major photoprotective mechanism that plants employ against excess light involves interplay between the xanthophyll cycle and the accumulation of protons. Using mutants in the xanthophyll cycle, the roles of violaxanthin, antheraxanthin and zeaxanthin have already been well established. In this paper, we present data on intact leaves of a mutant [coupling factor quick recovery mutant (cfq); atpC1:E244K] of Arabidopsis thaliana that we expected, based on 515-nm absorbance changes (Gabrys et al. 1994, Plant Physiology 104, 769–776), to have differences in light-induced ΔpH. The significance of this paper is: (i) it is the first study of the photoprotective energy dissipation involving a mutant of the pH gradient; it establishes that protons play an important role in the pattern of non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) of chlorophyll (Chl) a fluorescence; and (ii) differences between the cfq and the wild type (wt) are observed only under subsaturating light intensities, and are strongest in the initial few minutes of the induction period. Our results on light-intensity dependent Chl* a fluorescence transients (the Kautsky effect), and on NPQ of Chl a fluorescence, at 50–250 μmol photons m–2 s–1 demonstrate: (i) the ‘P-to-S’ (or ‘T’) decay, known to be related to [H+] (Briantais et al. 1979, Biochimica et Biophysica Acta 548, 128–138), is slowed in the mutant; and (ii) the pattern of NPQ kinetics is different in the initial 100 s — in the wt leaves, there is a marked rise and decline, and in the cfq mutant, there is a slowed rise. These differences are absent at 750 μmol photons m–2 s–1. Pre-illumination and nigericin (an uncoupler that dissipates the proton gradient) treatment of the cfq mutant, which has lower ΔpH relative to wild type, confirm the conclusion that protons play an important role in the quenching of Chl a fluorescence.


2002 ◽  
Vol 29 (10) ◽  
pp. 1141 ◽  
Author(s):  
Govindjee ◽  
Manfredo J. Seufferheld

This paper deals first with the early, although incomplete, history of photoinhibition, of 'non-QA-related chlorophyll (Chl) a fluorescence changes', and the xanthophyll cycle that preceded the discovery of the correlation between non-photochemical quenching of Chl a fluorescence (NPQ) and conversion of violaxanthin to zeaxanthin. It includes the crucial observation that the fluorescence intensity quenching, when plants are exposed to excess light, is indeed due to a change in the quantum yield of fluorescence. The history ends with a novel turn in the direction of research — isolation and characterization of NPQ xanthophyll-cycle mutants of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii Dangeard and Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh., blocked in conversion of violaxanthin to zeaxanthin, and zeaxanthin to violaxanthin, respectively. In the second part of the paper, we extend the characterization of two of these mutants (npq1, which accumulates violaxanthin, and npq2, which accumulates zeaxanthin) through parallel measurements on growth, and several assays of PSII function: oxygen evolution, Chl a fluorescence transient (the Kautsky effect), the two-electron gate function of PSII, the back reactions around PSII, and measurements of NPQ by pulse-amplitude modulation (PAM 2000) fluorimeter. We show that, in the npq2 mutant, Chl a fluorescence is quenched both in the absence and presence of 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea (DCMU). However, no differences are observed in functioning of the electron-acceptor side of PSII — both the two-electron gate and the back reactions are unchanged. In addition, the role of protons in fluorescence quenching during the 'P-to-S' fluorescence transient was confirmed by the effect of nigericin in decreasing this quenching effect. Also, the absence of zeaxanthin in the npq1 mutant leads to reduced oxygen evolution at high light intensity, suggesting another protective role of this carotenoid. The available data not only support the current model of NPQ that includes roles for both pH and the xanthophylls, but also are consistent with additional protective roles of zeaxanthin. However, this paper emphasizes that we still lack sufficient understanding of the different parts of NPQ, and that the precise mechanisms of photoprotection in the alga Chlamydomonas may not be the same as those in higher plants.



2006 ◽  
Vol 33 (11) ◽  
pp. 1037 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dirk Büssis ◽  
Uritza von Groll ◽  
Joachim Fisahn ◽  
Thomas Altmann

Stomatal density of transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana plants over-expressing the SDD1 (stomatal density and distribution) gene was reduced to 40% and in the sdd1-1 mutant increased to 300% of the wild type. CO2 assimilation rate and stomatal conductance of over-expressers and the sdd1-1 mutant were unchanged compared with wild types when measured under the light conditions the plants were exposed to during growth. Lower stomatal density was compensated for by increased stomatal aperture and conversely, increased stomatal density was compensated for by reduced stomatal aperture. At high light intensities the assimilation rates and stomatal conductance of SDD1 over-expressers were reduced to 80% of those in wild type plants. Areas beneath stomata and patches lacking stomata were analysed separately. In areas without stomata, maximum fluorescence yield (Fv / Fm) and quantum yield of photosystem II (Φ PSII) were significantly lower than in areas beneath stomata. In areas beneath stomata, Fv / Fm and Φ PSII were identical to levels measured in wild type leaves. At high light intensities over-expressers showed decreased photochemical quenching (qP) compared with wild types. However, the decrease of qP was significantly stronger in areas without stomata than in mesophyll areas beneath stomata. At high CO2 partial pressures and high light intensities CO2 assimilation rates of SDD1 over-expressers did not reach wild type levels. These results indicate that photosynthesis in SDD1 over-expressers was reduced because of limiting CO2 in areas furthest from stomata at high light.



2014 ◽  
Vol 60 (No. 6) ◽  
pp. 274-279 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Nasraoui-Hajaji ◽  
H. Gouia

N-fertilization type affected differently tomato growth. In the field experiment, hydroponic cultures were conducted using NO<sub>3</sub>-N (5 mmol); mixture of KNO<sub>3</sub>-N (3 mmol) and (NH<sub>4</sub>)<sub>2</sub>SO<sub>4</sub>-N (2 mmol); NH<sub>4</sub><sup>+</sup>-N (5 mmol) or urea&nbsp;(5 mmol) as nitrogen source. Compared to nitrate, ammonium and urea had negative effects on morphology and dry matter production. Effects of the different nitrogen forms were investigated by measuring several photosynthesis parameters and chl a fluorescence. Two different significant types of reaction were found. When nitrogen was added as ammonium or urea, dry weight, chlorophyll tenor, transpiration rate, stomatal conductance and photosynthetic activity were inhibited. Supply of ammonium or urea, reduced the ratio (F<sub>v</sub>/F<sub>m</sub>), photochemical quenching and enhanced the non photochemical quenching. These data suggest that the adverse decrease in tomato growth under ammonium or urea supply may be related principally to inhibition of net photosynthesis activity. The high non photochemical quenching shown in tomato fed with ammonium or urea indicated that PS II was the inhibitory site of NH<sub>4</sub><sup>+</sup>-N which was directly uptaken by roots, or librated via urea hydrolysis cycle.





2015 ◽  
Vol 105 (2) ◽  
pp. 180-188 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandro Dan Tatagiba ◽  
Fábio Murilo DaMatta ◽  
Fabrício Ávila Rodrigues

This study was intended to analyze the photosynthetic performance of rice leaf blades infected with Monographella albescens by combining chlorophyll (Chl) a fluorescence images with gas exchange and photosynthetic pigment pools. The net CO2 assimilation rate, stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, total Chl and carotenoid pools, and Chl a/b ratio all decreased but the internal CO2 concentration increased in the inoculated plants compared with their noninoculated counterparts. The first detectable changes in the images of Chl a fluorescence from the leaves of inoculated plants were already evident at 24 h after inoculation (hai) and increased dramatically as the leaf scald lesions expanded. However, these changes were negligible for the photosystem II photochemical efficiency (Fv/Fm) at 24 hai, in contrast to other Chl fluorescence traits such as the photochemical quenching coefficient, yield of photochemistry, and yield for dissipation by downregulation; which, therefore, were much more sensitive than the Fv/Fm ratio in assessing the early stages of fungal infection. It was also demonstrated that M. albescens was able to impair the photosynthetic process in both symptomatic and asymptomatic leaf areas. Overall, it was proven that Chl a fluorescence imaging is an excellent tool to describe the loss of functionality of the photosynthetic apparatus occurring in rice leaves upon infection by M. albescens.



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