Photochemical changes during rehydration of an intertidal cyanobacterial mat exposed to variations in salinity and light intensity

Microbiology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 167 (8) ◽  
Author(s):  
Erich D. Fleming ◽  
Brad M. Bebout ◽  
Richard W. Castenholz
Keyword(s):  
Light Intensity ◽  
Intertidal Zone ◽  
Pulse Amplitude ◽  
Reaction Centre ◽  
Pam Fluorometry ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Light Intensities ◽  
Transport Chain ◽  
Lag Period ◽  
Photosynthetic Recovery

This study focuses on a Lyngbya cf. aestuarii dominated mat community from the intertidal zone of the Laguna Ojo de Liebre, Baja California Sur. In this environment, the mat is desiccated for several days between spring tides. While the mats were desiccated, photosynthetic activity was absent but recovered rapidly (~3 h) upon rehydration. It has been shown previously that the rate of photosynthetic recovery is dependent on both light intensity and salinity. In the current study, photosynthetic recovery was measured based on chlorophyll a fluorescence using pulse amplitude modulated (PAM) fluorometry. Upon the addition of water, photosystem II (PSII) complexes recovered the capacity for reaction centre excitation. However, these functional centres were initially closed. Respiratory activity early in recovery probably reduced the plastoquinone pool through the shared use of part of the photosynthetic transport chain, thus temporarily blocking electron transport downstream of PSII. The time that PSII complexes remained closed increased with light intensities above saturation. This condition is potentially damaging to the cyanobacteria since the exposure of closed PSII centres to high light intensities can lead to the production of singlet oxygen. After this initial lag period, PSII centres opened rapidly indicating an increase in the flow of electrons from PSII to PSI. The rate of photosynthetic recovery appeared to be limited primarily by the relatively slow return of functional PSII. Photosynthetic recovery rates were slower in salinities greater than those that naturally occur in the intertidal zone.

scholarly journals Effect of chlorophyll biosynthesis-related genes on the leaf color in Hosta (Hosta plantaginea Aschers) and tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.)

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jingying Zhang ◽  
Changhai Sui ◽  
Huimin Liu ◽  
Jinjiao Chen ◽  
Zhilin Han ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Light Intensity ◽  
Antioxidant Capacity ◽  
Aminolevulinic Acid ◽  
Chlorophyll Biosynthesis ◽  
Expression Level ◽  
Virus Induced Gene Silencing ◽  
Leaf Color ◽  
Color Changes ◽  
Light Intensities ◽  
Structure Changes

Abstract Background ‘Regal Splendour’ (Hosta variety) is famous for its multi-color leaves, which are useful resources for exploring chloroplast development and color changes. The expressions of chlorophyll biosynthesis-related genes (HrHEMA, HrPOR and HrCAO) in Hosta have been demonstrated to be associated with leaf color. Herein, we isolated, sequenced, and analyzed HrHEMA, HrPOR and HrCAO genes. Subcellular localization was also performed to determine the location of the corresponding enzymes. After plasmid construction, virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) was carried out to reduce the expressions of those genes. In addition, HrHEMA-, HrPOR- and HrCAO-overexpressing tobacco plants were made to verify the genes function. Changes of transgenic tobacco were recorded under 2000 lx, 6000 lx and 10,000 lx light intensity. Additionally, the contents of enzyme 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA), porphobilinogen (PBG), chlorophyll a and b (Chla and Chlb), carotenoid (Cxc), superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), malondialdehyde (MDA), proline (Pro) and catalase (CAT) under different light intensities were evaluated. Results The silencing of HrHEMA, HrPOR and HrCAO genes can induce leaf yellowing and chloroplast structure changes in Hosta. Specifically, leaves of Hosta with HrCAO silencing were the most affected, while those with HrPOR silencing were the least affected. Moreover, all three genes in tobacco were highly expressed, whereas no expression was detected in wild-type (WT). However, the sensitivities of the three genes to different light intensities were different. The highest expression level of HrHEMA and HrPOR was detected under 10,000 lx of illumination, while HrCAO showed the highest expression level under 6000 lx. Lastly, the 5-ALA, Chla, Cxc, SOD, POD, MDA, Pro and CAT contents in different transgenic tobaccos changed significantly under different light intensities. Conclusion The overexpression of these three genes in tobacco enhanced photosynthesis by accumulating chlorophyll content, but the influential level varied under different light intensities. Furthermore, HrHEMA-, HrPOR- and HrCAO- overexpressing in tobacco can enhance the antioxidant capacity of plants to cope with stress under higher light intensity. However, under lower light intensity, the antioxidant capacity was declined in HrHEMA-, HrPOR- and HrCAO- overexpressing tobaccos.

scholarly journals A Novel Thin-Film Technique to Improve Accuracy of Fluorescence-Based Estimates for Periphytic Biofilms

Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 1464
Author(s):  
Leon Katona ◽  
Yvonne Vadeboncoeur ◽  
Christopher T. Nietch ◽  
Katie Hossler
Keyword(s):  
Thin Film ◽  
Thin Films ◽  
Light Attenuation ◽  
Pulse Amplitude ◽  
Light Signal ◽  
Photosynthetic Parameters ◽  
Pam Fluorometry ◽  
Attenuation Coefficients ◽  
Thin Film Technique ◽  
Relative Errors

Recent studies suggest that photophysiological parameters for intact substrates with depth (e.g., periphytic biofilms, microphytobenthos) are overestimated by pulse-amplitude modulated (PAM) fluorometry. This overestimation results from depth-integration effects, following the activation of deeper photosynthesizing layers by an attenuated light signal. To mitigate this error, we propose a novel slide-based thin-film technique in which fluorescence is measured on a vertically representative subsample of the biofilm, spread evenly on a microscope slide. We compared bias and precision for photosynthetic parameters estimated through conventional PAM fluorometry on intact biofilms and through our novel slide-based technique, both theoretically and empirically. Numerical simulations confirmed the consistent overestimation of key parameters for intact biofilms, with relative errors up to 145%, compared to, at most, 52% on thin films. Paired empirical observations likewise demonstrated that estimates based on intact biofilms were consistently higher (up to 248%, p<0.001) than estimates from thin films. Numerical simulation suggested greater precision with the slide-based technique for homogeneous biofilms, but potentially less precision for heterogeneous biofilms with improper subsampling. Our empirical comparison, however, demonstrated some improvement in precision with the slide-based technique (e.g., the coefficient of variation for the maximum electron transport rate was reduced 30%, p=0.009). We recommend the use of the slide-based technique, particularly for biofilms that are thick or have small light attenuation coefficients. Care should be taken, however, to obtain vertically representative subsamples of the biofilm for measurement.

A laboratory study of vertical migration

1955 ◽  
Vol 144 (916) ◽  
pp. 329-354 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Light Intensity ◽  
Vertical Migration ◽  
Time Course ◽  
Tap Water ◽  
Low Light ◽  
Overhead Light ◽  
Light Intensities ◽  
Orientation Response ◽  
Reduced Light ◽  
Characteristic Maximum

In a tank filled with a suspension of indian ink in tap water, a population of Daphnia magna will undergo a complete cycle of vertical migration when an overhead light source is cycli­cally varied in intensity. A ‘dawn rise’ to the surface at low intensity is followed by the descent of the animals to a characteristic maximum depth. The animals rise to the surface again as the light decreases, and finally show a typical midnight sinking. The light intensities at the level of the animals in this experiment are of the same order as those which have been reported in field observations; the time course of the movement also repeats the natural conditions in the field. The process is independent of the duration of the cycle and is related only to the variation in overhead light intensity. At low light intensity the movement of the animal is determined solely by positive photo-kinesis; the dawn rise is a manifestation of this, and is independent of the direction of the light. At high light intensities there is an orientation response which is superimposed upon an alternating positive (photokinetic) phase and a negative phase during which movement is inhibited. The fully oriented animal shows a special type of positive and negative phototaxis, moving towards the light at reduced light intensities and away from it when the light intensity is increased. In this condition it follows a zone of optimum light intensity with some exactness. Experiments show that an animal in this fully oriented condition will respond to the slow changes of intensity characteristic of the diurnal cycle, while being little affected by tran­sient changes of considerable magnitude.

Pycnidium production by Botryodiplodia theobromae. I. The relation of light to the induction of pycnidia

1969 ◽  
Vol 47 (7) ◽  
pp. 1153-1156 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. A. Ekundayo ◽  
R. H. Haskins
Keyword(s):  
Light Intensity ◽  
Ultraviolet Radiation ◽  
Exposure Period ◽  
Fluorescent Light ◽  
Botryodiplodia Theobromae ◽  
Continuous Irradiation ◽  
Long Wave ◽  
Light Intensities ◽  
Glass Color ◽  
Color Filters

Cultures of Botryodiplodia theobromae Pat. produced pycnidia abundantly on several media under continuous irradiation with fluorescent light. The fungus did not sporulate when grown in darkness. Irradiation of cultures with a light intensity of 15 foot-candles for 4 days was sufficient to stimulate pycnidial production, but for appreciable sporulation to occur over the same exposure period, higher light intensities are required. Irradiation of cultures through glass color filters showed that long-wave ultraviolet radiation stimulated sporulation.

Sensory Behaviour in Dictyostelium Discoideum Slugs: Phototaxis and Thermotaxis are not Mediated by a Change in Slug Speed

1982 ◽  
Vol 54 (1) ◽  
pp. 329-339
Author(s):  
ELIZABETH SMITH ◽  
PAUL R. FISHER ◽  
WARWICK N. GRANT ◽  
KEITH L. WILLIAMS
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Weight ◽  
Temperature Gradient ◽  
Light Intensity ◽  
Dictyostelium Discoideum ◽  
Low Molecular Weight ◽  
Light Intensities ◽  
Slug Movement

The speed of sustained migration of Dictyostelium discoideum slugs was similar in a temperature gradient and at different light intensities, including a light intensity sufficient to cause significant disorientation of slugs. No change was observed in slug speed in the presence of high levels of Slug Turning Factor (STF), a low molecular weight compound through which phototaxis and thermotaxis are mediated. Thus orientation of D. discoideum slugs is not mediated by a sustained changed in slug speed and we propose that slug movement is not directly coupled to tactic responses. Slug speed depended on the size, age and genotype of slugs as well as the nature of the substratum (charcoal-containing water agar versus water agar).

scholarly journals Effects of light intensity and temperature on Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii (Cyanobacteria) with straight and coiled trichomes: growth rate and morphology

2012 ◽  
Vol 72 (2) ◽  
pp. 343-351 ◽  
Author(s):  
MC. Bittencourt-Oliveira ◽  
B. Buch ◽  
TC. Hereman ◽  
JDT. Arruda-Neto ◽  
AN. Moura ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Light Intensity ◽  
Morphological Changes ◽  
Population Control ◽  
Distinct Species ◽  
Cylindrospermopsis Raciborskii ◽  
Climatic Chamber ◽  
Light Intensities ◽  
Different Temperatures ◽  
Lower Temperature

Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii (Woloszynska) Seenayya et Subba Raju (Ordem Nostocales) is one of the most troublesome bloom-forming species in Brazil. Understanding the population dynamics of the different morphotypes of C. raciborskii (straight and coiled) could assist in the prediction of favourable conditions for the proliferation of this potentially toxin-producing species. The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of two different light intensities and temperatures on the growth rate and morphology of the trichomes of the straight and coiled morphotypes. For such, two non-toxin producing strains of C. raciborskii were used - one with a coiled trichome (ITEP31) and another with a straight trichome (ITEP28). The strains were cultured in BG-11 medium in a climatic chamber under controlled conditions. Two light intensities (30 and 90 µmol.m-2.s-1 ) were combined at temperatures of 21 and 31 °C and the growth rate and morphological changes were analysed. The morphotypes responded differently to the different temperatures and light intensities. Both strains exhibited faster growth velocities when submitted to higher light intensity and temperature. The lower temperature and higher luminosity hampered the development of both strains. Variations in cellular morphology and an absence of akinetes in both strains were related to the lower temperature (21 °C). The coiled morphotype demonstrated considerable phenotype plasticity, changing the morphology of trichome throughout its growth curve. Although molecular analysis does not sustain the separation of the morphotypes as distinct species, their different eco-physiological responses should be considered further knowledge of extreme importance for the population control of these potentially toxic organisms.

scholarly journals Cupriavidus necator H16 Uses Flavocytochrome c Sulfide Dehydrogenase To Oxidize Self-Produced and Added Sulfide

2017 ◽  
Vol 83 (22) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chuanjuan Lü ◽  
Yongzhen Xia ◽  
Daixi Liu ◽  
Rui Zhao ◽  
Rui Gao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gas Phase ◽  
Heterotrophic Bacteria ◽  
Sulfide Oxidation ◽  
Cupriavidus Necator ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sulfide:Quinone Oxidoreductase ◽  
Transport Chain ◽  
Genes Encoding ◽  
Cupriavidus Necator H16 ◽  
Chemolithotrophic Bacteria

ABSTRACT Production of sulfide (H2S, HS−, and S2−) by heterotrophic bacteria during aerobic growth is a common phenomenon. Some bacteria with sulfide:quinone oxidoreductase (SQR) and persulfide dioxygenase (PDO) can oxidize self-produced sulfide to sulfite and thiosulfate, but other bacteria without these enzymes release sulfide into the medium, from which H2S can volatilize into the gas phase. Here, we report that Cupriavidus necator H16, with the fccA and fccB genes encoding flavocytochrome c sulfide dehydrogenases (FCSDs), also oxidized self-produced H2S. A mutant in which fccA and fccB were deleted accumulated and released H2S. When fccA and fccB were expressed in Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain Pa3K with deletions of its sqr and pdo genes, the recombinant rapidly oxidized sulfide to sulfane sulfur. When PDO was also cloned into the recombinant, the recombinant with both FCSD and PDO oxidized sulfide to sulfite and thiosulfate. Thus, the proposed pathway is similar to the pathway catalyzed by SQR and PDO, in which FCSD oxidizes sulfide to polysulfide, polysulfide spontaneously reacts with reduced glutathione (GSH) to produce glutathione persulfide (GSSH), and PDO oxidizes GSSH to sulfite, which chemically reacts with polysulfide to produce thiosulfate. About 20.6% of sequenced bacterial genomes contain SQR, and only 3.9% contain FCSD. This is not a surprise, since SQR is more efficient in conserving energy because it passes electrons from sulfide oxidation into the electron transport chain at the quinone level, while FCSD passes electrons to cytochrome c. The transport of electrons from the latter to O2 conserves less energy. FCSDs are grouped into three subgroups, well conserved at the taxonomic level. Thus, our data show the diversity in sulfide oxidation by heterotrophic bacteria. IMPORTANCE Heterotrophic bacteria with SQR and PDO can oxidize self-produced sulfide and do not release H2S into the gas phase. C. necator H16 has FCSD but not SQR, and it does not release H2S. We confirmed that the bacterium used FCSD for the oxidation of self-produced sulfide. The bacterium also oxidized added sulfide. The common presence of SQRs, FCSDs, and PDOs in heterotrophic bacteria suggests the significant role of heterotrophic bacteria in sulfide oxidation, participating in sulfur biogeochemical cycling. Further, FCSDs have been identified in anaerobic photosynthetic bacteria and chemolithotrophic bacteria, but their physiological roles are unknown. We showed that heterotrophic bacteria use FCSDs to oxidize self-produced sulfide and extraneous sulfide, and they may be used for H2S bioremediation.

Use of pulse amplitude modulated (PAM) fluorometry for in situ measurements of photosynthesis in two Red Sea faviid corals

1998 ◽  
Vol 131 (4) ◽  
pp. 607-612 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Beer ◽  
M. Ilan ◽  
A. Eshel ◽  
A. Weil ◽  
I. Brickner
Keyword(s):  
Red Sea ◽  
Pulse Amplitude ◽  
In Situ Measurements ◽  
Pam Fluorometry

scholarly journals Physiological Evidence for Isopotential Tunneling in the Electron Transport Chain of Methane-Producing Archaea

2017 ◽  
Vol 83 (18) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nikolas Duszenko ◽  
Nicole R. Buan
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Electron Transport ◽  
Stationary Phase ◽  
Exponential Growth ◽  
Electron Transport Chain ◽  
Methanosarcina Barkeri ◽  
Metabolic Efficiency ◽  
Methanosarcina Acetivorans ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Transport Chain

ABSTRACT Many, but not all, organisms use quinones to conserve energy in their electron transport chains. Fermentative bacteria and methane-producing archaea (methanogens) do not produce quinones but have devised other ways to generate ATP. Methanophenazine (MPh) is a unique membrane electron carrier found in Methanosarcina species that plays the same role as quinones in the electron transport chain. To extend the analogy between quinones and MPh, we compared the MPh pool sizes between two well-studied Methanosarcina species, Methanosarcina acetivorans C2A and Methanosarcina barkeri Fusaro, to the quinone pool size in the bacterium Escherichia coli. We found the quantity of MPh per cell increases as cultures transition from exponential growth to stationary phase, and absolute quantities of MPh were 3-fold higher in M. acetivorans than in M. barkeri. The concentration of MPh suggests the cell membrane of M. acetivorans, but not of M. barkeri, is electrically quantized as if it were a single conductive metal sheet and near optimal for rate of electron transport. Similarly, stationary (but not exponentially growing) E. coli cells also have electrically quantized membranes on the basis of quinone content. Consistent with our hypothesis, we demonstrated that the exogenous addition of phenazine increases the growth rate of M. barkeri three times that of M. acetivorans. Our work suggests electron flux through MPh is naturally higher in M. acetivorans than in M. barkeri and that hydrogen cycling is less efficient at conserving energy than scalar proton translocation using MPh. IMPORTANCE Can we grow more from less? The ability to optimize and manipulate metabolic efficiency in cells is the difference between commercially viable and nonviable renewable technologies. Much can be learned from methane-producing archaea (methanogens) which evolved a successful metabolic lifestyle under extreme thermodynamic constraints. Methanogens use highly efficient electron transport systems and supramolecular complexes to optimize electron and carbon flow to control biomass synthesis and the production of methane. Worldwide, methanogens are used to generate renewable methane for heat, electricity, and transportation. Our observations suggest Methanosarcina acetivorans, but not Methanosarcina barkeri, has electrically quantized membranes. Escherichia coli, a model facultative anaerobe, has optimal electron transport at the stationary phase but not during exponential growth. This study also suggests the metabolic efficiency of bacteria and archaea can be improved using exogenously supplied lipophilic electron carriers. The enhancement of methanogen electron transport through methanophenazine has the potential to increase renewable methane production at an industrial scale.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document