scholarly journals Mechanisms shaping the synergism of zeaxanthin and PsbS in photoprotective energy dissipation in the photosynthetic apparatus of plants

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Renata Welc ◽  
Rafal Luchowski ◽  
Dariusz Kluczyk ◽  
Monika Zubik ◽  
Wojciech Grudzinski ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Excitation Energy ◽  
Xanthophyll Cycle ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Molecular Spectroscopy ◽  
Imaging Techniques ◽  
Photophysical Properties ◽  
Photosynthetic Apparatus ◽  
Strong Light ◽  
Thylakoid Membrane Proteins ◽  
Photo Damage

AbstractSafe operation of photosynthesis is vital to plants and is ensured by the activity of numerous processes protecting chloroplasts against photo-damage. The harmless dissipation of excess excitation energy is believed to be the main photoprotective mechanism and is most effective with the simultaneous presence of PsbS protein and zeaxanthin, a xanthophyll accumulated in strong light as a result of the xanthophyll cycle activity. Here we address the problem of specific molecular mechanisms underlying the synergistic effect of zeaxanthin and PsbS. The experiments were conducted with Arabidopsis thaliana, the wild-type and the mutants lacking PsbS (npq4) and affected in the xanthophyll cycle (npq1), with the application of multiple molecular spectroscopy and imaging techniques. Research results lead to the conclusion that PsbS interferes with the formation of tightly packed aggregates of thylakoid membrane proteins, thus enabling the incorporation of xanthophyll cycle pigments into such structures. It was found that xanthophylls trapped within supramolecular structures, most likely in the interfacial protein region, determine their photophysical properties. The structures formed in the presence of violaxanthin are characterized by minimized dissipation of excitation energy. In contrast, the structures formed in the presence of zeaxanthin show enhanced excitation quenching, thus protecting the system against photo-damage.

Photochemistry and xanthophyll cycle-dependent energy dissipation in differently oriented cladodes of Opuntia stricta during the winter

1998 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 95 ◽  
Author(s):  
David H. Barker ◽  
Barry A. Logan ◽  
William W. Adams III ◽  
Barbara Demmig-Adams
Keyword(s):  
Energy Dissipation ◽  
Excitation Energy ◽  
Xanthophyll Cycle ◽  
Photosynthetic Apparatus ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Psii Efficiency ◽  
Thermal Energy Dissipation ◽  
Dramatic Decline ◽  
Absorption Of Light ◽  
Cycle Dependent

The photosynthetic and energy dissipation responses of four differently oriented photosynthetic surfaces (cladodes) from the cactus Opuntia stricta (Haw.) Haw. were studied in the field during the winter in Australia. Even under very low PFD (i.e. -2 s-1) all surfaces experienced a dramatic decline in photosystem II (PSII) efficiency during the morning period when temperatures were below freezing. However, light energy absorbed during the warmer afternoon period was more efficiently utilised for photochemistry with less diversion through the thermal energy dissipation pathway. Low temperature presumably reduced the proportion of excitation energy that could be utilised photosynthetically, resulting in a high rate of energy dissipation with a concomitant decline in PSII efficiency. A lag in the diurnal de-acidification of malic acid, and therefore the availability of endogenous CO2, may have also contributed to the low rate of photochemistry during the morning period. We interpret the increase in energy dissipation and decline in PSII efficiency as a controlled response of PSII that is dependent upon the de-epoxidised components of the xanthophyll cycle under conditions when the absorption of light exceeds the capacity of the photosynthetic apparatus to process the excitation energy through photochemistry.

scholarly journals PHOTOPROTECTIIVE STRATEGIES OF UNICELULAR RED ALGA RHODELLA VIOLACEA DURING ACCLIMATION TO STRONG LIGHT

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (11(80)) ◽  
pp. 31-38
Author(s):  
K. Neverov
Keyword(s):  
Fluorescence Quenching ◽  
Red Algae ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Light Exposure ◽  
Photosynthetic Apparatus ◽  
Water Soluble ◽  
Photochemical Quenching ◽  
Strong Light ◽  
Rhodella Violacea ◽  
Chl Fluorescence

Red algae contain in their photosynthetic machinery water-soluble antenna complexes - phycobilisomes (PBSs) attached to thylakoid membranes to transfer excitation energy to photosystems. Strong light absorbed by the PBSs triggers a fast formation of transthylakoid ΔpH that follows the non-photochemical quenching of chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence. The ΔpH build-up seems to be essential for photoprotecting the photosynthetic apparatus in the absence of xanthophyll cycle common to higher plants. However, the photoprotective mechanisms of red algae are not studied in details yet.  We present here our research of the Chl fluorescence quenching in unicellular red algae Rhodella violacea and its correlation with the ΔpH gradient being formed. The relation of this phenomenon to photoprotection of photosystem 2 (PS 2) in the normal and high light-acclimated Rhodella cells is also examined.  Under the photoinhibitory conditions (white light of 2000-3000 μE/m2s), the ΔpH-dependent Chl fluorescence quenching was found to delay the kinetics of PS 2 photoinhibition. The uncouplers like nigericin and NH4Cl are known to break down ΔpH gradient, lead to the dissipation of Chl fluorescence quenching followed by enhancing the PS 2 photoinhibition rate. The same effect showed far-red (FR) light consuming transthylakoid ΔpH. ATPase inhibitor, DCCD, having no impact on ΔpH didn’t influence PS 2 photoinhibition as well this implies the photoprotection to be fulfilled by the proton gradient rather than by ATP synthesis.  Long-term acclimation of Rhodella cells to higher irradiances (500-1000 μE/m2s) results in a partial loss of the periphery phycoerythrin-containing subunits by PBSs. The light-acclimated cultures display a higher resistance to the photoinhibitory light than the non-acclimated ones. This could be explained by diminishing the energy transfer from the reduced PBSs to PS 2 as well as light screening by the secondary carotenoids synthesized during light exposure.  Data on low-temperature (77K) fluorescence allow to evaluate the molecular mechanisms of light-induced Chl fluorescence suppression in Rhodella cells and its recovery in darkness. 

scholarly journals Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy: Insights into Its Pathobiology and Molecular Mechanisms

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 1214
Author(s):  
Ji Tu ◽  
Jose Vargas Castillo ◽  
Abhirup Das ◽  
Ashish D. Diwan
Keyword(s):  
Cervical Myelopathy ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Imaging Techniques ◽  
Disease Process ◽  
Classification Systems ◽  
Molecular Features ◽  
Formidable Challenge ◽  
Long Term Treatment ◽  
Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy

Degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM), earlier referred to as cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM), is the most common and serious neurological disorder in the elderly population caused by chronic progressive compression or irritation of the spinal cord in the neck. The clinical features of DCM include localised neck pain and functional impairment of motor function in the arms, fingers and hands. If left untreated, this can lead to significant and permanent nerve damage including paralysis and death. Despite recent advancements in understanding the DCM pathology, prognosis remains poor and little is known about the molecular mechanisms underlying its pathogenesis. Moreover, there is scant evidence for the best treatment suitable for DCM patients. Decompressive surgery remains the most effective long-term treatment for this pathology, although the decision of when to perform such a procedure remains challenging. Given the fact that the aged population in the world is continuously increasing, DCM is posing a formidable challenge that needs urgent attention. Here, in this comprehensive review, we discuss the current knowledge of DCM pathology, including epidemiology, diagnosis, natural history, pathophysiology, risk factors, molecular features and treatment options. In addition to describing different scoring and classification systems used by clinicians in diagnosing DCM, we also highlight how advanced imaging techniques are being used to study the disease process. Last but not the least, we discuss several molecular underpinnings of DCM aetiology, including the cells involved and the pathways and molecules that are hallmarks of this disease.

scholarly journals Imaging and Molecular Mechanisms of Alzheimer’s Disease: A Review

2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (12) ◽  
pp. 3702 ◽  
Author(s):  
Grazia Femminella ◽  
Tony Thayanandan ◽  
Valeria Calsolaro ◽  
Klara Komici ◽  
Giuseppe Rengo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Multimodal Imaging ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Imaging Techniques ◽  
Structural Mri ◽  
Imaging Biomarkers ◽  
Significant Burden ◽  
Made In

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia and is a significant burden for affected patients, carers, and health systems. Great advances have been made in understanding its pathophysiology, to a point that we are moving from a purely clinical diagnosis to a biological one based on the use of biomarkers. Among those, imaging biomarkers are invaluable in Alzheimer’s, as they provide an in vivo window to the pathological processes occurring in Alzheimer’s brain. While some imaging techniques are still under evaluation in the research setting, some have reached widespread clinical use. In this review, we provide an overview of the most commonly used imaging biomarkers in Alzheimer’s disease, from molecular PET imaging to structural MRI, emphasising the concept that multimodal imaging would likely prove to be the optimal tool in the future of Alzheimer’s research and clinical practice.

scholarly journals Occurrence of neoxanthin and lutein epoxide cycle in parasitic Cuscuta species.

2008 ◽  
Vol 55 (1) ◽  
pp. 183-190 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jerzy Kruk ◽  
Renata Szymańska
Keyword(s):  
Substrate Specificity ◽  
Xanthophyll Cycle ◽  
Higher Plants ◽  
Light Stress ◽  
High Light ◽  
Light Conditions ◽  
Strong Light ◽  
Zeaxanthin Epoxidase ◽  
Typical Response ◽  
Cuscuta Species

In the present study, xanthophyll composition of eight parasitic Cuscuta species under different light conditions was investigated. Neoxanthin was not detected in four of the eight species examined, while in others it occurred at the level of several percent of total xanthophylls. In C. gronovii and C. lupuliformis it was additionally found that the neoxanthin content was considerably stimulated by strong light. In dark-adapted plants, lutein epoxide level amounted to 10-22% of total xanthophylls in only three species, the highest being for C. lupuliformis, while in others it was below 3%, indicating that the lutein epoxide cycle is limited to only certain Cuscuta species. The obtained data also indicate that the presence of the lutein epoxide cycle and of neoxanthin is independent and variable among the Cuscuta species. The xanthophyll cycle carotenoids violaxanthin, antheraxanthin and zeaxanthin were identified in all the examined species and occurred at the level found in other higher plants. The xanthophyll and lutein epoxide cycle pigments showed typical response to high light stress. The obtained results also suggest that the ability of higher plants to synthesize lutein epoxide probably does not depend on the substrate specificity of zeaxanthin epoxidase but on the availability of lutein for the enzyme.

scholarly journals Molecular and Imaging Biomarkers in Alzheimer’s Disease: A Focus on Recent Insights

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 61 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chiara Villa ◽  
Marialuisa Lavitrano ◽  
Elena Salvatore ◽  
Romina Combi
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Biological Fluids ◽  
Imaging Techniques ◽  
Amyloid Β ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Diagnostic Methods ◽  
Imaging Biomarkers ◽  
Attractive Alternative

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disease among the elderly, affecting millions of people worldwide and clinically characterized by a progressive and irreversible cognitive decline. The rapid increase in the incidence of AD highlights the need for an easy, efficient and accurate diagnosis of the disease in its initial stages in order to halt or delay the progression. The currently used diagnostic methods rely on measures of amyloid-β (Aβ), phosphorylated (p-tau) and total tau (t-tau) protein levels in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) aided by advanced neuroimaging techniques like positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). However, the invasiveness of these procedures and the high cost restrict their utilization. Hence, biomarkers from biological fluids obtained using non-invasive methods and novel neuroimaging approaches provide an attractive alternative for the early diagnosis of AD. Such biomarkers may also be helpful for better understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the disease, allowing differential diagnosis or at least prolonging the pre-symptomatic stage in patients suffering from AD. Herein, we discuss the advantages and limits of the conventional biomarkers as well as recent promising candidates from alternative body fluids and new imaging techniques.

Excitation energy flow at 77 K in the photosynthetic apparatus of overwintering evergreens

2003 ◽  
Vol 26 (7) ◽  
pp. 1021-1034 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. M. GILMORE ◽  
S. MATSUBARA ◽  
M. C. BALL ◽  
D. H. BARKER ◽  
S. ITOH
Keyword(s):  
Excitation Energy ◽  
Energy Flow ◽  
Photosynthetic Apparatus

Carotenoids and Photosystem II Characteristics of Upper and Lower Halves of Leaves Acclimated to High Light

1996 ◽  
Vol 23 (6) ◽  
pp. 669 ◽  
Author(s):  
WW Iii Adams ◽  
B Demmig-Adams ◽  
DH Barker ◽  
S Kiley
Keyword(s):  
Chlorophyll Fluorescence ◽  
Photosystem Ii ◽  
Excitation Energy ◽  
Total Energy ◽  
Xanthophyll Cycle ◽  
Lower Surface ◽  
Thylakoid Membranes ◽  
High Light ◽  
Pigment Composition ◽  
Light Gradient

Acclimation of the leaves or stems of four succulent species to different light environments and to the light gradient across high light-acclimated tissues was examined through measurements of chlorophyll fluorescence and characterisation of the pigment composition of the thylakoid membranes. Whereas the total amounts of light striking the upper (sun-exposed) and lower (self-shaded) surfaces were quite different, resulting in a much smaller pool of the xanthophyll cycle carotenoids in the lower halves of high light-acclimated tissues, the conversion state of the xanthophyll cycle (the degree to which violaxanthin is converted to antheraxanthin and zeaxanthin) was similar throughout the tissues during exposure to natural sunlight. Under full sunlight, less than 25% of the light absorbed by the upper surface was utilised through photosynthesis, with the majority of the remaining excitation energy being dissipated thermally. In contrast, a considerably greater fraction of the light absorbed by the lower surface was utilised in photosynthesis, ranging from one-third to more than two-thirds of the total energy absorbed.

Involvement of the Xanthophyll Cycle in Regulation of Cyclic Electron Flow around Photosystem II

1996 ◽  
Vol 51 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 47-52 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. I. Gruszecki ◽  
K. Strzałk ◽  
K.P. Bader ◽  
A. Radunz ◽  
G.H. Schmid
Keyword(s):  
Electron Transport ◽  
Photosystem Ii ◽  
Oxygen Evolution ◽  
Xanthophyll Cycle ◽  
Electron Flow ◽  
Photosynthetic Apparatus ◽  
Photosynthetic Oxygen Evolution ◽  
Cyclic Electron Transport ◽  
Ps Ii ◽  
Low Levels

Abstract In our previous study (Gruszecki et al., 1995) we have postulated that the mechanism of cyclic electron transport around photosystem II, active under overexcitation of the photosynthetic apparatus by light is under control of the xanthophyll cycle. The combination of dif­ferent light quality and thylakoids having various levels of xanthophyll cycle pigments were applied to support this hypothesis. In the present work photosynthetic oxygen evolution from isolated tobacco chloroplasts was measured by means of mass spectrometry under conditions of high or low levels of violaxanthin, being transformed to zeaxanthin during dark incubation in an ascorbate containing buffer at pH 5.7. Analysis of oxygen evolution and of light-induced oxygen uptake indicate that the de-epoxidation of violaxanthin to zeaxanthin results in an increased cyclic electron transport around PS II, thus dimishing the vectorial electron flow from water. An effect similar to de-epoxidation was observed after incubation of thylakoid membranes with specific antibodies against violaxanthin.

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