The Role of D 1* in Light-Induced D 1 Protein Turnover in Leaves
Abstract Light-induced degradation of the D 1 protein of photosystem II (PS II) was determined by radioactive pulse-chase labelling experiments in intact leaves of Schefflera polybotrya. PS II photochemical efficiency was monitored by measuring chlorophyll fluorescence. A significant and consistent decline in the Fv/ Fm ratio was taken to indicate photoinhibition. The formation and degradation of a modified form of the D 1 protein, D 1*, was different under photoinhibi-tory or non-photoinhibitory light conditions. At photoinhibitory irradiance greater amounts of D 1 * were formed relative to D 1, and the degradation of D 1* was slower when compared with non-photoinhibitory irradiance. The formation and degradation of D 1* were therefore shown to be at least partly light intensity dependent. Higher light intensities appeared to slow D 1* degradation, which suggests a modification in PS II turnover properties.