Respiration Interacts With Photosynthesis Through the Acceptor Side of Photosystem I, Reflected in the Dark-to-Light Induction Kinetics of Chlorophyll Fluorescence in the Cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803

In cyanobacteria, the photosynthetic prokaryotes, direct interaction between photosynthesis and respiration exists at plastoquinone (PQ) pool, which is shared by the two electron transport chains. Another possible point of intersection of the two electron transport chains is NADPH, which is the major electron donor to the respiratory chain as well as the final product of the photosynthetic chain. Here, we showed that the redox state of NADPH in the dark affected chlorophyll fluorescence induction in the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 in a quantitative manner. Accumulation of the reduced NADPH in the dark due to the defect in type 1 NAD(P)H dehydrogenase complex in the respiratory chain resulted in the faster rise to the peak in the dark-to-light induction of chlorophyll fluorescence, while depletion of NADPH due to the defect in pentose phosphate pathway resulted in the delayed appearance of the initial peak in the induction kinetics. There was a strong correlation between the dark level of NADPH determined by its fluorescence and the peak position of the induction kinetics of chlorophyll fluorescence. These results indicate that photosynthesis interacts with respiration through NADPH, which enable us to monitor the redox condition of the acceptor side of photosystem I by simple measurements of chlorophyll fluorescence induction in cyanobacteria.

Genome-Wide Identification of the B-BOX Genes that Respond to Multiple Ripening Related Signals in Sweet Cherry Fruit

B-BOX proteins are zinc finger transcription factors that play important roles in plant growth, development, and abiotic stress responses. In this study, we identified 15 PavBBX genes in the genome database of sweet cherry. We systematically analyzed the gene structures, clustering characteristics, and expression patterns of these genes during fruit development and in response to light and various hormones. The PavBBX genes were divided into five subgroups. The promoter regions of the PavBBX genes contain cis-acting elements related to plant development, hormones, and stress. qRT-PCR revealed five upregulated and eight downregulated PavBBX genes during fruit development. In addition, PavBBX6, PavBBX9, and PavBBX11 were upregulated in response to light induction. We also found that ABA, BR, and GA3 contents significantly increased in response to light induction. Furthermore, the expression of several PavBBX genes was highly correlated with the expression of anthocyanin biosynthesis genes, light-responsive genes, and genes that function in multiple hormone signaling pathways. Some PavBBX genes were strongly induced by ABA, GA, and BR treatment. Notably, PavBBX6 and PavBBX9 responded to all three hormones. Taken together, BBX proteins likely play major roles in regulating anthocyanin biosynthesis in sweet cherry fruit by integrating light, ABA, GA, and BR signaling pathways.

Resins for Frontal Photopolymerization: Combining Depth-Cure and Tunable Mechanical Properties

Photopolymerization has undergone significant development in recent years. It enables fast and easy processing of materials with customized properties and allows precise printing of complex surface geometries. Nevertheless, photopolymerization is mainly applied to cure thin films since the low curing depth limits the fast production of large volumes. Frontal photopolymerization (FPP) is suitable to overcome these limitations so that curing of centimeter-thick (meth)acrylic layers can be accomplished within minutes by light induction only. Prerequisites, however, are the low optical density of the resin and bleaching ability of the photoinitiator. To date, tailored FPP-resins are not commercially available. This study discusses the potential of long-chain polyether dimethacrylates, offering high-temperature resistance and low optical density, as crosslinkers in photobleaching resins and investigates the mechanical properties of photofrontally-cured copolymers. Characteristics ranging from ductile to hard and brittle are observed in tensile tests, demonstrating that deep curing and versatile material properties are achieved with FPP. Analyzed components display uniform polymerization over a depth of four centimeters in Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and swelling tests.

Photo-tethered molecular beacons for superior light-induction

Photolabile circularization of molecular beacons via backbone phosphates leads to superior probes to study spatiotemporal aspects of RNA in cells.

Fast Cr(VI) wastewater remediation on BixOy/CdS heterostructure under simulated solar light induction

Bismuth oxide (BixOy), an important bismuth based semiconductor with visible-light response, good structural stability and non-toxic, is identified as a potential candidate for chromium (Cr(VI))-containing wastewater remediation. However, the poor...

Robust estimates of cuticle conductance on stomatous leaf surfaces during the light induction of photosynthesis

SummaryCuticle conductance (gcw) can bias calculations of intercellular CO2 concentration inside the leaf (Ci) when stomatal conductance (gsw) is small.We examined how the light induction of photosynthesis impacts calculations by directly measuring Ci along with standard gas exchange in sunflower and tobacco leaves.When photosynthesis was induced from dark to saturating light (1200 μmol m−2 s−1 PAR) the calculated Ci was significantly larger than measured Ci and the difference decreased as gsw increased. This difference could lead to over-estimation of rubisco deactivation by limited CO2 supply during early induction of photosynthesis. However, only small differences in Ci were observed during the induction from shade (50 μmol m−2 s−1 PAR) because gsw was sufficiently large. The induction from dark also allowed robust estimations of gcw when combined with direct Ci measurements. These gcw estimates succeeded in correcting the calculation, suggesting that the cuticle was the major source of error.Despite a technical restriction to amphi-stomatous leaves, the presented technique has a potential to provide insights into the cuticle conductance on intact stomatous leaf surfaces.