Circadian Synthesis of Light-Harvesting-Chlorophyll-Proteins in Euglena gracilis Is under Translational Control

Two proteins with apparent molecular masses of 17 and 24 kD that are synthesized in a circadian manner in the phytoflagellate Euglena gracilis, were recognized as proteins belong­ing to the family of light-harvesting-chlorophyll-proteins (LHCPs) of class I (17 kD) and of class II (24 kD). Identification was achieved by N-terminal sequencing of the proteins isolated from two-dimensional polyacrylamide gels and by detection with an anti-LHCP II se­rum. While it was found that the total amount of LHCPs remains almost constant, when Euglena is grown under diurnal conditions (12 h light and 12 h dark), we could show that the amount of newly synthesized 17 and 24 kD proteins varies about 20-fold with a maximum of synthesis in the light phase. In contrast, the analysis of the mRNA levels at different times revealed only minor differences in the stationary concentration of the LHCP specific mRNA, indicating that the control of LHCP synthesis is at the translational level. Principally, the same finding was obtained using inhibitors of transcription. Thus, it is concluded that the expression of LHCPs in Euglena gracilis in contrast to that of higher plants is primarily regulated at the translational level.

Comparative Immunological Detection of Lipids and Carotenoids on Peptides of Photosystem I from Higher Plants and Cyanobacteria Photosystem I, Western Blot, Lipid-and Pigment Composition, Lipid-Carotenoid Binding

Photosystem I preparations were obtained from wild-type tobacco Nicotiana tabacum var. JWB, three chlorophyll-deficient tobacco mutants: Su/su, Su/su var. Aurea and yellow- green leaf patches of the variegated mutant NC 95, Spinacia oleracea and furthermore from the mesophilic cyanobacterium Synechococcus PCC 7942 and the thermophilic cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp.. Peptides from these preparations were analyzed by SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and transferred for detection of bound lipids and carotenoids according to the Western blot procedure to nitrocellulose membranes. The PS I preparations from the Nicotiana tabacum species and spinach consist of the core complex and the LHCP I complex, the latter containing, however, traces of the LHCP II polypeptides. The core complex consists of the two core peptides with the apparent molecular mass of 66 kDa each and peptides with molecular masses of 22, 20, 19, 17, 16, 10 and 9 kDa. The LHCP I complex contains 4 subunits with molecular masses of 28, 26, 25 and 24 kDa. The PS I preparations of the two mutants Su/su and Su/su var. Aurea contain as impurities traces of the core peptides (D )/D 2) and the two chlorophyll-binding peptides (CP43/CP47) of photosystem II. The PS I preparation from the mesophilic and thermophilic cyanobacterium consists of the two core peptides with the apparent molecular mass of 66 kDa and peptides with molecular masses of 16, 14 and 10 kDa. The peptides of the PS I preparations were characterized by specific PS I, CP I and LHCP I antisera. The antiserum to the PS I complex reacts in the Western blot with the homologous peptides of PS I from higher plants, but only with the CP I complex from the two cyanobacteria. In comparative studies with PS II from higher plants the PS I antiserum reacts with the LHCP II complex as expected. The antiserum to the CP I complex reacts only with the 66 kDa peptides of PS I from all objects. There is no cross reaction with the 66 kDa peptides (heterodimer of the D1/D2 peptides) of PS II. The antiserum to the LHCP I complex reacts only with the four LHCP I peptides of PS I from higher plants and as expected with the LHCP II of PS II: Because cyanobacteria do not have LHCP complexes, there is no reaction with the LHCP I antiserum. By means of polyclonal monospecific antisera to lipids it was shown by Western blot procedure that only two lipid species are bound to PS I peptides. The galactolipid monogalactosyldiglyceride is bound to the CP I complex of the Nicotiana tabacum species, spinach and the two cyanobacteria as well as to the LHCP I complex of the higher plants. The phospholipid phosphatidylglycerol is only associated with the CP I complex of the analyzed higher plants and cyanobacteria. With polyclonal m onospecific antisera to carotenoids it was demonstrated that β-carotene, lutein, neoxanthin and zeaxanthin are associated with the CP I complex of the higher plants and the cyanobacteria analyzed. Violaxanthin is also bound to the CP I complex of the two cyanobacteria, whereas it is bound together with neoxanthin to the LHCP I complex of the higher plants.

Chlorophyll Proteins and Lipids in Paraquat Treated Sensitive and Resistant Conyza Canadensis Leaves

Photosynthetic activity and molecular composition of thylakoid membranes of sensitive and atrazine/paraquat coresistant biotypes of Conyza canadensis (L.) Cronq was compared before and after 5 × 10-4 molar paraquat spraying. In contrast to the irreversibly damaged sensitive plants the Rfd values (vitality indices) calculated from parameters of fluorescence induction curves, and the in vivo CO2 fixation in resistant plants showed - after a transitory inhibition - a recovery. Resistant thylakoids contained higher amount of PS II and LHC II, (i.e. lower relative amount of CP I) which can be the result of an adaptation process. Fatty acid composition of total leaf extract was almost the same in both biotype even after spraying. The amount of the oligomeric form of LHCP II decreased in paraquat treated sensitive thylakoids, which was in correlation with the reduction of Δ3-transhexadecanoic acid content. Decrease in oligomeric LHCP II and/or special lipids (PG) in sensitive thylakoids may change the association of LHCP II and photosystem II core as it is evidenced from lowering of the Mg2+ induced changes of the short wavelength fluorescence intensity and increase in the relative quantum requirement values. The results are discussed in connection with a possible effect of paraquat on PS II.