Dynamic acclimation of photosynthesis increases plant fitness in changing environments

Plants growing in different environments develop with different photosynthetic capacities--developmental acclimation of photosynthesis. It is also possible for fully developed leaves to change their photosynthetic capacity--dynamic acclimation. The importance of acclimation has not previously been demonstrated. Here, we show that developmental and dynamic acclimation are distinct processes. Furthermore, we demonstrate that dynamic acclimation plays an important role in increasing the fitness of plants in natural environments. Plants of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) were grown at low light and then transferred to high light for up to 9 d. This resulted in an increase in photosynthetic capacity of approximately 40%. A microarray analysis showed that transfer to high light resulted in a substantial but transient increase in expression of a gene, At1g61800, encoding a glucose-6-phosphate/phosphate translocator GPT2. Plants where this gene was disrupted were unable to undergo dynamic acclimation. They were, however, still able to acclimate developmentally. When grown under controlled conditions, fitness, measured as seed output and germination, was identical, regardless of GPT2 expression. Under naturally variable conditions, however, fitness was substantially reduced in plants lacking the ability to acclimate. Seed production was halved in gpt2- plants, relative to wild type, and germination of the seed produced substantially less. Dynamic acclimation of photosynthesis is thus shown to play a crucial and previously unrecognized role in determining the fitness of plants growing in changing environments.

Contrasting responses of photosynthesis to salt stress in the glycophyte Arabidopsis and the halophyte thellungiella: role of the plastid terminal oxidase as an alternative electron sink

The effects of short-term salt stress on gas exchange and the regulation of photosynthetic electron transport were examined in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) and its salt-tolerant close relative Thellungiella (Thellungiella halophila). Plants cultivated on soil were challenged for 2 weeks with NaCl. Arabidopsis showed a much higher sensitivity to salt than Thellungiella; while Arabidopsis plants were unable to survive exposure to greater than 150 mM salt, Thellugiella could tolerate concentrations as high as 500 mM with only minimal effects on gas exchange. Exposure of Arabidopsis to sublethal salt concentrations resulted in stomatal closure and inhibition of CO2 fixation. This lead to an inhibition of electron transport though photosystem II (PSII), an increase in cyclic electron flow involving only PSI, and increased nonphotochemical quenching of chlorophyll fluorescence. In contrast, in Thellungiella, although gas exchange was marginally inhibited by high salt and PSI was unaffected, there was a large increase in electron flow involving PSII. This additional electron transport activity is oxygen dependent and sensitive to the alternative oxidase inhibitor n-propyl gallate. PSII electron transport in Thellungiella showed a reduced sensitivity to 2'-iodo-6-isopropyl-3-methyl-2',4,4'-trinitrodiphenylether, an inhibitor of the cytochrome b6f complex. At the same time, we observed a substantial up-regulation of a protein reacting with antibodies raised against the plastid terminal oxidase. No such up-regulation was seen in Arabidopsis. We conclude that in salt-stressed Thellungiella, plastid terminal oxidase acts as an alternative electron sink, accounting for up to 30% of total PSII electron flow.

Contrasting responses of photosynthesis to salt stress in the glycophyte Arabidopsis and the halophyte thellungiella: role of the plastid terminal oxidase as an alternative electron sink

The effects of short-term salt stress on gas exchange and the regulation of photosynthetic electron transport were examined in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) and its salt-tolerant close relative Thellungiella (Thellungiella halophila). Plants cultivated on soil were challenged for 2 weeks with NaCl. Arabidopsis showed a much higher sensitivity to salt than Thellungiella; while Arabidopsis plants were unable to survive exposure to greater than 150 mM salt, Thellugiella could tolerate concentrations as high as 500 mM with only minimal effects on gas exchange. Exposure of Arabidopsis to sublethal salt concentrations resulted in stomatal closure and inhibition of CO2 fixation. This lead to an inhibition of electron transport though photosystem II (PSII), an increase in cyclic electron flow involving only PSI, and increased nonphotochemical quenching of chlorophyll fluorescence. In contrast, in Thellungiella, although gas exchange was marginally inhibited by high salt and PSI was unaffected, there was a large increase in electron flow involving PSII. This additional electron transport activity is oxygen dependent and sensitive to the alternative oxidase inhibitor n-propyl gallate. PSII electron transport in Thellungiella showed a reduced sensitivity to 2'-iodo-6-isopropyl-3-methyl-2',4,4'-trinitrodiphenylether, an inhibitor of the cytochrome b6f complex. At the same time, we observed a substantial up-regulation of a protein reacting with antibodies raised against the plastid terminal oxidase. No such up-regulation was seen in Arabidopsis. We conclude that in salt-stressed Thellungiella, plastid terminal oxidase acts as an alternative electron sink, accounting for up to 30% of total PSII electron flow.

Competition between linear and cyclic electron flow in plants deficient in Photosystem I

Photosynthetic electron transport can involve either a linear flow from water to NADP, via Photosystems (PS) II and I or a cyclic flow just involving PSI. Little is known about factors regulating the relative flow through each of these pathways. We have examined photosynthetic electron transport through each system in plants of Arabidopsis thaliana in which either the PSI-D1 or PSI-E1 subunits of PSI have been knocked out. In both cases, this results in an imbalance in the turnover of PSI and PSII, such that PSII electron transport is limited by PSI turnover. Phosphorylation of light-harvesting complex II (LHCII) and its migration to PSI is enhanced but only partially reversible and not sufficient to balance photosystem turnover. In spite of this, cyclic electron flow is able to compete efficiently with PSI across a range of conditions. In dark-adapted leaves, the efficiency of cyclic relative to linear flow induced by far-red light is increased, implying that the limiting step of cyclic flow lies in the re-injection of electrons into the electron transport chain. Illumination of leaves with white light resulted in transient induction of a significant non-photochemical quenching in knockout plants which is probably high energy state quenching induced by cyclic electron flow. At high light and at low CO(2), non-photochemical quenching was greater in the knockout plants than in the wildtype. Comparison of PSI and PSII turnover under such conditions suggested that this is generated by cyclic electron flow around PSI. We conclude that, when the concentration of PSI is limiting, cyclic electron flow is still able to compete effectively with linear flow to maintain a high DeltapH to regulate photosynthesis.

Feedback regulation of photosynthetic electron transport by NADP(H) redox poise

When plants experience an imbalance between the absorption of light energy and the use of that energy to drive metabolism, they are liable to suffer from oxidative stress. Such imbalances arise due to environmental conditions (e.g. heat, chilling or drought), and can result in the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Here, we present evidence for a novel protective process - feedback redox regulation via the redox poise of the NADP(H) pool. Photosynthetic electron transport was studied in two transgenic tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) lines - one having reduced levels of ferredoxin NADP+-reductase (FNR), the enzyme responsible for reducing NADP+, and the other reduced levels of glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), the principal consumer of NADPH. Both had a similar degree of inhibition of carbon fixation and impaired electron transport. However, whilst FNR antisense plants were obviously stressed, with extensive bleaching of leaves, GAPDH antisense plants showed no visible signs of stress, beyond having a slowed growth rate. Examination of electron transport in these plants indicated that this difference is due to feedback regulation occurring in the GAPDH but not the FNR antisense plants. We propose that this reflects the occurrence of a previously undescribed regulatory pathway responding to the redox poise of the NADP(H) pool.

The role of PGR5 in the redox poising of photosynthetic electron transport

The pgr5 mutant of Arabidopsis thaliana has been described as being deficient in cyclic electron flow around photosystem I, however, the precise role of the PGR5 protein remains unknown. To address this issue, photosynthetic electron transport was examined in intact leaves of pgr5 and wild type A. thaliana. Based on measurements of the kinetics of P700 oxidation in far red light and re-reduction following oxidation in the presence of DCMU, we conclude that this mutant is able to perform cyclic electron flow at a rate similar to the wild type. The PGR5 protein is therefore not essential for cyclic flow. However, cyclic flow is affected by the pgr5 mutation under conditions where this process is normally enhanced in wild type leaves, i.e. high light or low CO(2) concentrations resulted in enhancement of cyclic electron flow. This suggests a different capacity to regulate cyclic flow in response to environmental stimuli in the mutant. We also show that the pgr5 mutant is affected in the redox poising of the chloroplast, with the electron transport chain being substantially reduced under most conditions. This may result in defective feedback regulation of photosynthetic electron transport under some conditions, thus providing a rationale for the reduced efficiency of cyclic electron flow.

Redox modulation of cyclic electron flow around photosystem I in C3 plants

We have investigated the occurrence of cyclic electron flow in intact spinach leaves. In particular, we have tested the hypothesis that cyclic flow requires the presence of supercomplexes in the thylakoid membrane or other strong associations between proteins. Using biochemical approaches, we found no evidence of the presence of supercomplexes related to cyclic electron flow, making previous structural explanations for the modulation of cyclic flow rather unlikely. On the other hand, we found that the fraction of photosystem I complexes engaged in cyclic flow could be modulated by changes in the redox state of the chloroplast stroma. Our findings support therefore a dynamic model for the occurrence of linear and cyclic electron flow in C3 plants, based on the competition between cytochrome b(6)f and FNR for electrons carried by ferredoxin. This would be ultimately regulated by the balance between the redox state of PSI acceptors and donors during photosynthesis, in a diffusing system.

Nonphotochemical Quenching of Chlorophyll Fluorescence inChlamydomonas reinhardtii

Unlike plants, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii shows a restricted ability to develop nonphotochemical quenching upon illumination. Most of this limited quenching is due to state transitions instead of DeltapH-driven high-energy state quenching, qE. The latter could only be observed when the ability of the cells to perform photosynthesis was impaired, either by lowering temperature to approximately 0 degrees C or in mutants lacking RubisCO activity. Two main features were identified that account for the low level of qE in Chlamydomonas. On one hand, the electrochemical proton gradient generated upon illumination is apparently not sufficient to promote fluorescence quenching. On the other hand, the capacity to transduce the presence of a DeltapH into a quenching response is also intrinsically decreased in this alga, when compared to plants. The possible mechanism leading to these differences is discussed.

Equilibration between cytochrome f and P700 in intact leaves

Electron transport between the two photosynthetic reaction centres of high plants is mediated by plastoquinone, a rieske iron-sulfur centre, cytochrome f and plastocyanin. Measurements of redox equilibration amongst these have produced confusing results, with apparent equilibrium constants being estimated that are inconsistent with in vitro measurements of redox midpoint potentials of the components concerned. We have critically reexamined methods for deconvoluting cytochrome f absorbance signals in intact leaves. We have determined the decay of cytochrome f+ following light to dark transitions from steady state and compared this with the decay of the oxidised photosystem I primary donor, P700+. Measurements across a wide range of different irradiances and CO2 concentrations were all consistent with cyt f and P700 existing in redox equilibrium, with a potential difference of around 117 mV. These results are discussed in relation to our understanding of the organisation of the photosynthetic electron transport. They also have implications for measurements of PSI electron flux--provided more than about 20% of P700+ is oxidised in the light, then the initial decay in the concentration of P700+ following a light to dark transition provides a good estimate of electron flux through PSI. Where P700 is largely reduced in the light, net reduction of cyt f+ might need to be corrected for.

Cyclic electron transport in C3 plants: fact or artefact?

The phenomenon of cyclic electron transport was first characterized in higher plant chloroplasts 50 years ago, yet there is still a debate about whether or not this is a physiological process. The recent isolation of mutants that appear to lack cyclic electron transport, as well as new data providing functional evidence for its occurrence, support the notion that this pathway plays an important role in plant responses to stress, providing a pH gradient across the thylakoid membrane to trigger non-photochemical quenching of chlorophyll fluorescence. At present, little is known about the regulation of cyclic electron transport, but it is possible that this is activated in response to a low redox potential in the chloroplast stroma.

Reduction of the thylakoid electron transport chain by stromal reductants--evidence for activation of cyclic electron transport upon dark adaptation or under drought

The reduction of P700(+), the primary electron donor of photosystem I (PSI), following a saturating flash of white light in the presence of the photosystem II (PSII) inhibitor 3-(3.4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea (DCMU), was examined in barley plants exposed to a variety of conditions. The decay kinetic fitted to a double exponential decay curve, implying the presence of two distinct pools of PSI. A fast component, with a rate constant for decay of around 0.03-0.04 ms(-1) was observed to be sensitive to the duration of illumination. This rate constant was slower than, but comparable to, that observed in non-inhibited samples (i.e. where linear flow was active). It was substantially faster than values typically reported for experiments where PSII activity is inhibited. The magnitude of this component rose in leaves that were dark-adapted or exposed to drought. This component was assigned to PSI centres involved in cyclic electron transport. The remaining slowly decaying P700(+) population (rate constant of around 0.001-0.002 ms(-1)) was assigned to centres normally involved in linear electron transport (but inhibited here because of the presence of DCMU), or inactivated centres involved in the cyclic pathway. Processes that might regulate the relative flux through cyclic electron transport are discussed.

Physiological characterisation of magnesium deficiency in sugar beet: acclimation to low magnesium differentially affects photosystems I and II

Magnesium deficiency in plants is a widespread problem, affecting productivity and quality in agriculture, yet at a physiological level it has been poorly studied in crop plants. Here, a physiological characterization of Mg deficiency in Beta vulgaris L., an important crop model, is presented. The impact of Mg deficiency on plant growth, mineral profile and photosynthetic activity was studied. The aerial biomass of plants decreased after 24 days of hydroponic culture in Mg-free nutrient solution, whereas the root biomass was unaffected. Analysis of mineral profiles revealed that Mg decreased more rapidly in roots than in shoots and that shoot Mg content could fall to 3 mg g(-1) DW without chlorosis development and with no effect on photosynthetic parameters. Sucrose accumulated in most recently expanded leaves before any loss in photosynthetic activity. During the development of Mg deficiency, the two photosystems showed sharply contrasting responses. Data were consistent with a down-regulation of PSII through a loss of antenna, and of PSI primarily through a loss of reaction centres. In each case, the net result was a decrease in the overall rate of linear electron transport, preventing an excess of reductant being produced during conditions under which sucrose export away from mature leaf was restricted.

A zeaxanthin-independent nonphotochemical quenching mechanism localized in the photosystem II core complex

Illumination of dark-adapted barley plants with low light transiently induced a large nonphotochemical quenching of chlorophyll fluorescence. This reaction was identified as a form of high-energy-state quenching. Its appearance was not accompanied by zeaxanthin synthesis but was associated with a reversible inactivation of a fraction of photosystem II (PSII) centers. Both the fluorescence quenching and PSII inactivation relaxed in parallel with the activation of the Calvin cycle. We interpret the induction of this phenomenon as due to the generation of a quenched state in the PSII core complex. This reaction is probably caused by the transient overacidification of the thylakoid lumen, whereas its dissipation results from the relaxation of both the pH gradient across the thylakoid membrane and redox pressure upon activation of carbon fixation. At saturating light intensities, inactivation of PSII was still observed at the onset of illumination, although its recovery did not result in dissipation of high-energy quenching, which presents typical characteristics of an antenna-associated quenching at steady state. Reaction-center quenching seems therefore to be a common transient feature during illumination, being replaced by other phenomena (photochemical or antenna quenching and photoinhibition), depending on the balance between light and carbon fixation fluxes.

Down-regulation of linear and activation of cyclic electron transport during drought

The effects of short-term drought on the regulation of electron transport through photosystems I and II (PSI and PSII) have been studied in Hordeum vulgare L. cv. Chariot. Fluorescence measurements demonstrated that electron flow through PSII decreased in response to both drought and CO2 limitation. This was due to regulation, as opposed to photoinhibition. We demonstrate that this regulation occurs between the two photosystems--in contrast to PSII, PSI became more oxidised and the rate constant for P700 re-reduction decreased under these conditions. Thus, when carbon fixation is inhibited, electron transport is down-regulated to match the reduced requirement for electrons and minimise reactive oxygen production. At the same time non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) increases, alleviating the excitation pressure placed on PSII. We observe an increase in the proportion of PSI centres that are 'active' (i.e. can be oxidised with a saturating flash and then rapidly re-reduced) under the conditions when NPQ is increased. We suggest that these additional centres are primarily involved in cyclic electron transport, which generates the DeltapH to support NPQ and protect PSII.

Thiol regulation of the thylakoid electron transport chain--a missing link in the regulation of photosynthesis?

Avoidance of over-reduction of the chloroplast ferredoxin pool is of paramount importance for plants in avoiding oxidative stress. The redox state of this pool can be controlled through regulation of the thylakoid electron transport chain. A model is presented for regulation of this chain via a thiol reduction mechanism, possibly involving a thioredoxin. It is shown in isolated thylakoids that electron transport is inhibited by the thiol reducing agent dithiothreitol. The kinetics of this reduction are rapid and readily reversible. The midpoint redox potential is -365 mV at pH 7.7, with a pH dependency of about -90 mV/pH. At physiological pH values, this places the potential of the species titrated between that of ferredoxin and NADPH and thus in the right potential range to be regulating the redox poise of the ferredoxin pool. This is also close to the potential of NADPH-malate dehydrogenase, an enzyme known to be regulated by thioredoxin. Regulation of electron transport by thioredoxin provides a mechanistic link between the regulation of photosynthesis and gene expression by sugars and the redox regulation of gene expression mediated through the plastoquinone pool.

In vivo temperature dependence of cyclic and pseudocyclic electron transport in barley

The effect of temperature on the rate of electron transfer through photosystems I and II (PSI and PSII) was investigated in leaves of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). Measurements of PSI and PSII photochemistry were made in 21% O2 and in 2% O2, to limit electron transport to O2 in the Mehler reaction. Measurements were made in the presence of saturating CO2 concentrations to suppress photorespiration. It was observed that the O2 dependency of PSII electron transport is highly temperature dependent. At 10 degrees C, the quantum yield of PSII (phi PSII) was insensitive to O2 concentration, indicating that there was no Mehler reaction operating. At high temperatures (> 25 degrees C) a substantial reduction in phi PSII was observed when the O2 concentration was reduced. However, under the same conditions, there was no effect of O2 concentration on the delta pH-dependent process of non-photochemical quenching. The rate of electron transport through PSI was also found to be independent of O2 concentration across the temperature range. We conclude that the Mehler reaction is not important in maintaining a thylakoid proton gradient that is capable of controlling PSII activity, and present evidence that cyclic electron transport around PSI acts to maintain membrane energisation at low temperature.

Inhibition of electron transport at the cytochrome b(6)f complex protects photosystem II from photoinhibition

Photoinhibition of photosystem II (PS II) activity was studied in thylakoid membranes illuminated in the presence of the inhibitor of the cytochrome b(6)f complex 2'iodo-6-isopropyl-3-methyl-2',4, 4'-trinitrodiphenylether (DNP-INT). DNP-INT was found to decrease photoinhibition. In the absence of DNP-INT, anaerobosis, superoxide dismutase and catalase protected against photoinhibition. No effect of these treatments was observed in the presence of DNP-INT. These data demonstrate that photoinhibition under these conditions is caused by reactive oxygen species which are formed most probably by the reduction of oxygen at photosystem I. The results are discussed in terms of the importance of photosynthetic control in protection against photoinhibition in vivo.

Adaptations to extreme low light in the fern Trichomanes speciosum

Trichomanes speciosum is a threatened species restricted to sheltered, very humid sites. Uniquely amongst European ferns, differing ecological tolerances of the gametophyte and sporophyte generations are manifested as widely differing distributions. The perennial, vegetatively propagating gametophyte persists in drier, colder, darker habitats than the sporophyte. In sites where the gametophyte grows, light availability was found to be < 1 μmol m² s¹ for approx. 85% of daylight hours, rarely or (in some sites) never rising above 10 μmol m² s¹ . Much of the time, light was < 0.01% of full sunlight. Measurements of gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence yield show that these plants have optimal photosynthesis at light intensities c. 5-10 μmol m² s¹ , the highest light to which they are normally exposed to in their natural environment. The absence of any capacity for reversible nonphotochemical fluorescence quenching means that there is little or no protection of the photosynthetic apparatus from light-induced damage. We conclude that these plants are able to create what are essentially monocultures in their extreme environments only because of a combination of low metabolic rate (at low temperatures) and an ability to make efficient use of what little light is available to them by morphological and physiological means.

Chlorophyll fluorescence--a practical guide

Chlorophyll fluorescence analysis has become one of the most powerful and widely used techniques available to plant physiologists and ecophysiologists. This review aims to provide an introduction for the novice into the methodology and applications of chlorophyll fluorescence. After a brief introduction into the theoretical background of the technique, the methodology and some of the technical pitfalls that can be encountered are explained. A selection of examples is then used to illustrate the types of information that fluorescence can provide.

Chlorophyll fluorescence--a practical guide

Chlorophyll fluorescence analysis has become one of the most powerful and widely used techniques available to plant physiologists and ecophysiologists. This review aims to provide an introduction for the novice into the methodology and applications of chlorophyll fluorescence. After a brief introduction into the theoretical background of the technique, the methodology and some of the technical pitfalls that can be encountered are explained. A selection of examples is then used to illustrate the types of information that fluorescence can provide.

Photosynthetic acclimation of higher plants to growth in fluctuating light environments

This paper describes a study into the potential of plants to acclimate to light environments that fluctuate over time periods between 15 min and 3 h. Plants of Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh., Digitalis purpurea L. and Silene dioica (L.) Clairv. were grown at an irradiance 100 mumol m(-2) s(-1). After 4-6 weeks, they were transferred to light regimes that fluctuated between 100 and either 475 or 810 mumol m(-2) s(-1), in a regular cycle, for 7 days. Plants were shown, in most cases, to be able to undergo photosynthetic acclimation under such conditions, increasing maximum photosynthetic rate. The extent of acclimation varied between species. A more detailed study with S. dioica showed that this acclimation involved changes in both Rubisco protein and cytochrome f content, with only marginal changes in pigment content and composition. Acclimation to fluctuating light, at the protein level, did not fully reflect the acclimation to continuous high light - Rubisco protein increased more than would be expected from the mean irradiance, but less than expected from the high irradiance; cytochrome f increased when neither the mean nor the high irradiance would be expected to induce an increase.

Maternal halothane anesthesis reduces cerebral blood flow in the acidotic sheep fetus

Cerebrovascular autoregulation is lost during fetal asphyxia as cerebral vessels undergo compensatory vasodilation. In such a situation, maternal anesthetics, which decrease fetal arterial blood pressure and cardiac output, may further aggravate cerebral hypoxia. To examine this possibility, we prepared six pregnant ewes in such a manner as to be able to measure fetal regional cerebral blood flow in utero during acidosis produced by partial umbilical cord compression both before and after 15 minutes of halothane anesthesia given to the mother. Umbilical cord compression in the absence of anesthesia caused fetal metabolic and respiratory acidosis as evidenced by a decrease in arterial pH from 7.34 to 7.05; fetal arterial oxygen saturation simultaneously decreased from 29 to 17%. Halothane anesthesia administered to the mother of the acidotic fetus caused further aggravation of fetal acidosis (arterial pH 6.85) and oxygen desaturation (10%) and the fetus became markedly hypotensive. Blood flow to four cerebral areas increased 27 to 69% above control levels in the fetus during acidosis in the absence of maternal anesthesia but decreased to levels 30 to 42% below acidosis values when maternal anesthesia was combined with fetal acidosis. These data suggest that potent cardiovascular depressant anesthetics administered to the mother in the presence of fetal acidosis could decrease fetal cerebral oxygen delivery by interfering with fetal cardiovascular compensation during acidosis and reducing fetal cerebral blood flow.

Regional cerebral blood flow changes during severe fetal asphyxia produced by slow partial umbilical cord compression

We studied the effects of severe partial asphyxia on regional cerebral blood flow and arterial blood pressure in the unanesthetized, physiologically stable fetal lamb. Cerebral blood flow was measured by the microsphere technique before and during partial umbilical cord compression. Asphyxia sufficient to decrease pH from 7.40 to 7.04 and reduce oxygen saturation from 50% to 19% increased cerebral blood flow to all areas of the brain with the largest increases going to the brain stem (275% of control) and deep cerebral structures (240% of control). Fetal arterial blood pressures increased from a mean of 58 mm Hg to a mean of 71 mm. Hg during asphyxia. The blood pressure increases correlated closely with the regional cerebral blood flow increases. There was a poor correlation between cerebral blood flow increases and changes in Paco2' pH, or oxygen saturation. We conclude that during severe fetal asphyxia arterial blood pressure is the critical factor in determining cerebral blood flow.