SVR4 (suppressor of variegation 4) and SVR4-like: two proteins with a role in proper organization of the chloroplast genetic machinery

SUPPRESSOR OF VARIEGATION 4 (SVR4, also called MRL7) and its homolog SVR4-like (also called MRL7-Like) were originally identified as important proteins for proper function of the chloroplast in Arabidopsis. Both are nuclear-encoded chloroplast-located proteins, and knockout mutants of either gene result in seedling lethality. Transmission electron microscopy analysis revealed that chloroplast development is arrested at an early developmental stage in both mutants. Accordingly, in the mutant plants severely decreased levels of photosynthetic pigments as well as subunits of the photosynthetic complexes could be detected. In absence of either of the two proteins chloroplast DNA organization was clearly affected. Immunological analysis revealed that SVR4 is a component of the transcriptionally active chromosome (TAC) from barley chloroplasts. Analyses of gene expression indicate that SVR4 and SVR4-like are required for proper function of the plastid transcriptional machinery. We propose that SVR4 and SVR4-like function as molecular chaperones ensuring proper organization of the nucleoids in chloroplasts.

Redirecting photosynthetic electron flow into light-driven synthesis of alternative products including high-value bioactive natural compounds

Photosynthesis in plants, green algae, and cyanobacteria converts solar energy into chemical energy in the form of ATP and NADPH, both of which are used in primary metabolism. However, often more reducing power is generated by the photosystems than what is needed for primary metabolism. In this review, we discuss the development in the research field, focusing on how the photosystems can be used as synthetic biology building blocks to channel excess reducing power into light-driven production of alternative products. Plants synthesize a large number of high-value bioactive natural compounds. Some of the key enzymes catalyzing their biosynthesis are the cytochrome P450s situated in the endoplasmic reticulum. However, bioactive compounds are often synthesized in low quantities in the plants and are difficult to produce by chemical synthesis due to their often complex structures. Through a synthetic biology approach, enzymes with a requirement for reducing equivalents as cofactors, such as the cytochrome P450s, can be coupled directly to the photosynthetic energy output to obtain environmentally friendly production of complex chemical compounds. By relocating cytochrome P450s to the chloroplasts, reducing power can be diverted toward the reactions catalyzed by the cytochrome P450s. This provides a sustainable production method for high-value compounds that potentially can solve the problem of NADPH regeneration, which currently limits the biotechnological uses of cytochrome P450s. We describe the approaches that have been taken to couple enzymes to photosynthesis in vivo and to photosystem I in vitro and the challenges associated with this approach to develop new green production platforms.

Redirecting photosynthetic electron flow into light-driven synthesis of alternative products including high-value bioactive natural compounds

Photosynthesis in plants, green algae, and cyanobacteria converts solar energy into chemical energy in the form of ATP and NADPH, both of which are used in primary metabolism. However, often more reducing power is generated by the photosystems than what is needed for primary metabolism. In this review, we discuss the development in the research field, focusing on how the photosystems can be used as synthetic biology building blocks to channel excess reducing power into light-driven production of alternative products. Plants synthesize a large number of high-value bioactive natural compounds. Some of the key enzymes catalyzing their biosynthesis are the cytochrome P450s situated in the endoplasmic reticulum. However, bioactive compounds are often synthesized in low quantities in the plants and are difficult to produce by chemical synthesis due to their often complex structures. Through a synthetic biology approach, enzymes with a requirement for reducing equivalents as cofactors, such as the cytochrome P450s, can be coupled directly to the photosynthetic energy output to obtain environmentally friendly production of complex chemical compounds. By relocating cytochrome P450s to the chloroplasts, reducing power can be diverted toward the reactions catalyzed by the cytochrome P450s. This provides a sustainable production method for high-value compounds that potentially can solve the problem of NADPH regeneration, which currently limits the biotechnological uses of cytochrome P450s. We describe the approaches that have been taken to couple enzymes to photosynthesis in vivo and to photosystem I in vitro and the challenges associated with this approach to develop new green production platforms.

Composition and structure of photosystem I in the moss Physcomitrella patens

Recently, bryophytes, which diverged from the ancestor of seed plants more than 400 million years ago, came into focus in photosynthesis research as they can provide valuable insights into the evolution of photosynthetic complexes during the adaptation to terrestrial life. This study isolated intact photosystem I (PSI) with its associated light-harvesting complex (LHCI) from the moss Physcomitrella patens and characterized its structure, polypeptide composition, and light-harvesting function using electron microscopy, mass spectrometry, biochemical, and physiological methods. It became evident that Physcomitrella possesses a strikingly high number of isoforms for the different PSI core subunits as well as LHCI proteins. It was demonstrated that all these different subunit isoforms are expressed at the protein level and are incorporated into functional PSI-LHCI complexes. Furthermore, in contrast to previous reports, it was demonstrated that Physcomitrella assembles a light-harvesting complex consisting of four light-harvesting proteins forming a higher-plant-like PSI superstructure.

Arabidopsis CURVATURE THYLAKOID1 proteins modify thylakoid architecture by inducing membrane curvature

Chloroplasts of land plants characteristically contain grana, cylindrical stacks of thylakoid membranes. A granum consists of a core of appressed membranes, two stroma-exposed end membranes, and margins, which connect pairs of grana membranes at their lumenal sides. Multiple forces contribute to grana stacking, but it is not known how the extreme curvature at margins is generated and maintained. We report the identification of the CURVATURE THYLAKOID1 (CURT1) protein family, conserved in plants and cyanobacteria. The four Arabidopsis thaliana CURT1 proteins (CURT1A, B, C, and D) oligomerize and are highly enriched at grana margins. Grana architecture is correlated with the CURT1 protein level, ranging from flat lobe-like thylakoids with considerably fewer grana margins in plants without CURT1 proteins to an increased number of membrane layers (and margins) in grana at the expense of grana diameter in overexpressors of CURT1A. The endogenous CURT1 protein in the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp PCC6803 can be partially replaced by its Arabidopsis counterpart, indicating that the function of CURT1 proteins is evolutionary conserved. In vitro, Arabidopsis CURT1A proteins oligomerize and induce tubulation of liposomes, implying that CURT1 proteins suffice to induce membrane curvature. We therefore propose that CURT1 proteins modify thylakoid architecture by inducing membrane curvature at grana margins.

Redirecting photosynthetic reducing power toward bioactive natural product synthesis

In addition to the products of photosynthesis, the chloroplast provides the energy and carbon building blocks required for synthesis of a wealth of bioactive natural products of which many have potential uses as pharmaceuticals. In the course of plant evolution, energy generation and biosynthetic capacities have been compartmentalized. Chloroplast photosynthesis provides ATP and NADPH as well as carbon sources for primary metabolism. Cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (P450s) in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) synthesize a wide spectrum of bioactive natural products, powered by single electron transfers from NADPH. P450s are present in low amounts, and the reactions proceed relatively slowly due to limiting concentrations of NADPH. Here we demonstrate that it is possible to break the evolutionary compartmentalization of energy generation and P450-catalyzed biosynthesis, by relocating an entire P450-dependent pathway to the chloroplast and driving the pathway by direct use of the reducing power generated by photosystem I in a light-dependent manner. The study demonstrates the potential of transferring pathways for structurally complex high-value natural products to the chloroplast and directly tapping into the reducing power generated by photosynthesis to drive the P450s using water as the primary electron donor.

Plant sterol metabolism. Δ(7)-Sterol-C5-desaturase (STE1/DWARF7), Δ(5,7)-sterol-Δ(7)-reductase (DWARF5) and Δ(24)-sterol-Δ(24)-reductase (DIMINUTO/DWARF1) show multiple subcellular localizations in Arabidopsis thaliana (Heynh) L

Sterols are crucial lipid components that regulate membrane permeability and fluidity and are the precursors of bioactive steroids. The plant sterols exist as three major forms, free sterols, steryl glycosides and steryl esters. The storage of steryl esters in lipid droplets has been shown to contribute to cellular sterol homeostasis. To further document cellular aspects of sterol biosynthesis in plants, we addressed the question of the subcellular localization of the enzymes implicated in the final steps of the post-squalene biosynthetic pathway. In order to create a clear localization map of steroidogenic enzymes in cells, the coding regions of Δ⁷-sterol-C₅-desaturase (STE1/DWARF7), Δ²⁴-sterol-Δ²⁴-reductase (DIMINUTO/DWARF1) and Δ^5,7-sterol-Δ⁷-reductase (DWARF5) were fused to the yellow fluorescent protein (YFP) and transformed into Arabidopsis thaliana mutant lines deficient in the corresponding enzymes. All fusion proteins were found to localize in the endoplasmic reticulum in functionally complemented plants. The results show that both Δ^5,7-sterol-Δ⁷-reductase and Δ²⁴-sterol-Δ²⁴-reductase are in addition localized to the plasma membrane, whereas Δ⁷-sterol-C₅-desaturase was clearly detected in lipid particles. These findings raise new challenging questions about the spatial and dynamic cellular organization of sterol biosynthesis in plants.

Quantification of vitamin D3 and its hydroxylated metabolites in waxy leaf nightshade (Solanum glaucophyllum Desf.), tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) and bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.)

Changes in vitamin D(3) and its metabolites were investigated following UVB- and heat-treatment in the leaves of Solanum glaucophyllum Desf., Solanum lycopersicum L. and Capsicum annuum L. The analytical method used was a sensitive and selective liquid chromatography electrospray ionisation tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS) method including Diels-Alder derivatisation. Vitamin D(3) and 25-hydroxy vitamin D(3) were found in the leaves of all plants after UVB-treatment. S. glaucophyllum had the highest content, 200 ng vitamin D(3)/g dry weight and 31 ng 25-hydroxy vitamin D(3)/g dry weight, and was the only plant that also contained 1,25 dihydroxy vitamin D(3) in both free (32 ng/g dry weight) and glycosylated form (17 ng/g dry weight).

CSF inflammation and axonal damage are increased and correlate in progressive multiple sclerosis

Background:

The mechanism underlying disease progression in progressive multiple sclerosis (MS) is uncertain. Pathological studies found widespread inflammation in progressive MS brains correlating with disease progression and axonal damage.

Objectives:

To study cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers and clarify whether inflammation and axonal damage are associated in progressive MS.

Methods:

Using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), we analysed CSF from 40 secondary progressive (SPMS), 21 primary progressive (PPMS), and 36 relapsing–remitting (RRMS) and 20 non-inflammatory neurological disease (NIND) patients. Twenty-two of the SPMS patients participated in an MBP8298 peptide clinical trial and had CSF follow-up after one year.

Results:

Compared to NIND patients, inflammatory biomarkers osteopontin and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP9) were increased in all MS patients while CXCL13 was increased in RRMS and SPMS patients. Biomarkers of axonal damage (NFL) and demyelination (MBP) were increased in all MS patients. In progressive MS patients CSF levels of osteopontin and CXCL13 correlated with NFL while osteopontin and MMP9 correlated with MBP. MBP8298 treatment did not affect the levels of the biomarkers after one year of treatment. All biomarkers were continuously increased after one year of follow-up except MBP, which decreased.

Conclusion:

CSF biomarkers of inflammation, axonal damage and demyelination are continuously increased in progressive MS patients and correlate. These findings parallel pathology studies, emphasise a relationship between inflammation, axonal damage and demyelination and support the use of CSF biomarkers in progressive MS clinical trials.

Light-driven chemical synthesis

Depletion of the fossil fuel reserves of the Earth has prompted research into sources of renewable and sustainable energy, and feedstock for the chemical and pharmaceutical industries to support the transition towards a bio-based society. Photosynthesis efficiently captures solar energy, but its subsequent conversion into chemical energy in the form of biomass is limited to a final output in the 1-4% range. Re-routing of photosynthetic electron transport and reducing power directly into desired biosynthetic pathways offers a new avenue for sustainable production of high-value products.

Light-driven cytochrome p450 hydroxylations

Plants are light-driven "green" factories able to synthesize more than 200,000 different bioactive natural products, many of which are high-value products used as drugs (e.g., artemisinin, taxol, and thapsigargin). In the formation of natural products, cytochrome P450 (P450) monooxygenases play a key role in catalyzing regio- and stereospecific hydroxylations that are often difficult to achieve using the approaches of chemical synthesis. P450-catalyzed monooxygenations are dependent on electron donation typically from NADPH catalyzed by NADPH-cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase (CPR). The consumption of the costly cofactor NADPH constitutes an economical obstacle for biotechnological in vitro applications of P450s. This bottleneck has been overcome by the design of an in vitro system able to carry out light-driven P450 hydroxylations using photosystem I (PSI) for light harvesting and generation of reducing equivalents necessary to drive the P450 catalytic cycle. The in vitro system is based on the use of isolated PSI and P450 membrane complexes using ferredoxin as an electron carrier. The turnover rate of the P450 in the light-driven system was 413 min(-1) compared to 228 min(-1) in the native CPR-catalyzed system. The use of light as a substitute for costly NADPH offers a new avenue for P450-mediated synthesis of complex bioactive natural products using in vitro synthetic biology approaches.

The activity of barley NADPH-dependent thioredoxin reductase C is independent of the oligomeric state of the protein: tetrameric structure determined by cryo-electron microscopy

Thioredoxin and thioredoxin reductase can regulate cell metabolism through redox regulation of disulfide bridges or through removal of H(2)O(2). These two enzymatic functions are combined in NADPH-dependent thioredoxin reductase C (NTRC), which contains an N-terminal thioredoxin reductase domain fused with a C-terminal thioredoxin domain. Rice NTRC exists in different oligomeric states, depending on the absence or presence of its NADPH cofactor. It has been suggested that the different oligomeric states may have diverse activity. Thus, the redox status of the chloroplast could influence the oligomeric state of NTRC and thereby its activity. We have characterized the oligomeric states of NTRC from barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). This also includes a structural model of the tetrameric NTRC derived from cryo-electron microscopy and single-particle reconstruction. We conclude that the tetrameric NTRC is a dimeric arrangement of two NTRC homodimers. Unlike that of rice NTRC, the quaternary structure of barley NTRC complexes is unaffected by addition of NADPH. The activity of NTRC was tested with two different enzyme assays. The N-terminal part of NTRC was tested in a thioredoxin reductase assay. A peroxide sensitive Mg-protoporphyrin IX monomethyl ester (MPE) cyclase enzyme system of the chlorophyll biosynthetic pathway was used to test the catalytic ability of both the N- and C-terminal parts of NTRC. The different oligomeric assembly states do not exhibit significantly different activities. Thus, it appears that the activities are independent of the oligomeric state of barley NTRC.

SUPPRESSOR OF VARIEGATION4, a new var2 suppressor locus, encodes a pioneer protein that is required for chloroplast biogenesis

VAR2 is an integral thylakoid membrane protein and a member of the versatile FtsH class of metalloproteases in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Recessive mutations in the VAR2 locus give rise to variegated plants (var2) that contain white sectors with abnormal plastids and green sectors with normal-appearing chloroplasts. In a continuing effort to isolate second-site suppressors of var2 variegation, we characterize in this report ems2505, a suppressor strain that has a virescent phenotype due to a missense mutation in At4g28590, the gene for a pioneer protein. We designated this gene SVR4 (for SUPPRESSOR OF VARIEGATION4) and the mutant allele in ems2505 as svr4-1. We demonstrate that SVR4 is located in chloroplasts and that svr4-1 single mutants are normal with respect to chloroplast anatomy and thylakoid membrane protein accumulation. However, they are modestly impaired in several aspects of photochemistry and have enhanced non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) capacity. A T-DNA insertion allele of SVR4, svr4-2, is seedling-lethal due to an early blockage of chloroplast development. We conclude that SVR4 is essential for chloroplast biogenesis, and hypothesize that SVR4 mediates some aspect of thylakoid structure or function that controls NPQ. We propose that in the suppressor strain, photoinhibitory pressure caused by a lack of VAR2 is ameliorated early in chloroplast development by enhanced NPQ capacity caused by reduced SVR4 activity. This would result in an increase in the number of chloroplasts that are able to surmount a threshold necessary to avoid photo-damage and thereby develop into functional chloroplasts.

Redox regulation of chlorophyll biosynthesis

Chlorophyll captures and redirects light-energy and is thus essential for photosynthetic organisms. The demand for chlorophyll differs throughout the day and night and in response to changing light conditions. Moreover, the chlorophyll biosynthesis pathway is up to certain points shared between the different tetrapyrroles; chlorophyll, heme, siroheme and phytochromobilin, for which the cell has different requirements at different time points. Combined with the phototoxic properties of tetrapyrroles which, if not properly protected, can lead to formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), the need for a strict regulation of the chlorophyll biosynthetic pathway is obvious. Here we describe the current knowledge on regulation of chlorophyll biosynthesis in plants by the chloroplast redox state with emphasis on the Mg-chelatase situated at the branch point between the heme and the chlorophyll pathway. We discuss the proposed role of the Mg-chelatase as a key regulator of the tetrapyrrole pathway by its effect on enzymes both up- and downstream in the pathway and we specifically describe how redox state might regulate the Mg-branch. Finally, we propose that a recently identified NADPH-dependent thioredoxin reductase (NTRC) could be involved in redox regulation or protection of chlorophyll biosynthetic enzymes and describe the possible modes of action by this enzyme.

Redox regulation of chlorophyll biosynthesis

Chlorophyll captures and redirects light-energy and is thus essential for photosynthetic organisms. The demand for chlorophyll differs throughout the day and night and in response to changing light conditions. Moreover, the chlorophyll biosynthesis pathway is up to certain points shared between the different tetrapyrroles; chlorophyll, heme, siroheme and phytochromobilin, for which the cell has different requirements at different time points. Combined with the phototoxic properties of tetrapyrroles which, if not properly protected, can lead to formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), the need for a strict regulation of the chlorophyll biosynthetic pathway is obvious. Here we describe the current knowledge on regulation of chlorophyll biosynthesis in plants by the chloroplast redox state with emphasis on the Mg-chelatase situated at the branch point between the heme and the chlorophyll pathway. We discuss the proposed role of the Mg-chelatase as a key regulator of the tetrapyrrole pathway by its effect on enzymes both up- and downstream in the pathway and we specifically describe how redox state might regulate the Mg-branch. Finally, we propose that a recently identified NADPH-dependent thioredoxin reductase (NTRC) could be involved in redox regulation or protection of chlorophyll biosynthetic enzymes and describe the possible modes of action by this enzyme.

Monitoring reactive oxygen species formation and localisation in living cells by use of the fluorescent probe CM-H(2)DCFDA and confocal laser microscopy

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) develop as a consequence of wounding, light stress and chemical imbalances but act also as signals in living cells. The integrity of cells is seriously endangered, if ROS cannot be controlled by scavenging molecules and other repair mechanisms of the cell. For studying ROS development and signalling under stress, a reliable indicator is needed. We have tested the ROS sensitive dye 5-(and-6) chloromethyl-2',7' dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate acetyl ester (CM-H(2)DCFDA) using onion bulb scale and leaf epidermis as well as Arabidopsis leaves and protoplasts. ROS were generated by several fundamentally different methods-externally applied hydrogen peroxide, heat shock, high light or wounding. Confocal microscopy and fluorescence quantification over time showed that the indicator responds in an additive and dose-dependent manner. The response to externally applied hydrogen peroxide followed saturation kinetics, consistent with a channel-mediated uptake of the stressor across the plasma membrane. An inherent problem of the tested indicator was the uneven uptake in tissues, as compared with protoplasts, making it difficult to discriminate an uneven indicator distribution from an uneven ROS distribution. However, in protoplasts and under carefully designed preparation conditions CM-H(2)DCFDA is a useful general ROS indicator. Subcellularly, the de-esterified probe localised to the cytosol, to mitochondria and to chloroplasts.

AtCYP38 ensures early biogenesis, correct assembly and sustenance of photosystem II

AtCYP38 is a thylakoid lumen protein comprising the immunophilin domain and the phosphatase inhibitor module. Here we show the association of AtCYP38 with the photosystem II (PSII) monomer complex and address its functional role using AtCYP38-deficient mutants. The dynamic greening process of etiolated leaves failed in the absence of AtCYP38, due to specific problems in the biogenesis of PSII complexes. Also the development of leaves under short-day conditions was severely disturbed. Detailed biophysical and biochemical analysis of mature AtCYP38-deficient plants from favorable growth conditions (long photoperiod) revealed: (i) intrinsic malfunction of PSII, which (ii) occurred on the donor side of PSII and (iii) was dependent on growing light intensity. AtCYP38 mutant plants also showed decreased accumulation of PSII, which was shown not to originate from impaired D1 synthesis or assembly of PSII monomers, dimers and supercomplexes as such but rather from the incorrect fine-tuning of the oxygen-evolving side of PSII. This, in turn, rendered PSII centers extremely susceptible to photoinhibition. AtCYP38 deficiency also drastically decreased the in vivo phosphorylation of PSII core proteins, probably related to the absence of the AtCYP38 phosphatase inhibitor domain. It is proposed that during PSII assembly AtCYP38 protein guides the proper folding of D1 (and CP43) into PSII, thereby enabling the correct assembly of the water-splitting Mn(4)-Ca cluster even with high turnover of PSII.

NADPH-dependent thioredoxin reductase and 2-Cys peroxiredoxins are needed for the protection of Mg-protoporphyrin monomethyl ester cyclase

The chloroplast-localized NADPH-dependent thioredoxin reductase (NTRC) has been found to be able to reduce hydrogen peroxide scavenging 2-Cys peroxiredoxins. We show that the Arabidopsis ntrc mutant is perturbed in chlorophyll biosynthesis and accumulate intermediates preceding protochlorophyllide formation. A specific involvement of NTRC during biosynthesis of protochlorophyllide is indicated from in vitro aerobic cyclase assays in which the conversion of Mg-protoporhyrin monomethyl ester into protochlorophyllide is stimulated by addition of the NTRC/2-Cys peroxiredoxin system. These findings support the hypothesis that this NADPH-dependent hydrogen peroxide scavenging system is particularly important during periods with limited reducing power from photosynthesis, e.g. under chloroplast biogenesis.

A new method for isolating physiologically active Mg-protoporphyrin monomethyl ester, the substrate of the cyclase enzyme of the chlorophyll biosynthetic pathway

Mg-protoporphyrin monomethyl ester (MPE) is a biosynthetic intermediate of chlorophyll and converted by MPE cyclase to protochlorophyllide. Limited availability of MPE has so far hampered cyclase research. In a new, simplified, method MPE was prepared from freeze dried bchE mutant Rhodobacter capsulatus DB575 cells by extraction with acetone/H(2)O/25% NH(3). Isolated MPE was identified by absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy, and its purity was analyzed by HPLC. The extracted MPE was dried and redissolved in buffered DMSO and its substrate activity is shown by enzymatic cyclase assays. A linear time course was observed for MPE conversion to protochlorophyllide by enzymes from barley etioplasts. Our innovation of freeze drying the R. capsulatus cells before extraction provides a high yield method for MPE, which is significantly faster and more reproducible than previous extraction methods.

Structure, function and regulation of plant photosystem I

Photosystem I (PSI) is a multisubunit protein complex located in the thylakoid membranes of green plants and algae, where it initiates one of the first steps of solar energy conversion by light-driven electron transport. In this review, we discuss recent progress on several topics related to the functioning of the PSI complex, like the protein composition of the complex in the plant Arabidopsis thaliana, the function of these subunits and the mechanism by which nuclear-encoded subunits can be inserted into or transported through the thylakoid membrane. Furthermore, the structure of the native PSI complex in several oxygenic photosynthetic organisms and the role of the chlorophylls and carotenoids in the antenna complexes in light harvesting and photoprotection are reviewed. The special role of the 'red' chlorophylls (chlorophyll molecules that absorb at longer wavelength than the primary electron donor P700) is assessed. The physiology and mechanism of the association of the major light-harvesting complex of photosystem II (LHCII) with PSI during short term adaptation to changes in light quality and quantity is discussed in functional and structural terms. The mechanism of excitation energy transfer between the chlorophylls and the mechanism of primary charge separation is outlined and discussed. Finally, a number of regulatory processes like acclimatory responses and retrograde signalling is reviewed with respect to function of the thylakoid membrane. We finish this review by shortly discussing the perspectives for future research on PSI.

Oxidative modifications to cellular components in plants

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) are produced in many places in living cells and at an increased rate during biotic or abiotic stress. ROS and RNS participate in signal transduction, but also modify cellular components and cause damage. We first look at the most common ROS and their properties. We then consider the ways in which the cell can regulate their production and removal. We critically assess current knowledge about modifications of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), DNA, carbohydrates, and proteins and illustrate this knowledge with case stories wherever possible. Some oxidative breakdown products, e.g., from PUFA, can cause secondary damage. Other oxidation products are secondary signaling molecules. We consider the fate of the modified components, the energetic costs to the cell of replacing such components, as well as strategies to minimize transfer of oxidatively damaged components to the next generation.

The properties of the positively charged loop region in PSI-G are essential for its "spontaneous" insertion into thylakoids and rapid assembly into the photosystem I complex

The PSI-G subunit of photosystem I (PSI) is an 11-kDa membrane protein that plays an important role in electron transport between plastocyanin and PSI and is involved in the stability of the PSI complex. Within the complex, the PSI-G subunit is bound to PSI-B and is in contact with Lhca1. PSI-G has two transmembrane spans connected by a positively charged stromal loop. The loop is inaccessible to proteases, indicating a tightly bound location within the PSI complex. Here, we have studied the insertion mechanism and assembly of PSI-G. We show that the protein inserts into thylakoids by a direct or "spontaneous" pathway that does not involve the activities of any known chloroplast protein-targeting machinery. Surprisingly, the positively charged stromal loop region plays a major role in this process. Mutagenesis or deletions within this region almost invariably lead to a marked lowering of insertion efficiency, strongly indicating a critical role for the loop in the organization of the transmembrane regions prior to or during membrane insertion. Finally, we have examined the assembly of newly inserted PSI-G into the PSI complex, since very little is known of the assembly pathway for this large multimeric complex. Interestingly, we find that inserted PSI-G can be found within the full PSI complex within the import assay time frame after insertion into thylakoids, strongly suggesting that PSI-G normally associates at the end of the assembly process. This is consistent with its location on the periphery of the complex.