Effect of water stress on primary photosynthetic process: interaction with light and temperature

Effect of water stress alone and in combination with light and temperature on chlorophyll fluorescence and photosynthetic electron transport have been studied in drought-resistant wheat. It was observed that water stress alone-did not modify the amplitude of variable fluorescence in leaf but showed slight decrease in photosynthetic electron transport. However, interaction with light caused significant decrease in the efficiency of photosynthesis. This was greater when photoinhibited at 30 degrees C than at 10 degrees C. Results suggest that water stress alone does not lead to significant damage to the primary photochemistry but photoinhibition causes both inhibition of electron transport activity and chlorophyll fluorescence. The damage was further enhanced by the combination of water stress and high temperature.

Photophysical properties of the photosensitizer pheophorbide a studied at high photon flux densities

The photophysical properties of pheophorbide a (Pheo a) under two-step laser activation were investigated. For the first time quantum yields of higher excited state formation were calculated. It was shown that the quantum yields of the formation of these states depend strongly on the pulse duration of the excitation source. The nonlinear properties of Pheo a are quite different in dependence on the excitation wavelength but the quantum yields of the higher excited state formation in both cases (lambda exc = 337 nm and lambda exc = 667 nm) rise up increasing the photon flux density of the laser light up to 10(26) phot cm-2 s-1. A further increase of the photon flux density has no effect on the quantum yields.

Dodecylpyridinium alkanoates stabilize dispersed chlorophyll

In the presence of a surfactant that does not ligate Mg, chlorophyll is adsorbed to polyethylene particles swollen with tetradecane principally as the infrared-absorbing, highly polymeric species Chl 740. Examples of such surfactants are quaternary ammonium salts and soaps. However, when surfactants of opposite charge are present together, in this case dodecylpyridinium iodide and Na butyrate or myristate, chlorophyll may exist entirely in a dispersed form absorbing around 666 nm. Absorption and fluorescence spectral data show that much of the dispersed pigment is still associated, but as dimeric and perhaps short oligomeric species. It is concluded from fluorescence lifetime analysis that most of the observed fluorescence comes from a small population of chlorophyll that is probably monomeric and isolated; fluorescence of more highly associated species decays with a wide range of lifetimes. The capacity for photochemical sensitization of these particles with dispersed chlorophyll is similar to that of particles with ligating surfactants examined earlier. Structures are suggested for chlorophyll association in which Mg is ligated by water hydrogen-bonded to a carboxylate group, while the dodecylpyridinium counterion lies near the chlorophyll ring. The effect of the two surfactants is synergistic. Overall, spectra of dispersed chlorophyll adsorbates resemble most closely those of colloidal chlorophyll suspensions prepared by dilution of solutions in polar organic solvents with water.

Chlorophyll derivatives (CpD) extracted from silk worm excreta are specifically cytotoxic to tumor cells in vitro

Among chlorophyll derivatives (CpD-A, -B, -C, and -D) extracted from silk worm (Bombyx mori) excretas, CpD-A was extensively studied to clarify its role as a "photosensitizer" for photodynamic therapy (PDT) of tumors in vitro. It was found that CpD-A was photoreactive both in itself and also in its cell bound forms. The cell bound CpD-A produced fluorescent light and singlet oxygen following the exposure to lights of varied wave length. Among them, lights of near 650 nm, which was the maximum absorbance band, efficiently activated CpD-A following the application of only 10 minutes of irradiation. CpD-A was found to have specificity for the human and mouse tumor cells regardless of their species difference. A higher intensity of fluorescence and a larger amount of CpD-A were found in the tumor cells as opposed to the intensity found in normal cells. Only 10 minutes of light irradiation of the CpD-A treated tumor cells resulted in their rapid and complete destruction within 2 hours of irradiation. Simultaneously, more than 80% of the normal human and mouse control cells remained alive after receiving treatment. These findings suggested that CpD-A produced by use of silkworm excreta could be used as a photosensitizer for PDT of tumors by the use of lights of near 650 nm.

Light-induced D1-protein degradation in isolated photosystem II core complexes

Photoinhibitory illumination of isolated oxygen evolving photosystem II core complexes results in a substantial degradation of the D1-protein which is accompanied by the appearance of high amounts of at least 4 different degradation products. It is suggested that the degradation is due to a protease that is an integral part of the photosystem II complex.

Photoinactivation of photosystem II and degradation of the D 1 protein are reduced in a cytochrome b6/f-less mutant of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

The effect of unoccupancy of the QB site by plastoquinone on the photoinactivation of reaction center II in a Cyt b6/f-less mutant of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, B6, was investigated. In these cells the oxidation of plastoquinol generated by electron flow via RC II to plastoquinone and thus the turnover of PQH2/PQ via the QB site are drastically reduced. Reaction center II of the mutant cells was resistant to photoinactivation relative to the control cells as demonstrated by measurements of light-induced destabilization of S2-QB- charge recombination, rise in intrinsic fluorescence and loss of variable fluorescence. These parameters relate to functions involving the reaction center II D 1 protein. The light-induced degradation of D 1 in the mutant cells was also considerably reduced, with a t1/2 value of 7 h as compared, under similar conditions, to about 1.5 h for the control cells. These results indicate that the photoinactivation of RC II and turnover of the D 1 protein are related and require occupancy of the QB site by PQ and its light-driven reduction.

Mechanism of photoinhibition in vivo. A reversible light-induced conformational change of reaction center II is related to an irreversible modification of the D1 protein

The light-induced inactivation of the photochemical reaction center II (RCII) of oxygenic chloroplasts (photoinhibition) was investigated in cells and isolated thylakoids of the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. The process is resolved into a reversible conformational change followed by an irreversible modification of RCII D1 protein. The light-induced changes in vivo persisted in isolated thylakoids. The first step is characterized by (i) destabilization of the secondary acceptor semiquinone anion, Q-B, bound to the D1 protein. This is demonstrated by a reduction in the activation energy of S2,3Q-B charge recombination as measured by the thermoluminescence technique; and (ii) a rise in the intrinsic fluorescence and a decrease of the maximal fluorescence. Unoccupancy of the QB site by plastoquinone partially protected RCII against the light-induced destabilization of Q-B. The extent of charge separation (P+680Q-A) was not affected. However, the slow phase (microsecond) of P+680 dark reduction increased, and the amplitude of signal II was reduced by 20-30%, indicating that in a fraction of RCII, electron donation from Z to P+680 was impaired without losing primary photochemistry. This modification correlates with the irreversible change in D1 protein resulting in the formation of a trypsin-resistant fragment of 16 kDa detected in D1 isolated from light-exposed cells. The change in the Q-B stability could allow charge equilibration with QA and thus explain the rise in the intrinsic fluorescence level and reduction of electron flow to plastoquinone. The change in the lifetime of P+680 can account for further reduction in electron flow (photo-inhibition). The irreversible light-dependent modification of D1 may serve as the signal for its degradation and replacement by a newly synthesized molecule (turnover).

Photobiology of natural populations of zooxanthellae from the sea anemone Aiptasia pallida: assessment of the host's role in protection against ultraviolet radiation

Natural populations of the sea anemone Aiptasia pallida containing endosymbiotic dinoflagellates were acclimated to different irradiance regimes, with and without ultraviolet radiation (UV). They showed a compensatory response in the amount of chlorophyll and the activities of enzymes responsible for detoxifying active species of oxygen that are produced by the interaction between visible or ultraviolet radiation and photosynthetically produced oxygen. Protection from active species of oxygen is essential to prevent the photooxidation of chlorophyll and the concomitant loss of productivity. Bulk analyses of chlorophyll showed differences between the populations exposed to varying irradiance regimes, but revealed no significant independent effect of UV. However, analysis by flow cytometry of the individual cells from treated populations did detect statistically significant differences in cell size and the amount of chlorophyll fluorescence per cell, which could be attributed to treatment with ultraviolet radiation. With flow cytometry we are able to detect the population variability that is undetectable by bulk measurements which is important in assessing the effects of environmental parameters in both symbiotic and free-living microalgae. Research using simultaneous measurements by flow cytometry could add considerable insight into the population dynamics of both zooxanthellae and host cells.

Separate photosensitizers mediate degradation of the 32-kDa photosystem II reaction center protein in the visible and UV spectral regions

A component of the photosystem II reaction center, the 32-kDa protein, is rapidly turned over in the light. The mechanism of its light-dependent metabolism is largely unknown. We quantified the rate of 32-kDa protein degradation over a broad spectral range (UV, visible, and far red). The quantum yield for degradation was highest in the UVB (280-320 nm) region. Spectral evidence demonstrates two distinctly different photosensitizers for 32-kDa protein degradation. The data implicate the bulk photosynthetic pigments (primarily chlorophyll) in the visible and far red regions, and plastoquinone (in one or more of its redox states) in the UV region. A significant portion of 32-kDa protein degradation in sunlight is attributed to UVB irradiance.

Generation of free radicals by photoexcitation of pheophorbide alpha, haematoporphyrin and protoporphyrin

An investigation of the production of radical species by photoexcitation pheophorbide alpha, haematoporphyrin and protoporphyrin was performed. In an aqueous solution containing different amounts of ethanol, the superoxide radical was detected by the spin trapping technique. In addition, secondary radicals were observed. The generation of oxygen radicals was found to dominate in solutions with a low ethanol content.

Electron transfer reactions in photosystem I following vitamin K1 depletion by ultraviolet irradiation

Photosystem I preparations were irradiated with UV to destroy vitamin K1 in situ. The depletion of vitamin K1 resulted in inactivation of NADP+ photoreduction and introduction of a approximately 220 ms component in the flash generated P700+ rereduction at room temperature. The photoreduction of the terminal FeS centers FA and FB in control and vitamin K1-depleted preparations at 7 K were comparable. The data confirm that vitamin K1 is functionally implicated in primary electron transfer reactions in PS I at physiological temperature, and that the anomalous results at cryogenic temperature may be explicable in terms of a by-pass of the vitamin K1 acceptor site or heterogeneity introduced into the photosystem by quinone removal.

Cytochrome b-559 may function to protect photosystem II from photoinhibition

Although cytochrome b-559 is an integral component of the photosystem II complex (PSII), its function is unknown. Because cytochrome b-559 has been shown to be both photooxidized and photoreduced in PSII, one of several proposals is that it mediates cyclic electron transfer around PSII, possibly as a protective mechanism. We have used electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy to investigate the pathway of photooxidation of cytochrome b-559 in PSII and have shown that it proceeds via photooxidation of chlorophyll. We propose that this photooxidation of chlorophyll is the first step in the photoinhibition of PSII. The unique susceptibility of PSII to photoinhibition is probably due to the fact that it is the only reaction center in photosynthesis which generates an oxidant with a reduction potential high enough to oxidize chlorophyll. We propose that the function of cytochrome b-559 is to mediate cyclic electron transfer to rereduce photooxidized chlorophyll and protect PSII from photoinhibition. We also suggest that the chlorophyll(s) which are susceptible to photooxidation are analogous to the monomer chlorophylls found in the bacterial photosynthetic reaction center complex.

A light-dependent dicyclohexylcarbodiimide-sensitive Ca-ATPase activity in chloroplasts which is not coupled to proton translocation

The early observation of light-dependent Ca-ATPase activity in chloroplast thylakoids [Avron, M. (1962) J. Biol. Chem. 237, 2011-2017] has been reinvestigated. It is demonstrated that in contrast to light-triggered Mg-ATP activity, Ca-ATPase activity is strictly dependent on delta microH+, the transthylakoid membrane electrochemical potential gradient, since (a) there is an absolute requirement for continuous illumination; (b) electron-transport mediators that catalyze proton uptake, like phenazinemethosulphate, methylviologen of ferricyanide, are essential and (c) uncouplers inhibit the activity. The Ca-ATPase activity is essentially unaffected by dithiols, but is inhibited by CF0-CF1 inhibitors including tentoxin, dicyclohexylcarbodiimide and antisera to CF1. Addition of Ca-ATP to thylakoids does not induce delta pH or delta psi (the electrical potential gradient) formation either in the light or following preillumination with dithiols, demonstrating that it is not coupled to proton translocation. It is also demonstrated that Ca-ATP or Ca-ADP does not induce a proton leak through CF0-CF1. It is concluded that the Ca-ATPase activity in chloroplast thylakoid reflects a partial reaction of ATP synthesis catalyzed by CF0-CF1, which is internally uncoupled from proton translocation but is dependent on energization by a transmembrane delta microH+.

Is phylloquinone an obligate electron carrier in photosystem I?

Comparative quantitative analysis of phylloquinone content and photochemically competent P-700 has been performed on photosystem I particles subjected to photolysis with ultraviolet irradiation. Nonirradiated control particles exhibit a phylloquinone/P-700 stoichiometry of 1.9 +/- 0.2. Photolysis of the photosystem I particles induces a progressive depletion of phylloquinone, however, photochemistry as assayed at room temperature by the photooxidation of P-700 is unaffected. These data are not consistent with the assignment of phylloquinone as a functional intermediate at room temperature between P-700 and the iron-sulfur clusters, center A and center B.

Sizes of Mn-binding sites in spinach thylakoids

The sizes of the Mn-binding sites in spinach thylakoids were estimated by target size analysis, assaying the membrane-bound Mn that was resistant to EDTA washing after radiation inactivation. The inactivation curve showed well the inactivation of two independent Mn-binding sites of different sizes: about two-thirds of the Mn coordinated to a binding site of 65 kDa, and the rest bound to a much smaller site of only about 3 kDa. In the large site, there was about 1 g atom of Mn/110 mol of chlorophyll in spinach thylakoids, which was constant in normally grown plants, although the Mn level in the small site depended on culture conditions. Thylakoids that had been incubated with hydroxylamine or in 0.8 M Tris lost Mn exclusively from the large binding site.

Evidence that the variable fluorescence in Chlorella is recombination luminescence

The fluorescence lifetime of oxygen-forming photosynthetic systems as a function of closed traps has been studied by several groups using light and poisons (usually 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea (DCMU)) to fix the closed trap state during the experiment. These measurements have now been carried out using light alone, by means of pump and probe laser pulses and a very efficient fast photomultiplier-digitizing system. It is found that the absolute amplitude of fast fluorescence (mean tau, approx. 0.3 ns) remains constant until over half the traps are filled. The amplitude of the slow fluorescence (tau approximately equal to 1.2 ns) increases with pump energy, and its response is best fit with a lag or finite rise-time of approx. 200 ps. This novel result is consistent with the hypothesis that the slow component of the fluorescence is actually recombination luminescence in the trap. Thus, the full trapping time, i.e., the time to form the P+I- state from an excitation in the O2 photosystem, is relatively slow.

Light regulation of photosynthetic membrane structure, organization, and function

The light environment during plant growth determines the structural and functional properties of higher plant chloroplasts, thus revealing a dynamically regulated developmental system. Pisum sativum plants growing under intermittent illumination showed chloroplasts with fully functional photosystem (PS) II and PSI reaction centers that lacked the peripheral chlorophyll (Ch1) a/b and Ch1 a light-harvesting complexes (LHC), respectively. The results suggest a light flux differential threshold regulation in the biosynthesis of the photosystem core and peripheral antenna complexes. Sun-adapted species and plants growing under far-red-depleted illumination showed grana stacks composed of few (3-5) thylakoids connected with long intergrana (stroma) thylakoids. They had a PSII /PSI reaction center ratio in the range 1.3-1.9. Shade-adapted species and plants growing under far-red-enriched illumination showed large grana stacks composed of several thylakoids, often extending across the entire chloroplast body, and short intergrana stroma thylakoids. They had a higher PSII /PSI reaction center ratio, in the range of 2.2-4.0. Thus, the relative extent of grana and stroma thylakoid formation corresponds with the relative amounts of PSII and PSI in the chloroplast, respectively. The structural and functional adaptation of the photosynthetic membrane system in response to the quality of illumination involves mainly a control on the rate of PSII and PSI complex biosynthesis.

[Spectroscopic study of "hole burning" of the initial photoprocesses in photosystem I of mutant strain Chlamydomonas reinhardii 516-3a enriched with P700 reaction centers]

The effect of "hole burning" in absorption spectrum upon monochromatic illumination at 4.2 degrees K has been investigated on the Chlamydomonas reinhardii mutant strain 516-3a which possesses the chlorophyll a/P700 ratio of about 25. This effect has been earlier discovered for the wild type strain of Chlorella. In the strain 516-3a two types of holes differing in width and in shape have been observed. For their assignment the maximal (saturated) holewidth has been studied as a function of the burning wavelength. It has been shown that for the holes of one type photooxidation of P700 is responsible. The other type of holes is caused by electrochromic transition shift of another component of the reaction centre with the absorption maximum at 693 nm. Using measured holewidths it has been estimated that the lifetime of P700 excited state is not less than 50 ps and that the excited state lifetime of the component responsible for the other type of holes is 8.6 ps. The latter, in assumption that it is limited by energy transfer between two components under consideration, gives a distance of 20 A between them. Possible reasons of disagreement between obtained P700* lifetime and considerably shorter times attributed earlier to the primary electron phototransfer in photosystem I on the basis of picosecond studies are discussed.

The potential span of photoredox reactions of porphyrins and chlorophyll at the lipid bilayer-water interface

Lipid bilayers containing chlorophyll (Chl) or magnesium octaethylporphyrin (MgOEP) and separating solutions containing varying amounts of differing acceptors are illuminated by a dye laser pulse (FWHM 0.3 microseconds) at 590 mm. Interfacial charge transfer is measured at the first current peak in a voltage clamp circuit. The constants describing the hyperbolic saturations of the charge transferred by differing acceptors are only weakly related to the redox potential of the acceptors. An assymetric molecule, anthraquinone-2-sulfonate, is over 20 times as effective in accepting the electron as is the symmetrical anthraquinone-2,6-disulfonate. In contrast to this variable effectiveness, the maximum amount of charge transferred as a function of acceptor redox potential is constant up to a cut-off value: -0.6 V (vs. standard hydrogen electrode) for MgOEP and -0.5 V for Chl. The reversible redox potential of MgOEP in the bilayer was determined by following both the decrease in photoactivity and the transmembrane potential as a function of aqueous redox potential. It is +0.77 V for MgOEP and approximately 0.7 V for Chl (limited by stability). Thus, a total of 1.4 V of reversible redox potential (free energy) is obtained from 1.8 eV (internal energy) of the triplet excited state of MgOEP.

Sub-microsecond chlorophyll a delayed fluorescence from photosystem I. Magnetic field-induced increase of the emission yield

(1) In photosystem I (PS I) particles in the presence of dithionite and intense background illumination at 290 K, an external magnetic field (0-0.22 T) induced an increase, delta F, of the low chlorophyll a emission yield, F (delta F/F approximately or equal to 1-1.5%). Half the effect was obtained at about 35-60 mT and saturation occurred for magnetic fields higher than about 0.15 T. In the absence of dithionite, no field-induced increase was observed. Cooling to 77 K decreased delta F at 685 nm, but not at 735 nm, to zero. Measuring the emission spectra of F and delta F, using continuous excitation light, at 82, 167 and 278 K indicated that the spectra of F and delta F have about the same maximum at about 730, 725 and 700 nm, respectively. However, the spectra of delta F show more long-wavelength emission than the corresponding spectra of F. (2) Only in the presence of dithionite and with (or after) background illumination, was a luminescence (delayed fluorescence) component observed at 735 nm, ater a 15 ns laser flash (530 nm), that decayed in about 0.1 microseconds at room temperature and in approx. 0.2 microseconds at 77 K. A magnetic field of 0.22 T caused an appreciable increase in luminescence intensity after 250 ns, probably mainly caused by an increase in decay time. The emission spectra of the magnetic field-induced increase of luminescence, delta L, at 82, 167 and 278 K coincided within experimental error with those of delta F mentioned above. The temperature dependence of delta F and delta L was found to be nearly the same, both at 685 and at 735 nm. (3) Analogously to the proposal concerning the 0.15 microseconds luminescence in photosystem II (Sonneveld, A., Duysens, L.N.M. and Moerdijk, A. (1980) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 77, 5889-5893), we propose that recombination of the oxidized primary donor P-700+ and the reduced acceptor A-, probably A-1, of PS I causes the observed fast luminescence. The effect of an external magnetic field on this emission may be explained by the radical pair mechanism. The field-induced increase of the 0.1-0.2 microseconds luminescence seems to be at least in large part responsible for the observed increase of the total (prompt + delayed) emission measured during continuous illumination in the presence of a magnetic field.

[Mobility of photo-generated vacuoles in layers of chlorophyll a]

The method of crystalline counter was used for investigating the movement of photogenerated holes in chlorophyll a layers. It has been shown that kinetics of the increase of tension impulses U(t, V) contains two phases: the initial phase of fast increment of impulses for the time (2 divided by 10) x 10(-7) s and the phase of successive slowed down accumulation of the charge. The value of the signal in the initial phase increases almost linearly with t increase. The time of increment of the initial phase ti linearly depends on 1/V, where V--tension applied to the sample. It is concluded from the analysis of these data that the initial phase of the curves U(t, V) is conditioned by the transit of some photogenerated holes up to the rear electrode without their seizure with deep traps within the layer. From the changes of ti mobility of holes is calculated: mu = (1.8--5.0) x 10(-6) M2 . b-1 . s-1. The phase of slow charge accumulation is explained by the seizure of the holes by surface traps and their release after the time t approximately greater than ti. Mean time of holes presence in small traps in the layer volume t congruent to (1--2) x 10(-7) s. is evaluated.

[Impulse photoconductivity of chlorophyll and its analogs]

Impute photoconductivity of pyridine solutions of chlorophyll a and pheophytin a in the presence of phenylhydrasin was studied, as well as that of tetraphenylporphin, zinc-tetraphenylporphin, mezoporphyrin, zinc-mezoporphyrin, and palladium-mezoporphyrin in the presence of hydrasin hydrate depending on flash intensity and temperature (20--30 degrees C). The lifetimes of anion-radicals and monoprotonated dianions of the studied pigments were estimated, as well as activation energies of some intermediate stages of photoreduction. From the data obtained the ratio between the constant of the death rate of anion-radicals and the total mobility of negative and positive ion-radical was found.

The effects of pH on the reductions kinetics of P-680 in Tris-treated chloroplasts

The primary donor of Photosystem II (PS II), P-680, was photo-oxidized by a short flash and its rate of reduction was measured at different pH values by following the recovery of the absorption change at 820 nm in chloroplasts pretreated with a high concentration of Tris. The re-duction is biphasic with a fast phase (dominant after the first flash) attributed to the donation by a donor, D1, and a slow phase (usually dominant after the second flash) attributed to a back-reaction with the primary acceptor. It is found that pH has a strong influence on the donation from D1 (PI = 2 MICROSECONDS AT PH 9, 44 microseconds at pH 4), but no influence on the back reaction (pi approximately 200 microseconds). pH also influences the stability of the charge separation since the contribution of donation from D1 at the second flash increases at lower pH, getting close to 100% at pH 4.