The primary structure of a cDNA for PsaN, encoding an extrinsic lumenal polypeptide of barley photosystem I

The structure of a plant photosystem I supercomplex at 3.4 A resolution

All higher organisms on Earth receive energy directly or indirectly from oxygenic photosynthesis performed by plants, green algae and cyanobacteria. Photosystem I (PSI) is a supercomplex of a reaction centre and light-harvesting complexes. It generates the most negative redox potential in nature, and thus largely determines the global amount of enthalpy in living systems. We report the structure of plant PSI at 3.4 A resolution, revealing 17 protein subunits. PsaN was identified in the luminal side of the supercomplex, and most of the amino acids in the reaction centre were traced. The crystal structure of PSI provides a picture at near atomic detail of 11 out of 12 protein subunits of the reaction centre. At this level, 168 chlorophylls (65 assigned with orientations for Q(x) and Q(y) transition dipole moments), 2 phylloquinones, 3 Fe(4)S(4) clusters and 5 carotenoids are described. This structural information extends the understanding of the most efficient nano-photochemical machine in nature.

Thioredoxin target proteins in chloroplast thylakoid membranes

In recent years, impressive progress has been made in the identification of thioredoxin-linked proteins. However, due to technical difficulties inherent in working with hydrophobic proteins, identifications so far have been restricted to proteins in the soluble fraction. Thus, our knowledge of redox regulated membrane proteins is quite limited. To gain information in this area, the authors have applied an adaptation of the approach based on the fluorescent thiol probe monobromobimane (mBBr) to identify redox-linked proteins of chloroplast thylakoids. By application of this procedure, 14 potential membrane-bound thioredoxin target proteins were identified, including seven new candidates functional in processes associated with photosynthetic electron flow, ATP synthesis, and Photosystem II/Photosystem I state transitions.

Protein-protein and protein-function relationships in Arabidopsis photosystem I: cluster analysis of PSI polypeptide levels and photosynthetic parameters in PSI mutants

In flowering plants, photosystem I (PSI) mediates electron transport across the thylakoid membrane and contains at least 14 proteins. The availability of co-suppression and/or mutant lines deficient for individual PSI polypeptides in Arabidopsis thaliana allows one to assign functions to PSI subunits. We have performed cluster analysis on an extensive set of data on PSI polypeptide levels in ten different PSI mutants. This type of analysis serves to group proteins that exhibit similar changes in amount in different genotypes, and also identifies genotypes which show similar PSI compositions. The interdependence of levels of PSI-C, -D and -E, of -H and -L, and of Lhca2 and 3, which was previously proposed based on the study of single genotypes or on cross-linking experiments, was confirmed by our analyses. In addition, the levels of the lumenal subunits F and N are found to be interdependent. The incorporation of photosynthetic parameters into the cluster analysis revealed that the level of photosynthetic state transitions correlates with the abundance of PSI-H in all 8 genotypes tested, supporting the hypothesis that PSI-H serves as a docking site for LHCII during state transitions.

Single and double knockouts of the genes for photosystem I subunits G, K, and H of Arabidopsis. Effects on photosystem I composition, photosynthetic electron flow, and state transitions

Photosystem I (PSI) of higher plants contains 18 subunits. Using Arabidopsis En insertion lines, we have isolated knockout alleles of the genes psaG, psaH2, and psaK, which code for PSI-G, -H, and -K. In the mutants psak-1 and psag-1.4, complete loss of PSI-K and -G, respectively, was confirmed, whereas the residual H level in psah2-1.4 is due to a second gene encoding PSI-H, psaH1. Double mutants, lacking PSI-G, and also -K, or a fraction of -H, together with the three single mutants were characterized for their growth phenotypes and PSI polypeptide composition. In general, the loss of each subunit has secondary, in some cases additive, effects on the abundance of other PSI polypeptides, such as D, E, H, L, N, and the light-harvesting complex I proteins Lhca2 and 3. In the G-less mutant psag-1.4, the variation in PSI composition suggests that PSI-G stabilizes the PSI-core. Levels of light-harvesting complex I proteins in plants, which lack simultaneously PSI-G and -K, indicate that PSI subunits other than G and K can also bind Lhca2 and 3. In the same single and double mutants, psag-1.4, psak-1, psah2-1.4, psag-1.4/psah2-1.4, and psag-1.4/psak-1 photosynthetic electron flow and excitation energy quenching were analyzed to address the roles of the various subunits in P700 reduction (mediated by PSI-F and -N) and oxidation (PSI-E), and state transitions (PSI-H). Based on the results, we also suggest for PSI-K a role in state transitions.

PSI-O, a new 10-kDa subunit of eukaryotic photosystem I

A novel polypeptide with an apparent molecular mass of 9 kDa was detected after sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of Arabidopsis photosystem I (PSI) and was N-terminally sequenced. Corresponding cDNA clones encode a precursor protein of 140 amino acid residues which was imported into isolated intact chloroplasts and processed to the mature protein, designated PSI-O. The mature protein has two transmembrane helices and a calculated mass of 10104 Da. The PSI-O protein was also shown to be present in PSI isolated from barley and spinach, and was essentially absent in chloroplast grana. Expressed sequences encoding similar proteins are available from many species of plants and green algae.

High performance liquid chromatography-electrospray mass spectrometry for the simultaneous resolution and identification of intrinsic thylakoid membrane proteins

In higher plants, both photosystem I (PSI) and II (PSII) consist of membrane-embedded proteins that contain more than one transmembrane alpha helix. PSI is a multiprotein complex consisting of a core complex of thirteen proteins surrounded by four different types of light harvesting antenna proteins. Up to now, the protein components of both photosystems have been characterized by SDS-PAGE and/or immunoblotting and, therefore, identification made only on the basis of electrophoretic mobility, which is sometimes not sufficient to discriminate between individual membrane proteins. This is also complicated by the fact that some proteins, such as the antenna proteins, have almost identical molecular mass and amino acid sequence, making it difficult to identify and ascertain the relative stoichiometry of the proteins. In this paper, we report the complete resolution of the antenna proteins and most of the core components of PSI from spinach, together with the identification of proteins by molecular mass, successfully deduced by the combined use of HPLC coupled on-line with a mass spectrometer equipped with an electrospray ion source (ESI-MS). The proposed RP-HPLC-ESI-MS method holds several advantages over SDS-PAGE, including better protein separation, especially for antenna proteins, mass accuracy, speed, efficiency, and the potential to reveal isomeric forms. Moreover, the molecular masses determined by HPLC-ESI-MS are in good agreement with the molecular masses of the individual components calculated on the basis of their nucleotide-derived amino acid sequences, indicating an absence of post-translational modifications in these proteins. It follows that if the method proposed is useful for these highly hydrophobic proteins, it may be of general use for any membrane proteins, where the presence of detergent for solubilization may compromise their characterization.

Interaction of a plant 14-3-3 protein with the signal peptide of a thylakoid-targeted chloroplast precursor protein and the presence of 14-3-3 isoforms in the chloroplast stroma

The 14-3-3 proteins are acidic, dimeric proteins that have been implicated in many eukaryotic cellular processes because of direct protein association with enzymes and other metabolic and regulatory proteins. 14-3-3 proteins are largely considered to be cytoplasmic, but a search for proteins that specifically interact with a plant 14-3-3 resulted in the isolation of a nuclear-encoded, thylakoid-targeted chloroplast precursor, the full-length Arabidopsis photosystem I N-subunit At pPSI-N (P.C. Sehnke, R.J. Ferl ¿1995 Plant Physiol 109: 1126). Using precursor truncations in the two-hybrid system, it was determined that the leader sequence is the site of PSI-N that associates with 14-3-3. This suggested the novel possibility that 14-3-3 would be found within chloroplasts. Immuno-electron microscopy of leaf tissue and western analysis of chloroplast fractions with monoclonal anti-14-3-3 antibodies localized 14-3-3 proteins to the chloroplast stroma and the stromal side of thylakoid membranes. Using peptide-generated, isoform-specific antibodies, GF14nu, GF14epsilon, GF14mu, and GF14upsilon were shown to be present in the chloroplast stromal extract. These isoforms represent two distinct phylogenetic 14-3-3 groupings. These data suggest a novel interorganellar role for these phylogenetically distinct 14-3-3 proteins.

The interaction between plastocyanin and photosystem I is inefficient in transgenic Arabidopsis plants lacking the PSI-N subunit of photosystem I

The PSI-N subunit of photosystem I (PSI) is restricted to higher plants and is the only subunit located entirely in the thylakoid lumen. The role of the PSI-N subunit in the PSI complex was investigated in transgenic Arabidopsis plants which were generated using antisense and co-suppression strategies. Several lines without detectable levels of PSI-N were identified. The plants lacking PSI-N assembled a functional PSI complex and were capable of photoautotrophic growth. When grown on agar media for several weeks the plants became chlorotic and developed significantly more slowly. However, under optimal growth conditions, the plants without PSI-N were visually indistinguishable from the wild-type although several photosynthetic parameters were affected. In the transformants, the second-order rate constant for electron transfer from plastocyanin to P700+, the oxidized reaction centre of PSI, was only 55% of the wild-type value, and steady-state NADP+ reduction was decreased to a similar extent. Quantum yield of oxygen evolution and PSII photochemistry were about 10% lower than in the wild-type at leaf level. Photochemical fluorescence quenching was lowered to a similar extent. Thus, the 40-50% lower activity of PSI at the molecular level was much less significant at the whole-plant level. This was partly explained by a 17% increase in PSI content in the plants lacking PSI-N.

LESSONS FROM SEQUENCING OF THE GENOME OF A UNICELLULAR CYANOBACTERIUM, SYNECHOCYSTIS SP. PCC6803

The nucleotide sequence of the entire genome of the unicellular cyanobacterium, Synechocystis sp. PCC6803, has been determined. The length of the circular genome was 3,573,480 bp, and a total of 3168 protein-coding genes were assigned to the genome by a computer-assisted analysis. The functions of approximately 45% of the genes were deduced based on sequence similarity to known genes. Here are distinctive features of genetic information carried by the cyanobacteria, which have a phylogenetic relationship to both bacteria and plants.

PROTEIN TARGETING TO THE THYLAKOID MEMBRANE

▪ Abstract  The assembly of the photosynthetic apparatus at the thylakoid begins with the targeting of proteins from their site of synthesis in the cytoplasm or stroma to the thylakoid membrane. Plastid-encoded proteins are targeted directly to the thylakoid during or after synthesis on plastid ribosomes. Nuclear-encoded proteins undergo a two-step targeting process requiring posttranslational import into the organelle from the cytoplasm and subsequent targeting to the thylakoid membrane. Recent investigations have revealed a single general import machinery at the envelope that mediates the direct transport of preproteins from the cytoplasm to the stroma. In contrast, at least four distinct pathways exist for the targeting of proteins to the thylakoid membrane. At least two of these systems are homologous to translocation systems that operate in bacteria and at the endoplasmic reticulum, indicating that elements of the targeting mechanisms have been conserved from the original prokaryotic endosymbiont.

Pathway specificity for a delta pH-dependent precursor thylakoid lumen protein is governed by a 'Sec-avoidance' motif in the transfer peptide and a 'Sec-incompatible' mature protein

Cleavable N-terminal targeting signals direct the translocation of lumenal proteins across the chloroplast thylakoid membrane by either a Sec-type or delta pH-driven protein translocase. The targeting signals specify choice of translocation pathway, yet all resemble typical bacterial 'signal' peptides in possessing a charged N-terminus (N-domain), hydrophobic core region (H-domain) and more polar C-terminal region (C-domain). We have previously shown that a twin-arginine motif in the N-domain is essential for targeting by the delta pH-dependent pathway, but it has remained unclear why targeting signals for this system (transfer peptides) are not recognized by the Sec apparatus. We show here that the conserved charge distribution around the H-domain in the 23K transfer peptide (twin-Arg in the N-domain, Lys in the C-domain) constitutes a 'Sec-avoidance' signal. The C-domain Lys, while not important for delta pH-dependent targeting, is the only barrier to Sec-dependent translocation; its removal generates an apparently perfect signal peptide. Conversely, insertion of twin-Arg into the N-domain of a Sec substrate has little effect, as has insertion of a C-domain Lys, but the combined substitutions almost totally block transport. We also show that the 23K mature protein is incapable of being targeted by the Sec pathway, and it is proposed that the role of the Sec-avoidance motif in the transfer peptide is to prevent futile interactions with the Sec apparatus.

Unusual characteristics of amino-terminal and hydrophobic domains in nuclear-encoded thylakoid signal peptides

Thylakoid transfer signals carry information specifying translocation by either a Sec- or delta pH-dependent protein translocator in the chloroplast thylakoid membrane, yet all resemble classical signal peptides in overall structural terms. Comparison of known transfer signals reveals two differences: (a) signals for the delta pH-driven system invariably contain a critical twin-arginine (Arg-Arg) motif prior to the hydrophobic (H) domain, whereas known Sec-dependent signals contain lysine, and (b) the H-domains of Sec-dependent signals are generally longer. Previous work has shown that a twin-Arg motif before the H-domain is critical for targeting by the delta pH-dependent pathway; in this report we show that the charge characteristics of this region are not important for sorting by the Sec pathway. Twin-Lys, twin-Arg or single Arg are all acceptable to the Sec system, although single Lys/Arg is preferred. The single Lys in pre-plastocyanin can even be replaced by an uncharged residue without apparent effect. We have also generated a pre-plastocyanin mutant containing an H-domain which, in terms of hydropathy profile, is identical to that of a delta pH-dependent protein. This mutant is also transported efficiently by the Sec system, demonstrating that hydrophobicity per se is not a key sorting determinant. However, the characteristics of the H-domain may be important in avoiding a different form of mis-targeting: to the endoplasmic reticulum. Thylakoid signal peptides have undergone substantial structural changes during the evolution of the chloroplast from endosymbiotic cyanobacterium: plastid-encoded and cyanobacterial signals contain H-domains that are highly hydrophobic and enriched in Leu and aromatic residues, whereas nuclear-encoded counterparts are Ala-rich and far less hydrophobic. We speculate that this trend may reflect a need to avoid mistargeting through recognition by cytosolic signal recognition particle, which preferentially interacts with more hydrophobic signal peptides.

Altered expression of nuclear genes encoding chloroplast polypeptides in non-photosynthetic mutants of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii: evidence for post-transcriptional regulation

In photoautotrophic organisms it is well documented that the expression of nuclear genes encoding plastid proteins can be regulated at various levels. We present here the analysis of a non-photosynthetic strain (CC1051) of the green unicellular alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii; this strain carries a mutation in the newly identified Cen gene involved in the co-regulated expression of several different nuclear genes encoding plastid proteins. We performed a differential screening strategy to isolate cDNAs corresponding to genes that are differentially expressed in mutant and wild-type strains. Extensive hybridization experiments revealed that the 15 cDNA clones isolated represent five different mRNAs that fail to accumulate in the non-photosynthetic mutant. Comparative analysis of DNA sequencing data showed that they all code for plastid proteins. In particular, we identified genes for the chlorophyll a/b binding protein of the light-harvesting complex II (LHCII), for subunits II and III of photosystem I (PsaD, PsaF), for pentose-5-phosphate 3-epimerase (PPE), an enzyme of the Calvin cycle, and for an unidentified 7 kDa protein with a suggested lumenal location. With the exception of the gene for LHCII, all proteins are encoded by single-copy genes. Evidence from run-on transcription experiments is presented showing that expression of the above mentioned plastid proteins is affected at the post-transcriptional level in the mutant strain CC1051 with a defect in the Cen gene. Our results suggest that the product of the Cen gene is involved in stabilization and/or processing of transcripts from nuclear genes encoding chloroplast proteins.

Function and organization of Photosystem I polypeptides

Photosystem I functions as a plastocyanin:ferredoxin oxidoreductase in the thylakoid membranes of chloroplasts and cyanobacteria. The PS I complex contains the photosynthetic pigments, the reaction center P700, and five electron transfer centers (A0, A1, FX, FA, and FB) that are bound to the PsaA, PsaB, and PsaC proteins. In addition, PS I complex contains at least eight other polypeptides that are accessory in their functions. Recent use of cyanobacterial molecular genetics has revealed functions of the accessory subunits of PS I. Site-directed mutagenesis is now being used to explore structure-function relations in PS I. The overall architecture of PSI complex has been revealed by X-ray crystallography, electron microscopy, and biochemical methods. The information obtained by different techniques can be used to propose a model for the organization of PS I. Spectroscopic and molecular genetic techniques have deciphered interaction of PS I proteins with the soluble electron transfer partners. This review focuses on the recent structural, biochemical and molecular genetic studies that decipher topology and functions of PS I proteins, and their interactions with soluble electron carriers.

Characterization of four superoxide dismutase genes from a filamentous cyanobacterium

By using an oligonucleotide probe constructed from a conserved region of amino acids located in the carboxyl-terminal end of superoxide dismutase (SOD) proteins, four SOD genes were cloned from the cyanobacterium Plectonema boryanum UTEX 485. One of these genes, designated sodB, encoded an FeSOD enzyme, while the remaining three genes, designated sodA1, sodA2, and sodA3, encoded MnSOD enzymes. To investigate the expression of these four genes, total cellular RNA was isolated from P. boryanum UTEX 485 cells grown under various conditions and RNA gel blot analysis was carried out. Results indicated that sodB and sodA1 were constitutively expressed, although sodB expression was partially repressed in cells grown under conditions of iron stress. sodA2 transcripts, which were not detectable in control cells, accumulated to high levels in cells treated with methyl viologen or in cells grown under conditions of iron or nitrogen stress. However, under microaerobic conditions, iron and nitrogen stress failed to induce sodA2, indicating that multiple factors affect the regulation of sodA2. While discrete transcripts were not detected for sodA3, hybridization was observed under a number of conditions, including those which increased the accumulation of sodA2 transcripts. Additionally, there were high levels of the sodA3 transcript detected in a P. boryanum UTEX 485 mutant strain resistant to methyl viologen treatment.

Import of the barley PSI-F subunit into the thylakoid lumen of isolated chloroplasts

A full-length cDNA clone encoding the PSI-F subunit of barley photosystem I has been isolated and sequenced. The open reading frame encodes a precursor polypeptide with a deduced molecular mass of 24837 Da. The barley PSI-F precursor contains a bipartite presequence with characteristics similar to the presequences of proteins destined to the thylakoid lumen. In vitro import studies demonstrate that an in vitro synthesized precursor is transported across the chloroplast envelope and directed to the thylakoid membrane, where it accumulates in a protease-resistant form. Incubation of the precursor with a chloroplast stromal extract results in processing to a form intermediate in size between the precursor and mature forms. Hydrophobicity analysis of the barley PSI-F protein reveals a hydrophobic region predicted to be a membrane spanning alpha-helix. The hydrophobic nature of PSI-F combined with a bipartite presequence is unusual. We postulate that the second domain in the bipartite presequence of the PSI-F precursor proteins is required to ensure the proper orientation of PSI-F in the thylakoid membrane. The expression of the PsaF gene is light-induced similar to other barley photosystem I genes.