Cobalt ions inhibit electron-transport activity of Photosystem II without affecting Photosystem I

Does cobalt antagonize P limitation effects on photosynthetic parameters on the freshwater microalgae Raphidocelis subcapitata (Chlorophyceae), or does P limitation acclimation antagonize cobalt effects? More questions than answers

Phosphorus (P; macronutrient) and cobalt (Co; micronutrient) are essential for algal healthy metabolism. While P provides energy, Co is a co-factor of several enzymes and component of B12 vitamin. However, in concentrations higher or lower than required, P and Co alter algal metabolism, impacting physiological processes (e.g., growth and photosynthesis), usually in a harmful way. In the environment, algae are exposed to multiple stressors simultaneously and studies evaluating the algal response to the combination of macronutrient limitation and micronutrient excess are still scarce. We assessed the effects of P limitation and Co excess, isolated and combined, in Raphidocelis subcapitata (Chlorophyceae), in terms of growth, pigments production, and photosynthetic parameters. Except for the photochemical quenching (qP) and the efficiency in light capture (α) under P limitation, all parameters were affected by both stressors, isolated and combined. Under P limitation, chlorophyll a was the most sensitive parameter; while excess of Co affected most the photoprotective mechanisms of algae, altering the non-photochemical quenchings qN and NPQ, influencing the light use and dissipation of heat by algae. The combination of two stressors resulted in a significant decrease in algal growth, with synergistic responses in growth and pigments production, and antagonism in the photosynthetic parameters. We suggest that algal metabolism was altered during P limitation acclimation and the excess of Co was used in a beneficial way by P-limited algae in photosynthesis, resulting in the well-functioning of the photosynthetic apparatus in the combination of both stressors. However, more studies are needed to understand which mechanisms are involved in this adaptation which resulted in antagonism in photosynthetic processes and synergism in growth and pigments production.

The potential of Euglena species as a bioindicator for soil ecotoxicity assessment

Currently, there are no standard international test methods for assessing aquatic and soil toxicity, with aquatic toxicity tests based on limited Euglena species. Here, we proposed Euglena species as extended test species, especially as new soil test species for a paper-disc soil method, considering its ecologically important roles in providing highly bioavailable in-vivo nutrients to upper trophic level organisms. We conducted experiments to identify the optimal exposure duration for two Euglena species (Euglena viridis and Euglena geniculata). We demonstrated the toxic effects of nickel (model contaminant) on their photosynthetic parameters and growth in freshwater. The growth and photosynthetic activity of three Euglena species were significantly inhibited in nickel-contaminated soil during paper-disc soil tests, especially the test species adsorbed onto paper-disc soil. Euglena gracilis was more sensitive to nickel than E. viridis and E. geniculata in freshwater and soil. Thus, E. viridis and E. geniculata have potential as additional test species for improving test species diversity, while all three species have potential as new soil test species for soil toxicity assessment. Thus, results these species may be suitable for routine aquatic toxicity testing and new soil toxicity testing, addressing the current paucity of test species in freshwater and soil toxicity assessment.

Structural basis for expanding the application of bioligand in metal bioremediation: A review

Bioligands (BL) present in plant and microbes are primarily responsible for their use in metal decontamination. Both primary (proteins and amino acid) and secondary (proliferated) response in the form of BL is possible in plants and microbes toward metal bioremediation. Structure of these BL have specific requirement for preferential binding towards a particular metal in biomass. The aim of this review is to explore various templates from BL (as metal host) for the metal detoxification/decontamination and associated bioremediation. Mechanistic explanation for bioremediation may involve the various processes like: (i) electron transfer; (ii) translocation; and (iii) coordination number variation. HSAB (hard and soft acid and base) concept can act as guiding principle for many such processes. It is possible to investigate various structural homolog of BL (similar to secondary response in living stage) for the possible improvement in bioremediation process.

Prasanna K. Mohanty (1934-2013): a great photosynthetiker and a wonderful human being who touched the hearts of many

Prasanna K. Mohanty, a great scientist, a great teacher and above all a great human being, left us more than a year ago (on March 9, 2013). He was a pioneer in the field of photosynthesis research; his contributions are many and wide-ranging. In the words of Jack Myers, he would be a "photosynthetiker" par excellence. He remained deeply engaged with research almost to the end of his life; we believe that generations of researchers still to come will benefit from his thorough and enormous work. We present here his life and some of his contributions to the field of Photosynthesis Research. The response to this tribute was overwhelming and we have included most of the tributes, which we received from all over the world. Prasanna Mohanty was a pioneer in the field of "Light Regulation of Photosynthesis", a loving and dedicated teacher-unpretentious, idealistic, and an honest human being.

Redirecting electron transfer in photosystem II from water to redox-active metal complexes

A negatively charged region on the surface of photosystem II (PSII) near Q(A) has been identified as a docking site for cationic exogenous electron acceptors. Oxygen evolution activity, which is inhibited in the presence of the herbicide 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea (DCMU), is recovered by adding Co(III) complexes. Thus, a new electron-transfer pathway is created with Co(III) as the new terminal electron acceptor from Q(A)(-). This binding site is saturated at ∼2.5 mM [Co(III)], which is consistent with the existence of low-affinity interactions with a solvent-exposed surface. This is the first example of a higher plant PSII in which the electron-transfer pathway has been redirected from the normal membrane-associated quinone electron acceptors to water-soluble electron acceptors. The proposed Co(III) binding site may enable efficient collection of electrons generated from photochemical water oxidation by PSII immobilized on an electrode surface.

Nickel: an overview of uptake, essentiality and toxicity in plants

Nickel even though recognized as a trace element, its metabolism is very decisive for certain enzyme activities, maintaining proper cellular redox state and various other biochemical, physiological and growth responses. Study of the aspects related with uptake, transport and distributive localization of Ni is very important in various cellular metabolic processes particularly under increased nitrogen metabolism. This review article, in core, encompasses the dual behavior of Ni in plants emphasizing its systemic partitioning, essentiality and ill effects. However, the core mechanism of molecules involved and the successive physiological conditions required starting from the soil absorption, neutralization and toxicity generated is still elusive, and varies among the plants.

Inhibition of the oxygen-evolving complex of photosystem II and depletion of extrinsic polypeptides by nickel

The toxic effect of Ni(2+) on photosynthetic electron transport was studied in a photosystem II submembrane fraction. It was shown that Ni(2+) strongly inhibits oxygen evolution in the millimolar range of concentration. The inhibition was insensitive to NaCl but significantly decreased in the presence of CaCl(2). Maximal chlorophyll fluorescence, together with variable fluorescence, maximal quantum yield of photosystem II, and flash-induced fluorescence decays were all significantly declined by Ni(2+). Further, the extrinsic polypeptides of 16 and 24 kDa associated with the oxygen-evolving complex of photosystem II were depleted following Ni(2+) treatment. It was deduced that interaction of Ni(2+) with these polypeptides caused a conformational change that induced their release together with Ca(2+) from the oxygen-evolving complex of photosystem II with consequent inhibition of the electron transport activity.

Cobalt induced changes in photosystem activity in Synechocystis PCC 6803: Alterations in energy distribution and stoichiometry

Adaptive responses to excess (supraoptimal) level of cobalt supplied to the growth medium were studied in the cyanobacterium Synechocystis PCC 6803. Growth of cells in the medium containing 10 μM CoCl2 led to a large stimulation (50%) in O2-evolution and an overall increase (∼30%) in the photosynthetic electron transport rates. Analysis of variable Chl a fluorescence yield of PS II and immuno-detection of Photosystem II (PS II) reaction-center protein D1, showed a small increase (15-20%) in the number of PS II units in cobalt-grown cells. Cobalt-grown cells, therefore, had a slightly elevated PS II/PS I ratio compared to control.We observed alteration in the extent of energy distribution between the two photosystems in the eobalt grown cells. Energy was preferentially distributed in favour of PS II accompanied by a reduction in the extent of energy transfer from PS II to PS I in cobalt-grown cells. These cells also showed a smaller PS I absorption cross-section and a smaller size of intersystem electron pool than the control cells. Thus, our results suggest that supplementation of 10 μM CoCl2, to the normal growth medium causes multiple changes involving small increase in PS II to PS I ratio, enhanced funneling of energy to PS II and an increase in PS I electron transport, decrease PS I cross section and reduction in intersystem pool size. The cumulative effects of these alterations cause stimulation in electron transport and O2 evolution.

Cobalt chloride induced stimulation of Photosystem II electron transport in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 cells

Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 when grown in the presence of sublethal (μM) levels of cobalt chloride shows an enhancement of Photosystem II (PS II) catalyzed Hill reaction. This stimulation seems to be induced by cobalt ions as other metal ions inhibit para-benzoquinone catalyzed Hill reaction. At saturating white light intensity, this enhancement is two times over that of the control cells on unit chlorophyll basis. Analysis of the PS II electron transport rate at varying intensities of white, blue or yellow light suggests an increased maximal rates but no change in the quantum yield or effective antenna size of CoCl2-grown cells. There were no structural and functional changes in the phycobilisome as judged by the absence of changes in the phycocyanin/allophycocyanin ratio, fluorescence emission spectra, second derivative absorption spectra at 77 K and SDS-PAGE analysis of isolated phycobilisomes. The 77 K fluorescence emission spectra of the cells showed a decrease in the ratio of Photosystem I emission (F725) to Photosystem II emission (F685) in CoCl2-grown cells compared to the control cells. These observations indicate three possibilities: (1) there is an increase in the number of Photosystem II units; (2) a faster turnover of Photosystem II centers; or (3) an alteration in energy redistribution between PS II and PS I in CoCl2-grown cells which causes stimulation of Photosystem II electron transport rate.