Physiological adaptation to a newly observed low light intensity state in intact leaves, resulting in extreme imbalance in excitation energy distribution between the two photosystems

Theoretical consideration of the use of a Langmuir adsorption isotherm to describe the effect of light intensity on electron transfer in photosystem II

Electron transport through photosystem II (PSII), measured as oxygen evolution, was investigated in isolated PSII particles and thylakoid membranes irradiated with white light of intensities (I) of 20 to about 4000 micromol of photons/(m2.s). In steady-state conditions, the evolution of oxygen varies with I according to the hyperbolic expression OEth = OEth(max)I/(L1/2 + I) (eq i) where OEth is the theoretical oxygen evolution, OEth(max) is the maximum oxygen evolution, and L1/2 is the light intensity giving OEth(max)/2. In this work, the mathematical derivation of this relationship was performed by using the Langmuir adsorption isotherm and assuming that the photon interaction with the chlorophyll (Chl) in the PSII reaction center is a heterogeneous reaction in which the light is represented as a stream of particles instead of an electromagnetic wave (see discussion in Turro, N. J. Modern Molecular Photochemistry; University Science Books: Mill Valley, CA, 1991). In accordance with this approximation, the Chl molecules (P680) were taken as the adsorption surfaces (or heterogeneous catalysts), and the incident (or exciting) photons as the substrate, or the reagent. Using these notions, we demonstrated that eq i (Langmuir equation) is a reliable interpretation of the photon-P680 interaction and the subsequent electron transfer from the excited state P680, i.e., P680*, to the oxidized pheophytin (Phe), then from Phe- to the primary quinone QA. First, eq i contains specific functional and structural information that is apparent in the definition of OEth(max) as a measure of the maximal number of PSII reaction centers open for photochemistry, and L1/2 as the equilibrium between the electron transfer from Phe- to QA and the formation of reduced Phe in the PSII reaction center by electrons in provenance from P680*. Second, a physiological control mechanism in eq i is proved by the observation that the magnitudes of OEth(max) and L1/2 are affected differently by exogenous PSII stimulators of oxygen evolution (Fragata, M.; Dudekula, S. J. Phys. Chem. B 2005, 109, 14707). Finally, an unexpected new concept, implicit in eq i, is the consideration of the photon as the substrate in the photochemical reactions taking place in the PSII reaction center. We conclude that the Langmuir equation (eq i) is a novel mathematical formulation of energy and electron transfer in photosystem II.

Inhibition by ethoxyzolamide of a photoacoustic uptake signal in leaves: Evidence for carbonic anhydrase catalyzed CO2-solubilisation

A photoacoustic pulse-modulation technique is applied for the study of a CO2-stimulated gas uptake signal in leaves (Reising and Schreiber, Photosynthe Res 31: 227-238, 1992). It is shown that this uptake signal can be substantially suppressed by application of the carbonic anhydrase inhibitor, ethoxyzolamide, to leaf discs. This inhibitor does not affect the O2-evolution signal in air or the chlorophyll fluorescence induction pattern at high CO2, when non-saturating light intensities are used. On the basis of these findings it is concluded that at least a major part of the CO2-stimulated photoacoustic uptake signal results from light-modulated CO2-solubilisation catalysed by carbonic anhydrase. Modulated CO2-solubilisation appears likely to be induced by light driven H(+)-translocation from the stroma into the thylakoid lumen. Comparison of the induction patterns of chlorophyll fluorescence quenching and the uptake signal suggests a correlation between membrane energisation and CO2-uptake. The importance of O2-dependent electron flow as a major cause of membrane energisation is discussed. It is proposed that in the absence of CO2 the combination of Mehler- and ascorbate peroxidase reactions does not result in a photobaric signal, as O2-uptake and O2-evolution components cancel each other. Two main conclusions, which are of considerable importance for future practical applications of the photoacoustic method, are drawn from these findings: (1) When high CO2 is applied to leaves, the photobaric uptake component may provide a unique means of monitoring the function of stromal carbonic anhydrase in vivo. (2) Brief flushing of the photoacoustic cell with air may prevent the occurrence of an uptake signal, thus allowing a straight-forward deconvolution into photothermal and O2-evolution components.

Characterization of drought resistance in a wild relative of wheat, Triticum kotschyi

Wild relatives of wheat have served as a genetic source for economically useful traits. A better understanding of the mechanisms underlying such traits may be useful in the genetic transfer and selection processes. Research was undertaken to compare the effects of controlled water stress on photosynthetic parameters in Triticum kotschyi, a drought resistant wild wheat and Triticum aestivum cv. Lakhish, a drought sensitive wheat cultivar. During stress development, the leaf water potential decreased at a slower rate, and the quantum yield of oxygen evolution, measured photoacoustically in vivo, decreased to a smaller extent in the drought resistant wild wheat than in the wheat cultivar. The decrease in quantum yield at water potentials from -0.9 Mpa down to -2.3 Mpa was not accompanied by damage to PS II reaction centers as there was no change in variable fluorescence. Below -2.3 Mpa the fluorescence yield of both species decreased indicating loss of intrinsic efficiency of PS II. The osmotic potential of cell sap was found to decrease at the same rate in both species at high hydration states. Proline accumulated to a much greater extent in the wild wheat as compared to the cultivated wheat as a result of water stress. Drought resistance was also examined in relation to thylakoid membrane fluidity measured by fluorescence polarization. Thylakoid membrane fluidity was fully maintained in the wild wheat, but decreased substantially in the wheat cultivar, at equal tissue water potentials below -1.9 Mpa. One mechanism for maintaining the higher quantum yield of oxygen evolution during severe stress (at water potentials below -1.9 Mpa), may involve the greater stability of thylakoid membrane fluidity in the wild wheat.

Pulse-modulated photoacoustic measurements reveal strong gas-uptake component at high CO2-concentrations

The effect of high CO2-concentration on photoacoustic signals from tobacco leaves is studied by means of a recently developed pulse modulation method which provides simultaneous information on photothermal and photobaric components in the millisecond time domain. High CO2-concentrations are found to induce large gas-uptake signals. Simultaneous measurements of chlorophyll fluorescence suggest that the uptake signals are correlated with energy-dependent fluorescence quenching. Very similar CO2-concentration dependencies are found in the absence and presence of methylviologen, which is known to catalyze O2-reduction, and in the presence of glyceraldehyde, which blocks Calvin cycle and photorespiration. It is suggested that the CO2-enhanced uptake signal is likely to reflect O2-uptake in the Mehler reaction. However, it is not ruled out that also rapid CO2-solubilisation or CO2-binding caused by light-induced stroma alkalisation are involved. Strong uptake is also induced when the CO2-concentration in the closed photoacoustic chamber increases due to dark-respiration. The consequences of these findings with respect to the interpretation of photoacoustic data (e.g., 'low-light effect') and to the regulatory role of O2-dependent electron flow are discussed.

Fast photoacoustic transients from dark-adapted intact leaves: oxygen evolution and uptake pulses during photosynthetic induction - a phenomenology record

Using a photoacoustic technique it has been possible to observe fast oxygen evolution and uptake transients at a high time resolution (approx. 0.2 s), when a dark-adapted leaf is reilluminated. There is initially a rapid pulse of oxygen evolution, correlated with the initial fluorescence rise (total duration under the experimental conditions used about 1-2 s), corresponding presumably to the photoreduction of the plastoquinone pool. This phenomenon may be utilized to calibrate the oxygen-evolution photoacoustic signal. The first pulse is followed by a series of slower bursts of oxygen uptake and evolution, reflecting various pools which are expressed following sequential activation of various parts of the photosynthetic apparatus, until achievement of a steady state.

Estimation of the light distribution between photosystems I and II in intact wheat leaves by fluorescence and photoacoustic measurements

Usisng intact leaves, the extent of the decrease in chlorophyll a fluorescenece caused by the addition of continuous 710 nm light superimposed on modulated (20 Hz) 550 nm light was used to determine the distribution of this absorbed light between photosystems I (α) and II (β). The Fo and Fm levels, which defined the total variable fluorescenece, were taken as equal to those obtained with excess 710 nm light and with saturating blue-green light, respectively.An analogous procedure was used with a photoacoustic detector, saturating white light defining a base line for oxygen yield, the levels with an without 710 nm light being used to define β and α respectively.The two methods gave similar values for the distribution of light between the two photosystems for the experimental conditions used, β averaging 0.55 for a range of Triticum genotypes and Brachypodium sylvaticum grown in high or low light.

Photoacoustic study of the green alga Trebouxia in the lichen Ramalina duriaei in vivo

Photosynthetic parameters of the lichen Ramalina duriael were investigated in vivo, by the photoacoustic method using intensity-modulated exciting light (frequency range 5-300 Hz). The photoacoustic signal in intact lichens was similar in its general characteristics to that obtained from intact leaves of higher plants (Poulet et al., Biochim. Biophys. Acta 724, 433-446, 1983). It included two components interpreted to be due to modulated heat and modulated oxygen evolution. The quantum yield of the oxygen evolution component was maximal in the red spectral region and exhibited the 'red drop' decrease at wavelengths larger than 680 nm, similar to observations in higher plants. In contrast to those however, there was a pronounced decrease in this yield in the region below about 600 nm, indicating that pigments absorbing at shorter wavelengths are inefficient energy transfer agents. Similar results were observed for the quantum yield spectrum of photochemical energy storage. Analysis of oxygen diffusion in the symbiont alga, from the modulation frequency dependence of the ratio of oxygen evolution to photothermal signal component is consistent with an average diffusion path of about 4 μm, compared to a smaller, 1 μm, average diffusion path obtained in green leaves.