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Martins J, Neves M, Canhoto J. Drought-Stress-Induced Changes in Chloroplast Gene Expression in Two Contrasting Strawberry Tree ( Arbutus unedo L.) Genotypes. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:4133. [PMID: 38140460 PMCID: PMC10747485 DOI: 10.3390/plants12244133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Revised: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
This study investigated the effect of drought stress on the expression of chloroplast genes in two different genotypes (A1 and A4) of strawberry tree plants with contrasting performances. Two-year-old plants were subjected to drought (20 days at 18% field capacity), and the photosynthetic activity, chlorophyll content, and expression levels of 16 chloroplast genes involved in photosynthesis and metabolism-related enzymes were analyzed. Genotype-specific responses were prominent, with A1 displaying wilting and leaf curling, contrasting with the mild symptoms observed in A4. Quantification of damage using the net CO2 assimilation rates and chlorophyll content unveiled a significant reduction in A1, while A4 maintained stability. Gene expression analysis revealed substantial downregulation of A1 (15 out of 16 genes) and upregulation of A4 (14 out of 16 genes). Notably, psbC was downregulated in A1, while it was prominently upregulated in A4. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) highlighted genotype-specific clusters, emphasizing distinct responses under stress, whereas a correlation analysis elucidated intricate relationships between gene expression, net CO2 assimilation, and chlorophyll content. Particularly, a positive correlation with psaB, whereas a negative correlation with psbC was found in genotype A1. Regression analysis identified potential predictors for net CO2 assimilation, in particular psaB. These findings contribute valuable insights for future strategies targeting crop enhancement and stress resilience, highlighting the central role of chloroplasts in orchestrating plant responses to environmental stressors, and may contribute to the development of drought-tolerant plant varieties, which are essential for sustaining agriculture in regions affected by water scarcity.
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Affiliation(s)
- João Martins
- Centre for Functional Ecology, Associate Laboratory TERRA, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal; (M.N.); (J.C.)
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Guo J, Du M, Lu C, Wang B. NaCl improves reproduction by enhancing starch accumulation in the ovules of the euhalophyte Suaeda salsa. BMC PLANT BIOLOGY 2020; 20:262. [PMID: 32513114 PMCID: PMC7282069 DOI: 10.1186/s12870-020-02468-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2020] [Accepted: 05/26/2020] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Halophytes show optimal reproduction under high-salinity conditions. However, the role of NaCl in reproduction and its possible mechanisms in the euhalophyte Suaeda salsa remain to be elucidated. RESULTS We performed transcript profiling of S. salsa flowers and measured starch accumulation in ovules, sugar contents in flowers, and photosynthetic parameters in the leaves of plants supplied with 0 and 200 mM NaCl. Starch accumulation in ovules, sugar contents in flowers and ovules, and net photosynthetic rate and photochemical efficiency in leaves were significantly higher in NaCl-treated plants vs. the control. We identified 14,348 differentially expressed genes in flowers of NaCl-treated vs. control plants. Many of these genes were predicted to be associated with photosynthesis, carbon utilization, and sugar and starch metabolism. These genes are crucial for maintaining photosystem structure, regulating electron transport, and improving photosynthetic efficiency in NaCl-treated plants. In addition, genes encoding fructokinase and sucrose phosphate synthase were upregulated in flowers of NaCl-treated plants. CONCLUSIONS The higher starch and sugar contents in the ovules and flowers of S. salsa in response to NaCl treatment are likely due to the upregulation of genes involved in photosynthesis and carbohydrate metabolism, which increase photosynthetic efficiency and accumulation of photosynthetic products under these conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianrong Guo
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Stress, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Normal University, Ji’nan, Shandong 250014 People’s Republic of China
| | - Ming Du
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Stress, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Normal University, Ji’nan, Shandong 250014 People’s Republic of China
| | - Chaoxia Lu
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Stress, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Normal University, Ji’nan, Shandong 250014 People’s Republic of China
| | - Baoshan Wang
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Stress, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Normal University, Ji’nan, Shandong 250014 People’s Republic of China
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Yao Y, Kang T, Jin L, Liu Z, Zhang Z, Xing H, Sun P, Li M. Temperature-dependent growth and hypericin biosynthesis in Hypericum perforatum. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY : PPB 2019; 139:613-619. [PMID: 31030029 DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2019.04.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2019] [Revised: 04/08/2019] [Accepted: 04/10/2019] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Hypericum perforatum is a perennial herb that produces the anti-depression metabolite hypericin (Hyp). While several efforts to increase Hyp production have been made, the effects of temperatures on growth and Hyp biosynthesis are still limited. In this study, the growth morphophysiological traits, Hyp biosynthesis and their related genes expression, as well as major bioactive compounds accumulation and antioxidant capacity were assessed by exposing H. perforatum seedlings to three different temperatures (15, 22 and 30 °C). The results showed that aerial parts biomass was greater at 15 °C with 1.3 and 1.6-fold increase compared to at 22 and 30 °C, in large part because of greater increase in chlorophyll content, stem number and leaf area on a per plant basis. Hyp content in the aerial parts was greater 1.9 and 5.6-fold on a per plant basis compared to 22 and 30 °C treatments, and the contents of other bioactive compounds (flavonoids and phenolics) as well as antioxidant capacity in the aerial parts, on dry weight and per plant basis, also exhibited significant increases with the temperatures decrease. The mRNA expressions of eight genes (psbA, psbB, psbC, psbD, ycf3, ycf4, ycf5 and matK) related to photosynthesis and two genes (Polyketide synthase, PKS; Phenolic oxidative coupling protein, Hyp-1) involved in Hyp biosynthesis were also up-regulated at 15 °C. The findings are useful in guiding cultivation and regulating Hyp biosynthesis in H. perforatum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyuan Yao
- Gansu Provincial Key Lab of Arid Land Crop Science/College of Life Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, 730070, PR China
| | - Tianlan Kang
- Institute of Industrial Crop and Promotion, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China
| | - Ling Jin
- College of Pharmacy, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China
| | - Zihan Liu
- Gansu Herbal Medicine Planting Co., Ltd., Lanzhou, 730000, PR China
| | - Zhen Zhang
- Gansu Provincial Key Lab of Arid Land Crop Science/College of Life Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, 730070, PR China
| | - Hua Xing
- Gansu Provincial Key Lab of Arid Land Crop Science/College of Life Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, 730070, PR China
| | - Ping Sun
- Gansu Provincial Key Lab of Arid Land Crop Science/College of Life Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, 730070, PR China
| | - Mengfei Li
- Gansu Provincial Key Lab of Arid Land Crop Science/College of Life Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, 730070, PR China; Gansu Herbal Medicine Planting Co., Ltd., Lanzhou, 730000, PR China.
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Mork-Jansson AE, Eichacker LA. A strategy to characterize chlorophyll protein interaction in LIL3. PLANT METHODS 2019; 15:1. [PMID: 30622623 PMCID: PMC6320596 DOI: 10.1186/s13007-018-0385-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2018] [Accepted: 12/26/2018] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The function of proteins is at large determined by cofactors selectively bound to protein structure. Without chlorophyll specifically bound to protein, light harvesting and photosynthesis would not be possible. The binding of chlorophyll to light harvesting proteins has been extensively studied in reconstitution assays using proteins expressed in vitro; however, the mechanism of the reconstitution reaction remained unclear. We have shown that membrane integral light-harvesting-like protein, LIL3, binds chlorophyll a with a Kd of 146 nM in vitro by thermophoresis. Here, reconstitution of chlorophyll binding to LIL3 has been characterized by four different methods. RESULTS Structural changes in the reconstitution process have been investigated by light-scattering and differential Trp-fluorescence. For characterization of the chlorophyll binding site at LIL3, the analysis of LIL3 mutants has been conducted using native PAGE and thermophoresis. We find that the oxidized state of dithiothreitol is the essential component for reconstitution of chlorophyll binding to LIL3 in n-Dodecyl β-d-maltoside micelles at RT. Chlorophyll increased the polydispersity of the micellar states while dithiothreitol maintained LIL3 in a partially unfolded state at RT. Dimerization of LIL3 was abolished if amino acids N174, R176, and E171 were mutated to Ala; while, chlorophyll binding to LIL3 was abolished in mutant N174A, but retained in E171A, and R176A albeit at an about six- and five-fold decreased dissociation constant. Results show that N174 of LIL3 is essential for binding chlorophyll a. CONCLUSIONS Chlorophyll binding to LIL3 can be shown by thermophoresis, and native gel electrophoresis, while analysis of reconstitution conditions by dynamic light scattering and differential scanning fluorometry are of critical importance for method optimization.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lutz Andreas Eichacker
- Centre for Organelle Research, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Stavanger, 4021 Stavanger, Norway
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The acidic pH-induced structural changes in apo-CP43 by spectral methodologies and molecular dynamics simulations. J Mol Struct 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molstruc.2017.09.082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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van Eerden FJ, van den Berg T, Frederix PWJM, de Jong DH, Periole X, Marrink SJ. Molecular Dynamics of Photosystem II Embedded in the Thylakoid Membrane. J Phys Chem B 2016; 121:3237-3249. [PMID: 27624992 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.6b06865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Photosystem II (PSII) is one of the key protein complexes in photosynthesis. We introduce a coarse grained model of PSII and present the analysis of 60 μs molecular dynamics simulations of PSII in both monomeric and dimeric form, embedded in a thylakoid membrane model that reflects its native lipid composition. We describe in detail the setup of the protein complex and the many natural cofactors and characterize their mobility. Overall we find that the protein subunits and cofactors are more flexible toward the periphery of the complex as well as near the PLQ exchange cavity and at the dimer interface. Of all cofactors, β-carotenes show the highest mobility. Some of the β-carotenes diffuse in and out of the protein complex via the thylakoid membrane. In contrast with the PSII dimer, the monomeric form adopts a tilted conformation in the membrane, with strong interactions between the soluble PsbO subunit and the glycolipid headgroups. Interestingly, the tilted conformation causes buckling of the membrane. Together, our results provide an unprecedented view of PSII dynamics on a microsecond time scale. Our data may be used as basis for the interpretation of experimental data as well as for theoretical models describing exciton energy transfer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Floris J van Eerden
- Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute & Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, University of Groningen , Nijenborgh 7, 9747 AG, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Tom van den Berg
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Faculteit der Exacte Wetenschappen, Vrije Universiteit , De Boelelaan 1081, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Pim W J M Frederix
- Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute & Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, University of Groningen , Nijenborgh 7, 9747 AG, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Djurre H de Jong
- Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute & Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, University of Groningen , Nijenborgh 7, 9747 AG, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Xavier Periole
- Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute & Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, University of Groningen , Nijenborgh 7, 9747 AG, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Siewert J Marrink
- Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute & Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, University of Groningen , Nijenborgh 7, 9747 AG, Groningen, The Netherlands
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Xiao QJ, Li ZG, Yang J, He Q, Xi L, Du LF. Heat-induced unfolding of apo-CP43 studied by fluorescence spectroscopy and CD spectroscopy. PHOTOSYNTHESIS RESEARCH 2015; 126:427-435. [PMID: 26071019 DOI: 10.1007/s11120-015-0166-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2015] [Accepted: 06/03/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
CP43 is a chlorophyll-binding protein, which acts as a conduit for the excitation energy transfer. The thermal stability of apo-CP43 was studied by intrinsic fluorescence, exogenous ANS fluorescence, and circular dichroism spectroscopy. Under heat treatment, the structure of apo-CP43 changed and existed transition state occurred between 56 and 62 °C by the intrinsic, exogenous ANS fluorescence and the analysis of hydrophobicity. Besides, the isosbestic point of the sigmoidal curve was 58.10 ± 1.02 °C by calculating α-helix transition and the Tm was 56.45 ± 0.52 and 55.59 ± 0.68 °C by calculating the unfolded fraction of tryptophan and tyrosine fluorescence, respectively. During the process of unfolding, the hydrophobic structure of C-terminal segment firstly started to expose at 40 °C, and then the hydrophobic cluster adjacent to the N-terminal segment also gradually exposed to hydrophilic environment with increasing temperature. Our results indicated that heat treatment, especially above 40 °C, has an important impact on the structural stability of apo-CP43.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing-Jie Xiao
- Key Laboratory of Bio-resources and Eco-environment of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610064, People's Republic of China
| | - Zai-Geng Li
- Key Laboratory of Bio-resources and Eco-environment of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610064, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiao Yang
- Key Laboratory of Bio-resources and Eco-environment of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610064, People's Republic of China
| | - Qing He
- Key Laboratory of Bio-resources and Eco-environment of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610064, People's Republic of China
| | - Lei Xi
- Key Laboratory of Bio-resources and Eco-environment of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610064, People's Republic of China
| | - Lin-Fang Du
- Key Laboratory of Bio-resources and Eco-environment of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610064, People's Republic of China.
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Pinnola A, Ghin L, Gecchele E, Merlin M, Alboresi A, Avesani L, Pezzotti M, Capaldi S, Cazzaniga S, Bassi R. Heterologous expression of moss light-harvesting complex stress-related 1 (LHCSR1), the chlorophyll a-xanthophyll pigment-protein complex catalyzing non-photochemical quenching, in Nicotiana sp. J Biol Chem 2015; 290:24340-54. [PMID: 26260788 PMCID: PMC4591818 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m115.668798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2015] [Revised: 07/27/2015] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Oxygenic photosynthetic organisms evolved mechanisms for thermal dissipation of energy absorbed in excess to prevent formation of reactive oxygen species. The major and fastest component, called non-photochemical quenching, occurs within the photosystem II antenna system by the action of two essential light-harvesting complex (LHC)-like proteins, photosystem II subunit S (PSBS) in plants and light-harvesting complex stress-related (LHCSR) in green algae and diatoms. In the evolutionary intermediate Physcomitrella patens, a moss, both gene products are active. These proteins, which are present in low amounts, are difficult to purify, preventing structural and functional analysis. Here, we report on the overexpression of the LHCSR1 protein from P. patens in the heterologous systems Nicotiana benthamiana and Nicotiana tabacum using transient and stable nuclear transformation. We show that the protein accumulated in both heterologous systems is in its mature form, localizes in the chloroplast thylakoid membranes, and is correctly folded with chlorophyll a and xanthophylls but without chlorophyll b, an essential chromophore for plants and algal LHC proteins. Finally, we show that recombinant LHCSR1 is active in quenching in vivo, implying that the recombinant protein obtained is a good material for future structural and functional studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberta Pinnola
- From the Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, Strada Le Grazie 15, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Leonardo Ghin
- From the Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, Strada Le Grazie 15, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Elisa Gecchele
- From the Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, Strada Le Grazie 15, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Matilde Merlin
- From the Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, Strada Le Grazie 15, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Alessandro Alboresi
- From the Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, Strada Le Grazie 15, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Linda Avesani
- From the Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, Strada Le Grazie 15, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Mario Pezzotti
- From the Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, Strada Le Grazie 15, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Stefano Capaldi
- From the Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, Strada Le Grazie 15, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Stefano Cazzaniga
- From the Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, Strada Le Grazie 15, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Roberto Bassi
- From the Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, Strada Le Grazie 15, 37134 Verona, Italy
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