Anaerobiosis induced state transition: a non photochemical reduction of PQ pool mediated by NDH in Arabidopsis thaliana

Cyclic electron flow and Photosystem II-less photosynthesis

Oxygenic photosynthesis is characterised by the cooperation of two photo-driven complexes, Photosystem II (PSII) and Photosystem I (PSI), sequentially linked through a series of redox-coupled intermediates. Divergent evolution has resulted in photosystems exhibiting complementary redox potentials, spanning the range necessary to oxidise water and reduce CO2 within a single system. Catalysing nature's most oxidising reaction to extract electrons from water is a highly specialised task that limits PSII's metabolic function. In contrast, potential electron donors in PSI span a range of redox potentials, enabling it to accept electrons from various metabolic processes. This metabolic flexibility of PSI underpins the capacity of photosynthetic organisms to balance energy supply with metabolic demands, which is key for adaptation to environmental changes. Here, we review the phenomenon of 'PSII-less photosynthesis' where PSI functions independently of PSII by operating cyclic electron flow using electrons derived from non-photochemical reactions. PSII-less photosynthesis enables supercharged ATP production and is employed, for example, by cyanobacteria's heterocysts to host nitrogen fixation and by bundle sheath cells of C4 plants to boost CO2 assimilation. We discuss the energetic benefits of this arrangement and the prospects of utilising it to improve the productivity and stress resilience of photosynthetic organisms.

Light-independent pathway of STN7 kinase activation under low temperature stress in runner bean (Phaseolus coccineus L.)

BACKGROUND

The phosphorylation of the Light-Harvesting Complex of photosystem II (LHCII) driven by STATE TRANSITION 7 (STN7) kinase is a part of one of the crucial regulatory mechanisms of photosynthetic light reactions operating in fluctuating environmental conditions, light in particular. There are evidenced that STN7 can also be activated without light as well as in dark-chilling conditions. However, the biochemical mechanism standing behind this complex metabolic pathway has not been deciphered yet.

RESULTS

In this work, we showed that dark-chilling induces light-independent LHCII phosphorylation in runner bean (Phaseolus coccineus L.). In dark-chilling conditions, we registered an increased reduction of the PQ pool which led to activation of STN7 kinase, subsequent LHCII phosphorylation, and possible LHCII relocation inside the thylakoid membrane. We also presented the formation of a complex composed of phosphorylated LHCII and photosystem I typically formed upon light-induced phosphorylation. Moreover, we indicated that the observed steps were preceded by the activation of the oxidative pentose phosphate pathway (OPPP) enzymes and starch accumulation.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest a direct connection between photosynthetic complexes reorganization and dark-chilling-induced activation of the thioredoxin system. The proposed possible pathway starts from the activation of OPPP enzymes and further NADPH-dependent thioredoxin reductase C (NTRC) activation. In the next steps, NTRC simultaneously activates ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase and thylakoid membrane-located NAD(P)H dehydrogenase-like complex. These results in starch synthesis and electron transfer to the plastoquinone (PQ) pool, respectively. Reduced PQ pool activates STN7 kinase which phosphorylates LHCII. In this work, we present a new perspective on the mechanisms involving photosynthetic complexes while efficiently operating in the darkness. Although we describe the studied pathway in detail, taking into account also the time course of the following steps, the biological significance of this phenomenon remains puzzling.

Reduced expression of chlorophyllide a oxygenase (CAO) decreases the metabolic flux for chlorophyll synthesis and downregulates photosynthesis in tobacco plants

Chlorophyll b is synthesized from chlorophyllide a, catalyzed by chlorophyllide a oxygenase (CAO). To examine whether reduced chlorophyll b content regulates chlorophyll (Chl) synthesis and photosynthesis, we raised CAO transgenic tobacco plants with antisense CAO expression, which had lower chlorophyll b content and, thus, higher Chl a/b ratio. Further, these plants had (i) lower chlorophyll b and total Chl content, whether they were grown under low or high light; (ii) decreased steady-state levels of chlorophyll biosynthetic intermediates, due, perhaps, to a feedback-controlled reduction in enzyme expressions/activities; (iii) reduced electron transport rates in their intact leaves, and reduced Photosystem (PS) I, PS II and whole chain electron transport activities in their isolated thylakoids; (iv) decreased carbon assimilation in plants grown under low or high light. We suggest that reduced synthesis of chlorophyll b by antisense expression of CAO, acting at the end of Chl biosynthesis pathway, downregulates the chlorophyll b biosynthesis, resulting in decreased Chl b, total chlorophylls and increased Chl a/b. We have previously shown that the controlled up-regulation of chlorophyll b biosynthesis and decreased Chl a/b ratio by over expression of CAO enhance the rates of electron transport and CO2 assimilation in tobacco. Conversely, our data, presented here, demonstrate that-antisense expression of CAO in tobacco, which decreases Chl b biosynthesis and increases Chl a/b ratio, leads to reduced photosynthetic electron transport and carbon assimilation rates, both under low and high light. We conclude that Chl b modulates photosynthesis; its controlled down regulation/ up regulation decreases/ increases light-harvesting, rates of electron transport, and carbon assimilation.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12298-023-01395-5.

Overexpression of chloroplastic Zea mays NADP-malic enzyme (ZmNADP-ME) confers tolerance to salt stress in Arabidopsis thaliana

The C4 plants photosynthesize better than C3 plants especially in arid environment. As an attempt to genetically convert C3 plant to C4, the cDNA of decarboxylating C4 type NADP-malic enzyme from Zea mays (ZmNADP-ME) that has lower Km for malate and NADP than its C3 isoforms, was overexpressed in Arabidopsis thaliana under the control of 35S promoter. Due to increased activity of NADP-ME in the transgenics the malate decarboxylation increased that resulted in loss of carbon skeletons needed for amino acid and protein synthesis. Consequently, amino acid and protein content of the transgenics declined. Therefore, the Chl content, photosynthetic efficiency (Fv/Fm), electron transport rate (ETR), the quantum yield of photosynthetic CO2 assimilation, rosette diameter, and biomass were lower in the transgenics. However, in salt stress (150 mM NaCl), the overexpressers had higher Chl, protein content, Fv/Fm, ETR, and biomass than the vector control. NADPH generated in the transgenics due to increased malate decarboxylation, contributed to augmented synthesis of proline, the osmoprotectant required to alleviate the reactive oxygen species-mediated membrane damage and oxidative stress. Consequently, the glutathione peroxidase activity increased and H2O2 content decreased in the salt-stressed transgenics. The reduced membrane lipid peroxidation and lower malondialdehyde production resulted in better preservation, of thylakoid integrity and membrane architecture in the transgenics under saline environment. Our results clearly demonstrate that overexpression of C4 chloroplastic ZmNADP-ME in the C3 Arabidopsis thaliana, although decrease their photosynthetic efficiency, protects the transgenics from salinity stress.

Salinity-induced changes in plastoquinone pool redox state in halophytic Mesembryanthemum crystallinum L

We have analyzed the effect of salinity on photosystem II (PSII) photochemistry and plastoquinone (PQ) pool in halophytic Mesembryanthemum crystallinum plants. Under prolonged salinity conditions (7 or 10 days of 0.4 M NaCl treatment) we noted an enlarged pool of open PSII reaction centers and increased energy conservation efficiency, as envisaged by parameters of the fast and slow kinetics of chlorophyll a fluorescence. Measurements of oxygen evolution, using 2,6-dichloro-1,4-benzoquinone as an electron acceptor, showed stimulation of the PSII activity due to salinity. In salt-acclimated plants (10 days of NaCl treatment), the improved PSII performance was associated with an increase in the size of the photochemically active PQ pool and the extent of its reduction. This was accompanied by a rise in the NADP⁺/NADPH ratio. The presented data suggest that a redistribution of PQ molecules between photochemically active and non-active fractions and a change of the redox state of the photochemically active PQ pool indicate and regulate the acclimation of the photosynthetic apparatus to salinity.

Long- and short-term acclimation of the photosynthetic apparatus to salinity in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. The role of Stt7 protein kinase

Salt stress triggers an Stt7-mediated LHCII-phosphorylation signaling mechanism similar to light-induced state transitions. However, phosphorylated LHCII, after detaching from PSII, does not attach to PSI but self-aggregates instead. Salt is a major stress factor in the growth of algae and plants. Here, our study mainly focuses on the organization of the photosynthetic apparatus to the long-term responses of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii to elevated NaCl concentrations. We analyzed the physiological effects of salt treatment at a cellular, membrane, and protein level by microscopy, protein profile analyses, transcripts, circular dichroism spectroscopy, chlorophyll fluorescence transients, and steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy. We have ascertained that cells that were grown in high-salinity medium form palmelloids sphere-shaped colonies, where daughter cells with curtailed flagella are enclosed within the mother cell walls. Palmelloid formation depends on the presence of a cell wall, as it was not observed in a cell-wall-less mutant CC-503. Using the stt7 mutant cells, we show Stt7 kinase-dependent phosphorylation of light-harvesting complex II (LHCII) in both short- and long-term treatments of various NaCl concentrations-demonstrating NaCl-induced state transitions that are similar to light-induced state transitions. The grana thylakoids were less appressed (with higher repeat distances), and cells grown in 150 mM NaCl showed disordered structures that formed diffuse boundaries with the flanking stroma lamellae. PSII core proteins were more prone to damage than PSI. At high salt concentrations (100-150 mM), LHCII aggregates accumulated in the thylakoid membranes. Low-temperature and time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy indicated that the stt7 mutant was more sensitive to salt stress, suggesting that LHCII phosphorylation has a role in the acclimation and protection of the photosynthetic apparatus.

STN7 Kinase Is Essential for Arabidopsis thaliana Fitness under Prolonged Darkness but Not under Dark-Chilling Conditions

Reversible phosphorylation of photosystem II light harvesting complexes (LHCII) is a well-established protective mechanism enabling efficient response to changing light conditions. However, changes in LHCII phosphorylation were also observed in response to abiotic stress regardless of photoperiod. This study aimed to investigate the impact of dark-chilling on LHCII phosphorylation pattern in chilling-tolerant Arabidopsis thaliana and to check whether the disturbed LHCII phosphorylation process will impact the response of Arabidopsis to the dark-chilling conditions. We analyzed the pattern of LHCII phosphorylation, the organization of chlorophyll–protein complexes, and the level of chilling tolerance by combining biochemical and spectroscopy techniques under dark-chilling and dark conditions in Arabidopsis mutants with disrupted LHCII phosphorylation. Our results show that during dark-chilling, LHCII phosphorylation decreased in all examined plant lines and that no significant differences in dark-chilling response were registered in tested lines. Interestingly, after 24 h of darkness, a high increase in LHCII phosphorylation was observed, co-occurring with a significant F_V/F_M parameter decrease. The highest drop of F_V/F_M was detected in the stn7-1 line–mutant, where the LHCII is not phosphorylated, due to the lack of STN7 kinase. Our results imply that STN7 kinase activity is important for mitigating the adverse effects of prolonged darkness.

Light-harvesting complex II is an antenna of photosystem I in dark-adapted plants

Photosystem I (PSI) is a major player in the light reactions of photosynthesis. In higher plants, it consists of a core complex and four external antennae, Lhca1-4 forming the PSI-light-harvesting complex I (LHCI) supercomplex. The protein and pigment composition as well as the spectroscopic properties of this complex are considered to be identical in different higher plant species. In addition to the four Lhca, a pool of mobile LHCII increases the antenna size of PSI under most light conditions. In this work, we have first investigated purified PSI complexes and then PSI in vivo upon long-term dark-adaptation of four well-studied plant species: Arabidopsis thaliana, Zea mays, Nicotiana tabacum and Hordeum vulgare. By performing time-resolved fluorescence measurements, we show that LHCII is associated with PSI also in a dark-adapted state in all the plant species investigated. The number of LHCII subunits per PSI is plant-dependent, varying between one and three. Furthermore, we show that the spectroscopic properties of PSI-LHCI supercomplexes differ in different plants.

Dissecting the interaction of photosynthetic electron transfer with mitochondrial signalling and hypoxic response in the Arabidopsis rcd1 mutant

The Arabidopsis mutant rcd1 is tolerant to methyl viologen (MV). MV enhances the Mehler reaction, i.e. electron transfer from Photosystem I (PSI) to O₂, generating reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the chloroplast. To study the MV tolerance of rcd1, we first addressed chloroplast thiol redox enzymes potentially implicated in ROS scavenging. NADPH-thioredoxin oxidoreductase type C (NTRC) was more reduced in rcd1. NTRC contributed to the photosynthetic and metabolic phenotypes of rcd1, but did not determine its MV tolerance. We next tested rcd1 for alterations in the Mehler reaction. In rcd1, but not in the wild type, the PSI-to-MV electron transfer was abolished by hypoxic atmosphere. A characteristic feature of rcd1 is constitutive expression of mitochondrial dysfunction stimulon (MDS) genes that affect mitochondrial respiration. Similarly to rcd1, in other MDS-overexpressing plants hypoxia also inhibited the PSI-to-MV electron transfer. One possible explanation is that the MDS gene products may affect the Mehler reaction by altering the availability of O₂. In green tissues, this putative effect is masked by photosynthetic O₂ evolution. However, O₂ evolution was rapidly suppressed in MV-treated plants. Transcriptomic meta-analysis indicated that MDS gene expression is linked to hypoxic response not only under MV, but also in standard growth conditions. This article is part of the theme issue 'Retrograde signalling from endosymbiotic organelles'.

PGR5 and NDH-1 systems do not function as protective electron acceptors but mitigate the consequences of PSI inhibition

Avoidance of photoinhibition at photosystem (PS)I is based on synchronized function of PSII, PSI, Cytochrome b₆f and stromal electron acceptors. Here, we used a special light regime, PSI photoinhibition treatment (PIT), in order to specifically inhibit PSI by accumulating excess electrons at the photosystem (Tikkanen and Grebe, 2018). In the analysis, Arabidopsis thaliana WT was compared to the pgr5 and ndho mutants, deficient in one of the two main cyclic electron transfer pathways described to function as protective alternative electron acceptors of PSI. The aim was to investigate whether the PGR5 (pgr5) and the type I NADH dehydrogenase (NDH-1) (ndho) systems protect PSI from excess electron stress and whether they help plants to cope with the consequences of PSI photoinhibition. First, our data reveals that neither PGR5 nor NDH-1 system protects PSI from a sudden burst of electrons. This strongly suggests that these systems in Arabidopsis thaliana do not function as direct acceptors of electrons delivered from PSII to PSI - contrasting with the flavodiiron proteins that were found to make Physcomitrella patens PSI resistant to the PIT. Second, it is demonstrated that under light-limiting conditions, the electron transfer rate at PSII is linearly dependent on the amount of functional PSI in all genotypes, while under excess light, the PGR5-dependent control of electron flow at the Cytochrome b₆f complex overrides the effect of PSI inhibition. Finally, the PIT is shown to increase the amount of PGR5 and NDH-1 as well as of PTOX, suggesting that they mitigate further damage to PSI after photoinhibition rather than protect against it.

Specific Composition of Lipid Phases Allows Retaining an Optimal Thylakoid Membrane Fluidity in Plant Response to Low-Temperature Treatment

Thylakoid membranes isolated from leaves of two plant species, the chilling tolerant (CT) pea and chilling sensitive (CS) runner bean, were assessed for the composition of lipids, carotenoids as well as for the arrangement of photosynthetic complexes. The response to stress conditions was investigated in dark-chilled and subsequently photo-activated detached leaves of pea and bean. Thylakoids of both species have a similar level of monogalactosyldiacylglycerol (MGDG) and digalactosyldiacylglycerol (DGDG), but different sulfoquinovosyldiacylglycerol to phosphatidylglycerol (PG) ratio. In pea thylakoid fraction, the MGDG, DGDG and PG, have a higher double bond index (DBI), whereas bean thylakoids contain higher levels of high melting point PG. Furthermore, the lutein to the β-carotene ratio is higher in bean thylakoids. Smaller protein/lipid ratio in pea than in bean thylakoids suggests different lipid-protein interactions in both species. The differences between species are also reflected by the course of temperature-dependent plots of chlorophyll fluorescence pointing various temperatures of the lipid phase transitions of pea and bean thylakoids. Our results showed higher fluidity of the thylakoid membrane network in pea than in bean in optimal temperature conditions. Dark-chilling decreases the photochemical activity and induces significant degradation of MGDG in bean but not in pea leaves. Similarly, substantial changes in the arrangement of photosynthetic complexes with increase in LHCII phosphorylation and disturbances of the thylakoid structure take place in bean thylakoids only. Changes in the physical properties of bean thylakoids are manifested by the conversion of a three-phase temperature-dependent plot to a one-phase plot. Subsequent photo-activation of chilled bean leaves caused a partial restoration of the photochemistry and of membrane physical properties, but not of the photosynthetic complexes arrangement nor the thylakoid network structure. Summarizing, the composition of the thylakoid lipid matrix of CT pea allows retaining the optimal fluidity of its chloroplast membranes under low temperatures. In contrast, the fluidity of CS bean thylakoids is drastically changed, leading to the reorganization of the supramolecular structure of the photosynthetic complexes and finally results in structural remodeling of the CS bean thylakoid network.

Chlorophyll fluorescence induction and relaxation system for the continuous monitoring of photosynthetic capacity in photobioreactors

The development of high-performance photobioreactors equipped with automatic systems for non-invasive real-time monitoring of cultivation conditions and photosynthetic parameters is a challenge in algae biotechnology. Therefore, we developed a chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence measuring system for the online recording of the light-induced fluorescence rise and the dark relaxation of the flash-induced fluorescence yield (Qa^- - re-oxidation kinetics) in photobioreactors. This system provides automatic measurements in a broad range of Chl concentrations at high frequency of gas-tight sampling, and advanced data analysis. The performance of this new technique was tested on the green microalgae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii subjected to a sulfur deficiency stress and to long-term dark anaerobic conditions. More than thousand fluorescence kinetic curves were recorded and analyzed during aerobic and anaerobic stages of incubation. Lifetime and amplitude values of kinetic components were determined, and their dynamics plotted on heatmaps. Out of these data, stress-sensitive kinetic parameters were specified. This implemented apparatus can therefore be useful for the continuous real-time monitoring of algal photosynthesis in photobioreactors.

Thylakoid membrane dynamics and state transitions in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii under elevated temperature

Moderately elevated temperatures can induce state transitions in higher plants by phosphorylation of light-harvesting complex II (LHCII). In this study, we exposed unicellular algae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii to moderately elevated temperatures (38 °C) for short period of time in the dark to understand the thylakoid membrane dynamics and state transition mechanism. Here we report that under elevated temperatures (1) LHCII gets phosphorylated similar to higher plants and (2) there is decreased absorption cross section of photosystem II (PSII), whereas (3) there is no change in absorption cross section of photosystem I (PSI) indicating that LHCII trimers are largely disconnected with both photosystems under moderately elevated temperatures and (4) on return to room temperature after elevated temperature treatment there is a formation of state transition complex comprising of PSII-LHCII-PSI. The temperature-induced state transition mechanism also depends on stt7 kinase-like in light-induced state transition. The protein content was stable at the moderately elevated temperature treatment of 40 °C; however, at 45 °C severe downregulation in photosynthetic performance and protein content was observed. In addition to the known changes to photosynthetic apparatus, elevated temperatures can destabilize the PSII-LHCII complex that can result in decreased photosynthetic efficiency in C. reinhardtii. We concluded that the membrane dynamics of light-induced state transitions differs considerably from temperature-induced state transition mechanisms in C. reinhardtii.

Interaction of high seawater temperature and light intensity on photosynthetic electron transport of eelgrass (Zostera marina L.)

The interaction of widely recognized causes of eelgrass decline (high seawater temperature and limited light intensity) on photosynthetic electron transport was investigated via chlorophyll fluorescence technique. High seawater temperature combined light intensity significantly increasing the relative maximum electron transport rate (rETR_max); at critical temperature of 30 °C, the rETR_max increased with the enhancement of light intensity, indicating the elevation of overall photosynthetic performance. Based on the magnitude of effect size (η²), light intensity was the predominant factor affecting the performance index (PI_ABS), indicating that photosystem II (PSII) was sensitive to light intensity. Moreover, the donor side was severely damaged as evidenced by the higher decrease amplitude of fast component and its subsequent incomplete recovery. The reaction center exhibited limited flexibility due to the slight decrease amplitude in maximum photochemical quantum yield. In contrast with PSII, photosystem I (PSI) was more sensitive to high seawater temperature, based on the magnitude of η² derived from the maximal decrease in slope. High seawater temperature significantly increased PSI activity, plastoquinol reoxidation capacity, and probability for electron transfer to final PSI electron acceptors. Moreover, it combined elevated light intensity significantly stimulated the activity of cyclic electron flow (CEF) around PSI. Higher activity of both PSI and CEF contributed to balancing the linear electron transport via alleviating the over-reduction of the plastoquinone pool, exhibiting flexible regulation of photosynthetic electron transport at critical temperature. Therefore, limited light intensity decreased the tolerance of eelgrass to critical temperature, which might be a factor contributing factor in the observed decline.

Light intensity dependent photosynthetic electron transport in eelgrass (Zostera marina L.)

Responses of electron transport to three levels of irradiation (20, 200, and 1200 μmol photons m^-2 s^-1 PAR; exposures called LL, ML and HL, respectively) were investigated in eelgrass (Zostera marina L.) utilizing the chlorophyll a fluorescence technique. Exposure to ML and HL reduced the maximum quantum yield of photosystem II (PSII) (Fv/Fm) and the maximum slope decrease of MR/MR_O (V_PSI), indicating the occurrence of photoinhibition of both PSII and photosystem I (PSI). A comparatively slow recovery rate of Fv/Fm due to longer half-life recovery time of PSII and 40% lower descending amplitude compared to other higher plants implied the poor resilience of the PSII. Comparatively, PSI demonstrated high resilience and cyclic electron transport (CEF) around PSI maintained high activity. With sustained exposure, the amplitudes of the kinetic components (L₁ and L₂), the probability of electron transfer from PSII to plastoquinone pool (ψ_ET2o), and the connectivity among PSII units decreased, accompanied by an enhancement of energy dissipation. Principle component analysis revealed that both V_PSI and Fv/Fm contributed to the same component, which was consistent with high connectivity between PSII and PSI, suggesting close coordination between both photosystems. Such coordination was likely beneficial for the adaption of high light. Exposure to LL significantly increased the activity of both PSI and CEF, which could lead to increased light harvesting. Moreover, smooth electron transport as indicated by the enhancement of L₁, L₂, ψ_ET2o and the probability of electron transport to the final PSI acceptor sides, could contribute to an increase in light utilization efficiency.

Culture density influence on the photosynthetic efficiency of microalgae growing under different spectral compositions of light

A density in algal suspension causes a significant change in the intensity and spectral composition of light reaching individual cells. Measurements of chlorophyll fluorescence allow us to observe any general changes in the bioenergetic status of photosynthesis. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of cultivation density on the PSII photochemical efficiency of three species of algae (Chlorella vulgaris, Botryococcus braunii and Chlorella emersonii), each with a different rate of growth - high, medium and low - respectively. The cell density of algae in suspension differentiated through the cultivation time (2, 4, and 8days) and the spectral composition of light. The results showed that the density of cultivation led to change in the photosynthetic apparatus of algae. The differences described between each day of cultivation (2, 4, and 8) in the kinetics of chlorophyll a fluorescence intensity in cells of the algal strains under study probably resulted from the different phases of growth of these cultures. In addition the results showed the beneficial effect of far red light on the photosynthetic apparatus and the growth of biomass in investigated algal strains.

Change in Photosystem II Photochemistry During Algal Growth Phases of Chlorella vulgaris and Scenedesmus obliquus

Sensitivity of photosynthetic processes towards environmental stress is used as a bioanalytical tool to evaluate the responses of aquatic plants to a changing environment. In this paper, change of biomass density, chlorophyll a fluorescence and photosynthetic parameters during growth phases of two microalgae Chlorella vulgaris and Scenedesmus obliquus were studied. The photosynthetic growth behaviour changed significantly with cell age and algae species. During the exponential phase of growth, the photosynthesis capacity reached its maximum and decreased in ageing algal culture during stationary phase. In conclusion, the chlorophyll a fluorescence OJIP method and the derived fluorescence parameters would be an accurate method for obtaining information on maximum photosynthetic capacities and monitoring algal cell growth. This will contribute to more understanding, for example, of toxic actions of pollutants in microalgae test.

The slow S to M rise of chlorophyll a fluorescence reflects transition from state 2 to state 1 in the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

The green alga Chlamydomonas (C.) reinhardtii is a model organism for photosynthesis research. State transitions regulate redistribution of excitation energy between photosystem I (PS I) and photosystem II (PS II) to provide balanced photosynthesis. Chlorophyll (Chl) a fluorescence induction (the so-called OJIPSMT transient) is a signature of several photosynthetic reactions. Here, we show that the slow (seconds to minutes) S to M fluorescence rise is reduced or absent in the stt7 mutant (which is locked in state 1) in C. reinhardtii. This suggests that the SM rise in wild type C. reinhardtii may be due to state 2 (low fluorescence state; larger antenna in PS I) to state 1 (high fluorescence state; larger antenna in PS II) transition, and thus, it can be used as an efficient and quick method to monitor state transitions in algae, as has already been shown in cyanobacteria (Papageorgiou et al. 1999, 2007; Kaňa et al. 2012). We also discuss our results on the effects of (1) 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,4-dimethyl urea, an inhibitor of electron transport; (2) n-propyl gallate, an inhibitor of alternative oxidase (AOX) in mitochondria and of plastid terminal oxidase in chloroplasts; (3) salicylhydroxamic acid, an inhibitor of AOX in mitochondria; and (4) carbonyl cyanide p-trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone, an uncoupler of phosphorylation, which dissipates proton gradient across membranes. Based on the data presented in this paper, we conclude that the slow PSMT fluorescence transient in C. reinhardtii is due to the superimposition of, at least, two phenomena: qE dependent non-photochemical quenching of the excited state of Chl, and state transitions.

Antimycin A sensitive pathway independent from PGR5 cyclic electron transfer triggers non-photochemical reduction of PQ pool and state transitions in Arabidopsis thaliana

We investigated the mechanism involved in triggering state transitions at 40°C in Arabidopsis thaliana. Leaves (1-6 week old) exposed to 40°C exhibited state II transition indicating its role as one of the earliest stress responsive mechanism apart from regulation of light energy distribution between photosystem (PS)II and PSI. Post illumination transients (rise in Fo') revealed that non-photochemical reduction of PQ pool at 40°C in dark is responsible for activation of STN7 kinase, consequently light harvesting complex (LHC)II phosphorylation leading to state II condition. Later, in pgr5 mutant, non-photochemical reduction of PQ pool was observed indicating the involvement of alternative electron transfer routes. In chlororespiratory mutant crr2-2, state II transition occurred signifying that the reduction of PQ pool is independent from NDH mediated cyclic electron transfer. Further, antimycin A inhibitor studies in wt and mutants revealed its inhibitory action on non-photochemical reduction of PQ pool affecting both LHCII phosphorylation and migration to PSI which leads to state I. Thus, our study showed that antimycin A sensitive pathway independent from PGR5 dependent cyclic electron transfer, is responsible for inducing non-photochemical reduction of PQ pool and state transitions at 40°C.

Modeling chlorophyll a fluorescence transient: relation to photosynthesis

To honor Academician Alexander Abramovitch Krasnovsky, we present here an educational review on the relation of chlorophyll a fluorescence transient to various processes in photosynthesis. The initial event in oxygenic photosynthesis is light absorption by chlorophylls (Chls), carotenoids, and, in some cases, phycobilins; these pigments form the antenna. Most of the energy is transferred to reaction centers where it is used for charge separation. The small part of energy that is not used in photochemistry is dissipated as heat or re-emitted as fluorescence. When a photosynthetic sample is transferred from dark to light, Chl a fluorescence (ChlF) intensity shows characteristic changes in time called fluorescence transient, the OJIPSMT transient, where O (the origin) is for the first measured minimum fluorescence level; J and I for intermediate inflections; P for peak; S for semi-steady state level; M for maximum; and T for terminal steady state level. This transient is a real signature of photosynthesis, since diverse events can be related to it, such as: changes in redox states of components of the linear electron transport flow, involvement of alternative electron routes, the build-up of a transmembrane pH gradient and membrane potential, activation of different nonphotochemical quenching processes, activation of the Calvin-Benson cycle, and other processes. In this review, we present our views on how different segments of the OJIPSMT transient are influenced by various photosynthetic processes, and discuss a number of studies involving mathematical modeling and simulation of the ChlF transient. A special emphasis is given to the slower PSMT phase, for which many studies have been recently published, but they are less known than on the faster OJIP phase.