Response of Chloroplast NAD(P)H Dehydrogenase-Mediated Cyclic Electron Flow to a Shortage or Lack in Ferredoxin-Quinone Oxidoreductase-Dependent Pathway in Rice Following Short-Term Heat Stress

Deficiency in NDH-cyclic electron transport retards heat acclimation of photosynthesis in tobacco over day and night shift

In order to cope with the impact of global warming and frequent extreme weather, thermal acclimation ability is particularly important for plant development and growth, but the mechanism behind is still not fully understood. To investigate the role of NADH dehydrogenase-like complex (NDH) mediated cyclic electron flow (CEF) contributing to heat acclimation, wild type (WT) tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) and its NDH-B or NDH-C, J, K subunits deficient mutants (ΔB or ΔCJK) were grown at 25/20°C before being shifted to a moderate heat stress environment (35/30°C). The photosynthetic performance of WT and ndh mutants could all eventually acclimate to the increased temperature, but the acclimation process of ndh mutants took longer. Transcriptome profiles revealed that ΔB mutant exhibited distinct photosynthetic-response patterns and stress-response genes compared to WT. Metabolite analysis suggested over-accumulated reducing power and production of more reactive oxygen species in ΔB mutant, which were likely associated with the non-parallel recovery of CO2 assimilation and light reactions shown in ΔB mutant during heat acclimation. Notably, in the warm night periods that could happen in the field, NDH pathway may link to the re-balance of excess reducing power accumulated during daytime. Thus, understanding the diurnal cycle contribution of NDH-mediated CEF for thermal acclimation is expected to facilitate efforts toward enhanced crop fitness and survival under future climates.

The roles of photorespiration and alternative electron acceptors in the responses of photosynthesis to elevated temperatures in cowpea

We explored the effects, on photosynthesis in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) seedlings, of high temperature and light-environmental stresses that often co-occur under field conditions and can have greater impact on photosynthesis than either by itself. We observed contrasting responses in the light and carbon assimilatory reactions, whereby in high temperature, the light reactions were stimulated while CO2 assimilation was substantially reduced. There were two striking observations. Firstly, the primary quinone acceptor (QA ), a measure of the regulatory balance of the light reactions, became more oxidized with increasing temperature, suggesting increased electron sink capacity, despite the reduced CO2 fixation. Secondly, a strong, O2 -dependent inactivation of assimilation capacity, consistent with down-regulation of rubisco under these conditions. The dependence of these effects on CO2 , O2 and light led us to conclude that both photorespiration and an alternative electron acceptor supported increased electron flow, and thus provided photoprotection under these conditions. Further experiments showed that the increased electron flow was maintained by rapid rates of PSII repair, particularly at combined high light and temperature. Overall, the results suggest that photodamage to the light reactions can be avoided under high light and temperatures by increasing electron sink strength, even when assimilation is strongly suppressed.

Leaf photosynthetic and anatomical insights into mechanisms of acclimation in rice in response to long-term fluctuating light

Long-term fluctuating light (FL) conditions are very common in natural environments. The physiological and biochemical mechanisms for acclimation to FL differ between species. However, most of the current conclusions regarding acclimation to FL were made based on studies in algae or Arabidopsis thaliana. It is still unclear how rice (Oryza sativa L.) integrate multiple physiological changes to acclimate to long-term FL. In this study, we found that rice growth was repressed under long-term FL. By systematically measuring phenotypes and physiological parameters, we revealed that: (a) under short-term FL, photosystem I (PSI) was inhibited, while after 1-7 days of long-term FL, both PSI and PSII were inhibited. Higher acceptor-side limitation in electron transport and higher overall nonphotochemical quenching (NPQ) explained the lower efficiencies of PSI and PSII, respectively. (b) An increase in pH differences across the thylakoid membrane and a decrease in thylakoid proton conductivity revealed a reduction of ATP synthase activity. (c) Using electron microscopy, we showed a decrease in membrane stacking and stomatal opening after 7 days of FL treatment. Taken together, our results show that electron flow, ATP synthase activity and NPQ regulation are the major processes determining the growth performance of rice under long-term FL conditions.

In vitro allelopathic effects of compounds from Cerbera manghas L. on three Dinophyta species responsible for harmful common red tides

Allelopathy is regarded as an economic and eco-friendly approach for the control of harmful algal blooms (HABs) because allelochemicals degrade easily and cause less pollution than traditional algicides. We first surveyed the inhibitory effect of the traditional medicinal plant Cerbera manghas L. on the notorious dinoflagellates Alexandrium tamarense, Scrippsiella trochoidea, and Karenia mikimotoi. Then, we identified and quantified the potential algicidal compounds by UPLC-MS and determined their activity. The aqueous extract inhibited algae with EC_{50-120 h} at 0.986, 1.567 and 1.827 g L^-1 for A. tamarense, S. trochoidea, and K. mikimotoi, respectively. Three potential allelochemicals were quantified in the stock solution: quinic acid (QA) (28.81 mg L^-1), protocatechuic acid (PA) (53.91 mg L^-1), and phloridzin (PD) (26.17 mg L^-1). Our results illustrated that 1) QA did not have an inhibitory effect, 2) PA had medium toxicity to algae (EC_50-120h: 0.22, 0.28, and 0.35 mM for A. tamarense, S. trochoidea, and K. mikimotoi), and 3) PD had low toxicity (EC_50-120h > 0.66 mM). These findings suggested that PA might be the main allelopathic compound in the aqueous extract of the studied algae. In addition, PA could have a negative effect on the photosynthesis of S. trochoidea by impeding the reduction of quinone electrons and destroying electron transfer in PSII. In summary, this was the first study to quantify allelochemicals in C. manghas fruit. Moreover, C. manghas and protocatechuic have the potential to be algicides to control and mitigate the HABs caused by dinoflagellates.

Integrated proteomics, metabolomics and physiological analyses for dissecting the toxic effects of halosulfuron-methyl on soybean seedlings (Glycine max merr.)

Halosulfuron methyl (HSM) is a herbicide widely used to control sedge and broad-leaved weeds during crop production, but its environmental residue may damage non-target crops. Here, proteomics and metabolomics methods were used to explore the phytotoxicity mechanisms of HSM against soybean (Glycine max Merr.). Soybean seedlings were exposed to 0.01, 0.05 and 0.5 mg/L HSM for 8 d. The HSM applications significantly reduced chlorophyll and carotenoid contents in HSM-treated seedlings. Additionally, chlorophyll a fluorescence was seriously affected. The glutathione, hydrogen peroxide and malondialdehyde contents, as well as antioxidant enzyme activities, significantly increased in seedlings exposed to HSM. Furthermore, five enzymes involved in the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase, isocitrate dehydrogenase, aconitase, malic dehydrogenase and succinate dehydrogenase, were inhibited to varying degrees in HSM-treated seedlings compared with controls. Proteomics results showed multiple differentially abundant proteins involved in chlorophyll synthesis, photosystem processes and chloroplast ATP synthetase were down-regulated. Metabolomics analyses revealed that metabolites involved in the TCA cycle decreased significantly. Moreover, metabolites and proteins related to reactive oxygen species detoxification accumulated. In conclusion, the phytotoxicity mechanisms of HSM against soybean mainly act by damaging the photosynthetic machinery, inhibiting chlorophyll synthesis, interrupting the TCA cycle and causing oxidative stress. These results provide new insights into the toxicity mechanisms of sulfonylurea herbicides against non-target crops.

Contrasting Responses of Plastid Terminal Oxidase Activity Under Salt Stress in Two C4 Species With Different Salt Tolerance

The present study reveals contrasting responses of photosynthesis to salt stress in two C₄ species: a glycophyte Setaria viridis (SV) and a halophyte Spartina alterniflora (SA). Specifically, the effect of short-term salt stress treatment on the photosynthetic CO₂ uptake and electron transport were investigated in SV and its salt-tolerant close relative SA. In this experiment, at the beginning, plants were grown in soil then were exposed to salt stress under hydroponic conditions for two weeks. SV demonstrated a much higher susceptibility to salt stress than SA; while, SV was incapable to survive subjected to about 100 mM, SA can tolerate salt concentrations up to 550 mM with slight effect on photosynthetic CO₂ uptake rates and electrons transport chain conductance (g_ETC ). Regardless the oxygen concentration used, our results show an enhancement in the P₇₀₀ oxidation with increasing O₂ concentration for SV following NaCl treatment and almost no change for SA. We also observed an activation of the cyclic NDH-dependent pathway in SV by about 2.36 times upon exposure to 50 mM NaCl for 12 days (d); however, its activity in SA drops by about 25% compared to the control without salt treatment. Using PTOX inhibitor (n-PG) and that of the Q_o-binding site of Cytb₆/f (DBMIB), at two O₂ levels (2 and 21%), to restrict electrons flow towards PSI, we successfully revealed the presence of a possible PTOX activity under salt stress for SA but not for SV. However, by q-PCR and western-blot analysis, we showed an increase in PTOX amount by about 3-4 times for SA under salt stress but not or very less for SV. Overall, this study provides strong proof for the existence of PTOX as an alternative electron pathway in C₄ species (SA), which might play more than a photoprotective role under salt stress.

Heat stress-induced effects of photosystem I: an overview of structural and functional responses

Temperature is one of the main factors controlling the formation, development, and functional performance of the photosynthetic apparatus in all photoautotrophs (green plants, algae, and cyanobacteria) on Earth. The projected climate change scenarios predict increases in air temperature across Earth's biomes ranging from moderate (3-4 °C) to extreme (6-8 °C) by the year 2100 (IPCC in Climate change 2007: The physical science basis: summery for policymakers, IPCC WG1 Fourth Assessment Report 2007; Climate change 2014: Mitigation of Climate Change, IPCC WG3 Fifth Assessment Report 2014). In some areas, especially of the Northern hemisphere, even more extreme warm seasonal temperatures may occur, which possibly will cause significant negative effects on the development, growth, and yield of important agricultural crops. It is well documented that high temperatures can cause direct damages of the photosynthetic apparatus and photosystem II (PSII) is generally considered to be the primary target of heat-induced inactivation of photosynthesis. However, since photosystem I (PSI) is considered to determine the global amount of enthalpy in living systems (Nelson in Biochim Biophys Acta 1807:856-863, 2011; Photosynth Res 116:145-151, 2013), the effects of elevated temperatures on PSI might be of vital importance for regulating the photosynthetic response of all photoautotrophs in the changing environment. In this review, we summarize the experimental data that demonstrate the critical impact of heat-induced alterations on the structure, composition, and functional performance of PSI and their significant implications on photosynthesis under future climate change scenarios.

Cyclic electron flow may provide some protection against PSII photoinhibition in rice (Oryza sativa L.) leaves under heat stress

Previously we have shown that a quick down-regulation in PSI activity compares to that of PSII following short-term heat stress for two rice groups including C4023 and Q4149, studied herein. These accessions were identified to have different natural capacities in driving cyclic electron flow (CEF) around PSI; i.e., low CEF (lcef) and high CEF (hcef) for C4023 and Q4149, respectively. The aim of this study was to investigate whether these two lines have different mechanisms of protecting photosystem II from photodamage under heat stress. We observed a stepwise alteration in the shape of Chl a fluorescence induction (OJIP) with increasing temperature treatment. The effect of 44°C treatment on the damping in Chl a fluorescence was more pronounced in C4023 than in Q4149. Likewise, we noted a disruption in the I-step, a decline in the F_v due to a strong damping in the F_m, and a slight increase in the F₀. Normalized data demonstrated that the I-step seems more susceptible to 44°C in C4023 than in Q4149. We also measured the redox states of plastocyanin (PC) and P₇₀₀ by monitoring the transmission changes at 820nm (I₈₂₀), and observed a disturbance in the oxidation/reduction kinetics of PC and P₇₀₀. The decline in the amplitude of their oxidation was shown to be about 29% and 13% for C4023 and Q4149, respectively. The electropotential component (Δφ) of ms-DLE appeared more sensitive to temperature stress than the chemical component (ΔpH), and the impact of heat was more evident and drastic in C4023 than in Q4149. Under heat stress, we noticed a concomitant decline in the primary photochemistry of PSII as well as in both the membrane energization process and the lumen protonation for both accessions, and it is evident that heat affects these parameters more in C4023 than in Q4149. All these data suggest that higher CET can confer higher photoprotection to PSII in rice lines, which can be a desirable trait during rice breeding, especially in the context of a "warming" world.

The Difference of Physiological and Proteomic Changes in Maize Leaves Adaptation to Drought, Heat, and Combined Both Stresses

At the eight-leaf stage, maize is highly sensitive to stresses such as drought, heat, and their combination, which greatly affect its yield. At present, few studies have analyzed maize response to combined drought and heat stress at the eight-leaf stage. In this study, we measured certain physical parameters of maize at the eight-leaf stage when it was exposed to drought, heat, and their combination. The results showed an increase in the content of H2O2 and malondialdehyde (MDA), and in the enzyme activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and glutathione reductase (GR), but a decrease in the quantum efficiency of photosystem II (ΦPSII). The most obvious increase or decrease in physical parameters was found under the combined stress condition. Moreover, to identify proteins differentially regulated by the three stress conditions at the eight-leaf stage, total proteins from the maize leaves were identified and quantified using multiplex iTRAQ-based quantitative proteomic and LC-MS/MS methods. In summary, the expression levels of 135, 65, and 201 proteins were significantly changed under the heat, drought and combined stress conditions, respectively. Of the 135, 65, and 201 differentially expressed proteins, 61, 28, and 16 responded exclusively to drought stress, heat stress, and combined stress, respectively. Bioinformatics analysis implied that chaperone proteins and proteases play important roles in the adaptive response of maize to heat stress and combined stress, and that the leaf senescence promoted by ethylene-responsive protein and ripening-related protein may play active roles in maize tolerance to combined drought and heat stress. The signaling pathways related to differentially expressed proteins were obviously different under all three stress conditions. Thus, the functional characterization of these differentially expressed proteins will be helpful for discovering new targets to enhance maize tolerance to stress.

Sustained Diurnal Stimulation of Cyclic Electron Flow in Two Tropical Tree Species Erythrophleum guineense and Khaya ivorensis

The photosystem II (PSII) activity of C3 plants is usually inhibited at noon associated with high light but can be repaired fast in the afternoon. However, the diurnal variation of photosystem I (PSI) activity is unknown. Although, cyclic electron flow (CEF) has been documented as an important mechanism for photosynthesis, the diurnal variation of CEF in sun leaves is little known. We determined the diurnal changes in PSI and PSII activities, light energy dissipation in PSII and the P700 redox state in two tropical tree species Erythrophleum guineense and Khaya ivorensis grown in an open field. The PSI activity (as indicated by the maximum quantity of photo-oxidizable P700) was maintained stable during the daytime. CEF was strongly activated under high light at noon, accompanying with high levels of non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) and PSI oxidation ratio. In the afternoon, CEF was maintained at a relatively high level under low light, which was accompanied with low levels of NPQ and P700 oxidation ratio. These results indicated that CEF was flexibly modulated during daytime under fluctuating light conditions. Under high light at noon, CEF-dependent generation of proton gradient across the thylakoid membranes (ΔpH) mainly contributed to photoprotection for PSI and PSII. By comparison, at low light in the afternoon, the CEF-dependent formation of ΔpH may be important for PSII repair via an additional ATP synthesis.