Restoration of photosystem II photochemistry and carbon assimilation and related changes in chlorophyll and protein contents during the rehydration of desiccated Xerophyta scabrida leaves

Recovery of photosynthesis in rehydrating desiccated leaves of the poikilochlorophyllous desiccation-tolerant plant Xerophyta scabrida was investigated. Detached leaves were remoistened under 12 h light/dark cycles for 96 h. Water, chlorophyll (Chl), and protein contents, Chl fluorescence, photosynthesis-CO(2) concentration response, and the amount and activity of Rubisco were measured at intervals during the rehydration period. Leaf relative water contents reached 87% in 12 h and full turgor in 96 h. Chl synthesis was slower before than after 24 h, and Chla:Chlb ratios changed from 0.13 to 2.6 in 48 h. The maximum quantum efficiency recovered faster during rehydration than the photosystem II operating efficiency and the efficiency factor, which is known to depend mainly on the use of the electron transport chain products. From 24 h to 96 h of rehydration, net carbon fixation was Rubisco limited, rather than electron transport limited. Total Rubisco activity increased during rehydration more than the Rubisco protein content. Desiccated leaves contained, in a close to functional state, more than half the amount of the Rubisco protein present in rehydrated leaves. The results suggest that in X. scabrida leaves Rubisco adopts a special, protective conformation and recovers its activity during rehydration through modifications in redox status.

Fructan synthesis is inhibited by phosphate in warm-grown, but not in cold-treated, excised barley leaves

The inhibition of fructan accumulation by phosphate was investigated in warm-grown and cold-treated barley (Hordeum vulgare) plants. Detached leaves were incubated in water or phosphate for 24 h under lighting or in darkness. Fructosyltransferase, sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS) and cytosolic fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase (FBPase) activities were subsequently analysed, as well as the content of carbohydrates, hexose-phosphates, phosphate, amino acids and protein. In warm-grown leaves, phosphate decreased fructan accumulation and total carbon in carbohydrates and did not affect protein content. Phosphate increased hexose-phosphates, phosphate and amino acids. Fructosyltransferase and FBPase activities were not affected by phosphate feeding, while SPS activity was inhibited by phosphate in incubations in both light and darkness. In cold-treated leaves, which before incubation had higher SPS activities than warm-grown leaves, phosphate had no inhibitory effect on fructan accumulation, carbohydrate content or total C in carbohydrates. The activities of SPS and FBPase were unaffected by phosphate. The results indicate that phosphate decreases fructan accumulation through an inhibition of SPS whenever this activity is not high before a rise in phosphate content.

Nitrate is a negative signal for fructan synthesis, and the fructosyltransferase-inducing trehalose inhibits nitrogen and carbon assimilation in excised barley leaves

•  Fructan biosynthesis in barley (Hordeum vulgare) has been shown to be upregulated by sugar signalling and downregulated by nitrogen. The relationship between these two regulations is investigated. •  Excised third-leaves of barley were fed nitrate or glutamine under two light intensities. Other leaf blades were supplied in the dark for 24 h with nitrate and trehalose in the presence of validamycin A, a trehalase inhibitor. •  In the light, nitrate, but not glutamine, decreased fructan contents and sucrose:fructan 6-fructosyltransferase protein without affecting the levels of sucrose and other carbohydrates. In darkened leaves, trehalose increased and nitrate decreased the fructan contents and total sucrose:fructosyltransferase activity without altering the concentration of sucrose. The effect on fructan contents of trehalose disappeared, whereas that of nitrate remained in subsequent incubations in water under light. Trehalose decreased and nitrate increased the light- and CO₂ -saturated rate of photosynthesis without significantly affecting the initial Rubisco (ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase oxygenase) activity. Trehalose feeding decreased the activation of nitrate reductase and amino acid levels, and blocked the positive effect of nitrate on the maximal activity of this enzyme. •  The results indicate that nitrate, and not a downstream metabolite, is a negative signal for fructan synthesis, independent from the positive sugar signalling and overriding it. Trehalose signalling inhibits nitrogen and carbon assimilation, at the same time, inducing fructosyltransferase activity.