Determining photosynthetic control, a probe for the balance between electron transport and Calvin-Benson cycle activity, with the DUAL-KLAS-NIR

Photosynthetic Control is defined as the control imposed on photosynthetic electron transport by the lumen-pH-sensitive re-oxidation of plastoquinol (PQH₂) by cytochrome b₆f. Photosynthetic Control leads at higher actinic light intensities to an electron transport chain with a (relatively) reduced photosystem (PS) II and PQ pool and a (relatively) oxidized PS I. Making Light Curves of more than 33 plant species with the recently introduced DUAL-KLAS-NIR (Chl a fluorescence + the redox states of plastocyanin (PC), P700, and ferredoxin (Fd)) the light intensity-dependent induction of Photosynthetic Control was probed and characterized. It was observed that PC became completely oxidized at light intensities ≤ 400 µmol photons m^-2 s^-1 (at lower light intensities in shade than in sun leaves). The relationship between qP and P700(red) was used to determine the extent of Photosynthetic Control. Instead of measuring the whole Light Curve, it was shown that a single moderate light intensity can be used to characterize the status of a leaf relative to that of other leaves. It was further found that in some shade-acclimated leaves Fd becomes again more oxidized at high light intensities indicating that electron transfer from the PQ pool to P700 cannot keep up with the outflow of electrons on the acceptor side of PS I. It was observed as well that for NPQ-induction a lower light intensity (less acidified lumen) was needed than for the induction of Photosynthetic Control. The measurements were also used to make a comparison between the parameters qP and qL, a comparison suggesting that qP was the more relevant parameter.

Identification of Twelve Different Mineral Deficiencies in Hydroponically Grown Sunflower Plants on the Basis of Short Measurements of the Fluorescence and P700 Oxidation/Reduction Kinetics

The photosynthetic electron transport chain is mineral rich. Specific mineral deficiencies can modify the electron transport chain specifically. Here, it is shown that on the basis of 2 short Chl fluorescence and P700⁺ measurements (approx. 1 s each), it is possible to discriminate between 10 out of 12 different mineral deficiencies: B, Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Mo, N, P, S, and Zn. B- and Mo-deficient plants require somewhat longer measurements to detect the feedback inhibition they induce. Eight out of twelve deficiencies mainly affect PS I and NIR measurements are, therefore, very important for this analysis. In Cu- and P-deficient plants, electron flow from the plastoquinone pool to PS I, is affected. In the case of Cu-deficiency due to the loss of plastocyanin and in the case of P-deficiency probably due to a fast and strong generation of Photosynthetic Control. For several Ca-, K-, and Zn-deficient plant species, higher levels of reactive oxygen species have been measured in the literature. Here, it is shown that this not only leads to a loss of Pm (maximum P700 redox change) reflecting a lower PS I content, but also to much faster P700⁺ re-reduction kinetics during the I₂-P (~30-200 ms) fluorescence rise phase. The different mineral deficiencies affect the relation between the I₂-P and P700⁺ kinetics in different ways and this is used to discuss the nature of the relationship between these two parameters.

Photosynthesis without β-carotene

Carotenoids are essential in oxygenic photosynthesis: they stabilize the pigment-protein complexes, are active in harvesting sunlight and in photoprotection. In plants, they are present as carotenes and their oxygenated derivatives, xanthophylls. While mutant plants lacking xanthophylls are capable of photoautotrophic growth, no plants without carotenes in their photosystems have been reported so far, which has led to the common opinion that carotenes are essential for photosynthesis. Here, we report the first plant that grows photoautotrophically in the absence of carotenes: a tobacco plant containing only the xanthophyll astaxanthin. Surprisingly, both photosystems are fully functional despite their carotenoid-binding sites being occupied by astaxanthin instead of β-carotene or remaining empty (i.e. are not occupied by carotenoids). These plants display non-photochemical quenching, despite the absence of both zeaxanthin and lutein and show that tobacco can regulate the ratio between the two photosystems in a very large dynamic range to optimize electron transport.

Consequences of the reduction of the Photosystem II antenna size on the light acclimation capacity of Arabidopsis thaliana

In several systems, from plant's canopy to algal bioreactors, the decrease of the antenna size has been proposed as a strategy to increase the photosynthetic efficiency. However, still little is known about possible secondary effects of such modifications. This is particularly relevant because the modulation of the antenna size is one of the most important light acclimation responses in photosynthetic organisms. In our study, we used an Arabidopsis thaliana mutant (dLhcb2), which has a 60% decrease of Lhcb1 and Lhcb2, the two main components of the major Photosystem II antenna complex. We show that the mutant maintains the photosynthetic and photoprotective capacity of the Wild Type (WT) and adapts to different light conditions by remodelling its photosynthetic apparatus, but the regulatory mechanism differs from that of the WT. Surprisingly, it does not compensate for the decreased light-harvesting capacity by increasing other pigment-protein complexes. Instead, it lowers the ratio of the cytochrome b₆ f and ATP synthase to the photosystems, regulating linear electron flow and maintaining the photosynthetic control at the level of these complexes as in the WT. We show that targeting the reduction of two specific antenna proteins, Lhcb1 and Lhcb2, represents a viable solution to obtain plants with a truncated antenna size, which still maintain the capacity to acclimate to different light conditions.

Rapidly reversible chlorophyll fluorescence quenching induced by pulses of supersaturating light in vivo

The saturation pulse method provides a means to distinguish between photochemical and non-photochemical quenching, based on the assumption that the former is suppressed by a saturating pulse of light (SP) and that the latter is not affected by the SP. Various types of non-photochemical quenching have been distinguished by their rates of dark relaxation in the time ranges of seconds, minutes, and hours. Here we report on a special type of non-photochemical quenching, which is rapidly induced by a pulse of high-intensity light, when PS II reaction centers are closed, and rapidly relaxes again after the pulse. This high-intensity quenching, HIQ, can be quantified by pulse-amplitude-modulation (PAM) fluorimetry (MULTI-COLOR-PAM, high sensitivity combined with high time resolution) via the quasi-instantaneous post-pulse fluorescence increase that precedes recovery of photochemical quenching in the 100-400-µs range. The HIQ amplitude increases linearly with the effective rate of quantum absorption by photosystem II, reaching about 8% of maximal fluorescence yield. It is not affected by DCMU, is stimulated by anoxic conditions, and is suppressed by energy-dependent non-photochemical quenching (NPQ). The HIQ amplitude is close to proportional to the square of maximal fluorescence yield, Fm', induced by an SP and varied by NPQ. These properties are in line with the working hypothesis of HIQ being caused by the annihilation of singlet excited chlorophyll a by triplet excited carotenoid. Significant underestimation of maximal fluorescence yield and photosystem II quantum yield in dark-acclimated samples can be avoided by use of moderate SP intensities. In physiologically healthy illuminated samples, NPQ prevents significant lowering of effective photosystem II quantum yield by HIQ, if excessive SP intensities are avoided.

Salt stress effects on the photosynthetic electron transport chain in two chickpea lines differing in their salt stress tolerance

The main objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of salt stress on the photosynthetic electron transport chain using two chickpea lines (Cicer arietinum L.) differing in their salt stress tolerance at the germination stage (AKN 87 and AKN 290). Two weeks after sowing, seedlings were exposed to salt stress for 2 weeks and irrigated with 200 ml of 200 mM NaCl every 2 days. The polyphasic OJIP fluorescence transient and the 820-nm transmission kinetics (photosystem I) were used to evaluate the effects of salt stress on the functionality of the photosynthetic electron transport chain. It was observed that a signature for salt stress was a combination of a higher J step (VJ), a smaller IP amplitude, and little or no effect on the primary quantum yield of PSII (φPo). We observed for AKN 290 a shorter leaf life cycle, which may represent a mechanism to cope with salt stress. For severely salt-stressed leaves, an inhibition of electron flow between the PQ pool and P700 was found. The data also suggest that the properties of electron flow beyond PSI are affected by salt stress.

Frequently asked questions about chlorophyll fluorescence, the sequel

Using chlorophyll (Chl) a fluorescence many aspects of the photosynthetic apparatus can be studied, both in vitro and, noninvasively, in vivo. Complementary techniques can help to interpret changes in the Chl a fluorescence kinetics. Kalaji et al. (Photosynth Res 122:121-158, 2014a) addressed several questions about instruments, methods and applications based on Chl a fluorescence. Here, additional Chl a fluorescence-related topics are discussed again in a question and answer format. Examples are the effect of connectivity on photochemical quenching, the correction of F V /F M values for PSI fluorescence, the energy partitioning concept, the interpretation of the complementary area, probing the donor side of PSII, the assignment of bands of 77 K fluorescence emission spectra to fluorescence emitters, the relationship between prompt and delayed fluorescence, potential problems when sampling tree canopies, the use of fluorescence parameters in QTL studies, the use of Chl a fluorescence in biosensor applications and the application of neural network approaches for the analysis of fluorescence measurements. The answers draw on knowledge from different Chl a fluorescence analysis domains, yielding in several cases new insights.

Effect of Light Acclimation on the Organization of Photosystem II Super- and Sub-Complexes in Arabidopsis thaliana

To survive under highly variable environmental conditions, higher plants have acquired a large variety of acclimation responses. Different strategies are used to cope with changes in light intensity with the common goal of modulating the functional antenna size of Photosystem II (PSII). Here we use a combination of biochemical and biophysical methods to study these changes in response to acclimation to high light (HL). After 2 h of exposure, a decrease in the amount of the large PSII supercomplexes is observed indicating that plants are already acclimating to HL at this stage. It is also shown that in HL the relative amount of antenna proteins decreases but this decrease is far less than the observed decrease of the functional antenna size, suggesting that part of the antenna present in the membranes in HL does not transfer energy efficiently to the reaction center. Finally, we observed LHCII monomers in all conditions. As the solubilization conditions used do not lead to monomerization of purified LHCII trimers, we should conclude that a population of LHCII monomers exists in the membrane. The relative amount of LHCII monomers strongly increases in plants acclimated to HL, while no changes in the trimer to monomer ratio are observed upon short exposure to stress.

Frequently asked questions about in vivo chlorophyll fluorescence: practical issues

The aim of this educational review is to provide practical information on the hardware, methodology, and the hands on application of chlorophyll (Chl) a fluorescence technology. We present the paper in a question and answer format like frequently asked questions. Although nearly all information on the application of Chl a fluorescence can be found in the literature, it is not always easily accessible. This paper is primarily aimed at scientists who have some experience with the application of Chl a fluorescence but are still in the process of discovering what it all means and how it can be used. Topics discussed are (among other things) the kind of information that can be obtained using different fluorescence techniques, the interpretation of Chl a fluorescence signals, specific applications of these techniques, and practical advice on different subjects, such as on the length of dark adaptation before measurement of the Chl a fluorescence transient. The paper also provides the physiological background for some of the applied procedures. It also serves as a source of reference for experienced scientists.

Chlorophyll a fluorescence: beyond the limits of the Q(A) model

Chlorophyll a fluorescence is a non-invasive tool widely used in photosynthesis research. According to the dominant interpretation, based on the model proposed by Duysens and Sweers (1963, Special Issue of Plant and Cell Physiology, pp 353-372), the fluorescence changes reflect primarily changes in the redox state of Q(A), the primary quinone electron acceptor of photosystem II (PSII). While it is clearly successful in monitoring the photochemical activity of PSII, a number of important observations cannot be explained within the framework of this simple model. Alternative interpretations have been proposed but were not supported satisfactorily by experimental data. In this review we concentrate on the processes determining the fluorescence rise on a dark-to-light transition and critically analyze the experimental data and the existing models. Recent experiments have provided additional evidence for the involvement of a second process influencing the fluorescence rise once Q(A) is reduced. These observations are best explained by a light-induced conformational change, the focal point of our review. We also want to emphasize that-based on the presently available experimental findings-conclusions on α/ß-centers, PSII connectivity, and the assignment of FV/FM to the maximum PSII quantum yield may require critical re-evaluations. At the same time, it has to be emphasized that for a deeper understanding of the underlying physical mechanism(s) systematic studies on light-induced changes in the structure and reaction kinetics of the PSII reaction center are required.

The physiological roles and metabolism of ascorbate in chloroplasts

Ascorbate is a multifunctional metabolite in plants. It is essential for growth control, involving cell division and cell wall synthesis and also involved in redox signaling, in the modulation of gene expression and regulation of enzymatic activities. Ascorbate also fulfills crucial roles in scavenging reactive oxygen species, both enzymatically and nonenzymatically, a well-established phenomenon in the chloroplasts stroma. We give an overview on these important physiological functions and would like to give emphasis to less well-known roles of ascorbate, in the thylakoid lumen, where it also plays multiple roles. It is essential for photoprotection as a cofactor for violaxanthin de-epoxidase, a key enzyme in the formation of nonphotochemical quenching. Lumenal ascorbate has recently also been shown to act as an alternative electron donor of photosystem II once the oxygen-evolving complex is inactivated and to protect the photosynthetic machinery by slowing down donor-side induced photoinactivation; it is yet to be established if ascorbate has a similar role in the case of other stress effects, such as high light and UV-B stress. In bundle sheath cells, deficient in oxygen evolution, ascorbate provides electrons to photosystem II, thereby poising cyclic electron transport around photosystem I. It has also been shown that, by supporting linear electron transport through photosystem II in sulfur-deprived Chlamydomonas reinhardtii cells, in which oxygen evolution is largely inhibited, externally added ascorbate enhances hydrogen production. For fulfilling its multiple roles, Asc has to be transported into the thylakoid lumen and efficiently regenerated; however, very little is known yet about these processes.

Heat stress and the photosynthetic electron transport chain of the lichen Parmelina tiliacea (Hoffm.) Ach. in the dry and the wet state: differences and similarities with the heat stress response of higher plants

Thalli of the foliose lichen species Parmelina tiliacea were studied to determine responses of the photosynthetic apparatus to high temperatures in the dry and wet state. The speed with which dry thalli were activated by water following a 24 h exposure at different temperatures decreased as the temperature was increased. But even following a 24 h exposure to 50 °C the fluorescence induction kinetics OJIP reflecting the reduction kinetics of the photosynthetic electron transport chain had completely recovered within 128 min. Exposure of dry thalli to 50 °C for 24 h did not induce a K-peak in the fluorescence rise suggesting that the oxygen evolving complex had remained intact. This contrasted strongly with wet thalli were submergence for 40 s in water of 45 °C inactivated most of the photosystem II reaction centres. In wet thalli, following the destruction of the Mn-cluster, the donation rate to photosystem II by alternative donors (e.g. ascorbate) was lower than in higher plants. This is associated with the near absence of a secondary rise peak (~1 s) normally observed in higher plants. Analysing the 820 nm and prompt fluorescence transients suggested that the M-peak (occurs around 2-5 s) in heat-treated wet lichen thalli is related to cyclic electron transport around photosystem I. Normally, heat stress in lichen thalli leads to desiccation and as consequence lichens may lack the heat-stress-tolerance-increasing mechanisms observed in higher plants. Wet lichen thalli may, therefore, represent an attractive reference system for the evaluation of processes related with heat stress in higher plants.

The IP amplitude of the fluorescence rise OJIP is sensitive to changes in the photosystem I content of leaves: a study on plants exposed to magnesium and sulfate deficiencies, drought stress and salt stress

The hypothesis that changes in the IP amplitude of the fluorescence transient OJIP reflect changes in leaf photosystem I (PSI) content was tested using mineral-deficient sugar beet plants. Young sugar beet plants (Beta vulgaris) were grown hydroponically on nutrient solutions containing either 1 mM or no Mg(2+) and 2.1 µM to 1.88 mM SO(4)(2-) for 4 weeks. During this period two leaf pairs were followed: the already developed second leaf pair and the third leaf pair that was budding at the start of the treatment. The IP amplitude [ΔF(IP) (fluorescence amplitude of the I-to-P-rise) and its relative contribution to the fluorescence rise: ΔV(IP) (amplitude of the relative variable fluorescence of the I-to-P-rise = relative contribution of the I-to-P-rise to the OJIP-rise)] and the amplitude of the transmission change at 820 nm (difference between all plastocyanin and the primary electron donor of photosystems I oxidized and reduced, respectively) relative to the total transmission signal (ΔI(max) /I(tot)) were determined as a function of the treatment time. Correlating the transmission and the two fluorescence parameters yielded approximately linear relationships in both cases. For the least severely affected leaves the parameter ΔV(IP) correlated considerably better with ΔI(max) /I(tot) than ΔF(IP) indicating that it is the ratio PSII:PSI that counts. To show that the relationship also holds for other plants and treatments, data from salt- and drought-stressed plants of barley, chickpea and pea are shown. The relationship between ΔV(IP) and PSI content was confirmed by western blot analysis using an antibody against psaD. The good correlations between ΔI(max) /I(tot) and ΔF(IP) and ΔV(IP) , respectively, suggest that changes in the IP amplitude can be used as semi-quantitative indicators for (relative) changes in the PSI content of the leaf.

The chl a fluorescence intensity is remarkably insensitive to changes in the chlorophyll content of the leaf as long as the chl a/b ratio remains unaffected

The effects of changes in the chlorophyll (chl) content on the kinetics of the OJIP fluorescence transient were studied using two different approaches. An extensive chl loss (up to 5-fold decrease) occurs in leaves suffering from either an Mg(2+) or SO(4)(2-) deficiency. The effects of these treatments on the chl a/b ratio, which is related to antenna size, were very limited. This observation was confirmed by the identical light intensity dependencies of the K, J and I-steps of the fluorescence rise for three of the four treatments and by the absence of changes in the F(685 nm)/F(695 nm)-ratio of fluorescence emission spectra measured at 77K. Under these conditions, the F(0) and F(M)-values were essentially insensitive to the chl content. A second experimental approach consisted of the treatment of wheat leaves with specifically designed antisense oligodeoxynucleotides that interfered with the translation of mRNA of the genes coding for chl a/b binding proteins. This way, leaves with a wide range of chl a/b ratios were created. Under these conditions, an inverse proportional relationship between the F(M) values and the chl a/b ratio was observed. A strong effect of the chl a/b ratio on the fluorescence intensity was also observed for barley Chlorina f2 plants that lack chl b. The data suggest that the chl a/b ratio (antenna size) is a more important determinant of the maximum fluorescence intensity than the chl content of the leaf.

Synthetic antisense oligodeoxynucleotides to transiently suppress different nucleus- and chloroplast-encoded proteins of higher plant chloroplasts

Selective inhibition of gene expression by antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) is widely applied in gene function analyses; however, experiments with ODNs in plants are scarce. In this work, we extend the use of ODNs in different plant species, optimizing the uptake, stability, and efficiency of ODNs with a combination of molecular biological and biophysical techniques to transiently inhibit the gene expression of different chloroplast proteins. We targeted the nucleus-encoded phytoene desaturase (pds) gene, encoding a key enzyme in carotenoid biosynthesis, the chlorophyll a/b-binding (cab) protein genes, and the chloroplast-encoded psbA gene, encoding the D1 protein. For pds and psbA, the in vivo stability of ODNs was increased by phosphorothioate modifications. After infiltration of ODNs into juvenile tobacco (Nicotiana benthamiana) leaves, we detected a 25% to 35% reduction in mRNA level and an approximately 5% decrease in both carotenoid content and the variable fluorescence of photosystem II. In detached etiolated wheat (Triticum aestivum) leaves, after 8 h of greening, the mRNA level, carotenoid content, and variable fluorescence were inhibited up to 75%, 25%, and 20%, respectively. Regarding cab, ODN treatments of etiolated wheat leaves resulted in an up to 59% decrease in the amount of chlorophyll b, a 41% decrease of the maximum chlorophyll fluorescence intensity, the cab mRNA level was reduced to 66%, and the protein level was suppressed up to 85% compared with the control. The psbA mRNA and protein levels in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) leaves were inhibited by up to 85% and 72%, respectively. To exploit the potential of ODNs for photosynthetic genes, we propose molecular design combined with fast, noninvasive techniques to test their functional effects.

Evidence for a fluorescence yield change driven by a light-induced conformational change within photosystem II during the fast chlorophyll a fluorescence rise

Experiments were carried out to identify a process co-determining with Q(A) the fluorescence rise between F(0) and F(M). With 3-(3',4'-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea (DCMU), the fluorescence rise is sigmoidal, in its absence it is not. Lowering the temperature to -10°C the sigmoidicity is lost. It is shown that the sigmoidicity is due to the kinetic overlap between the reduction kinetics of Q(A) and a second process; an overlap that disappears at low temperature because the temperature dependences of the two processes differ. This second process can still relax at -60°C where recombination between Q(A)(-) and the donor side of photosystem (PS) II is blocked. This suggests that it is not a redox reaction but a conformational change can explain the data. Without DCMU, a reduced photosynthetic electron transport chain (ETC) is a pre-condition for reaching the F(M). About 40% of the variable fluorescence relaxes in 100ms. Re-induction while the ETC is still reduced takes a few ms and this is a photochemical process. The fact that the process can relax and be re-induced in the absence of changes in the redox state of the plastoquinone (PQ) pool implies that it is unrelated to the Q(B)-occupancy state and PQ-pool quenching. In both +/-DCMU the process studied represents ~30% of the fluorescence rise. The presented observations are best described within a conformational protein relaxation concept. In untreated leaves we assume that conformational changes are only induced when Q(A) is reduced and relax rapidly on re-oxidation. This would explain the relationship between the fluorescence rise and the ETC-reduction.

Drought stress effects on photosystem I content and photosystem II thermotolerance analyzed using Chl a fluorescence kinetics in barley varieties differing in their drought tolerance

Drought stress has multiple effects on the photosynthetic system. Here, we show that a decrease of the relative contribution of the I-P phase, DeltaV(IP) = -V(I) = (F(M)-F(I))/(F(M)- F(o)), to the fluorescence transient OJIP is observed in 10 drought-stressed barley and 9 chickpea varieties. The extent of the I-P loss in the barley varieties depended on their drought tolerance. The relative loss of the I-P phase seems to be related to a loss of photosystem (PS) I reaction centers as determined by 820-nm transmission measurements. In the second part of this study, the interaction of drought and heat stress in two barley varieties (the drought tolerant variety Aït Baha and the drought sensitive variety Lannaceur) was studied using a new approach. Heat stress was induced by exposing the plant leaves to temperatures of 25-45 degrees C and the inactivation of the O(2)-evolving complex (OEC) was followed measuring chlorophyll a (Chl a) fluorescence using a protocol consisting of two 5-ms pulses spaced 2.3 ms apart. In active reaction centers, the dark interval is long enough to allow the OEC to recover from the first pulse; whereas in heat-inactivated reaction centers it is not. In the latter category of reaction centers, no further fluorescence rise is induced by the second pulse. Lannaceur, under well-watered conditions, was more heat tolerant than Aït Baha. However, this difference was lost following drought stress. Drought stress considerably increased the thermostability of PS II of both varieties.

AtOSA1, a member of the Abc1-like family, as a new factor in cadmium and oxidative stress response

The analysis of gene expression in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) using cDNA microarrays and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction showed that AtOSA1 (A. thaliana oxidative stress-related Abc1-like protein) transcript levels are influenced by Cd2+ treatment. The comparison of protein sequences revealed that AtOSA1 belongs to the family of Abc1 proteins. Up to now, Abc1-like proteins have been identified in prokaryotes and in the mitochondria of eukaryotes. AtOSA1 is the first member of this family to be localized in the chloroplasts. However, despite sharing homology to the mitochondrial ABC1 of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, AtOSA1 was not able to complement yeast strains deleted in the endogenous ABC1 gene, thereby suggesting different function between AtOSA1 and the yeast ABC1. The atosa1-1 and atosa1-2 T-DNA insertion mutants were more affected than wild-type plants by Cd2+ and revealed an increased sensitivity toward oxidative stress (hydrogen peroxide) and high light. The mutants exhibited higher superoxide dismutase activities and differences in the expression of genes involved in the antioxidant pathway. In addition to the conserved Abc1 region in the AtOSA1 protein sequence, putative kinase domains were found. Protein kinase assays in gelo using myelin basic protein as a kinase substrate revealed that chloroplast envelope membrane fractions from the AtOSA1 mutant lacked a 70-kD phosphorylated protein compared to the wild type. Our data suggest that the chloroplast AtOSA1 protein is a new factor playing a role in the balance of oxidative stress.

A non-invasive assay of the plastoquinone pool redox state based on the OJIP-transient

The plastoquinone (PQ) pool of the photosynthetic electron transport chain becomes reduced under anaerobic conditions. Here, anaerobiosis was used as a tool to manipulate the PQ-pool redox state in darkness and to study the effects of the PQ-redox state on the Chl-a fluorescence (OJIP) kinetics in pea leaves (Pisum sativum L.). It is shown that the F(J) (fluorescence intensity at 3 ms) is linearly related to the area above the OJ-phase (first 3 ms) representing the reduction of the acceptor side of photosystem II (PSII) and F(J) is also linearly related to the area above the JI-phase (3-30 ms) that parallels the reduction of the PQ-pool. This means that F(J) depends on the availability of oxidized PQ-molecules bound to the Q(B)-site. The linear relationships between F(J) and the two areas indicate that F(J) is not sensitive to energy transfer between PSII-antennae (connectivity). It is further shown that a approximately 94% reduced PQ-pool is in equilibrium with a approximately 19% reduction of Q(A) (primary quinone acceptor of PSII). The non-linear relationship between the initial fluorescence value (F(20 micros)) and the area above the OJ-phase supports the idea that F(20 mus )is sensitive to connectivity. This is reinforced by the observation that this non-linearity can be overcome by transforming the F(20 micros)-values into [Q(A) (-)]-values. Based on the F(J)-value of the OJIP-transient, a simple method for the quantification of the redox state of the PQ-pool is proposed.

Photosynthetic electron transport activity in heat-treated barley leaves: the role of internal alternative electron donors to photosystem II

Electron transport processes were investigated in barley leaves in which the oxygen-evolution was fully inhibited by a heat pulse (48 degrees C, 40 s). Under these circumstances, the K peak (approximately F(400 micros)) appears in the chl a fluorescence (OJIP) transient reflecting partial Q(A) reduction, which is due to a stable charge separation resulting from the donation of one electron by tyrozine Z. Following the K peak additional fluorescence increase (indicating Q(A)(-) accumulation) occurs in the 0.2-2 s time range. Using simultaneous chl a fluorescence and 820 nm transmission measurements it is demonstrated that this Q(A)(-) accumulation is due to naturally occurring alternative electron sources that donate electrons to the donor side of photosystem II. Chl a fluorescence data obtained with 5-ms light pulses (double flashes spaced 2.3-500 ms apart, and trains of several hundred flashes spaced by 100 or 200 ms) show that the electron donation occurs from a large pool with t(1/2) approximately 30 ms. This alternative electron donor is most probably ascorbate.

Dark recovery of the Chl a fluorescence transient (OJIP) after light adaptation: The qT-component of non-photochemical quenching is related to an activated photosystem I acceptor side

The dark recovery kinetics of the Chl a fluorescence transient (OJIP) after 15 min light adaptation were studied and interpreted with the help of simultaneously measured 820 nm transmission. The kinetics of the changes in the shape of the OJIP transient were related to the kinetics of the qE and qT components of non-photochemical quenching. The dark-relaxation of the qE coincided with a general increase of the fluorescence yield. Light adaptation caused the disappearance of the IP-phase (20-200 ms) of the OJIP-transient. The qT correlated with the recovery of the IP-phase and with a recovery of the re-reduction of P700(+) and oxidized plastocyanin in the 20-200 ms time-range as derived from 820 nm transmission measurements. On the basis of these observations, the qT is interpreted to represent the inactivation kinetics of ferredoxin-NADP(+)-reductase (FNR). The activation state of FNR affects the fluorescence yield via its effect on the electron flow. The qT therefore represents a form of photochemical quenching. Increasing the light intensity of the probe pulse from 1800 to 15000 mumol photons m(-2) s(-1) did not qualitatively change the results. The presented observations imply that in light-adapted leaves, it is not possible to 'close' all reaction centers with a strong light pulse. This supports the hypothesis that in addition to Q(A) a second modulator of the fluorescence yield located on the acceptor side of photosystem II (e.g., the occupancy of the Q(B)-site) is needed to explain these results. Besides, some of our results indicate that in pea leaves state 2 to 1 transitions may contribute to the qI-phase.

A dip in the chlorophyll fluorescence induction at 0.2-2 s in Trebouxia-possessing lichens reflects a fast reoxidation of photosystem I. A comparison with higher plants

An unusual dip (compared to higher plant behaviour under comparable light conditions) in chlorophyll fluorescence induction (FI) at about 0.2-2 s was observed for thalli of several lichen species having Trebouxia species (the most common symbiotic green algae) as their native photobionts and for Trebouxia species cultured separately in nutrient solution. This dip appears after the usual O(J)IP transient at a wide range of excitation light intensities (100-1800 micromol photons m(-2) s(-1)). Simultaneous measurements of FI and 820-nm transmission kinetics (I(820)) with lichen thalli showed that the decreasing part of the fluorescence dip (0.2-0.4 s) is accompanied by a decrease of I(820), i.e., by a reoxidation of electron carriers at photosystem I (PSI), while the subsequent increasing part (0.4-2 s) of the dip is not paralleled by the change in I(820). These results were compared with that measured with pea leaves-representatives of higher plants. In pea, PSI started to reoxidize after 2-s excitation. The simultaneous measurements performed with thalli treated with methylviologen (MV), an efficient electron acceptor from PSI, revealed that the narrow P peak in FI of Trebouxia-possessing lichens (i.e., the I-P-dip phase) gradually disappeared with prolonged MV treatment. Thus, the P peak behaves in a similar way as in higher plants where it reflects a traffic jam of electrons induced by a transient block at the acceptor side of PSI. The increasing part of the dip in FI remained unaffected by the addition of MV. We have found that the fluorescence dip is insensitive to antimycin A, rotenone (inhibitors of cyclic electron flow around PSI), and propyl gallate (an inhibitor of plastid terminal oxidase). The 2-h treatment with 5 microM nigericin, an ionophore effectively dissipating the pH-gradient across the thylakoid membrane, did not lead to significant changes either in FI nor I(820) kinetics. On the basis of the presented results, we suggest that the decreasing part of the fluorescence dip in FI of Trebouxia-lichens reflects the activation of ferredoxin-NADP(+)-oxidoreductase or Mehler-peroxidase reaction leading to the fast reoxidation of electron carriers in thylakoid membranes. The increasing part of the dip probably reflects a transient reduction of plastoquinone (PQ) pool that is not associated with cyclic electron flow around PSI. Possible causes of this MV-insensitive PQ reduction are discussed.

In intact leaves, the maximum fluorescence level (FM) is independent of the redox state of the plastoquinone pool: A DCMU-inhibition study

The effects of DCMU (3-(3',4'-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea) on the fluorescence induction transient (OJIP) in higher plants were re-investigated. We found that the initial (F(0)) and maximum (F(M)) fluorescence levels of DCMU-treated leaves do not change relative to controls when the treatment is done in complete darkness and DCMU is allowed to diffuse slowly into the leaves either by submersion or by application via the stem. Simultaneous 820 nm transmission measurements (a measure of electron flow through Photosystem I) showed that in the DCMU-treated samples, the plastoquinone pool remained oxidized during the light pulses whereas in uninhibited leaves, the F(M) level coincided with a fully reduced electron transport chain. The identical F(M) values with and without DCMU indicate that in intact leaves, the F(M) value is independent of the redox state of the plastoquinone pool. We also show that (i) the generally observed F(0) increase is probably due to the presence of (even very weak) light during the DCMU treatment, (ii) vacuum infiltration of leaf discs leads to a drastic decrease of the fluorescence yield, and in DCMU-treated samples, the F(M) decreases to the I-level of their control (leaves vacuum infiltrated with 1% ethanol), (iii) and in thylakoid membranes, the addition of DCMU lowers the F(M) relative to that of a control sample.

Quantification of non-QB-reducing centers in leaves using a far-red pre-illumination

An alternative approach to quantification of the contribution of non-QB-reducing centers to Chl a fluorescence induction curve is proposed. The experimental protocol consists of a far-red pre-illumination followed by a strong red pulse to determine the fluorescence rise kinetics. The far-red pre-illumination induces an increase in the initial fluorescence level (F(25 micros)) that saturates at low light intensities indicating that no light intensity-dependent accumulation of QA - occurs. Far-red light-dose response curves for the F(25 micros)-increase give no indication of superimposed period-4 oscillations. F(25 micros)-dark-adaptation kinetics following a far-red pre-pulse, reveal two components: a faster one with a half-time of a few seconds and a slower component with a half-time of around 100 s. The faster phase is due to the non-QB-reducing centers that re-open by recombination between QA - and the S-states on the donor side. The slower phase is due to the recombination between QB - and the donor side in active PS II reaction centers. The pre-illumination-induced increase of the F(25 micros)-level represents about 4-5% of the variable fluorescence for pea leaves ( approximately 2.5% equilibrium effect and 1.8-3.0% non-QB-reducing centers). For the other plant species tested these values were very similar. The implications of these values will be discussed.

Methylviologen and dibromothymoquinone treatments of pea leaves reveal the role of photosystem I in the Chl a fluorescence rise OJIP

The effects of dibromothymoquinone (DBMIB) and methylviologen (MV) on the Chl a fluorescence induction transient (OJIP) were studied in vivo. Simultaneously measured 820-nm transmission kinetics were used to monitor electron flow through photosystem I (PSI). DBMIB inhibits the reoxidation of plastoquinol by binding to the cytochrome b(6)/f complex. MV accepts electrons from the FeS clusters of PSI and it allows electrons to bypass the block that is transiently imposed by ferredoxin-NADP(+)-reductase (FNR) (inactive in dark-adapted leaves). We show that the IP phase of the OJIP transient disappears in the presence of DBMIB without affecting F(m). MV suppresses the IP phase by lowering the P level compared to untreated leaves. These observations indicate that PSI activity plays an important role in the kinetics of the OJIP transient. Two requirements for the IP phase are electron transfer beyond the cytochrome b(6)/f complex (blocked by DBMIB) and a transient block at the acceptor side of PSI (bypassed by MV). It is also observed that in leaves, just like in thylakoid membranes, DBMIB can bypass its own block at the cytochrome b(6)/f complex and donate electrons directly to PC(+) and P700(+) with a donation time tau of 4.3 s. Further, alternative explanations of the IP phase that have been proposed in the literature are discussed.

Biophysical studies of photosystem II-related recovery processes after a heat pulse in barley seedlings (Hordeum vulgare L.)

Leaves of 7-day-old barley seedlings were subjected to heat pulses at 50 degrees C for 20 or 40s to inhibit partially or fully the oxygen evolution without inducing visible symptoms. By means of biophysical techniques, we investigated the time course and mechanism of photosystem II (PSII) recovery. After the heat treatment, the samples were characterized by typical heat stress symptoms: loss of oxygen evolution activity, strong decrease of Fv/Fm, induction of the K-step in the fluorescence induction transient, emergence of the AT-thermoluminescence-band and a dramatic increase in membrane permeability. In the first 4h in the light following the heat pulse, the AT-band and the K-step disappeared in parallel, indicating the loss of this restricted activity of PSII. This phase was followed by a recovery period, during which PSII-activity was gradually restored in the light. In darkness, no recovery, except for the membrane permeability, was observed. A model is presented that accounts for (i) the damage induced by the heat pulse on the membrane architecture and on the PSII donor side, (ii) the light-dependent removal of the impaired reaction centers from the disorganized membrane, and (iii) the subsequent light-independent restoration of the membrane permeability and the de novo synthesis of the PSII reaction centers in the light.

Characterization of the 820-nm transmission signal paralleling the chlorophyll a fluorescence rise (OJIP) in pea leaves

Monitoring transmission changes at 820 nm, a measure of the redox states of plastocyanin (PC) and P700, is a good complementary technique for chlorophyll (chl) a fluorescence induction measurements. A thorough characterization of the properties of the 820-nm transmission kinetics during the first second after a dark-to-light transition is provided here for pea (Pisum sativum L.) leaves. The data indicate that plastocyanin in a dark-adapted leaf is in the reduced state. Three photosystem I (PSI)-related components, PC, P700 and ferredoxin, can contribute to the 820-nm transmission signal. The contribution of ferredoxin, however, is only approximately 5%, thus, it can be neglected for further analysis. Here, we show that by monitoring the sequential oxidation of PC and P700 during a far-red pulse and analysing the re-reduction kinetics it is possible to assign the three re-reduction components to PC (τ = 7-14 s) and P700 (τ = 35-55 ms and 1.2-1.6 s). Our data indicate that the faster re-reduction phase (τ =35-55 ms) may represent a recombination reaction between P700⁺ and the acceptor side of PSI. This information made it possible to show that the ratio between the potential contributions of PC : P700 is 50 : 50 in pea and Camellia leaves and 40 : 60 in sugar beet leaves.

Reduction of the Mn cluster of the water-oxidizing enzyme by nitric oxide: formation of an S(-2) state

The manganese cluster of the oxygen-evolving enzyme of photosystem II is chemically reduced upon interaction with nitric oxide at -30 degrees C. The state formed gives rise to an S = 1/2 multiline EPR signal [Goussias, Ch., Ioannidis, N., and Petrouleas, V. (1997) Biochemistry 36, 9261] that is attributed to a Mn(II)- Mn(III) dimer [Sarrou, J., Ioannidis, N., Deligiannakis, Y., and Petrouleas, V. (1998) Biochemistry 37, 3581]. In this work, we sought to establish whether the state could be assigned to a specific, reduced S state by using flash oxymetry, chlorophyll a fluorescence, and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. With the Joliot-type O(2) electrode, the first maximum of oxygen evolution was observed on the sixth or seventh flash. Three saturating pre-flashes were required to convert the flash pattern characteristic of NO-reduced samples to that of the untreated control (i.e., O(2) evolution maximum on the third flash). Measurements of the S state-dependent level of chlorophyll fluorescence in NO-treated PSII showed a three-flash downshift compared to untreated controls. In the EPR study, the maximum S(2) multi-line EPR signal was observed after the fourth flash. The results from all three methods are consistent with the Mn cluster being in a redox state corresponding to an S(-2) state in a majority of centers after treatment with NO. We were unable to generate the Mn(II)-Mn(III) multi-line signal using hydrazine as a reductant; it appears that the valence distribution and possibly the structure of the Mn cluster in the S(-2) state are dependent on the nature of the reductant that is used.

Interaction of nitric oxide with the oxygen evolving complex of photosystem II and manganese catalase: a comparative study

We compare the interaction of nitric oxide with the S states of the oxygen evolving complex (OEC) of photosystem II and the dinuclear Mn cluster of Thermus thermophilus catalase. Flash fluorescence studies indicate that the S3 state of the OEC in the presence of ca. 0.6 mM NO is reduced to the S1 with an apparent halftime of ca. 0.4 s at about 18 degrees C, compared with a biphasic decay, with approximate halftimes of 28 s for S3 to S2 and 140 s for S2 to S1 in the absence of NO. Under similar conditions the S2 state is reduced by NO to the S1 state with an approximate halftime of 2 s. These results extend a recent study indicating a slow reduction of the S1 state at -30 degrees C, via the S0 and S(-1) states, to a Mn(II)-Mn(III) state resembling the corresponding state in catalase. The reductive mode of action of NO is repeated with the di-Mn cluster of catalase: the Mn(III)-Mn(III) redox state is reduced to the Mn(II)-Mn(II) state via the intermediate Mn(II)-Mn(III) state. The kinetics of this reduction suggest a decreasing reduction potential with decreasing oxidation state, similar to what is observed with the active states of the OEC. What is unique about the OEC is the rapid interaction of NO with the S3 state of the OEC, which is compatible with a metalloradical character of this state.

NO reversibly reduces the water-oxidizing complex of photosystem II through S0 and S-1 to the state characterized by the Mn(II)-Mn(III) multiline EPR signal

Incubation of photosystem II preparations with NO at -30 degreesC results in the slow formation of a unique state of the water-oxidizing complex (WOC), which was recently identified as a Mn(II)-Mn(III) dimer [Sarrou, J., Ioannidis, N., Deligiannakis, Y., and Petrouleas, V. (1998) Biochemistry 37, 3581-3587]. Evolution of the Mn(II)-Mn(III) EPR signal proceeds through one or more intermediates [Goussias, C., Ioannidis, N., and Petrouleas, V. (1997) Biochemistry 36, 9261-9266]. In an effort to identify these intermediates, we have examined the time course of the signal evolution in the presence and absence of methanol. An early step of the interaction of NO with the WOC is the reduction of S1 to the S0 state, characterized by the weak Mn-hyperfine structure recently reported for that state. At longer times S0 is further reduced to a state which has the properties of the S-1 state, in that single-turnover illumination restores the S0 signal. The Mn(II)-Mn(III) state forms after the S-1 state and is tentatively assigned to an (iso)S-2 state, although lower states or a modified S-1 state cannot be excluded at present. Following removal of NO 60-65% of the initial S2 multiline signal size or the O2-evolving activity can be restored. The data provide for the first time EPR information on a state lower than S0. Furthermore, the low-temperature NO treatment provides a simple means for the selective population of the S0, S-1 and the Mn(II)-Mn(III) states.

Characterization of the complex interaction between the electron acceptor silicomolybdate and Photosystem II

Silicomolybdate (SiMo) and its effects on thylakoids have been characterized to evaluate its use as a probe for Photosystem II (PS II). It can accept electrons at two places in the electron transport chain: one at PS II and the other at PS I. In the presence of 1 μM 2,5-dibromo-3-methyl-6-isopropyl-p-benzoquinone (DBMIB) only the site at PS II is available. It is suggested that SiMo must disp;ace bicarbonate from its binding site to be able to function as an electron acceptor. This displacement is non-competitive. The binding of SiMo is inhibited differentially by PS II inhibitors: dinoseb>ioxynil> diuron. This difference is determined by the different positions of the inhibitors within the QB binding niche and their interaction with bicarbonate. The experimental results show that the SiMo-binding niche is located between the parallel helices of the D1 and D2 proteins of PS II, close to the non-heme iron. We conclude that SiMo is an electron acceptor with unique characteristics useful as a probe of the acceptor side of PS II.

Comparison of Photosynthetic Activities in Triazine-Resistant and Susceptible Biotypes of Chenopodium album

Triazine-resistant and susceptible Chenopodium album plants were grown at low and at high light irradiances. At the lower light irradiance the dry matter production of the resistant and the susceptible plants were almost similar. At the higher irradiance the resistant biotype had a significantly lower production. Fluorescence studies showed that the photochemical yield and the photosystem II electron transport rate were lower in the resistant biotype. It could be demonstrated in intact leaves that the lower productivity of the resistant biotype is caused by a higher sensitivity to photoinhibition. However, when studying effects of photoinhibition on electron flow and photophosphorylation in isolated thylakoids of the two biotypes, no significant differences between resistant and susceptible plant materials were observed. It is suggest­ ed that the difference between resistant and susceptible biotypes connected with processes protective against photoinhibition in intact leaves, are lost during the isolation of thylakoids.