The effects of 20 and 50 µM concentrations of Cu and Cd on photosynthesis in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) cotyledons were studied by the measurements of gas exchange characteristics, chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence parameters, photosynthetic pigment contents, and two Calvin cycle enzymes activities: glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) and 3-phosphoglyceric acid kinase (PGK). To minimize indirect metal action, seedlings were treated with metals in the stage of green, fully developed cotyledons. The metals reached the cotyledon tissue after 48 h of treatments, though symptoms of metal action were not visible at that time. The effect of metals on the light phase of the photosynthesis parameters such as potential efficiency of photosystem 2 (PS2; Fv/Fm), and photochemical and nonphotochemical quenching of Chl fluorescence (qP and qNP) was negligible. In contrast, a decrease of PS2 quantum efficiency (ΦPS2) was much more noticeable. Changes in the pigment contents were slight, as only 50 µM Cd decreased Chl a and b contents in small extent. On the contrary, metals in both concentrations drastically decreased (50 and more % of control) the net photosynthetic rate and the stomatal conductance, but not the internal CO2 concentration. The activities of both GAPDH and PGK were also decreased by metals, although the effect on PGK was more prominent, particularly on its potential activity (dithiothreitol in extraction and incubation media). Hence Cu and Cd affected the synthesis of enzyme proteins rather than they influenced their modifications. The effects of both metals on most of the measured photosynthesis parameters were similar, but the accumulation of Cd in the cotyledons was significantly higher than Cu accumulation. Thus Cu was more toxic for the photosynthesis of cucumber cotyledons than Cd. and M. Burzyński, A. Żurek.
Photoprotection mechanisms protect photosynthetic organisms, especially under stress conditions, against photodamage that may inhibit photosynthesis. We investigated the effects of short-term immersion in hypo- and hypersalinity sea water on the photosynthesis and xanthophyll cycle in Sargassum fusiforme (Harvey) Setchell. The results indicated that under moderate light [110 μmol(photon) m-2 s-1], the effective quantum yield of PSII was not reduced in S. fusiforme fronds after 1 h in hyposalinity conditions, even in fresh water, but it was significantly affected by extreme hypersalinity treatment (90‰ sea water). Under high light [HL, 800 μmol(photon) m-2 s-1], photoprotective mechanisms operated efficiently in fronds immersed in fresh water as indicated by high reversible nonphotochemical quenching of chlorophyll fluorescence (NPQ) and de-epoxidation state; the quantum yield of PSII recovered during the subsequent relaxation period. In contrast, fronds immersed in 90‰ sea water did not withstand HL, barely developed reversible NPQ, and accumulated little antheraxanthin and zeaxanthin during HL, while recovery of the quantum yield of PSII was severely inhibited during the subsequent relaxation period. The data provided concrete evidence supporting the
short-term tolerance of S. fusiforme to immersion in fresh water compared to hypersalinity conditions. The potential practical implications of these results were also discussed., X. J. Xie, X. L. Wang, L. D. Lin, L. W. He, W. H. Gu, S. Gao, X. F. Yan, G. H. Pan, M. J. Wu, G. C. Wang., and Obsahuje seznam literatury
The effect of high irradiance (HI, photosynthetically active photon flux density of 1 300 µmol m-2 s-1) on net photosynthetic rate (PN), chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, and xanthophyll cycle components were studied in fruit tree bayberry leaves. HI induced the photoinhibition and inactivation of photosystem 2 (PS2) reaction centres (RCs), which was characterized by decreased PN, maximum yield of fluorescence after dark adaptation (Fm), photochemical efficiency of PS2 (Fv/Fm) and quantum yield of PS2 (ΦPS2), and increased reduction state of QA (1-qP) and non-photochemical quenching (NPQ). Initial fluorescence (F0) showed a decrease after the first 2 h, and subsequently increased from the third hour exposure to HI. Furthermore, a greater increase in the ratio (Fi-F0)/(Fp-F0) which is an expression of the proportion of the QB non-reducing PS2 centres, whereas a remarked decrease in the slope of Fi to Fp which represents the rate of QA reduction was observed in leaves after HI exposure. Additionally, HI caused an increase in the pool size of the xanthophyll cycle pigments and sustained elevated contents of zeaxanthin (Z), antheraxanthin (A), and de-epoxidation state (DES) at the end of the irradiation period. During HI, decreased Fm, Fv/Fm, ΦPS2, NPQ, slope of Fi to Fp, V+A+Z, and DES, and increased F0, 1-qP, ratio (Fi-F0)/(Fp-F0), and V were observed in dithiothreitol (DTT)-fed leaves compared to control ones under the same conditions. Hence photoinhibition caused by HI in bayberry was probably attributed to inactivation of PS2 RCs, and photoprotection from photodamage were mainly related to the xanthophyll cycle-dependent heat dissipation in excess photons. and Y.-P. Guo ... [et al.].
The model conjugates phycocyanin-allophycocyanin (C-PC-APC) and phycoerythrocyanin-phycocyanin-allophycocyanin (PEC-C-PC-APC) were synthesized by using a heterobifunctional coupling reagent N-succinimidyl-3-(2-pyridyldithio)propionate. The rod-core complex (αβ)6 PCLRC 27(αβ)3 APCLC 8.9 and phycobilisomes were separated from Anabaena variabilis. Energy transfer features for the conjugates and the complexes were compared. The absorption and fluorescence emission spectra indicated that the linker-peptides mediate interaction of phycobiliproteins and prompt energy transfer. The energy transfer in the conjugates was detected by fluorescence emission spectra and confirmed by the addition of dithiothreitol. The conjugates may be used as models for studying the energy transfer mechanism in phycobilisomes. and Jiquan Zhao ... [et al.].
Changes in the activities of enzymes involved in scavenging active oxygen species were followed after exposing bean seedling leaves (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) to various cross stresses of irradiance and temperature. The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD, EC 1.15.1.1) and ascorbate peroxidase (AsAPOD, EC 1.11.1.11) increased to different extent with prolonged irradiation of the leaves, and were stimulated by high temperature (HT). The activity of catalase (CAT, 1.11.1.6) decreased when exposed to strong irradiance (HI), and the decrease was further exacerbated when HI was combined with HT. CAT activity was more sensitive to HT than to HI. Ascorbate (AsA) content slightly decreased and then increased during the treatment of HI, but decreased under the cross stress of HI and HT. On the contrary, glutathione (GSH) content increased all the time during various treatments of irradiance and temperature. The increase in the combined stress was even more pronounced. Irradiance is the major reason in triggering the operation of xanthophyll cycle, which was difficult to be started by HT. The antioxidant systems tended to be inactivated with prolonged exposure to the cross stress of HI and HT. The de-expoxidated state of xanthophyll cycle, however, was increasing all the time, which indicated that the zeaxanthin-dependent thermal dissipation was one major energy dissipation pathway during the cross stress of HI and HT. and Liang Ye, Hui-yuan Gao, Qi Zou.