How do vascular plants perform photosynthesis in extreme environments? An integrative ecophysiological and biochemical story

In this work, we review the physiological and molecular mechanisms that allow vascular plants to perform photosynthesis in extreme environments, such as deserts, polar and alpine ecosystems. Specifically, we discuss the morpho/anatomical, photochemical and metabolic adaptive processes that enable a positive carbon balance in photosynthetic tissues under extreme temperatures and/or severe water‐limiting conditions in C₃ species. Nevertheless, only a few studies have described the in situ functioning of photoprotection in plants from extreme environments, given the intrinsic difficulties of fieldwork in remote places. However, they cover a substantial geographical and functional range, which allowed us to describe some general trends. In general, photoprotection relies on the same mechanisms as those operating in the remaining plant species, ranging from enhanced morphological photoprotection to increased scavenging of oxidative products such as reactive oxygen species. Much less information is available about the main physiological and biochemical drivers of photosynthesis: stomatal conductance (g_s), mesophyll conductance (g_m) and carbon fixation, mostly driven by RuBisCO carboxylation. Extreme environments shape adaptations in structures, such as cell wall and membrane composition, the concentration and activation state of Calvin–Benson cycle enzymes, and RuBisCO evolution, optimizing kinetic traits to ensure functionality. Altogether, these species display a combination of rearrangements, from the whole‐plant level to the molecular scale, to sustain a positive carbon balance in some of the most hostile environments on Earth.     

Photorespiration in the context of Rubisco biochemistry,CO2 diffusion and metabolism

Photorespiratory metabolism is essential for plants to maintain functional photosynthesis in an oxygen‐containing environment. Because the oxygenation reaction of Rubisco is followed by the loss of previously fixed carbon, photorespiration is often considered a wasteful process and considerable efforts are aimed at minimizing the negative impact of photorespiration on the plant’s carbon uptake. However, the photorespiratory pathway has also many positive aspects, as it is well integrated within other metabolic processes, such as nitrogen assimilation and C₁ metabolism, and it is important for maintaining the redox balance of the plant. The overall effect of photorespiratory carbon loss on the net CO₂ fixation of the plant is also strongly influenced by the physiology of the leaf related to CO₂ diffusion. This review outlines the distinction between Rubisco oxygenation and photorespiratory CO₂ release as a basis to evaluate the costs and benefits of photorespiration.     

ABC转运蛋白及其在合成生物学中的应用

ABC转运蛋白(ATP-binding cassette transporter,ABC transporter)作为一种超大膜转运蛋白家族,在大多数生物体中发挥着重要作用。文中从结构特征、转运机制以及生理功能等方面论述了ABC转运蛋白的研究进展,进而着重综述了近些年来ABC转运蛋白在合成生物学领域中的应用,并为今后进一步的研究提出了展望,希望为扩展其应用提供指导。     

外源硫对镉胁迫下马齿苋光合性状和矿质元素吸收的影响

从光合反应系统揭示外源硫(S)诱导马齿苋镉(Cd)耐受性的生理机制,为外源S缓解重金属毒害提供理论依据.采用营养液培养,研究外源S供体(NH4)2SO4对100 mg/L Cd胁迫下马齿苋叶片光合色素、光合特性、叶绿素荧光参数和矿质营养元素的影响.结果表明,Cd胁迫可显著降低马齿苋叶片中叶绿素a和叶绿素b含量;净光合速率、蒸腾速率、气孔导度均显著降低,而胞间二氧化碳浓度上升,表明非气孔因素是Cd胁迫诱导马齿苋光合抑制的主要因素;同时,PSⅡ实际光化学效率(ФPSII)、电子传递效率(J)、化学猝灭系数(qP)显著下降,而非化学猝灭系数(qN)显著上升,表明Cd胁迫影响马齿苋PSⅡ反应系统的正常运行.外施400 mg/L(NH4)2SO4显著提高马齿苋叶片叶绿素a含量、叶绿素b含量和叶绿素a/b比值,增强马齿苋叶片光合作用和PSⅡ原初光化学反应量子效率.对5种与光反应系统密切相关的矿质元素含量进行分析发现,Cd处理显著增加马齿苋叶片中的Ca和Fe含量,显著抑制马齿苋对Mg、Mn和Cu的吸收.Cd胁迫下马齿苋叶片的变黄与Mg、Mn的亏缺有关,而与Fe缺乏无关;添加外源S可显著提升马齿苋叶片中Ca、Mg、Fe、Cu和Mn含量,从而增强Cd胁迫下马齿苋叶片的PSII反应系统功能.     

西南旱地油菜田土壤水分和作物光合特征对覆盖材料和垄沟比的响应

为了应对西南地区频发的季节性干旱,提高旱作农田水分利用效率和作物光能利用效率,设置大田试验,研究不同覆盖材料(普通白膜、普通黑膜、生物降解膜和不覆膜)和不同垄沟比(40 cm∶40 cm和40 cm∶80 cm)对土壤贮水量和油菜光合特性、荧光参数、叶绿素相对含量(SPAD)的影响。结果表明: 油菜生育期不同覆盖材料下的土壤贮水量为:普通黑膜垄作(BR)≈普通白膜垄作(WR)≈生物降解膜垄作(BDR)＞不覆膜垄作(NR)＞平作(FP);在同一覆盖材料下,垄沟比对土壤贮水量无显著影响。与平作相比,垄沟集雨处理的净光合速率、气孔导度、最大荧光、可变荧光、PSⅡ最大光化学量子产量、PSⅡ潜在活性、光化学猝灭系数和非光化学猝灭系数均有所提高;与平作相比,WR、BR、BDR和NR处理的SPAD值分别提高6.1%、8.6%、8.5%和3.6%,瞬时水分利用效率分别提高18.3%、11.4%、16.3%和10.4%。相比于平作,BR、WR和BDR处理可显著增加油菜产量,NR处理增产不显著,普通黑膜垄作+垄沟比40 cm∶40 cm处理的经济效益最高。可见,垄沟集雨种植可以改善西南旱地油菜田土壤水分,增强油菜叶片光合能力,提高油菜产量,增加农民收入。     

油菜FBA基因克隆、表达分析及其与抗旱性的关系

为了解果糖-1,6-二磷酸醛缩酶(fructose-1,6-bisphosphate aldolase,FBA)在油菜抗旱中的作用,揭示油菜干旱胁迫下FBA基因表达量、光合指标、产量等之间的关系,为油菜等作物抗旱性鉴定和抗旱性改良提供依据。以抗旱性强的甘蓝型油菜94005为材料,在初花期进行干旱胁迫处理,以正常浇水作为对照;测定叶片光合参数和FBA酶活性,通过实时荧光定量PCR(RT-qPCR)分析FBA基因的表达量;采用RACE方法对FBA基因进行全长克隆,并对测序结果进行生物信息学分析;复水后生长至成熟期测定产量,分析产量、光合指标、FBA基因表达量等之间的关系。结果表明,随着干旱的加剧,油菜叶片的净光合速率(Pn)、气孔导度(Gs)、蒸腾速率(Tr)、产量均下降,FBA活性和FBA基因的表达量上升。在轻度、中度和重度干旱胁迫下,油菜叶片胞间CO_2浓度(Ci)显著下降,水分利用率(WUE)上升;极度胁迫下,Ci上升,WUE下降;油菜产量、净光合速率与FBA活性和FBA表达量呈显著负相关。FBA基因全长序列1440bp,ORF(开放阅读框)位于60—1172区域,编码370个氨基酸;蛋白分子量为38.51 KDa,等电点6.92;同源性对比显示,甘蓝型油菜FBA基因与拟南芥FBA基因的一致性在87%以上。二级结构预测结果表明FBA蛋白由α-螺旋、无规则卷曲、延伸链以及β-转角组成,4种二级结构元件所占比例分别为43.85%、31.28%、17.60%、7.26%。因此,干旱胁迫下油菜的净光合速率下降、产量降低,随着胁迫的加剧,降低幅度增大。FBA基因与干旱胁迫密切相关,干旱胁迫下,FBA基因主要通过抑制光合、降低蒸腾、促进糖酵解和有氧呼吸等途径来提高植物对干旱胁迫的适应性。     

光氮互作对闽楠幼苗叶片光合生理特性的影响

以5月龄闽楠幼苗为材料,采用4种光照水平(100%、41.3%、14.3%、3.6%自然光)和4种氮素水平(0、0.5、1、2 mol/L纯氮)的双因素盆栽试验,研究光氮互作下闽楠幼苗的光合生理特性,以探讨其对环境适应性的生理机制。结果表明:(1)遮荫和施氮均能显著提高闽楠叶片光合色素含量;在同一氮素水平下,随光照强度下降,闽楠幼苗叶片可溶性糖(SS)、可溶性蛋白(SP)、净光合速率(P_n)、气孔导度(G_s)、最大净光合速率(P_(max))、暗呼吸速率(R_d)、表观量子系数(AQY)均呈先增后降趋势,并在41.3%自然光照水平时最高;而同期叶片胞间CO_2浓度(C_i)、蒸腾速率(T_r)、光饱和点(LSP)、光补偿点(LCP)均呈下降趋势;闽楠幼苗的叶片PSⅡ最大光化学效率(F_v/F_m)和PSⅡ潜在活性(F_v/F_o)则随光照减弱逐渐增加。(2)同一光照水平下,随着氮素施用量增加,闽楠幼苗叶片SS、SP、光合气体交换参数、光响应曲线特征参数总体呈现先升高后降低的趋势,F_v/F_m和F_v/F_o呈先降后增趋势。(3)不同光照和氮素水平之间存在显著的互作效应,隶属函数分析结果以41.3%自然光照、0.5 mol/L纯N处理的效果最优。研究表明,闽楠幼苗为喜光耐荫植物;适宜遮荫和施氮处理组合可显著改善闽楠渗透调节能力,提高光能利用率,促进光合作用进行,而全光照、过度遮荫、缺氮、或过量施氮均不利于闽楠正常生理代谢。