<Superscript>15</Superscript>N photo-CIDNP MAS NMR analysis of reaction centers of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chloracidobacterium thermophilum</Emphasis>

Photochemically induced dynamic nuclear polarization (photo-CIDNP) has been observed in the homodimeric, type-1 photochemical reaction centers (RCs) of the acidobacterium, Chloracidobacterium (Cab.) thermophilum, by ¹⁵N magic-angle spinning (MAS) solid-state NMR under continuous white-light illumination. Three light-induced emissive (negative) signals are detected. In the RCs of Cab. thermophilum, three types of (bacterio)chlorophylls have previously been identified: bacteriochlorophyll a (BChl a), chlorophyll a (Chl a), and Zn-bacteriochlorophyll a′ (Zn-BChl a′) (Tsukatani et al. in J Biol Chem 287:5720–5732, 2012). Based upon experimental and quantum chemical ¹⁵N NMR data, we assign the observed signals to a Chl a cofactor. We exclude Zn-BChl because of its measured spectroscopic properties. We conclude that Chl a is the primary electron acceptor, which implies that the primary donor is most likely Zn-BChl a′. Chl a and 8¹-OH Chl a have been shown to be the primary electron acceptors in green sulfur bacteria and heliobacteria, respectively, and thus a Chl a molecule serves this role in all known homodimeric type-1 RCs.     

Heterotrophic activity of bacterioplankton along the gradients of the chlorophyll <Emphasis Type="Italic">a</Emphasis> concentration and water temperature in marine and limnetic ecosystems

The dependence of the heterotrophic activity of bacterioplankton (V, μg C L^–1 h^–1) on the concentration of chlorophyll a (Chl, μg L^–1) and the water temperature (T) was examined for lakes (37°29′–80°36′ N) and marine polar waters (69°16′–80°36′ N). It was shown that ~76% of the V variations was related to changes in Chl and T.     

Acclimation of shade-tolerant and light-resistant <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tradescantia</Emphasis> species to growth light: chlorophyll <Emphasis Type="Italic">a</Emphasis> fluorescence,electron transport,and xanthophyll content

In this study, we have compared the photosynthetic characteristics of two contrasting species of Tradescantia plants, T. fluminensis (shade-tolerant species), and T. sillamontana (light-resistant species), grown under the low light (LL, 50–125 µmol photons m^?2 s^?1) or high light (HL, 875–1000 µmol photons m^?2 s^?1) conditions during their entire growth period. For monitoring the functional state of photosynthetic apparatus (PSA), we measured chlorophyll (Chl) a emission fluorescence spectra and kinetics of light-induced changes in the heights of fluorescence peaks at 685 and 740 nm (F ₆₈₅ and F ₇₄₀). We also compared the light-induced oxidation of P₇₀₀ and assayed the composition of carotenoids in Tradescantia leaves grown under the LL and HL conditions. The analyses of slow induction of Chl a fluorescence (SIF) uncovered different traits in the LL- and HL-grown plants of ecologically contrasting Tradescantia species, which may have potential ecophysiological significance with respect to their tolerance to HL stress. The fluorometry and EPR studies of induction events in chloroplasts in situ demonstrated that acclimation of both Tradescantia species to HL conditions promoted faster responses of their PSA as compared to LL-grown plants. Acclimation of both species to HL also caused marked changes in the leaf anatomy and carotenoid composition (an increase in Violaxanthin?+?Antheraxantin?+?Zeaxanthin and Lutein pools), suggesting enhanced photoprotective capacity of the carotenoids in the plants grown in nature under high irradiance. Collectively, the results of the present work suggest that the mechanisms of long-term PSA photoprotection in Tradescantia are based predominantly on the light-induced remodeling of pigment-protein complexes in chloroplasts.     

Chlorophylls <Emphasis Type="Italic">d</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">f</Emphasis> and their role in primary photosynthetic processes of cyanobacteria

The finding of unique Chl d- and Chl f-containing cyanobacteria in the last decade was a discovery in the area of biology of oxygenic photosynthetic organisms. Chl b, Chl c, and Chl f are considered to be accessory pigments found in antennae systems of photosynthetic organisms. They absorb energy and transfer it to the photosynthetic reaction center (RC), but do not participate in electron transport by the photosynthetic electron transport chain. However, Chl d as well as Chl a can operate not only in the light-harvesting complex, but also in the photosynthetic RC. The long-wavelength (Q_y) Chl d and Chl f absorption band is shifted to longer wavelength (to 750 nm) compared to Chl a, which suggests the possibility for oxygenic photosynthesis in this spectral range. Such expansion of the photosynthetically active light range is important for the survival of cyanobacteria when the intensity of light not exceeding 700 nm is attenuated due to absorption by Chl a and other pigments. At the same time, energy storage efficiency in photosystem 2 for cyanobacteria containing Chl d and Chl f is not lower than that of cyanobacteria containing Chl a. Despite great interest in these unique chlorophylls, many questions related to functioning of such pigments in primary photosynthetic processes are still not elucidated. This review describes the latest advances in the field of Chl d and Chl f research and their role in primary photosynthetic processes of cyanobacteria.     

Potential Outdoor Cultivation of Green Microalgae Based on Response to Changing Temperatures and by Combining with Air Temperature Occurrence

In this study, our working hypothesis was to examine whether temperature alters biomass and metabolite production by microalgae according to strain. We also addressed whether it is possible to choose a strain suitable for growing in each season of a given region. A factorial experiment revealed a significant interaction between chlorophylls a and b (Chl a and Chl b), carotenoid/Chl (a?+?b) ratio, biomass and total lipid productivity of six green microalgae (four Chlorella spp., Chlorella sorokiniana and Neochloris oleoabundans) after 15 days at four temperatures. At 39/35 °C, two Chlorella sp. strains (IPR7115 and IPR7117) showed higher total carotenoids/Chl (a?+?b) (0.578 and 0.830), respectively. N. oleoabundans had the highest Chl a (8210 μg L^?1) and Chl b (1909 μg L^?1) at 19/15 °C and highest maximum dry biomass (2900 mg L^?1), specific growth rate (0.538 day^?1) and total lipids (1003 mg L^?1) at 15/8 °C. We applied a method to infer the growth of these six green microalgae in outdoor ponds, as based on their response to changing temperatures and by combining with historical data on day/night air temperature occurrence for a given region. We conclude that the use of regionalized maps based on air temperature is a good strategy for predicting microalgal cultivation in outdoor ponds based on their features and tolerance to changing temperature.     

Comparative analyses of physiological assays and chlorophyll <Emphasis Type="Italic">a</Emphasis> variable fluorescence parameters: investigating the importance of phosphorus availability in oligotrophic and eutrophic freshwater systems

Diverse measurements of nutrient status indicators were used to test the severity of physiological phosphorus (P) limitation of phytoplankton among lake systems ranging from oligotrophic to eutrophic, based on P and chlorophyll a (Chl a) concentrations. Metabolic assays and particulate nutrient ratios were used to estimate nutrient status at sites located in Lake Erie, Lake Ontario and Lake Huron. Variable fluorescence ratios (F _v/F _m), relative electron transport rates and their response to irradiance were measured by the pulse-amplitude-modulated fluorometer. Under summer stratified conditions, P deficiency was strongest in the oligotrophic sites and nitrogen (N) status indicators and Chl a variable parameters revealed no severe N deficiency. Nutrient amendment assays showed positive associations with P additions and Chl a fluorescence parameters at P-deficient sites. In the most oligotrophic sites, N additions revealed a modest increase only detected by the Chl a fluorescence parameters. Phytoplankton communities were also associated with nutrient status, where chrysophytes and cryptophytes were important in P-deficient sites and cyanobacteria, phyrrophyta, and diatoms were prevalent in nutrient-rich sites. The results confirmed that Chl a fluorescence parameters can reveal P deficiency and indicate its severity among the range of trophic status in aquatic systems.     

Predictive capability of a leaf optical meter for determining leaf pigment status during senescence

We conducted an experiment to assess the predictive capability of a leaf optical meter for determining leaf pigment status of Acer mono Maxim., A. ginnala Maxim., Quercus mongolica Fisch., and Cornus alba displaying a range of visually different leaf colors during senescence. Concentrations of chlorophyll (Chl) a, Chl b, and total Chl [i.e., Chl (a+b)] decreased while the concentration of carotenoids (Car) remained relatively static for all species as leaf development continued from maturity to senescence. C. alba exhibited the lowest average concentration of Chl (a+b), Chl a, and Car, but the highest relative anthocyanin concentration, while Q. mongolica exhibited the highest Chl (a+b), Chl b, and the lowest relative anthocyanin concentration. A. mono exhibited the highest Chl a and Car concentrations. The relationships between leaf pigments and the values measured by the optical meter generally followed an exponential function. The strongest relationships between leaf pigments and optical measurements were for A. mono, A. ginnala, and Q. mongolica (R ² ranged from 0.64 to 0.95), and the weakest relationships were for C. alba (R ² ranged from 0.13 to 0.67). Moreover, optical measurements were more strongly related to Chl a than to Chl b or Chl (a+b). Optical measurements were not related to Car or relative anthocyanin concentrations. We predicted that weak relationships between leaf pigments and optical measurements would occur under very low Chl concentrations or under very high anthocyanin concentrations; however, these factors could not explain the weak relationship between Chl and optical measurements observed in C. alba. Overall, our results indicated that an optical meter can accurately estimate leaf pigment concentrations during leaf senescence — a time when pigment concentrations are dynamically changing — but that the accuracy of the estimate varies across species. Future research should investigate how species-specific leaf traits may influence the accuracy of pigment estimates derived from optical meters.     

An NADPH-dependent <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lactobacillus composti</Emphasis> short-chain dehydrogenase/reductase: characterization and application to (<Emphasis Type="Italic">R</Emphasis>)-1-phenylethanol synthesis

A new anti-Prelog short-chain dehydrogenase/reductase (SDR) encoding gene lcsdr was cloned from Lactobacillus composti DSM 18527, and heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli. LcSDR is nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH)-dependent and has a molecular weight of approximately 30 kDa. The optimal pH and temperature were 6.5 and 30?°C, respectively. The maximal reaction rate V_max was 133.9 U mg^?1; the Michaelis–Menten constant K _m of LcSDR were 0.345 mM for acetophenone (1a), and 0.085 mM for NADPH. Through introducing an EsGDH-catalyzed NADPH regeneration system, a biocatalytic process for (R)-1-phenylethanol ((R)-1b) was developed with outstanding time–space yield. Under the optimized conditions, 50 g l^?1 1a was converted to (R)-1b in 2 h with a yield of 93.8%, enantiomeric excess of product (e.e._p) above 99% and space–time yield of 562.8 g l^?1 d^?1.     

Use of the atLEAF+ chlorophyll meter for a nondestructive estimate of chlorophyll content

At present, chlorophyll meters are widely used for a quick and nondestructive estimate of chlorophyll (Chl) contents in plant leaves. Chl meters allow to estimate the Chl content in relative units - the Chl index (CI). However, using such meters, one can face a problem of converting CI into absolute values of the pigment content and comparing data acquired with different devices and for different plant species. Many Chl meters (SPAD-502, CL-01, CCM-200) demonstrated a high degree of correlation between the CI and the absolute pigment content. A number of formulas have been deduced for different plant species to convert the CI into the absolute value of the photosynthetic pigment content. However, such data have not been yet acquired for the atLEAF+ Chl meter. The purpose of the present study was to assess the applicability of the atLEAF+ Chl meter for estimating the Chl content. A significant species-specific exponential relationships between the atLEAF value (corresponding to CI) and extractable Chl a, Chl b, Chl (a+b) for Calamus dioicus and Cleistanthus sp. were shown. The correlations between the atLEAF values and the content of Chl a, Chl b, and Chl (a+b) per unit of leaf area was stronger than that per unit of dry leaf mass. The atLEAF value- Chl b correlation was weaker than that of atLEAF value-Chl a and atLEAF value-Chl (a+b) correlations. The influence of light conditions (Chl a/b ratio) on the atLEAF value has been also shown. The obtained results indicated that the atLEAF+ Chl meter is a cheap and convenient tool for a quick nondestructive estimate of the Chl content, if properly calibrated, and can be used for this purpose along with other Chl meters.     

Natively oxidized amino acid residues in the spinach cytochrome <Emphasis Type="Italic">b</Emphasis><Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">6</Emphasis></Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">f</Emphasis> complex

The cytochrome b ₆ f complex of oxygenic photosynthesis produces substantial levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). It has been observed that the ROS production rate by b ₆ f is 10–20 fold higher than that observed for the analogous respiratory cytochrome bc₁ complex. The types of ROS produced (O₂^{??, 1}O₂, and, possibly, H₂O₂) and the site(s) of ROS production within the b ₆ f complex have been the subject of some debate. Proposed sources of ROS have included the heme b _p , PQ _p ^?? (possible sources for O₂^??), the Rieske iron–sulfur cluster (possible source of O₂^?? and/or ¹O₂), Chl a (possible source of ¹O₂), and heme c _n (possible source of O₂^?? and/or H₂O₂). Our working hypothesis is that amino acid residues proximal to the ROS production sites will be more susceptible to oxidative modification than distant residues. In the current study, we have identified natively oxidized amino acid residues in the subunits of the spinach cytochrome b ₆ f complex. The oxidized residues were identified by tandem mass spectrometry using the MassMatrix Program. Our results indicate that numerous residues, principally localized near p-side cofactors and Chl a, were oxidatively modified. We hypothesize that these sites are sources for ROS generation in the spinach cytochrome b ₆ f complex.     

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.     

Chlorophyll Content as an Indicator of the Modern (2015–2016) Trophic State of Volga River Reservoirs

Data on the chlorophyll a (Chl a) content in water of the Volga River reservoirs sampled at 64–73 sampling stations in the summer period of 2015 and 2016, analyzed using the standard spectrophotometric method, are presented. Chl a content varied from a minimum of 0.9–3.0 to a maximum of 7.6–32.1 μg/L in June 2016, from 2.1–15.5 to 9.4–86 μg/L in August 2015, and from 1.1–6.7 to 15.1–62.7 μg/L in August 2016. A local increase in Chl a occurred in the near-dam areas of the reservoirs, as well as downstream of the confluence with tributaries. The highest Chl a concentrations were constantly recorded in the highly eutrophic Shoshinskii Reach in the Ivankovo Reservoir and at the Oka River mouth in the Cheboksary Reservoir. The average values of Chl a concentrations make it possible to classify the Ivankovo, Uglich, Rybinsk, and Cheboksary reservoirs as eutrophic; the Gorky and Kuibyshev reservoirs as moderately eutrophic; and the Saratov and Volgograd reservoirs as mesotrophic.     

Distribution of bacteriochlorophyll between the pigment-protein complexes of the sulfur photosynthetic bacterium <Emphasis Type="Italic">Allochromatium minutissimum</Emphasis> depending on light intensity at different temperatures

Variation of the distribution of bacteriochlorophyll a (BChl a) between external antenna (LH2) and core complexes (LH1 + RC) of the photosynthetic membrane of the sulfur bacterium Allochromatium minutissimum was studied at light intensities of 5 and 90 Wt/m² in the temperature range of 12–43°C. The increase of light intensity was shown to result in a 1.5-to 2-times increase of a photosynthetic unit (PSU). PSU sizes pass through a maximum depending on growth temperature, and the increase of light intensity (5 and 90 Wt/m²) results in a shift of the maximal PSU size to higher temperatures (15 and 20°C, respectively). In the narrow temperature interval of ～14–17°C, the ratio of light intensity to PSU size is typical of phototrophs: lower light intensity corresponds to larger PSU size. The pattern of PSU size change depending on light intensity was shown to differ at extreme growth temperatures (12°C and over 35°C). The comparison of Alc. minutissimum PSU size with the data on Rhodobacter capsulatus and Rhodopseudomonas palustris by measuring the effective optical absorption cross-section for the reaction of photoinhibition of respiration shows a two to four times greater size of light-harvesting antenna for Alc. minutissimum, which seems to correspond to the maximum possible limit for purple bacteria.     

Photosynthetic pigments of phytoperiphyton in the Sylva River (Middle Ural)

The pigment composition of phytoperiphyton algocenoses on stones and macrophytes (Potamogeton lucens L., P. perfoliatus L., P. gramineus L., P. pectinatus L., Mirophyllum spicatum, Petasites hybridus (L.) Gaertn., Mey. et Sxherb, Nuphar lutea L., and Alisma plantago-aquatica L.) in the submontane Sylva River (Middle Ural) is considered based on the surveys of 2000–2012. The wide variability in the content of plant pigments in phytoperiphyton depends on the season and type of substrate. The maximum values similar for all substrates are observed at the end of summer. The concentrations of Chl a increase during warm low-water years. Chlorophyll a prevails among green pigments in periphyton; the relative concentration of other pigments is lower. The concentration of plant carotenoids in epiphyton is slightly higher compared to epilithon and is comparable to the Chl a level. The trophic state index of the Sylva River may be determined as mesotrophic or weakly eutrophic when the Chl a concentration in phytoperiphyton is used as a marker.     

The eurythermal adaptivity and temperature tolerance of a newly isolated psychrotolerant Arctic <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chlorella</Emphasis> sp.

A new strain of Chlorella sp. (Chlorella-Arc), isolated from Arctic glacier melt water, was found to have high specific growth rates (μ) between 3 and 27 °C, with a maximum specific growth rate of 0.85 day^?1 at 15 °C, indicating that this strain was a eurythermal strain with a broad temperature tolerance range. To understand its acclimation strategies to low and high temperatures, the physiological and biochemical responses of the Chlorella-Arc to temperature were studied and compared with those of a temperate Chlorella pyrenoidosa strain (Chlorella-Temp). As indicated by declining F _v/F _m, photoinhibition occurred in Chlorella-Arc at low temperature. However, Chlorella-Arc reduced the size of the light-harvesting complex (LHC) to alleviate photoinhibition, as indicated by an increasing Chl a/b ratio with decreasing temperatures. Interestingly, Chlorella-Arc tended to secrete soluble sugar into the culture medium with increasing temperature, while its intracellular soluble sugar content did not vary with temperature changes, indicating that the algal cells might suffer from osmotic stress at high temperature, which could be adjusted by excretion of soluble sugar. Chlorella-Arc accumulated protein and lipids under lower temperatures (<15 °C), and its metabolism switched to synthesis of soluble sugar as temperatures rose. This reflects a flexible ability of Chlorella-Arc to regulate carbon and energy distribution when exposed to wide temperature shifts. More saturated fatty acids (SFA) in Chlorella-Arc than Chlorella-Temp also might serve as the energy source for growth in the cold and contribute to its cold tolerance.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Synechocystis</Emphasis> sp. PCC 6803 CruA (sll0147) encodes lycopene cyclase and requires bound chlorophyll <Emphasis Type="Italic">a</Emphasis> for activity

The genome of the model cyanobacterium, Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002, encodes two paralogs of CruA-type lycopene cyclases, SynPCC7002_A2153 and SynPCC7002_A0043, which are denoted cruA and cruP, respectively. Unlike the wild-type strain, a cruA deletion mutant is light-sensitive, grows slowly, and accumulates lycopene, γ-carotene, and 1-OH-lycopene; however, this strain still produces β-carotene and other carotenoids derived from it. Expression of cruA from Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 (cruA ₆₈₀₃) in Escherichia coli strains that synthesize either lycopene or γ-carotene did not lead to the synthesis of either γ-carotene or β-carotene, respectively. However, expression of this orthologous cruA ₆₈₀₃ gene (sll0147) in the Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002 cruA deletion mutant produced strains with phenotypic properties identical to the wild type. CruA₆₈₀₃ was purified from Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002 by affinity chromatography, and the purified protein was pale yellow-green due to the presence of bound chlorophyll (Chl) a and β-carotene. Native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the partly purified protein in the presence of lithium dodecylsulfate at 4 °C confirmed that the protein was yellow-green in color. When purified CruA₆₈₀₃ was assayed in vitro with either lycopene or γ-carotene as substrate, β-carotene was synthesized. These data establish that CruA₆₈₀₃ is a lycopene cyclase and that it requires a bound Chl a molecule for activity. Possible binding sites for Chl a and the potential regulatory role of the Chl a in coordination of Chl and carotenoid biosynthesis are discussed.     

Interactions of human serum albumin with bioactive 3<Emphasis Type="Italic">H</Emphasis>-imidazo[4,5-<Emphasis Type="Italic">a</Emphasis>]acridines: Insights from fluorescence spectroscopic studies

Several 3H-imidazo[4,5-a]acridine derivatives were conveniently synthesized by the reaction of imidazo[4,5-a]acridones in boiling POCl3. The imidazoacridones were obtained by rearrangement of 3H-imidazo[4',5':3,4]benzo[c]isoxazoles in concentrated sulfuric acid containing nitrous acid at room temperature. The structures of all newly synthesized compounds were confirmed by IR, ¹H NMR, and mass spectral data. The interactions of 3H-imidazo[4,5-a]acridines with human serum albumin (HSA) were studied by fluorescence spectroscopy. The binding of 3H-imidazo[4,5-a]acridines quenches the HSA fluorescence, revealing a 1: 1 interaction with a binding constant of about 2.34 × 10⁵–3.16 × 10⁶ M^–1. A decrease in fluorescence intensity at 339 nm, when excited at 280 nm, is attributed to changes in the environment of the protein fluorophores caused by the presence of the ligand. The differences in interactions of 3H-imidazo[4,5-a]acridines with HSA were observed using spectrofluorimetry technique.     

Exogenous 5-aminolevulinic acid alleviates the detrimental effects of UV-B stress on lettuce (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Lactuca sativa</Emphasis> L) seedlings

One of the abiotic stress factors affecting plant metabolism is ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation. 5-Aminolevulinic acid (ALA), a key precursor of porphyrin biosynthesis, promotes plant growth and crop yields. To investigate the alleviating effects of exogenous ALA on the damages caused by UV-B exposure, two different concentrations [10 ppm (ALA1) and 25 ppm (ALA2)] of ALA were applied to lettuce seedlings for 24 h and then they were exposed to 3.3 W m^?2 UV-B. Results showed that UV-B treatment significantly decreased chlorophyll a and b (Chl a and b) concentration, enhanced the activity of antioxidant enzymes, total phenolic concentration, soluble sugar contents, expression of phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) and γ-tocopherol methyltransferase (γ-TMT) genes, the concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA), hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), and the rate of superoxide radical (\({\text{O}}_{2}^{ - }\)) generation in the lettuce seedlings when compared to the control. Pre-treatment with exogenous ALA significantly enhanced UV-B stress tolerance in lettuce seedlings by decreasing the reactive oxygen species. On the other hand, ALA application caused more increases in the PAL and γ-TMT gene expression, antioxidant enzymes activities, Chl a and b concentration, total phenolic content, antioxidant capacity and the concentrations of soluble sugars. Obtained results indicated that UV-B radiation exerts an adverse effect on lettuce seedlings, and some of the negative effects of UV-B radiation can be alleviated by exogenous ALA.     

Effect of day/night temperature difference on chlorophyll content,photosynthesis and fluorescence parameters of tomato at fruit stage

In order to investigate the effect of day/night temperature difference (DIF) on photosynthetic characteristics of tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum, cv. Jinguan 5) at fruit stage, an experiment was carried out in climate chambers. Five day/night temperature regimes (16/34, 19/31, 25/25, 31/19, and 34/16°C) with respective DIFs of -18, -12, 0, +12, and +18 were used and measured at mean daily temperature of 25°C. The results showed that chlorophyll (Chl) a, Chl b, net photosynthetic rate (P_N), stomatal conductance (g_s), maximum quantum yield of PSII photochemistry (F_v/F_m), effective quantum yield of PSII photochemistry (?_PSII), and photochemical quenching (qp) significantly increased under positive DIF, while they decreased with negative DIF. In contrast, the Chl a/b ratio and nonphotochemical quenching (NPQ) decreased under positive DIF, while increased with negative DIF. Chl a, Chl b, P_N, g_s, F_v/F_m, ?_PSII, and qp were larger under +12 DIF than those at +18 DIF, while Chl a/b and NPQ showed an opposite trend.