Feedback inhibition of photosynthesis in rice measured by O2 dependent transients

The kinetic properties of photosynthesis (both transient and steady-state) were monitored using three non-invasive techniques to evaluate limitations on triose-phosphate (triose-P) conversion to carbohydrate in rice. These included analyzing the O₂ sensitivity of CO₂ fixation and the assimilatory charge (AC) using gas exchange (estimate of the ribulose 1,5- bisphosphate pool) and measuring Photosystem II activity by chlorophyll fluorescence analysis under varying light, temperature and CO₂ partial pressures. Photosynthesis was inhibited transiently upon switching from 20 to 2 kPa O₂ (reversed O₂ sensitivity), the degree of which was correlated with a terminal, steady-state suppression of low O₂ enhancement of photosynthesis. Under current ambient levels of CO₂ and moderate to high light, the transient pattern was more obvious at 18 °C than at 26 °C while at 34 °C no tra nsient response was observed. The transient inhibition at 18 °C ranged from 15% to 31% depending on the pre-measurement temperature. This pattern, symptomatic of feedback, was observed with increasing light and CO₂ partial pressures with the degree of feedback decreasing from moderate (18 °C) up to high temperature (34 °C). Under feedback conditions, the rate of assimilation is shifted from being photorespiration limited to being triose-P utilization limited. Transitory changes in CO₂ assimilation rates (A) under low O₂ indicative of feedback coincided with a transitory drop in assimilatory charge (AC) and inhibition of electron transport. In contrast to previous studies with many C₃ species, our studies indicate that rice shows susceptibility to feedback inhibition under moderate temperatures and current atmospheric levels of CO₂.     

模拟淹水对杞柳生长和光合特性的影响

以1年生红皮柳(Salix integra cv.hongpi)和青皮柳(Salix integra cv.qingpi)为试验材料,研究了人工模拟淹水胁迫对两个杞柳品种的生长、气体交换及叶绿素荧光的影响.经过75d的淹水处理,两个品种的存活率均为100％.在试验过程中,红皮柳和青皮柳都产生了有利于吸收氧气的不定根和肥大的皮孔,但在产生的时间上红皮柳较青皮柳迟lOd左右.渍水处理促进了青皮柳的生长和光合作用,而红皮柳在渍水和轻度淹水胁迫处理下的生长、叶绿素含量(Chl)、净光合速率(PN)和气孔导度(Gs)都明显低于对照.随着淹水时间的增加,红皮柳的非光化学淬灭系数(NPQ)持续增加并高于对照,最大光化学量子效率(Fv/Fm)持续下降且明显低于对照;青皮柳的非光化学淬灭的值增加幅度较小,最大光化学量子效率一直在0.8-0.85之间波动,与对照相比都无显著差异.以上的实验结果表明在淹水胁迫下红皮柳的光合运转机构受到了一定程度的损伤,而渍水处理则促进了大青皮的生长,因此青皮柳较红皮柳而言更耐淹,更适合在河岸带和消落区生长.     

Responses of photosynthesis, chlorophyll fluorescence and ROS-scavenging systems to salt stress during seedling and reproductive stages in rice

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Salinity is a widespread soil problem limiting productivity of cereal crops worldwide. Rice is particularly sensitive to salt stress during the seedling stage, with consequent poor crop establishment, as well as during reproduction where salinity can severely disrupt grain formation and yield. Tolerance at the seedling stage is weakly associated with tolerance during reproduction. Physiological responses to salinity were evaluated for contrasting genotypes, during the seedling and reproductive stages. METHODS: Three rice genotypes differing in their tolerance of salinity were evaluated in a set of greenhouse experiments under salt stress during both seedling stage and reproduction. KEY RESULTS: Photosynthetic CO2 fixation, stomatal conductance (gs) and transpiration decreased substantially because of salt stress, but with greater reduction in the sensitive cultivar IR29. The tolerant lines IR651 and IR632 had more responsive stomata that tended to close faster during the first few hours of stress, followed by partial recovery after a brief period of acclimation. However, in the sensitive line, gs continued to decrease for longer duration and with no recovery afterward. Chlorophyll fluorescence measurements revealed that non-photochemical quenching increased, whereas the electron transport rate decreased under salt stress. Salt-tolerant cultivars exhibited much lower lipid peroxidation, maintained elevated levels of reduced ascorbic acid and showed increased activities of the enzymes involved in the reactive oxygen scavenging system during both developmental stages. CONCLUSIONS: Upregulation of the anti-oxidant system appears to play a role in salt tolerance of rice, with tolerant genotypes also maintaining relatively higher photosynthetic function; during both the vegetative and reproductive stages.     

Exogenous auxin affects the oxidative burst in barley roots colonized by Piriformospora indica

Beside a cardinal role in coordination of many developmental processes in the plant, the phytohormone auxin has been recognized as a regulator of plant defense. The molecular mechanisms involved are still largely unknown. Using a sensitive chemiluminescence assay, which measures the oxidation of luminol in the presence of H₂O₂ by horseradish peroxidase (HRP), we report here on the ability of exogenously added indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) to enhance the suppressive effect of the root endophyte Piriformospora indica on the chitin-elicited oxidative burst in barley roots. Thus, the potential of P. indica to produce free IAA during the early colonization phase in barley might provide the symbiont with a means to interfere with the microbe-associated molecular patterns (MAMP)-triggered immunity.     

Oxidative stress in cyanobacteria

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are byproducts of aerobic metabolism and potent agents that cause oxidative damage. In oxygenic photosynthetic organisms such as cyanobacteria, ROS are inevitably generated by photosynthetic electron transport, especially when the intensity of light-driven electron transport outpaces the rate of electron consumption during CO₂ fixation. Because cyanobacteria in their natural habitat are often exposed to changing external conditions, such as drastic fluctuations of light intensities, their ability to perceive ROS and to rapidly initiate antioxidant defences is crucial for their survival. This review summarizes recent findings and outlines important perspectives in this field.     

Oxygen stress: a regulator of apoptosis in yeast.

Oxygen radicals are important components of metazoan apoptosis. We have found that apoptosis can be induced in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae by depletion of glutathione or by low external doses of H2O2. Cycloheximide prevents apoptotic death revealing active participation of the cell. Yeast can also be triggered into apoptosis by a mutation in CDC48 or by expression of mammalian bax. In both cases, we show oxygen radicals to accumulate in the cell, whereas radical depletion or hypoxia prevents apoptosis. These results suggest that the generation of oxygen radicals is a key event in the ancestral apoptotic pathway and offer an explanation for the mechanism of bax-induced apoptosis in the absence of any established apoptotic gene in yeast.     

Immediate response of Chara braunii exposed to zinc and hydrogen peroxide

The immediate effect of zinc (Zn) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) in Chara braunii was analyzed in short-time exposure experiments. The exposure concentrations were 12.3, 18.4, and 24.5 μmol L^?1 H₂O₂, 12, 60, and 120 mg L^?1 Zn, and 12.3 μmol L^?1 H₂O₂ + 12 mg L^?1 Zn, 12.3 μmol L^?1 H₂O₂ + 60 mg L^?1 Zn, and 18.4 μmol L^?1 H₂O₂ + 12 mg L^?1 Zn. The stress response of C. braunii was analyzed by measuring photosynthetic photosystem II activity, chlorophyll a and b and carotenoid contents, the H₂O₂ concentration, and antioxidant enzyme activities of ascorbic peroxidase, catalase, and guaiacol peroxidase. The short-term addition of Zn reduced pigment contents in C. braunii. Chlorophyll a and b and carotenoid contents in H₂O₂-exposed C. braunii were as high as in control plants. Photosynthesis was reduced in H₂O₂-treated C. braunii and the short-term addition of Zn did not affect the electron transport rate. H₂O₂ concentration and antioxidant enzyme activities in C. braunii were not significantly different between control and exposed plants. Trends of enzymatic adaptation were described: the H₂O₂-induced stress response was characterized by increased antioxidant enzyme activities, whereas Zn inactivated catalase in C. braunii.     

Tolerance to drug-induced cell death favours the acquisition of multidrug resistance in Leishmania

The control of the protozoan parasite Leishmania relies on few drugs with unknown cellular targets and unclear mode of action. Several antileishmanials, however, were shown to induce apoptosis in Leishmania and this death mechanism was further studied in drug-sensitive and drug-resistant Leishmania infantum. In sensitive parasites, antimonials (SbIII), miltefosine (MF) and amphotericin B (AMB), but not paromomycin (PARO), triggered apoptotic cell death associated with reactive oxygen species (ROS). In contrast, Leishmania mutants resistant to SbIII, MF or AMB not only failed to undergo apoptosis following exposure to their respective drugs, but also were more tolerant towards apoptosis induced by other antileishmanials, provided that these killed Leishmania via ROS production. Such tolerance favored the rapid acquisition of multidrug resistance. PARO killed Leishmania in a non-apoptotic manner and failed to produce ROS. PARO resistance neither protected against drug-induced apoptosis nor provided an increased rate of acquisition of resistance to other antileishmanials. However, the PARO-resistant mutant, but not SbIII-, MF- or AMB-resistant mutants, became rapidly cross-resistant to methotrexate, a model drug also not producing ROS. Our results therefore link the mode of killing of drugs to tolerance to cell death and to a facilitated emergence of multidrug resistance. These findings may have fundamental implications in the field of chemotherapeutic interventions.     

Basal superoxide as a sex-specific immune constraint

There is increasing evidence that reactive oxygen species (ROS), a group of unstable and highly reactive chemical molecules, play a key role in regulating and maintaining life-history trade-offs. Upregulation of ROS in association with immune activation is costly because it may result in an imbalance between pro- and antioxidants and, hence, oxidative damage. Previous research aimed at quantifying this cost has mostly focused on changes in the pro-/antioxidant balance subsequent to an immune response. Here, we test the hypothesis that systemic ROS may constrain immune activation. We show that systemic, pre-challenge superoxide (SO) levels are negatively related to the strength of the subsequent immune response towards the mitogen phytohaemagglutinin in male, but not female painted dragon lizards (Ctenophorus pictus). We therefore suggest that systemic SO constrains immune activation in painted dragon males. We speculate that this may be due to sex-specific selection pressures on immune investment.     

低温胁迫对转新疆雪莲sikRbcs2基因烟草光合作用的影响

研究分布于新疆的雪莲(Saussurea involucrata)中的sikRbcs2基因在低温条件下对植物光合作用的影响,以16、10、6、4℃温度梯度处理非转基因型和转sikRbcs2基因型烟草,每个温度处理72 h,比较研究其叶绿素荧光特性和光合特性。实验分析结果:低温胁迫下,转基因型烟草叶片叶绿素a(Chla)、叶绿素b(Chlb)、叶绿素a+b(Chla+Chlb)、类胡萝卜素(Car)含量都显著高于非转基因型烟草。叶绿素荧光参数分析:低温胁迫下,转基因烟草PSⅡ最大光化学效率(Fv/Fm)、q P(光化学猝灭系数)、ETR(电子传递效率)都显著或极显著高于非转基因型,光合参数测定:随着低温胁迫程度的加剧,转基因烟草和非转基因型烟草净光合速率(Pn)、气孔导度(Gs)、蒸腾速率(Tr)、胞间CO_2浓度(Ci)总体都呈下降趋势,但转基因烟草的净光合速率有一个明显的动态变化,先急剧下降后有一个稳定上升的趋势。通过对生长指标的测定发现:在低温处理后和恢复后转基因烟草生物量的积累都显著高于非转基因型烟草。研究结果表明:转新疆雪莲sikRbcs2基因的烟草在低温条件下具有较高的Fv/Fm、q P、ETR,对光合机构的损伤小,降低了低温胁迫效应,提高了烟草在低温胁迫条件下的耐受性。     

A method for measuring whole plant photosynthesis in Arabidopsis thaliana

Measurement of photosynthesis of intact leaves of Arabidopsis thaliana has been prohibitive due to the small leaf size and prostrate growth habit. Because of the widespread use of Arabidopsis for plant science research it is important to have a procedure for accurate, nondestructive measurement of its photosynthesis. We developed and tested a method for analysis of photosynthesis in whole plants of Arabidopsis. Net carbon assimilation and stomatal conductance were measured with an open gas exchange system and photosynthetic oxygen evolution was determined from chlorophyll fluorescence parameters. Individual plants were grown in 50 cubic centimeter tubes that were attached with an air tight seal to an enclosed gas exchange chamber for measurement of carbon dioxide and water exchange by the whole plant. Chlorophyll fluorescence from intact leaves was simultaneously measured with a pulse modulated fluorometer. Photosynthetic CO₂ assimilation and stomatal conductance rates were calculated with established gas exchange procedures and O₂ evolution was determined from chlorophyll fluorescence measurement of Photosystem II yield. Carbon assimilation and oxygen evolution in response to light intensity and ambient CO₂ concentration was measured and is presented here to demonstrate the potential use of this method for investigation of photosynthesis of Arabidopsis plants in controlled environment conditions.     

Roles of YUCCAs in auxin biosynthesis and drought stress responses in plants

Auxin, a plant hormone, plays crucial roles in diverse aspects of plant growth and development reacting to and integrating environmental stimuli. Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) is the major plant auxin that is synthesized by members of the YUCCA (YUC) family of flavin monooxygenases that catalyse a rate-limiting step. Although the paths to IAA biosynthesis are characterized in Arabidopsis, little is known about the corresponding components in potato. Recently, we isolated eight putative StYUC (Solanum tuberosum YUCCA) genes and five putative tryptophan aminotransferase genes in comparison to those found in Arabidopsis.¹ The specific domains of YUC proteins were well conserved in all StYUC amino acid sequences. Transgenic potato (Solanum tuberosum cv. Jowon) overexpressing AtYUC6 showed high-auxin and enhanced drought tolerance phenotypes. The transgenic potatoes also exhibited reduced levels of ROS (reactive oxygen species) compared to control plants. We therefore propose that YUCCA and TAA families in potato would function in the auxin biosynthesis. The overexpression of AtYUC6 in potato establishes enhanced drought tolerance through regulated ROS homeostasis.     

Inbreeding-related trade-offs in stress resistance in the ant Formica exsecta

Inbred individuals and populations are predicted to suffer from inbreeding depression, especially in times of stress. Under natural conditions, organisms are exposed to more than one stressor at any one time, highlighting the importance of stress resistance traits. We studied how inbreeding- and immunity-related traits are correlated under different dietary conditions in the ant Formica exsecta. Its natural diet varies in the amount and nature of plant secondary compounds and the level of free radicals, all of which require detoxification to maintain organismal homeostasis. We found that inbreeding decreased general antibacterial activity under dietary stress, suggesting inbreeding-related physiological trade-offs.     

The use of in vivo microscopy to image the cnidarian stress response in three octocoral species

Energy‐converting symbionts and organelles may be central to the cnidarian stress response. Stress may damage photochemistry in the endosymbiotic dinoflagellate Symbiodinium spp., leaving photosystems I and II relatively reduced and increasing reactive oxygen species (ROS). Alternatively, ROS may emanate from mitochondria of either the host or the symbiont, or both. These sources of ROS can be distinguished by using microscopy to examine the effects of light on stressed cnidarians incubated in the dark with a fluorescent, ROS‐detecting probe. Experiments were carried out with three species of alcyonacean octocoral, Phenganax parrini, Sarcothelia sp., and Sympodium sp. After incubation of colonies for 1 h at elevated temperature, imaging and illumination (excitation 450–490 nm, emission 515–565 nm) were begun simultaneously. Formation of ROS largely corresponded to the onset of illumination. On the other hand, chlorophyll fluorescence (excitation 530–580 nm, emission 620–690 nm) did not conform to this pattern. This difference is consistent with the expected rates of reaction. Remarkably, treatment with the inhibitor 3‐(3,4‐dichlorophenyl)‐1,1‐dimethylurea (DCMU) resulted in dramatically higher levels of light‐induced ROS. Chlorophyll fluorescence was higher in the DCMU treatment but not significantly so. By controlling for variation between individual symbionts, however, DCMU produced significantly greater levels of chlorophyll fluorescence, indicating the expected greater reduction of photosystem II. A brief exposure to light and thermal stress produced a similar effect in all three species. In addition to ROS being initiated by light, these results indicate that: (1) a brief period of stress shifts photosystem redox state toward reduction, (2) photosystem II can donate electrons to oxygen when blocked with DCMU, and (3) chlorophyll fluorescence is highly variable among individuals of Symbiodinium. Imaging of individual symbionts in hospite thus provides a powerful method for understanding the initial steps of the cnidarian stress response.     

Anti-apoptotic effect of melatonin on preimplantation development of porcine parthenogenetic embryos

In the present study, we investigated the effect of melatonin on the preimplantation development of porcine parthenogenetic and somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) embryos. Parthenogenetic embryos were cultured in mNCSU-23 supplemented with various concentrations of melatonin for 7 days. The results revealed that 100 pM was the optimal concentration, which resulted in significantly increased cleavage and blastocyst formation rates. Additionally, 100 pM melatonin provided the highest increase in total cell number of blastocysts. Therefore, the subsequent experiments were performed with 100 pM melatonin. ROS level in 2-8 cell stage embryos in the presence or absence of melatonin was evaluated. Embryos cultured with melatonin showed significantly decreased ROS. Blastocysts cultured with melatonin for 7 days were analyzed by the TUNEL assay. It was observed that melatonin not only increased (P < 0.05) the total cell number but also decreased (P < 0.05) the rate of apoptotic nuclei. Blastocysts cultured with melatonin were assessed for the expression of apoptosis-related genes Bcl-xl and Bax, and of pluripotency marker gene Oct-4 by real-time quantitative PCR. Analysis of data showed that the expression of Bcl-xl was higher (1.7-fold) compared to the control while the expression of Bax was significantly decreased relative to the control (0.7-fold) (P < 0.05). Moreover, the expression of Oct-4 was 1.7-fold higher than the control. These results indicated that melatonin had beneficial effects on the development of porcine parthenogenetic embryos. Based on the findings of parthenogenetic embryos, we investigated the effect of melatonin on the development of porcine SCNT embryos. The results also demonstrated increased cleavage and blastocyst formation rates, and the total cell numbers in blastocysts were significantly higher when the embryos were cultured with melatonin. Therefore, these data suggested that melatonin may have important implications for improving porcine preimplantation SCNT embryo development.     

Polyphenol oxidase-mediated protection against oxidative stress is not associated with enhanced photosynthetic efficiency

Background and Aims Polyphenol oxidases (PPOs) catalyse the oxidation of monophenols and/or o-diphenols to highly reactive o-quinones, which in turn interact with oxygen and proteins to form reactive oxygen species (ROS) and typical brown-pigmented complexes. Hence PPOs can affect local levels of oxygen and ROS. Although the currently known substrates are located in the vacuole, the enzyme is targeted to the thylakoid lumen, suggesting a role for PPOs in photosynthesis. The current study was designed to investigate the potential involvement of PPOs in the photosynthetic response to oxidative stress.Methods Photosynthesis (A, F_v/F_m, ΦPSII, q_N, q_P, NPQ) was measured in leaves of a wild-type and a low-PPO mutant of red clover (Trifolium pratense ‘Milvus’) under control conditions and under a stress treatment designed to induce photooxidative stress: cold/high light (2 °C/580 µmol m²s^–1) or 0–10 µm methyl viologen. Foliar protein content and oxidation state were also determined.Key Results Photosynthetic performance, and chlorophyll and protein content during 4 d of cold/high light stress and 3 d of subsequent recovery under control growth conditions showed similar susceptibility to stress in both lines. However, more extensive oxidative damage to protein in mutants than wild-types was observed after treatment of attached leaves with methyl viologen. In addition, PPO activity could be associated with an increased capacity to dissipate excess energy, but only at relatively low methyl viologen doses.Conclusions The presence of PPO activity in leaves did not correspond to a direct role for the enzyme in the regulation or protection of photosynthesis under cold stress. However, an indication that PPO could be involved in cellular protection against low-level oxidative stress requires further investigation.     

强光及外源活性氧对莴苣叶绿素荧光的影响

莴苣叶绿体在强光处理下发生先抑制,主要表现为叶绿素荧光参数Fv／Fm和ΦPSⅡ降低;外源活性氧H2O2、O2·OH和1O2均能引起叶绿体PSⅡ光化学效率Fv／Fm不同程度的下降,其中以1O2影响最明显;H2O2在诱导叶绿体荧光猝灭过程中,引起荧光产量降低,而使qp、qN、ΦPSⅡ、KD上升;在H2O2诱导的叶绿体荧光猝灭过程中,Fe2 能使qN和KD低于对照;由于1O2的产生对PSⅡ反应中心造成了损伤,引起qp和ΦPSⅡ下降。     

Several MAMPs,including chitin fragments,enhance AtPep-triggered oxidative burst independently of wounding

AtPeps are a family of small peptides in Arabidopsis that are believed to act as endogenous amplifiers of the plant’s innate immune response. In our recent study,¹⁰ we showed that in Arabidopsis leaf disks, bacterial MAMPs (microbe-associated molecular patterns) such as the flagellin derived elicitor flg22, greatly enhanced the release of reactive oxygen species (ROS) triggered by a subsequent AtPep-perception. This enhanced ROS production could be a hallmark either of improved local defense or of the initiation of ROS-based systemic signaling. Here, we established a superior ROS detection system based on a new derivative of luminol (L-012). With this sensitive system we were able to show that chitin, too, acts as an enhancer of AtPep-triggered ROS, linking this specific defense response amplification also to the recognition of fungal pathogens. In addition we used the more sensitive ROS assay to transfer the experimental setup from cut leaf disks to unwounded seedlings. Thereby we revealed that wounding is not a prerequisite to enable the MAMP-induced enhancement of the AtPep-triggered ROS response.