On the rates of cyclic electron transport around Photosystem II in the presence of donor side limitation

Photosystem II cyclic electron transport was investigated at low pH in spinach thylakoids and PS II preparations from the cyanobacteriumPhormidium laminosum. Variable fluorescence (F_v) quenching at a very low light intensity was examined as an indicator of cyclic electron flow. A progressive quenching of F_v was observed as the pH was lowered; however, this was shown to be mainly due to an inhibition of oxygen evolution. Cyclic electron flow in the uninhibited centres was estimated to occur at a rate comparable to or smaller than 1 mole O₂ mg Chl^–1 h^–1 in the pH range 5.0 to 7.8.The quantum yeeld of oxygen production is known to decrease at low pH and has been taken to indicate cyclic electron flow (Crofts and Horton (1991) Biochim Biophys Acta 1058: 187–193). However, a direct all-or-none inhibition of oxygen production at low pH has also been reported (Meyer et al. (1989) Biochim Biophys Acta 974: 36–43). We have analysed the effects of light intensity on the rates of oxygen evolution in order to calculate _U, the quantum yield of open and uninhibited centres. _U was found to be constant over a broad pH range, and by using ferricyanide and phenyl-p-benzoquinone as electron acceptors the maximum possible rate of cyclic electron transport was equivalent to no more than 1 mole O₂ mg Chl^–1 h^–1. The rate was no greater when the acceptor was adjusted to provide the most favourable conditions for cyclic flow.     

Chloroplast energization and oxidation of P700/plastocyanin in illuminated leaves at reduced levels of CO2 or oxygen

Chlorophyll fluorescence, light scattering, the electrochromic shift P₅₁₅ and levels of some photosynthetic intermediates were measured in illuminated leaves. Oxygen and CO₂ concentrations in the gas phase were varied in order to obtain information on control of Photosystem II activity under conditions such as produced by water stress, when stomatal closure restricts access of CO₂ to the photosynthetic apparatus. Light scattering and energy-dependent fluorescence quenching indicated a high level of chloroplast energization under high intensity illumination even when linear electron transport was curtailed in CO₂-free air or in 1% oxygen with 35 ll^-1 CO₂. Calculations of the phosphorylation potential based on measurements of phosphoglycerate, dihydroxyacetone phosphate and NADP revealed ratios of intrathylakoid to extrathylakoid proton concentrations, which were only somewhat higher in air containing 35 l l^-1 CO₂ than in CO₂-free air or 1% oxygen/35 l l^-1 CO₂. Anaerobic conditions prevented appreciable chloroplast energization. Acceptor-limitation of electron flow resulted in a high reduction level of the electron transport chain, which is characterized by decreased oxidation of P₇₀₀, not only under anaerobic conditions, but also in air, when CO₂ was absent, and in 1% oxygen, when the CO₂ concentration was reduced to 35 ll^-1. Efficient control of electron transport was indicated by the photoaccumulation of P₇₀₀ ⁺ at or close to the CO₂ compensation point in air. It is proposed to require the interplay between photorespiratory and photosynthetic electron flows, electron flow to oxygen and cyclic electron flow. The field-indicating electrochromic shift (P₅₁₅) measured as a rapid absorption decrease on switching the light off followed closely the extent of photoaccumulation of P₇₀₀ ⁺ in the light.Abbreviations F, F₀, F₀, F_M, F_M chlorophyll fluorescence levels - GA glyceraldehyde - P₅₁₅ field indicating rapid absorption change peaking at 522 nm - Q_A primary quinone acceptor in Photosystem II - Q_N non-photochemical quenching of chlorophyll fluorescence - Q_q photochemical quenching of chlorophyll fluorescence     

Differential activities of heterocyst ferredoxin,vegetative cell ferredoxin,and flavodoxin as electron carriers in nitrogen fixation and photosynthesis in Anabaena sp.

In cyanobacteria an increasing number of low potential electron carriers is found, but in most cases their contribution to metabolic pathways remains unclear. In this work, we compare recombinant plant-type ferredoxins from Anabaena sp. PCC 7120, encoded by the genes petF and fdxH, respectively, and flavodoxin from Anabaena sp. PCC 7119 as electron carriers in reconstituted in vitro assays with nitrogenase, Photosystem I, ferredoxin-NADP⁺ reductase and pyruvate-ferredoxin oxidoreductase. In every experimental system only the heterocyst ferredoxin catalyzed an efficient electron transfer to nitrogenase while vegetative cell ferredoxin and flavodoxin were much less active. This implies that flavodoxin is not able to functionally replace heterocyst ferredoxin. When PFO-activity in heterocyst extracts was reconstituted under anaerobic conditions, both ferredoxins were more efficient than flavodoxin, which suggested that this PFO was of the ferredoxin dependent type. Flavodoxin, synthesized under iron limiting conditions, replaces PetF very efficiently in the electron transport from Photosystem I to NADP⁺, using thylakoids from vegetative cells.Abbreviations BSA bovine serum albumin - FdxH heterocyst ferredoxin - Fld flavodoxin - FNR ferredoxin-NADP⁺ reductase - MV methyl viologen - PetF vegetative cell ferredoxin - PFO pyruvate-ferredoxin oxidoreductase - Pyr piruvate - PS I Photosystem I     

Electron transport and photophosphorylation by Photosystem I in vivo in plants and cyanobacteria

Recently, a number of techniques, some of them relatively new and many often used in combination, have given a clearer picture of the dynamic role of electron transport in Photosystem I of photosynthesis and of coupled cyclic photophosphorylation. For example, the photoacoustic technique has detected cyclic electron transport in vivo in all the major algal groups and in leaves of higher plants. Spectroscopic measurements of the Photosystem I reaction center and of the changes in light scattering associated with thylakoid membrane energization also indicate that cyclic photophosphorylation occurs in living plants and cyanobacteria, particularly under stressful conditions.In cyanobacteria, the path of cyclic electron transport has recently been proposed to include an NAD(P)H dehydrogenase, a complex that may also participate in respiratory electron transport. Photosynthesis and respiration may share common electron carriers in eukaryotes also. Chlororespiration, the uptake of O₂ in the dark by chloroplasts, is inhibited by excitation of Photosystem I, which diverts electrons away from the chlororespiratory chain into the photosynthetic electron transport chain. Chlororespiration in N-starved Chlamydomonas increases ten fold over that of the control, perhaps because carbohydrates and NAD(P)H are oxidized and ATP produced by this process.The regulation of energy distribution to the photosystems and of cyclic and non-cyclic phosphorylation via state 1 to state 2 transitions may involve the cytochrome b ₆-f complex. An increased demand for ATP lowers the transthylakoid pH gradient, activates the b ₆-f complex, stimulates phosphorylation of the light-harvesting chlorophyll-protein complex of Photosystem II and decreases energy input to Photosystem II upon induction of state 2. The resulting increase in the absorption by Photosystem I favors cyclic electron flow and ATP production over linear electron flow to NADP and poises the system by slowing down the flow of electrons originating in Photosystem II.Cyclic electron transport may function to prevent photoinhibition to the photosynthetic apparatus as well as to provide ATP. Thus, under high light intensities where CO₂ can limit photosynthesis, especially when stomates are closed as a result of water stress, the proton gradient established by coupled cyclic electron transport can prevent over-reduction of the electron transport system by increasing thermal de-excitation in Photosystem II (Weis and Berry 1987). Increased cyclic photophosphorylation may also serve to drive ion uptake in nutrient-deprived cells or ion export in salt-stressed cells.There is evidence in some plants for a specialization of Photosystem I. For example, in the red alga Porphyra about one third of the total Photosystem I units are engaged in linear electron transfer from Photosystem II and the remaining two thirds of the Photosystem I units are specialized for cyclic electron flow. Other organisms show evidence of similar specialization.Improved understanding of the biological role of cyclic photophosphorylation will depend on experiments made on living cells and measurements of cyclic photophosphorylation in vivo.Abbreviations CCCP carbonylcyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone - cyt cytochrome - DBMIB 2,5-dibromo-3-methyl-6-isopropyl-p-benzoquinone - DCCD dicyclohexylcarbodiimide - DCHC dicyclohexyl-18-crown-6 - DCMU 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea - FCCP carbonylcyanide 4-(trifluoromethoxy) phenylhydrazone - LHC light harvesting chlorophyll - LHCP II light harvesting chlorophyll protein of Photosystem II - PQ plastoquinone - PS I, II Photosystem I, II - SHAM salicyl hydroxamic acid - TBT Tri-n-butyltin CIW/DPB Publication No. 1146     

Differential effects of ambient or diminished CO2 and O2 levels on thylakoid membrane structure in light‐stressed plants

Over‐reduction of the photosynthetic electron transport chain may severely damage the photosynthetic apparatus as well as other constituents of the chloroplast and the cell. Here, we exposed Arabidopsis leaves to saturating light either under normal atmospheric conditions or under CO₂‐ and O₂‐limiting conditions, which greatly increase excitation and electron pressures by draining terminal electron acceptors. The two treatments were found to have very different, often opposing, effects on the structure of the thylakoid membranes, including the width of the granal lumenal compartment. Modulation of the latter is proposed to be related to movements of ions across the thylakoid membrane, which alter the relative osmolarity of the lumen and stroma and affect the partitioning of the proton motive force into its electrical and osmotic components. The resulting changes in thylakoid organization and lumenal width should facilitate the repair of photodamaged photosystem II complexes in response to light stress under ambient conditions, but are expected to inhibit the repair cycle when the light stress occurs concurrently with CO₂ and O₂ depletion. Under the latter conditions, the changes in thylakoid structure are predicted to complement other processes that restrict the flow of electrons into the high‐potential chain, thus moderating the production of deleterious reactive oxygen species at photosystem I.     

施氮和大气CO2浓度升高对小麦旗叶光合电子传递和分配的影响

采用开顶式气室盆栽培养小麦,设计2个大气CO2浓度(正常:400 μmol.mol-1;高:760 μmol·mol-1)、2个氮素水平(0和200 mg·kg-1土)的组合处理,通过测定小麦抽穗期旗叶氮素和叶绿素浓度、光合速率(Pn)-胞间CO2浓度(C1)响应曲线及荧光动力学参数,来测算小麦叶片光合电子传递速率等,研究了高大气CO2浓度下施氮对小麦旗叶光合能量分配的影响.结果表明:与正常大气CO2浓度相比,高大气CO2浓度下小麦叶片氮浓度和叶绿素浓度降低,高氮处理的小麦叶片叶绿素a/b升高.施氮后小麦叶片PSⅡ最大光化学效率(Fv/Fm)、PSⅡ反应中心最大量子产额(Fv'/Fm')、PSⅡ反应中心的开放比例(qr)和PSⅡ反应中心实际光化学效率(φPSⅡ)在大气CO2浓度升高后无明显变化,虽然叶片非光化学猝灭系数(NPQ)显著降低,但PSⅡ总电子传递速率(JF)无明显增加;不施氮处理的Fv'/Fm'、φPSⅡ和NPQ在高大气CO2浓度下显著降低,尽管Fv/Fm和qp无明显变化,JF仍显著下降.施氮后小麦叶片JF增加,参与光化学反应的非环式电子流传递速率(Jc)明显升高.大气CO2浓度升高使参与光呼吸的非环式电子流传递速率(J0)、Rubisco氧化速率(V0)、光合电子的光呼吸/光化学传递速率比(J0/Jc)和Rubisco氧化/羧化比(V0/Vc)降低,但使Jc和Rubisco羧化速率(Vc)增加.因此,高大气CO2浓度下小麦叶片氮浓度和叶绿素浓度降低,而增施氮素使通过PSⅡ反应中心的电子流速率显著增加,促进了光合电子流向光化学方向的传递,使更多的电子进入Rubisco羧化过程,Pn显著升高.     

A new technique for estimating rates of carboxylation and electron transport in leaves of C3 plants for use in dynamic global vegetation models

The possible responses of the terrestrial biosphere to future CO₂ increases and associated climatic change are being investigated using dynamic global vegetation models (DG VMs) which include the Farquhar et al. (1980) biochemical model of leaf assimilation as the primary means of carbon capture. This model requires representative values of the maximum rates of Rubisco activity, V_max, and electron transport, J_max, for different vegetation types when applied at the global scale. Here, we describe an approach for calculating these values based on measurements of the maximum rate of leaf photosynthesis (A_max) ¹³C discrimination. The approach is tested and validated by comparison with measurements of Rubisco activity assayed directly on wild-type and transgenic Nicotiana tabacum (tobacco) plants with altered Rubisco activity grown under ambient and elevated CO₂ mole fractions with high and low N-supply. V_max and J_max values are reported for 18 different vegetation types with global coverage. Both variables were linearly related reinforcing the idea of optimal allocation of resources to photosynthesis (light harvesting vs. Rubisco) at the global scale. The reported figures should be of value to the further development of vegetation and ecosystem models employing mechanistic DGVMs.     

Construction of CO2-response model of electron transport rate in C4 crop and its application

准确估算光合电子流对CO₂响应的变化趋势对深入了解光合过程具有重要意义。该研究在植物光合作用对CO₂响应新模型(模型I)的基础上构建了电子传递速率(J)对CO₂的响应模型(模型II), 并对用LI-6400-40便携式光合仪测量的玉米(Zea mays)和千穗谷(Amaranthus hypochondriacus)的数据进行了拟合。结果表明, 模型II可以很好地拟合玉米和千穗谷叶片J对CO₂浓度的响应曲线(J-C_a曲线), 得到玉米和千穗谷的最大电子传递速率分别为262.41和393.07 mmol·m ^-2·s ^-1, 与估算值相符合。在此基础上, 对光合电子流分配到其他路径进行了探讨。结果显示, 380 mmol·mol ^-1 CO₂浓度下玉米和千穗谷碳同化所需的电子流为247.92和285.16 mmol·m ^-2·s ^-1, 分配到其他途径的光合电子流为14.49和107.91 mmol·m ^-2·s ^-1(考虑植物CO₂的回收利用)。比较两种植物的其他途径光合电子流分配值发现, 两者相差6倍之多。分析认为这与千穗谷和玉米的催化脱羧反应酶种类以及脱羧反应发生的部位不同密切相关。该发现为人们研究C₄植物中烟酰胺腺嘌呤二核苷磷酸苹果酸酶型和烟酰胺腺嘌呤二核苷酸苹果酸酶型两种亚型之间的差异提供了一个新的视角。此外, 构建的电子传递速率对CO₂的响应模型为人们研究C₄植物的光合电子流的变化规律提供了一个可供选择的数学工具。     

不同氮营养水平下草莓叶片光合作用对高CO2浓度的适应

研究了不同氮素水平（12mmol／L,4mmol／L,0、4mmol／L）下生长的‘丰香’草莓在富C02（700μL/L）和大气CO（390μL/L）下的光合作用。结果表明,高氮（12mmol／L）下,在富CO2环境中生长的‘丰香’草莓叶片未出现光合作用下调,富CO2下草莓叶片的净光合速率、最大羧化速率（Vc.max）、最大电子传递速率（Jmax）、碳同化的电子传递速率（Jc）和光化学猝灭系数（qp）等均显著提高;而在中氮（4mmol／L）、低氮（0．4mmol／L）下,富CO2下生长的草莓叶片的上述参数均出现不同程度的下降。富CO2下,无论氮素水平如何,草莓叶片的光呼吸电子传递速率（Jo）均降低高氮草莓叶片的非光化学猝灭系数（qN或NPQ）降低,光抑制降低,而低氮则相反。上述结果说明,氮素供应不足时草莓叶片在富CO2下光合作用出现下调,因此生产上进行CO2施肥时应适度增加氮素的供应。     

Effects of severe CO2 starvation on the photosynthetic electron transport chain in tobacco plants

Tobacco plants (Nicotiana tabacum) were kept in CO₂ free air for several days to investigate the effect of lack of electron acceptors on the photosynthetic electron transport chain. CO₂ starvation resulted in a dramatic decrease in photosynthetic activity. Measurements of the electron transport activity in thylakoid membranes showed that a loss of Photosystem II activity was mainly responsible for the observed decrease in photosynthetic activity. In the absence of CO₂ the plastoquinone pool and the acceptor side of Photosystem I were highly reduced in the dark as shown by far-red light effects on chlorophyll fluorescence and P700 absorption measurements. Reduction of the oxygen content of the CO₂ free air retarded photoinhibitory loss of photosynthetic activity and pigment degradation. Electron flow to oxygen seemed not to be able to counteract the stress induced by severe CO₂ starvation. The data are discussed in terms of a donation of reducing equivalents from mitochondria to chloroplasts and a reduction of the plastoquinone pool via the NAD(P)H-plastoquinone oxidoreductase during CO₂ starvation. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Regulation of electron transport in maize mesophyll chloroplasts: The relationship between chlorophyll a fluorescence quenching and O2 evolution

The relationship between the redox state of the primary electron acceptor of photosystem II (Q_A) and the rate of O₂ evolution in isolated mesophyll chloroplasts from Zea mays L. is examined using pulse-modulated chlorophyll a fluorescence techniques. A linear relationship between photochemical quenching of chlorophyll fluorescence (q_Q) and the rate of O₂ evolution is evident under most conditions with either glycerate 3-phosphate or oxaloacetate as substrates. There appears to be no effect of the transthylakoid pH gradient on the rate of electron transfer from photosystem II into Q_A in these chloroplasts. However, the proportion of electron transport occurring through cyclic-pseudocyclic pathways relative to the non-cyclic pathway appears to be regulated by metabolic demand for ATP. The majority of non-photochemical quenching in these chloroplasts at moderate irradiances appeared to be energy-dependent quenching.Abbreviations and symbols PSII photosystem II - Fm maximum fluorescence obtained on application of a saturating light pulse - Fo basal fluorescence recorded in the absence of actinic light (i.e. all PSII traps are open) - Fv Fm-Fo - q_Q photochemical quenching - q_NP non-photochemical quenching - q_E energy-dependent quenching of chlorophyll fluorescence     

Flexible coupling between light-dependent electron and vectorial proton transport in illuminated leaves of C3 plants. Role of photosystem I-dependent proton pumping

The role of cyclic electron transport has been re-examined in leaves of C₃ plants because the bioenergetics of chloroplasts (H⁺/e = 3 in the presence of a Q-cycle; H⁺/ATP = 4 of ATP synthesis) had suggested that cyclic electron flow has no function in C₃ photosynthesis. After light activation of pea leaves, the dark reduction of P700 (the donor pigment of PSI) following far-red oxidation was much accelerated. This corresponded to loss of sensitivity of P700 to oxidation by far-red light and a large increase in the number of electrons available to reduce P700⁺ in the dark. At low CO₂ and O₂ molar ratios, far-red light was capable of decreasing the activity of photosystem II (measured as the ratio of variable to maximal chlorophyll fluorescence, F_v/F_m) and of increasing light scattering at 535 nm and zeaxanthin synthesis, indicating formation of a transthylakoid pH gradient. Both the light-induced increase in the number of electrons capable of reducing far-red-oxidised P700 and the decline in F_v/F_m brought about by far-red in leaves were prevented by methyl viologen. Antimycin A inhibited CO₂-dependent O₂ evolution of pea leaves at saturating but not under limiting light; in its presence, far-red light failed to decrease F_v/F_m. The results indicate that cyclic electron flow regulates the quantum yield of photosystem II by decreasing the intrathylakoid pH when there is a reduction in the availability of electron acceptors at the PSI level (e.g. during drought or cold stresses). It also provides ATP for the carbon-reduction cycle under high light. Under these conditions, the Q-cycle is not able to maintain a H⁺/e ratio of 3 for ATP synthesis: we suggest that the ratio is flexible, not obligatory. Received: 23 February 1999 / Accepted: 19 August 1999     

Cyclic electron flow around photosystem I via chloroplast NAD(P)H dehydrogenase (NDH) complex performs a significant physiological role during photosynthesis and plant growth at low temperature in rice

The role of NAD(P)H dehydrogenase (NDH)-dependent cyclic electron flow around photosystem I in photosynthetic regulation and plant growth at several temperatures was examined in rice (Oryza sativa) that is defective in CHLORORESPIRATORY REDUCTION 6 (CRR6), which is required for accumulation of sub-complex A of the chloroplast NDH complex (crr6). NdhK was not detected by Western blot analysis in crr6 mutants, resulting in lack of a transient post-illumination increase in chlorophyll fluorescence, and confirming that crr6 mutants lack NDH activity. When plants were grown at 28 or 35°C, all examined photosynthetic parameters, including the CO(2) assimilation rate and the electron transport rate around photosystems I and II, at each growth temperature at light intensities above growth light (i.e. 800 μmol photons m(-2) sec(-1)), were similar between crr6 mutants and control plants. However, when plants were grown at 20°C, all the examined photosynthetic parameters were significantly lower in crr6 mutants than control plants, and this effect on photosynthesis caused a corresponding reduction in plant biomass. The F(v)/F(m) ratio was only slightly lower in crr6 mutants than in control plants after short-term strong light treatment at 20°C. However, after long-term acclimation to the low temperature, impairment of cyclic electron flow suppressed non-photochemical quenching and promoted reduction of the plastoquinone pool in crr6 mutants. Taken together, our experiments show that NDH-dependent cyclic electron flow plays a significant physiological role in rice during photosynthesis and plant growth at low temperature.     

施氮和大气CO2浓度升高对小麦旗叶光合电子传递和分配的影响

采用开顶式气室盆栽培养小麦,设计2个大气CO₂浓度（正常：400 μmol·mol^-1;高：760 μmol·mol^-1）、2个氮素水平（0和200 mg·kg^-1土）的组合处理,通过测定小麦抽穗期旗叶氮素和叶绿素浓度、光合速率（P_n）-胞间CO₂浓度（C_i）响应曲线及荧光动力学参数,来测算小麦叶片光合电子传递速率等,研究了高大气CO₂浓度下施氮对小麦旗叶光合能量分配的影响.结果表明：与正常大气CO₂浓度相比,高大气CO₂浓度下小麦叶片氮浓度和叶绿素浓度降低,高氮处理的小麦叶片叶绿素a/b升高.施氮后小麦叶片PSⅡ最大光化学效率（F_v/F_m）、PSⅡ反应中心最大量子产额（F_v′/F_m′）、PSⅡ反应中心的开放比例（q_p）和PSⅡ反应中心实际光化学效率（Φ_PSⅡ）在大气CO₂浓度升高后无明显变化,虽然叶片非光化学猝灭系数（NPQ）显著降低,但PSⅡ总电子传递速率（J_F）无明显增加;不施氮处理的F_v′/F_m′、Φ_PSⅡ和NPQ在高大气CO₂浓度下显著降低,尽管F_v/F_m和q_P无明显变化,J_F仍显著下降.施氮后小麦叶片J_F增加,参与光化学反应的非环式电子流传递速率(J_C)明显升高.大气CO₂浓度升高使参与光呼吸的非环式电子流传递速率(J₀)、Rubisco氧化速率（V₀）、光合电子的光呼吸/光化学传递速率比（J₀/J_C）和Rubisco氧化/羧化比（V₀/V_C）降低,但使J_C和Rubisco羧化速率（V_C）增加.因此,高大气CO₂浓度下小麦叶片氮浓度和叶绿素浓度降低,而增施氮素使通过PSⅡ反应中心的电子流速率显著增加,促进了光合电子流向光化学方向的传递,使更多的电子进入Rubisco羧化过程,P_n显著升高.     

Functional and topological aspects of pH-dependent regulation of electron and proton transport in chloroplasts in silico

In this work, we summarize results of computer simulation of electron and proton transport processes coupled to ATP synthesis in chloroplasts performed within the frames of a mathematical model developed as a system of differential equations for concentrations of electron carriers and hydrogen ion inside and outside the granal and stromal thylakoids. The model takes into account topological peculiarities and lateral heterogeneity of the chloroplast lamellar system. This allowed us to analyze the influence of restricted diffusion of protons inside small compartments of a chloroplast (e.g., in the narrow inter-thylakoid gap) on electron transport processes. The model adequately describes two modes of pH-dependent feedback control of electron transport associated with: (i) the acidification of the thylakoid lumen, which causes the slowing down of plastoquinol oxidation and stimulates an increase in dissipation of excess energy in PS2, and (ii) the alkalization of stroma, inducing the activation of the BBC (Bassham-Benson-Calvin) cycle and intensified consumption of ATP and NADPH. The influence of ATP on electron transport is mediated by modulation of the thylakoid membrane conductivity to protons through the ATP synthase complexes. We also analyze the contribution of alternative electron transport pathways to the maintenance of optimal balance between the energy donating and energy consuming stages of the light-induced photosynthetic processes.     

Silencing of OsCV (chloroplast vesiculation) maintained photorespiration and N assimilation in rice plants grown under elevated CO2

High CO₂ concentrations stimulate net photosynthesis by increasing CO₂ substrate availability for Rubisco, simultaneously suppressing photorespiration. Previously, we reported that silencing the chloroplast vesiculation (cv) gene in rice increased source fitness, through the maintenance of chloroplast stability and the expression of photorespiration-associated genes. Because high atmospheric CO₂ conditions diminished photorespiration, we tested whether CV silencing might be a viable strategy to improve the effects of high CO₂ on grain yield and N assimilation in rice. Under elevated CO₂, OsCV expression was induced, and OsCV was targeted to peroxisomes where it facilitated the removal of OsPEX11-1 from the peroxisome and delivered it to the vacuole for degradation. This process correlated well with the reduction in the number of peroxisomes, the decreased catalase activity and the increased H₂O₂ content in wild-type plants under elevated CO₂. At elevated CO₂, CV-silenced rice plants maintained peroxisome proliferation and photorespiration and displayed higher N assimilation than wild-type plants. This was supported by higher activity of enzymes involved in NO₃⁻ and NH₄⁺ assimilation and higher total and seed protein contents. Co-immunoprecipitation of OsCV-interacting proteins suggested that, similar to its role in chloroplast protein turnover, OsCV acted as a scaffold, binding peroxisomal proteins.     

Stimulation of isoprene emissions and electron transport rates as key mechanisms of thermal tolerance in the tropical species Vismia guianensis

Tropical forests absorb large amounts of atmospheric CO₂ through photosynthesis, but high surface temperatures suppress this absorption while promoting isoprene emissions. While mechanistic isoprene emission models predict a tight coupling to photosynthetic electron transport (ETR) as a function of temperature, direct field observations of this phenomenon are lacking in the tropics and are necessary to assess the impact of a warming climate on global isoprene emissions. Here we demonstrate that in the early successional species Vismia guianensis in the central Amazon, ETR rates increased with temperature in concert with isoprene emissions, even as stomatal conductance (g_s) and net photosynthetic carbon fixation (P_n) declined. We observed the highest temperatures of continually increasing isoprene emissions yet reported (50°C). While P_n showed an optimum value of 32.6 ± 0.4°C, isoprene emissions, ETR, and the oxidation state of PSII reaction centers (q_L) increased with leaf temperature with strong linear correlations for ETR (? = 0.98) and q_L (? = 0.99) with leaf isoprene emissions. In contrast, other photoprotective mechanisms, such as non‐photochemical quenching, were not activated at elevated temperatures. Inhibition of isoprenoid biosynthesis repressed P_n at high temperatures through a mechanism that was independent of stomatal closure. While extreme warming will decrease g_s and P_n in tropical species, our observations support a thermal tolerance mechanism where the maintenance of high photosynthetic capacity under extreme warming is assisted by the simultaneous stimulation of ETR and metabolic pathways that consume the direct products of ETR including photorespiration and the biosynthesis of thermoprotective isoprenoids. Our results confirm that models which link isoprene emissions to the rate of ETR hold true in tropical species and provide necessary “ground‐truthing” for simulations of the large predicted increases in tropical isoprene emissions with climate warming.     

Estimation of Photorespiration Rate by Simultaneous Measurements of CO2, Gas Exchange Rate,and Chlorophyll Fluorescence Quenching in the C3 Plant Vigna Radiata (L.) Wilczek and the C4 Plant Amaranthus Mongostanus L.

So far the photorespiration rate (R _P) in a leaf has been determined as the difference between the net photosynthetic rates (P _N) measured in 21 % O₂ air (P _N21%) and 3 % O₂ air (P _N3%). In the C₃ plant Vigna radiata and the C₄ plant Amaranthus mongostanus L., P _N and chlorophyll fluorescence quenching in leaves were monitored simultaneously. R _P of leaves in situ was estimated as termed R _PE from the electron transport rates through photosystem 2 (PS2), and compared with R _PO (P _N3% – P _N21%). In V. radiata R _PO was 11.9 µmol(CO₂) m^–2 s^–1 and the ratio of R _PO to P _N21% was 42.2 %, whereas the ratio of R _PE to P _N21% was 25.7 %. This suggests that R _PO may be over-estimated for the real R _P in normal air. In A. mongostanus, P _N was almost not changed with a decrease in O₂ concentration from 21 to 3 %, whereas the quantum yield of PS2 was evidently affected by the change in O₂ concentration. This fact shows the presence of photorespiration in this C₄ species, where R _PE was equivalent to 3.8 % of P _N21%.