Site-specific mutations in the D1 polypeptide affect the susceptibility of Synechocystis 6803 cells to photoinhibition

Photoinhibition of photosystem II in the cyanobacterium Synechocystis 6803 was followed after site-specific mutagenesis of the D1 polypeptide. Mutations were created in the stromal/cytosolic loop connecting helices D and E. Two mutations E243K and CA1, a deletion of the three glutamates 242–244 and a substitution Q241H, were made in the putative cleavage area of the D1 polypeptide. A third mutation E229D was made in the PEST-like sequence. Mutants and control cells were illuminated and F_V/F_M was recorded. Compared to the control, the mutants were less photoinhibited. Fluorescence relaxation after a single flash was delayed in CA1. Restoration of F_V/F_M after photoinhibition in the mutants was totally dependent on protein synthesis while control cells were able to recover partially also when protein synthesis was inhibited. In addition, the protein synthesis-dependent recovery of CA1 was slowed down. Our results indicate a correlation between the mutated amino acids and photoinhibition of photosystem II.