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Molecular Mechanism of Photosynthetic Acclimation and Photoprotection

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A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Plant Sciences".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 June 2023) | Viewed by 10245

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Prof. Dr. Chuangdao Jiang

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Guest Editor

Institute of Botany Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
Interests: environmental stress

Prof. Dr. Changlian Peng

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Guest Editor

Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Subtropical Biodiversity and Biomonitoring, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biotechnology for Plant Development, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China
Interests: environmental stress

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Dear Colleagues,

The environment is an important factor affecting the growth and economic yield of plants, so the acclimation of plants to various environments has been a hot topic till present. On one hand, study on plant adaptation and protection mechanisms are extensivly carried out around various steady-state environmental stresses. On the other hand, global climate change results in rapidly changing environmental; more and more studies have demonstrated that drastic changes in the environment also affect plant growth, development and yield formation, and may even lead to plant death. Therefore, the acclimation of plants to steady-state environmental stresses and environmental changes is particularly important. As we know, photosynthesis is the most important biological process of plants. The photosynthetic acclimation of plants to various environments and the corresponding protection strategies is complex and diverse. Therefore, prospective study of the molecular mechanisms of plants adapting to various environmental stresses and environmental changes will help to make a deep understanding of photosynthesis, and it is also of great significance for the selection and breeding of superior crop varieties in the future.

Prof. Dr. Chuangdao Jiang
Prof. Dr. Changlian Peng
Guest Editors

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Keywords

environmental stress
changing environment
photosynthetic acclimation
photoprotection
antioxidation
photoinhibition
light use efficiency
yield formation

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

16 pages, 2005 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Red-Light Transmittance Changes in Variegated Pelargonium zonale—Diurnal Variation in Chloroplast Movement and Photosystem II Efficiency

by Sonja Veljović Jovanović, Bećko Kasalica, Katarina Miletić, Marija Vidović, Nikola Šušić, Dejan Jeremić and Ivan Belča

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(18), 14265; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms241814265 - 19 Sep 2023

Viewed by 1065

Abstract

Chloroplast movement rapidly ameliorates the effects of suboptimal light intensity by accumulating along the periclinal cell walls, as well as the effects of excess light by shifting to the anticlinal cell walls. These acclimation responses are triggered by phototropins located at the plasma membrane and chloroplast envelope. Here, we used a recently developed non-invasive system sensitive to very small changes in red light leaf transmittance to perform long-term continuous measurements of dark–light transitions. As a model system, we used variegated Pelargonium zonale leaves containing green sectors (GS) with fully developed chloroplasts and achlorophyllous, white sectors (WS) with undifferentiated plastids, and higher phototropin expression levels. We observed biphasic changes in the red-light transmittance and oscillations triggered by medium intensities of white light, described by a transient peak preceded by a constant decrease in transmittance level. A slight change in red-light transmittance was recorded even in WS. Furthermore, the chloroplast position at lower light intensities affected the rapid light curves, while high light intensity decreased saturated electron transport, maximum quantum efficiency of photosystem II, and increased non-photochemical quenching of chlorophyll fluorescence and epidermal flavonoids. Our results extend the knowledge of light-dependent chloroplast movements and thus contribute to a better understanding of their role in regulating photosynthesis under fluctuating light conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Mechanism of Photosynthetic Acclimation and Photoprotection)

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16 pages, 2407 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Light-Dependent Expression and Promoter Methylation of the Genes Encoding Succinate Dehydrogenase, Fumarase, and NAD-Malate Dehydrogenase in Maize (Zea mays L.) Leaves

by Alexander T. Eprintsev, Dmitry N. Fedorin and Abir U. Igamberdiev

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(12), 10211; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms241210211 - 16 Jun 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 928

Abstract

The expression and methylation of promoters of the genes encoding succinate dehydrogenase, fumarase, and NAD-malate dehydrogenase in maize (Zea mays L.) leaves depending on the light regime were studied. The genes encoding the catalytic subunits of succinate dehydrogenase showed suppression of expression upon irradiation by red light, which was abolished by far-red light. This was accompanied by an increase in promoter methylation of the gene Sdh1-2 encoding the flavoprotein subunit A, while methylation was low for Sdh2-3 encoding the iron-sulfur subunit B under all conditions. The expression of Sdh3-1 and Sdh4 encoding the anchoring subunits C and D was not affected by red light. The expression of Fum1 encoding the mitochondrial form of fumarase was regulated by red and far-red light via methylation of its promoter. Only one gene encoding the mitochondrial NAD-malate dehydrogenase gene (mMdh1) was regulated by red and far-red light, while the second gene (mMdh2) did not respond to irradiation, and neither gene was controlled by promoter methylation. It is concluded that the dicarboxylic branch of the tricarboxylic acid cycle is regulated by light via the phytochrome mechanism, and promoter methylation is involved with the flavoprotein subunit of succinate dehydrogenase and the mitochondrial fumarase. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Mechanism of Photosynthetic Acclimation and Photoprotection)

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13 pages, 3793 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Novel Insights into the Contribution of Cyclic Electron Flow to Cotton Bracts in Response to High Light

by Xiafei Li, Weimin Ma, Wangfeng Zhang and Yali Zhang

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(6), 5589; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24065589 - 15 Mar 2023

Viewed by 1122

Abstract

Cyclic electron flow around photosystem I (CEF-PSI) is shown to be an important protective mechanism to photosynthesis in cotton leaves. However, it is still unclear how CEF-PSI is regulated in non-foliar green photosynthetic tissues such as bracts. In order to learn more about the regulatory function of photoprotection in bracts, we investigated the CEF-PSI attributes in Yunnan 1 cotton genotypes (Gossypium bar-badense L.) between leaves and bracts. Our findings demonstrated that cotton bracts possessed PROTON GRADIENT REGULATION5 (PGR5)-mediated and the choroplastic NAD(P)H dehydrogenase (NDH)-mediated CEF-PSI by the same mechanism as leaves, albeit at a lower rate than in leaves. The ATP synthase activity of bracts was also lower, while the proton gradient across thylakoid membrane (ΔpH), rate of synthesis of zeaxanthin, and heat dissipation were higher than those of the leaves. These results imply that cotton leaves under high light conditions primarily depend on CEF to activate ATP synthase and optimize ATP/NADPH. In contrast, bracts mainly protect photosynthesis by establishing a ΔpH through CEF to stimulate the heat dissipation process. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Mechanism of Photosynthetic Acclimation and Photoprotection)

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18 pages, 3768 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Impacts of Deficit Irrigation on Photosynthetic Performance, Productivity and Nutritional Quality of Aeroponically Grown Tuscan Kale (Brassica oleracea L.) in a Tropical Greenhouse

by Jie He, Crystalbelle Chang, Lin Qin and Cheng Hsiang Lai

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(3), 2014; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24032014 - 19 Jan 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1342

Abstract

Tuscan kale was grown aeroponically with 5, 30 and 60 min nutrient spraying intervals (defined as 5 minNSIs, 30 minNSIs and 60 minNSIs). Four weeks after transplanting, some 5 minNSI plants were transferred to a 60 minNSI (5 minNSI → 60 minNSI) and 90 minNSI (5 minNSI → 90 minNSI) for one more week. Significantly lower light-saturated rates of photosynthesis and stomatal conductance were observed for plants grown with a 60 minNSI than with a 5 minNSI. However, all plants had similar internal CO₂ concentrations and transpiration rates. Reduced light use efficiency but increased energy dissipation was observed in plants grown in a 60 minNSI. A higher nitrate concentration was observed in 60 minNSI plants compared to 5 minNSI and 30 minNSI plants, while all plants had similar concentrations of total reduced nitrogen, leaf soluble protein and Rubisco protein. Plants grown with prolonged NSIs (deficit irrigation) had lower biomass accumulation due to the inhibition of leaf initiation and expansion compared to 5 minNSIs. However, there was no substantial yield penalty in 5 minNSI → 60 minNSI plants. Enhancements in nutritional quality through deficit irrigation at pre-harvest were measured by proline and total soluble sugar. In conclusion, it is better to grow Tuscan kale with a 5 minNSI for four weeks followed by one week with a 60 minNSI before harvest to reduce water usage, yield penalty and enhance nutritional quality. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Mechanism of Photosynthetic Acclimation and Photoprotection)

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12 pages, 2923 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Sunflower Leaf Structure Affects Chlorophyll a Fluorescence Induction Kinetics In Vivo

by Qing-Qing Zou, Dong-Huan Liu, Min Sang and Chuang-Dao Jiang

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(23), 14996; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms232314996 - 30 Nov 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1294

Abstract

Chlorophyll a fluorescence induction kinetics (CFI) is an important tool that reflects the photosynthetic function of leaves, but it remains unclear whether it is affected by leaf structure. Therefore, in this study, the leaf structure and CFI curves of sunflower and sorghum seedlings were analyzed. Results revealed that there was a significant difference between the structures of palisade and spongy tissues in sunflower leaves. Their CFI curves, measured on both the adaxial and abaxial sides, also differed significantly. However, the differences in the leaf structures and CFI curves between both sides of sorghum leaves were not significant. Further analysis revealed that the differences in the CFI curves between the adaxial and abaxial sides of sunflower leaves almost disappeared due to reduced incident light scattering and refraction in the leaf tissues; more importantly, changes in the CFI curves of the abaxial side were greater than the adaxial side. Compared to leaves grown under full sunlight, weak light led to decreased differences in the CFI curves between the adaxial and abaxial sides of sunflower leaves; of these, changes in the CFI curves and palisade tissue structure on the adaxial side were more obvious than on the abaxial side. Therefore, it appears that large differences in sunflower leaf structures may affect the shape of CFI curves. These findings lay a foundation for enhancing our understanding of CFI from a new perspective. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Mechanism of Photosynthetic Acclimation and Photoprotection)

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16 pages, 2782 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Changing Light Environment Induces Significant Lateral CO₂ Diffusion within Maize Leaves

by Han-Yu Wu, Qing-Qing Zou, Wen-Tao Ji, Ying-Wei Wang, Wang-Feng Zhang and Chuang-Dao Jiang

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(23), 14530; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms232314530 - 22 Nov 2022

Viewed by 900

Abstract

A leaf structure with high porosity is beneficial for lateral CO₂ diffusion inside the leaves. However, the leaf structure of maize is compact, and it has long been considered that lateral CO₂ diffusion is restricted. Moreover, lateral CO₂ diffusion is closely related to CO₂ pressure differences (ΔCO₂). Therefore, we speculated that enlarging the ΔCO₂ between the adjacent regions inside maize leaves may result in lateral diffusion when the diffusion resistance is kept constant. Thus, the leaf structure and gas exchange of maize (C₄), cotton (C₃), and other species were explored. The results showed that maize and sorghum leaves had a lower mesophyll porosity than cotton and cucumber leaves. Similar to cotton, the local photosynthetic induction resulted in an increase in the ΔCO₂ between the local illuminated and the adjacent unilluminated regions, which significantly reduced the respiration rate of the adjacent unilluminated region. Further analysis showed that when the adjacent region in the maize leaves was maintained under a steady high light, the photosynthesis induction in the local regions not only gradually reduced the ΔCO₂ between them but also progressively increased the steady photosynthetic rate in the adjacent region. Under field conditions, the ΔCO₂, respiration, and photosynthetic rate of the adjacent region were also markedly changed by fluctuating light in local regions in the maize leaves. Consequently, we proposed that enlarging the ΔCO₂ between the adjacent regions inside the maize leaves results in the lateral CO₂ diffusion and supports photosynthesis in adjacent regions to a certain extent under fluctuating light. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Mechanism of Photosynthetic Acclimation and Photoprotection)

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15 pages, 2635 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Anthocyanin Accumulation Provides Protection against High Light Stress While Reducing Photosynthesis in Apple Leaves

by Shanshan Zhao, Jeremie A. Blum, Fangfang Ma, Yuzhu Wang, Ewa Borejsza-Wysocka, Fengwang Ma, Lailiang Cheng and Pengmin Li

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(20), 12616; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms232012616 - 20 Oct 2022

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2847

Abstract

The photoprotective role of anthocyanin remains controversial. In this study, we explored the effects of anthocyanin on photosynthesis and photoprotection using transgenic ‘Galaxy Gala’ apple plants overexpressing MdMYB10 under high light stress. The overexpression of MdMYB10 dramatically enhanced leaf anthocyanin accumulation, allowing more visible light to be absorbed, particularly in the green region. However, through post-transcriptional regulation, anthocyanin accumulation lowered leaf photosynthesis in both photochemical reaction and CO₂ fixation capacities. Anthocyanin accumulation also led to a decreased de-epoxidation state of the xanthophyll cycle and antioxidant capacities, but this is most likely a response to the light-shielding effect of anthocyanin, as indicated by a higher chlorophyll concentration and lower chlorophyll a/b ratio. Under laboratory conditions when detached leaves lost carbon fixation capacity due to the limitation of CO₂ supply, the photoinhibition of detached transgenic red leaves was less severe under strong white, green, or blue light, but it became more severe in response to strong red light compared with that of the wild type. In field conditions when photosynthesis was performed normally in both green and transgenic red leaves, the degree of photoinhibition was comparable between transgenic red leaves and wild type leaves, but it was less severe in transgenic young shoot bark compared with the wild type. Taken together, these data show that anthocyanin protects plants from high light stress by absorbing excessive visible light despite reducing photosynthesis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Mechanism of Photosynthetic Acclimation and Photoprotection)

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