International Journal of Molecular Sciences

2024

Jump to: 2023, 2022, 2021

17 pages, 9572 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Changes in Photosynthetic Characteristics between Green-Leaf Poplar Linn. “2025” and Its Bud-Sporting Colored-Leaf Cultivars

by Tao Wang, Donghuan Xu, Fan Zhang, Tengyue Yan, Yuhang Li, Zhong Wang, Yinfeng Xie and Weibing Zhuang

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(2), 1225; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25021225 - 19 Jan 2024

Viewed by 1107

Abstract

Colored-leaf poplar is increasingly popular due to its great ornamental values and application prospects. However, the photosynthetic characteristics of these colored-leaf cultivars have not been well understood. In this study, the photosynthetic differences between green-leaf poplar Populus deltoids Linn. “2025” (L2025) and colored-leaf [...] Read more.

Colored-leaf poplar is increasingly popular due to its great ornamental values and application prospects. However, the photosynthetic characteristics of these colored-leaf cultivars have not been well understood. In this study, the photosynthetic differences between green-leaf poplar Populus deltoids Linn. “2025” (L2025) and colored-leaf cultivars ‘Zhonghong poplar’ (ZHP), ‘Quanhong poplar’ (QHP), and ‘Caihong poplar’ (CHP) were investigated on several levels, including chloroplast ultrastructure observation, photosynthetic physiological characteristics, and expression analysis of key genes. The results showed that the photosynthetic performance of ZHP was basically consistent with that of L2025, while the ranges of light energy absorption and efficiency of light energy utilization decreased to different degrees in CHP and QHP. A relatively low water use efficiency and high dark respiration rate were observed in QHP, suggesting a relatively weak environmental adaptability. The differences in chloroplast structure in different colored-leaf poplars were further observed by transmission electron microscopy. The disorganization of thylakoid in CHP was considered an important reason, resulting in a significant decrease in chlorophyll content compared with other poplar cultivars. Interestingly, CHP exhibited extremely high photosynthetic electron transport activity and photochemical efficiency, which were conductive to maintaining its relatively high photosynthetic performance. The actual quantum yield of PSII photochemistry of ZHP was basically the same as that of QHP, while the relatively high photosynthetic performance indexes in ZHP suggested a more optimized photosynthetic apparatus, which was crucial for the improvement of photosynthetic efficiency. The differential expressions of a series of key genes in different colored-leaf poplars provided a reasonable explanation for anthocyanin accumulation and specific photosynthetic processes. Full article

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2023

Jump to: 2024, 2022, 2021

21 pages, 9835 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Identification of Two Flip-Over Genes in Grass Family as Potential Signature of C4 Photosynthesis Evolution

by Chao Wu and Dianjing Guo

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(18), 14165; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms241814165 - 15 Sep 2023

Viewed by 1555

Abstract

In flowering plants, C4 photosynthesis is superior to C3 type in carbon fixation efficiency and adaptation to extreme environmental conditions, but the mechanisms behind the assembly of C4 machinery remain elusive. This study attempts to dissect the evolutionary divergence from C3 to C4 [...] Read more.

In flowering plants, C4 photosynthesis is superior to C3 type in carbon fixation efficiency and adaptation to extreme environmental conditions, but the mechanisms behind the assembly of C4 machinery remain elusive. This study attempts to dissect the evolutionary divergence from C3 to C4 photosynthesis in five photosynthetic model plants from the grass family, using a combined comparative transcriptomics and deep learning technology. By examining and comparing gene expression levels in bundle sheath and mesophyll cells of five model plants, we identified 16 differentially expressed signature genes showing cell-specific expression patterns in C3 and C4 plants. Among them, two showed distinctively opposite cell-specific expression patterns in C3 vs. C4 plants (named as FOGs). The in silico physicochemical analysis of the two FOGs illustrated that C3 homologous proteins of LHCA6 had low and stable pI values of ~6, while the pI values of LHCA6 homologs increased drastically in C4 plants Setaria viridis (7), Zea mays (8), and Sorghum bicolor (over 9), suggesting this protein may have different functions in C3 and C4 plants. Interestingly, based on pairwise protein sequence/structure similarities between each homologous FOG protein, one FOG PGRL1A showed local inconsistency between sequence similarity and structure similarity. To find more examples of the evolutionary characteristics of FOG proteins, we investigated the protein sequence/structure similarities of other FOGs (transcription factors) and found that FOG proteins have diversified incompatibility between sequence and structure similarities during grass family evolution. This raised an interesting question as to whether the sequence similarity is related to structure similarity during C4 photosynthesis evolution. Full article

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21 pages, 2022 KiB

Open AccessReview

Phycobilisomes and Phycobiliproteins in the Pigment Apparatus of Oxygenic Photosynthetics: From Cyanobacteria to Tertiary Endosymbiosis

by Igor N. Stadnichuk and Victor V. Kusnetsov

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(3), 2290; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24032290 - 24 Jan 2023

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3611

Abstract

Eukaryotic photosynthesis originated in the course of evolution as a result of the uptake of some unstored cyanobacterium and its transformation to chloroplasts by an ancestral heterotrophic eukaryotic cell. The pigment apparatus of Archaeplastida and other algal phyla that emerged later turned out [...] Read more.

Eukaryotic photosynthesis originated in the course of evolution as a result of the uptake of some unstored cyanobacterium and its transformation to chloroplasts by an ancestral heterotrophic eukaryotic cell. The pigment apparatus of Archaeplastida and other algal phyla that emerged later turned out to be arranged in the same way. Pigment-protein complexes of photosystem I (PS I) and photosystem II (PS II) are characterized by uniform structures, while the light-harvesting antennae have undergone a series of changes. The phycobilisome (PBS) antenna present in cyanobacteria was replaced by Chl a/b- or Chl a/c-containing pigment–protein complexes in most groups of photosynthetics. In the form of PBS or phycobiliprotein aggregates, it was inherited by members of Cyanophyta, Cryptophyta, red algae, and photosynthetic amoebae. Supramolecular organization and architectural modifications of phycobiliprotein antennae in various algal phyla in line with the endosymbiotic theory of chloroplast origin are the subject of this review. Full article

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2022

Jump to: 2024, 2023, 2021

17 pages, 2955 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of High Irradiance and Low Water Temperature on Photoinhibition and Repair of Photosystems in Marimo (Aegagropila linnaei) in Lake Akan, Japan

by Akina Obara, Mari Ogawa, Yoichi Oyama, Yoshihiro Suzuki and Masaru Kono

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(1), 60; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24010060 - 21 Dec 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3556

Abstract

The green alga Aegagropila linnaei often forms spherical aggregates called “marimo” in Lake Akan in Japan. In winter, marimo are exposed to low water temperatures at 1–4 °C but protected from strong sunlight by ice coverage, which may disappear due to global warming. [...] Read more.

The green alga Aegagropila linnaei often forms spherical aggregates called “marimo” in Lake Akan in Japan. In winter, marimo are exposed to low water temperatures at 1–4 °C but protected from strong sunlight by ice coverage, which may disappear due to global warming. In this study, photoinhibition in marimo was examined at 2 °C using chlorophyll fluorescence and 830 nm absorption. Filamentous cells of A. linnaei dissected from marimo were exposed to strong light at 2 °C. Photosystem II (PSII) was markedly photoinhibited, while photosystem I was unaffected. When the cells with PSII damaged by the 4 h treatment were subsequently illuminated with moderate repair light at 2 °C, the maximal efficiency of PSII was recovered to the level before photoinhibition. However, after the longer photoinhibitory treatments, PSII efficiency did not recover by the repair light. When the cells were exposed to simulated diurnal light for 12 h per day, which was more ecological, the cells died within a few days. Our results showed new findings of the PSII repair at 2 °C and serious damage at the cellular level from prolonged high-light treatments. Further, we provided a clue to what may happen to marimo in Lake Akan in the near future. Full article

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15 pages, 5175 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Computational Docking Reveals Co-Evolution of C4 Carbon Delivery Enzymes in Diverse Plants

by Chao Wu and Dianjing Guo

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(20), 12688; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms232012688 - 21 Oct 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2014

Abstract

Proteins are modular functionalities regulating multiple cellular activities in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. As a consequence of higher plants adapting to arid and thermal conditions, C4 photosynthesis is the carbon fixation process involving multi-enzymes working in a coordinated fashion. However, how these enzymes interact [...] Read more.

Proteins are modular functionalities regulating multiple cellular activities in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. As a consequence of higher plants adapting to arid and thermal conditions, C4 photosynthesis is the carbon fixation process involving multi-enzymes working in a coordinated fashion. However, how these enzymes interact with each other and whether they co-evolve in parallel to maintain interactions in different plants remain elusive to date. Here, we report our findings on the global protein co-evolution relationship and local dynamics of co-varying site shifts in key C4 photosynthetic enzymes. We found that in most of the selected key C4 photosynthetic enzymes, global pairwise co-evolution events exist to form functional couplings. Besides, protein–protein interactions between these enzymes may suggest their unknown functionalities in the carbon delivery process. For PEPC and PPCK regulation pairs, pocket formation at the interactive interface are not necessary for their function. This feature is distinct from another well-known regulation pair in C4 photosynthesis, namely, PPDK and PPDK-RP, where the pockets are necessary. Our findings facilitate the discovery of novel protein regulation types and contribute to expanding our knowledge about C4 photosynthesis. Full article

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12 pages, 1453 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Iron Deficiency Promotes the Lack of Photosynthetic Cytochrome c₅₅₀ and Affects the Binding of the Luminal Extrinsic Subunits to Photosystem II in the Diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum

by Carmen Castell, Encarnación Díaz-Santos, Luis G. Heredia-Martínez, Luis López-Maury, José M. Ortega, José A. Navarro, Mercedes Roncel and Manuel Hervás

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(20), 12138; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms232012138 - 12 Oct 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2057

Abstract

In the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum, iron limitation promotes a decrease in the content of photosystem II, as determined by measurements of oxygen-evolving activity, thermoluminescence, chlorophyll fluorescence analyses and protein quantification methods. Thermoluminescence experiments also indicate that iron limitation induces subtle changes in [...] Read more.

In the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum, iron limitation promotes a decrease in the content of photosystem II, as determined by measurements of oxygen-evolving activity, thermoluminescence, chlorophyll fluorescence analyses and protein quantification methods. Thermoluminescence experiments also indicate that iron limitation induces subtle changes in the energetics of the recombination reaction between reduced Q_B and the S₂/S₃ states of the water-splitting machinery. However, electron transfer from Q_A to Q_B, involving non-heme iron, seems not to be significantly inhibited. Moreover, iron deficiency promotes a severe decrease in the content of the extrinsic PsbV/cytochrome c₅₅₀ subunit of photosystem II, which appears in eukaryotic algae from the red photosynthetic lineage (including diatoms) but is absent in green algae and plants. The decline in the content of cytochrome c₅₅₀ under iron-limiting conditions is accompanied by a decrease in the binding of this protein to photosystem II, and also of the extrinsic PsbO subunit. We propose that the lack of cytochrome c₅₅₀, induced by iron deficiency, specifically affects the binding of other extrinsic subunits of photosystem II, as previously described in cyanobacterial PsbV mutants. Full article

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18 pages, 7727 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Physiological and Transcriptomic Analyses Uncover the Reason for the Inhibition of Photosynthesis by Phosphate Deficiency in Cucumis melo L.

by Pengli Li, Jing Yu, Ningxiao Feng, Jinyang Weng, Asad Rehman, Jinyang Huang, Song Tu and Qingliang Niu

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(20), 12073; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms232012073 - 11 Oct 2022

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 1823

Abstract

Phosphate (Pi) deficiency is a common phenomenon in agricultural production and limits plant growth. Recent work showed that long-term Pi deficiency caused the inhibition of photosynthesis and inefficient electron transport. However, the underlying mechanisms are still unknown. In this study, we used the [...] Read more.

Phosphate (Pi) deficiency is a common phenomenon in agricultural production and limits plant growth. Recent work showed that long-term Pi deficiency caused the inhibition of photosynthesis and inefficient electron transport. However, the underlying mechanisms are still unknown. In this study, we used the physiological, histochemical, and transcriptomic methods to investigate the effect of low-Pi stress on photosynthetic gas exchange parameters, cell membrane lipid, chloroplast ultrastructure, and transcriptional regulation of key genes in melon seedlings. The results showed that Pi deficiency significantly downregulated the expression of aquaporin genes, induced an increase in ABA levels, and reduced the water content and free water content of melon leaves, which caused physiological drought in melon leaves. Therefore, gas exchange was disturbed. Pi deficiency also reduced the phospholipid contents in leaf cell membranes, caused the peroxidation of membrane lipids, and destroyed the ultrastructure of chloroplasts. The transcriptomic analysis showed that 822 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were upregulated and 1254 downregulated by Pi deficiency in leaves. GO and KEGG enrichment analysis showed that DEGs significantly enriched in chloroplast thylakoid membrane composition (GO:0009535), photosynthesis-antenna proteins (map00196), and photosynthesis pathways (map00195) were downregulated by Pi deficiency. It indicated that Pi deficiency regulated photosynthesis-related genes at the transcriptional level, thereby affecting the histochemical properties and physiological functions, and consequently causing the reduced light assimilation ability and photosynthesis efficiency. It enriches the mechanism of photosynthesis inhibition by Pi deficiency. Full article

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19 pages, 3002 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Prolonged Photoperiod on Light-Dependent Photosynthetic Reactions in Cannabis

by Martina Šrajer Gajdošik, Antonia Vicić, Vlatka Gvozdić, Vlatko Galić, Lidija Begović and Selma Mlinarić

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(17), 9702; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23179702 - 26 Aug 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 4546

Abstract

Industrial hemp is a fast-growing, short-day plant, characterized by high biomass yields and low demands for cultivation. To manipulate growth, hemp is usually cultivated under prolonged photoperiods or continuous light that could cause photooxidative damage and adjustments of photosynthetic reactions. To determine the [...] Read more.

Industrial hemp is a fast-growing, short-day plant, characterized by high biomass yields and low demands for cultivation. To manipulate growth, hemp is usually cultivated under prolonged photoperiods or continuous light that could cause photooxidative damage and adjustments of photosynthetic reactions. To determine the extent of changes in photosynthetic response caused by prolonged light exposure, we employed chlorophyll a fluorescence measurements accompanied with level of lipid peroxidation (TBARS) and FT-IR spectroscopy on two Cannabis cultivars. Plants were grown under white (W) and purple (P) light at different photoperiods (16/8, 20/4, and 24/0). Our results showed diverse photosynthetic reactions induced by the different light type and by the duration of light exposure in two cultivars. The most beneficial condition was the 16/8 photoperiod, regardless of the light type since it brought the most efficient physiological response and the lowest TBARS contents suggesting the lowest level of thylakoid membrane damage. These findings indicate that different efficient adaptation strategies were employed based on the type of light and the duration of photoperiod. White light, at both photoperiods, caused higher dissipation of excess light causing reduced pressure on PSI. Efficient dissipation of excess energy and formation of cyclic electron transport around PSI suggests that P20/4 initiated an efficient repair system. The P24/0 maintained functional electron transport between two photosystems suggesting a positive effect on the photosynthetic reaction despite the damage to thylakoid membranes. Full article

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19 pages, 3277 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Exogenous Melatonin Enhances Photosynthetic Capacity and Related Gene Expression in A Dose-Dependent Manner in the Tea Plant (Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze)

by Ni Yang, Miao-Hua Han, Rui-Min Teng, Ya-Zhuo Yang, Ya-Hui Wang, Ai-Sheng Xiong and Jing Zhuang

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(12), 6694; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23126694 - 15 Jun 2022

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2367

Abstract

The enhancement of photosynthesis of tea leaves can increase tea yield. In order to explore the regulation mechanism of exogenous melatonin (MT) on the photosynthetic characteristics of tea plants, tea variety ‘Zhongcha 108’ was used as the experimental material in this study. The [...] Read more.

The enhancement of photosynthesis of tea leaves can increase tea yield. In order to explore the regulation mechanism of exogenous melatonin (MT) on the photosynthetic characteristics of tea plants, tea variety ‘Zhongcha 108’ was used as the experimental material in this study. The effects of different concentrations (0, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4 mM) of melatonin on the chlorophyll (Chl) content, stomatal opening, photosynthetic and fluorescence parameters, antioxidant enzyme activity, and related gene expression of tea plants were detected and analyzed. The results showed that under 0.2-mM MT treatment, chlorophyll (Chl) content, photosynthetic rate (P_n), stomatal conductance (G_s), intercellular CO₂ concentration (C_i), and transpiration rate (T_r) improved, accompanied by a decrease in stomata density and increase in stomata area. Zero point two millimolar MT increased Chl fluorescence level and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and reduced hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents, indicating that MT alleviated PSII inhibition and improved photochemical efficiency. At the same time, 0.2 mM MT induced the expression of genes involved in photosynthesis and chlorophyll metabolism to varying degrees. The study demonstrated that MT can effectively enhance the photosynthetic capacity of tea plants in a dose-dependent manner. These results may promote a comprehensive understanding of the potential regulatory mechanism of exogenous MT on photosynthesis in tea plants. Full article

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25 pages, 4539 KiB

Open AccessReview

Modulations in Chlorophyll a Fluorescence Based on Intensity and Spectral Variations of Light

by Edappayil Janeeshma, Riya Johnson, M. S. Amritha, Louis Noble, K. P. Raj Aswathi, Arkadiusz Telesiński, Hazem M. Kalaji, Alicja Auriga and Jos T. Puthur

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(10), 5599; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23105599 - 17 May 2022

Cited by 25 | Viewed by 6339

Abstract

Photosynthetic efficiency is significantly affected by both qualitative and quantitative changes during light exposure. The properties of light have a profound effect on electron transport and energy absorption in photochemical reactions. In addition, fluctuations in light intensity and variations in the spectrum can [...] Read more.

Photosynthetic efficiency is significantly affected by both qualitative and quantitative changes during light exposure. The properties of light have a profound effect on electron transport and energy absorption in photochemical reactions. In addition, fluctuations in light intensity and variations in the spectrum can lead to a decrease in photosystem II efficiency. These features necessitate the use of a simple and suitable tool called chlorophyll a fluorescence to study photosynthetic reactions as a function of the aforementioned variables. This research implies that chlorophyll a fluorescence data can be used to determine precise light conditions that help photoautotrophic organisms optimally function. Full article

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24 pages, 6019 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Deacclimation-Induced Changes of Photosynthetic Efficiency, Brassinosteroid Homeostasis and BRI1 Expression in Winter Oilseed Rape (Brassica napus L.)—Relation to Frost Tolerance

by Julia Stachurska, Magdalena Rys, Ewa Pociecha, Hazem M. Kalaji, Piotr Dąbrowski, Jana Oklestkova, Barbara Jurczyk and Anna Janeczko

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(9), 5224; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23095224 - 7 May 2022

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2652

Abstract

The objective of this study was to answer the question of how the deacclimation process affects frost tolerance, photosynthetic efficiency, brassinosteroid (BR) homeostasis and BRI1 expression of winter oilseed rape. A comparative study was conducted on cultivars with different agronomic and physiological traits. [...] Read more.

The objective of this study was to answer the question of how the deacclimation process affects frost tolerance, photosynthetic efficiency, brassinosteroid (BR) homeostasis and BRI1 expression of winter oilseed rape. A comparative study was conducted on cultivars with different agronomic and physiological traits. The deacclimation process can occur when there are periods of higher temperatures, particularly in the late autumn or winter. This interrupts the process of the acclimation (hardening) of winter crops to low temperatures, thus reducing their frost tolerance and becoming a serious problem for agriculture. The experimental model included plants that were non-acclimated, cold acclimated (at 4 °C) and deacclimated (at 16 °C/9 °C, one week). We found that deacclimation tolerance (maintaining a high frost tolerance despite warm deacclimating periods) was a cultivar-dependent trait. Some of the cultivars developed a high frost tolerance after cold acclimation and maintained it after deacclimation. However, there were also cultivars that had a high frost tolerance after cold acclimation but lost some of it after deacclimation (the cultivars that were more susceptible to deacclimation). Deacclimation reversed the changes in the photosystem efficiency that had been induced by cold acclimation, and therefore, measuring the different signals associated with photosynthetic efficiency (based on prompt and delayed chlorophyll fluorescence) of plants could be a sensitive tool for monitoring the deacclimation process (and possible changes in frost tolerance) in oilseed rape. Higher levels of BR were characteristic of the better frost-tolerant cultivars in both the cold-acclimated and deacclimated plants. The relative expression of the BRI1 transcript (encoding the BR-receptor protein) was lower after cold acclimation and remained low in the more frost-tolerant cultivars after deacclimation. The role of brassinosteroids in oilseed rape acclimation/deacclimation is briefly discussed. Full article

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2021

Jump to: 2024, 2023, 2022

14 pages, 2106 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Is Photoprotection of PSII One of the Key Mechanisms for Drought Tolerance in Maize?

by Nahidah Bashir, Habib-ur-Rehman Athar, Hazem M. Kalaji, Jacek Wróbel, Seema Mahmood, Zafar Ullah Zafar and Muhammad Ashraf

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(24), 13490; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms222413490 - 16 Dec 2021

Cited by 21 | Viewed by 3046

Abstract

Drought is one of the most important abiotic stress factors limiting maize production worldwide. The objective of this study was to investigate whether photoprotection of PSII was associated with the degree of drought tolerance and yield in three maize hybrids (30Y87, 31R88, P3939). [...] Read more.

Drought is one of the most important abiotic stress factors limiting maize production worldwide. The objective of this study was to investigate whether photoprotection of PSII was associated with the degree of drought tolerance and yield in three maize hybrids (30Y87, 31R88, P3939). To do this, three maize hybrids were subjected to three cycles of drought, and we measured the activities of photosystem II (PSII) and photosystem I (PSI). In a second field experiment, three maize hybrids were subjected to drought by withholding irrigation, and plant water status, yield and yield attributes were measured. Drought stress decreased leaf water potential (Ψ_L) in three maize hybrids, and this reduction was more pronounced in hybrid P3939 (−40%) compared to that of 30Y87 (−30%). Yield and yield attributes of three maize hybrids were adversely affected by drought. The number of kernels and 100-kernel weight was the highest in maize hybrid 30Y87 (−56%, −6%), whereas these were lowest in hybrid P3939 (−88%, −23%). Drought stress reduced the quantum yield of PSII [Y(II)], photochemical quenching (qP), electron transport rate through PSII [ETR(II)] and NPQ, except in P3939. Among the components of NPQ, drought increased the Y(NPQ) with concomitant decrease in Y(NO) only in P3939, whereas Y(NO) increased in drought-stressed plants of hybrid 30Y87 and 31R88. However, an increase in cyclic electron flow (CEF) around PSI and Y(NPQ) in P3939 might have protected the photosynthetic machinery but it did not translate in yield. However, drought-stressed plants of 30Y87 might have sufficiently downregulated PSII to match the energy consumption in downstream biochemical processes. Thus, changes in PSII and PSI activity and development of NPQ through CEF are physiological mechanisms to protect the photosynthetic apparatus, but an appropriate balance between these physiological processes is required, without which plant productivity may decline. Full article

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23 pages, 3489 KiB

Open AccessArticle

6-Benzylaminopurine Alleviates the Impact of Cu²⁺ Toxicity on Photosynthetic Performance of Ricinus communis L. Seedlings

by Puthukkolli P. Sameena, Hazem M. Kalaji, Krystyna Żuk-Gołaszewska, Tomasz Horaczek, Edyta Sierka and Jos T. Puthur

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(24), 13349; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms222413349 - 12 Dec 2021

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3685

Abstract

Copper (Cu) is an essential element involved in various metabolic processes in plants, but at concentrations above the threshold level, it becomes a potential stress factor. The effects of two different cytokinins, kinetin (KIN) and 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP), on chlorophyll a fluorescence parameters, stomatal [...] Read more.

Copper (Cu) is an essential element involved in various metabolic processes in plants, but at concentrations above the threshold level, it becomes a potential stress factor. The effects of two different cytokinins, kinetin (KIN) and 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP), on chlorophyll a fluorescence parameters, stomatal responses and antioxidation mechanisms in castor (Ricinus communis L.) under Cu²⁺ toxicity was investigated. Ricinus communis plants were exposed to 80 and 160 μM CuSO₄ added to the growth medium. Foliar spraying of 15 μM KIN and BAP was carried out on these seedlings. The application of these cytokinins enhanced the tissue water status, chlorophyll contents, stomatal opening and photosynthetic efficiency in the castor plants subjected to Cu²⁺ stress. The fluorescence parameters, such as Fm, Fv/Fo, Sm, photochemical and non-photochemical quantum yields, energy absorbed, energy trapped and electron transport per cross-sections, were more efficiently modulated by BAP application than KIN under Cu²⁺ toxicity. There was also effective alleviation of reactive oxygen species by enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidation systems, reducing the membrane lipid peroxidation, which brought about a relative enhancement in the membrane stability index. Of the various treatments, 80 µM CuSO₄ + BAP recorded the highest increase in photosynthetic efficiency compared to other cytokinin treatments. Therefore, it can be concluded that BAP could effectively alleviate the detrimental effects of Cu²⁺toxicity in cotyledonary leaves of R. communis by effectively modulating stomatal responses and antioxidation mechanisms, thereby enhancing the photosynthetic apparatus’ functioning. Full article

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25 pages, 5565 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Insight into Details of the Photosynthetic Light Reactions and Selected Metabolic Changes in Tomato Seedlings Growing under Various Light Spectra

by Monika Kula-Maximenko, Ewa Niewiadomska, Anna Maksymowicz, Agnieszka Ostrowska, Jana Oklestkova, Aleš Pěnčík and Anna Janeczko

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(21), 11517; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms222111517 - 26 Oct 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3151

Abstract

The objective of our study was to characterise the growth of tomato seedlings under various light spectra, but special attention has been paid to gaining a deeper insight into the details of photosynthetic light reactions. The following light combinations (generated by LEDs, constant [...] Read more.

The objective of our study was to characterise the growth of tomato seedlings under various light spectra, but special attention has been paid to gaining a deeper insight into the details of photosynthetic light reactions. The following light combinations (generated by LEDs, constant light intensity at 300 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹) were used: blue/red light; blue/red light + far red; blue/red light + UV; white light that was supplemented with green, and white light that was supplemented with blue. Moreover, two combinations of white light for which the light intensity was changed by imitating the sunrise, sunset, and moon were also tested. The reference point was also light generated by high pressure sodium lamps (HPS). Plant growth/morphological parameters under various light conditions were only partly correlated with the photosynthetic efficiency of PSI and PSII. Illumination with blue/red as the main components had a negative effect on the functioning of PSII compared to the white light and HPS-generated light. On the other hand, the functioning of PSI was especially negatively affected under the blue/red light that was supplemented with FR. The FT-Raman studies showed that the general metabolic profile of the leaves (especially proteins and β-carotene) was similar in the plants that were grown under the HPS and under the LED-generated white light for which the light intensity changed during a day. The effect of various light conditions on the leaf hormonal balance (auxins, brassinosteroids) is also discussed. Full article

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14 pages, 1944 KiB

Open AccessReview

Effect of Magnetopriming on Photosynthetic Performance of Plants

by Mohammad Sarraf, Kricelle Mosquera Deamici, Houda Taimourya, Monirul Islam, Sunita Kataria, Ritesh Kumar Raipuria, Gholamreza Abdi and Marian Brestic

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(17), 9353; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22179353 - 28 Aug 2021

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 4376

Abstract

Magnetopriming has emerged as a promising seed-priming method, improving seed vigor, plant performance and productivity under both normal and stressed conditions. Various recent reports have demonstrated that improved photosynthesis can lead to higher biomass accumulation and overall crop yield. The major focus of [...] Read more.

Magnetopriming has emerged as a promising seed-priming method, improving seed vigor, plant performance and productivity under both normal and stressed conditions. Various recent reports have demonstrated that improved photosynthesis can lead to higher biomass accumulation and overall crop yield. The major focus of the present review is magnetopriming-based, improved growth parameters, which ultimately favor increased photosynthetic performance. The plants originating from magnetoprimed seeds showed increased plant height, leaf area, fresh weight, thick midrib and minor veins. Similarly, chlorophyll and carotenoid contents, efficiency of PSII, quantum yield of electron transport, stomatal conductance, and activities of carbonic anhydrase (CA), Rubisco and PEP-carboxylase enzymes are enhanced with magnetopriming of the seeds. In addition, a higher fluorescence yield at the J-I-P phase in polyphasic chlorophyll a fluorescence (OJIP) transient curves was observed in plants originating from magnetoprimed seeds. Here, we have presented an overview of available studies supporting the magnetopriming-based improvement of various parameters determining the photosynthetic performance of crop plants, which consequently increases crop yield. Additionally, we suggest the need for more in-depth molecular analysis in the future to shed light upon hidden regulatory mechanisms involved in magnetopriming-based, improved photosynthetic performance. Full article

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22 pages, 4441 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Effect of Photoperiod on Necrosis Development, Photosynthetic Efficiency and ‘Green Islands’ Formation in Brassica juncea Infected with Alternaria brassicicola

by Violetta Katarzyna Macioszek, Mirosław Sobczak, Andrzej Skoczowski, Jakub Oliwa, Sylwia Michlewska, Magdalena Gapińska, Iwona Ciereszko and Andrzej Kiejstut Kononowicz

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(16), 8435; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22168435 - 5 Aug 2021

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3584

Abstract

The main goal of growing plants under various photoperiods is to optimize photosynthesis for using the effect of day length that often acts on plants in combination with biotic and/or abiotic stresses. In this study, Brassica juncea plants were grown under four different [...] Read more.

The main goal of growing plants under various photoperiods is to optimize photosynthesis for using the effect of day length that often acts on plants in combination with biotic and/or abiotic stresses. In this study, Brassica juncea plants were grown under four different day-length regimes, namely., 8 h day/16 h night, 12 h day/12 h night, 16 h day/8 h night, and continuous light, and were infected with a necrotrophic fungus Alternaria brassicicola. The development of necroses on B. juncea leaves was strongly influenced by leaf position and day length. The largest necroses were formed on plants grown under a 16 h day/8 h night photoperiod at 72 h post-inoculation (hpi). The implemented day-length regimes had a great impact on leaf morphology in response to A. brassicicola infection. They also influenced the chlorophyll and carotenoid contents and photosynthesis efficiency. Both the 1st (the oldest) and 3rd infected leaves showed significantly higher minimal fluorescence (F₀) compared to the control leaves. Significantly lower values of other investigated chlorophyll a fluorescence parameters, e.g., maximum quantum yield of photosystem II (F_v/F_m) and non-photochemical quenching (NPQ), were observed in both infected leaves compared to the control, especially at 72 hpi. The oldest infected leaf, of approximately 30% of the B. juncea plants, grown under long-day and continuous light conditions showed a ‘green island’ phenotype in the form of a green ring surrounding an area of necrosis at 48 hpi. This phenomenon was also reflected in changes in the chloroplast’s ultrastructure and accelerated senescence (yellowing) in the form of expanding chlorosis. Further research should investigate the mechanism and physiological aspects of ‘green islands’ formation in this pathosystem. Full article

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24 pages, 28688 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Blue Light Improves Photosynthetic Performance during Healing and Acclimatization of Grafted Watermelon Seedlings

by Moein Moosavi-Nezhad, Reza Salehi, Sasan Aliniaeifard, Georgios Tsaniklidis, Ernst J. Woltering, Dimitrios Fanourakis, Krystyna Żuk-Gołaszewska and Hazem M. Kalaji

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(15), 8043; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22158043 - 28 Jul 2021

Cited by 35 | Viewed by 4839

Abstract

To investigate the importance of light on healing and acclimatization, in the present study, grafted watermelon seedlings were exposed to darkness (D) or light, provided by blue (B), red (R), a mixture of R (68%) and B (RB), or white (W; 35% B, [...] Read more.

To investigate the importance of light on healing and acclimatization, in the present study, grafted watermelon seedlings were exposed to darkness (D) or light, provided by blue (B), red (R), a mixture of R (68%) and B (RB), or white (W; 35% B, 49% intermediate spectra, 16% R) LEDs for 12 days. Survival ratio, root and shoot growth, soluble carbohydrate content, photosynthetic pigments content, and photosynthetic performance were evaluated. Seedling survival was not only strongly limited in D but the survived seedlings had an inferior shoot and root development, reduced chlorophyll content, and attenuated photosynthetic efficiency. RB-exposed seedlings had a less-developed root system. R-exposed seedlings showed leaf epinasty, and had the smallest leaf area, reduced chlorophyll content, and suppressed photosynthetic apparatus performance. The R-exposed seedlings contained the highest amount of soluble carbohydrate and together with D-exposed seedlings the lowest amount of chlorophyll in their scions. B-exposed seedlings showed the highest chlorophyll content and improved overall PSII photosynthetic functioning. W-exposed seedling had the largest leaf area, and closely resembled the photosynthetic properties of RB-exposed seedlings. We assume that, during healing of grafted seedlings monochromatic R light should be avoided. Instead, W and monochromatic B light may be willingly adopted due to their promoting effect on shoot, pigments content, and photosynthetic efficiency. Full article

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15 pages, 2327 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Role of Thylakoid Protein Phosphorylation in Energy-Dependent Quenching of Chlorophyll Fluorescence in Rice Plants

by Aynura Pashayeva, Guangxi Wu, Irada Huseynova, Choon-Hwan Lee and Ismayil S. Zulfugarov

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(15), 7978; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22157978 - 26 Jul 2021

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3588

Abstract

Under natural environments, light quality and quantity are extremely varied. To respond and acclimate to such changes, plants have developed a multiplicity of molecular regulatory mechanisms. Non-photochemical quenching of chlorophyll fluorescence (NPQ) and thylakoid protein phosphorylation are two mechanisms that protect vascular plants. [...] Read more.

Under natural environments, light quality and quantity are extremely varied. To respond and acclimate to such changes, plants have developed a multiplicity of molecular regulatory mechanisms. Non-photochemical quenching of chlorophyll fluorescence (NPQ) and thylakoid protein phosphorylation are two mechanisms that protect vascular plants. To clarify the role of thylakoid protein phosphorylation in energy-dependent quenching of chlorophyll fluorescence (qE) in rice plants, we used a direct Western blot assay after BN-PAGE to detect all phosphoproteins by P-Thr antibody as well as by P-Lhcb1 and P-Lhcb2 antibodies. Isolated thylakoids in either the dark- or the light-adapted state from wild type (WT) and PsbS-KO rice plants were used for this approach to detect light-dependent interactions between PsbS, PSII, and LHCII proteins. We observed that the bands corresponding to the phosphorylated Lhcb1 and Lhcb2 as well as the other phosphorylated proteins were enhanced in the PsbS-KO mutant after illumination. The qE relaxation became slower in WT plants after 10 min HL treatment, which correlated with Lhcb1 and Lhcb2 protein phosphorylation in the LHCII trimers under the same experimental conditions. Thus, we concluded that light-induced phosphorylation of PSII core and Lhcb1/Lhcb2 proteins is enhanced in rice PsbS-KO plants which might be due to more reactive-oxygen-species production in this mutant. Full article

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16 pages, 899 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Trichoderma harzianum on Photosynthetic Characteristics and Fruit Quality of Tomato Plants

by Igor D. Vukelić, Ljiljana T. Prokić, Gordana M. Racić, Mirjana B. Pešić, Mirjana M. Bojović, Edyta M. Sierka, Hazem M. Kalaji and Dejana M. Panković

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(13), 6961; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22136961 - 28 Jun 2021

Cited by 33 | Viewed by 4144

Abstract

The beneficial role of fungi from the Trichoderma genus and its secondary metabolites in promoting plant growth, uptake and use efficiency of macronutrients and oligo/micro-nutrients, activation of plant secondary metabolism and plant protection from diseases makes it interesting for application in environmentally friendly [...] Read more.

The beneficial role of fungi from the Trichoderma genus and its secondary metabolites in promoting plant growth, uptake and use efficiency of macronutrients and oligo/micro-nutrients, activation of plant secondary metabolism and plant protection from diseases makes it interesting for application in environmentally friendly agriculture. However, the literature data on the effect of Trichoderma inoculation on tomato fruit quality is scarce. Commercially used tomato cultivars were chosen in combination with indigenous Trichodrema species previously characterized on molecular and biochemical level, to investigate the effect of Trichoderma on photosynthetic characteristics and fruit quality of plants grown in organic system of production. Examined cultivars differed in the majority of examined parameters. Response of cultivar Gružanski zlatni to Trichoderma application was more significant. As a consequence of increased epidermal flavonols and decreased chlorophyll, the nitrogen balance index in leaves has decreased, indicating a shift from primary to secondary metabolism. The quality of its fruit was altered in the sense of increased total flavonoids content, decreased starch, increased Bioaccumulation Index (BI) for Fe and Cr, and decreased BI for heavy metals Ni and Pb. Higher expression of swolenin gene in tomato roots of more responsive tomato cultivar indicates better root colonization, which correlates with observed positive effects of Trichodrema. Full article

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16 pages, 3396 KiB

Open AccessArticle

PSII Activity Was Inhibited at Flowering Stage with Developing Black Bracts of Oat

by Bei Liu, Di Zhang, Ming Sun, Manli Li, Xiqing Ma, Shangang Jia and Peisheng Mao

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(10), 5258; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22105258 - 17 May 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2478

Abstract

The color of bracts generally turns yellow or black from green during cereal grain development. However, the impact of these phenotypic changes on photosynthetic physiology during black bract formation remains unclear. Two oat cultivars (Avena sativa L.), ‘Triple Crown’ and ‘Qinghai 444’, [...] Read more.

The color of bracts generally turns yellow or black from green during cereal grain development. However, the impact of these phenotypic changes on photosynthetic physiology during black bract formation remains unclear. Two oat cultivars (Avena sativa L.), ‘Triple Crown’ and ‘Qinghai 444’, with yellow and black bracts, respectively, were found to both have green bracts at the heading stage, but started to turn black at the flowering stage and become blackened at the milk stage for ‘Qinghai 444’. Their photosynthetic characteristics were analyzed and compared, and the key genes, proteins and regulatory pathways affecting photosynthetic physiology were determined in ‘Triple Crown’ and ‘Qinghai 444’ bracts. The results show that the actual PSII photochemical efficiency and PSII electron transfer rate of ‘Qinghai 444’ bracts had no significant changes at the heading and milk stages but decreased significantly (p < 0.05) at the flowering stage compared with ‘Triple Crown’. The chlorophyll content decreased, the LHCII involved in the assembly of supercomplexes in the thylakoid membrane was inhibited, and the expression of Lhcb1 and Lhcb5 was downregulated at the flowering stage. During this critical stage, the expression of Bh4 and C4H was upregulated, and the biosynthetic pathway of p-coumaric acid using tyrosine and phenylalanine as precursors was also enhanced. Moreover, the key upregulated genes (CHS, CHI and F3H) of anthocyanin biosynthesis might complement the impaired PSII activity until recovered at the milk stage. These findings provide a new insight into how photosynthesis alters during the process of oat bract color transition to black. Full article

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