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Reduced levels of cytochrome b 6/f in transgenic tobacco increases the excitation pressure on Photosystem II without increasing sensitivity to photoinhibition in vivo

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Abstract

We have examined tobacco transformed with an antisense construct against the Rieske-FeS subunit of the cytochromeb 6 f complex, containing only 15 to 20% of the wild-type level of cytochrome f. The anti-Rieske-FeS leaves had a comparable chlorophyll and Photosystem II reaction center stoichiometry and a comparable carotenoid profile to the wild-type, with differences of less than 10% on a leaf area basis. When exposed to high irradiance, the anti-Rieske-FeS leaves showed a greatly increased closure of Photosystem II and a much reduced capacity to develop non-photochemical quenching compared with wild-type. However, contrary to our expectations, the anti-Rieske-FeS leaves were not more susceptible to photoinhibition than were wild-type leaves. Further, when we regulated the irradiance so that the excitation pressure on photosystem II was equivalent in both the anti-Rieske-FeS and wild-type leaves, the anti-Rieske-FeS leaves experienced much less photoinhibition than wild-type. The evidence from the anti-Rieske-FeS tobacco suggests that rapid photoinactivation of Photosystem II in vivo only occurs when closure of Photosystem II coincides with lumen acidification. These results suggest that the model of photoinhibition in vivo occurring principally because of limitations to electron withdrawal from photosystem II does not explain photoinhibition in these transgenic tobacco leaves, and we need to re-evaluate the twinned concepts of photoinhibition and photoprotection.

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Abbreviations

Chl:

chlorophyll

DCMU:

3-(3′,4′-dichlophenyl)-1,-dimethylurea

Fo and Fo′:

minimal fluorescence when all PS II reaction centers are open in dark- and light-acclimated leaves, respectively

Fm and Fm′:

maximal fluorescence when all PS II reaction centers are closed in dark- and light-acclimated leaves, respectively

Fv:

variable fluorescence (Fm-Fo) in dark acclimated leaves

Fv′:

variable fluorescence (Fm′-Fo′) in lightacclimated leaves

NPQ:

non-photochemical quenching of fluorescence

PS I and PS II:

Photosystem I and II

P680:

primary electron donor of the reaction center of PS II

PFD:

photosynthetic flux density

QA :

primary acceptor quinone of PS II

qp :

photochemical quenching of fluorescence

V+A+Z:

violaxanthin+antheraxanthin+zeaxanthin

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Author notes

  1. Vaughan Hurry

    Present address: Botanisches Institut, Universität Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 360, D-69120, Heidelberg, Germany

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Cooperative Research Centre for Plant Science, Australian National University, GPO Box 475, 2601, Canberra, ACT, Australia

    Vaughan Hurry

  2. Research School of Biological Sciences, Australian National University, GPO Box 475, 2601, Canberra, ACT, Australia

    Vaughan Hurry, Jan M. Anderson, Murray R. Badger & G. Dean Price

  3. Division of Plant Industry, CSIRO, GPO Box 1600, 2601, Canberra, ACT, Australia

    Jan M. Anderson

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Hurry, V., Anderson, J.M., Badger, M.R. et al. Reduced levels of cytochrome b 6/f in transgenic tobacco increases the excitation pressure on Photosystem II without increasing sensitivity to photoinhibition in vivo . Photosynth Res 50, 159–169 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00014886

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