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Differential protection of photosynthetic capacity in trehalose-and lea protein-producing transgenic plants under abiotic stresses

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Abstract

We previously demonstrated that both trehalose and LEA protein protect plants from damage by drought, salt, and heat. Here, we compared their effectiveness in preserving photosynthetic capacity under those abiotic stresses. Upon dehydration, the Pmax (maximal photosynthetic rate) of O2 evolution decreased similarly in both nontransformants andotsA plants. Contrastingly, Pmax was maintained at a considerably higher level inCaLEA6 plants. However, no significant differences in Chl fluorescence parameters were observed between transformants and nontransformants. Under salinity stress,CaLEA6 plants were also better thanotsA plants in terms of their values for Pmax, photochemical efficiency of PSII(Fv/Fm), and photochemical quenching (qP). After heat bothotsA andCaLEA6 plants maintained a higher Pmax as well as more favorable Chl fluorescence parameters, although the latter transformant performed slightly better overall. Therefore, despite the comparable effectiveness of trehalose and LEA protein in enhancing tolerance against those abiotic stresses, they confer differential protection in maintaining photosynthetic capacity. Compared with trehalose, the CaLEA6 protein appears to be a more universal and effective agent under those stresses.

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Abbreviations

Chl:

chlorophyll

Fm:

maximal fluorescence after dark-adaptation

Fo:

initial fluorescence

Fv:

variable fluorescence

Fv/Fm:

maximum photochemical efficiency of PSII

LEA:

late embryo abundant

NPQ:

nonphotochemical quenching of chlorophyll fluorescence

PEG:

polyethylene glycol

Pmax:

maximal photosynthetic rate of O2 evolution

PS:

photosystem

qP:

photochemical quenching of chlorophyll

T6P:

trehalose-6-phosphate

TPP:

trehalose-6-phosphate phosphatase

TPS:

trehalose-6-phosphate synthase

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, 151-742, Seoul, Republic of Korea

    Sung -Soo Jun, Hye Jin Choi, Hae Youn Lee & Young -Nam Hong

  2. School of General Education, Institute for Scientifically Able Youth, Kyungwon University, 461-701, Seoungnam, Republic of Korea

    Sung -Soo Jun

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  1. Sung -Soo Jun
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Correspondence to Young -Nam Hong.

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Jun, S.S., Choi, H.J., Lee, H.Y. et al. Differential protection of photosynthetic capacity in trehalose-and lea protein-producing transgenic plants under abiotic stresses. J. Plant Biol. 51, 327–336 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03036134

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