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Cyclic electron flow around Photosystem II in vivo

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Abstract

The oxygen flash yield (YO2) and photochemical yield of PS II (ΦPS II) were simultaneously detected in intact Chlorella cells on a bare platinum oxygen rate electrode. The two yields were measured as a function of background irradiance in the steady-state and following a transition from light to darkness. During steady-state illumination at moderate irradiance levels, YO2 and ΦPS II followed each other, suggesting a close coupling between the oxidation of water and QA reduction (Falkowski et al. (1988) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 933: 432–443). Following a light-to-dark transition, however, the relationship between QA reduction and the fraction of PS II reaction centers capable of evolving O2 became temporarily uncoupled. ΦPS II recovered to the preillumination levels within 5–10 s, while the YO2 required up to 60 s to recover under aerobic conditions. The recovery of YO2 was independent of the redox state of QA, but was accompanied by a 30% increase in the functional absorption cross-section of PS II (σPS II). The hysteresis between YO2 and the reduction of QA during the light-to-dark transition was dependent upon the reduction level of the plastoquinone pool and does not appear to be due to a direct radiative charge back-reaction, but rather is a consequence of a transient cyclic electron flow around PS II. The cycle is engaged in vivo only when the plastoquinone pool is reduced. Hence, the plastoquinone pool can act as a clutch that disconnects the oxygen evolution from photochemical charge separation in PS II.

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Abbreviations

ADRY:

acceleration of the deactivation reactions of the water-splitting enzyme (agents)

Chl:

chlorophyll

cyt:

cytochrome

DCMU:

3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea

FO :

minimum fluorescence yield in the dark-adapted state

FI :

minimum fluorescence yield under ambient irradiance or during transition from the light-adapted state

FM :

maximum fluorescence yield in the dark-adapted state

FM′ :

maximum fluorescence yield under ambient irradiance or during transition from light-adapted state

FV, FV′ :

variable fluorescence (FV=FM–FO ; FV′=FM′–FI)

FRR:

fast repetition rate (fluorometer)

ΦPS II :

quantum yield of QA reduction (ΦPS II=(FM − FO)/FM or ΦPS II)=(FM= − FI=)/FM=)

LHCII:

Chl a/b light harvesting complexes of Photosystem II

OEC:

oxygen evolving complex of PS II

P680:

reaction center chlorophyll of PS II

PQ:

plastoquinone

POH2 :

plastoquinol

PS I:

Photosystem I

PS II:

Photosystem II

RC II:

reaction centers of Photosystem II

PS II:

the effective absorption cross-section of PHotosystem II

TL:

thermoluminescence

YO2 :

oxygen flash yield

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Oceanographic and Atmospheric Sciences Division, Department of Applied Science, Brookhaven National Laboratory, 11973-5000, Upton, NY, USA

    Ondrej Prasil, Zbigniew Kolber & Paul G. Falkowski

  2. Institute of Microbiology, Academy of Sciences of Czech Republic, 379 81, Trebon, Czech Republic

    Ondrej Prasil

  3. Department of Plant Biology, Carnegie Institution of Washington, 94305, Stanford, CA, USA

    Joseph A. Berry

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  1. Ondrej Prasil
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  2. Zbigniew Kolber
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  3. Joseph A. Berry
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  4. Paul G. Falkowski
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Prasil, O., Kolber, Z., Berry, J.A. et al. Cyclic electron flow around Photosystem II in vivo . Photosynth Res 48, 395–410 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00029472

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