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The mechanisms contributing to photosynthetic control of electron transport by carbon assimilation in leaves

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Abstract

‘Photosynthetic control’ describes the processes that serve to modify chloroplast membrane reactions in order to co-ordinate the synthesis of ATP and NADPH with the rate at which these metabolites can be used in carbon metabolism. At low irradiance, optimisation of the use of excitation energy is required, while at high irradiance photosynthetic control serves to dissipate excess excitation energy when the potential rate of ATP and NADPH synthesis exceed demand. The balance between ΔpH, ATP synthesis and redox state adjusts supply to demand such that the [ATP]/[ADP] and [NADPH]/[NADP+] ratios are remarkably constant in steady-state conditions and modulation of electron transport occurs without extreme fluctuations in these pools.

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Abbreviations

FBPase:

Fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase

PS I:

Photosystem I

PS II:

Photosystem II

Pi:

inorganic phosphate

PGA:

glycerate 3-phosphate

PQ:

plastoquinone

QA :

the bound quinone electron acceptor of PS II

qP :

Photochemical quenching of chlorophyll fluorescence associated with the oxidation of QA

qN :

non-photochemical quenching of chlorophyll fluorescence

qE :

non-photochemical quenching associated with the high energy state of the membrane

RuBP:

ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate

TP:

triose phosphate

Ф:

intrinsic quantum yield of PS II

Ф:

quantum yield of electron transport

Ф:

quantum yield of CO2 assimilation

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratoire du Métabolisme, I.N.R.A., Route de St-Cyr, 78000, Versailles, France

    Christine Foyer

  2. Division of Plant Industry, C.S.I.R.O., P.O. Box 1600, 2601, Canberra, Act., Australia

    Robert Furbank

  3. ATO/Agrotechnologie, Haagsteeg 6, Postbus 17, 6700 AA, Wageningen, The Netherlands

    Jeremy Harbinson

  4. Robert Hill Intitute, Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, S10 2TN, Sheffield, UK

    Peter Horton

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  1. Christine Foyer
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  2. Robert Furbank
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  3. Jeremy Harbinson
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  4. Peter Horton
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Foyer, C., Furbank, R., Harbinson, J. et al. The mechanisms contributing to photosynthetic control of electron transport by carbon assimilation in leaves. Photosynth Res 25, 83–100 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00035457

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