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Characterization of cytoplasmic mutants of Nicotiana tabacum with altered photosynthetic function

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Summary

A series of cytoplasmic mutants of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) were generated and characterized. Compared to wild type tobacco, they were found to have diminished levels of photosynthetic pigments and a range of functional impairments including modified chlorophyll fluorescence properties, loss of Photosystem I and/or II electron transport activity, and aberrant ultrastructure. Although the loss of defined functional activities was correlated with the depletion of specific thylakoid membrane proteins, no simple rules governed the relationship between structural defects and photosynthetic deficiencies. All of these mutants exhibited pleiotropic losses of polypeptides, including those known to be nuclear-encoded; this is consistent with the concept that loss of one component of a multi-subunit membrane protein complex results in unstable complex assembly. The phenotype of two mutants was developmentally regulated, in one case with slow chloroplast developments and in the other by premature senescence of Photosystem II centers as a function of leaf development. These mutants should be especially useful in studying membrane protein assembly.

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Abbreviations

CF1 :

coupling factor (chloroplast ATPase)

Chl:

chlorophyll

CP:

chlorophyll protein

Diuron:

3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethyl urea

DPIP:

2,6-dichlorophenolindolphenol

EDTA:

ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid

F0 :

initial fluorescence

Fp :

peak fluorescence

Ft :

terminal fluorescence

Fv :

variable fluorescence

kDa:

kilodalton(s)

LDS:

lithium dodecyl sulfate

LHC:

light harvesting complex

MV:

methyl viologen

OEC:

oxygen evolving complex

PAGE:

polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis

PMSF:

phenylmethylsulfonylfluoride

PS:

photosystem

QA :

the primary quinone acceptor of Photosystem II

RC:

reaction center

TMPD:

N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyl-p-phenylenediamine

TMQH2 :

tetramethyl-p-benzohydroquinone

TP:

tobacco plastome

Tricine:

N-tris (hydroxymethyl) methylglycine

WT:

wild type

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Author notes

  1. Catherine P. Chia

    Present address: Biology Department, Princeton University, 08544, Princeton, NJ, USA

  2. John H. Duesing

    Present address: Biotechnology Research, CIBA-GEIGY Corp., P.O. Box 12257, 27709-2257, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA

  3. Rachel Guy

    Present address: Applied Algology Department, Jacob Blaustein Institute for Desert Research, 84990, Sede Boqer Campus, Israel

  4. C. J. Arntzen

    Present address: Central Research and Development, Experimental Station E402/3226, The DuPont Co., 19898, Wilmington, DE, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. MSU/DOE Plant Research Laboratory, Michigan State University, 48824-1312, East Lansing, MI, USA

    Catherine P. Chia, John H. Duesing, Janet L. Watson, Rachel Guy & C. J. Arntzen

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  1. Catherine P. Chia
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  2. John H. Duesing
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  3. Janet L. Watson
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  4. Rachel Guy
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Chia, C.P., Duesing, J.H., Watson, J.L. et al. Characterization of cytoplasmic mutants of Nicotiana tabacum with altered photosynthetic function. Curr Genet 10, 469–479 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00419876

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00419876

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