Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Photosynthesis and protective mechanisms during ageing in transgenic tobacco leaves with over-expressed cytokinin oxidase/dehydrogenase and thus lowered cytokinin content

  • Original Papers
  • Published:
Photosynthetica

Abstract

The content of cytokinins (CKs), the plant inhibitors of the final phase of plant development, senescence, is effectively controlled by irreversible degradation catalysed by cytokinin oxidase/dehydrogenase (CKX). In transgenic tobacco, denoted as AtCKX, with over-expressed CKX causing lowered CK content, we investigated changes in the time courses of chlorophyll (Chl) and xanthophyll (violaxanthin, antheraxanthin, zeaxanthin, neoxanthin, and lutein) contents. We also determined parameters of slow Chl fluorescence kinetics such as minimum Chl fluorescence yield in the darkadapted state F0, maximum quantum yield of PS2 photochemistry (Fv/Fm), maximum ratio of quantum yields of photochemical and concurrent non-photochemical processes in photosystem 2 (PS2), Fv/F0, non-photochemical quenching (NPQ), and effective quantum yield of photochemical energy conversion in PS2 (Φ2). We used three different developmental leaf stages, old, mature, and young, and compared this with time courses of these characteristics in leaves with natural CK levels. The parameters Fv/Fm, Fv/F0, and Φ2 were unchanged during ageing in AtCKX plants in contrast to control ones where a significant decrease in old leaves was found. In control plants F0 increased during ageing, but in the oldest leaf a considerable decrease was observed. This could indicate progressive damage to PS2 reaction centres and then detachment and rapid degradation of Chl. This is in agreement with time course of Chl content. NPQ decreased with age and was similar in both plant types. We observed a decline of xanthophyll contents in the oldest leaves in both plant types, but the contents were enhanced in AtCKX compared to control plants, especially of neoxanthin. The higher xanthophyll contents in the transgenic plants contribute to a better photoprotection and the fluorescence parameters indicated that photosynthetic apparatus was in better condition compared to control and it consequently postponed the onset of leaf senescence.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Abbreviations

A:

antheraxanthin

ABA:

abscisic acid

Chl:

chlorophyll

CK:

cytokinin

CKX:

cytokinin oxidase/dehydrogenase

DEPS:

de-epoxidation state

F0 :

minimum Chl fluorescence from dark-adapted leaves

Fm :

maximum Chl fluorescence from dark-adapted leaves

Fm′:

maximum Chl fluorescence from light-adapted leaves

Fs :

steady state Chl fluorescence from light-adapted leaves

Fv :

variable Chl fluorescence

Fv/Fm :

maximum photochemical efficiency

Fv/F0 :

maximum ratio of quantum yields of photochemical and concurrent non-photochemical processes in PS2

L:

lutein

N:

neoxanthin

NPQ:

non-photochemical quenching

PAM:

pulse amplitude modulation

PAR:

photosynthetically active radiation

PS2:

photosystem 2

ROS:

reactive oxygen species

V:

violaxanthin

Z:

zeaxanthin

Φ2 :

effective quantum yield of photochemical energy conversion in PS2

References

  • Bundgard, R.A., Ruban, A.V., Hibberd, J.M., Press, M.C., Horton, P., Scholes, J.: Unusual carotenoid composition and a new type of xanthophyll cycle in plants.-Proc. nat. Acad. Sci. USA 96: 1135–1139, 1999.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chiba, A., Ishida, H., Nishizawa, N.K., Makino, A., Mae, T.: Exclusion of ribulose-1,5-biphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase from chloroplasts by bodies in naturally senescing leaves of wheat.-Plant Cell Physiol. 44: 914–921, 2003.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Eskling, M., Arvidsson, P.-O., Åkerlund, H.-E.: The xanthophyll cycle, its regulation and components.-Physiol. Plant. 100: 806–816, 1997.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gan, S., Amasino, R.M.: Inhibition of leaf senescence by autoregulated production of cytokinin.-Science 270: 1986–1988, 1995.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gilmore, A.M.: Mechanistic aspects of xanthophyll cycledependent photoprotection in higher plant chloroplasts and leaves.-Physiol. Plant. 99: 197–209, 1997.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Guiamét, J.J., Tyystjärvi, E., Tyystjärvi, T., John I., Kairavuo, M., Pichersky, E., Noodén, L.D.: Photoinhibition and loss of photosystem II reaction centre proteins during senescence of soybean leaves. Enhancement of photoinhibition by the ’staygreen’ mutation cytG.-Physiol. Plant. 115: 468–478, 2002.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hillman, J.R., Glidewell, S.M., Deighton, N.: The senescence syndrome in plants: an overview of phytogerontology.-Proc. roy. Soc. Edinburgh 102 B: 447–458, 1994.

    Google Scholar 

  • Inoue, K.: Carotenoid hydroxylation-P450 finally!-Trends Plant Sci. 9: 515–517, 2004.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jiao, D., Ji, B., Li, X.: Characteristic of chlorophyll fluorescence and membrane-lipid peroxidation during senescence of flag leaf in different cultivars of rice.-Photosynthetica 41: 33–41, 2003.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jordi, W., Schapendonk, A., Davelaar, E., Stoopen, G.M., Pot, C.S., De Visser, R., Van Rhijn, J.A., Gan, S., Amasino, R.M.: Increased cytokinin levels in transgenic PSAG12-IPT tobacco plants have large direct and indirect effects on leaf senescence, photosynthesis and N partitioning.-Plant Cell Environ. 23: 279–289, 2000.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Krupinska, K., Falk, J., Humbeck, K.: Genetic, metabolic and environmental factors associated with aging in plants.-In: Osiewacz, H.D. (ed.): Aging of Organisms. Pp. 55–78. Kluwer Academic Publishers. Dordrecht-Boston-London 2003.

    Google Scholar 

  • Logan, B.A., Demmig-Adams, B., Adams, W.W., III: Acclimation of photosynthesis to the environment.-In: Singhal, G.S., Renger, G., Sopory, G., Irrgang, K.-D., Govindjee (ed.): Concepts in Photobiology. Pp. 477–512. Kluwer Academic Publ., Boston-Dordrecht-London; Narosa Publishing House, Delhi-Madras-Bombay-Calcutta-London 1999.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lu, C., Lu, Q., Zhang, J., Kuang, T.: Characterization of photosynthetic pigment composition, photosystem II photochemistry and thermal energy dissipation during senescence of wheat plants grown in the field.-J. exp. Bot. 52: 1805–1810, 2001.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mittler, R., Vanderauwera, S., Gollery, M., Van Breusegem, F.: Reactive oxygen gene network of plants.-Trends Plant Sci. 9: 490–498, 2004.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Munné-Bosch, S., Peñuelas, J.: Photo-and antioxidative protection during summer leaf senescence in Pistacia lentiscus L. grown under mediterranean field condition.-Ann. Bot. 92: 385–391, 2003.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Nambara, E., Marion-Poll, A.: Abscisic acid biosynthesis and catabolism.-Annu. Rev. Plant Biol. 56: 165–185, 2005.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Niyogi, K.K.: Photoprotection revisited: genetic and molecular approaches.-Annu. Rev. Plant Physiol. Plant mol. Biol. 50: 333–359, 1999.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Noodén, L.D.: Abscisic acid, auxin, and other regulators of senescence.-In: Noodén, L.D., Leopold, A.C. (ed.): Senescence and Aging in Plants. Pp. 329–368. Academic Press, San Diego 1988.

    Google Scholar 

  • Peñarrubia, L., Moreno, J.: Senescence in plants and crops.-In: Pessarakli, M. (ed.): Handbook of Plant and Crop Physiology. 2nd Ed. Pp. 181–203. M. Dekker, New York-Basel 2002.

    Google Scholar 

  • Procházková, D., Wilhelmová, N.: Changes in antioxidative protection in bean cotyledons during natural and continuous irradiation-accelerated senescence.-Biol. Plant. 48: 33–39, 2004.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Roháček, K.: Chlorophyll fluorescence parameters: the definitions, photosynthetic meaning, and mutual relationships.-Photosynthetica 40: 13–29, 2002.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schnettger, B., Critchley, C., Santore, U.J., Graf, M., Krause, G.H.: Relationship between photoinhibition of photosynthesis, D1 protein turnover and chloroplast structure: Effects of protein synthesis inhibitors.-Plant Cell Environ. 17: 55–64, 1994.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Stessman, D., Miller, A., Spalding, M., Rodermel, S.: Regulation of photosynthesis during Arabidopsis leaf development in continuous light.-Photosynth. Res. 72: 27–37, 2002.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tichá, I., Čáp, F., Pacovská, P., Hofman, P., Haisel, D., Čapková, V., Schäffer, C.: Culture on sugar medium enhances photosynthetic capacity and high light resistance of plantlets grown in vitro.-Physiol. Plant. 102: 155–162, 1998.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Weng, X.-Y., Xu, H.-X., Jiang, D.-A.: Characteristics of gas exchange, chlorophyll fluorescence and expression of key enzymes in photosynthesis during leaf senescence in rice plants.-J. integrative Plant Biol. 47: 560–566, 2005.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Werner, T., Motyka, V., Laucou, V., Smets, R., Van Onckelen, H., Schmülling, T.: Cytokinin-deficient transgenic Arabidopsis plants show multiple developmental alterations indicating opposite function of cytokinins in the regulation of shoot and root meristem activity.-Plant Cell 15: 2532–2550, 2003.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Werner, T., Motyka, V., Strand, M., Schmülling, T.: Regulation of plant growth by cytokinin.-Proc. nat. Acad. Sci. USA 98: 10487–10492, 2001.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilhelmová, N., Procházková, D., Macháčková, I., Vágner, M., Srbová, M., Wilhelm, J.: The role of cytokinins and ethylene in bean cotyledon senescence. The effect of free radicals.-Biol. Plant. 48: 523–529, 2004.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wilhelmová, N., Procházková, D., Šindelářová, M., Šindelář, L.: Photosynthesis in leaves of Nicotiana tabacum L. infected with tobacco mosaic virus.-Photosynthetica 43: 597–602, 2005.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wilhelmová, N., Wilhelm, J., Kutík, J., Haisel, D.: Changes in French bean cotyledon composition associated with modulated life-span.-Photosynthetica 34: 377–391, 1997.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yang, C.-W., Chen, Y.-Z., Peng, C.-L., Jun, D., Lin, G.-Z.: Daily changes in component of components of xanthophyll cycle and antioxidant system in leaves of rice at different developing stage.-Acta Physiol. Plant. 23: 391–398, 2001.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Science, Charles University, Albertov 6, 128 43, Praha 2, Czech Republic

    Z. Mýtinová

  2. Institute of Experimental Botany, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Na Karlovce 1a, 160 00, Praha 6, Czech Republic

    Z. Mýtinová, D. Haisel & N. Wilhelmová

Authors
  1. Z. Mýtinová
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. D. Haisel
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. N. Wilhelmová
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to N. Wilhelmová.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Mýtinová, Z., Haisel, D. & Wilhelmová, N. Photosynthesis and protective mechanisms during ageing in transgenic tobacco leaves with over-expressed cytokinin oxidase/dehydrogenase and thus lowered cytokinin content. Photosynthetica 44, 599–605 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11099-006-0078-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11099-006-0078-6

Additional key words

Search

Navigation