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Inhibition of photosystem II photochemistry by Cr is caused by the alteration of both D1 protein and oxygen evolving complex

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Abstract

The effect of chromium (Cr) on photosystem II (PSII) electron transport and the change of proteins content within PSII complex were investigated. When Lemna gibba was exposed to Cr during 96 h, growth inhibition was found to be associated with an alteration of the PSII electron transport at both PSII oxidizing and reducing sides. Investigation of fluorescence yields at transients K, J, I, and P suggested for Cr inhibitory effect to be located at the oxygen-evolving complex and QA reduction. Those Cr-inhibitory effects were related to the change of the turnover of PSII D1 protein and the alteration of 24 and 33 kDa proteins of the oxygen-evolving complex. The inhibition of the PSII electron transport and the formation of reactive oxygen species induced by Cr were highly correlated with the decrease in the content of D1 protein and the amount of 24 and 33 kDa proteins. Therefore, functional alteration of PSII activity by Cr was closely related with the structural change within PSII complex.

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Abbreviations

ABS/RC:

Antenna size of an active reaction center of photosystem II

Cr:

Chromium

D1:

A core protein of the photosystem II reaction center

DCPIP:

2,6–Dichlorophenol indophenol

DI0/RC:

Non-photochemical energy dissipation of an active PSII reaction center

ET0/RC:

Electron transport in an active reaction center of photosystem II

FO (F50 µs):

Fluorescence yield at 50 µs when all reaction centers of PSII are open

FM :

Maximal fluorescence yield at P fluorescence transient; LHCII: light harvesting complex of photosystem II

OEC:

Oxygen-evolving complex

PSII:

Photosystem II

QA :

Quinone A as the primary electron carrier within PSII

QB :

Quinone B as the secondary electron carrier within PSII

RC/CS:

The amount of active PSII reaction centers per excited cross section

ROS:

reactive oxygen species

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by the Natural Science and Engineering Council of Canada (NSERC) through Grant GP0093404 awarded to R. Popovic. Special acknowledgment goes to Dr. Matilde Baron from the Department of Biochemistry (EEZ, CSIC, Granada, Spain) for kindly supplying the primary antibodies used in the present study for immuno-detection of PSII D1, LHCII and OEC polypeptides.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry, Environmental Toxicology Research Center, University of Quebec in Montreal, TOXEN, 2101, Jeanne-Mance, H2X 2J6, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

    Nadia Ait Ali, David Dewez, Olivier Didur & Radovan Popovic

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  1. Nadia Ait Ali
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  2. David Dewez
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  3. Olivier Didur
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  4. Radovan Popovic
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Correspondence to Radovan Popovic.

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Ali, N.A., Dewez, D., Didur, O. et al. Inhibition of photosystem II photochemistry by Cr is caused by the alteration of both D1 protein and oxygen evolving complex. Photosynth Res 89, 81–87 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11120-006-9085-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11120-006-9085-5

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