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Photosystem II antennae are not energetically connected: evidence based on flash-induced O2 evolution and chlorophyll fluorescence in sunflower leaves

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Abstract

Oxygen evolution was measured in sunflower leaves in steady-state and during multiple-turnover pulses (MTP) of different light (630 nm LED plus far-red light) intensity and duration. In parallel, Chl fluorescence yields F 0 (minimum), F s (steady-state), and F m (pulse-saturated), as well as fluorescence induction during MTPs were recorded. Extra O2 evolution was measured in response to a saturating single-turnover Xe flash (STF) applied immediately subsequently to the actinic light in the steady-state and to each MTP. Under the used anaerobic conditions and randomized S-states electron transport per STF was calculated as 4O2 evolution. The STF-induced electron transport (=the number of open PSII) was maximal at the low background light, but decreased with progressing light saturation in steady-state and with the increasing duration of MTP. The quantum yield (effective antenna size) of open PSII centers remained constant when adjacent centers became closed. The photochemical quenching of fluorescence q P = (F m − F s)/(F m − F 0) was proportional with the portion of open PSII centers in the steady-state (variable non-photochemical quenching, NPQ) and with increasing MTP duration (NPQ absent). Comparison of experimental responses to a model based on PSII dimers with well-connected antennae showed no energetic connectivity between PSII antennae in intact leaves, suggesting that in vivo PSII exist as monomers, or dimers with energetically disconnected antennae.

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Abbreviations

DCMU :

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

ETR:

Electron transport rate

FI:

Fluorescence induction

FR:

Far-red

F m, F s, F 0 :

Fluorescence yield in the light, maximum, steady-state and minimum

LED:

Light-emitting diode

MTP:

Multi-turnover light pulse

NPQ:

Non-photochemical quenching

PAD:

Photon absorption density

PFD:

Photon flux density, incident

PSII, PSI:

Photosystems, II and I

PQ, PQH2 :

Plastoquinone, oxidized and reduced

QA, QB :

PSII acceptors, primary and secondary

STF:

Single-turnover flash

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by Targeted Financing Theme SF0180045s08 from Estonian Ministry of Education and Science and Grants 8283 and 8344 from Estonian Science Foundation. We appreciate the contribution by D. M. Kramer, Michigan State University, during the planning phase of this study. We also thank the two reviewers, whose active participation has resulted in major developments in this study, strongly substantiating the conclusion.

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  1. Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Tartu, Riia St. 23, 51010, Tartu, Estonia

    Vello Oja & Agu Laisk

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  1. Vello Oja
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Correspondence to Agu Laisk.

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Oja, V., Laisk, A. Photosystem II antennae are not energetically connected: evidence based on flash-induced O2 evolution and chlorophyll fluorescence in sunflower leaves. Photosynth Res 114, 15–28 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11120-012-9775-0

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