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Cobalt induced changes in photosystem activity in Synechocystis PCC 6803: Alterations in energy distribution and stoichiometry

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Abstract

Adaptive responses to excess (supraoptimal) level of cobalt supplied to the growth medium were studied in the cyanobacterium Synechocystis PCC 6803. Growth of cells in the medium containing 10 μM CoCl2 led to a large stimulation (50%) in O2-evolution and an overall increase (∼30%) in the photosynthetic electron transport rates. Analysis of variable Chl a fluorescence yield of PS II and immuno-detection of Photosystem II (PS II) reaction-center protein D1, showed a small increase (15–20%) in the number of PS II units in cobalt-grown cells. Cobalt-grown cells, therefore, had a slightly elevated PS II/PS I ratio compared to control.

We observed alteration in the extent of energy distribution between the two photosystems in the eobalt grown cells. Energy was preferentially distributed in favour of PS II accompanied by a reduction in the extent of energy transfer from PS II to PS I in cobalt-grown cells. These cells also showed a smaller PS I absorption cross-section and a smaller size of intersystem electron pool than the control cells. Thus, our results suggest that supplementation of 10 μM CoCl2, to the normal growth medium causes multiple changes involving small increase in PS II to PS I ratio, enhanced funneling of energy to PS II and an increase in PS I electron transport, decrease PS I cross section and reduction in intersystem pool size. The cumulative effects of these alterations cause stimulation in electron transport and O2 evolution.

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Abbreviations

BCIP:

5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolylphosphate

Chl a :

Chlorophyll a

Cyt blf :

Cytochrome blf

DCBQ:

2,6-dichlorobenzoquinone

DCMU:

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

DCPIP:

2,6-dichlorophenol indophenol

DPC:

Diphenyl carbazide

Fo :

fluorescence when all reaction centers are open

FM :

fluorescence yield when all reaction centers are closed

Fv :

variable chlorophyll fluorescence

HEPES:

N-2-hydroxyethyl piperazine-N'-2-ethanesulphonic acid

MV:

methyl viologen

NBT:

nitro-blue tetrazolium

pBQ:

para-benzoquinone

PB somes:

phycobilisomes

PC:

Phycocyanin

PQ:

plastoquinone

PS I:

Photosystem I

PS II:

Photosystem II

P700:

reaction center Chl a of PS 1

ST-and MT-flash:

single turnover and multiple turnover flash

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, 110 067, New Delhi, India

    Swati Tiwari & Prasanna Mchanty

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  1. Swati Tiwari
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  2. Prasanna Mchanty
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Tiwari, S., Mchanty, P. Cobalt induced changes in photosystem activity in Synechocystis PCC 6803: Alterations in energy distribution and stoichiometry. Photosynth Res 50, 243–256 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00033123

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00033123

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