Faster photosynthetic induction in tobacco by expressing cyanobacterial flavodiiron proteins in chloroplasts

• Published in: Photosynthesis research Vol. 136; no. 2; pp. 129 - 138
• Main Authors: Gómez, Rodrigo, Carrillo, Néstor, Morelli, María P., Tula, Suresh, Shahinnia, Fahimeh, Hajirezaei, Mohammad-Reza, Lodeyro, Anabella F.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer Netherlands 01.05.2018; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Angiosperms; Antimycin A - pharmacology; Bacterial Proteins - genetics; Bacterial Proteins - metabolism; Biochemistry; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Chloroplasts; Chloroplasts - genetics; Chloroplasts - metabolism; Cyanobacteria; Electron Transport; Electron transport chain; Electron Transport Chain Complex Proteins - metabolism; Environmental conditions; Genetic engineering; Genetically modified plants; Leaves; Life Sciences; Nicotiana - drug effects; Nicotiana - genetics; Nicotiana - physiology; Original Article; Photorespiration; Photosynthesis; Photosynthesis - physiology; Plant biochemistry; Plant Genetics and Genomics; Plant Physiology; Plant Sciences; Plants, Genetically Modified; Proteins; Protonmotive force; Radiation; Shading; Synechocystis - genetics; Tobacco; Transgenic plants; Dark–light transitions; Photosynthetic efficiency; Flavodiiron proteins; Photosynthesis; Alternative electron transport; Non-photochemical quenching
• ISSN: 0166-8595; 1573-5079
• DOI: 10.1007/s11120-017-0449-9

Plants grown in the field experience sharp changes in irradiation due to shading effects caused by clouds, other leaves, etc. The excess of absorbed light energy is dissipated by a number of mechanisms including cyclic electron transport, photorespiration, and Mehler-type reactions. This protection is essential for survival but decreases photosynthetic efficiency. All phototrophs except angiosperms harbor flavodiiron proteins (Flvs) which relieve the excess of excitation energy on the photosynthetic electron transport chain by reducing oxygen directly to water. Introduction of cyanobacterial Flv1/Flv3 in tobacco chloroplasts resulted in transgenic plants that showed similar photosynthetic performance under steady-state illumination, but displayed faster recovery of various photosynthetic parameters, including electron transport and non-photochemical quenching during dark–light transitions. They also kept the electron transport chain in a more oxidized state and enhanced the proton motive force of dark-adapted leaves. The results indicate that, by acting as electron sinks during light transitions, Flvs contribute to increase photosynthesis protection and efficiency under changing environmental conditions as those found by plants in the field.