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Modulation of photosynthesis in Synechocystis and Synechococcus grown with chromium (VI)

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Abstract

Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 and Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942 exhibit dissimilar tolerance to Cr(VI) with a tenfold difference in their EC50 value for Cr(VI). This contrasting tolerance was attributed to the difference in the ability to transport Cr(VI) and to detoxify ROS. The present study used biochemical assays and chlorophyll fluorescence to investigate the effect of growth with Cr(VI) on photosynthesis in the two cyanobacteria. In absence of Cr(VI), all the measured parameters viz., rates of CO2 fixation, PSII and PSI activities were higher in Synechocystis in comparison to Synechococcus, suggesting intrinsic differences in their photosynthesis. Growth in the presence of Cr(VI) reduced the pigment content and photosystems’ activities in both cyanobacteria. It was further observed that photosynthetic functions were more adversely affected in Synechocystis in comparison to Synechococcus, in spite of exposure to tenfold lower Cr(VI) concentration. The effective quantum yield of PSII and PSI obtained by chlorophyll fluorescence measurements increased in the presence of Cr(VI) in Synechococcus whereas it decreased in Synechocystis. However, the overall CO2 fixation remained unchanged. These results indicated that, in addition to the intrinsic difference in photosynthetic rates, the two cyanobacteria exhibit differential modulation of photosynthetic machinery upon Cr(VI) exposure and Synechococcus could adapt better it’s photosystems to counter the oxidative stress.

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Abbreviations

CEF:

Cyclic electron flow

ETRI:

Electron transport rate for PSI

ETRII:

Electron transport rate for PSII

PAM:

Pulse amplitude modulation

PAR:

Photosynthetically active radiation

PSI:

Photosystem I

PSII:

Photosystem II

Y(I):

Photochemical quantum yield of PSI

Y(II):

Effective quantum yield of PSII

Y(NO):

Quantum yield of non-regulated energy dissipation

Fm :

Maximum fluorescence

Fo :

Minimum fluorescence after dark adaptation

Fv :

Variable fluorescence

Pm :

Maximal change in P700+ signal

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank AVSSN Rao, Rachna Agarwal and Hema Rajaram, MBD, BARC Mumbai, for critical reading of the manuscript, and N Tekade for technical help. JKS acknowledges Department of Atomic Energy, India, for the Raja Ramanna Fellowship.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Molecular Biology Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai, 400 085, India

    Alka Gupta & Rajani Kant Chittela

  2. Formerly Molecular Biology Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai, 400 085, India

    Jayashree K Sainis

  3. Formerly Nuclear Agriculture and Biotechnology Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai, 400 085, India

    Suresh G Bhagwat

  4. BARC Training School Complex, Homi Bhabha National Institute, Anushakti Nagar, Mumbai, 400 094, India

    Rajani Kant Chittela

Authors
  1. Alka Gupta
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  2. Jayashree K Sainis
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  3. Suresh G Bhagwat
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  4. Rajani Kant Chittela
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Correspondence to Alka Gupta.

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Corresponding editor: BJ Rao

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Gupta, A., Sainis, J.K., Bhagwat, S.G. et al. Modulation of photosynthesis in Synechocystis and Synechococcus grown with chromium (VI). J Biosci 46, 1 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12038-020-00119-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12038-020-00119-1

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