We have studied the inhibition of photosynthetic electron transport by UV-A (320–400 nm) radiation in isolated spinach thylakoids. Measurements of Photosystem II (PSII) and Photosystem I activity by Clark-type oxygen electrode demonstrated that electron flow is impaired primarily in PSII. The site and mechanism of UV-A induced damage within PSII was assessed by flash-induced oxygen and thermoluminescence (TL) measurements. The flash pattern of oxygen evolution showed an increased amount of the S0 state in the dark, which indicate a direct effect of UV-A in the water-oxidizing complex. TL measurements revealed the UV-A induced loss of PSII centers in which charge recombination between the S2 state of the water oxidizing complex and the semireduced QA− and QB− quinone electron acceptors occur. Flash-induced oscillation of the B TL band, originating from the S2QB− recombination, showed a decreased amplitude after the second flash relative to that after the first one, which is consistent with a decrease in the amount of QB− relative to QB in dark adapted samples. The efficiency of UV-A light in inhibiting PSII electron transport exceeds that of visible light 45-fold on the basis of equal energy and 60-fold on the basis of equal photon number, respectively. In conclusion, our data show that UV-A radiation is highly damaging for PSII, whose electron transport is affected both at the water oxidizing complex, and the binding site of the QB quinone electron acceptor in a similar way to that caused by UV-B radiation.
How to translate text using browser tools
1 October 2000
Inhibition of Photosynthetic Electron Transport by UV-A Radiation Targets the Photosystem II Complex¶
Enikö Turcsányi,
Imre Vass
ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE
It is not available for individual sale.
This article is only available to subscribers.
It is not available for individual sale.
It is not available for individual sale.
Photochemistry and Photobiology
Vol. 72 • No. 4
October 2000
Vol. 72 • No. 4
October 2000