The Role of Light-Harvesting Complex II Organization in the Efficiency of Light-Dependent Reactions in the Photosynthetic Apparatus of <i>Pisum sativum</i> L.

In this study, the functions of the photosynthetic machinery were evaluated using chlorophyll <i>a</i> fluorescence technique (PAM and JIP test) in pea plants (<i>Pisum sativum</i> L. cv Borec) and its LHC II oligomerization variants (mutants <i>Costata 2</i>/<...

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Main Authors: Georgi D. Rashkov, Martin A. Stefanov, Amarendra N. Misra, Emilia L. Apostolova
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Plants
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/12/1846
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Summary:In this study, the functions of the photosynthetic machinery were evaluated using chlorophyll <i>a</i> fluorescence technique (PAM and JIP test) in pea plants (<i>Pisum sativum</i> L. cv Borec) and its LHC II oligomerization variants (mutants <i>Costata 2</i>/<i>133</i> and <i>Coeruleovireus 2</i>/<i>16</i>). The oligomeric forms of LHCII increased in the following order: <i>Costata 2</i>/<i>133</i> < Borec wt < <i>Coeruleovireus 2</i>/<i>16</i>. Data revealed that the mutant with higher LHCII oligomerization (<i>Coeruleovireus 2</i>/<i>16</i>) at low light intensity (LL, 150 µmol photons/m<sup>2</sup>·s) exhibited the following: (i) decreased energy dissipation and increased electron transport efficiency; (ii) higher reaction center density; (iii) increased amounts of the open reaction centers (qp) and their excitation efficiency (Φexc); and (iv) influenced the reoxidation of Q<sub>A<sup>−</sup></sub>, alleviating its interaction with plastoquinone. These effects enhanced photosynthetic performance related to PSII photochemistry (PI<sub>ABS</sub>) and overall photosynthetic efficiency (PItotal). High light intensity (HL, 500 µmol photons/m<sup>2</sup>·s) caused a reduction in open reaction centers (qp), excitation efficiency (Φexc), photochemical energy conversion of PSII (Φ<sub>PSII</sub>), maximum efficiency of PSII photochemistry in light (Fv′/Fm′), and linear electron transport via PSII, with more pronounced effects observed in membranes with a lower degree of LHCII oligomerization (<i>Costata 2</i>/<i>133</i>). This study provides novel experimental evidence for the pivotal role of the LHCII structural organization in determining the efficiency of light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis.
ISSN:2223-7747