Reaction Center Protein D1 Research Articles

Molecular Studies of CtpA, the Carboxyl-terminal Processing Protease for the D1 Protein of the Photosystem II Reaction Center in Higher Plants

The D1 reaction center protein of the Photosystem II complex in green plants is synthesized with a short carboxyl-terminal extension. Proteolytic cleavage and removal of this extension peptide in the thylakoid lumen are necessary for the assembly of a manganese cluster that is essential for the oxygen evolution activity of Photosystem II. We have isolated cDNAs encoding CtpA, the carboxyl-terminal processing protease for the D1 protein, from two higher plants, spinach and barley. In each of these organisms, CtpA is encoded by a single copy nuclear gene, and its steady-state mRNA levels are light-regulated. The CtpA protein is detectable in etiolated material, and its level increases approximately 5-fold upon illumination. Moreover, the CtpA gene is expressed in shoot tissues and not in roots. In its precursor form, the CtpA protein harbors a bipartite transit sequence characteristic for thylakoid lumenal proteins. Cell fractionation studies demonstrated that CtpA is associated with thylakoid membranes and is resistant to treatments with thermolysin, consistent with its localization in the lumen of thylakoids. Comparisons of the sequence of the higher plant CtpA enzyme with those of other related carboxyl-terminal processing proteases suggest that these proteins constitute a new family of proteases.

Degradation pattern of photosystem II reaction center protein D1 in intact leaves. The major photoinhibition-induced cleavage site in D1 polypeptide is located amino terminally of the DE loop.

Photoinhibition-induced degradation of the D1 protein of the photosystem II reaction center was studied in intact pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L.) leaves. Photoinhibition was observed to cause the cleavage of the D1 protein at two distinct sites. The main cleavage generated an 18-kD N-terminal and a 20-kD C-terminal degradation fragment of the D1 protein. this cleavage site was mapped to be located clearly N terminally of the DE loop. The other, less-frequent cleavage occurred at the DE loop and produced the well-documented 23-kD, N-terminal D1 degradation product. Furthermore, the 23-kD, N-terminal D1 fragment appears to be phosphorylated and can be detected only under severe photoinhibition in vivo. Comparison of the D1 degradation pattern after in vivo photoinhibition to that after in vitro acceptor-side and donor-side photoinhibition, performed with isolated photosystem II core particles, gives indirect evidence in support of donor-side photoinhibition in intact leaves.

Light is required for efficient translation elongation and subsequent integration of the D1-protein into Photosystem II

The light dependence of translation and successive assembly of the D1 reaction center protein into Photosystem II subcomplexes was followed in fully developed chloroplasts isolated from the dark phase of diurnally grown spinach. The incorporation of synthesized D1 protein into Photosystem II (PSII) was analyzed by fractionation of radiolabeled unassembled protein and PSII (sub)complexes on sucrose density gradients. The ribosomes with attached nascent chains were recovered as pellets in the same gradients, and nascent chains of the D1 protein were immunoprecipitated. The analysis showed that absence of light during translation leads to an increased accumulation of polysome-bound D1 translation intermediates, indicating that light is required for efficient elongation of the D1 protein. The accumulation of the D1 protein and CP43 decreased three-fold in darkness, whereas accumulation of the D2 reaction center protein was not affected by light. In addition, light was also required for efficient incorporation of the D1 protein into the PSII core complex. In darkness, the newly synthesized D1 protein accumulated predominantly as unassembled protein or in PSII subcomplexes smaller than 100 kDa.

Differential D1 Dephosphorylation in Functional and Photodamaged Photosystem II Centers: DEPHOSPHORYLATION IS A PREREQUISITE FOR DEGRADATION OF DAMAGED D1

Light dependence and kinetics of reversible phosphorylation of the D1 reaction center protein of Photosystem II was studied in pumpkin leaves. At growth light, maximal phosphorylation of D1 was observed after illumination of 1 h, with higher phosphorylation rates at stronger irradiances. 70-85% of D1 became phosphorylated, corresponding to the proportion of the protein in appressed thylakoid membranes. Comparison of the kinetics of D1 phosphorylation and photoinactivation of Photosystem II revealed that D1 phosphorylation became saturated before any significant photoinhibition of Photosystem II could be detected. Dephosphorylation of D1 in both dim light and darkness was determined in leaves preilluminated with high light for various periods. Similar rates of D1 dephosphorylation were observed after short preillumination conditions that induce no significant loss of functional Photosystem II centers. In contrast, photodamage to Photosystem II centers significantly decreased the dephosphorylation rate of D1 in darkness, and no dephosphorylation occurred in leaves containing mainly damaged Photosystem II centers. Darkness also blocked the degradation of damaged D1 after photoinhibitory preillumination. Degradation of damaged D1 could be prevented even in dim light by sodium fluoride, an inhibitor of protein phosphatases, indicating that dephosphorylation is a prerequisite for D1 proteolysis. We conclude that in higher plants (i) high light induced photodamage to Photosystem II occurs in the centers containing phosphorylated D1. (ii) Dephosphorylation of phosphorylated and photodamaged D1 is associated with the repair cycle of inactivated Photosystem II and is a light-dependent reaction in vivo. (iii) Dephosphorylation of D1 in functional Photosystem II centers, however, occurs rapidly and independent of light. We suggest that two reversible phosphorylation cycles with spatially segregated protein phosphatases are involved in dephosphorylation of functional and damaged phosphorylated D1, respectively.

Ultraviolet-B effects on Spirodela oligorrhiza: induction of different protection mechanisms

Ultraviolet-B (UV-B) tolerance in plants has mostly been correlated with the presence of screening pigments (e.g. flavonoids) or other reductions in leaf transmittance. We have exploited the rapid turnover of the Photosystem II reaction center protein D1 as a sensitive in vivo probe for UV-B damage. We found that the aquatic monocot, Spirodela oligorrhiza, protects itself from UV-B irradiance using at least three different mechanisms. In one case, protection is correlated to the presence of UV-B screening pigments; in the second, an elevated oxygen-radical detoxifying system parallels UV-B tolerance; while in a third, UV-B tolerance is related to a mechanism involving neither screening pigments nor increased radical scavenging capacity. This demonstrates that, in vivo, a plant can complement its UV-screening and attenuation strategies by other tactics as well.

Protein phosphorylation and magnesium status regulate the degradation of the D1 reaction centre protein of Photosystem II

Illumination of higher plant leaves (pumpkin, wheat and pea) at a photon flux density of 1200 μmol m −2 s −1 induced strong phosphorylation of the D1 reaction centre protein of photosystem II. Phosphorylation of D1 protein was not observed in a moss Ceratodon purpureus. To study the effect of protein phosphorylation on D1 degradation, thylakoids isolated from pumpkin leaves and Ceratodon were phosphorylated in vitro in the presence of ATP before being subjected to photoinhibitory illumination. The rate of photoinhibition of Photosystem II oxygen evolution was not influenced by phosphorylation conditions in pumpkin or Ceratodon thylakoids. D1 protein in its phosphorylated form in pumpkin thylakoids was degraded significantly more slowly whereas in Ceratodon the degradation of D1 protein occurred rapidly with or without the presence of ATP in the photoinhibitory medium. Depletion of Mg 2+ ions also blocked the degradation of unphosphorylated D1 protein in pumpkin thylakoid membranes. We conclude that degradation of the D1 protein in higher plants is regulated by phosphorylation on the substrate level and its optimal rate requires the presence of Mg 2+.

Two forms of the Photosystem II D1 protein alter energy dissipation and state transitions in the cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp. PCC 7942

Synechococcus sp. PCC 7942 (Anacystis nidulans R2) contains two forms of the Photosystem II reaction centre protein D1, which differ in 25 of 360 amino acids. D1: 1 predominates under low light but is transiently replaced by D1:2 upon shifts to higher light. Mutant cells containing only D1:1 have lower photochemical energy capture efficiency and decreased resistance to photoinhibition, compared to cells containing D1:2. We show that when dark-adapted or under low to moderate light, cells with D1:1 have higher non-photochemical quenching of PS II fluorescence (higher qN) than do cells with D1:2. This is reflected in the 77 K chlorophyll emission spectra, with lower Photosystem II fluorescence at 697-698 nm in cells containing D1:1 than in cells with D1:2. This difference in quenching of Photosystem II fluorescence occurs upon excitation of both chlorophyll at 435 nm and phycobilisomes at 570 nm. Measurement of time-resolved room temperature fluorescence shows that Photosystem II fluorescence related to charge stabilization is quenched more rapidly in cells containing D1:1 than in those with D1:2. Cells containing D1:1 appear generally shifted towards State II, with PS II down-regulated, while cells with D1:2 tend towards State I. In these cyanobacteria electron transport away from PS II remains non-saturated even under photoinhibitory levels of light. Therefore, the higher activity of D1:2 Photosystem II centres may allow more rapid photochemical dissipation of excess energy into the electron transport chain. D1:1 confers capacity for extreme State II which may be of benefit under low and variable light.

Fate of the porphyrin cofactors during the light-dependent turnover of catalase and of the photosystem II reaction-center protein D1 in mature rye leaves

The apoprotein of the enzyme catalase (EC 1.11.1.6) was shown to exhibit a light-dependent turnover in leaves. Present results indicate that photoinactivation of the enzyme was not accompanied by a synchronous destruction and new synthesis of its heme moiety. In rye (Secale cereale L.) leaves the catalase content was not depleted in light when porphyrin synthesis was inhibited by gabaculine. Photoinactivation of purified bovine liver or rye leaf catalase in vitro was not accompanied by concomitant damage to the heme groups. Both the incorporation of δ-[3H]aminolevulinic acid ([3H]ALA) into catalase-heme and its apparent turnover increased with irradiance. However, the apparent half-life of the catalase-heme was much longer than that of its apoprotein. It is probable that not only degradation but also an exchange with the free heme pool contributed to the apparent turnover of radioactivity of the catalase-heme. Part of the chlorophyll (Chl) associated with photosystem II (PS II) had a preferential light-induced turnover, and repair of PS II appeared to require new Chl synthesis also in mature green rye leaves. The activity of PS II, indicated by the ratio of variable to maximal fluorescence (Fv/Fm), rapidly declined in the presence of gabaculine in light and the reaction-center proteins D1 and D2 were depleted. When segments of mature green rye leaves were labeled with [3H]ALA and incorporation into Chl-protein complexes analysed after electrophoretic separation in the presence of Deriphat, the highest radioactivity was observed in the core complex of PS II, while PS I and the light-harvesting complex of PS II (LHC II) were unlabeled. In greening etiolated leaves highest incorporation was observed in LHC II. Both the incorporation of [3H]ALA into the PS II core complex of green rye leaves and its turnover increased with irradiance. However, the apparent half-life of the PS II-bound labeled porphyrin compounds (mainly Chl) was considerably longer than that of the reaction-center protein D1 under identical conditions.

Spectroscopic characterization of intermediate steps involved in donor-side-induced photoinhibition of photosystem II.

The reaction center protein D1 in photosystem II shows a high turnover during illumination. The degradation of the D1 protein is preceded by photoinhibition of the electron transport in photosystem II. There are two distinct mechanisms for this: acceptor-side- and donor-side-induced photoinhibition. Here, donor-side-induced photoinhibition was studied in photosystem II membranes after Cl- depletion or washing with tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane (Tris) which destroys water oxidation, reversibly or irreversibly, respectively. Photoinhibition after these treatments leads to fast degradation of the D1 protein, and the mechanism behind this was investigated. Illumination of Cl- depleted photosystem II membranes resulted in a rapid and simultaneous inhibition of Cl(-)-reconstitutable oxygen evolution, loss of 2 Mn ions per photosystem II center, increase in the electron transfer between the electron donor diphenylcarbazide and electron acceptor 2,6-dichlorophenolindophenol, and an increase in the EPR signal IIfast from tyrosine-Zox. The destruction of the Mn cluster leads to the loss of oxygen evolution and to an increased accessibility for diphenylcarbazide to donate electrons to Tyr-Zox. The increase in the EPR signal from Tyr-Zox can be explained by slower reduction kinetics of Tyr-Zox due to the Mn release. On a longer photoinhibition time scale, a decrease in the amplitude of Tyr-Zox and inhibition of the electron transport from diphenylcarbazide to 2,6-dichlorophenolindophenol occurred simultaneously in both Cl(-)-depleted and Tris-washed photosystem II membranes. These slower photoinhibition reactions were then studied in detail in Tris-washed photosystem II membranes. Compared to photoinhibition of Tyr-Zox, the EPR signal from tyrosine-Dox decreased much slower. Tyr-Dox was photoinhibited in parallel with the EPRsignals from reduced QA, reduced pheophytin, and an oxidized chlorophyll radical (chlorophyllz). This shows that the acceptor side components and the primary charge separation reaction (P680+ pheophytin-) were operational although Tyr-Z was inactivated. The amount of the D1 protein also declined in parallel with Tyr-Dox, which shows that the D1 protein is not damaged until long after the Mn complex and Tyr-Z have become inactivated. Instead, it is likely that the strongly oxidizing P680+ is responsible for the damage to the D1 protein.

A model for the photosystem II reaction center core including the structure of the primary donor P680.

For a detailed understanding of the function of photosystem II (PSII), a molecular structure is needed. The crystal structure has not yet been determined, but the PSII reaction center proteins D1 and D2 show homology with the L and M subunits of the photosynthetic reaction center from purple bacteria. We have modeled important parts of the D1 and D2 proteins on the basis of the crystallographic structure of the reaction center from Rhodopseudomonas viridis. The model contains the central core of the PSII reaction center, including the protein regions for the transmembrane helices B, C, D, and E and loops B-C and C-D connecting the helices. In the model, four chlorophylls, two pheophytins, and the nonheme Fe2+ ion are included. We have applied techniques from computational chemistry that incorporate statistical data on side-chain rotameric states from known protein structure and that describe interactions within the model using an empirical potential energy function. The conformation of chlorophyll pigments in the model was optimized by using exciton interaction calculations in combination with potential energy calculations to find a solution that agrees with experimentally determined exciton interaction energies. The model is analyzed and compared with experimental results for the regions of P680, the redox active pheophytin, the acceptor side Fe2+, and the tyrosyl radicals TyrD and TyrZ. P680 is proposed to be a weakly coupled chlorophyll a pair which makes three hydrogen bonds with residues on the D1 and D2 proteins. In the model the redox-active pheophytin is hydrogen bonded to D1-Glu130 and possibly also to D1-Tyr126 and D1-Tyr147. TyrD is hydrogen bonded to D2-His190 and also interacts with D2-Gln165. TyrZ is bound in a hydrophilic environment which is partially constituted by D1-Gln165, D1-Asp170, D1-Glu189, and D1-His190. These polar residues are most likely involved in proton transfer from oxidized TyrZ or in metal binding.

Degradation of the D1- and D2-Proteins of Photosystem II in Higher Plants Is Regulated by Reversible Phosphorylation

The effects of protein phosphorylation and dephosphorylation upon high-light-induced degradation of the photosystem II reaction center proteins D1 and D2 have been studied in isolated thylakoid membranes and photosystem II core complexes. The rate of photoinactivation of photosystem II electron transport is not affected by thylakoid membrane phosphorylation. However, the degradation rate of the D1-protein in its phosphorylated form is drastically reduced under conditions which induce either acceptor- or donor-side photoinhibition of photosystem II. The degradation rate of the D2-protein is also reduced following protein phosphorylation. The stability of the phosphorylated D1-protein is further increased under conditions of reduced phosphatase activity, suggesting that phosphorylated and damaged D1-protein has to be dephosphorylated prior to proteolytic degradation. Our results expand on experiments performed in vivo, which suggest that following photoinhibition the controlled repair of damaged photosystem II centers requires not only proteolytic enzymes but also kinase and phosphatase activities. It is suggested that the phosphorylation of the D1- and D2-proteins allows tight coordination of the degradation of damaged proteins with insertion of new copies of proteins into photosystem II.

In Vitro Synthesis and Assembly of Photosystem II Core Proteins: THE D1 PROTEIN CAN BE INCORPORATED INTO PHOTOSYSTEM II IN ISOLATED CHLOROPLASTS AND THYLAKOIDS

The D1 reaction center protein of the membrane-bound photosystem II complex (PSII) has a much higher turnover rate than the other PSII proteins. Thus, the D1 protein has to be replaced while the other PSII components are not newly synthesized. In this study, this D1 protein replacement into PSII complexes was followed in two in vitro translation systems: isolated chloroplasts and a homologous run-off translation system consisting primarily of isolated thylakoids with attached ribosomes. The incorporation of newly synthesized radiolabeled products into different (sub)complexes was analyzed by sucrose density gradient centrifugation of n-dodecyl beta -D-maltoside-solubilized thylakoid membranes. This analysis allowed us to follow the release of the nascent polypeptide chains from the ribosomes and identification of at least four assembly steps of the PSII complex, as shown below. (i) Both in isolated chloroplasts and in thylakoids, newly synthesized D1 protein is predominantly incorporated into existing PSII subcomplexes, indicating that synthesis and import of nuclear-encoded factors is not needed for D1 protein replacement. (ii) In chloroplasts, D1 protein incorporation into PSII core complexes is more efficient than during translation in isolated thylakoids. In the thylakoid translation system, a large percentage of radiolabeled D1 protein is found in smaller PSII subcomplexes, like PSII reaction center particles, and as unassembled protein in the membrane. This indicates that stromal factors are required in the replacement process of the D1 protein. (iii) Both in isolated chloroplasts and in thylakoids, the other PSII core proteins D2, CP43, and CP47 are also synthesized and released from the membrane-bound ribosomes, but incorporation into PSII complexes occurs to a much smaller extent than the D1 protein. Instead they accumulate predominantly as unassembled proteins in the thylakoid membrane. (iv) In chloroplasts, synthesis of the D1 protein seems to be adjusted according to the possibilities of incorporation into PSII complexes, while synthesis of the D2 protein, CP43, and CP47 is less regulated and their accumulation as unassembled protein in the membrane is abundant.

Identification and characterization of the Arabidopsis thaliana chloroplast DNA region containing the genes psbA, trnH and rps19'.

A 1887-nucleotide chloroplast-DNA region from Arabidopsis thaliana was analyzed. It contains the conserved genes psbA for the precursor of the D1 reaction-centre protein of photosystem II, trnH for tRNAHis, and rps19' for the 6.8-kDa protein of the small ribosomal subunit. Northern hybridization and RNase protection experiments suggest co-transcription of a minor RNA fraction over the full lengths of psbA and the preceding trnK-UUU gene, but not including downstream trnH sequences. In front of the mapped 5' end of the major 1.2-kb psbA transcript is a DNA region that shows the typical architecture of a psbA promoter, consisting of the prokaryotic-type '-35' and '-10' elements as well as the eukaryotic-type 'TATA' motif. The common 3' end of psbA transcripts seems to be located immediately after a stem-loop structure downstream from the coding region.

Superoxide radicals are not the main promoters of acceptor-side-induced photoinhibitory damage in spinach thylakoids

Superoxide anion radical formation was studied with isolated spinach thylakoid membranes and oxygen evolving Photosystem II sub-thylakoid preparations using the reaction between superoxide and Tiron (1,2-dihydroxybenzene-3,5-disulphonate) which results in the formation of stable, EPR detectable Tiron radicals.We found that superoxide was produced by illuminated thylakoids but not by Photosystem II preparations. The amount of the radicals was about 70% greater under photoinhibitory conditions than under moderate light intensity. Superoxide production was inhibited by DCMU and enhanced 4-5 times by methyl viologen. These observations suggest that the superoxide in illuminated thylakoids is from the Mehler reaction occurring in Photosystem I, and its formation is not primarily due to electron transport modifications brought about by photoinhibition.Artificial generation of superoxide from riboflavin accelerated slightly the photoinduced degradation of the Photosystem II reaction centre protein D1 but did not accelerate the loss of oxygen evolution supported by a Photosystem II electron acceptor. However, analysis of the protein breakdown products demonstrated that this added superoxide did not increase the amount of fragments brought about by photoinhibition but introduced an additional pathway of damage.On the basis of the above observations we propose that superoxide redicals are not the main promoters of acceptor-side-induced photoinhibition of Photosystem II.

Stress‐induced degradation of the photosynthetic apparatus is accompanied by changes in thylakoid protein turnover and phosphorylation

Development of chlorosis and loss of PSII were compared in young spinach plants suffering under a combined magnesium and sulphur deficiency. Loss of chlorophyll could be detected already after the first week of deficiency and preceded any permanent functional inhibition of PSII as detected by changes in the chlorophyll fluorescence parameter Fv/Fm. A substantial decrease in Fv/Fm was observed only after the second week of deficiency. After 4 weeks, the plants had lost about 70% of their original chlorophyll content, but fluorescence data indicated that 80% of the existing PSII centers were still capable of initiating photosynthetic electron transport. The degradation of the photosynthetic apparatus without loss of PSII activity was due to changes in protein turnover, especially of the PSII D1 reaction center protein. Already by day 7 of deficiency, a 1.4‐fold increase in D1 protein synthesis was observed measured as incorporation of 14C‐leucine. Immunological determination by western‐blotting did not reveal a change in D1 protein content. Thus, D1 protein was also degraded more rapidly. The increased turnover was high enough to prevent any loss or inhibition of PSII. After 3 weeks, D1 protein synthesis on a chlorophyll basis was further increased by a factor of 2. However, this was not enough to prevent a net loss of D1 protein of about 70%. Immunological determination revealed that together with the D1 protein also other polypeptides of PSII became degraded. This process prevented a large accumulation of photo‐inactivated PSII centers. However, it initiated the breakdown of the other thylakoid proteins, especially of LHCII, resulting in the observed chlorosis. Together with the change in protein turnover and stability, a characteristic change in thylakoid protein phosphorylation was observed. In the deficient plants steady state phosphorylation of both LHCII and PSII proteins was increased in the dark. In the light phosphorylation of PSII proteins was stimulated and after 3 weeks of deficiency was even higher in the deficient leaves than in the control plants. In contrast, the phosphorylation level of LHCII decreased in the light and could hardly be detected after 3 weeks of deficiency. Phosphorylation of the reaction center polypeptides presumably increased their stability against proteolytic attack, whereas phosphorylated LHCII seems to be the substrate for proteolysis.

Light‐dependent phosphorylation of D1 reaction centre protein of photosystem II: hypothesis for the functional role in vivo

Reversible phosphorylation of the D1 reaction centre protein of photosystem II (PSII) occurs in thylakoid membranes of higher plants. The significance of D1 protein phosphorylation in the function of PSII is not yet clear. This paper summarizes the data implying that phosphorylation of D1 protein in higher plants is involved in the regulation of the repair cycle of photoinhibited PSII centres. Photoinhibition of PSII, D1 protein phosphorylation and degradation have been studied in vivo in higher plant leaves acclimated to different growth irradiances. It is shown that photoinhibitory illumination induces maximal phosphorylation of the D1 protein. Under these conditions D1 turnover is also saturated. We postulate that phosphorylation retards the degradation of damaged D1 protein under conditions where rapid replacement by a new D1 copy is not possible. This would protect PSII from total disassembly and degradation of all PSII subunits. We conclude that the phosphorylation of D1 protein and the regulation of D1 protein degradation may have evolved together. Furthermore, these characteristics seem to be related to the highly organized structure of higher‐plant type thylakoid membranes, since the capability to phosphorylate D1 protein is restricted to seed plants.

Regulation of D1-protein degradation during photoinhibition of photosystem II in vivo: Phosphorylation of the D1 protein in various plant groups

Photoinhibition of PSII and turnover of the D1 reaction-centre protein in vivo were studied in pumpkin leaves (Cucurbita pepo L.) acclimated to different growth irradiances and in low-light-grown moss, (Ceratodon purpureus) (Hedw.) Brid. The low-light-acclimated pumpkins were most susceptible to photoinhibition. The production rate of photoinhibited PSII centres (kPI), determined in the presence of a chloroplast-encoded protein-synthesis inhibitor, showed no marked difference between the high- and low-light-grown pumpkin leaves. On the other hand, the rate constant for the repair cycle (kREC) of PSII was nearly three times higher in the high-light-grown pumpkin when compared to low-light-grown pumpkin. The slower degradation rate of the damaged D1 protein in the low-light-acclimated leaves, determined by pulsechase experiments with [35S]methionine suggested that the degradation of the Dl protein retards the repair cycle of PSII under photoinhibitory light. Slow degradation of the D1 protein in low-light-grown pumpkin was accompanied by accumulation of a phosphorylated form of the D1 protein, which we postulate as being involved in the regulation of D1-protein degradation and therefore the whole PSII repair cycle. In spite of low growth irradiance the repair cycle of PSII in the moss Ceratodon was rapid under high irradiance. When compared to the high- or low-light-acclimated pumpkin leaves, Ceratodon had the highest rate of D1-protein degradation at 1000 μmol photons m−2 s−1. In contrast to the higher plants, the D1 protein of Ceratodon was not phosphorylated either under high irradiance in vivo or under in-vitro conditions, which readily phosphorylate the D1 protein of higher plants. This is consistent with the rapid degradation of the D1 protein in Ceratodon. Screening experiments indicated that D1 protein can be phosphorylated in the thylakoid membranes of angiosperms and conifers but not in lower plants. The postulated regulation mechanism of D1-protein degradation involving phosphorylation and the role of thylakoid organization in the function of PSII repair cycle are discussed.

Synthesis of reaction center proteins and reactivation of redox components during repair of photosystem II after light-induced inactivation.

The D1 reaction center protein in photosystem II (PSII) has a high turnover rate due to light-induced inactivation of the redox components. We have studied the reactivation kinetics of the redox components of PSII after strong illumination and compared these kinetics with the turnover of the D1 protein and translation kinetics of the plastid-encoded PSII core proteins in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii cells. Repair of PSII was to a large extent dependent on protein translation. During the first hours of repair, D1 translation was highly accelerated as compared to the other PSII core proteins. By addition of protein synthesis inhibitors during the recovery process, it was found that the time from protein synthesis to full reassembly and reactivation of the individual PSII complexes was about 55 +/- 10 min. Inactivation and reactivation of the redox components in PSII were followed by electron spin resonance and electron transport measurements. Combining the data shows that reactivation of the individual components proceeded together or shortly after one another. Thus, no accumulation of any partially active reactivation intermediate occurred. We conclude that the rate-limiting step of the repair cycle of PSII lies in the degradation and synthesis of the PSII reaction center proteins. Once stable synthesis of the PSII core proteins is achieved, reactivation of the redox components occurs very quickly.

Over-production of the D1 protein of photosystem II reaction centre in the cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp. PCC 7942.

The unicellular cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp. PCC 7942 has three psbA genes encoding two different forms of the photosystem II reaction centre protein D1 (D1:1 and D1:2). The level of expression of these psbA genes and the synthesis of D1:1 and D1:2 are strongly regulated under varying light conditions. In order to better understand the regulatory mechanisms underlying these processes, we have constructed a strain of Synechococcus sp. PCC 7942 capable of over-producing psbA mRNA and D1 protein. In this study, we describe the over-expression of D1:1 using a tac-hybrid promoter in front of the psbAI gene in combination with lacIQ repressor system. Over-production of D1:1 was induced by growing cells for 12 h at 50 mumol photons m-2 s-1 in the presence of 40 or 80 micrograms/ml IPTG. The amount of psbAI mRNA and that of D1:1 protein in cells grown with IPTG was three times and two times higher, respectively. A higher concentration of IPTG (i.e., 150 micrograms/ml) did not further increase the production of the psbAI message or D1:1. The over-production of D1:1 caused a decrease in the level of D1:2 synthesised, resulting in most PSII reaction centres containing D1:1. However, the over-production of D1:1 had no effect on the pigment composition (chlorophyll a or phycocyanin/number of cells) or the light-saturated rate of photosynthesis. This and the fact that the total amounts of D1 and D2 proteins were not affected by IPTG suggest that the number of PSII centres within the membranes remained unchanged. From these results, we conclude that expression of psbAI can be regulated by using the tac promoter and lacIQ system. However, the accumulation of D1:1 protein into the membrane is regulated by the number of PSII centres.

Synthesis and turnover of photosystem II reaction center protein D1. Ribosome pausing increases during chloroplast development.

The chloroplast photosystem II reaction center protein D1 contains five membrane-spanning helices and binds chlorophyll, carotenoid, quinone, iron, and probably manganese. Turnover of pulse-labeled D1 in isolated plastids was found to involve cleavage between helix IV and helix V, which releases a 23-kDa N-terminal peptide and two C-terminal peptides of 10 and 8 kDa. Ribosomes pause at specific sites during translation of D1, which results in the accumulation of D1 translation intermediates. Pulse-labeling assays followed by polysome isolation and immunoprecipitation identified paused D1 translation intermediates of 9, 12.5, 15-18, 20, 21, 24, and 28-32 kDa. Ribosome pausing was not altered when dark-grown seedlings were illuminated for up to 1 h, even though this treatment stimulated accumulation of chlorophyll and D1. However, illumination of plants for 16-72 h resulted in increased ribosome pausing and the build-up of D1 translation intermediates. We hypothesize that ribosome pausing during synthesis of D1 improves the efficiency of chlorophyll binding of D1 nascent chains and enhances accumulation of D1 in mature chloroplasts, which have reduced rates of chlorophyll biosynthesis.