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PreprintCited by 27Photosynthetic Processes and MechanismsBiocrusts and Microbial EcologyAlgal biology and biofuel production

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A desert green alga that thrives at extreme high-light intensities using a unique photoin-hibition protection mechanism

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Levin, Guy, Yasmin, Michael, Simanowitz, Marc C., Meir, Ayala, Tadmor, Yaakov, Hirschberg, Joseph, Adir, Noam, Schuster, Gadi·2022·The Plant Journal
DOI 10.1101/2022.08.14.503881

Preprint — published as 10.1111/tpj.16241 · Paper page

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Abstract

While light is the driving force of photosynthesis, excessive light can be harmful. Photoinhibition, or light-induced photo-damage, is one of the key processes limiting photosynthesis. When the absorbed light exceeds the amount that can be dissipated by photosynthetic electron flow and other processes, damaging radicals are formed that mostly inactivate photosystem II (PSII). A well-defined mechanism that protects the photosynthetic apparatus from photoinhibition has been described in the model green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and plants. Chlorella oha-dii is a green micro-alga, isolated from biological desert soil crusts, that thrives under extreme high light (HL) in which other organisms do not survive. Here, we show that this alga evolved unique protection mechanisms distinct from those of C. reinhardtii and plants. When grown under extreme HL, significant structural changes were noted in the C. ohadii thylakoids, including a drastic reduction in the antennae and the formation of stripped core PSII, lacking its outer and inner antennae. This is accompanied by a massive accumulation of protective carotenoids and proteins that scavenge harmful radicals. At the same time, several elements central to photoinhibition protection in C. reinhardtii , such as psbS, the stress-related light harvesting complex, PSII protein phosphorylation and state-transitions are entirely absent or were barely detected in C. ohadii . Taken together, a unique photoinhibition protection mechanism evolved in C. ohadii , enabling the species to thrive under extreme-light intensities where other photo-synthetic organisms fail to survive.

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Metadata

Authors
Levin, G., Yasmin, M., Simanowitz, M. C., Meir, A., Tadmor, Y., Hirschberg, J., Adir, N., & Schuster, G.
Affiliations
  • Technion – Israel Institute of Technology (IL)
  • Hebrew University of Jerusalem (IL)
  • Agricultural Research Organization (IL)
Corresponding author
Schuster, Gadi
ORCID
Venue
The Plant Journal
Publisher
openRxiv
Published
2022-08-15
Volume
115
Issue
2
Pages
510-528
ISSN
0960-7412 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1101/2022.08.14.503881
OpenAlex
W4363646885
Cited by
27
References
1
Citations by year
2026: 9 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 11 · 2023: 2
FWCI
2.41
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
cc-by-nc-nd
Locations
  • The Plant Journal (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) (acceptedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • Nancy and Stephen Grand Technion Energy Program
  • Israel Science Foundation (2199/22)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Photosynthetic Processes and Mechanisms
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics › Biocrusts and Microbial Ecology
  • Physical Sciences › Energy › Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment › Algal biology and biofuel production
Keywords
photoinhibition, photosystem II, light-harvesting antenna, carotenoids, PSB, state transitions, carotenoid biosynthesis, thylakoid membranes
MeSH terms
Chlorella, Photosynthesis, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, Thylakoids, Photosystem II Protein Complex

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