Light tolerance in light-tolerant photosynthetic organisms: a knowledge gap

Non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) mechanisms are crucial for protecting photosynthesis from photoinhibition in plants, algae, and cyanobacteria, and their modulation is a long-standing goal for improving photosynthesis and crop yields. The current work demonstrates that Chlorella ohadii, a green micro-alga that thrives in the desert under high light intensities that are fatal to many photosynthetic organisms does not perform nor require NPQ to protect photosynthesis under constant high light. Instead of dissipating excess energy, it minimizes its uptake by eliminating the photosynthetic antenna of photosystem II. In addition, it accumulates antioxidants that neutralize harmful reactive oxygen species (ROS) and increases cyclic electron flow around PSI. These NPQ-independent responses proved efficient in preventing ROS accumulation and reducing oxidative damage to proteins in high-light-grown cells.

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Unlocking the Secrets of Amphibious Plant Adaptation: The Role of RNA Modifications

Maździarz,

Krawczyk,

Szablińska-Piernik

et al. 2024

Preprint

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Post-transcriptional RNA modifications, such as N6-methyladenosine (m6A), 5-methylcytosine (m5C), and pseudouridine (Ψ), are critical regulators of plant development, stress responses, and environmental adaptation. The modifications m6A, m5C, and Ψ were insufficiently studied in plant stress responses. To investigate the epitranscriptomic landscape of these modifications, we employed direct RNA sequencing (DRS) to analyze native RNA from the amphibious plant Riccia fluitans grown in both aquatic and terrestrial environments. Our study revealed the presence of Ψ, m5C, and m6A modifications in R. fluitans transcriptomes from diverse environments. We observed correlations between the occurrence of these modifications and transcript length, as well as poly(A) tail length. Furthermore, we analyzed the expression of genes encoding Ψ synthases and methyltransferases to gain initial insights into the regulatory mechanisms underlying these processes in R. fluitans. By understanding how RNA modifications are regulated in response to environmental changes, we can unlock the secrets of the remarkable adaptability of amphibious plants. This knowledge could have eventually led to the understanding of the mechanisms of plant land colonization.

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Light tolerance in light-tolerant photosynthetic organisms: a knowledge gap

Cited by 3 publications

References 22 publications

Confronting the data deluge: How artificial intelligence can be used in the study of plant stress

Confronting the data deluge: How artificial intelligence can be used in the study of plant stress

Processes independent of nonphotochemical quenching protect a high-light-tolerant desert alga from oxidative stress

Unlocking the Secrets of Amphibious Plant Adaptation: The Role of RNA Modifications

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