A photoprotective role for O2 as an alternative electron sink in photosynthesis?

Donald R. Ort, Neil R. Baker

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

Abstract

Photoprotection of the photosynthetic apparatus has two essential elements: first, the thermal dissipation of excess excitation energy in the photosystem II antennae (i.e. non-photochemical quenching), and second, the ability of photosystem II to transfer electrons to acceptors within the chloroplast (i.e. photochemical quenching). Recent studies indicate that the proportion of absorbed photons that are thermally dissipated through the non-photochemical pathway often reaches a maximum well before saturating irradiances are reached. Hence, photochemical quenching is crucial for photoprotection at saturating light intensities. When plants are exposed to environmental stresses and the availability of CO2 within the leaf is restricted, the reduction of oxygen by both the photorespiratory and the Mehler ascorbate peroxidase pathways appears to play a critical photoprotective role, substituting for CO2 in sustaining electron flow. Induction of high activity of the Mehler ascorbate peroxidase pathway may be associated with acclimation to environmental stress.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)193-198
Number of pages6
JournalCurrent opinion in plant biology
Volume5
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 2002

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Plant Science

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