Thermoluminescence study of photosystem II activity in Haberlea rhodopensis and spinach leaves during desiccation

Plant Biol (Stuttg). 2004 May;6(3):319-24. doi: 10.1055/s-2004-820873.

Abstract

Thermoluminescence glow curve parameters were used to access the functional features of PS II in the Balkan endemic Haberlea rhodopensis. This representative of the higher desiccation-tolerant plants is unique for the European flora. An unusual high temperature of TL emission from Haberlea leaves after excitation by one flash at 5 degrees C was observed. The position of the main TL B band (S (2)Q (B)(-)) was at 45 - 47 degrees C, while this temperature was 30 - 32 degrees C in drought-sensitive mesophytic spinach. Consistent with the up-shift in TL emission, the lifetime of the S (2) state was also increased, showing a stabilization of charge storage in PS II complex in this resurrection plant. In addition, a part of PS II centres was less susceptible to DCMU. We consider the observed unusual TL characteristics of Haberlea rhodopensis reflect some structural modifications in PS II (especially in D1 protein), which could be related to the desiccation tolerance of this plant. This suggestion was supported by the different manner in which dehydration affected the TL properties in desiccation-tolerant Haberlea and desiccation-sensitive spinach plants.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acclimatization / drug effects
  • Acclimatization / physiology*
  • Diuron / pharmacology
  • Europe
  • Light
  • Magnoliopsida / drug effects
  • Magnoliopsida / metabolism*
  • Magnoliopsida / radiation effects
  • Photosystem II Protein Complex / drug effects
  • Photosystem II Protein Complex / physiology*
  • Photosystem II Protein Complex / radiation effects
  • Plant Leaves / drug effects
  • Plant Leaves / metabolism*
  • Plant Leaves / radiation effects
  • Spinacia oleracea / drug effects
  • Spinacia oleracea / metabolism
  • Spinacia oleracea / radiation effects
  • Temperature
  • Water / metabolism*
  • Water / pharmacology

Substances

  • Photosystem II Protein Complex
  • Water
  • Diuron