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The roles of photorespiration and alternative electron acceptors in the responses of photosynthesis to elevated temperatures in cowpea
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  • Isaac Osei-Bonsu,
  • Alan McClain,
  • Berkley Walker,
  • Thomas Sharkey,
  • David M. Kramer
Isaac Osei-Bonsu
MSU-DOE Plant Research Laboratory

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Alan McClain
Michigan State University
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Berkley Walker
MSU-DOE Plant Research Laboratory
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Thomas Sharkey
Michigan State University
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David M. Kramer
MSU-DOE Plant Research Laboratory
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Abstract

We explored the effects, on photosynthesis in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata), of high temperature and light — environmental stresses that often co-occur under field conditions. We observed contrasting responses in the light and carbon assimilatory reactions, whereby in high temperature, the light reactions were stimulated while CO2 assimilation was substantially reduced. There were two striking observations. First, the primary quinone acceptor (QA), a measure of the regulatory balance of the light reactions, became more oxidized with increasing temperature, suggesting increased electron sink capacity, despite the reduced CO2 fixation. Second, a strong, O2-dependent inactivation of assimilation capacity, consistent with down-regulation of rubisco under these conditions, a phenomenon that has not been previously reported. The dependence of these effects on CO2, O2 and light led us to conclude that both photorespiration and an alternative electron acceptor, supported increased electron flow, and thus provided photoprotection, under these conditions. Further experiments showed that the increased electron flow was maintained by rapid rates of PSII repair, particularly at combined high light and temperature. Overall, the results suggest that photodamage to the light reactions can be avoided under high light and temperatures by increasing electron sink strength, even when assimilation is strongly suppressed.
21 Jul 2020Submitted to Plant, Cell & Environment
21 Jul 2020Submission Checks Completed
21 Jul 2020Assigned to Editor
27 Jul 2020Reviewer(s) Assigned
17 Aug 2020Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
18 Aug 2020Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
22 Sep 20201st Revision Received
22 Sep 2020Submission Checks Completed
22 Sep 2020Assigned to Editor
29 Sep 2020Reviewer(s) Assigned
18 Oct 2020Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
23 Oct 2020Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
13 Nov 20202nd Revision Received
16 Nov 2020Assigned to Editor
16 Nov 2020Submission Checks Completed
20 Nov 2020Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
20 Nov 2020Editorial Decision: Accept