Modulation of non-bilayer lipid phases and the structure and functions of thylakoid membranes: effects on the water-soluble enzyme violaxanthin de-epoxidase

The role of non-bilayer lipids and non-lamellar lipid phases in biological membranes is an enigmatic problem of membrane biology. Non-bilayer lipids are present in large amounts in all membranes; in energy-converting membranes they constitute about half of their total lipid content-yet their functional state is a bilayer. In vitro experiments revealed that the functioning of the water-soluble violaxanthin de-epoxidase (VDE) enzyme of plant thylakoids requires the presence of a non-bilayer lipid phase. P-31-NMR spectroscopy has provided evidence on lipid polymorphism in functional thylakoid membranes. Here we reveal reversible pH- and temperature-dependent changes of the lipid-phase behaviour, particularly the flexibility of isotropic non-lamellar phases, of isolated spinach thylakoids. These reorganizations are accompanied by changes in the permeability and thermodynamic parameters of the membranes and appear to control the activity of VDE and the photoprotective mechanism of non-photochemical quenching of chlorophyll-a fluorescence. The data demonstrate, for the first time in native membranes, the modulation of the activity of a water-soluble enzyme by a non-bilayer lipid phase

Lipid Polymorphism of the Subchloroplast-Granum and Stroma Thylakoid Membrane-Particles. I. P-31-NMR Spectroscopy

Build-up of the energized state of thylakoid membranes and the synthesis of ATP are warranted by organizing their bulk lipids into a bilayer. However, the major lipid species of these membranes, monogalactosyldiacylglycerol, is a non-bilayer lipid. It has also been documented that fully functional thylakoid membranes, in addition to the bilayer, contain an inverted hexagonal (H-II) phase and two isotropic phases. To shed light on the origin of these non-lamellar phases, we performed P-31-NMR spectroscopy experiments on sub-chloroplast particles of spinach: stacked, granum and unstacked, stroma thylakoid membranes. These membranes exhibited similar lipid polymorphism as the whole thylakoids. Saturation transfer experiments, applying saturating pulses at characteristic frequencies at 5 degrees C, provided evidence for distinct lipid phases-with component spectra very similar to those derived from mathematical deconvolution of the P-31-NMR spectra. Wheat-germ lipase treatment of samples selectively eliminated the phases exhibiting sharp isotropic peaks, suggesting easier accessibility of these lipids compared to the bilayer and the H-II phases. Gradually increasing lipid exchanges were observed between the bilayer and the two isotropic phases upon gradually elevating the temperature from 5 to 35 degrees C, suggesting close connections between these lipid phases. Data concerning the identity and structural and functional roles of different lipid phases will be presented in the accompanying paper

Lipid polymorphism of the subchloroplast—granum and stroma thylakoid membrane–particles. II. structure and functions

In Part I, by using (31)P-NMR spectroscopy, we have shown that isolated granum and stroma thylakoid membranes (TMs), in addition to the bilayer, display two isotropic phases and an inverted hexagonal (H(II)) phase; saturation transfer experiments and selective effects of lipase and thermal treatments have shown that these phases arise from distinct, yet interconnectable structural entities. To obtain information on the functional roles and origin of the different lipid phases, here we performed spectroscopic measurements and inspected the ultrastructure of these TM fragments. Circular dichroism, 77 K fluorescence emission spectroscopy, and variable chlorophyll-a fluorescence measurements revealed only minor lipase- or thermally induced changes in the photosynthetic machinery. Electrochromic absorbance transients showed that the TM fragments were re-sealed, and the vesicles largely retained their impermeabilities after lipase treatments—in line with the low susceptibility of the bilayer against the same treatment, as reflected by our (31)P-NMR spectroscopy. Signatures of H(II)-phase could not be discerned with small-angle X-ray scattering—but traces of H(II) structures, without long-range order, were found by freeze-fracture electron microscopy (FF-EM) and cryo-electron tomography (CET). EM and CET images also revealed the presence of small vesicles and fusion of membrane particles, which might account for one of the isotropic phases. Interaction of VDE (violaxanthin de-epoxidase, detected by Western blot technique in both membrane fragments) with TM lipids might account for the other isotropic phase. In general, non-bilayer lipids are proposed to play role in the self-assembly of the highly organized yet dynamic TM network in chloroplasts

Lipid Polymorphism of the Subchloroplast—Granum and Stroma Thylakoid Membrane–Particles. II. Structure and Functions

In Part I, by using P-31-NMR spectroscopy, we have shown that isolated granum and stroma thylakoid membranes (TMs), in addition to the bilayer, display two isotropic phases and an inverted hexagonal (H-II) phase; saturation transfer experiments and selective effects of lipase and thermal treatments have shown that these phases arise from distinct, yet interconnectable structural entities. To obtain information on the functional roles and origin of the different lipid phases, here we performed spectroscopic measurements and inspected the ultrastructure of these TM fragments. Circular dichroism, 77 K fluorescence emission spectroscopy, and variable chlorophyll-a fluorescence measurements revealed only minor lipase- or thermally induced changes in the photosynthetic machinery. Electrochromic absorbance transients showed that the TM fragments were re-sealed, and the vesicles largely retained their impermeabilities after lipase treatments-in line with the low susceptibility of the bilayer against the same treatment, as reflected by our P-31-NMR spectroscopy. Signatures of H-II-phase could not be discerned with small-angle X-ray scattering-but traces of H-II structures, without long-range order, were found by freeze-fracture electron microscopy (FF-EM) and cryo-electron tomography (CET). EM and CET images also revealed the presence of small vesicles and fusion of membrane particles, which might account for one of the isotropic phases. Interaction of VDE (violaxanthin de-epoxidase, detected by Western blot technique in both membrane fragments) with TM lipids might account for the other isotropic phase. In general, non-bilayer lipids are proposed to play role in the self-assembly of the highly organized yet dynamic TM network in chloroplasts

The thermostability of photosystem II photochemistry is related to maintenance of thylakoid membranes organization

For higher plant photosynthetic reactions, responses to the temperature changes are important, particularly if we consider global warming and the increasing frequency of extreme temperature fluctuations. High temperature stress decreases photosynthetic assimilation through the inactivation of photosystem II (PSII), the most heat-sensitive component of the oxygen-evolving complex. We have recently found higher thermostability of spruce PSII photochemistry compared to such control plants as Arabidopsis species and barley. In this work, we have therefore attempted to describe the causes of this effect on the level of the organization of pigment–protein complexes (PPCs) in spruce thylakoid membranes using circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy. We have confirmed higher maximum efficiency of PSII photochemistry (FV/FM) for spruce needles in comparison to barley leaves. Temperature-dependent CD spectra have also demonstrated higher (by about 6°C) PSII thermostability of chiral macro-organization of PPCs in spruce thylakoid membranes compared to those in barley. However, thermal disruption of PPCs did not reveal significant differences. Our results demonstrate that the stability of PSII macro-organization in different plant species correlates with the thermostability of PSII photochemistry in intact needles/leaves and so effective PSII photochemistry is related to the maintenance of PSII macro-organization under high temperature stress

Response of epidermal blue-green fluorescence emission from Barley leaves to uv radiation stress

Blue-green fl uorescence (BGF) is emitted by plant tissue when excited by UV radiation. Th e emission spectrum of BGF varies with plant species and is aff ected by the physiological status of the plant. BGF has been attributed mainly to cell wall-bound ferulic acid, although a contribution from fl avonoids and other simple phenols has also been suggested. Th e BGF signal is of interest due to its potential application in the remote sensing of plant stress: such techniques use ratios of blue and green to chlorophyll red and far-red fl uorescence emission intensities to estimate plant stress. In this work we investigated the response of BGF to UV-radiation stress and characterized changes in the shape of BGF emission spectra. We found these changes to be more signifi cant during the acclimation to UV-B radiation in comparison with UV-A or high irradiance of PAR. Furthermore, the spectral changes in BGF emission were due to a decline of fl uorescence at a wavelength of 435 nm compared with bands around 455 nm and 520 nm. In view of this, we have tried to distinguish individual fl uorescent components using more detailed fl uorescence analysis and to explain the causes of these spectral changes

G-Quadruplex in Gene Encoding Large Subunit of Plant RNA Polymerase II: A Billion-Year-Old Story

G-quadruplexes have long been perceived as rare and physiologically unimportant nucleic acid structures. However, several studies have revealed their importance in molecular processes, suggesting their possible role in replication and gene expression regulation. Pathways involving G-quadruplexes are intensively studied, especially in the context of human diseases, while their involvement in gene expression regulation in plants remains largely unexplored. Here, we conducted a bioinformatic study and performed a complex circular dichroism measurement to identify a stable G-quadruplex in the gene RPB1, coding for the RNA polymerase II large subunit. We found that this G-quadruplex-forming locus is highly evolutionarily conserved amongst plants sensu lato (Archaeplastida) that share a common ancestor more than one billion years old. Finally, we discussed a new hypothesis regarding G-quadruplexes interacting with UV light in plants to potentially form an additional layer of the regulatory network

Lipid-polymorphism of plant thylakoid membranes. Enhanced non-bilayer lipid phases associated with increased membrane permeability

Earlier experiments, using 31 P-NMR and time-resolved merocyanine fluorescence spectroscopy, have shown that isolated intact, fully functional plant thylakoid membranes, in addition to the bilayer phase, contain three non-bilayer (or non-lamellar) lipid phases. It has also been shown that the lipid polymorphism of thylakoid membranes can be characterized by remarkable plasticity, i.e. by significant variations in 31 P-NMR signatures. However, changes in the lipid-phase behaviour of thylakoids could not be assigned to changes in the overall membrane organization and the photosynthetic activity, as tested by circular dichroism and 77 K fluorescence emission spectroscopy and the magnitude of the variable fluorescence of photosystem II, which all showed only marginal variations. In this work, we investigated in more detail the temporal stability of the different lipid phases by recording 31 P-NMR spectra on isolated thylakoid membranes that were suspended in sorbitol- or NaCl-based media. We observed, at 5°C during 8 h in the dark, substantial gradual enhancement of the isotropic lipid phases and diminishment of the bilayer phase in the sorbitol-based medium. These changes compared well with the gradually increasing membrane permeability, as testified by the gradual acceleration of the decay of flash-induced electrochromic absorption changes and characteristic changes in the kinetics of fast chlorophyll a-fluorescence transients; all variations were much less pronounced in the NaCl-based medium. These observations suggest that non-bilayer lipids and non-lamellar lipid phases play significant roles in the structural dynamics and functional plasticity of thylakoid membranes