2024/11/09 by Guy Levin, Michael Yasmin, Oded Liran +6 · 1 voice
Agricultural and Biological Sciences · Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Energy · #Algal biology and biofuel production #Biocrusts and Microbial Ecology #Photosynthetic Processes and Mechanisms
paper · pdf · doi:10.1093/plphys/kiae608
openalex publication_date 2024/11/09 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/01
Nonphotochemical 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 microalga 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.