Diatoms generate a large portion of the oxygen produced on earth due to their exceptional light-harvesting properties involving fucoxanthin and chlorophyll-binding proteins (FCP). At the same time, an efficient adaptation of these complexes to fluctuating light conditions is necessary to protect the diatoms against photodamage. So far, structural and dynamic data for the interaction between FCP and the photoprotective LHCX family of proteins in diatoms are lacking. In this computational study, we provide a structural basis for a remarkable pH-dependent adaptation at the molecular level. Upon binding of the LHCX1 protein to the FCP complex together with a change in pH, conformational changes within the FCP protein result in a variation of the electronic coupling in a specific chlorophyll-fucoxanthin pair, leading to a change in the exciton transfer rate by almost an order of magnitude. A common strategy for photoprotection between diatoms and higher plants is identified and discussed.
The sustainability of maize cultivation would benefit tremendously from early sowing, but is hampered by low temperatures during early development in temperate climates. We show that allelic variation within the gene encoding subunit M of the NADH-dehydrogenase-like (NDH) complex (ndhm1) in a European maize landrace affects several quantitative traits that are relevant during early development in cold climates through NDH-mediated cyclic electron transport (CET) around photosystem I, a process crucial for photosynthesis and photoprotection. Beginning with a genome-wide association study for maximum potential quantum yield of photosystem II in dark-adapted leaves (Fv/Fm), we capitalized on the large phenotypic effects of a hAT transposon insertion in ndhm1 on multiple quantitative traits (early plant height, Fv/Fm, chlorophyll content, and cold tolerance) caused by the reduced protein levels of NDHM and associated NDH components.
Under ideal conditions, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii can photoacclimate to excess light through various short- and long-term mechanisms. However, how microalgae handle excess light stress once they exit exponential growth, and especially in stationary phase, is less understood. Our study explored C.
Excitation energy transfer between the photochemically active protein complexes is key for photosynthetic processes. Phototrophic organisms like cyanobacteria experience subtle changes in irradiance under natural conditions. Such changes need adjustments to the excitation energy transfer between the photosystems for sustainable growth.
Color and morphology are some of the most intriguing traits of plant galls, whose patterns resemble fruits and flowers. Many hypotheses were proposed to explain the involvement of anthocyanin accumulation with the development of red gall hues, whose mechanisms seem idiosyncratic. Anthocyanins are related to photoprotective strategies in green tissues and metal accumulation in some flowers.
Cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) is a skin-related manifestation of lupus erythematosus, classified into subtypes (acute, subacute, chronic) based on clinical characteristics and lab findings.
Traditional treatments include topical corticosteroids and antimalarial drugs, but new immunomodulatory therapies, particularly Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors, are emerging options.
The review highlights the importance of understanding the JAK/STAT signaling pathway in CLE management and calls for more research on the safety and effectiveness of JAK inhibitors for autoimmune disease treatment.
