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Simultaneous measurements of H + and O 2 fluxes in Zostera marina and its physiological implications
Author(s) -
Lin APeng,
Wang GuangCe,
Zhou WenQin
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
physiologia plantarum
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.351
H-Index - 146
eISSN - 1399-3054
pISSN - 0031-9317
DOI - 10.1111/ppl.12008
Subject(s) - zostera marina , photosynthesis , potamogetonaceae , tris , zostera , botany , seagrass , chemistry , biology , ecology , biochemistry , ecosystem
Zostera marina (eelgrass) is an important ecological component of many shallow, temperate lagoons. Evidence suggests that Z. marina has a high bicarbonate utilization capability, which could be promoted by possible proton extrusion and the consequent formation of an ‘acid zone’ in the apoplastic space (unstirred layer) of its leaves. It has been found that 50 m M of the buffer Tris significantly inhibited the photosynthetic O 2 evolution of Z. marina and it was proposed that this was because of Tris's ability to bond with protons outside the cell wall. To investigate if H + played an important role in the photosynthetic carbon utilization of Z. marina , it is very important to simultaneously monitor the photosynthesis status and possible H + fluxes. However, probably because of the lack of suitable techniques, this has never been attempted. In this study, experiments were undertaken on Z. marina by monitoring H + and O 2 fluxes and the relative electron transport rates during light–dark transition. During stable photosynthesis, in addition to an obvious O 2 outflow, there was a significant net H + influx connected to Z. marina photosynthesis. The inhibitory effects of both Tris and respiration inhibitors on apparent O 2 evolution of Z. marina were confirmed. However, evidence did not support the proposed Tris inhibition mechanism.