Light induced photosynthetic electron transfer upon anaerobiosis in Chlamydomonas: Kinetics, electron sinks and setup of a fluorescence screen to identify new players

Conference (2012, June 15)

In Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, prolonged anaerobiosis leads to the expression of various fermentative pathways. Among them, oxygen-sensitive hydrogenases (hyd) catalyze the reduction of protons from ... [more ▼]

In Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, prolonged anaerobiosis leads to the expression of various fermentative pathways. Among them, oxygen-sensitive hydrogenases (hyd) catalyze the reduction of protons from reduced ferredoxin resulting in the production of molecular hydrogen. In this work, light-induced photosynthetic electron transfer after a prolonged dark-anaerobiosis period was studied by following the kinetics of chlorophyll fluorescence emission, P700 oxidation and proton-motive force formation and consumption during the first 3 seconds of illumination. We show that during the induction of photosynthesis, an hyd-dependent photosynthetic electron transfer operates at a maximal rate of 110 electrons per photosystem per second, that is about half the one measured in aerobiosis. The implication in this process of components of the linear, cyclic and chlororespiratory electron transfer pathways, as well as various electron sinks, are investigated thanks to the availability of mutants. In a next step, we screen an insertional mutant library (~3000 clones) on the basis of the fluorescence induction kinetics upon a shift from dark-anaerobiosis to light. Five mutants display the signature of mutants deficient for NADPH:PQ oxidoreductase or hyd activities. In particular, one is defective for hydrogenase HydG assembly factor. This mutant behaves exactly has the hydEF mutant, thus confirming that in vivo both the assembly factors are required for an efficient hydrogenase activity. [less ▲]

Insertional mutagenesis to select mutants for modified hydrogen photoproduction in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

Poster (2011, May 17)

The unicellular green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii has evolved the ability to redirect electrons from the photosynthetic chain to drive hydrogen production via chloroplast oxygen-sensitive hydrogenases ... [more ▼]

The unicellular green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii has evolved the ability to redirect electrons from the photosynthetic chain to drive hydrogen production via chloroplast oxygen-sensitive hydrogenases. This process occurs under anaerobic conditions and provides a biological basis for solar-driven hydrogen production. Nevertheless, the yield is a major limitation for an economic viability and fundamental knowledge is still needed in order to have a better understanding of the process. In 2000, Melis and co-worker defined a protocol allowing a sustainable hydrogen production in sulfur deprivation condition. By adjustment of an existent protocol called the Winkler test, we are trying to isolate mutants with an attenuated photosynthesis to respiration capacity ratio (P/R ratio). This kind of mutants could be able to reach anoxia needed for hydrogenases activity without the stressful impact of sulfur deprivation. An insertional mutagenesis of Chlamydomonas has been carried out with an hygromycin resistance cassette and about 2500 transformants have generated and screened by the adapted Winkler test. We have isolated several oxygen-consuming mutants and the most promising one is subject to functional, molecular and genetic characterization. To discover new genes involved in hydrogenases activity, we are also planning to screen the same insertional library for mutants with attenuated levels of hydrogen photoproduction, using sensitive chemochromic sensor films which turn in blue in presence of hydrogen. We are currently making the chemochromic sensor WO3 films by dip-coating which is on the brink of being useable. [less ▲]