Thiol redox state regulates expression of psbA genes in Synechococcus sp. PCC 7942

Three psbA genes encode two different forms of the photosystem II reaction centre protein D1 in Synechococcus sp. PCC 7942. The psbAI gene encoding D1 protein form I (D1:1) is mainly expressed under low growth light conditions while the psbAII and psbAIII genes, encoding D1 protein form II (D1:2), are induced under stress conditions (e.g. high light or low temperature). In this paper we show that psbAII/III genes can be rapidly induced even under low growth light conditions by adding the thiol reductant (DTTred) to Synechococcus cell culture, at a concentration that does not affect cell growth or photosynthetic activity. Similar induction of psbAII/III genes was obtained by illuminating the cells with photosystem I light. In both instances psbAI gene down-regulation coincided with the up-regulation of psbAII/III genes. DTTred-induced exchange in transcript pools was subsequently followed by an exchange of D1:1 for D1:2 at the protein level. Thiol oxidants, iodosobenzoic acid or diamide, reverted the effects of DTTred on psbA gene expression. Thiol oxidants and the thiol-modifying agent N-ethylmaleimide also totally prevented high-light induction of psbAII/III genes. These data strongly suggest that the up-regulation of psbAII/III genes that occurs under stress conditions is mediated by production of thiol reductants, whereas the expression of the psbAI gene is sustained by the more oxidizing conditions that prevail during the steady-state growth of cells.