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Ascorbate biosynthesis and function in photoprotection.

N Smirnoff1

  • 1School of Biological Sciences, University of Exeter, Hatherly Laboratories, UK. n.smirnoff@exeter.ac.uk

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological Sciences
|December 29, 2000
PubMed
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Ascorbate (vitamin C) plays crucial roles in plant photosynthesis and protection against oxidative stress. Its synthesis and function are influenced by light, impacting plant acclimation and survival.

Area of Science:

  • Plant Physiology
  • Biochemistry
  • Photosynthesis Research

Background:

  • Ascorbate (vitamin C) accumulates to high concentrations in chloroplasts, particularly in plants acclimating to high light.
  • It performs multiple functions in photosynthesis, including active oxygen species scavenging and cofactor roles.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the functions of ascorbate in photosynthesis and its role in plant stress responses.
  • To explore the regulation of ascorbate synthesis and its impact on pool size.
  • To understand the genetic basis of ascorbate deficiency and its consequences.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of ascorbate concentrations in chloroplasts under varying light conditions.
  • Investigating ascorbate's role in photosystem II, Mehler reaction, and alpha-tocopherol regeneration.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Studying ascorbate synthesis pathway, particularly the L-galactono-1,4-lactone dehydrogenase step.
  • Utilizing Arabidopsis thaliana vtc mutants to assess ascorbate's function in stress tolerance and non-photochemical quenching.

    • Main Results:

    • Ascorbate concentrations increase with high light acclimation, with highest levels in alpine plants.
    • Ascorbate is vital for scavenging reactive oxygen species and regenerating antioxidants.
    • Ascorbate acts as a cofactor for violaxanthin de-epoxidase, influencing non-photochemical quenching.
    • Ascorbate-deficient mutants exhibit hypersensitivity to oxidative stresses like ozone, UV-B, and photo-oxidation.

    Conclusions:

    • Ascorbate is essential for protecting plants against oxidative damage during photosynthesis.
    • Light intensity significantly influences ascorbate pool size, suggesting a regulatory role for its synthesis.
    • Ascorbate's function as a cofactor for violaxanthin de-epoxidase is critical for photoprotection.