Inactivation of photosynthetic oxygen evolution by UV-B irradiation: A thermoluminescence study

The influence of UV-B irradiation on photosynthetic oxygen evolution by isolated spinach thylakoids has been investigated using thermoluminescence measurements. The thermoluminescence bands arising from the S2QB (-) (B band) and S2QA (-) (Q band) charge recombination disappeared with increasing UV-B irradiation time. In contrast, the C band at 50°C, arising from the recombination of QA (-) with an accessory donor of Photosystem II, was transiently enhanced by the UV-B irradiation. The efficiency of DCMU to block QA to QB electron transfer decreased after irradiation as detected by the incomplete suppression of the B band by DCMU. The flash-induced oscillatory pattern of the B band was modified in the UV-B irradiated samples, indicating a decrease in the number of centers with reduced QB. Based on the results of this study, UV-B irradiation is suggested to damage both the donor and acceptor sides of Photosystem II. The damage of the water-oxidizing complex does not affect a specific S-state transition. Instead, charge stabilization is enhanced on an accessory donor. The acceptor-side modifications decrease the affinity of DCMU binding. This effect is assumed to reflect a structural change in the QB/DCMU binding site. The preferential loss of dark stable QB (-) may be related to the same structural change or could be caused by the specific destruction of reduced quinones by the UV-B light.