Development of photosynthetic activity in Porphyridium purpureum (Rhodophyta) following nitrogen starvation

Journal Article · Thu Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1990 · Journal of Phycology; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1111/j.0022-3646.1990.00062.x· OSTI ID:6613590

Levy, I; Gantt, E ^[1]

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1. Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC (USA)

The effects of nitrogen limitation on laboratory cultures of Porphyridium purpureum Bory, Drew and Ross were studied under continuous white light illumination (35 {mu}E {times} m{sup {minus}2} {times} s{sup {minus}1}). Growth ceased, respiration exceeded photosynthesis, chlorophyll content was reduced by 80%, and phycoerythrin content was reduced by 99% over a period of 14 days under nitrogen limitation. Recovery upon addition of nitrogen resulted in increased phycobiliprotein content, appearance of phycobilisomes attached to the thylakoids, increased oxygen evolution, and increased fluorescence emission from photosystem 1 (720 nm) and photosystem 2 (685 nm) upon excitation by green light. Growth resumes after 72 h and was concomitant with an increase of chlorophyll, phycoerythrin and phycobilisomes per thylakoid area. The results suggest that photosystem 1 was less affected by nitrogen starvation than photosystem 2 and that the recovery was largely dependent on the restoration of phycobilisomes and other photosystem components.

• DOE Contract Number: FG05-87ER13652
• OSTI ID: 6613590
• Journal Information: Journal of Phycology; (USA), Journal Name: Journal of Phycology; (USA) Vol. 26:1; ISSN 0022-3646; ISSN JPYLA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560300* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ALGAE
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
CARBOXYLIC ACIDS
CELL CONSTITUENTS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CHLOROPHYLL
ELEMENTS
HETEROCYCLIC ACIDS
HETEROCYCLIC COMPOUNDS
NITROGEN
NONMETALS
NUTRITIONAL DEFICIENCY
ORGANIC ACIDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
PHOTOCHEMICAL REACTIONS
PHOTOSYNTHESIS
PHOTOSYNTHETIC REACTION CENTERS
PHYCOBILINS
PHYCOBILISOMES
PHYTOCHROMES
PIGMENTS
PLANTS
PORPHYRINS
PROTEINS
SYNTHESIS