Temperature-induced reversible changes in photosynthesis efficiency and organization of thylakoid membranes from pea (Pisum sativum)

High temperature can induce a substantial adverse effect on plant photosynthesis. This study addressed the impact of moderately high temperature (35 °C) on photosynthetic efficiency and thylakoid membrane organization in Pisum sativum. The Chl a fluorescence curves showed a significant change, indicating a reduction in photosynthetic efficiency when pea plants were exposed to moderate high-temperature stress. The pulse-amplitude modulation measurements showed decreased non-photochemical quenching while the non-regulated energy dissipation increased in treated compared to control and recovery plants. Both parameters indicated that the photosystem (PS)II was prone to temperature stress. The PSI donor side limitation increased in treated and recovery plants compared to control, suggesting the donor side of PSI is hampered in moderate-high temperature. Further, the PSI acceptor side increased in recovery plants compared to control, suggesting that the cyclic electron transport is repressed after temperature treatment but revert back to normal in recovery conditions. Also, the content of photoprotective carotenoid pigments like lutein and xanthophylls increased in temperature-treated leaves. These results indicate the alteration of macro-organization of thylakoid membranes under moderately elevated temperature, whereas supercomplexes restored to the control levels under recovery conditions. Further, the light harvesting complex (LHC)II trimers, and monomers were significantly decreased in temperature-treated plants. Furthermore, the amount of PSII reaction center proteins D1, D2, PsbO, and Cyt b6 was reduced under moderate temperature, whereas the content of LHC proteins of PSI was stable. These observations suggest that moderately high temperature can alter supercomplexes, which leads to change in the pigment-protein organization.