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Title Photoprotective Role of Photosynthetic and Non-Photosynthetic Pigments in Phillyrea latifolia: Is Their "Antioxidant" Function Prominent in Leaves Exposed to Severe Summer Drought?
ID_Doc 17447
Authors Gori, A; Brunetti, C; Nascimento, LBD; Marino, G; Guidi, L; Ferrini, F; Centritto, M; Fini, A; Tattini, M
Title Photoprotective Role of Photosynthetic and Non-Photosynthetic Pigments in Phillyrea latifolia: Is Their "Antioxidant" Function Prominent in Leaves Exposed to Severe Summer Drought?
Year 2021
Published International Journal Of Molecular Sciences, 22, 15
DOI 10.3390/ijms22158303
Abstract Carotenoids and phenylpropanoids play a dual role of limiting and countering photooxidative stress. We hypothesize that their "antioxidant" function is prominent in plants exposed to summer drought, when climatic conditions exacerbate the light stress. To test this, we conducted a field study on Phillyrea latifolia, a Mediterranean evergreen shrub, carrying out daily physiological and biochemical analyses in spring and summer. We also investigated the functional role of the major phenylpropanoids in different leaf tissues. Summer leaves underwent the most severe drought stress concomitantly with a reduction in radiation use efficiency upon being exposed to intense photooxidative stress, particularly during the central hours of the day. In parallel, a significant daily variation in both carotenoids and phenylpropanoids was observed. Our data suggest that the morning-to-midday increase in zeaxanthin derived from the hydroxylation of ss-carotene to sustain non-photochemical quenching and limit lipid peroxidation in thylakoid membranes. We observed substantial spring-to-summer and morning-to-midday increases in quercetin and luteolin derivatives, mostly in the leaf mesophyll. These findings highlight their importance as antioxidants, countering the drought-induced photooxidative stress. We concluded that seasonal and daily changes in photosynthetic and non-photosynthetic pigments may allow P. latifolia leaves to avoid irreversible photodamage and to cope successfully with the Mediterranean harsh climate.
Author Keywords carotenoids; dihydroxy B-ring-substituted flavonoids; drought stress; epidermal and mesophyll flavonoids; hydroxycinnamates; photoprotection; zeaxanthin
Index Keywords Index Keywords
Document Type Other
Open Access Open Access
Source Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED)
EID WOS:000681882100001
WoS Category Biochemistry & Molecular Biology; Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Research Area Biochemistry & Molecular Biology; Chemistry
PDF https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/22/15/8303/pdf?version=1628053697
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