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PubMed1986

Volume regulation in salt-acclimated toad (Bufo viridis): the role of urea and the urinary bladder.

Body water (weight) was studied in the euryhaline toad Bufo viridis during high salt (500 mOsm NaCl) acclimation. Plasma osmolality was greatly increased upon salt acclimation mainly by urea, and was always hyperosmotic to the ambient solution. Water content was regulated quite efficiently in slowly acclimated undisturbed toads. Repeatedly catheterized toads behaved like osmometers when transferred to hyperosmotic solutions. Total urea loss was greatly reduced in salt acclimated toads, suggesting urine was not voided under these conditions. It is concluded that urea accumulation, inhibition of the urine voiding response and the urine in the bladder are the principal factors involved in volume regulation under conditions of salt acclimation.

Acclimatization↗

PubMed1992

Anuran amphibia which are not acclimable to high salt, tolerate high plasma urea.

1. The capacity of five anuran Amphibians (Bufo viridis, B. regularis, Rana ridibunda, Hyla arborea and Pelobates syriacus) to acclimate to NaCl and urea solutions was investigated. 2. All species could be acclimated to relatively high concentrations of urea solutions, while only Bufo viridis and Hyla arborea could be acclimated to 500 mOsm/kg or higher NaCl solutions. 3. The plasma urea concentration in B. viridis and H. arborea was elevated to levels over 140 mmol/l. 4. The sum of plasma sodium and chloride concentrations did not increase over 400 mmol/l in any species. 5. Urine osmolality, which was normally low, increased, but never exceeded the plasma osmolality. 6. In the urea acclimation conditions, urine electrolytes diminished, similarly in all species in this study. 7. It is concluded that anuran Amphibians can tolerate high plasma urea concentrations, but only those species which can elevate it, either through retention or net synthesis, can be acclimated to high salt solutions.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

PubMed1995

Phagocyte activity in the frog Rana temporaria: whole blood chemiluminescence method and the effects of temperature and thermal acclimation.

The respiratory burst activity of phagocytes was measured as zymosan induced, luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence (CL) emission in the whole blood of the frog Rana temporaria. The effect of thermal acclimation on phagocyte activity was studied by acclimating adult frogs for 14-18 days to 5 and 24 degrees C. The phagocyte CL was measured at seven temperatures ranging from 5 to 37 degrees C. Clear signs of resistance acclimation were seen both in CL reaction kinetics at 5 degrees C (P < 0.0001) and in intensities at 37 degrees C (P < 0.003). Thermal adaptation was also seen as a 1-5 degrees C shift in the temperature response curve of CL intensity towards the acclimation temperature (P < 0.03). The highest CL intensities were seen at 30 degrees C and they were of the same magnitude in both acclimation groups. The phagocyte activation enhanced progressively at temperatures ranging from 5 to 30 degrees C, showing that migration to a warmer environment would increase the phagocyte activity of frogs. The possible relation to behavioral fever is discussed.

Animals↗

PubMed1983

Altered activities of branchial and renal Na/K- and Mg-ATPases in cold-acclimated goldfish (Carassius auratus).

1. Cold-acclimated (1 degree C) goldfish (Carassius auratus) branchial Na/K-ATPase activity was elevated 100% while renal Na/K-ATPase activity was not significantly affected compared with warm-acclimated (20 degrees C) goldfish. 2. Cold-acclimated goldfish branchial and renal Mg-ATPase activity was reduced 18 and 30% on a per mg protein basis, respectively. 3. Renal Na/K-ATPase activity was 4.6- and 1.6-fold greater than gill in cold- and warm-acclimated fish, respectively. 4. The elevated branchial Na/K-ATPase activity and the unchanged renal Na/K-ATPase activity are consistent with the maintenance of the reduced blood ion level in cold-acclimated goldfish.

Acclimatization↗

PubMed1989

Loose-coupled subsarcolemmal mitochondria from muscle Rhomboideus in cold-acclimated piglets.

1. Intermyofibrillar (IM) and subsarcolemmal (SM) mitochondria were isolated from rhomboideus (RH) and longissimus dorsi (LD) muscles of cold-acclimated (12 degrees C for 3 weeks) and control (23 degrees C) 8-week-old piglets. 2. Together with measurements of yield of mitochondrial protein and enzyme activities (cytochrome oxydase-CO; creatine kinase--CK), the respiratory rate of isolated mitochondria was followed polarographically in order to determine the respiratory control ratio (RCR) and consequently the tightness of coupling in response to ADP. 3. In control and cold-acclimated piglets, there were more IM than SM (P less than 0.05) and more mitochondria in RH than LD muscle (P less than 0.05). In both muscles, the yield of mitochondria was slightly but not significantly higher after cold acclimation than in controls. 4. In both muscles, IM were tightly coupled and their RCR (congruent to 4.5) were similar in both groups of piglets. RCR values were increased in the presence of bovine serum albumin (BSA). 5. In controls, SM exhibited lower respiration rates than IM (P less than 0.05) and were slightly coupled (RCR congruent to 2). Cold acclimation increases the loose-coupling of SM (P less than 0.05), especially in RH muscle. No changes appeared in the mitochondrial coupling after the addition of BSA. 6. After cold acclimation, CO and CK activities were increased in IM (P less than 0.05) while only CO activity was increased in SM (P less than 0.05). These results support a coupling defect in SM and therefore confirm mitochondrial respiration results.

Acclimatization↗

PubMed1991

The effect of acclimation temperature on enzyme activity in Drosophila melanogaster.

1. The response to thermal acclimation of five key rate-limiting enzymes of intermediary metabolism and of six degradative enzymes was measured in tissue extracts of adult Drosophila melanogaster which had been acclimated for 4 days to 15, 25 or 30 degrees C. 2. Three enzymes of intermediary metabolism (HK, alpha-GPDH and CO) showed positive thermal compensation, which is the type of response characteristic of the enzymes involved in energy metabolism in vertebrate ectotherms. 3. The data obtained for CS and G6PDH showed no evidence for increased activity of TCA cycle nor of the pentose phosphate pathway upon cold acclimation in D. melanogaster. 4. Two degradative enzymes, ADH and non-specific esterase, showed inverse thermal compensation which is the type of response characteristic of degradative enzymes in vertebrate ectotherms. 5. In contrast to the situation in vertebrate ectotherms, catalase and the three lysosomal enzymes assayed (APH, acid DNase and acid RNase) displayed positive rather than inverse compensation. 6. The results presented here extend the data on the range of D. melanogaster enzymes which show compensation upon thermal acclimation and on the type of acclimation response which occurs.

Acclimatization↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Alcohol and heat tolerance in warm-acclimated rats.

The effect of chronic ethanol intake and warm acclimation on the heat tolerance of rats under the influence of alcohol was studied. The animals were divided into two groups: Group 1 received water as their fluid intake and, group 2 received a 10% ethanol solution, and both groups were exposed to a temperature of 30 degrees C for 4 weeks. Excretion of urinary catecholamines was measured prior to warm exposure at 22 degrees C and once a week during warm exposure at 30 degrees C. After warm acclimation a dose of alcohol 2 g/kg was injected in the rats intraperitoneally (i.p.), and then they were exposed to a heat stress of 40 degrees C for 45 min. During warm acclimation, the controls consumed more fluid and they excreted more norepinephrine into the urine than the alcohol-fed animals during the first week. After the period of acclimation there were no significant differences in urinary excretion of catecholamines between the groups. Colonic temperature of the controls was 0.7 degrees C higher than in the alcohol-fed animals. Acute alcohol administration (2 g/kg) increased the colonic temperature of the alcohol-fed animals during a heat stress of 40 degrees C more than in the controls. After heat stress, the concentration of catecholamines in the blood was significantly higher in the controls. The results show that the hyperthermic effect of ethanol was more considerable in the rats whose drinking water during warm acclimation was an ethanol solution.

Acclimatization↗

PubMed1985

The effects of acclimation temperature on pituitary and plasma beta-endorphin in rats at 32.5 degrees C.

Endocrine and thermoregulatory responses were studied in male rats exposed to heat (32.5 +/- 0.1 degrees C) from acclimation temperatures of either 24.5 +/- 0.1 degrees C or 29.2 +/- 0.1 degrees C. After 1 hr in the heat, evaporative water loss and tail skin temperature changes in the 24.5 degrees C acclimated rats were greater than in the 29.2 degrees C acclimated rats; both groups displayed similar changes in metabolic rate and rectal temperature. At the respective acclimation temperatures, 29.2 degrees C rats displayed lowered plasma thyroid hormones, elevated beta-endorphin-like immunoreactivity (beta-END-LI) in the plasma, neurointermediate and anterior lobes of the pituitary gland, and no change in plasma corticosterone levels compared to 24.5 degrees C rats. After exposure to 32.5 degrees C for 1 hr, both groups of rats maintained similar plasma corticosterone levels; however, only the 24.5 degrees C group increased plasma thyroxine and beta-END-LI. These data suggest that beta-endorphin may be involved in body temperature regulation during acclimation to elevated environmental temperatures.

Acclimatization↗

PubMed2006

Thermoperiodic acclimations enhance cold hardiness of the eggs of the migratory locust.

Treatment of thermoperiods that simulate the patterns of natural occurrence is most efficient in enhancing cold hardiness. To examine the effects of different thermoperiods on cold hardiness of eggs in the migratory locust, Locusta migratoria (L.), the survival rates, cryoprotectant levels and three hsps expressions in mid-stage eggs (7-day-old) were measured after the eggs were subjected to three different thermoperiod regimes, : short (2 day), long (10 day), and nature-mimicking thermoperiodic acclimation. The thermoperiodic acclimations resulted in the highest egg survival rates in both the short and the long period acclimation groups in comparison with the groups treated with constant temperatures. The egg survival of nature-mimicking thermoperiod groups was significantly higher than those of constant temperature groups for the same acclimation duration. The survival rate of eggs under single daily thermoperiod was higher than that of multiple daily thermoperiods. The concentration of cryoprotectants (myo-inositol, trehalose, mannitol and sorbitol) and the expression levels of hsp20.5, hsp70, and hsp90 all increased in thermoperiodic acclimation eggs.

Acclimatization↗

PubMed2005

Copper regulation and homeostasis of Daphnia magna and Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata: influence of acclimation.

This study aimed to evaluate (1) the capacity of the green alga Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata and the waterflea Daphnia magna to regulate copper when exposed to environmentally realistic copper concentrations and (2) the influence of multi-generation acclimation to these copper concentrations on copper bioaccumulation and homeostasis. Based on bioconcentration factors, active copper regulation was observed in algae up to 5 microg Cu L(-1) and in daphnids up to 35 mug Cu L(-1). Constant body copper concentrations (13+/-4 microg Cu g DW(-1)) were observed in algae exposed to 1 through 5 microg Cu L(-1) and in daphnids exposed to 1 through 12 microg Cu L(-1). At higher exposure concentrations, there was an increase in internal body copper concentration, while no increase was observed in bioconcentration factors, suggesting the presence of a storage mechanism. At copper concentrations of 100 microg Cu L(-1) (P. subcapitata) and 150 microg Cu L(-1) (D. magna), the significant increases observed in body copper concentrations and in bioconcentration factors may be related to a failure of this regulation mechanism. For both organisms, internal body copper concentrations lower than 13 microg Cu g DW(-1) may result in copper deficiency. For P. subcapitata acclimated to 0.5 and 100 microg Cu L(-1), body copper concentrations ranged (mean+/-standard deviation) between 5+/-2 microg Cu g DW(-1) and 1300+/-197 microg Cu g DW(-1), respectively. For D. magna, this value ranged between 9+/-2 microg Cu g DW(-1) and 175+/-17 microg Cu g DW(-1) for daphnids acclimated to 0.5 and 150 microg Cu L(-1). Multi-generation acclimation to copper concentrations >or =12 microg Cu L(-1) resulted in a decrease (up to 40%) in body copper concentrations for both organisms compared to the body copper concentration of the first generation. It can be concluded that there is an indication that P. subcapitata and D. magna can regulate their whole body copper concentration to maintain copper homeostasis within their optimal copper range and acclimation enhances these mechanisms.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

PubMed2005

Biodegradation of 4-chlorophenol by acclimated and unacclimated activated sludge--evaluation of biokinetic coefficients.

Unacclimated and acclimated activated sludges were examined for their ability to degrade 4-CP (4-chlorophenol) in the presence and absence of a readily growing substrate using aerobic batch reactors. The effects of 4-CP on the micro (specific growth rate), COD removal efficiency, Y (yield coefficient), and q (specific substrate utilization rate) were investigated. It was observed that the toxicity of 4-CP on the culture decreased remarkably after acclimation. For example, the IC(50) value on the basis of micro was found to increase from 130 to 218 mg/L with the acclimation of the culture. Although an increase in 4-CP concentration up to 300 mg/L has no adverse effect on the COD removal efficiency of the acclimated culture, a considerable decrease was observed in the case of an unacclimated culture. Although 4-CP removal was not observed with an unacclimated culture, almost complete removal was achieved with the acclimated culture, up to 300 mg/L. The Haldane kinetic model adequately predicted the biodegradation of 4-CP and the kinetic constants obtained were q(m)=41.17 mg/(gMLVSSh), K(s)=1.104 mg/L, and K(i)=194.4 mg/L. The degradation of 4-CP led to formation of 5-chloro-2-hydroxymuconic semialdehyde, which was further metabolized, indicating complete degradation of 4-CP via a meta-cleavage pathway.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

PubMed2006

Effects of water deficit on photosystem II photochemistry and photoprotection during acclimation of lyreleaf sage (Salvia lyrata L.) plants to high light.

Acclimation of photosynthetic light reactions to high light requires adjustments in photosystem II (PSII) photochemistry and may be affected by environmental stresses, such as water deficit. In this study, we examined the effects of this stress on PSII photochemistry and photoprotection, with an emphasis on the role of carotenoids and tocopherols, during acclimation of lyreleaf sage (Salvia lyrata L.) plants to high light. Violaxanthin was rapidly converted to zeaxanthin under high light, the de-epoxidation state of the xanthophyll cycle reaching maximum levels of 0.97 after 10 days of high light exposure. Under a higher photoprotective demand caused by water deficit, plants showed significant decreases in beta-carotene and enhanced oxidation of alpha-tocopherol to alpha-tocopherol quinone, which was followed by decreases in the F(v)/F(m) ratio. The levels of beta-carotene decreased more in water-stressed than irrigated plants during acclimation to high light, being particularly degraded (up to 73%) after 14 days of water deficit. Tocopherol levels increased significantly during acclimation to high light, particularly under water deficit, which caused 6.6- and 10-fold increases in alpha-tocopherol and alpha-tocopherol quinone, respectively. We conclude that when xanthophyll cycle-dependent excess energy dissipation could not afford further protection during high light acclimation and the photoprotective demand increased in lyreleaf sage plants by water deficit, enhanced oxidation of alpha-tocopherol and beta-carotene occurred. As stress persisted, enhanced formation of reactive oxygen species might ultimately damage the PSII, as indicated by the reductions in the F(v)/F(m) ratio.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

PubMed2005

Protein, leucine aminopeptidase, esterase, acid phosphatase and photosynthetic responses of oleander (Nerium oleander L.) during cold acclimation and freezing treatments.

Six-month-old oleander (Nerium oleander L.) pot plants, derived from vegetative propagation by cuttings, were tested for their ability to cold hardening. Damage of the non-acclimated (NA) plants was visible when treated by low freezing temperatures (below -2 degrees C). The responses of total proteins, leucine aminopeptidase (LAP), esterase (EST) and acid phosphatase (ACP) isoforms of NA and cold-acclimated (CA; 4 degrees C for 14 days) plants were compared using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. These molecular markers were also compared in NA and CA plants which received for 2h temperatures of 0, -2, -4, -6 and -8 degrees C. A new 38-kDa polypeptide appeared from day 7 to 14 during the acclimation treatment in the bark extracts and on day 14 in the leaf extracts. The above-mentioned polypeptide band (38 kDa) strongly appeared in all freezing treatments (0, -2, -4, -6 and -8 degrees C) in both bark and leaf extracts of the CA plants. Alterations in the number and the intensity of LAP and EST isoforms as well as in the intensity of ACP isoforms were observed in both bark and leaf of the CA oleander plants. A newly expressed EST isoform is proposed as biochemical marker for the cold acclimation treatment. CO2 assimilation rates (A) as well as transpiration rates (E) in NA plants were positive in 0 degrees C and negative in all temperatures below zero in the freezing treatments. In contrast, CO2 assimilation rates (A) and transpiration rates (E) were positive in CA plants in all temperatures of freezing treatment. A significant decrease (P<0.05) in chlorophyll (Chl) a, Chl a+b concentration and Chl a/b ratio were noticed in oleander plants during the acclimation treatment (from day 0 to 14), while Chl b concentration was unchanged at the respective time. On the other hand, no significant (P<0.05) differences were observed in the freezing treatments.

Acclimatization↗

PubMed2006

A phosphatidylserine decarboxylase activity in root cells of oat (Avena sativa) is involved in altering membrane phospholipid composition during drought stress acclimation.

During acclimation to drought stress, the lipid composition of oat root cell membranes is altered. The level of phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), a non-bilayer forming lipid, is increased relative to the bilayer-forming lipid phosphatidylcholine (PC). These changes are believed to increase stress tolerance by increasing the flexibility of the membranes. To elucidate if de novo lipid synthesis is involved in altering membrane lipid composition, oat plants, acclimated or non-acclimated, were incubated in vivo with radioactively labelled lipid precursors. The labelling pattern indicated that de novo synthesis, at least partly, is causing the alterations. In plants, phospholipids can be synthesized by the Kennedy pathway, with addition of activated head groups to diacylglycerol (DAG) or, alternatively, via the CDP-DAG pathway, where phospahtidylserine (PS) is decarboxylated to form PE. To reveal the importance of the respective pathways during acclimation, we studied the effect of a decarboxylase inhibitor and the relative incorporation of [(3)H]-serine and [(14)C]-ethanolamine in vivo. Activities of CTP:ethanolaminephosphate cytidyltransferase (EC 2.7.7.14), phosphatidylserine decarboxylase (EC 4.1.1.65) and phosphatidylserine synthase; CDP-DAG:L-serine o-phosphatidyltransferase (EC 2.7.8.8) were measured and additionally, the presence of a PS decarboxylase (PSD1) in oat was confirmed by immunoblotting. The results suggest that PE synthesis via the Kennedy pathway is downregulated during acclimation and that synthesis by PS decarboxylation, via the CDP-DAG pathway, is increased, mainly through an increased activity of PS synthase.

Acclimatization↗

PubMed2006

The effects of saltwater acclimation on neurotransmitters in the lingual salt glands of the estuarine crocodile, Crocodylus porosus.

INTRODUCTION: Most avian and reptilian salt glands display marked phenotypic plasticity when animals are exposed to hyperosmotic conditions. In addition, the activity of most salt glands is under considerable control by the nervous system and nerves containing cholinergic, adrenergic and peptidergic neurotransmitters have been identified in avian and reptilian salt gland tissues. The present study sought to determine whether the salt glands of the estuarine crocodile, Crocodylus porosus contain the peptidergic neurotransmitters SP, CGRP, VIP, and PACAP and the gaseous neurotransmitter, NO. In addition, we sought to determine whether there was any evidence for the adaptation of the C. porosus salt gland nervous system to hyperosmotic conditions. METHODS: Salt glands from freshwater- and saltwater-acclimated C. porosus hatchlings were sectioned and examined immunohistochemically for neurotransmitters within the tissue. RESULTS: Neurons containing SP, CGRP, VIP, PACAP and NO synthase were identified within C. porosus salt glands. There was no difference in the overall number (density) of neurons within SW-acclimated tissues when compared with FW-acclimated animals. However, there was a significant reduction in density of neurons containing SP and PACAP in SW-acclimated animals. CONCLUSION: C. porosus salt glands display phenotypic plasticity following exposure to hyperosmotic conditions. In addition to cholinergic and adrenergic neurons, they contain a variety of peptidergic neurotransmitters and the gaseous neurotransmitter NO. Additionally, there appears to be some evidence of acclimation of the nervous system of C. porosus to hypersaline conditions, although the functional significance of these changes remains to be determined.

Acclimatization↗

PubMed2004

The pancreas of the naked mole-rat (Heterocephalus glaber): an ultrastructural and immunocytochemical study of the endocrine component of thermoneutral and cold acclimated animals.

Endocrine cell distribution within the islets of Langerhans may vary both between species and under different energetically demanding conditions such as cold acclimation. The naked mole-rat, Heterocephalus glaber, lacking an effective insulatory pelage, is effectively a poikilotherm, yet it shows a typical mammalian cold-acclimation response by substantially increasing food intake to meet higher energy requirements when housed at lower temperatures. The endocrine component of the pancreas of thermoneutral and cold-acclimated naked mole-rats was thus characterized using immunocytochemistry and ultrastructural analyses. Four distinct endocrine cells were identified: alpha (glucagon-producing), beta (insulin-producing), delta (somatostatin-producing), and PP (pancreatic polypeptide-producing) cells. Distribution of these cells differed from that of other rodents, in that beta cells formed the mantle while alpha cells formed the core of the islets. This distribution may contribute to the observed insulin insensitivity of this species, as indicated in abnormal responses to glucose tolerance tests. Insulin-producing cells, however, were more numerous than glucagon-producing cells. This ratio was unchanged with cold acclimation. Immunoreactivity of alpha and beta cells was more intense in cold-acclimated than in thermoneutral animals, possibly indicative of a change in hormonal production in animals housed at a lower temperature.

Acclimatization↗

PubMed2002

Angiotensin converting enzyme-like activity in tissues from the river lamprey or lampern, Lampetra fluviatilis, acclimated to freshwater and seawater.

Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) or kininase II is a dipeptidyl-carboxypeptidase that converts angiotensin I (Ang I) to angiotensin II (Ang II) in the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) and inactivates bradykinin in the kallikrein-kinin system (KKS). Angiotensin converting enzyme-like activity (ACELA) has been demonstrated in a wide range of vertebrates, and only in lampreys is a lack of ACELA still suggested. Though long controversial, a lamprey RAS has recently been identified by isolation and sequencing of lamprey Ang I and the measurement of circulating plasma angiotensins. We therefore re-investigated the presence of ACE in tissues from the river lamprey or lampern, Lampetra fluviatilis, using a highly sensitive fluorimetric assay. Significant detection of ACELA was found in a wide range of lamprey tissues (brain, gill, gonad, gut, heart, liver, skeletal muscle, skin, kidney, and plasma). The mammalian ACE inhibitor captopril at 10(-5)M was an effective, but variable inhibitor of the ACELA found in most lamprey tissues. The brain contained the highest ACELA, while kidney (including urinary duct), skin, gonads, and heart only contained very low ACELA. In most tissues, ACELA was similar in lampreys acclimated to freshwater (FW) and seawater (SW). However, gut ACELA was significantly higher in lampreys acclimated to SW than in FW-acclimated lampreys. Liver, skin, and gonad ACELA was significantly lower in lampreys acclimated to SW than in FW lampreys. Male and female lampreys acclimated to FW showed similar ACELA in all tissues except the kidney (including the urinary duct), where ACELA was significantly higher in male than in female lampreys. These results indicate that ACELA, a component of the RAS and KKS, is present in tissues from one of the earliest evolved groups of vertebrates.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

PubMed2003

The acclimative response of the main light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b-protein complex of photosystem II (LHCII) to elevated irradiances at the level of trimeric subunits.

The changes in structural organization of the major light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b-protein complex of photosystem II (LHC II) at the level of trimeric subcomplexes were studied in spinach plants grown under low light conditions (50 micromol quanta m(-2) s(-1)) and then acclimated to elevated irradiances. By monitoring photochemical quenching of fluorescence yield (qP), photosystem II (PS II) functional status was assessed in leaves of plants acclimated to a range of elevated irradiances. Three separate acclimative irradiances were selected for the experiments, reflecting: limiting light conditions (150 micromol quanta m(-2) s(-1)), near to the inflexion point on the irradiance curve conditions (300 micromol quanta m(-2) s(-1)) and an excessive light, causing a moderate stress in the form of down regulation of PS II (450 micromol quanta m(-2) s(-1)). An immunoblot analysis showed that there was a clear decline in an abundance on chlorophyll basis of Lhcb1-3 apoproteins as an acclimative irradiance increased from 50 to 450 micromol quanta m(-2) s(-1), with Lhcb1 decreasing to a lesser extent than Lhcb2 and Lhcb3 (only at excessive irradiance). When analyzed by non-denaturing isoelectric focusing BBY membrane fragments (PSIIalpha-enriched, stacked thylakoid membranes) isolated from low light-grown plants were resolved into nine fractions, seven of which (labelled 3-9) were established by us previously [Jackowski and Pielucha, J. Photochem. Photobiol. B: Biol. 64 (2001) 45] to be LHC II subcomplexes representing mixed populations of closely similar trimers, comprising permutations of Lhcb1 and Lhcb2 (subcomplexes 3-7) or Lhcb1-3 (subcomplexes 8 and 9). A heterogeneity with regard to accumulation behaviour of LHC II subcomplexes in response to elevated irradiances was revealed. The subcomplexes 5 and 6 were accumulating at similar level, regardless of the light irradiance experienced. Another group consisting of the subcomplexes 3 and 4 (the most basic ones) showed a progressive increase in relative abundance with increasing an irradiance intensity whereas the subcomplexes 7-9 (the most acidic ones) exhibited a progressive decline in their relative abundance during an acclimation of spinach plants to elevated irradiances thus they may collectively represent an elevated irradiance-responsive subunit of LHCII.

Acclimatization↗