Alizée Malnoë

Date & Time: October 14, 2024, at 4 pm

Location: BCH 101

Zoom: https://msu.zoom.us/j/91993518218?pwd=SzN0Umd0dElSblVSOGJEY2U0UzJJdz09
Meeting ID: 919 9351 8218
Passcode: 028299

Host: Josh Vermaas

About the Speaker

Institution: University of Indiana

Subject: Regulation and mechanism of qH-energy dissipation in Arabidopsis

Abstract: Photosynthesis is of critical importance, as it provides the energy that drives food, feedstock and biofuel production and mitigates climate change. The balance of light harvesting and dissipation by photosynthetic organisms is key for protection against photodamage and its manipulation can lead to gains in biomass. My group seeks to understand how this balance is established by studying the molecular mechanisms of photoprotection. We use genetics, molecular biology, biochemistry, structural biology and biophysics to discover new biological regulation of energy dissipation and its photophysical properties Energy dissipation through processes referred to as nonphotochemical quenching of chlorophyll fluorescence protects photosynthetic organisms from excess light. Previously in Arabidopsis, we have identified factors which modulate a sustained form of energy dissipation that we termed qH. Its activation requires the plastid lipocalin (LCNP) whereas suppressor of quenching1 (SOQ1) inhibits LCNP and a short-chain dehydrogenase reductase is involved in the relaxation of qH (ROQH1). Strikingly qH-deficient plants bleach under excess light while constitutive activation of qH causes severe light-limitation and a stunted phenotype. We are investigating the function of these factors, and newly identified ones, in repressing, turning on or off qH a the transcriptional, structural and post-translational levels. I will present our recent data highlighting the regulatory function of SOQ1 and LCNP and the properties of isolated qH-energy dissipative antennae.