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The occurrence, and influence on photolithotrophs, of high oxygen concentrations

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 December 2011

John A. Raven ,
Andrew M. Johnston ,
Richard Parsons  and
Janet Kübler
John A. Raven
Affiliation:
Department of Biological Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 4HN, UK
Andrew M. Johnston
Affiliation:
Department of Biological Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 4HN, UK
Richard Parsons
Affiliation:
Department of Biological Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 4HN, UK
Janet Kübler
Affiliation:
Department of Biological Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 4HN, UK
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Synopsis

Hyperoxia (O2 in solution in excess of air-equilibrium values) occurs in certain photosynthesising cells which use inorganic C concentrating mechanisms, and as a result of abiological mechanisms. Geochemical evidence suggests that the atmosphere may have had significantly higher O2 partial pressures in the past (e.g. the Upper Carboniferous) than occurs today. Biochemical effects of high O2 concentrations in solution include inhibition of RUBISCO (competitive with CO2) and nitrogenase, as well as damage caused by higher levels of toxic O species (H2O2, O2 and, especially, 1O2 and OH). The influence of high (twice the extant level) atmospheric O2 on growth of non-N2-fixers is as predicted from the properties of RUBISCO and the occurrence of inorganic C concentrating mechanisms. Acclimation of N2-fixers to twice the extant O2 level involves increased restriction on O2 diffusion to nitrogenase so that growth is not inhibited (unless the high O2 has access to the C3 photosynthesis apparatus). Evidence as to the effect of hyperoxia on quenchers and scavengers of toxic O species is equivocal. Cells exposed to high O2 probably have higher mutation rates as a result of higher levels of toxic O species, although the production and maintenance of ‘stem’ cells may occur in parts of the plants with relatively low O2 levels.

Type
Research Article
Information
Proceedings of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, Section B: Biological Sciences , Volume 102: Oxygen and Environmental Stress in Plants , 1994 , pp. 193 - 201
Copyright
Copyright © Royal Society of Edinburgh 1994

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