Ionizing radiation impacts photochemical quantum yield and oxygen evolution activity of Photosystem II in photosynthetic microorganisms.
OBJECTIVE
Long-term space exploration requires biological life support systems capable of coping with the deleterious space environment. The use of oxygenic photosynthetic microorganisms represents an intriguing topic in this context, mainly from the point of view of food and O2 production. The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of space ionizing radiation exposure on the photosynthetic activity of various microorganisms.


METHODS
Ground-based irradiation experiments were performed using fast neutrons and gamma rays on microorganisms maintained at various light conditions. A stratospheric balloon and a European Space Agency (ESA) flight facility were used to deliver organisms to space at the altitude of 38 and 300 km, respectively. During the balloon flight, the fluorescence activity of the organisms was real-time monitored by means of a special biosensor.


RESULTS
The quantum yield of Photosystem II (PSII), measured directly in flight, varied among the microorganisms depending on the light conditions. Darkness and irradiation of cells at 120 and 180 micromol m(-2) s(-1) enhanced the radiation-induced inhibition of photosynthetic activity, while exposure to weaker light irradiance of 20 and 70 micromol m(-2) s(-1) protected the cells against damage. Cell permanence in space reduced the photosynthetic growth while the oxygen evolution capacity of the cells after the flight was enhanced.


CONCLUSIONS
A potential role of PSII in capturing and utilizing ionizing radiation energy is postulated.
Rea
Giuseppina
G
IC-CNR, Area of Research of Rome, Department of Agrofood, National Research Council, Rome, Italy.
Esposito
Dania
D
Damasso
Mario
M
Serafini
Agnese
A
Margonelli
Andrea
A
Faraloni
Cecilia
C
Torzillo
Giuseppe
G
Zanini
Alba
A
Bertalan
Ivo
I
Johanningmeier
Udo
U
Giardi
Maria T
MT
D002470:Cell Survival / Q000528:radiation effects; D004579:Electron Transport / Q000528:radiation effects; D056890:Eukaryota / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D005720:Gamma Rays; D009502:Neutrons; D010100:Oxygen / Q000378:metabolism*; D010788:Photosynthesis / Q000528:radiation effects*; D045332:Photosystem II Protein Complex / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D013026:Space Flight
D045332:Photosystem II Protein Complex; D010100:Oxygen