Responses of photosynthetic apparatus of the halotolerant microalga Dunalliella maritima to hyperosmotic salt shock

Chlorophyll fluorescence induction curves were used as a means to assess the functional condition of the photosynthetic apparatus in cells of the halotolerant green microalga Dunaliella maritima (Massjuk) (division Chlorophyta) exposed to hyperosmotic salt shock of various intensities. The shock was caused by the transfer of algal cells grown in the medium with 0.5 M NaCl to the media with elevated NaCl concentrations (1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 M). Parameters of chlorophyll fluorescence (F 0, F m, F 0′, F t′) were measured by means of a specialized pulse-amplitude-modulation fluorometer PAM 2100. In addition, the rate of photosynthetic oxygen evolution as well as the intracellular Na+ and glycerol content (the main osmolyte in this microalga) were determined. The hyperosmotic salt shock was found to elevate the intracellular Na+ content and reduce the functional activity of PSII in D. maritima. The suppression of PSII activity was evident from the decrease in the maximal quantum yield of photochemical energy conversion in PSII, the decreased rate of linear electron transport, the increased reduction of the primary acceptor QA, and the suppression of photosynthetic O2 evolution. The functional activity of PSII recovered gradually along with restoration of osmotic and ionic balance in algal cells. It is proposed that PSI ensures energy supply during cell responses of D. maritima to hyperosmotic salt shock.