The Effect of Protein Synthesis Inhibitors on Recovery of Photodamaged Photosystem II in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 Lacking PsbM or PsbT

Removal of either PsbM or PsbT in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 enhances the susceptibility of cells to photodamage which can be repaired in low light in a protein-synthesis-dependent manner. Our results indicate that a population of inactive photosystem II centers accumulates during high light exposure in wild type and the ▵PsbM mutant that are activated upon returning cells to low light. Activation requires a protein synthesis step that is inhibited by chloramphenicol but not by lincomycin. In contrast, cells lacking PsbT are rapidly inactivated in high light and subsequent recovery is blocked by the addition of either chloramphenicol or lincomycin.