Photosynthetic responses of Arabidopsis to SO2 were related to photosynthetic pigments, photosynthesis gene expression and redox regulation

Abstract Sulfur dioxide (SO2) is one of the most common and harmful air pollutants. High concentrations of SO2 can induce a series of defensive responses in Arabidopsis plants. However, the role of photosynthesis in the plant response to SO2 stress is not clear. Here, we report the photosynthetic responses of Arabidopsis plants to SO2 stress. Exposure to 30 mg/m3 SO2 decreased stomatal conductance (Gs) and transpiration rate (Tr) but increased photosynthetic pigments and net photosynthetic rate (Pn). The contents of carbohydrates and sucrose were not altered. The transcript levels of most genes related to photosystem II (PSII), cytochrome b6/f (Cytb6f), photosystem I (PSI) and carbon fixation were upregulated, revealing one important regulatory circuit for the maintenance of chloroplast homeostasis under SO2 stress. Exposure to SO2 triggered reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, accompanied by increases in superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and the contents of cysteine (Cys), glutathione (GSH) and non-protein thiol (NPT), which maintained cellular redox homeostasis. Together, our results indicated that chloroplast photosynthesis was involved in the plant response to SO2 stress. The photosynthetic responses were related to photosynthetic pigments, photosynthesis gene expression and redox regulation.