Abstract
Phototrophic organisms harbor two main bioenergetic hubs, photosynthesis and respiration, and these processes dynamically exchange and share metabolites to balance the energy of the cell. In microalgae and cyanobacteria, the crosstalk between the light-triggered reactions of photosynthesis and respiration is particularly prominent with respiratory O2 uptake which can be stimulated upon illumination. Since its discovery, this light-enhanced respiration has been proposed to be critical in dissipating the excess reducing power generated by photosynthesis. Importantly, the physiological role and putative molecular mechanism involved have just recently started to be understood. Here, we revisit the physiological functions and discuss possible molecular mechanisms of interactions between the photosynthetic and respiratory electron flows in microalgae and cyanobacteria.
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This work was supported by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS; grant no. 21K15122 to GS) and by the Carnegie Institution for Science (AB).
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This article is part of the Topical Collection: Plant Mitochondria: Properties and Interactions with Other Organelles.
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Shimakawa, G., Matsuda, Y. & Burlacot, A. Crosstalk between photosynthesis and respiration in microbes. J Biosci 49, 45 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12038-023-00417-4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12038-023-00417-4