Changes in photosynthetic metabolism induced by tobamovirus infection in Nicotiana benthamiana studied in vivo by thermoluminescence

In thylakoids from Nicotiana benthamiana infected with the pepper mild mottle virus (PMMoV), a decreased amount of the PsbP and PsbQ proteins of photosystem II and different proteins of the Calvin cycle have been previously observed. We used thermoluminescence to study the consequences in vivo. Measurements on unfrozen discs from symptomatic and asymptomatic leaves of plants infected by two tobamovirus PMMoV-S and PMMoV-I strains were compared with homologous samples in control plants. Thermoluminescence emission did not reveal noticeable alteration of PSII electron transfer activity in infected symptomatic leaves. In these leaves, the relative intensity of the 'afterglow' emission indicated an increase of the NADPH + ATP assimilatory potential, contrasting with its decrease in asymptomatic leaves. High-temperature thermoluminescence, as a result of peroxides, increased in symptomatic and asymptomatic leaves. In young infected leaves, PSII activity is preserved, producing a high assimilatory potential. Older asymptomatic leaves export more nutrients towards young infected leaves. This depresses their assimilatory potential and weakens their defence mechanisms against reactive oxygen species, resulting in higher peroxide content.