Simulated Analysis of Influence of Changes in H(+)-ATPase Activity and Membrane CO(2) Conductance on Parameters of Photosynthetic Assimilation in Leaves

Photosynthesis is an important process in plants which influences their development and productivity. Many factors can control the efficiency of photosynthesis, including CO(2) conductance of leaf mesophyll, which affects the CO(2) availability for Rubisco. It is known that electrical stress signals can decrease this conductance, and the response is probably caused by inactivation of H(+)-ATPase in the plasma membrane. In the current work, we analyzed the influence of both CO(2) conductance in the plasma membrane, and chloroplast envelopes and H(+)-ATPase activity on photosynthetic CO(2) assimilation, using a two-dimensional mathematical model of photosynthesis in leaves. The model included a description of assimilation on the basis of the Farquhar–von Caemmerer–Berry model, ion transport through the plasma membrane, diffusion of CO(2) in the apoplast, and transport of CO(2) through the plasma membrane and chloroplast envelope. The model showed that the photosynthetic CO(2) assimilation rate was mainly dependent on the plasma membrane and chloroplast envelope conductance; direct influence of the H(+)-ATPase activity (through changes in pH and CO(2)/HCO(3)(−) concentration ratio) on this rate was weak. In contrast, both changes in CO(2) conductance of the plasma membrane and chloroplast envelopes and changes in the H(+)-ATPase activity influenced spatial heterogeneity of the CO(2) assimilation on the leaf surface in the simulated two-dimensional system. These effects were also observed under simultaneous changes in the CO(2) conductance of the plasma membrane and H(+)-ATPase activity. Qualitatively similar influence of changes in the CO(2) conductance of the plasma membrane and chloroplast envelopes, and changes in the H(+)-ATPase activity on photosynthesis were shown for two different densities of stomata in the simulated leaf; however, lowering the density of stomata decreased the assimilation rate and increased the heterogeneity of assimilation. The results of the model analysis clarify the potential influence of H(+)-ATPase inactivation on photosynthesis, and can be the basis for development of new methods for remote sensing of the influence of electrical signals.