Dynamic Acclimation to High Light in Arabidopsis thaliana Involves Widespread Reengineering of the Leaf Proteome

Typically, when fully developed leaves of Arabidopsis thaliana are exposed to an increase in light intensity, they are able to increase their photosynthetic capacity in a process known as dynamic acclimation. Fully developed leaves of Arabidopsis thaliana were exposed to a fourfold increase in light intensity for 7 days to induce high light acclimation. This treatment was subjected to wild-type and a non-acclimating mutant lacking the gpt2 gene. The proteomic responses of the leaves were investigated using label-free mass spectrometry. A large reorganisation of the proteome was shown, with increases in the abundance of proteins of photosynthesis and carbon metabolism. Subtle differences were seen between the WT and gpt2 mutant: in the mutant, an increased stress response was seen, and some differences in the responses of metabolism. Proteomic responses generally correlated with physiological responses.