A Natural qE- and qZ-Deficient Alga Retains Functional Plant-Like and Chlorophycean Violaxanthin De-Epoxidases
Karina W Cunningham, Setsuko Wakao, Johanna Hall, Crysten Blaby, Rituparna Ivatury, Lucy Gleeson, Derrick Chuang, Jane J. Kim, Jeffrey L Moseley, Graham R. Fleming, Krishna Niyogi
This paper identifies two functional xanthophyll-cycle enzymes in a green alga that lacks typical pigment dynamics for photoprotection, revealing alternative NPQ mechanisms.
bioRxiv · Oct 2, 2026 · PreprintPlant Biology