Coordinated high-light response of genes encoding subunits of photosystem I is achieved by AT-rich upstream sequences in the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp strain PCC 6803

Genes encoding subunits of photosystem I (PSI genes) in the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. strain PCC 6803 are actively transcribed under low-light conditions, whereas their transcription is coordinately and rapidly down-regulated upon the shift to high-light conditions. In order to identify the molecular mechanism of the coordinated high-light response, we searched for common light-responsive elements in the promoter region of PSI genes. First, the precise architecture of the psaD promoter was determined and compared with the previously identified structure of the psaAB promoter. One of two promoters of the psaAB genes (P1) and of the psaD gene (P2) possessed an AT-rich light-responsive element located just upstream of the basal promoter region. These sequences enhanced the basal promoter activity under low-light conditions, and their activity was transiently suppressed upon the shift to high-light conditions. Subsequent analysis of psaC, psaE, psaK1, and psaL1 promoters revealed that their light response was also achieved by AT-rich sequences located at the -70 to -46 region. These results clearly show that AT-rich upstream elements are responsible for the coordinated high-light response of PSI genes dispersed throughout Synechocystis genome.