Thylakoid plasticity primes photoprotection in diatoms

High light in diatoms triggers thylakoid topological changes that coincide with PSII-to-PSI energy spillover, strengthening photoprotection alongside antenna NPQ and oxygen-evolving complex detachment.

• Why it matters: Diatoms must rapidly balance light harvesting and energy dissipation under fluctuating coastal light, but the coordinated mechanisms enabling this regulation remain unclear.
• What they did: The study identifies three linked processes during light stress: oxygen-evolving complex detachment from PSII, antenna NPQ via thermal dissipation, and PSII→PSI spillover associated with thylakoid remodeling.
• The result: Together with longer-term buildup of light-stress-protecting carotenoids, this mechanism ensemble supports a dynamic, flexible response to coastal marine light challenges.

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