  We present the analysis of four XMM-Newton observations of the narrow-line
quasar PG 1543+489 at z=0.400 carried out over a rest-frame time-scale of about
three years. The X-ray spectrum is characterized by a broad, relativistic iron
K_alpha emission line and a steep photon index, which can be both explained by
a ionized reflection model, where the source of X-ray photons is presumably
very close to the black hole. If this were the case, strong light-bending
effects are expected, and actually they provide the most plausible explanation
for the large equivalent width (EW=3.1+/-0.8 keV in the source rest frame) of
the iron line. Although the light-bending model provides a good description of
the X-ray data of PG 1543+489, it is not possible to rule out an absorption
model, where obscuring matter partially covers the X-ray source. However, the
apparent lack of variations in the properties of the absorber over the
time-scale probed by our observations may indicate that this model is less
likely.
