EVIDENCE FOR A SEQUENTIAL PATHWAY FROM Pr TO Pfr OF THE PHOTOTRANSFORMATION OF 124-kDa OAT PHYTOCHROME

Abstract. Phototransformation kinetics of 124-kDa oat phytochrome at 298 K after a red (660-nm) laser flash excitation were recorded at different wavelengths. The kinetics of the dark relaxation processes for lumi-R to P_fr can be satisfactorily described by only 3 rate constants: k = 28000 s^-1 370 s^-1 and 20 s^-1. The first rate constant is due to the decay of lumi-R to meta -Ra. The latter two rate constants correspond to processes establishing the far-red (>700 nm) absorption band. No meta -Rb could be detected. From the wavelength dependency of the amplitudes of these two rates, parallel pathways in the formation of P_fr could be excluded. A unique sequential pathway for the dark relaxation leading to P_fr seems to be an intrinsic property of 124-kDa phytochrome, however. Assuming a sequential pathway, molar extinction coefficients for intermediates have been calculated. These values agree with molar extinction coefficients obtained from low-temperature spectra. The process with a rate constant of 370 s^-1 corresponds to absorbance changes for the formation of meta -Rc from meta -Ra and the rate constant of 20 s^-1 describes the absorbance changes due to the transformation of meta -Rc to P_fr.     

CONCENTRATION-DEPENDENT LIFETIMES OF Cu(NN)+2 SYSTEMS: EXCIPLEX QUENCHING FROM THE ION PAIR STATE

Abstract— The concentration dependence of the lifetimes of the charge transfer excited states of Cu(dmp)⁺₂ and Cu(dpp) ⁺₂ has been investigated in CH₂C1₂ solution at 20^°C. (dmp denotes 2,9-dimethyf-1,10-phenanthroline, and dpp denotes 2,9-diphenyl-l,10-phenanthroline.) In dilute solution (< 30 μM) the lifetime of Cu(dmp)⁺₂, is 95 ± 5 ns, independent of the anion. At higher concentrations the lifetime decreases, in most cases, to a limiting value that depends upon the counterion. The measured limiting lifetimes range from 38 ± 3 ns for CIO^-₄ to 78 ± 5 ns for PF^-₆. The anion-induced quenching is attributed to exciplex quenching which is mediated by an ion pair which exists in the ground state. The results imply that the quenching ability of the anions follows the order BPh-₄ < PF -₆, < BF-₄ < CIO -₄ < NO-₃ which is consistent with previous estimates of donor strength. The lifetime of Cu(dpp)⁺₂ is also concentration dependent, but the effect is much smaller because the phenyl substituents impede attack by the anion.     

PHOTOINACTIVATION OF A Chlamydomonas MUTANT(NL–11) IN THE PRESENCE OF METHIONINE: ROLES OF H2O2 and O-2

Abstract— A mutant of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii (NL–11) isolated from a wild type (137c+) was inactivated in the light in the presence of methionine at concentrations where the wild type was not inactivated. The inactivation was suppressed by either catalase or superoxide dismutase (SOD). Light-induced H₂O₂ formation and nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) reduction inNL–11 were greater than those in the wild type. Methionine stimulated both the H₂O₂ formation and the NBT reduction inNL–11 as well as the wild type. The light-induced NBT reduction inNL–11 in the presence of methionine was partially suppressed by externally added SOD suggesting the participation of O^-₂. These results suggest that the hypersensitivity ofNL–11 to methionine in the light is due to stimulated formation of H₂O₂ and O^-₂.     

A PHYTOCHROME STUDY USING TWO-LASER/TWO-COLOR FLASH PHOTOLYSIS: I700 IS A MANDATORY INTERMEDIATE IN THE PrPfr PHOTOTRANSFORMATION

Abstract— The phototransformation of native (124 kDa)oat phytochrome, P_r P_fr, Has been studied at 10C by two laser/ two-color flash photolysis. the overall P_rP_fr reaction yield did not vary with temperature within the range4–21C. Foloeing the excitation of P_r with a single 15 ns laser flash at 650nm, the formation of P_fr was quantitavely measured in a time-resolved experiment in the presence of a second 8 ns laser flash at 710 nm delayed from the initial flash. the second laser flash causes at 1.0 s after the initial laser flash a depletion of the uintermediate I₇₀₀ as welll as a reduction of the P_fr absorption at 730 nm. The depletion of I₇₀₀ correlates quantitavely with the reduction of P_fr formation. The absorpton spectra of I₇₀₀ and of the following intermendiate, I_bi, were calculated assuming that the amount of P_r, which is photoconverted by a single laser, equals the amount of P_fr formed.     

RESONANCE RAMAN SPECTRA OF THE Pr-FORM OF PHYTOCHROME

Abstract— Resonance Raman spectra of the P_r-form of oat phytochrome have been obtained at 77 K. Interference from phytochrome fluorescence is avoided by employing far-red 752 nm excitation. Vibrational assignments are suggested for the tetrapyrrole chromophore in phytochrome by comparison with previously published model compound spectra and by examining the characteristic shifts induced by deuteration of the pyrrole nitrogens. The lack of carbonyl intensity, the frequencies of the 1626 and 1644 cm^-1 C=C stretching modes, and the presence of an intense mode at 1326 cm^-1 are all consistent with a protonated structure for the tetrapyrrole chromophore in P_r. This suggests that the -50 nm red-shift of the protein-bound chromophore absorption compared to the chromophore in vitro is caused by protonation of the pyrrole nitrogen.     

A PULSE RADIOLYSIS STUDY OF THE ONE-ELECTRON OXIDATION AND REDUCTION OF 5, 10-METHENYLTETRAHYDROFOLATE

Abstract— The one-electron reduction and oxidation of 5,10-methenyltetrahydrofolate has been studied in aqueous solution in the acidity range H₀= -1 to pH = 7 using the reducing species CO^-₂ and (CH₃)₂-COH and oxidising species Br^-₂, and H₂SeO+₃. The spectral and other properties of the radicals so formed were found to be indcpendent of the reductant/oxidant used. Two protolytic forms of both the oxidised and reduced radicals were observed with approximate p K , values of 0.5 ± 0.3 being determined. Both the bridged form (5.10-methenyltetrahydrofolate) and the unbridged form (5- formyltetrahydrofolate) were found to be easily oxidised, whereas only the former could be reduced.     

DEPENDENCE OF Pfr/Ptot-RATIOS ON LIGHT QUALITY and LIGHT QUANTITY

Abstract— Not only the spectral distribution of the light source determines the relative proportion of phytochrome in the P_fr(P_r) form, the P_fr/P_tot-ratio also depends strongly on the fluence rate of the irradiation. This dependence has been observed in the cotyledons of etiolated mustard seedlings for blue light of fluence rates below 20 Wm_-2. It has also been observed for white light and seems to be a characteristic of the phytochrome system resulting from the involvement of phytochrome thermal reactions as well as P_r P_fr photoconversions. The fluence rate dependence of P_fr/P_tot-ratios can be used to analyze the characteristic transformations of the phytochrome system. Phototransformations together with a fast thermal transformation (τ_½⋍ 3min) are consistent with the results obtained for blue and white light.     

PHYTOCHROME INTERMEDIATES IN VIVO– III KINETIC ANALYSIS OF INTERMEDIATE REACTIONS AT LOW TEMPERATURE

Abstract— Kinetic experiments have provided evidence for a series of light and dark reactions of phytochrome intermediates at low temperature in Pisum epicotyl tissue. A photoequilibrium exists between P_r and P₆₉₈, and between P_fr and P₆₅₀. A dark reversion of P₆₉₈P_r and P₆₅₀p_fr at –70°C has been demonstrated. When cooled to 70°C under incandescent light, most of the phytochrome in the tissue is driven into photochemically unreactive intermediates. About 2% of the phytochrome remains as weakly absorbing intermediates that form P_r and P_fr in darkness. A scheme is presented for phytochrome phototransformation in vivo.     

ON THE PRIMARY PHOTOPROCESS OF 124-kdalton PHYTOCHROME

The photoreaction between P_τ and the first detectable intermediate, lumi-R, of 124-kdalton oat phytochrome has been investigated at low temperatures. The temperature dependence of the quantum yields of the photoreactions, P_τ to lumi-R and lumi-R to P_τ, has been determined. From measurements over a temperature range from 119 to 155 K, an activation barrier of 3.6 ± 0.5 kJ mol ₁ is found for the photoreaction of P_τ with 661-nm actinic light. A higher value (5.7 ± 0.7 kJ mol ^-1) is found for the photoreaction of lumi-R to P^τ. with 698-nm actinic light. Increased quantum yields are found in deuterated buffer solutions at low temperatures. The activation energies for deuterated phytochrome (3.2 ± 0.7 kJ mol^–1 for P_τ with 661-nm irradiation and 6.2 ± 1.2 kJ mol^-1 for lumi-R at 698-nm irradiation) are identical within the limits of error with those of protonated phytochrome. The lack of a deuterium effect for the activation energies favors the Z,E-isomerization rather than proton transfer or tautomerization for the chromophore photochemistry during P_τ⇄lumi-R conversion.     

INDEPENDENT EFFECTS OF PHYTOCHROME AND NITRATE ON NITRATE REDUCTASE AND NITRITE REDUCTASE ACTIVITIES IN MAIZE

Abstract— Involvement of phytochrome in the regulation of nitrate reductase (NR) and nitrite reductase (NIR) activities in excised, etiolated leaves of Zea mays (L.) variety 'Ganga-5' is demonstrated using low energy and high irradiance responses of phytochrome action. Photoreversibility by far-red light of red light stimulated increases in NR and NIR activities was lost by 2 h. Red light given to the leaves, when induction by NO^-₃, was saturated, further increased both enzyme activities. Even if red light was given 4–8 h before NO^-₃, it still increased both NR and NIR activities.     

ELIMINATION OF THE EFFECT OF CONTAMINATING CO2 IN THE 18O-LABELING OF THE CO2 PRODUCED IN BIOLUMINESCENT REACTIONS

Abstract— Although the mechanism of bioluminescent reactions in various species, such as fireflies, ostracod crustaceans ( Cypridina ), sea pansies ( Renilla ), and the deep-sea shrimp Oplophorus , are thought to involve dioxetanone intermediates, studies reported in the past from different laboratories have included widely different experimental results, most likely due to various factors including the effects of contaminating CO₂. With the improved technique employed in the present study, bioluminescent reactions of the firefly and Cypridina in ¹⁸O₂ gas resulted in an incorporation of over 75% of ¹⁸O into one oxygen of the product CO₂. with a reproducibility within a few per cent. When ¹³CO₂. instead of the product CO₂ of the bioluminescent reaction, was studied in an H₂¹⁸O medium, the exchange of one oxygen of ¹³CO₂ with H₂O was 64%. and the effect of contaminant CO₂ amounted to 1418% of the total CO₂. These results suggest that every molecule of CO₂ formed in the bioluminescent reactions of the firefly and Cypridina had intially contained 1 oxygen atom derived from O₂.     

REEVALUATION OF THE SPECTRAL AND KINETIC PROPERTIES OF HO2 AND O2- FREE RADICALS

Abstract— The spectra and molar absorbances of the HO₂ and O₂^- free radicals have been redetermined in aqueous formate solutions by pulse and stopped-flow radiolysis as well as by ⁶⁰Co gamma-ray studies. The extinction coefficients at the corresponding maxima and 23°C are ²²⁵= 1400 ± 80 M ^-1 cm^-1 and ²²⁵= 2350 ± 120 M ^-1 cm^-1 respectively. Reevaluation of earlier published rate data in terms of the new extinction coefficients yielded the following rate constants for the spontaneous decay of HO₂ and O₂^-: K _Ho2+HO2= (8.60 ± 0.62) × 10⁵ M ^-1 s^-1; K _Ho2+O2-= (1.02 ± 0.49) × 10⁸ M ^-1 s^-1; K _Ho2+O2- < 0.35 M ^-1 s^-1. For the equilibrium HO₂→ O₂^-+ H⁺ the dissociation constant is K _Ho2= (2.05 ± 0.39) × 10^-5 M or p K _HO2= 4.69 ± 0.08. G (O₂^-) has been evaluated as a function of formate concentration.     

THE SUPEROXIDE ANION AS ELECTRON DONOR TO THE MITOCHONDRIAL ELECTRON TRANSPORT CHAIN

Abstract— In isolated respiratory multienzyme complexes of beef heart mitochondria the b -type cytochromes can be photoreduced in presence of flavin via the superoxide anion. O^-₂ does not reduce cytochrome c ₁. In an anaerobic system, FMNH₂ formed by irradiation with blue light in presence of EDTA reduces cytochromes b and c ₁ The possible implication of O^-₂ in the electron transfer from flavin/flavoprotein to cytochrome b in blue light-controlled biological processes is discussed.     

GAMMA AND PULSE RADIOLYSIS STUDIES OF THE REACTION BETWEEN SUPEROXIDE IONS AND OXYHEMOGLOBIN-METHEMOGLOBIN SYSTEM

Abstract— The radiolytic studies of oxyhemoglobin or methemoglobin in neutral aerated aqueous solutions with formate ions, lead to three conclusions:
The oxidation of oxyhemoglobin by O^-₂ is not important. The observed low oxidation yield is probably due to the slow reaction with hydrogen peroxide produced by O^-₂ disproportionation.
The reduction of methemoglobin in γ radiolysis reaches a plateau which could be explained by structural considerations.
The reduction of methemoglobin by O^-₂ ions, if it occurs, is relatively slow: k = 1.4 × 10³ M ^-1 s^-1. But a problem remains concerning the spectral characteristics of the product.     

PHOTOSYNTHETIC NITRITE REDUCTION BY DITHIOERYTHRITOL AND THE EFFECT OF NITRITE ON ELECTRON TRANSPORT IN ISOLATED CHLOROPLASTS

Abstract. Photosynthetic reduction of nitrite to ammonia with type C chloroplasts from the heterocont alga Bumilleriopsis filiformis was investigated using 3,6-diaminodurene/ascorbate and 3,6-diaminodurene/dithioerythritol (DAD/DTE) as electron donor couple. Rates approach 6–10 μmol NO^-₂ reduced/mg chlorophyll/h and are steady for up to 30 min. The presence of oxygen or NADP⁺ only slightly diminished the rates of nitrite reduction obtained with DAD/DTE. Illuminated chloroplasts reduce oxygen in the presence of DAD/DTE at 135 μmol/mg chlorophyll/h without acceptor supplied. Photosynthetic oxygen uptake by this system in the presence of ferredoxin and NO^-₂, however, is inhibited to 42% by nitrite reductase with concurrent nitrite reduction. NO^-₃ and NO^-₂ have no effect on photosystem I-mediated NADP⁺ reduction, NO^-₂ (10 m M ) inhibits ferricyanide-mediated oxygen evolution to 72%. Also photosystem II reactions assayed e.g. with silicomolybdate are inhibited significantly by NO^-₂ (1 m M ), but only slightly by NO^-₃. Nitrite reductase is inhibited by p -chloromercuribenzoate ( p CMB), and this inhibition is prevented by DTE. Results suggest that photosynthetic nitrite reduction can cope with low concentrations of either compound, provided relevant thiol groups are protected.     

SPECTRAL FEATURES OF THE BOUND ELECTRON ACCEPTOR A2 OF PHOTOSYSTEM I

Abstract— Difference spectrum for the reduction of A₂, a bound secondary electron acceptor of photo-system I, in the thylakoid membranes of a thermophilic blue-green alga, Synechococcus sp., was determined by subtracting the difference spectrum of P700 photooxidation from the difference spectrum for flash-induced absorption changes due to oxidation of P700 and reduction of A₂, or by measuring light-induced absorption changes under reducing conditions where reduced A₂ accumulates. The spectrum showing a broad bleaching with two maxima at 420 and 440 nm indicates that A₂ is an iron-sulfur center different from P430.     

Recombinant Phytochrome of the Moss Ceratodon purpureus: Heterologous Expression and Kinetic Analysis of Pr→ Pfr Conversion

Abstract— The phytochrome-encoding gene Cerpu;PHY;2 ( CP2 ) of the moss Ceratodon purpureus was heterologously expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a polyhistidine-tagged apoprotein and assembled with phytochromobilin (P φ B) and phycocyanobilin (PCB). Nickel-affinity chromatography yielded a protein fraction containing approximately 80% phytochrome. The holoproteins showed photoreversibility with both chromophores. Difference spectra gave maxima at 644/716 nm (red-absorbing phytochrome [P_r]) far-red-absorbing phytochrome [P_fr]) for the PCB adduct, and 659/724 nm for the PφB-adduct, the latter in close agreement with values for phytochrome extracted from Ceratodon itself, implying that PφB is the native chromophore in this moss species. Immunoblots stained with the antiphytochrome antibody APC1 showed that the recombinant phytochrome had the same molecular size as phytochrome from Ceratodon extracts. Further, the mobility of recombinant CP2 holophyto-chrome on native size-exclusion chromatography was similar to that of native oat phytochrome, implying that CP2 forms a dimer. Kinetics of absorbance changes during the P_r→ P_fr photoconversion of the PCB adduct, monitored between 620 and 740 nm in the microsecond range, revealed the rapid formation of a red-shifted intermediate (I₇₀o)> decaying with a time constant of - 110 u.s. This is similar to the behavior of phytochromes from higher plants when assembled with the same chromophore. When following the formation of the P_fr state, two major processes were identified (with time constants of 3 and 18 ms) that are followed by slow reactions in the range of 166 ms and 8 s, respectively, albeit with very small amplitudes.     

CIRCULAR DICHROISM OF THE PHYTOCHROME CHROMOPHORES IN NATIVE AND DENATURED STATE

Abstract— The circular dichroism spectra of oat phytochrome were recorded. Qualitatively, the same spectra were found for large (360 kilodaltons) and small (60 kilodaltons) phytochrome. Quantitative CD data were reported for small P_r and P_fr (photoequilibrium mixture with 20% P_r) in tris buffer (native state) and in acid urea (denatured state). Further, the CD spectra of a phytochromobilinpeptide in acid solution with and without urea were recorded. Differences between the data in native and denatured state are discussed.     

THERMODYNAMIC FUNCTIONS FOR SINGLET MOLECULAR OXYGEN, O2(1△g) and O2 (1σ8+)

Abstract— A correction is offered to the approximate values previously given by Mendenhall (1978) for the enthalpy of formation and entropy of O₂(a₁Δ_g) and O₂(b₁₊) between 298 and 1500 K. Accurate values have been calculated for the functions together with the equilibrium constants for the formation of these species from O₂(X₃σ_g-).     

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PHYTOCHROME PHOTOCONVERSION and RESPONSE

Abstract— The action of phytochrome on appearance of NADH-dependent glutamate synthase (NADH-GOGAT) and ferredoxin-dependent glutamate synthase (Fd-GOGAT) was studied in the cotyledons of the mustard ( Sinapis alba L.) seedling. It was found that the [P_fr]-response curves are composed of two branches with two very different slopes (a₁ a₂). This explains the biphasic fiuence response curves reported previously. While a, is the same with both enzymes, a, is much higher in NADH-GOGAT than in Fd-GOGAT. However, the transition from the high (a₁) to the low (a₁) slope occurs at the same P_fr/P_tot ratio irrespective of the steepness of a₁ While the appearance of NADH-GOGAT is very sensitive to small amounts of P_rr (high a₁), the response is not sensitive to the "High Irradiance Reaction" (HIR) of phytochrome. On the other hand, appearance of Fd-GOGAT (relatively low a₁) exhibits the usual HIR. It is concluded that the presently available models of phytochrome action, including the dimeric model, are not adequate to account for the actual data. At present it appears that a multiplicity of primary actions of phytochrome exist, and that it is the availability of the primary reactant (X, _1,2,3) which determines transduction or non-transduction of the phytochrome signal.