HETEROGENEITY OF THE QUINONE ELECTRON ACCEPTOR SYSTEM IN BACTERIAL REACTION CENTERS

Abstract— In reaction centers from Rhodopseudomonas viridis, biphasicity of the charge recombination kinetics between P⁺, the primary electron donor, and Q_A and Q_B^-, the primary and secondary quinone electron acceptors, respectively, have been analyzed by the flash-induced absorption change technique. We have studied the effect of quinone environment modifications on the ratio of the two phases for the P⁺Q_A- ([A_fast/A_slow]^a) and P⁺Q_B^- ([A_fast/A_slow]^b) charge recombination processes. In reaction centers from Rps. viridis reconstituted in phosphatidylcholine liposomes a notable influence of the nature of the Q_B pocket occupancy was observed on (A_fast/A_slow)^a. This ratio is much affected by the presence of o-phenanthroline compared to reaction centers with an empty Q_B pocket or with terbutryn present. Because o-phenanthroline was proposed to hydrogen bind His^L190, whereas terbutryn does not, we suggest that a His^LI90-Fe-His^M217 (the equivalent to His^LI90 in the Q_A pocket) “wire” may be involved in the existence of the two conformational states associated with the two phases of charge recombination. In chromat-ophores from the T₁ (Ser^L223→ Ala; Arg^L217→ His) and T₄ (Tyr^L222→ Phe) mutants no modification of the (A_fast/A_slow)^a ratio is detected, whereas the (A_fast/A_slow)^b ratios are substantially modified compared to the wild type (WT). In the T₃ mutant (Phe^L216→ Ser; Val^M263→ Phe [4.1 Å apart from Q_A]), (A_fast/A_slow)^a is notably changed compared to the WT. Our data show that any modification in the close protein environment of the quinones and/or of the His^L190 and His^M217 affects the equilibrium between the two reaction center states. This is consistent with the existence of two reaction center states from Rps. viridis, associated with two different conformations of the quinones-histidines-iron system. This “wire” allows both quinone protein pockets to interact over quite long distances.     

Ubiquinol formation in isolated photosynthetic reaction centres monitored by time-resolved differential FTIR in combination with 2D correlation spectroscopy and multivariate curve resolution

Two-dimensional correlation analysis was carried out in combination with multivariate curve resolution–alternating least squares (MCR-ALS) to analyse time-resolved infrared (IR) difference spectra probing photo-induced ubiquinol formation in detergent-isolated reaction centres from Rhodobacter sphaeroides. The dynamic 2D IR correlation spectra have not only allowed the determination of the concomitance or non-concomitance of different chemical events through known marker bands but also have helped identify new vibrational bands related to the complex series of photochemical and redox reactions. In particular, a strong positive band located at 1565 cm⁻¹ was found to be synchronous with the process of ubiquinol formation. In addition, a tailored MCR-ALS analysis was performed using a priori chemical knowledge of the system, in particular including the pure spectrum of one species obtained from an external measurement. Enhancing the MCR-ALS performance in this way in time-dependent processes is relevant, especially when other essential pieces of information, such as kinetic models, are unavailable. The results give evidence of four independent spectral contributions. Three of them show marker bands for a monoelectronic reduction of the primary quinone Q_A (Q_A⁻/Q_A transition, first contribution), for a monoelectronic reduction of a secondary quinone Q_B (Q_B⁻/Q_B transition, second contribution) and for ubiquinol formation (third contribution). The results obtained also confirm that a key rate-limiting factor is the slow ubiquinone and ubiquinol exchange among micelles, which strongly influences the kinetic profiles of the involved species.     

LASER PHOTOLYSIS STUDIES OF QUINONE REDUCTION BY CHLOROPHYLL a IN ALCOHOL SOLUTION

Upon laser photolysis of chlorophyll-quinone solutions in ethanol, transients due to the chlorophyll triplet state (C_t), the chlorophyll cation radical (C⁺) and the semiquinone radical (Q^-) can be observed. The rise of Q^- parallels the decay of C_t. demonstrating the precursor role of the triplet. The decay of C⁺ is second order, consistent with reverse electron transfer, and has a rate constant which is independent of quinone potential, and an activation energy of 14kJ/mol due mainly to the temperature dependence of solvent viscosity. Triplet quenching and C⁺ yield are found to decrease with decreasing quinone potential.     

DETERMINATION OF THE BINDING CONSTANT OF H14 CO−3 TO THE PHOTOSYSTEM II COMPLEX IN MAIZE CHLOROPLASTS: EFFECTS OF INHIBITORS AND LIGHT

The binding (dissociation) constant for HCO^?₃ to the photosystem II complex in maize chloroplasts is approximately 80 μM. One HCO^?₃ binds per 500–600 chlorophyll molecules. In the dark, formate is a competitive inhibitor of HCO^?₃ binding, while 3-(3′,4′-dichlorophenyl)-1, 1-dimethylurea (DCMU) inhibits HCO^?₃ binding non-competitively. Light decreases HCO^?₃ binding in the presence of formate. Light increases the binding of HCO^?₃ in the presence of DCMU. The high binding constant for HCO, discriminates strongly among the various hypotheses attempting to explain the “bicarbonate-effect” on photosystem II. The proposal by Stemler and Jursinic (Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 221, 227–237 1983), that HCO^?₃ is one of a class of monovalent anionic inhibitors of photosystem II, is favored. These anions compete for a specific binding site on the photosystem II complex.     

THERMOLUMINESCENCE and OXYGEN EVOLUTION FROM A THERMOPHILIC BLUE-GREEN ALGA OBTAINED AFTER SINGLE-TURNOVER LIGHT FLASHES*

Abstract— Oxygen evolution and thermoluminescence (TL) studies on a thermophilic blue-green alga Synechococcus vulcanus Copeland revealed the following: (a) The deactivations of the S₃ and S₂ states of the Oxygen Evolving Complex, at room temperature, have half-times of ～200 and 75 s, respectively, instead of 30 and 20 s found in mesophilic plants, (b) The TL band(s) “B”, due to the recombination of the state S₂ or S₃ and Q_B, the reduced secondary quinone acceptor, is(are) at50–55°C instead of25–30°C; the intensity of this band oscillates with a period of 4 with maxima on the 2nd and the 6th flashes, (c) The TL band “D” in the presence of diuron, due to the recombination of S₂ and the reduced primary quinone acceptor Q_A,^? occurs at ～35°C instead of0–10°C. (d) Furthermore, the ratio of Q_B^? to Q_B in dark-adapted S. vulcanus cells is close to 1 as in intact spinach leaves, but not 0.43 as in isolated thylakoids from spinach.     

THE EFFECT OF PERIPHERAL SUBSTITUTION ON THE BATHOCHROMIC SHIFT OF THE Qy TRANSITION OF BACTERIOCHLOROPHYLL DIMERS; in vitro MODELS OF THE PROTEIN EFFECT ON THE SPECTRUM OF PIGMENT CENTERS IN THE LIGHT-HARVESTING COMPLEXES*

Abstract— The effect of chemical modifications in the side groups of the isocyclic ring V on the formation, optical absorption and circular dichroism of bacteriochlorophyll (Bchl) dimers was examined in a mixture of formamide and water containing TritonX–100 and variable amounts of pyridine. Substitution of the carbomethoxy group in the C13² position with a hydrogen atom, had no effect on the dimerization constant but increased the shift of the Q_y transition by 1000 cm^-1 with respect to the native Bchl. Substitution of the C13 hydrogen atom with OH decreased the shift of the Q_y transition by 400 cm^-1. The similarity between the spectra of the modified Bchl dimers and Bchl dimers in vivo indicates that protein binding to the side groups at Bchl dimers may profoundly affect the energy of their Q_y transition but have minor effects on the Q_y transitions of the monomelic Bchl.     

The α-Effect and Competing Mechanisms: The Gas-Phase Reactions of Microsolvated Anions with Methyl Formate

The enhanced reactivity of α-nucleophiles, which contain an electron lone pair adjacent to the reactive site, has been demonstrated in solution and in the gas phase and, recently, for the gas-phase S_N2 reactions of the microsolvated HOO^–(H₂O) ion with methyl chloride. In the present work, we continue to explore the significance of microsolvation on the α-effect as we compare the gas-phase reactivity of the microsolvated α-nucleophile HOO^–(H₂O) with that of microsolvated normal alkoxy nucleophiles, RO^–(H₂O), in reactions with methyl formate, where three competing reactions are possible. The results reveal enhanced reactivity of HOO^–(H₂O) towards methyl formate, and clearly demonstrate the presence of an overall α-effect for the reactions of the microsolvated α-nucleophile. The association of the nucleophiles with a single water molecule significantly lowers the degree of proton abstraction and increases the S_N2 and B_AC2 reactivity compared with the unsolvated analogs. HOO^–(H₂O) reacts with methyl formate exclusively via the B_AC2 channel. While microsolvation lowers the overall reaction efficiency, it enhances the B_AC2 reaction efficiency for all anions compared with the unsolvated analogs. This may be explained by participation of the solvent water molecule in the B_AC2 reaction in a way that continuously stabilizes the negative charge throughout the reaction.

FLASH PHOTOLYSIS-ELECTRON SPIN RESONANCE STUDIES OF THE DYNAMICS OF PHOTOSYSTEM I IN GREEN-PLANT PHOTOSYNTHESIS—II. INTACT AND BROKEN SPINACH CHLOROPLASTS*

Abstract —The transient oxidation and subsequent reduction of P700⁺ in spinach chloroplasts has been monitored by flash photolysis-electron spin resonance spectroscopy in the presence of various donors and acceptors. In general, the results obtained correlate well with results on Photosystem I subchloroplast particles, with two major differences. For Type A and B intact chloroplasts in the presence of 3-(3, 4-dichlorophenyl)-1, 1-dimethylurea (DCMU), the electron acceptor methyl viologen has no effect on the decay kinetics. This phenomenon is interpreted in terms of a functioning cyclic electron flow path around Photosystem I. Also, the photoresponse of Signal I depends on the length of the photolyzing flash. This is interpreted in terms of the existence of a primary electron donor to P700⁺ with a transfer time of ? 10 μs.     

Theoretical investigation of the rates of electron transfer processes Q−I + QII → QI + Q−II and Q−I + Q−II → QI + Q2−II in photosynthesis

A theoretical investigation on the rates of electron-transfer processes Q⁻_I + Q_II → Q⁻_I + Q⁻_II and Q⁻_I + Q⁻_II → Q_I + Q²⁻_II was carried out by using the Marcus theory of long-range electron transfer in solution. The molecular reorganizational parameter λ, the free-energy change ΔG⁰ for the overall reaction, and the electronic matrix element H_DA for these two processes were calculated from the INDO-optimized geometries of molecules Q_I, Q_II, and histidine. Q_I and Q_II are plastoquinones (PQ) which are hydrogen-bonded to a histidine each, and the two histidines may or may not be coordinated to a Fe²⁺ ion. The plastoquinone representing Q_I is additionally flanked by two peptide fragments. Each of the species (Pep)₂Q_I · His and His · Q_II has been considered to be immersed in a dielectric continuum that represents the surrounding molecules and protein folds. INDO calculations confirm the standard reduction potential for the first process (calculated 0.127 V; observed 0.13 V) and predict a midpoint potential of 0.174 V for the second process at 300 K at pH 7 (experimental value remains uncertain but is known to be close to 0.13 V). The plastoquinone fragment carries almost all the net charge (about 95.7%) in [PQ · His]⁻ and the net charge in [PQH · His]⁻. The electron is transferred effectively from the plastoquinone part of [(Pep)₂Q_I · His]⁻ to the plastoquinone moiety of Q_II · His in the first step and to the plastoquinone fragment of HisH⁺ · Q⁻_II in the second step. Therefore, we made use of the formula for the rate of through-space electron transfer from Q_I to Q_II (and to Q⁻_II). The plastoquinones are, of course, electronically coupled to histidines, and the transfer is, in reality, through the molecular bridge consisting of histidines and also Fe²⁺. The through-bridge effect is inherent in our calculation of ΔG⁰, H_DA, and the reorganization parameter λ. We investigated the correlation between half-times for the transfer and (D⁻¹_op− D⁻¹_s), where D_op and D_s are, respectively, optical and static dielectric constants of the condensed phase in the vicinity of the plastoquinones. We found that with reasonable values of D_op (2.6) and D_s (8.5) the experimental rates are adequately explained in terms of transfers from the plastoquinone moiety of Q_I to that of Q_II. The t_1/2 values calculated for the two processes are 247 and 472 μs in the absence of Fe²⁺ and 134 and 181 μs in the presence of Fe²⁺. These are in good agreement with the observed values which are ≈ 100 and ≈ 200 μs when Fe²⁺ is present in the matrix and which are known to be almost twice as large when the Fe²⁺ is evicted from the matrix. The present work also shows that the Marcus-Hush theory of long-range electron transfers can be successfully applied to the investigation of processes occurring in a semirigid condensed phase like the thylakoid membrane region. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

CHLOROPHYLL-QUINONE PHOTOCHEMISTRY IN LIPOSOMES: MECHANISMS OF RADICAL FORMATION AND DECAY*

Abstract— Laser flash photolysis has been used to investigate the mechanism of formation and decay of the radical species generated by light-induced electron transfer from chlorophyll a (Chi) triplet to various quinones in egg phosphatidyl choline bilayer vesicles. Chlorophyll triplet quenching by quinone is controlled by diffusion occurring within the bilayer membrane (kq～ 10⁶M^?1 s^?1. as compared to ～ 10⁹ M^?1 s^?1 in ethanol) and reflects bilayer viscosity. Radical formation via separation of the intermediate ion pair is also inhibited by increased bilayer viscosity. Cooperativity is observed in the radical formation process due to an enhancement of radical separation by electron transfer from semiquinone anion radical to a neighboring quinone molecule. Two modes of radical decay are observed, a rapid (t_1/2= 150μ) recombination between Chi and quinone radicals occurring within the bilayer and a much slower (t_1/2= 1–100 ms) recombination occurring across the bilayer-water interface. The latter is also cooperative, which accounts for a t_1/2 which is dependent upon quinone concentration. The slow decay is only observed with quinones which are not tightly anchored into the bilayer, and is probably the result of electron transfer from semiquinone anion radical formed within the bilayer to a quinone molecule residing at the bilayer-water interface. Direct evidence for such a process has been obtained from experiments in which both ubiquinone and benzoquinone are present simultaneously. With benzo-quinone, approx. 60% of the radical decay occurs via the slow mode. Triplet to radical conversion efficiencies in the bilayer systems are comparable to those obtained in fluid solution (～ 60%). However, radical recombination, at least for the slow decay mechanism, is considerably retarded.     

Removal of the PsaF Polypeptide Biases Electron Transfer in Favor of the PsaB Branch of Cofactors in Triton X‐100 Photosystem I Complexes from Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002†

Continuous wave (CW) and transient electron paramagnetic resonance studies have implied that when PsaF is removed genetically, the double reduction of A_1A is facile, the lifetime of A_1A^? is shorter and the ratio of fast to slow kinetic phases increases in PS I complexes isolated with Triton X‐100 (Van der Est, A., A. I. Valieva, Y. E. Kandrashkin, G. Shen, D. A. Bryant and J. H. Golbeck [2004] Biochemistry 43 , 1264–1275). Changes in the lifetimes of A_1A^? and A_1B^? are characteristic of mutants involving the quinone binding sites, but changes in the relative amplitudes of A_1A^? and A_1B^? are characteristic of mutants involving the primary electron acceptors, A_0A and A_0B. Here, we measured the fast and slow phases of electron transfer from A_1B^? and A_1A^? to F_X in psaF and psaE psaF null mutants using time‐resolved CW and pump‐probe optical absorption spectroscopy. The lifetime of the fast kinetic phase was found to be unaltered, but the lifetime of the slow kinetic phase was shorter in the psaF null mutant and even more so in the psaE psaF null mutant. Concomitantly, the amplitude of the fast kinetic phase increased by a factor of 1.8 and 2.0 in the psaF and psaE psaF null mutants, respectively, at the expense of the slow kinetic phase. The change in ratio of the fast to slow kinetic phases is explained as either a redirection of electron transfer through A_1B at the expense of A_1A, or a shortening of the lifetime of A_1A^? to become identical to that of A_1B^?. The constant lifetime and the characteristics of the near‐UV spectrum of the fast kinetic phase favor the former explanation. A unified hypothesis is presented of a displacement of the A‐jk(1) α‐helix and switchback loop, which would weaken the H‐bond from Leu₇₂₂ to A_1A, accounting for the acceleration of the slow kinetic phase, as well as weaken the H‐bond from Tyr₆₉₆ to A_0A, accounting for the bias of electron transfer in favor of the PsaB branch of cofactors.     

Electron transfer reactions between the superoxide ion and quinones

The electron transfer reactions of the superoxide ion with benzoquinone, trimethylbenzoquinone, and menadione in dimethylformamide were studied. A procedure of the determination of the relative rate constants of these reactions was developed; the reaction of O? ₂ with butyl bromide was chosen as a standard one. The relative rate constants measured at 20,°, 35°, and 50°C were slightly dependent on the quinone structure. The relationship between the free energy ΔF*of the electron transfer reactions and the standard free energy ΔF^o was discussed. This relationship is proposed as ΔF* = αΔF^o + β, where the proportionality coefficient α is equal to 0.04–0.11 for exothermal reactions and to 0.90–0.96 for endothermal reactions.     

Joint quantum chemical and polarizable molecular mechanics investigation of formate complexes with penta- and hexahydrated Zn2+: Comparison between energetics of model bidentate,monodentate, and through-water Zn2+ binding modes and evaluation of nonadditivity effects

In order to gain an understanding of the energetics of polycoordinated Zn²⁺ binding to the formate anion (the end side chain of the Asp and Glu residues of proteins), we compare three competing binding modes in the presence of five and six water molecules: a, bidentate binding of Zn²⁺ to both formate oxygens; b, monodentate binding of Zn²⁺ to one formate oxygen; and c, through-water binding of Zn²⁺ to formate, in which the cation remains bound to its first-hydration shell waters and interacts with both formate oxygens through three water molecules. We also investigate a complex d, which is similar to c, in which formate is protonated into formic acid and one water molecule is deprotonated. The computations are carried out using the ab initio self-consistent field/MP2 with three basis sets of increasing size density functional theory, semiempirical AM1 and PM3, and the sum of interactions between fragments ab initio computed (SIBFA) molecular mechanics procedures. The summed energies of the isolated molecules making up the complexes disfavor tautomer d compared to a–c. On the other hand, the ab initio computations give the ordering of intermolecular interaction energies as d formic acid tautomer >b monodentate >a bidentate >c through-water. Whereas the first-order energy E₁ favors both inner-shell Zn²⁺ complexes with formate over the outer-shell complex, the polarization and the charge-transfer components of the second-order energy E₂ both favor the outer-shell complex over the inner-shell one, despite the increased separation between the cation and the highly polarizable formate ion. Energy balances including continuum solvation enthalpies produce an equilibration of complexes a–d. The preference favoring the monodentate complex over the bidentate one is consistent with other ab initio results for formate binding by a fully coordinated Zn²⁺ cation and with structural results from X-ray crystallography. The SIBFA results are consistent with the ab initio results, and the computed interaction energy values match the ab initio ones to within 3%. The effects of nonadditivity are analyzed in the ab initio, SIBFA, and semiempirical computations. ©1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Comput Chem 20: 1379–1390, 1999     

Destabilization of the Oxygen Evolving Complex of Photosystem II by Al3+

The inhibitory effect of Al³⁺ on photosynthetic electron transport was investigated in isolated thylakoid membranes of spinach. A combination of oxygen evolution, chlorophyll fluorescence induction (FI) and decay and thermoluminescence measurements have been used to characterize photosystem II (PSII) electron transport in the presence of this toxic metal cation. Our results show that below 3 mm , Al³⁺ already caused a destabilization of the Mn₄O₅Ca cluster of the oxygen evolving complex (OEC). At these concentrations, an increase in the relative amplitude of the first phase (OJ) of FI curve and retardation of the fluorescence decay kinetics following excitation with a single turnover flash were also observed. A transmembrane structural modification of PSII polypeptides due to the interaction of Al³⁺ at the OEC is proposed to retard electron transfer between the quinones Q_A and Q_B. Above 3 mm , Al³⁺ strongly retarded fluorescence induction and significantly reduced F_v/F_m together with the maximal amplitude of chlorophyll fluorescence induced by a single turnover flash. This chlorophyll fluorescence quenching was attributed to the formation of P680⁺ due to inhibition of electron transfer between tyrosine 161 of D1 subunit and P680.     

BIOCHEMICAL FACTORS AFFECTING THE QUANTUM EFFICIENCY OF HYDROGEN PRODUCTION BY MEMBRANES OF GREEN PHOTOSYNTHETIC BACTERIA*

Abstract— Photohydrogen production, 200-700 μmol H₂ h^?1 (mg bacteriochlorophyll a)^?1 has been obtained in a system containing unit membrane vesicles (Complex I) from the green photosynthetic bacterium Chiorobium limicola f. thiosulfatophilum, ascorbate, N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyl-p-phenylene-diamine, dithioerythritol, an oxygen scavenging mixture, either methyl viologen (MV) or clostridial ferredoxin (CPS Fd) as electron carrier, and either CPS hydrogenase or platinum asbestos as catalyst. All components are necessary for maximum activity, and spinach Fd cannot be substituted for CPS Fd. Higher rates of photohydrogen production are obtained using MV or CPS Fd with hydrogenase than with MV and Pt asbestos. The highest quantum efficiencies (7–10% at 0.2–0.9 mW absorbed light and over 20% at lower light) were obtained with CPS Fd, hydrogenase and non-saturating 812 nm light. With saturating white light, however, rates of photohydrogen production varied relatively little among the various combinations of electron carrier and catalyst tested. The reaction rate is unaffected by 0.03% Triton X-100, and is insensitive to treatment with antimycin a or m-chloro-carbonyl cyanide phenylhydrazone. This indicates that neither electron flow through an endogenous cyclic chain, nor maintenance of a proton gradient are involved in this process.     

Chiral Separation of Nateglinide and its L Enantiomer on a Molecularly Imprinted Polymer-Based Stationary Phase

A new chiral stationary phase for nateglinide (N-(trans-4-isopropylcyclohexylcarbonyl)-D-phenylalanine) based on a molecularly imprinted polymer has been prepared by non-covalent imprinting. For chromatographic analysis the effects on the separation of mobile phase composition, flow rate, and temperature were investigated, and the optimum conditions for HPLC were shown to be: mobile phase, acetonitrile; flow rate, 0.5 mL min^?1; temperature, 25 °C. It was shown that the nateglinide-imprinted polymer was capable of recognizing the enantiomeric difference between nateglinide and its L enantiomer, whereas the non-imprinted polymer had no such ability. Scatchard analysis was used to investigate the binding characteristics of the nateglinide-imprinted stationary phase; this indicated that two classes of binding site were present in the imprinted polymer. The equilibrium dissociation constant (K _D) and the apparent maximum number (Q _max) of high- and low-affinity binding sites were 3.7 × 10^?4 mol L^?1 and 11.38 μmol g^?1, and 1.81 × 10^?3 mol L^?1 and 27.73 μmol g^?1, respectively.     

Phosphite‐driven, [Cp*Rh(bpy)(H2O)]2+‐catalyzed reduction of nicotinamide and flavin cofactors: characterization and application to promote chemoenzymatic reduction reactions

The organometallic compound [Cp*Rh(bpy)(H₂O)]²⁺ is a versatile catalyst for the in situ regeneration of reduced nicotinamides and flavins by catalyzing the electron transfer between the cathode or formate to the oxidized cofactors and prosthetic groups. In the present contribution we demonstrate the feasibility of phosphite as an alternative source of reducing equivalents. Thus, [Cp*Rh(bpy)(H₂O)]²⁺ combines the catalytic activities of hydrogenases, formate and phosphite dehydrogenases in one catalyst. The catalytic properties of this novel regeneration approach are investigated, demonstrating that the general catalytic properties of [Cp*Rh(bpy)(H₂O)]²⁺ are preserved. The principal applicability to promote alcoholdehydrogenase‐catalyzed reduction reactions is demonstrated. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.