IMMUNOBLOT ANALYSIS OF CROSS-REACTIVITY OF MONOCLONAL ANTIBODIES AGAINST OAT PHYTOCHROME WITH PHYTOCHROME FROM SEVERAL PLANT SPECIES*

Abstract— Eighteen monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) have been produced against partially degraded phytochrome from A vena sativa cv. Trafalgar. Several of the mAbs are capable of recognising the antigen on immunoblots following sodium dodecylsulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and protein electroblotting. Six of these mAbs were screened for the ability to recognise electroblotted phytochrome from eight plant species. Particularly amongst the monocot species tested, but also amongst the dicots, the mAbs showed extensive cross-reactivity. The results suggest that there are perhaps several conserved antigenic sites on the phytochrome molecule.     

EFFECTS OF BOUND MONOCLONAL ANTIBODIES ON THE DECAY OF THE PHOTOTRANSFORMATION INTERMEDIATES I1,21700 FROM NATIVE Avena PHYTOCHROME*

Abstract–Thc kinetics of the microsecond phototransformation intermediates of 124 kDa Avena phytochrome (1700^1,2) were studied in the prcsence of bound monoclonal antibodies at various temperatures. A global analysis was applied to the decays at all wavelengths at each temperature in order to derive the rate constants and the decay-associated spectra of the three decay components. Monoclonal antibodies bound to specific epitopes altered the Arrhenius parameters of both 1700^1,2 decay components. The strongest influence on these parameters was observed with OAT 8 (epitope between residues 624 and 686), which decreased by more than 50% the activation parameters of both components. This decrease is interpreted to result from an increased flexibility induced by this antibody in the ground state or in the transition state of bonds changing during the decay of both 1700 transients. Thus, the OAT 8 cpitope appears to be functionally important during the decay of the 1700^1,2 intermediates. For the case of 1100¹ bound OAT 23 and OAT 25 (epitopes between residues 1 and 66) reduced even further the relatively small flexibility of these bonds in the red light-absorbing form of phytochrome (P1) without antibodies, as reflected by the high preex-ponential factors for its decay. This resulted also in higher activation energies for this decay in the presence of the antibodies. Thus, the amino-terminus should act as a rigid spacer of the chromophore cavity without affecting it during the microsecond transformation, because the Arrhenius parameters for these decays are similar to those for small phytochrome. The possible implications of the influence of the various antibodies on the bleaching remaining after the decay of 1700^1,2 are discussed.     

A MODEL FOR THE MOLECULAR STRUCTURE AND ORIENTATION OF THE CHROMOPHORE IN A DIMERIC PHYTOCHROME MOLECULE*

A model for the molecular structure and orientation of red-light absorbing form of phytochrome (P,) chromophores in a dimeric molecular model of P_r is proposed. A chromophore model with probable molecular structures was generated to reproduce the absorption spectrum produced by its π-electron conjugating system. The model has C₅-Z, syn, C₁₀-E, anti and C₁₅-Z, syn configurations and a protonation at a C-ring nitrogen. Orientation of the chromophore model in the dimeric phytochrome molecular was analyzed by displaying the atoms of the chromophore, the coordinates of which were converted into those with respect to the molecular axes to the dimeric molecule, on a 3-D graphic workstation. The conversions were performed by using the azimuthal angles between the Z axis of the dimeric molecule (axis of 2-fold rotational symmetry) and the dipole moments of the electronic transition at the blue- (384 nm) and red- (667 nm) absorbing bands of the chromophore, which were calculated as 55.5° and 59.3°, respectively, based on linear dichroism of the oriented phytochrome molecules. The result demonstrates that the long axis of the P, chromophore lies almost parallel to the Y axis of the molecular model, and that the tetrapyrrolic chromophore is well contained within the flat chromophoric domain without protruding from it, a configuration that assures that the chromophore is protected against aqueous environments. The model may explain the rotation angle of the transition moment of the red-absorbing band, induced by the phototransformation from P_r to P_rr which we measured as smaller than that measured in nonoriented preparations by a photoselection technique. The model also suggests a molecular basis for the polarotropic response of phytochrome.     

STRUCTURAL STUDIES ON THE PHOTORECEPTOR PHYTOCHROME: REEVALUATION OF THE EPITOPE FOR MONOCLONAL ANTIBODY Z-3B1

The photoreceptor phytochrome is widely distributed in the plant kingdom from angiosperms to ferns, mosses and algae. The epitope for the monoclonal antibody Z-3B1 which exhibits wide-ranging cross-reactivity with phytochromes from higher and lower plants was mapped by the combination of several methods: by Western blot with proteolytic fragments of known localization, by sequence comparison of phytochromes from various plants, and by production of overlapping fusion proteins. The only sequence which is common to all positively-reacting fusion proteins is the sequence A-830 to R-859. This sequence must contain the Z-3B1 epitope. The best candidate is suggested to be the T-cell antigenic sequence K-Y-V/I-E-A/C-L-L-T (= K-848 to T-855). The significance of the highly conserved epitope in all phytochromes is discussed.     

CHARACTERISATION OF TWO MONOCLONAL ANTIBODIES SPECIFIC FOR DIMERISED AND NON-DIMERISED ADJACENT THYMIDINES IN SINGLE STRANDED DNA*

Abstract— Hybrid cell lines (hybridomas) have been isolated from fusions between P3-NS1-1-Ag4-1 mouse myeloma cells and spleen cells from BALB/c mice hyperimmunised with UV-irradiated single-stranded DNA (UVssDNA) and UV-irradiated polydeoxythymidylic acid (UVpolydT). Monoclonal antibodies from two different hybridomas are characterised in the present report by competitive inhibition with different synthetic polynucleotides and oligonucleotides. The first antibody, designated αUVssDNA-1, recognises thymidine dimers in a polynucleotide or an oligonucleotide sequence at least four nucleotides long but not isolated thymidine dimers, suggesting that it recognises the conformational change associated with thymidine dimers. The second antibody, designated αssDNA-2, recognises unirradiated or UV-irradiated tracts of thymidine, but will not crossreact with tracts of other nucleotides (A, G, C, A.T, G.C, C.U, U). Inhibition of binding of αUVssDNA-1 to [³H]-UVssDNA by calf thymus UVssDNA is dependent on UV exposure and wavelength as expected from the antigenic determinant.     

STUDY ON PREPARATION AND APPLICATION OF MONOCLONAL ANTIBODIES TO Anabaena azollae

Forty hybridoma cell lines secreting monoclonal antibodies against Anabaena azollae have been established by fusing SP_2/O myeloma cells with spleen cells from BALB/c mice immunized with purified antigen Anabaena azollae from different strains of azolla.According to the fluorescent antibody test, 40 McAbs were divided into 8 types. They may differentiate the Anabaena azollae in 195 azolla strains which are collected from different places in the world, into 8 antigenic groups.The identifying result of Anabaena azollae isolated from reconstituted azolla and sexual hybrid azolla showed that the Anabaena azollae in the reconstituted azolla retains its antigenicity from the donor azolla, and Anabacna azollae in hybrid azolla maintains its antigenicity from the female parent plant.     

MOLECULAR PROBES: PHOTOISOMERIZATION OF OPTICALLY ACTIVE AZO COMPOUNDS

Abstract— The azo group may be used as a probe to gain information about the molecular surroundings. The circular dichroism (CD) spectra of two azo steroids have been investigated in media of different viscosity and polarity. The CD spectra of the trans -compounds are only slightly affected by the environment while those of the cis -compounds are strongly dependent on the environment. Photoisomerization is analysed by absorption and ellipticity diagrams as tests for chromophoric and conformeric uniformity. Our results support an inversion mechanism of the photoisomerization of azo compounds.     

KINETICS OF PHYTOCHROME PELLETABILITY*

Abstract— The pelletability of P_r from maize coleoptiles was studied as a function of the delay time between a red and a far-red light pulse given in vivo. The obtained curve can be resolved into three parts. The two slowest reactions have half lives of 40 s and 3.6 min at 0°C. Furthermore, a break in the Arrhenius plot from the slowest reaction of the curve indicates that either the phytochrome “receptor” or the phytochrome molecule itself undergoes a jump in the Arrhenius activation energy at 20°C. These data are in good agreement with kinetic studies of phytochrome pelletability also discussed in this paper.     

EVIDENCE FOR THE EXISTENCE OF MEMBRANE-ASSOCIATED PHYTOCHROME IN THE CELL

Abstract Comparative fluorescence and photochemical studies of phytochrome in etiolated seedlings of maize and in soluble and membrane-containing fractions isolated from them were camed out. The membrane fractions prepared in the absence of Mg²⁺ from etiolated coleoptiles contained 13% of total photoreversible phytochrome, which was readily solubilized by mild detergents. Its molecular size was indistinguishable from soluble phytochrome and equal to nondegraded maize phytochrome. Low-temperature fluorescence studies with intact tissue found that the position of the emission maximum at 85 K (λ_max) and the extent of the phototransformation of the red-absorbing form (Pr) into the first stable photoproduct, lumi-R, at 85 K (γ₁), varied in different parts of etiolated seedlings: λ_max and γ₁ reached their maximum values in the tips of coleoptiles and roots, 686 nm and 0.30–0.40, whereas the lowest values, 682 nm and ca 0.05, were observed in the root base. These parameters correlated well with those obtained for the pigment in the soluble and membrane-containing fractions: 684 and 680 nm, and 0.33 and 0.06, respectively. The extent of the Pr phototransformation into the far red-absorbing form (Pfr) (γ₂) did not differ much: values of 0.80–0.85 and 0.70–0.75 correlated with the high and low values of γ₁. These variations of the parameters were interpreted in agreement with our previous observations in terms of two phytochrome A species whose relative concentrations vary depending on the experimental conditions—the longer wavelength bulk light-labile species with high γ₁ (Pr″), and the shorter wavelength minor light-stable species with low γ₁ (Pr″). Close similarity between Pr’and the soluble phytochrome and between Pr″ and the membrane-bound phytochrome points to the possible origin of the native Pr’and PrPrime; species, thus providing evidence for the existence of membrane-bound pigment in the cell.     

A PHYTOCHROME PHOTOTRANSFORMATION STUDY USING TWO-LASER/TWO-COLOR FLASH PHOTOLYSIS: ANALYSIS OF THE DECAY MECHANISM OF I700*

The mechanism of I₇₀₀ decay, representing an early event in the phytochrome P_r→ P_fr phototransformation, was reanalyzed in the microsecond range by conventional laser flash photolysis as well as by two-laser/two-color flash photolysis. Three kinetic models that might describe the I₇₀₀ decay mechanism following P_r excitation were considered: a parallel, a sequential, and an equilibrium model. These models were used to mathematically simulate both the one- and two-laser flash experiments in an effort to select the model best describing the I₇₀₀ decay. The sequential model could be excluded already on the basis of the one-laser flash photolysis results alone. Discussion of the two-laser/two-color flash rcsults in the context of the equilibrium and the parallel models is presented.     

PHOTOPHYSICAL PROBES FOR MONITORING THE ELECTRIC FIELD/MICROPOLARITY WITHIN THE FAUJASITE SUPERCAGE*

The micropolariry of the supercages of zeolites is a reflection of the electric field provided by the cations present within them. The notion of polarity within the cages of X and Y zeolite does not have precisely the same meaning as in solution. In this study, pyrene, pyrenealdehyde, and para-dimethylaminobenzonitrile have been used as photophysical probes to monitor the polarity of the zeolite interior. With pyrenealdehyde and para-dimethylaminobenzonitrile the supercage wherein the probe is expected to reside is more polar or possesses a higher electric field when the cation is Li or Na. The polarity/electric field of the supercage decreases with cation size (Li > Na > K > Rb > Cs) and the supercage is more polar in the case of X zeolites than in Y zeolites. The results with pyrene are generally consistent with those with the other two probes. However, pyrene is unable to sense the difference between Li. Na and other cations.     

THE BLUE ANOMALOUS EMISSION OF LARGE AND SMALL PHYTOCHROME*

–Small and immunoaffinity-purified large phytochrome (P_r and P_fr) show a so-called anomalous fluorescence with λ^em_max= 470 and 440 nm, respectively, when irradiated within the blue absorption band. Model studies indicate that this emission arises from a dipyrromethenone partial structure produced by a nucleophilic addition to the central carbon C-10 of the bilindione chromophore. The anomalous emitter of phytochrome is thus similar to one bilirubin conformer which has previously been found to contribute to the absorption and emission of the bile pigment.     

BLUE LIGHT INDUCED PHOTOTRANSFORMATION OF PHYTOCHROME IN THE PRESENCE OF FLAVIN*

Abstract— Irradiation of the P_r form of phytochrome in the presence of flavin mononucleotide (FMN) which absorbs the actinic blue light yields P_fr at a rate greater than that in the absence of FMN. The actinic blue light absorbed by FMN enhances the phototransformation of P_r via the energy transfer from the former to the latter. On the other hand, the photoreversion of P_fr was inhibited by the presence of FMN when illuminated with blue light. The lack of photo-enhancement of the reversion of P_r, by blue light suggests that the P_fr chromophore (acceptor) transition dipole is virtually perpendicular to the FMN transition dipole, as the result of a chromophore reorientation in the P_r→P_fr phototransformation. The fact that blue light absorbed by flavin preferentially enhances the forward phototransformation of phytochrome while inhibiting the reversion may have an important implication in the high irradiance responses in plants in terms of a preferential accumulation of P_fr by blue light excitation.     

SPECTRAL CHARACTERIZATION OF HIGH-MOLECULAR-WEIGHT PHYTOCHROME*

Abstract— Previous information about the spectral and photochemical properties of phytochrome in vitro has apparently been determined in large part with chromopeptides derived from the native molecule by proteolysis. Characterization of high-mol-wt phytochrome in vitro has led to the observation that the far-red-absorbing form (Pfr) may undergo relatively large and reversible changes in far-red extinction. Phytochrome preparations which exhibit reduced far-red extinction as Pfr also exhibit a rapid reappearance of red absorbance after discontinuing the red illumination used to establish photostationary equilibrium. This rapid change in the red spectral region is not accompanied by any equivalent absorbance change in the far-red. The molecular basis for these newly reported spectral properties is not known. However, both properties may be eliminated by the addition of either 2-mercaptoethanol or ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid.     

AN EXTENDED SEMI-EMPIRICAL MOLECULAR ORBITAL STUDY OF THE * EXCITED STATES OF NUCLEIC ACID BASES

Spectroscopic CNDO/S and INDO/S calculations of the * spectra of the nucleic acid bases uracil, cytosine, adenine and guanine were performed. Oscillator strengths, polarizations and transition densities are displayed for transitions to 140 nm using several parameter sets and demonstrating the effect of doubly excited configurations. Inclusion of near-neighbor off-diagonal transition density elements greatly assists in making state correlations and assignments. Interesting effects regarding electron repulsion parameterization are noted. The results are compared with recently reported experimental results and several serious points of disagreement are noted.     

A SIMPLE MODIFICATION OF THE SPECTROPHOTOMETER FOR RAPID PHYTOCHROME ASSAY

Abstract— A simple, low cost modification of a conventional single wavelength spectrophotometer (e.g. Cary 118C) enables one to quantitate phytochrome in crude extracts and purified phytochrome preparations without the use of a dual-wavelength ratio spectrophotometer.