MECHANISM OF ORIENTATION AND LINEAR DICHROISM OF PHOTOSYNTHETIC PARTICLES IN ELECTRIC FIELDS: CHLOROPLASTS AND CHLOROPHYLL-PROTEIN COMPLEXES

Abstract— The mechanisms of orientation in pulsed and alternating electric fields of thylakoids (derived from the sonication of spinach chloroplasts) and of light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b-protein complexes (CPII) were investigated by utilizing linear dichroism techniques. Comparisons of the linear dichroism spectra of thylakoids and CPII particles suggest that the latter are oriented with their directions of largest electronic polarizabilities (and thus probably their largest dimensions) within the thylakoid membrane planes. At low electric field strengths (< 12 V cm^?1), and at low frequencies of alternating electric fields (< 0.25 Hz), thylakoid membranes tend to align with their normals parallel to the direction of the applied electric field; the mechanism of orientation involves a permanent dipole moment of the thylakoids which is oriented perpendicular to the planes of the membranes. However, at high field strengths and high frequencies of the applied alternating electric fields, the thylakoids tend to orient with their planes parallel to the applied field, thus exhibiting an inversion of the sign of the linear dichroism as the electric field strength is increased. At the higher frequencies and at higher field strengths, the orientation mechanisms of the thylakoids involve induced dipole moments related to anisotropies in the electronic polarizabilities. The polarizability is higher within the plane than along a normal to the plane, thus accounting for the inversion of the dichroism as the electric field strength is increased. The CPII particles align with their largest dimension parallel to the applied field at all field strength, indicating that the induced dipole moment dominates the orientation mechanisms in pulsed electric fields. The magnitude of the absolute linear dichroism of CPII suspensions increases with increasing dilution, indicating that aggregates of lower symmetry are formed at higher concentrations of the CPII complexes.     

STRUCTURAL STUDIES OF BROWN MEMBRANE BY X-RAY DIFFRACTION, CIRCULAR DICHROISM AND ABSORPTION SPECTRA

Abstract— Time course of formation and crystallization of bacteriorhodopsin upon the addition of retinal to brown apo-membrane has been studied by X-ray diffraction, circular dichroism (CD) spectra and absorption spectra. The rate of formation of bacteriorhodopsin decreases markedly at low pH (4.8) and low temperature (5°C). Furthermore, the formation of bacteriorhodopsin does not proceed in fully dried membranes. The half-time of the increase of exciton CD band is about 70s at 17°C and pH 7.0, and is comparable to that of the formation of bacteriorhodopsins (∼48s). The crystallization of bacteriorhodopsin proceeds to a large extent within 30 min at pH 7.0 and 5°C.
The bilobed CD band of the brown holo-membrane attributed to exciton coupling of bacteriorhodopsin molecules becomes negligibly small at pH 4.8, even though X-ray diffraction pattern indicates the lattice structure to be similar to that of the native purple membrane.     

CORRELATION BETWEEN DELAYED LIGHT EMISSION AND FLUORESCENCE OF CHLOROPHYLL a IN SYSTEM II PARTICLES DERIVED FROM SPINACH CHLOROPLASTS

Abstract— The induction transient of delayed light of chlorophyll a, excited by repetitive flashes (0.5 ms in duration) and emitted 0.1 - 1.2 ms after the flashes, was measured in system II particles derived from spinach chloroplasts. An uncoupler, gramicidin S, was always added to the particles in order to eliminate the influence of the phosphorylation system on the delayed light and to isolate a direct relationship between the delayed light emission and the primary photochemical reaction, except for the experiments described in the next paragraph. The yield of delayed light emission from the system II particles was found to be about three–times higher than that of chloroplasts on a chlorophyll content basis. System I particles, on the other hand, emitted much weaker delayed light than chloroplasts. Upon intermittent illumination, induction of delayed light in system II particles showed a decrease from the initial rise level to the steady-state level. The initial rise level was the maximum. The fluorescence induction, on the other hand, exhibited an increase from the initial rise level to the maximum steady-state level. The induction of both delayed light emission and fluorescence arrived at their final steady-state levels after the same period of illumination. Induction of delayed light emission was measured under various conditions that changed the oxidation-reduction state of the primary electron acceptor, X, of photoreaction II: by adding an electron acceptor and an inhibitor of electron transport, and by changing the light intensity. The state of A'was monitored by measuring the fluorescence yield. The yield of delayed light emission excited by each flash was found to depend on the amount of oxidized form of X present before the flash. To examine the role of the primary electron donor Y of photoreaction II in delayed light emission, effects of electron donors of photoreaction II such as Mn²⁺, hydroquinone and p-phenylenediamine were investigated. These agents were found to markedly decrease the yield of delayed light emission without altering the pattern of its induction. They had little effect on the induction of fluorescence. These findings are interpreted by a mechanism in which transformation of the reaction center from the form (X^-Y⁺) into (X Y) produces a singlet excitation of chlorophyll a that is the source of millisecond delayed light emission. This reaction is probably non–physiological and must be very slow if compared to the transformation of (X^-Y⁺) into (X^-Y). Since the form (X^-Y⁺) is produced when the excitation is transferred to the reaction center in the form (XY), it is expected in this scheme that the yield of delayed light emission should depend on the amount of the form (X Y) present before the excitation flashes. Electron donors stimulate transformation of the reaction center from (X^-Y⁺) into (X^-Y). Since this reaction competes with the process of delayed light emission, electron donors are expected to suppress delayed light emission.     

EXTENDING CIRCULAR DICHROISM SPECTRA INTO THE VACUUM UV AND ITS APPLICATION TO PROTEINS

Circular dichroism (CD) spectra measured into the vacuum UV region provide information necessary for this technique to fulfill its potential. In the case of proteins, CD spectra measured to 184 nm or below can be analyzed for secondary structure: generalized inverses make such analyses particularly simple. Generalized inverses for α-helix, anti-parallel β-sheet, parallel β-sheet, β-turn, and "other" structures are given in tabular form. When the dot product of each inverse is taken with the digitized spectrum of a protein, the amount of corresponding secondary structure is predicted. However, protein CD spectra truncated above 184 nm give too little information to give reliable analyses. Furthermore, adding constraints only complicates this problem because unreliable analyses now appear good.     

CIRCULAR DICHROISM OF LIGHT-HARVESTING COMPLEXES FROM PURPLE PHOTOSYNTHETIC BACTERIA*

Abstract— The CD spectra of a range of antenna complexes from several different species of purple photosynthetic bacteria were recorded in the wavelength range of 190 to 930 nm. Analysis of the far UV CD (190 to 250 nm) showed that in each case except for the B800-850 from Chr. vinosum the secondary structure of the light-harvesting complexes contains a large amount of α-helix (?50%) and very little 0-pleated sheet. This confirms the predictions of the group of Zuber of a high a-helical content based upon consideration of the primary structures of several antenna apoproteins. The CD spectra from the carotenoids and the bacteriochlorophylls show considerable variations depending upon the type of antenna complex. The different amplitude ratios in the CD spectrum for the bacteriochlorophyll Qy, Qx and Soret bands indicate not only different degrees of exciton coupling, but also a strong and variable hyperchromism (Scherz and Parson, 1984a, b).     

INVESTIGATION OF CHROMOPEPTIDES FROM C-PHYCOCYANIN BY UV-VIS ABSORPTION, EMISSION AND CIRCULAR DICHROISM SPECTROSCOPY

Four different chromopeptides were isolated after digestion of C-phycocyanin with pepsin. Their UV-vis absorption and circular dichroism spectra were measured at two different pH values without and with urea present in the buffered solutions. For one chromopeptide, fluorescence spectra and the kinetics of fluorescence decay were studied in more detail. The results are discussed in comparison with quantum-mechanical model calculations. It is concluded that due to the interaction between the oligopeptide chain and the chromophore, the latter is present as a mixture of helical and semi-extended forms, respectively.     

FLUORESCENCE AND CIRCULAR DICHROISM STUDIES ON THE PHYCOERYTHROCYANINS FROM THE CYANOBACTERIUM

Two phycoerythrocyanin (PEC) fractions have been obtained from the phycobilisomes of the cyanobac-terium Westiellopsis prolifica ARM 365. They have been characterized by absorption, fluorescence and circular dichroism spectroscopy. One of them is spectroscopically similar to a PEC trimer known from other organisms. Whereas efficient energy transfer from its violin (α-84) to the cyanin (β-84, 155) chromophores is efficient in the trimer (αβ it is impeded after dissociation to the monomer (α,β). A second fraction of PEC which we earlier termed PEC(X) (Maruthi Sai et al., Photochem. Photobiol. 55 ,119–124, 1992), exhibited the spectral properties similar to that of the α-subunit of PEC from Mastigocladus laminosus. With this highly photoactive fraction, the circular dichroism spectra of the violobilin chromophore in both photoreversible states were obtained.     

ELECTRONIC ABSORPTION PROPERTIES OF SYMMETRICAL DIALKOXYANTHRACENES. LINEAR DICHROISM AND MAGNETIC CIRCULAR DICHROISM*

Abstract— Linear dichroism (LD) and magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) of symmetrical dialkoxy-anthracenes and some related compounds were recorded in an attempt to elucidate electronic absorption properties and assign the nature of the lowest singlet excited state, recognized to control both the fluorescence and the photodimerization of anthracenes. The spectroscopic measurements proved that the lowest electronic transition is of the ¹L_a type in all the compounds. The peculiar photoreactivity pattern is therefore governed by factors other than an inversion of the order of the ¹L_a and ¹L_b states and may be related to electronic density repartition on the different positions of the anthracene nucleus dictated by the position of the electron-donating substituents.     

LINEAR AND CIRCULAR DICHROISM AND FLUORESCENCE POLARIZATION OF THE B875 LIGHT-HARVESTING BACTERIOCHLOROPHYLL-PROTEIN COMPLEX FROM RHODOPSEUDOMONAS SPHAEROIDES

Abstract— The orientation of the chromophores in the B875 light-harvesting bacteriochlorophyll complex isolated from Rhodopseudomonas sphaeroides by lithium dodecyl sulfate/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was examined by linear and circular dichroism and fluorescence polarization procedures. The circular dichroism in the near-IR was weaker than that of the B800–850 light-harvesting complex and had a distinctly different shape. This suggested a different geometry for the two bacteriochlorophylls of B875 and less interactive association between their transition moments. The magnitude of the circular dichroism in the carotenoid region of B875 was similar to that of B800–850 but gave more negative values between approx. 430–485 nm; this may reflect a difference in the asymmetric binding of carotenoids to the B875 protein. The fluorescence polarization increased sharply across the near-IR region of B875 and achieved very high values at long wavelengths. This confirmed that more than one transition contributed to this absorption band. The linear dichroism of B875 did not show a significant change in this near-IR band like that observed for the longest wavelength band of B800–850. Thus, the transition moments for each bacteriochlorophyll within B875 appear to be tilted to approximately the same extent with respect to the protein axis. These results distinguish B875 from all other light-harvesting complexes and suggest that the antennae of Rhodospirillaceae which contain a single near-IR absorption band cannot be classified into a single group.     

过氧键的圆二色谱

青蒿素(1)的圆二色谱(CD)在229nm有极小值(图1);但在260nm处还有一个钝的极大值,乍看起来好象是由正Cotton效应所引起.有一些饱和内酯由于在液相中有两种构象同时并存,每个构象具有相应的Cotton效应(往往符号相反),从而可以显示与1相仿的CD,即所谓双值(bisignate)现象.但这种双值的长波极值一般都低予240nm,因此图1中260nm的极大值很难用双值现象加以解释.我们考虑,它很可能与分子中的过氧基团有关.     

钕和镧离子对tRNA圆二色谱的影响

采用圆二色谱方法对钕和镧离子与转移核糖核酸间的相互作用进行了研究,结果显示在1.5～6 μmol/L Nd³⁺或La³⁺离子存在下,tRNA分子CD谱260 nm(+)峰蓝移2～3 nm, 260 nm(+)峰值分别增加6%和20%左右;210 nm(-)峰在不同摩尔比Nd³⁺/tRNA作用下,谱峰蓝移或红移,峰值增加或降低50%左右。结果说明结合在tRNA分子上的Nd³⁺或La³⁺可能引起tRNA分子构象的变化。Eu³⁺对大肠杆菌LeuRS或tRNA^Leu-LeuRS复合物的CD谱具有一定的影响。     

ABSORBANCE and CIRCULAR DICHROISM SPECTRA OF 1-C1S PHOTOPRODUCT FORMED BY IRRADIATING FROG RHODOPSIN

Abstract— We showed by spectrophotometry and HPLC that a photoproduct having 7-cis retinal (1-cis photoproduct) can be derived from the photoisomerization of frog lumirhodopsin (L) and metarhodopsin I (M I). The efficiency of the isomerization was higher in M I than in L. The absorption maximum of the 1-cis photoproduct at -20°C is at 455 nm, and its maximum absorbance 1.1 times as large as that of rhodopsin. The photoproduct exhibited two positive CD bands at 450 nm α-band) and 320 nm (β-band); the molecular ellipticity at a-band ([θ] = 73000) being larger than that of rhodopsin ([θ] = 61000). Re-examination of the absorption spectra of rhodopsin intermediates gave the absorption maxima of L. M 1 and M 111 to be 522, 482 and 475 nm, respectively.     

PICOSECOND TRANSIENT BEHAVIOR OF REACTION-CENTER PARTICLES OF PHOTOSYSTEM I ISOLATED FROM SPINACH CHLOROPLASTS. ENERGY AND ELECTRON TRANSFER UPON SINGLE AND MULTIPLE PHOTON EXCITATION

Abstract— Both [15-¹³C] and [14-¹³C] all-trans-retinals were synthesized. Bacteriorhodopsin containing [14-¹³C]retinal as a chromophore, when solubilized with octyl-β-D-glucoside, showed characteristic resonances at 125 and 118 ppm from tetramethyl silane. The former was assigned to the signal from free retinal and the latter from protonated Sehiff base. When the bacteriorhodopsin was denatured in sodium dodecyl sulfate, the signal at 118 ppm disappeared, while the signal at 125 ppm rather increased.
In the case of bacteriorhodopsin containing [15-¹³C]retinal, when solubilized with Triton X-100, a characteristic resonance at 169 ppm was distinguishable as a shoulder peak superimposed on the broad signal of carbonyl carbons and it was assigned to the signal from the protonated Sehiff base. The other signal observed at 191 ppm was from free retinal.
These results suggested that the Sehiff base of bacteriorhodopsin is protonated in the dark.     

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.     

四面体型过渡金属配合物的构型与CD的关系

旋光性四面体型过渡金属配合物的圆二色光谱(CD)在d-d跃迁区的特征谱线反映了该类配合物的构型特征。从极化度的多级圆球不对称性模型出发,可将这类配合物的构型与CD在d-d跃迁区的特征谱线之间建立起直接的联系。     

THE CIRCULAR DICHROISM OF SODIUM CHOLATE SOLUBILIZED RHODOPSIN

Abstract— The near UV and visible circular dichroism (CD) spectra of rhodopsin solubilized and purified in sodium cholate have been determined. The CD properties of rhodopsin in 2 and 20mg/ml sodium cholate are substantially different in terms of the α band to β band ratio, and sensitivity of the near UV CD spectra to bleaching. Rhodopsin in 2mg/m l sodium cholate will regenerate (11- cis -retinal + opsin → rhodopsin) and has a CD spectrum similar to rhodopsin in rod outer segment membranes and digitonin which will also regenerate. On the other hand rhodopsin in 20mg/m l sodium cholate will not regenerate and has CD properties similar to other nonregenerable detergents (cetyltri-methylammonium salts and emulphogene). These results indicate that CD reflects the conformational integrity of functional (regenerable) rhodopsin and that sodium cholate can reversibly alter the conformation of rhodopsin. Finally the results further support the validity of using sodium cholate solubilized rhodopsin as a model system for studies on the structure and function of rhodopsin.     

MAGNETIC CIRCULAR DICHROISM OF BACTERIOCHLOROPHYLL a IN SOLUTION AND IN A PROTEIN

Abstract— The magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) (300–850nm) of the bacteriochlorophyll (Bchl) a -protein from the green photosynthetic bacterium Prosthecochloris aestuarii 2 K is qualitatively similar to the MCD of Bchl a in methanol and ether solution. This result implies that the transition dipole of the lowest energy electronic transition (near 800 nm) is roughly perpendicular to the transition dipole of the next higher electronic band (near 600nm) for Bchl a molecules in the protein just as it is for molecules in solution. This result provides no support for the recent proposal that interactions with the protein rotates the direction of the transition dipoles of the 800nm band of all the Bchl a molecules in the protein by 90°. While a rotation of the 800nm transition dipoles cannot be rigorously excluded, it would be necessary for the postulated perturbation to rotate the transition dipoles of both the 800 and 600nm bands by 90°. In a broader sense, any postulated perturbation would have to be shown to leave both the absorption spectrum and the MCD largely unaffected. MCD is a more sensitive test than absorption spectroscopy for perturbations of electronic states and changes in the relative orientation of transitions, because it depends on both the magnitudes and directions of at least two electric and one magnetic transition dipole.     

用圆二色谱(CD)研究海藻酸钠对钙锌离子的选择

用圆二色谱对海藻酸钠与钙锌离子相互作用的稳态溶液-凝胶过程进行了研究,结果表明该过程分前后两个阶段,在临界点之前第一阶段内,海藻酸钠构象的变化与阳离子用量成线性关系。对海藻酸钠与钙锌离子的选择识别和相互作用研究表明,钙离子与海藻酸钠的G、M单元相互作用差别很大,锌离子与G、M单元相互作用的差别比较小,锌离子对G、M单元的识别作用不如钙离子。锌离子与海藻酸钠形成凝胶时,交联点比钙离子的多。