PHOTOBIOLOGIE DU MÉSOCOTYLE D'AVOINE—II. STIMULATION DE L'ÉLONGATION PAR LA LUMIÈRE ROUGE-SOMBRE EN PRÉSENCE DE DIVERSES GIBBÉRELLINES

Abstract— Far-red light has the property of promoting the elongation of Avena mesocotyl sections in the presence of a gibberellin. Part of this effect is not reversible by red light (around 655 mμ ). The wavelengths which are most effective are those in the neignbourhood of 720 mμ , as revealed by the action spectrum. Amongst the 8 gibberellins tested, only A₁, A₃, and A₉, are capable of producing, after far-red irradiation, a greater elongation than the one they cause in the dark.     

PHOTOREVERSIBLE Ca2+-DEPENDENT AGGREGATION OF PURIFIED PHYTOCHROME FROM ETIOLATED PEA AND RYE SEEDLINGS

The aggregation of phytochrome purified from etiolated pea ( Pisum satirum cv. Alaska) and rye ( Secale cereale cv. Cougar) tissues was investigated by centrifugation and turbidimetry. Purified pea phytochrome (A₆₆₉/A₂₈₀= 0.88), if irradiated with red light, became precipitable in the presence of CaCl₂. The precipitation upon red-light irradiation was optimal at a Ca^2- or Mg²⁺ concentration of 10–20 m M , was greater at increased phytochrome concentration or lower pH values, and was inhibited by 0.1 M KG. The precipitated phytochrome slowly became soluble after far-red light exposure.
Turbidity of pea phytochrome solutions after red-light irradiation also increased rapidly in the presence of either Ca²⁺ or Mg²⁺. Far-red light exposure after the red light cancelled the turbidity increase. Rye phytochrome showed less turbidity increase than pea phytochrome and occurred only in the presence of Ca²⁺. Partially degraded pea phytochrome produced by endogenous proteases in the extract did not show the turbidity increase. Undegraded pea phytochrome also associated with microsomal fractions under conditions similar to those described above, but the partially degraded phytochrome did not.     

CHEMILUMINESCENT REACTIONS OF SO

Abstract— The rapid bimolecular reaction SO + O₃= SO₂+O₂+ 106 kcal/mole
yields electronically excited SO₂ in the ³B ₁ and ¹B₂ states with some vibrational excitation, as well as SO₂ in its electronic ground state. It is shown that k₁ = 1.5 x 10¹² exp (-2100/ RT ) cm² mole^-1 s-¹ and that the formation of electronically excited SO₂ involves higher activation energies.     

MULTIPLE ACTION OF FAR-RED LIGHT IN PHOTOPERIODIC INDUCTION and CIRCADIAN RHYTHMICITY

Abstract— It is generally accepted that phytochrome influences the photoperiodic induction of flowering through its interaction with the circadian clock mechanism. We have attempted to separate the effects of phytochrome on the clock mechanism from those that mediate flowering directly by examining a number of responses that are unrelated to flowering but are also regulated by the circadian clock. Gas exchange measurements of both CO₂ and H₂0 vapor were monitored under light conditions (200 μmol m ² s⁻¹) where the addition of far-red energy is required for the maximal promotion of flowering. In addition, photosynthetic capacity and maximal transpiration rates were measured in plants grown under continuous dim (20 μmol m⁻² S⁻') light, with or without supplemental far-red, by exposing them briefly to saturating fluxes (1000 μmol m⁻² s^-l) of light. Net CO₂ fixation was very weakly rhythmic in plants grown under both high and low light and this weak oscillation was completely suppressed by far-red light. Far-red also suppressed the rhythm in transpiration under high light, but the rhythm was immediately reinstated when the far-red light was removed. The phase of this rhythm was also reset with the next peak always occurring15–18 h after the far-red was turned off. When grown under dim light, the transpiration rhythm was not suppressed and the amplitude of the oscillation was more than doubled. Far-red light appears to interact with the rhythm in transpiration in a manner suggesting that the stomatal rhythm may be coupled to the same clock oscillator that regulates the flowering rhythm.     

PHOTOBIOLOGIE DU MESOCOTYLE D'AVOINE–IV. SPECTRES D'ACTION ET EFFICACITE QUANTIQUE DE LA LUMIERE

Abstract— The wavelengths most active in influencing the growth of segments of oat mesocotyl are 435 nm (blue), 665 nm (red) and 730 nm (far red). Using a high-energy source (1.5 × 10¹⁸ quanta/cm²), an inhibition in all areas of the spectrum except the far red was obtained. The efficiency of the different radiations was studied: blue light is the most active, red and far red have about the same efficiency; green is a thousand times less active. The effect induced by blue light cannot be directly attributed to phytochrome, because the wavelength of maximum effect does not correspond with that of maximum absorption of the pigment (there is 55 nm difference); also, blue light is more active than the red radiation.     

COOPERATION OF CHARGES IN PHOTOSYNTHETIC O2 EVOLUTION–I. A LINEAR FOUR STEP MECHANISM

Abstract— Using isolated chloroplasts and techniques as described by Joliot and Joliot[6] we studied the evolution of O₂ in weak light and light flashes to analyze the interactions between light induced O₂ precursors and their decay in darkness. The following observations and conclusions are reported: 1. Light flashes always produce the same number of oxidizing equivalents either as precursor or as O₂. 2. The number of unstable precursor equivalents present during steady state photosynthesis is ∼ 1.2 per photochemical trapping center. 3. The cooperation of the four photochemically formed oxidizing equivalents occurs essentially in the individual reaction centers and the final O₂ evolution step is a one quantum process. 4. The data are compatible with a linear four step mechanism in which a trapping center, or an associated catalyst, ( S ) successively accumulates four + charges. The S ⁴⁺ state produces O₂ and returns to the ground state S ₀. 5. Besides S ₀ also the first oxidized state S ⁺ is stable in the dark, the two higher states, S²⁺ and S³⁺ are not. 6. The relaxation times of some of the photooxidation steps were estimated. The fastest reaction, presumably S *₁← S ₂, has a (first) half time ≤ 200 μsec. The S *₂ state and probably also the S *₀ state are processed somewhat more slowly (˜ 300–400 μsec).     

THE EFFECT OF IRRADIANCE ON VIRUS STERILIZATION AND PHOTODYNAMIC DAMAGE IN RED BLOOD CELLS SENSITIZED BY PHTHALOCYANINES

Abstract— Phthalocyanines are being studied as photosensitizers for virus sterilization of red blood cells (RBC). During optimization of the reaction conditions, we observed a marked effect of the irradiance on production of RBC damage. Using a broad-band light source (600–700 nm) between 5 and 80 mW/ cm², there was an inverse relationship between irradiance and rate of photohemolysis. This effect was observed with aluminum sulfonated phthalocyanine (AlPcS_n) and cationic silicon (HOSiPc-OSi[CH₃]₂ [CH₂]₃N⁺[CH₃]₃I^- phthalocyanine (Pc5) photosensitizers. The same effect occurred when the reduction of RBC negative surface charges was used as an endpoint. Under the same treatment conditions, vesicular stomatitis virus inactivation rate was unaffected by changes in the irradiance. Reduction in oxygen availability for the photochemical reaction at high irradiance could explain the effect. However, theoretical estimates suggest that oxygen depletion is minimal under our conditions. In addition, because the rate of photohemolysis at 80 mW/cm² was not increased when irradiations were carried out under an oxygen atmosphere this seems unlikely. Likewise, formation of singlet oxygen dimoles at high irradiances does not appear to be involved because the effect was unchanged when light exposure was in D₂O. While there is no ready explanation for this irradiance effect, it could be used to increase the safety margin of RBC virucidal treatment by employing exposure at high irradiance, thus minimizing the damage to RBC.     

PHYTOCHROME CONVERSION BY ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT

Abstract— Light absorbed primarily by the protein of phytochrome is active in transforming both the red and far-red absorbing forms. P _r and P _fr. The ratio of quantum yields for the conversions of P _r and P _fr by u.v. radiation (φ_r/φ_fr)_u.v.= 1.5 and does not differ significantly from the ratio obtained with red and far-red light absorbed directly by the chromophores (φ_r/φ_fr)v_vis. Thus, the efficiency of energy transfer from protein to chromophore is essentially the same for both forms of the chromoprotein. The ratio of the relative quantum yields for u.v. and visible light (φ^r)^u.v./(φ^r)^vis was 0.32 indicating that 30–35 per cent of the light energy absorbed by the protein was transferred to the chromophore.     

SPECTRAL CHARACTERIZATION OF LIGHT-REDUCIBLE CYTOCHROME IN A PLASMA MEMBRANE-ENRICHED FRACTION AND IN OTHER MEMBRANES FROM CAULIFLOWER INFLORESCENCES

Abstract— Low temperature spectroscopy has been used to characterize microsomal fractions obtained from cauliflower inflorescences ( Brasska oleracea L.) by differential centrifugation and partition in an aqueous polymer two-phase system. The plasma membrane-enriched fraction (U₃) was found to contain one dominant b -cytochrome, which could be reduced both by blue light and by dithionite. An action spectrum of the blue light-induced absorbance change [LIAC, Δ(A₄₃₀—A₄₁₀)] associated with the reversible reduction of this b -type cytochrome indicated that the primary light-receptor was a flavin-like compound. Another microsomal fraction (L₃) containing membranes from mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum and other organelles also contained light-reducible cytochrome. One of these could be identified as cytochrome c oxidase, and another may be identical to cytochrome b ₅ of the endoplasmic reticulum.     

INACTIVATION OF Trypanosoma cruzi TRYPOMASTIGOTE FORMS IN BLOOD COMPONENTS BY PHOTODYNAMIC TREATMENT WITH PHTHALOCYANINES

Abstract— -Three phthalocyanine dyes HOSiPcOSi(CH₃)₂(CH₂)₃N(CH₃)₂ (Pc 4), HOSiPc-OSi(CH₃)₂(CH₂)₃N+(CH₃)3I- (Pc 5) and aluminum tetrasulfophthalocyanine hydroxide (AlOHPcS₄) were evaluated for their ability to inactivate the trypomastigote form of Trypanosoma cruzi in fresh frozen plasma (FFP) and red blood cell concentrates (RBCC). The compound Pc 4 was found to be highly effective in killing T. cruzi, Pc 5 less effective and AlOHPcS₄ ineffective. With FFP as the medium, a complete loss of parasite infectivity in vitro (≥5 log₁₀) was found to occur with 2 μ M Pc 4 after irradiation with red light (>600 nm) at a fiuence of 7.5 J/cm², while with RBCC as the medium, a complete loss was found to occur at a fiuence of 15 J/cm². Even without illumination, Pc 4 at 2 μ M also killed about 3.7-4.1 log₁₀ of T. cruzi in FFP during 30 min. Observed differences in T. cruzi killing by the various phthalocyanines may relate to differences in binding; Pc 4 binds to the parasites about twice as much as Pc 5. Ultrastructural analysis of treated parasites suggests that mitochondria are a primary target of this photodynamic treatment. The data indicate that Pc 4 combined with exposure to red light could be used to eliminate bloodborne T. cruzi parasites from blood components intended for transfusion. The inactivation of T. cruzi by Pc 4 in the dark suggests a possible therapeutic application.     

PHOTOLYSIS OF POLYRIBOBROMOURIDYLIC ACID

Abstract— Photolysis of polyribobromouridylic acid with 313 nm light at neutral pH caused extensive debromination and a loss of A₂₈₀ (280–nm absorbance) without comparable increase in A₂₆₀. At an exposure of 190μE/cm ² , strand breakage occurred on the average of one break every 170 BrU residues. Little if any pyrimidine hydrate was produced. Exhaustive RNase hydrolysis of photolysed polymer gave a mixture of mononucleotides and oligonucleotides. The mononucleotide fraction was found to be composed of unaltered BrUMP and contained little if any UMP. Irradiation of the polymer at alkaline pH caused little or no debromination or spectral change.     

Comparison of the Disinfection Effects of Vacuum-UV (VUV) and UV Light on Bacillus subtilis Spores in Aqueous Suspensions at 172, 222 and 254 nm

The efficacy of UV and vacuum-UV (VUV) disinfection of Bacillus subtilis spores in aqueous suspensions at wavelengths of 172, 222 and 254 nm was evaluated. A Xe₂* excilamp, a KrCl* excilamp and a low-pressure mercury lamp were used as almost monochromatic light sources at these three wavelengths. The first-order inactivation rate constants at 172, 222 and 254 nm were 0.0023, 0.122 and 0.069 cm² mJ⁻¹, respectively. Therefore, a 2 log reduction of B .  subtilis spores was reached with fluences (UV doses) of 870, 21.6 and 40.4 mJ cm⁻² at these individual wavelengths. Consequently, for the inactivation of B .  subtilis spores, VUV exposure at 172 nm is much less efficient than exposure at the other two wavelengths, while exposure at 222 nm is more efficient than that at 254 nm, which is probably because triplet energy transfer from DPA to thymine bases at 222 nm is higher than that at 254 nm. This research indicated quantitatively that VUV light is not practicable for microorganism disinfection in water and wastewater treatment. However, in comparison with other advanced oxidation processes ( e.g. UV/TiO₂, UV/H₂O₂ or O₃/H₂O₂) the VUV-initiated photolysis of water is likely more efficient in generating hydroxyl radicals and more effective for the inactivation of microorganisms.     

QUANTUM EFFICIENCY AND PHOTOSENSITIVITY OF THE RHODOPSIN ⇌ METARHODOPSIN CONVERSION IN CRAYFISH PHOTORECEPTORS

Photosensitivity (K_λ) of a visual pigment is the product of the molecular absorption coefficient (α_λ) and the quantum efficiency for photoconversion (γ). Among the invertebrates, many visual pigments are stable not only in the rhodopsin (R) conformation but also as the photoproduct, metarhodopsin (M), We here employ a method for determining the photosensitivities of the two stable pigments of a rhodopsin-metarhodopsin pair, using kinetic analysis of fluorescence from metarhodopsin combined with measurements of spectral absorption made before and after saturation at the isosbestic wavelength of the pigment pair. A curve fitting technique, in which a theoretical function is scaled for best fit to the measured absorption spectrum of the photosteady-state mixture, yields values for the photosensitivity of rhodopsin at λ._max, the ratio of quantum efficiencies for rhodopsin—metarhodopsin interconversion, and the fractional composition of the steady-state mixture. With knowledge of the molecular extinction coefficient, the absolute values of quantum efficiency can be calculated. For crayfish ( Orconectes, Procambarus ) rhodopsin, measured in isolated rhabdoms, K_max= 1.05 x 10^-16 cm² at 535 nm with >7λR→M0.69. These values are similar to the photosensitivity and quantum efficiency of bleaching of vertebrate rhodopsins in digitonin solution (Dartnall, 1972). For the metarhodopsin, K_max= 1.02 x 10^-16 cm² at 510 nm, and λ_M-R= 0.49.     

THE GECKO OPSIN: RESPONSES TO GEOMETRIC ISOMERS OF RETINAL and 3-DEHYDRORETINAL

Abstract— The opsin of the visual pigment (P521) of the Tokay gecko rapidly regenerates four spectrally different photopigments with the 9-cis and 11-cis isomers of both the vitamin A,- and A₂-aldehydes. The opsin displays the classic stereospecificity for both A₁- and A₂-series of isomers. The two photopigments regenerated with 9-cis- and ll-cw-3-dehydroretinals respond to chloride and nitrate ions as do the comparable pigments formed with 9-cis- and 11-ris-retinal. The result is a family of pigments absorbing with spectral maxima ranging from 464 to 540 nm, a span of some 3000 cm^-1. The photosensitivity of all four pigments was determined and found to be in relative order: 100% (11-cis-A₂), 77% (11- cis -A₂), 36% (9- cis -A,) and 14% (9- cis -A₂).     

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.     

NORMAL BRAIN TISSUE RESPONSE TO PHOTODYNAMIC THERAPY USING ALUMINUM PHTHALOCYANINE TETRASULFONATE IN THE RAT

Abstract— The effects of photodynamic therapy (PDT) on normal brain tissue and depth of brain necrosis were evaluated in rats receiving 2.5 mg/kg aluminum phthalocyanine tetrasulfonate. Twenty-four hours later brains were irradiated with 675 nm light at a power density of 50 mW/cm² and energy doses ranging from 1.6 to 121.5 J/cm². Brains were removed 24 h after PDT and evaluated microscopically. When present, brain lesions consisted of well-demarcated areas of coagulation necrosis. When plotting the depth of necrosis against the natural log of energy dose, the data fit a piecewise linear model, with a changepoint at 54.6 J/cm² and an x intercept of 7.85 J/cm². The slopes before and after the changepoint were 2.04 and 0.21 mm/In J cm^-2, respectively. The x intercept suggests a minimum light dose below which necrosis of normal brain will not occur, whereas the changepoint indicates the energy density corresponding to an approximate maximum depth of necrosis.     

Effect of Photosensitizer Delivery System and Irradiation Parameters on the Efficiency of Photodynamic Therapy of B16 Pigmented Melanoma in Mice

Abstract— Previous studies (Biolo et al., Photochem. Photobiol. 59, 362-365, 1994) showed that liposome-delivered Si(IV)-na-phthalocyanine (SiNc) photosensitizes B16 pigmented melanoma subcutaneously transplanted in C57 mice to the action of 776 nm light. However, the efficacy of the phototreatment was limited by a lack of selectivity of tumor targeting by SiNc as well as by incomplete necrosis of the neoplastic mass. The present investigations show that the use of a different delivery system (Cremophor emulsion vs liposomes of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine) causes no significant increase in the selectivity of tumor targeting for three injected doses of SiNc (0.5, 1, 2 mg/kg). However, upon 776 nm light irradiation (300 mW/cm²; 520 J/cm²), the delay in the rate of tumor growth was maximal (7-8 days) for the highest naphthalocyanine dose. On the other hand, a remarkable improvement in the tumor response was obtained by inducing an intratumoral temperature increase to 44°C immediately after PDT. The thermal effect appeared to be due to photoexcitation of melanin by 776 nm light (550 mW/cm²; 520 J/cm²) and subsequent partial conversion of absorbed energy into heat.     

Lutetium Texaphyrin (PCI-0123): A Near-Infrared, Water-Soluble Photosensitizer

Lutetium texaphyrin, PCI-0123, is a pure, water-soluble photosensitizer with a large broad absorption band centered at 732 nm. The compound was tested for photodynamic therapy (PDT) effectiveness in a murine mammary cancer model. The texaphyrin macrocycle as illustrated by magnetic resonance imaging and ¹⁴C-radiolabeled texaphyrin studies was shown to be tumor selective; a tumor-to-muscle ratio of 10.55 was seen after 5 h. Lutetium texaphyrin, at a drug dose of 20 μmol/kg with irradiation 5 h postinjection at 150 J/cm² and 150 mW/cm², had significant efficacy (P < 0.0001) in treating neoplasms of moderate size (40 ± 14 mm³) and also had significant efficacy ( P < 0.0001) in treating larger neoplasms (147 ± 65 mm³). The PDT efficacy was correlated with the time interval between PCI-0123 administration and light exposure. A 100% cure rate was achieved when photoirradiation took place 3 h postinjection compared to 50% for 5 h using 10 μmol/kg and 150 J/cm² at 150 mW/cm². The PDT efficacy was attributable to the selective uptakehetention of the texaphyrin photosensitizer in addition to the depth of light penetration achievable at the 732 nm laser irradiation.     

EFFECT OF PHOTOCROSSLINKING ON ESCHERICHIA COLI tRNA STRUCTURE

Abstract— The effect of photocrosslinking s ⁴ U ₈ with C ₁₃ on the structure of E. coli tRNA has been examined by high resolution NMR. Photocrosslinking affects both the structure and the enzymatic acylation of tRNA. The NMR measurements demonstrate that except for the s ⁴ U ₈.A₁₄ base pair, there is no evidence that photocrosslinking perturbs any of the common tertiary structure interactions. However, this modification does perturb several resonances which are assigned to the secondary structure base pairs of the hU stem and the terminal base pair of the acceptor stem. The variable effect of photocrosslinking on the extent and rate of enzymatic acylation of different tRNA is attributed to different recognition sites for tRNA by the cognate synthetases.     

A POSSIBLE CONTROL BY A PHYTOCHROME-LIKE PHOTORECEPTOR OF CHLOROPHYLL SYNTHESIS IN THE GREEN ALGA Ulva rigida

Chlorophyll synthesis is stimulated by red light pulses in the green alga Ulva rigida C. Aghard. Chlorophyll synthesis in darkness is greater after longer red light pulses (30 min) than after shorter red light pulses (5 min). Chlorophyll synthesis was higher after red light pulses of 14 Wm_-2 fluence rate than after those of 7 Wm_-2. The effect of red light showed some far-red reversibility. The reversion by far-red light was higher after red light pulses of 4 min than after those of 30 min. These results indicate the existence of a rapid induction of chlorophyll synthesis during the red light pulses and a fast escape from photoreversibility. The percentage of reversion is also affected by the fluence rate of the light pulses. The reversion was reduced by about 15% when the photon fluence rate was increased from 7 to 14 Wm_-2. Reversion was also observed when red and far-red light pulses were applied successively. Thus, phytochrome or a phytochrome-like photoreceptor could be involved in the induction of chlorophyll synthesis in Ulva rigida.