RUTHENIUM RED INHIBITION OF OXYGEN EVOLUTION AND SPECIFIC RELEASE OF THE EXTRINSIC 16 kDa POLYPEPTIDE IN A PHOTOSYSTEM II PREPARATION

The inhibitory effect of the dye ruthenium red was studied in photosystem II-enriched submembrane fractions. A number of distinct types of interaction were found, which differed in their concentration range and required incubation time. Ruthenium red instantaneously quenches the initial chlorophyll a fluorescence level (F₀) and the maximum fluorescence level (F_m) by enhancing radiationless deactivation in the chlorophyll light harvesting complex. Associated with this quenching of fluorescence is an instantaneous decrease in the quantum yield of oxygen evolution. Ruthenium red also inhibited the light saturated rate of oxygen evolution and the variable fluorescence, monitored 80 µs after a saturating excitation-flash. These inhibitions increased with incubation time and became greater than 50% within 5 min. Although ruthenium red was known to affect Ca²⁺ or Cl^? sites specifically, the inhibitory action was more pronounced than simple Ca²⁺ or Cl^? depletion. Incubation with ruthenium red for 5 min blocks the Z P680⁺ → Z⁺ P680 charge transfer reaction. Upon mixing with the photosystem II preparation, ruthenium red induced specific release of the extrinsic 16 kDa polypeptide associated with water-splitting without release of Mn. It is proposed that the inhibitor produces an ionic imbalance which alters the configuration of the donor side of photosystem II.     

THE LIGHT DEPENDENT QUENCHING OF CHLOROPLAST FLUORESCENCE BY COFACTORS OF CYCLIC ELECTRON FLOW IN PHOTOSYSTEM I

Abstract—When 3–(3',4'-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea poisoned, intact thylakoids of isolated chloroplasts are illuminated in salt free suspension media, N -methylphenazinium cations (MP⁺) are reversibly taken up. Simultaneously, the chlorophyll fluorescence is reversibly lowered. When inorganic salts in the reaction medium provide membrane permeant charge balancing ions, the extent of the MP⁺ association with the thylakoids is strongly increased, but the fluorescence lowering is hardly affected. lonophoretically active agents inhibit specifically the salt dependent increment of the MP⁺ interaction with the thylakoids, but have only insignificant effects on the fluorescence lowering provided the experimental conditions do not allow the formation of a proton gradient across the thylakoid membrane. On the basis of these results, and of data obtained from comparative studies with other cofactors of cyclic electron transport in PS I, it is suggested that the 'energy dependent' fluorescence lowering is linked to a binding of cationic cofactors to nucleophilic sites in or at the thylakoid membrane. Such sites appear to become exposed in the wake of a light dependent transport of the cofactor, or of protons, into the thylakoid.     

ALTERNATIVE MEASURES OF PHOTOSYSTEM II ELECTRON TRANSFER INHIBITION IN ANTHRAQUINONE-TREATED CHLOROPLASTS

We have previously used chlorophyll fluorescence measurements at Fmax conditions (i.e. with Photosystem II electron acceptor QA reduced) to monitor the action of 9,10-anthraquinones on photosynthetic electron transport in plant chloroplasts. The present investigation employs two additional techniques to characterize the extent of electron transport inhibition induced by the addition of substituted anthraquinones to the suspending medium of spinach chloroplasts. Results are presented for spectrophotometric assays of the rate of electron transfer to an exogenous electron acceptor, 2,6-dichloroindophenol (DCIP) and for electrochemical determinations of the rate of oxygen evolution in anthraquinone-treated chloroplasts. In general, amino-substituted anthraquinones are ineffective inhibitors, maintaining electron transfer rates to DCIP at levels ranging from 50 to 90% of normal rates and yielding rates of O2 evolution averaging at 70% of the rate in untreated chloroplasts. In contrast, hydroxy-substituted anthraquinones efficiently block Photosystem II electron transport, resulting in low rates of DCIP photoreduction ranging from 0 to 20% of normal values and reducing O2 evolution rates to an average of 30% of the rate observed for untreated chloroplasts. Relative rates of DCIP photoreduction for anthraquinone-treated chloroplasts show a strong linear correlation with the reported relative Fmax chlorophyll fluorescence intensities. Relative O2 evolution rates are observed to correlate with the Stern-Volmer fluorescence quenching parameter Ksv. We suggest that slight differences in the extent of inhibitory activity of an anthraquinone as measured by the three techniques are consistent with certain known Photosystem II heterogeneities. The similarities in relative rankings of inhibitory effects for the 9, 10-anthraquinones, however, demonstrate that the three techniques employed (measurements of Fmax chlorophyll fluorescence, DCIP photoreduction rates, and O2 evolution rates) are alternative assays of anthraquinone-induced Photosystem II electron transport inhibition.     

INHIBITION OF ELECTRON TRANSPORT IN CHLOROPLASTS BY CHAOTROPIC AGENTS AND THE USE OF MANGANESE AS AN ELECTRON DONOR TO PHOTOSYSTEM II*

Abstract— Incubating spinach chloroplasts with various chaotropic agents results in inhibition of photosynthetic electron transport between water and Photosystem II similar to the inhibition caused by washing chloroplasts with a high concentration of Tris buffer. Partial restoration of NADP photoreduction and fluorescence of variable yield is achieved by adding hydroquinone or Mn²⁺, either of which donates electrons to Photosystem II in the inhibited chloroplasts. The inhibitory treatments cause the release of Mn from its bound state in the chloroplast, thus allowing the measurement of the ESR signal of Mn²⁺. The ESR measurement is used to follow the photooxidation of Mn²⁺ as it donates electrons to photosystem II.     

INACTIVATION OF THE ACCEPTOR SIDE AND DEGRADATION OF THE D1 PROTEIN OF PHOTOSYSTEM II BY SINGLET OXYGEN PHOTOGENERATED FROM THE OUTSIDE

Abstract— The possible association of photodynamic sensitization with photoinhibition damage to the photosystem II complex (PS II) has been investigated using isolated intact thylakoids from pea leaves. For this study singlet oxygen (¹O₂), photoproduced by endogenous chromophores that are independent of the function of PS II, was assumed to be the major reactive intermediate involved in the photoinhibition process. When thylakoid samples preincubated with rose bengal were subjected to exposure to relatively weak green light (500–600 nm) under aerobic conditions, PS II was severely damaged. The pattern of the rose bengal-sensitized inhibition of PS II was similar to that of high light-induced damage to PS II: (1) the secondary quinone (Q_B)-dependent electron transfer through PS II is inactivated much faster than the Q_B-independent electron flow, (2) PS II activity is lost prior to degradation of the D1 protein, (3) diuron, an herbicide that binds to the Q_B domain on the D1 protein, prevents D1 degradation, and (4) PS II is damaged to a greater extent by the deuteration of thylakoid suspensions but to a lesser extent by the presence of histidine. Furthermore, it was observed that destroying thylakoid Fe-S centers resulted in a marked reduction of high light-induced PS II damage. These results may suggest that the primary processes of photoinhibition are mediated by ¹O₂ and that Fe-S centers, which are located in some membrane components, but not in PS II, play an important role in photogenerating the activated oxygen immediately responsible for the initiation of photodamage to PS II.     

MAGNESIUM ION EFFECTS ON CHLOROPLAST PHOTOSYSTEM II FLUORESCENCE AND PHOTOCHEMISTRY

Abstract. –Although there have been several reports that divalent cations, especially Mg²⁺, can significantly affect chloroplast photoprocesses, the molecular mechanism of cation interaction is not well understood. We have investigated the interaction of Mg²⁺with Photosystem II photoprocesses by studying cation effects on chloroplast fluorescence and the Hill reaction. Our results are summarized as follows.
1. Mg²⁺stimulation of background fluorescence (20–30%) saturates at about 0.5 mM Mg²⁺, while Mg²⁺stimulation of variable fluorescence (250%) saturates at about 2.5 mM Mg²⁺.
2. Addition of Mg²⁺to chloroplasts treated with 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea or dithionite causes a doubling in the amount of total (background + variable) fluorescence.
3. Studies on chloroplasts in the presence of 2,6-dichlorophenolindophenol indicate that Mg²doubles the relative yield of variable fluorescence under light-limiting conditions.
4. Mg²causes large (70–120%) increases in the light-limited rate of the DCIP Hill reaction.
We interpret these results in terms of a model involving two components of chloroplast emission. Our analysis indicates that Mg²⁺increases the effective absorption cross section (size) of the pigment array associated with Photosystem II photochemistry.     

THE PRIMARY REACTION OF PLANT PHOTOSYSTEM II

Abstract. …Research during the past five years has resulted in considerable advances in our understanding of the primary reaction (the initial light-induced charge separation) of plant Photosystem II (the reaction responsible for the oxidation of H₂O to O₂). The primary reaction appears to involve the photooxidation of a specialized chlorophyll a and the concomitant photoreduction of a specialized plastoquinone. Evidence for this formulation of the Photosystem II reaction center and a discussion of the kinetic and oxidation-reduction properties of the reactants are reviewed.     

OXYGEN MEDIATED PHOTOSYSTEM I ACTIVITY IN THYLAKOID MEMBRANES MONITORED BY A PHOTOELECTROCHEMICAL CELL

Abstract— A photoelectrochemical cell has been used to monitor the effects of three enzymes on the photocurrent produced by isolated spinach thylakoids. The enzymes were glucose oxidase, superoxide dismutase and catalase. It is shown that all three inhibit the photocurrent to varying degrees. The results demonstrate that electron transport to the working electrode is mediated by oxygen. Further, the activity monitored originated from photosystem I with oxygen as the acceptor and photosystem II/plastoquinone as the donor. Thus, the photoelectrochemical cell constitutes a potential new approach for the monitoring of pseudocyclic electron transport.     

REMARKABLE INHIBITION OF OXYGEN QUENCHING OF PHOSPHORESCENCE BY COMPLEXATION WITH CYCLODEXTRINS

The phosphorescence of the 4-bromo-l-naphthoyl group is readily quenched by molecular oxygen in homogeneous solvents. However, when this lumophore is complexed with γ-cyclodextrin in aqueous solution at room temperature, its phosphorescence is observed even under 1 atm of oxygen! Phosphorescence decay data indicated that two types of probe/cyclodcxtrin complexes are formed with lifetimes of 600 u,s and 3.5 ms. Oxygen completely quenches the fast decay, but only partially quenches the slow decay.     

POTENTIOMETRIC and LASER FLASH PHOTOLYSIS STUDIES OF THE pH DEPENDENCE OF HYDROGEN PEROXIDE PRODUCTION BY THE SEMICARBAZIDE/LUMIFLAVIN/OXYGEN PHOTOSYSTEM

The effect of pH on hydrogen peroxide photoproduction by the semicarbazide/lumiflavin/ oxygen system has been investigated by using the potentiometric and laser flash photolysis techniques. Kinetic analysis of (a) primary and secondary reactions involved in the photoreduction of lumiflavin and (b) lumiflavin reoxidation by oxygen have been carried out at varying pH values, drastic differences being observed in the pH dependence of both types of reactions. The reaction mechanism appears to proceed by semicarbazide-quenching (reductive type) of the light-excited lumiflavin in its triplet state followed, depending on pH, either by reoxidation of the so formed flavosemiquinone by molecular oxygen or by flavosemiquinone disproportionation into oxidized and fully reduced lumiflavin.     

INHIBITION OF RESPIRATION AND LOSS OF MEMBRANE INTEGRITY BY SINGLET OXYGEN GENERATED BY A PHOTOSENSITIZED REACTION IN NEUROSPORA CRASSA CONIDIA

Abstract— It was found that killing of Neurospora crassa conidia by singlet molecular oxygen generated by a photosensitized reaction in the presence of toluidine blue O, accompanied inhibition of respiration and uptake of the photosensitizing dye by conidia. Both the inactivation of respiration and the uptake of toluidine blue O were stimulated by deuterium oxide and suppressed by azide. Mitochondria of irradiated conidia were swollen and showed matrix of low density under an electron microscope.
These results suggest that singlet molecular oxygen induces the inhibition of respiration and the loss of membrane integrity of Neurospora conidia.     

THE HEMOLYSIS OF ERYTHROCYTES BY SINGLET OXYGEN GENERATED IN THE GAS PHASE

Many sensitizers cause photodynamic hemolysis of erythrocytes. As these sensitizers usually participate in Type I as well as Type II processes, the determination of the mechanism(s) of photosensitized hemolysis is always ambiguous. Here, human erythrocytes were proved to hemolyze upon treatment with singlet oxygen (1 delta g) generated with fluoranthene in the gas phase. These conditions rigorously exclude the participation of superoxide anion. The standard diagnostic tests for singlet oxygen (enhanced effect in D2O and protection by NaN3) gave the anticipated results when the erythrocytes were treated with 1O2 generated in the gas phase. When the erythrocytes were irradiated in a buffer solution containing fluoranthene, the results of the diagnostic tests depended on the sensitizer concentration.     

PHOTOSYSTEM II HETEROGENEITY IN THE MARINE DIATOM Phaeodactylum tricornutum

Abstract— The kinetics of photosystem II photochemistry are analyzed in the marine diatom Phaeodacfylum tricornutum by measurement of fluorescence induction in cell suspensions treated with 3–(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea. Photosystem II kinetics are found to be biphasic, the sum of two exponential components, suggesting that biphasic energy conversion in photosystem II may be a general consequence of thylakoid membrane appression. The emission wavelength-dependence of fluorescence induction suggests that the two photosystem II components have different variable fluorescence emission spectra. The slower component exhibits characteristic emission of the diatom light-harvesting complexes while emission from the faster component resembles that of the photosystem II reaction center. Variable fluorescence emission (293 K) at wavelengths > 700 nm is assigned to photosystem II. Application of model equations indicates that the two photosystem II unit types differ primarily in antenna size. A new analytical procedure is presented which eliminates ambiguities in the kinetic analysis associated with the incorrect assignment of the maximal fluorescence yield.     

辐射固化过程中抗氧抑制效应研究进展

本文报道了辐射固化过程中抗氧抑制的现状和前景。讨论了辐射化反应和机理及氧抑制的原因，评述了几种抗氧抑制的方法，预示了无氧抑制或低氧抑制的辐射固化前景和可行性。     

NONLINEAR LASERSPECTROSCOPIC INVESTIGATIONS OF THE PIGMENT-PIGMENT INTERACTION WITHIN THE LIGHT-HARVESTING COMPLEX OF PHOTOSYSTEM II

Using a pump and test beam technique in the frequency domain with pump pulses in the nanosecond time range, the nonlinear transmission properties were investigated at room temperature in photosystem (PS) II membrane fragments and isolated light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b-protein preparations (LHC II preparations). In LHC II preparations and PS II membrane fragments, respectively, pump pulses of 620 nm and 647 nm cause a transmission decrease limited to a wavelength region in the nearest vicinity of the pump pulse wavelength (full width at half maximum ' 0.24 nm). In contrast, at 670 nm neither a transmission decrease nor a narrow band feature were observed. The data obtained for PS II membrane fragments and LHC II preparations at shorter wavelengths (620 nm, 647 nm) were interpreted in terms of excited state absorption of whole pigment-protein clusters within the light-harvesting antenna of photosystem II. The interpretation of the small transmission changes as homogeneously broadened lines led to a transversal relaxation time for chlorophyll in the clusters of about 4 ps.     

OXIDATION OF PHOSPHATIDYLCHOLINE MEMBRANES BY SINGLET OXYGEN GENERATED IN THE GAS PHASE

Singlet-oxygen (1O2) was generated in the gas phase by heterogeneous photosensitization and bubbled into suspensions of phosphatidylcholine (PC) liposomes. Lipid peroxidation and membrane lysis were observed, and were dependent on the 1O2 concentration and the degree of unsaturation of the liposome. An analysis based on large target diffusion theory indicates that approximately 5000, 2800, and 1600 interactions were required for the lysis of large dioleoylPC, dilinoleoylPC and dilinolenoylPC liposomes, respectively.     

红外吸收光谱法测定钨粉、钴粉中的氧

研究了红外吸收光谱法测定钨粉、钴粉中氧的测试条件。确定了仪器工作参数,探讨了锡箔、标准样品对测定结果的影响。