PHOTO ACTIVATION OF UROCANASE IN PSEUDOMONAS PUTIDA: FACTORS INFLUENCING ACTIVATION

Abstract— –When washed cells of histidine-grown Pseudomonas putida were incubated at 8°C in darkness, urocanase activity diminished after several days; most of this lost activity could be restored by treatment of cell extracts with near-u.v. light. Sunlight and daylight were also effective for activation. Non-irradiated extract, when added to the active preparation, did not inhibit the enzyme activity. Heated and boiled extracts with or without irradiation did not catalyze the urocanase reaction nor did they change the activity of an activated extract when added to it. Photoactivation of cell extracts did not require oxygen, was not dependent on temperature and was not prevented by dialysis. Urocanase purified by gel electrophoresis was capable of light activation. It is suggested that the photoreceptor is closely associated with urocanase since it is not separated from the enzyme by dialysis or electrophoresis.     

HETEROGENEITY OF THE PHOTOCHEMICAL CENTERS IN SYSTEM II OF CHLOROPLASTS*

Abstract— In 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea (DCMU) poisoned chloroplasts of algae and‘ higher plants the area over the fluorescence induction curve increases with biphasic first order kinetics (Melis and Homann, 1975). Two possibilities are considered to explain the biphasic nature of the area growth. The first is a sequential double reduction of the primary electron acceptor in system II while the second envisages a heterogeneity of its photochemical centers. The kinetic properties of the area growth after firing a single saturating flash proved to be incompatible with the predictions of the “sequential double reduction” model. This conclusion was corroborated by results obtained from a kinetic analysis of the area restoration process in the dark, and an analysis of the partially restored areas. Assuming an existence of a heterogeneous pool of photochemical centers, the growth of the area over the fluorescence curve could be further analyzed to yield two components, a fast a-component, and a relatively slow β-component. The kinetic characteristics of these components, and the effect of a short saturating flash on their respective size, led to the conclusion that one type of photochemical center had a faster recombination rate of the photochemically separated charges and was less efficient in trapping excitation energy.     

ON THE POLARITY OF PHYTOCHROME CONTROLLED LEAF UNFOLDING IN DARK-GROWN SEEDLINGS OF TRITICUM AESTIVUM*

Abstract— The apical ends of sections cut from etiolated primary wheat leaves show a higher degree of phytochrome-mediated leaf unfolding than the basal ends, regardless of the position of the segment in the leaf. It could be clarified that this polarity is not the result of a stable gradient within the intact dark grown leaf. Partial irradiation experiments have shown that leaf unfolding can be induced much more effectively by an irradiation of the apical half of a section than of the basal half. Though only the basal end of the sections was incubated with gibberellic acid (GA₃) in darkness, the degree of the GA₃-induced leaf unfolding was highest at the apical end of these non-irradiated segments. The results suggest that in each separate leaf section a new gradient of a still unknown “unfolding-factor” is established.     

IRREVERSIBLE PHOTO IN ACTIVATION OF NITRATE REDUCTASE DURING THE FLAVIN-SENSITIZED PHOTOCHEMICAL ASSAY OF ITS CATALYTIC ACTIVITY

Abstract— The classic photochemical system in which flavin and EDTA act as photosensitizer and electron donor, respectively, has been employed for assaying in vitro the catalytic activity of Ankistrodesmus braunii nitrate reductase. When the photochemical assay is performed under air, but not in anaerobiosis, a considerable decay in the nitrite photoproduction rate is observed after 10–15 min. which is accompanied by a decrease of reduced methyl viologen-nitrate reductase activity. The first enzyme activity, i.e. diaphorase is photoinactivated even more quickly and does not present any initial lag phase. Some oxygen species (superoxide and/or hydrogen peroxide) are probably involved in the photoinactivating mechanism, which appears to be non-specific and irreversible.
The use of flavin/EDTA photosystems is therefore, very practical for the in vitro assay of nitrate reductase activity, although anaerobic conditions are required for optimum results. Since inactivation of the terminal activity is, however, relatively slow, anaerobiosis would not be required for assay times shorter than 10 min.     

PHOTO ACTIVATION OF ISOFLAVONOID PHYTOALEXINS: INVOLVEMENT OF FREE RADICALS

Abstract— Upon irradiation with ultraviolet light the isoflavonoid phytoalexins phaseollin, 3,6a, 9-trihydroxypterocarpan, glyceollin, tuberosin and pisatin, but not medicarpin, brought about inactivation ofglucose–6-phosphate dehydrogenase in an in vitro assay system. Photoinactivation of the enzyme by photoactivated pisatin in air-saturated solutions was hardly affected by singlet oxygen quenchers such as NaN₃, bovine serum albumin, histidine or methionine. Neither addition of the hydroxyl radical scavengers mannitol, Na-benzoate and ethanol nor the presence of catalase or supcroxide dismutase protected the enzyme against photoinactivation, suggesting that OH, H₂O₂ and O₂ are not the reactive oxygen species involved. However, the free radical scavenger S-(2-amino-ethyl)isothiouronium bromide hydrobromide (AET) protected the enzyme against inactivation by photoactivated pisatin. Direct evidence for the generation of free radicals was obtained by ESR measurements of solutions of phaseollin, pisatin and medicarpin in hexane irradiated with ultraviolet light in the presence or absence of O₂. Phaseollin produced the most stable free radicals, whereas medicarpin hardly gave rise to free radical formation; pisatin took a somewhat intermediate position by producing a strong ESR signal which, however, decayed rather quickly. Photodegradation of all phytoalexins, except for medicarpin, was accompanied with loss of fungitoxicity, as shown in thin-layer chromatographic bioassays, and formation of new products.
These results indicate free radical formation as the causative process for photoinactivation of enzymes by photoactivated isoflavonoid phytoalexins.     

AN ANALYSIS OF A TRIPLET EXCITON MODEL FOR THE DELAYED LIGHT IN CHLORELLA*

Abstract— The time dependence of the delayed light in the green alga Chlorella pyrenoidosa has been examined quantitatively in the 1 to 12 msec range after excitation with light pulses (A = 6328 Å) of 100 μsec and 4.5 msec duration. We have confirmed the data of Tollin, Ruby, and Bertsch et al., on the time course of the delayed light in the msec range. New experiments, with 100 μsec flash excitation, on the time dependence of the delayed light emitted by Chlorella treated with 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea (DMU), hydroxylamine, methyl violgen, and various combinations of these chemicals are presented. Also, data on the dependence of the delayed light intensity on the intensity of the excitation light in the 1.5 and 5.0 msec range are reported. The square law dependence, reported by Jones, in the 140 and 250 msec range is confirmed in the 1.5 and 5.0 msec range at very low light levels. The experimental data on delayed light has been analyzed in terms of a model which incorporates triplet exciton fusion. The following major points result from this analysis: (1) A triplet exciton kinetic model can explain both the time dependence and the excitation intensity dependence of the delayed light emitted by Chlorella. (2) The density of triplet excitons predicted by the model from the observed delayed light intensity is much less than that which can be detected by flash photolysis measurements. Therefore, the failure of such measurements to detect triplet states in vivo does not disprove the model. (3) The possibility of changes in the rate of electron transfer reactions of photosynthesis is included in the kinetic model. The predictions from the model are compared with the effects of chemical additives on the time dependence of the delayed light decay. (4) The proposed triplet exciton model predicts that the delayed light intensity may, under certain specific conditions, be affected by a magnetic field. The negative result of an attempt to observe this effect is reported and discussed. (5) It is concluded that the proposed triplet ‘fusion’ model is a valid alternative to the electron-hole recombination model.     

EXCITATION OF CHLOROPLASTS IN Euglena gracilis IN THE ABSENCE OF LIGHT

Abstract— Challenging Euglena gracilis —a unicellular microorganism that contains chloroplasts—with phenylacetaldehyde induces malondialdehyde formation, sustained red emission and Hill activity. In chloroplasts, phenylacetaldehyde appears to undergo peroxidase catalyzed oxidation to formic acid and triplet benzaldehyde; the latter or, less likely, a precursor thereof promotes lipid peroxidation. Triplet benzaldehyde and/or the excited species formed in lipid peroxidation transfer energy to the chlorophylls. This explanation also applies to spinach chloroplasts preparations, thus accounting for the previous unexplained observation that phenylacetaldehyde induced sustained red emission and Hill activity. A homogeneous picture is now available regarding the intracellular generation of excited states and concomitant excitation of built-in structures.     

FLUORESCENCE OF PHYTOCHROME IN THE CELLS OF DARK-GROWN PLANTS AND ITS CONNECTION WITH THE PHOTOTRANSFORMATIONS OF THE PIGMENT

Abstract Fluorescence of phytochrome is found in the cells of etiolated monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous plants. The red light-absorbing form of phytochrome (P_r) fluoresces at 77 K with a yield 0.3±0.1 and maxima at 672–673 nm and 684–686 nm in the excitation and emission spectra, respectively. The emission is characterized by the sharp temperature dependence of its intensity, its high (～ 40%) polarization, and the violation of the mirror symmetry rule. Connection of the fluorescence with P_r photoreactions is followed in the interval 77–293 K. A P, photoproduct, lumi-R, is fluorescent with maxima at 696 nm and 705 nm in the excitation and emission spectra; the far-red light absorbing form of phytochrome (P_fr) is practically nonfluorescent. Three isochromic emitting P_r species are present differing in their photochemical properties: P_r1 and P_r2 which phototransform irreversibly and reversibly at T 170 K into lumi-R, and lumi-R₂, respectively, and P_r3 which undergoes photoconversion only at T > 240 K. The activation energies of P_r2 and P_r3 photoreactions are evaluated to be 2.9–3.3 kJ/mol and 26 kJ/mol. Complex dynamics of changes of P_r fluorescence and of the extent of its decrease in the photoconversion P_r? P_fr in germinating pea and bean seeds suggests the existence of two P_r pools one of which is incapable of P_r? P_fr phototransformation. Thus, the developed fluorescent method of phytochrome assay and investigation in the cell revealing multiplicity of phytochrome states in vivo proves to be very sensitive (about 1 ng) and informative.     

FIBER-OPTIC PLANT TISSUES: SPECTRAL DEPENDENCE IN DARK-GROWN AND GREEN TISSUES*

Abstract— The fiber-optic properties of etiolated plant tissues can be used to detect and characterize pigment absorption in vivo. Transmission spectra of light guided through several monocot and dicot etiolated tissues show a decreasing red/far red ratio with increasing tissue length. Absorption bands attributable both to vacuolar pigments such as anthocyanins and to chloroplast pigments lead to the conclusion that the guided light passes through both vacuole and cytoplasm. As etiolated tissue becomes green under white light treatment, the red/far red ratio also changes, the nature of the change depending upon the tissue involved. The blue/red ratio also changes both with increasing length of etiolated tissue and during the greening process, with the changes again dependent on the tissue involved. The spectral dependence of the light-guiding phenomenon in dark grown and green plants may have implications for physiological responses mediated by phytochrome.     

THE REACTION OF DIPHENYLPHOSPHINE OXIDE WITH DIPHENYLPHOSPHINOUS CHLORIDE IN THE ABSENCE OF BASE

Abstract

Diphenylphosphinous chloride (1) and diphenylphosphine oxide (2) (2 mol. equivalent) react to form diphenylphosphinic acid (4), together with tetraphenyldiphosphine (5) (at 80°C), or its hydrochloride (6) (at 20°C), as the only products.     

STRUCTURAL PROPOSALS FOR THE MANGANESE CENTERS OF THE OXYGEN EVOLVING COMPLEX: AN INORGANIC CHEMIST'S PERSPECTIVE*

Abstract— This contribution provides an analysis of the basic coordination tendencies of manganese with specific emphasis on the biological chemistry of this element. The review is broken into four parts. First, a discussion of the basic coordination chemistry of manganese is mononuclear and multinuclear environments is presented. Second, the biophysical data essential to the development of models for the active center of the photosystem is examined. Third, recently reported mononuclear and cluster manganese compounds are profiled with an emphasis on relating the physical parameters of the models to the structure and function of the enzymatic system. Finally, a comparison is made between the OEC and other known manganoenzymes which metabolize the O₂^n-moiety.     

THE COMPLEXITY OF THE FLUORESCENCE OF CHLORELLA PYRENOIDOSA

Abstract— The complexity of the room-temperature emission spectrum of Chlorella was investigated by a matrix analysis method. This approach revealed the presence of two independently fluorescent components in the short-wave region of the spectrum. These components, maximal at about 687 and 695 nm, appeared to correspond to the fluorescence of the bulk pigments of PS II and PS I respectively. The analysis was insensitive to the individual species within the photosystems. As such, other minor fluorescent species, usually observed at low temperatures, which presumably correspond to fluorescence from the trapping centres, did not appreciably complicate the analysis. The absorption spectra of the two photosystems were calculated from the fluorescence data. The results were similar to those that have been obtained by other workers from oxygen evolution and DCMU poisoning data but differed from those obtained by computer analysis of the absorption spectrum. Addition of reduced DCPIP was observed to reverse the increase in fluorescence yield and changes in the spectral distribution of emission taking place on poisoning the algae. The correlation between this and the catalysis of photophos-phorylation in aged or poisoned chloroplasts was noted. This correlation was tentatively interpreted as evidence for a direct interaction between the donor system and the photochemical apparatus associated with PS II, rather than with a member of the electron transport chain as is normally assumed.     

DELAYED FLUORESCENCE FROM CHLORELLA PYRENOIDOSA: EFFECT OF BACKGROUND ILLUMINATION*

Abstract— –With background illumination the delayed fluorescence intensity from Chlorella pyrenoidosa observed at 1 msec following a flash of light is greatly increased. It is shown that the background illumination makes a photosystem II product that increases the delayed fluorescence yield and decays in the dark with second order kinetics. The delayed fluorescence observed at 1 msec appears to be more closely related to the primary energy conversion act than delayed fluorescence observed at longer times which is more indicative of electron transport chemical activity.     

EFFECT OF INACTIVATION OF THE OXYGEN-EVOLVING SYSTEM ON THE THERMOLUMINESCENCE OF ISOLATED CHLOROPLASTS

Abstract— The effect of inactivation of water-splitting enzyme on the thermoluminescence of isolated chloroplasts was investigated. The inhibitory treatments used included Tris-washing, alkaline pH in the presence of the uncoupler gramicidin, incubation with a high concentration of magnesium ions and different chaotropic agents. It was found that inhibition of oxygen evolution resulted in the disappearance of the main thermoluminescence band at +20°C. The A band which appears at — 10°C and has been related to the S₄ state of the water-splitting enzyme (Inoue, 1981) was not considerably affected by the inhibition of oxygen evolution. The results presented here indicate that the participation of the S₄ state of water-splitting enzyme in the generation of the A band should be reinvestigated.     

无过量络合剂存在时极谱法测定络合物稳定常数的研究

在电极反应为可逆的条件下,导出了溶液中无过量络合剂存在时,稳定性高的单核金属络离子还原为汞齐时的极谱波公式和用极谱法测定其稳定常数的公式.以二乙二胺合铜(Ⅱ)Cuen₂²⁺离子为例,在无过量乙二胺存在下,从极谱波上滴汞电极的电位与电流的关系、半波电位与络离子浓度的关系以及络离子稳定常数的测定三方面,定量地证实了导出的极谱波公式和稳定常数测定公式.在无过量乙二胺存在时,用本法测得的Cuen₂²⁺的稳定常数对数值,log K=19.53,与文献值19.72符合良好.     

DEPENDENCE OF THE DISTRIBUTION OF ACTIVE CENTERS ON MONOMER IN SUPPORTED ZIEGLER-NATTA CATALYSTS

Distribution of active centers(ACD)of ethylene or 1-hexene homopolymerization and ethylene-1-hexene copolymerization with a MgCl_2/TiCl_4 type Z-N catalyst were studied by deconvolution of the polymer molecular weight distribution into multiple Flory components.Each Flory component is thought to be formed by a certain type of active center. ACD of ethylene-1-hexene copolymer with very low 1-hexene incorporation was compared with that of ethylene homopolymer to see the effect of introducingα-olefin on eth...     

DESTABILIZATION OF OIL-IN-WATER EMULSION WITH INORGANIC ELECTROLYTES IN THE ABSENCE AND IN THE PRESENCE OF SODIUM DODECYL SULFATE

ABSTRACT

The coagulation concentrations of Na⁺, Ba²⁺, and La³⁺ in the absence of SDS were analyzed in terms of the DLVO theory. The Hamaker constant obtained was larger by one order of magnitude than that available in the literature on the basis of the Lifshitz theory. An explanation of this discrepancy was given by taking into account the hydrophobic interaction between oil droplets in aqueous media. Coagulation of decane particles with Na in the presence of SDS (1 × 10^?3M) was interpreted qualitatively in terms of the DLVO theory in which the adsorbed layer effect was taken into account. The critical adsorption density of SDS at which no coalescence of aml1sion takes place was found to be 3.3 × 10^?10mol cm^?2. Electrokinetic adsorption densities of SDS were found to be smaller than those obtained from the interfacial tension vs. concentration data.     

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.