THE EFFECT OF PHOSPHORYLATION UNCOUPLERS AND ELECTRON TRANSPORT INHIBITORS UPON SPECTRAL SHIFTS AND DELAYED LIGHT EMISSION OF PHOTOSYNTHETIC BACTERIA

Abstract— Delayed light emission (measured 4 msec after excitation) and the light-induced red shifts of the bacteriochlorophyll and carotenoid absorption bands of chromatophores of Rhodopseudomonas spheroides were inhibited by a variety of reagents. These included anti-mycin A, NQNO, CCCP, desaspidin, quinacrine, chlorpromazine, 2,4-dinitrophenol, gramicidin D, Triton X-100 and valinomycin in the presence of potassium, cesium or ammonium ions. Delayed light emission was enhanced by orthophenanthroline, ethanol, succinate and glutathione.
Delayed light emission from chromatophores of Rhodospirillum rubrum was attenuated during photophosphorylation but restored approximately to its initial value in the presence of oligomycin. Since the delayed light and band shifts are inhibited under conditions which tend to deplete or block the formation of high energy phosphorylation intermediate, it is suggested that the presence of a high energy intermediate is a prerequisite for the appearance of each of the three phenomena.