chlorophyll-a and silicomolybdate

Visible absorption spectra and circular dichroism (CD) of the red absorption band of isolated photosystem II reaction centers were measured at room temperature during progressive bleaching by electrochemical oxidation, in comparison with aerobic photochemical destruction, and with anaerobic photooxidation in the presence of the artificial electron acceptor silicomolybdate. Initially, selective bleaching of peripheral chlorophylls absorbing at 672 nm was obtained by electrochemical oxidation at +0.9 V, whereas little selectivity was observed at higher potentials. Illumination in the presence of silicomolybdate did not cause a bleaching but a spectral broadening of the 672-nm band was observed, apparently in response to the oxidation of carotene. The 672-nm absorption band is shown to exhibit a positive CD, which accounts for the 674-nm shoulder in CD spectra at low temperature. The origin of this CD is discussed in view of the observation that all CD disappears with the 680-nm absorption band during aerobic photodestruction.

Topics: Chlorophyll; Circular Dichroism; Darkness; Electrochemistry; Molybdenum; Oxidation-Reduction; Photosystem II Protein Complex; Potentiometry; Silicon Compounds

We present a spectroscopic characterization of the two nonequivalent beta-carotene molecules in the photosystem II reaction center. Their electronic and vibrational properties exhibit significant differences, reflecting a somewhat different configuration for these two cofactors. Both carotenoid molecules are redox-active and can be oxidized by illumination of the reaction centers in the presence of an electron acceptor. The radical cation species show similar differences in their spectroscopic properties. The results are discussed in terms of the structure and unusual function of these carotenoids. In addition, the attribution of resonance Raman spectra of photosystem II preparations excited in the range 800-900 nm is discussed. Although contributions of chlorophyll cations cannot be formally ruled out, our results demonstrate that these spectra mainly arise from the cation radical species of the two carotenoids present in photosystem II reaction centers.

Topics: beta Carotene; Cations; Chlorophyll; Cold Temperature; Freezing; Lasers; Light; Light-Harvesting Protein Complexes; Molybdenum; Oxidation-Reduction; Photochemistry; Photosynthetic Reaction Center Complex Proteins; Photosystem II Protein Complex; Silicon Compounds; Spectrophotometry; Spectrum Analysis, Raman; Spinacia oleracea

We have investigated the inhibitory effect of K-crown (18-crown-6 potassium picrate) on photosystem II (PSII)-enriched membrane fragments and O2-evolving core complexes. K-crown at 2-4 microM inhibits about half the control level of O2-evolution activity in both types of PSII samples. Oxygen-evolution studies demonstrated that the ether works by inactivating the centres and not by interfering with antenna function or energy transfer to the reaction centre. K-crown does not disrupt binding of the extrinsic proteins associated with O2 evolution nor complex with bound Ca2+ or Cl- cofactors, but rather it directly inhibits electron transfer after the tetrameric Mn cluster. Fluorescence studies on active and Tris-treated samples showed that K-crown does not prevent artificial donors from transferring electrons to PSII but like DCMU inhibits on the acceptor side after QA, the primary quinone acceptor. However, the ether is a leaky inhibitor and may also act as a weak donor when the Mn cluster is not present. Oxygen-production experiments using silicomolybdate as an artificial acceptor (which accepts from both pheophytin and QB in PSII membranes) demonstrated that the inhibition is at or near the DCMU site.

Topics: Binding Sites; Chlorophyll; Chlorophyll A; Electron Transport; Ethers, Cyclic; Ethyldimethylaminopropyl Carbodiimide; Kinetics; Light; Light-Harvesting Protein Complexes; Molybdenum; Oxygen; Photosynthesis; Photosynthetic Reaction Center Complex Proteins; Photosystem II Protein Complex; Plant Proteins; Silicon Compounds; Spinacia oleracea

A Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) difference spectrum upon photooxidation of the accessory chlorophyll (Chlz) of photosystem II (PS II) was obtained at 210 K with Mn-depleted PS II membranes in the presence of fericyanide and silicomolybdate. The observed Chlz+/Chlz spectrum showed two differential bands at 1747/1736 and 1714/1684 cm-1. The former was assigned to the free carbomethoxy C = 0 and the latter to the keto C = 0 that is hydrogen-bonded or in a highly polar environment. Also, the negative 1614 cm-1 band assignable to the macrocycle mode indicated 5-coordination of the central Mg. The negative 1660 cm-1 band, possibly due to the strongly hydrogen-bonded keto C = 0, may suggest oxidation of one more Chlz, although an alternative assignment, the amide I mode of proteins perturbed by Chlz oxidation, is also possible.

Topics: Cell Membrane; Chlorophyll; Electron Spin Resonance Spectroscopy; Electrons; Ferricyanides; Light-Harvesting Protein Complexes; Manganese; Molybdenum; Oxidation-Reduction; Photosynthetic Reaction Center Complex Proteins; Photosystem II Protein Complex; Silicon Compounds; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared