Light-induced slow changes in chlorophyll a fluorescence in isolated chloroplasts: effects of magnesium and phenazine methosulfate

Time-resolved endogenous chlorophyll fluorescence sensitivity to pH: study on Chlorella sp. algae

To better understand pH-dependence of endogenous fluorescence of algae, we employed spectroscopy and microscopy methods, including advanced time-resolved fluorescence imaging microscopy (FLIM), using green algae Chlorella sp. as a model system. Absorption spectra confirmed two peaks, at 400-420 nm and 670 nm. Emission was maximal at 680 nm, with smaller peaks between 520 and 540 nm. Acidification led to a gradual decrease in the red fluorescence intensity with the maximum at 680 nm when excited by 450 nm laser. FLIM measurements, performed using 475 nm picoseconds excitation, uncovered that this effect is accompanied by a shortening of the tau1 fluorescence lifetime. Under severe acidification, we also noted an increase in the green fluorescence with a maximum between 520-540 nm and a shift toward 690-700 nm of the red fluorescence, accompanied by prolongation of the tau2 fluorescence lifetime. Gathered data increase our knowledge on the responsiveness of algae to acidification and indicate that endogenous fluorescence derived from chlorophylls can potentially serve as a biosensing tool for monitoring pH change in its natural environment.

A sixty-year tryst with photosynthesis and related processes: an informal personal perspective

After briefly describing my early collaborative work at the University of Allahabad, that had laid the foundation of my research life, I present here some of our research on photosynthesis at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, randomly selected from light absorption to NADP⁺ reduction in plants, algae, and cyanobacteria. These include the fact that (i) both the light reactions I and II are powered by light absorbed by chlorophyll (Chl) a of different spectral forms; (ii) light emission (fluorescence, delayed fluorescence, and thermoluminescence) by plants, algae, and cyanobacteria provides detailed information on these reactions and beyond; (iii) primary photochemistry in both the photosystems I (PS I) and II (PS II) occurs within a few picoseconds; and (iv) most importantly, bicarbonate plays a unique role on the electron acceptor side of PS II, specifically at the two-electron gate of PS II. Currently, the ongoing research around the world is, and should be, directed towards making photosynthesis better able to deal with the global issues (such as increasing population, dwindling resources, and rising temperature) particularly through genetic modification. However, basic research is necessary to continue to provide us with an understanding of the molecular mechanism of the process and to guide us in reaching our goals of increasing food production and other chemicals we need for our lives.

Role of Ions in the Regulation of Light-Harvesting

Regulation of photosynthetic light harvesting in the thylakoids is one of the major key factors affecting the efficiency of photosynthesis. Thylakoid membrane is negatively charged and influences both the structure and the function of the primarily photosynthetic reactions through its electrical double layer (EDL). Further, there is a heterogeneous organization of soluble ions (K+, Mg2+, Cl-) attached to the thylakoid membrane that, together with fixed charges (negatively charged amino acids, lipids), provides an electrical field. The EDL is affected by the valence of the ions and interferes with the regulation of "state transitions," protein interactions, and excitation energy "spillover" from Photosystem II to Photosystem I. These effects are reflected in changes in the intensity of chlorophyll a fluorescence, which is also a measure of photoprotective non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) of the excited state of chlorophyll a. A triggering of NPQ proceeds via lumen acidification that is coupled to the export of positive counter-ions (Mg2+, K+) to the stroma or/and negative ions (e.g., Cl-) into the lumen. The effect of protons and anions in the lumen and of the cations (Mg2+, K+) in the stroma are, thus, functionally tightly interconnected. In this review, we discuss the consequences of the model of EDL, proposed by Barber (1980b) Biochim Biophys Acta 594:253-308) in light of light-harvesting regulation. Further, we explain differences between electrostatic screening and neutralization, and we emphasize the opposite effect of monovalent (K+) and divalent (Mg2+) ions on light-harvesting and on "screening" of the negative charges on the thylakoid membrane; this effect needs to be incorporated in all future models of photosynthetic regulation by ion channels and transporters.

The slow phase of chlorophyll a fluorescence induction in silico: Origin of the S-M fluorescence rise

In higher plants, algae, and cyanobacteria, chlorophyll (Chl) a fluorescence induction (ChlFI) has a fast (under a second) increasing OJIP phase and a slow (few minutes) PS(M)T phase, where O is for origin, the minimum fluorescence, J and I for intermediate levels, P for peak, S for a semi-steady state, M for a maximum (which is sometimes missing), and T for the terminal steady-state level. We have used a photosynthesis model of Ebenhöh et al. (Philos Trans R Soc B, 2014, doi: 10.1098/rstb.2013.0223 ) in an attempt to simulate the slow PS(M)T phase and to determine the origin of the S-M rise in Chlamydomonas (C.) reinhardtii cells. Our experiments in silico show that a slow fluorescence S-M rise (as that observed, e.g., by Kodru et al. (Photosynth Res 125:219-231, 2015) can be simulated only if the photosynthetic samples are initially in a so-called "state 2," when the absorption cross section (CS) of Photosystem II (PSII) is lower than that of PSI, and Chl a fluorescence is low (see, e.g., a review by Papageorgiou and Govindjee (J Photochem Photobiol B 104:258-270, 2011). In this case, simulations show that illumination induces a state 2 (s2) to state 1 (s1) transition (qT₂₁), and a slow S-M rise in the simulated ChlFI curve, since the fluorescence yield is known to be higher in s1, when CS of PSII is larger than that of PSI. Additionally, we have analyzed how light intensity and several photosynthetic processes influence the degree of this qT₂₁, and thus the relative amplitude of the simulated S-M phase. A refinement of the photosynthesis model is, however, necessary in order to obtain a better fit of the simulation data with the measured ChlFI curves.

Modeling chlorophyll a fluorescence transient: relation to photosynthesis

To honor Academician Alexander Abramovitch Krasnovsky, we present here an educational review on the relation of chlorophyll a fluorescence transient to various processes in photosynthesis. The initial event in oxygenic photosynthesis is light absorption by chlorophylls (Chls), carotenoids, and, in some cases, phycobilins; these pigments form the antenna. Most of the energy is transferred to reaction centers where it is used for charge separation. The small part of energy that is not used in photochemistry is dissipated as heat or re-emitted as fluorescence. When a photosynthetic sample is transferred from dark to light, Chl a fluorescence (ChlF) intensity shows characteristic changes in time called fluorescence transient, the OJIPSMT transient, where O (the origin) is for the first measured minimum fluorescence level; J and I for intermediate inflections; P for peak; S for semi-steady state level; M for maximum; and T for terminal steady state level. This transient is a real signature of photosynthesis, since diverse events can be related to it, such as: changes in redox states of components of the linear electron transport flow, involvement of alternative electron routes, the build-up of a transmembrane pH gradient and membrane potential, activation of different nonphotochemical quenching processes, activation of the Calvin-Benson cycle, and other processes. In this review, we present our views on how different segments of the OJIPSMT transient are influenced by various photosynthetic processes, and discuss a number of studies involving mathematical modeling and simulation of the ChlF transient. A special emphasis is given to the slower PSMT phase, for which many studies have been recently published, but they are less known than on the faster OJIP phase.

Prasanna K. Mohanty (1934-2013): a great photosynthetiker and a wonderful human being who touched the hearts of many

Prasanna K. Mohanty, a great scientist, a great teacher and above all a great human being, left us more than a year ago (on March 9, 2013). He was a pioneer in the field of photosynthesis research; his contributions are many and wide-ranging. In the words of Jack Myers, he would be a "photosynthetiker" par excellence. He remained deeply engaged with research almost to the end of his life; we believe that generations of researchers still to come will benefit from his thorough and enormous work. We present here his life and some of his contributions to the field of Photosynthesis Research. The response to this tribute was overwhelming and we have included most of the tributes, which we received from all over the world. Prasanna Mohanty was a pioneer in the field of "Light Regulation of Photosynthesis", a loving and dedicated teacher-unpretentious, idealistic, and an honest human being.

Excitonic connectivity between photosystem II units: what is it, and how to measure it?

In photosynthetic organisms, light energy is absorbed by a complex network of chromophores embedded in light-harvesting antenna complexes. In photosystem II (PSII), the excitation energy from the antenna is transferred very efficiently to an active reaction center (RC) (i.e., with oxidized primary quinone acceptor Q(A)), where the photochemistry begins, leading to O2 evolution, and reduction of plastoquinones. A very small part of the excitation energy is dissipated as fluorescence and heat. Measurements on chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence and oxygen have shown that a nonlinear (hyperbolic) relationship exists between the fluorescence yield (Φ(F)) (or the oxygen emission yield, (Φ(O2)) and the fraction of closed PSII RCs (i.e., with reduced Q(A)). This nonlinearity is assumed to be related to the transfer of the excitation energy from a closed PSII RC to an open (active) PSII RC, a process called PSII excitonic connectivity by Joliot and Joliot (CR Acad Sci Paris 258: 4622-4625, 1964). Different theoretical approaches of the PSII excitonic connectivity, and experimental methods used to measure it, are discussed in this review. In addition, we present alternative explanations of the observed sigmoidicity of the fluorescence induction and oxygen evolution curves.

Photosystem II fluorescence: slow changes--scaling from the past

With the advent of photoelectric devices (photocells, photomultipliers) in the 1930s, fluorometry of chlorophyll (Chl) a in vivo emerged as a major method in the science of photosynthesis. Early researchers employed fluorometry primarily for two tasks: to elucidate the role in photosynthesis, if any, of other plant pigments, such as Chl b, Chl c, carotenoids and phycobilins; and to use it as a convenient inverse measure of photosynthetic activity. In pursuing the latter task, it became apparent that Chl a fluorescence emission is influenced (i) by redox active Chl a molecules in the reaction center of photosystem (PS) II (photochemical quenching); (ii) by an electrochemical imbalance across the thylakoid membrane (high energy quenching); and (iii) by the size of the peripheral antennae of weakly fluorescent PSI and strongly fluorescent PSII in response to changes in the ambient light (state transitions). In this perspective we trace the historical evolution of our awareness of these concepts, particularly of the so-called 'State Transitions'.

Effects of nano-anatase TiO2 on absorption, distribution of light, and photoreduction activities of chloroplast membrane of spinach

The effects of nano-anatase TiO2 on light absorption, distribution, and conversion, and photoreduction activities of spinach chloroplast were studied by spectroscopy. Several effects of nano-anatase TiO2 were observed: (1) the absorption peak intensity of the chloroplast was obviously increased in red and blue region, the ratio of the Soret band and Q band was higher than that of the control; (2) the great enhancement of fluorescence quantum yield near 680 nm of the chloroplast was observed, the quantum yield under excitation wavelength of 480 nm was higher than the excitation wavelength of 440 nm; (3) the excitation peak intensity near 440 and 480 nm of the chloroplast significantly rose under emission wavelength of 680 nm, and F 480 / F 440 ratio was reduced; (4) when emission wavelength was at 720 nm, the excitation peaks near 650 and 680 nm were obviously raised, and F 650 / F 680 ratio rose; (5) the rate of whole chain electron transport, photochemical activities of PSII DCPIP photoreduction and oxygen evolution were greatly improved, but the photoreduction activities of PSI were a little changed. Together, the studies of the experiments showed that nano-anatase TiO2 could increase absorption of light on spinach chloroplast and promote excitation energy to be absorbed by LHCII and transferred to PSII and improve excitation energy from PSI to be transferred to PSII, thus, promote the conversion from light energy to electron energy and accelerate electron transport, water photolysis, and oxygen evolution.

Fluorescence induction kinetics of green and etiolated leaves by recording the complete in-vivo emission spectra

Complete room temperature fluorescence emission spectra of green and etiolated leaves (Raphanus sativus L., cv. Saxa Treib, Hordeum vulgare L., cv. Villa) are continuously recorded up to 4 min after onset of excitation. In green leaves two emission bands appear, whereas in etiolated leaves only one band is observed. In both cases the emission intensity increases with time, the high-energy band of green leaves decreasing more rapidly than the low-energy band. This phenomenon can be interpreted in terms of energy transfer. During the observation time of the fluorescence induction kinetic no shift of the emission peaks is found within the accuracy of the apparatus (±2nm).

Analysis of the slow phases of the in vivo chlorophyll fluorescence induction curve. Changes in the redox state of photosystem II electron acceptors and fluorescence emission from photosystems I and II

An analysis of the photo-induced decline in the in vivo chlorophyll a fluorescence emission (Kautsky phenomenon) from the bean leaf is presented. The redox state of PS II electron acceptors and the fluorescence emission from PS I and PS II were monitored during quenching of fluorescence from the maximum level at P to the steady state level at T. Simultaneous measurement of the kinetics of fluorescence emission associated with PS I and PS II indicated that the ratio of P s I/PS II emission changed in an antiparallel fashion to PS II emission throughout the induction curve. Estimation of the redox state of PS II electron acceptors at given points during P to T quenching was made by exposing the leaf to additional excitation irradiation and determining the amount of variable PS II fluorescence generated. An inverse relationship was found between the proportion of PS II electron acceptors in the oxidised state and PS II fluorescence emission. The interrelationships between the redox state of PS II electron acceptors and fluorescence emission from PS I and PS II remained similar when the shape of the induction curve from P to T was modified by increasing the excitation photon flux density. The contributions of photochemical and nonphotochemical quenching to the in vivo fluorescence decline from P to T are discussed.

Light-dependent quenching of chlorophyll fluorescence in pea chloroplasts induced by adenosine 5'-triphosphate

Addition of ATP to chloroplasts causes a reversible 25-30% decrease in chlorophyll fluorescence. This quenching is light-dependent, uncoupler insensitive but inhibited by DCMU and electron acceptors and has a half-time of 3 minutes. Electron donors to Photosystem I can not overcome the inhibitory effect of DCMU, suggesting that light activation depends on the reduced state of plastoquinone. Fluorescence emission spectra recorded at -196 degrees C indicate that ATP treatment increases the amount of excitation energy transferred to Photosystem I. Examination of fluorescence induction curves indicate that ATP treatment decreases both the initial (F0) and variable (Fv) fluorescence such that the ratio of Fv to the maximum (Fm) yield is unchanged. The initial sigmoidal phase of induction is slowed down by ATP treatment and is quenched 3-fold more than the exponential slow phase, the rate of which is unchanged. A plot of Fv against area above the induction curve was identical plus or minus ATP. Thus ATP treatment can alter quantal distribution between Photosystems II and I without altering Photosystem II-Photosystem II interaction. The effect of ATP strongly resembles in its properties the phosphorylation of the light-harvesting complex by a light activated, ATP-dependent protein kinase found in chloroplast membranes and could be the basis of physiological mechanisms which contribute to slow fluorescence quenching in vivo and regulate excitation energy distribution between Photosystem I and II. It is suggested that the sensor for this regulation is the redox state of plastoquinone.

Effects of bulk pH and of monovalent and divalent cations on chlorophyll a fluorescence and electron transport in pea thylakoids

Millimolar concentrations of monovalent cations enhance and divalent cations impede the redistribution (spill-over) of electronic excitation energy from Photosystem (PS) II to PS I in cation-depleted (sucrose-washed) thylakoids; this concept is based on chlorophyll a fluorescence and electron transport measurements over a narrow pH range around 7. We have tested the above concept in pea thylakoids over the pH range 5 to 9 by parallel measurements of various chlorophyll a fluorescence parameters (spectra, transients, and lifetimes at 77 K and 293 K, and polarization at 293 K) and of the rates of partial reactions of PSI and II. Our results provide the following information. (1) Mg2+ enhancement of fluorescence is maximum between 680 and 690 nm and minimum between 710 and 720 nm. (2) The optimum conditions for the observation of the Mg2+-induced enhancement of fluorescence are: wavelength of emission, 685 nm; concentratin of Mg2+, 10 mM, and pH, approximately 7.5. (3) Mg2+ decreases the efficiency of excitation redistribution from PS II to PS I over the pH range 6 to 9. (4) The antagonistic effects between Na+ and Mg2+ hold simultaneously for both the fluorescence intensity and lifetime, at physiological temperatures, only within the pH range 6 to 8. (5) Mg2+ enhances the light-limited electron transport rate through PS II in the pH range 5.4 to 8.2 and decreases that through PS I at pH 7.1 and 8.2. The % increase in PS II is, however, about twice the % decrease in PS I.

Regulation of excitation energy distribution in photosystem-II fragments by magnesium ions

Fluorescence characteristics of Photosystem-II subchloroplasts (TSF-II and TSF-IIa) fractionated by Triton X-100 treatment were studied in relation to cation-induced regulation of excitation-energy distribution within subchloroplast fragments. Absorption spectra and fluorescence-emission spectra at 77 K showed that TSF-II contains the light-harvesting chlorophyll-protein complex in addition to the reaction-center complex, which is present alone in TSF-IIa. Mg2+ increased the ratio of F695nm to F685nm in the fluorescence-emission spectrum of TSF-II particles at 77 K, but had no effect on TSF-IIa particles. Mg2+ also induced a quenching of chlorophyll fluorescence at room temperature in TSF-II, an effect that was insensitive to the presence of DCMU. The DCMU-insensitive fluorescence quenching was not observed in the TSF-IIa preparation. These results suggest an existence of cation-induced regulation of excitation-energy transfer in TSF-II preparations. Presence of antenna chlorophyll molecules alone does not seem to be sufficient for observing energy-transfer regulation by cations in Photosystem-II preparations.

Connection between the rate of cooling and fluorescence properties at 77 K or isolated chloroplasts

Cooling of chloroplasts to--196 degrees C can under certain circumstances lead to an erroneous analysis of energy distribution. After minimizing influences of sample geometry and effects of plastid concentration it is shown that externally induced membrane change leads to an increase in the ratio F740/F687 of the fluorescence emission spectrum. Similar alterations can be observed by variation of the rate of cooling the plastids to 77 K, expecially if whole chloroplasts are used. The differences in emission ratios are indicative also of changes in initial energy distribution between the photosystems, given here by the value alphaN. This is inferred from experiments with either osmotically induced thylakoid disturbances or those effected through a slow cooling process. The circumstances and the significance of these observations are discussed.

Functional homogeneity of P-700 in cyclic and non-cyclic electron transport reactions in thylakoids

The photoinduced turnover of P-700 (the reaction center chlorophyll a of photosystem I) in higher plant thylakoids was examined at room temperature by observation of the kinetics and amplitude of the transmission signal at 700 nm. The concentration of P-700 functional in cyclic and non-cyclic electron transfer reactions was compared. For the cyclic reactions mediated by N-methylphenazonium-p-methosulfate, 2,3,5,6-tetramethylphenylenediamine, 2,6-dichlorophenolindophenol and N,N,N',N'-tetramethylphenylenediamine and non-cyclic reactions utilizing either methylviologen or NADP+ as acceptor, the illuminated steady-state concentration of P-700+ was shown to be similar. The data support the concept of a homogeneous pool of P-700 that is capable of interaction in both cyclic and non-cyclic electron transfer reactions and are consistent with previous data obtained in vivo. The amplitude and kinetics of the P-700 signal were found to be very dependent upon the composition of the reaction medium and differences were noted for turnover in the cyclic and non-cyclic reactions. Specifically, at white light saturation, the addition of low concentrations of divalent cations, such as Mg2+ or Ca2+, had no effect on the signal amplitude during cyclic reactions, but, in confirmation of previous work, caused an attenuation of the signal amplitude during non-cyclic flow. At low light intensities, the divalent cations caused a similar reduction in redox level of P-700 in the steady-state during non-cyclic flow and also reduced the rate of P-700 photooxidation in the cyclic reactions. The concentration of divalent cation that reduced the signal amplitude of P-700+ during non-cyclic flow was compared with that required for the stimulation of the variable component of fluorescence, and it was shown to be similar with half maximal effects at 1 mM Mg+. The observations confirm that divalent cations control non-cyclic electron transport by an activation of Photosystem II in addition to regulating the distribution of excitation energy between the two photosystems.

Requirement of the light-harvesting pigment.protein complex for magnesium ion regulation of excitation energy distribution in chloroplasts

Cation regulation of excitation energy distribution was examined in chloroplasts isolated from (a) pea seedlings, grown in intermittent illumination, which contain no light-harvesting complex, (b) a barley mutant which is deficient in the major polypeptide component of the light-harvesting complex, and (c) a soybean mutant which contains a reduced amount of light-harvesting complex. It was found that: (1) Mg2+-induced increase in Photosystem II fluorescence at room temperature is small in the chloroplasts of the soybean mutant, smaller in the barley mutant, and almost absent in the light-harvesting complex-less chloroplasts of pea as compared to their respective controls. (2) Mg2+-induced increase in the F685/F730 emission peak ratio at 77 K is not detected in the isolated chloroplasts of the intermittent light-grown pea and the barley mutant. (3) Pre-illumination induced State 1-State 2 and adaptation in vivo is absent in the barley mutant and is less pronounced in the soybean mutant as compared to their respective controls. (4) Increase of slow fluorescence decay upon addition of Mg2+ observed in control chloroplasts was not detected in chloroplasts of intermittent-light grown peas. These results confirm earlier conclusions (Armond, P.A., Arntzen, C.J., Briantais, J.M. and Vernotte, C. (1976) Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 175, 54--63; Davis, D.J., Armond, P.A., Gross, E.L. and Arntzen, C.J. (1976) Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 175, 64--70) that light-harvesting complex is required for the Mg2+-induced regulation of the excitation energy distribution between Photosystems I and II. The characteristic P-S decay and I-D dip of the in vivo fluorescence inductions (Kautsky effect) were not significantly altered in the light-harvesting complex-less and the light-harvesting complex-deficient chloroplasts as compared to their respective controls. These results indicate that light-harvesting complex is not obligatorily required to observe the P-S decay or the I-D dip.

Kinetic analysis of the chlorophyll fluorescence inductions from chloroplasts blocked with 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea

1. The induction of Photosystem II chlorophyll fluorescence from chloroplasts blocked with 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea and uncoupled with gramicidin has been measured. 2. In agreement with other authors it was found that the addition of cations to chloroplasts suspended in a low-cation medium not only stimulated the intensity of fluorescence but also changed the shape of the induction from being nearly exponential to being sigmoid. 3. A new theory of the photosynthetic unit of Photosystem II (Paillotin, G. (1976) J. Theor. Biol. 58, 237--252) was used to analyse the fluorescence inductions. 4. A comparison of the results of the Paillotin model with the experimental data suggests that excitation energy is not able to migrate between all the photosynthetic units of a photosynthetic domain. However, it is concluded that excitation energy may migrate from one photosynthetic unit to another, and that the energy migration is in competition with other processes leading to the decay of the excitation within Photosystem II. 5. It is suggested that the size of the "functional" photosynthetic unit, defined as the number of chlorophyll molecules that may communicate with a reaction centre, is variable.

Protein-protein interactions of the light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b protein. II. Evidence for two stages of cation independent association

In a previous paper, we observed a two-stage cation-independent association of the light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b protein from spinach chloroplasts based on concentration-dependent changes in the sedimentation coefficient. The two stages of association occurred between (2-4) and (4-7) mug/ml chlorophyll. In this paper, we provide further evidence for this association. This includes: (1) A decrease in the number of divalent cation binding sites in the second stage of association. (2) A corresponding decrease in the extent of the cation-dependent association. (3) A positive deviation from Beer's law for chlorophyll b for both stages of the cation-independent association and a positive deviation for chlorophyll a for the second stage of association only. (4) A change in the fluorescence emission of both chlorophyll a and b. The change for chlorophyll b was observed for both steps of association whereas that for chlorophyll a was observed for the second step of association only. Therefore, the first stage of association affects only chlorophyll b whereas the second stage alters the environment of both chlorophyll a and b. (5) In addition, divalent cations quenched chlorophyll fluorescence. However, the quenching which required 200-300 muM divalent cation for half-maximal effects was related neither to divalent cation binding nor to the divalent cation-induced association of the protein.

Interaction of oxidized and reduced N-methylphenazonium methosulfate (PMS) with photosystem II

In 3-(3,4-dicholorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea (DCMU) poisoned chloroplasts, the restoration of the fluorescence induction is presumed to be due to a back reaction of the reduced primary acceptor (Q-) and the oxidized primary donor (Z+) of Photosystem II. Carbonylcyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP) is known to inhibit this back reaction. The influence of reduced N-methylphenazonium methosulfate (PMS) in the absence of CCCP and of oxidized PMS in the presence of CCCP on the back reaction was investigated and the following results were obtained: (1) Reduced PMS at the concentration of 1 muM inhibits the back reaction as effectively as hydroxylamine, suggesting an electron donating function of reduced PMS for System II. (2) The inhibition of the back reactionby CCCP is regenerated to a high degree by oxidized PMS which led to assume a cyclic System II electron flow catalysed by PMS. (3) At concentrations of reduced PMS higher than 1 muM it is shown that both the fast initial emission and more significantly the variable emission are quenched.

The effect of magnesium ions on action spectra for reactions mediated by photosystems I and II in spinach chloroplasts

Action spectra were measured for positive changes in variable fluorescence (emission greater than 665 nm) excited by a beam of 485 nm chopped at 75 HZ. The action of two further beams were compared, one being variable, the other (reference) constant with respect to wavelength and intensity. Comparison was achieved by alternating the reference and the variable wavelength beams at 0.3 HZ and adjusting the intensity of the latter such as to cancel out any 0.3 HZ component in the 75 HZ fluorescence signal. The relative action then was obtained as the reciprocal of the intensity of the variable wavelength beam. Similarly, action spectra were measured for O2 evolution with ferricyanide/p-phenylenediamine as electron acceptor, and for O2 uptake mediated by methyl viologen with ascorbate 3-(p-chlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea as electron donor in the presence of 2,6-dichlorophenolindophenol. Addition of 5 mM MgCl2 increases the relative action around 480 nm for the change in variable fluorescence and p-phenylenediamine-dependent O2 evolution, and decreases it for methyl viologen-mediated O2 uptake with 2,6-dichlorophenolindo-phenol/ascorbate as electron donor in the presence of 3-(p-chlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea. The change in variable fluorescence and O2 evolution are stimulated by MgCl2, whereas O2 uptake is inhibited by it. The results are discussed in terms of a model assuming a tripartite organization of the photosynthetic pigments (Thornber, J. P. and Highkin, H. R. (1974) Eur. J. Biochem. 41, 109-116; Butler, W. L. and Kitajima, M. (1975) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 396, 72-85). MgCl2 is thought to promote energy transfer to Photosystem II from a light-harvesting pigment complex serving both photosystems.

The effect of mono- and divalent cations on the quantum yields for electron transport in chloroplasts

We have previously shown (Gross, E.L. and Hess, S.C. (1973) Arch. Biochem. Biophys 159, 832-836) that low concentrations of monovalent cations (3-10 mM) caused changes in chlorophyll a fluorescence indicative of a transfer of excitation energy from Photosystem II to Photosystem I. These effects were reversed by divalent cations or higher concentrations of monovalent cations. In this study, we have examined the effects of cations on the relative quantum yields for Photosystem II (dichlorophenolindophenol reduction) and Photosystem I (diphenylcarbazone disproportionation) with the following results. (1) Low concentrations of monovalent cations decreased the quantum yield for dichlorophenolindophenol reduction and increased that for diphenylcarbazone disproportionation. These results confirm that cations promote excitation energy transfer to Photosystem I. (2) Higher concentrations of monovalent cations (30-100 mM) had no effect on electron transport. Therefore, the increases in chlorophyll a fluorescence observed at these concentrations may be due to a decrease in the rate constant for radiationless decay. (3) In the absence of Tricine, divalent cations also promote energy transfer from the light harvesting pigments to Photosystem I. However, a direct inhibition of Photosystem I and divalent cations can reverse the Tricine effects.m II photochemistry cannot be rules out. (4) Tricine biases the system in favor of Photosystem I and divalent cations can reverse the Tricine effects.