Further characterization of a photosystem II particle isolated from spinach chloroplasts by triton treatment. Delayed light emission

Berger C. Mayne (1920-2011): a friend and his contributions to photosynthesis research

We provide here insights on the life and work of Berger C. Mayne (1920-2011). We remember and honor Berger, whose study of photosynthesis began with the most basic processes of intersystem electron transport and oxygen evolution, continued with application of fluorescence techniques to the study of photophosphorylation and the unique features of photosystems in specialized cells, and concluded with collaborative study of photosynthesis in certain nitrogen fixing symbioses. Berger loved the outdoors and was dedicated to preserving the environment and to social justice, and was a wonderful friend.

Effects of hydroxylamine and silicomolybdate on the decay in delayed light emission in the 6-100 μs range after a single 10 ns flash in pea thylakoids

Measurements are reported on μs delayed light emission, following a single 10 ns excitation flash, in Alaska pea thylakoids treated with hydroxylamine (NH2OH) or with silicomolybdate. 1. In thylakoids treated with 2 mM NH2OH in the light, or in the dark, the quantum yield of delayed light emission is considerably enhanced. A 10 μs lifetime component of delayed light emission is not significantly changed, whereas a 50-70 μs lifetime component is increased. MnCl2 and diphenylcarbazide are unable to reverse the above effects of NH2OH treatment. Thus Mn(2+) and diphenylcarbazide must not donate electrons directly to reaction center II but on the oxygen-evolution side of the NH2OH block. 2. When the closed form of photosystem II reaction centers (P680Q(-)), where P680 is the reaction center chlorophyll and Q is a 'stable' electron acceptor, is generated by preillumination of NH2OH-treated thylakoids with diuron present, the μs delayed light emission is inhibited, but a low level residual delayed light emission remains. Possible origins of this emission are discussed. It is believed that the best explanation for residual DLE is the existence of another acceptor besides Q that partakes in charge separation and rapid dissipative recombination when the reaction center is in the P680Q(-) state. 3. The quantum yield of delayed light emission from 'closed' reaction centers (P680 (+)Q(-)) that have all charge stabilization reactions (i.e., flow of electrons to P680 (+) and out of Q(-)) blocked by NH2OH treatment and addition of diuron is 1.1×10(-3) for components measured in a range from 6 to 400 μs and extrapolated to zero time. 4. The addition of silicomolybdate, which accepts electron from Q(-), causes delayed light emission in the μs range to be greatly inhibited.

Flash-induced charge separation and dark recombination in a photosystem-II subchloroplast particle

The decay time of flash-induced absorption changes in a Photosystem-II subchloroplast fragment is very temperature sensitive down to 210 K, below which it remains constant at 1.25 +/- 0.05 ms. The difference spectrum from the near-infra-red to the ultraviolet regions indicates that the monophasic decay represents charge recombination between P-680+ and the reduced primary acceptor. The charge recombination proceeds by electron tunneling. The P-680 concentration in the TSF-IIa fragment was estimated to be one in 30 +/- 5 total chlorophyll molecules.