Inhibition by triphenyltin chloride of a tightly-bound membrane component involved in photophosphorylation

Anacardic Acid Derivatives Affect the in Vitro Reactions of Photosynthesis

The dichloromethane extract of the cashew nuts from Anacardium occidentale was fractionated by rotation locular countercurrent chromatography aimed at discovering metabolites that could be useful as new models for photosynthesis inhibitors. The chemical fractionation afforded a complex mixture of anacardic acids, which upon catalytic hydrogenation yielded anacardic acid (1). Methylation of 1 via reaction with diazomethane afforded an ester 2. Both compounds were evaluated using polarographic approaches and fluorescence studies of chlorophyll a (ChL a). The in vitro assays informed the decision for the classification of 1 and 2 as Hill reaction inhibitors. Besides that, 1 inhibited the donor side of the PSII, while 2 acted as an energy transfer inhibitor. Therefore, this study is important for the development of herbicides.

Physiological and ultrastructural responses of the brown seaweed Undaria pinnatifida to triphenyltin chloride (TPTCL) stress

Triphenyltin chloride (TPTCL) is a well-known marine pollutant that may constitute major environmental threats to seaweed mariculture. In the present study, the toxic effects of TPTCL on physiology and ultrastructure of cultivated sporophytes of Undaria pinnatifida were investigated under different TPTCL concentrations ranging from 0 to 100 μg L-1. Significant negative effects of increased TPTCL concentration were detected in the relative growth rates, survival percentages and chlorophyll a contents of young and adult sporophytes. Low TPTCL concentrations could significantly stimulate the activities of enzymes related to nitrogen metabolism. The chloroplast, mitochondria and nucleus inside cells were greatly damaged by TPTCL. Meanwhile, significant increases of electron dense deposits and physodes were found. Additionally, young sporophytes exhibited greater tolerance to TPTCL stress than adult sporophytes. The results of this study indicate that coastal TPTCL pollution could reduce the productivity and quality of cultivated U. pinnatifida.

Inhibition of gap junctional Intercellular communication in WB-F344 rat liver epithelial cells by triphenyltin chloride through MAPK and PI3-kinase pathways

Background

Organotin compounds (OTCs) have been widely used as stabilizers in the production of plastic, agricultural pesticides, antifoulant plaints and wood preservation. The toxicity of triphenyltin (TPT) compounds was known for their embryotoxic, neurotoxic, genotoxic and immunotoxic effects in mammals. The carcinogenicity of TPT was not well understood and few studies had discussed the effects of OTCs on gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) of cells.

Method

In the present study, the effects of triphenyltin chloride (TPTC) on GJIC in WB-F344 rat liver epithelial cells were evaluated, using the scrape-loading dye transfer technique.

Results

TPTC inhibited GJIC after a 30-min exposure in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Pre-incubation of cells with the protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor did not modify the response, but the specific MEK 1 inhibitor PD98059 and PI3K inhibitor LY294002 decreased substantially the inhibition of GJIC by TPTC. After WB-F344 cells were exposed to TPTC, phosphorylation of Cx43 increased as seen in Western blot analysis.

Conclusions

These results show that TPTC inhibits GJIC in WB-F344 rat liver epithelial cells by altering the Cx43 protein expression through both MAPK and PI3-kinase pathways.

Alternaria alternata Crofton-weed toxin: a natural inhibitor of photosystem II in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii thylakoids

The action site of Alternaria alternata Crofton-weed toxin (AAC-toxin), isolated first from Alternaria alternata (Fr.) Keissler, was investigated in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii thylakoids. The results revealed that AAC-toxin inhibited photophosphorylation in a concentration-dependent pattern. Similarly, toxin inhibited uncoupled, basal electron flow and photosystem II (PSII) electron transport as well. However, toxin did not affect photosystem I (PSI) activity or the partial reaction of electron transport from H2O to silicomolybdic acid (SiMo). Therefore, the action site of toxin was located at QB level. In addition, the toxin may behave as an energy-transfer inhibitor at high concentrations by inhibiting phosphorylating electron transport and Mg2+ATPase activity. Chlorophyll a fluorescence induction and JIP test corroborated the inhibition at QB level. Through observations of the different sensitivity of toxin on D1 mutants of C. reinhardtii, evidence further confirmed that AAC-toxin inhibited electron transport by displacing the QB on the D1 protein, and the mode of action was similar to phenol-type PSII inhibitors.

Interference of methyl trachyloban-19-oate ester with CF0 of spinach chloroplast H+-ATPase

In isolated spinach chloroplasts, low concentrations (I(50)=14 microM) of methyl trachyloban-19-oate ester inhibited ATP synthesis and coupled electron transport as well as light-activated membrane-bound Mg(2+)-ATPase activity. Basal (-Pi) and uncoupled electron transport and heat-activated Ca(2+)-dependent ATPase activity of isolated coupling factor proteins were unaffected by methyl trachyloban-19-oate. Thylakoids partially stripped of coupled factor by EDTA were unable to accumulate protons in the light. However, increasing concentrations of methyl trachyloban-19-oate ester restored this ability. It is concluded that the methyl trachyloban-19-oate ester effects result from blocking proton transport through the CF(0) channel. Methyl trachyloban-19-oate ester exhibited non-competitive kinetics with DCCD and triphenyltin. These results suggest that the natural products, DCCD and triphenyltin, access inhibition sites in CF(0). The K(i) is 75 microM.

Effect of selected coumarins on spinach chloroplast photosynthesis

Xanthyletin (1), 3-(1',1'-dimethylallyl)xanthyletin (2), and chalepensin (3), the major coumarins isolated from Stauranthus perforatus, inhibit ATP synthesis from water to methylviologen in spinach thylakoids in a concentration-dependent manner. At low concentration chalepensin (3) inhibits basal and phosphorylating electron flow from water to K(3)[Fe(CN)(6)] without affecting uncoupled electron flow but accelerating Mg(2+)-ATPase activity. Thus, at low concentration the compound behaves as an energy transfer inhibitor. However, at higher concentrations this coumarin acts as an uncoupler because it enhances basal and phosphorylating electron transfer. On the other hand, coumarins 1 and 2 act as Hill reaction inhibitors, although 2 exhibited also uncoupler properties because it induces stimulation of basal and phosphorylating electron flow from water to ferricyanide. The site of interference of xanthyletin was located at the b(6)f-PC level of the electron transport chain.

Triphenyltin as an inhibitor of membrane-bound pyrophosphatase of Rhodospirillum rubrum

The effect of triphenyltin on the activity of membrane-bound pyrophosphatase of Rhodospirillum rubrum was investigated. Triphenyltin inhibits the hydrolysis of chromatophore membrane-bound pyrophosphatase in a pH-dependent pattern, being maximal at pH 9-10. At basic pH values, the inhibition produced by this organotin on membrane-bound pyrophosphatase is very similar to that produced on the chromatophore H+ATPase (I50 = 14.4 and 10 microM, respectively). Detergent-solubilized membrane-bound pyrophosphatase is also inhibited by triphenyltin, but the cytoplasmic enzyme of R. rubrum is inhibited only slightly. The inhibitory effect of triphenyltin on membrane-bound pyrophosphatase is the same with Mg-PPi or Zn-PPi, and is dependent on the chromatophore membrane concentration. Triphenyltin modified mainly the Vmax of the enzyme, and only slightly its Km. Free Mg2+ does not reverse the inhibition. Reducing agents prevent triphenyltin inhibition of the membrane-bound pyrophosphatase, but their effect is due to an alteration of the inhibitor, and not to a modification of thiol groups of the enzyme. The most likely site for triphenyltin inhibition in chromatophore membrane-bound pyrophosphatase is a component either within or closely associated with the membrane.

Prodigiosins uncouple lysosomal vacuolar-type ATPase through promotion of H+/Cl- symport

We reported previously [Kataoka, Muroi, Ohkuma, Waritani, Magae, Takatsuki, Kondo, Yamasaki and Nagai (1995) FEBS Lett. 359, 53-59] that prodigiosin 25-C (one of the red pigments of the prodigiosin group produced by micro-organisms like Streptomyces and Serratia) uncoupled vacuolar H+-ATPase, inhibited vacuolar acidification and affected glycoprotein processing. In the present study we show that prodigiosin, metacycloprodigiosin and prodigiosin 25-C, all raise intralysosomal pH through inhibition of lysosomal acidification driven by vacuolar-type (V-)ATPase without inhibiting ATP hydrolysis in a dose-dependent manner with IC50 values of 30-120 pmol/mg of protein. The inhibition against lysosomal acidification was quick and reversible, showing kinetics of simple non-competitive (for ATP) inhibition. However, the prodigiosins neither raised the internal pH of isolated lysosomes nor showed ionophoric activity against H+ or K+ at concentrations where they strongly inhibited lysosomal acidification. They required Cl- for their acidification inhibitory activity even when driven in the presence of K+ and valinomycin, suggesting that their target is not anion (chloride) channel(s). In fact, the prodigiosins inhibited acidification of proteoliposomes devoid of anion channels that were reconstituted from lysosomal vacuolar-type (V-)ATPase and Escherichia coli phospholipids. However, they did not inhibit the formation of an inside-positive membrane potential driven by lysosomal V-ATPase. Instead, they caused quick reversal of acidified pH driven by lysosomal V-ATPase and, in acidic buffer, produced quick acidification of lysosomal pH, both only in the presence of Cl-. In addition, they induced swelling of liposomes and erythrocytes in iso-osmotic ammonium salt of chloride but not of gluconate, suggesting the promotion of Cl- entry by prodigiosins. These results suggest that prodigiosins facilitate the symport of H+ with Cl- (or exchange of OH- with Cl-) through lysosomal membranes, resulting in uncoupling of vacuolar H+-ATPase.

Prodigiosins as a new group of H+/Cl- symporters that uncouple proton translocators

We reported previously (Kataoka, T., Muroi, M., Ohkuma, S., Waritani, T., Magae, J., Takatsuki, A., Kondo, S., Yamasaki, M., and Nagai, K. (1995) FEBS Lett. 359, 53-59) that prodigiosin 25-C uncoupled vacuolar H+-ATPase, inhibited vacuolar acidification, and affected glycoprotein processing. In the present study we show that prodigiosins (prodigiosin, metacycloprodigiosin, and prodigiosin 25-C) inhibit the acidification activity of H+-ATPase chloride dependently, but not membrane potential formation or ATP hydrolysis activity, and suggest that they promote H+/Cl- symport (or OH-/Cl- exchange, in its equivalence) across vesicular membranes. In fact, prodigiosins displayed H+/Cl- symport activity on liposomal membranes. First of all, they decreased the internal pH of liposomes depending on the external chloride, and raised it depending on the internal chloride when external buffer was free from chloride. Second, their effect was electroneutral and not seriously affected by the application of an inside positive membrane potential generated by K+ and valinomycin. Finally, they promoted the uptake of [36Cl] from external buffers with concomitant intraliposomal acidification when external pH was acidic relative to liposome interior. As prodigiosins hardly inhibit the catalytic activity (ATP hydrolysis) unlike well known OH-/Cl- exchangers (for example, tributyltin chloride), they should provide powerful tools for the study of molecular machinery and cellular activities involving transport of protons and/or chloride.

5-O-β-D-galactopyranosyl-7-methoxy-3',4'-dihydroxy-4-phenylcoumarin, an inhibitor of photophosphorylation in spinach chloroplasts

5-O-β-D-galactopyranosyl-7-methoxy-3',4'-dihydroxy-4-phenylcoumarin isolated from Exostema caribaeum (Rubiaceae) has been found to act as an energy-transfer inhibitor in spinach chloroplasts. ATP synthesis and phosphorylating (coupled) electron flow were inhibited by 89 and 72%, respectively, at a concentration of 400 μM. H(+)-uptake, basal and uncoupled electron transport were not affected by the coumarin. The light-activated Mg(+2)-ATPase activity from bound membrane thylakoid chloroplasts was slightly inhibited by the coumarin. Also, the heat-activated Ca(+2)-ATPase activity of the isolated coupling factor protein was insensitive to this compound. In chloroplasts partially stripped of coupling factor 1 by an EDTA treatment, the coumarin showed a restoration of the proton uptake process. These results suggest that the 4-phenylcoumarin under investigation inhibited phosphorylation in chloroplasts by specifically blocking the transport of protons through a membrane-bound component or a carrier channel (CFO) located in a hydrophobic region at or near the functional binding site for the coupling factor 1.

Effect of low growth temperature on coupling between electron transport and proton flux in Vicia faba thylakoids

Coupling between electron transport and proton flux has been compared in chloroplasts from Vicia faba (cv. Windsor) plants grown at 20 and 5°C. Proton uptake by warm-grown thylakoids was sensitive to external pH and stimulated by micromolar adenine nucleotide above pH 7.0. Electron transport was modulated by pH, adenine nucleotide and energy transfer inhibitors (triphenyltin and Hg(2+) ). By contrast, proton uptake by cold-grown thylakoids was generally lower and was insensitive to micromolar ATP. The rate of non-phosphorylating electron flow in cold-grown thylakoids was relatively insensitive to pH and Hg(2+) and was not modulated by adenine nucleotides or triphenyltin. Stimulation of electron transport by phosphorylating conditions in cold-grown thylakoids was generally lower and insensitive to pH. It is concluded that the control of proton efflux through CF(0) -CF(1) differs in thylakoids of V. faba grown at warm and cold temperatures.

Interaction of photosystem I-derived protons with the water-splitting enzyme complex. Evidence for localized domains

The induction of millisecond delayed fluorescence mediated by PS I-dependent proton pumping has been used as an indicator of the time course with which those protons equilibrate with sites on the oxygen-evolving enzyme complex (Bowes, J. M., and Crofts, A. R. (1978). Z. Naturforsch. 33C, 271-275). We found that the induction curves were retarded by a reversible exposure of non-energized thylakoids to low concentrations of the uncoupler, desaspidin, at alkaline, but not at neutral, pH. The induction curves were not retarded by increasing the buffering capacity of the thylakoid lumen with Tricine, and were inhibited by the energy transfer inhibitors, dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCCD) and triphenyltin chloride (TPT). These data suggest that the catalytic site of the water-splitting complex is located in proton-sequestering membrane domains, rather than at the lumen-exposed inner membrane surface, protons released during PS I-mediated electron transport might equilibrate with protonatable sites on the oxygen-evolving complex without passing through the lumen, and those protons may travel over specific conducting pathways which can be blocked by DCCD and TPT.

The tonoplast proton-translocating ATPase of higher plants as a third class of proton-pumps

Taken together, all the data reported recently in the literature suggest that tonoplast ATPase belongs to a new class of proton pumps. To date, the most studied system is the proton-pumping ATPase from the tonoplast of Hevea latex. Its main characteristics are presented. It resembles the mitochondrial ATPase in its specificity, its substrate affinity, and its sensitivity to different inhibitors. However, for some aspects, it resembles the plasma membrane system in its response to other inhibitors tested (quercetin for example). It differs from both ATPases in its sensitivity to nitrate as well as by its molecular structure, i.e. a complex exhibiting a least 4 or 5 polypeptides. These results favor the existence of a third class of proton pumps, intermediate between the F1F0-class and the E1E2-class.

Differential effects of triphenyltin and 8-azido-ATP on the ATP synthesis, ATP-Pi exchange, and ATP hydrolysis in liposomes containing ATP synthase and bacteriorhodopsin

The ATP hydrolysis activity of purified ATP synthase reconstituted in liposomes was inhibited by triphenyltin in a manner different from that of other thiol-specific reagents. In liposomes containing ATP synthase and bacteriorhodopsin, ATP hydrolysis and ATP-Pi exchange were inhibited by triphenyltin to a greater extent than the ATP synthesis, in contrast to what was found with an F1-specific inhibitor, 8-azido-ATP. The possibility is discussed that ATP hydrolysis and ATP synthesis are differently coupled to proton conduction through F0.

Transient proton inflows during illumination of anaerobic Halobacterium halobium cells

In Halobacterium halobium strain R1 containing both bacteriorhodopsin (bR) and halorhodopsin (hR), the light-driven proton uptake has been experimentally resolved into three transient inflows which are superimposed on the larger proton outflow. Under anaerobic conditions the early proton uptake consists of two components: (i) an inflow which can be blocked using the ATPase inhibitor, Dio-9, and (ii) an inflow which can be abolished by low concentrations (less than 125 nM) of triphenyltin chloride (TPT) with no inhibition of ATP synthesis. At pH 6 these two inflows are approximately equal in magnitude and duration. Measurements of buffering capacity and internal pH indicate that Dio-9 does not alter the passive proton-hydroxyl permeability of the cell membrane and that TPT at these low concentrations slightly decreases it. At later times of illumination (iii) another transient light-driven proton inflow occurs. This inflow is most evident during the first illumination after cells have been stored for extended times in the dark. The internal potassium concentration is not changed by storage, but apparently sodium is taken up, and we attribute the third inflow to sodium extrusion in exchange for protons. These results demonstrate the existence of three distinct triggered secondary proton inflows through the cell membrane. The proton inflow, which can be inhibited by Dio-9, correlates with proton-dependent ATP synthesis. The second inflow, which disappears in the presence of low TPT concentrations, is a passive proton uptake through an otherwise unidentified channel in response to electrogenic chloride pumping by bacteriorhodopsin and/or halorhodopsin. The third system correlates with the Na+/H+ antiporter function that has been demonstrated in H. halobium cell envelope vesicles. In contrast to observations on hR-containing vesicles, which can develop substantial Cl- gradients, the electroneutral OH-/Cl- exchange function can be demonstrated in intact cells only at TPT concentrations greater than 500 nM.

The control by delta mu H+ of the tonoplast-bound H+-translocating adenosine triphosphatase from rubber-tree (Hevea brasiliensis) latex

The relationship between tonoplast-bound ATPase activity and the magnitude of the electrochemical proton gradient has been investigated on tightly sealed vesicles prepared from rubber-tree (Hevea brasiliensis) latex. A variety of methods have been used to modify, either alone or together, the two components of the electrochemical proton gradient (delta mu H+). When the delta pH component was decreased either by titration with (NH4)2SO4 or by addition of protonophores or nigericin in the presence of K+, ATPase activity was stimulated. On the other hand, when the delta psi component was decreased either by addition of lipophilic cations or by addition of valinomycin in the presence of K+, ATPase activity decreased. It is concluded that activity of the tonoplast-bound ATPase is regulated by changes in the electrochemical proton gradient across the tonoplast, so that, once the maximum proton gradient is established across the tonoplast, any perturbation of the equilibrium state should result in the increased rate of ATP hydrolysis as the enzyme attempts to re-establish the initial gradient.

Differential inhibition of F0F1-ATPase-catalysed reactions in bovine-heart submitochondrial particles by organotin compounds

Preincubation of coupled submitochondrial particles with low concentrations of triorganotin compounds results in complete inhibition of the oligomycin-sensitive ATPase activity without any significant effect on the rate of succinate-driven ATP synthesis. The residual ATP synthetic activity is inhibited by oligomycin and uncouplers. The differential inhibition of ATP synthesis and hydrolysis by the triorganotin compounds examined suggests that the two processes are not 'mirror images' of each other, but that they occur through different routes and that the F1F0-ATPase is at least bifunctional.

Characterization of the vacuolar ATPase activity of the crassulacean-acid-metabolism plant Kalanchoë daigremontiana. Receptor modulating

Plants performing crassulacean acid metabolism show a large nocturnal accumulation of malic acid in the vacuole of the photosynthetic cells. It has been postulated that an H+-translocating ATPase energizes the transport of malic acid across the tonoplast into the vacuole. In the present work we have characterized the ATPase activity associated with vacuoles of the crassulacean-acid-metabolism plant Kalanchoë daigremontiana and compare it with other phosphohydrolases. Vacuoles were isolated by polybase-induced lysis of mesophyll-cell protoplasts. The vacuoles had a high activity of unspecific acid phosphatase (pH optimum 5.3). The acid phosphatase was strongly inhibited by ammonium molybdate (with 50% inhibition at about 0.5 mmol m-3), but was not completely inhibited even at much higher ammonium-molybdate concentrations. In contrast, the vacuolar ATPase activity, assayed in the presence of 100 mmol m-3 ammonium molybdate, had a pH optimum of 8.0. ATP was the preferred substrate, but GTP, ITP and ADP were hydrolyzed at appreciable rates. The mean ATPase activity at pH 8.0 was 14.5 nmol h-1 (10(3) vacuoles)-1, an average 13% of which was attributable to residual acid-phosphatase activity. Inorganic-pyrophosphatase activity could not be demonstrated unambiguously. The vacuolar ATPase activity was Mg2+-dependent, had an apparent Km for MgATP2- of 0.31 mol m-3, and was 32% stimulated by 50 mol m-3 KCl. Of the inhibitors tested, oligomycin slightly inhibited the vacuolar ATPase activity and diethylstilbestrol and NO-3 were both markedly inhibitory. Dicyclohexylcarbodiimide and tributyltin were also strongly inhibitory. Tributyltin caused a 50% inhibition at about 0.3 mmol m-3. This is taken as evidence that the vacuolar ATPase might function as an H+-translocating ATPase. It is shown that the measured activity of the vacuolar ATPase would be of the right order to account for the observed rates of nocturnal malic-acid accumulation in K. daigremontiana.

Effect of thiol reagents on the proton conductivity of the H+-ATPase of mitochondria

The role of thiol groups in the proton conduction by the H+-ATPase of mitochondria is examined. A detailed kinetic analysis of the effect of arsenite and N-ethylmaleimide on the anaerobic relaxation of the proton gradient set up by respiration in 'inside-out' submitochondrial particles from beef-heart has been carried out. Arsenite, which reacts with vicinal dithiols, is shown to enhance the proton conductivity of the H+-ATPase. This effect is exerted on the F0 moiety of the complex and apparently mimics and is, in fact, favoured by a state of high proton conductivity induced in the complex by the respiratory delta mu H+. N-Ethylmaleimide (MalNEt), which is a permeant monothiol blocking reagent, appears to attack critical -SH groups in a reaction leading to inhibition of the proton conductivity of the H+-ATPase. Also the inhibitory action of MalNEt on proton conduction is exerted on the F0 moiety of the H+-ATPase. Whilst the stimulatory effect of arsenite develops rapidly, the inhibitory action of MalNEt is sluggish and takes more than 10 min to fully develop. This and other kinetic characteristics, as well a partial additivity of the inhibition by MalNEt with that by oligomycin, indicate that the inhibitory action of MalNEt is associated to a substantial conformational transition in F0. Differences in the mechanism of inhibition of proton conduction by MalNEt and triphenyltin are also presented.

Studies on the mechanism of action of triphenyltin on proton conduction by the H+-ATPase of mitochondria

A study is presented of the action of triphenyltin on the kinetics of the anaerobic relaxation of the proton gradient set up by respiration in various type of 'inside-out' inner membrane vesicles obtained by exposure of beef-heart mitochondria to ultrasonic energy. Triphenyltin is shown to act as a powerful inhibitor of the proton conductivity of the H+-ATPase. The inhibition persists after removal of the ATPase protein inhibitor, F1 and the oligomycin-sensitivity conferral protein (OSCP) from the particles. The inhibitory effect of triphenyltin is exerted, as in the case of oligomycin and N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide, on the F0 moiety of the ATPase complex. Comparison of the characteristics of the effect of triphenyltin on proton translocation in chloride and nitrate media shows that the inhibition of passive proton conductivity studied here is unrelated to the hydroxide/anion exchange induced by the organotin. Lack of additivity of the inhibition of H+ conduction by triphenyltin with that exerted by oligomycin and N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide and the kinetic pattern of the effect of triphenyltin show that the mechanism of action of the organotin is different from that of the other two inhibitors. The relevance of the results obtained with respect to the subunit location and chemical nature of the reaction site of triphenyltin in the H+-ATPase complex is discussed.

A hypothesis for the role of dithiol-disulfide interchange in solute transport and energy-transducing processes

We have recently shown that the physical mechanism for delta approximately mu H+-driven changes in the Km for three different transport systems is an oxidation-reduction reaction involving a dithiol-disulfide interconversion [Robillard, G.T. and Konings, W.N. (1981) Biochemistry, 20, 5025-5032; Konings, W.N. and Robillard, G.T. (1982) Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA, in the press]. Based on the similarities between the data from these three systems and published data from other systems, we now propose that dithiol-disulfide interchange may play a general role in membrane-related processes such as transport, energy transduction and hormone-receptor interactions. We propose that the affinities of the substrate-binding sites are regulated by a dithiol and a disulfide situated at different depths in the membrane. In addition we propose that the oxidation states of these two redox centers are coupled by dithiol-disulfide interchange such that, when one is oxidized, the other is reduced. Since a transmembrane electrical potential, delta psi, or a pH gradient, delta pH, can alter the redox state, it can change the affinity of the substrate-binding sites. The delta approximately mu H+-induced changes in affinity are sufficient to drive active transport (symport or antiport) and energy-transducing processes. A similar mechanism can be applied to transport systems driven by phosphorylated enzyme intermediates instead of delta approximately mu H+. Changes of the redox potential in a given compartment during metabolism could also control the affinity of ligand binding even in the absence of a delta approximately mu H+. The ligand-binding affinities of facilitated diffusion transport systems and receptor proteins may be regulated in this manner.

Isolation, purification, and characterization of coupling factor 1 from Chlamydomonas reinhardi

Chloroplast thylakoid particles were prepared from wild-type Chlamydomonas reinhardi by gentle sonication. These particles catalyzed phenazine methosulfate dependent photophosphorylation with rates ranging from 300 to 700 mumol of adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) formed (mg of chlorophyll)-1h-1. Photophosphorylation was not sensitive to tentoxin but was sensitive to an anticoupling factor 1 (CF1) antiserum preparation made against spinach CF1. The C. reinhardi chloroplast CF1 was isolated from thylakoid particles by either chloroform or ethylenediaminetraacetic acid extraction. The former enzyme appeared to be missing the gamma subunit and did not reconstitute with partially resolved thylakoid particles. The latter enzyme reconstituted with partially resolved particles and had a specific activity at 37 degrees C of 2-5 umol of ATP hydrolyzed (mg of protein)-1 min-1. The enzyme utilized both MnATP and MgATP. CaATP was a poor substrate, and SrATP was not hydrolyzed. The enzyme was not activated by heat or proteolysis but was stimulated approximately 2-fold by 50 mM dithiothreitol. Alcohols reversibly stimulated the ATPase activity of the enzyme 5-25-fold. Ethanol, 20%, dramatically lowered the temperature optimum from approximately 75 to approximately 45 degrees C and slightly lowered the pH optimum from 8.5 to 8.2. Ethanol had no effect on the activation energy of the ATPase reaction (17 +/- 1.7 kcal/mol). The kinetics of the ATPase reaction catalyzed by the C. reinhardi enzyme are complex. Both free divalent cations and divalent cation ATP inhibited the activity of the enzyme. The apparent Km for MgTAP (55 uM free Mg2+) was approximately 0.2 mM.

The role of electrogenic pump in Chara corallina

The conductance, G, and the electromotive force, E, of the Chara membrane were determined accurately by using the current-clamp technique. The measurements at the final steady state of inhibitor poisoning give the conductance, g1, and the electromotive force, E1, of the passive ion conducting pathways. By knowing these values the conductance, g2, and the electromotive force, E2, of the electrogenic pump can be calculated from the measured G and E at each time during the progress of inhibitor poisoning. The local closed circuit current, i, which usually causes a hyperpolarization across the passive conducting pathways, can be calculated by using g1, g2, E1 and E2 thus determined. The values of g2 and i decrease monotonically to zero with the progress of poisoning, while E2 approaches E1 asymptotically after a transient hyperpolarization. During excitation i increases markedly. Such an increased inward current through the passive conducting pathways may help in accelerating the inactivation of the excitatory mechanism.

Quercetin interaction with the chloroplast ATPase complex

1. Quercetin, a flavonoid which acts as an energy transfer inhibitor in photophosphorylation is shown to inhibit the P-ATP exchange activity of membrane-bound CF1 and the ATPase activity of isolated CF1. Quercetin, affects also the proton uptake in chloroplasts in a manner similar to that of dicyclohexylcarbodiimide. 2. The light-dependent proton uptake in EDTA-treated chloroplasts is stimulated by quercetin. In untreated chloroplasts quercetin has a dual effect: it enhances at pH above 7.5 while at lower pH values it decreases the extent of H+ uptake. Similar effects were obtained with dicyclohexylcarbodiimide. 3. Like quercetin, dicyclohexylcarbodiimide was also found to inhibit the ATPase activity of isolated CF1. 4. Quercetin inhibits uncoupled electron transport induced by either EDTA-treatment of chloroplasts or by addition of uncouplers. Quercetin restores H+ uptake in both types of uncoupled chloroplasts. 5. The mode of action of quercetin and dicyclohexylcarbodiimide in photophosphorylation is discussed, and interaction with both CF1 and F0 is suggested.

Proton efflux through the chloroplast ATP synthase (CF0 . CF1) in the presence of sulfhydryl-modifying agents

The rate of photosynthetic electron transport measured in the absence of ADP and Pi is stimulated by low levels of Hg2+ or Ag+ (50% stimulation approximately or equal to 3 Hg2+ or 6 Ag+/100 chlorophyll) to a plateau equal to the transport rate under normal phosphorylating conditions (i.e. +ADP, +Pi). Chloroplasts pretreated in the light under energizing conditions with N-ethylmaleimide show a similar stimulation of non-phosphorylating electron transport. The stimulations of non-phosphorylating electron transport by Hg2+, Ag+ and N-ethylmaleimide are reversed by the CF1 inhibitor phlorizin, the CF0 inhibitor triphenyltin chloride, and can be further stimulated by uncouplers such as methylamine. The Hg2+ and N-ethylmalemide stimulations, but not the Ag+ stimulation, are completely reversed by low levels of ADP (2 microM), ATP (2 microM), AND Pi (400 microM). Ag+, which is a potent inhibitor of ATP synthesis, has little or no effect upon phosphorylating electron transport (+ADP, +Pi). Concomitant with the stimulations of non-phosphorylating electron transport by Hg2+, Ag+ and ADP + Pi, there is a decrease in the level of membrane energization (as measured by atebrin fluorescence quenching) which is reversed when the CF0 channel is blocked by triphenyltin. These results suggest that modification of critical CF1 sulfhydryl residues by Hg2+, Ag+ or N-ethylmalemide leads to the loss of intra-enzyme coupling between the transmembrane proton-transferring and the ATP synthesis activities of the CF0-CF1 ATP synthase complex.