Primary and secondary electron donors in photosystem II of chloroplasts. Rates of electron transfer and location in the membrane.

Absorption changes at 820 or 515 nm after a short laser flash were studied comparatively in untreated chloroplasts and in chloroplasts in which oxygen evolution is inhibited. In chloroplasts pre-treated with Tris, the primary donor of Photosystem II (P-680) is oxidized by the flash it is re-reduced in a biphasic manner with half-times of 6 microseconds (major phase) and 22 microseconds. After the second flash, the 6 microseconds phase is nearly absent and P-680+ decays with half-times of 130 microseconds (major phase) and 22 microseconds. Exogenous electron donors (MnCl2 or reduced phenylenediamine) have no direct influence on the kinetics of P-680+. In untreated chloroplasts the 6 and 22 microseconds phases are of very small amplitude, either at the 1st, 2nd or 3rd flash given after dark-adaptation. They are observed, however, after incubation with 10 mM hydroxylamine. These results are interpreted in terms of multiple pathways for the reduction of P-680+: a rapid reduction (less than 1 microseconds) by the physiological donor D1; a slower reduction (6 and 22 microseconds) by donor D'1, operative when O2 evolution is inhibited; a back-reaction (130 microseconds) when D'1 is oxidized by the pre-illumination in inhibited chloroplasts. In Tris-treated chloroplasts the donor system to P-680+ has the capacity to deliver only one electron. The absorption change at 515 nm (electrochromic absorption shift) has been measured in parallel. It is shown that the change linked to Photosystem II activity has nearly the same magnitude in untreated chloroplasts or in chloroplasts treated with hydroxylamine or with Tris (first and subsequent flashes). Thus we conclude that all the donors (P-680, D1, D'1) are located at the internal side of the thylakoid membrane.     

Kinetics of reduction of the oxidized primary electron donor of Photosystem II in spinach chloroplasts and in Chlorella cells in the microsecond and nanosecond time ranges following flash excitation

Absorption changes (ΔA) at 820 nm, following laser flash excitation of spinach chloroplasts and Chlorella cells, were studied in order to obtain information on the reduction time of the photooxidized primary donor of Photosystem II at physiological temperatures.In the microsecond time range the difference spectrum of ΔA between 750 and 900 nm represents a peak at 820 nm, attributable to a radical-cation of chlorophyll a. In untreated dark-adapted material the signal can be attributed solely to P⁺?700; it decays in a polyphasic manner with half-times of 17 μs, 210 μs and over 1 ms. The oxidized primary donor of Photosystem II (P⁺_II) is not detected with a time resolution of 3 μs. After treatment with 3–10 mM hydroxylamine, which inhibits the donor side of Photosystem II, P⁺_II is observed and decays biphasically (a major phase with $\text{t}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>1</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}\text{= 20–40 μ}\text{s}$, and a minor phase with $\text{t}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>1</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}\text{? 200 μ}\text{s}$), probably by reduction by an accessory electron donor.In the nanosecond range, which was made accessible by a new fast-response flash photometer operating at 820 nm, it was found the P⁺_II is reduced with a half-time of 25–45 ns in untreated dark-adapted chloroplasts. It is assumed that the normal secondary electron donor is responsible for this fast reduction.     

The rise in chlorophyll a fluorescence yield and decay in delayed light emission in Tris-washed chloroplasts in the 6–100 μs time range after an excitation flash

Parallel measurements of the rise in chlorophyll a fluorescence yield and delayed light emission decay, after a 10 ns saturating excitation flash, have been made in tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane-washed chloroplasts. Various electron donor systems (Mn²⁺; ascorbate; reduced phenylenediamine and benzidine) were used in conjuction with different preillumination regimes to alter [P⁺-680], the oxidized form of the Photosystem II reaction center chlorophyll a. Conditions giving rise to high [P⁺-680] resulted in only a small rise in fluorescence yield, an inhibition of a 6 μs delayed light component, and an enhancement of a 60 μs component of delayed light emission. These results confirm the hypothesis that P⁺-680 acts as a quencher of fluorescence and that delayed light emission in the microsecond time range is due to the back reaction of P⁺-680 and Q^?. (Q is the first “stable” electron acceptor of Photosystem II.) Two preillumination flashes are required before the full effect of Tris washing is observed in the delayed light emission decay and fluorescence yield rise; this suggests that a capacity to hold two charges exists between the Tris block and P⁺-680. Tris washing has no direct effect on the movement of electrons from Z (the first electron donor to P⁺-680) to P⁺-680. Finally, Mn²⁺ donates electrons to P⁺-680 via Z.     

Effects of chloride depletion on electron donation from the water-oxidizing complex to the photosystem II reaction center as measured by the microsecond rise of chlorophyll fluorescence in isolated pea chloroplasts

The role of Cl^? in the electron transfer reactions of the oxidizing side of Photosystem II (PS II) has been studied by measuring the fluorescence yield changes corresponding to the reduction of P⁺-680, the PS II reaction center chlorophyll, by the secondary PS II donor, Z. In Cl^?-depleted chloroplasts, a rapid rise in fluorescence yield was observed following the first and second flashes, but not during the third or subsequent flashes. These results indicate that there exists an additional endogenous electron donor beyond P-680 and Z in Cl^?-depleted systems. In contrast, the terminal endogenous donor on the oxidizing side of PS II in Tris-washed preparations has previously been shown to be Z, the component giving rise to EPR signals II_f and II_vf. The rate of reduction of P⁺-680 in the Cl^?-depleted chloroplasts was as rapid as that measured in uninhibited systems, within the time resolution of our instrument. Again, this is in contrast to Tris-washed preparations in which a dramatic decrease in the rate if this reaction has been previously reported. We have also carried out a preliminary study on the rate of rereduction of Z⁺ in the Cl^?-depleted system. Under steady-state conditions, the reduction half-time of Z⁺ in uninhibited systems was about 450 μs, while in the Cl^?-depleted chloroplasts, the reduction of Z⁺ was biphasic, one phase with a half-time of about 120 ms, and a slower phase with a half-time of several seconds. The appearance of the quenching state due to P⁺-680 observed following the third flash on excitation of Cl^?-depleted chloroplasts was delayed by two flashed when low concentrations of NH₂OH (20–50 μM) were included in the medium. Hydrazine at somewhat higher concentrations showed the same effect. This is taken to indicate that the reactions leading to PS II oxidation of NH₂OH or NH₂NH₂ are uninhibited by Cl^? depletion. Addition of NH₂OH at low concentrations to Tris-washed chloroplasts did not alter the pattern of the fluorescence yield, indicating that the reactions leading to the NH₂OH oxidation present in Cl^?-depleted systems are absent following Tris inhibition. The results are discussed in terms of an inhibition by Cl^? depletion of the reactions of the oxygen-evolving complex. It is suggested that no intermediary redox couple exists between the oxygen-evolving complex and Z, and that Z⁺ is reduced directly by Mn of the complex. In terms of the S-state model, Cl^? depletion appears to inhibit the advancement of the mechanism beyond S₂, but not to inhibit the transitions from S₀ to S₁, or from S₁ to S₂.     

Flash photolysis-electron spin resonance studies of Photosystem I. A fast reduction component of P-700+

A 300 μs decay component of ESR Signal I (P-700⁺) in chloroplasts is observed following a 10 μs actinic xenon flash. This transient is inhibited by treatments which block electron transfer from Photosystem II to Photosystem I (e.g. 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1, 1-dimethylurea (DCMU), 2,5-dibromo-3-methyl-6-isopropyl-p-benzoquinone (DBMIB), KCN and HgCl₂). The fast transient reduction of P-700⁺ can be restored in the case of DCMU or DBMIB inhibition by addition of an electron donor couple (2,6-dichlorophenol indophenol (Cl₂Ind)/ascorbate) which supplies electrons to cytochrome f. However, this donor couple is inefficient in restoring electron transport in chloroplasts which have been inhibited with the plastocyanin inactivators, KCN and HgCl₂. Oxidation-reduction measurements reveal that the fast P-700⁺ reduction component reflects electron transfer from a component with E_m = 375±10 mV (pH = 7.5). These data suggest the assignment of the 300-μs decay kinetics to electron transfer from cytochrome f (Fe²⁺) to P-700⁺, thus confirming the recent observations of Haehnel et al. (Z. Naturforsch. 26b, 1171–1174 (1971)).     

Influence of temperature on Photosystem II electron transfer reactions

The influence of temperature on the rate of reduction of P-680⁺, the primary donor of Photosystem II, has been studied in the range 5–294 K, in chloroplasts and subchloroplasts particles. P-680 was oxidized by a short laser flash. Its oxidation state was followed by the absorption level at 820 nm, and its reduction attributed to two mechanisms: electron donation from electron donor D₁ and electron return from the primary plastoquinone (back-reaction).Between 294 and approx. 200 K, the rate of the back-reaction, on a logarithmic scale, is a linear function of the reciprocal of the absolute temperature, corresponding to an activation energy between 3.3 and 3.7 kcal · mol^?1, in all of the materials examined (chloroplasts treated at low pH or with Tris; particles prepared with digitonin). Between approx. 200 K and 5 K the rate of the back-reaction is temperature independent, with $\text{t}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>1</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}\text{= 1.6}\text{ms}$. In untreated chloroplasts we measured a $\text{t}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>1</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ of 1.7 ms for the back-reaction at 77 and 5 K.The rate of electron donation from the donor D₁ has been measured in darkadapted Tris-treated chloroplasts, in the range 294–260 K. This rate is strongly affected by temperature. An activation energy of 11 kcal · mol^?1 was determined for this reaction.In subchloroplast particles prepared with Triton X-100 the signals due to P-680 were contaminated by absorption changes due to the triplet state of chlorophyll a. This triplet state has been examined with pure chlorophyll a in Triton X-100. An Arrhenius plot of its rate of decay shows a temperature-dependent region (292–220 K) with an activation energy of 9 kcal · mol^?1, and a temperature-independent region (below 200 K) with $\text{t}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>1</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}\text{= 1.1}\text{ms}$.     

Laser-flash-activated electron paramagnetic resonance studies of primary photochemical reactions in chloroplasts

Electron paramagnetic resonance studies of the primary reactants of Photosystems I and II have been conducted at cryogenic temperatures after laser-flash activation with monochromatic light.P-700 photooxidation occurs irreversibly in chloroplasts and in Photosystem I fragments after activation with a 730 nm laser flash at a temperature of 35 °;K. Flash activation of chloroplasts or Photosystem II chloroplast fragments with 660 nm light results in the production of a free-radical signal (g = 2.002, linewidth ～ 8 gauss) which decays with a half-time of 5.0 ms at 35 °;K. The half-time of decay is independent of temperature in the range of 10–77 °;K. This reversible signal can be eliminated by preillumination of the sample at 35 °;K with 660 nm light (but not by 730 nm light), by preillumination with 660 nm light at room temperature in the presence of 3-(3′, 4′-dichlorophenyl)-1,1′-dimethylurea (DCMU) plus hydroxylamine, or by adjustment of the oxidation-reduction potential of the chloroplasts to — 150 mV prior to freezing. In the presence of ferricyanide (20–50 mM), two free-radical signals are photoinduced during a 660 nm flash at 35 °;K. One signal decays with a half-time of 5 ms, whereas the second signal is formed irreversibly. These results are discussed in terms of a current model for the Photosystem II primary reaction at low temperature which postulates a back-reaction between P-680⁺ and the primary electron acceptor.     

Rise time of EPR signal IIvf in chloroplast Photosystem II

The rise time of the photoinduced, reversible EPR Signal II_vf in spinach chloroplasts is found using flash excitation to be 20 ± 10 μs. The results are interpreted as evidence that the Signal II_vf radical is an electron carrier on the donor side of Photosystem II, but probably does not result from the first donor to P680⁺.     

Flash-induced absorption changes of the primary donor of photosystem II at 820 nm in chloroplasts inhibited by low pH or tris-treatment

A comparative study is made, at 15 °C, of flash-induced absorption changes around 820 nm (attributed to the primary donors of Photosystems I and II) and 705 nm (Photosystem I only), in normal chloroplasts and in chloroplasts where O₂ evolution was inhibited by low pH or by Tris-treatment.At pH 7.5, with untreated chloroplasts, the absorption changes around 820 nm are shown to be due to P-700 alone. Any contribution of the primary donor of Photosystem II should be in times shorter than 60 μs.When chloroplasts are inhibited at the donor side of Photosystem II by low pH, an additional absorption change at 820 nm appears with an amplitude which, at pH 4.0, is slightly higher than the signal due to oxidized P-700. This additional signal is attributed to the primary donor of Photosystem II. It decays ($\text{t}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>1</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ about 180 μs) mainly by back reaction with the primary acceptor and partly by reduction by another electron donor. Acid-washed chloroplasts resuspended at pH 7.5 still present the signal due to Photosystem II ($\text{t}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>1</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ about 120 μs). This shows that the acid inhibition of the first secondary donor of Photosystem II is irreversible.In Tris-treated chloroplasts, absorption changes at 820 nm due to the primary donor of Photosystem II are also observed, but to a lesser extent and only after some charge accumulation at the donor side. They decay with a half-time of 120 μs.     

Similarity of EPR Signal IIf rise and P-680+ decay kinetics in Tris-washed chloroplast Photosystem II preparations as a function of pH

The rise time, of Signal II_f and the decay time of P-680⁺ have been measured kinetically as a function of pH by using EPR. The Photosystem II-enriched preparations which were used as samples were derived from spinach chloroplasts, and they evolved oxygen before Tris washing. The onset kinetics of Signal II_f are in agreement, within experimental error, with the fast component of the decay of an EPR signal attributable to P-680⁺. The signal II_f rise kinetics also show good agreement with published values of the pH dependence of the decay of P-680⁺ measured optically (Conjeaud, H. and Mathis, P. (1980) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 590, 353–359). These results are consistent with a model where the species Z (or D₁) responsible for Signal II_f is the immediate electron donor to P-680⁺ in tris-washed Photosystem II fragments.     

Precursors to microsecond delayed luminescence in oxygenevolving and inhibited chloroplasts

We have investigated submillisecond delayed luminescence in spinach chloroplasts under a variety of conditions. In Tris-washed chloroplasts, which are inhibited on the oxidizing side of P-680, the delayed light emission in the 7–200 μs time-range decayed with biphasic behavior. In fully dark-adapted samples illuminated by a single saturating laser pulse, the fast phase of delayed luminescence followed a nearly identical pH-dependent time-course as that observed optically and by ESR for P⁺-680 reduction, thus verifying the recombination hypothesis for the origin of delayed light. The observed slower phase of delayed luminescence was also pH dependent, but unlike the fast phase, could not be ascribed to specific electron transfer events of PS II. This phase could be rationalized by a heterogeneity in the population of P-680. While kinetic parameters were found to be insensitive to changes in ionic strength, the overall luminescence intensity was quite sensitive to the electrical parameters, thus indicating the role of ionic strength and local charges in delayed luminescence modulation. A similar series of experiments was performed on untreated chloroplasts. The pH-dependent delayed luminescence behavior in both untreated chloroplasts and Tris-washed chloroplasts was similar despite significantly faster kinetics associated with the reduction of P⁺-680 by the secondary PS II electron donor, Z, in the former preparation (e.g., Van Best, J.A. and Mathis, P. (1978) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 503, 178–188). Thus, it was concluded that, in untreated samples, microsecond delayed luminescence emanates primarily from centers which are not competent in oxygen evolution. The nearly identical delayed luminescence intensity in untreated chloroplasts and in Tris-washed chloroplasts was rationalized by a model which predicts modulations in delayed luminescence yield by the exciton-quenching effect of P⁺-680. Computer simulations demonstrate the feasibility of this model. The previously documented flash oscillations in microsecond delayed luminescence intensity in untreated chloroplasts (Bowes, J.M. and Crofts, A.R. (1979) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 547, 336–346), which we readily observed, were attributed to alterations in delayed luminescence yield (in nonfunctional centers) by variations in charge density stored at the oxygen-evolving complex of functional centers. Taken together, our results emphasize the dependence of delayed luminescence kinetics upon electron-transfer kinetics and the dependence of delayed luminescence amplitude upon the photochemical parameters, the exciton yield and the emission yield.     

Photosystem II energy coupling in chloroplasts with H2O2 as electron donor

NH₂OH-treated, non-water-splitting chloroplasts can oxidize H₂O₂ to O₂ through Photosystem II at substantial rates (100–250 μequiv · h^?1 · mg^?1 chlorophyll with 5 mM H₂O₂) using 2,5-dimethyl-p-benzoquinone as an electron acceptor in the presence of the plastoquinone antagonist dibromothymoquinone. This H₂O₂ → Photosystem II → dimethylquinone reaction supports phosphorylation with a $\text{P}\text{e}{}_2$ ratio of 0.25–0.35 and proton uptake with $\text{H}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{e}$ values of 0.67 (pH 8)–0.85 (pH 6). These are close to the $\text{P}\text{e}{}_2$ value of 0.3–0.38 and the $\text{H}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{e}$ values of 0.7–0.93 found in parallel experiments for the H₂O → Photosystem II → dimethylquinone reaction in untreated chloroplasts. Semi-quantitative data are also presented which show that the donor → Photosystem II → dibromothymoquinone (→O₂) reaction can support phosphorylation when the donor used is a proton-releasing reductant (benzidine, catechol) but not when it is a non-proton carrier (I^?, ferrocyanide).     

The rapid component of electron paramagnetic resonance signal II: A candidate for the physiological donor to Photosystem II in spinach chloroplasts

Rapid light-induced transients in EPR Signal IIf (F^?+) are observed in 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea (DCMU)-treated, Tris-washed chloroplasts until the state F P680 Q^? is reached. In the absence of exogenous redox mediators several flashes are required to saturate this photoinactive state. However, the Signal IIf transient is observed on only the first flash following DCMU addition if an efficient donor to Signal IIf, phenylenediamine or hydroquinone, is present. Complementary polarographic measurements show that under these conditions oxidized phenylenediamine is produced only on the first flash of a series. The DCMU inhibition of Signal IIf can be completely relieved by oxidative titration of a one-electron reductant with E′_08.0 = +480 mV. At high reduction potentials the decay time of Signal IIf is constant at about 300 ms, whereas in the absence of DCMU the decay time is longer and increases with increasing reduction potential.A model is proposed in which Q^?, the reduced Photosystem II primary acceptor, and D, a one-electron 480 mV donor endogenous to the chloroplast suspension, compete in the reduction of Signal IIf (F^?+). At high potentials D is oxidized in the dark, and the (Q^? + F^?+) back reaction regenerates the photoactive F P680 Q state. The electrochemical and kinetic evidence is consistent with the hypothesis that the Signal IIf species, F, is identical with Z, the physiological donor to P680.     

Site of salicylaldoxime interaction with photosystem II

The reversible inhibition of Photosystem II by salicylaldoxime was studied in spinach D-10 particles by fluorescence, optical absorption, and electron spin resonance spectroscopy. In the presence of 15 mM salicylaldoxime, the initial fluorescence yield was raised to the level of the maximum fluorescence, indicating efficient charge recombination between reduced pheophytin (Ph) and P680⁺. In agreement with the rapid (ns) backreaction expected between Ph^– and P680⁺, the optical absorption transient at 820 mm was not observed. When the particles were washed free of salicylaldoxime, the optical absorption transient resulting from the rereduction of P680⁺ was restored to the µs timescale. These results, along with the previously observed inhibition of electron transport reactions and diminution of the 515-nm absorption change in chloroplasts [Golbeck, J.H. (1980) Arch Biochem Biophys 202, 458–466], are consistent with a site of inhibition between Ph and QA in Photosystem II. ESR Signal IIf and Signal Its were abolished in the presence of 25 mM salicylaldoxime, but both signals could be recovered by washing the D-10 particles free of the inhibitor. The loss of Signal Ilf is most likely a consequence of the inhibition between Ph and Q_A; the rapid charge recombination between Ph^– and P680⁺ would preclude electron transfer from an electron donor on the oxidizing side of Photosystem II. The loss of Signal Its may be due to a change in the environment of the donor complex such that the semiquinone radical giving rise to Signal Its interacts with a nearby reductant.Abbreviations D₁ electron donor to P680⁺ in oxygen-inhibited chloroplasts - DCMU 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea - F₀ prompt chlorophyll a fluorescence yield - F_i initial chlorophyll a fluorescence yield - F_max maximum chlorophyll a fluorescence yield - F_var variable chlorophyll a fluorescence yield - FWHM full width at half maximum - Mes 2-(N-morpholino) ethanesulfonic acid - P680 reaction center chlorophyll a of photosystem II - Ph pheophytin intermediate electron acceptor - Q_A primary quinone electron acceptor - Q_B secondary quinone electron acceptor - Tris tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane - Z electron donor to P680⁺     

Relative activities of linear and cyclic electron flows during chloroplast CO2-fixation

Evolution of oxygen and turnover of cytochromes b-563 and ? were measured upon illumination of isolated intact spinach chloroplasts with a series of flashes. The flash yield of cytochrome ? oxidation approximated the sum of the yields of cytochrome b-563 reduction and electron transfer through Photosystem II, regardless of whether HCO^?₃, 3-phosphoglycerate or O₂ served as the terminal electron acceptor. No absorbance contribution from cytochrome b-559 was discerned within the time range studied. Some pseudocyclic electron flow occurred when both HCO^?₃ and 3-phosphoglycerate were omitted, and possibly also during induction of photosynthesis; however, the flash yield data suggest that O₂ is not reduced at a significant rate during steady state photosynthesis. The maximum rate of cytochrome ? turnover (1000 μequiv./mg chlorophyll per h) was adequate to support the highest rates of photosynthesis observed in isolated chloroplasts.These results agree with the concept that cytochrome ? is a component both of the linear and cyclic pathways whereas cytochrome b-563 functions only in the cyclic pathway. NH₄Cl decreased the half time of cytochrome b-563 oxidation from 11.6 to 8.2 ms and decreased the half time of cytochrome ? reduction from 7.2 to 2.8 ms. The cyclic and linear pathways thus seem to be jointly regulated by a transthylakoid H⁺ gradient through a common control point on the reducing side of cytochrome ?. Cyclic turnover also increased during the induction phase of photosynthesis, when linear throughput is limited by the rate of utilization of NADPH. The slow rise in the P-518 transient correlated with increased cyclic activity under the above conditions.It is proposed that flexibility in the utilization of linear and cyclic pathways allows the chloroplast to generate ATP and NADPH in ratios appropriate to varying needs.     

Radiative and non-radiative charge recombination pathways in Photosystem II studied by thermoluminescence and chlorophyll fluorescence in the cyanobacterium Synechocystis 6803

The mechanism of charge recombination was studied in Photosystem II by using flash induced chlorophyll fluorescence and thermoluminescence measurements. The experiments were performed in intact cells of the cyanobacterium Synechocystis 6803 in which the redox properties of the primary pheophytin electron acceptor, Phe, the primary electron donor, P₆₈₀, and the first quinone electron acceptor, Q_A, were modified. In the D1Gln130Glu or D1His198Ala mutants, which shift the free energy of the primary radical pair to more positive values, charge recombination from the S₂Q_A⁻ and S₂Q_B⁻ states was accelerated relative to the wild type as shown by the faster decay of chlorophyll fluorescence yield, and the downshifted peak temperature of the thermoluminescence Q and B bands. The opposite effect, i.e. strong stabilization of charge recombination from both the S₂Q_A⁻ and S₂Q_B⁻ states was observed in the D1Gln130Leu or D1His198Lys mutants, which shift the free energy level of the primary radical pair to more negative values, as shown by the retarded decay of flash induced chlorophyll fluorescence and upshifted thermoluminescence peak temperatures. Importantly, these mutations caused a drastic change in the intensity of thermoluminescence, manifested by 8- and 22-fold increase in the D1Gln130Leu and D1His198Lys mutants, respectively, as well as by a 4- and 2.5-fold decrease in the D1Gln130Glu and D1His198Ala mutants, relative to the wild type, respectively. In the presence of the electron transport inhibitor bromoxynil, which decreases the redox potential of Q_A/Q_A⁻ relative to that observed in the presence of DCMU, charge recombination from the S₂Q_A⁻ state was accelerated in the wild type and all mutant strains. Our data confirm that in PSII the dominant pathway of charge recombination goes through the P₆₈₀⁺Phe⁻ radical pair. This indirect recombination is branched into radiative and non-radiative pathways, which proceed via repopulation of P₆₈₀^* from ¹[P₆₈₀⁺Ph⁻] and direct recombination of the ³[P₆₈₀⁺Ph⁻] and ¹[P₆₈₀⁺Ph⁻] radical states, respectively. An additional non-radiative pathway involves direct recombination of P₆₈₀⁺Q_A⁻. The yield of these charge recombination pathways is affected by the free energy gaps between the Photosystem II electron transfer components in a complex way: Increase of ΔG(P₆₈₀^* ↔ P₆₈₀⁺Phe⁻) decreases the yield of the indirect radiative pathway (in the 22-0.2% range). On the other hand, increase of ΔG(P₆₈₀⁺Phe⁻ ↔ P₆₈₀⁺Q_A⁻) increases the yield of the direct pathway (in the 2-50% range) and decreases the yield of the indirect non-radiative pathway (in the 97-37% range).     

Two electron donation sites for exogenous reductants in chloroplast Photosystem II

Two sites are distinguished for the oxidation of exogenous donors by Photosystem II in non-oxygen evolving chloroplasts. In the presence of lipophilic donors (e.g. phenylenediamine, benzidine, diphenylcarbazide), the rate for Signal IIf rereduction following a flash increases as the concentration of exogenous reductant increases. There is a decrease (20–40%) in Signal IIf magnitude accompanying donor addition at low (< 10^?5M) concentrations, but the extent of the decrease does not change further with increasing donor concentration. Complementary polarographic experiments monitoring donor (phenylenediamine) oxidation show an increase in oxidation rate with increasing donor concentration.In the presence of the hydrophilic donor, Mn²⁺, the Signal IIf decay halftime remains constant with increasing Mn²⁺ concentration. However, the flash-induced Signal IIf magnitude progressively decreases with increasing Mn²⁺ concentration.These results are interpreted in terms of two competing paths for the reduction of P680⁺. In one path P680⁺ reduction is accompanied by the appearance of Signal IIf, and lipophilic donors subsequently rereduce the Signal IIf species in a series reaction. This reduction follows pseudo-first order kinetics as a function of donor concentration. In the second path Mn²⁺ reduces P680⁺ in a parallel reaction that competes with the formation of the Signal IIf species. This results in a decrease in the magnitude of Signal IIf, but no change in its decay time.     

Cooperativity between Photosystem II centers at the level of primary electron transfer

1. Spinach chloroplasts, but not whole Chlorella cells, show an acceleration of the Photosystem II turnover time when excited by non-saturating flashes (exciting 25 % of centers) or when excited by saturating flashes for 85–95 % inhibition by 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea. Following dark adaptation, the turnover is accelerated after a non-saturating flash, preceded by none or several saturating flashes, and primarily after a first saturating flash for 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea inhibition. A rapid phase ($\text{t}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>1</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ approx. 0.75 s) is observed for the deactivation of State S₂ in the presence of 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea.2. These accelerated relaxations suggest that centers of Photosystem II are interconnected at the level of the primary electron transfer and compete for primary oxidizing equivalents in a saturating flash. The model in best agreement with the experimental data consists of a paired interconnection of centers.3. Under the conditions mentioned above, an accelerated turnover may be observed following a flash for centers in S₀, S₁ or S₂ prior to the flash. This acceleration is interpreted in terms of a shift of the rate-limiting steps of Photosystem II turnover from the acceptor to the donor side.     

Studies on the functional organization of Photosystem II. The effect of protein-modifying procedures and of ADRY agents on the reaction pattern of photosystem II in Tris-washed chloroplasts

The role of the protein matrix embedding the functionally active redox components of Photosystem II reaction centers has been studied by investigating the effects of procedures which modify the structure of proteins. In order to reduce the influence of the electron transport involving secondary donor and acceptor components, Triswashed chloroplasts were used which are completely deprived of their oxygen-evolving capacity. The functional activity was detected via absorption changes, reflecting at 334 and 690 or 834 nm the turnover of the primary plastoquinone acceptor, X320, and of the photochemically active chlorophyll a complex, Chl a_II, respectively, and at 520 nm the transient formation of a transmembrane electric potential gradient. Under repetitive flash excitation of Tris-washed chloroplasts it was found that: (a) The relaxation kinetics at 690 nm become significantly accelerated in the presence of external electron donors. (b) Trypsin treatment blocks to a high degree the turnover of Chl a_II and X320 unless exogenous acceptors are present, which directly oxidize X320^?, such as K₃Fe(CN)₆. (c) In the presence of K₃Fe(CN)₆ the recovery kinetics of Chl a_II and X320 are retarded markedly by trypsin, followed by a progressive decline in the extent thereof. (d) 2-(3-Chloro-4-trifluoromethyl)anilino-3,5-dinitrothiophene (ANT 2p), known to reduce the lifetime of S₂ and S₃ in normal chloroplasts, significantly accelerates the recovery of Chl a_II. 10 μs kinetics are observed which correspond with the electron-transfer rate from D₁ to Chl a⁺_II. ANT 2p simultaneously retards the decay kinetics of X320^? and of the electrochromic absorption changes. (e) The kinetic pattern of the electrochromic absorption changes is also affected by the salt content of the suspension. Under dark-adapted conditions, the 10 μs relaxation kinetics of the 834 nm absorption change due to the first flash are hardly affected by mild trypsinization of 5–10 min duration, whereas the amplitude decreases by approx. 30%. The data obtained in Tris-washed chloroplasts could consistently be interpreted as a modification of the back reaction between X320^? and Chl a⁺_II which is caused solely by a change in the reactivity of X320 due to trypsin-induced degradation of the native X320-B apoprotein. Furthermore, ADRY agents are inferred to stimulate cyclic electron flow, which leads to reduction of D⁺₁ between the flashes. A simplified scheme is discussed which describes the functional organization of the reaction center complex.     

Electron donation to Photosystem II in reaction center preparations

The room-temperature EPR characteristics of Photosystem II reaction center preparations from spinach, pokeweed and Chlamydomonas reinhardii have been investigated. In all preparations a light-induced increase in EPR Signal II, which arises from the oxidized form of a donor to P-680⁺, is observed. Spin quantitation, with potassium nitrosodisulfonate as a spin standard, demonstrates that the Signal II species, Z^?, is present in approx. 60% of the reaction centers. In response to a flash, the increase in Signal II spin concentration is complete within the 98 μs response time of our instrument. The decay of Z^? is dependent on the composition of the particle suspension medium and is accelerated by addition of either reducing agents or lipophilic anions in a process which is first order in these reagents. Comparison of these results with optical data reported previously (Diner, B.A. and Bowes, J.M. (1981) in Proceedings of the 5th International Congress on Photosynthesis (Akoyunoglou, G., ed.), Vol. 3, pp. 875–883, Balaban, Philadelphia), supports the identification of Z with the P-680⁺ donor, D₁. From the polypeptide composition of the particles used in this study, we conclude that Z is an integral component of the reaction center and use this conclusion to construct a model for the organization of Photosystem II.