Pyridoxal 5-phosphate, Phenyl Phosphate and Acetyl Phosphate, as Inhibitors of Photophosphorylation Competitive with Phosphate

Pyridoxal 5-phosphate, phenyl phosphate and acetyl phosphate,as well as rß-naphthyl monophosphate, inhibited photophosphorylationof spinach chloroplasts competitively with P_i and noncompetitivelywith ADP. The apparent dissociation constant of the inhibitor-enzymecomplex (K_i) values of pyridoxal 5-phosphate, phenyl phosphateand acetyl phosphate for the P_i site were 1.1, 3.8 and 2.4 _mM,respectively. These organic phosphates inhibited Ca²⁺-ATPaseof the isolated coupling factor 1 (CF₁) (EC 3.6.1.3 [EC] ) noncompetitivelywith ATP. AMP, creatine phosphate, fructose 1,6-bisphosphate,glucose 6-phosphate, 3-phosphoglyceric acid, ribose 5-phosphateand PP_i did not significantly inhibit photophosphorylation.Like rß-naphthyl monophosphate, pyridoxal 5-phosphateand phenyl phosphate inhibited photophosphorylation and thecoupled electron transport, but were almost without effect onthe basal electron transport. On the other hand, acetyl phosphateconsiderably inhibited photophosphorylation, but had almostno effect on the coupled electron transport rate and the basalrate. The results suggest that these organic phosphates inhibitphotophosphorylation by binding at the P_i site on the activecenter of CF₁ and that their binding inhibits the ATPase activityof isolated CF₁. These four organic phosphates which inhibited photophosphorylationcompetitively with Pi could not substitute for ADP or ATP ininhibiting ferricyanide photoreduction by decreasing H⁺-permeabilitythrough CF₁ and in protecting the ATPase of isolated CF₁ againstcold-anion inactivation. ¹ This work was supported in part by Grants-in-Aid for ScientificResearch from the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture,Japan to H.S. (Received May 25, 1981; Accepted September 28, 1981)     

Light-induced ATP Formation from Acetyl Phosphate and ADP by Broken Spinach Chloroplasts

Spinach chloroplasts catalyzed ATP formation from acetyl phosphateand ADP when exposed to light. No ATP formation was detectablein the dark. In the absence of ADP, chloroplasts did not hydrolyzeacetyl phosphate in the light or dark. Neither high-energy phosphatessuch as creatine phosphate and phosphoenol pyruvate nor inhibitorsof photophosphorylation competitive with P_i, such as ß-naphthylmonophosphate, phenyl phosphate and pyridoxal 5-phosphate, couldsubstitute for acetyl phosphate as a P_i donor. The apparentK_m values for acetyl phosphate and P_i were 0.81 mM and 0.25mM, respectively. The maximal rate of ATP formation with acetylphosphate and P_i were 331 and 521 µmol ATP formed mg chl^–1hr^–1, respectively. The optimum pH value for acetyl phosphate-dependentATP formation was about 8.0. NH₄Cl, dicyclohexylcarbodiimideand triphenyltin chloride inhibited the acetyl phosphate-dependentATP formation. Acid-base transition also could induce subsequentATP formation from acetyl phosphate and ADP. These results suggestthat the acetyl phosphate-dependent ATP formation requires theformation and the utilization of a proton-motive force as ordinaryphotophosphorylation does. ¹ This work was supported in part by Grants-in-Aid for ScientificResearch from the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture,Japan to H. S. Part of this work was reported at the 1981 AnnualMeeting of the Japanese Society of Plant Physiologists (Sapporo,May 8, 1981). (Received August 25, 1981; Accepted November 1, 1981)     

Fatty acid synthesis by spinach chloroplasts I. Property of fatty acid synthesis from acetate

Intact chloroplasts (about 70% Class I chloroplasts) isolatedfrom spinach leaves incorporated 150 nmoles of [1-¹⁴C] acetateinto fatty acids per mg chlorophyll in 1 hr at pH 8.3, 25°Cand 25,000 lux. On electron and phase-contrast microscopiescombined with hypotonic treatment of chloroplasts, this syntheticactivity was shown to be proportional to the percentage of ClassI chloroplasts in the preparation. Light was necessary for thesynthesis, the activity in the complete reaction mixture inthe dark being only 2% of that in the light. The synthetic activityincreased with increasing intensities of light to reach saturationat 6,000 lux. CoA and ATP were most effective as cofactors,HCO₃^–, HPO₄^2–, Mg^2$ and Mn^2$ were less effective.ATP could be replaced by ADP in the presence of Pi, suggestingpossible supply of ATP by photophosphorylation. Omission ofthe NADPH-generation system and NADH did not affect the synthesis,indicating sufficient provision of endogenous NADPH and NADHin intact chloroplasts under light. Addition of DTE did notcause recovery of the synthetic activity of intact chloroplastsin the dark. ¹ Present address: Radioisotope Centre, University of Tokyo,Yayoi, Bunkyo, Tokyo 113, Japan. (Received August 26, 1974; )     

Relation between Ultra-Violet Spectral Change and Nucleotide Binding of the Chloroplast Coupling Factor 1

Properties of the nucleotide binding sites on chloroplast couplingfactor 1 (CF₁) were studied by equilibrium dialysis and UV spectroscopy.From our direct binding studies, we identified at least fourkinds of ADP binding sites on CF₁; a barely dissociable ADPbinding site (site A), a slowly exchangeable high affinity sitewith dissociation constant (Kd) 0.021 µM (site B), anotherslowly exchangeable high affinity site with Kd 1.6 µM(site C) and several low affinity (Kd {small tilde}30 µM)sites. The Kd values for sites B and C of the other nucleotidestested were 0.5 µM and 16 µM (GDP), 8 µM and34 µM (CDP), 17 µM and 20 µM (UDP) and 1.4µM and 1.4 µM (PP₁). From a comparison of the observed UV spectral change and theamount of nucleotide bound to these sites, as calculated fromthe above Kd values, we concluded that the nucleotide bindingto site B or G induces UV spectral changes that are almost thesame in shape and magnitude. The estimated difference molarabsorption coefficient () was 3.4?10³M^–1_ADP cm^–1for ADP at 278 nm. Our conclusions were strengthened by thegood agreement between the observed spectra and the calculatedspectra (derived from the Kd and values of ADP and GDP) whenADP and GDP were added together to CF₁. The cause of the unusual behavior of GDP in the UV differencespectrum which was unexplained in our previous report was shownto be competition between the GDP added and previously boundADP at sites B and C; this distorted the real spectrum inducedby GDP. (Received October 3, 1983; Accepted February 13, 1984)     

Induction of Glucose 6-Phosphate Transport Activity in Chloroplasts of Mesembryanthemum crystallinum by the C3-CAM Transition

To study possible changes in the transport metabolites betweenchloroplasts and cytoplasm during CAM induction of Mesembryanthemumcrystallinum, we compared substrate specificity of P1¹ translocator(s)in isolated chloroplasts from the C₃ and CAM-induced plants.The [¹⁴C]glu-cose 6-phosphate (G6P) transport activity was significantonly in the chloroplasts of CAM-mode plants and not detectablein those of C₃-mode, while a similar high rate of [³²P]P_i uptakewas observed with both types of chloroplasts. Kinetic analysisof G6P uptake in the CAM chloroplasts showed a high V_max [10.6µmol (mg Chl)^–1 h^–1] and a comparatively lowK_m value (0.41 mM); the latter was similar to K_i values of P_i,3-phosphoglycerate and phospho-enolpyruvate, 0.30, 0.34 and0.47 mM, respectively. On the other hand, [32P]Pi uptake inthe CAM chloroplasts was inhibited competitively by G6P witha K_i value (8.4 mM) 20-fold higher than the K_m value for G6Puptake, while that in C₃ chloroplasts was not inhibited at all.These results suggest that a new G6P/P_i, counterexchange mechanismis induced in the chloroplast envelope of CAM-induced M. crystallinumin addition to the ordinary type of P, translocator, that cannottransport G6P, already present in the C₃-type chloroplasts. (Received March 17, 1997; Accepted May 10, 1997)     

Inhibition of nitrate reductase from spinach (Spinacea oleracea L.) leaf by adenosine nucleotides

NADH-dependent nitrate reductase of spinach showed ping-pongKinetics. Inhibition by ADP in the absence of thiols increasedduring a transient phase during which Kinetics changed fromweak (K₁ 20 mM), non-competitive and linear to comparativelystrong (K₁ 0.09 mM at 10 mM ADP), mixed with respect to NADHand non-linear (n_H = 1.7). Thiol compounds transformed the inhibitionto competitive (K₁ 0.18 mM at 10 mM ADP) and non-linear (n_H= 2.3). Effective concentrations increased in order: GSH>mercaptoethanol= thioglycollate>cysteine, and were increased by dissolvedoxygen or disulphide. Non-competitive inhibition by ribose-5-phosphate(K₁ 3 nua) was abolished by glutathione. Cyclic 3',5'-AMP inhibitednon-linearly (nH=2.4) and comparably to or more than ADP (K₁0.22 mM at 2.5 mM) but predominantly competitively except atlow NADH concentrations. Cyclic 2',3'-AMP showed similar butweaker inhibition (K₁ 1.4 mM) and more nearly linear (n_H =1.3).5'-AMP inhibited competitively (K₁ 1.2 mM at 10 mM) (n_H = 1.3).5'-ATP showed weak mixed inhibition (K₁ 5 nun at 10 mM) (n_H= l.3). Activity with BV° was scarcely inhibited by ADP,but phosphate activation with BV° or NADH were both inhibitedby ADP. Physiological significance of inhibition by ADP is discussedand might lie between 3% in light and 25% in dark in specialcircumstances of thiol supply. ¹ Present address: Department of Soil Microbiology, RothamstedExperimental Station, Harpenden, Herts. (Received May 22, 1975; )     

Swelling of spinach chloroplasts induced by HCHO and KMnO4, an effect partially hidden by the wide size range of chloroplasts

Both KMnO₄ and HCHO in concentrations used for fixation forelectron microscopy induce pronounced swelling of spinach chloroplasts.However, since electron microscopy samples small numbers, itis possible to overlook the swelling effect because the sizerange of the swollen chloroplasts can overlap the extremelywide range of chloroplasts in living mesophyll cells. HCHO fixesspinach chloroplasts only after 16 hr incubation, as verifiedby failure of the chloroplaststo swell when subsequently washedwith water. However, the HCHO treatment fails to prevent aninitial swelling and KMnO₄ further swells chloroplasts pre-fixedwith HCHO. Spinach chloroplasts in vivo measured in face area27.7 0.06 µ² mean value, 23.8 µ² mode value, range6.2 to 102.9 µ², and their distribution is skewed so thatthe coefficient of skewness is 0.15. Chloroplasts isolated directlyinto phosphate buffered 4% HCHO after 24 hrs measured in facearea 58.2 µ² mean value, 46.5 µ² mode value, range22 to 121 µ², and the coefficient of skewness increasedto 0.24. When such chloroplasts were additionally treated withphosphate buffered 2.8 % KMnO₄ the spinach chloroplasts measuredin facearea 96.4 1.40 µ² mean value, 86.1 µ² modevalue, range22 to 203 µ², and the coefficient of skewnessunchanged at 0.24. Volumes of spinach chloroplasts isolatedin NaCl as reported in the literature approach the volumes ofchloroplasts swollen by HCHO and KMnO₄. Some problems concerningsampling difficulties because of wide size ranges and skeweddistributions are discussed. ¹ Present address: Department of Agriculture, Bangkhen ExperimentStation, Bangkok, Thailand. ² Present address: Department of Biology, Wright State University,Dayton, Ohio 45431 U.S.A.     

Effect of linolenate on photosynthesis by intact spinach chloroplasts II. Influence of preillumination of leaves on the inhibition of photosynthesis by linolenate

The inhibitory effect of linolenate on intact spinach chloroplastsdepends on the level of the internal pool of metabolites. Chloroplastsfrom preilluminated leaves or chloroplasts artificially loadedwith 3-phosphoglyceric acid required higher concentrations oforthophosphate for maximal rates of CO₂ dependent O₂ evolutionthan untreated chloroplasts. The loaded chloroplasts were moresensitive to linolenate, and in the presence of linolenate theoptimal phosphate concentration was shifted toward lower values.We propose that the inhibition of photosynthesis by linolenateis due to inhibition of the "phosphate translocator". ¹ Part of this work has been published in the Book of Abstracts,4th International Congress on Photosynthesis, Reading, U.K.,1977, p. 265–266. ² This work is part of a doctoral programme carried out by L.Mv6 Akamba in this laboratory. ³ To whom reprint requests should be adressed. (Received October 14, 1978; )     

Effects of Deoxygibberellin C (DGC) and 16-Deoxo-DGC on Gibberellin 3{beta}-Hydroxylase and Plant Growth

Deoxygibberellin C (DGC), a C/D ring-rearranged isomer of GA₂₀,was shown to inhibit the conversion of [2,3-³H₂]GA₉ to [2-³H]GA₄by gibberellin 3ß-hydroxylase from immature seedsof Phaseolus vulgahs. Deoxygibberellin C inhibited the promotionof growth by exogenously applied GA₂₀ of rice (Oryza sativaL.) seedlings. Evidence is also presented that DGC is a competitiveinhibitor of the 3ß-hydroxylase from P. vulgaris.However, DGC only weakly inhibited the conversion catalyzedby the 3ß-hydroxylase from Cucurbita maxima at highconcentrations, and it did not inhibit the promotion of growthby exogenously applied GA₉ of cucumber (Cucumis sativus) seedlings.These results suggest that the 3ß-hydroxylases fromP. vulgaris and C. maxima have different structural requirementswith respect to their substrates. 16-Deoxo-DGC also inhibitedcatalysis of the same conversion by 3ß-hydroxylasefrom P. vulgaris, and it slightly inhibited the conversion catalyzedby the enzyme from C. maxima. Application of 16-deoxo-DGC causedthe promotion of the growth of seedlings of both rice and cucumber. ³ Present address: Genetic Engineering Center, Korea Instituteof Science and Technology, Daejeon 305–606, Korea ⁴ Present address: Department of Agricultural Chemistry, UtsunomiyaUniversity, Utsunomiya-shi, Tochigi, 321 Japan (Received September 25, 1990; Accepted December 17, 1990)     

Effect of Methanol on the Nucleotide Binding to High-Affinity Sites on Chloroplast Coupling Factor 1

The effects of methanol on the nucleotide binding to isolatedchloroplast coupling factor 1 (CF₁) were investigated. IsolatedCF₁ has four kinds of nucleotide binding sites; a barely dissociableADP-binding site (site A), two slowly exchangeable high-affinitysites with different affinities for ADP (sites B and C) whichare not catalytic sites, and several low-affinity sites (Hisaboriand Sakurai 1984). Methanol at 20% (v/v) slightly acceleratedthe binding of ADP to CF₁ but did not influence the number ofbinding sites. Methanol at 10–24% (v/v) affected neitherthe total amounts of bound adenine nucleotides (2.5 mol/molCF₁) nor the incorporation of labeled ADP from the medium (1.5mol/mol CF₁ into the slowly exchangeable sites (sites A, B,C). These results indicate that no appreciable exchange of ADPoccurred at site A at 10–24% (v/v) methanol and excludethe possibility of direct participation of nucleotide bindingat this site in the regulation of ATPase. In 32% methanol, theamount of the labeled ADP bound increased, suggesting some exchangeat site A. Methanol at 20% (v/v) greatly increased the affinitiesof sites B and C for ADP, CDP, GDP, UDP and PP_i. Conformational change of CF₁ induced by the binding of nucleotidesto site(s) B (and C) increased the resistance of CF₁ to inactivationby methanol at high concentrations or by cold treatment. (Received August 16, 1984; Accepted January 23, 1985)     

Effect of an ADP analog on isometric force and ATPase activity of active muscle fibers

The role played by ADP in modulatingcross-bridge function has been difficult to study, because it is hardto buffer ADP concentration in skinned muscle preparations. To solvethis, we used an analog of ADP, spin-labeled ADP (SL-ADP). SL-ADP bindstightly to myosin but is a very poor substrate for creatine kinase orpyruvate kinase. Thus ATP can be regenerated, allowing well-definedconcentrations of both ATP and SL-ADP. We measured isometric ATPaserate and isometric tension as a function of both [SL-ADP], 0.1-2mM, and [ATP], 0.05-0.5 mM, in skinned rabbit psoas muscle,simulating fresh or fatigued states. Saturating levels of SL-ADPincreased isometric tension (by P'), the absolute value of P' beingnearly constant, ~0.04 N/mm², in variable ATP levels, pH7. Tension decreased (50-60%) at pH 6, but upon addition ofSL-ADP, P' was still ~0.04 N/mm². The ATPase wasinhibited competitively by SL-ADP with an inhibition constant,K_i, of ~240 and 280 µM at pH 7 and 6, respectively. Isometric force and ATPase activity could both be fit bya simple model of cross-bridge kinetics.

     

Evidence for Predominant Participation of Photosystem II{beta}-Units in Nitrogen Formation by Hydroxylamine-Treated Tobacco Chloroplasts

Relative optical cross sections for flash-induced O₂- and N₂-productionwith water and 1 mM NH₂OH as electron donors to PSII, respectively,as well as that for PSI-mediated O²-uptake have been measuredin tobacco chloroplasts by mass spectrometry. In the wild typetobacco these three reactions are driven by three populationsof photosynthetic units different with respect to the antennasize. The antenna size of O₂-evolving units is twice as largecompared to the N₂-evolving one, but both of these have thesame spectral characteristics in the far red region. In contrastto the wild type, the antenna sizes of O₂- and N₂-evolving unitsin the chlorophyll b-deficient tobacco mutant Su/su var. Aureaare the same as the sizes of the N₂-evolying units in the wildtype chloroplasts. Taking into account the data of Thielen andVan Gorkom [Biochim. Biophys. Acta (1981) 635:111] on a strongdifference in the relative amounts of PSII_ß and PSII_ßin the mutant compared with the wild type (the ratio about 1: 3 and 3 : 1 , respectively) it is concluded that mainly thestroma-exposed PSII_ß units are competent to N₂-evolution. (Received November 11, 1993; Accepted April 25, 1994)     

Inhibition of energy-transducing functions of chloroplasts by spegazzinine.

The effects of spegazzinine, a dihydroindole alkaloid, on various energy-transducing functions of chloroplasts were studied. The following observations were made, (i) Spegazzinine inhibited both cyclic and noncyclic photophosphorylation in isolated spinach chloroplast. The I₅₀ value was about 80 μm. Over a concentration range which gave marked inhibition of ÀTP synthesis, there was no effect on basal or uncoupled electron flow or light-induced proton accumulation by isolated thylakoids, while the fraction of electron transport stimulated by coupled phosphorylation was reduced to the basal level by spegazzinine. (ii) The regulatory effect of low concentrations of ATP on proton movements and electron transport was diminished by the alkaloid, (iii) Spegazzinine also inhibited with similar efficiency the ATPase activities of membrane-bound coupling factor 1 (CF₁) and of purified CF₁. One mole of spegazzinine per mole of CF₁ seemed to be required to inhibit the ATPase activity, (iv) The allosteric effect of ADP on ATPase activity was not affected by spegazzinine. (v) On the basis of these results it is concluded that spegazzinine acts as an energy transfer inhibitor of hotophosphorylation and that its site of action may be at or near the catalytic site of ATPase.     

Comparative Studies of Acid Glycosidases from Three Legumes

The major isoenzymes of -mannosidase (EC 3.2.1.24 [EC] ) and ß-galactosidase(ECf 3.2.1.23 [EC] ) have been separated from cotyledons of gardenpea, Pisum sativum L. (Vicieae), chick pea, Cicer arietinumL. (Cicereae), and cowpea, Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. (Phaseoleae).Some of their properties have been determined, including pHoptima, K_m values for p-nitrophenyl glycosidc substrates, andthe effects of several inhibitors. Swainsonine, an indolizidinealkaloid, was the most effective inhibitor of mannosidase 1,with I₃₀ values of 5.6 x 10^–8 M (cowpea), 1x 10^–7M (chick pea) and 2.9 x 19^–7 M (pea). The most effectiveinhibitor of ß-galactosidase 2 from all sources wasD-galactonic acid-1,4-lactonwe (-lactone), with K_i values rangingbetween 3.0 and 3.9x 10^–3 M. An inhibitor of the E. coliß-galactosidose, p-aminophenyl thio-ß-D-galactopyranoside,did not inhibit any of the legume ß-galctosidases;rather it enhanced the activites of the enzymes from chick peaand cowpea cotyledons. Etiolated hull and seed tissues frompea pods developing in darkness contained similar acid glycosidaseactivities to normal green tissues, thus the chloroplast isan unlikely location for ß-galactosidase 2. The majorß-galactosidasesdetected with an indigogenic substrate (5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indoxyl-ß-D-galactopyranoside)following gel electrophoresis of extracts from pea hull, seedcoats and cotyledons appeared to be different from ß-galactosidase2. Acid glycosidase, cotyledon, isoenzyme, -lactone, legume, swainsonine     

Photosynthetic Characteristics of Chloroplasts Isolated from Euglena gracilis Z Grown Photoautotrophically

Photosynthetically competent chloroplasts were isolated fromcells of Euglena gracilis Z grown photoautotrophically in 1.5%CO₂. The isolated chloroplasts were intact and substantiallyfree from cytosolic, mitochondrial and microbody materials.The effects of some compounds on the activity of photosynthetic¹⁴CO₂ fixation were examined. The optimal pH and sorbitol concentrationwere 8.0 and 0.33 M, respectively. The chloroplasts requireda high level of P, (5 to 20 mM) for the maximal rate of photosynthesis.They were insusceptible to 10 mM of free Mg²⁺. ATP, ADP andAMP at 1 to 5 mM notably stimulated photosynthesis, althoughhigh concentrations of AMP were unfavorable. In the assay mediumdeveloped for this study, the chloroplasts exhibited photosyntheticactivity of 120µmoles-mg^–1 Chl-h^–1 at 30?C. Chloroplasts could also be isolated from cells grown under ordinaryair. The rate of photosynthetic ¹⁴CO₂ fixation at 1 mM NaH^l4CO₃was higher in these chloroplasts than in those isolated fromcells grown in 1.5% CO₂, whereas at 10 mM NaH^l4CO₃, the ratesof the two types of chloroplasts were nearly the same. Theseresults suggest that the CO₂ concentration given during growthof the algal cells affects the affinity for dissolved inorganiccarbon at the chloroplast level. (Received March 30, 1987; Accepted August 17, 1987)     

Anion-dependent changes of energy transfer in chloroplasts I. Effects of Tris salts on electron flow and phosphorylation

Washing spinach chloroplasts with high-concentration Tris-saltbuffers induced various types of anion-dependent changes inthe electron flow and photophosphorylation in chloroplasts. Tris-HCl buffer caused enhancement of NADP photoreduction andinhibition of phosphorylation. Tris-HNO₃ buffer, on the otherhand, caused inhibition of both electron flow and phosphorylationand decreased trypsin-activated Ca²+-dependent ATPase activity.Tris-H₂SO⁴ and Tris-H₃PO⁴ buffers, however, had no effect onthe rates of electron flow and photophosphorylation. Determination of the presence of the coupling factor (as measuredby ATPase activity) revealed a normal enzyme activity levelin chloroplasts washed with Tris-HCl or Tris-H₂SO⁴ buffer. Removalof the coupling factor by EDTA from chloroplasts washed withTris salts inhibited phosphorylation severely. Phosphorylationactivity could be partially restored by reconstitution withthe coupling factor in die presence of Mg²+. In addition to their different effects on electron flow, Tris-HCland Tris-HNO₃ induced a marked decrease in phosphorylative activityitself. The much decreased rate of phosphorylation can be explainedby the release of the coupling factor and by damage to the high-energystate generating mechanism by Tris-HNO₃-washing and by modificationof the coupling factor in the case of Tris-HCl-washing. ¹Present address: Biology Department, College of Science andEngineering, Ryukyu University, Naha, Okinawa. Japan. (Received June 27, 1972; )     

Accumulation of Hydrogen Peroxide in Chloroplasts of SO2-Fumigated Spinach Leaves

Illuminated chloroplasts isolated from SO₂-fumigated spinachleaves accumulated more H₂O₂ than those from non-fumigated ones.This H₂O₂ formation was dependent on light and was inhibitedby DCMU. It also was depressed by cytochrome c and superoxidedismutase (EC 1.15.1.1 [EC] ). The addition of sulfite to rupturedchloroplasts isolated from non-fumigated leaves caused an H₂O₂accumulation that accompanied O₂ uptake. Spinach leaves losttheir catalase (EC 1.11.1.6 [EC] ), ascorbate peroxidase and glutathionereductase (EC 1.6.4.2 [EC] ) activities at the beginning of SO₂ fumigation,when H₂O₂ was accumulated. These results suggest that the accumulationof H₂O₂ in SO₂-fumigated spinach leaves is caused by the increasein O₂^–production, the precursor for H₂O₂, with a sulfite-mediatedchain reaction at the reducing site of photosystem I, and byinactivation of the H₂O₂ scavenging system. (Received October 7, 1981; Accepted June 16, 1982)     

Anion-dependent changes of energy transfer in chloroplasts II. Relationships of the coupling factor to light-induced proton transport and absorbance change at 515 nm

Roles of the coupling factor in light-induced proton transportand 515-nm absorption change were investigated in chloroplastswashed with high concentrations of Tris salts (pH 7.2). Washingthe chloroplasts with Tris-HCl and Tris-HNO₃ buffers diminishedboth the light-induced pH rise and absorbance change at 515-nm,while Tris-H₂SO₄ buffer was much less effective. Inhibited activitiescould be restored by replacement of the coupling factor afterextraction with EDTA. N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide also restoredboth activities. Effects of various anions on the proton pumpand 515-nm shift were also investigated. The order of effectivenesswas NO₃^–>Cl^–>SO₄^2–. The role of thecoupling factor and its mode of action; the action mechanismsof Tris and anionsn energy transducing processes in chloroplasts,photophosphorylation, proton transport and absorbance changeat 515 nm, are discussed. ¹Present address: Biology Department, College of Science andEngineering, Ryukyu University, Naha, Okinawa, Japan. (Received June 27, 1972; )     

{beta}1,4-Galactosyltransferase activity in B cells detected using a simple ELISA-based assay

Lymphocytic ß1,4-galactosyltransferase (ß1,4-GalTase,EC 2.4.1.38 [EC] ) activity was measured in B cells using a neoglycoprotein,N-acetylglucosamine-phenylisothlocyanate-bovine serum albumin(GlcNAc-pITC-BSA), as an acceptor substrate in a novel enzyme-linkedimmunosorbent assay (ELISA)-based method. This assay provedto be much simpler to use than the lengthy and expensive radiochemicalassays commonly used, and has the additional advantage thatit specifically detects the enzyme mediating transfer via theGalß1,4GlcNAc linkage. A F(ab')₂ antibody againstGalTase was able to specifically inhibit the reaction. Greatersensitivity for ß1,4-GalTase activity was obtainedusing GlcNAc-pITC-BSA as an acceptor substrate rather than ovalbumin.Low levels of ß-galactosidase activity were detectablein lymphocyte cell lysates at acidic pH, although such activitywas not detectable at the neutral pH used in the ß1,4-GalTaseactivity assay. Using this assay with the GlcNAc-pITC-BSA acceptor,similar ß1,4-GalTase activities were observed in CD19⁺B cells from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) to thoseseen in normal control individuals. ELISA ß1,4-galactosyltransferase lymphocyte neoglycoprotein radiochemical     

Absorption of borate ionic species by Saccharum officinarum L.

The correlation between the effect of pH on H₃BO₃ ionizationand on borate absorption, and the effect of poly-OH compoundson absorption, suggest that B(OH)₄^– is absorbed by sugarcaneleaf tissue, rather than H₃BO₃. Diol-borate complexes have noeffect on mechanism 2 uptake, but competitively inhibit mechanism3. ¹Published with the approval of the Director of the Hawaii AgriculturalExperiment Station as Technical Paper No. 985. (Received September 2, 1968; )