Synergism of triggered luminescence by simultaneous treatment of pH transition and potassium addition in chloroplasts

KCl-induced luminescence in relation to slow delayed light emission (> 3 s) and pH shift-triggered luminescence was studied in preilluminated chloroplasts. An activation pathway for KCl-induced luminescence similar to that for acid-base-triggered luminescence but different from that for delayed light emission is suggested.When the chloroplasts were subjected to a small amount of pH transition together with a simultaneous addition of KCl, a synergistic enhancement of triggered luminescence was observed. The synergism was not observed when the pH transition was increased. The results are interpreted according to the protonation model for stimulated luminescence.     

Relation between slow delayed light emission and acid-base triggered luminescence in chloroplasts

Acid-base triggered luminescence in relation to slow delayed light emission (> 3 s) was studied in chloroplasts. After analyzing their time courses, the acid-base induced luminescence curve was found to return to the original curve of delayed light emission. Peaks of the acid-base triggered luminescence induced after various darkness periods following preillumination decreased parallel to the time course of delayed light emission without base treatment. 3-(3,4-Dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea enhanced both the delayed light emission and acid-base induced luminescence, while carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone inhibited both. Several photophosphorylation uncouplers inhibited the acid-base induced luminescence without any substantial effect on the delayed light emission. It is concluded that the acid-base triggered luminescence is not caused by the reversion of electrons from remote intermediates on the reducing side of Photosystem II. The possibility of the presence of an activation pathway for the acid-base triggered luminescence which differs from that of the delayed light emission is also discussed.     

Inhibition of luminol-dependent luminescence and simultaneous generation of native luminescence of activated human polymorphonuclear leukocytes by addition of albumin

Luminol-dependent luminescence (LDL) and luminol-independent, native luminescence (NL) of polymorphonuclear leukocytes were investigated with respect to the effects generated by the addition of albumin to the reaction medium. The cells were activated: (1) by simple surface attachment to a hydrophilic plastic, (2) by opsonized zymosan, (3) by phorbol myristate acetate, (4) by formylmethionyl-leucyl-phenylalaline. Both kinds of emissions were recorded simultaneously using a method of spectral discrimination. The addition of albumin resulted in an inhibition of LDL, which coincided with a generation of NL. The extent of the inhibition of LDL depended on the type of stimulus used. Maximum inhibition occurred with cells activated by attachment to plastic surfaces and minimum inhibition was observed with cells stimulated by opsonized zymosan. Different contributions of extracellularly released reactive oxygen-species may be responsible for this. It appears possible to discriminate between intra- and extracellular sites of oxygen-metabolites production using albumin simultaneously as extracellular quencher of LDL and as luminescent probe for NL.     

Properties of ATP-induced chlorophyll luminescence in chloroplasts.

1. The recently described reaction of ATP-induced luminescence is analyzed for its relation to other ATP-induced reactions such as ATP-driven transmembrane proton gradient formation and ATP-driven reverse electron flow. 2. In the absence of phenazine methosulfate ATP-induced luminescence is optimal while the main phase of ATP-driven reverse electron flow is eliminated. 3. DCMU which by itself causes a much smaller luminescence, inhibits the ATP-induced luminescence. 4. Nigericin plus valinomycin, but not each by itself, fully inhibit the ATP-induced luminescence. 5. The observations are interpreted as indicating that ATP stimulates luminescence by a 2-fold mechanism: (a) increasing the amount of the reducing primary electron acceptor of Photosystem II, Q, and (b) creating a transmembrane electrochemical potential which serves to decrease the activation energy required for the charge recombination reaction which leads to luminescence.     

Denitrification triggered by nitrogen addition in Sphagnum magellanicum peat

Ombrotrophic (rain-fed) Sphagnum-mires do not significantly contribute to gaseous nitrogen (N) emissions to the atmosphere. However, increasing levels of N deposition reduce Sphagnum growth and moss cover. As a consequence, higher amounts of mineral N reach the underlying peat beneath the moss layer. The aim of our work was to determine the effects of supplementary N inputs to peat beneath Sphagnum magellanicum carpets. Peat cores were incubated in controlled laboratory conditions of temperature and humidity, and the impact of increasing N inputs was evaluated on denitrification rates, basal respiration and methane emissions. Rates of denitrification were quickly stimulated by addition of 1?g?N?m^?2 but rates were not significantly elevated in the short-term (9?days) by further additions of up to 10?g?N?m^?2. Over a longer term period (up to 45?days), denitrification rates followed an exponential (10?g?N?m^?2 addition) or a gamma (1?g?N?m^?2) function. Findings from this study support the hypothesis that mineral-N addition in atmospheric deposition will have a negative effect on peat biogeochemistry, by modifying its N sink capacity via denitrification leading to a potential increase in N₂O emissions.     

Phase separation in lipid bilayers triggered by low pH

Endocytosis involves the capture of membrane from the cell surface in the form of vesicles, which become rapidly acidified to about pH 5. Here we show using atomic force microscopy (AFM) imaging that this degree of acidification triggers phase separation in lipid bilayers containing mixed acyl chains (e.g. palmitoyl/oleoyl) or complex mixtures (e.g. total brain extract) but not in bilayers containing only lipids with unsaturated chains (e.g. dioleoyl). Since mixed-chain lipids are major constituents of the outer leaflet of the plasma membrane, the type of phase separation reported here might support protein clustering and signaling during endocytosis.     

Pholasin luminescence is enhanced by addition of dehydrocoelenterazine

Pholasin is a bioluminescent photoprotein of Pholas dactylus. Pholasin is a commercially available photoprotein used to measure intracellular reactive oxygen species. Although extensive efforts have been carried out to determine the chemical structure of the prosthetic (chromophore) group, it still remains unclear to date. Herein, we report the enhancement of pholasin luminescence by the addition of dehydrocoelenterazine, which is organic substance of luminous squids' photoprotein.     

Acid-induced unfolding of myoglobin triggered by a laser pH jump method.

Using 1-(2-nitrophenyl)ethyl sulfate (caged sulfate) as a photoactivatable caged proton, we could induce complete acid unfolding of myoglobin with a single nanosecond laser pulse. This was possible because of the high ( approximately mM) concentration of protons released by the photolabile compound. The ability of the compound to produce a large pH jump arises because the other photoproducts (2-nitrosoacetophenone and sulfate ion) do not buffer the released protons. The complete time course of the unfolding kinetics, spanning a range from milliseconds to several seconds, could be accurately reproduced by monitoring absorbance changes in the visible spectrum at 633 nm.     

ATP controls neuronal apoptosis triggered by microtubule breakdown or potassium deprivation.

BACKGROUND: Early loss of neurites followed by delayed damage of neuronal somata is a feature of several neurodegenerative diseases. Death by apoptosis would ensure the rapid removal of injured neurons, whereas conditions that prevent apoptosis may facilitate the persistence of damaged cells and favor inflammation and disease progression. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cultures of cerebellar granule cells (CGC) were treated with microtubule disrupting agents. These compounds induced an early degeneration of neurites followed by apoptotic destruction of neuronal somata. The fate of injured neurons was followed after co-exposure to caspase inhibitors or agents that decrease intracellular ATP (deoxyglucose, S-nitrosoglutathione, 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium). We examined the implications of energy loss for caspase activation, exposure of phagocytosis markers, and long-term persistence of damaged cells. RESULTS: In CGC exposed to colchicine or nocodazole, axodendritic degeneration preceded caspase activation and apoptosis. ATP-depleting agents or protein synthesis inhibition prevented caspase activation, translocation of the phagocytosis marker, phosphatidylserine, and apoptotic death. However, they did not affect the primary neurite loss. Repletion of ATP by enhanced glycolysis restored all apoptotic features. Peptide inhibitors of caspases also prevented the apoptotic changes in the cell bodies, although the axodendritic net was lost. Under this condition cell demise still occurred 48 hr later in a caspase-independent manner and involved plasma membrane lysis at the latest stage. CONCLUSIONS: Inhibition of the apoptotic machinery by drugs, energy deprivation, or endogenous mediators may result in the persistence and subsequent lysis of injured neurons. In vivo, this may favor the onset of inflammatory processes and perpetuate neurodegeneration.     

Improvement of ATP yield in the acid-base transition of barley chloroplasts by treatment with butylated hydroxytoluene

An addition of phosphate to the acid phase, or treatment ofbarley chloroplasts with butylated hydroxytoluene increasesthe ATP yield by more than 100% due to the acid-base transition.Apparently this is because antioxidant treatment favours thepreferential access of phosphate from the alkaline phase tothe active centre of the reaction. (Received November 6, 1978; )     

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.     

Kinetics of ATP formation and proton efflux by acid-base transition in chloroplasts

The relationship between the kinetics of ATP formation and proton release in chloroplast suspensions by acid-base transition were studied by means of a stopped-flow spectrophotometer. The time course of ATP synthesis shows two-phase kinetics, fast and slow, corresponding to the two-phase efflux of protons from the chloroplasts. Under certain conditions of the experiments, about 50% of the H⁺ gradient is constantly utilized for ATP formation in both phases. However, the ratio of ATP formed to the amount of protons leaked out, changes depending on the rate constants of proton efflux.     

Electron transport control in chloroplasts. Effects of photosynthetic control monitored by the intrathylakoid pH

(1) In isolated chloroplasts (class B) electron flow is controlled mainly by the intrathylakoid pH (pH_in). A decrease in pH_in due to the light-driven injection of protons inside the thylakoid leads to the retardation of electron flow between two photosystems. This effect can be abolished by uncouplers or under photophosphorylation conditions (addition of Mg²⁺-ADP with P_i); Mg²⁺-ATP does not influence the steady-state rate of electron flow, (2) The steady-state pH difference, ΔpH, across the thylakoid membrane was estimated from quantitative analysis of the rate of P-700⁺ reduction. In chloroplasts, without adding Mg²⁺-ADP, ΔpH increases from 1.6 to 3.2 as the external pH rises from 6 to 9.5. Under the photophosphorylation conditions, ΔpH decreases showing a minimum at the external pH 7.5 ($\text{Δ}\text{pH}\text{? 0.5–1.0}$). (3) The value of photosynthetic control, K, measured as the ratio of the steady-state rates of P-700⁺ reduction in the presence of Mg²⁺-ADP (with P_i) and without adding Mg²⁺-ADP is dependent on external pH variations, showing a maximum value of $\text{K ? 3.5}$ at pH_out 7.5. This pH dependence coincides with that of the ADP-stimulated ΔpH decrease. (4) Experiments with spin labels provide evidence that the light-induced changes in the thylakoid membrane are sensitive to the addition of uncouplers and are affected only slightly by the addition of Mg²⁺-ADP and P_i.