Energy-linked electron transfer reactions in Rhodopseudomonas viridis

The particulate fraction of Rhodopseudomonas viridis when supplied with succinate catalyses the reduction of NAD⁺ by light; this reaction is inhibited by uncouplers of oxidative phosphorylation but not by oligomycin. Formation of NADH takes place in the dark when ATP or PP_i is supplied. Both light and dark reactions are inhibited by valinomycin and nigericin, when added together, but not by either separately. NADH formation in R. viridis appears to take place by an energy-dependent reversal of electron flow and energy may be conserved in the form of a membrane potential. The addition of ATP caused the oxidation of both C553 and C558 in chromatophores; carbonylcyanide p-trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone and oligomycin abolished this oxidation.

The NAD⁺ and NADH concentrations at equilibrium in the light-dependent reaction were determined and the oxidation-reduction potential of this couple calculated. From this value it was calculated that under these experimental conditions the energy requirement to form NADH from the succinate/fumarate couple at E_h = o V was 9.4 kcal.

Particles of R. viridis contained an active transhydrogenase, driven by either light or ATP, that was sensitive to uncouplers of oxidative phosphorylation; the light-driven reaction was insensitive to oligomycin and was inhibited by antimycin A and 2-heptyl-4-hydroxyquinone-N-oxide.

R. viridis did not grow aerobically but particles contained NADH oxidase activity that was cyanide sensitive. There was no spectroscopic evidence for cytochromes of the b-type in reduced-minus-oxidised spectra of particles or in pyridine haemochrome spectra of whole cells.     

The triplet state of the primary donor of the photosynthetic bacterium Rhodopseudomonas viridis

The absorbance-detected magnetic-resonance technique has been applied to the study of the triplet state of the primary donor in chromatophores of the photosynthetic bacterium Rps. viridis. The results confirm the triplet-minus-singlet absorbance-difference spectrum and its interpretation as previously obtained for isolated reaction centers (Den Blanken, H.J. and Hoff, A.J. (1982) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 681, 365–374). Our present results affirm that the primary donor is a bacteriochlorophyll b dimer, and that there is no blue exciton band at 850 nm. We show that the reaction centers are not identical, but have a small heterogeneity in their properties. In chromatophores and sometimes in isolated reaction centers a shoulder is observed in the long-wavelength absorbance-difference band of the primary donor. This shoulder is possibly caused by charge transfer interaction of the donor with an adjacent chromophore (Vermeglio, A. and Paillotin. G. (1982) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 681, 32–40; Maslov, V.G., Klevanik, A.V., Ismailov, M.A. and Shuvalov, V.A. (1983) Doklady Akad. Nauk. SSSR 269, 1217–1221) or it reflects a slight heterogeneity in the reaction-center geometry, which cannot be removed with the selection offered by the magnetic resonance technique. The zero-field triplet-ESR spectrum and the sublevel decay rates of the triplet state of the primary donor are presented, as detected in whole cells at the antenna fluorescence, and in chromatophores and isolated reaction centers at the absorbance-difference band at 838 nm. We do not observe the expected reversal of the sign of the ESR transitions monitored with the two techniques. A tentative explanation is given in terms of energy transfer from unrelaxed excited states of the antenna pigments to the reaction center.     

Evidence for two Qa-like quinone binding sites in the reaction centre of Rhodopseudomonas viridis

The oxidation-reduction potential of the iron-quinone electron acceptors in the reaction centre of Rhodopseudomonas viridis has been reinvestigated. In chromatophores treated with o-phenanthroline to remove the secondary acceptor Q_b, two steps were observed in the reduction of the primary electron acceptor Q_a with E_m ≈ − 100 and ≈ − 330 mV. In isolated reaction centres only one step was observed in the reduction of Q_a with E ≈ −150 mV. Reconstitution of the reaction centres with additional menaquinone resulted in an increase in the Q_a EPR signal and reconstitution of the low-potential step in the oxidation-reduction titration. Reconstitution with ubiquinone resulted in the recovery of the secondary quinone Q_b. The addition of ubiquinone did not reconstitute the low-potential step of Q_a reduction, or affect the reconstitution of this step by menaquinone. It is concluded that menaquinone can bind to two sites on the reaction centre. Both have properties of the Q_a site but with different pK values. It is unlikely that either is the same as the Q_b site.     

Effect of reduction of the reaction center intermediate upon the picosecond oxidation reaction of the bacteriochlorophyll dimer in Chromatium vinosum and Rhodopseudomonas viridis

The photo-oxidation of the reaction center bacteriochlorophyll dimer or special pair was monitored at 1235 nm in Chromatium vinosum and at 1301 nm in Rhodopseudomonas viridis. In both species, the photo-oxidation was apparently complete within 10 ps after light excitation and proceeded unimpeded at low temperatures regardless of the prior state of reduction of the traditional primary electron acceptor, a quinone-iron complex. Thus the requirement for an intermediary electron carrier (I), previously established by picosecond measurements in Rps. sphaeroides (see ref. 4), is clearly a more general phenomenon.

The intermediary carrier, which involves bacteriopheophytin, was examined from the standpoint of its role as the direct electron acceptor from the photo-excited reaction center bacteriochlorophyll dimer. To accomplish this, the extent of light induced bacteriochlorophyll dimer oxidation was measured directly by the picosecond response of the infrared bands and indirectly by EPR assay of the triplet/biradical, as a function of the state of reduction of the I/I couple (measured by EPR) prior to activation. Two independent methods of obtaining I in a stably reduced form were used: chemical equilibrium reduction, and photochemical reduction. In both cases, the results demonstrated that the intermediary carrier, which we designate I, alone governs the capability for reaction center bacteriochlorophyll photooxidation, and as such I appears to be the immediate and sole electron acceptor from the light excited reaction center bacteriochlorophyll dimer.     

Thermodynamic properties of the reaction center of Rhodopseudomonas viridis in vivo measurement of the reaction center bacteriochlorophyll-primary acceptor intermediary electron carrier

The thermodynamic properties of redox components associated with the reaction center of Rhodopseudomonas viridis have been characterized with respect to their midpoint potentials and relationship with protons. In particular a midpoint potential for the intermediary electron carrier acting between the reaction center bacteriochlorophyll and the primary acceptor has been determined. The rationale for this measurement was that the light-induced triplet/biradical EPR signal would not be observed if this intermediate was chemically reduced before activation. The midpoint potential of the intermediary at pH 10.8 is about −400 mV (n = 1).     

Model studies of low-temperature optical transitions of photosynthetic reaction centers A-, LD-, CD-, ADMR- and LD-ADMR-spectra for Rhodopseudomonas viridis

The optical spectra of the reaction center (RC) of Rhodopseudomonas viridis including absorption (A), linear dichrosism (LD), circular dichroism (CD), absorption-detected magnetic resonance (ADMR) and its linear dichroism (LD-ADMR) are simulated by an exciton model. It involves the Q_y transitions of six prosthetic groups: four (bacteriochlorophyll-b molecules, two bacteriopheophytin-b molecules and the Soret bands B_y of the special-pair pigments, which couple most strongly with the corresponding Q_y transitions. For the ADMR-spectra additional excitations of the special-pair triplet are introduced. While interactions between the Q_y transitions and the B_y transitions are in principle determined from the structural arrangement of the pigments, the interactions to the other states are adjusted to fit the spectral features for the various transitions. The interaction of the newly introduced states are interpreted in terms of a simple model.     

沼泽红假单胞菌去除镉的研究

研究了沼泽红假单胞菌(Rhodopseudomonas palustris)S菌株的生长、Cd2 的去除与供氧光照、碳源、pH及温度的关系。结果表明:在好氧黑暗、苹果酸为碳源、pH7.0和30℃条件下,S菌株对初始浓度为25mg/L的Cd2 去除率最大,达到85%。在最佳条件下,Cd2 初始浓度为10mg/L~25mg/L时,去除率达85%,Cd2 浓度增加到150mg/L时,去除率仅为23%。测定Cd2 在菌体不同部位的分布发现菌体中富集的Cd2 63.5%在细胞壁上,33.5%在细胞原生质体内。同时,结合该菌体细胞超薄切片透射电镜观察证明了S菌株对Cd2 的去除主要在细胞壁上。     

Season variability of iron effects on periodic culture of microalgae Dunaliella viridis Teod.

Effects of different iron concentrations (final concentrations of iron in Artari’s medium: 3.7, 37.0, 74.0, and 185.0 mmol·L⁻¹) on growth rate and contents of protein, triacylglycerides, and β-carotene in Dunaliella viridis cells at cultivation in different months were investigated. It was shown that the dose-dependent effects of iron were notable for season variability. In the 1^st experimental series (October, 2007), iron at researched concentrations did not affect growth rate of culture and protein, triacylglyceride, and β-carotene contents in cells. In experimental series conducted respectively in November 2007, December 2007, and February 2008, the dose-dependent stimulation of microalgae growth was observed. For each of these experimental series, there were particular dose dependences of protein, triacylglyceride, and β-carotene contents in microalgae cells at cultivation on media with iron at different concentrations. Meanwhile, for all of the four experimental series conducted in different months, variability of growth rate and analyzed parameters of microalgae Dunaliella viridis as control (cultivation without iron) was shown. It is suggested that these functional differences of control cultures of microalgae in different months caused variability in the dose-dependent effects of iron in a Dunaliella viridis culture. The possibility of iron usage for increasing microalgae biomass and for enriching it by β-carotene in Dunaliella viridis culture with initial low productivity and low β-carotene content is considered.     

Carotenoid triplet states in reaction centers from Rhodopseudomonas sphaeroides and Rhodospirillum rubrum

Purified photochemical reaction centers from three strains of Rhodopseudomonas sphaeroides and two of Rhodospirillum rubrum were reduced with Na₂S₂O₄ so as to block their photochemical electron transfer reactions. They then were excited with flashes lasting 5–30 ns. In all cases, absorbance measurements showed that the flash caused the immediate formation of a transient state (P^F) which had been detected previously in reaction centers from Rps. sphaeroides strain R26. Previous work has shown that state P^F is an intermediate in the photochemical electron transfer reaction in the reaction centers of that particular strain, and the present work generalizes that conclusion.

In the reaction centers from two strains that lack carotenoids (Rps. sphaeroides R26 and R. rubrum G9), the decay of P^F yields a longer-lived state (P^R) which is probably a triplet state of the bacteriochlorophyll of the reaction center. In the R26 preparation, the decay of P^F was found to have a half-time of 10±2 ns. The decay kinetics rule out the identification of P^F as the fluorescent excited singlet state of the reaction center.

In the reaction centers from three strains that contain carotenoids (Rps sphaeroides 2.4.1 and Ga, and R. rubrum S1), state P^R was not detected, and the decay of P^F generated triplet states of carotenoids. The efficiency of the coupling between the decay of P^F and the formation of the carotenoid triplet appeared to be close to 100% at room temperature, but somewhat lower at 77 °K. Taken with previous results, this suggests that the coupling is direct and does not require the intermediate formation of state P^R. This conclusion would be consistent with the view that P^F is a biradical which can be triplet in character.     

Fluorescence emission by wild-type- and mutant-strains of Rhodopseudomonas capsulata

Absorption and fluorescence emission spectra of Rhodopseudomonas capsulata, strains 37b4 (wild type), A1a⁺ (blue-green mutant strain), Y5 (phototroph negative, having only B-800–850 bacteriochlorophyll-carotenoid-protein complex) at 4 K, 77 K and 300 K were measured. The fluorescence emission at 890 nm of the B-870 bacteriochlorophyll band dominates the emission of other spectral forms of the strains 37b4 and A1a⁺, while in strain Y5 a fluorescence emission band at 865 nm of the B-850 bacteriochlorophyll dominates. Very little fluorescence was observed at 805 nm. A linear relation between relative fluorescence intensity and the exciting light intensity was observed. The integrated fluorescence yield increased as the temperature was lowered from 300 K to 4 K. The results are discussed in the light of the arrangement of pigment molecules in the membrane and the process of energy migration within the photosynthetic apparatus.     

Oxidative phosphorylation coupled to oxygen uptake and nitrate reduction in Micrococcus denitrificans

A procedure is described for preparing particles from cells of Micrococcus denitrificans which were broken osmotically after treatment with lysozyme.

1. 1. The preparations catalysed ATP synthesis coupled to O₂ uptake or NO₃⁻ reduction. With NADH or succinate as the electron donors the P:O ratios were about 1.5 and 0.5, respectively; and the P:NO₃⁻ ratios were about 0.9 and 0.06, respectively.

2. 2. Addition of ADP or P_i to the reaction mixture increased the rates of NADH-dependent O₂ uptake and NO₃⁻ reduction. Addition of 1 mM 2,4-dinitrophenol, which inhibited phosphorylation by 50–60%, increased the basal rates of electron transport.

3. 3. Evidence derived from spectrophotometry and from the differential inhibition by antimycin A of O₂ and NO₃⁻ reduction leads to the conclusion that the nitrate reductase interacted with the respiratory chain in the region of the b-type cytochrome, and that the c-type cytochrome present was not involved in the reduction of NO₃⁻ to NO₂⁻.

沼泽红假单胞菌对健康小鼠肠道微生物的影响

探讨不同剂量沼泽红假单胞菌对健康小鼠生理功能及肠道微生物结构的影响。

将48只C57/BL6小鼠随机分为对照组(无菌生理盐水)以及沼泽红假单胞菌低剂量组(5×10⁸ CFU/mL)、中剂量组(5×10⁹ CFU/mL)、高剂量组(5×10¹⁰ CFU/mL), 每组12只; 不同剂量灌胃4周后, 测定小鼠胃泌素(Gas)、生长抑素(SS)含量, 观察肠道形态, 并应用Illumina-MiSeq测序平台进行16S rRNA基因V3-V4区测序, 分析其肠道微生物群落结构、多样性及组间差异。

与对照组相比, 低剂量组对促进小鼠Gas分泌差异具有统计学意义(t=6.426, P < 0.01), 高剂量组对抑制小鼠SS分泌差异具有统计学意义(t=3.711, P < 0.05);对照组小鼠回肠肠绒毛高度差异无统计学意义(P > 0.05), 且无肠道炎症刺激反应。沼泽红假单胞菌干预后细菌丰富度和多样性增加, 在门水平上, 与对照组相比, 实验组小鼠肠道菌群拟杆菌门丰度显著降低, 厚壁菌门丰度显著增加(均P < 0.05);在属水平上, 与对照组相比, 实验组小鼠肠道菌群Lachnospiraceae NK4A136 group、乳杆菌属、拟杆菌属、理研菌属和Prevotellaceae UCG-001相对丰度显著增加(均P < 0.05)。

沼泽红假单胞菌能够维持胃肠激素稳态和肠道形态结构, 且对健康小鼠肠道菌群的丰富度和组成产生一定的影响, 维持肠道平衡与稳定。

     

Chloroform-soluble alkaloids of the root bark of Fagara viridis

Three alkaloids have been isolated from the root bark of Fagara viridis A. Cheval. (Rutaceae). One of these, canthin-6-one, is reported for the first time from an African species of Fagara while the others are the quaternary benzophenanthridine alkaloids chelerythrine and nitidine.     

Oxidative phosphorylation in Micrococcus denitrificans under autotrophic growth conditions

Summary Cell-free preparations from autotrophically grown M. denitrificans yielded P/O ratios of 0.6–1.6 with H₂, 0.4–1.2 with NADH, 0.7–1.0 with succinate, and 0.3–0.5 with ascorbate as the oxidizable substrates.The phosphorylation in all cases was inhibited effectively by DNP, DBP, PCP, CCCP, and dicumarol at concentrations which did not cause any significant inhibition of oxygen uptake.The respiratory chain inhibitors such as antimycin A, HOQNO, cyanide, and azide were the potent inhibitors of the phosphate esterification coupled to the oxidation of H₂, NADH, and succinate; the ascorbate-linked phosphorylation was inhibited by cyanide or azide only.While the NADH oxidation and associated phosphorylation was markedly sensitive to rotenone and other flavoprotein inhibitors, the oxidation of H₂ was relatively insensitive although there was a partial inhibition of the coupled phosphorylation. The experimental results indicated that bulk of the electron transfer from H₂ bypassed the NADH-dehydrogenase or the rotenone sensitive site.Non-standard Abbreviations BAL British Anti-Lewisite (2,3-Dimercaptopropanol) - CCCP Carbonyl-cyanide-m-chlorophenylhydrazone - DBP 2,6-Dibromophenol - DNP 2,4-Dinitrophenol - GSH reduced glutathione - HOQNO 2-n-Heptyl-4-hydroxyquinoline-N-oxide - PCMB p-hydroxymercuribenzoate - PCP Pentachlorphenol - TTFA Thenoyltrifluoracetone - TMPD N,N,N,N-tetramethyl-p-phenylenediamine - BSA Bovine serum albumin - EDTA Ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid Post doctorate fellow of the Deutsche ForschungsgemeinschaftNational Science Foundation Research Associate.