Electron transfer between plastocyanin and P700 in highly-purified photosystem I reaction center complex. Effects of pH, cations, and subunit peptide composition

Treatment of isolated spinach thylakoid fragments with Triton X-100 followed by repeated sucrose density gradient centrifugations and Sephacryl S-300 and DEAE-Sephacel chromatographies yielded a highly purified P700-chlorophyll a protein complex complex which consists of five polypeptides. The protein complex is virtually free of chlorophyll b (Ch1 alpha/Ch1 b greater than 10) with approximately 30 chlorophylls per P700, and contains iron-sulfur centers A, B, and X. At pH values higher than 6, divalent cations, but not monovalent or trivalent cations, efficiently accelerated the electron transfer from reduced spinach plastocyanin to the photooxidized P700 in the P700-chlorophyll alpha protein complex. At pH values lower than 6, the reaction rate drastically increased with decreasing pH with a maximum at about pH 4.3 without cations. Divalent salts as well as monovalent or trivalent salts decreased the P700 reduction rate at low pH, indicating the involvement of electrostatic interaction in those pH regions. The rate of electron transfer from plastocyanin to the photooxidized P700 in the reaction center protein, which consists of only the largest peptide subunit and no iron-sulfur centers, was reduced only 50% at pH 7.0 in the presence of MgCl2 as compared to the case of P700-chlorophyll alpha protein complex. Essentially similar effects of pH and metal ions on this electron transfer reaction were observed as in the case of P700-chlorophyll alpha protein complex. These results strongly suggest that plastocyanin donates electrons directly to the largest peptide of P700-chlorophyll alpha protein complex and the observed effects of pH and cations are mainly due to the interaction between the largest peptide of P700-chlorophyll alpha protein complex and plastocyanin. The four small subunits in the protein complex seemed to have only a minor role in the reaction with plastocyanin.     

Photosystem I complex

Photosystem I is an integral component of the thylakoid membrane which catalyzes the photoreduction of ferredoxin using plastocyanin or cytochrome c as electron donor. In higher plants, the photosystem I complex is composed of eight protein subunits, chlorophyll a, carotenoids, phylloquinone and bound iron sulfur clusters. The molecular biology and biochemistry of the complex are discussed in relation to the structure and function of the individual components. The mechanisms involved in the assembly of the components into a functional complex are also discussed.     

The development of plastocyanin in greening bean leaves

The plastocyanin content of etiolated bean leaves (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) was measured, and the development of the protein in response to light was followed. Measurements were made by quantitative extraction of plastocyanin and a sensitive assay with an O₂ electrode. The electron-paramagnetic-resonance (e.p.r.) signal of oxidized plastocyanin was used as an independent check on the validity of the assay method, and on the thoroughness of extraction. After an initial lag period, the amount of plastocyanin in greening bean leaves increased to reach a maximum after 50h illumination. The chlorophyll/plastocyanin ratio reached a maximum value of 200 irrespective of the light intensity at which greening was carried out, suggesting that the synthesis of the two components is co-ordinated. Experiments involving treatment of etiolated seedlings with brief periods of light of different spectral composition indicated that phytochrome is involved in plastocyanin synthesis. The lack of inhibition of plastocyanin synthesis by specific inhibitors of chloroplast protein synthesis suggests that the protein is synthesized on cytoplasmic ribosomes. The data are discussed in relation to the development of ferredoxin in greening bean leaves.     

Subunit composition of Photosystem I complex that catalyzes light-dependent transfer of electrons from plastocyanin to ferredoxin.

The PSI core complex prepared from cucumber cotyledons, which contains 80 chlorophylls per reaction center (P700) and eight polypeptides with apparent molecular masses of 65/63, 20, 19.5, 18.5, 17.5, 7.6, and 5.8 kDa, has been shown to catalyze the light-dependent transfer of electrons from plastocyanin to ferredoxin. The "native" PSI complex, which contains more than fifteen polypeptides and 120 chlorophylls per P700, did not show higher activity. Any attempt to deplete subunit(s) of the core complex decreased its activity. These results suggest that in addition to light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b protein complexes, several genes of psaA-psaK, which have been proposed as components of PSI complex, are not involved in the activity of PSI complex. It was also found that the amount of 18.5-kDa polypeptide in the PSI complex affects the activity: when this polypeptide was largely depleted, the complex was almost inactive. The inactivation was due to inhibition of electron transfer from plastocyanin to photooxidized P700. Chemical cross-linking and N-terminal amino acid sequencing experiments indicated that the 18.5-kDa polypeptide is the plastocyanin-docking protein and the psaF gene product. The function of the psaF gene product was discussed.     

Plastocyanin participation in chloroplast Photosystem I

French pressure cell disruption of spinach chloroplasts releases much of the plastocyanin from chloroplast membranes. Heavy particles obtained from French pressure cell disrupted chloroplasts lose most of their plastocyanin while light particles retain a high plastocyanin to chlorophyll ratio. Photosystem I activity is dependent on the presence of plastocyanin in our preparations.     

Photoelectric studies of the transmembrane charge transfer reactions in photosystem I pigment-protein complexes

The results of studies of charge transfer in cyanobacterial photosystem I (PS I) using the photoelectric method are reviewed. The electrogenicity in the PS I complex and its interaction with natural donors (plastocyanin, cytochrome c(6)), natural acceptors (ferredoxin, flavodoxin), or artificial acceptors and donors (methyl viologen and other redox dyes) were studied. The operating dielectric constant values in the vicinity of the charge transfer carriers in situ were calculated. The profile of distribution of the dielectric constant along the PS I pigment-protein complex (from plastocyanin or cytochrome c(6) through the chlorophyll dimer P700 to the acceptor complex) was estimated, and possible mechanisms of correlation between the local dielectric constant and electron transfer rate constant were discussed.     

Isolation of a psaF-deficient mutant of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii: efficient interaction of plastocyanin with the photosystem I reaction center is mediated by the PsaF subunit.

The PsaF polypeptide of photosystem I (PSI) is located on the lumen side of the thylakoid membrane and its precise role is not yet fully understood. Here we describe the isolation of a psaF-deficient mutant of the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii generated by co-transforming the nuclear genome of the cw15-arg7A strain with two plasmids: one harboring a mutated version of the psaF gene and the other containing the argininosuccinate lyase gene conferring arginine prototrophy. This psaF mutant still assembles a functional PSI complex and is capable of photoautotrophic growth. However, electron transfer from plastocyanin to P700+, the oxidized reaction center chlorophyll dimer, is dramatically reduced in the mutant, indicating that the PsaF subunit plays an important role in docking plastocyanin to the PSI complex. These results contrast with those obtained previously with a cyanobacterial psaF-, psaJ- double mutant where no phenotype was apparent.     

Cytochrome f: Structure,function and biosynthesis

Cytochrome f is an intrinsic membrane component of the cytochrome bf complex, transferring electrons from the Rieske FeS protein to plastocyanin in the thylakoid lumen. The protein is held in the thylakoid membrane by a single transmembrane span located near its C-terminus with a globular hydrophilic domain extending into the lumen. The globular domain of the turnip protein has recently been crystallised, offering the prospect of a detailed three-dimensional structure. Reaction with plastocyanin involves localised positive charges on cytochrome f interacting with the acidic patch on plastocyanin and electron transfer via the surface-exposed tyrosine residue (Tyr83) of plastocyanin. Apocytochrome f is encoded in the chloroplast genome and is synthesised with an N-terminal presequence which targets the protein to the thylakoid membrane. The synthesis of cytochrome f is coordinated with the synthesis of the other subunits of the cytochrome bf complex.     

Absorption spectra of mixed monomolecular films of chlorophyll and photosynthetic electron carriers at a gas-water interface

Absorption spectra of mixed monomolecular films containing chlorophyll and endogenous redox reagents are studied at a gas-water interface. Overlapping absorption spectra are resolved by difference spectroscopy and fourth derivative analysis. Monomolecular films are formed in a Langmuir trough using a Wilhelmy film balance. A reaction between vitamin K₁ and chlorophyll is observed both in the dark and after illumination. A smaller interaction occurs between α-tocopherolquinone and chlorophyll. A light-driven reaction occurs between oxidized plastocyanin and chlorophyll, but not between reduced plastocyanin and chlorophyll. An interaction is observed between cytochrome c and chlorophyll both in the dark and after illumination. Evidence is obtained indicating that the presence and amount of aggregated species of chlorophyll are dependent on the presence of specific reagents. We suggest that redox reagents of Photosystem II and Photosystem I of photosynthesis also serve to “induce” the formation of distinct chlorophyll species.     

Side-chain interactions in the plastocyanin-cytochrome f complex

Cytochrome f and plastocyanin are redox partners in the photosynthetic electron-transfer chain. Electron transfer from cytochrome f to plastocyanin occurs in a specific short-lived complex. To obtain detailed information about the binding interface in this transient complex, the effects of binding on the backbone and side-chain protons of plastocyanin have been analyzed by mapping NMR chemical-shift changes. Cytochrome f was added to plastocyanin up to 0.3 M equiv, and the plastocyanin proton chemical shifts were measured. Out of approximately 500 proton resonances, 86% could be observed with this method. Nineteen percent demonstrate significant chemical-shift changes and these protons are located in the hydrophobic patch (including the copper ligands) and the acidic patches of plastocyanin, demonstrating that both areas are part of the interface in the complex. This is consistent with the recently determined structure of the complex [Ubbink, M., Ejdeb?ck, M., Karlsson, B. G., and Bendall, D. S. (1998) Structure 6, 323-335]. The largest chemical-shift changes are found around His87 in the hydrophobic patch, which indicates tight contacts and possibly water exclusion from this part of the protein interface. These results support the idea that electron transfer occurs via His87 to the copper in plastocyanin and suggest that the hydrophobic patch determines the specificity of the binding. The chemical-shift changes in the acidic patches are significant but small, suggesting that the acidic groups are involved in electrostatic interactions but remain solvent exposed. The existence of small differences between the present data and those used for the structure may imply that the redox state of the metals in both proteins slightly affects the structure of the complex. The chemical-shift mapping is performed on unlabeled proteins, making it an efficient way to analyze effects of mutations on the structure of the complex.     

Electrogenic reactions in the photosystem I

The processes of electron transfer in cyanobacterial photosystem I (PS I) and photoelectric methods of the studies were reviewed. Particular emphasis was placed on structural and kinetic characteristics of the electron transport chain. The electrogenicity in PS I complex and its interaction with natural donors (plastocyanin, cytochrome c6), natural acceptors (ferredoxin, flavodoxin), and artificial acceptors and donors (methyl viologen and other redox dyes) were studied. On the basis of photoelectric measurements and the X-ray structural data, the operating dielectric constants in the vicinity of charge carriers in situ were calculated. The profile of distribution of the dielectric constant along the PS I pigment-protein complex (from plastocyanin or cytochrome c6 through the chlorophyll dimer P700 to the acceptor complex) was estimated, and possible mechanisms of correlation between the local dielectric constant and the electron transfer rate constant in the corresponding segment of the chain were discussed.     

The presequence of a chimeric construct dictates which of two mechanisms are utilized for translocation across the thylakoid membrane: evidence for the existence of two distinct translocation systems.

The translocation of plastocyanin across the thylakoid membrane in Pisum sativum has been studied in reconstitution assays and using chimeric constructs. The reconstitution assays demonstrate that plastocyanin translocation is absolutely dependent on the presence of a stromal factor(s) and nucleotide triphosphates (NTPs), whereas neither element is required for the translocation of the 23 or 16 kDa proteins of the oxygen-evolving complex. Previous studies had revealed that the transthylakoidal delta pH is essential for translocation of the 23 and 16 kDa proteins but unnecessary for plastocyanin translocation. The basis for these mechanistic differences has been tested by analysing the translocation of a chimeric construct consisting of the presequence of the 23 kDa protein linked to the mature plastocyanin sequence. This construct is efficiently imported into thylakoids in the absence of stromal extracts or NTPs and translocation across the thylakoid membrane within intact chloroplasts is totally inhibited by the uncoupler nigericin: the translocation requirements are thus identical to those of the pre-23 kDa protein and diametrically opposite to those of pre-plastocyanin. Transport across the thylakoid membrane of a second fusion protein, consisting of the presequence of the 16 kDa protein linked to mature plastocyanin, is also dependent on a delta pH. The data suggest that two distinct systems are involved in the translocation of proteins across the thylakoid membrane, with each system recognizing specific signals within the presequences of a subset of lumenal protein precursors.     

Defects in the cytochrome b6/f complex prevent light-induced expression of nuclear genes involved in chlorophyll biosynthesis

Mutants with defects in the cytochrome (cyt) b6/f complex were analyzed for their effect on the expression of a subgroup of nuclear genes encoding plastid-localized enzymes participating in chlorophyll biosynthesis. Their defects ranged from complete loss of the cytb6/f complex to point mutations affecting specifically the quinone-binding QO site. In these seven mutants, light induction of the tetrapyrrole biosynthetic genes was either abolished or strongly reduced. In contrast, a normal induction of chlorophyll biosynthesis genes was observed in mutants with defects in photosystem II, photosystem I, or plastocyanin, or in wild-type cells treated with 3-(3'4'-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea or 2,5-dibromo-3-methyl-6-isopropyl benzoquinone. We conclude that the redox state of the plastoquinone pool does not control light induction of these chlorophyll biosynthetic genes. The signal that affects expression of the nuclear genes appears to solely depend on the integrity of the cytb6/f complex QO site. Since light induction of these genes in Chlamydomonas has recently been shown to involve the blue light receptor phototropin, the results suggest that cytb6/f activity regulates a plastid-derived factor required for their expression. This signaling pathway differs from that which regulates state transitions, since mutant stt7, lacking a protein kinase involved in phosphorylation of the light-harvesting complex II, was not altered in the expression of the chlorophyll biosynthetic genes.     

Photosynthesis in Tall Fescue : V. Analysis of High PSI Activity in a Decaploid Genotype

Previous work in our laboratory (Krueger, Miles 1981 Plant Physiol 68: 1110-1114) indicated that a decaploid genotype (I-16-2) of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) which exhibits unusually high net photosynthesis rates also had high potential rates of photosynthetic electron transport through photosystem I (PSI) compared to the typical hexaploid genotype (V6-802). Analysis of electron transport activity revealed that the oxidizing side of PSI as the major site of difference. Examination of the whole thylakoids and subchloroplast particle protein components of the common hexaploid and the decaploid genotypes had major polypeptide differences at 30, 21, and 12.5 kilodaltons. These differences could not be assigned to a specific physiological function in PSI. The decaploid had increased P₇₀₀ and plastocyanin content on a chlorophyll basis. Antibodies raised against fescue plastocyanin were used to quantitate plastocyanin in crude (Triton X-100) solubilized extracts of plant material. Results showed that the decaploid had 16% and 40% more plastocyanin on a weight and area basis, respectively. The antibodies did not inhibit electron transport (diaminodiurene to methyl viologen) in isolated thylakoids strengthening the hypothesis of plastocyanin as an internal mobile electron shuttle. The trend of inhibition of plastocyanin by KCN was similar in the two genotypes but the decaploid had 15 to 20% higher rates of electron flow under nearly all inhibiting conditions.     

Further purification of "Triton subchloroplast fraction I" (TSF-I particles). Isolation of a cytochrome-free high-P-700 particle and a complex containing cytochromes f and b6, plastocyanin and iron-sulfur protein(s).

The "Triton Subchloroplast Fraction I" or "TSF-I particles" can be further fractionated into a cytochrome fraction and a P-700-containing fraction essentially free of cytochromes. The cytochrome complex contains cytochromes f and b6 in approx. equimolar amounts, and, in addition, also plastocyanin and one iron-sulfur protein, all in the bound state. Bound plastocyanin was characterized by EPR spectroscopy. The EPR spectrum of the bound iron-sulfur protein resembles that previously detected in Phostosystem I particles under highly reducing conditions at lower than -560 mV. The redox potential of P-700 in the cytochrome-free high-P-700 particles was measured to be +468 mV; those of cytochromes f and b6 are +345 and -140 mV, respectively. Among the four components present in the complex, only cytochrome f can be coupled to a Photosystem I particle and undergoes photooxidation. This coupled photooxidation is totoally inhibited by KCN and only partially inhibited by HgCl2. The similarity of the complex containing cytochromes f and b6, plastocyanin, and an iron-sulfur protein to complexes III and IV of the mitochondrial respiratory redox chain and a possible involvement of the complex in cyclic photophosphorylation are noted and discussed.     

A comparative flash-photolysis study of electron transfer from pea and spinach plastocyanins to spinach Photosystem 1. A reaction involving a rate-limiting conformational change

Two mutants of plastocyanin have been constructed by site-directed mutagenesis in spinach and pea to elucidate the binding and electron transfer properties between plastocyanin and spinach Photosystem 1. The conserved, surface-exposed Tyr-83 has been replaced by phenylalanine and leucine in plastocyanin from both species and the proteins have been expressed in Escherichia coli. The reaction mechanism of electron transfer from plastocyanins to photooxidized P700 in Photosystem 1 has been studied by laser-flash absorption spectroscopy. The experimental data were interpreted with a model involving a rate-limiting conformational change, preceding the intracomplex electron transfer. The pea proteins show an overall facilitated reaction with spinach Photosystem 1, compared to spinach plastocyanins. The changes are small but significant, indicating a more efficient electron transfer within the transient complex. In addition, for the spinach leucine mutant, the equilibrium within the plastocyanin-Photosystem 1 complex is more displaced towards the active conformation than for the corresponding wild-type. Absorption spectra, EPR and reduction potentials for the mutants are similar to those of the corresponding wild-type, although small shifts are observed in the spectra of the Tyr83Leu proteins. Based on these results, it is suggested that Photosystem 1 from spinach is capable of using both pea and spinach plastocyanin as an efficient electron donor and that the former even can stimulate the Photosystem 1 reduction. The origin of the stimulation is discussed in terms of differences in surface-exposed residues. Since the effects of the mutations are small, it can be concluded that electron transfer to Photosystem 1 does not occur via Tyr-83.Abbreviations cyt- cytochrome - IPTG- isopropyl--d-thiogalactopyranoside - P,P700- reaction-center chlorophyll - Pc- plastocyanin - PS 1- Photosystem 1 - SDS-PAGE- sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis - WT- wild-type     

The unique proline of the Prochlorothrix hollandica plastocyanin hydrophobic patch impairs electron transfer to photosystem I.

A number of surface residues of plastocyanin from Prochlorothrix hollandica have been modified by site-directed mutagenesis. Changes have been made in amino acids located in the amino-terminal hydrophobic patch of the copper protein, which presents a variant structure as compared with other plastocyanins. The single mutants Y12G, Y12F, Y12W, P14L, and double mutant Y12G/P14L have been produced. Their reactivity toward photosystem I has been analyzed by laser flash absorption spectroscopy. Plots of the observed rate constant with all mutants versus plastocyanin concentration show a saturation profile similar to that with wild-type plastocyanin, thus suggesting the formation of a plastocyanin-photosystem I transient complex. The mutations do not induce relevant changes in the equilibrium constant for complex formation but induce significant variations in the electron transfer rate constant, mainly with the two mutants at proline 14. Additionally, molecular dynamics calculations indicate that mutations at position 14 yield small changes in the geometry of the copper center. The comparative kinetic analysis of the reactivity of plastocyanin mutants toward photosystem I from different organisms (plants and cyanobacteria) reveals that reversion of the unique proline of Prochlorothrix plastocyanin to the conserved leucine of all other plastocyanins at this position enhances the reactivity of the Prochlorothrix protein.     

Protein-specific energy requirements for protein transport across or into thylakoid membranes. Two lumenal proteins are transported in the absence of ATP.

Cytosolically synthesized thylakoid proteins must be translocated across the chloroplast envelope membranes, traverse the stroma, and then be translocated into or across the thylakoid membrane. Protein transport across the envelope requires ATP hydrolysis but not electrical or proton gradients. The energy requirements for the thylakoid translocation step were studied here for the light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b protein (LHCP), an integral membrane protein, and for several thylakoid lumen-resident proteins: plastocyanin and OE33, OE23, and OE17 (the 33-, 23-, and 17-kDa subunits of the oxygen-evolving complex, respectively). Dissipation of the thylakoid protonmotive force during an in organello protein import assay partially inhibited the thylakoid localization of LHCP and OE33, totally inhibited localization of OE23 and OE17, and had no effect on localization of plastocyanin. We used reconstitution assays for LHCP insertion and for OE23 and OE17 transport into isolated thylakoids to investigate the energy requirements in detail. The results indicated that LHCP insertion absolutely requires ATP hydrolysis and is enhanced by a transthylakoid delta pH and that transport of OE23 and OE17 is absolutely dependent upon a delta pH. Surprisingly, OE23 and OE17 transport occurred maximally in the complete absence of ATP. These results establish the thylakoid membrane as the only membrane system in which a delta pH can provide all of the energy required to translocate proteins across the bilayer. They also demonstrate that the energy requirements for integration into or translocation across the thylakoid membranes are protein-specific.