High molecular weight blue fluorescence protein from the bioluminescent bacterium Photobacterium fischeri.

A blue fluorescence protein has been purified from extracts of the bioluminescent bacterium Photobacterium fischeri and found to have a native molecular weight of 70,000, and to be a dimer of two identical subunits. SDS gel electrophoresis distinguishes the monomer from the two non-identical subunits of luciferase. The molecular weight for this blue fluorescence protein contrasts with the much lower value (22,000) reported for the same type of protein isolated from Photobacterium phosphoreum.     

Light scattering,chlorophyll fluorescence and state of the adenylate system in illuminated spinach leaves

Scattering of green light and chlorophyll fluorescence by spinach leaves kept in a stream of air or nitrogen were compared with leaf adenylate levels during illumination with blue, red or far-red light. Energy charge and ATP-ADP ratios exhibited considerable variability in different leaves both in the dark and in the light. Variability is explained by different possible states of the reaction oxidizing triose phosphate or reducing 3-phosphoglycerate. Except when oxygen levels were low, there was an inverse relationship between light scattering and chlorophyll fluorescence during illumination with blue or red light. When CO₂ was added to a stream of CO₂-free air, chlorophyll fluorescence increased, sometimes after a transient decrease, and both light scattering and leaf $\text{ATP}\text{ADP}$ ratios decreased. Similar observations were made when air was replaced by nitrogen under blue or high-intensity red light. Under these conditions, over-reduction caused inhibition of electron transport and phosphorylation in chloroplasts. However, when air was replaced by nitrogen during illumination with low-intensity red light or far-red light, light scattering increased instead of decreasing. Under these light conditions, $\text{ATP}\text{ADP}$ ratios were maintained in the light. They decreased drastically only after darkening. Although $\text{ATP}\text{ADP}$ ratios responded faster than light scattering or the slow secondary decline of chlorophyll fluorescence due to illumination, it appeared that in the steady state, light scattering and chlorophyll fluorescence are useful indicators of the phosphorylation state of the leaf adenylate system at least under aerobic conditions, when chloroplast and extrachloroplast adenylate systems can effectively communicate.     

Low-intensity subnanosecond fluorescence study of the light-harvesting chlorophyll ab protein

The fluorescence decay characteristics of the isolated light-harvesting chlorophyll $\text{a}\text{b}$ protein have been studied using low-intensity subnanosecond-resolution time-correlated single-photon counting. In the monomeric state in detergent micelles, the chlorophyll $\text{a}\text{b}$ protein exhibits biexponential decay (τ₁ = 1.2 ns, τ₂ = 3.3 ns) with the two components having very similar weights. The decay parameters do not depend on emission wavelength. These results are discussed in relation to the Van Metter-Knox-Shepanski model (Van Metter, R.M. (1977) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 462, 642–657; Shepanski, J.S. and Knox, R.S. (1982) Isr. J. Chem., in the press) of the chlorophyll $\text{a}\text{b}$ protein, and a kinetic analysis of the energy-transfer processes. The influence of detergent composition and concentration on the fluorescence decay of the chlorophyll protein is also described.     

Melittin-phospholipid interaction studied by employing the single tryptophan residue as an intrinsic fluorescent probe

The rotational correlation time of melittin, obtained from the nanosecond anisotropy of the emission from its single tryptophan residue, has been found to increase considerably in phosphate solution relative to that in aqueous solution, consistent with protein aggregation. The steady-state fluorescence spectra as well as the absorption spectra in phosphate solution exhibit a very good degree of similarity with those of the protein bound to egg phosphatidylcholine (PC) and distearoylphosphatidylcholine (DSPC) bilayer liposomes. The value of the second-order rate constant for dynamic quenching, $\text{k}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>q</mtext>}}\text{= 1.4·10}{}^9\text{M}{}^{\mathrm{?1}}\text{·}\text{s}{}^{\mathrm{?1}}$, by acrylamide in 0.5 M phosphate solution is comparable to those for the protein-phospholipids complexes (1·10⁹ and 0.7·10⁹ M^?1·s^?1 for egg PC and DSPC, respectively). Similarities are also found in the nanosecond properties. There is a much stronger and quite similar dependence of the fluorescence spectra on time in the nanosecond range and of the fluorescence decay times on the emission wavelength in both cases as compared to the case in aqueous solution. These observations support the notion that melittin binds to the phospholipids in an aggregated form. The results suggest that the reduction in the $\text{k}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>q</mtext>}}$ values of bound melittin relative to that in aqueous solution and the blue shift of the fluorescence spectrum (from 352 to 337 nm) are brought about by shielding of the tryptophan residue from the solvent through a combination of protein aggregation and enhancement of its α-helical content (suggested by published CD data). The magnitude of the $\text{k}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>q</mtext>}}$ values for bound melittin, however, is still relatively high implying the occurrence of rather frequent encounters between the tryptophan residue and the hydrophilic acrylamide molecules. Thus, the residue is found not to penetrate deep into the phospholipid bilayer.     

The bioadhesive of Mytilus byssus: A protein containing L-DOPA

L-DOPA was identified in hydrolysates of $\text{Mytilus}$ byssal adhesive discs and is present at about $\text{10}\text{res}\text{1000}$. The compound was isolated and purified by ion exchange on cellulose phosphate and Biogel P-2 gel filtration. Identity with standard DOPA was demonstrated using thin-layer chromatography, the effect of pH on UV absorbance, fluorescence spectrophotometry, amino acid analysis, and the preparation of ethylenediamine derivatives. Contrary to earlier reports, dityrosine was not detected. A sodium dodecylsulfate-insoluble protein containing $\text{48}\text{res}\text{1000}$ of DOPA was isolated from the gland that secretes the disc adhesive. This protein is presumed to be a precursor of the adhesive.     

Structural changes in (Na+ + K+)-ATPase accompanying detergent inactivation

Structural changes in the purified $\text{(}\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+ K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{)-ATPase}$ accompanying detergent inactivation were investigated by monitoring changes in light scattering, intrinsic protein fluorescence, and tryptophan to β-parinaric acid fluorescence resonance energy transfer. Two phases of inactivation were observed using the non-ionic detergents, digitonin, Lubrol WX and Triton X-100. The rapid phase involves detergent monomer insertion but little change in protein structure or little displacement of closely associated lipids as judged by intrinsic protein fluorescence and fluorescence resonance energy transfer. Lubrol WX and Triton X-100 also caused membrane fragmentation during the rapid phase. The slower phase of inactivation results in a completely inactive enzyme in a particle of 400 000 daltons with 20 mol/mol of associated phospholipid. Fluorescence changes during the course of the slow phase indicate some dissociation of protein-associated lipids and an accompanying protein conformational change. It is concluded that non-parallel inhibition of $\text{(}\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+ K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{)-ATPase}$ and $\text{p-}\text{nitrophenylphosphate}$ activity by digitonin (which occurs during the rapid phase of inactivation) is unlikely to require a change in the oligomeric state of the enzyme. It is also concluded that at least 20 mol/mol of tightly associated lipid are necessary for either $\text{(}\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+ K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{)-ATPase}$ or $\text{p-}\text{nitrophenylphosphatase}$ activity and that the rate-limiting step in the slow inactivation phase involves dissociation of an essential lipid.     

Fluorescence properties of a benzo(a)pyrene 7,8 dihydrodiol 9,10-oxide-DNA adduct. Conformation and effects of intermolecular DNA interactions

The pyrene-like fluorescence of the covalent benzo(a)pyrene diol-epoxide-DNA complex prepared by reacting 7,8,-dihydrodiol 9,10-epoxy benzo(a)pyrene (BPDE) with DNA in aqueous solution $\text{in vitro}$, has been investigated. It is shown that this fluorescence is $\text{sensitive}$ to molecular oxygen, to the concentration of $\text{native}$ DNA and to the ionic strength (KCl concentration), but is $\text{insensitive}$ to the concentration of $\text{denatured}$ DNA. These effects are related to the conformation of the pyrene-like chromophore of BPDE. Most of the fluorescence of a $\text{dilute}$ solution of the DNA-bound benzo(a)pyrene derivative originates from binding sites in which the pyrene moiety is not intercalated between the DNA base pairs, but is located on the outside of the DNA double helix.     

Photoreceptor pigment for blue light responses in Neurospora crassa

Irradiating the mycelium of $\text{Neurospora crassa}$ with blue light causes the photoreduction of a $\text{b}$-type cytochrome. The action spectrum for the photoreduction of the cytochrome $\text{b}$ is similar to action spectra for the photoactivation of carotene synthesis and photoinhibition of the circadian rhythm of conidiation in $\text{Neurospora}$.     

A constitutive flavodoxin from a eukaryotic alga

We report the isolation and some properties of a flavodoxin from a eukaryotic organism, the naturally occurring red alga $\text{Chondrus crispus}$. Unlike the situation with most other organisms the flavodoxin, under normal growth conditions, is the predominantly formed low-potential electron carrier, an accompanying ferredoxin occurring in only very small amounts. The flavodoxin is of molecular weight 21000 and one mole of FMN is present per mole of protein. Reduction of the flavoprotein proceeds via a blue flavosemiquinone radical. The flavodoxin is active both in photosynthetic NADP reduction by broken chloroplasts, and in phosphoroclastic cleavage of pyruvate by cell-free extracts of $\text{Clostridium pasteurianum}$.     

Absorbance and fluorescence properties of protochlorophyllide in etiolated bean leaves

Primary leaves of 7-to-9 day-old etiolated bean seedlings contain a species of protochlorophyllide which is not transformed to chlorophyllide by light; this pigment species exhibits an absorption peak at 631nm $\text{in}\text{vivo}$ at ?196° and a fluorescence emission peak at 639nm $\text{in}\text{vivo}$ at room temperature. Heat-treatment of etiolated leaves converts the phototransformable protochlorophyllide holochrome to a pigment species with $\text{in}\text{vivo}$ absorption and fluorescence peaks identical to those of endogenous nontransformable protochlorophyllide. Administration of δ-amino-levulinic acid to etiolated leaves causes the synthesis of non-transformable protochlorophyllide with an absorption peak also at 631nm $\text{in}\text{vivo}$ at ?196° but with a fluorescence emission peak at 643nm $\text{in}\text{vivo}$ at room temperature. Heat-treatment of such leaves does not affect the position of these bands. The results indicate that protochlorophyllide which is derived from exogenous δ-amino-levulinic acid is in a physically different state from other forms of protochlorophyllide in the leaf.     

Affinity labeling of stellacyanin by Cr(II) aquo ions

Stellacyanin, the single blue copper protein from $\text{Rhus}$$\text{vernicifera}$, is reduced stoichiometrically by Cr(II)_aq ions yielding a 1:1 adduct between the Cr(III) produced and the reduced protein. This Cr(III)-labeled stellacyanin is substitution inert and no significant loss of the label occurs during extensive dialysis for more than a week. Oxidation by O₂ of the Cr(III)-labeled Cu(I) stellacyanin does not cause the loss of Cr(III) either. Furthermore, reduction of the Cr(III)-labeled stellacyanin Cu(II) by a second equivalent of Cr(II) may be attained without any further labeling. Thus, the one mole of Cr ions binds to stellacyanin during the first reduction step and is most probably coordinated at a specific locus on that protein.     

Comparison of ATP-induced and State 1/State 2-related changes in excitation energy distribution in Chlorella vulgaris

The addition of ATP to thylakoids isolated from Chlorella vulgaris is shown to lead to a quenching of fluorescence originating from Photosystem II and phosphorylation of $\text{chlorophyll}\text{a}\text{chlorophyll}\text{b}$ light-harvesting protein (LHCP) directly analogous to that reported for higher-plant chloroplasts. The time courses of these two processes are shown to be identical. Parallel measurements of ATP-induced changes in the fluorescence properties of isolated algal thylakoids and light-driven (State 1 / State 2 changes) in whole cells strongly support the idea that LHCP phosphorylation plays an important role in State 2 adaptation under in vivo conditions.     

A subnanosecond resolving spectrofluorimeter for the analysis of protein fluorescence kinetics

A spectrofluorometer is described consisting of an excitation source, optics, detector and time resolving electronics. The excitation source consists of a mode-locked Ar ion laser, synchronously pumps a dye laser, followed by a frequency doubling device. The repetition frequency of the U.V. pulses (FWHM some ps) has been reduced by an extra-cavity electro-optical modulator. Provisions have been made in the optical configuration to determine both time-resolved fluorescence spectra and fluorescence anisotropy decay curves. The commercially avialable electronics have been optimized for maximum time resolution. The spectral output of the excitation source is confined between 280 and 310 nm, which encompasses the region for eliciting protein fluorescence. The performance of the complete system has been tested with single lifetime standards line p-terphenyl in cyclohexane or with $\text{N-}\text{acetyl}\text{-}\text{L}\text{-}\text{tryptophanamide}$ in pH 7.5 buffer. Serum albumins from human and bovine sources have been employed as examples for time resolved fluorescence spectra and for the demonstration of anisotropy decay curves. Using these methods protein dynamics in the (sub)nanosecond time region can be directly explored.     

Kinetics of chlorotetracycline uptake in Staphylococcus aureus by a fluorescence technique

The antibiotic chlorotetracycline (CTC) is used as a fluorescent chelate probe to investigate the kinetics of its uptake into $\text{Staphylococcus aureus}$. CTC binds to divalent cations in an aqueous solution with enhanced fluorescence. This fluorescence is polarity dependent, being higher in apolar solutions. Upon addition of CTC to dispersions of $\text{S. aureus}$, a time dependent fluorescence enhancement is detected demonstrating that the CTC-divalent cation complex migrates into the apolar regions of the membrane. This uptake, which follows saturation kinetics, is energy dependent. A K_m of 162 μ$\text{M}$ was obtained for CTC concentration ranges of 0.2–100 μgm/ml.     

Evidence against proton gradient formation being the cause of chlorophyll fluorescence quenching by N-methylphenazonium methosulfate

In strong illumination, 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1, 1-dimethylurea (DCMU)-poisoned chloroplasts exhibit a high yield of chlorophyll fluorescence while $\text{P-700}$ turnover, proton uptake, and phosphorylation are inhibited and a pH gradient is undetectable. When 10 μM $\text{N-}\text{methylphenazonium}$ methosulfate (PMS) is included, the fluorescence yield in light is substantially reduced, and when 100 μM ascorbate is also included, the yield is diminished approximately to the level in darkness. Only very slight increases in $\text{P-700}$ turnover and proton uptake (but no detectable pH gradient) accompany the fluorescence yield decline.When 10 μM PMS and 15 mM ascorbate are added to poisoned chloroplasts (the oxygen concentration being greatly reduced), $\text{P-700}$ turnover, proton uptake, the pH gradient and phosphorylation all reach high levels. In this case, the yield of chlorophyll fluorescence is low and is the same in both light and dark. Further addition of an uncoupler eliminates proton uptake, the pH gradient and phosphorylation but does not significantly elevate the fluorescence yield. From these observations we suggest that, in DCMU-poisoned chloroplasts, the fluorescence quenching with PMS occurs by a mechanism unrelated to the generation of a phosphorylation potential.With chloroplasts unpoisoned by DCMU, PMS quenches fluorescence and considerably stimulates proton uptake, the pH gradient and phosphorylation. However, in this case, PMS serves to restore net electron transport.     

Properties of thylakoids and thylakoid particles derived from structurally different chloroplasts

Structurally and functionally different tobacco chloroplasts were subjected to digitonin treatment and subsequent fractional centrifugation. The light-harvesting $\text{chlorophyll}\text{a}\text{chlorophyll}\text{b-}\text{protein}$ complex was found to be enriched in the most dense fraction regardless of the presence of grana in the original preparation. It is suggested that isolated thylakoid membranes and fragments thereof which contain sufficient light-harvesting protein may, under appropriate ionic conditions, form aggregates even when they originate from unstacked thylakoid systems. Comparative studies of fluorescence properties and polypeptide composition of the thylakoids suggest that the light-harvesting protein does not contribute significantly to the fluorescence spectrum of isolated chloroplasts as long as this protein is intimately associated with the Photosystem II (PS II) pigment-protein complex responsible for the 685 nm emission. While the PS II-deficient mutant chloroplasts of the variegated tobacco variety NC 95 lacked both the 685 nm fluorescence component and two or three PS II proteins, one of these proteins was found to be very prominent in our chlorophyll b-deficient mutant thylakoids which also displayed an intense 685 nm fluorescence peak. This correlation supports the contention that a 45 kdalton polypeptide is an apoprotein of pigments associated with the PS II reaction center.     

Chemical modification of methionine residues in azurin.

Azurin from $\text{Pseudomonas}\text{aeruginosa}$ has been treated with bromoacetate at low pH to alkylate methionine residues. Two classes of methionine side chains are observed as a result of these reactions — four of the six methionines are reactive at pH 4, whereas all six are reactive at pH 3.2. The product containing four alkylated methionines maintains a significant portion of the blue color and spectroscopic characteristics of the native protein. The product which has been fully modified at the methionine residues, on the other hand, has lost all blue color and appears to be largely in a random coil form.     

Light scattering and quenching of 9-aminoacridine fluorescence as indicators of the phosphorylation state of the adenylate system in intact spinach chloroplasts

Upon illumination of suspensions of intact chloroplasts, fluorescence of 9-aminoacridine was quenched, light scattering was increased, chlorophyll fluorescence was decreased after an initial increase, and chloroplast $\text{ATP}\text{ADP}$ ratios were increased. The response of 9-aminoacridine fluorescence quenching and light scattering to light intensity, anaerobiosis and inhibition of electron transport by DCMU was similar to that shown by chloroplast $\text{ATP}\text{ADP}$ ratios. It is discussed under what conditions 9-aminoacridine fluorescence quenching or light scattering can be used to monitor changes in the phosphorylation state of the chloroplast adenylate system.     

Fluorescence properties of chlorophyll a and b monomolecular films at the air-water interface

The fluorescence properties of chlorophyll $\text{a}$ and $\text{b}$ monomolecular films at the air-water interface were measured by a high sensitivity fluorophotometer using the photon-counting method. The fluorescence intensity of chlorophyll molecules in monomolecular films in the absence of any diluents did not decrease simply with the mean distance of chlorophyll molecules. Over the range of the mean distances from 27 to 21 Å, three fluorescence components (peaks at 685, 695 and 715 nm) of chlorophyll $\text{a}$ were observed. In the case of chlorophyll $\text{b}$, two fluorescence components (peaks at 667 and 685 nm) were observed over the range of the mean distances from 34 to 24 Å. When the mean distance was 18 Å, the short wavelength component of chlorophyll $\text{b}$ disappeared, and only the long wavelength component was observed.