Photo-inactivation of System II centers by carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone in Chlorella pyrenoidosa

In the presence of a high concentration of carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP) (4 · 10^?6 M), the S₂ and S₃ dark decays are accelerated and become biphasic with a first half-time of 0.6 s. The first fast phase of the decays does not correspond to a simple reduction of S₂, S₃ back to S₀, S₁ (i.e. to an acceleration of the deactivation reaction), but to a decrease in the number of oxygen-evolving System II centers. This photo-inactivation produced by CCCP is rapidly reversible in the dark.     

Significant enhancement of photobiological H2 evolution by carbonylcyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone in the marine green alga Platymonas subcordiformis

A marine green microalga, Platymonas subcordiformis, photo-synthetically generates H(2) but only transiently at a negligible yield when exposed to light after a period of dark anaerobic incubation. A protonophore uncoupler, carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhrazone (CCCP) significantly increased the yield of H(2) photo-production. CCCP optimally at 15 microM gave 4.9 ml H(2) after 8 h light irradiation in 1 l algal cell culture at 1.8 x 10(6) cells ml(-1). The H(2) yield at 15 microM CCCP was increased by 240-fold when compared to the control. This improvement may be by CCCP disrupting the proton motive force thus facilitating proton transfer across the thylakoidal membrane.     

Effect of some environmental factors on cyanophage AS-1 development in Anacystis nidulans

The development cycle of the cyanophage AS-1 was studied in the host blue-green alga, Anacystis nidulans, under conditions that impair photosynthesis and under various light/dark regimes. Under standard conditions of incubation the 16-h development cycle consisted of a 5-h eclipse period and an 8-h latent period. Burst size was decreased by dark incubation to 2% of that observed in the light. An inhibitor of photosystem II, 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethyl urea (DCMU), reduced the burst size to 27% of that of the uninhibited control, whereas cyanophage production was completely abolished by carbonyl-cyanide m-chlorophenyl hydrazone (CCCP), an inhibitor of photosynthetic electron transport. Dark incubation of infected cells decreased the latent period by 1–2 h and the eclipse period by 1 h, once the cultures were illuminated. This suggests that adsorption took place in the dark. Intracellular growth curves indicated that light is necessary for viral development. Infected cells must be illuminated at least 13 h to produce a complete burst at the same rate as the continuously illuminated control. Low light intensities retarded the development cycle, and at lowest light intensities no phage yield was obtained. AS-1 is highly dependent on host cell photophosphorylation for its development.List of Abbreviations CCCP Carbonyl-cyanide m-chlorophenyl hydrazone - DCMU 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethyl urea - m.o.i. multiplicity of infection - O.D. optical density - PFU plaque-forming unit Dedicated to Prof. Roger Y. Stanier on the occasion of his 60th birthday     

Regulation of the cytosolic adenylate ratio as determined by rapid fractionation of mesophyll protoplasts of oat

Adenylate levels in chloroplasts, mitochondria and the cytosol of oat mesophyll protoplasts were determined under light and dark conditions, in the absence and presence of plasmalemma-permeable inhibitors of electron transfer and uncouplers of phosphorylation. This was achieved using a microgradient technique which allowed an integrated homogenization and fractionation of protoplasts within 60 s (Hampp et al. 1982, Plant Physiol. 69, 448–455), under conditions which quench bulk activities of metabolic interconversion in less than 2 s. In illuminated controls, ATP/ADP ratios were found to be 2.1 in chloroplasts, about unity in mitochondria, and 11 in the cytosol; whereas, in the dark, this ratio only showed a large drop in chloroplasts (0.4). None of the compounds used [carbonylcyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP), carbonylcyanide p-trifluoromethoxy-phenylhydrazone (FCCP), antimycin A, dibromothymoquinone (DBMIB), dichlorophenyldi-methylurea (DCMU), or salicylhydroxamic acid (SHAM)] affected the stroma adenylate ratio in the dark. Under illumination, however, the ATP/ADP ratios were partly reduced in the presence of antimycin (inhibitor of cyclic photophosphorylation) and of DCMU (inhibitor of linear electron flow), while in the presence of DBMIB, DCMU+ antimycin (inhibition of both cyclic and linear electron flow), and CCCP (uncoupling) the ratio obtained was the same as that occurring in the dark. In contrast, mitochondrial adenylate levels did not exhibit large variations under the various treatments. The cytosolic ATP/ADP ratio, however, showed dramatic changes: in darkened protoplasts, cytosolic values dropped to 0.2 and 0.1 in the presence of uncouplers and antimycin, respectively, while SHAM did not induce any significant alteration. In the light, a similar pronounced decrease in ATP levels was observed only after the application of uncouplers or inhibitors of both mitochondrial and photosynthetic electron transport, whereas selective inhibition of the latter was largely ineffective in reducing the cytosolic ATP/ADP ratio. Thus, the results show that the antimycin-sensitive electron transport is, potentially, equally active in light and darkness. In addition, they indicate that antimycin-insensitive electron transport in mitochondria (alternative pathway) does not significantly contribute to the cytosolic energy state.Abbreviations CCCP carbonylcyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone - DBMIB dibromothymoquinone (2,5-dibromo-3-methyl-6-isopropy-p-benzoquinone) - DCMU dichlorophenyldimethylurea - FCCP carbonylcyanide-p-trifluoromethoxy-phenylhydrazone - SHAM sancylhydroxamic acid     

Rb+ uptake by isolated pea mesophyll protoplasts in light and darkness

Rb⁺ uptake into protoplasts isolated from the mesophyll of Pisum sativum L. cv. Dan has been followed at intervals of a few minutes in the light and in the dark. The progress curve for uptake in the dark decreased in slope after about 7 min; in the light, by contrast, the slope increased. This effect was more pronounced at pH 7 than at pH 5.5. The pH profile for uptake in the dark rose with increasing pH: in the light the profile flattened, or even fell somewhat, between pH 5.5 and pH 6.5, then rose again. In the dark the proton uncoupler carbonyl cyanide m-chlorphenylhydrazone (CCCP) had little or no effect, either at pH 5.5 or at pH 7.4; in the light CCCP was strongly inhibitory, particularly at pH 7.4. Increasing concentrations of CCCP produced progressively more and more severe inhibition in the light, but in the dark produced a slight rise in uptake. The ATPase inhibitors quercetin, rutin and diethyl-stilbestrol, as well as arsenate, all depressed uptake in the light, particularly at higher pH Dark uptake was sensitive only at pH 5.5, not at pH 7.4. In marked contrast to the case of methyl-3 glucose, where protoplasts which were switched from light to dark took up sugar at the accelerated light rate for the first 7 min in the dark, a switch to darkness produced a Rb⁺ uptake rate below that for protoplasts held continuously in the dark. It is inferred that the mechanism of Rb⁺ uptake does not involve proton cotransport. Information regarding the membrane potential was obtained by following the distribution of tetraphenyl phosphonium (TPP⁺) between protoplasts and medium. The potential was more negative in the light than in the dark. It was also more negative at pH 7 than at pH 5 both in the light and in the dark. Treatment with CCCP produced no appreciable depolarization within the first 20 min, indicating thet the CCCP inhibition of Rb⁺ uptake in the light cannot be ascribed to a reduction in potential. An ATP-fueled K⁺ porter, or K⁺-H⁺ antiporter, seems the most likely explanation. The maintenance of the rising pH profile in the dark, despite the presence of a CCCP concentration which drastically inhibits light uptake, suggests that the profile does not depend on the operation of the proton pump.     

Energization of the sugar transport mechanism in the plasmalemma of isolated mesophyll protoplasts

The mechanism of 3-O-methyl-d-glucose transport through the plasmalemma has been investigated in protoplasts isolated from the mesophyll of Pisum sativum L. var. Dan.Analysis of the fluxes after 50 minutes of uptake showed that the gradual decrease in slope of the net uptake curve with time was not due to any decline in uptake capacity; it represented the approach to flux equilibrium of a small compartment of the protoplast, probably the cytoplasm.The energy of activation for initial flux into this compartment was 20 kilocalories per mole between 17 and 27 C. Very high discrimination was shown with regard to sugar isomers. Light strongly promoted flux (by a factor of 2.5 in the case of methyl glucose). Initial flux showed sharply contrasting inhibitor sensitivity in the light and the dark. Light uptake was sensitive to the proton conductor carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP), but stable for at least the first 10 minutes to the ATPase inhibitors quercetin, rutin, and diethylstilbestrol, as well as to arsenate. Dark uptake, on the other hand, was stable to CCCP but was immediately depressed by quercetin, rutin, diethylstilbestrol, and arsenate.Protoplasts which received a light pretreatment before incubation in the dark took up methyl glucose at the accelerated light rate for the first 7 minutes. Moreover, the light pretreatment sensitized subsequent initial dark uptake to CCCP, and conferred on it the stability to ATPase inhibitors and arsenate characteristic of light uptake. After about 7 minutes the characteristic inhibitor responses of dark uptake were resumed.It is proposed that more than one mode of energy-coupling for sugar transport may operate in these protoplasts.     

Death of stoma guard cells in leaf epidermis under disturbance of energy provision

Cyanide is an apoptosis inducer in stoma guard cells from pea leaf epidermis. Unlike CN-, the uncoupler of oxidative and photosynthetic phosphorylation carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP), the combination of CCCP, 3-(3 ,4 -dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea (DCMU), benzylhydroxamate (BH), myxothiazol, antimycin A, and a glycolysis inhibitor 2-deoxyglucose (DG) did not induce destruction of guard cell nuclei for 20 h of incubation of epidermal peels in the light. DCMU prevented the effect of CN- as a programmed cell death (PCD) inducer. CCCP, the combination of DCMU and CCCP, or the combination of DCMU, CCCP, BH, myxothiazol, antimycin A, and DG supplemented by CN- caused destruction of cell nuclei; the number of the cells lacking nuclei in this case was higher than with CN- alone. DG and CCCP caused cell destruction after longer incubation of the isolated epidermis - after 2 days and to a greater degree after 4 days. The effect of DG and CCCP was reduced by illumination. Cell destruction during long-term incubation was prevented by the combination of DG and CCCP. From data of electron microscopy, DCMU and dinitrophenyl ester of iodonitrothymol (DNP-INT) prevented apoptotic changes of the nuclear ultrastructure induced by CN-. The suppression of the destruction of the guard cell nuclei under combined action of DG and CCCP was apparently caused by switching of cell death from PCD to necrosis. Thus, the type of cell death - via apoptosis or necrosis - is controlled by the level of energy provision.     

The significance of hydrogenase activity for the energy metabolism of green algae: anaerobiosis favours ATP synthesis in cells of Chlorella with active hydrogenase

In cells of the green alga Chlorella fusca, which contain active hydrogenase(s), the concentration of ATP, NADH and NADPH were measured during a 5 h period of anaerobiosis in the dark and upon subsequent illumination with high light intensities (770 W/m²), conditions which favour optimal hydrogen photoproduction.ATP concentrations were also determined in cells of Chlorella fusca, whose hydrogenase was inactivated prior to illumination, and in cells of Chlorella vulgaris which do not contain hydrogenase. In the dark, the ATP concentration increased slightly during anaerobiosis in cells with active hydrogenase. This increase in ATP concentration was accompanied by an increase of NADH and a decrease of NADPH content.Upon illumination, the ATP content increased in cells with an active hydrogenase, whereas the NADH content decreased. The rate of phosphorylation was twice that observed in cells without active hydrogenase.This ATP synthesis in the light was not inhibited by 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea (DCMU) (10 mol/l) nor by carbonylcyanide-3-chlorophenyl-hydrazone (CCCP) (1 mol/l) but was diminished by 500 mol/l dibromothymoquinone (DBMIB) and 6 mol/l carbonylcyanide-3-chlorophenyl-hydrazone (CCCP).It was concluded that an active hydrogenase can support ATP production under anaerobic conditions in the dark as well as in the light. NADH might serve in vivo as electron donor for a fermentative production of hydrogen in the light.Possible mechanisms underlying ATP production under anaerobiosis and hydrogen productive conditions are discussed.Abbreviations CCCP Carbonylcyanide-3-chlorophenyl-hydrazone - DBMIB dibromothymoquinone - DCMU 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea - FCCP carbonylcyanide-p-trifluormethoxyphenyl-hydrazone - HEPES N-2-hydroxyethylpiperazin-N-2-ethan-sulfonic acid - PSI II, photosystem I, II respectively - PQ plastoquinone     

Aktive und inaktive Phosphataufnahme in Blattzellen von Elodea densa bei hohen Phosphat-Außenkonzentrationen

Summary The phosphate uptake in the leaf cells of Elodea densa shows multiple isotherms in the range [S]>1 mmole P/l to 100 mmoles P/l. In the dark the uptake isotherms contain three distinct parts (II/1, II/2 and II/3); the first two obey Michaelis-Menten kinetics, whereas the third is exponential. In the light the phosphate uptake curve consists only of two parts (II/1 and II/2) agreeing with Michaelis-Menten kinetics, the exponential part being absent.Cellular phosphate content was found to be 45 mmoles/l. Data concerning the membrane potential E for Elodea densa were obtained from Jeschke (1970). In accordance with the Nernst equation a change from the hyperbolic curve to an exponential one was expected at a concentration of about 60 mmoles P/l in the dark and at above 100 mmoles P/l in the light. The results obtained agree with these theoretical calculations: in the dark, the change from the hyperbolic to the exponential curve was observed at [S]=50 mmoles P/l, which is in electro-chemical equilibrium with the cellular orthophosphate content of about 35 mmoles/l (inorganic P content amounting to 80 per cent of total phosphate). In the light no change towards an exponential curve was noticed.The effect of the uncoupler CCCP in the light and in the dark was examined in order to elucidate its influenc on ³²P incorporation into the fractions of inorganic, organic and acid-insoluble phosphates, the inorganic fraction representing phosphate uptake. The inhibition of the uptake into the inorganic part decreases with an increasing inactive component of total uptake, while the fixation in the organic fraction is severely curtailed at all concentrations tested. The acid-insoluble fraction remains unaffected.

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Abkürzungen und Symbole CCCP Carbonylcyanid m-Chlorphenylhydrazon - Du Dunkel FG Frischgewicht - GP Gesamtphosphat - [H₂PO₄ ^-]_i Innenkonzentration - [H₂PO₄ ^-]_o Außenkonzentration - Ko Kontrolle - Li Licht - P Phosphat - P_a anorganisches TCE-lösliches Phosphat - P_o organisches TCE-lösliches Phosphat - P_u TCE-unlösliches Phosphat - P_gl TCE-gesamtlösliches Phosphat - [S] Außenkonzentration des H₂PO₄ ^--Ions - TCE Trichloressigsäure     

Protonation and light synergistically convert plasmalemma sugar carrier system in mesophyll protoplasts to its fully activated form

The course of sugar fluxes into and out of protoplasts isolated from the mesophyll of Pisum sativum L. has been followed over brief time intervals (minutes). Light strongly stimulated net sugar influx at pH 8 as well as at pH 5.5. The proton conductor carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP) inhibited initial influx in the light, both at pH 8.0 and at pH 5.5. CCCP was without effect in the dark at either pH. All these results applied both to sucrose and to the nonmetabolizable glucose analog 3-O-methyl-d-glucose.When protoplasts at pH 5.5 were transferred from light to darkness, "stored" light driving force maintained uptake in the dark at the full light rate for the first 7 minutes. At pH 8, however, even 4 minutes after transfer to dark, uptake was well below the light rate. Initial uptake rates over a range of external concentrations were derived from progress curves obtained in the light and in the dark, both at pH 5.5 and at 7.7. When initial rate was plotted against concentration, simple Michaelis-Menten kinetics were observed only under the condition pH 5.5, light. In the dark at both pH values, and in the light at pH 7.7, complex curves with intermediate plateaus were obtained, strongly resembling curves reported for systems where mixed negative and positive cooperativity is operating.The same "K(m) for protons" was observed in the dark and in the light (10(-7) molar). Switching protoplasts in the dark from pH 8 to 5.5 failed to drive sugar transport by imposed protonmotive force, as judged by lack of sensitivity to CCCP. Switching protoplasts which had taken up sugar in the dark at pH 5.5 to pH 7 induced net efflux of sugar. Flux analysis showed that this effect was entirely due to the prompt fall in influx.It is concluded from the kinetic experiments that protonation alone is not sufficient to convert the sugar transport system to its fully activated high affinity form. A further light-dependent factor which acts synergistically with protonation is required.     

Role of carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone in enhancing photobiological hydrogen production by marine green alga Platymonas subcordiformis

We demonstrated that a significant volume of H(2) gas could be photobiologically produced by a marine green alga Platymonas subcordiformis when an uncoupler of photophosphorylation, carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP), was added after 32 h of anaerobic dark incubation, whereas a negligible volume of H(2) gas was produced without CCCP. The role of CCCP in enhancing photobiological H(2) production was delineated. CCCP as an ADRY agent (agent accelerating the deactivation reactions of water-splitting enzyme system Y) rapidly inhibited the photosystem II (PSII) activity of P. subcordiformis cells, resulting in a markedly decline in the coupled oxygen evolution. The mitochondrial oxidative respiration was only slightly inactivated by CCCP, which depleted O(2) in the light. As a result, anaerobiosis during the stage of photobiological H(2) evolution was established, preventing severe O(2) inactivation of the reversible hydrogenase in P. subcordiformis. The uncoupling effect of CCCP accelerates electron transfer from water due to a disruption of the proton motive force and release of DeltapH across the thylakoid membrane and thus enhances the accessibility of electron and H(+) to hydrogenase. The electrons for hydrogen photoevolution are mainly from the photolysis of water (90%). Upon the addition of CCCP, Chl a/b ratio increased, which implies a decrease in the light-harvesting PSII antennae or an increase in PSII/PSI ratio, possibly resulting in higher efficiency of utilization of light energy. The enhancement of H(2) evolution by the addition of CCCP is mostly due to the combination of the above three mechanisms. However, the disruption of the proton gradient across the thylakoid membrane may prevent a sustained photobiological H(2) evolution due to a shortfall of ATP generation essential for the maintenance and repair functions of the cells.     

Interaction of N,N,N',N'-tetramethyl-p-phenylenediamine with photosystem II as revealed by thermoluminescence: reduction of the higher oxidation states of the Mn cluster and displacement of plastoquinone from the Q(B) niche

The flash-induced thermoluminescence (TL) technique was used to investigate the action of N,N,N',N'-tetramethyl-p-phenylenediamine (TMPD) on charge recombination in photosystem II (PSII). Addition of low concentrations (muM range) of TMPD to thylakoid samples strongly decreased the yield of TL emanating from S(2)Q(B)(-) and S(3)Q(B)(-) (B-band), S(2)Q(A)(-) (Q-band), and Y(D)(+)Q(A)(-) (C-band) charge pairs. Further, the temperature-dependent decline in the amplitude of chlorophyll fluorescence after a flash of white light was strongly retarded by TMPD when measured in the presence of 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea (DCMU). Though the period-four oscillation of the B-band emission was conserved in samples treated with TMPD, the flash-dependent yields (Y(n)) were strongly declined. This coincided with an upshift in the maximum yield of the B-band in the period-four oscillation to the next flash. The above characteristics were similar to the action of the ADRY agent, carbonylcyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP). Simulation of the B-band oscillation pattern using the integrated Joliot-Kok model of the S-state transitions and binary oscillations of Q(B) confirmed that TMPD decreased the initial population of PSII centers with an oxidized plastoquinone molecule in the Q(B) niche. It was deduced that the action of TMPD was similar to CCCP, TMPD being able to compete with plastoquinone for binding at the Q(B)-site and to reduce the higher S-states of the Mn cluster.     

Regulation of nitrate and nitrite reduction in barley leaves

Reduction of nitrate and accumulation of nitrite were studied in barley (Hordeum vulgare L. cv. Gars Clipper ex Napier) leaf sections in the dark and in the light, under aerobic (air and mixtures of O₂ and N₂) or anaerobic (N₂) conditions. Oxygen prevented nitrite accumulation but had no effect on accumulated or infiltrated nitrite. Most of the nitrite accumulated under dark-anaerobic conditions was in the "cytoplasmic" (the cell section between the plasma lemma and the tonoplast) fraction of the tissue. Reduction of nitrate was stimulated by 2, 4-dinitrophenol in tissue under dark-air and by 3-(3', 4'-dichlorophenyl)-l, l-dimethyl urea (DCMU) and carbonyl cyanide m -chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP) in tissue under all environmental conditions studied. Nitrite accumulated in the light in DCMU-treated tissue under N₂ or under aerobic conditions in the presence of CCCP. On its own, CCCP did not promote accumulation of nitrite in leaf sections under light-air. A model for the reduction of nitrate and nitrite is proposed.     

Über die energetische Kopplung der Nitritassimilation von Grünalgen an Atmung und Photosynthese

Summary Inhibitors and uncouplers of phosphorylation, i.e., arsenate, 2.4-dinitrophenol (DNP), pentachlorophenol (PCP), and carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP), inhibit the assimilation of nitrite by the green alga Ankistrodesmus braunii in the dark and in the light. In a medium containing nitrate, these inhibitors interrupt nitrate reduction at the level of nitrite. In phosphatedeficient algae, the assimilation of nitrite can be decreased by a concomitant, energy-dependent uptake of chloride and phosphate ions. These results support the assumption that high-energy phosphate is required for the assimilation of nitrite.CO₂ and glucose (after pre-illumination) increase nitrite assimilation in the light. Photosynthetic nitrite reduction is inhibited by 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethyl urea (DCMU), an inhibitor of oxygen evolution, and by disalicylidene-propanediamine-(1,3) (DSPD), an inhibitor of the photosynthetic reduction of ferredoxin.

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Abkürzungen CCCP Carbonylcyanid-m-chlorphenylhydrazon - DCMU 3-(3,4-Dichlorphenyl)-1,1-dimethylharnstoff - DNP 2,4-Dinitrophenol - DSPD Disalicylidenpropandiamin-(1,3) - PCP Pentachlorphenol - JAA Jodacetamid     

The effect of the uncoupler carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone on K+ transport,ATP level and intracellular pH of Chlorella fusca

1. Low concentrations of the uncoupler carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP) induced net K⁺ uptake by Chlorella fusca, optimal concentrations being 3 μM CCCP in the light and 1 μM CCCP in the dark. Higher concentrations increasingly stimulated K⁺ release. 2. Measurements of the unidirectional K⁺ fluxes showed that CCCP-induced net K⁺ uptake in the light was mainly a consequence of an inhibition of efflux. In the dark, influx was slightly stimulated in addition. 3. In conditions of CCCP-induced net K⁺ uptake, the ATP level was decreased by less than 10%. With higher CCCP concentrations it fell drastically. 4. By means of the 5,5-dimethyloxazolidine-2,4-dione distribution technique, an acidification of the cell interior on the addition of CCCP was found. 5. It is concluded that uncoupler-induced net K⁺ uptake is due to an enhanced proton leakage into the cell across the plasmalemma. Intracellular acidification by this process stimulates ATP-dependent K⁺/H⁺ exchange which, in itself, is not affected at low uncoupler concentrations.     

Sulphate Influx in Characean Cells: II. LINKS WITH LIGHT AND METABOLISM IN CHARA AUSTRALIS

Light filters and metabolic inhibitors have been used to investigatefurther the active transport of sulphate into Chara australis.Two states of influx, light (basal) and dark (transiently stimulated),have been described. The stimulated state noted on transferto dark has been found when the incident intensity of monochromaticlight is reduced, and when photosystem 2 in photosynthesis isinhibited, either by use of cut-ofT filters or by DCMU. Thelight influx is insensitive to CCCP when photosynthetic ¹⁴CO₂fixation is totally inhibited, and is less sensitive to DNPthan the dark influx. Dark influx is inhibited by CCCP, DNP,and NaCN but is insensitive to DCMU. It is proposed that a respiratoryATP source may be sufficient energy supply for sulphate influxand that the state of influx is under separate control. It issuggested that a ‘triggering’ mechanism may bringabout the change from the light- to the dark-influx state.     

Energy coupling in the active transport of proline and glutamate by the photosynthetic halophile Ectothiorhodospira halophila.

When illuminated, washed cell suspensions of Ectothiorhodospira halophila carry out a concentrative uptake of glutamate or proline. Dark-exposed cells accumulate glutamate but not proline. Proline transport was strongly inhibited by carbonylcyanide-m-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP), a proton permeant that uncouples photophosphorylation, and by 2-heptyl-4-hydroxyquinoline-n-oxide (HQNO), an inhibitor of photosynthetic electron transport. A stimulation of proline uptake was effected by N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCCD), an inhibitor of membrane adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) which catalyzes the phosphorylation. These findings suggest that the driving force for proline transport is the proton-motive force established during photosynthetic electron transport. Glutamate uptake in the light was inhibited by CCCP and HQNO, but to a lesser extent than was the proline system. DCCD caused a mild inhibition of glutamate uptake in the light, but strongly inhibited the uptake by dark-exposed cells. CCCP strongly inhibited glutamate uptake in the dark. The light-dependent transport of glutamate is apparently driven by the proton-motive force established during photosynthetic electron transport. Hydrolysis of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) by membrane ATPase apparently establishes the proton-motive force to drive the light-independent transport. These conclusions were supported by demonstrating that light- or dark-exposed cells accumulate [3H]triphenylmethylphosphonium, a lipid-soluble cation. Several lines of indirect evidence indicated that the proline system required higher levels of energy than did the glutamate system(s). This could explain why ATP hydrolysis does not drive proline transport in the dark. Membrane vesicles were prepared by the sonic treatment of E. halophila spheroplasts. The vesicles contained active systems for the uptake of proline and glutamate.     

Kinetics of chlorophyll fluorescence at 77 K in Chlorella and chloroplasts. Effects of CCCP,ferricyanide and DCMU

The kinetics of chlorophyll fluorescence at 77 K were studied in Chlorella cells and spinach chloroplasts.During a first illumination, the rise is polyphasic with at least three phases. The slowest one is irreversible and corresponds to the cytochrome oxidation.The dark regeneration of half the variable fluorescence is biphasic, the fast phase being inhibited by 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea (DCMU) both in Chlorella and chloroplasts.The fluorescence rise during a second illumination is still biphasic.Carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP) slows down the fluorescence rise in Chlorella but has no effect on the dark regeneration. It does not affect the fluorescence of chloroplasts.Ferricyanide which oxidizes cytochrome b-559 at room temperature produces a quenching of the variable fluorescence and an acceleration of the fluorescence rise during the first illumination.Our results fit the idea of the heterogeneity of the Photosystem II centers at low temperature.     

Effects of uncoupling of mitochondrial energy conservation on the ultradian clock-driven oscillations in Saccharomyces cerevisiae continuous culture

Protonophores have several different perturbative effects on dissolved O2 concentrations in continuous cultures of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. As well as uncoupling energy conservation from mitochondrial electron transport in vivo, they reset ultradian clock-driven respiratory oscillations and produce cell cycle effects. Thus, additions at low concentration (1.25 microM) of either m-chlorocarbonyl-cyanide phenylhydrazone (CCCP) or 5-chloro-3-t-butyl-2-chloro-4(1)-nitrosalicylanilide (S13) led to phase resetting of the 48 min ultradian clock-driven respiratory oscillations. At 2.5 microM CCCP or 4 microM S13, transient inhibition of oscillatory respiration (for 5 h) preceded synchronisation of the cell division cycle seen as a slow (9 h period) wave that enveloped the 48 min oscillation. At still higher concentrations of CCCP (5 microM), the cell division cycle was prolonged by about 7 h, and during this phase, the respiratory oscillation became undetectable. The significance of these observations with respect to the time-keeping functions of the ultradian clock is discussed.     

Ca~(2 )-Calmodulin is Involved in Betacyanin Accumulation Induced by Dark in C_3 Halophyte Suaeda salsa

The C_3 halophyte Suaeda salsa was used to investigate the roles of Ca~(2 ),Ca~(2 )channels,and calmodulin(CAM)in betacyaninmetabolism.Seeds of S.salsa were cultured in both the dark and light for 3 days.The fresh weight and betacyanin contentwere much higher in S.salsa seedlings formed in the dark than in seedlings formed in the light.The addition of Ca~(2 )tothe half-strength MS nutrient solution promoted betacyanin accumulation in the dark,whereas Ca~(2 )depletion by EGTAsuppressed the dark-induced betacyanin accumulation in shoots of S.salsa.The Ca~(2 )channel blocker LaCl_3 also inhibiteddark-induced betacyanin accumulation.The highest activity of CaM and the maximum betacyanin content decreased by51% and 45%,respectively,in shoots of S.salsa seedlings treated with the potent CaM antagonist chlorpromazine in thedark.Furthermore,the other CaM antagonist N-(6-aminohexyl)-5-chloro-1-naphthalenesulfonamide(W-7)also inhibited theactivity of CaM and dark-dependent betacyanin accumulation,whereas its less active structural analog N-(6-aminohexyl)-1-naphthalenesulfonamide(W-5)had little effect on the responses to dark of S.salsa seedlings.These results suggest thatCa~(2 ),Ca~(2 )-regulated ion channels,and CaM play an important role in dark-induced betacyanin accumulation in the shootsof the C_3 halophyte S.salsa.