Effects of Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors on Proton Exchange and Photosynthesis in Pea Protoplasts

At concentrations of 100–200 M, ethoxyzolamide, a lipophilic inhibitor of carbonic anhydrase, considerably (by 60%) inhibited light-induced CO₂-dependent oxygen evolution in pea protoplasts at the optimum concentration of inorganic carbon (100 M CO₂) in the medium. At the same concentrations of the inhibitor, electron transport in isolated pea thylakoids was inhibited only by 6–9%. Acetazolamide, a water-soluble inhibitor of carbonic anhydrase, affected neither the rate of CO₂-dependent O₂evolution in protoplasts nor electron transport in thylakoid membranes. A light-dependent proton uptake by protoplasts was demonstrated. At pH 7.2, the induction kinetics and the rate of proton uptake were similar to those for CO₂-dependent O₂evolution. The rate of proton uptake was decreased twofold by 1 mM acetazolamide. This fact agrees with the notion that a membrane-bound carbonic anhydrase is operative in the plasma membrane of higher plant cells. A mechanism of its functioning is suggested. Possible functions of carbonic anhydrases in the cells of C₃-plants are discussed.     

Compartmentation of labeled fixation products in intact mesophyll protoplasts from Avena sativa L. after in-situ inhibition of the chloroplast phosphate translocator

Leaf mesophyll protoplasts of oat (Avena sativa L.) were allowed to fix ¹⁴C-labeled bicarbonate in the absence or presence of pyridoxal phosphate (PLP), a specific inhibitor of the phosphate translocator of the inner envelope membrane of chloroplasts. The incubation was terminated by a method of rapid integrated protoplast homogenization and fractionation, and compartmented levels of label contained in sugars, phosphate esters, amino acids and organic acids were determined. The results show that the addition of PLP to a suspension of intact protoplasts causes an accumulation of phosphate esters in the chloroplasts stroma for up to 2.5 min of incubation, with a corresponding decrease in the cytosol. Prolonged treatment of protoplasts with PLP in the light resulted in a decrease of starch-associated label, combined with higher levels of labeled sugars in the cytosol, indicating a switch from phosphorolytic to hydrolytic starch degradation. Together with the determination of pool sizes of triose phosphates and of inorganic phosphate, the results demonstrate that the method employed is an important tool in investigating processes of intracellular regulation. They are discussed with respect to the permeability and possible side reactions of PLP, as well as in the light of reports on PLP action on isolated chloroplasts.Abbreviations P_i orthophosphate - PLP pyridoxal 5-phosphate - TP triosephosphate     

Endogenous nitric oxide generation in protoplast chloroplasts

Key message

NO generation is studied in the protoplast chloroplasts. NO, ONOO ^? and ROS (O ₂ ^? and H ₂ O ₂ ) are generated in chloroplasts. Nitric oxide synthase-like protein appears to be involved in NO generation.

Abstract

Nitric oxide stimulates chlorophyll biosynthesis and chloroplast differentiation. The present study was conducted to better understand the process of NO generation in the leaf chloroplasts and protoplasts. NO, peroxynitrite and superoxide anion were investigated in the protoplasts and isolated chloroplasts using specific dyes, confocal laser scanning and light microscopy. The level of NO was highest after protoplast isolation and subsequently decreased during culture. Suppression of NO signal in the presence of PTIO, suggests that diaminofluorescein-2 diacetate (DAF-2DA) detected NO. Detection of peroxynitrite, a reaction product of NO and superoxide anion, further suggests NO generation. Moreover, generation of NO and peroxynitrite in the chloroplasts of wild-type Arabidopsis and their absence or weak signals in the leaf-derived protoplasts of Atnoa1 mutants confirmed the reactivity of DAF-2DA and aminophenyl fluorescein to NO and peroxynitrite, respectively. Isolated chloroplasts also showed signal of NO. Suppression of NO signal in the presence of 100 μM nitric oxide synthase inhibitors [l-NNA, Nω-nitro-l-arginine and PBIT, S,S′-1,3-phenylene-bis(1,2-ethanediyl)-bis-isothiourea] revealed that nitric oxide synthase-like system is involved in NO synthesis. Suppression of NO signal in the protoplasts isolated in the presence of cycloheximide suggests de novo synthesis of NO generating protein during the process of protoplast isolation. Furthermore, the lack of inhibition of NO production by sodium tungstate (250 μM) and inhibition by l-NNA, and PBIT suggest involvement NOS-like protein, but not nitrate reductase, in NO generation in the leaf chloroplasts and protoplasts.     

A rapid method for isolation of purified,physiologically active chloroplasts,used to study the intracellular distribution of amino acids in pea leaves

A procedure is described for the rapid (<5 min) isolation of purified, physiologically active chloroplasts from Pisum sativum L. Mitochondrial and microbody contamination is substantially reduced and broken chloroplasts are excluded by washing through a layer containing a treated silica sol. On average the preparations contain 93% intact chloroplasts and show high rates of ¹⁴CO₂ fixation and CO₂-dependent O₂ evolution (over 100 mol/mg chlorophyll(chl)/h); they are also able to carry out light-driven incorporation of leucine into protein (4 nmol/mg chl/h). The amino-acid contents of chloroplasts prepared from leaves and from leaf protoplasts have been determined. Asparagine is the most abundant amino acid in the pea chloroplast (>240 nmol/mg chl), even thought it is proportionately lower in the chloroplast relative to the rest of the cell. The chloroplasts contain about 20% of many of the amino acids of the cell, but for individual amino acids the percentage in the chloroplast ranges from 8 to 40% of the cell total. Glutamic acid, glutamine and aspartic acid are enriched in the chloroplasts, while asparagine, homoserine and -(isoxazolin-5-one-2-yl)-alanine are relatively lower. Leakage of amino acids from the chloroplast during preparation or repeated washing was ca. 20%. Some differences exist between the amino-acid composition of chloroplasts isolated from intact leaves and from protoplasts. In particular, -aminobutyric acid accumulates to high levels, while homoserine and glutamic acid decrease, during protoplast formation and breakage.     

The effects of oligomycin on content of adenylates in mesophyll protoplasts,chloroplasts and mitochondria from Pb<Superscript>2+</Superscript> treated pea and barley leaves

The effects of oligomycin on photosynthesis and respiration in relation to ATP production in chloroplasts and mitochondria were investigated in protoplasts isolated from the detached pea (Pisum sativum L cv. Iłowiecki.) and barley (Hordeum vulgare L. cv. Gunilla) leaves treated 5 mM Pb(NO₃)₂. The oligomycin (OM), an inhibitor of oxidative phosphorylation at 0.1 μM concentration caused the inhibition of photosynthesis rate in the protoplasts from both the control and the Pb-treated pea leaves. The respiration rate and ATP/ADP ratio in the protoplasts and the activity of ATPase in mitochondria, were also diminished in the control protoplasts. These effects were not observed in the protoplasts and mitochondria isolated from the Pb-treated leaves. Oligomycin, an inhibitor of photophosphorylation at 10 μM concentration decreased ATPase activity in chloroplasts from both the control and the Pb- treated leaves. Using the method of rapid fractionation of barley protoplasts it was shown that the ATP/ADP ratio in the mitochondria from Pb-treated leaves was largely suppressed (from 1.8 to 0.4) by OM under nonphotorespiratory conditions (high CO₂), whereas under photorespiratory conditions (low CO₂) this ratio was high (5.3) and under OM decreased less (to 3.1). Our results indicate that oligomycin, in organelle isolated from Pb-treated leaves, had no inhibitory effect on the mitochondrial ATPase, whereas it inhibited chloroplasts ATPase. We suggest that Pb ions affected the catalytic cycle and/or conformational changes of ATPase in pea chloroplasts differently than in mitochondria. The differences in Pb responses may reflect fine mechanisms for the regulation of ATP production in the plant cells under stress conditions.     

Phosphorus-carbon(pyridyl) bond cleavage on reacting diphenyl-2-pyridylphosphine with triiron dodecacarbonyl

The reaction of [Fe₃(CO)₁₂] with diphenyl-2-pyridylphosphine (PPh₂Py) in refluxing toluene for 1 h afforded three compounds, [Fe₂(CO)₆(μ-PPh₂)(μ-κ²-C,N-C₅H₄N)] (1), [Fe(CO)₄(κ¹-P-PPh₂Py)] (2), and [Fe(CO)₃(κ¹-P-PPh₂Py)₂] (3) in 23%, 10% and 3.5% yields after work-up, respectively. The PPh₂Py ligand acts as a terminal P-donor ligand in 2 and 3, while in 1 it underwent a selective phosphorus-carbon(pyridyl) bond cleavage to afford phosphido- and pyridyl-bridged ligands. The complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, FAB-mass, FTIR, ¹H and ³¹P-{¹H}NMR spectroscopies. Compounds 1 and 2 were also characterized by X-ray single crystal.     

Photosynthesis of leaf cell protoplasts and permeability of the plasmalemma to some solutes

Photosynthesis was measured in mesophyll protoplasts isolated from spinach leaves. Under high intensity illumination and in the presence of 21% O₂, half-saturation of photosynthesis by CO₂ required CO₂ concentrations between 8 and 12 μm at different pH values of the suspending medium. Concentrations of HCO ₃ ^- needed for half-saturation increased correspondingly with the pH of the media. The pH profile of protoplast photosynthesis was much broader than that of CO₂ assimilation by isolated chloroplasts. The data indicate that leaf cells possess mechanisms to maintain considerable differences between external and internal pH over prolonged periods of time. Protoplast photosynthesis was inhibited by nitrite, acetate and bicarbonate; inhibition was more pronounced at low than at high pH and was attributed to stroma acidification. Nitrite was reduced in the light by protoplasts and chloroplasts. At pH 7.6, the apparent K_m NO ₂ ^- was about 0.6 mM for chloroplasts and 25 mM for protoplasts. Approximate permeability coefficients for NO ₂ ^- and HNO₂ were calculated from nitrite-dependent oxygen evolution at low nitrite concentrations, known nitrite or HNO₂ gradients, data on the surface area of protoplasts and chloroplasts and the pH profile of nitrite inhibition of photosynthesis. The membrane potential was assumed to be-100 mV. For the chloroplast envelope, permeability coefficients were 1.5·10^-3 ms^-1 (HNO₂) and 2·10^-8 ms^-1 (NO ₂ ^- ) and for the plasmalemma 4·10^-5 ms^-1 (HNO₂) and 5·10^-10 ms^-1 (NO ₂ ^- ). The values calculated for anion penetration probably represent upper limits of permeability. The protoplasts appeared to be largely impermeable to phosphate and phosphate esters. A rapid metabolic response of cells or cellular strands to added anionic substrates such as phosphate esters as reported in the literature appears to be possible only in damaged cells. It requires the presence of open channels between the cytosol and external medium.     

Permeability properties of peroxisomal membranes from yeasts

We have studied the permeability properties of intact peroxisomes and purified peroxisomal membranes from two methylotrophic yeasts. After incorporation of sucrose and dextran in proteoliposomes composed of asolectin and peroxisomal membranes isolated from the yeasts Hansenula polymorpha and Candida boidinii a selective leakage of sucrose occurred indicating that the peroxisomal membranes were permeable to small molecules. Since the permeability of yeast peroxisomal membranes in vitro may be due to the isolation procedure employed, the osmotic stability of peroxisomes was tested during incubations of intact protoplasts in hypotonic media. Mild osmotic swelling of the protoplasts also resulted in swelling of the peroxisomes present in these cells but not in a release of their matrix proteins. The latter was only observed when the integrity of the cells was disturbed due to disruption of the cell membrane during further lowering of the concentration of the osmotic stabilizer. Stability tests with purified peroxisomes indicated that this leak of matrix proteins was not associated with the permeability to sucrose. Various attempts to mimic the in vivo situation and generate a proton motive force across the peroxisomal membranes in order to influence the permeability properties failed. Two different proton pumps were used for this purpose namely bacteriorhodopsin (BR) and reaction center-light-harvesting complex I (RCLH_I complex). After introduction of BR into the membrane of intact peroxisomes generation of a pH-gradient was not or barely detectable. Since this pump readily generated a pH-gradient in pure liposomes, these results strengthened the initial observations on the leakiness of the peroxisomal membrane fragments. Generation of a membrane potential () was also not observed when RCLH_I complex was introduced into vesicles of purified peroxisomal membranes. The significance of the observed permeability of isolated yeast peroxisomal membranes to small molecules with respect to current and future in vitro import studies is discussed.Abbreviations CL cardiolinin - PE phosphatidylethanolamine - PC phosphatidylcholine - MES 2-(N-Morpholino)ethanesulfonic acid - R₁₈ octadecyl Rhodamine B Chloride - SUVs small unilamellar vesicles - RCLH_I-complex reaction center-light-harvesting complex I - BR bacteriorhodopsin - DCCD N,N-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide     

Neighbouring metal induced oxidative addition at the iron centre amongst the iron-arylpyridylphosphine complexes

Complexes of the type (η⁴-BuC₅H₅)Fe(CO)₂(P) (P = PPh₂Py 3, PPhPy₂4, PPy₃5; Py = 2-pyridyl) were satisfactorily prepared. Upon treatment of 3 with M(CO)₃(EtCN)₃ (M = Mo, 6a; W, 6b), the pyridyl N-atom could be coordinated to the metal M, which then eliminates a CO ligand from the Fe-centre and induced an oxidative addition of the endo-C-H of (η⁴-BuC₅H₅). This results in a bridged hydrido heterodimetallic complex [(η⁵-BuC₅H₄)Fe(CO)(μ-P,N-PPh₂Py)(μ-H)M(CO)₄] (M = Mo, 7a, 81%; W, 7b, 76%). The reaction of 4 or 5 with 6a,b did not give the induced oxidative addition, although these complexes contain more than one pyridyl N-atom. The reaction of 4 with M(CO)₄(EtCN)₂ (M = Mo, 9a; W, 9b) produced heterodimetallic complexes [(η⁴-BuC₅H₅)Fe(CO)₂(μ-P:N,N′-PPhPy₂)M(CO)₄] (M = Mo, 10a, 81%; W, 10b, 83%). Treatment of 5 with 6a,b gave [(η⁴-BuC₅H₅)Fe(CO)₂(μ-P:N,N′,N″-PPy₃)M(CO)₃] (M = Mo, 12a, 96%; W, 12b, 78%).     

Two types of PS II centres as manifested by light saturation of delayed fluorescence from DCMU-treated chloroplasts

Intensity of 2 s delayed fluorescence (DF) as a function of steady-state actinic light intensity was investigated in pea chloroplasts in the presence of 10 M DCMU. The light saturation curve of DF was approximated by a sum of two hyperbolic components which differ by an order of magnitude in the half-saturating incident light intensity. The relative contribution of the amplitudes of the components was practically independent of cation (Na⁺ and Mg²⁺) concentration and a short-term heating of the chloroplasts at 45°C. The component saturating at low incident light intensity was selectively suppressed by 100 M DCMU or by 1 mol g^-1 Chl oleic acid. DF intensity following excitation by a single saturating 15 s flash was equal to the intensity of the component saturating at a low incident light intensity. Upon flash excitation, the maximum steady-state DF level was found to be attained only after a series of saturating flashes. It is concluded that the two components of the DF light saturation curves are related to PS II centres heterogeneity in quantum yield of stabilization of the reduced primary quinone acceptor.Abbreviations DF Delayed fluorescence - L₁- and L₂-components DF components saturating at low and high incident light intensity, respectively - I incident light intensity - L DF intensity - P₆₈₀ reaction centre chlorophyll of PS II - Q_A and Q_B primary and secondary quinone acceptors of PS II, respectively     

Differential positioning of chloroplasts in C4 mesophyll and bundle sheath cells

Chloroplast photorelocation movement is extensively studied in C₃ but not C₄ plants. C₄ plants have two types of photosynthetic cells: mesophyll and bundle sheath cells. Mesophyll chloroplasts are randomly distributed along cell walls, whereas bundle sheath chloroplasts are located close to the vascular tissues or mesophyll cells depending on the plant species. The cell-specific C₄ chloroplast arrangement is established during cell maturation, and is maintained throughout the life of the cell. However, only mesophyll chloroplasts can change their positions in response to environmental stresses. The migration pattern is unique to C₄ plants and differs from that of C₃ chloroplasts. in this mini-review, we highlight the cell-specific disposition of chloroplasts in C₄ plants and discuss the possible physiological significances.Key words: abscisic acid, aggregative movement, avoidance movement, blue light, bundle sheath cell, C₄ plant, chloroplast, cytoskeleton, environmental stress, mesophyll cellChloroplasts can change their intracellular positions to optimize photosynthetic activity and/or reduce photodamage occurring in response to light irradiation. On treating with high-intensity light, the chloroplasts move away from the light to minimize photodamage (avoidance response). Meanwhile, on irradiating with low-intensity light, they move toward the light source to maximize photosynthesis (accumulation response). These chloroplast-photorelocation movements are observed in a wide variety of plant species from green algae to seed plants,^1–3 although little attention has been paid to C₄ plants. There is a report stating that monocotyledonous C₄ plants showed changes in the light transmission of leaves in response to blue light,⁴ although the direction of migration of the chloroplasts is not described.C₄ plants have two types of photosynthetic cells: mesophyll (M) cells and bundle sheath (BS) cells, which have numerous well-developed chloroplasts. BS cells surround the vascular tissues, while M cells encircle the cylinders of the BS cells (Fig. 1). The C₄ dicarboxylate cycle of photosynthetic carbon assimilation is distributed between the two cell types, and acts as a CO₂ pump to concentrate CO₂ in the BS chloroplasts.^5,6 C₄ plants are divided into three subtypes on the basis of decarboxylating enzymes: NADP-malic enzyme (ME), NAD-ME and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase. Although the M chloroplasts of all C₄ species are randomly distributed along the cell walls, BS chloroplasts are located either in a centripetal (close to the vascular tissue) or in a centrifugal (close to M cells) position, depending on the species (Fig. 1A).⁷ Thus, C₄ M and BS cells have different systems for chloroplast positioning: an M cell-specific system for dispersing chloroplasts and a BS cell-specific system for holding chloroplasts in a centripetal or centrifugal disposition.Open in a separate windowFigure 1The intracellular arrangement of chloroplasts in finger millet (Eleusine coracana), an NAD-ME-type C₄ plant. (A) Light micrograph of a transverse section of a leaf blade from a control plant. Bundle sheath (BS) cells surround the vascular tissues, while mesophyll (M) cells encircle the cylinders of the BS cells. BS chloroplasts are well developed, and are located in a centripetal position, whereas M chloroplasts are randomly distributed along the cell walls. B, bundle sheath cell; M, mesophyll cell; V, vascular bundle. (B) Transverse section of a leaf blade from a drought-stressed plant. Most M chloroplasts are aggregatively distributed toward the BS side, while the centripetal arrangement of BS chloroplasts is unchanged. (C and D) Transverse sections of leaf segments irradiated with blue light of intensity 500 µmol m⁻² s⁻¹ with or without 30 µM ABA for 8 h (C and D, respectively). The adaxial side of each leaf section (upper side in the photograph) was illuminated. In the absence of ABA, M chloroplasts exhibited avoidance movement on the illuminated side and aggregative movement on the opposite side. In the presence of ABA, aggregative movement was observed on both sides. Scale bars = 50 µm.     

Synthesis and characterization of ruthenium(II) complexes based on diphenyl-2-pyridylphosphine and their applications in transfer hydrogenation of ketones

Synthesis and characterization of the ruthenium complexes [RuH(CO)Cl(κ¹-P-PPh₂Py)₂(PPh₃)] (1) and [Ru(CO)Cl₂(κ¹-P-PPh₂Py)(κ²-P-N-PPh₂Py)] (2) containing diphenyl-2-pyridylphosphine (PPh₂Py) are described. Spectral and structural data suggested linkage of the PPh₂Py in κ¹-P bonding mode in 1 and both the κ¹-P and κ²-P-N bonding modes in 2. The complex 1 reacted with N,N-donor bases viz., ethylenediamine (en), N,N′-dimethyl-(ethylenediamine) (dimen), 1,3-diaminopropane (diap), 2,2′-bipyridine (bipy), 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) and di-2-pyridylaminomethylbenzene (dpa) to afford cationic complexes of formulation [RuH(CO)(κ¹-P-PPh₂Py)₂(N-N)]⁺ (3-8) [N-N = en, 3; dimen, 4; diap, 5; bipy, 6; phen, 7; and dpa, 8], which have been isolated as their tetrafluoroborate salts. The complexes under investigation have been characterized by elemental analyses, spectroscopic and electrochemical studies. Molecular structures of 2, 3, 6, and 8 have been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. Further, the complexes 1-8 act as effective precursor catalyst in transfer hydrogenation of acetophenone/ketones in basic 2-propanol.     

Chloroplast envelopes as affected by light or dark pretreatment of pea plants

Glutaraldehyde fixation in 0.33 M sorbitol without any buffer reveals changes in the staining properties of the envelopes of chloroplasts of pea plants kept in the light or in the dark prior to fixation. After dark pretreatment the outer double membrane of the chloroplast does not adsorb heavy metals, resulting in a white unstained rim instead of the usual membrane. All other membranes of the cell, including chloroplast grana, are not affected and stain normally. Light pretreatment of the plants allows the usual staining of the outer membrane of the chloroplats. Fixation carried out in the medium usually used to isolate intact CO₂ fixing chloroplasts (sorbitol+buffer+ions) reverses the above process and results in unstained envelopes of chloroplasts from preilluminated leaves, while the envelopes of chloroplasts from leaves kept in the dark stain normally. Glutaraldehyde-fixed chloroplats isolated from preilluminated leaves show a very basic isoelectric point during electrofocusing, while fixed chloroplasts from predarkened tissue exhibit an isoelectric point at about pH 7.     

Raising the cytosolic Ca2+ concentration increases the membrane capacitance of maize coleoptile protoplasts: Evidence for Ca2+-stimulated exocytosis

Enhanced elongation of coleoptile cells has been proposed to be related to a rise in secretory activity. Therefore, to obtain a direct measurement of exocytotic events in maize (Zea mays L.) coleoptile protoplasts we used the patch-clamp method to record changes in membrane capacitance (Cm) as a parameter proportional to fluctuations of the membrane surface area. The secretory activity of protoplasts was correlated with the cytosolic free Ca²⁺ concentration ([Ca²⁺]_cyt): dialyzing protoplasts with 1 M [Ca²⁺]_cyt caused a steady rise in Cm of 3.3 ± pF·s^–1. In contrast, dialysis with a solution containing <20 nM Ca²⁺ produced a small and persistent decrease in Cm. This demonstrates that secretory activity in coleoptile cells can be controlled by factors which modulate [Ca²⁺]_cyt.Abbreviation Cm membrane capacitance This work was made possible by a visiting grant from the Research Council of Slovenia and financial support of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft to G.T. We are grateful to Dr. W. Diekmann (University of Göttingen) for teaching us the preparation of coleoptile protoplasts.     

On the mechanism of formation and spectral properties of radical anions generated by the reduction of -[Re(CO)3(5-nitro-1,10-phenanthroline)] and -[Re(CO)3(3,4,7,8-tetramethyl-1,10-phenanthroline)] pendants in poly-4-vinylpyridine polymers

The electrochemical reduction in aprotic media of -[Re^I(CO)₃L]⁺ pendants in poly-4-vinylpyridine polymers is compared to that of [Re^I(CO)₃L]⁺ complexes (L = 5-nitro-1,10-phenanthroline and 3,4,7,8-tetramethyl-1,10-phenanthroline). The UV-Vis absorption spectra of the reduced radical anions of 5-nitro-1,10-phenanthroline (NO₂-phen) and 3,4,7,8-tetramethyl-1,10-phenanthroline (tmphen) were obtained by spectro-electrochemistry of [Re^I(CO)₃(NO₂-phen)(CH₃CN)]⁺ and [Re^I(CO)₃(tmphen)(CH₃CN)]⁺, respectively. Similar spectra were obtained for the radical anions -phen and tmphen⁻ after pulse radiolysis experiments with -[Re^I(CO)₃L]⁺-containing polymers. The analysis of the time-resolved difference spectra was performed using “multivariate curve resolution” (MCR) techniques. Unlike , CH₂OH radicals were unable to reduce tmphen ligands. The reaction of and/or CH₂OH with -[Re^I(CO)₃(NO₂-phen)]⁺-containing polymers generates -[Re^I(CO)₃(-phen)] pendants which after disproportionation give rise to products with λ_max = 380 nm. The kinetic behavior of -[Re^I(CO)₃(-phen)] pendants under different experimental conditions is discussed.     

Oxidative addition of methyl iodide to [Rh(CO)2I]2: synthesis, structure and reactivity of neutral rhodium acetyl complexes, [Rh(CO)(NCR)(COMe)I2]2

Reaction of [Rh(CO)₂I]₂ (1) with MeI in nitrile solvents gives the neutral acetyl complexes, [Rh(CO)(NCR)(COMe)I₂]₂ (R=Me, 3a; ^tBu, 3b; vinyl, 3c; allyl, 3d). Dimeric, iodide-bridged structures have been confirmed by X-ray crystallography for 3a and 3b. The complexes are centrosymmetric with approximate octahedral geometry about each Rh centre. The iodide bridges are asymmetric, with Rh-(μ-I) trans to acetyl longer than Rh-(μ-I) trans to terminal iodide. In coordinating solvents, 3a forms mononuclear complexes, [Rh(CO)(sol)₂(COMe)I₂] (sol=MeCN, MeOH). Complex 3a reacts with pyridine to give [Rh(CO)(py)(COMe)I₂]₂ and [Rh(CO)(py)₂(COMe)I₂] and with chelating diphosphines to give [Rh(Ph₂P(CH₂)_nPPh₂)(COMe)I₂] (n=2, 3, 4). Addition of MeI to [Ir(CO)₂(NCMe)I] is two orders of magnitude slower than to [Ir(CO)₂I₂]⁻. A mechanism for the reaction of 1 with MeI in MeCN is proposed, involving initial bridge cleavage by solvent to give [Rh(CO)₂(NCMe)I] and participation of the anion [Rh(CO)₂I₂]⁻ as a reactive intermediate. The possible role of neutral Rh(III) species in the mechanism of Rh-catalysed methanol carbonylation is discussed.     

Effects of prostaglandins e(2) and f(2alpha) on the electrofusion of pea mesophyll protoplasts

The effects of prostaglandins E₂ and F_2α on the electrofusion of pea (Pisum sativum cv Ran 1) mesophyll protoplasts were examined. Prostaglandins E₂ and F_2α influenced electrofusion by lowering the threshold voltage necessary for fusion of dielectrophoretically arranged pairs of protoplasts. The direct current voltage threshold decreased with increasing Ca²⁺ concentration up to 0.1 millimolar CaCl₂ and the effects of prostaglandins E₂ and F_2α were more pronounced when CaCl₂ was present in the medium. Treatment with calcium channel blocker methoxy verapamil did not change the prostaglandin effects, while the addition of ethyleneglycol-bis (β-aminoethyl either)-N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetic acid, which binds free Ca²⁺, increased the threshold voltage. Influence of prostaglandins E₂ and F_2α and Ca²⁺ on the membrane fluidity was investigated by analysis of pyrene fluorescence spectra. The values of the ratio between the maximum fluorescence emission intensities of the excimer and the monomer forms (I_ex/I_mon) indicated that prostaglandins and Ca²⁺ decrease the membrane fluidity. It is proposed that electrically evoked displacement of plasmalemma components takes part in the fusion process (U Zimmermann 1982 Biochim Biophys Acta 694: 227-277). We suggest that prostaglandins E₂ and F_2α facilitate the electrofusion of pea mesophyll protoplasts by changing the fluidity of plasmalemma.