固氮红细菌(Rhodobacter azotoforman)色素蛋白复合体的分离纯化与特性

【目的】为揭示不产氧光合细菌产氢菌株色素蛋白复合体(PPC)色素组成和含量与光合放氢的关系奠定基础。【方法】以PPC特征光谱为检测指标,采用硫酸铵分级分离、DEAE-纤维素层析、吸收光谱和SDS-PAGE等方法进行了固氮红细菌(Rhodobacter azotoformans,R.azotoformans)R7产氢菌株PPC的分离纯化、纯度分析和鉴定;采用表面增强激光解吸电离离子飞行时间质谱、HPLC-MS和荧光光谱法对其中一种PPC进行了组成分析和能量传递活性测定。【结果】从R7菌株获得了3种纯化的PPC,1种为反应中心与中心捕光色素蛋白复合体(RC-LH1),2种为外周捕光色素蛋白复合体(LH2),其中一种LH2的吸收光谱具有异常的423nm强吸收峰,其蛋白的两种亚基的分子量分别为5356.8Da和5697.8Da,类胡萝卜素属球形烯系,分子量为562Da,激发光能够从类胡萝卜素向细菌叶绿素以及细菌叶绿素向细菌叶绿素传递。【结论】固氮红细菌产氢菌株含有2种不同光谱特性的LH2,其中一种具有新光谱特性。     

沼泽红假单胞菌光合色素的分离、组成分析与光稳定性

【目的】探求光对不产氧光合细菌类胡萝卜素(Car)和细菌叶绿素a(BChl a)稳定性的影响规律。【方法】以沼泽红假单胞菌CQV97为材料,采用硅胶柱层析和HPLC方法进行Car和BChl a组分的纯化和成分分析,采用吸收光谱法研究Car和BChl a组分的光稳定性。【结果】在Car和BChl a组分分离过程中,Car组分回收率高且稳定,而BChl a回收率波动性较大。Car组分中含有6种螺菌黄质系Car和极少量(0.25%)的细菌脱镁叶绿素a。BChl a组分中包含BChl aGG、BChl aDHGG、BChl aTHGG和BChl aP4种成分。Car和BChl a组分在黑暗条件下非常稳定。2 000 lx白炽灯、日光灯和自然光照射时,Car在70 min内非常稳定,但对紫外光敏感,半衰期为11.15 min,BChl a组分对白炽灯、日光灯、自然光和紫外灯的光降解速率常数(min–1)分别为0.169 8、0.028 9、0.213 9和0.026 4,半衰期(min)分别为4.47、29.68、4.20和26.19。【结论】一步硅胶柱层析可同时得到Car和BChl a纯组分。Car对白光相对稳定,对紫外光不稳定。BChl光稳定性很差,分离过程中短期见光是导致BChl a回收率波动性较大的原因,光降解过程中产生了相对稳定的中间产物。该研究结果为光合色素的精制、功能研究和应用提供了理论依据。     

亚硝氮对海洋着色菌亚硝氮和氨氮去除以及光合色素合成的影响

【目的】在以亚硝氮为唯一氮源和亚硝氮-氨氮共存体系中,考察和分析海洋着色菌(Marichromatium gracile) YL28菌株对水体亚硝氮的环境适应能力。【方法】采用分光光度法分析亚硝氮、氨氮去除效率以及亚硝氮对菌体生物量和色素含量的影响,采用薄层层析法分析亚硝氮对菌体光合色素组成的影响。【结果】YL28菌株能以亚硝氮为唯一氮源生长,主要积累2种细菌叶绿素(BChl)组分(BChl aTHGG和BChl ap)、1种细菌脱镁叶绿素(Bphe)和玫红品(Rhodopin)、螺菌黄质(Spirilloxanthin)、脱水紫菌红醇(Anhydrorhodovibrin)、番茄红素(Lycopene) 4种类胡萝卜素(Car);YL28生物量和对亚硝氮的去除效率随亚硝氮浓度升高而降低,完全去除亚硝氮的浓度可达200 mg/L以上;当亚硝氮浓度高于25 mg/L,单位质量菌体BChl a和Car总量降低,BChl a和Car合成的末端产物(BChl ap和Spirilloxanthin)以及Bphe相对含量升高,其它4种色素组分相对含量则降低,但Car与BChl a相对含量的比值未见明显变化。当亚硝氮-氨氮共存时,YL28菌株对亚硝氮的耐受能力和去除能力明显提高,完全去除亚硝氮的浓度可达300 mg/L以上;氨氮减缓了亚硝氮对光合色素合成的抑制作用,提高了菌体色素合成总量,各色素组分相对含量的变化与亚硝氮为唯一氮源时的变化规律一致。【结论】YL28菌株能高效去除亚硝氮,亚硝氮对菌株生长和光合色素的合成有抑制作用,但氨氮能明显提高YL28菌株对亚硝氮的适应能力。这为进一步开发高效脱除亚硝氮的APB水质调节剂奠定了基础。     

铁对产铁载体的沼泽红假单胞菌光合色素与铁载体合成的影响

【目的】探求铁对1株能产生铁载体的不产氧光合细菌(Anoxygenic Phototrophic Bacteria,APB)光合色素和铁载体合成的影响。【方法】通用CAS法检测铁载体产生,Arnow、Csaky和Shenker法检测铁载体类型;吸收光谱法和HPLC法分析光合色素的组分和含量。【结果】Rhodopseudomonas palustris CQV97能够产生异羟肟酸型铁载体,未添加FeCl3时,铁载体含量最高,铁载体的产生与生长并非关联型。随FeCl3浓度升高,菌体生长潜伏期缩短,生长速率、最终生物量以及细菌叶绿素(Bacteriochlorophyll,BChl)a和类胡萝卜素(Carotenoid,Car)含量均提高,而检测到的游离铁载体含量降低;菌体积累的BChl a的组成和相对含量未见明显变化,但主要的Car组分由Spirilloxanthin转化为Rhodopin,菌体中积累Car组分的平均共轭体系降低,Car组成的改变与色素提取液的Car特征性光谱蓝移现象相吻合。【结论】首次报道APB能够产生铁载体,CQV97菌株能够产生异羟肟酸型铁载体。阐明了铁对CQV97生长、铁载体产生和光合色素合成的影响规律,这些研究结果为深入开展APB铁载体分离纯化以及生物功能研究奠定了基础。     

体外组装类胡萝卜素对外周捕光复合体(LH2)能量传递活性的影响

【目的】探求不产氧光合细菌(APB)外周捕光复合体(LH2)中类胡萝卜素(Car)结构和能量传递效率的关系和规律。【方法】通过二苯胺(DPA)抑制Car合成的方法从固氮红细菌134K20中获得部分缺失Car的LH2 (LC-LH2);采用TLC和HPLC法从3种APB中制备球形烯(SE)、玫红品(RP)和奥氏酮(OK) 3种Car;在含0.1%十二烷基二甲基胺氧化物(LDAO)的10 mmol/L Tris-HCl (pH 8.0)缓冲液中采用超声孵育法分别将这3种Car与LC-LH2体外组装,采用吸收光谱法、拉曼光谱法和荧光光谱法对组装LH2进行结构与功能分析。【结果】制备的部分缺失Car的LH2中,SE缺失率约为64.7%。这3种共轭长度、取代基的极性不同的Car均能与这种部分缺失SE的LH2自组装,Car组装率约在24.0%?29.4%之间,其中SE和OK的组装率高于RP。与部分缺失Car LH2中原有SE构象一致,重组的Car在LH2中也呈现较为伸展的平面构象。LH2中重组Car到细菌叶绿素(BChl)的能量传递效率由高到低的顺序依次为SE-LH2>RP-LH2>OK-LH2,与Car共轭体系大小的关系一致,而与Car极性大小没有明显的关系。【结论】在组装的LH2中Car采用平面构象与脱辅基蛋白结合,Car共轭长度仍是决定和影响LH2中Car-BChl能量传递效率的主要因素,而Car的取代基和极性影响较小。     

不同北虫草菌株产类胡萝卜素分析

通过对不同来源北虫草菌株子实体中提取的色素进行定性分析并对其含量进行测定,获得类胡萝卜素含量高的北虫草菌株。结果表明,浓硫酸反应中溶液在两相交界处呈现特征性的蓝绿色,色素提取液在400～600 nm范围内有波长分别为415、440和460 nm的3个吸收峰与类胡萝卜素标准的吸收光谱一致,证明子实体中提取的色素为类胡萝卜素;6个菌株子实体类胡萝卜素的含量差异较大,且J菌株的类胡萝卜素的含量最高,达到5.021 mg/g。     

薄层层析法(TLC)测定螺菌黄质系类胡萝卜素的相对极性和稳定性

【目的】阐明不产氧光合细菌螺菌黄质系类胡萝卜素(Car)之间的相对极性和稳定性关系及规律。【方法】以沼泽红假单胞菌CQV97为材料,采用薄层层析(TLC),结合图像灰度分析、吸收光谱和HPLC等方法,探求了螺菌黄质系Car合成途径中各Car组分之间的相对极性、光谱特性和光稳定性规律。【结果】TLC能将CQV97菌株积累的7种Car分离,分别为Lycopene(C1)、Rhodopin(C2)、3,4-Didehydrorhodopin(C3)、Anhydrorhodovibrin(C4)、Rhodovibrin(C5)、OH-spirilloxanthin(C6)和Spirilloxanthin(C7);其相对极性由低到高顺序是C1、C4、C7、C5、C6、C2、C3;依据特征性吸收光谱,这7种Car分为3个群,分别为C1和C2,C3、C4和C5,C6和C7,Car合成过程中脱氢反应使Car分子共轭体系增大,引起光谱较大幅度的红移(约10 nm),而水化和羟基甲基化反应则引起较小幅度红移(0-4 nm);光照条件下,7种Car在TLC板上均不很稳定,其半衰期在54-137 min,稳定性顺序依次为C2C3≈C7C5≈C4≈C1≈C6。黑暗条件下,7种Car均在90 min内稳定,稳定性顺序与光照条件基本一致。【结论】TLC能够良好地展示出螺菌黄质系途径中积累的7种Car。TLC板上的Car组分对光敏感,黑暗时短期稳定。本研究将有助于APB Car的TLC快速鉴别,为快速筛选高稳定性Car提供思路和参考。     

粒毛盘菌黄色素的稳定性研究

【目的】评价粒毛盘菌黄色素的稳定性。【方法】以色素吸光值为指标,研究温度、光照、pH、金属离子、氧化剂、还原剂及食品添加剂对黄色素稳定性的影响。【结果】该黄色素属黄酮类物质,易溶于水,在水溶液中紫外区及可见光区各呈现一个吸收峰,最大吸收波长分别为300 nm和410 nm;热稳定性较好,70°C处理4 h的色素保存率近90%;光照能降低黄色素水溶液的稳定性;随着pH的升高,色素溶液颜色逐渐加深,其A410增大;色素溶液在pH 9.0-10.0下较稳定,pH 10.0的色素溶液放置5 d后色素保存率近90%;Na_2SO_3对色素水溶液有增色作用,色素水溶液抗NaNO_2、H_2O_2能力较强,对抗坏血酸敏感。Fe~(3+)、Fe~(2+)与色素反应而改变色素颜色,Al~(3+)、Cu~(2+)、Zn~(2+)对色素水溶液具有一定的褪色作用,Ca~(2+)、K~+、Mg~(2+)对色素溶液无明显影响。蔗糖、葡萄糖和山梨酸钾对色素水溶液无明显影响,氯化钠对色素水溶液具有较弱的褪色作用。【结论】粒毛盘菌黄色素在稳定性上呈现出一定优势,具有开发潜力。     

pH值对紫色光合细菌Rhodopseudomonas palustris外周捕光天线的影响

采用稳态吸收光谱、圆二色谱、亚微秒时间分辨光谱手段检测了不同pH值对Rhodopseudomonas palustris的外周捕光天线LH2复合物的结构及色素功能的影响, 发现: (i) 在强酸性pH诱导下, B800细菌叶绿素分子在分钟时间尺度上逐渐转化成游离色素, 而类胡萝卜分子(Car)的光谱变化与B850的变化基本同步. 伴随着B800的缺失, 其Qy带对应的圆二色信号消失; (ii) 在强碱性条件下, B800分子比较稳定, B850分子的Qy带从852 nm蓝移至837 nm左右, 其近红外区域的CD 信号也发生了相应蓝移; 不同pH值条件下可见光区域Car分子均呈现出特征的CD信号; (iii) 在生理及碱性情况下, 采用532 nm激光脉冲直接激发Car分子, 在亚微秒时间尺度上观察到类胡萝卜素的TnT1吸收; 而在强酸性pH下仅观察到无特征的弱吸收带. 以上实验结果表明Rps. palustris的LH2复合物在酸性条件下B800发生缺失, Car的光保护功能受到影响; 而在强碱性条件下环状聚集体结构仍然保持, Car能正常发挥其光保护功能.     

穿透雨减少下锐齿栎叶片光合色素季节动态及其反射光谱响应

通过林地穿透雨排除的方法模拟降雨减少,测定河南宝天曼自然保护区锐齿栎叶片光合色素含量与反射光谱的季节变化,对减雨处理造成的光合色素变化及其反射光谱的变化进行了定量分析,并探讨了水分控制条件下反射光谱对叶片光合色素变化的响应机制.结果表明: 锐齿栎叶片的光合色素含量和色素比率均呈现明显的季节变化.减雨样地与对照样地叶片的光合色素含量和比率在生长季的各个时期存在差异,其中,叶片叶绿素b(Chl b)含量的差异显著,说明Chl b对减雨处理的敏感性最高,叶片类胡萝卜素(Car)含量的差异较小,说明Car对减雨处理的敏感性相对较弱.550 nm处的光谱反射率对色素季节变化的响应最敏感,以其构造的简单比值指数(SR_750,550)与叶片Chl a、Chl b、总Chl和Car含量的正相关关系显著,光化学反射指数(PRI)与叶片Car/Chl的负相关关系显著.550 nm处的光谱反射率对减雨处理造成的色素变化响应最为敏感.SR_750,550对减雨处理造成的叶片Chl a、Chl b和总Chl的含量变化表现敏感(P<0.01),对Chl a/b的变化不敏感.PRI对减雨处理造成的叶片Car/Chl变化表现敏感(P<0.01).     

The PufX protein of Rhodobacter capsulatus affects the properties of bacteriochlorophyll a and carotenoid pigments of light-harvesting complex 1

A pufX gene deletion in the purple bacterium Rhodobacter capsulatus causes a severe photosynthetic defect and increases core light-harvesting complex (LH1) protein and bacteriochlorophyll a (BChl) levels. It was suggested that PufX interrupts the LH1 alpha/beta ring around the reaction centre, allowing quinone/quinol exchange. However, naturally PufX(-) purple bacteria grow photosynthetically with an uninterrupted LH1. We discovered that substitutions of the Rhodobacter-specific LH1 alpha seryl-2 decrease carotenoid levels in PufX(-)R. capsulatus. An LH1 alphaS2F mutation improved the photosynthetic growth of a PufX(-) strain lacking the peripheral LH2 antenna, although LH1 BChl absorption remained above wild-type, suggesting that Rhodobacter-specific carotenoid binding is involved in the PufX(-) photosynthetic defect and LH1 expansion is not. Furthermore, PufX overexpression increased LH1-like BChl absorption without inhibiting photosynthetic growth. PufX(+) LH1 alphaS2-substituted mutant strains had wild-type carotenoid levels, indicating that PufX modulates LH1 carotenoid binding, inducing a conformational change that favours quinone/quinol exchange.     

Analysis of absorption spectra of purple bacterial reaction centers in the near infrared region by higher order derivative spectroscopy

Reaction centers (RCs) of purple bacteria are uniquely suited objects to study the mechanisms of the photosynthetic conversion of light energy into chemical energy. A recently introduced method of higher order derivative spectroscopy [I.K. Mikhailyuk, H. Lokstein, A.P. Razjivin, A method of spectral subband decomposition by simultaneous fitting the initial spectrum and a set of its derivatives, J. Biochem. Biophys. Methods 63 (2005) 10-23] was used to analyze the NIR absorption spectra of RC preparations from Rhodobacter (R.) sphaeroides strain 2R and Blastochloris (B.) viridis strain KH, containing bacteriochlorophyll (BChl) a and b, respectively. Q(y) bands of individual RC porphyrin components (BChls and bacteriopheophytins, BPheo) were identified. The results indicate that the upper exciton level P(y+) of the photo-active BChl dimer in RCs of R. sphaeroides has an absorption maximum of 810nm. The blue shift of a complex integral band at approximately 800nm upon oxidation of the RC is caused primarily by bleaching of P(y+), rather than by an electrochromic shift of the absorption band(s) of the monomeric BChls. Likewise, the disappearance of a band peaking at 842nm upon oxidation of RCs from B. viridis indicates that this band has to be assigned to P(y+). A blue shift of an absorption band at approximately 830nm upon oxidation of RCs of B. viridis is also essentially caused by the disappearance of P(y+), rather than by an electrochromic shift of the absorption bands of monomeric BChls. Absorption maxima of the monomeric BChls, B(B) and B(A) are at 802 and 797nm, respectively, in RCs of R. sphaeroides at room temperature. BPheo co-factors H(B) and H(A) peak at 748 and 758nm, respectively, at room temperature. For B. viridis RCs the spectral positions of H(B) and H(A) were found to be 796 and 816nm, respectively, at room temperature.     

The photosystem of Rhodobacter sphaeroides assembles with zinc bacteriochlorophyll in a bchD (magnesium chelatase) mutant

A Rhodobacter sphaeroides bchD (magnesium chelatase) mutant was studied to determine the properties of its photosystem in the absence of bacteriochlorophyll (BChl). Western blots of reaction center H, M, and L (RC H/M/L) proteins from mutant membranes showed levels of 12% RC H, 32% RC L, and 46% RC M relative to those of the wild type. Tricine-SDS-PAGE revealed 52% light-harvesting complex alpha chain and 14% beta chain proteins compared to those of the wild type. Pigment analysis of bchD cells showed the absence of BChl and bacteriopheophytin (BPhe), but zinc bacteriochlorophyll (Zn-BChl) was discovered. Zn-BChl binds to light-harvesting 1 (LH1) and 2 (LH2) complexes in place of BChl in bchD membranes, with a LH2:LH1 ratio resembling that of wild-type cells under BChl-limiting conditions. Furthermore, the RC from the bchD mutant contained Zn-BChl in the special pair and accessory BChl binding sites, as well as carotenoid and quinone, but BPhe was absent. Comparison of the bchD mutant RC absorption spectrum to that of Acidiphilium rubrum, which contains Zn-BChl in the RC, suggests the RC protein environment at L168 contributes to A. rubrum special pair absorption characteristics rather than solely Zn-BChl. We speculate that Zn-BChl is synthesized via the normal BChl biosynthetic pathway, but with ferrochelatase supplying zinc protoporphyrin IX for enzymatic steps following the nonfunctional magnesium chelatase. The absence of BPhe in bchD cells is likely related to Zn2+ stability in the chlorin macrocycle and consequently high resistance of Zn-BChl to pheophytinization (dechelation). Possible agents prevented from dechelating Zn-BChl include the RC itself, a hypothetical dechelatase enzyme, and spontaneous processes.     

Purification, characterization and crystallization of the core complex from thermophilic purple sulfur bacterium Thermochromatium tepidum

A light-harvesting-reaction center (LH1-RC) core complex has been highly purified from a thermophilic purple sulfur bacterium, Thermochromatium tepidum. The bacteriochlorophyll (BChl) a molecules in the LH1 exhibit a Q(y) transition at 914 nm, more than 25 nm red-shift from those of its mesophilic counterparts. The LH1-RC complex was isolated in a monomeric form as confirmed by sucrose density gradient centrifugation, blue native PAGE and size-exclusion chromatography. Four subunits (L, M, H and a tetraheme cytochrome) in RC and two polypeptides (alpha and beta) in LH1 were identified. Spirilloxanthin was determined to be the predominant carotenoid in the core complex. The purified core complex was highly stable, no significant change in the LH1 Q(y) transition was observed over 10 days of incubation at room temperature in dark. Circular dichroism spectrum of the LH1 complex was characterized by low intensity and nonconservative spectral shape, implying a high symmetry of the large LH1 ring and interaction between the BChl a and carotenoid molecules. A dimeric feature of the BChl a molecules in LH1 was revealed by magnetic circular dichroism spectrum. Crystals of the core complex were obtained which diffracted X-rays to about 10 A.     

The puhE gene of Rhodobacter capsulatus is needed for optimal transition from aerobic to photosynthetic growth and encodes a putative negative modulator of bacteriochlorophyll production

A conserved orf of previously unknown function (herein designated as puhE) is located 3' of the reaction centre H (puhA) gene in purple photosynthetic bacteria, in the order puhABCE in Rhodobacter capsulatus. Disruptions of R. capsulatus puhE resulted in a long lag in the growth of photosynthetic cultures inoculated with cells grown under high aeration, and increased the level of the peripheral antenna, light-harvesting complex 2 (LH2). The amount of the photosynthetic reaction centre (RC) and its core antenna, light-harvesting complex 1 (LH1), was reduced; however, there was no decrease in expression of a lacZ reporter fused to the puf (RC and LH1) promoter, in RC assembly in the absence of LH1, or in LH1 assembly in the absence of the RC. In strains that lack LH2, disruption of puhE increased the in vivo absorption at 780 nm, which we attribute to excess bacteriochlorophyll a (BChl) pigment production. This effect was seen in the presence and absence of PufQ, a protein that stimulates BChl biosynthesis. Expression of puhE from a plasmid reduced A(780) production in puhE mutants. We suggest that PuhE modulates BChl biosynthesis independently of PufQ, and that the presence of excess BChl in PuhE(-)LH2(+) strains results in excess LH2 assembly and also interferes with the adaptation of cells during the transition from aerobic respiratory to anaerobic photosynthetic growth.     

Two-photon excitation spectrum of fluorescence of the light-harvesting complex B800–850 from Allochromatium minutissimum within 1200–1500 (600–750) nm spectral range is not carotenoid mediated

Two types of peripheral light-harvesting complexes LH2 (B800–850) from photosynthetic purple bacterium Allochromatium minutissimum were studied. First type containing carotenoids was prepared from wild type cells. The other one was obtained from carotenoid depleted cells grown with diphenylamine. We have shown that under laser femtosecond excitation within absorption 1200–1500 nm wavelength range the two-photon excitation of LH2 complexes takes place. This can be observed as fluorescence of bacteriochlorophyll (BChl) spectral form B850 (BChl molecules of circular aggregate with strong exciton interaction in 850 nm spectral domain). LH2 fluorescence excitation spectra under two-photon excitation are the same for carotenoid-containing and carotenoidless preparations. In both cases the broad band with peak near 1350 (675) nm (FWHM ～ 240 (120) nm) was found. It is concluded that the broad band with peak near 1350 (675) nm in two-photon excitation spectra of LH2 complexes from Allochromatium minutissimum cannot be interpreted as two-photon excitation band of the optically forbidden S₀ → S₁ transition of carotenoids (rhodopin). Possible nature of this band is discussed.     

Purification, characterization and crystallization of the core complex from thermophilic purple sulfur bacterium Thermochromatium tepidum

A light-harvesting-reaction center (LH1-RC) core complex has been highly purified from a thermophilic purple sulfur bacterium, Thermochromatium tepidum. The bacteriochlorophyll (BChl) a molecules in the LH1 exhibit a Q_y transition at 914 nm, more than 25 nm red-shift from those of its mesophilic counterparts. The LH1-RC complex was isolated in a monomeric form as confirmed by sucrose density gradient centrifugation, blue native PAGE and size-exclusion chromatography. Four subunits (L, M, H and a tetraheme cytochrome) in RC and two polypeptides (α and β) in LH1 were identified. Spirilloxanthin was determined to be the predominant carotenoid in the core complex. The purified core complex was highly stable, no significant change in the LH1 Q_y transition was observed over 10 days of incubation at room temperature in dark. Circular dichroism spectrum of the LH1 complex was characterized by low intensity and nonconservative spectral shape, implying a high symmetry of the large LH1 ring and interaction between the BChl a and carotenoid molecules. A dimeric feature of the BChl a molecules in LH1 was revealed by magnetic circular dichroism spectrum. Crystals of the core complex were obtained which diffracted X-rays to about 10 Å.     

Formation of a subunit form of the core light-harvesting complex from sulfur purple bacteria <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ectothiorhodospira haloalkaliphila</Emphasis> with different carotenoid composition

B820 subunits from a purple sulfur bacterium Ectothiorhodospira haloalkaliphila strain ATCC 51935^T were obtained by treatment of carotenoid free LH1-RC complexes of this bacterium with ß-octylglucopyranoside (ß-OG). The same complexes with 100% carotenoid content were unable to dißsociate to B820 subunits, but disintegrated to monomeric bacteriochlorophyll (BChl) regardless of their carotenoid composition. The degree of dissociation of the LH1-RC complexes with an intermediate content of carotenoids (the B820 formation) was directly dependent on the quantity of carotenoids in the samples. The resulting B820 subunits did not contain carotenoids. B820 subunits easily aggregated to form a complex with an absorption peak at 880 nm at decreased ß-OG concentration. Analysis of the spectra of the LH1-RC complexes isolated from the cells with different levels of carotenogenesis inhibition led to the conclusion of the heterogeneity of the samples with a predominance of them in (a) the fraction with 100% of carotenoids and (b) the fraction of carotenoid-free complexes.     

Carotenoid to bacteriochlorophyll energy transfer in the RC–LH1–PufX complex from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rhodobacter sphaeroides</Emphasis> containing the extended conjugation keto-carotenoid diketospirilloxanthin

RC–LH1–PufX complexes from a genetically modified strain of Rhodobacter sphaeroides that accumulates carotenoids with very long conjugation were studied by ultrafast transient absorption spectroscopy. The complexes predominantly bind the carotenoid diketospirilloxanthin, constituting about 75% of the total carotenoids, which has 13 conjugated C=C bonds, and the conjugation is further extended to two terminal keto groups. Excitation of diketospirilloxanthin in the RC–LH1–PufX complex demonstrates fully functional energy transfer from diketospirilloxanthin to BChl a in the LH1 antenna. As for other purple bacterial LH complexes having carotenoids with long conjugation, the main energy transfer route is via the S₂–Q_x pathway. However, in contrast to LH2 complexes binding diketospirilloxanthin, in RC–LH1–PufX we observe an additional, minor energy transfer pathway associated with the S₁ state of diketospirilloxanthin. By comparing the spectral properties of the S₁ state of diketospirilloxanthin in solution, in LH2, and in RC–LH1–PufX, we propose that the carotenoid-binding site in RC–LH1–PufX activates the ICT state of diketospirilloxanthin, resulting in the opening of a minor S₁/ICT-mediated energy transfer channel.