Inhibition of photosynthetic electron transport and formation of inactive chlorophyll in winter stressed Pinus silvestris

Kinetics of fluorescence at room temperature, electron transport and photooxidation of P700 and cytochrome f have been studied in chloroplasts isolated from active and winter stressed Pinus silvestris. The winter stress induced block in the electron transport chain between the two photosystems is close to the site of plastoquinone, since winter stress and DCMU caused the same type of inhibition of the reoxidation of the primary electron acceptor Q of photosystem II. No winter inhibition of the electron transport between cytochrome f and P700 was observed. Time course studies of P700 photooxidation in chloroplasts of active and winter stressed pine have shown that the photosynthetic unit size must be about equal in the two types of chloroplasts. An apparent increase of the photosynthetic unit size was induced by winter stress, as revealed by the high chlorophyll/P700 ratio of winter stressed pine. The phenomenon is explained by the formation of photosynthetically inactive chlorophyll. Low-temperature fluorescence emission spectra were recorded when either chlorophyll a (433 nm) or chlorophyll b (477 nm) were preferentially excited. Winter stress induced the formation of a chlorophyll a fraction emitting at 673 nm. This chlorophyll is most likely derived from the chlorophyll a antennae of the two photosystems, and it probably contributes to the photosynthetically inactive pool of chlorophyll in winter stressed pine. The light harvesting chlorophyll a/b complex is relatively resistant to winter stress.     

Phycochromes b and d: their occurrence in some phycoerythrocyanin-containing blue-green algae (cyanobacteria)

Abstract
Phycochromes b and d, two types of photoreversibly photochromic pigments previously extracted from the blue-green alga Tolypothrix distorta , which contains phycoerythrocyanin, have now been found in three Anabaena strains also containing phycoerythrocyanin. Tests for the presence of phycochromes b and d in a number of blue-green algae lacking phycoerythrocyanin have been negative. The possibility that phycochrome b-type absorbance changes are due to changes in the α-subunit of phycoerythrocyanin is discussed.     

Some effects of humidity on the light reaction of photosynthesis in the lichens Cladonia impexa and Collema flaccidium

Luminescence and fluorescence were measured at different relative humidities in the lichen Cladonia impexa Harm. Both parameters showed a constant value at relative humidities lower than 80%: thereafter they increased. Low relative humidity was found to decrease energy transfer from chlorophyll b to chlorophyll a. inhibit electron transport, lower electron holding capacity on the reduced side of photosystem two and impair far-red-induced afterglow, reflecting photophosphorylation. In Collema flaccidium Ach. Ach. energy transfer from the accessory pigments phycocyanin and phycoerythrin to chlorophyll a was only possible at high relative humidity. The results are interpreted as due to conformational changes caused by changed water content in the lichen.     

Decarboxylation and Transport of Auxin in Segments of Sunflower and Cabbage Roots. II. A Chromatographic Study Using IAA-1-14C and IAA-5-3H

The polar movement of IAA has been examined in 5-mm root segments of Brassica oleracea and Helianthus annum. The movement was studied partly with IAA-1-¹⁴C and partly with IAA-5-³H. In both plants a slight acropetal flux of ¹⁴C and IAA-³H was found through the segments. The recovered radioactivity in the agar receiver blocks and in the receiver end of the segments increased as a function of time. A large portion of the applied IAA was converted on the cut surfaces and in the tissues of the segments. Chromatographic analysis indicated different destruction products when estimated by scintillation counting and by spraying with in-dole reagent (DMCA). Chromatograms run in isopropanol: ammonia: water, 8:1:1, yielded three different substances, one spot near the starting line and one near the front, neither of which has been identified. Finally there was a spot with R_f 0.4–0.6, probably representing IAA.     

1:1 Distribution between Induced Mutants and Phenocopies

BY ultraviolet irradiation of germiings of the multicellular alga Ulva mutabilis Føyn, it is possible to obtain chimaeric plants which consist of two morphologically different parts of different genetic constitution, one part wild type and the other mutant^{1, 2}. Other plants found have been identical in appearance to the chimaeras, though the morphologically different parts were both genetically wild type. They should be considered phenocopies of the genetic chimaeras. Surprisingly, the genetical chimaeras and their phenocopies were found in equal numbers. This observation and the previous one that only complete mutations are found after ultraviolet irradiation of Ulva cells¹, can be explained if only one of the two strands in the DNA molecule is genetically conserved.     

The State of Protochlorophyll and Chlorophyll in Corn Roots

The protochlorophyll(ide) present in primary roots of dark-grown corn (Zea mays) seedlings has an in vivo absorption maximum at 634 nm. Red light converts the pigment to chlorophyll(ide) a with an absorption maximum at 675 nm.     

Action Spectra for in vivo and in vitro Conversions of Phycochrome b, a Reversibly Photochromic Pigment in a Blue-Green Alga, and Its Separation from Other Pigments

Phycochrome b, one of the reversibly photochromic pigments found in Tolypothrix distorta seems to exist in only two forms: P^b₅₀₀ and P^b₅₇₀. The pigment has been spectroscopically demonstrated in vivo. It has also been separated from other pigments. Two different methods for separation have been used: isoelectric focusing and gel filtration. Preparations of purified phycobilisomes contain phycochrome b. The in vivo and in vitro absorption difference spectra were determined as well as action spectra for the conversions in vitro and in vivo of P^b₅₀₀ to P^b₅₇₀ and vice versa. Transformation kinetics of phycochrome b show that the conversions in both directions are initially first-order reactions.     

The NS3 protein of bluetongue virus exhibits viroporin-like properties

Viroporins compose a group of small hydrophobic transmembrane proteins that can form hydrophilic pores through lipid bilayers. Viroporins have been implicated in promoting virus release from infected cells and in affecting cellular functions including protein trafficking and membrane permeability. Nonstructural protein 3 (NS3) of bluetongue virus has been shown previously to be important for efficient release of newly made virions from infected cells. In this report, we demonstrate that NS3 possesses properties commonly associated with viroporins. Our findings indicate that: (i) NS3 localizes to the Golgi apparatus and plasma membrane in transfected cells, (ii) NS3 can homo-oligomerize in transfected cells, (iii) targeting of NS3 to the Golgi apparatus and plasma membrane correlates with the enhanced permeability of cells to the translation inhibitor hygromycin B (hyg-B), (iv) amino acids 118-148 comprising transmembrane region 1 (TM1) of NS3 are critical for Golgi targeting and hyg-B permeability, and (v) deletion of amino acids 156-181 comprising transmembrane region 2 (TM2) of NS3 has little to no affect on Golgi targeting and hyg-B permeability. These viroporin-like properties may contribute to the role of NS3 in virus release and may have important implications for pathogenicity of bluetongue virus infections.