PHOTOCHEMICAL ACTIVITIES OF SONICATED LAMELLAE OF SPINACH CHLOROPLASTS WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO THE ACTION OF CRS (CYTOCHROME C REDUCING SUBSTANCE)

The photooxidation of reduced DPIP with NADP and O₂ as finalelectron acceptors was studied with sonicated lamellae of spinachchloroplasts, with special reference to the possible role ofCRS, a newly discovered factor of photochemical system I. Acorrelation between inactivation of NADP-photoreduction anddissolution of CRS was observed on treatment of the lamellaewith various organic solvents. The treatment also suppressedthe O₂-linked photooxidation of reduced DPIP, although the suppressionwas not so marked as in the former reaction. The suppressedphotooxidation of reduced DPIP (with O₂ and NADP as electronacceptors) was partially restored on addition of dyes of negativeredox potential, such as methyl viologen. The experimental resultsindicate that a factor participates in the reactions of photochemicalsystem I, probably functioning as an electron carrier couplingthe photooxidation of P700 with the reduction of ferredoxinor O₂. The finding that the above mentioned activity of thefactor is destroyed by treatments which are effective in solubilizingCRS from the chloroplasts suggests the identity of the factorwith CRS. ¹ Present address: Nomura Research Institute of Technology andEconomics, Kamakura, Kanagawa.