Inhibitory Effect of Peroxyacetyl Nitrate on Cyclic Photophosphorylation by Chloroplasts from Black Valentine Bean Leaves

The inhibitory effect of peroxyacetyl nitrate on the cyclic photophosphorylation of chloroplasts isolated from Black Valentine variety bean leaves (Phaseolis vulgaris L.) has been studied. Peroxyacetyl nitrate caused inhibition to photophosphorylation, in either the dark or the light, by affecting the chloroplast. Evidence is presented which suggests that peroxyacetyl nitrate could oxidize sulfhydryl groups on enzymes necessary for photophosphorylation. The inhibition to photophosphorylation caused by peroxyacetyl nitrate cannot be reversed by glutathione, even when added in large amounts, whereas the inhibition to photophosphorylation caused by para-chloromercuriphenylsulfonic acid is easily reversed by small quantities of glutathione. This suggests that if peroxyacetyl nitrate is oxidizing sulfhydryl groups necessary for photophosphorylation, this oxidation is proceeding beyond the disulfide state.