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The donor side of Photosystem II as the copper-inhibitory binding site

Fluorescence and polarografic studies

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Abstract

We have measured, under Cu (II) toxicity conditions, the oxygen-evolving capacity of spinach PS II particles in the Hill reactions H2O→SiMo (in the presence and absence of DCMU) and H2O→PPBQ, as well as the fluorescence induction curve of Tris-washed spinach PS II particles. Cu (II) inhibits both Hill reactions and, in the first case, the DCMU-insensitive H2O → SiMo activity. In addition, the variable fluorescence is lowered by Cu (II). We have interpreted our results in terms of a donor side inhibition close to the reaction center. The same polarographic and fluorescence measurements carried out at different pHs indicate that Cu (II) could bind to amino acid residues that can be protonated and deprotonated. In order to reverse the Cu (II) inhibition by a posterior EDTA treatment, in experiments of preincubation of PS II particles with Cu (II) in light we have demonstrated that light is essential for the damage due to Cu (II) and that this furthermore is irreversible.

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Abbreviations

DCMU:

3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1, 1-dimethyl urea

DCIP:

2,6-dichlorophenolindophenol

DPC:

1,5-diphenilcarbazide

Fo :

initial non-variable fluorescence

FI :

intermediate fluorescence yield

Fm :

maximum fluorescence yield

Fv :

variable fluorescence yield

Mes:

2,-(N-morpholino)ethanosulfonic acid

OEC:

oxygen-evolving complex

P680:

Primary electron donor chlorophyll

Pheo:

pheophytin

PPBQ:

phenyl-p-benzo-quinone

PS II:

Photosystem II

SiMo:

Silicomolybdate

QB :

secondary quinone acceptor

QA :

primary quinone aceptor

Tris:

N-tris(hydroxymethyl)amino ethane

Tyrz :

electron carrier functioning between P680 and the Mn cluster

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Plant Biochemistry, Estación Experimental del Zaidín, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Profesor Albareda,1, 18008, Granada, Spain

    J. B. Arellano, J. J. Lázaro, J. López-Gorgé & M. Barón

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  1. J. B. Arellano
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  2. J. J. Lázaro
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  3. J. López-Gorgé
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  4. M. Barón
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This article is dedicated to Prof. Dr. Harmut Lichtenthaler on the occasion of his 60th birthday.

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Arellano, J.B., Lázaro, J.J., López-Gorgé, J. et al. The donor side of Photosystem II as the copper-inhibitory binding site. Photosynth Res 45, 127–134 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00032584

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