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Physiological factors determining formation of plastocyanin and plastidic cytochrome c-553 in Scenedesmus

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Abstract

Physiological conditions necessary for the formation of plastocyanin and the concurrent cessation of cytochrome c-553 formation were studied in cells of copper-deficient Scenedesmus acutus after the addition of copper. Plastocyanin is formed after a lag-phase, leaving constant the content of plastidic cytochrome c-553. Therefore, the concentration of plastocyanin per cell increases and the concentration of cytochrome c-553 decreases during growth. Formation of plastocyanin during the induction period studied is dependent on light intensity. In the dark, there is a 90% inhibition, whereas under light intensities above 50 Wm-2, a ratio of 1.3 molecules plastocyanin per 1,000 molecules chlorophyll is attained.

Plastocyanin formations is inhibited by the uncoupler carbonylcyanide-p-trifluoromethoxy phenylhydrazone (FCCP), but not by moderate concentrations of 3-[3′,4′-dichlorophenyl]-1,1-dimethylurea (DCMU), and by keeping the algae under a nitrogen atmosphere without CO2. Concurrently, the cultures treated with FCCP show a decreased endogenous ATP level. The ATP is necessary for plastocyanin formation.

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Abbreviations

FCCP:

carbonylcyanide-p-trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone

DCMU:

3-[3′,4′-dichlorophenyl]-1,1-dimethylurea

pcv:

packed cell volume

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Fakultät für Biologie, Universität Konstanz, D-7750, Konstanz, Federal Republic of Germany

    Gerhard Sandmann & Peter Böger

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  1. Gerhard Sandmann
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  2. Peter Böger
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Sandmann, G., Böger, P. Physiological factors determining formation of plastocyanin and plastidic cytochrome c-553 in Scenedesmus . Planta 147, 330–334 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00379841

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00379841

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