Action spectrum, kinetics and quantum requirement of phosphopyridine nucleotide reduction and cytochrome oxidation in the blue-green alga Anacystis nidulans
Amesz, J.; Duysens, L.N.
Biochimica et Biophysica Acta 64: 261-278
1962
ISSN/ISBN: 0006-3002 PMID: 14012577 DOI: 10.1016/0006-3002(62)90736-9
Accession: 029872033
By means of fluorescence and absorption-difference spectrophotometry the kinetics were measured of phosphopyridine nucleotide reduction and cytochrome oxidation in intact cells of the blue-green alga Anacystis nidulans upon illumination with light of various wavelengths. The action spectrum of phosphopyridine nucleotide reduction was found to be proportional to that of cytochrome oxidation; both action spectra showed activity of chlorophyll a and of phycocyanin, but a relatively higher activity of chlorophyll a than the action spectrum of photosynthesis. 3-(3,4-Dichlorophenyl)-LI-dimethylurea, known as a very potent inhibitor of photosynthesis did not slightly affect the initial rate of phosphopyridine nucleotide reduction upon illumination. The efficiency of cytochrome oxidation was appreciably increased by 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-LI-dimethylurea in light of 620 m[mu], mainly absorbed by phycocyanin, but not or only slightly in light of 680 m[mu], mainly absorbed by chlorophyll a. The number of quanta, required for the reduction of a phosphopyridine nucleotide molecule, was found to be about 5 at 620 m[mu]; the number needed for the oxidation of a molecule of cytochrome was 7-10 at 680 m[mu]. The results, together with other evidence, support the hypothesis that in algal photosynthesis two different photochemical oxidation-reduction reactions occur, mediated by two different pigment systems. The two systems operate in series: the first one reduces phosphopyridine nucleotide and oxidizes the cytochrome, the other one reduces the cytochrome and produces O2 by means of the oxidation of water. Possibly in both light reactions one quantum is needed for the transfer of one hydrogen equivalent.