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Photooxidation of cytochrome b559 in oxygen-evolving photosystem II.

Cytochrome b559 (cyt b559) is an intrinsic and essential component of the photosystem II (PSII) protein complex, but its function, stoichiometry, and electron-transfer kinetics in the physiological system are not well-defined. In this study, we have used flash-detection optical spectroscopy to measure the kinetics and yields of photooxidation and dark reduction of cyt b559 in untreated, O2-evolving PSII-enriched membranes at room temperature. The dark redox states of cyt b559 and the primary electron acceptor, QA, were determined over the pH range 5.0-8.5. Both the fraction of dark-oxidized cyt b559 and dark-reduced QA increased with increasing acidity. Consistent with these results, an acid-induced drop in pH from 8.5 to 4.9 in a dark-adapted sample caused the oxidation of cyt b559, indicating a shift in the redox state during the dark reequilibration. As expected from the dark redox state of cyt b559, the rate and extent of photooxidation of cyt b559 during continuous illumination decreased toward more acidic pH values. After a single, saturating flash, the rate of photooxidation of cyt b559 was of the same order of magnitude as the rate of S2QA- charge recombination. In untreated PSII samples at pH 8.0 with 42% of cyt b559 oxidized and 15% of QA reduced in the dark, 4.7% of one copy of cyt b559 was photooxidized after one flash with a t1/2 of 540 +/- 90 ms. On the basis of our previous work [Buser, C. A., Thompson, L. K., Diner, B. A., & Brudvig, G. W (1990) Biochemistry 29, 8977] and the data presented here, we conclude that Sn+1, YZ., and P680+ are in redox equilibrium and cyt b559 (and YD) are oxidized via P680+. After a period of illumination sufficient to fully reduce the plastoquinone pool, we also observed the pH-dependent dark reduction of photooxidized cyt b559, where the rate of reduction decreased with decreasing pH and was not observed at pH < 6.4. To determine the direct source of reductant to oxidized cyt b559, we studied the dark reduction of cyt b559 and the reduction of the PQ pool as a function of 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea (DCMU) concentration. We find that DCMU inhibits the reduction of cyt b559 under conditions where the plastoquinone pool and QA are reduced. We conclude that QB-. (H+) or QBH2 is the most likely source of the electron required for the reduction of oxidized cyt b559.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Cytochrome b Group↗

Site-directed mutagenesis of the CPa-1 protein of photosystem II: alteration of the basic residue pair 384,385R to 384,385G leads to a defect associated with the oxygen-evolving complex.

The psbB gene encodes the intrinsic chlorophyll-a binding protein CPa-1 (CP-47), a component of photosystem II in higher plants, algae, and cyanobacteria. Oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis was used to introduce mutations into a segment of the psbB gene encoding the large extrinsic loop region of CPa-1 in the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803. Altered psbB genes were introduced into a mutant recipient strain (DEL-1) of Synechocystis in which the genomic psbB gene had been partially deleted. Initial target sites for mutagenesis were absolutely conserved basic residue pairs occurring within the large extrinsic loop. One mutation, RR384385GG, produced a strain with impaired photosystem II activity. This strain exhibited growth characteristics comparable to controls. However, at saturating light intensities this mutant strain evolved oxygen at only 50% of the rate of the control strains. Quantum yield measurements at low light intensities indicated that the mutant had 30% fewer fully functional photosystem II centers than do control strains of Synechocystis. Immunological analysis of a number of photosystem II protein components indicated that the mutant accumulates normal quantities of photosystem II proteins and that the ratio of photosystem II to photosystem I proteins is comparable to that found in control strains. Upon exposure to high light intensities the mutant cells exhibited a markedly increased susceptibility to photoinactivation. However, Tris-treated thylakoid membranes from both the mutant and wild-type exhibited comparable rates of photoinactivation. Thylakoid membranes isolated from RR384385GG exhibited only 15% of the H2O to 2,6-dichlorophenolindophenol electron transport rate observed in wild-type strains.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Base Sequence↗

The oxygen-evolving complex requires chloride to prevent hydrogen peroxide formation.

Illumination of PSII core preparations can cause the production of H2O2 at rates which approach 60 mumol of H2O2 (mg of Chl.h)-1. The rate of peroxide production is maximal at pH 7.2 at low sucrose concentrations and at concentrations of Cl- (1.5-3.0 mM) that limit the rate of the oxidation of water to O2. The rate of H2O2 production increased with pH from pH 6.8 to 7.2 and was inversely proportional to the oxidation of water to O2 from pH 6.8 to 7.5. While EDTA does not inhibit H2O2 production, this reaction is abolished by 5 mM NH2OH and inhibited by the same concentrations of NH3 that affect water oxidation which indicates that the oxygen-evolving complex is responsible for the production of peroxide generated upon illumination of PSII core preparations. These results support a mechanism in which bound Cl- in the S2 state is displaced by OH- ions which are then oxidized by the OEC to form H2O2. Thus, the OEC requires Cl- to prevent access to the active site of the OEC until four oxidizing equivalents can be generated to allow the oxidation of water to O2.

Anions↗

Identification of a Mn-O-Mn cluster vibrational mode of the oxygen-evolving complex in photosystem II by low-frequency FTIR spectroscopy.

We have developed conditions for recording the low-frequency S(2)/S(1) Fourier transform infrared difference spectrum of hydrated PSII samples. By exchanging PSII samples with buffered (18)O water, we found that a positive band at 606 cm(-)(1) in the S(2)/S(1) spectrum in (16)O water is clearly downshifted to 596 cm(-)(1) in (18)O water. By taking double-difference (S(2)/S(1) and (16)O minus (18)O) spectra, we assign the 606 cm(-)(1) mode to an S(2) mode and also identify a corresponding S(1) mode at about 625 cm(-)(1). In addition, by Sr and (44)Ca substitution experiments, we found that the 606 cm(-)(1) mode is upshifted to about 618 cm(-)(1) by Sr(2+) substitution but that this mode is not affected by substitution with the (44)Ca isotope. On the basis of these results and also on the basis of studies of Mn model compounds, we assign the 625 cm(-)(1) mode in the S(1) state and the 606 cm(-)(1) mode in the S(2) state to a Mn-O-Mn cluster vibration of the oxygen-evolving complex (OEC) in PSII. This structure may include additional bridge(s), which could be another oxo, carboxylato(s), or atoms derived from an amino acid side chain. Our results indicate that the bridged oxygen atom shown in this Mn-O-Mn cluster is exchangeable and accessible by water. The downshift in the Mn-O-Mn cluster vibration as manganese is oxidized during the S(1) --> S(2) transition is counterintuitive; we discuss possible origins of this behavior. Our results also indicate that Sr(2+) substitution in PSII causes a small structural perturbation that affects the bond strength of the Mn-O-Mn cluster in the PSII OEC. This suggests that Sr(2+), and by inference, Ca(2+), communicates with, but is not integral to, the manganese core.

Calcium Isotopes↗

Orientation of the oxygen-evolving manganese complex in a photosystem II membrane preparation: an X-ray absorption spectroscopy study.

X-ray absorption spectroscopy has been performed on oriented photosystem II membrane particles isolated from spinach. Structural features of the tetranuclear Mn cluster and the orientation of the cluster with respect to the lipid bilayer were determined in both the S1 and S2 states of the Kok cycle. Variation of the sample orientation with respect to the X-ray e-vector yields highly dichroic K-edge and extended X-ray absorption fine structure spectra (EXAFS), indicative of an asymmetric tetranuclear cluster. Mn-Mn vectors at 2.72 and 3.38 A can be resolved from these measurements using quantitative analysis. The 2.72-A vector, consisting of at least two component vectors, is oriented at an average angle of 60 degrees +/- 7 degrees to the membrane normal, with an average of 1.1 +/- 0.1 interactions per Mn atom. The 3.38-A vector, most probably an average of two vectors, makes an angle of 43 degrees +/- 10 degrees with respect to the membrane normal, with an average of 0.45 +/- 0.07 backscatterer per Mn atom. Upon advance to the S2 state, the orientation of these vectors and the average numbers of backscatterers are approximately invariant. Analysis of more subtle features of the EXAFS reveals changes accompanying this S-state advance that are consistent with the oxidation of Mn during this transition. However, the dominant structural features of the oxygen-evolving complex remain constant in the S1 and S2 states. The structure of the Mn complex and the orientation of the complex in the membrane within the context of dichroism of the X-ray absorption data are discussed.

Chloroplasts↗

Temperature-dependent pulsed electron paramagnetic resonance studies of the S2 state multiline signal of the photosynthetic oxygen-evolving complex.

The electron spin-lattice relaxation rate (1/T1) of the g = 2 "multiline" manganese electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) signal arising from the photosystem II oxygen-evolving complex poised in the S2 state has been directly measured over the temperature range of 4.2-11 K via the inversion-recovery pulsed EPR technique. The electron spin echo amplitude of the g = 2 "multiline" signal varies inversely with temperature over this range, indicating a ground spin state Curie law behavior in agreement with our previously reported work [Britt et al. (1992) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1140, 95-101]. Results of a plot of the natural log of the electron spin-lattice relaxation rate versus reciprocal temperature are consistent with an Orbach mechanism serving as the dominant relaxation pathway for the "multiline" signal in this temperature range. The slope of the plot indicates that an excited spin state manifold exists 36.5 cm-1 above the ground-state manifold that gives rise to the "multiline" signal.

Electron Spin Resonance Spectroscopy↗

D1-Asp170 is structurally coupled to the oxygen evolving complex in photosystem II as revealed by light-induced Fourier transform infrared difference spectroscopy.

We report both mid-frequency (1800-1200 cm(-)(1)) and low-frequency (670-350 cm(-)(1)) S(2)/S(1) FTIR difference spectra of photosystem II (PSII) particles isolated from wild-type and D1-D170H mutant cells of the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803. Both mid- and low-frequency S(2)/S(1) spectra of the Synechocystis wild-type PSII particles closely resemble those from spinach PSII samples, which confirms an earlier result by Noguchi and co-workers [Noguchi, T., Inoue, Y., and Tang, X.-S. (1997) Biochemistry 36, 14705-14711] and indicates that the coordination environment of the oxygen evolving complex (OEC) in Synechocystis is very similar to that in spinach. We also found that there is no appreciable difference between the mid-frequency S(2)/S(1) spectra of wild-type and of D1-D170H mutant PSII particles, from which we conclude that D1-Asp170 does not undergo a significant structural change during the S(1) to S(2) transition. This result also suggests that, if D1-Asp170 ligates Mn, it does not ligate the Mn ion that is oxidized during the S(1) to S(2) state transition. Finally, we found that a mode at 606 cm(-)(1) in the low-frequency wild-type S(2)/S(1) spectrum shifts to 612 cm(-)(1) in the D1-D170H mutant spectrum. Because this 606 cm(-)(1) mode has been previously assigned to an Mn-O-Mn cluster mode of the OEC [Chu, H.-A., Sackett, H., and Babcock, G. T. (2000) Biochemistry 39, 14371-14376], we conclude that D1-Asp170 is structurally coupled to the Mn-O-Mn cluster structure that gives rise to this band. Our results suggest that D1-Asp170 either directly ligates Mn or Ca(2+) or participates in a hydrogen bond to the Mn(4)Ca(2+) cluster. Our results demonstrate that combining FTIR difference spectroscopy with site-directed mutagenesis has the potential to provide insights into structural changes in Mn and Ca(2+) coordination environments in the different S states of the OEC.

Aspartic Acid↗

EPR characterization of an oxygen-evolving photosystem II preparation from the transformable cyanobacterium Synechocystis 6803.

The transformable cyanobacterium Synechocystis 6803 has a photosynthetic apparatus that is similar to that of plants. Because of the ease with which this organism can be genetically manipulated and isotopically labeled, Synechocystis has been used extensively in recent studies of electron transfer in the water-splitting complex, photosystem II. Here, we present the first EPR characterization of a highly active oxygen-evolving preparation from this organism. This preparation shows oxygen-evolution activities in the range from 2400-2600 mumol of O2/(mg of chlorophyll.h). We show that this preparation is stable enough for room temperature EPR studies. We then use this assay to show that the lineshapes of the D+ and Z+ tyrosine radicals are identical in this preparation, as has been observed in photosystem II complexes from a wide variety of photosynthetic species. We also present the first multiline EPR spectrum that has been observed from the Synechocystis manganese cluster.

Blotting, Western↗

Flash-induced Fourier transform infrared detection of the structural changes during the S-state cycle of the oxygen-evolving complex in photosystem II.

Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) difference spectra of all flash-induced S-state transitions of the oxygen-evolving complex were measured using photosystem II (PSII) core complexes of Synechococcus elongatus. The PSII core sample was given eight successive flashes with 1 s intervals at 10 degrees C, and FTIR difference spectra upon individual flashes were measured. The obtained difference spectra upon the first to fourth flashes showed considerably different spectral features from each other, whereas the fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth flash spectra were similar to the first, second, third, and fourth flash spectra, respectively. The intensities at the wavenumbers of prominent peaks of the first and second flash spectra showed clear period four oscillation patterns. These oscillation patterns were well fitted with the Kok model with 13% misses. These results indicate that the first, second, third, and fourth flash spectra represent the difference spectra upon the S(1) --> S(2), S(2) --> S(3), S(3) --> S(0), and S(0) --> S(1) transitions, respectively. In these spectra, prominent bands were observed in the symmetric (1300-1450 cm(-)(1)) and asymmetric (1500-1600 cm(-)(1)) stretching regions of carboxylate groups and in the amide I region (1600-1700 cm(-)(1)). Comparison of the band features suggests that the drastic coordination changes of carboxylate groups and the protein conformational changes in the S(1) --> S(2) and S(2) --> S(3) transitions are reversed in the S(3) --> S(0) and S(0) --> S(1) transitions. The flash-induced FTIR measurements during the S-state cycle will be a promising method to investigate the detailed molecular mechanism of photosynthetic oxygen evolution.

Amides↗

A possible role of redox-active histidine in the photoligation of manganese into a photosynthetic O2-evolving enzyme.

Our previous experiments with a histidine modifier suggest that in Mn-depleted photosystem (PS) II a histidine residue is photooxidized and charge recombination between the oxidized histidine and QA-emits the thermoluminescence AT-band [Ono, T., & Inoue, Y. (1991) FEBS Lett. 278, 183-186]. By use of the AT-band as an index for histidine oxidation, and EPR signals IIf and IIs as indexes for tyrosine oxidation, we studied the role of this putative redox-active histidine in the photoactivation of the O2-evolving enzyme in NH2OH-treated PSII. The following results have been obtained. (i) Strong-light photoinhibition of NH2OH-treated PSII quickly impaired both capabilities of photoactivation and AT-band emission with almost the same half-inhibition time of 1-2 s, while signal IIf was well retained and signal IIs was not affected at all after complete loss of photoactivation capability. (ii) The capability of exogenous Mn2+ photooxidation was relatively sensitive to strong-light photoinhibition, but DPC was relatively sensitive to strong-light photoinhibition, but DPC photooxidation was highly resistant. (iii) Weak-light photoinhibition simultaneously impaired the capabilities of photoactivation, AT-band emission, and signal IIf with the same half-inhibition time of 1 min, leaving signal IIs unaffected. (iv) It was inferred that the putative redox-active histidine is essential for the photooxidation of coordinated Mn2+, the probable initial step of photoactivation, and its photodamage results in the loss of the capabilities of photoactivation and AT-band emission. Based on these, a scheme of electron transfer on the donor side of PSII involving histidine oxidation via Z+ is proposed.

2,6-Dichloroindophenol↗

S-state dependent Fourier transform infrared difference spectra for the photosystem II oxygen evolving complex.

Vibrational spectroscopy provides a means to investigate molecular interactions within the active site of an enzyme. We have applied difference FTIR spectroscopy coupled with a flash turnover protocol of photosystem II (PSII) to study the oxygen evolving complex (OEC). Our data show two overlapping oscillatory patterns as the sample is flashed through the four-step S-state cycle that produces O(2) from two H(2)O molecules. The first oscillation pattern of the spectra shows a four-flash period four oscillation and reveals a number of new vibrational modes for each S-state transition, indicative of unique structural changes involved in the formation of each S-state. Importantly, the first and second flash difference spectra are reproduced in the 1800-1200 cm(-)(1) spectral region by the fifth and sixth flash difference spectra, respectively. The second oscillation pattern observed is a four-flash, period-two oscillation associated with changes primarily to the amide I and II modes and reports on changes in sign of these modes that alternate 0:0:1:1 during S-state advance. This four-flash, period-two oscillation undergoes sign inversion that alternates during the S(1)-to-S(2) and S(3)-to-S(0) transitions. Underlying this four-flash period two is a small-scale change in protein secondary structure in the PSII complex that is directly related to S-state advance. These oscillation patterns and their relationships with other PSII phenomena are discussed, and future work can initiate more detailed vibrational FTIR studies for the S-state transitions providing spectral assignments and further structural and mechanistic insight into the photosynthetic water oxidation reaction.

Amides↗

Active and resting states of the O2-evolving complex of photosystem II.

During dark adaptation, a change in the O2-evolving complex (OEC) of spinach photosystem II (PSII) occurs that affects both the structure of the Mn site and the chemical properties of the OEC, as determined from low-temperature electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy and O2 measurements. The S2-state multiline EPR signal, arising from a Mn-containing species in the OEC, exhibits different properties in long-term (4 h at 0 degrees C) and short-term (6 min at 0 degree C) dark-adapted PSII membranes or thylakoids. The optimal temperature for producing this EPR signal in long-term dark-adapted samples is 200 K compared to 170 K for short-term dark-adapted samples. However, in short-term dark-adapted samples, illumination at 170 K produces an EPR signal with a different hyperfine structure and a wider field range than does illumination at 160 K or below. In contrast, the line shape of the S2-state EPR signal produced in long-term dark-adapted samples is independent of the illumination temperature. The EPR-detected change in the Mn site of the OEC that occurs during dark adaptation is correlated with a change in O2 consumption activity of PSII or thylakoid membranes. PSII membranes and thylakoid membranes slowly consume O2 following illumination, but only when a functional OEC and excess reductant are present. We assign this slow consumption of O2 to a catalytic reduction of O2 by the OEC in the dark. The rate of O2 consumption decreases during dark adaptation; long-term dark-adapted PSII or thylakoid membranes do not consume O2 despite the presence of excess reductant.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Chlorophyll↗

Differential scanning calorimetric studies of photosystem II: evidence for a structural role for cytochrome b559 in the oxygen-evolving complex.

Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) has been used to investigate the macroscopic structure of photosystem II (PS II). Five endothermic transitions, A1, A2, B, C, and D, are observed in the 30-70 degrees C temperature range and are partially assigned on the basis of heat inactivation experiments, relative peak areas, and the effect of MgCl2 on the DSC trace. We suggest that peaks C and D correspond to the denaturation of the light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b proteins and peak B to the denaturation of components critical to the electron-transport chain. In a DSC study of thylakoid membranes [Cramer, W. A., Whitmarsh, J., & Low, P. S. (1981) Biochemistry 20, 157-162], the lowest temperature shoulder was assigned to the denaturation of the oxygen-evolving complex (OEC). By correlating the temperature of heat inactivation with the temperatures of the DSC peaks of PS II in a range of detergent concentrations (causing shifts in the peak positions), we assign peak A2 to the functional denaturation of the OEC. We have used peak A2 as a new probe of the OEC and have found this peak to be sensitive to the oxidation state of cytochrome b559. Oxidation of cytochrome b559 with 1 mM ferricyanide, which has no effect on oxygen evolution activity, causes peak A2 to disappear, probably by making it too broad to observe.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Calorimetry, Differential Scanning↗

Binding of amines to the O2-evolving center of photosystem II.

The binding of several primary amines to the O2-evolving center (OEC) of photosystem II (PSII) has been studied by using low-temperature electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy of the S2 state. Spinach PSII membranes treated with NH4Cl at pH 7.5 produce a novel S2-state multiline EPR spectrum with a 67.5-G hyperfine line spacing when the S2 state is produced by illumination at 0 degrees C [Beck, W. F., de Paula, J. C., & Brudvig, G. W. (1986) J. Am. Chem. Soc. 108, 4018-4022]. The altered hyperfine line spacing and temperature dependence of the S2-state multiline EPR signal observed in the presence of NH4Cl are direct spectroscopic evidence for coordination of one or more NH3 molecules to the Mn site in the OEC. In contrast, the hyperfine line pattern and temperature dependence of the S2-state multiline EPR spectrum in the presence of tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane, 2-amino-2-ethyl-1,3-propanediol, or CH3NH2 at pH 7.5 were the same as those observed in untreated PSII membranes. We conclude that amines other than NH3 do not readily bind to the Mn site in the S2 state because of steric factors. Further, NH3 binds to an additional site on the OEC, not necessarily located on Mn, and alters the stability of the S2-state g = 4.1 EPR signal species. The effects on the intensities of the g = 4.1 and multiline EPR signals as the NH3 concentration was varied indicate that both EPR signals arise from the same paramagnetic site and that binding of NH3 to the OEC affects an equilibrium between two configurations exhibiting the different EPR signals.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Amines↗

Comparison of the structure of the manganese complex in the S1 and S2 states of the photosynthetic O2-evolving complex: an x-ray absorption spectroscopy study.

A Mn-containing enzyme complex is involved in the oxidation of H2O to O2 in algae and higher plants. X-ray absorption spectroscopy is well suited for studying the structure and function of Mn in this enzyme complex. Results of X-ray K-edge and extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) studies of Mn in the S1 and S2 states of the photosynthetic O2-evolving complex in photosystem II preparations from spinach are presented in this paper. The S2 state was prepared by illumination at 190 K or by illumination at 277 K in the presence of 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea (DCMU); these are protocols that limit the photosystem II reaction center to one turnover. Both methods produce an S2 state characterized by a multiline electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) signal. An additional protocol, illumination at 140 K, produces as a state characterized by the g = 4.1 EPR signal. We have previously observed a shift to higher energy in the X-ray absorption K-edge energy of Mn upon advancement from the dark-adapted S1 state to the S2 state produced by illumination at 190 K [Goodin, D. B., Yachandra, V. K., Britt, R. D., Sauer, K., & Klein, M. P. (1984) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 767, 209-216]. The Mn K-edge spectrum of the 277 K illuminated sample is similar to that produced at 190 K, indicating that the S2 state is similar when produced at 190 or 277 K.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Chlorophyll↗

Kinetics of O2 evolution from H2O2 catalyzed by the oxygen-evolving complex: investigation of the S1-dependent reaction.

The evolution of O2 from H2O2 catalyzed by the oxygen-evolving complex (OEC) in darkness was examined with photosystem II reaction center complex preparations from spinach. Flash illumination of dark-adapted reaction centers was used to make S0-enriched or S1-enriched complexes. The membranes catalyzed O2 evolution from H2O2 when preset to either the S0 or S1 state. However, only the S0-state reaction was inhibited by carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone and dependent on chloride. These results indicate that (1) the S0-dependent and S1-dependent catalytic cycles can be separated by flash illumination, (2) the S0-dependent reaction involves the formation of the S2 state, and (3) the S1-dependent reaction does not involve the formation of the S2 or S3 states. A kinetic study of the S1-dependent reaction revealed a rapid equilibrium ordered mechanism in which (1) the binding of Ca(II) must precede the binding of H2O2 to the OEC and (2) the reaction of Ca(II) with the free enzyme is at thermodynamic equilibrium such that Ca(II) does not necessarily dissociate after each catalytic cycle.

Calcium↗

Manganese-binding proteins of the oxygen-evolving complex.

The extrinsic 33-kDa protein (P33) was cross-linked covalently to the binding site on P33-depleted PSII preparations which is responsible for reconstitution of photosynthetic water oxidation after PSII preparations have been washed with 1 M CaCl2. Conditions were found in which more than half of the cross-linked protein complexes formed in the PSII preparations retained the ability to catalyze the oxidation of water. The complex is composed of the P33 cross-linked to the D1 and D2 proteins and a 34-kDa protein, which is present in lower abundance than the other three proteins. After solubilization of the membranes with SDS and purification by preparative SDS-PAGE, the complex retains bound manganese and can catalyze the conversion of H2O2 to O2. Calcium and chloride increased the catalase activity of the purified cross-linked complex while lanthanum or hydroxylamine abolished the activity. By use of the specific activity of the H2O2-dependent reaction to follow the extent of purification of the cross-linked complex, the most highly purified complex was determined to contain 0.34 microgram of manganese/180 micrograms of protein. The mole ratio of Mn/protein was calculated to range from 3.6 to 4.5 depending on the assumed stoichiometry of the protein subunits. The results presented here provide direct evidence that one or more of the three proteins that have cross-linked to the P33 are responsible for binding the manganese of the oxygen-evolving complex.

Catalase↗

Directed alteration of the D1 polypeptide of photosystem II: evidence that tyrosine-161 is the redox component, Z, connecting the oxygen-evolving complex to the primary electron donor, P680.

In photosystem II, electrons are sequentially extracted from water at a site containing Mn atoms and transferred through an intermediate carrier (Z) to the photooxidized reaction-center chlorophyll (P680+). Two polypeptides, D1 and D2, coordinate the primary photoreactants of the reaction center. Recently Debus et al. [Debus, R.J., Barry, B.A., Babcock, G.T., & McIntosh, L. (1988) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 85, 427-430], have suggested that Z is a tyrosine residue located at position 161 of the D1 protein. To test this proposal, we have engineered a strain of the cyanobacterium Synechocystis PCC 6803 to produce a D1 polypeptide in which Tyr-161 has been replaced by phenylalanine. Wild-type Synechocystis PCC 6803 contains three nonidentical copies of the psbA gene which encode the D1 polypeptide. In the mutant strain, two copies were deleted by replacement with antibiotic-resistance genes, and site-directed mutations were constructed in a cloned portion of the remaining gene (psbA-3), carrying a third antibiotic-resistance gene downstream. Transformants were selected for antibiotic resistance and then screened for a photoautotrophy-minus phenotype. The mutant genotype was verified by complementation tests and by amplification and sequencing of genomic DNA. Cells of the mutant cannot evolve oxygen and, unlike the wild type, are unable to stabilize, with high efficiency, the charge-separated state in the presence of hydroxylamine and DCMU [3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea]. Analyses by optical and EPR spectroscopy of reaction centers purified from this mutant indicate that Z can no longer be photooxidized and, instead, a chlorophyll cation radical, Chl+, is produced in the light. In the wild type, charge recombination between Z+ and the reduced primary quinone electron acceptor QA- occurs with a t1/2 of 80 ms. In the mutant, charge recombination between Chl+ and QA- occurs with a t1/2 of 1 ms. From these observations, we conclude that Z is indeed Tyr-161 of the D1 polypeptide.

Base Sequence↗