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PubMed1999

Introduction of histidine analogs leads to enhanced proton transfer in carbonic anhydrase V.

The rate-limiting step in the catalysis of the hydration of CO2 by carbonic anhydrase involves transfer of protons between zinc-bound water and solution. This proton transfer can be enhanced by proton shuttle residues within the active-site cavity of the enzyme. We have used chemical modulation to provide novel internal proton transfer groups that enhance catalysis by murine carbonic anhydrase V (mCA V). This approach involves the site-directed mutation of a targeted residue to a cysteine which is then subsequently reacted with an imidazole analog containing an appropriately positioned leaving group. Compounds examined include 4-bromoethylimidazole (4-BEI), 2-chloromethylimidazole (2-CMI), 4-chloromethylimidazole (4-CMI), and a triazole analog. Two sites in mCA V, Lys 91 and Tyr 131, located on the rim of the active-site cavity have been targeted for the introduction of these imidazole analogs. Modification of the introduced Cys 131 with 4-BEI and 4-CMI resulted in enhancements of up to threefold in catalytic activity. The pH profiles indicate the presence of a new proton shuttle residue of pKa near 5.8, consistent with the introduction of a functional proton transfer group into the active site. This is the first example of incorporation by chemical modification of an unnatural amino acid analog of histidine that can act as a proton shuttle in an enzyme.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Mutation of conserved polar residues in the transmembrane domain of the proton-pumping pyridine nucleotide transhydrogenase of Escherichia coli.

The pyridine nucleotide transhydrogenase carries out transmembrane proton translocation coupled to transfer of a hydride ion equivalent between NAD+ and NADP+. Previous workers (E. Holmberg et al. Biochemistry 33, 7691-7700, 1994; N. A. Glavas et al. Biochemistry 34, 7694-7702, 1995) had examined the role in proton translocation of conserved charged residues in the transmembrane domain. This study was extended to examine the role of conserved polar residues of the transmembrane domain. Site-directed mutagenesis of these residues did not produce major effects on hydride transfer or proton translocation activities except in the case of betaAsn222. Most mutants of this residue were drastically impaired in these activities. Three phenotypes were recognized. In betaN222C both activities were impaired maximally by 70%. The retention of proton translocation indicated that betaAsn222 was not directly involved in proton translocation. In betaN222H both activities were drastically reduced. Binding of NADP+ but not of NADPH was impaired. In betaN222R, by contrast, NADP+ remained tightly bound to the mutant transhydrogenase. It is concluded that betaAsn222, located in a transmembrane alpha-helix, is part of the conformational pathway by which NADP(H) binding, which occurs outside of the transmembrane domain, is coupled to proton translocation. Some nonconserved or semiconserved polar residues of the transmembrane domain were also examined by site-directed mutagenesis. Interaction of betaGlu124 with the proton translocation pathway is proposed.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1998

From glycine to glutamic acid: analysis of the proton-binding isotherm of glutamic acid.

The process of the analysis of the protonation of glycine is extended to the three-site molecule of glutamic acid with its amino and two carboxyl groups. Detailed data on the binding of protons to glutamic acid are available not only for protonation of the three groups simultaneously but also for derivatives in which the alpha and beta carboxyl groups are esterified. These data plus data on the protonation of glutaric acid provide the necessary information for a complete description of the protonation process with a limited number of reasonable assumptions. The assumptions lead to the conclusion that stabilization of the molecule of glutamic acid occurs on all steps of the protonation with the predominant stabilization occurring in the early steps of the reaction. An Appendix is included showing that the experimental data for both glycine and glutamic acid can be generated with hypothetical molecules. For glycine, identical experimental isotherms can result from protonation of two different nitrogen groups as well as two different negative groups. With glutamic acid three hypothetical molecules are capable of generating the identical experimental isotherms. They are (i) three nitrogen groups, (ii) three negative groups, and (iii) two nitrogen groups combined with one negative group. Interpretation of binding data requires explicit assumptions defining both the interactions and the nature of the binding sites.

Glutamic Acid↗

PubMed1999

In vivo detection of (15)N-coupled protons in rat brain by ISIS localization and multiple-quantum editing.

Three-dimensional image-selected in vivo spectroscopy (ISIS) was combined with phase-cycled (1)H-(15)N heteronuclear multiple-quantum coherence (HMQC) transfer NMR for localized selective observation of protons J-coupled to (15)N in phantoms and in vivo. The ISIS-HMQC sequence, supplemented by jump-return water suppression, permitted localized selective observation of 2-5 micromol of [(15)N(indole)]tryptophan, a precursor of the neurotransmitter serotonin, through the (15)N-coupled proton in 20-40 min of acquisition in vitro at 4.7 T. In vivo, the amide proton of [5-(15)N]glutamine was selectively observed in the brain of spontaneously breathing (15)NH(4)(+)-infused rats, using a volume probe with homogeneous (1)H and (15)N fields. Signal recovery after three-dimensional localization was 72-82% in phantoms and 59 +/- 4% in vivo. The result demonstrates that localized selective observation of (15)N-coupled protons, with complete cancellation of all other protons except water, can be achieved in spontaneously breathing animals by the ISIS-HMQC sequence. This sequence performs both volume selection and heteronuclear editing through an addition/subtraction scheme and predicts the highest intrinsic sensitivity for detection of (15)N-coupled protons in the selected volume. The advantages and limitations of this method for in vivo application are compared to those of other localized editing techniques currently in use for non-exchanging protons.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

The ligand-receptor-G-protein ternary complex as a GTP-synthase. steady-state proton pumping and dose-response relationships for beta -adrenoceptors.

Steady-state solutions are developed for the rate of G alpha.GTP production in a synthase model of the ligand-receptor-G-protein ternary complex activated by a ligand-receptor proton pumping mechanism. The effective rate, k(31), defining the proton transfer, phosphorylation and G alpha.GTP release is a controlling rate of the synthase in the presence of a ligand with an efficient mode of signal activation, the ligand-receptor interaction taking place under effectively equilibrium conditions. The composite rate, however, becomes an amplifying factor in any dose-response relationship. The amplification is a triple product of the rate, k(31), the equilibrium constant associated with the activation of the proton signal, K(act)and the fraction of agonist conformer transmitting the signal, f(*). Where the rate of activation of the proton signal becomes critically inefficient, the rate of activation, k(act 1)replaces k(31)K(act). A correlation between beta(1)-adrenergic receptor-stimulated GDP release and adenylate cyclase activation shows that this correlation is not unique to an exchange reaction. Within the initiating Tyr-Arg-Tyr receptor proton shuttle mechanism, the position of Arg(r156) paralleldictates the high-(R(p)) and low-(R(u)) ligand-binding affinities. These states are close to R(*)and R(0)of the equilibrium model (De Lean et al., 1980, J. Biol. Chem.255, 7108-7117). An increased rate of hydrogen ion diffusion into a receptor mutant can give rise to constitutive activity while increased rates of G-protein release and changes in receptor state balance can contribute to the resultant level of action. Constitutive action will arise from a faster rate of G-protein release alone if proton diffusion in the wild-type receptor contributes to a basal level of G-protein activation. Competitive ligand-receptor occupancy for constitutive mutants shows that, where the rate of G-protein activation from the proportion of ligand-occupied receptors is less than the equivalent rate that would be generated from this fraction by proton diffusion, inverse agonism will occur. Rate-dependent dose-responses developed for the proposed synthase mechanism give explicit definition to the operational model for partial agonism (Black & Leff, 1983, Proc. Roy. Soc. Lond. B220, 141-162). When comparable ligands have effectively identical conformational states at the transition state for signal activation, the antagonist component of the binding "in vitro" can be derived by multiplying the apparent binding constant by (1-e) where e is the maximum stimulatory response. This component should be consistent throughout the tissues.

Dose-Response Relationship, Drug↗

PubMed2000

Proton dynamics in letovicite, (NH4)3H(SO4)2: a 1H and 14N NMR spectroscopic study.

The improper ferroelastic phase letovicite (NH4)3H(SO4)2 has been studied by 1H MAS NMR as well as by static 14N NMR experiments in the temperature range of 296-425 K. The 1H MAS NMR resonance from ammonium protons can be well distinguished from that of acidic protons. A third resonance appears just below the phase transition temperature which is due to the acidic protons in the paraelastic phase. The lowering of the second moment M2 for the ammonium protons takes place in the same temperature range as the formation of domain boundaries, while the signals of the acidic protons suffer a line narrowing in the area of Tc. The static 14N NMR spectra confirm the temperature of the motional changes of the ammonium tetrahedra. Two-dimensional 1H NOESY spectra indicate a chemical exchange between ammonium protons and the acidic protons of the paraphase.

Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy↗

PubMed1993

Oxytocin solution structure changes upon protonation of the N-terminus in dimethyl sulfoxide.

With the combined use of various two-dimensional (2D) NMR techniques, a complete assignment of the 1H and 13C resonances of oxytocin, Cys-Tyr-Ile-Gln-Asn-Cys-Pro-Leu-Gly-NH2, for two molecular states, protonated and unprotonated at the N-terminal group, was performed in dimethyl sulfoxide. A small but distinct change in the backbone conformation of the six-residue cyclic moiety, associated with the protonation, was first suggested from those NMR parameters relevant to conformation, such as change with temperature in the chemical shifts of the peptide amide protons and changes in chemical shifts and homonuclear as well as heteronuclear three-bond coupling constants. The solution structures of oxytocin for the protonated and unprotonated forms were then calculated using distance analysis in dihedral-angle space, based on a relaxation matrix evaluated from quantitative NOE intensities at different mixing times. Total amounts of 93 and 105 distances were determined for the protonated and the unprotonated forms, respectively. There were 25 interresidue distances relevant to the structure of the cyclic moiety for the protonated form of oxytocin and 43 for the unprotonated form. Overall structures with the lowest target penalty function were similar between the two forms, having a beta-turn structure at the endocyclic residues of the Tyr-Ile-Gln-Asn moiety. The local backbone conformations near the N-terminus, however, were significantly different between the two forms. This was found to be due to a change in the dihedral angle of the disulfide bridge (chi ss around C-S-S-C), which closes the ring in the cyclic peptide. The dihedral angle was about +90 degrees for the unprotonated form and an intermediate value of about +45 degrees for the protonated form.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1992

Amiloride sensitivity of proton-conductive pathways in gastric and intestinal apical membrane vesicles.

Passive proton permeability of gastrointestinal apical membrane vesicles was determined. The nature of the pathways for proton permeation was investigated using amiloride. The rate of proton permeation (kH+) was determined by addition of vesicles (pHi = 6.5) to a pH 8.0 solution containing acridine orange. The rate of recovery of acridine orange fluorescence after quenching by the acidic vesicles ranged from 4 x 10(-3) (gastric parietal cell stimulation-associated vesicles; SAV) and 5 x 10(-3) (duodenal brush-border membrane vesicles; dBBMV) to 11 x 10(-3) sec-1 (ileal BBMV; iBBMV). Amiloride, 0.03 and 0.1 mM, significantly reduced the rate of proton permeation in dBBMV and iBBMV, but not gastric SAV. The decreases in kH+ were proportionately greater in iBBMV as compared with dBBMV. The presence of Na+/H+ exchange was demonstrated in both dBBMV and iBBMV by proton-driven (pHi less than pHo) 22Na+ uptake. Evidence was also sought for the conductive nature of pathways for proton permeation. Intravesicular acidification, again determined by quenching of acridine orange fluorescence, was observed during imposition of K(+)-diffusion potential ([K+]i much much greater than [K+]o). In dBBMV and iBBMV, intravesicular acidification was enhanced in the presence of the K(+)-ionophore valinomycin, indicating that the native K+ permeability is rate limiting. In the presence of valinomycin, the K(+)-diffusion potential drove BBMV intravesicular acidification to levels close to the electrochemical potential. In gastric SAV, acidification was not limited by the K+ permeability. Valinomycin was without effect, but the K+/H+ ionophore nigericin enhanced acidification in gastric SAV, illustrating the low proton permeability of these membranes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Amiloride↗

PubMed1977

Proton translocation in intack cells of Thiobacillus denitrificans.

Proton translocation assessed by the quinacrine fluorescence technique was compared with oxygen uptake during thiosulphate oxidation by cells of Thiobacillus denitrificans. The addition of thiosulphate to cell suspensions resulted in an outwardly directed proton translocation as reflected by an increased quinacrine fluorescence. Compared to the O2 uptake activity, the proton translocating system was much more sensitive to proton conductors, other ionophores and inhibitors of electron transport. The results indicate that (a) the proton-translocation activity (membrane energization) is enhanced in aged cell suspensions, (b) intactness of the cytoplasmic membrane is essential for establishing a protonmotive force in cells, (c) the fluorescence increase and proton translocation are reversible processes, (d) inhibitors of electron transport may also act as proton conductors by altering the integrity of the cytoplasmic membrane.

Cell Membrane↗

PubMed1991

Occurrence and taxonomic aspects of proton movements coupled to sugar transport in the yeast genus Kluyveromyces.

The occurrence of proton symport mechanisms for the transport of glucose, galactose, fructose, raffinose and sucrose in 21 yeast strains representing the species of the genus Kluyveromyces was surveyed. Proton symport of one or more sugars occurred in 57% of the strains. Similarly, all the sugars investigated were transported by symports by several strains. Symport systems for non-utilisable sugars were rare. Starvation of cells frequently resulted in the appearance of a symport absent in non-starved glucose-grown cells, indicating that repression of proton symports by glucose and subsequent derepression by starvation is a general phenomenon in members of Kluyveromyces. The addition of a sugar to cell suspensions resulted in acidification in 80% of cases, indicating the activity of a membrane-bound ATPase. Acidification was also observed with a number of sugars that cannot be utilised by the particular species. Interesting correlations between the number of proton symports and the abundance of other phenotypic characteristics in members of the genus emerged. Most members of the infertile group of species showing an increase in the number of small chromosomes, inability to produce well-developed pseudomycelium, linoleic and linolenic acid, a decrease in the number of carbon compounds utilised and inability to utilise ethylamine also had no proton symports, whereas most members of the interfertile species produced one or more proton symports. It was concluded that the distribution of the number of proton symports amongst Kluyveromyces species coincided with that of other positive characteristics and may therefore be of taxonomic value.

Biological Transport, Active↗

PubMed1987

Reaction centers from Rhodopseudomonas sphaeroides in reconstituted phospholipid vesicles. II. Light-induced proton translocation.

Unidirectional light-dependent proton translocation was demonstrated in a suspension of reconstituted reaction center (RC) vesicles supplemented with cytochrome c and 2,3-dimethoxy-5-methyl-1,4-benzoquinone (UQ0), a lipid- and water-soluble quinone. Proton translocation was detected only at alkaline pH. The pH dependence can be accounted for by the slow redox reaction between the reduced quinone (UQ0H2) and oxidized cytochrome c. This conclusion is based on (i) the pH dependence of partial reactions of the reconstituted proton translocation cycle, measured either optically or electrometrically and (ii) titration studies with cytochrome c and UQ0. At 250 and 25 microM UQ0 and cytochrome c, respectively, maximal proton translocation was observed at pH 9.6. This pH optimum can be extended to a more acidic pH by increasing the concentration of the soluble redox mediators in the reconstituted cyclic electron transfer chain. At the alkaline side of the pH optimum, proton translocation appears to be limited by electron transfer from the endogenous primary to the secondary quinone within the RCs. The light intensity limits the reconstituted proton pump at the optimal pH. The results are discussed in the context of a reaction scheme for the cyclic redox reactions and the associated proton translocation events.

Bacterial Proteins↗

PubMed1994

The histidine cycle: a new model for proton translocation in the respiratory heme-copper oxidases.

A model of redox-linked proton translocation is presented for the terminal heme-copper oxidases. The new model, which is distinct both in principle and in detail from previously suggested mechanisms, is introduced in a historical perspective and outlined first as a set of general principles, and then as a more detailed chemical mechanism, adapted to what is known about the chemistry of dioxygen reduction in this family of enzymes. The model postulates a direct mechanistic role in proton-pumping of the oxygenous ligand on the iron in the binuclear heme-copper site through an electrostatic nonbonding interaction between this ligand and the doubly protonated imidazolium group of a conserved histidine residue nearby. In the model this histidine residue cycles between imidazolium and imidazolate states translocating two protons per event, the imidazolate state stabilized by bonding to the copper in the site. The model also suggests a key role in proton translocation for those protons that are taken up in reduction of O2 to water, in that their uptake to the oxygenous ligand unlatches the electrostatically stabilized imidazolium residue and promotes proton release.

Animals↗

PubMed1982

Electrogenic proton transport in epithelial membranes.

Certain polar epithelial cells have strong transport capacities for protons and can be examined in vitro as part of an intact epithelial preparation. Recent studies in the isolated turtle bladder and other tight urinary epithelial indicate that the apical membranes of the carbonic anhydrase-containing cell population of these tissues contain an electrogenic proton pump which has the characteristics of a proton-translocating ATPase. The translocation of protons is tightly coupled to the energy of ATP hydrolysis. Since the pump translocates protons without coupling to the movement of other ions, it may be regarded as an "ideal" electrogenic pump. The apparent simplicity of the functional properties has led to extensive studies of the characteristics of this pump and of the cellular organization of the secondary acid-base flows in the turtle bladder. Over a rather wide range of electrochemical potential gradients, for protons (delta approximately microH) across the epithelium, the rate of H+ transport is nearly linear with delta approximately microH. The formalisms of equivalent circuit analysis and nonequilibrium thermodynamics have been useful in describing the behavior of the pump, but these approaches have obvious limitations. We have attempted to overcome some of these limitations by developing a more detailed set of assumptions about each of the transport step across the pump complex and to formulate a working model for proton transport in the turtle bladder than can account for several otherwise unexplained experimental results. The model suggests that the real pump is neither a simple electromotive force nor a constant current source. Depending on the conditions, it may behave as one or the other.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

PubMed1983

Proton-coupled L-lysine uptake by renal brush border membrane vesicles from mullet (Mugil cephalus).

The uptake of the basic amino acid, L-lysine, was studied in brush border membrane vesicles isolated from the kidney of the striped mullet (Mugil cephalus). The uptake of L-lysine was not significantly stimulated by a Na+ gradient and no overshoot was observed. However, when a proton gradient (pHo = 5.5; pHi = 8.3) was imposed across the membrane in the absence of Na+, uptake was transiently stimulated. When the proton gradient was short circuited by the proton ionophore, carbonylcyanide p-triflouromethoxyphenyl hydrazone, proton gradient-dependent uptake of lysine was inhibited. Kinetics of lysine uptake determined under equilibrium exchange conditions indicated that the Vmax increased as available protons increased (2.1 nmol/min/mg protein at pH 7.5 to 3.7 nmol/min/mg at pH 5.5), whereas the apparent Km (4.9 +/- 0.6 mM) was not altered appreciably. When membrane potential (inside negative) was imposed by K+ diffusion via valinomycin, a similar (but smaller) stimulation of lysine uptake was observed. When the membrane potential and the proton gradient were imposed simultaneously, a much higher stimulation in lysine uptake was shown, and the uptake of lysine was approximately the sum of the components measured separately. These results indicate that the uptake mechanism for basic amino acids is different from that of neutral or acidic amino acids and that the proton-motive force can provide the driving force for the uptake of L-lysine into the isolated brush border membrane vesicles.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Proton leak in hepatocytes and liver mitochondria from archosaurs (crocodiles) and allometric relationships for ectotherms.

It has previously been shown that mitochondrial proton conductance decreases with increasing body mass in mammals and is lower in a 250-g lizard than the laboratory rat. To examine whether mitochondrial proton conductance is extremely low in very large reptiles, hepatocytes and mitochondria were prepared from saltwater crocodiles ( Crocodylus porosus) and freshwater crocodiles ( Crocodylus johnstoni). Respiration rates of hepatocytes and liver mitochondria were measured at 37 degrees C and compared with values obtained for rat or previously measured for other species. Respiration rates of hepatocytes from either species of crocodile were similar to those reported for lizards and approximately one fifth of the rates measured using cells from mammals (rat and sheep). Ten-to-thirty percent of crocodile hepatocyte respiration was used to drive mitochondrial proton leak, similar to the proportion in other species. Respiration rates of crocodile liver mitochondria were similar to those of mammalian species. Proton leak rate in isolated liver mitochondria was measured as a function of membrane potential. Contrary to our prediction, the mitochondrial proton conductance of liver mitochondria from crocodiles was greater than that of liver mitochondria from lizards and was similar to that of rats. The acyl composition of liver mitochondrial phospholipids from the crocodiles was more similar to that in mitochondria from rats than in mitochondria from lizards. The relatively high mitochondrial proton conductance was associated with a relatively small liver, which seems to be characteristic of crocodilians. Comparison of data from a number of diverse ectothermic species suggested that hepatocyte respiration rate may decrease with body mass, with an allometric exponent of about -0.2, similar to the exponent in mammalian hepatocytes. However, unlike mammals, liver mitochondrial proton conductance in ectotherms showed no allometric relationship with body size.

Alligators and Crocodiles↗

PubMed1983

Solvent proton relaxation studies of cytochrome c oxidase solutions.

The interaction of solvent water protons with the bound paramagnetic metal ions of beef heart cytochrome c oxidase has been examined. The observed proton relaxation rates of enzyme solutions had a negative temperature dependence, indicating a rapid exchange between solvent protons in the coordination sphere of the metal ions and bulk solvent. An analysis of the dependence of the proton relaxation rate on the observation frequency indicated that the correlation time, which modulates the interaction between solvent protons and the unpaired electrons on the metal ions, is due to the electron spin relaxation time of the heme irons of cytochrome c oxidase. This means that at least one of the hemes is exposed to solvent. The proton relaxation rate of the oxidized enzyme was found to be sensitive to changes in ionic strength and to changes in the spin states of the metal ions. Heme a3 was found to be relatively inaccessible to bulk solvent. Partial reduction of the enzyme caused a slight increase in the relaxation rate, which may be due to a change in the antiferromagnetic coupling between two of the bound paramagnetic centers. Further reduction resulted in a decreased relaxation rate, and the fully reduced enzyme was no longer sensitive to changes in ionic strength. The binding of cytochrome c to cytochrome c oxidase had little effect on the proton relaxation rates of oxidized cytochrome oxidase indicating that cytochrome c binding has little effect on solvent accessibility to the metal ion sites.

Animals↗

PubMed1976

Light-driven proton translocations in Halobacterium halobium.

The purple membrane of Halobacterium halobium acts as a light-driven proton pump, ejecting protons from the cell interior into the medium and generating electrochemical proton gradient across the cell membrane. However, the type response of cells to light as measured with a pH electrode in the medium consists of an initial net inflow of protons which subsides and is then replaced by a net outflow which exponentially approaches a new lower steady state pH level. When the light turned off a small transient acidification occurs before the pH returns to the original dark level. We present experiments suggesting that the initial inflow of protons is triggered by the beginning ejection of protons through the purple membrane and that the initial inflow rate is larger than the continuing light-driven outflow. When the initial inflow has decreased exponentially to a small value, the outflow dominates and causes the net acidification of the medium. The initial inflow is apparently driven by a pre-existing electrochemical gradient across the membrane, which the cells can maintain for extended times in the absence of light and oxygen. Treatments which collapse this gradient such as addition of small concentrations of uncouplers abolish the initial inflow. The triggered inflow occurs through the ATPase and is accompanied by ATP synthesis. Inhibitors of the ATPase such as N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCCD) inhibit ATP synthesis and abolish the inflow. They also abolish the transient light-off acidification, which is apparently caused by a short burst of ATP hydrolysis before the enzyme is blocked by its endogenous inhibitor. Similar transient inflows and outflows of protons are also observed when anaerobic cells are exposed to short oxygen pulses.

Bacteriorhodopsins↗

PubMed1979

Studies on the proton transport at system II in trypsin-treated spinach chloroplasts.

The proton transport coupled with the DCMU-insensitive oxygen evolution mediated by K3[Fe(CN)6] in trypsin-treated chloroplasts (Renger, G. (1976) FEBS Lett. 69, 225--230) has been investigated with the aid of the pH indicator bromcresol purple. It was found that (1) the proton uptake from the outer aqueous phase observed in normal chloroplasts is completely suppressed by mild trypsin treatment; (2) a rather slow proton release into the external phase is detected which is insensitive to DCMU; (3) in the presence of DCMU, the extent of the proton release depends on the incubation time with trypsin in a similar manner as the average oxygen yield per flash. The results are interpreted by the assumption, that: (i) the reduced primary electron acceptor of System II, X 320-, does not become protonated, and (ii) the external acidification is caused by a passive efflux of protons, which are released by the watersplitting enzyme system Y into the inner phase of the thylakoids. The pK value of X 320- in trypsinated chloroplasts is estimated to be below 4.5. A possible pK shift caused by a modification of the proteinaceous barrier, which earlier (Renger, G. (1976) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 440, 287--300) was postulated to cover up the primary electron acceptor X 320, is discussed. Furthermore, the watersplitting enzyme system Y is inferred to be sensitive to deletereous attack from the outer aqueous phase mainly by secondary structural effects. Trypsination does not change the direction of the proton release in system Y.

Chloroplasts↗