Purification of cytochrome b-559 from oxygen-evolving Photosystem II preparations of spinach and maize

Protein film voltammetry and co-factor electron transfer dynamics in spinach photosystem II core complex

Direct protein film voltammetry (PFV) was used to investigate the redox properties of the photosystem II (PSII) core complex from spinach. The complex was isolated using an improved protocol not used previously for PFV. The PSII core complex had high oxygen-evolving capacity and was incorporated into thin lipid and polyion films. Three well-defined reversible pairs of reduction and oxidation voltammetry peaks were observed at 4 °C in the dark. Results were similar in both types of films, indicating that the environment of the PSII-bound cofactors was not influenced by film type. Based on comparison with various control samples including Mn-depleted PSII, peaks were assigned to chlorophyll a (Chl a) (Em = -0.47 V, all vs. NHE, at pH 6), quinones (-0.12 V), and the manganese (Mn) cluster (Em = 0.18 V). PFV of purified iron heme protein cytochrome b-559 (Cyt b-559), a component of PSII, gave a partly reversible peak pair at 0.004 V that did not have a potential similar to any peaks observed from the intact PSII core complex. The closest peak in PSII to 0.004 V is the 0.18 V peak that was found to be associated with a two-electron process, and thus is inconsistent with iron heme protein voltammetry. The -0.47 V peak had a peak potential and peak potential-pH dependence similar to that found for purified Chl a incorporated into DMPC films. The midpoint potentials reported here may differ to various extents from previously reported redox titration data due to the influence of electrode double-layer effects. Heterogeneous electron transfer (hET) rate constants were estimated by theoretical fitting and digital simulations for the -0.47 and 0.18 V peaks. Data for the Chl a peaks were best fit to a one-electron model, while the peak assigned to the Mn cluster was best fit by a two-electron/one-proton model.

Reconstitution, spectroscopy, and redox properties of the photosynthetic recombinant cytochrome b(559) from higher plants

A study of the in vitro reconstitution of sugar beet cytochrome b(559) of the photosystem II is described. Both α and β cytochrome subunits were first cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. In vitro reconstitution of this cytochrome was carried out with partially purified recombinant subunits from inclusion bodies. Reconstitution with commercial heme of both (αα) and (ββ) homodimers and (αβ) heterodimer was possible, the latter being more efficient. The absorption spectra of these reconstituted samples were similar to that of the native heterodimer cytochrome b(559) form. As shown by electron paramagnetic resonance and potentiometry, most of the reconstituted cytochrome corresponded to a low spin form with a midpoint redox potential +36 mV, similar to that from the native purified cytochrome b(559). Furthermore, during the expression of sugar beet and Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 cytochrome b(559) subunits, part of the protein subunits were incorporated into the host bacterial inner membrane, but only in the case of the β subunit from the cyanobacterium the formation of a cytochrome b(559)-like structure with the bacterial endogenous heme was observed. The reason for that surprising result is unknown. This in vivo formed (ββ) homodimer cytochrome b(559)-like structure showed similar absorption and electron paramagnetic resonance spectral properties as the native purified cytochrome b(559). A higher midpoint redox potential (+126 mV) was detected in the in vivo formed protein compared to the in vitro reconstituted form, most likely due to a more hydrophobic environment imposed by the lipid membrane surrounding the heme.

In vitro assembly of a beta2 cytochrome b559-like complex from the chemically synthesised beta-subunit encoded by the Synechocystis sp. 6803 psbF gene

The alpha- and beta-subunits of cytochrome b559 encoded by the psbE and psbF gene, respectively, are essential components of photosystem II. The exact structure of this cytochrome is not yet known. The beta-subunit of the Synechocystis sp. 6803 cytochrome b559 complex was synthesised by means of solid-phase peptide synthesis. Under reducing conditions, two beta-peptide molecules could be assembled specifically with one haem to form a beta2 cytochrome b559-like complex. The spectral properties and the midpoint redox potential (48+/-5 mV) of the in vitro assembled beta2 cytochrome are nearly identical to those of the low potential form of the native cytochrome b559.

Nucleotide sequence of the genes encoding cytochrome b-559 from the cyanelle genome of Cyanophora paradoxa

Cyanophora paradoxa is a flagellated protozoan which possesses unusual, chloroplast-like organelles referred to as cyanelles. The psbE and psbF genes, which encode the two apoprotein subunits of cytochrome b-559, have been cloned from the cyanelle genome of C. paradoxa. The complete nucleotide sequences of these genes and their flanking sequences were determined by the chain-termination, dideoxy method. The psbE gene is composed of 75 codons and predicts a polypeptide of 8462 Da that is seven to nine residues smaller than most other psbE gene products. The psbF gene consists of 43 codons and predicts a polypeptide of 4761 Da. Two open reading frames, whose sequences are highly conserved among cyanobacteria and numerous higher plants, were located in the nucleotide sequence downstream from the psbF gene. The first open reading frame, denoted psbI, is composed of 39 codons, while the second open reading frame, denoted psbJ, is composed of 41 codons. The predicted amino acid sequences of the psbI and psbJ gene products predict proteins of 5473 and 3973 Da respectively. These proteins are probably integral membrane proteins anchored in the membrane by a single, transmembrane alpha helix. The psbEFIJ genes are probably co-transcribed and constitute an operon as found for other organisms. Each of the four genes is preceded by a polypurine sequence which resembles the consensus ribsosome binding sequences for Escherichia coli.

Isolation of a manganese-containing protein complex from photosystem II preparations of spinach

Purified 125I-labeled 33-kDa protein binds to calcium-washed photosystem II preparations at high-affinity and low-affinity binding sites. Filling 70% of the high-affinity site with 33-kDa protein induces 63% of the maximum achievable reconstitution of O2-evolving activity. When N-succinimidyl [(4-azidophenyl)dithio]propionate modified 33-kDa protein was reconstituted into Ca(II)-washed membranes under conditions that primarily filled the high-affinity site and then cross-linked to adjacent proteins by illumination of the photoaffinity label, a cross-linked protein complex was formed that could be solubilized from the membranes with sodium dodecyl sulfate. The protein complex consisted of 22-, 24-, 26-, 28-, 29-, and 31-kDa proteins cross-linked to the 33-kDa protein and contained about 3-4 mol of Mn/mol of protein.

Purification and partial sequence of the Mr 10,000 phosphoprotein from spinach thylakoids

The Mr 10,000 phosphoprotein was purified from photosystem II particles by solubilization of the particles in 5% (w/v) dodecyl dimethylamine oxide, centrifugation in 10% (w/v) sucrose, and three chromatography steps. The purified phosphoprotein showed a unique NH2 terminus indicating a highly purified polypeptide. The amino acid sequence for the first nine residues is NH2-Ala-Thr-Gln-Thr-Val-Glu-Ser-Ser-Ser . . . COOH. The amino acid composition was determined and could also be used to help distinguish the polypeptide from other known thylakoid proteins. The sequence and composition data indicated that the Mr 10,000 phosphoprotein is neither the hydrophobic 8-kDa subunit of the energy coupling complex nor cytochrome b-559, but rather a unique, as yet unidentified, polypeptide associated with photosystem II.

On the structure and function of cytochrome b-559

A sumary of biochemical, biophysical, and molecular biological data is presented which led to the identification of two different polypeptides (α and β, MW=9.16 and 4.27 kDa) in the cytochrome b-559 protein. The presence of a single His residue on each polypeptide, and the conclusion from spectroscopy that the heme coordination must be bis-histidine led to an obligatory requirement for coordination of a single heme through a heme cross-linked dimer. This structure does not have a precedent among soluble or membrane bound cytochromes. The possible participation of the cytochrome in the pathway of photoactivation is discussed.

Cytochrome b-559 genes from Oenothera hookeri and Nicotiana tabacum show a remarkably high degree of conservation as compared to spinach. The enigma of cytochrome b-559: highly conserved genes and proteins but no known function

Recent data suggest that cytochrome b-559, an intrinsic membrane protein of the oxygen-evolving photosystem II in chloroplasts, is a heme cross-linked heteromeric polypeptide unit (Herrmann et al. 1984, FEBS Lett 176:239-244). The genes for this cytochrome, designated psbE and psbF, have been located on the chloroplast chromosome of Oenothera hookeri and Nicotiana tabacum by hybridization with fragments of the corresponding spinach genes, and characterized. In both cases, the nucleotide sequence discloses 2 uninterrupted reading frames of 83 and 39 codons separated by a few nucleotides, as in spinach. The amber translation stop codon of psbE overlaps the putative ribosome-binding site for psbF in all cases. The predicted molecular weights of the proteins are 9.2 and 4.3 kd, respectively. In each of the three plant species, and the direction of transcription is opposite to that of the gene for cytochrome f which is located distal to the b-559 genes. Comparison of the deduced amino acid sequences with those from the corresponding spinach genes shows 97% homology. The ubiquitous presence and remarkably high degree of structural and functional conservation of this gene cluster supports the hypothesis of a heteromeric assembly and an important functional role for cytochrome b-559.

Triton X-114 phase fractionation of membrane proteins of the cyanobacterium Anacystis nidulans R2

The thylakoid polypeptides of the cyanobacterium Anacystis nidulans R2 were analyzed by Triton X-114 phase fractionation [C. Bordier (1981) J. Biol. Chem. 256, 1604-1607, as adapted for photosynthetic membranes by T.M. Bricker and L.A. Sherman (1982) FEBS Lett. 149, 197-202]. In this procedure, polypeptides with extensive hydrophobic regions (i.e., intrinsic proteins) form mixed micelles with Triton X-114, and are separated from extrinsic proteins by temperature-mediated precipitation of the mixed Triton X-114-intrinsic protein micelles. The polypeptide pattern after phase fractionation was highly complementary, with 62 of the observed 110 polypeptide components partitioning into the Triton X-114-enriched fraction. Identified polypeptides fractionating into the Triton X-114 phase included the apoproteins for Photosystems I and II, cytochromes f and b6, and the herbicide-binding protein. Identified polypeptides fractioning into the Triton X-114-depleted (aqueous) phase included the large and small subunits of RuBp carboxylase, cytochromes c550 and c554, and ferredoxin. Enzymatic radioiodination of the photosynthetic membranes followed by Triton X-114 phase fractionation allowed direct identification of intrinsic polypeptide components which possess surface-exposed regions susceptible to radioiodination. The most prominent of these polypeptides was a 34-kDa component which was associated with photosystem II. This phase partitioning procedure has been particularly helpful in the clarification of the identity of the membrane-associated cytochromes, and of photosystem II components. When coupled with surface-probing techniques, this procedure is very useful in identifying intrinsic proteins which possess surface-exposed domains. Phase fractionation, in conjunction with the isolation of specific membrane components and complexes, has allowed the identification of many of the important intrinsic thylakoid membrane proteins of A. nidulans R2.

Studies on the relation of the Mr 9000 phosphoprotein to cytochrome b-559 in spinach thylakoid membranes

Cytochrome b-559 was purified from phosphorylated spinach chloroplast thylakoids after activation of kinase activity in the presence of [gamma-32P]ATP in order to determine whether the 9-kDa phosphoprotein in these membranes arises from phosphorylation of the cytochrome b-559. It was established in this work that the 9-kDa phosphoprotein, like the cytochrome b-559 polypeptide, is a PS II component, and that these two proteins migrate very similarly on denaturing gels. However, the initial 2% Triton-4 M urea membrane extract contains most of the cytochrome b-559 and little 32P. A substantially larger amount of stable 32P-labeled 9-kDa phosphoprotein fraction is found in the material that is insoluble in the 2% Triton-4 M urea. Furthermore, the ratio of 32P:heme in cytochrome b-559 purified in the presence of protease inhibitors from phosphorylated membranes was on the order of 1% of that expected if cytochrome b-559 were the sole source of the radiolabel seen in the 9-kDa band. The differential extraction properties of the 32P-labeled 9-kDa phosphoprotein and cytochrome b-559, and the stoichiometry of 32P:heme in the purified cytochrome appear to exclude the cytochrome as a candidate for the 9-kDa phosphoprotein.