Inhbition of photosystem II-dependent phosphorylation in chloroplasts by mercurials

ATP synthesis and hydrolysis in chloroplast membranes. Differential inhibition by antibodies to chloroplast coupling factor 1

1. Divalent antibodies against chloroplast coupling factor 1 inhibited the factor ATPase, ATP synthesis, hydrolysis and Pi-ATP exchange in chloroplasts. These antibodies also inhibited coupled electron flow rates but not the basal or uncoupled rates. 2. Several types of non-precipitating, modified antibodies prepared from the original antibody preparation strongly inhibited the ATPase and Pi-ATP exchange reaction but had little effect on ATP formation. 3. It is suggested that the inhibition of ATP synthesis by the divalent antibodies is probably due to an indirect blocking of the active site, while the inhibition of ATP-utilizing reactions by the modified antibodies is related to their effect on the transfer of ATP from a non-catalytic to a catalytic site on coupling factor 1, via an energy-dependent conformational change.

Lack of site-specificity of spinach chloroplast coupling factor 1

The irreversible inhibition of chloroplast phosphorylation by either sulfate anions, or N-ethylmaleimide, is energy dependent. Chloroplasts must first be illuminated in the presence of the inhibitors and a mediator of electron flow, for the subsequent phosphorylation to show any inhibition. Both inhibitors affect the chloroplast coupling factor 1. Electron transport only through Photosystem I can be used to activate either of these inhibitions. The subsequent inhibition in a second light reaction is the same whether ATP synthesis is supported by Photosystem I, or by Photosystem II electron transport. The reverse experiment, activating inhibition by electron transport only through Photosystem II, is possible in the case of sulfate. Again, the inhibition is expressed whether Photosystem II or Photosystem I electron flow supports ATP synthesis. We conclude that the two electron transport regions of probably generate the same high energy state which is able to activate all members of a functionally uniform coupling factor population. These enzyme molecules must catalyze phosphorylation coupled to electron transport through either region of the chain. The results tend to discredit models requiring a separate group of coupling factor molecules unique to each part of the chain.

Inhibition by triphenyltin chloride of a tightly-bound membrane component involved in photophosphorylation

At very low concentrations (less than 1 muM) triphenyltin chloride inhibits ATP formation and coupled electron transport in isolated spinach chloroplasts. Basal (-Pi) and uncoupled electron transport are not affected by triphenyltin. The membrane-bount ATP in equilibrium Pi exchange and Mg2+-dependent ATPase activities of chloroplasts are also completely sensitive to triphenyltin, although the Ca2+-dependent and Mg2+-dependent ATPase activities of the isolated coupling factor protein are insensitive to triphenyltin. The light-driven proton pump in chloroplasts is stimulated (up to 60%) by low levels of triphenyltin. Indeed, the amount of triphenyltin necessary to inhibit ATP formation or stimulate proton uptake is dependent upon the amount of chloroplasts present in the reaction mixture, with an apparent stoichiometry of 2-2.5 triphenyltin molecules/100 chlorophyll molecules at 50% inhibition of ATP formation and half-maximal stimulation of proton uptake. Chloroplasts partially stripped of coupling factor by an EDTA was are no longer able to accumulate protons in the light. However, low levels of triphenyltin can effectively restore this ability. The amount of triphenyltin required for the restoration of net proton uptake is also dependent upon the amount of chloroplasts, with a stoichiometry of 4-5 triphenyltin molecules/100 chlorophyll molecules at 50% reconstitution. On the basis of this and other evidence it is concluded that triphenyltin chloride inhibits phosphorylation, ATP + Pi exchange and membrane-bound ATPase activities in chloroplasts by specifically blocking the transport of protons through a membrane-bound carrier or channel located in a hydrophobic region of the membrane at or near the functional binding site for the coupling factor.