Effect of Light on Chemical Modification of Chloroplast Ferredoxin-NADP Reductase

Variations between the photosynthetic properties of elite and landrace Chinese rice cultivars revealed by simultaneous measurements of 820 nm transmission signal and chlorophyll a fluorescence induction

The difference between the photosynthetic properties of elite and landrace Chinese rice cultivars was studied, using chlorophyll a fluorescence induction (mostly a monitor of Photosystem II activity) and I820 transmission signal (mostly a monitor of Photosystem I activity) to identify potential photosynthetic features differentiating these two groups, which show different degrees of artificial selection and grain yields. A higher fluorescence (related to PSII) IP rise phase and a lower P700(+) (related to PSI) accumulation were observed in the elite cultivars as compared to the landraces. Using these data, together with simulation data from a kinetic model of fluorescence induction, we show that the high IP rise phase and the low P700(+) accumulation can be a result of transient block on electron transfer and traffic jam on the electron acceptor side of PSI under a high [NADPH]/[NADP(+)] ratio. Considering that the ferredoxin NADP(+) reductase (FNR) transcript levels of XS134 (a representative elite cultivars) remains unaffected during the first few minutes of light/dark transition compared to Q4145 (a representative landrace cultivars), which shows a strong decline during the same time range, we propose that the FNR of elite cultivars may take more time to be inactivated in darkness. During this time the FNR enzyme can continue to reduce NADP(+) molecules, leading to initially high [NADPH]/[NADP(+)] ratio during OJIP transient. These data suggested a potential artificial selection of FNR during the breeding process of these examined elite rice cultivars.

The ATP-dependent post translational modification of ferredoxin: NADP+ oxidoreductase

Incubation of thylakoids with purified FNR and [32P]ATP led to the incorporation of phosphate into the FNR. In the absence of added FNR, 32P-labelled FNR could be detected associated with the thylakoids. An amino-acid analysis showed that in the dark, the FNR could be phosphorylated on a serine residue. In the presence of thylakoids, the FNR contained a threonine phosphate which was associated with a light-dependent reaction. The physiological function of this phosphorylation is not clear. Some modifications in NADP(+)-dependent photosystem I (PSI) activity and FNR-membrane association have been observed on the addition of ATP. Whether these changes are linked to the phosphorylation of the FNR remain to be fully elucidated.

Structure and function of ferredoxin-NADP(+)-oxidoreductase

The redox-enzyme ferredoxin-NADP-oxidoreductase has been shown to be activated by light and inactivated in the dark. This review will summarize recent data concerning the biochemical characterization of the enzyme compared to its in-vivo activation. Further-more the mechanism of this activation process is discussed as a conformational change caused by the light-driven proton gradient.

Immunological studies of the binding protein for chloroplast ferredoxin-NADP+ reductase

Monospecific rabbit antibodies against the ferredoxin-NADP+ reductase binding protein of spinach thylakoids were obtained and characterized. The immunoglobulin G (IgG) fraction gave single precipitation arcs with the purified antigen or with Triton X-100 extracts of thylakoids or the reductase binding protein complex. Antibodies against the flavoprotein behave similarly. Both antibodies agglutinated thylakoids and precipitated the diaphorase activity of a Triton X-100 extract of these membranes. Isolated Fab fragments of the IgG anti-binding protein inhibited NADP+ photoreduction in a time- and Fab concentration-dependent manner. The presence of ferredoxin diminished the rate of inhibition. In the light, the inactivation rate was higher than in dark and this effect was abolished in the presence of uncouplers. These results suggest that the binding protein is protruding from the thylakoids and could be sensing the proton gradient.

Affinity labeling of spinach ferredoxin-NADP+ oxidoreductase with periodate-oxidized NADP+

Periodate-oxidized NADP+ (dialdehyde-NADP+) inactivated soluble ferredoxin-NADP+ oxidoreductase and combined covalently to the enzyme. This inactivation was first order with respect to dialdehyde-NADP+ and followed saturation kinetics, indicating that the enzyme initially forms a reversible complex with the inactivator. NADP+ afforded complete protection against inactivation, while spinach ferredoxin was uneffective. In the presence of exogenous ferredoxin and illuminated thylakoids, the nucleotide analog functioned as a coenzyme for the reductase, although with rather lower efficiency than NADP+. It also acted as a competitive inhibitor with respect to NADPH in diaphorase activity. Incorporation of radioactivity from periodate-oxidized [3H]NADP+ gave a stoichiometry of 0.85 mol of reagent/mol of reductase, indicating that the modification of a single residue in the flavoprotein is responsible for the loss of enzymatic activity.

Effect of pH, salt, and coupling state on the interaction of ferredoxin with the chloroplast membrane

To determine if the interaction between ferredoxin and ferredoxin:NADP reductase is similar to the interaction between the purified proteins when the ferrodoxin:NADP reductase is membrane bound, the effect of pH, salt, and coupling state on the Km for ferredoxin in NADP reduction by chloroplast membranes has been examined. Increasing pH and salt concentrations as well as uncouplers all resulted in increases in the Km for ferredoxin. The pH and salt effects on the Km are similar to effects observed by others (C. Batie and H. Kamin (1981) J. Biol. Chem. 256, 7756-7763) on the dissociation constant for a complex between the two purified proteins, although the salt effect on the Km appears to be affected by the surface potential of the chloroplast membrane. These results suggest that the interaction between ferredoxin and the membrane-bound ferredoxin:NADP reductase is not greatly different from the interaction which has been characterized between the two purified proteins.

Interaction of ferredoxin-NADP+ oxidoreductase with triazine dyes. A rapid purification method by affinity chromatography

The triazine dyes, Cibacron blue F3GA and Procion red HE3B inhibited diaphorase activity of ferredoxin-NADP+ reductase, in a competitive manner with respect to NADPH. The Ki values were 1.5 and 0.2 microM, respectively. Binding of the dyes to the flavoprotein, as measured by difference spectroscopy, indicated an apparent stoichiometry of 1 mol dye/mol reductase and was prevented by NADP+ or high ionic strength. Chemical modification of a lysine residue and a carboxyl group at the NADP(H) binding site of the enzyme prevented complex formation with Procion red. Procion red showed a higher affinity for ferredoxin-NADP+ reductase than Cibacron blue. The Kd values were 1.9 and 5 microM, respectively. Once covalently linked to a Sepharose matrix, the triazine compounds specifically bind the flavoprotein. The interaction is partially electrostatic and partially hydrophobic. The enzyme can be eluted by high concentrations of salt or low concentrations of the corresponding coenzyme. The use of this affinity column allows the rapid purification of ferredoxin-NADP+ oxidoreductase from spinach leaves with good yields.

Interaction of Ferredoxin-NADP Oxidoreductase with the Thylakoid Membrane

The binding of ferredoxin-NADP reductase to spinach chloroplast membranes was studied by washing the membranes with different media. Release of the enzyme from the thylakoids was greater in 0.75 millimolar EDTA but was not complete inasmuch as 20% the activity remained membrane-bound after three washes.A Scatchard plot of binding experiments suggests the presence of one type of binding site and a stoichiometry of 3 to 4 nanomoles of reductase per micromole of chlorophyll was calculated. Rebinding has a nonspecific requirement for cations. Their effectiveness increased with their valency. Rebinding of purified enzyme to depleted membranes resulted in a stimulation of its diaphorase activity.It is suggested that binding of ferredoxin-NADP reductase to thylakoid membranes is dependent upon neutralization of negative charges.

The involvement of ferredoxin-NADP+ reductase in cyclic electron transport in chloroplasts

The sites of action, in spinach thylakoid, of known inhibitors of electron transport at the reducing end of photosystem I have been more accurately located by parallel investigation of effects on three partial reactions: photo-reduction (from water) of added NADP+, photoreduction of added cytochrome c, and dark reduction of cyto-chrome c by added NADPH. Comparison with inhibitory effects on cyclic electron flow (registered by the slow phase of the electrochromic response during repetitive flash excitation) permitted assessment of the role of ferredoxin and ferredoxin-NADP+ reductase (ferredoxin: NADP+ oxidoreductase, EC 1.18.1.3) in the cyclic electron transport pathway around photosystem I. Disulfodisalicylidenepropane-1,1-diamine inhibited all the above partial reactions except the ferredoxin-dependent photoreduction of cytochrome C. thereby indicating its interference with the reductase or the complexation between reductase and ferredoxin. Studies with purified ferredoxin-NADP+ reductase established it as the sensitive component. Cyclic flow is also sensitive to the above inhibitor and thus presumably involves the reductase. Supporting evidence for this came from studies of inhibition by substituted maleimides, which are inhibitors of electron transfer through the isolated reductase; these also inhibited the slow phase of the electrochromic response and all partial reactions except the photoreduction of cytochrome c. In contrast, an antiserum against the reductase affected only reactions involving NADP. The conclusion is drawn that the pathway of cyclic electron transport includes both ferredoxin and ferredoxin-NADP+ reductase, but not the NADP-binding site on the reductase.

Molecular heterogeneity of ferredoxin:NADP+ oxidoreductase from the cyanobacterium Anabaena cylindrica

The enzyme ferredoxin:NADP+ oxidoreductase (EC 1.18.1.2) from whole filaments of Anabaena cylindrica can be separated into four major fractions by chromatography on phosphocellulose; chromatography using ferredoxin-Sepharose 4B proved to be less satisfactory in separating the fractions. The purified fractions, designated 1, 2, 3 and 4, all showed diaphorase and ferredoxin-dependent cytochrome c reductase activity. The major fractions present were 2 and 3 which were each obtained in an electrophoretically homogeneous state (forms 2 and 3) and represented 30-37% and 30-42%, respectively, of the total enzyme activity. Each was a monomeric species with a molecular weight of approx. 33 000 as determined by gel filtration and sodium dodecyl (SDS)-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Evidence for the presence of a 70 000 molecular weight dimer was also obtained. Forms 2 and 3 had isoelectric points of 5.75 and 6.0, respectively, had similar kinetic properties and were flavoproteins. Extracts of isolated heterocysts showed no form 2 or 3 activity but contained a single form which closely resembled one of the species present in fraction 4; fraction 1 may have been a purification artifact because it was not detected in crude extracts of the cyanobacterium.