Effect of the Plastoquinone Antagonist Dibromothymoquinone on Electron Transport Reactions in Chloroplast Preparations

Abstract

The effects of dibromothymoquinone (DBMIB) on electron transport in types A, B, C and D spinach and pea chloroplast preparations have been studied. DBMIB (1 x 10-6M) strongly inhibited electron transport to methyl viologen in all the types of chloroplasts, while electron transport to ferricyanide was inhibited by 60%. Envelope-free (type C) chloroplast preparations with poor photosynthetic control were inhibited more strongly than intact (types A and B) chloroplast preparations at low (< 5 x 10-7M) concentrations of DBMIB. Type C preparations with good photosynthetic control were less strongly inhibited except in the presence of uncoupler or in the absence of ADP. Above 1 x 10-6M DBMIB, inhibition of electron transport to ferricyanide became progressively less and, with type A chloroplast preparations, a large stimulation compared to the control level occurred. Phenylenediamine stimulated high rates of electron transport to ferricyanide in the presence of low concentrations of DBMIB. At higher DBMIB concentrations, the stimulation was completely reversed and envelope-free chloroplasts again showed greater sensitivity to DBMIB compared to intact chloroplasts. DBMIB appears to have a number of sites of interaction with the thylakoid membrane.