Heat-stress stimulation of electron flow in a photosystem I submembrane fraction

Abstract

Oxygen uptake using methyl viologen as the terminal electron acceptor was recorded in digitonin-derived photosystem I submembrane fractions incubated at either 25 or 50 °C. A two- to four-fold heat-stress stimulation of electron flow was detected at 50 °C when reduced 2,6-dichlorophenol-indophenol was used as the primary electron donor. However, no stimulation was seen with N,N,N′,N′ -tetramethylphenylenediamine as the donor. The stimulation was enhanced by specific cations (Mg2+, Na+, K+), but not by Mn2 or Ca2+. The enhancement obtained with Mg2+ could be eliminated by incubating for a prolonged period. It is proposed that the observed heat-stress stimulation is due to a conformational change at the level of the cytochrome b6–f complex. This change increased the affinity of the protein complex for 2,6-dichlorophenol-indophenol at its oxidation sites. The involvement of a conformational modification is demonstrated by the absence of heat-stress stimulation in submembrane fractions immobilized in an albumin–glutaraldehyde cross-linked matrix.Key words: electron transport, photosystem I, heat stress, cytochrome b6–f complex, conformational changes, electron donor.