The site of electron transport inhibition by bentazon (3-isopropyl-1H-2,1,3-benzothiadiazin-(4)3H-one 2,2-dioxide) in isolated chloroplasts

Abstract

The effect of bentazon (3-isopropyl-1H-2,1,3-benzathiadiazin-(4)3H-one 2,2-dioxide) on various photochemical reactions of isolated spinach (Spinacea oleracea L.) chloroplasts was studied at concentrations 0, 5, 15, 45, and 135 μM. Bentazon at a concentration of 135 μM strongly inhibited uncoupled electron transport from water to ferricyanide or to methylviologen with inhibition percentages greater than 90%. Photosystem II mediated electron transport from water to oxidized diaminodurene, with 2,5-dibromo-3-methyl-6-isopropyl-p-benzoquinone (DBMIB) blocking photosystem I, was also strongly inhibited by bentazon at 135 μM but less with lower concentrations of bentazon. Photosystem I mediated transfer of electrons from diaminodurene to methylviologen, with 3,4-dichlorophenyl-1,1-dimethylurea (DCMU) blocking photosystem II, was not inhibited by bentazon at any concentration examined. Transfer of electrons from catechol to methylviologen in hydroxylamine-treated chloroplasts was inhibited by bentazon, and the inhibition percentages were again concentration dependent. The data indicate that the site of bentazon inhibition of the photosynthetic electron transport is at the reducing side of photosystem II, between the primary electron acceptor Q and plastoquinone.