Some thermodynamic and kinetic properties of the primary photochemical reactants in a complex from a green photosynthetic bacterium

Biochim Biophys Acta. 1976 Feb 16;423(2):357-62. doi: 10.1016/0005-2728(76)90191-2.

Abstract

We have examined the bacteriochlorophyll reaction-center complex of Chlorobium limicola f. thiosulfatophilum, strain Tassajara. Our results indicate that the midpoint potential of the primary electron donor bacteriochlorophyll of the reaction center is +250 mV at pH 6.8, while that of cytochrome c-553 is +165 mV. There are two cytochrome c-553 hemes per reaction center, and the light-induced oxidation of each is biphasic (t1/2 of less than 5 mus and approximately 50 mus). We belive that this indicates a two state equilibrium with each cytochrome heme being either close to, or a little removed from, the reaction-center bacteriochlorophyll. We have also titrated the primary electron acceptor of the reaction center. Its equilibrium midpoint potential at pH 6.8 is below -450 mV. This is very much lower than the previous estimate for green bacteria, and also substantially lower than values obtained for purple bacteria. Such a low-potential primary acceptor would be thermodynamically capable of direct reduction of NAD+ via ferredoxin in a manner analagous to photosystem I in chloroplasts and blue-green algae.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Bacteria / metabolism*
  • Bacteriochlorophylls / metabolism*
  • Chlorophyll / analogs & derivatives*
  • Cytochrome c Group / metabolism
  • Darkness
  • Electron Transport
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Kinetics
  • Light
  • Oxidation-Reduction
  • Photochemistry
  • Photosynthesis
  • Thermodynamics

Substances

  • Bacteriochlorophylls
  • Cytochrome c Group
  • Chlorophyll