Abstract
The heat-sensitivity of photosynthetic oxygen evolution of thylakoids isolated from spinach increases by increasing the pH above neutral value. The temperature for inactivation (transition temperature) is lowered from about 45° C (pH 6.0–7.4) to 33°C (pH 8.5). Similar results are obtained with intact chloroplasts. At pH 7.0 the transition temperature of washed thylakoids decreases by lowering the salt concentration below 20 mM with monovalent cations (Li+, Na+, K+) and below 3–4 mM with divalent cations (Mg2+, Ca2+, Sr2+). Illumination decreases the heat-sensitivity of oxygen evolution in intact chloroplasts, but even increases the heat-sensitivity in uncoupled chloroplasts. In intact chloroplasts the transition temperature of the heat-induced rise in chlorophyll fluorescence yield (Fo; see Schreiber and Armond 1978) decreases from 44° C to 38° C when the pH of the suspending medium is increased from 6.5 to 8.5. At 20° C, Fo is almost insensitive to pH (6.0–8.5). At 40° C, however, Fo is constant between 6.0 and 7.0, but strongly increases by increasing the pH above neutral value. The results are discussed in terms of a close relation between electrostatic forces at the thylakoid membrane and thermal sensitivity of photosynthetic apparatus. It is suggested that the heat-sensitivity of the photosystem II complex partially depends on the ionization state of fixed groups having alkaline pK. The “packed volume” of thylakoids suspended in a low salt medium increases when the temperature is increased above 30° C (pH 7.0) and above 20° C (pH 8.0), respectively. This result suggests a heat-induced increase in surface charge density of the thylakoid membrane.
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Abbreviations
- HEPES:
-
N-2-hydroxyethylpiperazine-N′-2-ethane sulfonic acid
- MES:
-
morpholinoethane sulfonic acid
- MOPS:
-
2-N-morpholinopropane sulfonic acid
- TRICIN:
-
N-[tris(hydroxymethyl)-methyl] glycine
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Weis, E. The influence of metal cations and pH on the heat sensitivity of photosynthetic oxygen evolution and chlorophyll fluorescence in spinach chloroplasts. Planta 154, 41–47 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00385494
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00385494