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pH Dependent Competition between Y Z and Y D in Photosystem II Probed by Illumination at 5 K †
Abstract
The photosystem II (PSII) reaction center contains two redox active tyrosines, YZ and YD, situated on the D1 and D2 proteins, respectively. By illumination at 5 K, oxidation of YZ in oxygen-evolving PSII can be observed as induction of the Split S1 EPR signal from YZ* in magnetic interaction with the CaMn4 cluster, whereas oxidation of YD can be observed as the formation of the free radical EPR signal from YD*. We have followed the light induced induction at 5 K of the Split S1 signal between pH 4-8.5. The formation of the signal, that is, the oxidation of YZ, is pH independent and efficient between pH 5.5 and 8.5. At low pH, the split signal formation decreases with pKa approximately 4.7-4.9. In samples with chemically pre-reduced YD, the pH dependent competition between YZ and YD was studied. Only YZ was oxidized below pH 7.2, but at pH above 7.2, the oxidation of YD became possible, and the formation of the Split S1 signal diminished. The onset of YD oxidation occurred with pKa approximately 8.0, while the Split S1 signal decreased with pKa approximately 7.9 demonstrating that the two tyrosines compete in this pH interval. The results reflect the formation and breaking of hydrogen bonds between YZ and D1-His190 (HisZ) and YD and D2-His190 (HisD), respectively. The oxidation of respective tyrosine at 5 K demands that the hydrogen bond is well-defined; otherwise, the low-temperature oxidation is not possible. The results are discussed in the framework of recent literature data and with respect to the different oxidation kinetics of YZ and YD.
... In Figure 3a the stronger couplings (peaks H#1 and H#2) are presented in detail. Ridges from two rhombic protons are observed as can be seen from the two long arcs ranging between [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28] MHz and [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28] MHz, which correspond to two different sets of principal values (say A x , A z ). The small arc in the frequency region [3][4][5][6][23][24][25] MHz, that define the third hyperfine coupling component, A y , does not cross the 1 H antidiagonal in a single point. ...
... In Figure 3a the stronger couplings (peaks H#1 and H#2) are presented in detail. Ridges from two rhombic protons are observed as can be seen from the two long arcs ranging between [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28] MHz and [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28] MHz, which correspond to two different sets of principal values (say A x , A z ). The small arc in the frequency region [3][4][5][6][23][24][25] MHz, that define the third hyperfine coupling component, A y , does not cross the 1 H antidiagonal in a single point. ...
... Ridges from two rhombic protons are observed as can be seen from the two long arcs ranging between [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28] MHz and [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28] MHz, which correspond to two different sets of principal values (say A x , A z ). The small arc in the frequency region [3][4][5][6][23][24][25] MHz, that define the third hyperfine coupling component, A y , does not cross the 1 H antidiagonal in a single point. This implies that it is not a single ridge, but two. ...
The biological water oxidation takes place in Photosystem II (PSII), a multi-subunit protein located in thylakoid membranes of higher plant chloroplasts and cyanobacteria. The catalytic site of PSII is a Mn4Ca cluster and is known as the oxygen evolving complex (OEC) of PSII. Two tyrosine residues D1-Tyr161 (YZ) and D2-Tyr160 (YD) are symmetrically placed in the two core subunits D1 and D2 and participate in proton coupled electron transfer reactions. YZ of PSII is near the OEC and mediates electron coupled proton transfer from Mn4Ca to the photooxidizable chlorophyll species P680+. YD does not directly interact with OEC, but is crucial for modulating the various S oxidation states of the OEC. In PSII from higher plants the environment of YD• radical has been extensively characterized only in spinach (Spinacia oleracea) Mn- depleted non functional PSII membranes. Here, we present a 2D-HYSCORE investigation in functional PSII of spinach to determine the electronic structure of YD• radical. The hyperfine couplings of the protons that interact with the YD• radical are determined and the relevant assignment is provided. A discussion on the similarities and differences between the present results and the results from studies performed in non functional PSII membranes from higher plants and PSII preparations from other organisms is given.
... The function is consequently more complex and this water offers for example a second base close to Tyr-Z (Fig. 4, panel II). It is interesting that such a base has been proposed from pH dependent results on the so called split EPR signals in PSII (see below) [45,46]. At present it is premature to discuss how these waters affect the hydrogen bonding properties of the two tyrosines. ...
... a stop-sign). A second base (B, in panel II) in close proximity to Tyr-Z has been suggested to accept the proton from Tyr-Z when His Z is protonated [45,46]. However deprotonation to this base is only available at room temperature and not at 5 K. ...
... Here Tyr-Z is less efficient which allows competition from Tyr-D. The measurements were later taken further to intact, oxygen evolving PSII [45] where Tyr-Z normally outcompetes Tyr-D. Interestingly, it was found that oxidation of Tyr-D outcompeted oxidation of Tyr-Z at elevated pH at 5 K. ...
Photosystem II (PSII), the thylakoid membrane enzyme which uses sunlight to oxidize water to molecular oxygen, holds many organic and inorganic redox cofactors participating in the electron transfer reactions. Among them, two tyrosine residues, Tyr-Z and Tyr-D are found on the oxidizing side of PSII. Both tyrosines demonstrate similar spectroscopic features while their kinetic characteristics are quite different. Tyr-Z, which is bound to the D1 core protein, acts as an intermediate in electron transfer between the primary donor, P(680) and the CaMn₄ cluster. In contrast, Tyr-D, which is bound to the D2 core protein, does not participate in linear electron transfer in PSII and stays fully oxidized during PSII function. The phenolic oxygens on both tyrosines form well-defined hydrogen bonds to nearby histidine residues, His(Z) and His(D) respectively. These hydrogen bonds allow swift and almost activation less movement of the proton between respective tyrosine and histidine. This proton movement is critical and the phenolic proton from the tyrosine is thought to toggle between the tyrosine and the histidine in the hydrogen bond. It is found towards the tyrosine when this is reduced and towards the histidine when the tyrosine is oxidized. The proton movement occurs at both room temperature and ultra low temperature and is sensitive to the pH. Essentially it has been found that when the pH is below the pK(a) for respective histidine the function of the tyrosine is slowed down or, at ultra low temperature, halted. This has important consequences for the function also of the CaMn₄ complex and the protonation reactions as the critical Tyr-His hydrogen bond also steer a multitude of reactions at the CaMn₄ cluster. This review deals with the discovery and functional assignments of the two tyrosines. The pH dependent phenomena involved in oxidation and reduction of respective tyrosine is covered in detail. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Photosystem II.
... It has been suggested previously that the oxidation state of Y D may affect the miss parameter. In its reduced form Y D may donate with low probability an electron to P 680 @BULLET+ [84, 85], while in its oxidized form the positive charge may affect the efficiency of primary charge separation [86]. Further experiments will be required to clarify the effect of Y D /Y D OX on the miss parameter. ...
The oxygen-evolving complex (OEC) in photosystem II catalyzes the oxidation of water to molecular oxygen. Four decades ago, measurements of flash-induced oxygen evolution have shown that the OEC steps through oxidation states S0, S1, S2, S3 and S4 before O2 is released and the S0 state is reformed. The light-induced transitions between these states involve misses and double hits. While it is widely accepted that the miss parameter is S state dependent and may be further modulated by the oxidation state of the acceptor side, the traditional way of analyzing each flash-induced oxygen evolution pattern (FIOP) individually did not allow using enough free parameters to thoroughly test this proposal. Furthermore, this approach does not allow assessing whether the presently known recombination processes in photosystem II fully explain all measured oxygen yields during Si state lifetime measurements. Here we present a global fit program that simultaneously fits all flash-induced oxygen yields of a standard FIOP (2Hz flash frequency) and of 11-18 FIOPs each obtained while probing the S0, S2 and S3 state lifetimes in spinach thylakoids at neutral pH. This comprehensive data treatment demonstrates the presence of a very slow phase of S2 decay, in addition to the commonly discussed fast and slow reduction of S2 by YD and QB(-), respectively. Our data support previous suggestions that the S0→S1 and S1→S2 transitions involve low or no misses, while high misses occur in the S2→S3or S3→S0 transitions.
... The pH-dependence of the Tyr Z yield at 5-10 K has been investigated in some detail by Styring and co-workers. 70,71 It is a useful probe to elucidate the protonation and hydrogen bond situation around Tyr Z that is complementary to experiments at room temperature. As shown in Fig. 6 the Tyr Z yield drops to zero at more acidic pH values, with an apparent pK a of 4.0-5.0 ...
Wateroxidation in Photosystem II is dependent on a particular amino acid residue, TyrosineZ. This is a redox intermediate in steady state oxygen evolution and transfers electrons from the water splitting CaMn4cluster to the central chlorophyll radical P680+. This Perspective discusses the functional principles of TyrosineZ as a proton-coupled redox active link, as well as mechanistic studies of synthetic model systems and implications for artificial photosynthesis. Experimental studies of temperature dependence and kinetic isotope effects are important tools to understand these reactions. We emphasize the importance of proton transfer distance and hydrogen bond dynamics that are responsible for variation in the rate of PCET by several orders of magnitude. The mechanistic principles discussed and their functional significance are not limited to tyrosine and biological systems, but are important to take into account when constructing artificial photosynthetic systems. Of particular importance is the role of proton transfer management in water splitting and solar fuel catalysis.
... 6A. The spectrum exhibits a characteristic single peak at g = 2.035 (Table 2) identical in position to the Split S 1 signal from spinach or cyanobacteria [54,55,101,103,109110111. The Split S 2 EPR signal was reported to be induced either in the presence of methanol at 10 K (note that the presence of methanol inhibits the Split S 1 and split S 3 signals and modifies the Split S 0 signal [55,112] or by illumination at higher temperatures (77–190 K) [55]. ...
Arabidopsis thaliana is widely used as a model organism in plant biology as its genome has been sequenced and transformation is known to be efficient. A large number of mutant lines and genomic resources are available for Arabidopsis. All this makes Arabidopsis a useful tool for studies of photosynthetic reactions in higher plants. In this study, photosystem II (PSII) enriched membranes were successfully isolated from thylakoids of Arabidopsis plants and for the first time the electron transfer cofactors in PSII were systematically studied using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. EPR signals from both of the donor and acceptor sides of PSII, as well as from auxiliary electron donors were recorded. From the acceptor side of PSII, EPR signals from Q(A)- Fe²(+) and Phe- Q(A)- Fe²(+) as well as from the free Phe- radical were observed. The multiline EPR signals from the S₀- and S₂-states of CaMn₄O(x)-cluster in the water oxidation complex were characterized. Moreover, split EPR signals, the interaction signals from Y(Z) and CaMn₄O(x)-cluster in the S₀-, S₁-, S₂-, and the S₃-state were induced by illumination of the PSII membranes at 5K and characterized. In addition, EPR signals from auxiliary donors Y(D), Chl(+) and cytochrome b₅₅₉ were observed. In total, we were able to detect about 20 different EPR signals covering all electron transfer components in PSII. Use of this spectroscopic platform opens a possibility to study PSII reactions in the library of mutants available in Arabidopsis.
... As a result, some local tuning of electrostatic potentials is likely to be required to ensure directionality of H ? transport, and to avoid H ? back-flow (e.g. S-state dependent changes in pK a of amino acid residues around the CaMn 4 cluster as suggested by Ishikita et al. 2006, below; for discussions and reviews concerning the influence of pH and changes in pK a of amino acid residues with respect to individual S-state transitions, the proton release pattern and proton-coupled electron transfer during water oxidation, as well as other related energetics considerations, see Bernát et al. (2002), Dau and Haumann (2008), Havelius and Styring (2007), Hienerwadel et al. (2008), Huynh and Meyer (2007), Krishtalik (1986, 1990), Lavergne and Junge (1993), Mulkidjanian (1999), Rappaport and Lavergne (2001) and Suzuki et al. (2005)). All these factors point to the existence of a defined H ? exit pathway in PSII. ...
Even prior to the publication of the crystal structures for photosystem II (PSII), it had already been suggested that water, O(2) and H(+) channels exist in PSII to achieve directed transport of these molecules, and to avoid undesirable side reactions. Computational efforts to uncover these channels and investigate their properties are still at early stages, and have so far only been based on the static PSII structure. The rationale behind the proposals for such channels and the computer modelling studies thus far are reviewed here. The need to take the dynamic protein into account is then highlighted with reference to the specific issues and techniques applicable to the simulation of each of the three channels. In particular, lessons are drawn from simulation studies on other protein systems containing similar channels.
World demand for energy is rapidly increasing and finding sufficient supplies of clean energy for the future is one of the major scientific challenges of today. This book presents the latest knowledge and chemical prospects in developing hydrogen as a solar fuel. Using oxygenic photosynthesis and hydrogenase enzymes for bio-inspiration, it explores strategies for developing photocatalysts to produce a molecular solar fuel. The book begins with perspective of solar energy utilization and the role that synthetic photocatalysts can play in producing solar fuels. It then summarizes current knowledge with respect to light capture, photochemical conversion, and energy storage in chemical bonds. Following chapters on the natural systems, the book then summarizes the latest developments in synthetic chemistry of photo- and reductive catalysts. Finally, important future research goals for the practical utilization of solar energy are discussed. The book is written by experts from various fields working on the biological and synthetic chemical side of molecular solar fuels to facilitate advancement in this area of research.
We report the synthesis and characterisation of [Mn8K2O4(OH)2((CH3)3CCOO)16] whose cluster core shares some unique features with the oxygen evolving complex (OEC), the natual water oxidation catalyst. Importantly, this complex provides...
Photosystem II (PSII) has two symmetrically located redox-active tyrosine residues, YZ, which mediates electron transfer from the Mn cluster to P680 as a main electron mediator, and YD, which donates an electron to P680 as a peripheral electron donor. To understand these functional differences between YD and YZ, it is important to understand where the phenolic proton is released on its oxidation during the proton-coupled electron transfer process. Thus, to investigate the fate of the proton released from YD, we used Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The proton detection method using FTIR spectroscopy, which was previously utilized for the S-state cycle in PSII (Suzuki et al., in J Am Chem Soc 131:7849 − 7857, [36]) was applied to YD measurements. In this method, a proton released into the bulk upon YD oxidation was monitored as the protonation reaction of Mes buffer detected by FTIR spectroscopy. Indeed, 0.84 ± 0.10 protons reach the bulk surface upon YD oxidation at one PSII center. Thus, the YD proton is not trapped by the neighboring histidine, D2-H189, but is rather released into the bulk from the protein. In contrast to YD, the YZ proton is released to the neighboring histidine, D1-H190, along a strong hydrogen bond. The difference between YZ and YD can be attributed to their hydrogen-bonded structures, which are controlled by the amino acid residues that have hydrogen-bonding with the Nπ atoms of the associated histidines (i.e., D1-N298 and D2-R294, which serve as hydrogen bond acceptors and donors, respectively). These results support the theoretical suggestion based on the X-ray structure of PSII (Saito et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 110:7690–7695, [15]), and further explain the difference in the redox reaction rates between YZ and YD.
In plants and cyanobacteria, photosystem II (PSII) has a function of photosynthetic water oxidation. PSII is a multisubunit protein complex embedded in thylakoid membranes. Water oxidation splits water into molecular oxygen and protons. Virtually all of atmospheric oxygen, which is essential for the sustenance of life on Earth, is produced by this reaction.
Photosystem II (PSII) of oxygenic photosynthesis captures sunlight to drive the catalytic oxidation of water and the reduction of plastoquinone. Among the several redox-active cofactors that participate in intricate electron transfer pathways there are two tyrosine residues, YZ and YD. They are situated in symmetry-related electron transfer branches but have different environments and play distinct roles. YZ is the immediate oxidant of the oxygen-evolving Mn4CaO5 cluster, whereas YD serves regulatory and protective functions. The protonation states and hydrogen-bond network in the environment of YD remain debated, while the role of microsolvation in stabilizing different redox states of YD and facilitating oxidation or mediating deprotonation, as well the fate of the phenolic proton, are unclear. Here we present detailed structural models of YD and its environment using large-scale quantum mechanical models and all-atom molecular dynamics of a complete PSII monomer. The energetics of water distribution within a hydrophobic cavity adjacent to YD are shown to correlate directly with electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) parameters such as tyrosyl g-tensors and hyperfine coupling constants, allowing us to map the correspondence between specific structural models and available experimental observations. EPR spectra obtained under different conditions are explained with respect to the mode of interaction of the proximal water with the tyrosyl radical and the position of the phenolic proton within the cavity. Our results revise previous models of the energetics and build a detailed view of the role of confined water in the oxidation and deprotonation of YD. Finally, the model of microsolvation developed in the present work rationalizes in a straightforward way the biphasic oxidation kinetics of YD, offering new structural insights regarding the function of the radical in biological photosynthesis.
Tyrosine D (TyrD) is an auxiliary redox active tyrosine residue in photosystem II (PsiI). The mechanism of TyrD oxidation was investigated by EPR spectroscopy, flash-induced fluorescence decay and thermoluminescence measurements in PsiI enriched membranes from spinach. PsiI membranes were chemically treated with 3mM ascorbate and 1mM diaminodurene and subsequent washing, leading to the complete reduction of TyrD. TyrD oxidation kinetics and competing recombination reactions were measured after a single saturating flash in the absence and presence of DCMU (inhibitor of the QB-site) in the pH range of 4.7-8.5. Two kinetic phases of TyrD oxidation were observed by the time resolved EPR spectroscopy - the fast phase (msec-sec time range) and the pH dependent slow phase (tens of seconds time range). In the presence of DCMU, TyrD oxidation kinetics was monophasic in the entire pH range, i.e. only the fast kinetics was observed. The results obtained from the fluorescence and thermoluminescence analysis show that when forward electron transport is blocked in the presence of DCMU, the S2QA(-) recombination outcompetes the slow phase of TyrD oxidation by the S2 state. Modelling of the whole complex of these electron transfer events associated with TyrD oxidation fitted very well with our experimental data. Based on these data, structural information and theoretical considerations we confirm our assignment of the fast and slow oxidation kinetics to two populations of PsiI centers with different water positions (proximal and distal) in the TyrD vicinity.
The tyrosine residue D2-Tyr160 (TyrD) in photosystem II (PsiI) can be oxidized through charge equilibrium with the oxygen evolving complex in PsiI. The kinetics of the electron transfer from TyrD has been followed using time-resolved EPR spectroscopy after triggering the oxidation of pre-reduced TyrD by a short laser flash. After its oxidation TyrD is observed as a neutral radical (TyrD•) indicating that the oxidation is coupled to a deprotonation event. The redox state of TyrD was reported to be determined by the two water positions identified in the crystal structure of PsiI [Saito et al. (2013) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 110, 7690]. To assess the mechanism of the proton coupled electron transfer of TyrD the oxidation kinetics has been followed in the presence of deuterated buffers, thereby resolving the kinetic isotope effect (KIE) of TyrD oxidation at different H/D concentrations. Two kinetic phases of TyrD oxidation – the fast phase (msec-sec time range) and the slow phase (tens of seconds time range) were resolved as was previously reported [Vass and Styring (1991) Biochemistry 30, 830]. In the presence of deuterated buffers the kinetics was significantly slower compared to normal buffers. Furthermore, although the kinetics were faster at both high pH and pD values the observed KIE was found to be similar (~ 2.4) over the whole pL range investigated. We assign the fast and slow oxidation phases to two populations of PsiI centers with different water positions, proximal and distal respectively, and discuss possible deprotonation events in the vicinity of TyrD.
The Split Epr Signals From YZ • In Magnetic Interaction With The Camn4, Cluster Offer A Way To Probe For Oxidation Of YZ In Active Psii. We Have Studied How Ph (Ph 4.0–6.5) Affects The Formation Of The Split S0 Signal Induced By Low Temperature Illumination. Maximum Signal Intensity Was Observed Around Ph 6.3. The Signal Intensity Decreased With An Apparent PK,A Of ̃5.1. The Results Are Compared And Discussed In Context To Previousobservations At Room Temperature.
Photosystem II (PSII) has two symmetrically located, redox-active tyrosine residues, YZ and YD. Whereas YZ mediates the electron transfer from the water-oxidizing center to P680 in the main electron transfer pathway, YD functions as a peripheral electron donor to P680. To understand the mechanism of this functional difference between YZ and YD, it is essential to know where the proton is transferred upon its oxidation in the proton-coupled electron transfer process. In this study, we used Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy to examine whether the proton from YD is released from the protein into the bulk. The proton detection method previously used for water oxidation in PSII [Suzuki et al. (2009) J. Am. Chem. Soc. 131, 7849-7857] was applied to YD; a proton released into the bulk upon YD oxidation was trapped by a high-concentration Mes buffer, and the protonation reaction of Mes was monitored by FTIR difference spectroscopy. It was shown that 0.84 ± 0.10 protons are released into the bulk by oxidation of YD in one PSII center. This result indicates that the proton of YD is not transferred to the neighboring D2-His198 but is released from the protein; this is in sharp contrast to the YZ reaction, in which a proton is transferred to D1-His190 through a strong hydrogen bond. This functional difference is caused by differences in the hydrogen-bonded structures of YD and YZ, which are determined by the hydrogen bond partners at the Nπ sites of these His residues, i.e., D2-Arg294 and D1-Asn298, which function as a hydrogen bond donor and acceptor, respectively. This FTIR result supports the recent theoretical prediction [Saito et al. (2013) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 110, 7690-7695] based on the X-ray crystallographic structure of PSII and explains the different rates of the redox reactions of YD and YZ.
The photo-induced oxidation of TyrZ and TyrD by P680(•+), that involves both electron and proton transfer (PCET), has been studied in oxygen-evolving photosystem II from Thermosynechococcus elongatus. We used time-resolved absorption spectroscopy to measure the kinetics of P680(•+) reduction by tyrosine after the first flash given to dark-adapted PS II as a function of temperature and pH. The half-life of TyrZ oxidation by P680(•+) increases from 20ns at 300K to about 4μs at 150K. Analyzing the temperature dependence of the rate, one obtains a reorganization energy of about 770meV. Between 260K and 150K, the reduction of P680(•+) by TyrZ is increasingly replaced by charge recombination between P680(•+) and QA(•-). We propose that the driving force for TyrZ oxidation by P680(•+) decreases upon lowering the temperature. TyrZ oxidation cannot be excluded in a minority of PS II complexes at cryogenic temperatures. TyrD oxidation by P680(•+) with a half-life of about 30ns was observed at high pH. The pH dependence of the yield of TyrD oxidation can be described by a single protonable group with a pK of approximately 8.4. The rate of TyrD oxidation by P680(•+) is virtually identical upon substitution of solvent exchangeable protons with deuterons indicating that the rate is limited by electron transfer. The rate is independent of temperature between 5K and 250K. It is concluded that TyrD donates the electron to P680(•+) via PD2.
Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier B.V.
The intricate orchestration of electron transfer (ET) and proton transfer (PT) at the Mn4CaOn-cluster of photosystem II (PSII) is mechanistically pivotal, but clearly insufficiently understood. Preparations of PSII membrane particles were investigated using a kinetically competent and sensitive method, photothermal beam deflection (PBD), to monitor apparent volume changes of the PSII protein. Driven by nanosecond laser flashes, the PSII was synchronously stepped through its water-oxidation cycle involving four (semi-)stable states (S0, S1, S2, S3) and minimally three additional transiently formed intermediates. The PBD approach was optimized as compared to our previous experiments, resulting in superior signal quality and resolution of more reaction steps. Now seven transitions were detected and attributed, according to the H/D-exchange, temperature, and pH effects on their time constants, to ET or PT events. The ET steps oxidizing the Mn4CaOn cluster in the S2->S3 and S0->S1 transitions, a biphasic PT prior to the O2-evolving reaction, as well as the re-oxidation of the primary quinone acceptor (QA-) at the PSII acceptor side were detected for the first time by PBD. The associated volume changes involve (i) initial formation of charged groups resulting in contraction assignable to electrostriction, (ii) volume contraction explainable by reduced metal-ligand distances upon manganese oxidation, and (iii) charge-compensating proton removal resulting in volume expansion due to electrostriction reversal. These results support a reaction cycle of water oxidation exhibiting alternate ET and PT events. An extended kinetic scheme for the O2-evolving S3->S0 transition is proposed, which includes crucial structural and protonic events.
The redox-active tyrosine residue (YZ) plays a crucial role in the mechanism of the water oxidation. Metalloradical electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) signals
reflecting the light-induced YZ· in magnetic interaction with the CaMn4-cluster in the particular S-state, YZ·SX intermediates, have been found in intact photosystem II. These so-called split EPR signals are induced by illumination at
cryogenic temperatures and provide means to both study the otherwise transient YZ· and to probe the S-states with EPR spectroscopy. The illumination used for signal induction grouped the observed split EPR signals in two categories:
(i) YZ in the lower S-states was oxidized by P680+ formed via charge separation, while (ii) YZ in the higher S-states was oxidized by an excited, highly oxidizing Mn species. Applied mechanistic studies of the YZ·SX intermediates in the different S-states are reviewed and compared to investigations in photosystem II at physiological temperature. Addition of methanol induced
S-state characteristic changes in the split signals’ formation which reflect changes in the magnetic coupling within the CaMn4-cluster due to methanol binding. The pH titration of the split EPR signals, on the other hand, could probe the proton-coupled
electron transfer properties of the YZ oxidation. The apparent pK
as found for decreased split signal induction were interpreted in the fate of the phenol proton.
The photosystem II core complex (PSIIcc) is the key enzyme of oxygenic photosynthesis, as it catalyzes the light-induced oxidation of water to form dioxgyen and protons. It is located in the thylakoid membrane of cyanobacteria, algae, and plants and consists of 20 protein subunits binding about 100 cofactors. In this review, we discuss what is presently known about the "donor side" of PSIIcc, covering the photosynthetic reaction center and the water oxidase part. The focus is on the catalytic Mn4Ca cluster and its protein environment. An attempt is made to connect recent crystallographic data (up to 2.9 Å resolution) with the wealth of information about Nature's water oxidation device from spectroscopic, biochemical and theoretical work.
The electrons extracted from the CaMn(4) cluster during water oxidation in photosystem II are transferred to P(680)(+) via the redox-active tyrosine D1-Tyr161 (Y(Z)). Upon Y(Z) oxidation a proton moves in a hydrogen bond toward D1-His190 (His(Z)). The deprotonation and reprotonation mechanism of Y(Z)-OH/Y(Z)-O is of key importance for the catalytic turnover of photosystem II. By light illumination at liquid helium temperatures (∼5 K) Y(Z) can be oxidized to its neutral radical, Y(Z)(•). This can be followed by the induction of a split EPR signal from Y(Z)(•) in a magnetic interaction with the CaMn(4) cluster, offering a way to probe for Y(Z) oxidation in active photosystem II. In the S(3) state, light in the near-infrared region induces the split S(3) EPR signal, S(2)'Y(Z)(•). Here we report on the pH dependence for the induction of S(2)'Y(Z)(•) between pH 4.0 and pH 8.7. At acidic pH the split S(3) EPR signal decreases with the apparent pK(a) (pK(app)) ∼ 4.1. This can be correlated to a titration event that disrupts the essential H-bond in the Y(Z)-His(Z) motif. At alkaline pH, the split S(3) EPR signal decreases with the pK(app) ∼ 7.5. The analysis of this pH dependence is complicated by the presence of an alkaline-induced split EPR signal (pK(app) ∼ 8.3) promoted by a change in the redox potential of Y(Z). Our results allow dissection of the proton-coupled electron transfer reactions in the S(3) state and provide further evidence that the radical involved in the split EPR signals is indeed Y(Z)(•).
Water oxidation in photosystem II is catalyzed by the CaMn(4) cluster. The electrons extracted from the CaMn(4) cluster are transferred to P(680)(+) via the redox-active tyrosine residue D1-Tyr161 (Y(Z)). The oxidation of Y(Z) is coupled to a deprotonation creating the neutral radical Y(Z)(*). Light-induced oxidation of Y(Z) is possible down to extreme temperatures. This can be observed as a split EPR signal from Y(Z)(*) in a magnetic interaction with the CaMn(4) cluster, offering a way to probe for Y(Z) oxidation in active PSII. Here we have used the split S(0) EPR signal to study the mechanism of Y(Z) oxidation at 5 K in the S(0) state. The state of the hydrogen bond between Y(Z) and its proposed hydrogen bond partner D1-His190 is investigated by varying the pH. The split S(0) EPR signal was induced by illumination at 5 K between pH 3.9 and pH 9.0. Maximum signal intensity was observed between pH 6 and pH 7. On both the acidic and alkaline sides the signal intensity decreased with the apparent pK(a)s (pK(app)) approximately 4.8 and approximately 7.9, respectively. The illumination protocol used to induce the split S(0) EPR signal also induces a mixed radical signal in the g approximately 2 region. One part of this signal decays with similar kinetics as the split S(0) EPR signal ( approximately 3 min, at 5 K) and is easily distinguished from a stable radical originating from Car/Chl. We suggest that this fast-decaying radical originates from Y(Z)(*). The pH dependence of the light-induced fast-decaying radical was measured in the same pH range as for the split S(0) EPR signal. The pK(app) for the light-induced fast-decaying radical was identical at acidic pH ( approximately 4.8). At alkaline pH the behavior was more complex. Between pH 6.6 and pH 7.7 the signal decreased with pK(app) approximately 7.2. However, above pH 7.7 the induction of the radical species was pH independent. We compare our results with the pH dependence of the split S(1) EPR signal induced at 5 K and the S(0) --> S(1) and S(1) --> S(2) transitions at room temperature. The result allows mechanistic conclusions concerning differences between the hydrogen bond pattern around Y(Z) in the S(0) and S(1) states.
Genome sequence of Arabidopsis thaliana (Arabidopsis) revealed two psbO genes (At5g66570 and At3g50820) which encode two distinct PsbO isoforms: PsbO1 and PsbO2, respectively. To get insights into the function of the PsbO1 and PsbO2 isoforms in Arabidopsis we have performed systematic and comprehensive investigations of the whole photosynthetic electron transfer chain in the T-DNA insertion mutant lines, psbo1 and psbo2. The absence of the PsbO1 isoform and presence of only the PsbO2 isoform in the psbo1 mutant results in (i) malfunction of both the donor and acceptor sides of Photosystem (PS) II and (ii) high sensitivity of PSII centers to photodamage, thus implying the importance of the PsbO1 isoform for proper structure and function of PSII. The presence of only the PsbO2 isoform in the PSII centers has consequences not only to the function of PSII but also to the PSI/PSII ratio in thylakoids. These results in modification of the whole electron transfer chain with higher rate of cyclic electron transfer around PSI, faster induction of NPQ and a larger size of the PQ-pool compared to WT, being in line with apparently increased chlororespiration in the psbo1 mutant plants. The presence of only the PsbO1 isoform in the psbo2 mutant did not induce any significant differences in the performance of PSII under standard growth conditions as compared to WT. Nevertheless, under high light illumination, it seems that the presence of also the PsbO2 isoform becomes favourable for efficient repair of the PSII complex.
The pH dependence of oxygen evolution rates, 2,6-dichlorophenolindophenol (DCIP) reduction rates and the intensity of the multiline manganese EPR signal associated with the S2 Kok state has been studied using oxygen-evolving spinach (PS) II particles. The oxygen evolution and DCIP reduction rates are found to be very sensitive to pH, with the maximal rates occuring at pH 6.5–7.0. Both the rate and yield of the S1 multiline manganese EPR signal intensity, produced by single flash excitation at room temperature or by continuous illumination at 200 K, are found to be independent of pH, indicating that no proton is released from this manganese site during the S1 → S1 electron transfer. These results agree with those from other laboratories showing no proton release on this transition, but using techniques monitoring other species.
We have investigated the electron transfer from reduced tyrosine Y D (YDred) and cytochrome b559 to the S2 and S3 states of the water oxidizing complex (WOC) in Photosystem II. The EPR signal of oxidized cyt b559, the S 2 state multiline EPR signal and the EPR signal from Y D· were measured to follow the electron transfer to the S2 and S3 states at 245 and 275 K. The majority of the S2 centers was reduced directly from YDred but at 245 K we observed oxidation of cyt b559 in about 20% of the centers. Incubation of the YDredS3 state resulted in biphasic changes of the S2 multiline signal. The signal first increased due to reduction of the S3 state. Thereafter, the signal decreased due to decay of the S2 state. In contrast, the YD· signal increased with a monophasic kinetics at both temperatures. Again, we observed oxidation of cyt b559 in about 20% of the PSII centers at 245 K. This oxidation correlated with the decay of the S2 state. The complex changes can be explained by the conversion of YDredS3 centers (present initially) to YD·S1 centers, via the intermediate YD·S2 state. The early increase of the S2 state multiline signal involves electron transfer from Y Dred to the S3 state resulting in formation of YD·S2. This state is reduced by cyt b559 resulting in a single exponential oxidation of cyt b 559. Taken together, these results indicate that the electron donor to S2 is cyt b559 while cyt b559 is unable to compete with YDred in the reduction of the S3 state in the pre-reduced samples. We also followed the decay of the S 2 and S3 states and the oxidation of cyt b559 in samples where YD was oxidized from the start. In this case cyt b559 was able to reduce both the S2 and the S3 states suggesting that different pathways exist for the electron transfer from cyt b559 to the WOC. The activation energies for the Y DredS2→YD·S1 and YDredS 3→YD·S2 transformations are 0.57 and 0.67 eV, respectively, and the reason for these large activation energies is discussed.
Recent magnetic-resonance work on YŻ suggests that this species exhibits considerable motional flexibility in its functional site and that its phenol oxygen is not involved in a well-ordered hydrogen-bond interaction (Tang et al., submitted; Tommos et al., in press). Both of these observations are inconsistent with a simple electron-transfer function for this radical in photosynthetic water oxidation. By considering the roles of catalytically active amino acid radicals in other enzymes and recent data on the water-oxidation process in Photosystem II, we rationalize these observations by suggesting that YŻ functions to abstract hydrogen atoms from aquo- and hydroxy-bound managanese ions in the (Mn)4 cluster on each S-state transition. The hydrogen-atom abstraction process may occur either by sequential or concerted kinetic pathways. Within this model, the (Mn)4/YZ center forms a single catalytic center that comprises the Oxygen Evolving Complex in Photosystem II.
A compilation of 38 sequences for the D1 and 15 sequences for the D2 reaction center proteins of photosystem II is presented. The sequences have been compared and a similarity index that takes into account the degree of conservation and the quality of the changes in each position has been calculated. The similarity index is used to identify and describe functionally important domains in the D1/D2 heterodimer. Comparative hydropathy plot are presented for the aminoacid sidechains that constitute the binding domain of the tyrosine radicals, TyrZ and TyrD, in photosystem II. The structure around TyrZ is more hydrophilic than the structure around TyrD. The hydrophilic residues are clustered in the part of the binding pocket for TyrZ that is turned towards the lumenal side of the thylakoid membrane. Most prominent is the presence of two conserved carboxylic aminoacids, D1-Asp 170 and D1-Glu 189. Their respective carboxyl-groups come close in space and are proposed to constitute a metal binding site together with D1-Gln 165. The distance between the proposed metal binding site and the center of the ring of TyrZ is approximately 7 A. The cavity that constitutes the binding site for TyrD is composed of residues from the D2 protein. Its character is more hydrophobic than the TyrZ site and the environment around TyrD lacks the cluster of putative metal binding side-chains.
The pH dependence of oxygen evolution rates, 2,6-dichlorophenolindophenol (DCIP) reduction rates and the intensity of the multiline manganese EPR signal associated with the S2K ok state has been studied using oxygen-evolving spinach (PS) II particles. The oxygen evolution and DCIP reduction rates are found to be very sensitive to pH, with the maximal rates occurring at pH 6.5-7.0. Both the rate and yield of the S2 multiline manganese EPR signal intensity, produced by single flash excitation at room temperature or by continuous illumination at 200 K, are found to be independent of pH, indicating that no proton is released from this manganese site during the S1----S2 electron transfer. These results agree with those from other laboratories showing no proton release on this transition, but using techniques monitoring other species.
Thirty‐one and eleven sequences for the photosystem II reaction centre proteins D1 and D2 respectively, were compared to identify conserved single amino acid residues and regions in the sequences. Both proteins are highly conserved. One important difference is that the lumenal parts of the D1 protein are more conserved than the corresponding parts in the D2 protein. The three‐dimensional structures around the electron donors tyrosineZ and tyrosineD on the oxidizing side of photosystem II have been predicted by computer modelling using the photosynthetic reaction centre from purple bacteria as a framework. In the model the tyrosines occupy two cavities close to the lumenal surface of the membrane. They are symmetrically arranged around the primary donor P680 and the distances between the centre of the tyrosines and the closest Mg ion in P680 are around 14 A. Both tyrosineZ and tyrosineD are suggested to form a hydrogen bond with histidine 190 from the loop connecting helices C and D in the D1 and D2 proteins, respectively. The Mn cluster in the oxygen evolving complex has been localized by using known and estimated distances from the tyrosine radicals. It is suggested that a binding region for the Mn cluster is constituted by the lumenal ends of helices A and B and the loop connecting them in the D1 protein. This part of the D1 protein contains a large number of strictly conserved carboxylic acid residues and histidines which could participate in the Mn binding. There is little probability that the Mn cluster binds on the lumenal surface of the D2 protein.
In the crystal structure of photosystem II (PSII) from the cyanobacterium Thermosynechococcus elongatus at 3.2 Å resolution, several loop regions of the principal protein subunits are now defined that were not interpretable previously at 3.8 Å resolution. The head groups and side chains of the organic cofactors of the electron transfer chain and of antenna chlorophyll a
(Chl a) have been modeled, coordinating and hydrogen bonding amino acids identified and the nature of the binding pockets derived. The orientations of these cofactors resemble those of the reaction center from anoxygenic purple bacteria, but differences in hydrogen bonding and protein environment modulate their properties and provide the unique high redox potential (1.17 V) of the primary donor. Coordinating amino acids of manganese cluster, redox-active TyrZ and non-haem Fe2+ have been determined, and an all-trans
β-carotene connects cytochrome b-559, ChlZ and primary electron donor (coordinates are available under PDB-code 1W5C).
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We report the detection of a “split” electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) signal during illumination of dark-adapted (S1 state) oxygen-evolving photosystem II (PSII) membranes at <20 K. The characteristics of this signal indicate that it arises from an interaction between an organic radical and the Mn cluster of PSII. The broad radical signal decays in the dark following illumination either by back-reaction with Qa•- or by forward electron transfer from the Mn cluster. The forward electron transfer (either from illumination at 11 K followed by incubation in the dark at 77 K or by illumination at 77 K) results in the formation of a multiline signal similar to, but distinct from, other well-characterized multiline forms found in the S0 and S2 states. The relative yield of the “S1 split signal”, which we provisionally assign to S1X•, where X could be YZ• or Car•+, and that of the 77 K multiline signal indicate a relationship between the two states. An approximate quantitation of the yield of these signals indicates that up to 40−50% of PSII centers can form the S1 split signal. Ethanol addition removes the ability to observe the S1 split signal, but the multiline signal is still formed at 77 K. The multiline forms with <700 nm light and is not affected by near-infrared (IR) light, showing that we are detecting electron transfer in centers not responsive to IR illumination. The results provide important new information about the mechanism of electron abstraction from the water oxidizing complex (WOC).
The decay kinetics for the S2 and S3 states of the oxygen-evolving complex in Photosystem II have been measured in the presence of an external electron acceptor. The S2- and S3-states decay monophasically with half-decay times at 18°C of 3–3.5 min and 3.5–4 min, respectively. The results also show that S3 decays via S2 under these circumstances. The temperature dependence of the individual S-state transitions has been measured in single flash experiments in which the multiline EPR signal originating from the S2 state has been used as spectroscopic probe. The half-inhibition temperatures are for S0 to S1 220–225 K, for S1 to S2 135–140 K, for S2 to S3 230 K and for the S3-to-S0 transition 235 K.
The oxygen flash yield and the kinetics of Chl a+II (P-680+) reduction have been measured under repetitive excitation as a function of pH between pH 4.0 and pH 9.0 in oxygen-evolving PS II particles from Synechococcus sp. (i) The optimum of oxygen yield is observed between pH 6.5 and pH 7.5. The inhibition in the acidic pH region is reversible and can be described by a monoprotic binding site with a pK value of about 4.5. In the alkaline pH region the inhibition is half maximal at pH 8.3 and might be described by the titration of three binding sites or more. The loss of oxygen evolution at pH 9.0 is caused by reversible inhibition and irreversible inactivation. (ii) Between pH 4.0 and pH 7.5 the fraction of Chl a+II decaying in the nanosecond time range and the oxygen yield follow the same pH dependence. (iii) Both in Photosystem II centers reversibly inhibited at low pH and in Photosystem II centers inactivated at high pH, Chl a+II is reduced by a donor Z, different from the normal immediate donor D1 or a modified state of D1, and, in part, by back reaction. (iv) Below pH 5.0, the decay in the nanosecond range can be explained by the existence of two phases with and (ratio of amplitudes, 1.3:1). A reduction phase with that is the major phase around the pH optimum is not observed below pH 5.0.
The redox active tyrosines, YZ and YD, of Photosystem II are oxidized by P680+ to the neutral radical. Such oxidation requires coupling of electron transfer to the transfer of the phenolic proton. Studies of the multiphasic kinetics of YZ oxidation in Mn-depleted PSII core complexes have shown that the relative amplitudes of the kinetic components are pH-dependent with one component showing a pH-dependent t1/2 in the microsecond to tens of microsecond range (pH 4–8). Sjödin and coworkers (M. Sjödin, S. Styring, B. Åkemark, L. Sun and L. Hammarström, Philos. Trans. R. Soc. London, Ser. B, 2002, 357, 1471–1479) have suggested that the increase in rate of this latter component with pH reflects an increase in the driving force of the reaction by lowering the reduction potential of YZ˙/ YZ, consistent with concerted electron and proton transfer (CEP mechanism). A similar dependence of the rate of YZ oxidation on ΔG° is reported here through modification of the reduction potential of P680+/P680, that is, without modifying either the proton acceptor or the pathway for proton transfer. The results reported here support a CEP mechanism, though formation of the tyrosinate followed by electron transfer cannot be completely ruled out.The presence of oxidized tyrosine YD˙(H+) has been shown to accelerate the photoactivation of the oxygen evolving complex, possibly by an increase in the reduction potential of P680+/P680. The influence of YD˙(H+) on the P680+/P680 reduction potential is examined here by measuring the rate of YZ oxidation in Mn-depleted core complexes from the WT strain and from a YD-less strain of Synechocystis 6803. Also examined is the influence of YD˙(H+) on the P680+–P680 difference spectrum. These comparisons show that the electrostatic contribution of YD˙(H+) to the reduction potential of redox couple P680+/P680 is very small (≤10 mV), implying that the role of YD˙(H+) in photoactivation may have more to do with its providing an oxidizing equivalent during assembly of the manganese cluster.
In this report, we characterize the relationship between species “Z” (giving rise to EPR Signal II fast) and “D” (EPR Signal II slow) in triswashed chloroplasts.At pH 8.5 an externally added donor phenylenediamine competes with D for Z+ reduction after its oxidation by a flash. The reduction of Z+ by D occurs within some milliseconds. In a subsequent dark period, D+ is reduced by PD, the reaction rate being independant of phenylenediamine concentration. These results are consistent with the hypothesis of an equilibrium between Z+D and ZD+, the reduction of D by phenylenediamine occuring via Z. At lower pH's, the connection between Z and D is looser: a high concentration of phenylenediamine which reduces rapidly Z+, is very slow in reducing D+ and the subsequent photooxidation of D is less efficient.
The flash-number-dependence of oxygen flash yield and nanosecond reduction kinetics of Chi a+II (P-680+) have been measured as a function of pH between pH 4.0 and 9.0 in oxygen-evolving PS II complexes from Synechococcus sp. (1) The oxygen-flash yield pattern has been measured at the optimum of oxygen evolution (pH 7.0) and at pHvalues where the inhibition of oxygen evolution is about half-maximal (pH 4.5 and pH 8.3, respectively). At pH 4.5, the oscillation pattern is the same as that observed at pH 7.0, but with halved amplitude. At pH 8.3, the oscillation pattern is strongly damped, indicating an increase of misses. The reversible inhibition at low pH already takes place in the dark. For the inhibition at high pH, at least one PS II turnover is needed. (2) The pH-dependence of Chl-a+II-reduction kinetics measured in single flashes yielded the following results. The fraction of Chi a+II decaying in the nanosecond time-range decreases when the pH is lowered from pH 7.5 to 4.0. The nanosecond kinetics after the first flash could be adapted mono-exponentially with a half-life increasing from about 20 ns around pH 7.0 to about 40 ns at pH 4.0. The nanosecond kinetics after the second flash are biphasic around pH 7.0 with half-lives of 40 ns (60% of the totalnanosecond decay) and 280 ns (40%) and change to nearly 100% with t1/2 = 280 ns at pH 4.0. The dependence of the nanosecond Chl-a+II-reduction kinetics on pH and S states is discussed. The different nanosecond half-lives may be explained by an electrostatic effect of positive excess charges in the O2-evolving system due to a pH-dependent protonation of the S states.
— Using isolated chloroplasts and techniques as described by Joliot and Joliot[6] we studied the evolution of O2 in weak light and light flashes to analyze the interactions between light induced O2 precursors and their decay in darkness. The following observations and conclusions are reported: 1. Light flashes always produce the same number of oxidizing equivalents either as precursor or as O2. 2. The number of unstable precursor equivalents present during steady state photosynthesis is ∼ 1.2 per photochemical trapping center. 3. The cooperation of the four photochemically formed oxidizing equivalents occurs essentially in the individual reaction centers and the final O2 evolution step is a one quantum process. 4. The data are compatible with a linear four step mechanism in which a trapping center, or an associated catalyst, (S) successively accumulates four + charges. The S4+ state produces O2 and returns to the ground state S0. 5. Besides S0 also the first oxidized state S+ is stable in the dark, the two higher states, S2+ and S3+ are not. 6. The relaxation times of some of the photooxidation steps were estimated. The fastest reaction, presumably S*1←S2, has a (first) half time ≤ 200 μsec. The S*2 state and probably also the S*0 state are processed somewhat more slowly (˜ 300–400 μsec).
The oxidized form of the redox-active Y{sub Z} tyrosyl residue involved in photosynthetic oxygen evolution has been generated and trapped in Mn-depleted Photosystem II core complexes from a D2-Y160F mutant strain of Synechocystis 6803. This system eliminates interference from Pâââ{sup +} and Y{sub D}D+· and allowed characterization of Y{sub Z}{sup ·} by using a combination of specific ²H-labeling and electron magnetic-resonance techniques that included CW-EPR, frequency-modulated and transient detected ENDOR, and ²H-ESEEM. Using these complementary techniques, we have carried out a detailed evaluation of the hyperfine structure of Y{sub Z}{sup ·} and obtained the dipolar interactions to weakly coupled nuclei, the strongly anisotropic tensors of the ring-hydrogens, and the more isotropic interactions to the Î-methylene site. We conclude that tyrosyl radicals are not tuned to specific function by large-scale modulations of their spin density through hydrogen-bonding effects. We suggest a hydrogen-atom transfer function for Y{sub Z} in water oxidation. Within this model, the (Mn)â/Y{sub Z} center forms the Oxygen-Evolving Complex of Photosystem II where the (Mn)â cluster binds substrate water and delocalizes oxidizing equivalents and Y{sub Z} acts by abstracting hydrogens from substrate water in either a concerted or sequential fashion. 71 refs., 8 figs., 2 tabs.
Time-resolved ESR has been used to study electron-transfer reactions in oxygen-evolving photosystem II membrane fragments. The exogenous acceptor dichlorobenzoquinone (DCBQ) is reduced by photosystem II; the ESR spectrum of the resulting DCBQ radical overlaps the center but not the wings of the ESR spectra of the endogenous tyrosine radicals YD+ and YZ+. Here YZ+ denotes the species that is involved in electron transfer between the reaction center chlorophyll, P680, and the manganese-containing, oxygen-evolving complex, and YD+ denotes the stable photosystem II radical. By using appropriate magnetic fields, we recorded kinetic transients of YZ+ under repetitive flash conditions with DCBQ present. We also used 1 mM K3Fe(CN)6 as an exogenous acceptor when recording kinetic traces of YZ+, although at concentrations above 5 mm we observe an additional signal that could be due to P680+. The kinetic traces of YZ+ obtained with DCBQ or 1 mM K3Fe(CN)6 are similar and show two phases. The slower phase has a half-time of 1.2 ms and corresponds to the reduction of YZ+ by the S3 state; the faster phase reflects reduction of YZ+ by both S1 and S2. By using flowing, dark-adapted PSII membranes, we resolved the YZ+S1 reaction (t1/2 = 100 μs) on the first flash and found it to be significantly faster than the YZ+S2 reaction (t1/2 = 300 μs) which occurs on the second flash. A high-resolution ESR spectrum of YZ+ in O2-evolving PSII membranes was obtained with gated integration techniques and found to be similar to the spectra of YD+ and of Yz+ in inhibited membranes. Thus, the magnetic interaction between spins on YZ+ and the manganese in the oxygen-evolving complex broadens the YZ+ spectrum negligibly. These results support the idea that a single electron carrier, YZ, operates between P680+ and the manganese ensemble in the oxygen-evolving complex and functions on all four S-state transitions.
Due to its unique ability to split water, Photosystem II (PSII) is easily accessible to oxidative damage. Photoinhibited PSII centres diffuse laterally from the grana core region of the thylakoid membrane to the stroma lamellae in order to allow replacement of damaged proteins and cofactors. The ‘new born’ PSII centres in this region are characterized by the absence of the water splitting capacity and very poor ability to bind the secondary quinone acceptor, QB. After the repair process PSII has to regain the water splitting capacity. This requires a set of well-defined electron transfer reactions leading to assembly of the Mn-cluster. In order to minimize the danger of photoinhibition during these earlier stages of photoactivation of PSII, auxiliary donors to the primary donor P680+, such as redox active tyrosine on D2 protein, YD, and cytochrome b559 become involved in the electron transport reactions by providing necessary electrons. Cytochrome b559 may also serve as an electron acceptor to QA– if elevated light intensities occur during the photoactivation process. These reactions lead to activation of QB binding, and finally to the assembly of the Mn-cluster. All these electron transport events occur simultaneously with the lateral movement of PSII centres back to the appressed regions of the grana core, where the pool of the most active PSII is situated.
The effect of trypsin treatment on Photosystem-II particles has been investigated by measurements of oxygen evolution, 2,6-dichlorophenolindophenol (DCIP)-reduction and Mn-abundance and by analyzing the peptide pattern. The following results were obtained. (1) Trypsin modifies both the acceptor and donor side of PS II, but striking differences are observed for the pH dependence: whereas the acceptor side is severely attacked between pH 5.5 and 9.0, the destruction of the donor side (oxygen-evolving capacity) by trypsin becomes significant only at pH values higher than 7.25. (2) The pH-dependence of the susceptibility of oxygen evolution to trypsin closely resembles that observed in inside-out thylakoids (Renger, G., Völker, M. and Weiss, W. (1984) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 766, 582–591). (3) The effect of trypsin on the functional integrity of water oxidation cannot be due to an attack on the surface exposed 16 kDa, 24 kDa and 33 kDa polypeptides, because they are digested rapidly even at pH 6.5, where the oxygen-evolving capacity remains almost unaffected. (4) Trypsination of PS-II particles as well as of the isolated 33 kDa protein leads to a 15 kDa fragment. In trypsinized PS-II particles this fragment remains membrane-bound. The amount of the 15 kDa fragment and Mn content are correlated with the oxygen-evolving capcity. These results indicate pH-dependent structural modifications at the donor side of System II which make target proteins accessible to trypsin. The 33 kDa protein is inferred to play a regulatory role in photosynthetic oxygen evolution and this function is realized by only a part of the protein, i.e., the 15 kDa fragment, that remains resistant to mild trypsination.
The electron transfer kinetics from Z to P680+ was analyzed as a function of temperature in the range of 248<T< 295 K by measuring absorption changes induced at 830 nm by a laser flash train in dark adapted O2 evolving PS II membrane fragments from spinach. It was found: (i) that the kinetics of P680+ reduction and their dependence on the redox state Si of the catalytic site of water oxidation are only slightly affected by temperature within the physiological range of 270<T<295 K. (ii) In the dark relaxed state S, the electron transfer from Z to P680+ exhibits an activation energy of the order of 10 kJ/mol in 248<T<295 K. (iii) In the 2nd and subsequent flashes of the train the ability for a stable charge separation between P680+ and Q−A, markedly decreases below −10°C. This phenomenon is assumed to be due to a strong effect of temperature on the electron transfer from Q−A to QB. The results are briefly discussed in relation to possible effects of structural changes in the D-1/D-2 polypeptide complex on the reaction coordinate of electron transfer steps in PS II.
The reduction rate of P680+, the oxidized form of the primary electron donor of Photosystem II, has been studied with flash absorption spectroscopy at 830 nm. Photosystem II membranes, partially depleted of the intrinsic managanese of the oxygen-evolving complex, were used. The reduction rate of P680+ was measured as a function of the concentration of free Mn2+, which was stabilized by metal-ion buffer systems consisting of chelators and metal-chelator complexes. Increasing the Mn2+ concentration induced an 18 to 35 μs decay component in the P680+ reduction kinetics and diminished the amplitude of the 4 to 8 μs decay component. A dissociation constant of approx. 50 μM was obtained for the observed Mn2+ binding site. Other transition metal ions affected the reduction kinetics of P680+ at lower concentrations. Thus, photooxidation of Mn2+ is not required for the detection of its binding at this site. To account for the kinetic effect, it is proposed that the bound metal ion interacts electrostatically with the tyrosine residue YZ, the intrinsic electron donor to P680+.
(1) The re-reduction kinetics of chlorophyll a+II (P-680+) after the first, second, third etc. flash given to dark-adapted subchloroplasts have been monitored at 824 nm in the nanosecond range. After the first flash and, again, after the fifth flash, the re-reduction of chlorophyll a+II (Chl a+II) in the nanosecond range is nearly monophasic with . After the second and third flash, the re-reduction is significantly slower and biphasic; it can be well-adapted with and ≈260 ns. After the 4th flash, the re-reduction kinetics of Chl a+II are intermediate between the first/fifth and second/third flash. A similar dependence on flash number was obtained with a sample of oxygen-evolving Photosystem II particles from Synechococcus sp. (2) Considering the populations of the S-states of the O2-evolving complex before each flash, the following correlation of S-states to Chl a+II reduction kinetics and electron transfer times, respectively, is obtained: in state S0 as well as in state S1 Chl a+II is reduced with , whereas in state S2 as well as state S3 a biphasic reduction with and ≈260 ns (ratio of the amplitudes ≈1:1) occurs. (3) The observed multiphasic Chl a+II reduction under repetitive excitation is quantitatively explained by a superposition of the individual electron transfer times. (4) We suggest that the retardation of electron transfer to Chl a+II in states S2 and S3 as compared to S0 and S1 is caused by Coulomb attraction by one positive charge located in the O2-evolving complex. A positively charged O2-evolving complex in states S2 and S3 can be explained if the electron release pattern (1,1,1,1) is accompanied by a proton release pattern (1,0,1,2) for the transitions (S0 → S1, S1 → S2, S2 → S3, S3 → S0). (5) A kinetic model based on linear electron transfer from the O2-evolving complex (S) to Chl a+II via two carriers, D1 and D2, makes a quantitative description of the experimental results possible. (6) According to the kinetic model, the retardation of electron transfer to Chl a+II in states S2 and S3 is reflected by an increase in the change of standard free energy, ΔG0, of the reaction Chl from ΔG0 ≈ − 90 meV in states S0 and S1 to ΔG0 ≈ − 20 meV in states S2 and S3. (7) This increase by ≈ 70 meV can be quantitatively explained by the Coulomb potential of the positive charge in the O2-evolving complex, estimated by using the point charge approximation.
In vivo photoactivation of Photosystem II was studied in the FUD39 mutant strain of the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii which lacks the 23 kDa protein subunit involved in water oxidation. Dark grown cells, devoid of oxygen evolution, were illuminated at 0.8 μE m−2 s−1 light intensity which promotes optimal activation of oxygen evolution, or at 17 μE m−2 s−1, where photoactivation compete with deleterious photodamage. The involvement of the two redox active cofactors tyrosineD and cytochrome b559 during the photoactivation process, was investigated by EPR spectroscopy. TyrosineD on the D2 reaction center protein functions as auxiliary electron donor to the primary donor P680 + during the first minutes of photoactivation at 0.8 μE m−2 s−1 (compare with Rova et al., Biochemistry, 37 (1998) 11039–11045.). Here we show that also cytochrome b559 was rapidly oxidized during the first 10 min of photoactivation with a similar rate to tyrosineD. This implies that both cytochrome b559 and tyrosineD may function as auxiliary electron donors to P680 + and/or the oxidized tyrosine⋅Z on the D1 protein, to avoid photoinhibition before successful photoactivation was accomplished. As the catalytic water-oxidation successively became activated, TyrosineD remained oxidized while cytochrome b559 became rereduced to the equilibrium level that was observed prior to photoactivation. At 17 μE m−2 s−1 light intensity, where photoinhibition competes significantly with photoactivation, tyrosineD was very rapidly completely oxidized, after which the amount of oxidized tyrosineD decreased due to photoinhibition. In contrast, cytochrome b559 became reduced during the first 2 min of photoactivation at 17 μE m−2 s−1. After this, it was reoxidized, returning to the equilibrium level within 10 min. Thus, during in vivo photoactivation in high-light cytochrome b559 serves two functions. Initially, it probably oxidizes the reduced primary acceptor pheophytin, thereby relieving the acceptor side of reductive pressure, and later on it serves as auxiliary electron donor, preventing donor-side photoinhibition.
To investigate a possible coupling between P680+ reduction and hydrogen transfer, we studied the effects of H2O/D2O exchange on the P680+ reduction kinetics in the nano- and microsecond domains. We concentrated on studying the period-4 oscillatory (i.e., S-state-related) part of the reduction kinetics, by analyzing the differences between the P680+ reduction curves, rather than the full kinetics. Earlier observations that P680+ reduction kinetics have microsecond components were confirmed: the longest observable lifetime whose amplitude showed period-4 oscillations was 30 microseconds. We found that solvent isotope exchange left the nanosecond phases of the P680+ reduction unaltered. However, a significant effect on the oscillatory microsecond components was observed. We propose that, at least in the S0/S1 and S3/S0 transitions, hydrogen (proton) transfer provides an additional decrease in the free energy of the YZ+P680 state with respect to the YZP680+ state. This implies that relaxation of the state YZ+P680 is required for complete reduction of P680+ and for efficient water splitting. The kinetics of the P680+ reduction suggest that it is intraprotein proton/hydrogen rearrangement/transfer, rather than proton release to the bulk, which is occurring on the 1-30 microseconds time scale.
Visible light illumination at liquid He temperatures of photosystem II (PSII) membranes poised in the S1-state, results in the production of a metalloradical signal with resonances at g
= 2.035 and g
2.0 at X-band (J. H. A. Nugent, I. P. Muhiuddin, and M. C. W. Evans, Biochemistry, 2002, 41, 4117–4126). A similar signal has been obtained by near IR excitation of samples poised in the S2 state (D. Koulougliotis, J.-R. Shen, N. Ioannidis, and V. Petrouleas, Biochemistry, 2003, 42, 3045–3053). The signal has been attributed to the magnetic interaction of the tyrosyl Z radical with the Mn cluster in the S1 state. In an effort to obtain further information about the interactions of tyrosine Z with the Mn cluster, and about the integer-spin S1 state we have employed EPR spectroscopy at two frequencies, X and W-band. The spectrum at W band is characterized by novel resonances at g
= 2.019, g
2.00 and g
= 1.987. For the analysis of the spectra at the two microwave frequency bands a spin Hamiltonian has been applied under the following basic assumptions: The S1 state of the Mn cluster is characterized by two low lying spin states Sa
= 0 and 1. The major features of the spectra are attributed to the interaction of the Sa
= 1 state with the spin Sb
= 1/2 of the tyrosyl radical. Potential contributions from the Sa
= 0 state are suppressed under the present experimental conditions. A satisfactory fit reproducing all features of the spectra is achieved with the same set of fitting parameters for the signals at both bands. An anisotropic ferromagnetic exchange interaction results from the fit with the coupling value being of the same order of magnitude with the value of the zero field splitting term of the Mn cluster (S
= 1).
Absorption changes at 820 or 515 nm after a short laser flash were studied comparatively in untreated chloroplasts and in chloroplasts in which oxygen evolution is inhibited. In chloroplasts pre-treated with Tris, the primary donor of Photosystem II (P-680) is oxidized by the flash it is re-reduced in a biphasic manner with half-times of 6 microseconds (major phase) and 22 microseconds. After the second flash, the 6 microseconds phase is nearly absent and P-680+ decays with half-times of 130 microseconds (major phase) and 22 microseconds. Exogenous electron donors (MnCl2 or reduced phenylenediamine) have no direct influence on the kinetics of P-680+. In untreated chloroplasts the 6 and 22 microseconds phases are of very small amplitude, either at the 1st, 2nd or 3rd flash given after dark-adaptation. They are observed, however, after incubation with 10 mM hydroxylamine. These results are interpreted in terms of multiple pathways for the reduction of P-680+: a rapid reduction (less than 1 microseconds) by the physiological donor D1; a slower reduction (6 and 22 microseconds) by donor D'1, operative when O2 evolution is inhibited; a back-reaction (130 microseconds) when D'1 is oxidized by the pre-illumination in inhibited chloroplasts. In Tris-treated chloroplasts the donor system to P-680+ has the capacity to deliver only one electron. The absorption change at 515 nm (electrochromic absorption shift) has been measured in parallel. It is shown that the change linked to Photosystem II activity has nearly the same magnitude in untreated chloroplasts or in chloroplasts treated with hydroxylamine or with Tris (first and subsequent flashes). Thus we conclude that all the donors (P-680, D1, D'1) are located at the internal side of the thylakoid membrane.
The effect of protonation events on the charge equilibrium between tyrosine-D and the water-oxidizing complex in photosystem II has been studied by time-resolved measurements of the EPR signal IIslow at room temperature. The flash-induced oxidation of YD by the water-oxidizing complex in the S2 state is a monophasic process above pH 6.5 and biphasic at lower pHs, showing a slow and a fast phase. The half-time of the slow phase increases from about 1 s at pH 8.0 to about 20 s at pH 5.0, whereas the half-time of the fast phase is pH independent (0.4-1 s). The dark reduction of YD+ was followed by measuring the decay of signal IIslow at room temperature. YD+ decays in a biphasic way on the tens of minutes to hours time scale. The minutes phase is due to the electron transfer to YD+ from the S0 state of the water-oxidizing complex. The half-time of this process increases from about 5 min at pH 8.0 to 40 min at pH 4.5. The hours phase of YD+ has a constant half-time of about 500 min between pH 4.7 and 7.2, which abruptly decreases above pH 7.2 and below pH 4.7. This phase reflects the reduction of YD+ either from the medium or by an unidentified redox component of PSII in those centers that are in the S1 state. The titration curve of the half-times for the oxidation of YD reveals a proton binding with a pK around 7.3-7.5 that retards the electron transfer from YD to the water-oxidizing complex. We propose that this monoprotic event reflects the protonation of an amino acid residue, probably histidine-190 on the D2 protein, to which YD is hydrogen bonded. The titration curves for the oxidation of YD and for the reduction of YD+ show a second proton binding with pK approximately 5.8-6.0 that accelerates the electron transfer from YD to the water-oxidizing complex and retards the process in the opposite direction. This protonation most probably affects the water-oxidizing complex. From the measured kinetic parameters, the lowest limits for the equilibrium constants between the S0YD+ and the S1YD as well as between the S1YD+ and S2YD states were estimated to be 5 and 750-1000, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Thirty-one and eleven sequences for the photosystem II reaction centre proteins D1 and D2 respectively, were compared to identify conserved single amino acid residues and regions in the sequences. Both proteins are highly conserved. One important difference is that the lumenal parts of the D1 protein are more conserved than the corresponding parts in the D2 protein. The three-dimensional structures around the electron donors tyrosineZ and tyrosineD on the oxidizing side of photosystem II have been predicted by computer modelling using the photosynthetic reaction centre from purple bacteria as a framework. In the model the tyrosines occupy two cavities close to the lumenal surface of the membrane. They are symmetrically arranged around the primary donor P680 and the distances between the centre of the tyrosines and the closest Mg ion in P680 are around 14 A. Both tyrosineZ and tyrosineD are suggested to form a hydrogen bond with histidine 190 from the loop connecting helices C and D in the D1 and D2 proteins, respectively. The Mn cluster in the oxygen evolving complex has been localized by using known and estimated distances from the tyrosine radicals. It is suggested that a binding region for the Mn cluster is constituted by the lumenal ends of helices A and B and the loop connecting them in the D1 protein. This part of the D1 protein contains a large number of strictly conserved carboxylic acid residues and histidines which could participate in the Mn binding. There is little probability that the Mn cluster binds on the lumenal surface of the D2 protein.
Low-temperature fluorescence rise curves are studied in an apparatus which allows fast variation and equilibration of the temperature. 1.1. Comparison of the effects of low temperature (−40 to −70 °C) and 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea shows that this inhibitor not only blocks the electron transfer between Q and A, but also removes a fraction of the quencher of Photosystem II centers.2.2. Low-temperature fluorescence rises (−40 to −70 °C) depend on the number of oxidizing equivalents stored on the donor side of System II.3.3. Three types of quenching can be experimentally distinguished: a quenching QF which is suppressed by a short saturating flash, a quenching QS destroyed under continuous illumination by a low efficiency process, and a quenching QR which cannot be destroyed at low temperature, but is removed by preillumination before cooling the sample.4.4. Only the QF quenching seems to be related to the normal electron transfer which leads to O2 formation.5.5. It is suggested that destruction of QS is associated with photooxidation of cytochrome 559.
The reaction center of photosystem II of oxygenic photosynthesis contains two redox-active tyrosines called Z and D, each of which can act as an electron donor to the oxidized primary electron donor, P680+. These tyrosines are located in homologous positions on the third transmembrane alpha-helix of each of the two homologous polypeptides, D1 and D2, that comprise the reaction center. Tyrosine D of polypeptide D2 has been proposed, upon oxidation, to give up its phenolic proton to a nearby basic amino acid residue, forming a neutral radical. Modeling studies have pointed to His190 (spinach numbering) as a likely candidate for this basic residue. As a test of this hypothesis, we have constructed three site-directed mutations in the D2 polypeptide of the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC6803. His189 (the Synechocystis homologue of His190 of spinach) has been replaced by glutamine, aspartate, or leucine. Instead of the normal D. EPR signal (g = 2.0046; line width 16-19 G), PSII core complexes isolated from these three mutants show an altered dark-stable EPR signal with a narrowed line width (11-13 G), and g values of 2.0046, 2.0043, and 2.0042 for the His189Gln, His189Asp, and His189Leu mutants, respectively. Despite the reduced line width, these EPR signals show g values and microwave-power saturation properties similar to the normal D. signal. Furthermore, specific deuteration in one of those mutants at the 3 and 5 positions of the phenol ring of the photosystem II reaction center tyrosines results in a loss of hyperfine structure of the EPR signal, proving that the signal indeed arises from tyrosine.2+ This observation provides support for a model in which an imidazole nitrogen of His189 accepts the phenolic proton of Tyr160 upon oxidation of D, forming a back hydrogen bond to the phenolic oxygen of the neutral tyrosyl radical.
The oxidizing side of photosystem II contains two redox-active tyrosyl side chains, TyrZ and TyrD, and a cluster of Mn atoms involved in water oxidation. The structural environment of these components is unknown, and with computer-assisted modeling we have created a three-dimensional model for the structures around TyrZ and TyrD [Svensson et al. (1990) EMBO J. 9, 2051-2059]. Both tyrosines are proposed to form hydrogen bonds to nearby histidine residues (for Synechocystis 6803, these are His190 on the D1 and His189 on the D2 proteins). We have tested this proposal by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy of TyrDox in mutants of the cyanobacterium Synechocystis 6803 carrying site-directed mutations in the D2 protein. In two mutants, where His189 of the D2 protein is changed to either Tyr or Leu, the normal EPR spectrum from TyrDox is replaced by narrow, structureless radical signals with g-values similar to that of TyrDox (g approximately 2.0050). The new radicals copurify with photosystem II, are dark-stable, destabilized by elevated pH, and light-inducible, and originate from radicals formed by oxidation. These properties are similar to those of normal TyrDox, and we assign the new spectra to TyrDox in an altered environment induced by the point mutation in His189. In a third mutant, where Gln164 of the D2 protein was mutated to Leu, we also observed a modified EPR spectrum from TyrDox. This is also consistent with the model in which this residue is found in the immediate vicinity of TyrDox. Thus the results provide experimental evidence supporting essential aspects of the structural model.
H/D isotope exchange effects on P680+. reduction by Yz and electron abstraction from the water oxidizing complex (WOC) in redox state S3 by YZOX were analyzed in PS II core complexes from spinach by measurements of laser flash induced absorption changes at 820 nm and 355 nm. The results obtained reveal: (1) the rate of Yz oxidation by P680+. is almost independent of the substitution of exchangeable protons by deuterons; and (2) the reaction between YZOX and the WOC in S3 exhibits a kinetic H/D isotope exchange effect of similar magnitude as that recently observed in PS II membrane fragments [Renger, G., Bittner, T. and Messinger, J. (1994) Biochem. Soc. Trans. 22, 318-322]. Based on these results it is inferred that photosynthetic dioxygen formation comprises the cleavage of at least one hydrogen bond.
During the four-stepped catalytic cycle of water oxidation by photosystem II (PSII) molecular oxygen is released in only one of the four reaction steps whereas the release of four protons is distributed over all steps. In principle, the pattern of proton production could be taken as indicative of the partial reactions with bound water. In thylakoids the extent and rate of proton release varies as function of the redox transition and of the pH without concomitant variations of the redox pattern. The variation has allowed to discriminate between deprotonation events of peripheral amino acids (Bohr effects) as opposed to the chemical deprotonation of a particular redox cofactor, and of water. In contrast, in thylakoids grown under intermittent light, as well as in PSII core particles the pattern of proton release is flat and independent of the pH. This has been attributed to the lack in these materials of the chlorophyll a,b-binding (CAB) proteins. We now found that a thylakoid-like, oscillatory pattern of proton release was restored simply by the addition of glycerol which modifies the protein-protein interaction. Being a further proof for the electrostatic origin of the greater portion of proton release, this effect will serve as an important tool in further studies of water oxidation.
In plants and algae, photosystem II uses light energy to oxidize water to oxygen at a metalloradical site that comprises a
tetranuclear manganese cluster and a tyrosyl radical. A model is proposed whereby the tyrosyl radical functions by abstracting
hydrogen atoms from substrate water bound as terminal ligands to two of the four manganese ions. Molecular oxygen is produced
in the final step in which hydrogen atom transfer and oxygen-oxygen bond formation occur together in a concerted reaction.
This mechanism establishes clear analogies between photosynthetic water oxidation and amino acid radical function in other
enzymatic reactions.
The flash-induced Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) difference spectrum of the oxygen-evolving Mn cluster upon S1-to-S2 transition (S2/S1 spectrum) was measured using photosystem II (PS II) core complexes of Synechocystis 6803 in which tyrosine residues were specifically labeled with 13C at the ring-4 position. The double-difference spectrum between the unlabeled and labeled S2/S1 spectra showed that the bands at 1254 and 1521 cm-1 downshifted by 25 and 15 cm-1, respectively, upon ring-4-13C-Tyr labeling. This observation indicates that there is a tyrosine residue coupled to the Mn cluster, and the vibrational modes of this tyrosine are affected upon S2 formation. From a comparison of the above band positions and isotopic shifts in the S2/S1 spectrum with those of the FTIR spectra of tyrosine in aqueous solution at pH 0.6 (Tyr-OH) and pH 13.4 (Tyr-O-) and of the YD./YD FTIR difference spectrum, the 1254 and 1521 cm-1 bands were assigned to the CO stretching and ring CC stretching modes of tyrosine, respectively, and this tyrosine was suggested to be protonated in PS II. The observation that the effect of the S2 formation on the tyrosine bands appeared as a decrease in intensity with little frequency change could not be explained by a simple electrostatic effect by Mn oxidation, suggesting that the Mn cluster and a tyrosine are linked via chemical and/or hydrogen bonds and the structural changes of the Mn cluster are transmitted to the tyrosine through these bonds. On the basis of previous EPR studies that showed close proximity of YZ to the Mn cluster, YZ was proposed as the most probable candidate for the above tyrosine. This is the first demonstration of the structural coupling between YZ and the Mn cluster in an intact oxygen-evolving complex. This structural coupling may facilitate electron transfer from the Mn cluster to YZ. Our observation also provides an experimental support in favor of the proton or hydrogen atom abstraction model for the YZ function.
Photosynthetic water oxidation by photosystem II is mediated by a Mn4 cluster, a cofactor X still chemically ill-defined, and a tyrosine, YZ (D1-Tyr161). Before the final reaction with water proceeds to yield O2 (transition S4-->S0), two oxidizing equivalents are stored on Mn4 (S0-->S1-->S2), a third on X (S2-->S3), and a forth on YZ(S3-->S4). It has been proposed that YZ functions as a pure electron transmitter between Mn4X and P680, or, more recently, that it acts as an abstractor of hydrogen from bound water. We scrutinized the coupling of electron and proton transfer during the oxidation of YZ in PSII core particles with intact or impaired oxygen-evolving capacity. The rates of electron transfer to P680+, of electrochromism, and of pH transients were determined as a function of the pH, the temperature, and the H/D ratio. In oxygen-evolving material, we found only evidence for electrostatically induced proton release from peripheral amino acid residues but not from YZox itself. The positive charge stayed near YZox, and the rate of electron transfer was nearly independent of the pH. In core particles with an impaired Mn4 cluster, on the other hand, the rate of the electron transfer became strictly dependent on the protonation state of a single base (pK approximately 7). At pH < 7, the rate of electron transfer revealed the same slow rate (t1/2 approximately 35 microseconds) as that of proton release into the bulk. The deposition of a positive charge around YZox was no longer detected. A large H/D isotope effect (approximately 2.5) on these rates was also indicative of a steering of electron abstraction by proton transfer. That YZox was deprotonated into the bulk in inactive but not in oxygen-evolving material argues against the proposed role of YZox as an acceptor of hydrogen from water. Instead, the positive charge in its vicinity may shift the equilibrium from bound water to bound peroxide upon S3-->S4 as a prerequisite for the formation of oxygen upon S4-->S0.
The origin of the '35-micros kinetics' of P680(+.) reduction in photosystem II (PS II) with an intact water oxidising complex has been analysed by comparative measurements of laser flash induced changes of the 830-nm absorption and the relative quantum yield of chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence. The latter parameter was monitored at a time resolution of 500 ns by using newly developed home built equipment [Reifarth, F., Christen, G. and Renger, G. (1997) Photosynth. Res. 51, 231-2421. It was found that: (i) the amplitudes of the unresolved ns-kinetics of both 830-nm absorption changes and the rise of fluorescence yield exhibit virtually the same period four oscillation pattern when dark adapted samples are excited with a train of saturating laser flashes; (ii) the corresponding oscillation patterns of the normalised extent of the 35-micros kinetics under identical excitation conditions are strikingly different with maxima after the 3rd and 5th flash for the 830-nm absorption changes vs. pronounced maxima after the 4th and 8th flash for the rise of the fluorescence yield. The period four oscillations unambiguously show that the '35-micros kinetics' of P680(+.) reduction are characteristic for reactions in PS II entities with an intact water oxidising complex. However, the disparity of the oscillation patterns of (ii) indicates that in contrast to the ns components of P680(+.) reduction the 35-micros kinetics do not reflect exclusively an electron transfer from Y(Z) to P680(+.). It is inferred that a more complex reaction takes place which comprises at least two processes: (a) P680(+.) reduction by Y(Z) and (b) coupled and/or competing reaction(s) which give rise to additional changes of the chlorophyll fluorescence yield.
The TyrZ./TyrZ FTIR difference spectrum is reported for the first time in Mn-depleted photosystem II (PS II)-enriched membranes of spinach, in PS II core complexes of Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 WT, and in the mutant lacking TyrD (D2-Tyr160Phe). In Synechocystis, the v7'a(CO) and delta(COH) infrared modes of TyrZ are proposed to account at 1279 and 1255 cm-1. The frequency of these modes indicate that TyrZ is protonated at pH 6 and involved in a strong hydrogen bond to the side chain of a histidine, probably D1-His190. A positive signal at 1512 cm-1 is assigned to the v(CO) mode of TyrZ. on the basis of the 27 cm-1 downshift observed upon 13C-Tyr labeling at the Tyr ring C4 carbon. A second IR signal, at 1532 cm-1, is tentatively assigned to the v8a(CC) mode of TyrZ.. The frequency of the v(CO) mode of TyrZ. at 1512 cm-1 is comparable to that observed at 1513 cm-1 for the Tyr. obtained by UV photochemistry of tyrosinate in solution, while it is higher than that of TyrD. in WT PS II at 1503 cm-1 and that of non-hydrogen-bonded TyrD. in the D2-His189Gln mutant at 1497 cm-1 [Hienerwadel, R., Boussac, A., Breton, J., Diner, B. A., and Berthomieu, C. (1997) Biochemistry 36, 14712-14723]. This latter work and the present FTIR study suggest that hydrogen bonding induces an upshift of the v(CO) IR mode of tyrosyl radicals and that TyrZ. forms (a) stronger hydrogen bond(s) than TyrD. in WT PS II. Alternatively, the frequency difference between TyrZ. and TyrD. v(CO) modes could be explained by a more localized positive charge near the tyrosyl radical oxygen of TyrD. than TyrZ.. The TyrZ./TyrZ spectrum obtained in Mn-depleted PS II membranes of spinach shows large similarities with the S3'/S2' spectrum characteristic of radical formation in Mn-containing but Ca(2+)-depleted PS II, in support of the assignment using ESEEM of TyrZ. as being responsible for the split EPR signal observed upon illumination in these conditions [Tang, X.-S., Randall, D. W., Force, D. A., Diner, B. A., and Britt, R. D. (1996) J. Am. Chem. Soc. 118, 7638-7639]. The peak at 1514 cm-1 is assigned to the v(CO) mode of TyrZ. in these preparations, which indicates that Mn depletion only very slightly perturbs the immediate environment of TyrZ. phenoxyl.
Recent models for water oxidation in photosystem II propose that His190 of the D1 polypeptide facilitates electron transfer from tyrosine YZ to P680+ by accepting the hydroxyl proton from YZ. To test these models, and to further define the role of D1-His190 in the proton-coupled electron transfer reactions of PSII, the rates of P680+ reduction, YZ oxidation, QA- oxidation, and YZ* reduction were measured in PSII particles isolated from several D1-His190 mutants constructed in the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803. These measurements were conducted in the absence and presence of imidazole and other small organic bases. In all mutants examined, the rates of P680+ reduction, YZ oxidation, and YZ* reduction after a single flash were slowed dramatically and the rate of QA- oxidation was accelerated to values consistent with the reduction of P680+ by QA- rather than by YZ. There appeared to be little correlation between these rates and the nature of the residue substituted for D1-His190. However, in nearly all mutants examined, the rates of P680+ reduction, YZ oxidation, and YZ* reduction were accelerated dramatically in the presence of imidazole and other small organic bases (e.g., methyl-substituted imidazoles, histidine, methylamine, ethanolamine, and TRIS). In addition, the rate of QA- oxidation was decelerated substantially. For example, in the presence of 100 mM imidazole, the rate of electron transfer from YZ to P680+ in most D1-His190 mutants increased 26-87-fold. Furthermore, in the presence of 5 mM imidazole, the rate of YZ* reduction in the D1-His190 mutants increased to values comparable to that of Mn-depleted wild-type PSII particles in the absence of imidazole. On the basis of these results, we conclude that D1-His190 is the immediate proton acceptor for YZ and that the hydroxyl proton of YZ remains bound to D1-His190 during the lifetime of YZ*, thereby facilitating the reduction of YZ*.
Flash-induced chlorophyll fluorescence kinetics from photosystem II in thylakoids from the dark-grown wild type and two site-directed mutants of the D1 protein His190 residue (D1-H190) in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii have been characterized. Induction of the chlorophyll fluorescence on the first flash, reflecting electron transport from YZ to P680(+), exhibited a strong pH dependence with a pK of 7.6 in the dark-grown wild type which lacks the Mn cluster. The chlorophyll fluorescence decay, measured in the presence of DCMU, which reflects recombination between QA- and YZox, was also pH-dependent with a similar pK of 7.5. These results indicate participation by the same base, which is suggested to be D1-H190, in oxidation and reduction of YZ in forward electron transfer and recombination pathways, respectively. This hypothesis was tested in the D1-H190 mutants. Induction of chlorophyll fluorescence in these H190 mutants has been observed to be inefficient due to slow electron transfer from YZ to P680(+) [Roffey, R. A., et al. (1994) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1185, 257-270]. We show that this reaction is pH-dependent, with a pK of 8. 1, and at pH >/=9, the fluorescence induction is efficient in the H190 mutants, suggesting direct titration of YZ. The efficient oxidation of YZ ( approximately 70% at pH 9.0) at high pH was confirmed by kinetic EPR measurements. In contrast to the wild type, the H190 mutants show little or no observable fluorescence decay. Our data suggest that H190 is an essential component in the electron transfer reactions in photosystem II and acts as a proton acceptor upon YZ oxidation. In the H190 mutants, this reaction is inefficient and YZ oxidation only occurs at elevated pHs when YZ itself probably is deprotonated. We also propose that H190 is able to return a proton to YZox during electron recombination from QA- in a reaction which does not take place in the D1-H190 mutants.
In oxygen-evolving photosystem II (PSII), a tyrosine residue, D1Tyr161 (YZ), serves as the intermediate electron carrier between the catalytic Mn cluster and the photochemically active chlorophyll moiety P680. A more direct catalytic role of YZ, as a hydrogen abstractor from bound water, has been postulated. That YZox appears as a neutral (i.e. deprotonated) radical, YZ*, in EPR studies is compatible with this notion. Data based on electrochromic absorption transients, however, are conflicting because they indicate that the phenolic proton remains on or near to YZox. In Mn-depleted PSII the electron transfer between YZ and P680+ can be almost as fast as in oxygen-evolving material, however, only at alkaline pH. With an apparent pK of about 7 the fast reaction is suppressed and converted into an about 100-fold slower one which dominates at acid pH. In the present work we investigated the optical difference spectra attributable to the transition YZ --> YZox as function of the pH. We scanned the UV and VIS range and used Mn-depleted PSII core particles and also oxygen-evolving ones. Comparing these spectra with published in vitro and in vivo spectra of phenolic compounds, we arrived at the following conclusions: In oxygen-evolving PSII YZ resembles a hydrogen-bonded tyrosinate, YZ(-).H(+).B. The phenolic proton is shifted toward a base B already in the reduced state and even more so in the oxidized state. The retention of the phenolic proton in a hydrogen-bonded network gives rise to a positive net charge in the immediate vicinity of the neutral radical YZ*. It may be favorable both for the very rapid reduction by YZ of P680+ and for electron (not hydrogen) abstraction by YZ* from the Mn-water cluster.
The mechanism of multiphasic P680(+)* reduction by YZ has been analyzed by studying H/D isotope exchange effects on flash-induced changes of 830 nm absorption, DeltaA830(t), and normalized fluorescence yield, F(t)/F0, in dark-adapted thylakoids and PS II membrane fragments from spinach. It was found that (a) the characteristic period four oscillations of the normalized components of DeltaA830(t) relaxation and of F(t)/F0 rise in the nanosecond and microsecond time domain are significantly modified when exchangeable protons are replaced by deuterons; (b) in marked contrast to the normalized steady-state extent of the microsecond kinetics of 830 nm absorption changes which increases only slightly due to H/D exchange (about 10%) the Si state-dependent pattern exhibits marked effects that are most pronounced after the first, fourth, fifth, and eighth flashes; (c) regardless of data evaluation by different fit procedures the results lead to a consistent conclusion, that is, the relative extent of the back reaction between P680(+)*QA-* becomes enhanced in samples suspended in D2O; and (d) this enhancement is dependent on the Si state of the WOC and attains maximum values in S2 and S3, most likely due to a retardation of the "35 micros kinetics" of P680(+)* reduction. In an extension of our previous suggestion on the functional role of hydrogen bonding of YZ by a basic group X (Eckert, H.-J., and Renger, G. (1988) FEBS Lett. 236, 425-431), a model is proposed for the origin of the multiphasic P680(+)* reduction by YZ. Two types of different processes are involved: (a) electron transfer in the nanosecond time domain is determined by strength and geometry of the hydrogen bond between the O-H group of YZ and acceptor X, and (b) the microsecond kinetics reflect relaxation processes of a hydrogen bond network giving rise to a shift of the equilibrium P680(+)*YZ <==> P680YZ(OX) toward the right side. The implications of this model are discussed.
Photosystem II (PSII) of green plants and cyanobacteria uses energy of light to oxidize water and to produce oxygen. The available estimates of the oxidizing potential of P680+, the primary donor of PSII, yield value of about 1.15 V. Two main factors are suggested to add up and engender this high oxidizing potential, namely: (1) the electrostatic influence dominated by Arg-181 of the D2 subunit which elevates the oxidizing potential of P680+ up to 1 V, some 0.1 V above the Em value of a hydrogen-bonded chlorophyll a; and (2) the dynamic component of 0.10-0.15 V due to the experimentally demonstrated retarded protonic relaxation at the P680 site.
The rise of fluorescence as an indicator for P680(+)* reduction by YZ and the period-four oscillation of oxygen yield induced by a train of saturating flashes were measured in dark-adapted thylakoids as a function of pH in the absence of exogenous electron acceptors. The results reveal that: (i) the average amplitude of the nanosecond kinetics and the average of the maximum fluorescence attained at 100 micros after the flash in the acidic range decrease with decreasing pH; (ii) the oxygen yield exhibits a pronounced period-four oscillation at pH 6.5 and higher damping at both pH 5.0 and pH 8.0; (iii) the probability of misses in the Si-state transitions of the water oxidizing complex is affected characteristically when exchangeable protons are replaced by deuterons [at pH <6.5, the ratio alpha(D)/alpha(H) is larger than 1 whereas at pH >7.0 values of <1 are observed]. The results are discussed within the framework of a combined mechanism for P680(+)* reduction where the nanosecond kinetics reflect an electron transfer coupled with a "rocket-type" proton shift within a hydrogen bridge from YZ to a nearby basic group, X [Eckert, H.-J., and Renger, G. (1988) FEBS Lett. 236, 425-431], and subsequent relaxations within a network of hydrogen bonds. It is concluded that in the acidic region the hydrogen bond between YZ and X (most likely His 190 of polypeptide D1) is interrupted either by direct protonation of X or by conformational changes due to acid-induced Ca2+ release. This gives rise to a decreased P680(+)* reduction by nanosecond kinetics and an increase of dissipative P680(+)* recombination at low pH. A different mechanism is responsible for the almost invariant amplitude of nanosecond kinetics and increase of alpha in the alkaline region.