Abstract
Abstract The cyanobacterium Anacystis nidulans is bleached when subjected to both light and O2 to gether with suitable (pre)treatment o f the cells such as incubation at high (≧ 48 °C) or low (≦ 17 °C) temperatures, or in presence of metabolic inhibitors, or of substances forming com plexes with divalent cations. Concomitantly degradation o f the intracellular membranes is ob served (G. Schmetterer, G. A. Peschek, Biochem. Physiol. Pflanzen 176, 90-100 (1981)). The same three conditions cause formation of hydrocarbons, mostly ethane, a characteristic product of lipid peroxidation. Ethane production is unchanged and still light-sensitive even when no more pigments can be detected in the cells. In "white" cells light-dependent O2-uptake is also observed. The action spectrum of this process suggests that "completely" bleached cells retain very small amounts of residual chlorophyll, which must be unusually resistant to photooxidation.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have