Investigation of the ammonium chloride and ammonium acetate inhibition of oxygen evolution by Photosystem II

Abstract

Using EPR and EXAFS spectroscopies we show that high concentrations of ammonium cations at alkaline pH are required for (1) inhibition of oxygen evolution: (2) an alteration of the EPR properties of the oxygen evolving complex: (3) the ability to detect Y . Z; and (4) the slow reduction of the Mn complex leading to the appearance of EPR detectable Mn 2+. The inhibition of S state cycling, slowing of Y . Z reduction, appearance of Mn 2+ and the yield of a Hpp < 10 mT S 3 type EPR signal are decreased by calcium addition. This indicates that these effects were probably associated with calcium depletion arising from the high concentration of ammonium cation. The ammonia-induced changes to the S 2 multiline EPR signal are not affected by calcium addition. The appearance of Mn 2+ is shown to be reversible on illumination, suggesting that the Mn reduced from the native state is located at or near the native site. Simulations of the interaction which gives rise to the S 3 EPR signal are also presented and discussed. These indicate that lineshape differences occur through small changes in the exchange component of the interaction between the manganese complex and organic radical, probably through minor structural changes between the variously treated samples.