Modification of intensity and direction of electron flow across bileaflet membranes.

Abstract

The intensity and the direction of electron flow across chloroplast extract bilayer membranes are modified by the presence of biliproteins. Biliproteins including C-phycocyanin, phycoerythrin, allophycocyanin, and Chroomonas phycocyanin enhance the photosensitivity of the membranes. The photoelectric spectra of the membranes in the presence of biliproteins correlate with the absorption spectra of these biliproteins. Experiments are presented to demonstrate the specific character of the electron-directing ability of biliproteins. A possible mechanism involving the interaction between the biliproteins and the membranes is proposed.