The Inhibition of Photosynthetic Electron Transport by DBMIB and its Restoration by p-Phenylenediamines; Studied by Means of Prompt and Delayed Chlorophyll Fluorescence of Green Algae

Abstract

Abstract The effect of the plastohydroquinone antagonist dibromothym oquinone (DBMIB) on photosynthetic electron transport reactions was studied in the presence and absence of p-phenylene-diamines by means of measurements of prompt and delayed chlorophyll fluorescence induction of the green alga Scenedesm us obliquus. Prompt and delayed chlorophyll fluorescence induction phenomena are valid indicators for the native presence of and cooperation between the two photosynthetic light reactions. Their kinetics reflect the balancing of electron exchange reactions in the chain of coupled redox-systems between the two photosystems upon sudden illumination. From distinct alterations of the short-term (sec) light induced changes in the yield of prom pt and delayed chlorophyll fluorescence it is concluded that DBMIB inhibits the photosynthetic electron transport in the chain of redox-systems between the two light reactions. There is evidence to show that upon illumination of DBMIB treated cells only the reduction of primary electron ac­ceptor pools of photosystem II (i. e. Q and PQ) is still possible. After their reduction the further electron transport through photosystem II is blocked. The addition of p-phenylenediamines to DBM IB-treated cells abolishes the typical DBMIB-affected prom pt and delayed fluorescence inhibition curves and the normal induction curves re­ appear qualitatively in all their important features. From these measurements it is suggested that the redox properties of p-phenylenediamines allow an electron transport bypass of the DBMIB inhibition site which results in a fully restored photosynthetic electron transport from water to NADP.