The permeability of Rhodospirillum rubrum chromatophores to thiocyanate and perchlorate as detected by light-induced fluorochrome fluorescence changes and by photophosphorylation

Abstract

The addition of NaSCN and NaClO 4 to Rhodospirillum rubrum chromatophores increased the quenching of atebrin fluorescence and decreased the enhancement of 8-anilinonaphthalene-1-sulfonic acid fluorescence without affecting ATP formation. In the presence of NH 4SCN and NH 4ClO 4 the photophosphorylation as well as the light-induced fluorescence changes of both fluorochromes were inhibited. The comparison of these results with the effects of Cl - and NO - 3 leads to the conclusion that the chromatophore membrane is much more permeable to SCN - and ClO - 4 than to Cl - or NO - 3.