High-potential Cytochrome B-559 Research Articles

Heat-induced changes in the EPR signal of tyrosine D ( % MathType!Translator!2!1!AMS LaTeX.tdl!TeX -- AMS-LaTeX! % MathType!MTEF!2!1!+- % feaaeaart1ev0aaatCvAUfeBSjuyZL2yd9gzLbvyNv2CaerbbjxAHX % garmWu51MyVXgatuuDJXwAK1uy0HwmaeHbfv3ySLgzG0uy0Hgip5wz % aebbnrfifHhDYfgasaacH8qrps0lbbf9q8WrFfeuY-Hhbbf9v8qqaq % Fr0xc9pk0xbba9q8WqFfea0-yr0RYxir-Jbba9q8aq0-yq-He9q8qq % Q8frFve9Fve9Ff0dmeaabaqaciGacaGaaeqabaWaaeWaeaaakeaaca % WGzbWaa0baaSqaaiaadseaaeaacaWGpbGaamiwaaaaaaa!3B15! $$ Y^{{OX}}_{D} $$ ): a possible role of Cytochrome b559

The present study for the first time describes a close relationship between a change in the states of Cyt b559, a damage to Mn complex and a rapid reduction of tyrosine D (Y(D)) as a function of temperature in spinach thylakoid membranes. Measurements of the EPR signal of dark stable tyrosine D in heat-treated thylakoid membranes showed a gradual decay of the oxidized state of tyrosine D with the progression of temperature. Simultaneously, it leads to the conversion of high-potential Cytochrome b559 into its low-potential form. We have speculated a possible involvement of Cytochrome b559 in the primary reduction events of tyrosine D in dark at high temperature. However, rapid reduction of tyrosine D may also be due to the disassembly of the Mn clock, which causes exposure of Y(D) to the lumen and thereby its reduction by some unknown factor. These conclusions are supported by the measurements of Mn(2+) release and thermoluminescence curves of various charge pairs in heat-treated thylakoid membranes. The results reveal an important aspect on the role of Cyt b559 in PS II during temperature stress.

Two reaction pathways for transformation of high potential cytochrome b559 of PS II into the intermediate potential form

This study describes an analysis of different treatments that influence the relative content and the midpoint potential of HP Cyt b559 in PS II membrane fragments from higher plants. Two basically different types of irreversible modification effects are distinguished: the HP form of Cyt b559 is either predominantly affected when the heme group is oxidized (“O-type” effects) or when it is reduced (“R-type” effects). Transformation of HP Cyt b559 to lower potential redox forms (IP and LP forms) by the “O-type” mechanism is induced by high pH and detergent treatments. In this case the effects consist of a gradual decrease in the relative content of HP Cyt b559 while its midpoint potential remains unaffected. Transformation of HP Cyt b559 via an “R-type” mechanism is caused by a number of exogenous compounds denoted L: herbicides, ADRY reagents and tetraphenylboron. These compounds are postulated to bind to the PS II complex at a quinone binding site designated as Q C which interacts with Cyt b559 and is clearly not the Q B site. Binding of compounds L to the Q C site when HP Cyt b559 is oxidized gives rise to a gradual decrease in the E m of HP Cyt b559 with increasing concentration of L (up to 10 K ox( L) values) while the relative content of HP Cyt b559 is unaffected. Higher concentrations of compounds L required for their binding to Q C site when HP Cyt b559 is reduced (described by K red( L)) induce a conversion of HP Cyt b559 to lower potential redox forms (“R-type” transformation). Two reaction pathways for transitions of Cyt b559 between the different protein conformations that are responsible for the HP and IP/LP redox forms are proposed and new insights into the functional regulation of Cyt b559 via the Q C site are discussed.

Flash-induced reduction of cytochrome b-559 by Q infB sup? in chloroplasts in the presence of protonophores

Flash-induced, fast (t 1/2 ≈ 1 ms), reversible reduction of the high potential cytochrome b-559 (cyt b-559HP) was observed in chloroplasts in the presence of 2 μM protonophore, FCCP (carbonylcyanide p-trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone), CCCP (carbonylcyanide 3-chlorophenylhydrazone) or SF 6847 (2,6-di-(t-butyl)-4-(2',2'-dicyanovinyl)phenol). These protonophores promote autooxidation of cyt b-559HP in the dark (Arnon and Tang 1988, Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 85: 9524). No fast photoreduction could, however, be observed if the molecules were oxidized with ferricyanide in the absence of protonophores. This suggests that the molecules must be deprotonated to be capable for fast photoreduction.Photoreduction of cyt b-559HP was largely insensitive to DBMIB (2,5-dibromo-3-methyl-6-isopropyl-p-benzoquinone), but was inhibited by DCMU (3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea). With a train of flashes, no oscillation could be observed in the amplitudes of photoreduction. These data strongly suggest that cyt b-559HP is reduced by the semireduced secondary quinone acceptor (QB (-)) of Photosystem 2.

Enhanced susceptibility of the oxidized and unprotonated forms of high potential cytochrome b-559 toward DCMU

The nature of interaction of cytochrome b-559 high potential (HP) with electron transport on the reducing side of photosystem II was investigated by measuring the susceptibility of cytochrome b-559HP to 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea (DCMU) under different conditions. Submicromolar DCMU concentrations decreased the rate of absorbance change corresponding to cytochrome b-559HP photoreduction while the amplitude was lowered at higher concentrations (up to 10 μM). Appreciable extents of cytochrome b-559HP photoreduction were observed at DCMU concentrations which completely abolished the electron transport from water to methyl viologen under the same experimental conditions. However, the susceptibility of cytochrome b-559HP to DCMU increased with the degree of cytochrome b-559HP oxidation, induced either by ferricyanide or by illumination of low intensity (2 W/m(2)) of red light in the presence of 2 μM carbonyl cyanide-m-chlorophenylhydrazone. Also, the DCMU inhibition was more severe when the pH increased from 6.5 to 8.5, indicating that the unprotonated form of cytochrome b-559HP is more susceptible to DCMU. These results demonstrate that cytochrome b-559HP can accept electrons prior to the QB site, probably via QA although both QA and QB can be involved to various extents in this reaction. We suggest that the redox state and the degree of protonation of cytochrome b-559HP alter its interaction with the reducing side of photosystem II.

The accessory electron donor tyrosine-D of Photosystem II is slowly reduced in the dark during low-temperature storage of isolated thylakoids

Storage of thylakoids for several months at 203 K in the dark changes the flash pattern of oxygen evolution by gradually shifting the first oxygen maximum from the third flash, where it is usually observed, to the fourth flash. This effect is accompanied with the increase of a fast phase ( t 1 2 = 1.5 s ) in the decay of the S 2 and S 3 states of the water-oxidizing complex in Photosystem II. In parallel to the changes in the oxygen flash pattern the EPR signal from the stable tyrosine-D + radical (Signal II slow) completely disappears with a half-time of approx. 13 weeks. The normal oxygen yield sequence, showing the first maximum at the third flash, as well as the original amplitude of Signal II slow can be restored by a single flash or by continuous illumination at room temperature. These data show that tyrosine-D + is reduced by an endogenous redox component in Photosystem II during dark storage of thylakoids at 203 K. In parallel with the reduction of tyrosine-D + we observed the oxidation of high potential cytochrome b-559, and it is proposed that at low temperature an electron can be transferred from high-potential cytochrome b-559 to tyrosine-D + in a slow reaction in most of the centers.

Distinctive stability of the reduced and oxidized forms of high-potential cytochrome b-559 in photosystem II particles

Heating, aging or Triton X-100 treatment of oxygen-evolving spinach photosystem II (PS II) particles promotes the progressive conversion of the high-potential (HP) couple of cytochrome b-559 to its low-potential (LP) couple. Any of these treatments affects, however, the oxidized form of the HP couple more intensely than the reduced form counterpart of the same HP couple, the resulting form being in both cases the oxidized form of the LP couple. This finding indicates that the HP oxidized form is more labile towards these treatments than the HP reduced form. Moreover, incubation of PS II particles at pH 8.0 promotes also the gradual conversion of the HP couple of cytochrome b-559 to its LP couple. The treatment affects, again, more intensely the oxidized form of the HP couple than the correponding reduced HP form and in both cases results in the formation of the oxidized form of the LP couple. The results support the suggestion that the oxidized form of the HP couple, which is apparently protonated, is energized and labile with respect to the stable oxidized form of the LP couple.

Restoration of High-Potential Cytochrome b-559 in Salt-Washed Photosystem II-Enriched Membranes as Revealed by EPR.

Restoration of High-Potential Cytochrome b-559 in Salt-Washed Photosystem II-Enriched Membranes as Revealed by EPR.

Effects of trypsin upon EPR signals arising from components of the donor side of Photosystem II

EPR signals from components functioning on the electron donor side of Photosystem II (PS II) have been monitored in PS II membranes isolated from spinach chloroplasts after treatment with trypsin at pH 7.5 and pH 6.0. The following information has been obtained. (1) The multiline manganese signal, the g = 4.1 signal and Signal II slow are lost with trypsin treatment at pH 7.5, but not at pH 6.0. (2) At pH 7.5 the multiline S 2 signal and the g = 4.1 signal are lost with approximately the same dependency on the incubation time with trypsin. At pH 6.0 trypsin treatment is known to block electron transfer between Q A and Q B (the first and the second quinone electron acceptors, respectively) allowing only a single turnover to occur. Under these conditions both the g = 4.1 signal and the multiline signal are induced by illumination at 200 K and their amplitudes are almost the same as in untreated samples. These results are interpreted as indicating that the g = 4.1 signal arises from a side path donor or from S 2 itself rather than a carrier functioning between the S states and the reaction center as previously suggested. (3) Cytochrome b-559 is converted to its oxidized low-potential form by trypsin treatment at both values of pH. At pH 6.0 the S-state turnover still occurs indicating that the presence of reduced high-potential cytochrome b-559 is not necessary for this process.

Axial ligands of chloroplast cytochrome b-559: identification and requirement for a heme-cross-linked polypeptide structure.

Optical, resonance Raman, and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopies have been used to characterize the ligands and spin state of the chloroplast cytochrome b-559. The protein was isolated from both maize and spinach in a low-potential form. The spectroscopic data indicate that the heme iron in both ferric and ferrous cytochrome b-559 is in its low-spin state and ligated in its fifth and sixth coordination positions by histidine nitrogens. Electron paramagnetic resonance data for the purified spinach cytochrome are in good agreement with those determined by Bergström and Vänngård [Bergström, J., & Vänngård, T. (1982) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 682, 452-456] for a low-potential membrane-bound form of cytochrome b-559. The g values of high-potential cytochrome b-559 are shifted from those of its low-potential forms; this shift is interpreted as arising from a deviation of the planes of the two axial histidine imidazole rings from a parallel orientation. The model is consistent with the physical data and may also account for the facility with which cytochrome b-559 can be converted between low- and high-potential forms. Recent biochemical and molecular biological data [Widger, W. R., Cramer, W. A., Hermodson, M., Meyer, D., & Gullifor, M. (1984) J. Biol. Chem. 259, 3870-3876; Herrmann, R. G., Alt, J., Schiller, D., Cramer, W. A., & Widger, W. R. (1984) FEBS Lett. 179, 239-244] have shown that two polypeptides, one with 83 residues and a second with 39 residues, most likely constitute the protein of the cytochrome.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Stoichiometries of electron transport complexes in spinach chloroplasts

The stoichiometric relationship among photosystem II complexes, photosystem I complexes, cytochrome b f complexes, high-potential cytochrome b-559, and chlorophyll in spinach chloroplasts has been determined. Two features of this data stand out, in contrast to currently proposed stoichiometries in which the ratio of photosystem II to photosystem I is reported to be 2:1 and the chlorophyll to reaction center ratio to be as low as 260:1. Using a variety of techniques it was found that the stoichiometry of photosystem II:photosystem I:cytochrome b f complex was 1:1:1, within 10%, and that the ratio of total chlorophyll to these components was 600:1, also within 10%. A ratio of two high-potential cytochrome b-559 molecules per 640 chlorophyll, or two molecules per photosystem II reaction center, was found. These ratios were remarkably constant regardless of the time of year or the source of the spinach. The concentration of photosystem II complexes was determined using a pH electrode to measure the flash-induced proton release resulting from water oxidation. The photosystem I reaction center concentration was measured by two different techniques that compared favorably. In the first method a pH electrode was used to measure the amount of flash-induced proton consumption associated with the 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea-insensitive oxidation of N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylphenylenediamine, resulting in the production of hydrogen peroxide. In the second method the amount of P700 oxidized by far-red light was determined using dual-wavelength spectroscopy. The concentration of the cytochrome b f complex was determined assuming 1 mol of cytochrome f per complex. The concentration of cytochrome f was measured spectroscopically by its light-induced turnover and by chemical difference spectra. The concentration of high-potential cytochrome b-559 was determined by chemical difference spectra. In addition to these studies, the light-induced absorbance change exhibiting a peak at 323 nm that has been attributed to the reduction of the primary quinone acceptor of photosystem II has been investigated. This measurement frequently has been used to quantitate the photosystem II to chlorophyll ratio. However, in view of these results it is argued that this technique significantly overestimates the photosystem II concentration.

Restoration of high-potential cytochrome b-559 in Photosystem II particles in liposomes

The effect of a liposome environment on cytochrome b-559 was examined in two types of Photosystem II particles. A substantial fraction of the low-potential cytochrome b-559 of Photosystem II core particles, which do not evolve oxygen, was restored to a high-potential form in the liposome preparation. A preparation of oxygen-evolving Photosystem II particles, which was selected on the basis of having a relatively low rate of oxygen evolution (68 μmol oxygen/mg chlorophyll per h), showed very little high-potential cytochrome b-559 and a less-than-normal amount of variable-yield fluorescence. In the liposome preparation, however, these particles showed considerably more high-potential cytochrome b-559, an almost-normal amount of variable-yield fluorescence and a substantially greater rate of oxygen evolution (183 μmol oxygen/mg chlorophyll per h).

Restoration of high-potential cytochrome b-559 in liposomes

Cytochrome b-559, purified from spinach leaves as a low-potential, ascorbate-reducible form, was incorporated into liposomes made from digalactosyldiacylglycerol and phosphatidylcholine. Approximately half of the cytochrome was restored to a high-potential, hydroquinone-reducible form in the liposome suspensions.

EPR signals and orientation of cytochromes in the spinach chloroplast thylakoid membrane

The cytochromes in spinach chloroplasts were studied using EPR spectroscopy. In addition to the low-spin heme signals previously assigned, cytochrome f ( g z 3.51), high-potential cytochrome b-559 ( g z 3.08) and cytochrome b-559 converted to a low-potential form ( g z 2.94), a high-spin heme signal was induced by 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone (DDQ). However, this signal cannot be due to cytochrome b-563 in its native form. The orientation of the cytochromes in the thylakoid membrane was studied in magnetically oriented chloroplasts. Cytochrome b-559 in the native state and in the low-potential form was found to have its heme plane perpendicular to the membrane plane. The orientation was the same for cytochrome b-559 oxidized by low-temperature illumination, which suggests that also the reduced heme is oriented perpendicular to the membrane.

Characteristics of the Photosystem II reaction centre. II. Electron donors

The properties of Photosystem II electron donation were investigated by EPR spectrometry at cryogenic temperatures. Using preparations from mutants which lacked Photosystem I, the main electron donor through the Photosystem II reaction centre to the quinone-iron acceptor was shown to be the component termed Signal II. A radical of 10 G line width observed as an electron donor at cryogenic temperatures under some conditions probably arises through modification of the normal pathway of electron donation. High-potential cytochrome b-559 was not observed on the main pathway of electron donation. Two types of PS II centres with identical EPR components but different electron-transport kinetics were identified, together with anomalies between preparations in the amount of Signal II compared to the quinone-iron acceptor. Results of experiments using cells from mutants of Scenedesmus obliquus confirm the involvement of the Signal II component, manganese and high-potential cytochrome b-559 in the physiological process leading to oxygen evolution.

Gel electrophoresis of chloroplast membranes of mutants of Chlamydomonas reinhardii which have impaired Photosystem II function and lack photosynthetic cytochromes

Photosystem (PS) II-enriched particles or chloroplast fragments of the wild type and of three nonphotosynthetic mutants of Chlamydomonas reinhardii, which lack chloroplast cytochromes, were analyzed by lithium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis at 4°C to locate which chlorophyll complexes and which proteins are associated with cytochrome b-559. Two mutants, Fl 39 and Fl 50, have previously been shown to contain, respectively, 3.6- and 2.7-times less hydroquinone-reducible high-potential cytochrome b-559 than the wild type. They have impaired PS II functions. In the presence of ADRY agents: carbonyl cyanide p-trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone (FCCP), 2-(3-chloro-4-trifluoromethyl)anilino-3,5-dinitrothiophene (ANT 2p) or 2-(3,4,5-trichloro)-anilino-3,5-dinitrothiophene (ANT 2s), Fl 50 carried out photo-oxidation of cytochrome b-559 with half the amplitude of that of the wild type. No photo-oxidation was observed with Fl 39. We show here that in both these mutants chlorophyll-protein complexes CP III, CP IV and CP V were missing. There were traces of the corresponding apoproteins (45 000, 42 000 and 33 000 daltons, respectively) in Fl 50 but none in Fl 39. In addition, a 19 000 dalton protein was missing in Fl 39 and present in a very small amount in Fl 50. In another mutant, Fl 9, previously characterized as lacking both cytochromes b-563 and c-553 with a normal cytochrome b-559 content, CP III-CP V and the 19 000 dalton protein were detected. CP I (110 000 daltons) and CP II (24 000 daltons) were present in all strains. These observations confirmed the close relationship between deficiencies in cytochrome b-559, lack of CP III and CP IV and anomalies in the photochemistry of PS II. They provided additional evidence that CP V and a 19 000 dalton protein are also involved in this PS II photochemistry. Staining of the gels with 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine and H 2O 2 allowed us to distinguish clearly four heme protein bands having peroxidase activity. Three of these bands (45 000, 42 000 and 19 000 daltons), which were shown in wild-type, Fl 39 and Fl 50 preparations but not in Fl 9, appeared related to cytochromes b-563 and c-553. The fourth heme protein (14 000 daltons) occurred in wild type and Fl 9 but was missing in Fl 39 and Fl 50; it appeared related to cytochrome b-559.

EPR characteristics of oxygen-evoloving Photosytem II particles from Phormidium laminosum

The EPR characteristics of oxygen evolving particles prepared from Phormidium laminosum are described. These particles are enriched in Photosystem II allowing EPR investigation of signals which were previously small or masked by those from Photosystem I in other preparations. EPR signals from a Signal II species and high potential cytochrome b-559 appear as they are photooxidised at cryogenic temperatures by Photosystem II. The Signal II species is a donor close to the Photosystem II reaction centre and may represent part of the charge accumulation system of water oxidation. An EPR signal from an iron-sulphur centre which may represent an unidentified component of photosynthetic electron transport is also described. The properties of the oxygen evolving particles show that the preparation is superior to chloroplasts or unfractionated algal membranes for the study of Photosystem II with a functional water oxidation system.

Properties of oxygen-evolving photosystem-II particles from Phormidium laminosum, a thermophilic blue--green alga.

1. O2-evolving Photosystem-II particles from the thermophilic blue--green alga Phormidium laminosum contained 1 mol of Mn/13--17 mol of chlorophyll a compared with 1 mol of Mn/65--75 mol of chlorophyll a in unfractionated membranes. 2. At least two-thirds of the Mn in the Photosystem-II particles was removed by mild heating and by treatment with Tris or EDTA, with concomitant loss of O2 evolution. However, irreversible inactivation was also caused by washing in buffers without MgCl2, and this inactivation was not accompanied by a corresponding loss of Mn. 3. Bivalent cations (Mg2+ or Ca2+), Cl- or Br- ions and at least 20% (v/v) glycerol were required for maximum stability of O2 evolution. 4. The Photosystem-II particles were enriched in high-potential cytochrome b-559 (1 mol of cytochrome/50--60 mol of chlorophyll a) and in component C-550, and had a photosynthetic-unit size of 40--70 molecules of chlorophyll a. 5. The absorption spectrum at 77 K showed a preponderance of shorter-wavelength forms of chlorophyll a in the Photosystem-II particles, and in the fluorescence emission spectrum at 77 K there were major chlorophyll fluorescence bands at 684 nm and 695 nm, with almost no fluorescence in the far-red region. 6. Analysis of the lipid and protein contents showed that the Photosystem-II particles were not chemically pure (for example, all of the membrane-bound cytochromes and cytochrome c-549 were present), but their high O2-evolution activity and good optical properties make them useful for functional studies on Photosystem-II and O2 evolution.

Photoreactions of cytochrome b-559 and cyclic electron flow in Photosystem II of intact chloroplasts

The high potential cytochrome b-559 of intact spinach chloroplasts was photooxidized by red light with a high quantum efficiency and by far-red light with a very low quantum efficiency, when electron flow from water to Photosystem II was inhibited by a carbonyl cyanide phenylhydrazone (FCCP or CCCP). Dithiothreitol, which reacts with FCCP or CCCP, reversed the photooxidation of cytochrome b-559 and restored the capability of the chloroplasts to photoreduce CO 2 showing that the FCCP/CCCP effects were reversible. The quantum efficiency of cytochrome b-559 photooxidation by red or far-red light in the presence of FCCP was increased by 2,5-dibromo-3-methyl-6-isopropyl- p-benzoquinone which blocks oxidation of reduced plastoquinone by Photosystem I. When the inhibition of water oxidation by FCCP or CCCP was decreased by increased light intensities, previously photooxidized cytochrome b-559 was reduced. Red light was much more effective in photoreducing oxidized high potential cytochrome b-559 than far-red light. The red/far-red antagonism in the redox state of cytochrome b-559 is a consequence of the different sensitivity of the cytochrome to red and far-red light and does not indicate that the cytochrome is in the main path of electrons from water to NADP. Rather, cytochrome b-559 acts as a carrier of electrons in a cyclic path around Photosystem II. The redox state of the cytochrome was shifted to the oxidized side when electron transport from water became rate-limiting, while oxidation of water and reduction of plastoquinone resulted in its shifting to the reduced side.

Interactions between Photosystem II components in chloroplast membranes. A correlation between the existence of a low potential species of cytochrome [formula omitted] and low chlorophyll fluorescence in inhibited and developing chloroplasts

1. 1. Chloroplasts inhibited by incubation with hydroxylamine in the light exhibit a low fluorescence yield upon illumination in the presence of dithionite sufficient to completely reduce the primary acceptor, Q. In the absence of magnesium ions, the fluorescence yield is the same as in control chloroplasts, suggesting that the reason for the low yield is a defect in the mechanism by which Mg 2+ enhances the fluorescence. These chloroplasts were previously shown to contain only low potential ( E m7.8 = +80 mV ) cytochrome b-559 (Horton, P. and Croze, E. (1977) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 462, 86–101). 2. 2. In Photosystem II particles, in heat-treated chloroplasts and in trypsindigested chloroplasts, high potential cytochrome b-559 is absent and the variable fluorescence yield is again low. 3. 3. Peas grown under intermittent light contain only one-fifth of the content of high potential cytochrome b-559 seen in fully greened plants, yet show high rates of water to methyl viologen electron transport. Aquisition of the high potential cytochrome b-559 accompanies synthesis of chlorophyll b, the onset of Mg-stimulated fluorescence and an increased variable yield of fluorescence. A similar correlation was seen during greening of dark-grown barley. 4. 4. It is proposed that the high potential state of cytochrome b-559 is due to the same membrane properties which allow cation enhanced variable fluorescence, so that the presence of low potential cytochrome b-559 is accompanied by a decrease in variable fluorescence yield.

Kinetics of the photoreduction of cytochrome b-559 by Photosystem II in chloroplasts

The kinetics of the photoreduction of cytochrome b-559 and plastoquinone were measured using well-coupled spinach chloroplasts. High potential (i.e. hydroquinone reducible) cytochrome b-559 was oxidized with low intensity far-red light in the presence of N-methyl phenazonium methosulfate or after preillumination with high intensity light. Using long flashes of red light, the half-reduction time of cytochrome b-559 was found to be 100±10 ms, compared to 6–10 ms for the photoreduction of the plastoquinone pool. Light saturation of the photoreduction of cytochrome b-559 occurred at a light intensity less than one-third of the intensity necessary for the saturation of ferricyanide reduction under identical illumination conditions. The photoreduction of cytochrome b-559 was accelerated in the presence of dibromothymoquinone with a t 1 2 = 25–35 ms . The addition of uncouplers, which caused a stimulatory effect on ferricyanide reduction under the same experimental conditions, resulted in a decrease in the rate of cytochrome b-559 reduction. The relatively slow photoreduction rate of cytochrome b-559 compared to the plastoquinone pool implies that electrons can be transferred efficiently from Photosystem II to plastoquinone without the involvement of cytochrome b-559 as an intermediate. These results indicate that it is unlikely that high potential cytochrome b-559 functions as an obligatory redox component in the main electron transport chain joining the two photosystems.