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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1978

Quantitative electron-paramagnetic-resonance measurements of the electron-transfer components of the photosystem-I reaction centre. The reaction-centre chlorophyll (P700), the primary electron acceptor X and bound iron-sulphur centre A.

An e.p.r. spectrum of the reduced form of the electron-transport component (X), thought to be the primary electron acceptor of Photosystem I, was obtained. By using line-shape simulations of this component and the free-radical e.p.r. signal I of the oxidized reaction-centre chlorophyll (P700), it was possible to determine the ratio of the number of electron spins to which these signals correspond in Photosystem-I particles under a variety of conditions. On illumination at cryogenic temperatures of Photosystem-I preparations, in which both bound iron-sulphur centres A and B were reduced, the measured ratio of free radical to component X varied between 1.04 and 2.23, with an average value of 1.54 +/- 0.18 where a Gaussian line-shape is assumed for the component-X signal in the simulation. The error in this measurement is estimated to be up to 50%. In a similar way component X and centre A of the bound iron-sulphur protein were quantified, the ratio between these two components varying between 1.26 and 0.61 with an average value of 0.75 +/- 0.06. These results indicate that the quantitative relationship, in terms of net electron spins, between centre A, component X and P700 is of the order to be expected if component X is indeed the primary electron acceptor in Photosystem I and a component of the photosynthetic electron-transport chain.

Binding Sites↗
PubMed1977

Correlation of redox levels of component electron carriers with total electron flux in an electron-transport system. P-700 and the photoreduction of NADP+ in chloroplast fragments.

A mathematical analysis is described which measures the effects of actinic light intensity and concentration of an artificial electron donor on the steady-state light-induced redox level of a reaction-center pigment (e.g. P-700) and on the overall light-induced electron flux (e.g. reduction of NADP+). The analysis led to a formulation (somewhat similar to the Michaelis-Menten equation for enzyme kinetics) in which a parameter, I1/2, is defined as the actinic light intensity that, at a given concentration of electron donro, renders the reaction-center pigment half oxidized and half reduced. To determine the role of a presumed reaction-center pigment, I1/2 is compared with another parameter, equivalent to I1/2, that is obtained independently of the reaciton-center pigment by measuring the effect of actinic light intensity and concentration of electron donor on the overall electron flow. The theory was tested and validated in a model system with spinach Photosystem I chloroplast fragments by measurements of photooxidation of P-700 and light-induced reduction of NADP+ by reduced 2,6-dichlorophenolindophenol. A possible extension of this mathematical analysis to more general electron-transport systems is discussed.

Chloroplasts↗
PubMed1979

Electron-paramagnetic-resonance measurements of the electron-transfer components of the reaction centre of Rhodopseudomonas viridis. Oxidation--reduction potentials and interactions of the electron acceptors.

Oxidation-reduction potentiometry was carried out on Rhodopseudomonas viridis chromatophores. Measurements of e.p.r. signals of the semiquinone-iron type at g=1.82 have revealed a more complex situation than previously reported. The presence of three different components is indicated. The midpoint potential (E(m)) of the primary acceptor quinone/semiquinone couple was found to be approx. -165mV at pH10, with a pK being reached at around pH7.5. The primary acceptor also accepts a second electron with an E(m) of -525mV, but this redox transition exhibits a hysteresis effect. Interaction effects indicate the presence of another component with E(m) values at pH10 of approx. -165mV (pK reached at around pH7.5) for single reduction and -350mV (pK at pH10 or greater) for double reduction. It is suggested that this component is the secondary acceptor. Another semiquinone-iron-type component which gives a g=1.82 signal is also present. This component is distinguishable from the primary acceptor by its e.p.r. spectrum, which shows a double peak at g=1.82 and a g(x) line at g=1.76. This component has E(m) values at pH10 for single and double reduction of -15mV and approx. -150mV respectively. Both of these E(m) values are pH-dependent. The presence of an interaction between this component and the photoreduced primary acceptor indicates the close proximity of these components. However, the midpoint potential of this component indicates a function as a secondary electron-transport component rather than an electron acceptor in the reaction centre. The dependence of the bacteriopheophytin intermediate (I) doublet e.p.r. signal on the presence of the semiquinone-iron form of the primary acceptor is demonstrated. The midpoint potential of the I/I(-) couple is estimated to be lower than -600mV.

Bacterial Chromatophores↗
PubMed1978

[Contribution to deep electron pendulous therapy. VIII. Communication: concerning the problem of diverging contours in telecentric electron pendulous irradiation using the electron energies 10 MeV and 20 MeV (author's transl)].

The mode of correction of the isodose curves from telecentric electron pendulous technique using a constant patient radius rp = 30 cm (Isodosenatlas, Siemens, 1973) is represented with regard to its application in patients with diverging surface contours. Correction is possible by two different methods: 1st by experimental determination of an air gap factor for the shift of isodoses, and 2nd by two factors depending on the focus-skin distance and on the angle of incidence of the electron beam. Determination of the factors is performed either by means of fixed fields measured by vertical and at oblique incidence of the beam and a depth dose distribution measured at the central axis, with oblique incidence of the electrons.

Electrons↗
PubMed1978

[Characterization of heavy metal secretory granules in the islet tissue of adult white rats by means of the light and electron microscopy, including the high voltage electron miscroscopy and the electron microanalysis (author's transl)].

The metal secretory granules of Langerhans' islets of white rats were examined after histochemical detection by sulfide silver staining method as well as by conventional electron microscopy and high voltage electron microscopy. Zinc and calcium were determined with electron probe x-ray-microanalysis. The metals are located at the inside of cytoplasmatic vacuoles, a result, we discuss in connection with the release of pancreatic hormones.

Animals↗
PubMed1976

Pulmonary mineral dust. A study of ninety patients by electron microscopy, electron microanalysis, and electron microdiffraction.

The results of a study of 90 patients are presented. Intrapulmonary mineral deposits were characterized by electron diffraction and electron probe microanalysis. Using this method, pneumoconioses may be distinguidhed from other pneumopathies. In cases of pneumoconiosis, there exists a specific relationship between the etiology of the dust exposure and the crystallographic characteristics of the intrapulmonary deposits. The nature of the deposits may be indicative of a specific type of pneumoconiosis. This method is particularly useful in differentiating between asbestos bodies and ferruginous bodies. The value of the method in general and its importance in the study of pneumoconiosis are discussed.

Asbestos↗
PubMed1976

Scanning electron microscopy of hepatic ultrastructure: secondary, backscattered, and transmitted electron imaging.

Several methods of tissue preparation and different modes of operation of the scanning electron microscope were used to study the ultrastructure of rat liver. Rat livers were perfusion fixed with buffered 2 per cent paraformaldehyde or a mixture of 1.5 per cent paraformaldehyde and 1 per cent glutaraldehyde and processed as follows. Tissue blocks were postfixed in buffered 2 per cent osmium tetroxide followed sequentially by the ligand-mediated osmium binding technique, dehydration and cryofracture in ethanol, and critical point drying. They were then examined without metal coating in the scanning electron microscope operating in the secondary electron and backscattered electron modes. Fifty-micrometer sections were cut with a tissue sectioner, stained with lead citrate, postfixed with osmium, dehydrated, critical point dried, and examined in the secondary electron and back-scattered electron modes. Frozen sections (0.25 to 0.75 mum. thick) were cut by the method of Tokuyasu (Toluyasu KT: J Cell Biol 57:551, 1973) and their scanning transmission electron microscope images were examined either with a scanning transmission electron microscope detector or with a conversion stub using the secondary electron detector. Secondary electron images of the liver prepared by ligand-mediated osmium binding and subsequent cryofracture revealed such intracellular structures as cisternae of the endoplasmic reticulum, lysosomes, mitochondria, lipid droplets, nucleolus and nuclear chromatin, as well as the usual surface morphology, Lipocytes in the perisinusoidal space were readily identified. Backscattered electron images. Unembedded frozen sections had little drying artifact and were virtually free of freezing damage. The scanning transmission electron microscope image revealed those organelles visualized by the secondary electron mode in the ligand-mediated osmium binding-treated tissue.

Animals↗
PubMed1975

Flavocytochrome b2: kinetic studies by absorbance and electron-paramagnetic-resonance spectroscopy of electron distribution among prosthetic groups.

The reduction by L-lactate of the prosthetic groups of flavocytochrome b2 (L-lactate cytochrome c oxidoreductase from aerobic yeast, a tetrameric molecule containing one haem and one flavin mononucleotide per protomer) was reinvestigated. It was confirmed that the enzyme ultimately takes up 3 electrons per protomer from this 2-electron donor. Stopped-flow absorbance data at an haem isosbestic point to follow the oxidized flavin and in a haem band indicate that, under the conditions used, haem and flavin reduction time courses are indistinguishable, both being biphasic (phases I and II). Comparison with electron paramagnetic resonance data (Fe3+ haem and flavosemiquinone signals) led to a complete description at 24 degrees C of the time courses of the various reduction states of the prosthetic groups. It has been previously demonstrated (Morton and Sturtevant, 1964) that, after the formation of the enzyme-substrate complex, the electron transfer to the enzyme takes place as the first and rate-limiting step of the turnover. In the present study, an initial burst of fully reduced flavin, of small amplitude, is detected at the very beginning of phase I (before 6 ms). The redox forms which accumulate thereafter till the end of phase I (30-35 ms) are the reduced haem (up to 80%), the flavin semiquinone (up to 50%) and the fully reduced flavin (from 25% up to 35%); the total of electrons distributed at the end of phase I is about 2 per protomer meaning that, in this phase, each enzyme site acts as a 2-electron and not a 3-electron acceptor. A 2-electron flow as the limiting step during phase I with the rate constant kI accounts for the steady-state electron flow during catalysis. Phase I is followed by the much slower phase II which corresponds to the entry of the third electron and cannot be involved in the turnover. The interpretation of the results are given as a scheme, with the proper rate constants, allowing a satisfactory fitting of experimental data by simulation. Among the elementary steps required are a rapid distribution of one electron from reduced flavin to the haem, a rapid interprotomers dismutation between couples of flavin semiquinone regenerating two oxidized flavin per tetramer. The very low reactivity of the latter for the entry of the third electron per protomer is tentatively explained by the occurrence of a slow additional step limiting the final reduction reaction. It was observed that, over phase I and the beginning of phase II, from 15 to 200 ms, all the redox species remain apparently under equilibrium conditions. Parallel studies (titrations of flavocytochrome b2 by L-lactate) showed that the set of equilibrium parameters relative to haem and flavin species is significantly different in the "final" equilibrium (after 30 s) from that in the time interval 15-200 ms. Such an anomaly suggests a conformation change takes place very slowly in the molecule after the acceptance of the first two electrons per protomer.

Cytochromes↗
PubMed1976

Electron transport in xanthine oxidase. A model for other biological electron transport chains.

Part of the catalytic function of xanthine oxidase (XO) involves the transfer of two electrons from a substrate to a molybdenum ion on the enzyme followed by equilibration of these electrons among other electron resting sites on the enzyme. The electrons are removed from the enzyme at a flavin by oxygen to form hydrogen peroxide. This paper considers mechanisms which allow the electrons to equilibrate between the different resting sites on the enzyme. The mechanisms are chosen to be consistent with known properties of the enzyme (relative reduction potentials, electron transfer rates, and the estimated separation of these resting sites). Tunneling appears to be a good candidate to account for most of the electron transport. It is shown that the XO electron transport system is similar in many respects to sections of mitochondrial electron transport chains and can serve as a nice model for parts of these more complicated biological electron transport systems.

Catalysis↗
PubMed1976

Measurement of the oxidation-reduction potentials for two-electron and four-electron reduction of lipoamide dehydrogenase from pig heart.

The oxidation-reduction potential, E2, for the couple oxidized lipoamide dehydrogenase/2-electron reduced lipoamide dehydrogenase has been determined by measurement of equilibria of these enzyme species with lipoamide and dihydrolipoamide or with oxidized and reduced azine dyes. E2 is -0.280 V at pH 7, and deltaE2/deltapH is -0.06 V in the pH range 5.5 to 7.6. Values for E1, the oxidation-reduction potential for the couple 2-electron reduced enzyme/4-electron reduced enzyme, were obtained from measurements of the extent of dismutation of 2-electron reduced enzyme to form mixtures containing oxidized and 4-electron reduced enzyme. E1 is -0.346 V at pH 7, and deltaE1/deltapH is -0.06 V in the pH range 5.7 to 7.6. Spectra of oxidized enzyme and 4-electron reduced enzyme do not show variations with pH over this range, but the spectrum of the 2-electron reduced enzyme is pH-dependent, with the molar extinction at 530 nm changing from 3250 M-1 cm-1 at pH 8 to 2050 M-1 cm-1 at pH 5.2. The pH-dependent changes which are observed in the absorption properties of the 2-electron reduced enzyme are consistent with the disappearance of a charge transfer complex between an amino acid side chain and the oxidized flavin at the lower pH values, with the apparent pK of the side chain at pH 5. It has been suggested that the 530 nm absorbance of 2-electron reduced enzyme is due to a charge transfer complex between thiolate anion and oxidized flavin, and we propose that the thiolate anion is stabilized by interaction with a protonated base. The thermodynamic data predict that the amount of 4-electron reduced enzyme formed when the enzyme is reduced by excess NADH will be pH-dependent, with the greatest amounts seen at low pH values. These data support earlier evidence (Matthews, R.G., Wilkinson, K.D., Ballou, D,P., and Williams, C.H., Jr. (1976) in Flavins and Flavoproteins (Singer, T.P., ed) pp. 464-472; Elsevier Scientific Publishing Co., Amsterdam) that the role of NAD+ in the NADH-lipoamide reductase reaction catalyzed by lipoamide dehydrogenase is to prevent accumulation of inactive 4-electron reduced enzyme by simple reversal of the reduction of 2-electron reduced enzyme by NADH.

Animals↗
PubMed1979

Evidence for multiple electronic forms of two-electron-reduced lipoamide dehydrogenase from Escherichia coli.

Results are presented which demonstrate that the 2-electron-reduced lipoamide dehydrogenase (EC 1.6.4.3) from Escherichia coli is a mixture of species. In catalysis, this enzyme cycles between the oxidized and the 2-electron-reduced forms. Three spectrally distinct species are indicated in the pH range 5.8 to 8.0 from measurements of the fluorescence and visible spectra during dithionite titration. These have the following properties. 1) A fluorescent form where the FAD is oxidized and the active center disulfide is reduced. This species is unable to charge transfer and predominates at low pH. 2) A form in which there is a facile charge transfer between thiolate and FAD (epsilon530 - 3300 M-1 cm-1). This species, which predominates at high pH, is very similar to the 2-electron-reduced pig heart enzyme at high pH. 3) A form where the flavin is reduced and the disulfide is oxidized. The spectra of these three species have been determined. Anaerobic reduction of the enzyme with stoichiometric dihydrolipoamide leads to the formation of the charge transfer species in less than 1 s. Subsequently, in a process requiring about 12 s, the charge transfer complex relaxes to a mixture of species observed in dithionite titrations. The pH dependence of the oxidation-reduction potential, the fluorescence, the charge transfer absorbance (530 nm), and the 455 nm absorbance indicates the presence of a base which is able to stabilize the thiolate anion generated upon reduction of the active center disulfide. The pH dependence of the oxidation-reduction potential indicates that the reduction of the enzyme by dihydrolipoamide involves 2 protons as well as 2 electrons. These potentials are somewhat more positive than those determined for the pig heart enzyme and thus explain the ready further reduction of the E. coli enzyme to the 4-electron-reduced enzyme. The pH-independent formation constant (Kf) for the disproportionation of 2-electron-reduced enzyme (2EH2 in equilibrium E + EH4) is about 55 as calculated from dithionite titrations. Therefore at equilibrium there is about 80% 2-electron-reduced enzyme, 1-% oxidized enzyme, and 10% 4-electron-reduced enzyme. The spectrum of fully formed 2-electron-reduced enzyme has been calculated at several pH values from these data. The results confirm the previous conclusion that lipoamide dehydrogenase from E. coli is qualitatively similar to the pig heart enzyme, differing only in certain quantitative features such as the distribution between the various forms at the 2-electron-reduced level.

Dihydrolipoamide Dehydrogenase↗
PubMed1977

Electron paramagentic resonance studies of photosynthetic electron transport: photoreduction of ferredoxinand membrane-bound iron-sulfur centers.

Electron paramagnetic resonance spectrometry was used to investigate, at physiological temperatures, light-induced electron transport from membrane-bound iron-sulfur components (bound ferredoxin) to soluble ferredoxin and NADP(+) in membrane fragments (from the blue-green alga, Nostoc muscorum) that had high rates of electron transport from water to NADP(+) and from an artificial electron donor, reduced dichlorophenolindophenol (DCIPH(2)) to NADP(+). Illumination at 20 degrees resulted in the photoreduction of membrane-bound iron-sulfur centers A and B. Photoreduction by water gave electron paramagnetic resonance signals of both centers A and B; photoreduction by DCIPH(2) was found to generate a strong electron paramagnetic signal of only center B. When water was the reductant, the addition and photoreduction of soluble ferredoxin generated additional signals characteristics of soluble ferredoxin without causing a decrease in the amplitude of the signals due to centers A and B. The further addition of NADP(+) (and its photoreduction) greatly diminished signals due to the bound iron-sulfur centers and to soluble ferredoxin. An outflow of electrons from center B to soluble ferredoxin and NADP(+) was particularly pronounced when DCIPH(2) was the reductant. These observations provide the first evidence for a light-induced electron transport between membrane-bound iron-sulfur centers and ferredoxin-NADP(+). The relationship of these observations to current concepts of photosynthetic electron transport is discussed.

Cyanobacteria↗
PubMed1979

The reaction of solvated electrons with cytosine, 5-methyl cytosine and 2'-deoxycytidine in squeous solution. The reaction of the electron adduct intermediates with water, p-nitroacetophenone and oxygen. A pulse spectroscopic and pulse conductometric study.

Using conductivity detection, pulse radiolysis experiments showed that solvent protonation of the electron adducts of cytosine, 5-methyl cytosine and 2'-deoxycytidine occurs with rate constants k greater than or equal to 2 x 10(4) M-1S-1. The protonated electron adducts transfer an electron to p-nitroactetophenone (PNAP) with rate constants ranging from 3.5 x 10(9) to 5.3 x 10(9) M-1S-1. The transfer is quantitative (G = 2.7), as shown by conductometric and spectroscopic measurements. In the presence of O2 no electron transfer to O2 takes place, implying that O2 adds to the protonated electron adduct radicals. No electron transfer from the H- and OH-adducts of the cytosine derivatives, either to PNAP or to O2, takes place near neutral pH. It is suggested that the differences in the reaction behaviour of the H-adduct radicals and the protonated electron adduct radicals towards PNAP can be accounted for if different radicals are formed by H-addition and protonation of the electron adduct. The H atoms most probably add to the C-5-C-6 double bonds, whereas the electron adducts are protonated at N-3 and/or 0-2.

Acetophenones↗
PubMed1978

Duroquinol as an electron donor for chloroplast electron transfer reactions.

Duroquinol (tetramethylhydroquinone) was found to function as an electron donor in chloroplasts. Non-cyclic electron transfer from duroquinol to electron acceptors such as oxygen proceeded at high rates, was insensitive to 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea (DCMU) but was sensitive to the plastoquinone antagonist 2,5-dibromo-3-methyl-6-isopropyl-1,4-benzoquinone (DBMIB). The electron transport from duroquinol was coupled to the synthesis of ATP. Spectroscopic studies of chloroplast electron carriers in the dark indicated the high-potential "Rieske" iron-sulfur center, cytochrome f, plastocyanin and P-700 were all reduced by duroquinol. The dark reduction of the "Rieske" iron-sulfur center and cytochrome f were inhibited by DBMIB but not by DCMU. These results have been interpreted in terms of a linear sequence of electron carriers in the non-cyclic electron transport chain which includes plastoquinone, the "Rieske" iron-sulfur center, cytochrome f, plastocyanin and P-700.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1978

Calculated yields and slowing-down spectra for electrons in liquid water: implications for electron and photon RBE.

Detailed Monte Carlo calculations have been carried out of slowing-down spectra and yields for a number of end-points for electrons in liquid water. These investigations were made to study differences in physical effects of different low-LET radiations and implications for RBE. Initial electron energies from 1 keV to 1 MeV were used, and all secondary electrons were followed in the computations unitl their energies fell below 10 eV. Though there are substantial differences in the slowing-down spectra at energies near and above the K-shell ionisation potential of oxygen, the energy spectrum of electrons at lower energies is found to be essentially independent of the initial energy of the primary electron. The number of events per unit energy deposited is also essentially independent of the primary electron energy. Based on these calculations, there appears to be little basis for ascribing differences in RBE for low-LET radiations to differences in physical effects produced by secondary electrons of low energy (less than or equal to 1 keV).

Electrons↗
PubMed1977

1-Methoxy-5-methylphenazinium methyl sulfate. A photochemically stable electron mediator between NADH and various electron acceptors.

This paper describes the properties and application of 1-methoxy-5-methylphenazinium methyl sulfate (1-methoxyPMS), which is a photochemically stable, versatile electron carrier. Like 5-methylphenazinium methyl sulfate (PMS), it mediates electron transfer between NADH and various electron acceptors such as tetrazolium dyes or the electrode of an enzymic electric cell, and yet it does not deteriorate upon storage under scattered light in normal laboratories. The rate of reduction of 1-methoxyPMS coupled to the reoxidation of NADH produced by the lactate dehydrogenase reaction, was even faster than that of PMS. It was also successfully employed as an electron mediator in the enzymic electric cell method for the assay of NAD-linked dehydrogenases. 1-MethoxyPMS solution is rosy pink, and its standard redox potential (E0') is approximately +0.063 V. The use of 1-methoxyPMS will be beneficial in biochemistry as well as medical technology, where PMS has been used as an electron mediator in various electron transfer systems.

Electron Transport↗