Photosynthetic utilization of bicarbonate in Zostera marina is reduced by inhibitors of mitochondrial ATPase and electron transport

• When Zostera marina was irradiated after a period of darkness, initiation of photosynthetic O-2 evolution occurred in two phases. During a lag phase, lasting 4 to 5 min, photosynthesis was supported by a diffusive entry of CO2. Photosynthesis then rapidly increased to its full rate. Tris buffer, at a concentration of 50 mM, completely inhibited this increase without affecting CO2-supported photosynthesis during the lag phase. These results verify that the increase in photosynthesis after the lag phase depended on an activation of bicarbonate (HCO3-) utilization through acid zones generated by proton pumps located to the outer cell membrane. In similar experiments, 6.25 mu M of the mitochondrial ATPase blocker oligomycin inhibited photosynthetic HCO3- utilization by more than 60%. Antimycin A, a selective blocker of mitochondrial electron transport, caused a similar inhibition of HCO3- utilization. Measurements at elevated CO2 concentrations verified that neither oligomycin nor antimycin interfered with linear photosynthetic electron transport or with CO2 fixation. Thus, a major part of the ATP used for the generation of acid zones involved in HCO3- utilization in Z. marina was derived from mitochondrial respiration.

Subject headings

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Biologi -- Botanik (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Biological Sciences -- Botany (hsv//eng)

Keyword

inorganic carbon acquisition

co2 concentrating mechanisms

barley hordeum-vulgare

mesophyll protoplasts

oxidative-metabolism

laminaria-saccharina

uncoupling protein

plasma-membrane

chara-corallina

zmpump encodes

Plant physiology

Växtfysiologi

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)