​Abstract

The midpoint potential (Em) of QA/Q-∙AQA/QA-•, the one-electron acceptor quinone of Photosystem II (PSII), provides the thermodynamic reference for calibrating PSII bioenergetics. Uncertainty exists in the literature, with two values differing by ∼80 mV. Here, we have resolved this discrepancy by using spectroelectrochemistry on plant PSII-enriched membranes. Removal of bicarbonate (HCO₃⁻) shifts the Em from ∼−145 mV to −70 mV. The higher values reported earlier are attributed to the loss of HCO₃⁻ during the titrations (pH 6.5, stirred under argon gassing). These findings mean that HCO₃⁻ binds less strongly when is present. Light-induced Q_A^−• formation triggered HCO₃⁻ loss as manifest by the slowed electron transfer and the upshift in the Em of Q_{A. HCO3⁻} depleted PSII also showed diminished light-induced ¹O₂ formation. This finding is consistent with a model in which the increase in the Em of QA/Q−∙AQA/QA−• promotes safe, direct P+∙Q−∙AP++•QA−• charge recombination at the expense of the damaging back-reaction route that involves chlorophyll triplet-mediated ¹O₂ formation [Johnson GN, et al. (1995) Biochim Biophys Acta 1229:202–207]. These findings provide a redox tuning mechanism, in which the interdependence of the redox state of Q_A and the binding by HCO₃⁻regulates and protects PSII. The potential for a sink (CO₂) to source (PSII) feedback mechanism is discussed.

Read the French version.