The differences in microenvironments and functions of tyrosine radicals YZ and YD in photosystem II studied by EPR

Photosynth Res. 2008 Oct-Dec;98(1-3):151-7. doi: 10.1007/s11120-008-9380-4. Epub 2008 Nov 5.

Abstract

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and electron nuclear double resonance (ENDOR) were performed to investigate the difference in microenvironments and functions between tyrosine Z (Y(Z)) and tyrosine D (Y(D)). Mn-depletion or Ca(2+)-depletion causes extension of the lifetime of tyrosine radical Y(Z)(*), which can be trapped by rapid freezing after illumination at about 250 K. Above pH 6.5, Y(Z)(*) radical in Mn-depleted PS II shows similar EPR and ENDOR spectra similar to that of Y(D)(*) radical, which are ascribed to a typical neutral tyrosine radical. Below pH 6.5, Y(Z)(*) radical shows quite different EPR and ENDOR spectra. ENDOR spectra show the spin density distribution of the low-pH form of Y(Z)(*) that has been quite different from the high-pH form of Y(Z)(*). The spin density distribution of the low-pH Y(Z)(*) can be explained by a cation radical or the neutral radical induced by strong electrostatic interaction. The pH dependence of the activation energy of the recombination rate between Y(Z)(*) and Q(A)(-) shows a gap of 4.4 kJ/mol at pH 6.0-6.5. In the Ca(2+)-depleted PS II, Y(Z)(*) signal was the mixture of the cation-like and normal neutral radicals, and the pH dependence of Y(Z)(*) spectrum in Ca(2+)-depleted PS II is considerably different from the neutral radical found in Mn-depleted PS II. Based on the recent structure data of cyanobacterial PS II, the pH dependence of Y(Z)(*) could be ascribed to the modification of the local structure and hydrogen-bonding network induced by the dissociation of ASP170 near Y(Z).

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Calcium / metabolism
  • Electron Spin Resonance Spectroscopy
  • Free Radicals / metabolism*
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Photosynthesis
  • Photosystem II Protein Complex / metabolism*
  • Tyrosine / analogs & derivatives*
  • Tyrosine / metabolism

Substances

  • Free Radicals
  • Photosystem II Protein Complex
  • tyrosyl radical Y(D)
  • tyrosyl radical YZ
  • Tyrosine
  • Calcium