The relationship between different spectral forms of the protochlorophyllide oxidoreductase complex and the structural organisation of prolamellar bodies isolated from Zea mays.

Incubation of prolamellar bodies (PLB) in high-salt media leads to changes in PLB structure and properties of their protochlorophyllide oxidoreductase-protochlorophyllide (POR-PChlide) complex. The paracrystalline organisation typical of PLB is disrupted and NADPH dissociates from photoconvertible POR-PChlide, with absorption maxima at 640 and 650 nm (POR-PChlide (640/650)), and a non-photoconvertible form, with absorption maxima at 635 nm (POR-PChlide (635)), is formed. These effects are strongly dependent on the valence of the cation of the perturbing salt, indicating that they involve surface double layers effects. They are also influenced by the nature of the anion and by high concentrations of non-electrolytes, suggesting the involvement of surface hydration effects. The structural changes are largely, if not entirely, independent of the presence of excess NADPH. Changes to the POR-PChlide complex, however, are strongly inhibited by excess NADPH suggesting that the two sets of changes may not be causally linked. As long as the disruption is not too great, the structural changes seen on incubation of PLB in high salt media lacking excess NADPH are reversed on removal of the high salt perturbation. This reversal is independent of the presence or absence of added NADPH. Reformation of photoconvertible POR-PChlide, however, requires the presence of NADPH. The reformation of paracrystalline PLB in the absence of NADPH strongly indicates that preservation of PLB structure, in isolated PLB preparations at least, is independent of the presence or absence of POR-PChlide (650).

Structural organisation of prolamellar bodies (PLB) isolated from Zea mays. Parallel TEM, SAXS and absorption spectra measurements on samples subjected to freeze-thaw, reduced pH and high-salt perturbation.

Well-organised PLB gives rise to a X-ray diffraction pattern overlaid by a scattering pattern arising from individual tubules within less well-organised regions of the lattice. TEM and SAXS measurements were used to characterise the structural changes in PLB subjected to perturbation by freeze-thaw, exposure to pH 6.5, or resuspension in high-salt media. Comparison of SAXS patterns measured, before and after structural perturbation allows the separation of the contributions from ordered and disordered PLB. The diffraction pattern is shown to be based on a diamond cubic (Fd3m) lattice of unit cell a=78 nm. Freeze-thaw and high-salt disruption lead to the breakdown of ordered PLB into disordered tubules of similar dimensions to those making up the original PLB lattice. Their scattering patterns suggest that they are approximately 26 nm in diameter with a central lumen about 16 nm in diameter. The tubules formed at pH 6.5 are appreciably narrower, probably reflecting changes in the pattern of ionisation of charged groups at the membrane surface. Absorption spectra of PLB in media containing different concentrations of salts indicated that the structural and spectral changes are related. NADPH, have a significant role in the protection of POR-PChlide(650) but to have only a relatively small effect on the preservation of PLB organisation indicating that the retention of POR-PChlide(650) in isolated PLB preparations is a poor guide to their structural integrity.

The effects of low pH on the properties of protochlorophyllide oxidoreductase and the organization of prolamellar bodies of maize (Zea mays).

Prolamellar bodies (PLB) contain two photochemically active forms of the enzyme protochlorophyllide oxidoreductase POR-PChlide640 and POR-PChlide650 (the spectral forms of POR-Chlide complexes with absorption maxima at the indicated wavelengths). Resuspension of maize PLB in media with a pH below 6.8 leads to a rapid conversion of POR-PChlide650 to POR-PChlide640 and a dramatic re-organization of the PLB membrane system. In the absence of excess NADPH, the absorption maximum of the POR complex undergoes a further shift to about 635 nm. This latter shift is reversible on the re-addition of NADPH with a half-saturation value of about 0.25 mm NADPH for POR-PChlide640 reformation. The disappearance of POR-PChlide650 and the reorganization of the PLB, however, are irreversible. Restoration of low-pH treated PLB to pH 7.5 leads to a further breakdown down of the PLB membrane and no reformation of POR-PChlide650. Related spectral changes are seen in PLB aged at room temperature at pH 7.5 in NADPH-free assay medium. The reformation of POR-PChlide650 in this system is readily reversible on re-addition of NADPH with a half-saturation value about 1.0 microm. Comparison of the two sets of changes suggest a close link between the stability of the POR-PChlide650, membrane organization and NADPH binding. The low-pH driven spectral changes seen in maize PLB are shown to be accelerated by adenosine AMP, ADP and ATP. The significance of this is discussed in terms of current suggestions of the possible involvement of phosphorylation (or adenylation) in changes in the aggregational state of the POR complex.