Paramagnetic probes of multicomponent electron-transfer systems.

Electron-transfer systems associated with steroid hormone production in the adrenals and with photosynthetic NADP+ reduction in the chloroplast share some important features. Complexes between components in both systems affect the exposure of prosthetic groups to water-soluble paramagnetic groups. The sensitivity of the components to probes of different charges suggests that electrostatic interactions are important in complex formation. Haem plane orientation in cytochrome P-450 of the adrenal system is parallel to the membrane plane in both native and reconstituted systems.