[Kinetics of the generation of a photo-induced electric potential in chromatophores of photosynthetizing bacteria].

Flash-induced formation of an electric potential difference (delta psi) was monitored by a direct method in chromatophores associated with the collodion phospholipid membrane. In Rhodospirillum rubrum and Rhodopseudomonas sphaeriodes chromatophores, the kinetics of delta psi generation exhibit fast (tau less than or equal to 0.3 microseconds) and slow (tau congruent to 200 microseconds) phases, the latter observed in the presence of exogenous quinones. Comparison of the kinetic and potentiometric characteristics of the process with those of electron transport reactions suggests that the fast phase of delta psi rise is due to charge separation between the primary electron donor, P870, and primary electron acceptor QIFe; the slow phase, which is inhibited by o-phenanthroline, is due to electron donation from QIFe to the secondary acceptor, quinone QII. The kinetics of delta psi decay include components arising form the recombination of primary separated charges (tau congruent to 30 ms) and from the passive discharge of the membrane (tau congruent to 400 ms; tau congruent to 1400 ms). From a redox titration of the photo-induced electric signal and the photo-induced absorption changes of P870 at different pH meanings, the value of pK for the primary acceptor FeQI was found to be 7.4 in Rps. sphaeroides chromatophores. In Chromatium minutissimum, a phase ( tau congruent to 20 microseconds) was observed in addition to those seen in Rps. sphaeroids and R. rubrum which was explained by the reduction of P890+ from the high potential cytochrome c555. Possible distribution of the electron transport components in the chromatophore membrane are discussed.