[Effect of cobalt and copper o-phenanthroline complexes on electron transport and energy coupling activity in reaction centers and chromatophores of purple bacteria].

The effects of cobalt and copper o-phenanthroline complexes on electron transfer and energy coupling activity in the reaction center and chromatophore preparations of purple bacteria were studied. In terms of their effects on the systems under study these complexes fall into two groups, i.e. cobalt complexes with a high electron transfer activity, which stimulate membrane energization, and copper complexes which contribute to the chromatophore membrane deenergization. Among a variety of complexes studied the perchlorate tris-o-phenanthroline complex Co(II) and the chloride 4,7-diphenyl-o-phenanthroline complex Cu(II) were found to have the highest activity. Both cobalt and copper o-phenanthroline complexes may be a promising tool for regulating bioenergetic processes.