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Absence of the Pigments of Photosystem II of Photosynthesis in Heterocysts of a Blue–Green Alga

Absence of the Pigments of Photosystem II of Photosynthesis in Heterocysts of a Blue–Green Alga ALL filamentous blue–green algae capable of fixing elementary nitrogen have heterocysts. Stewart et al. 1 have strong evidence that these differentiated cells are the sites of nitrogen fixation. They did not, however, show that photosystem II, responsible for the evolution of molecular oxygen (O2), is not functional in heterocysts. Because high oxygen tension inhibits nitrogen fixation, heterocysts should not possess the pigments of photosystem II. Fay2 produced evidence in vitro suggesting that heterocysts do not contain c-phycocyanin (c-PC), a principal constituent of photosystem II. Stewart et al. 1 found much less c-PC in heterocysts than normal cells and believed that photosystem II could be absent in heterocysts. Others3,4, however, have demonstrated the evolution of O2 from blue–green algae in the absence of c-PC. Thus the points to be resolved are whether heterocysts in vivo contain c-PC and the other pigments comprising photosystem II, and whether, in the absence of one or more of these, photosystem II is functional in heterocysts. A comparison of the in vivo pigment composition of normal cells and heterocysts has indicated that heterocysts lack a functional photosystem II. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Nature Springer Journals

Absence of the Pigments of Photosystem II of Photosynthesis in Heterocysts of a Blue–Green Alga

THOMAS, JOSEPH
Nature , Volume 228 (5267) – Oct 10, 1970
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References (10)

Publisher
Springer Journals
Copyright
Copyright © 1970 by Nature Publishing Group
Subject
Science, Humanities and Social Sciences, multidisciplinary; Science, Humanities and Social Sciences, multidisciplinary; Science, multidisciplinary
ISSN
0028-0836
eISSN
1476-4687
DOI
10.1038/228181b0
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

ALL filamentous blue–green algae capable of fixing elementary nitrogen have heterocysts. Stewart et al. 1 have strong evidence that these differentiated cells are the sites of nitrogen fixation. They did not, however, show that photosystem II, responsible for the evolution of molecular oxygen (O2), is not functional in heterocysts. Because high oxygen tension inhibits nitrogen fixation, heterocysts should not possess the pigments of photosystem II. Fay2 produced evidence in vitro suggesting that heterocysts do not contain c-phycocyanin (c-PC), a principal constituent of photosystem II. Stewart et al. 1 found much less c-PC in heterocysts than normal cells and believed that photosystem II could be absent in heterocysts. Others3,4, however, have demonstrated the evolution of O2 from blue–green algae in the absence of c-PC. Thus the points to be resolved are whether heterocysts in vivo contain c-PC and the other pigments comprising photosystem II, and whether, in the absence of one or more of these, photosystem II is functional in heterocysts. A comparison of the in vivo pigment composition of normal cells and heterocysts has indicated that heterocysts lack a functional photosystem II.

Journal

Nature – Springer Journals

Published: Oct 10, 1970

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