Regular paper Mn 2+ reduces Y+ in manganese-depleted Photosystem II preparations

transfer kinetics Manganese in the oxygen-evolving complex is a physiological electron donor to Photosystem II. PS II depleted of manganese may oxidize exogenous reductants including benzidine and Mn 2+. Using flash photolysis with electron spin resonance detection, we examined the room-temperature reaction kinetics of these reductants with Y~-, the tyrosine radical formed in PS II membranes under illumination. Kinetics were measured with membranes that did or did not contain the 33 kDa extrinsic polypeptide of PS II, whose presence had no effect on the reaction kinetics with either eductant. The rate of Y ~ reduction by benzidine was a linear function of benzidine concentration. The rate of Y ~ reduction by Mn 2 ÷ at pH 6 increased linearly at low Mn 2 ÷ concentrations and reached a maximum at the Mn 2+ concentrations equal to several times the reaction center concentration. The rate was inhibited by K ÷, Ca 2 ÷ and Mg 2+. These data are described by a model in which negative charge on the membrane causes a local increase in the cation concentration. The rate of Y~- reduction at pH 7.5 was biphasic with a fast 400/is phase that suggests binding of Mn 2+ near Y~- at a site that may be one of the native manganese binding sites. Abbreviations; PS I I- Photosystem II, Yo-tyrosine residue in Photosystem II that gives rise to the stabl