Light-Dependent Interactions of Phenazine Methosulfate with 3-(3,4-Dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea-Poisoned Chloroplasts

The chlorophyll fluorescence of isolated chloroplasts in the presence of phenazine methosulfate (PMS) and 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea (DCMU) can be quenched in a light-dependent reaction. This phenomenan has been studied and the following observations were made: 1. Quenching occurs under non-phosphorylating conditions and is stimulated by Mg2+ ions. 2. Under the same conditions, a light-dependent, Mg2+ stimulated transient decrease of absorp­ tion at 388 nm is observed which shows the spectral characteristics of PMS. 3. PMS is reversibly bound to chloroplasts. Under the experimental conditions used, binding amounts to as much as 0.5 mol PMS/mol chlorophyll. 4. Some uncouplers of photophosphorylation such as carbonylcyanide-m-chlorophenylhydrazon (CCCP) and atebrin analog abolish quenching, transient absorption change and binding of PMS. Others, such as methylamine, ammonia, gramicidin and nigericin do not. It is suggested that fluorescence quenching, transient absorption change and binding of PMS are causally related. The concept, postulated by others, that a high-energy state of the chloroplast membrane is involved in the fluorescence lowering is questioned.