H(2) metabolism in photosynthetic organisms: I. Dark h(2) evolution and uptake by algae and mosses

Dark H(2) metabolism was studied in marine and fresh water red algae, the green alga, Chlamydomonas, and mosses. A time variable and temperature-sensitive anaerobic incubation was required prior to H(2) evolution. H(2) evolution was sensitive to disalicylidenepropanediamine. An immediate H(2) uptake was observed in these algae. Immediate dark H(2) uptake but no evolution was observed in the mosses.A cell-free hydrogenase preparation was obtained from anaerobically adapted Chlamydomonas reinhardii by means of sonic oscillation. The hydrogenase was not sedimented at 100,000g. It catalyzed the reduction of methylene blue, p-benzoquinone, NAD, NADP, but not spinach ferredoxin. H(2) evolution was noted with dithionite and with reduced methyl viologen as donors but not with reduced spinach ferredoxin. Similarly, hydrogenase activities were not affected by disalicylidenepropanediamine. The pH optima for H(2) evolution and for H(2) uptake were 7.2 and 7.5 to 9.5, respectively. Extracts prepared from the anaerobically adapted red alga, Chondrus crispus, and the moss, Leptobryum pyriforme, consumed but did not evolve H(2). Uptake was slightly stimulated by methylene blue. It is proposed that red algae and mosses appear to metabolize H(2) by a different pathway than Chlamydomonas.