Biosynthetic studies of substituent homologation in bacteriochlorophylls c and d

Administration of carbon-13 and carbon-14 labeled glutamate, glycine, and methionine to Chlorobium vibrioforme forma thiosulfatophilum strain D have demonstrated operation of the C5 and C1 metabolic pathways in bacteriochlorophyll c and bacteriochlorophyll d biosynthesis in this organism, with glutamate providing the delta-aminolevulinic acid for macrocycle synthesis and glycine providing the source of the extra homologation at the 4-, 5-, and delta-positions (via S-adenosylmethionine). Further evidence showing that the bacteria appear to adjust the homologue composition of their antenna bacteriochlorophylls in response to varying growth conditions is presented. Timing of these changes within a single culture is consistent with a light adaptation mechanism, which predicts that degree of alkylation is directly proportional to light intensity in the culture; other factors influencing pigment composition during the lifespan of a single culture may also be operating, and these are discussed.