Characterization of the complex interaction between the electron acceptor silicomolybdate and Photosystem II

Silicomolybdate (SiMo) and its effects on thylakoids have been characterized to evaluate its use as a probe for Photosystem II (PS II). It can accept electrons at two places in the electron transport chain: one at PS II and the other at PS I. In the presence of 1 μM 2,5-dibromo-3-methyl-6-isopropyl-p-benzoquinone (DBMIB) only the site at PS II is available. It is suggested that SiMo must disp;ace bicarbonate from its binding site to be able to function as an electron acceptor. This displacement is non-competitive. The binding of SiMo is inhibited differentially by PS II inhibitors: dinoseb>ioxynil> diuron. This difference is determined by the different positions of the inhibitors within the QB binding niche and their interaction with bicarbonate. The experimental results show that the SiMo-binding niche is located between the parallel helices of the D1 and D2 proteins of PS II, close to the non-heme iron. We conclude that SiMo is an electron acceptor with unique characteristics useful as a probe of the acceptor side of PS II.