Oxygen evolving membranes and particles from the transformable cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC6803

Membranes and PS II particles retaining high rates of O2-evolving activity have been isolated from the transformable cyanobacterium, Synechocystis sp. PCC6803. Membranes from cells grown under red light exhibit rates of O2-evolution ranging from 500-700 μmole O2/mg chl/h. PS II particles are prepared by a simple procedure involving DEAE column chromatography of detergent extracts obtained by simultaneous treatment of membranes with octylglucoside and dodecylmaltoside. The isolated PS II fraction is enriched in polypeptides immunologically cross-reactive with polypeptides present in core reaction center preparations of spinach, exhibits 77 K fluorescence emission maxima at 685 and 696 nm, but not emission and absorption due to phycobilines and is capable of rates of O2-evolution exceeding 1000 μmole O2/mg chl/h.