Synthesis of components of the cytochrome b-f complex by isolated pea chloroplasts

Three components of the cytochrome b-f complex, cytochrome f, cytochrome b-563 and a 15.2-kDa polypeptide, were labelled with radioactive amino acids in isolated pea chloroplasts incubated in the light with added Mg-ATP. The assembly of cytochrome b-563 (19.5 kDa) into the cytochrome complex required the presence of added Mg-ATP whereas cytochrome f (37.3 kDa) and the 15.2-kDa polypeptide were assembled in its absence. Incorporation of [35S]methionine into the polypeptide chain of cytochrome b-563 and the 15.2-kDa component was confirmed by peptide mapping of the products of partial digestion with papain.