High-specific binding of Fe(II) at the Mn-binding site in Mn-depleted PSII membranes from spinach

The interaction of Fe(II) and Fe(III) with the 'high-affinity Mn-binding site' in Mn-depleted photosystem II (PSII) was investigated using diphenilcarbazide (DPC)/2,6-dichlorophenol-indophenol (DCIP) inhibition assay. Fe(III) was ineffective in the inhibition of DPC-DCIP reaction while Fe(II) decreased the rate of DCIP photoreduction supported by DPC in the same concentration range as Mn(II). The effectivity of the interaction of Fe(II) with the high affinity Mn-binding site depends on different anions in the same manner as for Mn(II) and coincides with hierarchy observed for the stimulation of O2 evolution. The Fe(II) binding is accompanied by its oxidation. By using reductants it was shown that the high affinity site contains a redox-active component and the reduction of this component totally prevents the binding of Fe(II).