Effects of Cu(II) complexes on photosynthesis in spinach chloroplasts. Aqua(aryloxyacetato)copper(II) complexes

The inhibitory effect of 14 aqua(aryloxyacetato) copper(II) complexes on oxygen evolution rate in spinach chloroplasts has been investigated. The inhibitory effect of these effectors on photosynthesis was confirmed by Hill reaction as well as by EPR and fluorescence spectroscopies. The results of the EPR study showed that the sites of action of the studied effectors are Z+ and Y+ intermediates at the donor side of the photosystem (PS) 2. The EPR study also showed that another site of action is the oxygen evolving complex, namely its manganese cluster. The above suggestions were supported by the results of the fluorescence study as well. Based on the restoring of the photosynthetic electron transport to 2,6-dichlorophenol-indophenol in chloroplasts inhibited by the studied Cu(II) complexes using sym-diphenylcarbazide it can be assumed that the own core of PS2 (P680) and a part of the electron transport chain-at least up to plastoquinone-remain intact.