Effects of hydrogen/deuterium exchange on photosynthetic water cleavage in PS II core complexes from spinach

H/D isotope exchange effects on P680+. reduction by Yz and electron abstraction from the water oxidizing complex (WOC) in redox state S3 by YZOX were analyzed in PS II core complexes from spinach by measurements of laser flash induced absorption changes at 820 nm and 355 nm. The results obtained reveal: (1) the rate of Yz oxidation by P680+. is almost independent of the substitution of exchangeable protons by deuterons; and (2) the reaction between YZOX and the WOC in S3 exhibits a kinetic H/D isotope exchange effect of similar magnitude as that recently observed in PS II membrane fragments [Renger, G., Bittner, T. and Messinger, J. (1994) Biochem. Soc. Trans. 22, 318-322]. Based on these results it is inferred that photosynthetic dioxygen formation comprises the cleavage of at least one hydrogen bond.