Inhibition of proton transport through spinach thylakoid membranes by 5,5'-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoate)

In both oxidative phosphorylation and photo-phosphorylation, electron flow through a carrier is linked to the generation of ATP. The energy released by electron transport is converted to potential energy forming a proton gradient across the membranes in chloroplasts. The proton gradient can be measured by a pH microelectrode. In this report, pH changes produced by photo-induced proton transport through spinach chloroplast membranes were measured by a glass microelectrode. The effect of 5,5'-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoate) (DTNB) on the kinetics of proton movement across the thylakoid membranes was studied. The results showed that the rate of proton uptake was reduced with increasing DTNB concentration. The rate of leakage of accumulated protons through thylakoid membranes also decreased. The results support the notion that cysteinyl residue is involved in proton translocation. The inhibition of proton transport would subsequently affect the chemical reactions of the Calvin Cycle that takes place in the stroma which is the soluble compartment surrounding the thylakoid membranes.