Abstract
The interaction of the non-ionic detergent Triton X-100 with photosynthetic membrane components of Pisum sativum (pea) is described. The detergent affected both the wavelength and the intensity of the 77K fluorescence-emission peaks of both Photosystem I and Photosystem II preparations, in addition to the effects on whole thylakoids recently described by Murphy & Woodrow. Below its critical micellar concentration, Triton X-100 had no effect on 77K fluorescence emissions even after prolonged incubations of up to 30 min. Above the critical micellar concentration of about 0.16 mg·ml-1, Triton X-100 caused a dramatic increase in the intensity of the 680 nm emission. The intensity of the 680 nm fluorescence emission continued to increase as more Triton X-100 was added, until limiting concentrations of detergent were reached. These limiting concentrations were proportional to the amount of membrane present and generally occurred at Triton X-100/chlorophyll (w/w) ratios of 100-200:1. In all cases the detergent effect was seen within 10 min, and is often considerably faster, with longer detergent treatments causing no further effects. The data are discussed in terms of a three-stage mechanism for detergent solubilization of membrane components.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 31-37 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Biochemical Journal |
Volume | 229 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Jul 1985 |