The effect of N-methylprotoporphyrin IX on the synthesis of photosynthetic pigments in Cyanidium caldarium. Further evidence for the role of haem in the biosynthesis of plant billins

Biochem J. 1982 Nov 15;208(2):487-91. doi: 10.1042/bj2080487.

Abstract

N-Methylprotoporphyrin IX strongly inhibits synthesis of phycocyanobilin, but not chlorophyll a, in the dark. In the light, both phycocyanin and chlorophyll a synthesis are inhibited in parallel. These results are consistent with the intermediacy of haem in algal bilin synthesis and suggest a control mechanism for chlorophyll a synthesis, previously unknown.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Aminolevulinic Acid / metabolism
  • Chlorophyll / biosynthesis*
  • Darkness
  • Light
  • Light-Harvesting Protein Complexes
  • Photosynthetic Reaction Center Complex Proteins
  • Phycobilins
  • Phycocyanin / biosynthesis*
  • Pigments, Biological / biosynthesis*
  • Plant Proteins / biosynthesis*
  • Porphyrins / pharmacology*
  • Protoporphyrins / pharmacology*
  • Pyrroles / biosynthesis*
  • Rhodophyta / drug effects
  • Rhodophyta / metabolism*
  • Tetrapyrroles

Substances

  • Light-Harvesting Protein Complexes
  • Photosynthetic Reaction Center Complex Proteins
  • Phycobilins
  • Pigments, Biological
  • Plant Proteins
  • Porphyrins
  • Protoporphyrins
  • Pyrroles
  • Tetrapyrroles
  • Phycocyanin
  • Chlorophyll
  • phycocyanobilin
  • N-methylprotoporphyrin IX
  • Aminolevulinic Acid