REGULATION OF PROTON LEAKAGE FROM BROKEN CHLOROPLASTS BY CFO

Measurements of proton translocation in CF1-depleted, N, N′-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide-resealed broken chloroplasts were made under different light intensities. Kinetic analysis of the data shows that the outward leakage of accumulated protons through CF0 is still dependent on light intensity with a first-order rate constant equal to mR0, where R0 is the initial rate of proton uptake which normally increases with light intensity and m is a characteristic constant which is independent of proton gradient and light intensity. Measurements of proton translocation in these modified chloroplasts cross-linked with glutaraldehyde under illumination and in the dark respectively suggest that the light-dependent proton leakage through CF0 is regulated by conformation change in the membrane. It is proposed that the ovserved regulation of proton leakage through the CF1.CF0 complex in native chloroplasts is for optimizing the steady state synthesis of ATP under different light intensities. © 1979.