C-PHYCOCYANIN - MAIN PHOTORECEPTOR IN THE LIGHT DEPENDENT GERMINATION PROCESS OF ANABAENA AKINETES

Action spectra obtained for the light dependent germination process of Anabaena akinetes, as determined according to different photon flux rate response relationships (24 wavelengths between 400 nm and 750 nm) uniformly demonstrate a maximum between 620 nm and 630 nm. Thus the most active spectral range for the germination process coincides with the maximum of the light absorption by C-phycocyanin. Sine germination is only slightly impaired when electron transport is blocked by DCMU, the formation of photosynthetic products as prerequiste of germination is rather unlikely. The participation of phycocyanin in cyclic photophosphorylation and in other photochemical processes is discussed with respect on possible participation in stimulating. There are indications of different flux rate and wavelength dependencies of germination and growth, respectively. © 1979 Springer-Verlag.