The effect of Cd2+ on the release of proteins from thylakoid membranes of tomato leaves

Abstract

The polypeptide pattern of the thylakoid membrane was investigated to elucidate the decrease of photosystem II (PSII) activity due to Cd2+ incubation. The release of polypeptides depended on the concentration of the metal and time of incubation. The complete release of the 33 kDa polypeptide and partial release of 18, 23 kDa and I atom of Mn/400 chlorophyll indicated some disorganization of the water splitting system. Partial removal of numerous polypeptides, especially that of the PSII complex and coupling factor (CFO, CF1), was additionally observed. The Cd2+-induced release of thylakoid membrane proteins was not only limited to the PSII donor side, however the latter was particularly sensitive to Cd2+.

Keywords

• cadmium
• Lycopersicum esculentum Mill.
• 33 kDa protein
• photosystem II activity
• photosystem II particles
• thylakoid membrane polypeptides