Magnesium chelatase of Hordeum vulgare L. is not activated by light but inhibited by pheophorbide

Abstract

The enzyme activity of magnesium chelatase was determined in intact etioplast of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) seedlings. Irradiation of isolated plastids with white light for 15 min does not lead to any activation of the enzyme but to a decrease in activity, especially in etioplasts. The enzyme was inhibited by chlorophyllide and zinc pheophorbide only to a certain extent. Strong inhibition was observed with the metal-free pheophorbide (K(i)-0.92 μM) but not with pheophytin or chlorophyll. Penetration of chlorophyllide through the envelope membrane was confirmed by the chlorophyll synthase reaction that occurs in the inner membranes of etioplasts and chloroplasts. The possible role of inhibition of magnesium chelatase by pheophorbide in senescent leaves and tetrapyrrole transport across the plastid envelope are discussed.