On the Role of Manganese in Photosynthesis

Euglena gracilis (Klebs) cultures were grown under conditions where limitation in supply of manganese limited chlorophyll content much more than growth. Although the initial rates of photosynthetic oxygen evolution were not affected by the level of manganese, photoinhibition in high intensity light was markedly influenced. All cultures showed first order kinetics for photoinhibition, with the half-time exponentially related to the Mn concentration in the medium. Treatment with 3-(4-chlorophenyl)-1, 1-dimethylurea (CMU) also increased the rate of photoinhibition. Manganese-deficient cells were also more sensitive to CMU inhibition of photosynthesis. The similar effects on photoinhibition of manganese deficiency and of CMU treatment and the protective action of manganese against photoinhibition and CMU poisoning are interpreted to indicate a site of action of manganese on the reducing side of photosystem II, close to the CMU-sensitive site. This manganese-affected site may represent a secondary structural or metabolic consequence of manganese deficiency, not necessarily involved in quantum yields of oxygen.