The 16 and 23 kDa extrinsic polypeptides and the associated Ca(2+) and Cl (-) modify atrazine interaction with the photosystem II core complex.

The oxygen evolving complex of photosystem II (PS II) contains three extrinsic polypeptides of approximate molecular weights 16, 23 and 33 kDa. These polypeptides are associated with the roles of Cl(-), Ca(2+) and Mn(2+) in oxygen evolution. We have shown that selective removal of 16 and 23 kDa polypeptides from the above complex by NaCl washing of PS II enriched membrane fragments renders the PS II core complex more susceptible to the herbicide atrazine. On the other hand, when both native and depleted preparations were resupplied with exogenous Ca(2+) and Cl(-), we obtained a reduction of atrazine inhibition which was much stronger in the depleted preparations than in the native ones. It is concluded that removal of 16 and 23 kDa polypeptides in general, and disorganization of associated Ca(2+) and Cl(-) in particular, enhances atrazine penetration to its sites of action in the vicinity of the PS II complex. The above could be interpreted if we assume a reduced plastoquinone affinity at the QB (secondary plastoquinone electron acceptor) pocket of D1 polypeptide following transmembranous modifications caused by the depletion of these polypeptides.