Characterization of a photosystem II reaction center complex isolated by exposure of PSII membranes to a non-ionic detergent and high concentrations of NaCl.

A highly resolved PSII reaction center complex has been prepared by exposure of PSII membranes to the detergent octylglucopyranoside at elevated ionic strengths; oxygen evolution activity is about 1,000 μmoles O2/hr/mg Chl in the presence of CaCl2. A Mn quantitation and a kinetic study of Z, the donor to P680, reveals that on a Chl basis this new preparation shows an almost four-fold enrichment in Mn and the electron transport components of PSII.