Localization of ferrochelatase and of newly synthesized haem in membrane fractions from Rhodopseudomonas spheroides.

Cells of Rhodopseudomonas spheroides, strains R-26 or GVP, were grown photosynthetically, disrupted and two particulate fractions separated by sucrose-density-gradient centrifugation. The upper particulate fraction, enriched in bacteriochlorophyll, was identified as containing the chromatophores; the lower particulate fraction had the characteristics of the cell envelope. The two fractions differed in cytochrome content and cytochrome spectra. Ferrochelatase was found almost exclusively in the chromatophore fraction and was located on the outer face of the chromatophores, i.e. in contact with the cytosol in intact cells. The addition of 59FeCl3 to cells growing in low-iron media resulted in labelling of the protohaem fraction (probably arising from cytochrome b) of the membranes. The specific radioactivity of the haem of the chromatophores rose more rapidly than that of the envelope fraction and then after 2 h declined to approximately the same value, suggesting that haems of the chromatophore may act as precursors of haem of the envelope.