The effect of low-intensity laser irradiation on the hydrolytic activity of vacuolar membrane proton pumps.

The effect of low-intensity irradiation by a helium-neon laser on the hydrolytic activity of the vacuolar membrane proton pumps has been studied. The maximum effect was found for the 3 min irradiation from a close distance (0.3 m); moreover, the PPase activity increased by 33%, whereas the ATPase activity was inhibited by 44%. The effect described is suggested to be due to different conformations of the enzymes in the membrane and their different physiological roles.