Orientation and nearest neighbor analysis of psbI gene product in the photosystem II reaction center complex using bifunctional cross-linkers.

Two distinct cross-linked products containing psbI gene product were generated in the photosystem II reaction center complex from spinach by treatment with bifunctional reagents directed to amino groups. The first product, which was generated by a 3,3'-dithiobis(succinimidyl propionate) treatment, is deduced to be formed between the epsilon-amino group of Lys3 of the psbI gene product, and a side-chain amino group present on the stromal extension of the D2 protein. The CNBr cleavage analysis of the cross-linked product predicted that the amino group of the D2 protein engaged in the cross-linking is either one of the three lysine residues on the N-terminal fragment (from N-terminus to Met19) or the Lys268 on the 6th fragment (from Val248 to Met275). The second product, which was also generated on the stromal side by a 1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate treatment preferentially in alkaline conditions, is predicted to be formed between the epsilon-amino group of Lys3 of the psbI gene product and the N-terminal alpha-amino group of the alpha-subunit of cytochrome b559.