Mutations of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii affecting the cytochrome bf complex

Abstract The properties of some photosynthetic mutants of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii which were known to have impaired intersystem electron transport were examined. A new mutant, F18, is described which lacked all the redox centres of the cytochrome bf complex. The known mutant ac 21 was shown to contain a cytochrome bf complex that lacked the Rieske iron-sulphur centre. Cytochrome b -559 LP was present in all strains examined at about the same concentration as cytochrome f in the wild ype and so is unlikely to be an integral component of the cytochrome bf complex. Cytochrome bf complex Cytochrome b-559 Iron-sulfur center Photosynthetic mutant (Chlamydomonas reinhardtii)