Abstract
THE occurrence in Chlorella ellipsoidea of a new copper protein, able to undergo reversible oxidation-reduction reaction, has been reported by one of us (S. K.)1. The methods of extraction and purification as well as some properties characterizing the substance have been described. This substance is distinguished from any of the oxidases by the fact that in its reduced form it is unable to react directly with molecular oxygen. Similar substances have since been found to occur in the green leaves of various higher plants (for example, spinach and Chrysanthemum coronarium). In view of its localization in the chloroplasts, and its characteristic blue colour in the oxidized form, the name ‘plastocyanin’ is proposed for this copper protein. Further work has been done to elucidate the behaviour of plastocyanin during photosynthesis. In this communication, the photo-reduction (Hill reaction) of this substance and its effect on the photo-reduction of other known Hill reagents are briefly described.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Rent or buy this article
Prices vary by article type
from$1.95
to$39.95
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Katoh, S., Nature, 186, 533 (1960).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
KATOH, S., TAKAMIYA, A. A New Leaf Copper Protein ‘Plastocyanin’, a Natural Hill Oxidant. Nature 189, 665–666 (1961). https://doi.org/10.1038/189665a0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/189665a0
This article is cited by
-
The discovery and function of plastocyanin: A personal account
Photosynthesis Research (1995)
-
Zur Rolle von Plastocyanin und Cytochrom f im photosynthetischen Elektronentransport
Planta (1968)
-
Photosynthetische Sulfidoxydation Gr�ner pflanzen
Planta (1966)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.