Isolation and Function of Allophycocyanin B of Porphyridium cruentum

Abstract

Allophycocyanin B was purified to homogeneity from the eukaryotic red alga P. cruentum. This biliprotein is distinct from the allophycocyanin of P. cruentum with respect to subunit molecular weights and spectroscopic and immunological properties. The purified allophycocyanin B has a long wavelength absorption maximum at 669 nm at room temperature and at 675 nm at -196.degree. C while the fluorescence emission maximum is at 673 nm at room temperature and 679 nm at -196.degree. C. The emission spectrum of allophycocyanin shifted only 1 nm, from 659-660 nm, on cooling to -196.degree. C and was the same with allophycocyanin crystals as it was with pure solutions of the pigment. Phycobilisomes from P. cruentum have a major fluorescence emission band at 680 nm at -196.degree. C which emanates from the small amount of allophycocyanin B present the phycobilisomes. Light energy absorbed by the bulk of the biliprotein pigments is transferred to allophycocyanin B with high efficiency.