The Cyanelles (Organelles of a Low Evolutionary Scale) Possess a Phosphate‐Translocator and a Glucose‐Carrier in <i>Cyanophora paradoxa</i>

Abstract

Abstract Cyanelles from Cyanophora paradoxa can easily be isolated and assayed for their carrier composition by the silicone oil filtering technique. The present investigation demonstrates a P i ‐translocator transferring phosphate, dihydroxyacetone phosphate and 3‐phosphoglycerate in a counter exchange mode in cyanelles as in chloroplasts of higher plants. The uptake of P i is inhibited by dihydroxyacetone phosphate, phosphoglycerate and glucose‐6‐P, only poorly by phosphoenolpyruvate and not by 2‐phosphoglycerate. The inhibitors pyridoxalphosphate and 4,4′diisothiocyanostilbene‐2,2K'disulfonic acid at low concentration also affect P i ‐uptake. Cyanelles probably transport photosynthate (reductant and ATP) by triosephosphates. This is the first demonstration of a phosphate translocator in an organism of a low evolutionary scale. Cyanelles also transport glucose which proceeds in two phases. In the lower concentration range (≤ 2.5 mM), glucose penetrates by facilitated diffusion, whereas transport follows first‐order kinetics at higher amounts (&gt; 2.5 mM). In the low concentration range, glucose‐transport is affected by high concentrations of 3‐O‐methylglucose and fructose. The physiological role of the glucose‐transport carrier in Cyanophora is doubtful. It may function in transporting glucose into cyanelles if the carbon level inside them becomes limiting, e.g. in dark periods.