Biosynthesis of pigment‐protein complex polypeptides in bacteriochlorophyll‐less mutant cells of Rhodopseudomonas capsulata YS

Bacteriochlorophyll‐less mutant cells of Rhodopseudomonas capsulata YS were capable of synthesizing pigment—protein complex polypeptides under conditions permitting the formation of the photosynthetic apparatus in the wild type. Individual polypeptides were identified by immunoprecipitation. Pulse‐chase experiments revealed that the polypeptides did not accumulate in the membranes but underwent rapid degradation. The data suggest that bacteriochlorophyll is needed to stabilize the polypeptides of pigment—protein complexes.