A double ínductíon mechanism of Dl protein degradatíon in isolated photosystem 2 (PS2) core complexes and reaction centres is described, showing the existence of two potentíal sites for primáty cleavage. Donor side inhibition conditi- o n s (presence of electron acceptors but no electron donors and pH 8.0) trigger the hydrolysis of the Dl protein between the putatíve helices 1 and II on the lumenal side of the thylakoid membrane. This results in the generation of a C-terminal 24 kDa fragment. However, when the donor-side is actíve (presence of electron donors but no electron acceptors and pH 6.0, acceptor side inhibition conditions) both preparations are able to produce a N-terminal 23 kDa fragment, indicating cleavage between helices IV and V, on the stromal side of the membrane.