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Phycobilisome-reaction centre interaction in cyanobacteria

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Abstract

The phycobilisome is a remarkable light-harvesting antenna that combines high efficiency with functional flexibility and the ability to capture light across a broad spectral range. A combination of biochemical, structural and spectroscopic studies has given an excellent picture of the structure and function of isolated phycobilisomes. However, we still know remarkably little about the interaction of the phycobilisome with the thylakoid membrane and the reaction centres. This article will discuss the various current ideas about this question and explain the things we need to know more about. As a working model, I propose that the phycobilisome is attached to the membrane by multiple weak charge–charge interactions with lipid head-groups and/or proteins, and that the core-membrane linker polypeptide ApcE provides a flexible surface allowing interaction with multiple membrane components.

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Abbreviations

EM:

Electron microscopy

FRAP:

Fluorescence recovery after photobleaching

P700 :

Photochemically active 700 nm-absorbing chlorophyll of Photosystem I

PS:

Photosystem

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Acknowledgements

Work on this problem in the author’s laboratory has been supported by BBSRC and the Wellcome Trust. The author acknowledges helpful interactions with John Allen, Mark Ashby, Caroline Aspinwall, Doug Bruce, Don Bryant, Daniel Emlyn-Jones, Masahiko Ikeuchi, Sarah Joshua, Kumiko Kondo, Mary Sarcina and Jindong Zhao.

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  1. School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary, University of London, Mile End Road, London, E1 4NS, UK

    Conrad W. Mullineaux

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Correspondence to Conrad W. Mullineaux.

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Mullineaux, C.W. Phycobilisome-reaction centre interaction in cyanobacteria. Photosynth Res 95, 175–182 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11120-007-9249-y

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