What Are the Oxidation States of Manganese Required To Catalyze Photosynthetic Water Oxidation?

Photosynthetic O(2) production from water is catalyzed by a cluster of four manganese ions and a tyrosine residue that comprise the redox-active components of the water-oxidizing complex (WOC) of photosystem II (PSII) in all known oxygenic phototrophs. Knowledge of the oxidation states is indispensable for understanding the fundamental principles of catalysis by PSII and the catalytic mechanism of the WOC. Previous spectroscopic studies and redox titrations predicted the net oxidation state of the S(0) state to be (Mn(III))(3)Mn(IV). We have refined a previously developed photoassembly procedure that directly determines the number of oxidizing equivalents needed to assemble the Mn(4)Ca core of WOC during photoassembly, starting from free Mn(II) and the Mn-depleted apo-WOC complex. This experiment entails counting the number of light flashes required to produce the first O(2) molecules during photoassembly. Unlike spectroscopic methods, this process does not require reference to synthetic model complexes. We find the number of photoassembly intermediates required to reach the lowest oxidation state of the WOC, S(0), to be three, indicating a net oxidation state three equivalents above four Mn(II), formally (Mn(III))(3)Mn(II), whereas the O(2) releasing state, S(4), corresponds formally to (Mn(IV))(3)Mn(III). The results from this study have major implications for proposed mechanisms of photosynthetic water oxidation.     

Water, water everywhere, and its remarkable chemistry

Photosystem II (PSII), the multisubunit pigment-protein complex localised in the thylakoid membranes of oxygenic photosynthetic organisms, uses light energy to drive a series of remarkable reactions leading to the oxidation of water. The products of this oxidation are dioxygen, which is released to the atmosphere, and reducing equivalents destined to reduce carbon dioxide to organic molecules. The water oxidation occurs at catalytic sites composed of four manganese atoms (Mn(4)-cluster) and powered by the redox potential of an oxidised chlorophyll a molecule (P680(*+)). Gerald T (Jerry) Babcock and colleagues showed that electron/proton transfer processes from substrate water to P680(*+) involved a tyrosine residue (Y(Z)) and proposed an attractive reaction mechanism for the direct involvement of Y(Z) in the chemistry of water oxidation. The 'hydrogen-atom abstract/metalloradical' mechanism he formulated is an expression of his genius and a highlight of his many other outstanding contributions to photosynthesis research. A structural basis for Jerry's model is now being revealed by X-ray crystallography.     

Mechanism of photosynthetic water oxidation in the dimeric oxygen-evolving complex of chloroplast photosystem II

Based on the analysis of the molecular organization and properties of an isolated oxygen-evolving complex of photosystem II of plant chloroplasts, a mechanism of water oxidation and oxygen release during photosynthesis was proposed. It is suggested that the photolysis of water occurs in a dimeric oxygen-evolving complex consisting of two core complexes. In the region of contact of these complexes, a hydrophobic "boiler" is formed where the conditions for screening and stabilization of Z-linanded manganese cations accumulating positive charges for the oxidation of water molecules are created. A prerequisite to the photolysis of water is the formation of a binuclear [Mn(3+)-OH ... HO-Mn3+] hydroxyl-manganese associate, which appears in the dimeric oxygen-evolving complex after the first two light flashes as a result of photohydrolysis of photochemically oxidized Z-liganded manganese cations. The process is accompanied by the release of the first water protons to the medium. The photosynthetic oxidation of water hydroxyls occurs at the next stage and is considered as synchronous detachment of four electrons from two bound OH-groups of the associate upon photooxidation of Mn3+ cations to Mn4+ cations after two subsequent light flashes. This process is accompanied by the disproportionation of electron density and the formation of a bond between oxygen atoms of hydroxyls followed by the evolution of molecular oxygen and protons, and regeneration of two starting Mn2+ cations and the primary state of the system.     

Mechanism of photosynthetic water oxidation: combining biophysical studies of photosystem II with inorganic model chemistry

A mechanism for photosynthetic water oxidation is proposed based on a structural model of the oxygen-evolving complex (OEC) and its placement into the modeled structure of the D1/D2 core of photosystem II. The structural model of the OEC satisfies many of the geometrical constraints imposed by spectroscopic and biophysical results. The model includes the tetranuclear manganese cluster, calcium, chloride, tyrosine Z, H190, D170, H332 and H337 of the D1 polypeptide and is patterned after the reversible O2-binding diferric site in oxyhemerythrin. The mechanism for water oxidation readily follows from the structural model. Concerted proton-coupled electron transfer in the S2-->S3 and S3-->S4 transitions forms a terminal Mn(V)=O moiety. Nucleophilic attack on this electron-deficient Mn(V)=O by a calcium-bound water molecule results in a Mn(III)-OOH species, similar to the ferric hydroperoxide in oxyhemerythrin. Dioxygen is released in a manner analogous to that in oxyhemerythrin, concomitant with reduction of manganese and protonation of a mu-oxo bridge.     

Water oxidation chemistry of photosystem II

The O(2)-evolving complex of photosystem II catalyses the light-driven four-electron oxidation of water to dioxygen in photosynthesis. In this article, the steps leading to photosynthetic O(2) evolution are discussed. Emphasis is given to the proton-coupled electron-transfer steps involved in oxidation of the manganese cluster by oxidized tyrosine Z (Y(*)(Z)), the function of Ca(2+) and the mechanism by which water is activated for formation of an O-O bond. Based on a consideration of the biophysical studies of photosystem II and inorganic manganese model chemistry, a mechanism for photosynthetic O(2) evolution is presented in which the O-O bond-forming step occurs via nucleophilic attack on an electron-deficient Mn(V)=O species by a calcium-bound water molecule. The proposed mechanism includes specific roles for the tetranuclear manganese cluster, calcium, chloride, Y(Z) and His190 of the D1 polypeptide. Recent studies of the ion selectivity of the calcium site in the O(2)-evolving complex and of a functional inorganic manganese model system that test key aspects of this mechanism are also discussed.     

A new mechanism-based inhibitor of photosynthetic water oxidation: acetone hydrazone. 1. Equilibrium reactions

The process of photosynthetic water oxidation has been investigated by using a new type of water oxidation inhibitor, the alkyl hydrazones. Acetone hydrazone (AceH), (CH3)2CNNH2, inhibits water oxidation by a mechanism that is analogous to that of NH2OH. This involves binding to the water-oxidizing complex (WOC), followed by photoreversible reduction of manganese (loss of the S1----S2 reaction). At higher AceH concentrations the S1 state is reduced in the dark and Mn is released, albeit to a lesser extent than with NH2OH. Following extraction of Mn, AceH is able to donate electrons rapidly to the reaction center tyrosine radical Z+ (161Tyr-D1 protein), more slowly to a reaction center radical C+, and not at all to the dark-stable tyrosine radical D+ (160Tyr-D2 protein) which must be sequestered in an inaccessible site. Manganese, Z+, and C+ thus appear to be located in a common protein domain, with Mn being the first accessible donor, followed by Z+ and then C+. Photooxidation of Cyt b-559 is suppressed by AceH, indicating either reduction or competition for donation to P680+. Unexpectedly, Cl- was found not to interfere or compete with AceH for binding to the WOC in the S1 state, in contrast to the reported rate of binding of N,N-dimethylhydroxylamine, (CH3)2NOH [Beck, W., & Brudvig, G. (1988) J. Am. Chem. Soc. 110, 1517-1523]. We interpret the latter behavior as due to ionic screening of the thylakoid membrane, rather than a specific Cl- site involved in water oxidation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Water-sensitive low-frequency vibrations of reaction intermediates during S-state cycling in photosynthetic water oxidation

In photosynthetic water oxidation, two water molecules are converted to an oxygen molecule through five reaction intermediates, designated S(n) (n = 0-4), at the catalytic Mn cluster of photosystem II. To understand the mechanism of water oxidation, changes in the chemical nature of the substrate water as well as the Mn cluster need to be defined during S-state cycling. Here, we report for the first time a complete set of Fourier transform infrared difference spectra during S-state cycling in the low-frequency (670-350 cm(-1)) region, in which interactions between the Mn cluster and its ligands can be detected directly, in PS II core particles from Thermosynechococcus elongatus. Furthermore, vibrations from oxygen and/or hydrogen derived from the substrate water and changes in them during S-state cycling were identified using multiplex isotope-labeled water, including H2(18)O, D2(16)O, and D2(18)O. Each water isotope affected the low-frequency S-state cycling spectra, characteristically. The bands sensitive only to (16)O/(18)O exchange were assigned to the modes from structures involving Mn and oxygen having no interactions with hydrogen, while the bands sensitive only to H/D exchange were assigned to modes from amino acid side chains and/or polypeptide backbones that associate with water hydrogen. The bands sensitive to both (16)O/(18)O and H/D exchanges were attributed to the structure involving Mn and oxygen structurally coupled with hydrogen in a direct or an indirect manner through hydrogen bonds. These bands include the changes of intermediate species derived from substrate water during the process of photosynthetic water oxidation.     

Evidence for the presence of a component of the Mn complex of the photosystem II reaction centre which is exposed to water in the S(2) state of the water oxidation complex

The interaction of water oxidising photosystem II preparations with the aqueous environment has been investigated using electron spin echo envelope modulation spectroscopy in the presence of 2H(2)O. The spectra show interaction of 2H of 2H(2)O with the preparation in the S(2) state. The component interacting with water decays during 1-4 weeks storage at 77 K. No interaction of water with the classical multiline S(2) Mn signal, which is more stable on storage at 77 K, was detected. The results show that a component of the water oxidation complex, possibly involving the Mn centre, is accessible to water and may be the water binding site for photosynthetic water oxidation.     

Intermediates in assembly by photoactivation after thermally accelerated disassembly of the manganese complex of photosynthetic water oxidation

The Mn4Ca complex bound to photosystem II (PSII) is the active site of photosynthetic water oxidation. Its assembly involves binding and light-driven oxidation of manganese, a process denoted as photoactivation. The disassembly of the Mn complex is a thermally activated process involving distinct intermediates. Starting from intermediate states of the disassembly, which was initiated by a temperature jump to 47 degrees C, we photoactivated PSII membrane particles and monitored the activity recovery by O2 polarography and delayed chlorophyll fluorescence measurements. Oxidation state and structural features of the formed intermediates of the Mn complex were assayed by X-ray absorption spectroscopy at the Mn K-edge. The photoactivation time courses, which exhibit a lag phase characteristic of intermediate formation only when starting with the apo-PSII, suggest that within approximately 5 min of photoactivation of apo-PSII, a binuclear Mn complex is formed. It is proposed that a MnIII2(di-mu-oxo) complex is a key intermediate both in the disassembly and in the assembly reaction paths.     

Calcium controls the assembly of the photosynthetic water-oxidizing complex: a cadmium(II) inorganic mutant of the Mn4Ca core

Perturbation of the catalytic inorganic core (Mn4Ca1OxCly) of the photosystem II-water-oxidizing complex (PSII-WOC) isolated from spinach is examined by substitution of Ca2+ with cadmium(II) during core assembly. Cd2+ inhibits the yield of reconstitution of O2-evolution activity, called photoactivation, starting from the free inorganic cofactors and the cofactor-depleted apo-WOC-PSII complex. Ca2+ affinity increases following photooxidation of the first Mn2+ to Mn3+ bound to the 'high-affinity' site. Ca2+ binding occurs in the dark and is the slowest overall step of photoactivation (IM1-->IM1* step). Cd2+ competitively blocks the binding of Ca2+ to its functional site with 10- to 30-fold higher affinity, but does not influence the binding of Mn2+ to its high-affinity site. By contrast, even 10-fold higher concentrations of Cd2+ have no effect on O2-evolution activity in intact PSII-WOC. Paradoxically, Cd2+ both inhibits photoactivation yield, while accelerating the rate of photoassembly of active centres 10-fold relative to Ca2+. Cd2+ increases the kinetic stability of the photooxidized Mn3+ assembly intermediate(s) by twofold (mean lifetime for dark decay). The rate data provide evidence that Cd2+ binding following photooxidation of the first Mn3+, IM1-->IM1*, causes three outcomes: (i) a longer intermediate lifetime that slows IM1 decay to IM0 by charge recombination, (ii) 10-fold higher probability of attaining the degrees of freedom (either or both cofactor and protein d.f.) needed to bind and photooxidize the remaining 3 Mn2+ that form the functional cluster, and (iii) increased lability of Cd2+ following Mn4 cluster assembly results in (re)exchange of Cd2+ by Ca2+ which restores active O2-evolving centres. Prior EPR spectroscopic data provide evidence for an oxo-bridged assembly intermediate, Mn3+(mu-O2(-))Ca2+, for IM1*. We postulate an analogous inhibited intermediate with Cd2+ replacing Ca2+.     

Eight steps preceding O-O bond formation in oxygenic photosynthesis--a basic reaction cycle of the Photosystem II manganese complex

In oxygenic photosynthesis, water is split at a Mn(4)Ca complex bound to the proteins of photosystem II (PSII). Powered by four quanta of visible light, four electrons and four protons are removed from two water molecules before dioxygen is released. By this process, water becomes an inexhaustible source of the protons and electrons needed for primary biomass formation. On the basis of structural and spectroscopic data, we recently have introduced a basic reaction cycle of water oxidation which extends the classical S-state cycle [B. Kok, B. Forbush, M. McGloin, Cooperation of charges in photosynthetic O2 evolution- I. A linear four-step mechanism, Photochem. Photobiol. 11 (1970) 457-475] by taking into account also the role and sequence of deprotonation events [H. Dau, M. Haumann, Reaction cycle of photosynthetic water oxidation in plants and cyanobacteria, Science 312 (2006) 1471-1472]. We propose that the outwardly convoluted and irregular events of the classical S-state cycle are governed by a simple underlying principle: protons and electrons are removed strictly alternately from the Mn complex. Starting in I(0), eight successive steps of alternate proton and electron removal lead to I(8) and only then the O-O bond is formed. Thus not only four oxidizing equivalents, but also four bases are accumulated prior to the onset of dioxygen formation. After reviewing the kinetic properties of the individual S-state transition, we show that the proposed basic model explains a large body of experimental results straightforwardly. Furthermore we discuss how the I-cycle model addresses the redox-potential problem of PSII water oxidation and we propose that the accumulated bases facilitate dioxygen formation by acting as proton acceptors.     

Possible relationship of mechanisms of Mn2+ oxidation and formation of plant photosystem II manganese cluster.

The mechanisms of Mn2+ cation oxidation in alkaline, neutral and slightly acidic media were studied. In all cases, the Mn2+ oxidation resulted in the formation of the structure[see text]. The formal resemblance and differences in the Mn2O3 structure and Klein's model of the Mn cluster of PS II were noted. The necessity of the primary ligation of Mn2+ cations was discussed for both the decrease in the Mn2+ oxidation potential and the stability of the Mn2O3 structure. It was supposed that Mn2O3 is an initial block for the assembly of the inorganic core of the photosynthetic water-oxidizing complex.     

The basic properties of the electronic structure of the oxygen-evolving complex of photosystem II are not perturbed by Ca2+ removal

Ca(2+) is an integral component of the Mn(4)O(5)Ca cluster of the oxygen-evolving complex in photosystem II (PS II). Its removal leads to the loss of the water oxidizing functionality. The S(2)' state of the Ca(2+)-depleted cluster from spinach is examined by X- and Q-band EPR and (55)Mn electron nuclear double resonance (ENDOR) spectroscopy. Spectral simulations demonstrate that upon Ca(2+) removal, its electronic structure remains essentially unaltered, i.e. that of a manganese tetramer. No redistribution of the manganese valence states and only minor perturbation of the exchange interactions between the manganese ions were found. Interestingly, the S(2)' state in spinach PS II is very similar to the native S(2) state of Thermosynechococcus elongatus in terms of spin state energies and insensitivity to methanol addition. These results assign the Ca(2+) a functional as opposed to a structural role in water splitting catalysis, such as (i) being essential for efficient proton-coupled electron transfer between Y(Z) and the manganese cluster and/or (ii) providing an initial binding site for substrate water. Additionally, a novel (55)Mn(2+) signal, detected by Q-band pulse EPR and ENDOR, was observed in Ca(2+)-depleted PS II. Mn(2+) titration, monitored by (55)Mn ENDOR, revealed a specific Mn(2+) binding site with a submicromolar K(D). Ca(2+) titration of Mn(2+)-loaded, Ca(2+)-depleted PS II demonstrated that the site is reversibly made accessible to Mn(2+) by Ca(2+) depletion and reconstitution. Mn(2+) is proposed to bind at one of the extrinsic subunits. This process is possibly relevant for the formation of the Mn(4)O(5)Ca cluster during photoassembly and/or D1 repair.     

A calcium-specific site influences the structure and activity of the manganese cluster responsible for photosynthetic water oxidation

EPR studies have revealed that removal of calcium using citric acid from the site in spinach photosystem II which is coupled to the photosynthetic O2-evolving process produces a structural change in the manganese cluster responsible for water oxidation. If done in the dark, this yields a modified S1' oxidation state which can be photooxidized above 250 K to form a structurally altered S2' state, as seen by formation of a "modified" multiline EPR signal. Compared to the "normal" S2 state, this new S2'-state EPR signal has more lines (at least 25) and 25% narrower 55Mn hyperfine splittings, indicative of disruption of the ligands to manganese. The calcium-depleted S2' oxidation state is greatly stabilized compared to the native S2 oxidation state, as seen by a large increase in the lifetime of the S2' EPR signal. Calcium reconstitution results in the reduction of the oxidized tyrosine residue 161YD+ (Em approximately 0.7-0.8 V, NHE) within the reaction center D1 protein in both the S1' and S2' states, as monitored by its EPR signal intensity. We attribute this to reduction by Mn. Thus a possible structural role which calcium plays is to bring YD+ into redox equilibrium with the Mn cluster. Photooxidation of S2' above 250 K produces a higher S state (S3 or S4) having a new EPR signal at g = 2.004 +/- 0.003 and a symmetric line width of 163 +/- 3 G, suggestive of oxidation of an organic donor, possibly an amino acid, in magnetic contact with the Mn cluster. This EPR signal forms in a stoichiometry of 1-2 relative to YD+.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Reactivation of oxygen accumulation function after complete removal of manganese from the photosystem II particles

Reactivation of 02 evolution function has been studied in PS-2 particles after complete removal of Mn and water soluble 10, 17, 24, 33 kDa proteins, It has been shown that 02 evolution function in such particles can be reactivated by adding 5 μM Mn2 and 20 mM Ca2(+). Preliminary illumination of the sample is necessary to exhibit the reactivation effect of 02 evolution. The maximum value of the reactivation of 02 evolution rate is about 60% of the control. Upon illumination of the reactivated particles with flashes of 1s duration and at a frequency of 0,1 Hz, 02 evolution occurs according to the mechanism analogous to that in the initial parties of PS 2. Thus the reactivation of water oxidation and 02 evolution after complete removal of Mn and water soluble 10, 17, 24, 33 kDa proteins resulting in the suppression of 02 evolution function has been shown for the first time and it can serve as a basic approach for profound investigation of the mechanism of photosynthetic water oxidation.     

Access channels and methanol binding site to the CaMn4 cluster in Photosystem II based on solvent accessibility simulations, with implications for substrate water access

Given the tightly packed environment of Photosystem II (PSII), channels are expected to exist within the protein to allow the movement of small molecules to and from the oxygen evolving centre. In this report, we calculate solvent contact surfaces from the PSII crystal structures to identify such access channels for methanol and water molecules. In a previous study of the effects of methanol on the EPR split S1-, S3-, and S0-signals [Su et al. (2006) Biochemistry 45, 7617-7627], we proposed that methanol binds to one and the same Mn ion in all S-states. We find here that while channels of methanol dimensions were able to make contact with the CaMn4 cluster, only 3Mn and 4Mn were accessible to methanol. Combining this observation with spectroscopic data in the literature, we propose that 3Mn is the ion to which methanol binds. Furthermore, by calculating solvent contact surfaces for water, we found analogous and more extensive water accessible channels within PSII. On the basis of their structure, orientation, and electrostatic properties, we propose functional assignments of these channels as passages for substrate water access to the CaMn4 cluster, and for the exit of O2 and H+ that are released during water oxidation. Finally, we discuss the possible existence of a gating mechanism for the control of substrate water access to the CaMn4 cluster, based on the observation of a gap within the channel system that is formed by Ca2+ and several mechanistically very significant residues in the vicinity of the cluster.     

An evaluation of structural models for the photosynthetic water-oxidizing complex derived from spectroscopic and X-ray diffraction signatures

Four of the five intermediate oxidation states (S-states) in the catalytic cycle of water oxidation used by O2-evolving photoautotrophs have been previously characterized by EPR and/or ENDOR spectroscopy, with the first reports for the S0, S1, and S3 states available in just the last three years. The first electron density map of the Mn cluster derived from X-ray diffraction measurements of single crystals of photosystem II at 3.8-4.2 A resolution has also appeared this year. This wealth of new information has provided significant insight into the structure of the inorganic core (Mn4OxCa1Cl1-2), the Mn oxidation states, and the location and function of the essential Ca2+ cofactor within the water-oxidizing complex (WOC). We summarize these advances and provide a unified interpretation of debated structural proposals and Mn oxidation states, based on an integrated analysis of the published data, particularly from Mn X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and EPR/ENDOR data. Only three magnetic spin-exchange models for the inter-manganese interactions are possible from consideration of the EPR data for the S0, S1, S2 and S(-N) (NO-reduced) states. These models fall into one of three types denoted butterfly, funnel, or tetrahedron. A revised set of eight allowed chemical structures for the Mn4Ox core can be deduced that are shown to be consistent with both EPR and XAS. The popular "dimer-of-dimers" structural model is not compatible with the possible structural candidates. EPR data have identified two inter-manganese couplings that are sensitive to the S-state, suggesting two possible bridging sites for substrate water molecules. Spin densities derived from 55Mn hyperfine data together with Mn K-edge energies from Ca-depleted samples provide an internally consistent assignment for the Mn oxidation states of Mn4(3III,IV) for the S2 state. EPR and XAS data also provide a consistent picture, locating Ca2+ as an integral part of the inorganic core, probably via shared bridging ligands with Mn (aqua/hydroxo/carboxylato/chloro). XAS data reveal that the Ca2+ cofactor increases the Mn(1s-->4p) transition energy by 0.6-1 eV with minimal structural perturbation versus the Ca-depleted WOC. Thus, calcium binding appears to increase the Mn-ligand covalency by increasing electron transfer from shared ligands to Mn, suggesting a direct role for Ca2+ in substrate water oxidation. Consideration of both the XAS and the EPR data, together with reactivity studies on two model complexes that evolve O2, suggest two favored structure types as feasible models for the reactive S4 state that is precursor to the O2 evolution step. These are a calcium-capped "cuboidal" core and a calcium-capped "funnel" core.     

No evidence from FTIR difference spectroscopy that aspartate-170 of the D1 polypeptide ligates a manganese ion that undergoes oxidation during the S0 to S1, S1 to S2, or S2 to S3 transitions in photosystem II

On the basis of mutagenesis and X-ray crystallographic studies, Asp170 of the D1 polypeptide is widely believed to ligate the (Mn)4 cluster that is located at the catalytic site of water oxidation in photosystem II. Recent proposals for the mechanism of water oxidation postulate that D1-Asp170 ligates a Mn ion that undergoes oxidation during one or more of the S0 --> S1, S1 --> S2, and S2 --> S3 transitions. To test these hypotheses, we have compared the FTIR difference spectra of the individual S state transitions in wild-type* PSII particles from the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 with those in D1-D170H mutant PSII particles. Remarkably, our data show that the D1-D170H mutation does not significantly alter the mid-frequency regions (1800-1000 cm(-1)) of any of the FTIR difference spectra. Therefore, we conclude that the oxidation of the (Mn)4 cluster does not alter the frequencies of the carboxylate stretching modes of D1-Asp170 during the S0 --> S1, S1 --> S2, or S2 --> S3 transitions. The simplest explanation for these data is that the Mn ion that is ligated by D1-Asp170 does not increase its charge or oxidation state during any of these S state transitions. These data have profound implications for the mechanism of water oxidation. Either (1) the oxidation of the Mn ion that is ligated by D1-Asp170 occurs only during the transitory S3 --> S4 transition and serves as the critical step in the ultimate formation of the O-O bond or (2) the oxidation increments and O2 formation chemistry that occur during the catalytic cycle involve only the remaining Mn3Ca portion of the Mn4Ca cluster. Our data also show that, if the increased positive charge on the (Mn)4 cluster that is produced during the S1 --> S2 transition is delocalized over the (Mn)4 cluster, it is not delocalized onto the Mn ion that is ligated by D1-Asp170.     

Oxygen ligand exchange at metal sites - implications for the O2 evolving mechanism of photosystem II

The mechanism for photosynthetic O2 evolution by photosystem II is currently a topic of intense debate. Important questions remain as to what is the nature of the binding sites for the substrate water and how does the O-O bond form. Recent measurements of the 18O exchange between the solvent water and the photogenerated O2 as a function of the S-state cycle have provided some surprising insights to these questions (W. Hillier, T. Wydrzynski, Biochemistry 39 (2000) 4399-4405). The results show that one substrate water molecule is bound at the beginning of the catalytic sequence, in the S0 state, while the second substrate water molecule binds in the S3 state or possibly earlier. It may be that the second substrate water molecule only enters the catalytic sequence following the formation of the S3 state. Most importantly, comparison of the observed exchange rates with oxygen ligand exchange in various metal complexes reveal that the two substrate water molecules are most likely bound to separate Mn(III) ions, which do not undergo metal-centered oxidations through to the S3 state. The implication of this analysis is that in the S1 state, all four Mn ions are in the +3 oxidation state. This minireview summarizes the arguments for this proposal.