Supercomplexes of IsiA and Photosystem I in a mutant lacking subunit PsaL

The cyanobacterium Synechocystis PCC 6803 grown under short-term iron-deficient conditions assembles a supercomplex consisting of a trimeric Photosystem I (PSI) complex encircled by a ring of 18 IsiA complexes. Furthermore, it has been shown that single or double rings of IsiA with up to 35 copies in total can surround monomeric PSI. Here we present an analysis by electron microscopy and image analysis of the various PSI-IsiA supercomplexes from a Synechocystis PCC 6803 mutant lacking the PsaL subunit after short- and long-term iron-deficient growth. In the absence of PsaL, the tendency to form complexes with IsiA is still strong, but the average number of complete rings is lower than in the wild type. The majority of IsiA copies binds into partial double rings at the side of PsaF/J subunits rather than in complete single or double rings, which also cover the PsaL side of the PSI monomer. This indicates that PsaL facilitates the formation of IsiA rings around PSI monomers but is not an obligatory structural component in the formation of PSI-IsiA complexes.     

Photosystem I, an improved model of the stromal subunits PsaC, PsaD, and PsaE

An improved electron density map of photosystem I (PSI) calculated at 4-A resolution yields a more detailed structural model of the stromal subunits PsaC, PsaD, and PsaE than previously reported. The NMR structure of the subunit PsaE of PSI from Synechococcus sp. PCC7002 (Falzone, C. J., Kao, Y.-H., Zhao, J., Bryant, D. A., and Lecomte, J. T. J. (1994) Biochemistry 33, 6052-6062) has been used as a model to interpret the region of the electron density map corresponding to this subunit. The spatial orientation with respect to other subunits is described as well as the possible interactions between the stromal subunits. A first model of PsaD consisting of a four-stranded beta-sheet and an alpha-helix is suggested, indicating that this subunit partly shields PsaC from the stromal side. In addition to the improvements on the stromal subunits, the structural model of the membrane-integral region of PSI is also extended. The current electron density map allows the identification of the N and C termini of the subunits PsaA and PsaB. The 11-transmembrane alpha-helices of these subunits can now be assigned uniquely to the hydrophobic segments identified by hydrophobicity analyses.     

Characterization of the Photosystem I subunits PsaI and PsaL from two strains of the marine oxyphototrophic prokaryote Prochlorococcus

A 25 kDa protein associated with Photosystem I (PS I) of the divinyl-chlorophyll a/b-containing oxychlorobacterium Prochlorococcus marinus SS120 (CCMP 1375) was isolated, and the amino acid sequences of the N-terminus and one internal peptide were determined. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with degenerate primers yielded a 92 bp fragment, which was used to isolate the complete gene from a genomic library. The corresponding gene was isolated from a library of Prochlorococcus sp. MED4 (CCMP 1378). In both Prochlorococcus strains, the gene encodes a protein of 199 amino acids. The gene products show a strong sequence similarity to the PS I subunit PsaL. The N-terminus contains a hydrophilic domain that has not been found in PsaL proteins from other organisms. In both strains, sequences encoding a protein similar to PsaI were found upstream of the psaL gene. Both genes are transcribed in the same direction.     

Structural features and assembly of the soluble overexpressed PsaD subunit of photosystem I

PsaD is a peripheral protein on the reducing side of photosystem I (PS I). We expressed the psaD gene from the thermophilic cyanobacterium Mastigocladus laminosus in Escherichia coli and obtained a soluble protein with a polyhistidine tag at the carboxyl terminus. The soluble PsaD protein was purified by Ni-affinity chromatography and had a mass of 16716 Da by MALDI-TOF. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of the overexpressed PsaD matched the N-terminal sequence of the native PsaD from M. laminosus. The soluble PsaD could assemble into the PsaD-less PS I. As determined by isothermal titration calorimetry, PsaD bound to PS I with 1.0 binding site per PS I, the binding constant of 7.7x10(6) M-1, and the enthalpy change of -93.6 kJ mol-1. This is the first time that the binding constant and binding heat have been determined in the assembly of any photosynthetic membrane protein. To identify the surface-exposed domains, purified PS I complexes and overexpressed PsaD were treated with N-hydroxysuccinimidobiotin (NHS-biotin) and biotin-maleimide, and the biotinylated residues were mapped. The Cys66, Lys21, Arg118 and Arg119 residues were exposed on the surface of soluble PsaD whereas the Lys129 and Lys131 residues were not exposed on the surface. Consistent with the X-ray crystallographic studies on PS I, circular dichroism spectroscopy revealed that PsaD contains a small proportion of alpha-helical conformation.     

Interaction of the soluble recombinant PsaD subunit of spinach photosystem I with ferredoxin I.

Photosystem I of higher plants functions in photosynthesis as a light-driven oxidoreductase producing reduced ferredoxin. Its peripheral subunit PsaD has been identified as the docking site for ferredoxin I. With the aim of elucidating the structure-function relationship and the role of this subunit, a recombinant form of the spinach protein was produced by heterologous expression in Escherichia coli. The PsaD protein was synthesized in soluble form and purified to homogeneity. The interaction of the PsaD subunit with ferredoxin I was investigated using three different approaches: chemical cross-linking between the two purified proteins in solution, affinity chromatography of the PsaD subunit on a ferredoxin-coupled resin, and titration with ferredoxin of the protein fluorescence of the subunit. All these studies indicated that the isolated PsaD in solution has a definite conformation and maintains the ability to bind ferredoxin I with high affinity and specificity. The Kd value of the complex of PsaD and ferredoxin is in the nanomolar range, which is consistent with reported Km values for ferredoxin I photoreduction by thylakoid membranes. The ionic strength dependence of the K(d) suggests that the protein-protein interaction is at least partially electrostatic in nature. Nevertheless, none of the glutamate residues of the acidic cluster of residues 92-94 of ferredoxin I, which have been reported to be involved in the interaction with the subunit, seems to be essential for PsaD binding, as borne out by experiments using ferredoxin I mutants in positions 92-94.     

Synthesis and Assembly of the Polypeptides of Photosystem I and II in Isolated Etiochloroplasts of Wheat

Synthesis and assembly of photosystems (PS) I and II polypeptides in etiochloroplasts isolated from greening wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv Norin 61) seedlings were studied. The isolated etiochloroplasts synthesized PSI polypeptides of 66 and 15 kilodaltons, PSII polypeptides of 46 and 42 kilodaltons, and atrazine-binding 34 to 32 kilodalton polypeptide. Their assembly processes in the thylakoid membrane were studied by pulse-chase labeling with [³⁵S]methionine, mild solubilization of the thylakoid membrane with Triton X-100, sucrose density gradient centrifugation, and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The newly synthesized polypeptides of 66, 46, 42, 34, and 32 kilodaltons were first integrated into the complexes of 7.5, 5.9, 7.5, 6.3, and 7.5 Svedberg units, respectively, in 20 minutes. After the chase with excess amount of methionine for 100 min, they were found in complexes of 9.5, 9.1, 9.1, 9.1, and 9.1 Svedberg units, respectively. In this condition, stained polypeptides of PSI and PSII were found in the complexes of 11.1 and 10.3 Svedberg units, respectively. These results indicated that newly synthesized PSI or PSII polypeptides are integrated into intermediate complexes, but not complete complexes in the isolated etiochloroplasts. The relationship between the processing of the atrazine-binding 32 kilodalton polypeptide and its assembly into the PSII complex is also discussed.     

Energy transfer between Photosystem II and Photosystem I in chloroplasts

A model for the photochemical apparatus of photosynthesis is presented which accounts for the fluorescence properties of Photosystem II and Photosystem I as well as energy transfer between the two photosystems. The model was tested by measuring at ?196 °C fluorescence induction curves at 690 and 730 nm in the absence and presence of 5 mM MgCl₂ which presumably changes the distribution of excitation energy between the two photosystems. The equations describing the fluorescence properties involve terms for the distribution of absorbed quanta, α, being the fraction distributed to Photosystem I, and β, the fraction to Photosystem II, and a term for the rate constant for energy transfer from Photosystem II to Photosystem I,k_T(II→I). The data, analyzed within the context of the model, permit a direct comparison of α andk_T(II→I) in the absence (?) and presence (+) of Mg²⁺:α/^?α⁺= 1.2andk/^?_T(II→I)k⁺_T(II→I)= 1.9. If the criterion thatα + β = 1 is applied absolute values can be calculated: in the presence of Mg²⁺,a⁺ = 0.27 and the yield of energy transfer,φ⁺_T(II→I) varied from 0.065 when the Photosystem II reaction centers were all open to 0.23 when they were closed. In the absence of Mg²⁺,α^? = 0.32 andφ_T(II→I) varied from 0.12 to 0.28.The data were also analyzed assuming that two types of energy transfer could be distinguished; a transfer from the light-harvseting chlorophyll of Photosystem II to Photosystem I,k_T(II→I), and a transfer from the reaction centers of Photosystem II to Photosystem I,k_t(II→I). In that caseα/^?α⁺= 1.3,k/^?_T(II→I)k⁺_T(II→I)= 1.3 andk/^?_t(II→I)k⁺_(tII→I)= 3.0. It was concluded, however, that both of these types of energy transfer are different manifestations of a single energy transfer process.     

Assembly of Two Subunits of the Cyanobacterial Photosystem I on the n-Side of Thylakoid Membranes

Photosystem I contains several peripheral membrane proteins that are located on either positive (luminal) or negative (stromal or cytoplasmic) sides of thylakoid membranes of chloroplasts or cyanobacteria. Incorporation of two peripheral subunits into photosystem I of the cyanobacterium Synechocystis species PCC 6803 was studied using a reconstitution system in which radiolabeled subunits II (PsaD) and IV (PsaE) were synthesized in vitro and incubated with the isolated thylakoid membranes. After such incubation, the subunits were found in the membranes and were resistant to digestion with proteases and removal by 2 molar NaBr. All of the radioactive proteins incorporated in the membrane were found in the photosystem I complex. The subunit II was assembled specifically into cyanobacterial thylakoid membranes and not into Escherichia coli cell membranes or thylakoid membranes isolated from spinach. The assembly process did not require ATP or proton motive force, and it was not stimulated by ATP. The assembly of subunits II and IV into thylakoid membranes isolated from the strain AEK2, which lacks the gene psaE, was increased two- to threefold. The incorporation of subunit II was 15 to 17 times higher in the thylakoids obtained from the strain ADK3 in which the gene psaD has been inactivated. However, assembly of subunit IV in the same thylakoids was reduced by 65%, demonstrating that the presence of subunit II is required for the stable assembly of subunit IV. Large deletions in subunit II prevented its incorporation into thylakoids and assembly into photosystem I, suggesting that the overall conformation of the protein rather than a specific targeting sequence is required for its assembly into photosystem I.     

Structural Aspects of Photosystem I from Dunaliella salina

A native PSI complex and a PSI core complex have been isolated from the halophilic green alga, Dunaliella salina. The composition and properties of these complexes are similar to previously described PSI complexes from spinach membranes. By growth on ¹⁴C-NaHCO₃, it has been possible to isolate uniformly labeled ¹⁴C-PSI complexes in order to determine PSI subunit stoichiometry. This analysis has shown a ratio of one copy of three low molecular weight subunits (22,000; 15,000; 8,000) per two copies of high molecular weight subunits (84,000). Using a ¹⁴C-labeled cytochrome b₆-f complex as an internal protein standard, it has been possible to estimate the molecular weight of a PSI core complex as about 330,000. This complex contains one P700, two 84,000 subunits, and one subunit of 22,000, 15,000, and 8,000.     

Organization of the psaH Gene Family of Photosystem I in Nicotiana sylvestris

The PSI-H subunit of photosystem I has two isoforms of differingmolecular mass in Nicotiana sylvestris [Obokata et al. (1993)Plant Physiol. 102: 1259], and is encoded by a nuclear gene,psaH. We identified three structurally distinct psaH genes inthe nuclear genome of N. sylvestris, designated psaHa, psaHb,and psaHc, and all three genes are expressed in young leaves.Each gene has two introns: one between sequences encoding atransit peptide and the N-terminal acidic domain, and one betweenthe N-terminal domain and a central hydrophobic domain. Thededuced amino acid sequences are identical in the mature proteinsand differ only in the transit peptides. Since PSI-H is presentin two isoforms in N. sylvestris, the psaH products may be subjectedto post-translational modifications. (Received November 8, 1993; Accepted December 28, 1993)     

A direct interaction between Photosystem I and the chloroplast coupling factor.

A regulation of the ATP-synthesizing complex by electron-transport rate has been found. The site of regulation could be localized within the Photosystem I region. The regulatory effect probably is produced by direct interactions between neighbouring charged protein complexes. The primary result is an increase in the percentage of those binding sites adopting a low-affinity state. This seems to lead to an enhanced leakage of protons out of the thylakoids, especially under those experimental conditions employing low nucleotide concentrations. Changes in the P/2e ratio can be observed, especially if the total ADP + ATP concentration used in the experiment is below 200 microM.     

Organization of photosystem I polypeptides. Identification of PsaB domains that may interact with PsaD.

PsaA and PsaB are homologous integral membrane-proteins that form the heterodimeric core of photosystem i (PSI). We used subunit-deficient PSI complexes from the mutant strains of the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 to examine interactions between PsaB and other PSI subunits. Incubation of the wild-type PSI with thermolysin yielded 22-kD C-terminal fragments of PsaB that were resistant to further proteolysis. Modification of the wild-type PSI with N-hydroxysuccinimidobiotin and subsequent cleavage by thermolysin showed that the lysyl residues in the 22-kD C-terminal domain were inaccessible to modification by N-hydroxysuccinimidobiotin. The absence of PsaE, PsaF, PsaI, PsaJ, or PsaL facilitated accumulation of 22-kD C-terminal fragments of PsaB but did not alter their resistance to further proteolysis. When the PsaD-less PSI was treated with thermolysin, the 22-kD C-terminal fragments of PsaB were rapidly cleaved, with concomitant accumulation of a 16-kD fragment and then a 3.4-kD one. We mapped the N termini of these fragments by N-terminal amino acid sequencing and the C termini from their positive reaction with an antibody against the C-terminal peptide of PsaB. The cleavage sites were proposed to be in the extramembrane loops on the cytoplasmic side. Western blot analyses showed resistance of PsaC and PsaI to proteolysis prior to cleavage of the 22-kD fragments. Therefore, we propose that PsaD shields two extramembrane loops of PsaB and protects the C-terminal domain of PsaB from in vitro proteolysis.     

Interaction Involving Disulfide Bridges between Subunits of Soybean Seed Globulin and between Subunits of Soybean and Sesame Seed Globulins

Native subunit proteins of glycinin, the acidic and the basic subunits designated as AS₁₊₂, AS₂₊₃, AS₄, AS₅, and AS₆ and BS, respectively, were isolated by DEAE-Sephadex A-50 column chromatography in the presence of 6 m urea and 0.2 m 2-mercaptoethanol.

Reconstitution of intermediary subunits involving a disulfide bridge from native acidic and basic subunits was investigated. Formation of the intermediary subunit was observed in combinations between BS and each acidic subunit except AS₆. The yields of the reconstituted intermediary subunits differed from one another.

Further, formation of the intermediary complexes was observed when native acidic and basic subunits of soybean glycinin and sesame 13 S globulin, respectively (or reverse combinations), were mixed under reductively denatured condition and subjected to the reconstitution procedure. Considerring the overall evidence, we may conclude that the complexes are probably a hybrid intermediary subunit.     

Structural and functional organization of the peripheral light-harvesting system in Photosystem I

This review centers on the structural and functional organization of the light-harvesting system in the peripheral antenna of Photosystem I (LHC I) and its energy coupling to the Photosystem I (PS I) core antenna network in view of recently available structural models of the eukaryotic Photosystem I–LHC I complex, eukaryotic LHC II complexes and the cyanobacterial Photosystem I core. A structural model based on the 3D homology of Lhca4 with LHC II is used for analysis of the principles of pigment arrangement in the LHC I peripheral antenna, for prediction of the protein ligands for the pigments that are unique for LHC I and for estimates of the excitonic coupling in strongly interacting pigment dimers. The presence of chlorophyll clusters with strong pigment–pigment interactions is a structural feature of PS I, resulting in the characteristic red-shifted fluorescence. Analysis of the interactions between the PS I core antenna and the peripheral antenna leads to the suggestion that the specific function of the red pigments is likely to be determined by their localization with respect to the reaction center. In the PS I core antenna, the Chl clusters with a different magnitude of low energy shift contribute to better spectral overlap of Chls in the reaction center and the Chls of the antenna network, concentrate the excitation around the reaction center and participate in downhill enhancement of energy transfer from LHC II to the PS I core. Chlorophyll clusters forming terminal emitters in LHC I are likely to be involved in photoprotection against excess energy.     

Organization of the Light-Harvesting Complex of Photosystem I and Its Assembly during Plastid Development

Photosystem I (PSI) holocomplexes were fractionated to study the organization of the light-harvesting complex I (LHC I) pigment-proteins in barley (Hordeum vulgare) plastids. LHC Ia and LHC Ib can be isolated as oligomeric, presumably trimeric, pigment-protein complexes. The LHC Ia oligomeric complex contains both the 24- and the 21.5-kD apoproteins encoded by the Lhca3 and Lhca2 genes and is slightly larger than the oligomeric LHC Ib complex containing the Lhca1 and Lhca4 gene products of 21 and 20 kD. The synthesis and assembly of LHC I during light-driven development of intermittent light-grown plants occurs rapidly upon exposure to continuous illumination. Complete PSI complexes are detected by nondenaturing Deriphat (disodium N-dodecyl-[beta]-iminodipropionate-160)-PAGE after 2 h of illumination, and their appearance correlates with that of the 730- to 740-nm emission characteristic of assembled LHC I. However, the majority of the newly synthesized LHC I apoproteins are present as monomeric complexes in the thylakoids during the early hours of greening. We propose that during development of the protochloroplast the LHC I apoproteins are first assembled into monomeric pigmented complexes that then aggregate into trimers before becoming attached to the pre-existing core complex to form a complete PSI holocomplex.     

The Regulation and Distribution of LHC-I and LHCP2 between the Photosystem I and Photosystem II

Evidences were provided in this paper that the relative distribution of chl-protein complexes of PSⅠ and PSⅡ could be regulated by Mg2+. addition of Mg2+ led to decrease in the amount of chl-protein complexes of PSⅠ and increase in the amount of chl-protein in complexes of PSⅡ. There was no effect of Mg2+ on the spectral property of LHCP1, but the addition of Mg2+ could change the spectral property of LHCP2 so that it became similar to that of the LHC-Ⅰ. CPIa2 was a complex of reaction centre of PSⅠ and LHC-I. LHC-I might be contacted specially with LHCP2 in chloroplast membranes. Addition of Mg2+ probably cansed the motion of LHC-I from PSⅠ to PSⅡ and became more closely connected with LHCP2. The relative amount of CPIa2, CPIa1, LHCP1 and LHCP2 in chloroplast membranes could be regulated by different light intensity. There were more CPIa2, LHCP1 and less LHCP2 in chloroplast membranes from the shade plant Malaxis monophyllos and sunflower grown under weak light, both of them lacked equally CPIa1. There were less CPIa2, LHCP1 and more LHCP2 in the sun plant spinach and sunflower grown under strong light, and they possessed equally CPIa1 chl-protein complexes. It is suggested that LHCP1 and LHCP2 are different light-harvesting Chl-protein complexes. The LHC-I and LHCP2 are mobile light-harvesting chl-protein complexes and shuttle back and forth between PSⅠ and PSⅡ They play an important role in the regulation and distribution of excitation energy between the two photosystems.     

Development of Photosystem I and Photosystem II Activities in Leaves of Light-grown Maize (Zea mays)

To compare chloroplast development in a normally grown plant with etiochloroplast development, green maize plants (Zea mays), grown under a diurnal light regime (16-hour day) were harvested 7 days after sowing and chloroplast biogenesis within the leaf tissue was examined. Determination of total chlorophyll content, ratio of chlorophyll a to chlorophyll b, and O₂-evolving capacity were made for intact leaf tissue. Plastids at different stages of development were isolated and the electron-transporting capacities of photosystem I and photosystem II measured. Light saturation curves were produced for O₂-evolving capacity of intact leaf tissue and for photosystem I and photosystem II activities of isolated plastids. Structural studies were also made on the developing plastids. The results indicate that the light-harvesting apparatus becomes increasingly efficient during plastid development due to an increase in the photosynthetic unit size. Photosystem I development is completed before that of photosystem II. Increases in O₂-evolving capacity during plastid development can be correlated with increased thylakoid fusion. The pattern of photosynthetic membrane development in the light-grown maize plastids is similar to that found in greening etiochloroplasts.     

The distribution of Photosystem I and Photosystem II polypeptides between the cytoplasmic and thylakoid membranes of cyanobacteria

Abstract In a previous study we found that the 33 kDa extrinsic polypeptide of Photosystem II is present in both the cytoplasmic and thylakoid membranes of cyanobacteria, but forms part of a functional complex only in the latter [Smith et al. (1987) Mol. Microbiol. 6, 1821–1827]. In order to determine if this phenomenon is restricted to the 33 kDa polypeptide we have extended this study in Anacystis nidulans to include a number of other polypeptides of Photosystem I and Photosystem II. We have found that D1 and possibly PsaC are present in both membranes, CP43 and CP47 are confined to the thylakoid membranes, and the distribution of PsaD and PsaE is dependent upon the growth stage of the cyanobacteria.     

茯苓多糖结构修饰及其与AA相互作用机理的研究

将茯苓多糖硫酸化得到硫酸化茯苓多糖(SP),应用光谱法研究了SP与天青A(AA)相互作用机理,并通过理论模型测得SP与AA最大结合数N=62,结合常数K=3.703×105。考察了反应体系中AA/SP摩尔比、NaCl、乙醇、羟丙基β环糊精以及TritonX 100对相互作用的影响。并对SP与AA相互作用机理提出了合理的解释。     

Assignment of a kinetic component to electron transfer between iron-sulfur clusters F(X) and F(A/B) of Photosystem I

We studied the kinetics of reoxidation of the phylloquinones in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii Photosystem I using site-directed mutations in the PhQ(A)-binding site and of the residues serving as the axial ligand to ec3(A) and ec3(B) chlorophylls. In wild type PS I, these kinetics are biphasic, and mutations in the binding region of PhQ(A) induced a specific slowing down of the slow component. This slowing allowed detection of a previously unobserved 180-ns phase having spectral characteristics that differ from electron transfer between phylloquinones and F(X). The new kinetic phase thus reflects a different reaction that we ascribe to oxidation of F(X)(-) by the F(A/B) FeS clusters. These absorption changes partly account for the differences between the spectra associated with the two kinetic components assigned to phylloquinone reoxidation. In the mutant in which the axial ligand to ec3(A) (PsaA-Met688) was targeted, about 25% of charge separations ended in P(700)(+)A(0)(-) charge recombination; no such recombination was detected in the B-side symmetric mutant. Despite significant changes in the amplitude of the components ascribed to phylloquinone reoxidation in the two mutants, the overall nanosecond absorption changes were similar to the wild type. This suggests that these absorption changes are similar for the two different phylloquinones and that part of the differences between the decay-associated spectra of the two components reflect a contribution from different electron acceptors, i.e. from an inter-FeS cluster electron transfer.