Structure of cyanobacterial photosystem I

Photosynth Res. 2005;85(1):51-72. doi: 10.1007/s11120-005-1440-4.

Abstract

Photosystem I is one of the most fascinating membrane protein complexes for which a structure has been determined. It functions as a bio-solar energy converter, catalyzing one of the first steps of oxygenic photosynthesis. It captures the light of the sun by means of a large antenna system, consisting of chlorophylls and carotenoids, and transfers the energy to the center of the complex, driving the transmembrane electron transfer from plastoquinone to ferredoxin. Cyanobacterial Photosystem I is a trimer consisting of 36 proteins to which 381 cofactors are non-covalently attached. This review discusses the complex function of Photosystem I based on the structure of the complex at 2.5 A resolution as well as spectroscopic and biochemical data.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Bacterial Proteins / chemistry*
  • Bacterial Proteins / metabolism*
  • Cyanobacteria / chemistry*
  • Electron Transport
  • Photosystem I Protein Complex / chemistry*
  • Photosystem I Protein Complex / metabolism*
  • Protein Conformation
  • Protein Subunits

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Photosystem I Protein Complex
  • Protein Subunits