Article
Biology
Asako Ishii, Jianyu Shan, Xin Sheng, Eunchul Kim, Akimasa Watanabe, Makio Yokono, Chiyo Noda, Chihong Song, Kazuyoshi Murata, Zhenfeng Liu, Jun Minagawa, David M. Kramer
Summary: Under low light conditions, Ostreococcus tauri assembles its photosystem I (PSI) supercomplex with light-harvesting complexes I (LHCI) and a prasinophyte-specific light-harvesting complex (Lhcp), expanding its photon-absorbing capacity. The structure of the supercomplex exhibits hybrid features of plant-type and green algal-type PSI supercomplexes. The formation of this supercomplex is likely induced by changes in light intensity through phosphorylation.
Review
Plant Sciences
Hui Shang, Mei Li, Xiaowei Pan
Summary: Photosynthesis is the only natural process known to convert carbon dioxide and water into biomass using solar energy. State transitions play a crucial role in balancing the energy distribution between the photosystem II (PSII) and photosystem I (PSI) complexes in order to maintain optimal photosynthetic activity. Recent high-resolution structural data on the PSI-LHCI-LHCII supercomplex provide valuable insights into the interaction patterns and energy transfer pathways in these complexes.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Dan-Hong Li, Wenda Wang, Cuicui Zhou, Yan Zhang, Songhao Zhao, Yi-Ming Zhou, Rong-Yao Gao, Hai-Dan Yao, Li-Min Fu, Peng Wang, Jian-Ren Shen, Tingyun Kuang, Jian-Ping Zhang
Summary: The light-harvesting complex II (LHCII) of Bryopsis corticulans differs in chlorophyll and carotenoid compositions from that of spinach. Using time-resolved absorption spectroscopy, we investigated the ultrafast excitation dynamics of B-LHCII. Our results showed rapid photogeneration of Chl-Chl charge transfer (CT) species and revealed the transfer of singlet excitation between different chlorophyll and carotenoid molecules. The induction of Chl-Chl CT species by red-light excitation is a common occurrence for LHCIIs in light-harvesting form, as observed in S-LHCII.
Article
Plant Sciences
Mithun Kumar Rathod, Sreedhar Nellaepalli, Shin-Ichiro Ozawa, Hiroshi Kuroda, Natsumi Kodama, Sandrine Bujaldon, Francis-Andre Wollman, Yuichiro Takahashi
Summary: Chlamydomonas reinhardtii's LHCs play a vital role in the function of photosystems. The protein Alb3.1 plays a key role in the assembly of LHCs, interacting with cpSRP43 and cpSRP54 proteins to form an assembly apparatus for most LHCs in the thylakoid membranes.
PLANT AND CELL PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Xian Jun Zhang, Yuki Fujita, Ryutaro Tokutsu, Jun Minagawa, Shen Ye, Yutaka Shibata
Summary: This study investigates the in vivo reversible changes in intracellular distribution of chlorophyll fluorescence during light-induced state transitions in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, using a newly developed noninvasive excitation-spectral microscope technique that provides powerful spectral information about excitation-energy transfer between Chl-a and Chl-b.
PLANT AND CELL PHYSIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Tatas Hardo Panintingjati Brotosudarmo, Bernd Wittmann, Soichiro Seki, Ritsuko Fujii, Juergen Koehler
Summary: The spectral response of the SCP complex from Codium fragile to green and red light excitation differs significantly, which may be associated with the alga's adaptation to its natural underwater habitat.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Haiyan Ma, Xiaoying Wu, Ziwang Wei, Liang Zhao, Zhongze Li, Qing Liang, Jie Zheng, Yu Wang, Yanhua Li, Linfei Huang, Qiang Hu, Danxiang Han
Summary: The study revealed that a type of enzyme in microalgae, DGAT, may lose its original function and instead function as another enzyme, LPAAT. The HpDGTT2 identified in the experiment was found to act as a LPAAT, regulating lipid biosynthesis, which could help to elucidate the structure-function relationship of this group of enzymes.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Guangxi Wu, Lin Ma, Cai Yuan, Jiahao Dai, Lai Luo, Roshan Sharma Poudyal, Richard T. Sayre, Choon-Hwan Lee
Summary: In this study, it was found that in dark-adapted rice leaves, the light-harvesting complex II (LHCII) becomes phosphorylated and forms supercomplexes under low light conditions, which transition to aggregates under high light conditions. Knockout mutants of protein phosphatase 1 (PPH1) failed to form these LHCII aggregates, indicating their role in dissipating excess light energy. The aggregation of dephosphorylated LHCII in LHCII-PSI-LHCI supercomplexes was proposed as a newly observed photoprotective process in early HL acclimation in rice plants.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Minjung Son, Raymundo Moya, Alberta Pinnola, Roberto Bassi, Gabriela S. Schlau-Cohen
Summary: Plants utilize photoprotection to dissipate excess energy from the sun in order to prevent the generation of harmful photoproducts. Factors such as array size, pH drop, and the presence of carotenoids influence the level of dissipation, providing separate control mechanisms for photoprotection. Understanding these factors allows for a flexible and tunable response to fluctuations in solar energy.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Zihui Huang, Liangliang Shen, Wenda Wang, Zhiyuan Mao, Xiaohan Yi, Tingyun Kuang, Jian-Ren Shen, Xing Zhang, Guangye Han
Summary: Photosystems I and II undergo state transitions to balance light energy distribution and optimize photosynthesis, with the cryo-EM structure of a PSI-LHCI-LHCII supercomplex from C. reinhardtii revealing subunit organization and energy transfer pathways.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Arif Ullah, Pavlo O. Dral
Summary: This study applies an artificial intelligence quantum dissipative algorithm to investigate the dynamics of excited state energy transfer in light-harvesting complexes. By using AI-QD approach, the authors are able to predict the behavior of quantum dynamics accurately, providing valuable insights for understanding natural processes and designing efficient photovoltaic devices.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yang Xiu, Dongxiu Zhang, Luyi Xu, Jie Li, Yuting Chen, Yongqing Xia, Meiwen Cao, Shengjie Wang
Summary: The study presents a new strategy for constructing a light-harvesting antenna using hierarchical co-assembly of short peptides and porphyrins to achieve excellent photocatalytic performance and remarkable stability. The artificial photosystem can effectively convert light energy into chemical energy and store energy even under weak light conditions. Furthermore, the structure and properties of the antenna can be regulated by controlling the molar ratio of short peptides and porphyrins.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Eldad Afik, Toni J. B. Liu, Elliot M. Meyerowitz
Summary: A marine green alga, Caulerpa brachypus, demonstrates self-organisation by generating waves of chloroplasts that propagate throughout the organism. These waves are coupled to a self-sustained oscillator and entrained to light, and their morphology is affected by light temporal patterns. This research sheds light on the connection between biological oscillators, metabolism, and morphogenesis in this single-celled organism.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Tian Gao, Shengnan Guo, Jiaojiao Zhang, Jintao Chen, Shiru Yin, Na Peng, Qun Cai, Huan Xu, Yi Liu
Summary: The synthesis of low-cost and high-efficiency multicolour emitting graphene quantum dots (GQDs) from lignin has been successfully achieved in this study. The high crystallization and single-layered structure of the synthesized GQDs were confirmed using HRTEM. By analyzing XPS and FT-IR spectra, the formation mechanism of GQDs derived from lignin at the molecular level was investigated. Furthermore, the application of multicolour-emitting GQDs derived from lignin in LEDs was demonstrated, offering a new path for converting sustainable biomass into high-value nanomaterials.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
JunWoo Kim, Tu C. Nguyen-Phan, Alastair T. Gardiner, Richard J. Cogdell, Gregory D. Scholes, Minhaeng Cho
Summary: The study utilizes a dual-laser 2DES technique to investigate the electronic energy transfer process in bacterial light-harvesting complexes. Through principal component analysis, it is found that the energy transfer is modulated by a low-frequency vibrational mode of the exciton donor.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Heini Ijas, Boxuan Shen, Amelie Heuer-Jungemann, Adrian Keller, Mauri A. Kostiainen, Tim Liedl, Janne A. Ihalainen, Veikko Linko
Summary: The study characterized and optimized the loading of doxorubicin (DOX) into different 2D and 3D scaffolded DNA origami nanostructures (DONs) through in-depth spectroscopic analysis. The research found that under experimental conditions, all DONs exhibited similar DOX binding capacities. The study also investigated drug release profiles and mechanisms of DOX aggregation, identifying factors such as pH, magnesium, and DOX concentration that have been overlooked in previous experiments.
NUCLEIC ACIDS RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Ivo H. M. van Stokkum, Miroslav Kloz, Dario Polli, Daniele Viola, Jorn Weissenborn, Ebo Peerbooms, Giulio Cerullo, John T. M. Kennis
Summary: A new methodology is presented to fully describe the time evolution of electronically and vibrationally excited states detected by ultrafast transient absorption in various systems. By global fit of experimental data, important vibrational frequencies in molecular systems are revealed. The enhanced method provides a balanced approach between theoretical description and fit of experimental data, aiding in the interpretation of molecular dynamics.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL PHYSICS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jessica Rumfeldt, Moona Kurttila, Heikki Takala, Janne A. Ihalainen
Summary: Solvent access to the protein interior is crucial for protein function, with the hairpin extension in phytochromes playing a role in relaying structural information and shielding the chromophore. The detachment of the extension allows for solvent exchange reactions near the chromophore, potentially facilitating proton transfer processes. A model involving open and closed states controlled by the hairpin extension is proposed, with mutations destabilizing the connection leading to increased deprotonation. This straightforward method of studying the stability and fluctuation of the phytochrome hairpin can be applied to other chromophore-protein systems.
PHOTOCHEMICAL & PHOTOBIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Elina Multamaki, Rahul Nanekar, Dmitry Morozov, Topias Lievonen, David Golonka, Weixiao Yuan Wahlgren, Brigitte Stucki-Buchli, Jari Rossi, Vesa P. Hytonen, Sebastian Westenhoff, Janne A. Ihalainen, Andreas Moeglich, Heikki Takala
Summary: This study compares the interactions and output activities of bacterial phytochromes from Deinococcus radiodurans (DrBphP) and Agrobacterium fabrum (Agp1), revealing that DrBphP acts as a light-sensitive phosphatase. This discovery suggests the potential use of light-controllable histidine kinases and phosphatases for optogenetics, as the two bacteriophytochromes exhibit contrasting output activities despite their high sequence homology.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Simon Christian Boehme, Nadine Tchamba Yimga, Achidi Frick, Susann Gunst, Harald Untenecker, John T. M. Kennis, Ivo H. M. van Stokkum, Peer Kirsch, Elizabeth von Hauff
Summary: The chemical structure at the molecular scale does not influence the molecular frontier orbitals or ultrafast dynamics of the FFPTB backbone, but does result in differences in structural and electrical properties of the FFPTB films at the macroscale. The altered location of the fluorine substitution allows for control of the electrostatic potential along the molecular backbone, impacting molecular interactions and achieving ambipolar transport in FFPTB films.
ADVANCED ELECTRONIC MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Weixiao Yuan Wahlgren, Elin Claesson, Iida Tuure, Sergio Trillo-Muyo, Szabolcs Bodizs, Janne A. Ihalainen, Heikki Takala, Sebastian Westenhoff
Summary: Phytochrome proteins play a crucial role in detecting red/far-red light and regulating the growth, motion, development, and reproduction in plants, fungi, and bacteria. This study reveals the cryo electron microscopy structures of a phytochrome from Deinoccocus radiodurans, providing insights into the conformational changes that occur during protein activation and highlighting the importance of disorder in the effector domains for phosphatase activity in a two-component system. These findings have implications for understanding signaling in phytochromes and have potential applications in optogenetics.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Ivo H. M. van Stokkum, Yusaku Hontani, Johannes Vierock, Benjamin S. Krause, Peter Hegemann, John T. M. Kennis
Summary: In this study, the reaction dynamics of Chrimson channelrhodopsin were analyzed from femtoseconds to seconds. Multiple phases in the decay of excited state were identified, and early dynamics of K-like species on a 10 ps time scale were observed. Selective excitation at different wavelengths resulted in distinct spectral features, which gradually became indistinguishable over time. Protein motions underlying inhomogeneous broadening were resolved, demonstrating a dynamic interconversion between protein substates.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ivo H. M. van Stokkum, Jorn Weissenborn, Sebastian Weigand, Joris J. J. Snellenburg
Summary: This article introduces a Python framework for global and target analysis of time-resolved spectra, demonstrating its ability to resolve vibrational wavepackets and associated spectra and phases. The framework has reliability and usability, making it an important tool for understanding complex molecular systems.
PHOTOCHEMICAL & PHOTOBIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Moona Kurttila, Jessica Rumfeldt, Heikki Takala, Janne A. Ihalainen
Summary: In red-light sensing phytochromes, isomerization of the bilin chromophore triggers structural and dynamic changes, and a hairpin-like structure called "arm" is crucial for signal transduction leading to control of the output module activity. The systems without arms can still respond to light, but lack subsequent regulation of the output module activity. Thermal denaturation experiments reveal that the arms stabilize the phytochrome structure.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ivo H. M. Van Stokkum, Marc G. Mueller, Jorn Weissenborn, Sebastian Weigand, Joris J. Snellenburg, Alfred R. Hozwarth
Summary: This study establishes a general kinetic scheme for energy transfer and trapping in cyanobacterial PSI under different light conditions. The results show that the presence of Chl f compartments in PSI under far-red light conditions leads to a decrease in charge separation rate and delayed trapping.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Moona Kurttila, Stefan Etzl, Jessica Rumfeldt, Heikki Takala, Nadine Galler, Andreas Winkler, Janne A. Ihalainen
Summary: Signal transduction is a process that affects cellular activities through ligand binding or cofactor activation. In red light-sensing phytochromes, isomerization of the bilin chromophore regulates the activity of different output modules. Our study shows that the composition of the output module influences the stability of the hairpin extension, which is important for signal transduction. Disruption of the interactions between the hairpin and the chromophore binding site reduces the dynamic range of enzymatic regulation.
PHOTOCHEMICAL & PHOTOBIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Albert Porcar-Castell, Zbynek Malenovsky, Troy Magney, Shari Van Wittenberghe, Beatriz Fernandez-Marin, Fabienne Maignan, Yongguang Zhang, Kadmiel Maseyk, Jon Atherton, Loren P. Albert, Thomas Matthew Robson, Feng Zhao, Jose-Ignacio Garcia-Plazaola, Ingo Ensminger, Paulina A. Rajewicz, Steffen Grebe, Mikko Tikkanen, James R. Kellner, Janne A. Ihalainen, Uwe Rascher, Barry Logan
Summary: Remote sensing methods can detect solar-induced chlorophyll a fluorescence. To fully utilize this signal, intensive cross-disciplinary work is required to harmonize biophysical and ecophysiological studies.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Moona Kurttila, Brigitte Stucki-Buchli, Jessica Rumfeldt, Lea Schroeder, Heikki Haekkaenen, Alli Liukkonen, Heikki Takala, Tilman Kottke, Janne A. Ihalainen
Summary: The study examines the site-specific signal propagation in photosensory proteins using unnatural amino acid labels. The research demonstrates that structural changes in different locations within the photosensory unit exhibit varying response rates and behaviors.
PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY CHEMICAL PHYSICS
(2021)