Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yadong Li, Xiaoqin Pan, Xiaokai Xu, Ying Wu, Jianle Zhuang, Xuejie Zhang, Haoran Zhang, Bingfu Lei, Chaofan Hu, Yingliang Liu
Summary: Carbon dots with gradient-changed quantum yield were prepared and their effect on plant photosynthesis was studied. The CDs significantly increased chloroplast activity and promoted rice growth by enhancing photosynthetic efficiency. These findings suggest potential applications of CDs in solar energy exploitation and agricultural production.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2021)
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
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Abhishek Sirohiwal, Dimitrios A. Pantazis
Summary: Photosystem-II uses far-red photons to trigger charge separation and bypasses the light-harvesting apparatus, leading to an extension of the photosynthetically active radiation limit.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jae-Min Park, Hyun-Jeong Lee, Jinhee Ahn, Simranjeet Singh Sekhon, Sang Yong Kim, Ji-Hyang Wee, Jiho Min, Ji-Young Ahn, Yang-Hoon Kim
Summary: In this study, the influence of oxygen and light conditions on protein expression of Rhodobacter sphaeroides was investigated using a proteomic approach. The results showed 48 proteins exhibited significant changes in expression levels when comparing dark and light cultivation conditions, suggesting potential positive regulation of PAC production. These findings have implications for metabolic engineering and industrial processes.
MOLECULAR BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
David J. K. Swainsbury, Pu Qian, Andrew Hitchcock, C. Neil Hunter
Summary: Chlorophototrophic organisms have a charge-separating reaction centre (RC) complex combined with a light-harvesting (LH) antenna, known as RC-LH1 complex. Recent studies on RC-LH1 structures have provided detailed molecular arrangements of pigments and proteins, offering insights into the molecular mechanisms of photosynthesis in purple phototrophic bacteria.
BIOSCIENCE REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Giordano Amoruso, Juntai Liu, Daniel W. Polak, Kavita Tiwari, Michael R. Jones, Thomas A. A. Oliver
Summary: RCs are crucial components of natural photosystems, converting solar energy into a potential difference that powers much of biology. By coupling RCs with synthetic light-harvesting materials, such as a nanoconjugate assembled from a synthetic quantum dot (QD) antenna and a tailored fluorescent RC, the efficiency of energy transfer from QDs to attached RCs can be achieved within a short timescale of 26.6 ns with high efficiency of 0.75.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Wojciech J. Nawrocki, Michael R. Jones, Raoul N. Frese, Roberta Croce, Vincent M. Friebe
Summary: Photosynthetic reaction centers play a crucial role in solar energy conversion, but transferring them from their natural membrane environment to artificial architectures leads to efficiency losses. This study identified bottlenecks in electron transfer and a short-circuiting of separated charges as the main causes for efficiency reduction in a biophotoelectrode.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Qiong Yuan, Jia Yin, Ling Li, Benkai Bao, Xinyi Zhang, Meiqi Li, Yanli Tang
Summary: This study introduces an oxygen-generating system called HA-L-NB/PFE@cp for promoting diabetic wound healing. The system combines biological photosynthetic chloroplasts/conjugated polymer composite nanoparticles with light-triggered hyaluronic acid-based hydrogel. The system effectively relieves hypoxia, eliminates bacteria, and promotes cell migration, leading to accelerated wound healing.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
I. Satoh, K. Gotou, S. Nagatsuma, K. V. P. Nagashima, M. Kobayashi, L. -j. Yu, M. T. Madigan, Y. Kimura, Z. -y. Wang-Otomo
Summary: Phospholipid-protein interactions are important for photosynthetic membranes. This study characterizes the phospholipid composition of intracytoplasmic membranes (ICM) from genetically altered Rhodobacter sphaeroides strains and finds selective interactions between the complexes and specific phospholipids. Expression of different light-harvesting (LH) complexes alters the phospholipid composition, and purified LH1-reaction center core complexes have different phospholipid compositions. The study also investigates the effects of carotenoids on phospholipid composition.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOENERGETICS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ying Shi, Jie Yu, Yu-Chen Liu, Peng Wang, Jian-Ping Zhang
Summary: The study investigated the effects of low-molecular-weight polyols on the optical and triplet excitation dynamics of the light-harvesting complex 2 (LH2) from Rhodobacter (Rba.) sphaeroides. The results showed that the presence of glycerol and sorbitol influenced the conformations of carotenoids and the absorption intensity of bacteriochlorophyll a. Additionally, the sensitivity of Rba. sphaeroides LH2 to low-molecular-weight polyols was found to be higher compared to the thermophiles purple bacterium Thermochromatium (Tch.) tepidum.
PHOTOCHEMICAL & PHOTOBIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
David J. K. Swainsbury, Pu Qian, Philip J. Jackson, Kaitlyn M. Faries, Dariusz M. Niedzwiedzki, Elizabeth C. Martin, David A. Farmer, Lorna A. Malone, Rebecca F. Thompson, Neil A. Ranson, Daniel P. Canniffe, Mark J. Dickman, Dewey Holten, Christine Kirmaier, Andrew Hitchcock, C. Neil Hunter
Summary: Two cryo-electron microscopy structures of RC-LH1 complexes from Rhodopseudomonas palustris provide insights into quinone dynamics and the unique role of protein-W, showing previously unidentified conformational changes and accessory quinone binding sites.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Tian Shi, Lei Li, Zhihao Li, Gang Chen, Hui Wang, Xiaodong Zhang, Yi Xie
Summary: The study highlights the use of pi-pi interaction strategies to immobilize overall surfacial antennas onto semiconductor supports, improving light absorption and photocarrier transport pathways for enhanced efficiency in superoxide generation and organic synthesis.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Gabriella Buscemi, Massimo Trotta, Danilo Vona, Gianluca M. Farinola, Francesco Milano, Roberta Ragni
Summary: A supramolecular construct for solar energy conversion is developed by chemically bridging the reaction center (RC) from Rhodobacter sphaeroides and cytochrome c (Cyt c) proteins with a tailored organic light harvesting antenna (hCy2). The RC-hCy2-Cyt c biohybrid mimics the working mechanism of biological assemblies in bacterial cell membrane to convert sunlight into metabolic energy. The biohybrid shows significantly enhanced photoactivity and photocurrent compared to the pristine RC and equimolar mixture of unbound proteins, respectively. These results provide interesting insights into photoenzyme chemical manipulation and pave the way for new eco-sustainable systems in biophotovoltaics.
BIOCONJUGATE CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yu Sugo, Hiroyuki Tamura, Hiroshi Ishikita
Summary: The study found that there are differences in the electron transfer pathways in photosynthetic reaction centers from purple bacteria and photosystem II, which are attributed to the presence of a water molecule providing a hydrogen bond and differences in the protein environments.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY B
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Leo M. Hamerlynck, Amanda J. Bischoff, Julia R. Rogers, Trevor D. Roberts, Jing Dai, Phillip L. Geissler, Matthew B. Francis, Naomi S. Ginsberg
Summary: Despite extensive studies, many questions remain about the factors affecting energy transfer efficiency in photosynthetic light harvesting protein complexes. In this study, a biomimetic light-harvesting complex was constructed to demonstrate energy transfer capability, and the key factors controlling long-range energy transfer were identified. This system offers a promising model for further research.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY B
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Pat Adkin, Andrew Hitchcock, Laura J. Smith, Susannah E. Walsh
Summary: This study investigates the effects of sub-inhibitory concentrations of biocides on antibiotic resistance in bacteria. The results show that even in the absence of stable biocide tolerance, bacteria can become resistant to antibiotics when primed with low-level exposure to biocides. The activation of efflux mechanisms may play a role in this process.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Matthew S. Proctor, Felix S. Morey-Burrows, Daniel P. Canniffe, Elizabeth C. Martin, David J. K. Swainsbury, Matthew P. Johnson, C. Neil Hunter, George A. Sutherland, Andrew Hitchcock
Summary: Carotenoids are important pigments involved in photosynthesis, and the enzyme Z-ISO plays a crucial role in their biosynthesis. This study confirmed the presence of Z-ISO in a cyanobacterium and demonstrated its requirement for carotenoid synthesis during periods of darkness. Analysis of enzyme models provided insights into the potential protein ligands for the heme B cofactor and substrate-binding site.
Article
Plant Sciences
Philip J. Jackson, Andrew Hitchcock, Amanda A. Brindley, Mark J. Dickman, C. Neil Hunter
Summary: Quantifying cellular components is crucial for understanding cellular processes and re-engineering cells. In this study, proteins in the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 were quantified using mass spectrometry, revealing important insights into chlorophyll biosynthesis, photosynthesis, and other metabolic processes. The abundance and disparities of different components suggest potential control points for biosynthetic processes and complex assembly.
PHOTOSYNTHESIS RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Noah Hitchcock, David J. Kelly, Andrew Hitchcock, Aidan J. Taylor
Summary: This study found that the cysM gene of Campylobacter jejuni encodes an O-acetyl-L-serine sulfhydrylase with high selectivity for sulfide, enabling it to efficiently utilize sulfide as a sulfur source in locations such as the intestine. However, high concentrations of sulfide inhibit the growth of C. jejuni, and further research is needed to identify the cellular targets responsible for sulfide toxicity.
Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Andrew Hitchcock, David J. K. Swainsbury, C. Neil Hunter
Summary: The RC-LH1 core complex in purple bacteria is surrounded by the LH1 antenna, and the red-shifted absorption of Blastochloris viridis LH1 is partly due to the presence of the ? subunit. The study provides evidence for the role of the ? subunit in the red shift and its evolutionary rationale. These findings offer insights into photosynthesis in low energy phototrophs and the modification of absorption properties in light-harvesting complexes.
BIOCHEMICAL JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Dariusz M. Niedzwiedzki, Nikki Cecil M. Magdaong, Xinyang Su, Noam Adir, Nir Keren, Haijun Liu
Summary: In this study, the structure and function of Photosystem I (PSI) from a desiccation-tolerant desert cyanobacterium were purified and characterized. It was found that PSI forms a tetrameric aggregate. The heterogenous composition of PsaBs and PsaL in PSI-Tet was related to the adaptation mechanisms needed to cope with stressful conditions.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOENERGETICS
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
David J. K. Swainsbury, Pu Qian, Andrew Hitchcock, C. Neil Hunter
Summary: Chlorophototrophic organisms have a charge-separating reaction centre (RC) complex combined with a light-harvesting (LH) antenna, known as RC-LH1 complex. Recent studies on RC-LH1 structures have provided detailed molecular arrangements of pigments and proteins, offering insights into the molecular mechanisms of photosynthesis in purple phototrophic bacteria.
BIOSCIENCE REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Dariusz M. Niedzwiedzki
Summary: Application of femtosecond time-resolved transient absorption spectroscopy revealed new spectroscopic features for the cis isomers of lutein and spirilloxanthin. A distinctive transient absorption band was observed for the central-cis spirilloxanthin, absent in the all-trans isomers. This band could be attributed to a transient cis-peak and could be useful for studying the dynamics of carotenoid isomers.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Siddhartha Sohoni, Lawson T. Lloyd, Andrew Hitchcock, Craig MacGregor-Chatwin, Ainsley Iwanicki, Indranil Ghosh, Qijie Shen, C. Neil Hunter, Gregory S. Engel
Summary: By using a two-dimensional electronic spectroscopy polarization scheme, researchers directly observed the approximately 8 ps energy transfer rate in the cyanobacterial and red algal photosynthetic system, which is attributed to interactions between rod-core linker proteins and terminal rod chromophores. This mechanism drives the high energy transfer efficiency in the phycobilisome and suggests that linker protein-chromophore interactions have likely evolved to shape its energetic landscape.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sandeep Biswas, Dariusz M. Niedzwiedzki, Himadri B. Pakrasi
Summary: Photosystem II in oxygenic organisms is a large membrane-bound pigment protein complex that undergoes rapid turnover. The assembly of Photosystem II involves the formation of multiple intermediates, including the CP43-preassembly complex (pCP43). In this study, the energy transfer dynamics in pCP43 were investigated through spectroscopic analysis and fluorescence decay kinetics. The results revealed the efficiency of energy transfer from beta-carotene to chlorophyll a and demonstrated the pathways of singlet excitation relaxation/decay and triplet state sensitization.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOENERGETICS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Austin J. Cendejas, Dariusz M. Niedzwiedzki, Elijah Thimsen
Summary: Nanocrystalline Cr-2x Al2(1-x)O3 solid solutions offer a unique combination of properties for various applications. This study successfully synthesized homogeneous α-Cr2xAl2(1-x)O3 nanocrystals with ultimate grain sizes as low as 20 nm and demonstrated complete mixing of Cr and Al in the particles.
CRYSTAL GROWTH & DESIGN
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
George A. Sutherland, James P. Pidgeon, Harrison Ka Hin Lee, Matthew S. Proctor, Andrew Hitchcock, Shuangqing Wang, Dimitri Chekulaev, Wing Chung Tsoi, Matthew P. Johnson, C. Neil Hunter, Jenny Clark
Summary: Singlet exciton fission is the process of generating two triplet excited states from a singlet state. Previous studies suggested that intramolecular singlet fission occurs only in protein complexes with twisted carotenoid molecules. In this research, we studied a one-carotenoid system, the orange carotenoid protein (OCP), and found no evidence of intramolecular singlet fission despite the twist in the carotenoid molecule.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Dariusz M. Niedzwiedzki
Summary: The application of femtosecond time-resolved transient absorption spectroscopy on two carotenoids, lutein and spirilloxanthin, revealed new spectroscopic features for the cis isomers. A distinct additional transient absorption band was observed in the central-cis spirilloxanthin, absent in the all trans isomers, suggesting it could be assigned to transient cis-peak. This new spectral band could be useful for studying carotenoid isomers and their distorted forms.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Arpita Roy, James R. Diers, Dariusz M. Niedzwiedzki, Adam Meares, Zhanqian Yu, Ganga Viswanathan Bhagavathy, Andrius Satraitis, Christine Kirmaier, Marcin Ptaszek, David F. Bocian, Dewey Holten
Summary: This study investigates the optical absorption and emission properties of chlorin and bacteriochlorin dyads using static and time-resolved optical spectroscopy, as well as density functional theory calculations. The results reveal the influence of through-bond and through-space interactions on the electronic properties of the dyads and provide insights into their excited-state characteristics.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY A
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Craig MacGregor-Chatwin, Dennis J. Nurnberg, Philip J. Jackson, Cvetelin Vasilev, Andrew Hitchcock, Ming-Yang Ho, Gaozhong Shen, Christopher J. Gisriel, William H. J. Wood, Moontaha Mahbub, Vera M. Selinger, Matthew P. Johnson, Mark J. Dickman, Alfred William Rutherford, Donald A. Bryant, C. Neil Hunter
Summary: Cyanobacteria have developed strategies to adapt to different environments and utilize various strategies for photosynthesis. The study characterizes the molecular changes involved in FaRLiP and the supramolecular organization of photosystem I under FRL light, showing altered cellular distribution.