Computer simulation of interaction of photosystem 1 with plastocyanin and ferredoxin

We designed 3D multiparticle computer models to simulate diffusion and interactions of spinach plastocyanin and ferredoxin with plant photosystem 1 in a solution. Using these models we studied kinetic characteristics of plastocyanin-photosystem 1 and ferredoxin-photosystem 1 complex formation at a variety of ionic strength values. The computer multiparticle models demonstrate non-monotonic dependences of complex formation rates on the ionic strength as the result of long-range electrostatic interactions. Our calculations show that the decrease in the association second-order rate constant at low values of the ionic strength is caused by the protein pairs spending more time in wrong orientations which do not satisfy the docking conditions and so do not form the final complex capable of the electron transfer. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.