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Maity S, Daskalakis V, Jansen TLC, Kleinekathöfer U. Electric Field Susceptibility of Chlorophyll c Leads to Unexpected Excitation Dynamics in the Major Light-Harvesting Complex of Diatoms. J Phys Chem Lett 2024; 15:2499-2510. [PMID: 38410961 PMCID: PMC10926154 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.3c03241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Revised: 02/04/2024] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
Diatoms are one of the most abundant photosynthetic organisms on earth and contribute largely to atmospheric oxygen production. They contain fucoxanthin and chlorophyll-a/c binding proteins (FCPs) as light-harvesting complexes with a remarkable adaptation to the fluctuating light on ocean surfaces. To understand the basis of the photosynthetic process in diatoms, the excitation energy funneling within FCPs must be probed. A state-of-the-art multiscale analysis within a quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics framework has been employed. To this end, the chlorophyll (Chl) excitation energies within the FCP complex from the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum have been determined. The Chl-c excitation energies were found to be 5-fold more susceptible to electric fields than those of Chl-a pigments and thus are significantly lower in FCP than in organic solvents. This finding challenges the general belief that the excitation energy of Chl-c is always higher than that of Chl-a in FCP proteins and reveals that Chl-c molecules are much more sensitive to electric fields within protein scaffolds than in Chl-a pigments. The analysis of the linear absorption spectrum and the two-dimensional electronic spectra of the FCP complex strongly supports these findings and allows us to study the excitation transfer within the FCP complex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sayan Maity
- School
of Science, Constructor University, Campus Ring 1, 28759 Bremen, Germany
| | - Vangelis Daskalakis
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, School of Engineering,
University of Patras, Patras 26504, Greece
| | - Thomas L. C. Jansen
- Zernike
Institute for Advanced Materials, University
of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG Groningen, Netherlands
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Andreou C, Tselios C, Ioannou A, Varotsis C. Probing the Fucoxanthin-Chlorophyll a/ c-Binding Proteins (FCPs) of the Marine Diatom Fragilariopsis sp. by Resonance Raman Spectroscopy. J Phys Chem B 2023; 127:9014-9020. [PMID: 37819729 PMCID: PMC10614187 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.3c04346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
We report resonance Raman spectra of the light-harvesting fucoxanthin-chlorophyll a/c-binding proteins (FCPs) of marine diatom Fragilariopsis sp. The Raman shifts in the 15N-isotope-enriched diatom provide the first spectroscopic evidence for the characterization of the Ca-N marker bands and, thus, of the penta- and hexacoordinated states of chlorophylls a/c in the FCPs. Under 405 and 442 nm Raman excitations, all of the marker bands of Chl a/c are observed and the isotope-based assignments provide new information concerning the structure of Chls a/c in the FCPs and their interactions with the protein environment. Therefore, the Raman spectrum at 405 nm originates from the π-π* transitions of Chl a/c and not from a different, non π-π* electronic transition, as previously reported (BBA Bioenergetics, 2010, 1797, 1647-1656). Based on the 15N isotope shifts of the Ca-N and in conjunction with other marker bands, two distinct conformations of five- and six-coordinated Chl a and Chl c are observed. In addition, two keto carbonyls were observed at 1679 (strong H-bonded) and 1691 cm-1 (weak H-bonded) in both the 405 and 442 nm Raman spectra, respectively. Collectively, the results provide solid evidence of the nature of the vibrational modes of the active Chl a/c photosynthetic pigments in the FCPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charalampos Andreou
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Cyprus University of Technology, 95 Eirinis Str., Lemesos 3603, Cyprus
| | - Charalampos Tselios
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Cyprus University of Technology, 95 Eirinis Str., Lemesos 3603, Cyprus
| | - Aristos Ioannou
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Cyprus University of Technology, 95 Eirinis Str., Lemesos 3603, Cyprus
| | - Constantinos Varotsis
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Cyprus University of Technology, 95 Eirinis Str., Lemesos 3603, Cyprus
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Tselios C, Varotsis C. Evidence for reversible light-dependent transitions in the photosynthetic pigments of diatoms. RSC Adv 2022; 12:31555-31563. [PMID: 36380945 PMCID: PMC9631684 DOI: 10.1039/d2ra05284a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Marine diatoms contribute to oxygenic photosynthesis and carbon fixation and handle large changes under variable light intensity on a regular basis. The unique light-harvesting apparatus of diatoms are the fucoxanthin–chlorophyll a/c-binding proteins (FCPs). Here, we show the enhancement of chlorophyll a/c (Chl a/c), fucoxanthin (Fx), and diadinoxanthin (Dd) marker bands in the Raman spectra of the centric diatom T. pseudonana, which allows distinction of the pigment content in the cells grown under low- (LL) and high-light (HL) intensity at room temperature. Reversible LL–HL dependent conformations of Chl c, characteristic of two conformations of the porphyrin macrocycle, and the presence of five- and six-coordinated Chl a/c with weak axial ligands are observed in the Raman data. Under HL the energy transfer from Chl c to Chl a is reduced and that from the red-shifted Fxs is minimal. Therefore, Chl c and the blue-shifted Fxs are the only contributors to the energy transfer pathways under HL and the blue- to red-shifted Fxs energy transfer pathway characteristic of the LL is inactive. The results indicate that T. pseudonana can redirect its function from light harvesting to energy-quenching state, and reversibly to light-harvesting upon subsequent illumination to LL by reproducing the red-shifted Fxs and decrease the number of Dds. The LL to HL reversible transitions are accompanied by structural modifications of Chl a/c and the lack of the red-shifted Fxs. A reversible light-intensity behavior of Dds and Fxs composition in the cells of T. pseudonana. The observed LL to HL reversible transitions are accompanied by structural modifications of Chls a/c and the lack of the red-shifted Fxs.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Charalampos Tselios
- Cyprus University of Technology, Department of Chemical Engineering, Lemesos, Cyprus
| | - Constantinos Varotsis
- Cyprus University of Technology, Department of Chemical Engineering, Lemesos, Cyprus
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Chrysafoudi A, Maity S, Kleinekathöfer U, Daskalakis V. Robust Strategy for Photoprotection in the Light-Harvesting Antenna of Diatoms: A Molecular Dynamics Study. J Phys Chem Lett 2021; 12:9626-9633. [PMID: 34585934 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.1c02498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Diatoms generate a large portion of the oxygen produced on earth due to their exceptional light-harvesting properties involving fucoxanthin and chlorophyll-binding proteins (FCP). At the same time, an efficient adaptation of these complexes to fluctuating light conditions is necessary to protect the diatoms against photodamage. So far, structural and dynamic data for the interaction between FCP and the photoprotective LHCX family of proteins in diatoms are lacking. In this computational study, we provide a structural basis for a remarkable pH-dependent adaptation at the molecular level. Upon binding of the LHCX1 protein to the FCP complex together with a change in pH, conformational changes within the FCP protein result in a variation of the electronic coupling in a specific chlorophyll-fucoxanthin pair, leading to a change in the exciton transfer rate by almost an order of magnitude. A common strategy for photoprotection between diatoms and higher plants is identified and discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthi Chrysafoudi
- Department of Biology, University of Crete, Voutes University Campus, GR-70013 Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | - Sayan Maity
- Department of Physics and Earth Sciences, Jacobs University Bremen, Campus Ring 1, 28759 Bremen, Germany
| | - Ulrich Kleinekathöfer
- Department of Physics and Earth Sciences, Jacobs University Bremen, Campus Ring 1, 28759 Bremen, Germany
| | - Vangelis Daskalakis
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Cyprus University of Technology, 30 Archbishop Kyprianou Str., 3603 Limassol, Cyprus
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Nagao R, Yokono M, Ueno Y, Suzuki T, Kumazawa M, Kato KH, Tsuboshita N, Dohmae N, Ifuku K, Shen JR, Akimoto S. Enhancement of excitation-energy quenching in fucoxanthin chlorophyll a/c-binding proteins isolated from a diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum upon excess-light illumination. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. BIOENERGETICS 2021; 1862:148350. [PMID: 33285102 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbabio.2020.148350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2020] [Revised: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 11/27/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Photosynthetic organisms regulate pigment composition and molecular oligomerization of light-harvesting complexes in response to solar light intensities, in order to improve light-harvesting efficiency. Here we report excitation-energy dynamics and relaxation of fucoxanthin chlorophyll a/c-binding protein (FCP) complexes isolated from a diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum grown under high-light (HL) illumination. Two types of FCP complexes were prepared from this diatom under the HL condition, whereas one FCP complex was isolated from the cells grown under a low-light (LL) condition. The subunit composition and oligomeric states of FCP complexes under the HL condition are different from those under the LL condition. Absorption and fluorescence spectra at 77 K of the FCP complexes also vary between the two conditions, indicating modifications of the pigment composition and arrangement upon the HL illumination. Time-resolved fluorescence curves at 77 K of the FCP complexes under the HL condition showed shorter lifetime components compared with the LL condition. Fluorescence decay-associated spectra at 77 K showed distinct excitation-energy-quenching components and alterations of energy-transfer pathways in the FCP complexes under the HL condition. These findings provide insights into molecular and functional mechanisms of the dynamic regulation of FCPs in this diatom under excess-light conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryo Nagao
- Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University, Okayama 700-8530, Japan.
| | - Makio Yokono
- Institute of Low Temperature Science, Hokkaido University, Hokkaido 060-0819, Japan
| | - Yoshifumi Ueno
- Graduate School of Science, Kobe University, Hyogo 657-8501, Japan
| | - Takehiro Suzuki
- Biomolecular Characterization Unit, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Minoru Kumazawa
- Graduate School of Biostudies, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan
| | - Ka-Ho Kato
- Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University, Okayama 700-8530, Japan
| | - Naoki Tsuboshita
- Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University, Okayama 700-8530, Japan
| | - Naoshi Dohmae
- Biomolecular Characterization Unit, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Kentaro Ifuku
- Graduate School of Biostudies, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan
| | - Jian-Ren Shen
- Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University, Okayama 700-8530, Japan
| | - Seiji Akimoto
- Graduate School of Science, Kobe University, Hyogo 657-8501, Japan.
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Nagao R, Yokono M, Ueno Y, Shen JR, Akimoto S. Reply to "Comment on 'Acidic pH-Induced Modification of Energy Transfer in Diatom Fucoxanthin Chlorophyll a/ c-Binding Proteins'". J Phys Chem B 2020; 124:10588-10589. [PMID: 33164520 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.0c09575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ryo Nagao
- Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University, Okayama 700-8530, Japan
| | - Makio Yokono
- Institute of Low Temperature Science, Hokkaido University, Hokkaido 060-0819, Japan
| | - Yoshifumi Ueno
- Graduate School of Science, Kobe University, Hyogo 657-8501, Japan
| | - Jian-Ren Shen
- Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University, Okayama 700-8530, Japan
| | - Seiji Akimoto
- Graduate School of Science, Kobe University, Hyogo 657-8501, Japan
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Lepetit B, Büchel C. Comment on “Acidic pH-Induced Modification of Energy Transfer in Diatom Fucoxanthin Chlorophyll a/ c-Binding Proteins”. J Phys Chem B 2020; 124:10585-10587. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.0c06717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Bernard Lepetit
- Plant Ecophysiology, Universität Konstanz, 78457 Konstanz, Germany
| | - Claudia Büchel
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Goethe University Frankfurt, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
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Basic pH-induced modification of excitation-energy dynamics in fucoxanthin chlorophyll a/c-binding proteins isolated from a pinguiophyte, Glossomastix chrysoplasta. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOENERGETICS 2020; 1862:148306. [PMID: 32926861 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbabio.2020.148306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2020] [Revised: 09/03/2020] [Accepted: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Photosynthetic organisms have diversified light-harvesting complexes (LHCs) to collect solar energy efficiently, leading to an acquisition of their ecological niches. Herein we report on biochemical and spectroscopic characterizations of fucoxanthin chlorophyll a/c-binding protein (FCP) complexes isolated from a marine pinguiophyte Glossomastix chrysoplasta. The pinguiophyte FCP showed one subunit band in SDS-PAGE and one protein-complex band with a molecular weight at around 66 kDa in clear-native PAGE. By HPLC analysis, the FCP possesses chlorophylls a and c, fucoxanthin, and violaxanthin. To clarify excitation-energy-relaxation processes in the FCP, we measured time-resolved fluorescence spectra at 77 K of the FCP adapted to pH 5.0, 6.5, and 8.0. Fluorescence curves measured at pH 5.0 and 8.0 showed shorter lifetime components compared with those at pH 6.5. The rapid decay components at pH 5.0 and 8.0 are unveiled by fluorescence decay-associated (FDA) spectra; fluorescence decays occur in the 270 and 160-ps FDA spectra only at pH 5.0 and 8.0, respectively. In addition, energy-transfer pathways with time constants of tens of picoseconds are altered under the basic pH condition but not the acidic pH condition. These findings provide novel insights into pH-dependent energy-transfer and energy-quenching machinery in not only FCP family but also photosynthetic LHCs.
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