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Three-dimensional structures of photosynthetic reaction centers

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Abstract

In this article, the three-dimensional structures of photosynthetic reaction centers (RCs) are presented mainly on the basis of the X-ray crystal structures of the RCs from the purple bacteria Rhodopseudomonas (Rp.) viridis and Rhodobacter (Rb.) sphaeroides. In contrast to earlier comparisons and on the basis of the best-defined Rb. sphaeroides structure, a number of the reported differences between the structures cannot be confirmed. However, there are small conformational differences which might provide a basis for the explanation of observed spectral and functional discrepancies between the two species.

A particular focus in this review is on the binding site of the secondary quinone (QB), where electron transfer is coupled to the uptake of protons from the cytoplasm. For the discussion of the QB site, a number of newlydetermined coordinate sets of Rp. viridis RCs modified at the QB site have been included. In addition, chains of ordered water molecules are found leading from the cytoplasm to the QB site in the best-defined structures of both Rp. viridis and Rb. sphaeroides RCs.

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Abbreviations

BA :

accessory bacteriochlorophyll in the active branch

BB :

accessory bacteriochlorophyll in the inactive branch

D:

primary electron donor (‘special pair’)

DL :

‘special pair’ bacteriochorophyll bound by the L subunit

DM :

‘special pair’ bacteriochorophyll bound by the M subunit

QA :

primary electron acceptor quinone

QB :

secondary electron acceptor quinone

RC:

reaction center

Rb. :

Rhodobacter

Rp. :

Rhodopseudomonas

ΦA :

bacteriopheophytin in the active branch

ΦB :

bacteriopheophytin in the inactive branch

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  1. Max-Planck-Institut für Biophysik, Abteilung Molekulare Membranbiologie, Heinrich-Hoffmannstr. 7, D-60528, Frankfurt am Main, Germany

    C. Roy D. Lancaster & Hartmut Michel

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  1. C. Roy D. Lancaster
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  2. Hartmut Michel
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Lancaster, C.R.D., Michel, H. Three-dimensional structures of photosynthetic reaction centers. Photosynth Res 48, 65–74 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00040997

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