scholarly journals Silver Island Film for Enhancing Light Harvesting in Natural Photosynthetic Proteins

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (7) ◽  
pp. 2451 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dorota Kowalska ◽  
Marcin Szalkowski ◽  
Karolina Sulowska ◽  
Dorota Buczynska ◽  
Joanna Niedziolka-Jonsson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Light Harvesting ◽  
Protein Complexes ◽  
Photosynthetic Pigment ◽  
Functional Materials ◽  
Photosynthetic Reaction Centers ◽  
Light Harvesting Complexes ◽  
Pigment Protein Complexes ◽  
Chlorophyll Protein ◽  
Silver Island ◽  
Photosynthetic Complexes

The effects of combining naturally evolved photosynthetic pigment–protein complexes with inorganic functional materials, especially plasmonically active metallic nanostructures, have been a widely studied topic in the last few decades. Besides other applications, it seems to be reasonable using such hybrid systems for designing future biomimetic solar cells. In this paper, we describe selected results that point out to various aspects of the interactions between photosynthetic complexes and plasmonic excitations in Silver Island Films (SIFs). In addition to simple light-harvesting complexes, like peridinin-chlorophyll-protein (PCP) or the Fenna–Matthews–Olson (FMO) complex, we also discuss the properties of large, photosynthetic reaction centers (RCs) and Photosystem I (PSI)—both prokaryotic PSI core complexes and eukaryotic PSI supercomplexes with attached antenna clusters (PSI-LHCI)—deposited on SIF substrates.

scholarly journals Strong plasmonic fluorescence enhancement of individual plant light-harvesting complexes

Nanoscale ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (32) ◽  
pp. 15139-15146 ◽  
Author(s):  
Farooq Kyeyune ◽  
Joshua L. Botha ◽  
Bertus van Heerden ◽  
Pavel Malý ◽  
Rienk van Grondelle ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fluorescence Enhancement ◽  
Light Harvesting ◽  
Protein Complexes ◽  
Photosynthetic Pigment ◽  
Individual Plant ◽  
Enhanced Fluorescence ◽  
Light Harvesting Complexes ◽  
Plasmon Enhanced Fluorescence ◽  
Pigment Protein Complexes

Plasmon-enhanced fluorescence for detection of weakly emitting individual photosynthetic pigment-protein complexes.

scholarly journals Structure of the stress-related LHCSR1 complex determined by an integrated computational strategy

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ingrid Guarnetti Prandi ◽  
Vladislav Sláma ◽  
Cristina Pecorilla ◽  
Lorenzo Cupellini ◽  
Benedetta Mennucci
Keyword(s):  
Structural Model ◽  
Light Harvesting ◽  
Structural Information ◽  
Protein Complexes ◽  
Complex Stress ◽  
Main Function ◽  
Light Harvesting Complexes ◽  
Light Harvesting Complex ◽  
Pigment Protein Complexes ◽  
Computational Strategy

Light-harvesting complexes (LHCs) are pigment-protein complexes whose main function is to capture sunlight and transfer the energy to reaction centers of photosystems. In response to varying light conditions, LH complexes also play photoregulation and photoprotection roles. In algae and mosses, a sub-family of LHCs, Light-Harvesting complex stress related (LHCSR), is responsible for photoprotective quenching. Despite their functional and evolutionary importance, no direct structural information on LHCSRs is available that can explain their unique properties. In this work we propose a structural model of LHCSR1 from the moss P. Patens, obtained through an integrated computational strategy that combines homology modeling, molecular dynamics, and multiscale quantum chemical calculations. The model is validated by reproducing the spectral properties of LHCSR1. Our model reveals the structural specificity of LHCSR1, as compared with the CP29 LH complex, and poses the basis for understanding photoprotective quenching in mosses.

Two-photon excitation spectroscopy of photosynthetic light-harvesting complexes and pigments

2019 ◽  
Vol 216 ◽  
pp. 494-506 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander Betke ◽  
Heiko Lokstein
Keyword(s):  
Spectral Region ◽  
Protein Complexes ◽  
Photosynthetic Pigment ◽  
Photon Absorption ◽  
Light Harvesting Complexes ◽  
Two Photon Absorption ◽  
Two Photon ◽  
Photon Excitation ◽  
Pigment Protein Complexes ◽  
Two Photon Excitation

Two-photon excitation (TPE) profiles of LHCII samples containing different xanthophyll complements were measured in the presumed 11Ag− → 21Ag− (S0 → S1) transition region of xanthophylls. Additionally, TPE profiles of Chls a and b in solution and of WSCP, which does not contain carotenoids, were measured. The results indicate that direct two-photon absorption by Chls in the presumed S0 → S1 transition spectral region of carotenoids is dominant over that of carotenoids, with negligible contributions of the latter. These results suggest the re-evaluation of previously published TPE data obtained with photosynthetic pigment–protein complexes containing (B)Chls and carotenoids.

scholarly journals A photosynthetic antenna complex foregoes unity carotenoid-to-bacteriochlorophyll energy transfer efficiency to ensure photoprotection

2020 ◽  
Vol 117 (12) ◽  
pp. 6502-6508 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dariusz M. Niedzwiedzki ◽  
David J. K. Swainsbury ◽  
Daniel P. Canniffe ◽  
C. Neil Hunter ◽  
Andrew Hitchcock
Keyword(s):  
Energy Transfer ◽  
Transient Absorption ◽  
Light Harvesting ◽  
Protein Complexes ◽  
Fluorescence Emission ◽  
Energy Transfer Efficiency ◽  
Transfer Efficiency ◽  
Light Harvesting Complexes ◽  
Antenna Complex ◽  
Pigment Protein Complexes

Carotenoids play a number of important roles in photosynthesis, primarily providing light-harvesting and photoprotective energy dissipation functions within pigment–protein complexes. The carbon–carbon double bond (C=C) conjugation length of carotenoids (N), generally between 9 and 15, determines the carotenoid-to-(bacterio)chlorophyll [(B)Chl] energy transfer efficiency. Here we purified and spectroscopically characterized light-harvesting complex 2 (LH2) fromRhodobacter sphaeroidescontaining theN= 7 carotenoid zeta (ζ)-carotene, not previously incorporated within a natural antenna complex. Transient absorption and time-resolved fluorescence show that, relative to the lifetime of the S1state of ζ-carotene in solvent, the lifetime decreases ∼250-fold when ζ-carotene is incorporated within LH2, due to transfer of excitation energy to the B800 and B850 BChlsa. These measurements show that energy transfer proceeds with an efficiency of ∼100%, primarily via the S1→ Qxroute because the S1→ S0fluorescence emission of ζ-carotene overlaps almost perfectly with the Qxabsorption band of the BChls. However, transient absorption measurements performed on microsecond timescales reveal that, unlike the nativeN≥ 9 carotenoids normally utilized in light-harvesting complexes, ζ-carotene does not quench excited triplet states of BChla, likely due to elevation of the ζ-carotene triplet energy state above that of BChla. These findings provide insights into the coevolution of photosynthetic pigments and pigment–protein complexes. We propose that theN≥ 9 carotenoids found in light-harvesting antenna complexes represent a vital compromise that retains an acceptable level of energy transfer from carotenoids to (B)Chls while allowing acquisition of a new, essential function, namely, photoprotective quenching of harmful (B)Chl triplets.

scholarly journals Metal-Enhanced Fluorescence of Chlorophylls in Light-Harvesting Complexes Coupled to Silver Nanowires

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dorota Kowalska ◽  
Bartosz Krajnik ◽  
Maria Olejnik ◽  
Magdalena Twardowska ◽  
Nikodem Czechowski ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Light Harvesting ◽  
Protein Complexes ◽  
Silver Nanowires ◽  
Reference Sample ◽  
Fluorescence Emission ◽  
Enhanced Fluorescence ◽  
Metal Enhanced Fluorescence ◽  
Light Harvesting Complexes ◽  
Time Resolved ◽  
Chlorophyll Protein

We investigate metal-enhanced fluorescence of peridinin-chlorophyll protein coupled to silver nanowires using optical microscopy combined with spectrally and time-resolved fluorescence techniques. In particular we study two different sample geometries: first, in which the light-harvesting complexes are deposited onto silver nanowires, and second, where solution of both nanostructures are mixed prior deposition on a substrate. The results indicate that for the peridinin-chlorophyll complexes placed in the vicinity of the silver nanowires we observe higher intensities of fluorescence emission as compared to the reference sample, where no nanowires are present. Enhancement factors estimated for the sample where the light-harvesting complexes are mixed together with the silver nanowires prior deposition on a substrate are generally larger in comparison to the other geometry of a hybrid nanostructure. While fluorescence spectra are identical both in terms of overall shape and maximum wavelength for peridinin-chlorophyll-protein complexes both isolated and coupled to metallic nanostructures, we conclude that interaction with plasmon excitations in the latter remains neutral to the functionality of the biological system. Fluorescence transients measured for the PCP complexes coupled to the silver nanowires indicate shortening of the fluorescence lifetime pointing towards modifications of radiative rate due to plasmonic interactions. Our results can be applied for developing ways to plasmonically control the light-harvesting capability of photosynthetic complexes.

scholarly journals Macrocycle ring deformation as the secondary design principle for light-harvesting complexes

2018 ◽  
Vol 115 (39) ◽  
pp. E9051-E9057 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luca De Vico ◽  
André Anda ◽  
Vladimir Al. Osipov ◽  
Anders Ø. Madsen ◽  
Thorsten Hansen
Keyword(s):  
Protein Interactions ◽  
Design Principle ◽  
Light Harvesting ◽  
Protein Complexes ◽  
Critical Factor ◽  
Structural Factors ◽  
Modeling Tools ◽  
Light Harvesting Complexes ◽  
Pigment Protein Complexes ◽  
Rhodoblastus Acidophilus

Natural light-harvesting is performed by pigment–protein complexes, which collect and funnel the solar energy at the start of photosynthesis. The identity and arrangement of pigments largely define the absorption spectrum of the antenna complex, which is further regulated by a palette of structural factors. Small alterations are induced by pigment–protein interactions. In light-harvesting systems 2 and 3 from Rhodoblastus acidophilus, the pigments are arranged identically, yet the former has an absorption peak at 850 nm that is blue-shifted to 820 nm in the latter. While the shift has previously been attributed to the removal of hydrogen bonds, which brings changes in the acetyl moiety of the bacteriochlorophyll, recent work has shown that other mechanisms are also present. Using computational and modeling tools on the corresponding crystal structures, we reach a different conclusion: The most critical factor for the shift is the curvature of the macrocycle ring. The bending of the planar part of the pigment is identified as the second-most important design principle for the function of pigment–protein complexes—a finding that can inspire the design of novel artificial systems.

Hybrid Nanostructures for Enhanced Light-Harvesting: Plasmon Induced Increase in Fluorescence from Individual Photosynthetic Pigment–Protein Complexes

Nano Letters ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 4897-4901 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sebastian R. Beyer ◽  
Simon Ullrich ◽  
Stefan Kudera ◽  
Alastair T. Gardiner ◽  
Richard J. Cogdell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Light Harvesting ◽  
Protein Complexes ◽  
Photosynthetic Pigment ◽  
Hybrid Nanostructures ◽  
Pigment Protein Complexes

scholarly journals Antioxidant effects of carotenoids in a model pigment-protein complex.

2012 ◽  
Vol 59 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanna Fiedor ◽  
Aleksandra Sulikowska ◽  
Aleksandra Orzechowska ◽  
Leszek Fiedor ◽  
Květoslava Burda
Keyword(s):  
Protein Complexes ◽  
Photosynthetic Pigment ◽  
Chemical Oxidation ◽  
Antioxidant Effect ◽  
Absorption And Fluorescence Spectroscopy ◽  
Pigment Protein Complexes ◽  
Photosynthetic Complexes ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Pigment Protein Complex ◽  
Antioxidant Effects

The effect of carotenoids on stability of model photosynthetic pigment-protein complexes subjected to chemical oxidation with hydrogen peroxide or potassium ferricyanide was investigated. The oxidation of carotenoid-less and carotenoid-containing complexes was conducted in the presence or absence of ascorbic acid. The progress of the reactions was monitored by use of absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy. Our results show that carotenoids may significantly enhance the stability of photosynthetic complexes against oxidation and their protective (antioxidant) effect depends on the type of the oxidant.

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