Structure of the far-red light utilizing photosystem I of Acaryochloris marina

Acaryochloris marina is one of the cyanobacterial species that can use far-red light to drive photochemical reactions for oxygenic photosynthesis. Here, we report the structure of A. marina photosystem I (PSI) reaction center, determined by cryo-electron microscopy at 2.58 Å resolution. The structure reveals an arrangement of electron carriers and light-harvesting pigments distinct from other type I reaction centers. The paired chlorophyll, or special pair (also referred to as P740 in this case), is a dimer of chlorophyll d and its epimer chlorophyll d′. The primary electron acceptor is pheophytin a, a metal-less chlorin. We show the architecture of this PSI reaction center is composed of 11 subunits and we identify key components that help explain how the low energy yield from far-red light is efficiently utilized for driving oxygenic photosynthesis.

Structure of the far-red light utilizing photosystem I of Acaryochloris marina

Acaryochloris marina is one of the cyanobacteria that can use far-red light to drive photochemical reactions for oxygenic photosynthesis. Here, we report the structure of the photosystem I reaction center of A. marina determined by cryo-electron microscopy at 2.5 Å resolution. The structure reveals an arrangement of electron carriers and light-harvesting pigments different from other type I reaction centers. The paired chlorophyll, so-called special pair, of P740 is a dimer of chlorophyll d/d′ and the primary electron acceptor is pheophytin a, a metal-less chlorin different from the chlorophyll a common to all other type I reaction centers. Here we show the architecture of the photosystem I reaction center is composed of 11 subunits and identify key components that help explain how the low energy yield from far-red light is efficiently utilized for driving oxygenic photosynthesis.

Bacterial adaptation by a transposition burst of an invading IS element

The impact of transposable elements on host fitness range from highly deleterious to beneficial, but their general importance for adaptive evolution remains debated. Here, we investigated whether IS elements are a major source of beneficial mutations during 400 generations of laboratory evolution of the cyanobacterium Acaryochloris marina strain CCMEE 5410, which has experienced a recent or on-going IS element expansion. The dynamics of adaptive evolution were highly repeatable among eight independent experimental populations and included beneficial mutations related to exopolysaccharide production and inorganic carbon concentrating mechanisms for photosynthetic carbon fixation. Most detected mutations were IS transposition events, but, surprisingly, the majority of these involved the copy-and-paste activity of only a single copy of an unclassified element (ISAm1) that has recently invaded the genome of A. marina strain CCMEE 5410. Our study reveals that the activity of a single transposase can fuel adaptation for at least several hundred generations.Impact statementA single transposable element can fuel adaptation to a novel environment for hundreds of generations without an apparent accumulation of a deleterious mutational load.

Structure of the far-red light utilizing photosystem I of Acaryochloris

Acaryochloris marina is a cyanobacterium that can, uniquely, use far-red light for oxygenic photosynthesis. Here, we report the structure of the photosystem I reaction center of A. marina determined by cryo-electron microscopy at 2.5 Å resolution. The structure reveals a unique arrangement of electron carriers and light harvesting pigments. The primary electron donor P740 is a dimer of chlorophyll d/d′ and the primary electron acceptor pheophytin a, a metal-less chlorin different from the chlorophyll a common to all other oxygenic type I reaction centers. The architecture of the 11 subunits and identity of key components help explain how the low energy yield from far-red light is efficiently utilized for driving oxygenic photosynthesis.

Could photosynthesis function on Proxima Centauri b?

Could oxygenic and/or anoxygenic photosynthesis exist on planet Proxima Centauri b? Proxima Centauri (spectral type – M5.5 V, 3050 K) is a red dwarf, whereas the Sun is type G2 V (5780 K). The light regimes on Earth and Proxima Centauri b are compared with estimates of the planet's suitability for Chlorophylla(Chla) and Chld-based oxygenic photosynthesis and for bacteriochlorophyll (BChl)-based anoxygenic photosynthesis. Proxima Centauri b has low irradiance in the oxygenic photosynthesis range (400–749 nm: 64–132 µmol quanta m−2s−1). Much larger amounts of light would be available for BChl-based anoxygenic photosynthesis (350–1100 nm: 724–1538 µmol quanta m−2s−1). We estimated primary production under these light regimes. We used the oxygenic algaeSynechocystisPCC6803,Prochlorothrix hollandica,Acaryochloris marina,Chlorella vulgaris,Rhodomonassp. andPhaeodactylum tricornutumand the anoxygenic photosynthetic bacteriaRhodopseudomonas palustris(BChla),Afifella marina(BChla),Thermochromatium tepidum(BChla),Chlorobaculum tepidum(BChla + c) andBlastochloris viridis(BChlb) as representative photosynthetic organisms. Proxima Centauri b has only ≈3% of the PAR (400–700 nm) of Earth irradiance, but we found that potential gross photosynthesis (Pg) on Proxima Centauri b could be surprisingly high (oxygenic photosynthesis: earth ≈0.8 gC m−2h−1; Proxima Centauri b ≈0.14 gC m−2h−1). The proportion of PAR irradiance useable by oxygenic photosynthetic organisms (the sum of Blue + Red irradiance) is similar for the Earth and Proxima Centauri b. The oxygenic photic zone would be only ≈10 m deep in water compared with ≈200 m on Earth. ThePgof an anoxic Earth (gC m−2h−1) is ≈0.34–0.59 (land) and could be as high as ≈0.29–0.44 on Proxima Centauri b. 1 m of water does not affect oxygenic or anoxygenic photosynthesis on Earth, but on Proxima Centauri b oxygenicPgis reduced by ≈50%. Effective elimination of near IR limitsPgby photosynthetic bacteria (<10% of the surface value). The spectrum of Proxima Centauri b is unfavourable for anoxygenic aquatic photosynthesis. Nevertheless, a substantial aerobic or anaerobic ecology is possible on Proxima Centauri b. Protocols to recognize the biogenic signature of anoxygenic photosynthesis are needed.