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Chlorophyll d: the puzzle resolved.

Anthony W D Larkum1, Michael Kühl

  • 1School of Biological Sciences, Building A08, University of Sydney, NSW, Australia. alark@mail.usyd.edu.au

Trends in Plant Science
|July 16, 2005
PubMed
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Chlorophyll d is the primary pigment in a widespread cyanobacterium, functioning in light harvesting and potentially in photosynthesis reaction centers. This challenges the long-held view of chlorophyll a as the sole photochemical pigment.

Area of Science:

  • Photosynthesis research
  • Cyanobacterial biology
  • Pigment biochemistry

Background:

  • Chlorophyll a (Chl a) traditionally considered the sole photochemical pigment in oxygen-evolving organisms.
  • Chlorophyll d (Chl d), discovered in red algae, was often dismissed as an isolation artifact.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role and significance of Chlorophyll d (Chl d) in phototrophic organisms.
  • To re-evaluate the established understanding of photosynthetic pigment function.

Main Methods:

  • Ecological sampling of cyanobacteria in specific light environments.
  • Spectroscopic analysis of pigment composition.
  • Biochemical assays to determine pigment function in light harvesting and reaction centers.

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Main Results:

  • Chlorophyll d (Chl d) identified as the major chlorophyll in a widespread, free-living cyanobacterium.
  • This cyanobacterium thrives in environments with low visible light and high infrared radiation.
  • Evidence suggests Chl d functions in light harvesting and may replace Chl a in photosynthetic reaction centers.

Conclusions:

  • Chlorophyll d (Chl d) plays a crucial role beyond light harvesting, potentially in core photosynthetic processes.
  • The discovery necessitates a revision of the fundamental understanding of chlorophyll function in photosynthesis.
  • Cyanobacteria in specialized environments utilize diverse pigment strategies for energy capture.