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Updated: May 13, 2026

In Vitro Reconstitution of Light-harvesting Complexes of Plants and Green Algae
Published on: October 10, 2014
Photosystem II assembly: from cyanobacteria to plants
Jörg Nickelsen1, Birgit Rengstl
1Molekulare Pflanzenwissenschaften, Biozentrum Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Germany. joerg.nickelsen@lrz.uni-muenchen.de
Abstract:
Photosystem II (PSII) is an integral-membrane, multisubunit complex that initiates electron flow in oxygenic photosynthesis. The biogenesis of this complex machine involves the concerted assembly of at least 20 different polypeptides as well as the incorporation of a variety of inorganic and organic cofactors. Many factors have recently been identified that constitute an integrative network mediating the stepwise assembly of PSII components. One recurring theme is the subcellular organization of the assembly process in specialized membranes that form distinct biogenesis centers. Here, we review our current knowledge of the molecular components and events involved in PSII assembly and their high degree of evolutionary conservation.
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