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The amazing phycobilisome.

Noam Adir1, Shira Bar-Zvi1, Dvir Harris1

  • 1Schulich Faculty of Chemistry, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 32000, Israel.

Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta. Bioenergetics
|July 16, 2019
PubMed
Summary

The phycobilisome (PBS) is a unique light-harvesting complex in cyanobacteria and red algae. This review explores its structure, function, and evolutionary implications, questioning why it was lost in later plant evolution.

Keywords:
CyanobacteriaEnergy transferEvolutionProtein structureSpectroscopyTetrapyrrole

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Area of Science:

  • Photosynthesis research
  • Structural biology
  • Evolutionary biology

Background:

  • Phycobilisomes (PBS) are distinct light-harvesting complexes found in cyanobacteria and red algae.
  • PBS are located on the stromal side of thylakoid membranes and self-assemble from protein units binding linear tetra-pyrrole chromophores.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review new structural and observational data on Phycobilisomes (PBS).
  • To highlight the unique properties of PBS as an efficient light-harvesting system.
  • To explore the evolutionary reasons for the loss of PBS in later photosynthetic organisms.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature and structural data.
  • Analysis of Phycobilisome (PBS) composition and assembly principles.
  • Comparative analysis of light-harvesting complexes across different photosynthetic organisms.

Main Results:

  • Phycobilisomes (PBS) exhibit remarkable size and structural diversity, ranging from 1.2 to over 16.8 MDa.
  • PBS efficiently absorb light across a broad spectrum (450–700+ nm).
  • The review presents novel insights into PBS structure and function.

Conclusions:

  • Phycobilisomes (PBS) represent a highly effective, albeit complex, light-harvesting system.
  • The evolutionary trajectory suggests a trade-off or disadvantage led to the abandonment of PBS by green algae and higher plants.