"Nature" scientists capture the "tentacles" of cyanobacterial photosynthesis

Nature has evolved structures that use the sun's energy through photosynthesis, but these sun receivers are not plants

The discovery, published Aug.

Cheryl Kerfeld, Distinguished Professor of Structural Bioengineering at Hannah in the School of Natural Sciences, said: "There is a lot of interest

"Once you understand how something works, you get a better idea of how to modify and manipulate it

The antennae structure of cyanobacteria is called algal biliary body, which is a complex collection of pigments and proteins that assemble into relatively large complexes

For decades, researchers have been working to visualize the different components of the algal biliary body, trying to understand how they fit together

Now, thanks to an international team of experts and advances in cryo-electron microscopy technology, the structure of the cyanobacterial light collection antenna is almost atomic resolution

"We're fortunate to be a team of people with complementary expertise who work well

"Great place to stay"

"This work is a breakthrough in the field of photosynthesis," said Paul Sauer, a postdoctoral fellow

Sauer said: "Until now, the complete light collection structure of the antenna of the cyanobacterial bacteria has been missing

Like Kerfeld, Sauer is the corresponding author

A surprising discovery is that a relatively small protein can act as a surge protector for a giant antenna

Until now, there has been controversy

This surge protection system — known as light protection, which has a similar system in the plant world — naturally tends to waste

And, while cyanobacteria help make the planet fit for humans and countless other organisms that need oxygen to survive, cyanobacteria also has a dark side

In addition to the new answers and potential applications this work provides, the researchers are excited

"If you think of it as Lego bricks, you can keep going, right?" These proteins and pigments are like lumps that make algal bile, but the algal biliary body is part of the light system, and on the cell membrane, is part
of the whole cell.
Sutter said
.
In a way, we're climbing the career ladder
.
We've found something new, but we can't say we've solved the whole system
.
”

Domínguez-Martín said: "We've answered some questions, but we've also opened the door to others, and for me, that's the breakthrough
.
I look forward to seeing future developments
in this area.
”

Structures of a phycobilisome in light-harvesting and photoprotected states.
Nature, 2022