title: Modulation of quantum yield of primary radical pair formation in photosystem II by site-directed mutagenesis affecting radical cations and anions.
abstract: Pigment-protein interactions play a significant role in determining the properties of photosynthetic complexes. Site-directed mutants of Synechocystis PCC 6803 have been prepared which modify the redox potential of the primary radical pair anion and cation. In one set of mutants, the environment of P680, the primary electron donor of Photosystem II, has been modified by altering the residue at D1-His198. It has been proposed that this residue is an axial ligand to the magnesium cation. In the other set, the D1-Gln130 residue, which is thought to interact with the C9-keto group of the pheophytin electron acceptor, has been changed. The effect of these mutations is to alter the free energy of the primary radical pair state, which causes a change in the equilibrium between excited singlet states and radical pair states. We show that the free energy of the primary radical pair can be increased or decreased by modifications at either the D1-His198 or the D1-Gln130 sites. This is demonstrated by using three independent measures of quantum yield and equilibrium constant, which exhibit a quantitative correlation. These data also indicate the presence of a fast nonradiative decay pathway that competes with primary charge separation. These results emphasize the sensitivity of the primary processes of PS II to small changes in the free energy of the primary radical pair.
authors.affiliation: Molecular Dynamics and Photosynthesis Research Groups, Centre for Photomolecular Sciences, Department of Biochemistry, Imperial College, London, U.K.
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Merry
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Nixon
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Barter
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schilstra
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Porter
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Barber
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Durrant
authors.forename: D R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Klug
mesh_terms: D000409:Alanine / Q000235:genetics; D000838:Anions / Q000378:metabolism; D002412:Cations / Q000378:metabolism; D000458:Cyanobacteria; D004579:Electron Transport / Q000235:genetics; D005609:Free Radicals / Q000378:metabolism; D005973:Glutamine / Q000235:genetics; D045342:Light-Harvesting Protein Complexes; D016297:Mutagenesis, Site-Directed; D010674:Pheophytins / Q000378:metabolism*; D010777:Photochemistry; D017785:Photons; D045322:Photosynthetic Reaction Center Complex Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D045332:Photosystem II Protein Complex; D011789:Quantum Theory; D013057:Spectrum Analysis / Q000379:methods; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000838:Anions; D002412:Cations; D005609:Free Radicals; D045342:Light-Harvesting Protein Complexes; D010674:Pheophytins; D045322:Photosynthetic Reaction Center Complex Proteins; D045332:Photosystem II Protein Complex; D005973:Glutamine; D000409:Alanine