Structure of biological solar energy converters - further revelations.
Photosynthetic organisms harvest solar energy by absorbing light and ultimately transferring energy through a cascade of chemical reactions to power all cellular processes. Core components initiating this reaction cascade are the photosynthetic reaction centres Photosystem I and Photosystem II. Two recent publications on the structure of the reaction centres by Adam Ben-Shem et al. and Kristina Ferreira et al. represent a big step towards understanding the evolutionary development of the core energy conversion process and identifying the site of the water oxidation process, the source of atmospheric oxygen.
Nugent
Jonathan H A
JH
Department of Biology, University College London, Gower St, London, UK WC1E 6BT.
Evans
Mike C W
MC
D010100:Oxygen / Q000378:metabolism; D010788:Photosynthesis / Q000502:physiology* / Q000528:radiation effects; D045331:Photosystem I Protein Complex / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000528:radiation effects; D045332:Photosystem II Protein Complex / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000528:radiation effects; D011487:Protein Conformation; D013472:Sunlight; D014867:Water / Q000378:metabolism
D045331:Photosystem I Protein Complex; D045332:Photosystem II Protein Complex; D014867:Water; D010100:Oxygen