Chromatic adaptation of photosynthetic membranes.
Many biological membranes adapt in response to environmental conditions. We investigated how the composition and architecture of photosynthetic membranes of a bacterium change in response to light, using atomic force microscopy. Despite large modifications in the membrane composition, the local environment of core complexes remained unaltered, whereas specialized paracrystalline light-harvesting antenna domains grew under low-light conditions. Thus, the protein mixture in the membrane shows eutectic behavior and can be mimicked by a simple model. Such structural adaptation ensures efficient photon capture under low-light conditions and prevents photodamage under high-light conditions.
Scheuring
Simon
S
Institut Curie, Unité Mixte de Recherche-CNRS 168, 11 rue Pierre et Marie Curie, 75231 Paris Cedex 05, France. simon.scheuring@curie.fr
Sturgis
James N
JN
D000220:Adaptation, Biological; D020130:Bacterial Chromatophores / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D001429:Bacteriochlorophylls / Q000032:analysis; D003198:Computer Simulation; D003460:Crystallization; D008027:Light; D045342:Light-Harvesting Protein Complexes / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry*; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force; D008954:Models, Biological; D009010:Monte Carlo Method; D010788:Photosynthesis; D021122:Protein Subunits / Q000032:analysis; D012246:Rhodospirillum / Q000737:chemistry / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure*
D001429:Bacteriochlorophylls; D045342:Light-Harvesting Protein Complexes; D021122:Protein Subunits