title: Oxidation of the non-heme iron complex in photosystem II.
abstract: In photosystem II (PSII), the redox properties of the non-heme iron complex (Fe complex) are sensitive to the redox state of quinones (Q(A/)(B)), which may relate to the electron/proton transfer. We calculated the redox potentials for one-electron oxidation of the Fe complex in PSII [E(m)(Fe)] based on the reference value E(m)(Fe) = +400 mV at pH 7 in the Q(A)(0)Q(B)(0) state, considering the protein environment in atomic detail and the associated changes in protonation pattern. Our model yields the pH dependence of E(m)(Fe) with -60 mV/pH as observed in experimental redox titration. We observed significant deprotonation at D1-Glu244 in the hydrophilic loop region upon Fe complex oxidation. The calculated pK(a) value for D1-Glu244 depends on the Fe complex redox state, yielding a pK(a) of 7.5 and 5.5 for Fe(2+) and Fe(3+), respectively. To account for the pH dependence of E(m)(Fe), a model involving not only D1-Glu244 but also the other titratable residues (five Glu in the D-de loops and six basic residues near the Fe complex) seems to be needed, implying the existence of a network of residues serving as an internal proton reservoir. Reduction of Q(A/B) yields +302 mV and +268 mV for E(m)(Fe) in the Q(A)(-)Q(B)(0) and Q(A)(0)Q(B)(-) states, respectively. Upon formation of the Q(A)(0)Q(B)(-) state, D1-His252 becomes protonated. Forming Fe(3+)Q(B)H(2) by a proton-coupled electron transfer process from the initial state Fe(2+)Q(B)(-) results in deprotonation of D1-His252. The two EPR signals observed at g = 1.82 and g = 1.9 in the Fe(2+)Q(A)(-) state of PSII may be attributed to D1-His252 with variable and fixed protonation, respectively.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Department of Biology, Chemistry, and Pharmacy, Free University of Berlin, Takustrasse 6, D-14195 Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ishikita
authors.forename: Ernst-Walter
authors.initials: EW
authors.lastname: Knapp
mesh_terms: D000596:Amino Acids / Q000737:chemistry; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007501:Iron / Q000737:chemistry*; D008958:Models, Molecular; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D045332:Photosystem II Protein Complex / Q000737:chemistry*; D011522:Protons; D011809:Quinones / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D000596:Amino Acids; D045332:Photosystem II Protein Complex; D011522:Protons; D011809:Quinones; D007501:Iron