title: X-Ray spectroscopy of the photosynthetic oxygen-evolving complex.
abstract: Water oxidation to dioxygen in photosynthesis is catalyzed by a Mn(4)Ca cluster with O bridging in Photosystem II (PS II) of plants, algae and cyanobacteria. A variety of spectroscopic methods have been applied to analyzing the participation of the complex. X-ray spectroscopy is particularly useful because it is element-specific, and because it can reveal important structural features of the complex with high accuracy and identify the participation of Mn in the redox chemistry. Following a brief history of the application of X-ray spectroscopy to PS II, an overview of newer results will be presented and a description of the present state of our knowledge based on this approach.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94707-5230.
authors.forename: Kenneth
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sauer
authors.forename: Junko
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yano
authors.forename: Vittal K
authors.initials: VK
authors.lastname: Yachandra