title: Evolution and functional properties of photosystem II light harvesting complexes in eukaryotes.
abstract: Photoautotrophic organisms, the major agent of inorganic carbon fixation into biomass, convert light energy into chemical energy. The first step of photosynthesis consists of the absorption of solar energy by pigments binding protein complexes named photosystems. Within photosystems, a family of proteins called Light Harvesting Complexes (LHC), responsible for light harvesting and energy transfer to reaction centers, has evolved along with eukaryotic organisms. Besides light absorption, these proteins catalyze photoprotective reactions which allowed functioning of oxygenic photosynthetic machinery in the increasingly oxidant environment. In this work we review current knowledge of LHC proteins serving Photosystem II. Balance between light harvesting and photoprotection is critical in Photosystem II, due to the lower quantum efficiency as compared to Photosystem I. In particular, we focus on the role of each antenna complex in light harvesting, energy transfer, scavenging of reactive oxygen species, chlorophyll triplet quenching and thermal dissipation of excess energy. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Photosystem II.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Biotecnologie, Università di Verona, Ca' Vignal 1, Strada le Grazie 15, I-37134 Verona, Italy.
authors.forename: Matteo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ballottari
authors.forename: Julien
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Girardon
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Dall'osto
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bassi
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D008958:Models, Molecular; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010788:Photosynthesis; D045332:Photosystem II Protein Complex / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D017386:Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
chemical_list: D045332:Photosystem II Protein Complex