The N-terminal sequence of the extrinsic PsbP protein modulates the redox potential of Cyt b559 in photosystem II.

ABSTRACT: The PsbP protein, an extrinsic subunit of photosystem II (PSII) in green plants, is known to induce a conformational change around the catalytic Mn4CaO5 cluster securing the binding of Ca(2+) and Cl(-) in PSII. PsbP has multiple interactions with the membrane subunits of PSII, but how these affect the structure and function of PSII requires clarification. Here, we focus on the interactions between the N-terminal residues of PsbP and the α subunit of Cytochrome (Cyt) b559 (PsbE). A key observation was that a peptide fragment formed of the first N-terminal 15 residues of PsbP, 'pN15', was able to convert Cyt b559 into its HP form. Interestingly, addition of pN15 to NaCl-washed PSII membranes decreased PSII's oxygen-evolving activity, even in the presence of saturating Ca(2+) and Cl(-) ions.

SUBMITTER: Nishimura T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4757834 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature