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High temperature limit of photosynthetic excitons.

ABSTRACT: Excitons in light-harvesting complexes are known to significantly improve solar-energy harnessing. Here we demonstrate photosynthetic excitons at super-physiological temperatures reaching 60-80?°C in different species of mesophilic photosynthetic bacteria. It is shown that the survival of light-harvesting excitons in the peripheral LH2 antennae is restricted by thermal decomposition of the pigment-protein complex rather than by any intrinsic property of excitons. The regular spatial organization of the bacteriochlorophyll a pigments supporting excitons in this complex is lost upon the temperature-induced breakdown of its tertiary structure. Secondary structures of the complexes survive even higher temperatures. The discovered pivotal role of the protein scaffold in the stabilization of excitons comprises an important aspect of structure-function relationship in biology. These results also intimately entangle the fundamental issues of quantum mechanical concepts in biology and in the folding of proteins.

SUBMITTER: Ratsep M

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5758513 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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High temperature limit of photosynthetic excitons.

Rätsep Margus M Muru Renata R Freiberg Arvi A

Nature communications 20180108 1

Excitons in light-harvesting complexes are known to significantly improve solar-energy harnessing. Here we demonstrate photosynthetic excitons at super-physiological temperatures reaching 60-80 °C in different species of mesophilic photosynthetic bacteria. It is shown that the survival of light-harvesting excitons in the peripheral LH2 antennae is restricted by thermal decomposition of the pigment-protein complex rather than by any intrinsic property of excitons. The regular spatial organization ...[more]

PMID: 29311621

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Project description:In order to investigate the causes of the differences in heat tolerance ('Lu He Hong' and 'Zhi Hong'), we studied the physiological changes, photosynthetic properties and regulatory mechanism of the two peony cultivars at high temperature. The results showed that the physiological changed of different peony cultivars varied significantly under high temperature stress. With the extension of high temperature stress time, MDA content of 'Lu He Hong' increased,while 'Zhi Hong' rised first and then decreased, SOD activity of 'Lu He Hong' rised first and then decreased, that of 'Zhi Hong' kept rising, POD activity of 'Lu He Hong' kept decreasing, while 'Zhi Hong' rised. The photosynthetic instrument records the change of peony photosynthesis parameters at high temperature; the chlorophyll A (Chla) fluorescence transient is recorded using the plant efficiency analyzer (PEA), analyzed according to the JIP test (O-J-I-P fluorescence transient analysis), and several parameters were derived to explain the photosynthetic efficiency difference between different peony cultivars. The tested cultivars responded differently to the survey conditions, and the PCA analysis showed that the 'Zhi Hong' was more well tolerated and showed better thermal stability of the PSII. The reduced efficiency of the 'Lu He Hong' PSII antenna leads to higher heat dissipation values to increase the light energy absorbed by unit reaction center (ABS/RC), the energy captured by unit reaction center (TR0/RC), and the energy dissipated by unit reaction center (DI0/RC), which significantly leads to its lower total photosynthetic performance (PItotal). The light capture complex of the variety 'Zhi Hong' has high connectivity with its reaction center, less damage to OEC activity, and better stability of the PSII system. The results show that 'Zhi Hong' improves heat resistance by stabilizing the cell membrane, a strong antioxidant system, as well as a more stable photosynthetic system. The results of this study provide a theoretical basis for the screening of heat-resistant peonies suitable for cultivation in Jiangnan area and for the selection and breeding of heat-resistant cultivars.

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High temperature limit of photosynthetic excitons.

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High temperature limit of photosynthetic excitons.

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